War Against ISIS

[Feanor]

I don't. I just saw it on the Defence News Early Bird Brief. I would presume that if they have any US tech in them then ITAR will be involved and the State Dept decides what US tech is covered by ITAR and what isn't.

Interesting. So the Russified Searcher project was initially touted as an upgrade but even then a few commentators speculated that it's primary purpose was to increase localization in Russia, without any major upgrades. It might be the case that it's designed to eliminate any US components as well. Is there any way to find out whether any major systems in the Searchers Mk2s are American?

EDIT: I'm not well familiar with the Searcher, does it currently carry radar of any kind? Since the Russified variant was rumored to eventually get a side-looking radar.

 

[Toblerone]

The US-Russian cooperation attempt has had two major setbacks with the SAA closing off access to Aleppo and Assad telling it's citizens and surrendering rebels to leave.

After all this struggle to close off Aleppo why would the regime open up the road for supplies to pour through? Last time I checked, this was a real war. They will try to stifle the life out of the opposition and their supporters, just like they have been doing, how is this a major setback between US and Russia? It is just a bitter pushback because the SAA are winning, just like the widespread panic when the SAA and the kurds closed the Azaz corridor. There were some unbelievable panicky reactions then, especially by the turks.

I don't see how these SAA successes are setbacks, the opposite is true, every time the USA are running to the negotiating table and are more and more amiable.

The article goes on to admit that the Nusra rebranding is probably a facade, even quoting a US official and then still mentioning that it now makes things complicated. How is it complicated, it is still the same group, they are terrorists, end of story. It is only complicated when you need it to be.

P.S.: The turkish appeasement came back to bite the West in the butt. Time for my immature "Told you so!" moment. Ah, it feels good.

EDIT: The kurds also have some part in the Aleppo siege, they coordinated their attacks with the SAA and gained some very strategic ground. Is this a setback in US-kurds relations? A major setback, even? Anyone?

 

[Strannik]

After all this struggle to close off Aleppo why would the regime open up the road for supplies to pour through? Last time I checked, this was a real war. They will try to stifle the life out of the opposition and their supporters, just like they have been doing, how is this a major setback between US and Russia? It is just a bitter pushback because the SAA are winning, just like the widespread panic when the SAA and the kurds closed the Azaz corridor. There were some unbelievable panicky reactions then, especially by the turks.

I don't see how these SAA successes are setbacks, the opposite is true, every time the USA are running to the negotiating table and are more and more amiable.

The article goes on to admit that the Nusra rebranding is probably a facade, even quoting a US official and then still mentioning that it now makes things complicated. How is it complicated, it is still the same group, they are terrorists, end of story. It is only complicated when you need it to be.

P.S.: The turkish appeasement came back to bite the West in the butt. Time for my immature "Told you so!" moment. Ah, it feels good.

EDIT: The kurds also have some part in the Aleppo siege, they coordinated their attacks with the SAA and gained some very strategic ground. Is this a setback in US-kurds relations? A major setback, even? Anyone?

Well said, Toblerone, I feel the same. Things looking promising, yet all hangs in a precarious balance. I just read jihadist, begin to surrender in east Aleppo.
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jihadist-rebels-surrender-syrian-army-east-aleppo/

There is also info about stream of civilians escaping through Russian set up corridors, from besieged town. Yea, things looking promising, but for some it is a 'setback' that is for sure.

 

[Toblerone]

Almasdarnews is pro-iranian, I won't believe that serious numbers of militants are surrendering or that many civilians are fleeing Aleppo to government territory until I see some proof.

I also will not believe the reports about rebel infighting unless I see proof.

EDIT:
http://iswresearch.blogspot.gr/2016/07/avoiding-al-qaedas-syria-trap-jabhat-al.html

 

[PO2GRV]

Rebels Launch Major Assault To Break Siege Of Opposition-Held Aleppo

Attempt to break siege underway by Aleppo forces. Mixed reports coming out saying theyve captured points SW of city but SAA denies. Al Nusra involved

Anyone with better info?

 

[ngatimozart]

Updates:
Syrian activists: Hospital bombed in Daraa province. The Local Coordination Committees activist network says an airstrike Sunday targeted the hospital in Jasem, an opposition town some 35 miles (57 kilometres) south of Damascus. The group says six people were killed in the airstrikes in Jasem, blaming them on government fighter jets.

Russia’s most advanced spyplane has deployed to Syria again It appears the Tu 214R has returned to Latakia in Syria again.

Islamic State calls on members to carry out jihad in Russia Putin won't take to kindly to that and the Russians don't pussyfoot around dealing with terrorists.

Retaking IS-held Mosul likely to be tricky, costly for Iraq We know that theoretically Mosul should be a hard nut to crack. We thought that Fallujah would be too, but it wasn't, however Mosul is a more important node to Daesh, so the theory goes.

The Latest: 5 Russians on helicopter downed in Syria killed Apparently the Russians have lost a Mi 8 transport helicopter, shot down in Idlib province after delivering humanitarian aid to Aleppo. All on board have been killed.

U.S.-backed forces win control of most of Syria's Manbij from Islamic State Daesh snipers, mines and booby traps are slowing down the recapture of the city. Amnesty International and others are saying that the US Coalition forces should do more to reduce civilian casualties. Well it isn't a game of tiddly winks people, its war; a war where the enemy have no rules, honour, or morals.

Have U.S. Officials Given Up on ‘Defeating’ ISIS? Maybe reality is starting to set in and people are realising that defeating Daesh on the battlefield won't be the end of the war. It just means that the war shifts to another phase and place.

Moqtada al Sadr and his followers in Iraq are 'thirsty for Americans' blood' The radical Iranian backed Iraqi cleric who has been fighting Daesh and up until now has accepted the US helping Iraq in fighting Daesh has had a change of underwear and mind.

 

[Feanor]

Update.

The battle for Aleppo is heating up. A rebel counter-offensive has gained some ground, but hasn't actually broken through. SAA reserves are being pulled up to counter-attack, and Russian airstrikes in the area have intensified. In addition to the Tu-214R which is primarily an ELINT/SIGINT asset, a Tu-214ON is being deployed to Syria, it's a special-purpose observation aircraft with a lot of high-res electro-optics.

Meanwhile ISIS made another attempt to break through to Manbij, but failed.

ПревратноÑти войны - Colonel Cassad
Битва за Ðлеппо. 01.08.2016 - Colonel Cassad
https://aftershock.news/?q=node/421835

The SAA has taken a warehouse full of US gear, from the rebels, and homemade mortar shells.

Трофеи ÑирийÑкой армии в районе Бани-Зейд, Ðлеппо - Юрий ЛÑмин

The SAA has deployed S-200 SAMs at Kuweiris. A serious attempt to re-establish airspace control over Eastern Syria.

Сирийцы С-200 на базе ÐšÐ²Ð°Ð¹Ñ€ÐµÑ Ñ€Ð°Ð·Ð²ÐµÑ€Ð½ÑƒÐ»Ð¸ - Юрий ЛÑмин

Reportedly a second US airbase has been built in Syria.

https://aftershock.news/?q=node/421887

Meanwhile the US has struck ISIS targets in Libya.

NEWSru.com :: СШРнанеÑли авиаудары по позициÑм "ИÑламÑкого гоÑударÑтва" в Ливии

And some materials on weapons from the Balkans heading to the Middle East.

Making a Killing: The 1.2 Billion Euro Arms Pipeline to Middle East :: Balkan Insight

 

[Feanor]

The rebels are continuing their attack on SAA lines around Aleppo. The artillery base seems to be the focus of the fighting. There are reports of rebels using chemical weapons, there are also reports of Assad's forces using chemical weapons dropped by helo. According to rebel sources, they're 800m away from breaking through, SAA sources quote 2.3 kms. Satellite imagery shows BM-27 Uragan MLRS at that base, which might be Russian arty units. Russian MoD claims 800 dead rebel fighters, and 30 destroyed vehicles. Meanwhile civilian casualties are mounting and there are reports of civilians exiting rebel held areas, using humanitarian corridors provided by the SAA. I will try to find substantiation.

Битва за Ðлеппо. 02.08.2016 - Colonel Cassad
Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Ãàçåòà The Guardian ðàññêàçàëà î õëîðíîé àòàêå â ðàéîíå êðóøåíèÿ ðîññèéñêîãî âåðòîëåòà â Ñèðèè

 

[STURM]

Assad's forces have reportedly recaptured some of the territory recently lost to rebels to the south west of Aleppo. There was footage showing how Allepo's citizens have resorted burning tyres in an attempt to make it hard for Assad's aircraft to spot targets.

No, Aleppo is not the new Srebrenica – the West won’t go to war over Syria | Voices | The Independent

Don't be fooled by reports that al-Qaeda and Nusra have split for the good of the suffering Syrian people | Voices | The Independent

[Conflict within a conflict: Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud - News from Al Jazeera

 

[ngatimozart]

Updates:
A US Admiral has warned about Daesh pivoting towards the Asia Pacific region, especially Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Bangladesh.

Iraq and the Coalition are having trouble sealing Mosul.

Looks like Daesh may have a new Warlord - Minister of War, after the death of the previous incumbent, Tarkhan Batirashvili aka Omar al-Shishani (Omar the Chechen). Apparently it's his older brother who is considered more intelligent, cunning and dangerous.

 

[Feanor]

Ngati, I want to say, thanks for the updates. These days I don't always have the time to make large and detailed posts, plus you provide a fresh viewpoint. Keep up the good work.

 

[ngatimozart]

Ngati, I want to say, thanks for the updates. These days I don't always have the time to make large and detailed posts, plus you provide a fresh viewpoint. Keep up the good work.

Thanks Feanor and the same to you.

 

[Feanor]

A giant rebel attack just took place against the Aleppo artillery base, as it's the defacto gate into Aleppo at this point. The rebels even broke into portions of the base itself, but were swept back out of it, and at this point an SAA counter-attack is progressing west of the base in the stone quarries and around the 1070 apartment complex. Note, some fake photos were circulated allegedly of the base capture, but they're old photos of a different facility from 2013. It's important to note that massive Russian airstrikes, including possibly the most massive use of cluster-munitions so far, have contributed to massive damage to both the rebels and the infrastructure of the area. Finally Hezbollah fighters and possibly Iranian troops are also in the area (Ramuseh, the neighborhood next to the base, is being held by Hezbollah).

Штурм артиллерийÑкой базы - Colonel Cassad
Битва за Ðлеппо 05.08.2016 - Colonel Cassad

 

[ngatimozart]

Update:
Daesh have an intelligence group known as Emni which appears to consist of an internal police force and an external operations branch.

With European officials stretched by a string of assaults by seemingly unconnected attackers who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, Mr. Sarfo* suggested that there may be more of a link than the authorities yet know. He said he was told that undercover operatives in Europe used new converts as go-betweens, or “clean men,” who help link up people interested in carrying out attacks with operatives who can pass on instructions on everything from how to make a suicide vest to how to credit their violence to the Islamic State.

The group has sent “hundreds of operatives” back to the European Union, with “hundreds more in Turkey alone,” according to a senior United States intelligence official and a senior American defense official, both of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence.

Mr. Sarfo, who was recently moved out of solitary confinement at his German prison because he is no longer considered violent, agrees with that assessment. “Many of them have returned,” he said. “Hundreds, definitely.”
* A former Islamic State fighter from Germany, inside the maximum-security prison in Bremen where he is serving a three-year sentence on terrorism charges.

It is now thought that Abu Mohammad al-Adnani has moved from being Daesh's propoganda chief to being in charge of Emni.

The Italians suspect that Daesh are involved in the Libyan migrant flows to Europe.

Daesh have also caused a leadership crisis in Boko Haram.

The lax gun laws in the US have also found favour with Daesh.

 

[John Fedup]

The lax gun laws in the US have also found favour with Daesh.

The second amendment intent was to allow citizens to keep access to their weapons to prevent any encroachment of their rights by government. Unfortunately, this amendment now allows Daesh infiltrators to easily acquire the weapons needed to carry out their terrorist attacks. Armed citizens shooting back at these mutts sounds good but the outcome is likely many bystanders caught in the crossfire. Stopping these weapons from crossing the border into Canada is difficult. Canada's big cities have the crime stats to back that up.

 

[PO2GRV]

Any updates on Kuzetsovs deployment to eastern Med? Eager to see it in action

The second amendment intent was to allow citizens to keep access to their weapons to prevent any encroachment of their rights by government. Unfortunately, this amendment now allows Daesh infiltrators to easily acquire the weapons needed to carry out their terrorist attacks. Armed citizens shooting back at these mutts sounds good but the outcome is likely many bystanders caught in the crossfire. Stopping these weapons from crossing the border into Canada is difficult. Canada's big cities have the crime stats to back that up.

The NRA would agree with you but a careful reading of the Constitution shows otherwise. There was no permanent US Federal Army and funding of one had to be approved every two years during times of war. During peace time the idea was that the States would maintain and fund and train militias. If the Federal govt made laws restricting access to firearms it would negatively affect the States ability to defend themselves *and* make creating a US Army during wartime difficult.

Furthermore, Mexico would agree with you as many (if not most ) of the firearms used in Cartel violence there are from the US

 

[John Fedup]

I think we are in agreement that the easy gun access is a problem for all three countries.fftopic

 

[Feanor]

Any updates on Kuzetsovs deployment to eastern Med? Eager to see it in action

It has completed refit of the munitions cellars to take new munitions (PGMs for the MiG-29Ks) and has had a new take-off and landing electronic system installed to work with the digital inertial systems on the MiG-29K (as opposed to the old analog ones on the Su-33s). They should be getting ready for departure soon.

 

[Feanor]

Rebel forces have taken most of the artillery base, and have broken through. While they don't have a clean corridor that would allow them to supply their pocket in eastern Aleppo, the northern group of SAA forces is now cut off. SAA forces still hold areas around the artillery base, and another counter-attack will likely be attempted. Given that the SAA still holds Ramouseh, and that the rebels aren't likely to be satisfied with the current result, a close-quarter battle will continue in that area. It's important to note that Assad's biggest advantage, in heavy equipment and Russian air and artillery support, are far less useful in this particular fight because of the close quarters and the dense urban environment.

Бои на юго-западе Ðлеппо - Юрий ЛÑмин
Битва за Ðлеппо. 06.08.2016 - Вечер. Онлайн - Colonel Cassad
Гаражи - Colonel Cassad

 

[bdique]

Updates:
A US Admiral has warned about Daesh pivoting towards the Asia Pacific region, especially Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Bangladesh.

A plot to hit Singapore from nearby Batam Island in Indonesia with a rocket (type unspecified) by six terror suspects, led by an Indonesian with ISIS currently operating out of Syria, had been foiled two days ago (link). All six members were arrested in separate locations across the island.

Singaporean ministers have been quick to speak out against terrorism, and have urged the public to stay vigilant. (Links here, here, here and here.)

Kudos to the authorities for their prompt action. My fear is that the Philippines might end up being an unwitting Daesh haven in the region, given that President Duterte has essentially kickstarted a process to cede rule of law into the hands of armed vigilantes (link). I fear that this is the sort of policy that might rend the social fabric of the nation, eventually creating the social instability that criminal and terrorist groups can manipulate for their own agendas.