there are valid syrian opposition factions with political leaders/scholars and such with which (UN)negotiations were held throughout 2016. if you talk from a military perspective, around 2014-2015 people were talking about ~3.600 militia factions cooperating/collaborating with each other in varying degrees.
@SK.Testie: - Obama played very well for US(or at least his plans were very good for US) but he didn't want to side with Russia even when both were against EU/sunnis/Israel. he'd rather teach Germany a lesson then make peace(something like a bitch-slap on the wrist) than side with Russia and divide EU again.
there are valid syrian opposition factions with political leaders/scholars and such with which (UN)negotiations were held throughout 2016. if you talk from a military perspective, around 2014-2015 people were talking about ~3.600 militia factions cooperating/collaborating with each other in varying degrees.
From military perspective. Nearly only Jabhat Fatah al-Sham is actually active with a force kinda to reckon with that is battling the regime backed by Iranian and Shi'ite militia from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon, and Iraq on the ground.
Would you be kind and enlighten me on the other ~ 3599 factions? What exactly are they doing on the ground? Those scholars / leaders in the outside, they absolutely have 0 value.
And finally, again, how exactly are we classifying stuff as valid or not valid?
Mr. de Mistura appeared to be seeking a compromise by inviting some groups to be represented in Geneva not as parties to the negotiations but as advisers whom he would consult. The names that have surfaced include political figures allied with the Kurdish party and representatives from other groups that are not part of the High Negotiations Committee, including some backed by Russia or seen as close to the Assad government.
Haytham Manaa, a Syrian dissident and human rights activist who spent years in prison for opposing the Assad family’s rule, said that he was invited but that he might not attend. He spoke out for years against armed insurgency and foreign intervention; now he lives in Geneva and leads a new group called the Council of Democratic Syria, which is linked to Kurdish and Arab militias. In a telephone interview, he said Syrians should choose who is invited.
“I represent 22 parties and 70,000 fighters on the ground,” Mr. Manaa said. “I feel ashamed of sitting with some names on the same table.”
Two other figures in Mr. Manaa’s coalition are Kadri Jamil and Randa Kassis. Mr. Jamil was deputy prime minister for economic affairs in the Assad government until he was ejected in 2013; he is seen as close to Russia. Gennady Gatilov, the Russian deputy foreign minister, said Mr. Jamil would “lead the moderate opposition” in Geneva. Ms. Kassis, who is French-Syrian, leads a group called the Movement of the Pluralistic Society.
Jihad Makdissi, the longtime spokesman for the Syrian Foreign Ministry before he defected in late 2012, said he would not attend the first round of talks. “I think that my temporary absence from this initial round may contribute in alleviating the current disputes,” he wrote in a letter to Mr. de Mistura published online.
plus some others.
about the militias - i don't know dude, every hill or so is defended by couple dozens fighters that call themselves somehow. i read guestimates, i didn't count them.
I guess its time for a brief update on Aleppo seeing as how things have really started to pick up.
So by the morning of November the 25th (Syria time) the SAA and Liwa al-Quds have freed a large part of the district of Hanano, taking dozens of buildings in heavy street fighting. The rebels managed to stop the immediate offensive deeper into Aleppo but at the cost of heavy losses, by the time of me writing this they still have control of a key logistical artery in south-western Hanano which is vital for the maneuver of the reserves and the supply of ammunition in the northern part of the enclave.
The black line is a very important road.
The intent of the Syrian command is to probably bypass the defensive positions terrorists have in al-Haidariya and cut them off in Hanano. At the moment there are maybe 6 buildings the SAA needs to take to establish fire control over the road and cause havoc to rebel logistics in northern Aleppo. Al-Nusra is throwing reserves into the defense of Hanano but in doing so is already opening up other areas.
What was taken yesterday.
All in all it seems the Syrian army is taking the same model they have been using in eastern Ghouta, sequentially taking piece by piece and making the encirclement smaller in the hope of the encircled surrendering, avoiding unnecessary casualties and destruction. A lot has been going on in other fronts but Hanano is way more important to the outcome of the war.
For a few days, Syria airforce is directly engaging Turkish backed and actual Turkish army positions. I am very afraid what would be the outcome of this.
it was one air strike, 3 dead 10 wounded last time i checked. thing is, i've read assumed/implied ideas(russian flag was seen flying, eyewitness, something, something) that it was a russian strike because the coincidence makes it happen exactly 1yr from when the russian jet was downed by turks.
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian or Russian fighter jets have not attacked Turkish army positions in Northwestern Aleppo, a Syrian military source said.
"No Syrian or Russian aircraft bombed the Turkish army (positions) near (the town of) al-Bab on November 23rd - all reports claiming otherwise are lies," massdar news quoted the official as saying.
"Turkey is planning something in East Aleppo and using this alleged attack as a ploy to escalate the situation," he added.
The Turkish Army accused the Syrian Air Force on Wednesday of carrying out an airstrike that killed 3 of their soldiers and wounded 10 others.
Prior to this alleged attack in Northeastern Aleppo, the Turkish Army shelled the Syrian army's defense lines in Northern Lattakia, forcing them to halt their offensive against the Turkish-backed terrorists near the border.
Witnessing a massive disorganized escape of tens of terrorists towards their country's borders, the Turkish army forces deployed near the border with Lattakia province conducted a heavy shelling and rocket fire attack on the Syrian army positions in Navarah, Borj al-Hayat, Ain Issa and Heights 616.
The Syrian armed forces had made a major advance in Jabal al-Rae'i, Navarah and Borj al-Hayat but they were forced to retreat after facing the Turkish army's fierce artillery attacks. Minutes later, the terrorists returned again to the regions which had earlier been liberated by the army, battlefield reports said on Thursday.
A large number of terrorist snipers were deployed in the region to prevent any possible renewed attack by the army.
Meantime, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) terrorists and the Turkish-affiliated forces as well as Ankara's fighter jets and artillery units blocked the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) passage between Afrin and Kobani in Aleppo province and launched similar heavy attacks on their positions.
The Syrian army units, supported by the Desert Hawks, had started massive operations in the Northern and Northeastern parts of Lattakia province on Wednesday to liberate Hassan al-Rae'i mountains and destroy the terrorists' operations room.
I don't follow Turkish narrative since the media don't say a single word on what happens in Syria, and death reports are banned afaik. It is not a secret that Syrian gov. put more attention to what is happening around Al-bab and use Kurds and other elements to fight against FSA/Turks.
Syrian rebels have lost all of the northern neighbourhoods of their stronghold in eastern Aleppo, a monitor has said, as the army pushed an offensive to retake the battered city.
The army captured the Sakhur, Haydariya and Sheikh Khodr neighbourhoods today, while Kurdish forces took the Sheikh Fares district from rebels, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Kurdish forces in Aleppo are not officially allied with the regime, but the opposition regards them as cooperating with the government in a bid to recapture the city.
"The rebels have lost control of all the neighbourhoods in the north of east Aleppo, and this is their worst defeat since they seized half the city in 2012," said Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman.
Syrian state media reported the capture of Haydariya and Sakhur as it looped footage showing some of the thousands of civilians who have fled east Aleppo in recent days as loyalist troops have advanced. The army renewed an operation to retake eastern Aleppo nearly two weeks ago, hoping to deal the opposition a potentially devastating blow.
One rebel official denied the report that Sakhur had fallen, while another said the situation was not yet clear.
Syria's Al-Watan daily, which is close to the government, said the army was advancing quickly. It said the next stage of the operation would be "to divide the remaining area into security districts that will be easily controlled and to capture them successively".
It added that the advance would then "push the gunmen to turn themselves (in)... or accept national reconciliation under the terms of the Syrian state."
What I wrote about 3 days ago resulted in the complete collapse of jihadist held northern Aleppo. What started yesterday ended in one of the biggest jihadist defeats in Aleppo since the beginning of the war.
evening of the 27th
Today, noon
Last night and this morning the rements of rebel forces retreated to the central area of the city and the entire northern part of the enclave is now under government control. Over one third (~40%) of rebel held Aleppo was freed overnight with the water pump station also being captured and put into service as well, ending water shortages in the city.
Reports of 2-3000 civilians escaping eastern Aleppo into government held territory, large scale efforts are underway to bring food and aid to the freed areas.
The situation for the militants is looking dire as they are scrambling now to build a defensive line at what is now the northern contact of their pocket. Not to mention extremely demoralized troops with no access to heavy equipment needed to build defenses and create firing positions. At the same time the SAA is not stopping, continuing assaults from the south and east.
Looking at how the SAA dealt with pockets in other parts of the country their main focus will be to force them to surrender or agree to evacuate to Idlib. Expect a push to slice the pocket into two parts in the coming days, if all goes even half according to plan Aleppo should be free by New Years day.
edit: This might be interesting to some people, a topographic map whats left of militant held Aleppo:
With Syrian Rebel fall, Iraq will unite with Syria and with Yemen Houthis backed by Iran will start their movement to KSA and the other countries in the area.
What nice events lining up in the next two years...
Big news over the last few hours, lots of reports coming in that the entire Sheikh Saeed district has been liberated today by 16:15 local time. Even Jihad Julian confirming it:
Footage from the assault today
edit: SAA now crossing the river and moving into the district of Sukkari, nighttime is coming fast but it could fall today.
They agreed that the bombing would stop and that Fath Al-Sham fighters would leave.
The Turkish capital Ankara hosted talks between the Syrian opposition and Moscow that were attended by Turkish officials. The talks were devoted to the latest developments in Aleppo and halting military operations in the east of the city. According to available information, those taking part in the talks arrived at an agreement in principle that involves Jabhat Fath Al-Sham fighters leaving eastern Aleppo in exchange for an end to the bombing, opening safe corridors through which Jabhat Fath Al-Sham fighters can travel to Idlib and allowing the entry of aid into besieged neighbourhoods.
This came at a time when the armed opposition has agreed to form “The Army of Aleppo” which includes units from the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and revolutionary factions. All units will work under a unified command in order to fight against what is happening in neighbourhoods in eastern Aleppo.
The Ankara meeting is of great importance because it coincides with an unprecedented escalation in Aleppo, and a leader of the Ahrar Al-Sham movement Mohammed Al-Shami said that “the meeting that took place in Ankara yesterday is the second in 24 hours”. He also told Asharq Al-Awsat that the meeting “was attended by 13 people representing opposition groups, Russian representatives and Turkish ones. US-backed opposition factions did not attend and neither did representatives of the Syrian regime and Iran”.
Al-Shami said “An agreement has been made to allow Jabhat Fath Al-Sham fighters to leave Aleppo via humanitarian corridors in exchange for halting the bombing and allowing humanitarian aid to enter through the Castello crossing under the guarantee of the Turkish government.” He explained that “this agreement will be presented to Fath Al-Sham on the condition that we receive their answer tomorrow in order to implement it “. The director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights Rami Abdul Rahman told Asharq Al-Awsat that this information is correct and pointed out that “these items were raised and agreed upon, but they are yet to be implemented.”
For his part, a member of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces named Ahmad Ramadan said that “Turkey is keen to sponsor these talks so that the bombing and continuous murder that is taking place in Aleppo can be stopped and so that the pretexts that Russia is using to justify its actions are invalidated. The issue of Fath Al-Sham fighters is the most important of these pretexts”.
Denmark will not extend military operations of its seven F-16 fighter jets in Syria and Iraq from mid-December after six months in action, the Danish government said on Friday.
Instead the Danish contribution in Syria and Iraq will primarily consist of training and analysis teams, which to a large extent will work closer to Iraqi military units.
"We are pulling our airplanes out as planned. We have offered the coalition extra help with some construction and engineer troops," Danish foreign minister Anders Samuelsen said after a meeting in the foreign political council.
"It has been assessed whether it would make sense from economical and practical considerations (to extend the mission) ... the conclusion has been that it makes no sense, so we just stick to the plan," Samuelsen said.
NATO member Denmark is part of the U.S.-led operation "Inherent Resolve" against Islamic State, which has declared a caliphate in parts of Iraq and Syria. It said when it joined the mission in June it would review the operation after six months.
On Monday, a U.S. military investigation said Danish war planes were involved in a Sept. 17 coalition air strike, where a series of "unintentional human errors" killed fighters aligned with the Syrian government instead of the targeted Islamic State militants.
The minister made no mention of the incident in his statement.
The SAA withdrew yesterday from Sheikh Saeed, which seems to pulled a lot of forces from the north because today Karam al-Jazmati, parts of Karam al-Myassar and Karam al-Tarrab are now under government control.
The Syrian army has also taken full control of Western Ghouta with the 52 buses filled with militants arriving in Idlib today, some video showing the stockpiles jihadists left behind. Kind of infuriating to see half of it is from ex-Yugoslavia, our politicians only care about money when they sell old stockpiles to the Gulf states.
While the language in the annual defense bill also creates restrictions on the provision of the controversial weapons, it represents a win for Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., a fervent advocate of helping the rebels resist President Bashar al-Assad and his Russian and Iranian allies. The Senate is expected to pass the bill next week.
Until now, the transfer of man-portable air-defense systems, or MANPADs, had been implicitly authorized in the absence of an outright ban. Critics, however, view the new provision as tantamount to a policy recommendation for the president-elect.
"I'm more afraid of Congress on this issue than I am of Trump,” said Robert Naiman, the policy director at Just Foreign Policy, a liberal advocacy group that lobbied for a ban. “I think Congress is trying to tie Trump's hands against making a realistic deal with Russia to end the Syrian civil war. And they are trying to pressure him in the direction of not doing that," he told Al-Monitor.
Trump was outspoken about his reluctance to get dragged into the Syrian civil war throughout the presidential campaign. He has since picked hawkish advisers and candidates for Cabinet positions, including retired Marine Gen. James Mattis as secretary of defense.
The rebels “are being slaughtered as we speak. A genocide is taking place. It's a black mark on American history," McCain told Al-Monitor when asked about the MANPAD provision. “I think [Trump] is going to listen to the people he appoints as secretary of defense and secretary of state.”
Mattis is well known in military and foreign policy circles for his aggressive determination to take on America’s foes, notably Iran, including in Syria and Iraq. Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee as far back as January 2015, however, he opined that the time for supporting moderate rebel fighters against Assad's forces had "passed."
Whats the point of "authorizing" if he already stated that he wants to work with Russia instead?
I'm not sure how "rebels getting slaughtered" amounts to genocide. John Rambo McCain is just being his usual warhawk self here.
I wish the US government would one day realize the short-sightedness of their approach to arming rebels. Today it's a low-cost way to create an opposition force, tomorrow they're fighting US troops. How many times has this already happened?
On December 04 2016 01:46 LegalLord wrote: I'm not sure how "rebels getting slaughtered" amounts to genocide. John Rambo McCain is just being his usual warhawk self here.
I wish the US government would one day realize the short-sightedness of their approach to arming rebels. Today it's a low-cost way to create an opposition force, tomorrow they're fighting US troops. How many times has this already happened?
Why would the rebels be fighting U.S. troops in the future? And yes, what is going on in the eastern side of Aleppo is a genocide.
On December 04 2016 01:46 LegalLord wrote: I'm not sure how "rebels getting slaughtered" amounts to genocide. John Rambo McCain is just being his usual warhawk self here.
I wish the US government would one day realize the short-sightedness of their approach to arming rebels. Today it's a low-cost way to create an opposition force, tomorrow they're fighting US troops. How many times has this already happened?
Why would the rebels be fighting U.S. troops in the future? And yes, what is going on in the eastern side of Aleppo is a genocide.
It always happens that way. What was a low-cost way to mess with the Soviet Union in the 1980s in Afghanistan becomes a multi-trillion dollar war two decades later. With the weapons and training that were given to them back then.
Labeling the aggressive opposition "resistance groups" that have a tendency to fold into the arms of Islamist forces as genocide is... disputable at best. I know that's how those who try to spin Aleppo into another in a long string of "mandates for US intervention" will frame it, but that isn't the reality. Sometimes fighting the opposition involves realizing that those that call themselves "Al Qaeda" and "ISIS" are not the only terrorists among the "opposition" and that "moderate rebels" is a fantasy.