Civil War in Syria

[Tender Branson]

Syrians forces shot down a Russian jet while Israel was dropping bombs on Iranians and we didn't talk about it?

Syria and the Russians should just down every aircraft the Israelis send into Syrian airspace.

Israel has no fu**ing business in Syria and stay the fu** out of there.

The only legitimate way for them to attack is if something is going on really close to their border, otherwise they should stop meddling there.

[Tender Branson]

Syrians forces shot down a Russian jet while Israel was dropping bombs on Iranians and we didn't talk about it?

Syria and the Russians should just down every aircraft the Israelis send into Syrian airspace.

Israel has no fu**ing business in Syria and stay the fu** out of there.

The only legitimate way for them to attack is if something is going on really close to their border, otherwise they should stop meddling there.

Israel has about as much right to be in Syrian airspace as all the other foreign powers, including Russia and the United States.  If you're going to be demand that Israel stay out of Syria, that should apply to everyone else.  

That would be preferable, yes.

[Tender Branson]

Russia sends angry message at Israel by offering Syrians upgraded anti-aircraft weaponry

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https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-israel-syria-anti-aircraft-military-plane-crash-friendly-fire-s300-system-putin-netanyahu-a8552616.html

[Tender Branson]

IS surprisingly made strong gains in a counter attack today outside their remaining Euphrates Valley pocket. They even reached the Iraqi border again.

This is probably taking much longer than the Kurds thought ...

[Tender Branson]

Apparently Syria stated their goals after Idlib are the lands East of the Euphrates. RIP the one decent faction in the civil war.

Could be similar to what happened in Iraq months ago between the Iraqi Army and the Kurds there: The Iraqi Army advanced on the Kurdish positions in Kirkuk (which they occupied, but belonged under Iraqi gov. control) and gave them an ultimatum: step back or we'll attack. The Kurds eventually pulled back to their historical boundaries.

In Syria, this might also happen, but I guess only after the Syrian government waited long enough so that the Kurds eliminate the IS in their remaining pocket so they don't have to do the job there.

[Tender Branson]

IS has made big gains today in the Euphrates valley, killing dozens of Kurdish/US-backed forces:

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http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2018/10/28/ISIS-ousts-US-backed-forces-from-east-Syria-holdout-.html

[Tender Branson]

As the US is pulling out of Syria in the next 30-100 days, they will also abandon the (lime-green) Al-Tanf area in the South:



https://www.militarytimes.com/news/2018/12/21/us-troops-to-withdraw-from-syrian-base-near-iraq-jordan-that-has-riled-russia

This is a major victory for Assad/Russia, who attempted to win back the area for a long time.

[Tender Branson]

As the US is pulling out of Syria in the next 30-100 days, they will also abandon the (lime-green) Al-Tanf area in the South:



https://www.militarytimes.com/news/2018/12/21/us-troops-to-withdraw-from-syrian-base-near-iraq-jordan-that-has-riled-russia

This is a major victory for Assad/Russia, who attempted to win back the area for a long time.

I think the bigger effect is that the SDF is defenseless from a Turkish, or honestly pro-regime, invasion?

Yeah, that's going to be a major problem of course ...

As we know Erdogan and Assad, their assurances to Trump not to attack the Kurds anytime soon might not be worth much in say a year, when the Kurds have probably defeated ISIS around Hajin and are battle-tired. Turkey and/or Assad could then make huge gains in the Kurdish areas with the US out.

[Tender Branson]

The Kurds have made huge gains against ISIS in their last small pocket south of Hajin in recent days.

Hajin is completely taken by the Kurds and only some 10-20 miles of territory are left to clean from the Islamo-Nazis.

Too bad the heroic Kurds will soon have to face the Assad army and the invasive, filthy Turks ...

[Tender Branson]

The Assad Army is now entering Kurdish-held areas around Manbij, because the Kurds asked them to do so.

They want them to take control there, before the Turks are coming ...

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-army/syrian-army-enters-town-of-manbij-and-raises-flag-statement-idUSKCN1OR0N5

[Tender Branson]

Apparently, there's massive infighting in Idlib between the so-called "rebels" of Al-Qaida and the Turkish-backed clowns. Probably good that they are killing each other off, because it will make it a bit easier for the Assad Army and the Russians to eventually take back Idlib.

In other news, ISIS is really about to be defeated in the Euphrates Valley after the Kurds made big gains. Only some 5-10 miles of ISIS-area remains there and it seems they are now leaving even this area to depart into the desert to become isolated "sleeper cells".

[Tender Branson]

The so-called "caliphate" of IS will be completely destroyed in the next days.

The Kurds & Co. have just stormed the last town that IS holds (Baghuz), an area of just 2 square kilometers. This should be liberated tomorrow or so and total victory over IS can be declared by the Kurds, the US and Co. in terms of territory (some isolated sleeper cells of course will remain).

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/02/backed-kurds-launch-final-push-isil-syria-190209160935041.html

[Tender Branson]

How many Islamist are still hiding in that place ?

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-islamic-state-surrende/sdf-says-1500-2000-people-leave-islamic-state-syria-enclave-idUKKBN1QT2HL

It seems more than 30.000 have come out of Baghuz in the last weeks ...

[Tender Branson]

Baghuz stormed and fully taken today by the Kurds.

IS is done.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47628209

[Tender Branson]

FOX News says Islamist caliphate has been destroyed:

https://www.foxnews.com/world/isis-has-officially-crumbled-and-last-stronghold-liberated-fox-news-has-learned

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2019/03/smell-death-sdf-attacks-isil-pocket-190321160510019.html

[Tender Branson]

"White House claims victory in freeing Syria from ISIS control."

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/22/donald-trump-isis-syria-1232488

So, what's next ?

* keep an eye on the Islamist sleeper cells in the desert and eliminate them

* the Golan is back in the spotlight, after Trump said Israel "rightfully" owns that region

* fighting in Idlib is increasing again (both between the Islamist groups there => Al Qaida - and between them and the Syrian Army)

* Al-Hawl camp, which has swollen to 75.000 so-called "refugees" (most of them actually defeated and imprisoned Islamist fighters and their wives + kids), is experiencing significant riots. That is a massive powder keg that could soon explode, as most of the imprisoned are defeated warriors with an inferiority complex against the West, the Kurds and who else ... they remind me of the defeated German soldiers after WW1, who later became the Nazis during WW2.

* the US troop pullback and the possible abandoning of the Al-Tanf area.

[Tender Branson]

The Kurds also officially declare IS defeated:

https://twitter.com/mustefabali/status/1109338396256813056

- Mustafa Bali, head of SDF Press Office.

[Tender Branson]

Don't equate the SDF with the Kurds. It's a multi-ethnic alliance.

I'm aware of that, but the Kurds put in the most effort and their female fighters are also a big part of the success.

Also:

Berlin 1945:



Baghuz today:

[Tender Branson]

The Assad army has started their attack on Idlib.

[Tender Branson]

The Assad Army is making progress in Hama/Idlib, taking key towns on the frontline and throwing back the Turks and their Islamist so-called "rebel" backers.

The Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) Tiger Forces launched a large-scale assault on the key town of Kafr Naboudeh this morning.

Backed by heavy artillery, the Tiger Forces were able to penetrate the militant lines at the southern part of the town, paving the way for their troops to enter.

Shortly after entering the town, the Syrian Arab Army was engaged in a fierce battle with the Turkish-backed National Liberation Front (NLF) front troops at the southern axis of the town.

Following the fierce clashes, the Syrian Arab Army was able to overrun the militant defenses and impose full control over Kafr Naboudeh for the first time since the first years of the war.

The capture of Kafr Naboudeh is a major victory for the Syrian Arab Army, as this town is located near the Al-Ghaab Plain and the southwestern axis of the Idlib Governorate.

For the Turkish-backed rebels, the loss of Kafr Naboudeh now leaves them in serious trouble near the historical town of Qal’at Al-Madiq, which is also near the Idlib Governorate’s southern axis.

On Monday, the Syrian Arab Army kicked off their long-awaited offensive in northwestern Hama. This offensive would get off to a great start for the Syrian military, as they managed to capture two towns and the key hilltop of Tal Uthman.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-steamrolls-turkish-backed-rebels-to-capture-key-town/

Good.

The Turkish invaders need to be kicked out of Syria and Idlib needs to be put under Assad-control as quickly as possible.

[Tender Branson]

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-steamrolls-turkish-backed-rebels-to-capture-key-town/

Just so you're aware, al Masdar is operated by the Assad government. They're not necessarily fake news, but they're a bad source to use on a story where there will be clear one-sidedness, and will play up regime advances, make the other side appear as jihadi-hevy as possible (not that they need much help in this particular fight). They also have really weird ads, I've found. Ashley Madison seems to be a major sponsor.

The Turkish invaders need to be kicked out of Syria and Idlib needs to be put under Assad-control as quickly as possible.

And send hundreds of thousands of new refugees into Europe? Many of whom have been radicalized by al Qaeda and friends? Interesting that you've changed your position in this regard.

Europe ?

They can go to Turkey too. Turkey is not Europe.

[Tender Branson]

The Assad Army is making big gains in South Idlib right now, near the key city of Khan Sheikhoun:

https://thedefensepost.com/2019/08/16/syria-khan-sheikhoun-refugees-idlib

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-within-striking-distance-of-jihadist-stronghold-in-southern-idlib-video

[Tender Branson]

Disgusting.

The invading Turks need to be thrown back to where they belong and contained in their own territory.

Trump is throwing the Kurds under the bus.

[Tender Branson]

The Syrian Army + Russia has launched a big attack with large land gains in Idlib:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-idlib/russian-backed-forces-gain-ground-in-rebel-held-northwest-syria-idUSKBN1YQ0DB

100.000 civilians are heading to Turkey (or elsewhere).

[Tender Branson]

Big gains were made by the Assad Army recently in Idlib:

Marat al numan (50.000 people) was taken from the so-called „rebels“.