Damascus: Last convoy with civilians and rebels leaving #Darayya now. #Assad militias on the way to loot.
Aleppo: #YPG militias collapsing south of #Jarabulus. They have never fought without #US Airforce before.
Aleppo: #FSA rebels in #Mazaalah village, captured from #YPG. #Jarabulus
Assad barrel bomb attack on #Aleppo City killed 23+ civilians and wounded 30+ today.
Rebels have killed #Assad Brigadier General Asaf Mohammed Kheirbeik in Southern #Aleppo today.
Abandoned BREM-1, AMB-S and BMP-2 at Aleppo Military Colleges; JFS fighters are setting fire to the BREM.
Graphic: Al Waer #Homs hit by barrel bombs and incendiary barrel bombs today.
https://youtu.be/uIqz2gT4cyc
Central Division targeting regime forces in 3000 apartments with a 122 mm artillery cannon
https://youtu.be/xXsopCvayfg
[B]The way #SDF considers #Turkey as an occupation force and invaders, ignoring #Iran and #Russia, shows how #YPG is controlling #SDF.
In 2014 they fought together with FSA to free N Aleppo from Assad now they kill their former partners....that is what I call a highly successful "do nothing stupid" US FP by the Obama/Rhodes/Kerry WH....
Allowing US proxies and allies to fight against each other is the last nail in @POTUS's foreign policy coffin.
WHO made the idiotic decision in Washington to give the YPG Javelins?????
True, no TOWs, but YPG does have Javelins:
http://www.conflict-news.com/article...e-ypg-in-syria …
https://twitter.com/markito0171/stat...69384222674944 …
Michael Weiss
✔ @michaeldweiss Actually, the way to bring the White House to heel in Syria is to have US proxies blow your soldiers up with US weapons. Worked for Russia.
Last edited by OUTLAW 09; 08-28-2016 at 06:00 AM.
What a great career opportunity. Become a Russian mercenary, get paid $4600/month, and get killed in Syria https://themoscowtimes.com/news/russ...cenaries-55108 …
I hope President Obama reads this powerful essay about crimes against humanity in Syria: "Why I Go to Aleppo"
http://nyti.ms/2boNxEO
Last edited by OUTLAW 09; 08-28-2016 at 05:59 AM.
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/0...#ixzz4IbT7EaYG
Obama’s legacy on Syria dealt another blow
Critics say a new report finding Assad has continued to use chemical weapons undercuts Obama's landmark 2013 deal with Syria.
By Sarah Wheaton
| 08/26/16 05:32 PM EDT
President Barack Obama hasn’t had many victories to point to in Syria, but there was one: the U.S. and Russia-brokered deal in 2013 that compelled the Syrian regime to hand over hundreds of tons of chemical weapons.
Now, a U.N. investigation has put even that victory in question, leading critics to hammer a U.S. president they say is too stubborn to admit he was wrong to pull back on military strikes, even after he’d warned the regime there that chemical weapons use would cross a “red line.”
The U.N. report, released earlier this week, found that Syrian President Bashar Assad has used chlorine gas against civilians at least twice since 2013, violating the Chemical Weapons Convention, which he joined as part of the deal he struck that year.
Still, the White House is giving no sign that Obama is willing to change his mind on military force or even establishing a no-fly zone. Instead, administration officials keep emphasizing the importance and historic nature of the 2013 agreement, while stressing its main focus was getting rid of Assad’s stockpiles of sarin, anyhow.
“They are in such a defensive mode right now, it’s sad,” said Randa Slim, a scholar of post-conflict reconciliation at the Middle East Institute. “They are more trying to spin the positive of their inaction than confront the true inaction.”
Obama issued his “red line” warning to Assad in 2012, which was widely seen as a pledge that the U.S. would be ready to launch airstrikes targeting the Syrian government. After it became clear that Assad had used sarin gas to kill hundreds of Syrians in 2013, Obama openly debated such strikes.
Ultimately, he backed off the idea, and his administration instead pursued the diplomatic route – working with Assad’s ally, Russia — to try to purge Assad’s stockpiles of chemical weapons.
Bashar Assad's regime was responsible for at least two cases of using chlorine in his country's civil war.
Since then, there have been dozens of cases of alleged chemical weapons use in Syria, many involving chlorine. The ubiquitous industrial chemical isn’t tightly regulated under international weapons rules — but Assad is breaking his 2013 commitment not to use it to hurt people.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Thursday the U.N. findings are “not surprising,” adding that “the Assad's regime creativity in wreaking havoc and violence and bloodshed against innocent people apparently knows no bounds.”
(Earnest may be giving Assad a bit too much credit in citing his “creativity”: chlorine was arguably the original chemical weapon, first used to kill 800 French and Algerian soldiers in World War I.)
Earnest also took pains to narrowly define the White House’s mission with the original deal in 2013 – and declared that narrow mission to have been a success.
“It is important to draw a distinction between what we indicated that we were prepared to do and had succeeded in doing, which is getting the Assad regime to acknowledge that they had a stockpile of sarin gas,” Earnest said. That happened “because of the tough diplomacy of the United States and Russia.”
Assad also agreed to let other countries remove and destroy his chemical stores and dismantle Syria’s production facilities. Earnest continued: “As bad as the situation is in Syria right now, it would be even worse if we knew that the Assad regime's stockpile of sarin gas, for example, was floating around a country that had essentially been overrun by extremists.”
Mohammed Sahloul, a senior advisor to the Syrian American Medical Society who has traveled to conflict zones in Syria and testified about what he’s seen to the U.N., is underwhelmed.
“President Obama’s administration can pick and choose whatever they think is successful, and they have been picking and choosing, clearly. But for the doctors in Syria who have been facing the consequences of chemical weapons in Syria,” Sahloul continued, “these so-called successes do not mean anything.”
Sahoul co-wrote a report pegging the number of chemical weapons attacks at 161, with three-quarters happening after the 2013 agreement.
“A no-bombing zone or no-fly zone is long overdue,” Sahloul added. “President Obama has the moral responsibility to enforce that. Especially since he has red lines that were not crossed just one time or two times but … 161 times.”
That’s just part of the bloodshed since Syria devolved into civil war in spring 2011. As many as 470,000 people have died and millions have been forced from their homes. The U.N. probe’s report comes as negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict in Syria have stalled. Secretary of State John Kerry met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva on Friday and announced incremental progress in their bid to repair a badly broken cease-fire.
“We have the fact that the Geneva process is in intensive care right now, a coma,” Slim said. Along with the new U.N. report, she continued, “The evidence now basically is quite strong that diplomatic means have reached a dead end in Syria, at least diplomatic means in the way they are being enacted right now, in the absence of a military option.”
Obama and his aides still cite the lessons of the Iraq war in their reluctance to engage militarily, arguing that it would only add to the chaos without making America or its allies any safer.
A former top Obama foreign policy aide said people read too much into Obama’s off-the-cuff “red line”comment at the time. It wasn’t meant as a warning to Assad that he’d be removed from power if he broke the international norm against using chemical weapons, said Derek Chollet, now an advisor at Beacon Global Strategies. It was just about containing Syria’s suspected chemical cache.
“That’s a separate issue” from the Syrian civil war, the refugee crisis, and other fallout, Chollet said, adding that the U.S. should keep using diplomacy to resolve those issues.
“We went to Iraq over [weapons of mass destruction] that did not exist, and we are still dealing with the consequences today,” Chollet said. Even with “indisputable” evidence that Assad is waging chemical attacks on civilians, he said, “I’m not impressed by any of the ideas of how to use military force to try to solve this particular problem.”
To further complicate the Obama administration’s case that the 2013 deal was a success, there have been recent reports in Foreign Policy and other news outlets that investigators believe Assad may not have even turned over all of the deadly agents he was required to under that agreement.
National security analysts say it’s critical that the U.N. Security Council act on the latest investigation’s findings and hold Assad responsible — otherwise the international community could be sending a signal that using chemical weapons in war is acceptable.
Chlorine is a difficult substance for the international community to police: unlike sarin or mustard gas (which this week’s U.N. report determined had been used by the Islamic State in Syria), it has myriad legal uses, including for water purification.
It’s also easier to counteract and has largely been ruled out as a military tool. But in Syria, chlorine has proven not only deadly against civilians, but an effective weapon for psychological trauma and displacement, Sahloul said. Security experts have also raised alarms about terrorists getting ahold of the gas.
“When you give the impression to the world, and I’m talking about President Obama’s administration, that it’s ok to use chlorine,” Sahloul said, “that means you are really giving the green light, not the red light here… to use these kind of less aggrieved chemical agents.”
A White House official contested the idea that the administration is turning a blind eye, noting that the administration had pushed for the U.N. investigation and report after initial allegations of chlorine attacks in 2014. The report heads to the U.N. Security Council next week, where the U.S.’s envoy, Samantha Powers, has said members must “ensure consequences for those who have used chemical weapons in Syria.”
It is because Assad signed the Chemical Weapons Convention under Obama’s deal, the White House official said, that “we can hold them to account” in the international body.
The reality is that it may be impossible to convince Russia, which holds a veto on the Security Council like the U.S., to severely punish Assad, one of Moscow’s few allies in the Middle East.
Slim said the administration did not prepare for Assad’s defiance. “They don’t have a Plan B but a political dialogue.”
Sultan Murad and Turkish forces operations in #Jarabulus countryside as they clear villages from IS and SDF
https://youtu.be/3ZfGf_LVi68
In Daraya, #Assad destroyed "a small exemplary model for the future of #Syria".
http://bit.ly/2c4RzSF
Darayya is also known for women participation and leadership, in protests, civil activities and awarenss
Darayya has a christian minority which participated in protests. Sign:"Why not a Christian woman as president?"
When the revolution started in 2011, Darayya set an example for nonviolence and creativity in peaceful tactics
Darayya is a wound that won't heal in Syrian society for decades.But its story will be inspirational for many Syrians & non Syrians
Last edited by OUTLAW 09; 08-28-2016 at 06:53 AM.
A must-read piece by @hxhassan:
"The Great Game in Northern #Syria "
http://timep.org/commentary/the-grea...orthern-syria/ …
Three sides have attacked inside Turkey since the war in Syria started:
The Syrian regime
The Islamic State
The SDF
1. Important to note the clashes near Jarablus are overwhelmingly local. They shouldn't be viewed thru Kurdish-Turkish prism -- simplistic.
2. Certainly the elements fighting the rebels are part of the SDF, some *loosely* part of it.
3. For now, the Kurdish part is largely contained & there is a framework in place that'll ensure the US & Turkey are on the same page.
4. Of course, as always in Syria, things could spin out of control.
Background on the rebels-SDF clashes in Aleppo:
1. Jarablus SDF military council was set up a day before TK began op
2. The guy who announced it threatened "the Sultanate of Turkey" & called on the US & SDF to help
3. Assassinated
4. The "military council" seemed local and didn't sound linked to the SDF or that the SDF wanted it to look organic.
5. For now, it seems that it's the Arab component of the SDF that's spearheading the clashes. YPG might be going for a different tactic here
Reuters: Turkey ratchets up Syria offensive, says warplanes hit Kurdish militiaOriginally Posted by OUTLAW 09
http://www.unian.info/world/1490124-...h-militia.html …
Kyle W. Orton @KyleWOrton
There has now been a terrorist attack, with an RPG, at a police checkpoint at Diyarbakır Airport in #Turkey. Good money says it's #PKK.
Last edited by OUTLAW 09; 08-28-2016 at 07:37 AM.
Airwars
@airwars_
Coalition airstrikes against ISIL in Syria reach 5,000 by our count - 95% of them by USA according to official data
Not a single one complicated the ability of the pro-#Assad coalition to commit mass-murder in #Syria
A true 'must-read' on Wagner - Russian PMC that has 2,500 troops deployed in Syria (and that actually led the assault on Palmyra, where it lost up to 500 KIA).
And now in English too: RBC Publishes Report Sourced in FSB and Military on Wagner Private Military Contractor with 2,500 Fighters in Syria.
...yup, and the SCW is meanwhile so complex, the author of that article does not know the HNAZ (Harakat Noureddin az-Zenghi) ceased receiving US support over a year ago.
Well, the language that can be heard here (video is showing two ATGM hits on a TSK's M60A3) is clearly Kurdish:Forr now, it seems that it's the Arab component of the SDF that's spearheading the clashes. YPG might be going for a different tactic here...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCCju3WOOYY
...which means that, contrary to what the WH is claiming, the PYD/YPG didn't 'withdraw east of Euphrates'...
Hara_FM reporter: 10 regime soldiers were killed in rebel commando op. on Umm Qar'a Height South of #Aleppo #Syria
EuphratesShield: #FSA seized over Ain Al-Bayda from #SDF, 10 km S. of #Jarablus.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36....978191&z=12&m …
Al-Masdar News @TheArabSource
#Kobani residents warn #Turkey not to attack after #YPG warning
https://link.almasdarnews.com/ndtux
Turkey killed 20 people or #SDF forces south of #Syria's Jarablus town with airstrikes
Map. Gains by Turkish-backed #FSA groups in the #Jarabulus countryside
HD -
http://i.imgur.com/KyYGpMv.jpg
Aleppo: #FSA rebels have captured #Ayn_Al_Bayda, #Amarnah, #Dabisah & #Jubb_al_Kusa villages from #YPG. #Jarabulus
Syria #FSA + #Turkey army tank in Amarnah south of #Jarablus after defeated #SDF/#YPG
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36...06773&z=15&m=b …
Last edited by OUTLAW 09; 08-28-2016 at 09:39 AM.
Seems to confirm what I had posted here a number of days ago...that the YPG/PKK had been receiving Russian weapons shipments.......
This is very interesting, media outlet says YPG hit Turkish tank with Russian-made Kornet via @Stuart_JW
http://m.t24.com.tr/haber/ypg-cerabl...a-vurdu,357189 …
FSA took Thaheriyah (Balwiran) from #IS west of #Jarablus
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36...47385&z=15&m=b …
EuphratesSchield forces are controlling now Amranah, AynByda, Yusuk Bayk & JubKusa after clashes with #SDF
FSA backed by #Turkey army advance southwards against #YPG/#SDF
Aleppo: #FSA rebels with captured weapons and ammunition from #YPG in #Amarnah village today.
Aleppo: #YPG calling their killed militias now civilians and trying to fool the Western media.
Appears the rumor of a 15,000 Turkish invasion force might not be so wrong......
Turkey sends more tanks from Istanbul to Gazintep (Syria border)
Daraya : Assad’s army of looters move into the city.
Last edited by OUTLAW 09; 08-28-2016 at 10:08 AM.
http://english.aawsat.com/2016/08/ar...ehran-damascus
Commercial Airliner Flying Fighters, Weapons from Tehran to Damascus
London- At a time when Iran is investing the Nuclear Deal to develop its fleet, U.S. media sources renewed fears that Iranian air companies linked to the Revolutionary Guards would use those jets to send weapons and fighters to Syria.
A report published by Forbes said Iranian commercial aircraft routinely violate international aviation rules by transporting arms and military personnel to Syria, and therefore, “selling aircraft to Iran will expose manufacturers to the risk of becoming complicit in such activities.”
Forbes said Iran was trying to ink a deal to buy up to 500 aircraft over the next decade.
The magazine said: “Iran remains the foremost state sponsor of terrorism in the world and is still number one on the recently-released Basel Anti-Money Laundering Index Report of 2016, which assesses the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing in 149 countries.”
The report coincides with the comments of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who expressed his country’s worries regarding Iran’s transfer of weapons to Yemen.
Also, the international community is worried from an Iranian activity towards refueling conflicts in Arab countries, which Tehran says was protecting its security and national interests.
Last Thursday, Iran announced that a deal with Airbus was in its last phases,” according to Fars news agency, quoting Iranian Minister of Transportation Minister Abbas Akhoundi.
Forbes warned the Airbus Company to think twice before inking such a deal.
The report said: “The problem with the Islamic Republic’s aircraft shopping spree is that Iran’s state-owned airline, Iran Air, will be the sole company purchasing these aircraft.” It said Iran’s current fleet stands at 36 aircraft while its subsidiary, Iran Air Tours, has 14.
Mahan Air is considered the first Iranian company, which conducted flights to Syria for transferring weapons in 2011.
Iranian and foreign sources had accused Mahan Air for sending weapons to three states: Lebanon, Sudan and Syria. The company also faces several accusations for cooperating with units linked to the Revolutionary Guards and its foreign arms al-Quds Forces.
Syria #Aleppo #FSA seized Mulla Ya'qub east of al_Rai from #IS
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36...04835&z=15&m=b …
Aleppo: #FSA rebels have captured #Mulla_Yaqub village 8 kilometers northeast of #Al_Rai from #ISIS.
EuphratesShield FSA rebels have captured Khirba & Hajaj south of #Jarablus from SDF/YPG
Head of the 'Sultan Murad' rebel group told @Reuters that #Turkish-backed rebels aim to capture #Manbij city from #Kurdish-allied forces.
Turkish Red Crescent deliver aid to residents affected by operation "#EuphratesShield"
http://ow.ly/pk7M303Es82
INTERESTINGLY footage is from Russian media outlet RUPTLY...
EuphratesShield forces controlled Dabis town after clashes with #SDF
Turkish Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicles of the 5th Armoured Brigade of the 2nd Army spotted in #Jarablus #EuphratesShield
Turkish Red Crescent deliver aid to residents affected by operation "#EuphratesShield"
http://ow.ly/pk7M303Es82
INTERESTINGLY footage is from Russian media outlet RUPTLY...
EuphratesShield forces controlled Dabis town after clashes with #SDF
Turkish Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicles of the 5th Armoured Brigade of the 2nd Army spotted in #Jarablus #EuphratesShield
Combined Turkish-rebel forces advance south, take one #SDF-held village every 2-5 hours.
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