Underground:
Let's keep our eyes on the goal here: to support the secular government of Al-Assad and the Syria Arab Army as it battles proxy jihadist armies unleashed by the West and its allies. It's better these depraved, evil mercenaries are stopped here in Syria before they are shipped off next to the Cacausus in Russia and XiaJing province in China just as they were moved into Syria soon after their evil work was done in Libya.
A foreign policy championed by Putin trumps anyone supported by Obama in my books

Below are excerpts of Washington's foreign policy through the lips of key government officials in case you have forgotten:

"I have met with these brave fighters, and they are not Al-Qaeda. To the contrary: They are Libyan patriots who want to liberate their nation. We should help them do it." - John McCain, Benghazi, Libya April 22, 2011 - as an Al- Qaeda flag was hoisted over a Benghazi courthouse......

“Of course they are Muslims, but they are moderates. I guarantee you that they are moderates — I know them, and I have been with them.”- Senator John McCain speaking about the rebels in Syria, Washington, September 3, 2013

“Not true, not true! Frankly, I just disagree… There’s about 70 percent still who are Free Syrian Army.” Senator John McCain Washington, September 18, 2013

“This is an acknowledgment that U.S. stated goal to degrade and destroy ISIS is not working. If it were, we would not be talking to these not quite foreign terrorist groups.”

Retired Army general and former CIA Director David Petraeus advocating for the use of Al-Qaeda (perpetrators of 9/11) to fight ISIS.

Interesting!

Interesting but ambiguous video

Check out this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JYEmXJ60Yc


This video was supposedly made near Homs and supposedly shows a “large Russian aircraft and 4 escorts”. Maybe. The large aircraft could be either Il-76 (transport) or Il-78 (refueling). The four smaller aircraft are not escorts, but probably SU-24, and if that guess of mine is correct, then this is interesting. Careful now! Iran also has Il-76 and SU-24s, so we don’t know for sure that these are Russian. But if these are, indeed, Russian SU-24s that would significant as the Syrian Air Forces does not have such aircraft.

The SU-24 is an old but still very capable ground attack aircraft, roughly similar to the US F-111. It’s main purpose is to accurately deliver about 8’000km of bombs, including in night operations and bad weather. Right now, in Russia, this aircraft is being phased out and replaced by the much more capable SU-34, which means that there could soon be a lot of unused SU-24 (and parts!) with a fairly modern avionics and targeting suites available. If confirmed, the presence of Russian SU-24s would mark a quantum leap for the capabilities of the government forces.

Again, let’s not jump to conclusions – at this point in time this is an unconfirmed video showing unidentified aircraft. But in the general Syrian context, this video makes sense. SU-24 could be operating out of Latakia and they could be very effective against Daesh.

We will have to keep an eye on this one.

The Saker

2,000 Russian Troops Head To Syria For "First Phase" Of Mission To Support Assad


With each passing day, The Kremlin seems less and less interested in observing any niceties with regard to how it describes Russia’s military involvement in Syria.

Initially, it seemed likely that Moscow would go the Ukraine route by providing logistical support and lurking behind the scenes while officially denying - or at least downplaying - its role in the conflict. Over the course of the last two weeks, it’s become increasingly clear that Russia now intends to make no secret of its intention not only to stabilize the Assad regime but in fact to turn the tide completely with the provision of advanced weapons and equipment including combat aircraft, tanks, and drones.

The only remaining question was how long it would be before Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem made an official request for ground troops, allowing Moscow to abandon all pretense that Russia isn’t officially at war and while we may not have reached that point yet, you can’t very well build a forward operating base and not staff it which is why now, according to FT, Moscow is set to send 2,000 troops to Latakia as part of the mission’s “first phase”. Here’s more:

Russia is to deploy 2,000 military personnel to its new air base near the Syrian port city of Latakia, signalling the scale of Moscow’s involvement in the war-torn country.

The deployment “forms the first phase of the mission there”, according to an adviser on Syria policy in Moscow.

The force will include fighter aircraft crews, engineers and troops to secure the facility, said another person briefed on the matter.

Three western defence officials agreed that the Russian deployment tallied with the numbers needed to establish a forward air base similar to those built by western militaries in Afghanistan.
Here's more, from The New York Times, on the buildup at Latakia:

The deployment of some of Russia’s most advanced ground attack planes and fighter jets as well as multiple air defense systems at the base near the ancestral home of President Bashar al-Assad appears to leave little doubt about Moscow’s goal to establish a military outpost in the Middle East. The planes are protected by at least two or possibly three SA-22 surface-to-air, antiaircraft systems, and unarmed Predator-like surveillance drones are being used to fly reconnaissance missions.

Russia has military presences near Latakia and in Tartus.Russian Moves in Syria Widen Role in MideastSEPT. 14, 2015

“With competent pilots and with an effective command and control process, the addition of these aircraft could prove very effective depending on the desired objectives for their use,” said David A. Deptula, a retired three-star Air Force general who planned the American air campaigns in 2001 in Afghanistan and in the 1991 Persian Gulf war.

In addition, a total of 15 Russian Hip transport and Hind attack helicopters are also now stationed at the base, doubling the number of those aircraft from last week, the American official said. For use in possible ground attacks, the Russians now also have nine T-90 tanks and more than 500 marines, up from more than 200 last week.

“The equipment and personnel just keep flowing in,” said the American official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential intelligence reports.

Theywere very busy over the weekend.”



On Monday, the Russian embassy in Damascus came under mortar fire. That attack, Moscow says, did not emanate from ISIS but rather from other anti-Assad forces backed by “external sponsors”:

The Russian foreign ministry said a shell, which landed near its embassy on Sunday but caused no casualties, came from Jobar, which is held by anti-Assad fighters who were not allied with Isis and had “external sponsors”.

“We expect a clear position with regard to this terrorist act from all members of the international community, including regional players,” the ministry said. “This requires not just words but concrete action.”

It added that the fighters’ “foreign sponsors” were responsible for using their influence on “illegal armed formations”.
Clearly, “foreign sponsors” is a reference to Assad’s US-backed regional enemies including the Saudis, Qatar, and Turkey among others and this certainly seems to indicate that the Russians will not be prepared to tolerate attacks on their assets by groups who enjoy the support of the US-backed coalition. Of course quite a few of the groups battling for control of Syria are supported either directly or indirectly by the US and its regional allies which means that even if Russia manages to avoid direct confrontation with the handful of troops the US overtly backs, avoiding confrontations with the troops covertly supported by the US and other state actors will be impossible by definition, as they, just as much as ISIS, are angling for the ouster of Assad.

Meanwhile, the French took the absurdity to a whole new level on Monday when Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius claimed that the country's plans to begin bombing Syria were born out of concerns for "self defense". Here's the quote:

"We received specific intelligence indicating that the resent terrorist attacks against France and other European nations were organized by Daesh [Arabic derogatory term for IS] in Syria. Due to this threat we decided to start reconnaissance flights to have the option for airstrikes, if that would be necessary. This is self-defense."

And so, as the violence escalates and Syria looks set to become the stage for a not-so-cold war pitting Russia and its regional proxies against the US and its regional proxies, we close with the following graphic which (partially) quantifies the human cost of geopolitical wrangling gone horribly awry:

NairaMinted:

Interesting but ambiguous video

Check out this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JYEmXJ60Yc


This video was supposedly made near Homs and supposedly shows a “large Russian aircraft and 4 escorts”. Maybe. The large aircraft could be either Il-76 (transport) or Il-78 (refueling). The four smaller aircraft are not escorts, but probably SU-24, and if that guess of mine is correct, then this is interesting. Careful now! Iran also has Il-76 and SU-24s, so we don’t know for sure that these are Russian. But if these are, indeed, Russian SU-24s that would significant as the Syrian Air Forces does not have such aircraft.

The SU-24 is an old but still very capable ground attack aircraft, roughly similar to the US F-111. It’s main purpose is to accurately deliver about 8’000km of bombs, including in night operations and bad weather. Right now, in Russia, this aircraft is being phased out and replaced by the much more capable SU-34, which means that there could soon be a lot of unused SU-24 (and parts!) with a fairly modern avionics and targeting suites available. If confirmed, the presence of Russian SU-24s would mark a quantum leap for the capabilities of the government forces.

Again, let’s not jump to conclusions – at this point in time this is an unconfirmed video showing unidentified aircraft. But in the general Syrian context, this video makes sense. SU-24 could be operating out of Latakia and they could be very effective against Daesh.

We will have to keep an eye on this one.

The Saker

Believe it or not, Russia planes are already in Syria. Even the US confirms it, and Russia is not denying it either.

I see events reshapening in Syria.

Appleyard:


Believe it or not, Russia planes are already in Syria. Even the US confirms it, and Russia is not denying it either.

I see events reshapening in Syria.

How do you see this?

September 25, 2015

Maxfux

Translated by Kristina Rus


China deploys troops to help Russia in Syria


Remember the joint military exercises of Russia and China in the sea and on land? With landing on shore and fighting against terrorists?

And here is the answer to the question of why they trained together.

Rusvesna:

"An Arab news source [Al Masdar News] reports that a military contingent of the PRC is on the way to Latakia and will arrive in Syrian ports any day. Chinese transport with military cargo was spotted on Tuesday morning, passing through the Suez canal.

Information about the Chinese military experts heading to Tartus was confirmed by the commander of the Syrian army. The report concludes that Moscow will create in Syria an anti-terrorist coalition that will become the alternative version of the military alliance formed by the US for dropping supplies to ISIS. Military entrance of China into the struggle for Syria will be an important addition to today's statement by the Iranian Foreign Ministry. At a press conference with "Russia Today" deputy foreign minister of Iran, Hossein Amir Abdollahian stated that Iran will fight ISIS together with Russia. Notably Amir talked not just about an alliance, but a creation of a broad military coalition.

"We welcome the Russian President's proposal on establishment of a common front in a fight against terrorism and are even ready in realizing this initiative to carry out joint operations and cooperate together," - said deputy foreign minister of Iran.

That Russia will fight terrorists with Iran's hands, English resources have been writing for a week. And the joining of China into the support group has exceeded all imaginable expectations. The presence of the international coalition significantly changes the balance of power in favor of Moscow, untying Russian hands for direct military action in the Middle East."

It seems that Russia has finally returned to the Middle East.

United States should just give up and back down already, combined forces of Syria, Russia and China will roast 'em in minutes.

NairaMinted:


How do you see this?

September 25, 2015

Maxfux

Translated by Kristina Rus


China deploys troops to help Russia in Syria


Remember the joint military exercises of Russia and China in the sea and on land? With landing on shore and fighting against terrorists?

And here is the answer to the question of why they trained together.

Rusvesna:

"An Arab news source [Al Masdar News] reports that a military contingent of the PRC is on the way to Latakia and will arrive in Syrian ports any day. Chinese transport with military cargo was spotted on Tuesday morning, passing through the Suez canal.

Information about the Chinese military experts heading to Tartus was confirmed by the commander of the Syrian army. The report concludes that Moscow will create in Syria an anti-terrorist coalition that will become the alternative version of the military alliance formed by the US for dropping supplies to ISIS. Military entrance of China into the struggle for Syria will be an important addition to today's statement by the Iranian Foreign Ministry. At a press conference with "Russia Today" deputy foreign minister of Iran, Hossein Amir Abdollahian stated that Iran will fight ISIS together with Russia. Notably Amir talked not just about an alliance, but a creation of a broad military coalition.

"We welcome the Russian President's proposal on establishment of a common front in a fight against terrorism and are even ready in realizing this initiative to carry out joint operations and cooperate together," - said deputy foreign minister of Iran.

That Russia will fight terrorists with Iran's hands, English resources have been writing for a week. And the joining of China into the support group has exceeded all imaginable expectations. The presence of the international coalition significantly changes the balance of power in favor of Moscow, untying Russian hands for direct military action in the Middle East."

It seems that Russia has finally returned to the Middle East.

Yeah. Its now an open fact that Chinese military is joining Russia forces in Syria. The board is set . . . the pieces are moving.” -Gandalf, Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (formal Soviet-now Russia), is back to the Middle East!

According to The New York Times and FT, in addition to nine T-90 tanks and more than 500 marines for possible ground attacks, Russia is building up its air base near the port city of Latakia in Syria with some of its most
advanced ground attack planes and fighter jets, and 2,000 troops as the “first phase” of its mission to shore up the Assad government. The planes are protected by at
least two or possibly three SA-22 surface-to-air, anti aircraft systems, and unarmed Predator-like
surveillance drones are being used to fly reconnaissance missions.
Now, China is entering the fray, as reported by the Al-Masdar (The Arab Source) on Sept. 23, 2015: The Russians appear to have a contingency that involves another world power that was absent from the U.S. led Anti-ISIS Coalition: China. Chinese military personnel and aerial assets are scheduled to arrive in the coming weeks (6 weeks) to the port-city of Tartous. Russia has made it abundantly clear that they are taking an active role in this conflict, but the news of the Chinese military to Syria provides more insight into their contingency. It appears now that Russia is not going to combat ISIS alone: the plan is similar to the U.S.’ idea of a “coalition” of air forces, but far more involved on the ground; this is something the U.S. and their allies have avoided since the inception of their war against ISIS, for which we all know is only a ruse.

Despite all of this, Russia and the U.S. appear to be at it again; however, this is no space or arms race, they are actively flexing their muscles through their proxies (U.S.: rebels and Russia: Syrian Army). ZeroHedge reminds us that it is not as if China had not given sufficient warning:

This comes two years after China warned that turmoil in Syria could have negative implications for the global economy and 18 months after, Beijing, along with Moscow, used their security council vetoes to undercut a UN resolution calling for the crisis in Syria to be referred to the Hague.” Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports on Sept. 21 that “Russia and Iran have stepped up coordination inside Syria as they move to safeguard President Bashar al-Assad’s control over his coastal stronghold, according to officials in the U.S. and Middle East, creating a new complication for Washington's so-called "diplomatic goals."

Now that China is stepping in and Iran is reported to be sending troops, it is becoming apparent that Russia's hands, like you said, are being completely untied, and as such can legitimately carry out massive aerial and ground bombardment of the Islamic State of Satan. And if "any" body stands their way, then there would be "unintended
consequencies" as warned by Lavrov!

Game on!

Brother, i see saliva drooling from epileptic ,frustrated and agonized tongues of some greedy political and economic demagogues, bunch of satanists accross the western hemisphere, watching helplessly as the Vladinator's spirit-led new coalition divinely sanctioned by the Cosmic order takes on and crush ISIS-the hordes of hell created, covertly sponsored, and openly nortured by the Hegemon-the United States of Anarchy!


How they must hate Putin

All as a result of the Pipeline geo-eco war. And now, is Russia 2, US 0. No thanks to the formidable grand master, Messr Putin, who ensures that the Hegemon didn't have the Ukraine, nor their Middle East-Europe pipelines through Syria

CHINESE AIRCRAFT CARRIER REPORTEDLY DOCKS AT TARTUS, SYRIA
Chinese fighter jets and helicopters to assist Russians in battle against US-backed proxies

[img]http://www.infowars.com/chinese-aircraft-carrier-reportedly-docks-at-tartus-syria/[/img]
Chinese Aircraft Carrier Reportedly Docks at Tartus, Syria
Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons.

by KURT NIMMO | INFOWARS.COM | SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
Share on Facebook1496Tweet about this on Twitter118Share on Google+0Email this to someonePrint this page
The Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning-CV-16 has reportedly docked at the Syrian port of Tartus, according to DEBKAfile, an Israeli military intelligence website based in Jerusalem.

Much of DEBKAfile’s reportage is based on unidentified sources and cannot be independently verified.

The aircraft carrier was said to be accompanied by a guided missile cruiser.

Al-Masdar Al-‘Arabi, The Arab Source, claimed on Tuesday a Chinese naval vessel passed through the Suez Canal.


“Our military sources find evidence that the Chinese forces are digging in for a prolonged stay in Syria. The carrier put into Tartus minus its aircraft contingent. The warplanes and helicopters should be in place on its decks by mid-November – flying in directly from China via Iran or transported by giant Russian transports from China through Iranian and Iraqi airspace,” the unidentified sources told DEBKAfile.

A squadron of J-15 Flying Shark fighters will be stationed on the aircraft carrier and at the Russian base outside of Latakia.

According to the sources, the Chinese will also deploy Z-18F anti-submarine helicopters and Z-18J airborne early warning helicopters.

Additionally, according to the report, the Chinese will send 1,000 marines to assist the Russians in their effort to rollback the gains of the Islamic State and other jihadist groups attempting to defeat the Syrian army and depose Bashar al-Assad.

DEDABKfile claims marines will be instructed to single out rebel militias with recruits from Chechnya and the Caucasus and the Chinese marines will find and destroy Uighur fighters from the northern predominantly Muslim Chinese province of Xinjiang.

In August Infowars.com reported Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel’s remarks on ISIS and its advanced battlefield tactics due to the involvement of well-trained Chechens.

As noted by researcher Wayne Madsen last year, the U.S. has financed Chechen groups through a number of civil society groups, a fact “gleaned from the tranche of a quarter million leaked classified State Department cables,” writes Madsen.

According to Madsen the CIA, various establishment NGOs, USAID, the Soros foundations and the United Nations have worked together to underwrite Chechen terror. The Bush neocons also figure prominently in the Chechen connection.

There is ample evidence of the neocon connection to Chechen rebels, including information provided by former FBI agent Coleen Rowley.

Earlier this week Infowars.com reported on Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar, aka Muhajireen Brigade, joining al-Nusra, the jihadi terror organization linked to the Islamic State.

Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar is comprised primarily of Chechen and other Russian-speaking foreign fighters. It was led by an ethnic Chechen, Abu Omar al-Shishani, aka Tarkhan Tayumurazovich Batirashvili.

Batirashvili and other Chechen figures, including Doku Umarov have connections to the US State Department and the National Endowment for Democracy.

NairaMinted:
CHINESE AIRCRAFT CARRIER REPORTEDLY DOCKS AT TARTUS, SYRIA
Chinese fighter jets and helicopters to assist Russians in battle against US-backed proxies

[img]http://www.infowars.com/chinese-aircraft-carrier-reportedly-docks-at-tartus-syria/[/img]
Chinese Aircraft Carrier Reportedly Docks at Tartus, Syria
Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons.

by KURT NIMMO | INFOWARS.COM | SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
Share on Facebook1496Tweet about this on Twitter118Share on Google+0Email this to someonePrint this page
The Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning-CV-16 has reportedly docked at the Syrian port of Tartus, according to DEBKAfile, an Israeli military intelligence website based in Jerusalem.

Much of DEBKAfile’s reportage is based on unidentified sources and cannot be independently verified.

The aircraft carrier was said to be accompanied by a guided missile cruiser.

Al-Masdar Al-‘Arabi, The Arab Source, claimed on Tuesday a Chinese naval vessel passed through the Suez Canal.


“Our military sources find evidence that the Chinese forces are digging in for a prolonged stay in Syria. The carrier put into Tartus minus its aircraft contingent. The warplanes and helicopters should be in place on its decks by mid-November – flying in directly from China via Iran or transported by giant Russian transports from China through Iranian and Iraqi airspace,” the unidentified sources told DEBKAfile.

A squadron of J-15 Flying Shark fighters will be stationed on the aircraft carrier and at the Russian base outside of Latakia.

According to the sources, the Chinese will also deploy Z-18F anti-submarine helicopters and Z-18J airborne early warning helicopters.

Additionally, according to the report, the Chinese will send 1,000 marines to assist the Russians in their effort to rollback the gains of the Islamic State and other jihadist groups attempting to defeat the Syrian army and depose Bashar al-Assad.

DEDABKfile claims marines will be instructed to single out rebel militias with recruits from Chechnya and the Caucasus and the Chinese marines will find and destroy Uighur fighters from the northern predominantly Muslim Chinese province of Xinjiang.

In August Infowars.com reported Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel’s remarks on ISIS and its advanced battlefield tactics due to the involvement of well-trained Chechens.

As noted by researcher Wayne Madsen last year, the U.S. has financed Chechen groups through a number of civil society groups, a fact “gleaned from the tranche of a quarter million leaked classified State Department cables,” writes Madsen.

According to Madsen the CIA, various establishment NGOs, USAID, the Soros foundations and the United Nations have worked together to underwrite Chechen terror. The Bush neocons also figure prominently in the Chechen connection.

There is ample evidence of the neocon connection to Chechen rebels, including information provided by former FBI agent Coleen Rowley.

Earlier this week Infowars.com reported on Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar, aka Muhajireen Brigade, joining al-Nusra, the jihadi terror organization linked to the Islamic State.

Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar is comprised primarily of Chechen and other Russian-speaking foreign fighters. It was led by an ethnic Chechen, Abu Omar al-Shishani, aka Tarkhan Tayumurazovich Batirashvili.

Batirashvili and other Chechen figures, including Doku Umarov have connections to the US State Department and the National Endowment for Democracy.

It is becoming more interesting by the days as they roll by.

pls delete

US & Russia in Syria: A Tale of Two Tales

In 2011, Russia and Syria said terrorists backed by foreign interests sought to overthrow the government in Damascus, plunging the country into instability just like was done in Libya...

In 2015, Russia and Syria say terrorists backed by foreign interests seek to overthrow the government in Damascus, plunging the country into instability just like was done in Liyba.

Their story hasn't changed, and over the past 4-5 years, the world has come to see they are telling the truth. Now let's examine the US' side of the story...

2011: Pro-democracy freedom fighters are peacefully protesting, US must support them.

2012: Totally secular freedom fighters have taken up arms to defend themselves & the US must intervene on humanitarian grounds.

2013: Syria is using "weapons of mass destruction" and so the US must intervene.

2014: Al Qaeda and ISIS are now in Syria, the US must intervene to stop them (and also overthrow the Syrian government).

2015: There are no moderates, there are moderates, the US must intervene to save them, the US must intervene to stop them. There are now suddenly "moderates" again, and the US is backing them, but Russia is bombing them... and so on.

Commonsense tells us that if you can't keep your story straight, you're likely lying. The US is obviously lying, their own policy papers where they planned this entire conflict years before it unfolded betray the elementary lies used to justify this criminal conspiracy.

These people are not even bothering to hide who supplies who with what anymore...... I hope Syrian/Russian intelliegence is on top of this and will take out these shipments before they reach the rebels.

Saudi Arabia wants to establish a democracy in Syria..... HAHAHAHA.... What a joke! The world has come to sh*t!


http://www.businessinsider.com/syria-rebels-and-tow-missiles-2015-10?utm_content=bufferc6fb9&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer



[size=18pt]Saudi Arabia just replenished Syrian rebels with one of the most effective weapons against the Assad regime[/size]

A Saudi Arabian official has reportedly disclosed that the Sunni kingdom sent Syrian rebels a new batch of one of the most effective weapons for battling against the Assad regime this week.

BBC correspondent Frank Gardner tweeted that a Saudi official confirmed the delivery of 500 TOW antitank missiles to the Free Syrian Army (FSA).

The FSA is currently being squeezed from all directions by the Syrian military, Russian airstrikes, and competition from jihadist fighters, including ISIS.

The delivery of the TOW missiles — which have also been provided by the CIA — will increase the capabilities of the FSA against Syrian armor, and it would enable them to more effectively battle against Assad's recent military advances.

"Five hundred TOWs is not an inconsequential number," Jeffrey White, a defense fellow at The Washington Institute, told Business Insider.

"I don't think it will be a revolutionary event, but it will increase the attrition of regime armor, which will make it harder for the regime to conduct offensive operations."

TOW missiles, as Popular Mechanics notes, are guided missiles that could thoroughly damage tanks, armored carriers, and other vehicles that the Assad regime might send into the field. And, unlike other projectiles used against armored targets, such as RPGs, TOW missiles can be used from a considerable distance.

On Thursday, the FSA and other affiliated rebel units carried out a "tank massacre" after the Syrian government launched a large offensive backed by Russian airstrikes to retake northern portions of Hama province.

According to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights, the rebel forces armed "with US-made TOW missiles … [and] other guided rockets ... caused the destruction … of over 15 armored cars, vehicles, and tanks."

syria map of controlREUTERS

White said that the rolling hills and plains in Hama and Idlib are ideally suited to the use of TOWs. Assad's armor has little protection or cover in the region and are ideal targets for the guided missiles.

The presence of these weapons has continued to cause extreme damage among Assad's forces as his offensive has continued into Friday.



The Syrian offensive in Hama is aimed at dislodging rebels from the region while creating a larger buffer between rebel forces and Syria's Alawite heartland in Latakia. The offensive has been backed by heavy Russian bombings, but it has so far failed to dislodge the rebels.

"There is an attempt by the regime to advance, but the situation is under our control," a rebel fighter involved in the counteroffensive against Assad's forces told Reuters.

The reported injection of an additional 500 TOW missiles from Saudi Arabia will be a big boost to the rebels.

The missiles, however, do nothing to counter Russia's continued airstrikes against rebel positions. And Russia is going after the TOW recipients.

In the past, Saudi Arabia and other US allies have suggested funneling man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADs) to the Syrian rebels to help shoot down Syrian, and now Russian, fighter jets. MANPADs are relatively easy-to-use shoulder-launched missiles that could reach enemy aircraft.

However, the US has consistently opposed this idea, as the weapons could conceivably end up in the hands of al Qaeda or its affiliates and be used to down a civilian airliner (or a US military aircraft). Saudi Arabia may also be reluctant to provide these weapons due to the risk of directly antagonizing Moscow and the US.

"If the TOWs are primarily used against Assad armor, that's not the same as being used against Russian personnel," White said.

"If the Saudis were to supply the rebels with surface-to-air missiles, that would be different.



Syria's ground offensive against rebels started on Wednesday in its first close coordination with Russia. The offensive was aimed at four key regions across the provinces of Idlib, which is completely under rebel control, and the contested province of Hama.

The rebel's cache of TOWs, and the resulting "tank massacres," may also have the unintended consequence of forcing the Assad regime to change the nature of their offense.

"If this continues," White warned, "expect to see the [Syrian] regime move away from using armor and start using higher firepower and air operations as a solution."

We have expected to see this before, and am not surprised. But that has not stopped the rebels from surrendering the town or Raqqa recentlhy. The iar show is going to be their undoing,

© AP Photo
[size=18pt]Washington Suspected of Delivering Weapons, Food to Extremists[/size]


Raw footage recently posted on Twitter allegedly shows supply crates and parachutes that the US delivered to Islamic State militants while they were in control of Iraq's largest oil refinery. The video caused an uproar among Iraqis, some of whom believe that Washington is supporting the brutal group.

The footage was published by Hayder al-Khoei, an associate fellow in the Middle East and North Africa Program at Chatham House. Titled 'US supports ISIS,' it is said to be one of many similar videos circulating on the internet.

The recording, reportedly made at the Baiji refinery, shows an unidentified man speaking in Arabic. He asks the person shooting the video to film everything he sees around him.

Pointing at what appears to be a parachute, he says that it was sent by Americans to the Islamic State, also known as ISIL/ISIS. The man adds that Americans delivered weapons and food to the Baiji oil field after it was seized by extremists.

The information presented in the video has not been independently verified.

Videos showing supply deliveries and helicopters "flying above Hashd/ISF positions towards ISIS-held areas reinforce the narrative that US supports Islamic State in Iraq," al-Khoei commented in a tweet.

One of the Twitter users noted that supply crates could have been dropped when Iraqi security forces were trying to ward off ISIL offensive. The area around Baiji has seen intense fighting between government forces and militants since December 2014.

Islamic State
© Sputnik
Islamic State


Read more: http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151010/1028322416/us-isis-baiji-iraq-footage.html#ixzz3oC8K2BZX