Who knows what really transpired? Important for the public to see the results but not the sources and methods.
War Against ISIS
- Thread starter spikehades
- Start date
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
Perhaps, but being turned by the potential recruit pool is a small psychological victory.
Yes, but also teaches the bad guys to improve their OPSEC unfortunately. However it may be "pour encourager les autres" to phone in.
Update.
Near Aleppo, the government offensive continues, after taking Al-Eis and Al-Hadr, they've run into fresh rebel forces. However the rebel lines to the south are still broken, allowing the SAA to continue to flank them and force retreats. North of Al-Hadr, regime forces are flanking Qarassi from the north and south.
After breaking through to Kuweiris, the SAA is attacking west-ward, towards their own lines, along the highway, as well as east-ward.
In Latakia, the SAA offensive has stalled. They can't seem to take Salma or Sirmaniya. They are slowly pushing north of Gmam.
In Homs province, some attempts are being made to push towards Mahin, a city lost to ISIS earlier this year, but no real success so far.
Meanwhile the Kurdish offensive in northern Syria has finally materialized, with US air strikes clearing the way. They've gained significant ground, pushing ISIS out of a pocket east of Hasakah.
Теперь и Китай - Colonel Cassad
Russia has begun striking oil facilities and oil trucks in ISIS territory. The goal is to shut down the ability to transport and refine oil. Also Russian aircraft will be flying search and destroy missions, to hunt down oil trucks. Some oil refineries were hit already.
Уничтожение колонн бензовозов, перевозÑщих нефтепродукты в интереÑах террориÑтичеÑких организаций - Блокнот военного милитариÑта
Удары по нефтÑнке - Ð”ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐœÐ¾ÐºÑ€ÑƒÑˆÐ¸Ð½
Also, Russian use of long-range aviation continued on November 18th, with 12 more cruise missile launches, and additional Tu-22M3 strikes. 100 sorties on 190 targets are planned from Hmeimeem for Nov 18th, still in progress at the time of last release.
Ðовые маÑштабные удары ВКС РоÑÑии в Сирии - bmpd
ISIS executed a Chinese hostage. China vowed to punish those responsible.
Теперь и Китай - Colonel Cassad
Meanwhile Assad states that he does not consider political resolution possible as long as terrorists continue to control large parts of Syria. He blames Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey for it's appearance in Iraq.
Personal comment: I'm more and more inclined to think that Assad has got to go. The question becomes, where to find a successor figure that can keep power, and develop the country under these conditions.
Ú-Íîâîñòè - Áàøàð Àñàä èñêëþ÷àåò âîçìîæíîñòü ïåðåäà÷è âëàñòè â ñòðàíå äî «ïîáåäû íàä òåððîðèçìîì»
Near Aleppo, the government offensive continues, after taking Al-Eis and Al-Hadr, they've run into fresh rebel forces. However the rebel lines to the south are still broken, allowing the SAA to continue to flank them and force retreats. North of Al-Hadr, regime forces are flanking Qarassi from the north and south.
After breaking through to Kuweiris, the SAA is attacking west-ward, towards their own lines, along the highway, as well as east-ward.
In Latakia, the SAA offensive has stalled. They can't seem to take Salma or Sirmaniya. They are slowly pushing north of Gmam.
In Homs province, some attempts are being made to push towards Mahin, a city lost to ISIS earlier this year, but no real success so far.
Meanwhile the Kurdish offensive in northern Syria has finally materialized, with US air strikes clearing the way. They've gained significant ground, pushing ISIS out of a pocket east of Hasakah.
Теперь и Китай - Colonel Cassad
Russia has begun striking oil facilities and oil trucks in ISIS territory. The goal is to shut down the ability to transport and refine oil. Also Russian aircraft will be flying search and destroy missions, to hunt down oil trucks. Some oil refineries were hit already.
Уничтожение колонн бензовозов, перевозÑщих нефтепродукты в интереÑах террориÑтичеÑких организаций - Блокнот военного милитариÑта
Удары по нефтÑнке - Ð”ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐœÐ¾ÐºÑ€ÑƒÑˆÐ¸Ð½
Also, Russian use of long-range aviation continued on November 18th, with 12 more cruise missile launches, and additional Tu-22M3 strikes. 100 sorties on 190 targets are planned from Hmeimeem for Nov 18th, still in progress at the time of last release.
Ðовые маÑштабные удары ВКС РоÑÑии в Сирии - bmpd
ISIS executed a Chinese hostage. China vowed to punish those responsible.
Теперь и Китай - Colonel Cassad
Meanwhile Assad states that he does not consider political resolution possible as long as terrorists continue to control large parts of Syria. He blames Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey for it's appearance in Iraq.
Personal comment: I'm more and more inclined to think that Assad has got to go. The question becomes, where to find a successor figure that can keep power, and develop the country under these conditions.
Ú-Íîâîñòè - Áàøàð Àñàä èñêëþ÷àåò âîçìîæíîñòü ïåðåäà÷è âëàñòè â ñòðàíå äî «ïîáåäû íàä òåððîðèçìîì»
Interesting Jounalist report Iran is reducing operations in Syria
From Paris to Moscow, Iran is looking like a fifth wheel when it comes to forging an international coalition against ISIS. Tehran’s troops are increasingly seen packing up their combat shop in Syria, which could have big implications for what some are calling a “grand coalition” against the Islamic State, the Wall Street Journal’s Jay Solomon reports. U.S. and European officials say “Iran’s elite military unit, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has withdrawn some troops from Syria in recent weeks, because of a strain on its resources. A number of senior IRGC officers have been killed in Syria in recent months.” Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel, “and has indicated Moscow would seek to limit Iran’s influence inside Syria as part of any negotiated settlement to the conflict,” according to senior diplomats.
From Paris to Moscow, Iran is looking like a fifth wheel when it comes to forging an international coalition against ISIS. Tehran’s troops are increasingly seen packing up their combat shop in Syria, which could have big implications for what some are calling a “grand coalition” against the Islamic State, the Wall Street Journal’s Jay Solomon reports. U.S. and European officials say “Iran’s elite military unit, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has withdrawn some troops from Syria in recent weeks, because of a strain on its resources. A number of senior IRGC officers have been killed in Syria in recent months.” Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel, “and has indicated Moscow would seek to limit Iran’s influence inside Syria as part of any negotiated settlement to the conflict,” according to senior diplomats.
Nick underscore
Member
Interestingly, US/Coalition airstrikes have been focusing on fuel supply chain. A-10's and AC-130's targeting oil trucks and logistics.
- A-10s and AC-130s destroy Islamic State fuel trucks
- Operational focus turns towards ISIL Oil Distribution
Operation Tidalwave II looks to be a real concerted effort by the coalition AF.
- Strikes targeting oil distribution chain
Factor in RF efforts and possibly the cashflow can be stemmed..
Muukalainen
New Member
FBI director says no credible threat of Paris-type attack in U.S | Reuters
This appears to be a rather crude attempt at calming Americans; DAESH did not threaten America with "Paris-type attack". They threatened suicide bombers and car bombs against the White House. General terror attacks versus a targeted strike against a symbol of America, and potentially, its head.
New Islamic State video threatens attack on White House | Reuters
This appears to be a rather crude attempt at calming Americans; DAESH did not threaten America with "Paris-type attack". They threatened suicide bombers and car bombs against the White House. General terror attacks versus a targeted strike against a symbol of America, and potentially, its head.
New Islamic State video threatens attack on White House | Reuters
I don't get it. Iran and Hezbollah will just pack up and leave? After all this fighting?
Seems weird to me that they would supposedly disappear from the theater like that. Don't they have forces in Syria and Iraq and any talks should include them? Won't they have a say on the new governance of Syria eventually?
I'd wait for confirmation. Iranian presence on the ground never did get very large. It's unclear how many troops they can deploy and sustain, and they were apparently involved in some of the heaviest fighting. It's possible they're being pulled back to the rear, for rest, resupply, and reinforcements.
I don't think they look like a fifth wheel, I think they provided key aid on the ground, when it was sorely needed to both the Iranian and Iraqis. That having been said, Iran is not looked upon kindly in the West, so their involvement in this anti-ISIS coalition is going to be minimal if any. The West is even wary of working together with Russia on this.
source?
Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journal’s Jay Solomon reports. U.S. and European officials say “Iran’s elite military unit, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has withdrawn some troops from Syria in recent weeks, because of a strain on its resources
IMO, perhaps with growing Russian(in Syria) and other Western Military presence in the region they are reducing their numbers. Perhaps VPP has recommended it as his own numbers in theatre grow
USMC Harriers join the Campaign
ARABIAN GULF (NNS) -- Naval Aviation rejoined the fight against ISIL Nov. 19 when AV-8B Harriers from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM)162(Reinforced)launched from the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) to conduct their first missions over Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR).
Links and video from Navy.mil
USS Kearsarge Harriers Join Fight Against ISIL
ARABIAN GULF (NNS) -- Naval Aviation rejoined the fight against ISIL Nov. 19 when AV-8B Harriers from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM)162(Reinforced)launched from the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) to conduct their first missions over Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR).
Links and video from Navy.mil
USS Kearsarge Harriers Join Fight Against ISIL
Update.
The Syrian offensive to the south-west of Aleppo seems to have halted at the Damascus-Aleppo highway, with the SAA not in firm control of the highway itself. Reinforcements from Hama seem to have halted the regime offensive. Meanwhile the offensive against ISIS around Kuweiris has made significant gains, pushing north and east of Kuweiris. It appears that ISIS casualties in the battle for al-Safira have left them vulnerable.
In Homs the only change is a slow push of ISIS forces towards Palmyra. Meanwhile in the north, the Kurdish offensive is gaining speed, as ISIS forces retreat. It's unclear how this will play out given that the Turks are simultaneously battling Kurds inside their own territory.
Ð’Ð¾ÐµÐ½Ð½Ð°Ñ Ð¾Ð±Ñтановка в Сирии к 20 ноÑÐ±Ñ€Ñ 2015 года - Colonel Cassad
Russian air strikes continue, with 16 more cruise missiles strikes on 7 targets, and 12 Tu-22M3 strikes. There were 100 sorties out of Hmeimeem, with 190 targets struck. Several higher-ranked ISIS commanders have been killed.
Продолжение авиационного наÑÑ‚ÑƒÐ¿Ð»ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ Ð’ÐšÐ¡ РоÑÑии в Сирии - bmpd
Meanwhile an ISIS operative captured in Kuweit, claims he sourced weapons through Ukraine, something the Ukrainian government denies.
tp://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/2481370.html
Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Â Ìèíîáîðîíû Óêðàèíû íàçâàëè "áåçîñíîâàòåëüíûìè" îáâèíåíèÿ â ïîñòàâêàõ îðóæèÿ ÈÃ
An interview with an SAA soldier, reveals that in Deyr-ez-Zor, they dug a tunnel for months, to lay explosives and bring down a block of buildings held by ISIS. Tactics that are reminiscent of sappers in Medieval Europe, or even WWI.
Подземное наÑтупление - Военный Блог
And there has been yet another large-scale terrorist attack, this time in Mali, taking a hotel and 170 guests hostage. Malinese soldiers stormed the hotel, saving 30 hostages, but the rest remain in terrorist hands. Several French service members are thought to be among the hostages, and French special forces have been dispatched to the scene. The situation is ongoing, so the end result is yet to be seen.
Overall it's an alarming trend, several very large scale terrorist attacks in a tiny timeframe, and across many separate countries. I don't think a single organization can realistically be blamed.
Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com ::  Ìàëè íåèçâåñòíûå ñ îðóæèåì íàïàëè íà ãîñòèíèöó è âçÿëè â çàëîæíèêè îêîëî 170 ÷åëîâåê
The Syrian offensive to the south-west of Aleppo seems to have halted at the Damascus-Aleppo highway, with the SAA not in firm control of the highway itself. Reinforcements from Hama seem to have halted the regime offensive. Meanwhile the offensive against ISIS around Kuweiris has made significant gains, pushing north and east of Kuweiris. It appears that ISIS casualties in the battle for al-Safira have left them vulnerable.
In Homs the only change is a slow push of ISIS forces towards Palmyra. Meanwhile in the north, the Kurdish offensive is gaining speed, as ISIS forces retreat. It's unclear how this will play out given that the Turks are simultaneously battling Kurds inside their own territory.
Ð’Ð¾ÐµÐ½Ð½Ð°Ñ Ð¾Ð±Ñтановка в Сирии к 20 ноÑÐ±Ñ€Ñ 2015 года - Colonel Cassad
Russian air strikes continue, with 16 more cruise missiles strikes on 7 targets, and 12 Tu-22M3 strikes. There were 100 sorties out of Hmeimeem, with 190 targets struck. Several higher-ranked ISIS commanders have been killed.
Продолжение авиационного наÑÑ‚ÑƒÐ¿Ð»ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ Ð’ÐšÐ¡ РоÑÑии в Сирии - bmpd
Meanwhile an ISIS operative captured in Kuweit, claims he sourced weapons through Ukraine, something the Ukrainian government denies.
tp://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/2481370.html
Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Â Ìèíîáîðîíû Óêðàèíû íàçâàëè "áåçîñíîâàòåëüíûìè" îáâèíåíèÿ â ïîñòàâêàõ îðóæèÿ ÈÃ
An interview with an SAA soldier, reveals that in Deyr-ez-Zor, they dug a tunnel for months, to lay explosives and bring down a block of buildings held by ISIS. Tactics that are reminiscent of sappers in Medieval Europe, or even WWI.
Подземное наÑтупление - Военный Блог
And there has been yet another large-scale terrorist attack, this time in Mali, taking a hotel and 170 guests hostage. Malinese soldiers stormed the hotel, saving 30 hostages, but the rest remain in terrorist hands. Several French service members are thought to be among the hostages, and French special forces have been dispatched to the scene. The situation is ongoing, so the end result is yet to be seen.
Overall it's an alarming trend, several very large scale terrorist attacks in a tiny timeframe, and across many separate countries. I don't think a single organization can realistically be blamed.
Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com ::  Ìàëè íåèçâåñòíûå ñ îðóæèåì íàïàëè íà ãîñòèíèöó è âçÿëè â çàëîæíèêè îêîëî 170 ÷åëîâåê
All that time spent digging, the Russians would have gladly flattened the buildings for them.
Haha, maybe they started before russians got involved and then it was a shame to waste all the work.
Let's not forget how recently they deployed in Syria after all those years. So much has happened in so little time.
The UN Security Council has unanimously passed the French drafted resolution calling on all necessary measures to be taken by all able States to fight Daesh and to prevent more attacks by Daesh. This has raised the stakes considerably and brings the current operations under the UN mandate, which is actually a good thing because it will hopefully bring a lot more countries into the fight. What the UN Security Council should do now is come down hard on those who support Daesh, especially nations. An interesting story on Saudi Arabia and Daesh discussing some of the links between the two and why the west won't act against the Saudis.
Those videos on the news showing Russian Backfires emptying their loads of dumb bombs over Syria are a jarring flashback to B-52s carpet bombing NV decades back. So different from the kind of precision attacks we have become used to in the decades since. Makes for good TV in Moscow no doubt.