War Against ISIS

[Toblerone]

there's also the sunni iraqi special forces and the retaking of ramada as well as kurds at kobane.....

you can obsess with US failure but really they have been fighting with one arm tied behind their back and minus a leg as well. it's the way Obama wants to fight. he's a liberal constitutional lawyer who happens to be in charge of US military forces, and that is reflected in strategy and tactics. he also left the Iraq military w/o motivated leadership due to an Iranian stooge government who thought the shia militias would save them. I think he knows better now. at least he should. one never really knows about these things.

I agree that the iraqis have forces capable of defeating ISIS, I was thinking about the situation in Syria. And I wouldn't say I am obsessed with USA failures, that makes it sound like I focus on their failures too much and lose sight of the big picture or the failures of others, which I don't think is true.

But what use is it to talk about the heavy handed dictatorship of Assad and the unfair treatment of sunnis in Syria? Those are well known I would think. But the USA could have had a better approach (less interventionism at least) and the situation would be better nowadays, in terms of stability in the region.

Also, if the regime was never in direct danger of collapsing, the russians would not even have deployed in Syria.

 

[John Fedup]

But what use is it to talk about the heavy handed dictatorship of Assad and the unfair treatment of sunnis in Syria? Also, if the regime was never in direct danger of collapsing, the russians would not even have deployed in Syria.

Frankly, what's the point of talking about any of the Arab ME governments. They are all heavy handed dictatorships to varying degrees (bad to very bad). As for the Russian intervention in Syria, it was exactly due to the fear Assad's government was in serious trouble and although Russia might have to agree to replacing him, you can be assured it will be a Russian friendly replacement because Russia wants naval bases in Syria.

 

[STURM]

A few days ago Assad said that certain Western countries have been in back door communications with his government towards defeating IS and that it is only because of U.S. pressure that these same Western countries, in public, still call for regime change in Syria. I've said this before : as long as all the countries involved are divided and have different aims; and as long as they hold the totally illogical position that Assad must go whilst IS remains undefeated [despite having no clue as to who will replace Assad]; it is IS that will benefit.

But what use is it to talk about the heavy handed dictatorship of Assad and the unfair treatment of sunnis in Syria?

It is often not realised that Assad's forces contain a significant amount of Sunnis. No doubt Syrian Sunnis feel discriminated by the ruling Alawites but they see a much bigger danger in the form of IS and Al Nusra. I would think that the Sunni/Shia divide is more of an issue in Iraq; where many Sunnis in IS occupied areas support IS mainly because of the deep rooted mistrust they have towards the Shia majority. There are reports of Iraqi [Shia] troops/militias dealing harshly towards Sunni civilians in areas recaptured from IS.

you can be assured it will be a Russian friendly replacement because Russia wants naval bases in Syria.

There are also other reasons besides the bases. Russia wants a friendly state in the region; a region in which most countries are U.S. friendly [like Assad's government these government's were also never elected] and a region in which the West has made a number of flawed decisions that made an already unstable region more unstable. Russia is also very concerned that IS or groups like it; could appear in Russia's Caucasus region.

 

[John Fedup]

I think we are on the same page as far as Assad is concerned. Assad's regime has many flaws but at least he's a known entity and is anti-ISIL.

 

[ngatimozart]

A couple of interesting articles on Daesh that are well worth the read.
Why the Islamic State targets Muslim countries like Turkey
There’s a Machiavellian Method to the ISIS Madness

 

[Toblerone]

The most important battle since ... probably the Azaz corridor being closed, is the current battle north of Aleppo city. The SAA and the kurds have cut off the only rebel supply route to Aleppo city after several days of clashes. The Tiger force is involved in the operation. The rebels will continue counterattacking trying to turn the situation around. Will it turn into a killing field? Or will the SAA perform a ... tactical retreat?

https://southfront.org/syrian-army-and-kurdish-ypg-engage-terrorists-directly-at-castello-highway/

The regime also has commenced operations in the Latakia mountains, eastern ghouta etc. It is almost like they changed their strategy after their Tabqa debacle. From "take over every inch of Syria" to "let's consolidate".

 

[Feanor]

The most important battle since ... probably the Azaz corridor being closed, is the current battle north of Aleppo city. The SAA and the kurds have cut off the only rebel supply route to Aleppo city after several days of clashes. The Tiger force is involved in the operation. The rebels will continue counterattacking trying to turn the situation around. Will it turn into a killing field? Or will the SAA perform a ... tactical retreat?

https://southfront.org/syrian-army-and-kurdish-ypg-engage-terrorists-directly-at-castello-highway/

The regime also has commenced operations in the Latakia mountains, eastern ghouta etc. It is almost like they changed their strategy after their Tabqa debacle. From "take over every inch of Syria" to "let's consolidate".

The fighting in Latakia is mostly back and forth, with few operational level gains, just fights over village X or hill Y. The SAA is still, in theory trying to close the border with Turkey, but I wouldn't expect a drastic change.

 

[gazzzwp]

Report from RT. Attack helicopter shot down by ISIS returning from a 'successful engagement' with some terrorists. The helicopter is suspected to have been shot down by a US TOW missile.

https://www.rt.com/news/350336-isis-russia-helicopter-killed/

 

[Feanor]

Report from RT. Attack helicopter shot down by ISIS returning from a 'successful engagement' with some terrorists. The helicopter is suspected to have been shot down by a US TOW missile.

https://www.rt.com/news/350336-isis-russia-helicopter-killed/

Apparently it was a Syrian Hind with a Russia crew. They were used to halt an emergency offensive by ISIS near Palmyra successfully, but were shot down on their way back. The third link as a video of the alleged shoot-down.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Â Ñèðèè ñáèëè âåðòîëåò Ìè-35 ñ ðîññèéñêèì ýêèïàæåì
Ð’ Сирии погибли наши вертолетчики - Ð”ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐœÐ¾ÐºÑ€ÑƒÑˆÐ¸Ð½
Подловили - Берлога Бронемедведа

EDIT: Apparently it was a Russian Mi-35M after all.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2006687.html

 

[Plumage]

Russian forces seem to be taking greater casualties in recent weeks. Maybe ISIS/rebels are adjusting their tactics against Russian forces? Was there confirmation of the four Russian choppers allegedly destroyed on the ground?

 

[Toblerone]

Russian forces seem to be taking greater casualties in recent weeks. Maybe ISIS/rebels are adjusting their tactics against Russian forces? Was there confirmation of the four Russian choppers allegedly destroyed on the ground?

I think they said it was an accident/fire.

I don't see any cause for big concern about russian casualties if it's a soldier here and there or an aircraft being downed every few months.

The syrian airforce on the other hand is suffering losses they cannot afford.

https://warisboring.com/syrian-rebe...r-al-assads-air-force-f384df34c205#.3kk0fdsdl

Does anyone have any info on whether Russia has helped overhaul or repair any of these old syrian rustbuckets? Because if I was a russian strategic planner I would definitely try to restore the syrian air force, except the mig-25s I guess

EDIT: Oh yeah, they have received some ex-iraqi su-22 aircraft from the iranians.

 

[machende]

Good day gentlemen,
can someone please confirm what brought this helo down? I've seen posts saying everything from a Dushka, ZU23, to Igla.. what caused the flashes along the fuselage just before the hit which downed the aircraft? interested in any opinions.. thanks..

 

[Bonza]

I think they said it was an accident/fire.

I don't see any cause for big concern about russian casualties if it's a soldier here and there or an aircraft being downed every few months.

The syrian airforce on the other hand is suffering losses they cannot afford.

https://warisboring.com/syrian-rebe...r-al-assads-air-force-f384df34c205#.3kk0fdsdl

Does anyone have any info on whether Russia has helped overhaul or repair any of these old syrian rustbuckets? Because if I was a russian strategic planner I would definitely try to restore the syrian air force, except the mig-25s I guess

EDIT: Oh yeah, they have received some ex-iraqi su-22 aircraft from the iranians.

Regarding sustainment issues in the Syrian Arab Air Force, would the primary concern be pilot losses rather than airframes? I imagine it'd be much easier to find spare MiGs and Sukhois than replacement Syrian air crews...

 

[surpreme]

Russian forces seem to be taking greater casualties in recent weeks. Maybe ISIS/rebels are adjusting their tactics against Russian forces? Was there confirmation of the four Russian choppers allegedly destroyed on the ground?

They haven't change there tactics they just have received some MANPAD it appears to be Chinese made. Seem like everyone forget that ISIS has former soldiers in it ranks this still make it a capable force. There tactics are still insane but this all they can do. They have no airpower and using old school intelligence gathering methods. They still able to carry out counterattacks so there not gone yet.

The scary part about ISIS no one know what the total number of ex- Iraqi, Syrian, Central Asian, and etc soldiers in there rank. I stated before there is an unknown intelligence agency is helping them. There evidence that Iraqi ex intelligence officers helping them. They are taking a beaten right now but they still manage to strike back. There problem now is where they going to take a defensive stand in Syria or Iraqi. Unless it can get its recruitment drive up they got to make a choice on where it main defensive stand will be.

 

[STURM]

they just have received some MANPAD it appears to be Chinese made.

There is a YouTube video showing a Chinese made FN-6 in action in Syria.

Seem like everyone forget that ISIS has former soldiers in it ranks this still make it a capable force.

It is common knowledge that IS has amongst it many with previous military experience; local and foreign.

There evidence that Iraqi ex intelligence officers helping them. They are taking a beaten right now but they still manage to strike back.

There were reports in the past of former Iraqi Mukhabarat people assisting IS in Iraq. Here lies part of the problem; the Sunni/Shia rift that leads to many joining IS, not necessarily because of shared ideology but because of other reasons. So far I've not read of any Syrian Mukhabarat people joining IS but then how many Syrian Mukhabarat people are Sunni? Sure, Assad has quite a number of Sunnis fighting in his army but I would assume that majority of those in the Mukhabarat are Alawites.

 

[Toblerone]

Good day gentlemen,
can someone please confirm what brought this helo down? I've seen posts saying everything from a Dushka, ZU23, to Igla.. what caused the flashes along the fuselage just before the hit which downed the aircraft? interested in any opinions.. thanks..

I believe the russians claimed the third rocket misfired and caused the accident. It sounds believable, what are the chances that the helo would be hit at the exact second that it is firing its rockets?

EDIT: Nope, according to this the russians initially denied any loss but later had to confirm it and they said it was shot down by terrorists after successfully contributing to the defence of Palmyra versus an IS attack.

https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-july-11-2016-heavy-clashes-in-aleppo-city/

 

[machende]

thankyou for the reply. I have seen it claimed to be ZU23, Dshk, Chinese FN missile, and a US TOW. Would be interesting to know the facts - no politics..

 

[Feanor]

Mini-update.

The SAA is trying to close the bottle-neck by Aleppo, with help from the Kurds.

Бутылочное горлышко - Colonel Cassad

Russia carried out reprisal bombings following the downing of the Mi-35M, with Tu-22M3 bombers out of Russia.

Ту-22Ðœ3 Ñнова бомбÑÑ‚ боевиков в Сирии - bmpd

Russian troops in Syria, note the increasing proportion of desert-pattern gear.

СирийÑкие будни - Берлога Бронемедведа

Some photos of SAA female soldiers. Note they're front-line troops.

imp-navigator.livejournal.com/480386.html

Some OSINT on the destruction of that ISIS convoy out of Fallujah.

https://www.bellingcat.com/news/men...ce-analysis-of-the-fallujah-convoy-massacres/

Turkey continues losing vehicles to ATGM attacks, this time Kurdish.

В упор - Берлога Бронемедведа

Hezbollah rtillery unit apparently fighting in Iraq.

Ирак: артиллериÑÑ‚Ñ‹ Хезы - Берлога Бронемедведа

 

[STURM]

Interesting. I didn't know Hezbollah had any artillery. My understanding was that Hezbollah units have deployed as light infantry; used to bolster Syrian army units and also as fire brigades; sent to the most threatened sectors.

A few interesting articles.

Whether Isis jihadis or government soldiers, speak to fighters in Syria and you will discover infinite sadness | Voices | The Independent

Russian forces are the latest to travel on Syria's Roman road to barbarity | Middle East | News | The Independent

Confused about the US response to Isis in Syria? Look to the CIA's relationship with Saudi Arabia | Voices | The Independent

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices...-and-saw-for-myself-what-blairs-a7123311.html

 

[Feanor]

Interesting. I didn't know Hezbollah had any artillery. My understanding was that Hezbollah units have deployed as light infantry; used to bolster Syrian army units and also as fire brigades; sent to the most threatened sectors.

A few interesting articles.

Whether Isis jihadis or government soldiers, speak to fighters in Syria and you will discover infinite sadness | Voices | The Independent

Russian forces are the latest to travel on Syria's Roman road to barbarity | Middle East | News | The Independent

Confused about the US response to Isis in Syria? Look to the CIA's relationship with Saudi Arabia | Voices | The Independent

I read the Chilcot report as I travelled across Syria this week and saw for myself what Blair's actions caused | Voices | The Independent

Hezbollah in Syria has been operating Tochka missiles, much more complicated then just arty. With Russian advisers, and plenty of supplies pumped into the region, it's not surprising they're able to field some traditional arty units.