War Against ISIS

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Feanor what do you feel is the reason behind Iskander deployment? What is it that Russia cannot achieve by conventional bombing against a poorly equipped enemy? Could it be to demonstrate weapons capability to a wider audience as with the Kalibre CM's?

Perhaps justified against the backdrop of rising tensions with NATO over recent US troop build up in Eastern Europe? Just a thought.
Probably a combination of sending a message and combat-testing the new Iskander-K missiles. There has been a lot of shiny new hardware tested in this war.

Meanwhile some combat footage of the Mi-28N in combat near Palmyra.

Применение роÑÑийÑких Ми-28Рв Сирии - bmpd

And the SAA is pushing towards Qaryatan, south-west of Palmyra.

К воÑтоку от ХомÑа - Colonel Cassad

And Russian EOD and sappers are working in Syria to disarm IEDs left behind by ISIS.

Gur Khan attacks!: Ð’ Сирии шеÑтитонные "Уны" выполнÑÑ‚ Ñамую грÑзную и опаÑную работу
 

ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
The Swedes are planning to sell laser guided GBU 12 Paveway 500lb bombs, from their current holdings, to France for use against Daesh. The Swedes will then replenish their stocks from the US and are also going to increase their military presence in Mali. They have C17A and C130H aircraft, which will be of great assistance to the French. The intention of the government is to broaden Swedish military support to France, in its fight against Daesh.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Dark news about Turkey. Apparently they've been shooting refugees as they attempt to enter Turkey.

Turks shoot to kill as refugees cross border | | The Times & The Sunday Times
Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: The Times: Òóðöèÿ ðàññòðåëèâàåò ñèðèéñêèõ áåæåíöåâ, ïûòàþùèõñÿ ïåðåéòè ãðàíèöó

On top of that the Kurds have decided to push along the Turkish border to link up their western and eastern territories in Syria, and the Turks say that if the Kurds cross a certain line, they will use artillery to stop them. They've already used their arty in support of al-Nusra. Now ISIS?

Ð›Ð¸Ð½Ð¸Ñ "Ðзаз-ДжераблуÑ" - Юрий ЛÑмин
Turkish army ‘ready’ to shell YPG positions if it crosses Azaz-Jarablus line - MIDEAST

Finally Russia has released documents allegedly proving ties between Turkey and ISIS.

Документы о ÑвÑзÑÑ… Турции и Халифата - Colonel Cassad
 

Ranger25

Active Member
Staff member
This reminds me of the posts wondering about the anti-aircraft systems the russians were deploying at the start of their syrian involvement. Since the rebels have no airforce... Well, in retrospect that wasn't a bad idea at all, was it?

Obviously, it's better to be prepared for escalation. What are they supposed to do in the case of a Turkey confrontation except (threaten to) use cruise missiles? Their force in Syria is tiny, there has to be some more deterrence. That's the way I see it anyway.
Agreed, Was a great tested for the S400 radars no doubt especially given the USAF use of the F22 in theatre. I was surprised the F22s weren't withdrawal to prevent Russia from practicing tracking etc.
 

Toblerone

Banned Member
What a great ally Turkey is. Hard to believe the USA wants to sell them F-35s!
There is no end to turkish appeasement. They could start a kurdish genocide tomorrow and Obama would make a statement recommending restraint then go for a game of golf. Then not only sell them F-35s but let them coproduce it, these are grand allies, to be trusted with the latest military technology!

They could shoot down another russian plane because it "locked on" their aircraft or something like this and the NATO forces and Patriot installations would be ready to defend their ally from the russian aggressors.

They have and would in the future provide indirect military assistance to jihadis, they have and would send forces in Iraq or maybe Syria, there are Grey Wolves ultranationalists fighting in Syria and performing war crimes etc.

https://www.f35.com/global/participation/turkey-industrial-participation
Horrific video 'shows unarmed Kurds waving white flag shot dead by Turkish soldiers' - Mirror Online
Iraq Demands 'Complete Withdrawal' of Turkish Forces
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_Wolves_(organization)#Syria

I hope I haven't said anything that defies logic. :cool:
 

gazzzwp

Member
There is no end to turkish appeasement. They could start a kurdish genocide tomorrow and Obama would make a statement recommending restraint then go for a game of golf. Then not only sell them F-35s but let them coproduce it, these are grand allies, to be trusted with the latest military technology!

They could shoot down another russian plane because it "locked on" their aircraft or something like this and the NATO forces and Patriot installations would be ready to defend their ally from the russian aggressors.

They have and would in the future provide indirect military assistance to jihadis, they have and would send forces in Iraq or maybe Syria, there are Grey Wolves ultranationalists fighting in Syria and performing war crimes etc.

https://www.f35.com/global/participation/turkey-industrial-participation
Horrific video 'shows unarmed Kurds waving white flag shot dead by Turkish soldiers' - Mirror Online
Iraq Demands 'Complete Withdrawal' of Turkish Forces
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_Wolves_(organization)#Syria

I hope I haven't said anything that defies logic. :cool:
The answer to your question is discussed in a current Aljazeera report:

Turkey has the second largest military in NATO after the US. They have commanded the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan twice and have sent thousands of troops to serve under the NATO flag in multiple military operations.

Turkey is also rumoured to play host to US tactical nuclear weapons which form an important part of NATO's nuclear deterrence capability. Turkey is home to an X-Band radar crucial for NATO's missile defence and Ankara contributes to NATO's rapid reaction capabilities and joint initiatives such as Baltic Air Policing.

Furthermore, Turkey has close cultural and economic relations with the Central Asian Republics in the heart of Eurasia - a region becoming increasingly important.


Read more:

Why the West must embrace Turkey, not push it away - Al Jazeera English
 

swerve

Super Moderator
The Swedes ... have C17A and C130H aircraft,
Sweden is one of 12 members of a consortium sharing 3 C-17s, so it can only offer limited access to them, & 6 C-130H. That's enough for Sweden to make a useful addition to the airlift capability available to France, but not a large one. France has 14 C-130H of its own, as well as 8 operational A400M, about 30 Transall still, & 27 CN235 for small stuff.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
The answer to your question is discussed in a current Aljazeera report:

Turkey has the second largest military in NATO after the US. They have commanded the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan twice and have sent thousands of troops to serve under the NATO flag in multiple military operations.

Turkey is also rumoured to play host to US tactical nuclear weapons which form an important part of NATO's nuclear deterrence capability. Turkey is home to an X-Band radar crucial for NATO's missile defence and Ankara contributes to NATO's rapid reaction capabilities and joint initiatives such as Baltic Air Policing.

Furthermore, Turkey has close cultural and economic relations with the Central Asian Republics in the heart of Eurasia - a region becoming increasingly important.


Read more:

Why the West must embrace Turkey, not push it away - Al Jazeera English
It doesn't seem too insightful. Turkey and Russia in the post-Cold War world have had a much more complex relationship that was worsened and simplified with the shoot down of the bomber. However before this Turkey was a major player in the Russian economy, there is still a major nuke plant deal, and Turkey actually traded with Russian Crimea, post-annexation, and still trades with the Russian protectorate of Abkhazia. The article also ignores the increasingly unpleasant role Turkey plays in the region, from their use of refugees to blackmail Europe, to their confrontationalism with Greece, to their actions inside Syria and Iraq. Their ties to ISIS and anti-Kurdish sentiment so violent they'd rather have al-Qaeda then the Kurds (al-Nusra in Azaz), is simply the latest straw (or perhaps bundle of brick) on the camel's back. Maybe the camel can carry this load too, but should it?

EDIT: To put it another way, if Russia hadn't intervened in Syria, Turkey would have happily continued to undermine the united NATO/EU stance on Russian involvement in Ukraine by continuing to buy Russian military goods, sell Russia military tech, and trade with regions that are under EU sanctions.

EDIT2: Edrogan recently talked about reconciliation with Russia, and they just arrested the rebel fighter who allegedly killed the Russian pilot. If you recall, punishing those responsible for the death was one of Russia's demands. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some effort to normalize relations. Especially seeing how the giant nuke plant deal is still proceeding.

http://charly015.blogspot.com/2016/04/detenido-en-turquia-el-asesino-del.html
 

gazzzwp

Member
It doesn't seem too insightful. Turkey and Russia in the post-Cold War world have had a much more complex relationship that was worsened and simplified with the shoot down of the bomber. However before this Turkey was a major player in the Russian economy, there is still a major nuke plant deal, and Turkey actually traded with Russian Crimea, post-annexation, and still trades with the Russian protectorate of Abkhazia. The article also ignores the increasingly unpleasant role Turkey plays in the region, from their use of refugees to blackmail Europe, to their confrontationalism with Greece, to their actions inside Syria and Iraq. Their ties to ISIS and anti-Kurdish sentiment so violent they'd rather have al-Qaeda then the Kurds (al-Nusra in Azaz), is simply the latest straw (or perhaps bundle of brick) on the camel's back. Maybe the camel can carry this load too, but should it?

EDIT: To put it another way, if Russia hadn't intervened in Syria, Turkey would have happily continued to undermine the united NATO/EU stance on Russian involvement in Ukraine by continuing to buy Russian military goods, sell Russia military tech, and trade with regions that are under EU sanctions.

EDIT2: Edrogan recently talked about reconciliation with Russia, and they just arrested the rebel fighter who allegedly killed the Russian pilot. If you recall, punishing those responsible for the death was one of Russia's demands. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some effort to normalize relations. Especially seeing how the giant nuke plant deal is still proceeding.

Análisis Militares: Detenido en Turquía el asesino del piloto ruso
Very insightful. Turkey seems to act as an 'economic prostitute' serving only it's own interests while having no real principles of it's own. It's disregard for it's neighbours is of high concern. On the other hand no one nation can be said to acting in a principled way over the crisis. It does seem that for the reasons you mention that Turkey has the most to answer for.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Update.

The SAA has taken al-Qaryatan.

Ð*ль-КарьÑтейн - Юрий ЛÑмин

Meanwhile Turkish artillery continues to fire in support of the rebels around Azaz, this time against ISIS targets.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Òóðöèÿ îáñòðåëÿëà ïîçèöèè áîåâèêîâ Èà íà ñåâåðå Ñèðèè - âïåðâûå ñ íà÷àëà ìàðòà

Iranian special forces are deploying to Syria.

Иран в дополнение к КСИÐ* отправил в Сирию и военных из армейÑкого Ñпецназа. - Юрий ЛÑмин

Ka-52s have been seen in combat near Palmyra, and it appears that more of them have been deployed to Hmeimeem.

Ка-52 впервые пошли в бой в Сирии - bmpd
В Хмеймим будто бы переброшены дополнительные вертолеты Ка-52 - bmpd

Zoopark-1M counter-battery radars have also been seen near Palmyra. It was earlier claimed that they would be used to register cease-fire violations by non-ISIS rebels.

Ð*адиолокационный ÐºÐ¾Ð¼Ð¿Ð»ÐµÐºÑ "Зоопарк-1Ðœ" под Пальмирой - bmpd

Russian Leer-3 EW systems, UAV-based, are in Syria.

http://military-informant.com/army/...eksyi-podavleniya-mobilnoy-svyazi-leer-3.html

Russian sappers/EOD in Syria, a fairly detailed photoset. They will be used to clear Palmyra.

Ð*оÑÑийÑкие Ñаперы в Сирии - bmpd

Graph of the Russian Syrian Express.

"Сирийѹ ÑкÑпреÑÑ" â„¢ в марте 2016 г. - Коллекционер баÑнов

Iraq says they freed 1500 ISIS prisoners.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Èðàê îáúÿâèë îá îñâîáîæäåíèè 1,5 òûñÿ÷è çàëîæíèêîâ èç òþðüìû ÈÃ

Iraqi militias are getting re-activated BTR-50s.

http://imp-navigator.livejournal.com/436372.html
 
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Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
The Syrian government says that the ceasefire near Aleppo has been broken. A rebel counter-attack has taken the town of al-Eis. The SAA issued a warning to civilians to leave areas near the front, and warned that a plan to clean up al-Nusra and their followers in the Aleppo area, and liberate towns and villages under their control, is in effect. An interesting note, the Syrian jet recently shot down was allegedly doing an observation flight over an area that's supposed to be part of the ceasefire. The pilot was captured, beaten, and his further fate is unknown.

ЗаÑвление СÐРо Ñрыве Ð¿ÐµÑ€ÐµÐ¼Ð¸Ñ€Ð¸Ñ Ð² Ðлеппо - Colonel Cassad
Под Ðлеппо Ñбит Су-22 СирийÑких ВВС - Colonel Cassad
ÐŸÐ¾Ñ‚ÐµÑ€Ñ Ð’Ð’Ð¡ Сирии - Берлога Бронемедведа

All in all, it looks like the ceasefire turned out to be little more then a brief pause. This comes at a time when there is now a second death reported by media sources, but unconfirmed by the Russian government, of personnel who are either currently or formerly part of the MVD SpetzNaz. These mystery personnel might be part of a private group, rumors about which have been circulating for quite some time.

Вадим Тумаков - Colonel Cassad

Meanwhile the SAA is in no hurry to push eastward out of Palmyra, instead taking al-Qaryatan, and ISIS is once again attacking Deyr-ez-Zor.

Rebel forces have also attacked in Latakia briefly seizing, but then losing, the town of Nah'sheb.

The latest info also has Hezbollah and the SAA counter-attacking to recapture al-Eis.

https://aftershock.news/?q=node/385690

Finally we can confidently say that additional Ka-52s have arrived, at least one was spotted. Most likely it's another pair. They're currently flying with the Ataka ATGMs, even though their native Vikhr-1 is in theory available.

Ка-52 в Сирии - bmpd
http://sdelanounas.ru/blogs/76175/
 

Toblerone

Banned Member
Well, according to this:
https://www.almasdarnews.com/articl...red-night-raid-led-iranian-troops-map-update/

the newly deployed iranian commandos got it under control, also the writer gets ahead of himself and mentions plans to capture Idlib and defeat the main rebel group.

Personally I'd rather see those isolated ISIS-controlled desert towns being cleared and then a link-up with Deyr-ez-Zor ... before a massacre happens.

EDIT: I would never eject over ISIS territory, much better to die.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Brief update.

Al-Eis is still in rebel hands and earlier reports of a governments offensive were false.. Meanwhile additional SAA troops arrive on the front.

Meanwhile Turkish and US backed rebel groups are attacking east-ward from Azaz against ISIS held areas. A reminder, when the Kurds recently suggested they would be the ones to attack, the Turks threatened to use artillery to stop them.

Also there is confirmed use of chemical weapons by Jaysh al-Islam against Kurdish positions in Sheikh Maksud.

https://aftershock.news/?q=node/386520

Some more footage of Russian EOD in Palmyra.

Análisis Militares: Robots de desminado para Siria

And confirmation that there are in all likelyhood 4 Ka-52s and 4 Mi-28Ns in Syria, all operating out of the Sha'aryat airbase. While the MoD denied Russia building additional bases, they are using Syrian bases for helos. There are also 4 Hinds at the Tyas airbase.

РоÑÑийÑкие боевые вертолеты на ÑирийÑких аÑродомах Шайрат и ТиÑÑ - bmpd
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Update.

Fighting continues to escalate in the north. Rebels attacked another SAA held town (al-Qaridiyah), and captured it briefly but were pushed back out. Other attacks were also made on Zaytan and Birnah. Al-Eis is still in rebel hands, despite loud statements by the regime about beginning an operation to liberate all of Aleppo.

Al-Nusra forces are also pushing back in the Latakia mountains.

Meanwhile the rebel offensive along the Turkish border, against ISIS, seems to have run into an ISIS counter-attack.

In Damascus, al-Nusra has been losing its territory in the city to ISIS.

Also SAA aircraft have returned to the Palmyra airbase. A risky move, but similar to the immediate resumption of air ops out of Kuweiris.

https://aftershock.news/?q=node/386953
Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Ñèðèÿ àíîíñèðîâàëà ñîâìåñòíóþ ñ ÂÊÑ Ðîññèè îïåðàöèþ ïî îñâîáîæäåíèþ Àëåïïî

Iranian soldier near Aleppo.

Военный КСИР Ирана под Ðлеппо - Юрий ЛÑмин

Nice photo of a Syrian T-72 with upgraded armor.

Gur Khan attacks!: Защиты мало не бывает!

Footage from the Syrian airbase Dumeir.

База ВВС Сирии Думейр - Юрий ЛÑмин

The first link is a Russian Mi-35M carrying Vitebsk (President-S) active protection system and engine exhaust protection. The rapidity of upgrades applied to the aircraft being deployed is a notable improvement over the normally very slow and ponderous processes of upgrading military equipment in Russia. The second link is a nice photo of an Mi-8 carrying the same upgrades, and two Mi-24s who aren't.

РоÑÑийÑкий Ми-35Ðœ в Сирии Ñ Ð±Ð¾Ñ€Ñ‚Ð¾Ð²Ñ‹Ð¼ комплекÑом обороны "ВитебÑк" - bmpd
"Ключ поверни и полетели..." - Берлога Бронемедведа

It's very likely that the US is responsible for the new rebel offensive against ISIS and there is evidence of a new US-backed group emerging in the Azaz area.

https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2016/04/02/8532/

Fuzzy evidence of new Russian cruise missile strikes in Syria.

Análisis Militares: ¿ Nuevo lanzamiento de misiles "Caliber" contra blancos en Siria ?

The Turks are pushing into the Kurdish town of Nusaybin near the Syrian border, where they've so far been halted by PKK fighters.

Война в Турции - Бои за ÐуÑайбин - Colonel Cassad

Lavrov and Kerry met to discuss the situation in Syria.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Ëàâðîâ è Êåððè îáñóäèëè íàðàùèâàíèå âçàèìîäåéñòâèÿ â Ñèðèè

Russia MoD complained that western media is no longer publishing their bulletins, and will be publishing their bulletins in foreign languages from now on.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Àìåðèêàíñêèå ÑÌÈ ïåðåñòàëè ïóáëèêîâàòü èíôîðìàöèþ èç áþëëåòåíÿ Ìèíîáîðîíû ÐÔ ïî Ñèðèè
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Update.

Stubborn fighting continues, as an ISIS counter-attack towards Khanasser takes several towns and villages, but is stopped well short of the town and the strategic highway.

ISIS is also rapidly rolling back the gains made by US-sponsored groups in the north.

Meanwhile near Aleppo, SAA forces briefly took and then lost again the al-Malfah farms. This is part of an attempt to encircle the city of Aleppo itself. Another SAA forces has attacked al-Eis again. The last info seems to indicate that most of al-Eis is a no-mans land, with al-Nusra falling back to the hills west of it, but the SAA not actually in control of the town. A Russian Smerch MLRS detachment seems to be en-route to that battle zone. It's quite likely Russian troops/advisers, as well as the newly arrived Iranian airborne forces will participate in the upcoming SAA push.

SAA forces are gaining some ground around Damascus, but very little and very slowly. It's mostly a battle of attrition, as the pockets of rebels are mostly cut off from direct resupply.

https://aftershock.news/?q=node/388676
Ð¡Ð¸Ñ‚ÑƒÐ°Ñ†Ð¸Ñ Ð¿Ð¾Ð´ Ðлеппо к 16.04.2016 - Colonel Cassad

Meanwhile the US has requested that Russia halt the offensive in Aleppo. An ironic request given that the ceasefire there effectively ended with al-Nusra offensives.

СШРпроÑÑÑ‚ РФ оÑтановить наÑтупательные операции в районе Ðлеппо - Colonel Cassad

A Russian Mi-28N has crashed near Homs, both pilots died. Russia is citing this as a non-combat loss, and this is likely to be true. Previously 4 Mi-28Ns have been lost in Russia due to accidents. The type itself seems to have certain reliability issues. High-ranking Russian officers have said that it needs more time.

Под ХомÑом разбилÑÑ ÐœÐ¸-28 ВКС РФ - Colonel Cassad
... - Берлога Бронемедведа

The US is deploying EA-6B Prowlers to Turkey allegedly as part of the anti-ISIS mission.

РЭБ на РЭБ? - Берлога Бронемедведа

Footage of captured SAA and Iranian gear in the recent ISIS push towards Khanasser. Note the captured T-72 equipped with the mystery box. Oryx Blog calls it the Sareb-1.

Oryx Blog: Islamic State captures masses of Iranian-supplied weaponry near Khanasir

Interesting note, the Iranian Army (not Revolutionary Guard) has taken its first casualties in Syria. It seems the Iranians are well committed to this operation.

Первые потери ираной Ðрмии в Сирии - Юрий ЛÑмин

Hezbollah-sourced alleged photos of Russian SpecOps in Syria.

"Хезболла" палит Ñпецов ВС РФ в Сирии - Берлога Бронемедведа
 
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