PHOTOS: What looks to be a MiG-29 flying in the skies over Eastern Ghouta #Syria #Damascus - @IraqiSuryani1
pic.twitter.com/Ml1mDolqTF
PHOTO: Su-30 in #Latakia #Syria - @FPaidinfull
pic.twitter.com/S5KU3yrr3O
This must come as a huge shock to many rebels/fighters in Syria.
https://twitter.com/HDNER/status/647108339663372288 …
After Shoigu-Karter talks, Russia's fueling a big Shia-Sunni war in Middle East under US's cover , oil price to jump - Illarionov
Putin likely to announce in UN the joint actions of Syria, Iraq, Iran and Russia against IS - MOD Russia's source.
Russians now on the ground in Iraq-----
Fox Excl: Russians now on ground in Iraq; Russian pilots, warplanes now flying over Syria: US mil sources. http://fxn.ws/1OVFB9e
Where will the Chinese Navy dock?
Cited in part:Awhile ago now there was a post that the Chinese Navy on their last visit to the Mediterranean, did not visit Syria, they visited Israel. T'is an odd world. The visit was in 2013 see:http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...ad.php?t=21223Originally Posted by OUTLAW 09
Last edited by davidbfpo; 09-24-2015 at 10:09 PM.
davidbfpo
What is even odder is the fact that this naval exercise was announced during Putin's last visit to China--so is that move into Syria the result of a long planning phase or ad hoc. Then nothing was said until yesterday in Russian media although there has been massive naval ship movements via Turkey.
Then a single article out of the ME indicating that the Chinese were going to land troops in Syria as well--more important is watching the carrier's movements. There has never been comments on this anywhere.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/...0RM0EZ20150922
Tue Sep 22, 2015 2:07am EDT
Resilient insurgent group Ahrar al-Sham to play bigger role in Syria
BEIRUT | By Mariam Karouny
When an explosion killed almost all of its leaders in a single blow last year, many thought it was the end for Ahrar al-Sham, a powerful Syrian insurgent group founded by members loyal to al Qaeda.
But the group immediately re-emerged stronger. It replaced its leader and chose new military commanders. A few months later, it joined a coalition of insurgent groups that seized the city of Idlib with at least 2,000 fighters, making it the most influential group in the Fatah Army (Army of Conquest), which includes al Qaeda's Syria wing, the Nusra Front.
The group now has even loftier ambitions. With strong backing from Syria's neighbor Turkey, Ahrar al-Sham (the Free Men of Syria) is playing a significant role in Syria's four year old civil war - if not the biggest among insurgent group apart from Islamic State.
Its fighters control Bab al-Hawa, the only legal crossing between Turkey and Syria's rebel-held areas, and are powerful around Aleppo and Idlib.
The emergence of strong rebel groups such as Ahrar al-Sham which have political representation as well as military strength could help address a long-standing criticism of the opposition to President Bashar al-Assad: the disconnect between the constellation of armed groups in Syria and the Turkey-based political coalition that does not speak for any of them.
A western diplomat said that Ahrar al-Sham is seen as a decentralized, pragmatic group that is willing to work with other groups, and it will most likely have a say in any future peace talks.
While its late leadership showed no interest in the idea of ruling, Ahrar al-Sham's current command appears to want a part in any long-term solution in Syria.
It is already negotiating with Assad's government and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah over the fate of a rebel-held town near the border with Lebanon and two government-held Shi'ite towns under rebel siege in northwest province Idlib.
The talks, which have collapsed at least twice, are backed by Turkey and Iran, regional heavyweights on opposite sides of the conflict. They have given Ahrar al-Sham the advantage of negotiation experience in any future talks to find an end to the war.
They have also demonstrated Ahrar al-Sham's standing among rebel groups, who have respected the ceasefire agreements it negotiated. That includes Nusra Front.
"Ahrar al-Sham is now a nucleus of a state," said one of the group's commanders, giving an interview to Reuters over the Internet on condition he not be identified. "Ahrar has a strong foundation, it consists of scientific and academic cadres that are not present in all of other Syria's groups together."
"The fact that the movement overcame the assassination of all its first line leaders quickly and had a strong comeback, shows that it is an institutional movement," the commander added.
No one has claimed responsibility for the blast that killed the group's leaders.
Since then, it has set up offices that deal with politics and military, religious, social and financial matters. Each bureau is independent but reports to a higher command.
"We as a movement still believe that one of the ways to achieve change is through arms. We cooperate with all groups on all fronts," the commander said.
Despite its origins as an ally of al Qaeda, Ahrar al-Sham plays down any commitment to global jihad and emphasizes its national credentials as a Syrian movement that respects the country’s borders. It says its fight is limited to the Syrian front.
Such a position would come as a relief to Western countries worried about jihad spreading to Europe and elsewhere.
Aware of the West's growing fear of the influence and strength of hardline jihadist groups inside Syria, Ahrar al-Sham has published editorials in two Western newspapers, distancing itself from hardliners and saying it would protect religious minorities.
It also opposes the ultra-hardline group Islamic State.
QAEDA LINKS?
When it was formed, it had strong ties with the leadership of al Qaeda. Its slain top commander Abu Khaled al-Soury fought alongside al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden and was close to bin Laden's successor Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Since the deaths of its leadership, it had an interim leader until last week, when it finally selected Abu Yahya al-Hamawi as new permanent leader. A civil engineer and veteran militant in his 30s, the new leader reached out to other rebel groups in his first message, promising they would be included in any deal his group strikes.
"We will all be partners in the decision and in the execution of it," he said on his Twitter account.
Due to its strong relationship to Turkey and its decision to take part in talks with the Syrian government, it has sometimes come under criticism from other rebel groups.
Under its new leadership it is trying to differentiate itself from al Qaeda, angering the Nusra Front and other hardliners. But its al Qaeda-linked background means Ahrar al-Sham still has a special relationship with the Nusra Front.
Rebels inside Syria say Ahrar al-Sham supplied many of Nusra's weapons. It was not clear if it was still doing so.
A former Nusra fighter who has now left the war said Nusra and Ahrar once had strong relations.
"All I know is that Nusra sees Ahrar as their source for weapons, especially in some battles," he said. "They are moving away from military work and putting their strength in administrating liberated areas."
"Their strength is evident in running the Bab al-Hawa crossing. They control it after kicking everyone else out and hence they control the trade in and out of Syria, putting the transfer of goods to all Syria under their control. They have become self-funded after imposing taxes on goods coming into Syria," he said.
It is not only other rebel groups that are keeping a close eye on Ahrar al-Sham's rise - its enemies are equally watchful.
"We have noticed they are trying to distance themselves from Qaeda but they remain Salafis, this can not be denied," said a military commander on the Syrian government side who is also close to negotiations with the group. Salafis are followers of the austere form of Sunni Islam preached by al Qaeda.
"Unlike most Syrian insurgents, they do have a structure and their fighters are loyal to the leadership and effectively implement its orders."
...which is rather amazing, considering China has only one aircraft carrier ('CV-16', Liaoning) - all movements of which are closely monitored and regularly reported on the internet (in far more dependent fashion than anything happening in Syria).
Alone her appearance anywhere near the Suez Canal would set all alarm bells in the West on...
New! Russian work at al-Assad Airbase in #Latakia #Syria. SU-30SM/SU-24/SU-25/IL-76/HIND-24.http://bit.ly/1G5Qazm pic.twitter.com/CNNiiS112A
First mention of the Mi-24 and IL-76 at the base.
Last edited by OUTLAW 09; 09-25-2015 at 05:33 AM.
Putin on Charlie Rose interview: "The syrian people should decide the government". But in Ukraine..not so much..
And the other Chinese naval ships engaging in an Russian led naval exercise in the Med which was first announced in the Putin visit to China then went off the radar screen into silence and then only announced yesterday in Russian controlled media AFTER a massive shift of Russian naval ships from the Black Sea to the Med reported again by social media and absolutely zero from MSM --THAT does not cause alarm bells?
Remember it was social media two days ago that talked about a 22 ship Russian/Chinese naval exercise and the massive increase in Russian naval movements---not MSM--check the current MSM--still no reporting on that exercise.
The interesting thing about the alleged Chinese troops on the ground in Syria is that it was from an Arabic media source AND even more stranger never denied by anyone especially Chinese media who monitors anything worldwide said about China.
Nor for example the Iranian, Russian, Iraqi Joint Operations Center being opened in Iraq caused not a single wave when it was reported as well first via social media and still not really picked up yet by MSM.
NOR did it cause a wave when the first social media report of 10 Russian KIAs actually 11 with the 9/22 KIA from Syria was reported a full week before Putin's moves into Syria and now that has been confirmed by other sources as being correct.
That are a number of moving parts in Syria that are not being reported for a number of reasons JUST as they are still ongoing attacks against Ukrainian Armed Forces not being reported as it does not "fit" the current "atmosphere" to report them.
The carrier's participation was mentioned in the Putin Chinese visit as part of the exercise announcement--and that as well did not get much MSM coverage.
What is most interesting is the configuration of the Russian and Chinese fleet and what they are power projecting as a "desired perception"--therein lies the true story--will be interesting to see if main stream media picks up on it. Remember the Chinese have also been on "piracy patrols" recently as well along side NATO/US naval units which did not get much MSM coverage.
Remember when the US 6th Fleet carriers roamed the Med at will? Their replacement will be then what???
The Russian Med Fleet as they have acquired the required support basing agreements over the last year while everyone was watching events in the Ukraine.
Last edited by OUTLAW 09; 09-25-2015 at 11:38 AM.
Putin goes to UN, Putin scores meeting with Obama, Putin kicks UN out of Donbass and then...? http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/25/wo...tml?ref=europe …
Is Russian action in Syria intended to preserve Assad? "You're right" Putin replies in CBS interview http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...o-end-war.html …
Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum
after months of bile,threats of nukes,Russian propagandist announces his "respect" for Americans in time for #UNGA https://twitter.com/DmKiselevTV/stat...00867628429312 …
Russian fighter jets enter Syria with transponders off
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/24/po...ation%20Report …
From the same Obama official that stated the Europeans were the ones that said for the US to do a Russian reset…………
You can almost feel the ground shifting in Washington. Fmr senior Obama aide calls for rethink of Syria policy http://politi.co/1MtPMQ7
So many holes in this piece arguing for deferring discussion of fate of Assad -- by Obama's ex-top Mideast hand
From Putin in CBS interview---"And there is no other solution to the Syrian crisis than strengthening the effective government structures and rendering them help in fighting terrorism. But at the same time, urging them to engage in positive dialogue with the rational opposition and conduct reform," Putin added.
Not confirmed yet by other sources----
مي @Sayyad_1
Undercover Ansari warrior Beheads a Russian soldier in Hama city in a mall.( a Prelude to what is coming) https://twitter.com/saalh1995/status/647433623461736448 …
http://www.interpretermag.com/putin-...rgo-200/#10141
Chinese Navy Will Reportedly Join Russian Mission In Syria
16:27 (GMT)
The pro-Assad media is not the only source reporting that Chinese naval ships may be headed toward Syria (see previous update below). Earlier today the pro-Kremlin outlet Pravda, citing a Russian official, also reported that Chinese ships are headed toward Syria:
According to the Russian Senator Igor Morozov, Beijing has taken decision to take part in combating IS and sent its vessels to the Syrian coast.
Igor Morozov, member of the Russian Federation Committee on International Affairs claimed about the beginning of the military operation by China against the IS terrorists. "It is known, that China has joined our military operation in Syria, the Chinese cruiser has already entered the Mediterranean, aircraft carrier follows it," Morozov said.
According to him, Iran may soon join the operation carried out by Russia against the IS terrorists, via Hezbollah. Thus, the Russian coalition in the region gains ground, and most reasonable step of the US would be to join it.
We'd like to see another source on these reports, but the intended signal being sent by the Kremlin and the Assad regime is clear even if the news is unconfirmed -- Russia and Assad are clearly trying to position their mission in Syria as legitimate, multi-lateral, and anti-terrorist in nature.
However, as we've pointed out, ISIS, the terrorist group in question, has no presence in either Latakia or nearby Idlib province, meaning that a Russian military buildup in northwest Syria likely has little to do with combating terrorism and has more to do with striking more moderate rebel groups who pose a threat to the Assad regime.
More Russian Ships Spotted Moving Toward Syria, Reports That China May Join Them
15:53 (GMT)
The Russian state-run outlet RIA Novosti reports that the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the Moskva or "Moscow," has passed through the Bosphorus Straight and is on its way toward Syria:
This news is confirmed by other sources who watch the straight:
It's not the only ship moving southward through the Bosphorus in recent days , according to Bosphorus Naval News. Several ships have recently left the Crimean port of Sevastopol, headed southbound:
Recently a series of NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) alerts have been issued for the area between the Russian naval base in Tartus, Syria, and the island of Cyprus, warning of Russian naval exercises and rocket tests. We have mapped the coordinates given in the notices here (map):
2015-09-25 16:10:26
It may not just be Russian naval activity picking up in the area, however. Grainy images reportedly showing Russian drones above Syria are increasingly common:
These follow reports of increased Russian drone and military aircraft flights above northwestern Syria:
Now there are also rumors, coming from pro-Assad media, that China may be sending its own forces to Syria to assist the Russian mission in Syria:
Al Masdar News reports:
On Tuesday morning, a Chinese naval vessel reportedly traveled through Egypt’s Suez Canal to enter the Mediterranean Sea; its destination was not confirmed.
However, according to a senior officer in the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) that is stationed inside the Syrian coastal city of Latakia, Chinese military personnel and aerial assets are scheduled to arrive in the coming weeks (6 weeks) to the port-city of Tartous – he could not provide anymore detail.
Russia has made it abundantly clear that they are taking an active role in this conflict, but the news of the Chinese military to Syria provides more insight into their contingency.
It appears that Russia is not going to combat ISIS alone: the plan is similar to the U.S.’ idea of a “coalition” of air forces, but far more involved on the ground; this is something the U.S. and their allies have avoided since the inception of their war against ISIS.
Last edited by davidbfpo; 09-25-2015 at 06:42 PM. Reason: fix quote
Bill Roggio @billroggio Editor Long wars Journal---
Am so tired of reading this nonsense: "Mr. Obama, who had promised to end the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan..."
President Obama isn't "ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan," he is ending US involvement in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
After Obama "ended the war in Iraq," the country descended into chaos, and the Islamic State took over larger areas.
All those memes and viral FB posts about "#ISIS moving to Europe as refugees"? turn out most are #ShiaMilitias http://www.frbiu.com/militias-in-eu-...515761575.html …
Last edited by davidbfpo; 09-25-2015 at 06:43 PM. Reason: Remove duplicate link
New Russian Activity in Syria: Mi-8 and Ka-27 located southeast of Latakia http://defence-blog.com/news/new-rus...f-latakia.html … [via @Defence_blog]
Russia, Syria and Iran are working together in Baghdad to co-ordinate Shia militias fighting ISIS... https://apple.news/AeXK2eWefTh-5Tc6RVtrMLw …
Russians have been busy. See Russian Air Force flights to Baghdad-Tehran-Latakia to form coordination cell in Baghdad http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015...ll-in-baghdad/ …
http://carnegieeurope.eu/2015/09/22/...tectorate/ii04
Only a few weeks ago, the al-Assad regime seemed in danger of losing the swath of land from Latakia to Damascus to the assaults of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Jabat al-Nusra and others. Today, Russia has taken over and brought in heavy weapons. Not only can Bashar al-Assad breathe a sigh of relief, but the entire Syrian scene should now be revisited from three different angles.
First, this is about rescuing al-Assad from the edge of a cliff. The hypothesis of the entire country falling to ISIL and the al-Assads fleeing to Sochi is now implausible. Al-Assad is in safe hands. If ever rebel groups still want to conquer Syria’s west, their unlimited violence will be met by the Russian army, not the teetering regime forces.
But this is not just about rescuing one man. By establishing a strategic presence in Syria, President Vladimir Putin is securing the future of a vital ally in the Middle East, one that has long had its military trained and equipped by Russia, and making western Syria into Russia’s strategic base in the Middle East.
This new situation raises a number of questions.
One is the anti-terrorist branding of the operation. Officially, Moscow presents its support to al-Assad, past and present, as its contribution to fighting terrorism, especially from ISIL. This is a faint excuse as al-Assad not only created the jihadist group by freeing dozens of prisoners from the Sednaya Prison near Damascus but also failed to take on ISIL seriously. Deep down, is Russia really intent on eliminating ISIL, or does it want to use it as the scarecrow that makes al-Assad look tolerable?
Another question is the de facto alliance this situation creates between the U.S.-led coalition, Iran, and Russia against ISIL. Will these “allies” now coordinate strikes against ISIL targets? Or will they only try avoiding accidental mishaps? How will Iran’s Pasdaran and Hezbollah fighters present on Syrian soil interact with Russian forces? How will the U.S.-trained and equipped rebels, or what’s left of this embarrassing venture, fit into this new equation? Will this alter the (limited) French and British plans for striking ISIL in Syria? How will Israel tolerate more sophisticated weaponry so close to home?
As a side effect, Russia’s move neutralizes Ankara’s adamant ambitions to remove al-Assad from power. Ironically, it also provides a sigh of relief for President François Hollande, who narrowly avoided the embarrassment of seeing the French-built Mistral ships participating in the buildup, had the sale not been canceled.
The second angle is Russia’s strategic military presence in the Middle East. So far, Russia has had only a limited footprint in Syria, mainly the naval maintenance facility in Tartus. This is now being expanded into a more strategic foothold. Predictably, the runway at Latakia airport will be doubled in length to make it usable by the heaviest Antonov cargo planes and the fastest fighter-bomber aircraft; air defenses will be beefed up; heavy armor will be deployed; air control capacity will be enhanced; and new air-to-ground missiles will be provided to the Syrian air force.
In this way, Putin, who had accurately analyzed President Barack Obama’s “reluctant warrior” attitude in August 2013, can safely consider that the scenario of a full-scale Western intervention in Syria, if it ever seriously existed, is now shelved. In U.S. Senator John McCain’s words, Russia is “capitalizing on American inaction.” To put it differently, Putin has eliminated his nightmare scenario of a Western intervention like that in Libya in 2011, and the risk of seeing his ally murdered by unruly rebels in unspeakable conditions, as Moammar Gadhafi was. Gone also is the option for the Turkish Air Force to make forays into al-Assad’s airspace, as in June 2012.
The third angle is the worldwide diplomatic dimension of the Russian takeover of sorts in Syria. Even before the military buildup is fully documented, the Russian “protectorate” of western Syria gives a tangible reality to Moscow’s concept of a new international order. Or, expressed in a Russian perspective, it puts an end to the Western propensity to unilaterally impose its own world order.
To its snap annexation of Crimea and dominance of eastern Ukraine, Russia is now adding “Assadland.” In doing so, it is showing the rest of the world that it has the capacity to redefine the international order, or at least the guts to act as spoiler in chief.
Whether ISIL is quickly defeated along the way has little importance for Russia. Moscow’s presence in western Syria will simply be used internationally, first and foremost at the forthcoming U.N. General Assembly, to prove that Russia can propose its own solutions, in this case, a “new peace plan” for Syria with none other than al-Assad at the helm.
On Sept. 28, Putin’s U.N. speech on “the joint struggle against terrorism” (as branded by TASS agency) will no doubt be seen as utterly cynical by many Western politicians. But for Putin, it will be a glorious moment. Brace for impact.
Rouhani spin: "Russia in Syria nothing to do with us" while IRGC creates coordination cell, allows overflights for Ru transport planes.
Last edited by OUTLAW 09; 09-25-2015 at 07:14 PM.
U.S. Central Command ✔ @CENTCOM
"We urge the Russians to be transparent about their activities in Syria."
"...would call into question Russia's stated intention of countering ISIL in Syria."
"...they say is the cause of their deepening work in Syria - we would look upon that with great concern."
"If the Russians were to take action against these moderate opposition - instead of the true terrorists of ISIL and Al Nusrah..."
"I will not speculate on what we would do in that instance, but suffice it to say, attacking the moderate Syrian opposition..."
Russian Navy Slava Cls Cruiser Moskva 121 crossed Bosphorus southbound http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/25-sept...va-121-crossed … pic.twitter.com/Dp7osMovxt via @alperboler
Silence is golden when China is concerned
Citing a small part of Post 568 by Outlaw09:IIRC the activities of PLAN in the Indian Ocean, off the Somali coast, have been reported by the MSM, hence a number of posts on the Somali piracy thread and on the China emerging superpower thread.Remember the Chinese have also been on "piracy patrols" recently as well alongside NATO/US naval units which did not get much MSM coverage.
As for the PLAN's current exercising in the Mediterranean, here are two reasons why it is easy to speculate the MSM in the UK & USA are silent:Link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-34356097UK Chancellor George Osborne has been praised by Chinese state media for focusing on business ahead of human rights during his visit to Xinjiang.The Global Times said he was "the first Western official in recent years who focused on business potential rather than raising a magnifying glass to the 'human rights issue'".
Mr Osborne has spent the past five days in China to boost trade links.
Link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-34355581China's President Xi Jinping has called for "win-win co-operation" with the US on his first state visit to Washington.Speaking on the White House lawn, he said the relationship with the US "must adapt to the changing times".
He was welcomed by President Barack Obama, who said the two nations "had an unmatched ability to shape the course of the world" if they worked together.
davidbfpo
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