FSA Al-Mu'tasim Brigade detecting and clearing mines in North #Aleppo, near Al-Bab
CrowBat.....saving the ATGMs or has the US stopped all TOW supplies??????
No recorded Syrian rebel ATGM launches since 9 December:
https://justpaste.it/December2016AT
Mod adds: link not working.
Last edited by davidbfpo; 12-21-2016 at 08:31 AM. Reason: Add note
FSA Al-Mu'tasim Brigade detecting and clearing mines in North #Aleppo, near Al-Bab
Russian Mission in Syria Beset by Problems Despite Victory in Aleppo
The sudden recapture by Islamic State (IS) of the Syrian desert town of Palmyra has caused embarrassment and recriminations in Moscow at a time when the Russian strategy in Syria seemed to be working to plan and victory was close at hand. Opposition rebel forces in Aleppo have been routed and their defenses smashed, unable to hold their ground against the relentless assault by forces loyal to president Bashar al-Assad, together with the Iranian-led and financed Shia militias from Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Lebanese Hezbollah, supported by overwhelming Russian-organized and supplied firepower.
On December 13, a ceasefire was announced to allow for the remaining rebels to surrender and leave Aleppo, but it did not hold. Pro-Assad forces continued to pound the city, supported by the Russian military, which accused the rebels of breaking the ceasefire (militarynews.ru, December 14). Turkey intervened with the Kremlin to prevent the final extermination of the opposition and civilians cramped in the several square kilometers of Aleppo still under rebel control. President Vladimir Putin apparently promised to allow the rebels a free way out (militarynews.ru, December 14). Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov described the talks with US officials on Syria as “fruitless chatter” (besplodnye posidelki), accusing the US of trying “to delay us in order to save the terrorists.” According to Lavrov, in the future Moscow will be working with Turkey instead (RIA Novosti, December 14).
Russia’s most spectacular success in Syria was the capture last March of the ancient desert town of Palmyra, which had been under IS control since May 2015. Russian bombers, helicopters and special forces assaulted Palmyra, while sappers removed mines left by IS. Last May, a major gala symphony concert was organized by Moscow in the ancient ruins of the Palmyra Theater. Hundreds of journalists, artists and dignitaries were specially brought in for the event in order to demonstrate Russia’s success and power. The sudden fall of Palmyra has come as a painful humiliation for Moscow (Kommersant, December 11).
IS forces moved in through the desert, surprised and routed the al-Assad garrison in Palmyra. Russia deployed massive airpower: 64 Russian bombing sorties were reported and long-range sea-launched Kalibr cruise missiles were fired, but the al-Assad forces fled. Oil and natural gas fields in the vicinity of Palmyra were apparently also overtaken (militarynews, December 11).
Army General (rt.) Yuri Baluyevsky, the former Chief of the General Staff and first deputy defense minister, harshly criticized Russian and Syrian generals, who failed to anticipate the IS offensive: “A total failure of intelligence and military planning.” According to Baluyevsky, it was totally wrong to follow US advice to announce pauses in fighting and seek ceasefires (Interfax, December 11). The Russian command announced that some 5,000 IS fighters attacked Palmyra, but this apparently is a serious exaggeration. Massing such a force under persistent bombing in the open desert is suicidal, and the movement of large troop numbers would have been easily detected.
Lavrov accused the United States of allowing IS fighters to leave the besieged Iraqi city of Mosul undisturbed and giving them an open corridor to attack Palmyra (militarynews.ru, December 14). According to Russian military sources, IS fighters in Palmyra captured cashes of arms and munitions (Kommersant, December 11). The low quality of al-Assad’s troops and the lack of good infantry have been one of the main problems of the Russian campaign in Syria. For the decisive offensive in Aleppo, the radical Shia organization Hezbollah reportedly moved into Syria two additional brigades (one heavy armor and the other—light), increasing its overall presence in Syria to some 15,000 (Izvestia, November 16). In Aleppo, the Hezbollah fighters were the tip of the spear, but there are not enough of them for all the Syrian fronts.
The Palmyra debacle came after another embarrassing setback: the failed Syrian mission of Russia’s only aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, which has lost two jet fighters (a Su-33 and a MiG-29K) because of apparent technical failures of the carrier’s landing gears. The Kuznetsov’s jets are not specifically designed to attack land targets and cannot take off from deck with any serious payload, because the Kuznetsov has no plane catapult. Jets sent from the deck of the Kuznetsov were reportedly forced to land at the Russian airbase Hmeymim, near Latakia, to rearm and reload. At present, the Kuznetsov is apparently out of action, pending an investigation. Meanwhile, most of its air wing (eight Su-33 and two MiG-29K) have been moved to Hmeymim, which makes little overall military sense (Kommersant, December 8).
The Russian war effort in Syria badly needs an additional source of good infantry to mop up after massive bombardments and afterward hold the “liberated” territory. Obvious sources of recruitment are disgruntled opposition fighters, preferably not religious fanatics who can be turned. Such a strategy worked well in Chechnya in the early 2000s, when massive bombardment broke the moral of the resistance and some switched sides. A special inter-service group is now operating in Syria—the Center for Reconciliation (Tsentr Primirenya), trying to split the opposition and to recruit fighters. According to this center: “Some 2,215 fighters have surrendered in Aleppo after the offensive began and 2,137 have been pardoned” (militarynews.ru, December 12).
Still, the acute deficit of reliable infantry is seriously hampering operations, and this may eventually lead to more direct Russian involvement in ground operations. Reportedly, a contingent of Chechen troops has been sent to Syria (EDM, December 8). Chechnya’s strongman Ramzan Kadyrov has disowned these special forces—which is understandable as they are not “Kadyrovtsy,” but the troops of his nemesis, the ”Yamadayevtsy” and Kokiyevtsy,” also pro-Russian, but anti-Kadyrov—that have been manning two special companies in the federal army (kadyrov_95/, December 8). Four reinforced companies of these Muslim troops are reportedly already deployed in Syria as military police—three companies of Chechens and one mixed with other Russian Sunni Muslims. These Sunni-Russian military policemen (more than 500) will reportedly be deployed as occupation troops in Aleppo to man checkpoints, and, possibly in understanding with Ankara, to guard Aleppo’s Sunni population against possible Shia militia excesses (Gazeta.ru, December 8).
State TV channel “Rossya” in its flagship Sunday news program Vesti Nedely showed footage and interviews of Russian Special Forces directly involved in the fighting on the frontline in Syria, “killing radicals” (vesti.ru, December 11). It seems mission creep may be taking over as more Russian soldiers are getting involved in ground operations and are now in harm’s way.
https://jamestown.org/program/russia...ictory-aleppo/
Last edited by davidbfpo; 12-20-2016 at 07:33 PM. Reason: Add quote marks, hopefully in the right place.
Interesting interview from anonymous member "Zaslon" unit, which protect Russian ambassadors in dangerous countries
https://twitter.com/Varfolomeev/stat...4783164092416#
JUST IN: Russian foreign ministry says Geneva talks on Syria have hit dead end due to ultimatums from Syrian opposition in exile
RE: Tulsi Gabbard
Unfortunately, Gabbard's opinions are the consequence of American leaders marching to folly and manipulating the American people into consenting.
What these leaders never took into consideration was that Americans would only acquiesce to so many wars of choice.
An intervention in Syria may well be a worthy cause, but that bullet was used up in Libya on behalf of Cameron and Sarkozy.
Are Gabbard and her fellow travelers responsible for the atrocities in Syria? No. Who might be more to blame?
Cameron and Hollande come to mind, as ingrates who depended upon US military and diplomatic support in Libya and Mali, respectively, but then shied away from answering Assad's use of chemical weapons at Ghouta.
Reality and "spin"
Watched the evening news on the UK Channel Four (C4) tonight (which often is far better than the BBC, ITV & Sky) and there was a comprehensive report on Syria, followed by two "talking heads" interviewed - a Mr Babich, from Russia's Sputnik TV and a UK journalist.
The C4 reporter stated:Then drew attention to the footage of Shia villagers (from two besieged villages near Aleppo) arriving in Aleppo that the footage showed a celebrating fighter waving three flags: Hezbollah, Iran and Syria. Adding, with my emphasis:Iran creates the facts on the ground here now'.Then Mr Babich commented on the tripartite Moscow talks between Iran, Russia and Turkey; citing the Turkish Defence Minister:The battle is increasingly sectarian and Assad is now not resisting this.C4 ran a small clip of the Iranian Foreign Minister too:Taking Aleppo was a liberation.There is no military solution, only a political solution.
davidbfpo
The link isn't working...Originally Posted by OUTLAW 09
I would argue that she is in fact is responsible just as is Rohrbacher and company in Ukraine...if one seriously takes a close look at what lobbying funds have flowed into say Rohrbacher's reelection campaign coffers...and or monies received for speaking engagements and or RT interviews....
The Obama actions in Libya is an interesting event.....while Obama argues that it was the UK and France......I was involved in the actually targeting side and tracked the daily targeting lists......the initial fighting was carried yes by the US but the US maintained afterward the key intel support...refueling and logistics while NATO continued to fly the missions....
In some aspects it was similar to the Obama red line in Syria..the targeting team did their work...set the target lists and then waited and waited and waited and then waited some more....when nothing came from the WH they packed and were ready to fly back to the States....
THEN suddenly the WH signaled and they went to work.....that long waiting IMHO had absolutely nothing to do with UK and France which had pushed to begin with...IMO...it had to do with the foot dragging by Obama just as he did in 2013 with the Syrian gas attack red line.
In some aspects when one is honest...Libya was a live fire exercise for NATO........yes there were reasons to move against Libya as there was well over 300 tons of actual deadly chemical weapons and precursors that had not be removed from Libya...but in the end there was no plan for the "after time".....just as there was never any comments in the US as to what happens if Assad remains in power.....all talked about he being removed...but never about what if he remains and how does it then effect the fighting...
BTW...Obama's failed red line in effect allowed Aleppo to happen as Assad from that moment onwards knew he would never be removed...
Last edited by OUTLAW 09; 12-21-2016 at 05:41 AM.
How Russia's disinformation campaign rolled up the U.S. gov't
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-us...idUSKBN1492PA#
A fine article, but can't really agree with this paragraph:
Yup, it was snapping arrestor wires that seem to be causing both problems.The Palmyra debacle came after another embarrassing setback: the failed Syrian mission of Russia’s only aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, which has lost two jet fighters (a Su-33 and a MiG-29K) because of apparent technical failures of the carrier’s landing gears.
That is: a combination of poor-quality arrestor wires with lack of experience and exhaustion of pilots. They flew quite a lot around the time two aircraft were lost, and it seems the Su-33 that was lost landed some 3-4 metres off the centreline: this caused the arrestor wire to snap when it was hit by the hook...
Is this 'embarrassing'? If so, then because of comparisons to the USN: this wouldn't permit anything similar to happen on the same carrier in a matter of a week.
So far, 'OK pass'. But, this one - not:
Irrelevant.The Kuznetsov’s jets are not specifically designed to attack land targets and cannot take off from deck with any serious payload, because the Kuznetsov has no plane catapult.
1.) Su-33s and MiG-29Ks are both equipped with the SVP-24, and compatible with a wide range of dumb bombs, plus some PGMs.
2.) The stories about them being unable to launch with a full payload seem to be lots of ballooney; even if not, that's irrelevant since Russian aircraft underway over Syria are seldom carrying more than 2 or 4 bombs. And those from Kuznetsov were regularly shown carrying at least two (and then two of 500kg calibre). Means, this issue is also irrelevant, at least there's no reason to complain or criticise Russians for this.
Yup, saves the gear and pilots to have a handy air base nearby: why forcing them to make two or three arrested landings on carrier a day, if they can short-cut the way back, land and re-load ammo and fly another mission within a shorter period of time?Jets sent from the deck of the Kuznetsov were reportedly forced to land at the Russian airbase Hmeymim, near Latakia, to rearm and reload.
Would like to see some better-supported evidence for this but reports from Kommersant. I haven't followed Russian ops over Syria the last 4-5 days, but - after refuelling off Tartous, on 7-9 December - Kuznetsov was still launching air strikes as of 12 December, just for example.At present, the Kuznetsov is apparently out of action, pending an investigation. Meanwhile, most of its air wing (eight Su-33 and two MiG-29K) have been moved to Hmeymim, which makes little overall military sense (Kommersant, December 8).
'Not sure'....?
On what planet are all these people living....
Most of the TOWs in question were not supplied by the USA, anyway. But, yes - and as explained already 2-3 times, Oblabla took care to finally block even that kind of support for the FSyA.
Namely, keep in mind that the TOWs are fired only by units vetted by the CIA or by the DIA/Pentagon. Since the latter cut-off any kind of cooperation with anybody else but the NSyA last year in October (and then squandered that group in that pointless attack on the Daesh in al-Bukamal, mid this year), the CIA was forced to impose a ban on providing supplies to the Southern Front (group) of FSyA. Then a moratorium to support of FSyA groups in Idlib and Aleppo was imposed too; Turks bought nearly 5,000 combatants from that area to go fighting for them in al-Bab area.
...and thus nearly 20 major FSyA groups in Idlib/Aleppo are forced to sit around and do nothing.
At the same time, the flow of supplies from Turkey to the JFS and Ahrar just can't work any better. Really: Qataris are paying for everything they need, Russians are so kind to ignore their convoys running all the way through Idlib; Assadists are still busy with Aleppo (and now with Palmyra too), and 'Muricans are looking the other way too.
And, 'oh what a surprise' then, when FSyA units in question are left without a choice but to intensify their cooperation with the JFS, the depots of which are meanwhile bursting full of all sorts or ammo?
'Even more surprise' when 9 major Islamist groups in Idlib/Aleppo were 'contemplated' (by Qataris) into an union with the JFS (thanks whomever, their leaders are still sane enough to refuse).
All along the motto: either you're jihadist or Assadist, there is no third solution. Because Assad said so, Oblabla said so, the Pentagon said so, and Putin said so.
The 7-year-old Syrian girl who tweeted from Aleppo met with Turkey's president
http://read.bi/2hckyXy
Evacuation of civilians and fighters from east #Aleppo and Kafarya/Fu'a in last stages with temperature dropping well below zero.
JUST IN: Kremlin says nearly all communication channels between U.S. and Russia are frozen: RIA
US issues a series of new sanctions...due to Syria...eastern Ukraine heavy fighting and the Russia cyber attacks....
Impressive long-read piece by @aronlund on the complex dynamics surrounding the war in Eastern Ghouta.
https://tcf.org/content/report/into-the-tunnels/#
Heads up outgoing Obama and incoming Trump.....at some point someone has to do somethin about this....
Hezbollah fighting in Syria with U.S. weapons supplied to Lebanese army, IDF says
http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.760464#
"One doesn't become a Soldier in a week - it takes training, study and discipline." - Daniel Inouye
We're used to terror groups claiming credit for attacks. Moments ago, al-Qaeda's non affiliate JFS formerly JaN in Syria DENIED involvement in Turkey plot
Aleppo: #FSA & Turkish army retreated from Sheikh Aqil Hill after #ISIS launched a counter-attack with SVBIED. #Al_Bab
My friend took these photos in east Aleppo today. Thousands still await displacement. They've run out of food & it's snowing.
Last edited by OUTLAW 09; 12-21-2016 at 06:03 PM.
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