War Against ISIS

[Feanor]

A short update.

Russian sorties over Oct 18th 39 sorties, 60 targets struck, over Oct 19th 33 sorties 49 targets. Note that the number of targets struck is now consistently higher then the number of sorties flown. This means that now in a single sortie they are conducting strikes on multiple targets, and likely some recon too. The bulk of the targets are field camps, and positions (fortified or otherwise) of rebel troops. It seems that they're focusing on interdiction with some CAS. Fewer munition storage or factories for producing weapons.

Note, that in the photos from the second link, there are concrete constructions appearing around the fighter jets. It's been suggested that either walls or concrete shelters are being built to protect the aircraft from potential battle damage. Possibly lessons learnt from NATO experiences in Afghanistan.

Продолжение операции ВКС Ð*оÑÑии в Сирии 18 октÑÐ±Ñ€Ñ - bmpd
Продолжение операции ВКС Ð*оÑÑии в Сирии 19 октÑÐ±Ñ€Ñ - bmpd

Meanwhile with all the videos of Russian Mi-24s doing work, the Syrian Mi-25s are in the sky again, and with ATGMs with time. A reminder that the Syrian air force still exists.

Давненько Ñ ÑирийÑких Ми-25 Ñ ÐŸÐ¢Ð£Ð*ами не видел.. - Юрий ЛÑмин

Negotiations about keeping the sky safe are continuing between Russia and the US, reportedly the US is demanding that Russian pilots speak english over the radio, as a safety measure. Maybe some of the more experienced members can comment whether this is standard practice.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: ÑØÀ òðåáóþò îò ðîññèéñêèõ ïèëîòîâ â Ñèðèè ãîâîðèòü íà àíãëèéñêîì ÿçûêå

Some older (date 8-10-15) photos from the Al-Gab valley, Syrian Army offensive.

Фото наÑÑ‚ÑƒÐ¿Ð»ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÑирийÑких войÑк в долине Ðль-Габ | Военный информатор

US supplied Toyota trucks in ISIS hands, however this source claims that the trucks were originally bought for al-Nusra. Which seems odd, since al-Nusra is an al-Qaeda affiliate.

Стало извеÑтно из каких иÑточников ÑирийÑкие боевики получили новые автомобили Toyota Hilux | Военный информатор

Meanwhile Syrian rebels are moving to reinforce Aleppo in the face of the government offensive.

СирийÑкие повÑтанцы Ñрочно направлÑÑŽÑ‚ подкрепление в Ðлеппо | Военный информатор

EDIT: The US excludes the possibility of a Russian air operation in Iraq.

http://newsru.com/world/20oct2015/dunford.html

 

[wittmanace]

I see the U.S. And Russia have signed an agreement regarding Syrian airspace to avoid misunderstandings...no details as yet, but I'd be interested to see them:

US-Russia deal to avoid Syria air incidents - BBC News

 

[2007yellow430]

A short update.

Russian sorties over Oct 18th 39 sorties, 60 targets struck, over Oct 19th 33 sorties 49 targets. Note that the number of targets struck is now consistently higher then the number of sorties flown. This means that now in a single sortie they are conducting strikes on multiple targets, and likely some recon too. The bulk of the targets are field camps, and positions (fortified or otherwise) of rebel troops. It seems that they're focusing on interdiction with some CAS. Fewer munition storage or factories for producing weapons.

Note, that in the photos from the second link, there are concrete constructions appearing around the fighter jets. It's been suggested that either walls or concrete shelters are being built to protect the aircraft from potential battle damage. Possibly lessons learnt from NATO experiences in Afghanistan.

Продолжение операции ВКС Ð*оÑÑии в Сирии 18 октÑÐ±Ñ€Ñ - bmpd
Продолжение операции ВКС Ð*оÑÑии в Сирии 19 октÑÐ±Ñ€Ñ - bmpd

Meanwhile with all the videos of Russian Mi-24s doing work, the Syrian Mi-25s are in the sky again, and with ATGMs with time. A reminder that the Syrian air force still exists.

Давненько Ñ ÑирийÑких Ми-25 Ñ ÐŸÐ¢Ð£Ð*ами не видел.. - Юрий ЛÑмин

Negotiations about keeping the sky safe are continuing between Russia and the US, reportedly the US is demanding that Russian pilots speak english over the radio, as a safety measure. Maybe some of the more experienced members can comment whether this is standard practice.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: ÑØÀ òðåáóþò îò ðîññèéñêèõ ïèëîòîâ â Ñèðèè ãîâîðèòü íà àíãëèéñêîì ÿçûêå

Some older (date 8-10-15) photos from the Al-Gab valley, Syrian Army offensive.

Фото наÑÑ‚ÑƒÐ¿Ð»ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÑирийÑких войÑк в долине Ðль-Габ | Военный информатор

US supplied Toyota trucks in ISIS hands, however this source claims that the trucks were originally bought for al-Nusra. Which seems odd, since al-Nusra is an al-Qaeda affiliate.

Стало извеÑтно из каких иÑточников ÑирийÑкие боевики получили новые автомобили Toyota Hilux | Военный информатор

Meanwhile Syrian rebels are moving to reinforce Aleppo in the face of the government offensive.

СирийÑкие повÑтанцы Ñрочно направлÑÑŽÑ‚ подкрепление в Ðлеппо | Военный информатор

EDIT: The US excludes the possibility of a Russian air operation in Iraq.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Ãëàâà Îáúåäèíåííîãî êîìèòåòà íà÷àëüíèêîâ øòàáîâ ÑØÀ èñêëþ÷èë âîçäóøíóþ îïåðàöèþ ÐÔ â Èðàêå

English is the language of flying. All pilots on international flights need to speak English. so no big deal.

Art

 

[Feanor]

Update.

Russian air strikes continue on Oct 20th with 55 sorties striking 60 targets. The primary targets remain positions of rebel troops.

Продолжение операции ВКС РоÑÑии в Сирии 20 октÑÐ±Ñ€Ñ - bmpd

A tractor towing home-made mortars, near Aleppo, presumably rebel ones.

Ðа фронт - Военный Блог

Brand new Russian bi-pod Kord machinegun sighted in Syria, They've been seen there before. Along with a slew of newer Russian fire arms.

СириÑ: матпомощь, например - Берлога Бронемедведа

More footage from the Russian base in Latakia. Interesting that they have a truck-store. Things like this are part of the outsourcing and commercialization of certain services in the Russian Army.

ÐБ "ЛатакиÑ": Су-25, авточипок и бетонные Ñтены - Берлога Бронемедведа

It looks like Canada will be withdrawing from the anti-ISIS coalition some time next year, though they're set to participate right now at least until March.

Канада - иÑÑ‚Ð¾Ñ€Ð¸Ñ Ð¿Ñ€Ð¾Ð´Ð¾Ð»Ð¶Ð°ÐµÑ‚ÑÑ. Точнее заканчиваетÑÑ - Берлога Бронемедведа

Iraqi Shiite militias and the parliament are asking the Prime Minister to request Russian air strikes.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Øèèòñêèå îïîë÷åíöû è ïðàâÿùèé àëüÿíñ Èðàêà ïðèçûâàþò ïðåìüåðà ïîïðîñèòü Ðîññèþ î áîìáåæêàõ ïîçèöèé ÈÃ

Assad visited Moscow for one on one high level discussions with Putin the subject was likely the ongoing military operations, but details are lacking.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Ïóòèí ïðîâåë ñ Àñàäîì ïåðåãîâîðû â Ìîñêâå, ñîîáùèë Ïåñêîâ

Meanwhile extra oil production and extra borrowing in Russia are being used to finance a defense budget increase for next year. This might partly explains how they intend to finance ongoing operations in Syria, which are getting to be pretty significant.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Àðìèþ ÐÔ ïðîôèíàíñèðóþò çà ñ÷åò äîïîëíèòåëüíûõ äîõîäîâ îò ïðîäàæè íåôòè, ñîîáùàåò ÐÁÊ

Russia and the US have signed a technical memorandum on the use of airspace over Syria, and the US will apply this memorandum to the entire anti-ISIS coalition. However the memorandum is meant to have no political ramifications.

СирийÑкое: меморандум о предотвращении инцидентов и Ð²Ð¾Ð¿Ñ€Ð¾Ñ Ð¿Ð¾Ñ‚ÐµÑ€ÑŒ - Ð”ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐœÐ¾ÐºÑ€ÑƒÑˆÐ¸Ð½

 

[KiwiRob]

They've bought a total of 8 Turkish ships that will get VMF support vessel status, making it impossible to stop, inspect, or attack them, without attacking Russia itself. This one is called Vologda-50. Let's not forget that the VMF actually ordered logistical support vessels, namely project 23120. A set of 3 is ordered so far, but it's planned that every fleet will get them, so I'm guessing at least 4 probably more. They have Arc4, so they can be used for Arctic missions quite well, and are based on the Gazprom fleet of similar vessels but built to VMF specifications. They can apparently carry 2000 tonns of cargo.

23120 is a modified platform supply vessel. I know about the first three, but haven't been told about anymore, I suspect Severnaya would be champing at the bit to build more.

 

[Feanor]

Update.

Footage of the Syrian Army offensive in and around Damascus.

Хроники дрона - Блог ÐлекÑандра Шакуна

The Iraqi Army has taken Baiji.

ИракÑÐºÐ°Ñ Ð°Ñ€Ð¼Ð¸Ñ Ð²Ð·Ñла Байджи - Военный Блог

A look at PGMs in Iraq. With their F-16s they got:

AGM-65 Maverick – 100
GBU-12 Paveway II LGB - 200
GBU-10 Paveway II LGB – 50
GBU-24 Paveway III LGB – 50

Now that the first batch of F-16s are in Iraq, they should provide a significant improvement over their current Su-25s.

Ðаличие в ВВС Ирака выÑокоточного Ð¾Ñ€ÑƒÐ¶Ð¸Ñ - bmpd

Interesting graph of Russian air strikes. The red line is the number of targets, the blue line is the number of sorties. You'll see the number of targets struck is back to peak levels, while the number of sorties is significantly lower.

Первые итоги операции ВКС Ð*оÑÑии в Сирии - bmpd

There is persistent but unconfirmed information of 3 dead Russian fighters in Syria. They're alleged to be Russian volunteers or mercenaries fighting in Syria. Details are lacking and the Russian MoD hasn't confirmed anything.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Reuters ñîîáùàåò î ãèáåëè â Ñèðèè òðåõ ðîññèÿí, âîåâàâøèõ íà ñòîðîíå Àñàäà

Jane's is cited saying the Russian operation in Syria costs 4 mln dollars a day.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Áðèòàíñêèå àíàëèòèêè ïîäñ÷èòàëè, ÷òî ÐÔ òðàòèò íà âîåííóþ îïåðàöèþ â Ñèðèè äî 4 ìëí äîëëàðîâ â äåíü

Following Assad's visit, Putin had a phone conversation with Erdogan about Syria and Assad's visit.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Ïóòèí îáñóäèë ñ ïðåçèäåíòîì Òóðöèè ñèòóàöèþ â Ñèðèè è ðàññêàçàë î âèçèòå Àñàäà

Syrian Kurds may get an official representation in Russia. Could this be the beginning of Kurdish independence in Syria, and possibly an alliance (on those terms) between the Kurds and Assad? Or is this just a signal to Turkey, not to push Russia on the Syrian issue?

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Â Ðîññèè ìîæåò îòêðûòüñÿ ïðåäñòàâèòåëüñòâî Ñèðèéñêîãî Êóðäèñòàíà, âûÿñíèëà ïðåññà

EDIT:Russian air strikes continue on Oct 21st with 46 sorties striking 83 targets. Russian intelligence reports that the rebel fighters, mining and booby trapping civilian structures and infrastructural objects as they retreat. They also say ELINT assets intercepted coordination over the radio between al-Nusra and ISIS, about delaying actions to be fought against the SAA.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1538480.html

ISIS is issuing passports to people living in their territory. Warning the link contains extremely graphic images.

http://sokol-ff.livejournal.com/1112139.html

Assad's visit to Moscow involved a special Russian Air Force flight, Il-62M VIP variant. Regular cargo flight to Syria are also continuing with an Il-76 noted.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1538227.html
http://mil-avia.livejournal.com/127023.html

The Syrian ambassador in Moscow recently said that the Russian operation in Syria won't last long, not more then a year.

http://twower.livejournal.com/1816439.html

This time an American UAV, an MQ-1 Predator, crashed in Turkey.

http://sokol-ff.livejournal.com/1112006.html

 

[A.V. Berg]

Применение Ñ‚Ñжелых огнеметных ÑиÑтем ТОС-1Рв Сирии - bmpd

Some footage of TOS system in action. The troops in the vicinity appear to be Syrian but we are still not clear as to who operates these particular vehicles.

From what I gather, the use of thermobaric munitions in Dagestan occurred in most critical sectors of the front. So, perhaps wherever one can spot a TOS is where the main action is.

 

[gf0012-aust]

what I raised earlier in the week:

Wars of the past haunt Russia's Syrian intervention - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

[Feanor]

what I raised earlier in the week:

Wars of the past haunt Russia's Syrian intervention - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Uh. From your link...

"Russia carried out a massive and brutal campaign in Chechnya, but they barely killed a single fighter."

What?

"We are a small nation of 1 million people, yet we defeated the Russian army in 1996 and showed the world how weak Russia is,"

Yes, let's pretend Russia didn't occupy all of Chechnya in '96, and then sign a politically motivated treaty.

"Civilians are also being bombed. I can say from my experience with people from Austria who are radicalised to jihadism, that if the Russians succeed in putting a lot of pressure on the non-jihadists, they could drive them into the arms of IS or Al-Nusra."

There's a good chance that this is part of the goal. Non-Islamist opposition almost doesn't exist. As is. With a decisive push, it could simplify the conflict, and paint all the rebels as ISIS. Russia is already doing this, referring to all rebel groups together as ISIS.

 

[A.V. Berg]

what I raised earlier in the week:

Wars of the past haunt Russia's Syrian intervention - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Most open sources indicate that Chechen casualties were considerable. I remember seeing footage of bus-loads of heavily wounded separatist fighters on their way to Turkey for treatment.

Let's not forget that whilst Russian conduct during the war was horrific, inept and in some cases criminal, even the non-Jihadist Chechens were not much better. Dudaev's and Maskhadov's ideal was a mono-ethnic, mono-religious and virulently patriarchal Chechnya. Just youtube their speeches.

Sure, Chechens showed incredible tenacity. But they fought an army in the process of decomposition with low motivation and barely any training. For lack of reliable conscripts, Russian officers sometimes manned BMPs with empty troop compartments.

I don't see the logic in the argument that if moderate opposition is bombed, then it will go radical. Ideological differences aside, in supporting Assad, the Russians are supporting centralised authority which still holds sway over 80% of the population. Libya and to a lesser extent Iraq, are fine examples of what can happen when established authority is irresponsibly tampered with.

 

[gf0012-aust]

the underlying issue is whether russias presence in syria does trigger a catalyst for separatists in the homeland

I realise that some of the supporting comments are inaccurate, but I do believe that it provides a vehicle of opportunity for separatists to rekindle the flame under a religious defence umbrella

 

[A.V. Berg]

the underlying issue is whether russias presence in syria does trigger a catalyst for separatists in the homeland

I realise that some of the supporting comments are inaccurate, but I do believe that it provides a vehicle of opportunity for separatists to rekindle the flame under a religious defence umbrella

In the Caucasus, there is almost no ideological room for separatism as such anymore. Be it in Chechnya or Dagestan or Ingushetia, violence is largely a result of extremist influences (and of local corruption) and not of a desire for national self-determination in Wilsonian terms. In other words, most terrorist acts in the region are undertaken in the name of a transnational emirate rather than distinct ethnic groups.

So, Putin did not have much choice but to assist Assad given how many Russian nationals are fighting for a global caliphate.

 

[Feanor]

the underlying issue is whether russias presence in syria does trigger a catalyst for separatists in the homeland

I realise that some of the supporting comments are inaccurate, but I do believe that it provides a vehicle of opportunity for separatists to rekindle the flame under a religious defence umbrella

Maybe. But the state is very strong right now, and the terrorists at home are fairly weak. Independence movements along the Russian periphery generally require a weak Russian state, because a strong state will crush them ruthlessly. Even in the early 2000s Russia was powerful enough that provided with the political will, it put an end to any hopes of Chechen independence. There may be more terrorist acts at home in Russia, but those simply mean more dead bystanders.

 

[Feanor]

I don't see the logic in the argument that if moderate opposition is bombed, then it will go radical. Ideological differences aside, in supporting Assad, the Russians are supporting centralised authority which still holds sway over 80% of the population. Libya and to a lesser extent Iraq, are fine examples of what can happen when established authority is irresponsibly tampered with.

An active state of war tends to polarize people. There were ideological moderates in Syria, when this mess first got started. Typically they were from what little middle class Syria had (or what passed for a middle class in pre-war Syria). These moderates did not survive the hostilities, not in the sense that they all died, but in the sense that wars make things black and white, extremes are more readily resorted to, and sentiments of moderation, as well as complex ideas, are generally discarded. So yes, wars do radicalize rebels. Look at the Chechen independence movement in '92 and '99. It went from a national liberation movement in a traditional anti-colonial style to a radical Islamist movement whose goal is a caliphate spanning the entire Russian North-Caucus. This was a direct product of the Russian economic blockade '92-'94 and the First Chechen War. The moderate nationalists who wanted a relatively sane independent Chechen state simply did not survive, and their followers were forced to adapt, or leave the stage.

However, this has already taken place in Syria. The time to intervene in Syria to help the rebels was in 2011. And even then it would have been a long shot. That time has come and gone. Today, the Syrian rebels are all radicals. There is no substantial rebel force in Syria today, fighting for a secular state (nevermind democracy). So in that sense the fears that the rebels will be driven to radicalism are a little silly. They're there already. Russia may push the other rebel groups into becoming part of ISIS, as independent survival, in the face of the Syrian offensive backed by cooperative Russian air strikes, becomes impossible. This would help politically because it would force the US to essentially fight on the same side as Russia and Assad, and it would mean the US would have to face Saudi Arabia as a de-facto enemy and supporter of ISIS (whether US government figures acknowledge this or not). It would certainly lead to an end of western air supply drops to ISIS, and it would even put Turkey on questionable footing, since there wouldn't be any groups left that the Turks could even pretend were moderate. And at the end of the day, an ISIS state covering all of Syria and half of Iraq would be very bad for Turkey. Maybe even worse then an independent Kurdistan. But let's be clear, this maneuver only exists in political discourse. The reality on the ground is that the moderate opposition is already radicalized.

 

[A.V. Berg]

An active state of war tends to polarize people. There were ideological moderates in Syria, when this mess first got started. Typically they were from what little middle class Syria had (or what passed for a middle class in pre-war Syria). These moderates did not survive the hostilities, not in the sense that they all died, but in the sense that wars make things black and white, extremes are more readily resorted to, and sentiments of moderation, as well as complex ideas, are generally discarded. So yes, wars do radicalize rebels. Look at the Chechen independence movement in '92 and '99. It went from a national liberation movement in a traditional anti-colonial style to a radical Islamist movement whose goal is a caliphate spanning the entire Russian North-Caucus. This was a direct product of the Russian economic blockade '92-'94 and the First Chechen War. The moderate nationalists who wanted a relatively sane independent Chechen state simply did not survive, and their followers were forced to adapt, or leave the stage.

However, this has already taken place in Syria. The time to intervene in Syria to help the rebels was in 2011. And even then it would have been a long shot. That time has come and gone. Today, the Syrian rebels are all radicals. There is no substantial rebel force in Syria today, fighting for a secular state (nevermind democracy). So in that sense the fears that the rebels will be driven to radicalism are a little silly. They're there already. Russia may push the other rebel groups into becoming part of ISIS, as independent survival, in the face of the Syrian offensive backed by cooperative Russian air strikes, becomes impossible. This would help politically because it would force the US to essentially fight on the same side as Russia and Assad, and it would mean the US would have to face Saudi Arabia as a de-facto enemy and supporter of ISIS (whether US government figures acknowledge this or not). It would certainly lead to an end of western air supply drops to ISIS, and it would even put Turkey on questionable footing, since there wouldn't be any groups left that the Turks could even pretend were moderate. And at the end of the day, an ISIS state covering all of Syria and half of Iraq would be very bad for Turkey. Maybe even worse then an independent Kurdistan. But let's be clear, this maneuver only exists in political discourse. The reality on the ground is that the moderate opposition is already radicalized.

Thanks, Feanor.

I agree that war polarises given that it is in itself, as Hegel once said, an act of extremity.

What I meant was that if there is such a thing as a moderate Syrian opposition, then it should realise that it has far more in common with Assad than with ISIS. In other words, if a few Russian bombs can turn a moderate into a radical, then the initial commitment to moderation is questionable. If even Al Qaeda finds itself at war with ISIS, there should be enough political will on the part of the Free Syrian Army to compromise with Assad. Thus, if war polarises, then the moderates ought to be polarised in the direction of the existing regime.

Again, I agree with the fact of Chechen radicalisation and its causes as you state them but would suggest that its trajectory was different. It was not just that Chechens devoted to decolonisation resorted to radical Islam. The core issue was a change in leadership which was becoming increasingly less interested in self-detrmination. Which is why, there was such a gulf of difference between Dudaev and say, Basaev. Which is also why, during the Second Chechen Campaign, the Russians could rely on so many more Chechens supporting them. What I mean is, Kadyrov and company, far from being radicalised, actually moderated their positions and sided with Moscow in the face of Jihadist threat.

 

[Feanor]

Thanks, Feanor.

I agree that war polarises given that it is in itself, as Hegel once said, an act of extremity.

What I meant was that if there is such a thing as a moderate Syrian opposition, then it should realise that it has far more in common with Assad than with ISIS. In other words, if a few Russian bombs can turn a moderate into a radical, then the initial commitment to moderation is questionable. If even Al Qaeda finds itself at war with ISIS, there should be enough political will on the part of the Free Syrian Army to compromise with Assad. Thus, if war polarises, then the moderates ought to be polarised in the direction of the existing regime.

And many have been. This is something western media doesn't want to talk about, and something the west refuses to acknowledge, but many of those who would have not only opposed but quite likely fought against Assad 3-4 years ago are willing to support him today, as the lesser of two evils. Remember the logic of systems and individuals is not the same. Rebel groups that started out moderate have to become more radical because their very raison d'etre is the anti-Assad struggle. They lose their more moderate and sane members, take on more and more radical followers, and before you know it, they're kidnapping people for ransom, and lopping of heads. Not because they were fundamentally not committed to democracy to begin with but because this is the only path they can take as an institution, a system. The nature of those groups changes, while the name remains the same, and while they often retain their western ties. Thus the US funneling weapons to the same group, is actually arming a very different body of people.

Again, I agree with the fact of Chechen radicalisation and its causes as you state them but would suggest that its trajectory was different. It was not just that Chechens devoted to decolonisation resorted to radical Islam. The core issue was a change in leadership which was becoming increasingly less interested in self-detrmination. Which is why, there was such a gulf of difference between Dudaev and say, Basaev. Which is also why, during the Second Chechen Campaign, the Russians could rely on so many more Chechens supporting them. What I mean is, Kadyrov and company, far from being radicalised, actually moderated their positions and sided with Moscow in the face of Jihadist threat.

Not only the leadership but the make up of the anti-government insurgents, and later terrorists, changed. And this is exactly my point. Russia today can count on more support of ordinary Chechens then it could in '92 because the rebels turned insurgents, turned terrorists, with a fundamentalist religious ideology.

And I suspect this was done intentionally. It was a strategy employed by the Russian government. And I think that the same strategy has been and is being applied in Syria today. De-legitimize the anti-Assad forces by turning them to extremism, and then fight said extremism in the name of secular government and some semblance of rule of law. That having been said, the extremism is real.

 

[John Fedup]

A. V. Berg and Feanor....good discussion. Too bad some of us in the West can't figure out that as bad as Assad is, he is likely the best interim solution to a very ugly situation and support for the rebel favour of the day is pointless at this stage.

 

[swerve]

The problem with him being the best interim solution to a very ugly situation is that he deliberately created the very ugly situation. What sort of solution can he really be?

He may be less bad than Daesh, but that's only a choice because he worked to help Daesh, to justify his claim that he was fighting Islamic extremists. For a long time he attacked its enemies, while refraining from fighting it.

 

[2007yellow430]

The problem with him being the best interim solution to a very ugly situation is that he deliberately created the very ugly situation. What sort of solution can he really be?

He may be less bad than Daesh, but that's only a choice because he worked to help Daesh, to justify his claim that he was fighting Islamic extremists. For a long time he attacked its enemies, while refraining from fighting it.

I keep thinking of Saddam. The logic used to justify his removal is similar to that being used to justify Assad's removal. Politics are a funny thing, sometimes there are unintended consequences. The last time we did this is turned into a disaster. Hopefully not again.

 

[gf0012-aust]

uncorroborated:

Bodies of 26 Russian marines killed in Syria brought back to Sevastopol: Ukrainian Intelligence
By UNIAN 20.10.2015
Oct 22, 2015 - 10:26:52 AM

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The bodies of 26 Russian troops killed in Russia’s military campaign in Syria were shipped to the naval base in a Russian-annexed Crimea’s Sevastopol, as reported by the press service of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry.

"26 bodies of dead soldiers of the 810 Separate Marines Brigade of the [Russian] Black Fleet’s coastal forces (Sevastopol) were shipped from Syria to Sevastopol," reads the statement.

According to the Ukrainian intelligence, Russian command is unable to ensure safe sanitary conditions for deployed soldiers, numerous cases of infectious diseases are recorded among the troops in the territory of Syria.

As noted, the Syrian armed forces units supported by Russian Air Force continue ground offensive in the provinces of Aleppo, Damascus, Latakia, Hama and Homs, establishing control over a number of settlements outside ​​Aleppo. Over the last 24 hours, the airplanes of the Russian aviation group made 33 sorties in Syria and performed missile and bomb strikes on 49 targets.

However, according to the report, Russia continues to build up its military presence, as an IL-76 military-cargo aircraft made two sorties to the Hmeimim airbase; a KIL-158 Black Sea Fleet military cargo ship has passed the Bosphorus and moves to the Syrian coast.

As UNIAN reported earlier, since September 30 the Russian bombers have been performing air strikes on Syrian territory. The Kremlin claims that the strikes target the Islamic state, while the western powers stress that the Russian jets attack Syrian opposition.

According to media reports, the Russian air strikes in Syria accompany a ground offensive of Bashar al-Assad’s troops.

On October 7, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin on a naval launch of cruise missiles against targets in Syria from the Caspian Sea.


Source:Ocnus.net 2015