Al-Qaeda's Attack On West-Aleppo Continues Despite Lack Of Progress
For four days now al-Qaeda in Syria (aka Jabhat al Nusra aka Fatah al-Sham) and assorted other "rebel" groups have tried to attack Aleppo from the west to break the siege on al-Qaeda associated groups in east-Aleppo. The New York Times in now openly admitting that CIA supported groups are acting under al-Qaeda's operational command. The piece though, which belonged on page one, was in the back of the paper. There is no public outcry over this disturbing fact.
The attack on west-Aleppo had been talked about for over two weeks and the defenders are well prepared.
As can be seen on the map above the areas al-Qaeda and its allies managed to capture so far are only small rural outskirts. Every attempt to attack actual city estate under roof was repelled by the defenders. Small infiltrations like shown in the map were immediately cleaned up. The marked area is back in the hands of the Syrian army. It is estimated that the several thousand attackers have so far lost more than 500 men. A 1,000 more are likely injured. Every attack has to be carried over mostly open land and is received by heavy artillery fire. Air attacks ravage their supply and preparation ares.
The attackers launched over 20 suicide-vehicle bombs so far but only a few reached their targets and their damage was limited. Yesterday one suicide vehicle bomb, ready to be launched for a new attack, was hit by a missile from a Syrian helicopter and exploded at its preparation and launching position. Over 60 "rebels" were killed by it and their attack had to be call off.
The good news is that the defense is holding. The bad news is that the al-Qaeda "rebels" received huge amounts of artillery missiles and launchers from their "western" and Gulf sponsors. Several hundred have been launched at the densely populated areas of west-Aleppo. More than a 100 civilians have been killed by them and several hundred civilians were wounded. Some of the missiles contained gas and people had to be taken to hospital with extreme breathing difficulties. The UN envoy condemned these attacks as "possible war crimes".
The whole attack operation was launched under the direct supervision of al-Qaeda in Syria leader Abu Muhammad al-Golani. He was shown in pictures at the "rebel" headquarter of the attack discussing further operations.
Despite any progress on their part the al-Qaeda forces seem far from giving up. More attacks to break the siege are expected. We can be sure that some of their surprises are still in store. But the defenders are ready and the Syrian army is said to prepare for a large counter operation which may include a serious effort to liberate east-Aleppo of the al-Qaeda occupation.
Other fronts in Syria are relatively quiet. The Turks have been told by Russia to stop all air attacks within Syria. The message has been received. The Turkish plan to occupy Al Bab east of Aleppo is unlikely to happen as it would be out of range of the Turkey based artillery and have no air support. The U.S. would like to go to Raqqa but has no proxy ground force to do that. Some Obama officials are now arguing for more U.S. boots on the ground in Syria. Will Obama agree to that mission creep?
Posted by b on October 31, 2016 at 18:08 UTC | Permalink
The cowardly immoral Putin refuses to use his Air force in Syria to defend Aleppo even while Syrian civilians are being slaughtered for nearly 2 weeks now. How disgusting. Even when Putins Generals were begging him to Putin still refused. All those civilians massacred for what purpose Putin ? More already established evidence that the US doesn't want to separate rebels from terrorists for The last couple of years. That Point has already been convincingly demonstrated. Is it really worth the murder of children to make that point again. How grotesquely immoral by Putin.
And what excuse is it that I large attack is being prepared now. Zero excuse.
Thanks b for pointing that out.
Russia threatens turkey to not use their planes but they're still advancing into Syria with their ground troops.
Imagine murdering Russian pilots and then having Turkeys troops invade Syria under Russian "protection".
Don't want to point that out b ? B is still searching to be employed by Russian diplomats.
Posted by: tom | Oct 31 2016 18:33 utc | 2
There was a report last week that Turkish jets had flown into Syrian airspace only to retreat in haste at warnings from Syria and Russia which suggests very strongly that a) Turkey is not able to act unilaterally in either Syria or Iraq except within the parameters of the 'zone' - which is becoming more and more of a Stalker-like no-man's land; b) b's point about Syria being a Russian no-fly zone is indeed correct.
Like almost to mention that Russia is not in a rush. It is playing its hand very closely and sparingly. There is a long-term strategy at play here seeking a far more inclusive and long-term solution to regional problems than the failed Sykes-Picot, without doubt.
Posted by: AtaBrit | Oct 31 2016 18:42 utc | 3
#3 Russia is biding its time, don't you worry--but feel free to react wildly and without evidence in the meantime.
Thanks for this article, b--the photo of al-Gholani hadn't passed by me yet.
Posted by: WorldBLee | Oct 31 2016 18:47 utc | 4
"having Turkeys troops invade Syria under Russian "protection"" - is clearly NOT what has happened given that the Turkish 'invasion' was a US coalition effort!
As for Turkish troops, be very careful not to confuse with the 'claims' and 'aspirations' shouted by Reis with what is actually happening on the ground.
Posted by: AtaBrit | Oct 31 2016 18:48 utc | 5
NY Slimes, huh?
Just so happens Jim has several of their Mockingturds on his trick or treat list of decoded e-mails showing as big Clingon Fndn donors:
http://82.221.129.208/basepages3.html
New York Times - Amy Chozik, Gail Collins, Jonathan Martin, Maggie Haberman, Pat Healey,
Posted by: schlub | Oct 31 2016 18:49 utc | 6
"The piece though, which belonged on page one, was in the back of the paper. There is no public outcry over this disturbing fact."
Well, I'm schocked b.....Not! The coming Empress will not relent. Regime change uber alles!
Posted by: ben | Oct 31 2016 18:52 utc | 7
another detailed accurate report by Gareth Porter
The Obama administration has carried out a deliberately deceptive campaign accusing Iran of covertly sending arms to the Houthis by sea, a claim that Washington cites to help justify the Saudi massive air attack against the Houthis that began last year.
By repeating the accusation over and over, the administration has been largely successful in turning a dubious allegation into accepted fact, even though it is contradicted by evidence that is well-documented on the public record.
https://consortiumnews.com/2016/10/31/justifying-the-saudi-slaughter-in-yemen/
Posted by: mauisurfer | Oct 31 2016 18:54 utc | 8
Lebanon got a president finally.
Pro Assad/Hezbollah Michel Aoun is elected president of Lebanon
In return, it seems Hariri will return as prime minister, a job reserved by the Lebanese constitution for a Sunni Muslim; the president must be a Christian.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=901_1477918294
Posted by: schlub | Oct 31 2016 18:57 utc | 9
31 October 2016 17:51
ISIS Commander’s Meeting Hit by Massive Explosion in Mosul
The source noted that the commander of Jeish al-Asreh and some other ISIL commanders have been killed in the blast, and said, "It is not yet clear what caused the blast at the secret meeting of the ISIL commanders."
http://en.alalam.ir/news/1879679
Posted by: schlub | Oct 31 2016 19:06 utc | 10
I really appreciate getting what little news I can on the US/Al Qaeda/Saudi operation in Syria so I have an ask for you. Please try to publish more details of what's actually happening on the ground in and around Aleppo. Damned hard to get facts here in the US.
I get that embarrassing the Times is fun, but it's hardly sporting. :-P
Posted by: Shh | Oct 31 2016 19:10 utc | 11
putin been waiting on spare parts arrival.
Wed 2nd - Fri 4th, puts it exactly on par with huge past dates momentous events Egypt NOV5/1956, & NOV4/1979 Iran.
Mon Oct 31, 2016 6:58
Western Intel: Russia to Launch Aleppo Operation with Arrival of Aircraft Carrier in Days
The Times newspaper, citing the findings of the analysis, said the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, accompanied by seven warships and sailing in the Mediterranean, is expected to reach the Syrian coast between Wednesday and Friday to support the operation.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950810001531
Posted by: schlub | Oct 31 2016 19:15 utc | 12
@#12 Al Masdar News and Syria Perspective are good sites for daily updates.
Posted by: ritzl | Oct 31 2016 19:16 utc | 13
Robert Parry noticed this article as well, b ...
The De Facto US/Al Qaeda Alliance
[O]ccasionally, the reality of Al Qaeda’s importance in the rebellion breaks through, even in the mainstream U.S. media, although usually downplayed and deep inside the news pages, such as the A9 article in Saturday’s New York Times by Hwaida Saad and Anne Barnard describing a rebel offensive in Aleppo. It acknowledges:“The new offensive was a strong sign that rebel groups vetted by the United States were continuing their tactical alliances with groups linked to Al Qaeda, rather than distancing themselves as Russia has demanded and the Americans have urged. … The rebels argue that they cannot afford to shun any potential allies while they are under fire, including well-armed and motivated jihadists, without more robust aid from their international backers.” (You might note how the article subtly blames the rebel dependence on Al Qaeda on the lack of “robust aid” from the Obama administration and other outside countries – even though such arms shipments violate international law.)
What the article also makes clear in a hazy kind of way is that Al Qaeda’s affiliate, the recently renamed Nusra Front, and its jihadist allies, such as Ahrar al-Sham, are waging the brunt of the fighting while the CIA-vetted “moderates” are serving in mostly support roles. The Times reported:
“The insurgents have a diverse range of objectives and backers, but they issued statements of unity on Friday. Those taking part in the offensive include the Levant Conquest Front, a militant group formerly known as the Nusra Front that grew out of Al Qaeda; another hard-line Islamist faction, Ahrar al-Sham; and other rebel factions fighting Mr. Assad that have been vetted by the United States and its allies.”
The article cites Charles Lister, a senior fellow and Syria specialist at the Middle East Institute in Washington, and other analysts noting that “the vast majority of the American-vetted rebel factions in Aleppo were fighting inside the city itself and conducting significant bombardments against Syrian government troops in support of the Qaeda-affiliated fighters carrying out the brunt of front-line fighting.”
Lister noted that 11 of the 20 or so rebel groups conducting the Aleppo “offensive have been vetted by the C.I.A. and have received arms from the agency, including anti-tank missiles. …
“In addition to arms provided by the United States, much of the rebels’ weaponry comes from regional states, like Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, Mr. Lister said, including truck-borne multiple-rocket launcher systems and Czech-made Grad rockets with extended ranges.”
In other words, the U.S. government and its allies have smuggled sophisticated weapons into Syria to arm rebels who are operating in support of Al Qaeda’s new military offensive against Syrian government forces in Aleppo. By any logical analysis, that makes the United States an ally of Al Qaeda.
His three points above :
1. US and al-CIAduh are now openly united in their Assad must go operation.
2. The new narrative is that the al-CIAduh 'rebels' need more weaponry, and the US is failing to supply it ... either directly or indirectly
3. The 'vetted' American ... auxilliaries ... are shelling civilians in Aleppo. Good! ... I guess, from the NYTimes/Neo-Con/HRC POV.
Two and three go together with your
Some Obama officials are now arguing for more U.S. boots on the ground in Syria. Will Obama agree to that mission creep?
The press is on from the neo-cons for more war in Syria, now under Obama and, after she 'wins' the selection, under Hillary and her harridans.
Posted by: jfl | Oct 31 2016 19:50 utc | 14
The latest rat offensive ended with no strategic gain. It seems it was a pre-emptive attack to gain some ground before the impending Eastern Aleppo offensive. The rats know once Aleppo is taken, nobody, even their Western sponsors, will take them serious anymore. I think they've reached a dead end.
I think it's fair to say the rats are looking at their last days in Aleppo. Won't be missed!!!
Assad's mistake from the begingin was his refusal to take the war into Turkey and Jordan. The whole affair would've ended by now.
Posted by: Zico | Oct 31 2016 20:07 utc | 15
The SAA knew where the attack was going to take place. Here is photo of a group of SAA officers taken before 25 October. Look at the map on the wall behind them. It shows the future takfiri attack in precise detail.
https://i.imgur.com/wdbv4o7.jpg
The SAA strategy appears to have been to make a strategic withdrawal, allowing the takfiris to concentrate in mass in one area, making it easier to destroy them and their exposed supply lines. That is, a replay of the strategy that resolved the mass break through in south Aleppo some months ago.
Colonel Cassad has more details: In particulat his first map shows a mass SAA counter strike directly agains the now massed takfiris.
https://z5h64q92x9.net/proxy_u/ru-en.en/colonelcassad.livejournal.com/3038129.html
As for bleating tom @3, the lack of Russian aircover is for two reasons - i) to disarm the Anglo-Nazi Plan B of declaring Russia a war criminal for killing civilians (aka takfiris) in Aleppo and ii) to get the Syrians used to standing on their own feet. Russia does not want allies totally dependent on it to solve all their problems (cf Chechnya).
Once the Kuznetzos arrives, the Ka-52s will be used for ground attack around Aleppo, with the Sukhois as air cover. This will futrue disarm the Anglo-Zionist Plan B. It will also leave the existing ground attack aircraft free to be deployed to the T-4 airbase for attacks against Raqqa and Deir ez Zor. That will need some logistical support to provide air defense (S-300s/400s + Pantsir) so it will take a whileto implement.
Posted by: Yonatan | Oct 31 2016 20:08 utc | 16
Great report, b. Thank you. "Ru videos" on YouTube has great translated reports from the front. VBIEDs have incredible explosive power. Anyone who has seen videos of the jihadists detonating them outside the now famous and contested hospital (I think in Aleppo) knows this. Incredibly brutal times! I yearn for peace there, but am resolved to the fact of further blood spilling as the HEROES of Syria and Iraq mop up.
Posted by: NemesisCalling | Oct 31 2016 20:19 utc | 17
Nice for the NY Times to again confirm the fact that the Outlaw US Empire supports Terrorism in violation of its own and international laws. As such, it's against the law for citizens of said Empire to pay taxes as said taxes support Terrorism which is against the law for said citizens to support.
Posted by: karlof1 | Oct 31 2016 20:30 utc | 18
With the Russian flotillla in place in a few days the Day of Reckoning will be nigh for the Aleppo takfiris..
Posted by: Lozion | Oct 31 2016 20:31 utc | 19
If they ever find that missing Minot nuclear cruise missile, why not use it here:
Dick Cheney's Oil Wars gifted KSA $ ONE TRILLION DOLLARS in excess oil profits.
Donald Trump's 'Kill ISIS' will gift KSA $ ONE TRILLION DOLLARS moar, ... again.
His Donald R. Trump Memorial 'Cash for Clunkers II' putsch is already being hammered out, for when 'The Wall' craters sub-prime used auto loans, but they haven't figured out yet how to destroy 2,400,000 sub-prime ghetto apartments, except to QEn+ Landlords, like they'll QEn+ Auto Dealers. Déficit y gasto, bebé!
All to say: ¿Who really cares about Aleppo, except the poor Allepohim, and the Pentagon gang of Deep State Strategic Analysts reporting on it daily to Higher?
Will Obama agree to MoAs OPSEC creep?
Posted by: chipnik | Oct 31 2016 20:44 utc | 20
@17 Yonatan, 'That will need some logistical support to provide air defense (S-300s/400s + Pantsir) so it will take a while to implement.'
Yes, it will, won't it? I hope your scenario plays out over the next few weeks. A Syrian/Russian no-fly zone is just what's required.
b implies, above, that Russia has already implemented same with regard to Turkish flights in Syria.
Posted by: jfl | Oct 31 2016 21:26 utc | 21
New state polls out on Real Clear Politics: 2 new PA polls showing Hillary ahead by 2 and 3 points respectively; new NC poll showing Trump up by 2; new GA poll showing Trump up by 7; new CO poll showing Hillary up by 1; and new NV poll showing Trump up by 4.
Trump has the momentum. If he takes PA, I think that's the ball game.
Posted by: lysias | Oct 31 2016 21:30 utc | 22
ben | Oct 31, 2016 2:52:57 PM | 8
The coming Empress will not relent. Regime change uber alles!
Somehow I don't think so.
The Russians are very noisily deploying two Akula-class nuclear attack submarines and one Kilo-class diesel-electric attack submarine to the Mediterranean.
The Daily Express reckons:
....three fearsomely armed subs heading for Mediterranean – easy striking distance of the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo.
While the world condemns the flotilla of Russian surface battleships on its way to the east Mediterranean, it is the submarines that will unleash deadly metal rain on Syria’s last rebel stronghold, experts warn.
Me, I reckon they're there to kill any carrier battle groups that might try to interfere and the Russians want the United States, the United Kingdom and the other NATO dimwits to clearly understand that. If the Russians want to unload (nuclear-capable) Kalibr cruise missiles on Aleppo they're perfectly capable of doing so with the Buyan-M class corvettes of the Caspian Sea Flotilla and last time I checked the USN and RN can't operate there.
My guess, the Russians are layering up a defence capable of delivering a staggering tonnage of shit on the heads of anyone who interferes with their plans.
Posted by: Ghostship | Oct 31 2016 22:07 utc | 23
Iraqi Troops Enter Karama, 1st District inside Mosul: Officer
October, 31, 2016 - 15:40
Posted by: schlub | Oct 31 2016 22:16 utc | 25
Russia's military and NATO forces are holding parallel military exercises in two neighboring Balkan countries.
Russian troops will participate in war games in Serbia while NATO is conducting military drills in Montenegro, media reported on Monday.
Russian forces' 13-day military exercise in Serbia is named "The Slavic Brotherhood 2016" and begins on Wednesday.
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2016/10/31/491554/Russia-NATO-Military-Exercise-Balkan
Posted by: schlub | Oct 31 2016 22:21 utc | 26
Chipnik @ 21: I'd move the target farther northeast to where it says "Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces" but since the weapons is a Minot nuclear missile, maybe the ideal spot is a point between the palace and the air force HQ.
Posted by: Jen | Oct 31 2016 22:23 utc | 27
Fars News Agency interprets the jihadis' attack as a failure and the jihadis are blaming al Muhaysini for his "naive planning" leading to this failure that cost the lives of 500 fighters.
That's what they should expect when they choose religious leaders as military commanders.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950810001408
Let's hope that the decapitators of that 12-year-old Palestinian boy were among those who met Allah's justice.
"Several commanders from Jeish al-Fatah, Nouralddeen al-Zinki and Fatah al-Sham Front (the al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group previously known as the al-Nusra Front) were among the slain militants in Aleppo," the Arabic language al-Mayadeen reported on Sunday.
Posted by: Jen | Oct 31 2016 22:47 utc | 28
We keep seeing the same event happening over and over in Aleppo with these terrorist offensives--modern, miniature versions of the Battle of Cannae where they get drawn into a killing field and eliminated. You'd think their foreign advisors would have figured this out by now, but they appear to be just as ignorant as they are immoral.
Posted by: karlof1 | Oct 31 2016 23:23 utc | 29
31 October 2016 16:40
Turkey Sends More Troops to Northern Syria
Informed sources have said that Ankara has sent more troops and military equipment to the Northern territories of Syria to strengthen its Euphrates Shield Operation.
"The Turkish Army has sent more forces to Jindris region at the Turkish border with Syria in Northwestern Aleppo," the sources said on Sunday.
News sources, for their part, said on Monday that Ankara has dispatched reinforcement to two border regions of Qarqmish and Ugozeli in Gaziantep in Southern Turkey.
http://en.alalam.ir/news/1879644
Posted by: schlub | Oct 31 2016 23:25 utc | 30
@ tom | Oct 31, 2016 2:33:51 PM
https://twitter.com/IRGC_QF/status/793072015947300864
No cowardice, just opening a trap.
Posted by: Matthias | Nov 1 2016 0:37 utc | 31
thanks for the ongoing overview b..
"The bad news is that the al-Qaeda "rebels" received huge amounts of artillery missiles and launchers from their "western" and Gulf sponsors. Several hundred have been launched at the densely populated areas of west-Aleppo. .... The UN envoy condemned these attacks as "possible war crimes".
@312 karlof1 quote
"You'd think their foreign advisors would have figured this out by now, but they appear to be just as ignorant as they are immoral."
i doubt it will penetrate the talking heads in the usa, in particular the folks at the usa state dept. who do the daily briefings.. kirby and toner are 2 examples of spokespersons without a thought to their own countries role in all the murder and mayhem in syria.. to them, it is all assad or putin the monsters.. fortunately many folks are waking up to all these lies..
b's posts are very helpful in highlighting all this, including hidden articles further back off the front page of the nyt as well..
Posted by: james | Nov 1 2016 0:43 utc | 32
The attackers launched over 20 suicide-vehicle bombs so far but only a few reached their targets and their damage was limited. Yesterday one suicide vehicle bomb, ready to be launched for a new attack, was hit by a missile from a Syrian helicopter and exploded at its preparation and launching position. Over 60 "rebels" were killed by it and their attack had to be call off.
Great to hear. This would suggest the SAA are becoming more adept at dealing with the kamikaze battle tactics of the headchoppers. A lot of critics in here not so long ago of how poorly the SAA regular units responded to multiple suicide attacks during the August battle of rammousah where there artillery compound was lost momentarily...seems like some homework has been done.
Posted by: MadMax2 | Nov 1 2016 1:32 utc | 33
Brookings is pushing the idea of a confederation for Syria.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/oct/31/why-confederation-can-work-in-syria/
Of course, it's a Syria without Assad divided into many smaller sub-states with one of the Kurdish states controlled by Turkish "peace keeping force." Yeah, right. Good luck with that. And surprise? Cities like Aleppo would remain divided probably with the al Nusra gang in control of one. Would the foreign fighters simply leave? Doubtful.
Since Brookings gets funding from corporations, foreign sources, and governments one can only wonder which influences this scheme surrenders to.
Posted by: Curtis | Nov 1 2016 1:47 utc | 34
@34 MadMax2
It might be due to the non-urban, open area the battles are now tacking place in...
Every attack has to be carried over mostly open land and is received by heavy artillery fire. Air attacks ravage their supply and preparation ares.
Then again, it was the Syrian/Russian side which chose the battlespace, so on that basis it is true that 'the SAA are becoming more adept at dealing with the kamikaze battle tactics of the headchoppers'.
Posted by: jfl | Nov 1 2016 1:59 utc | 35
Re: Posted by: Yonatan | Oct 31, 2016 4:08:39 PM | 17
As for bleating tom @3, the lack of Russian aircover is for two reasons - i) to disarm the Anglo-Nazi Plan B of declaring Russia a war criminal for killing civilians (aka takfiris) in Aleppo
I'm sorry mate, but this reasoning is flawed! Russia has downed their aircraft because they're scared their enemies might call them war criminals!
There's no way that's true, because if it is it's insanely stupid. They are going to call them war criminals whatever they do - they're their enemies! It doesn't matter what Russia does - IT WILL HAPPEN!
If they haven't learnt that yet, I despair. But in fact, I think it's your conclusion that is faulty.
@36 jfl
Can't really imagine how demoralising it must be to witness, let alone repel, a suicide attack...only to see another take it's place, and again, and again. Waves of captagon zombies on the march. 70 tent bound virgins waiting for each. Horrific.
Posted by: MadMax2 | Nov 1 2016 2:16 utc | 37
@17 yonatan.. thanks for your posts.. i have to agree with jules @37.. it won't matter - russia will be tarred regardless of the reality.. speaking of which, it's probably best to put tom on ignore, unless one wants to hear and respond to a broken record..
Posted by: james | Nov 1 2016 3:26 utc | 38
Well, it is not just outskirts but residential areas which are under attack (3000 App., al-Assad District, Binyan). SAA were seen evacuating civilians.
The first wave was successful, the second not, now it looks like a stalemate, only shelling today. And the rebels *have* to proceed, otherwise they will melt away.
As for maps, this is quite helpful (although not always precise):
http://syria.liveuamap.com/
Rebel loss of more than 500 seems exaggerated. The estimate of confirmed losses from Southfront (as of yesterday):
Jaish al-Fatah: ~70 fighters, 7 armored vehicles, 19 VBIED (=suicide bombers), 7 technical vehicles, 2 battle tanks, 2 artillery pieces
Syrian gov: ~25 fighters, 3 battle tanks, 2 technical vehicles, 1 Shilka vehicle
I have collected some good frontline vids here:
https://twitter.com/Qoppa999/status/792187360062664704
But there is more:
SAA is conducting a successful campaign in Ghouta, Damascus area, rebel territory is shrinking and about to be cut in halves.
In Daraa, southern front, SAA conducted an ambush which resulted in a true slaughterfest, many pics with 40+ dead bodies ...
From what I gather, SAA is moving slow to avoid casualties. But they eventually seem to have found a successful counter-insurgency strategy. I guess it is largely due to Russian reorganisation, also in Aleppo there are hundreds of Russian advisers. And soon the Rep. Guard from Damascua area will be free to join battle in the north.
So I believe the main phase of fighting might be over in January (with the next president), apart from Idlib that will be a rebel heaven (with a lot of infighting).
The question is: what next?
In some way Assad and Putin will have to start the poltical process.
Posted by: Qoppa | Nov 1 2016 4:16 utc | 39
@ Qoppa,
Assuming your report is semi-factual you are to be thanked for sharing with the MoA commentariat and readers. The world needs good reporting/sharing of information like this.
A multi polar world is being born as we "speak". That is good for the rest of the world that isn't America who will find it hard to adjust to.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 1 2016 4:50 utc | 40
#MadMax
Max, Jezus mate, so you consider detonating a human bomb Takfiri Zombie demoralizing?
If I were a bit younger less married and of more Middle Eastern appearance, I'd go there and murder them Al Qaida Natostanis gratis. Get me a good old 12.7 Dushka or better yet 14.5mm and make massive holes in whatever their flimsy (temporary) body protection is and watch them go KABOOOM. Preferably from at least half a mile away, and preferably with earmuffs of some sort.
Demoralizing? I'd sure enjoy demoralizing the living 72 Gay Virgin shit out of them. Expedite ship the lot of them to Allah Subhan wa tala, Insha' Allah.
Posted by: Quadriad | Nov 1 2016 5:06 utc | 41
As we all knew:
Orlando attack in response to US foreign policy
'Stop bombing Syria & Iraq’: Audio of Orlando nightclub shooter’s 911 call released
https://www.rt.com/usa/364901-orlando-shooter-911-calls-omar-mateen/
Posted by: Mano | Nov 1 2016 7:02 utc | 42
Did cowardly Putin not attack Aleppo terrorists last 2 weeks so he'd take less western media war criminal heat over their propaganda campaign during the little chin wag session at Valdai ?
Since he's a PR whore, I say there's a very good chance.
Posted by: tom | Nov 1 2016 7:46 utc | 43
How does the resupplying of the "rebels" in Alleppo actually happen? People have suggested tunnels, but surely there would be some evidence...? Definitely no helicopters or trucks, so how? This is crucial. Broken supply lines means a siege. If the rebels are somehow getting supplies, that is no siege. The solution must lie in severing all pipelines to the outside world...
Posted by: dan | Nov 1 2016 7:58 utc | 44
@Quadriad 42
Haha, i wouldnt see detonating them as demoralising, that must be quite uplifting, if not a relief - witnessing repeatedly the most dire part of the empty, head chopping, suicidal, ideology up close for the first time must be an out of control experience. I'm 100% with you on the ½ mile range...!
Posted by: MadMax2 | Nov 1 2016 10:27 utc | 45
US State Dept Believes There Are no Civilians in Mosul and No Terrorists in Aleppo
The headline says it all. I'd change the 'believes' to 'claims' ... they know they're lying, that's what they do for a living at State.
But I won't quibble.
Posted by: jfl | Nov 1 2016 10:49 utc | 46
Good stuff from Mike Whitney at counterpunch. Nothing new for regulars here.
I quote the two lines I disagree with. Easier than quoting the rest of the article in agreement.
Hillary and her neocon advisors can be counted on to up the ante. “No-fly zone” ...[W]ill Turkey control sections in the north, and will the US control sections in the east? Probably.
I think the first should read ... The neo-cons and their puppet, Hillary, can be counted on to up the ante. But no no-fly zone ..."
Although they will up their ante ... and/or those of KSA, Turkey, Qatar et al. it will be Russia that establishes the no-fly zone.
I don't believe Turkey will be allowed to stay in Syria. I don't believe the US will control sections of eastern Syria.
Otherwise Mike's right on. According to me. Makes up for the mainstreamers that have been taking over cp.
Posted by: jfl | Nov 1 2016 11:01 utc | 47
Erdogan bringing charges against all the leading figures in Cumhuriyet, the leading Kemalist newspaper since Ataturk's time (founded in 1924), amounts to an attack on Kemalism and on the leading opposition party, the CHP (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi). The fact that the newspapermen are charged with collaboration with the Gulenists is a travesty.
Posted by: lysias | Nov 1 2016 14:11 utc | 48
@ jfl 47.
hahaha. The state dept man sounds like the one they called "Baghdad Bob." That must be why the vids of journalists questioning him are so entertaining.
Posted by: Curtis | Nov 1 2016 14:48 utc | 49
psychohistorian | Nov 1, 2016 12:50:43 AM | 41
Assuming your report is semi-factual
Well, it´s a summary of the most reliable Twitter sources.
I´m still amazed how powerful a tool Twitter can be for getting pretty close to events on the ground. Of course, healthy scepticism should be applied, you need to select and evaluate ...
As for news, AMN is not bad
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/category/syria/
dan | Nov 1, 2016 3:58:06 AM | 45
How does the resupplying of the "rebels" in Alleppo actually happen? People have suggested tunnels, but surely there would be some evidence...?
haven´t seen clear evidence either, but sure there is an elaborate tunnel system, though resupply would be on a small scale, naturally.
The "Epic Battle for Aleppo" offensive however comes from outside from the West, it is the Idlib coalition "Jaish al-Fateh" (led by Nusra and Ahrar, but almost all factions have joined them). They have got massive supplies via Turkey (presumably going through the CIA Military Operation Command at the border town Reyhanli).
@2 Write your congress men and Senators. Don't email write. Let them know you aren't buying the BS. Let them know you think thy ar violating the law and making the US less safe. Most of all make sure they know they don't have your support. If you can find a politician at an event where you can ask questions go and don't puss out ask the questions they don't want to answer.
@37 & @39 NATO isn't the entire world. It is actually a small part of it. It just seems big because that is all the news you get reports. NATO has made up it's mind. The rest of the world is watching.
Posted by: BraveNewWorld | Nov 1 2016 15:19 utc | 51
Here is a vid of a tunnel system in Ghouta
https://twitter.com/MmaGreen/status/793464272969871361
The devastating power of the suicide attacks
https://twitter.com/QalaatAlMudiq/status/793144336171032576
Muhaysni congratulates mother of a boy he is about to send on a suicide mission in Aleppo & assures her he will get his virgins
https://twitter.com/walid970721/status/792305747627503616
Sheikh Muhaysini is a Saudi cleric and the public face of the Jaish al-Fateh coalition (which includes the so-called moderates).
If you´re into jihadi nonsense, you will enjoy this video collection (with English subtitles):
https://yallalabarra.wordpress.com/2016/08/10/video-portrait-abdallah-al-muhaysni-the-man-who-heads-the-us-backed-aleppo-offensive/
I suspect that when the flotilla escorting the Admiral Kuznetsov arrives in Syrian waters, the Yankees are going to get an unforgettable lesson in the difference between Full Spectrum Dominance and Full Spectrum Dumbinance. Russia has been accused of bringing a disproportionately vast amount of fire-power to bear on Aleppo. But a spox for the RF Defense Ministry (apparently, according to Al Jazeera) replied "This isn't about Aleppo" which I interpret to mean it's about the whole of Syria.
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Nov 1 2016 15:53 utc | 53
If the 100,000 ppl arrested in Turkey had been part of any coup it would have succeeded!
Posted by: Mina | Nov 1 2016 16:08 utc | 54
John Kirby explains the difference between terrorists and rebels https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuW7y_fs1JU
Posted by: ruralito | Nov 1 2016 16:20 utc | 55
Qoppa | Nov 1, 2016 11:44:14 AM | 53
Muhaysni congratulates mother of a boy he is about to send on a suicide mission in Aleppo & assures her he will get his virgins
https://twitter.com/walid970721/status/792305747627503616
God, was that suicide bomber ugly, and Muhatsni isn't much better either.
Posted by: Ghostship | Nov 1 2016 17:36 utc | 56
explains an awful lot.
NOV 1
Leader of the Zionist party Meterz, Zahava Gal, said that 122 US and Zionist officers and pilots are stationed in Faisal bin Abdul Aziz air base in Saudi Tabuk, Israel in Arabic website reported.
The deployment of these officers comes under a US-Saudi agreement and indicates the extent of the development of military relations between the Saudi regime and the Zionist entity.
Leader of Meretz revealed that the agreement includes the installation of the Zionist “iron dome” air defense system, hoping to catch up with what the American Patriot system has failed do.
http://english.almanar.com.lb/84291
Posted by: schlub | Nov 1 2016 18:04 utc | 57
If this is true the decision -West supported- to destroy Yemen should be seen as the punition of a very conservative society
Of course, they became conservative, much more than the way they were before withing their varied tribal systems, through the Wahhabi influence on the Yemeni workers in the kingdom...
Disgusting
Posted by: Mina | Nov 1 2016 18:29 utc | 58
this is being resurfaced due to the recent THAAD missiles going into Japan.
http://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2016/11/01/1228588/top-official-says-russia-not-to-give-up-disputed-islands
Top Official Says Russia Not to Give Up Disputed Islands
November, 01, 2016 - 17:31
Posted by: schlub | Nov 1 2016 18:56 utc | 59
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday a Western failure to rein in Takfiri militants in Syria had indefinitely delayed the resumption of peace talks.
In remarks broadcast on Russian television, Shoigu said that rebels backed by Western governments had been attacking civilians in the Syrian city of Aleppo, despite a pause in Russian air attacks.
http://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2016/11/01/1228226/west-failure-to-control-takfiri-militants-delayed-resumption-of-syria-talks-russia
Posted by: schlub | Nov 1 2016 18:59 utc | 60
@ ruralito 56.
That's why I call John Kirby our version of Baghdad Bob.
Posted by: Curtis | Nov 1 2016 20:16 utc | 61
@54 I hope you are right Hoarse. In any case, we'll soon find out. ETA to Tartous is now Nov 6th:
http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:15/centery:36/zoom:7
Posted by: Lozion | Nov 2 2016 1:51 utc | 62
Oups corrected link:
http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/shipid:4404011/zoom:10
Posted by: Lozion | Nov 2 2016 1:54 utc | 63
@56 ruralito - good video that shows kirby to be the aspiring propagandist that he is known to be!
Posted by: james | Nov 2 2016 1:55 utc | 64
Larry Wilkerson: A Solution for Syria Will Require the United States to Concede on Assad
The US is making two fundamental mistakes by continuing to insist that Assad must go and supporting rebel groups that look a lot like Al-Qaeda
http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=17551
Posted by: okie farmer | Nov 2 2016 2:03 utc | 65
#61 RuASF over E Aleppo
For now, until the 9th of November, Volodya's intentionally holding back the air force to starve the pro-Al Qaida Western MSMs of any "latest Russian atrocities" so as not to interfere with DJT's chances of winning the elections.
Come the 9th of November however, all hell will break loose including that smokey Russian strike fleet now in the Western Med, and all of Eastern Aleppo will be liberated by Ortodox Christmas at the very latest (I am talking about the Julian one on the 7th of January Gregorian time).
Posted by: Quadriad | Nov 2 2016 2:27 utc | 66
@54 I hope you are right Hoarse. In any case, we'll soon find out. ETA to Tartous is now Nov 6th:
http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:15/centery:36/zoom:7
Posted by: Lozion | Nov 1, 2016 9:51:02 PM | 63
Me too. I don't take Al Jaz very seriously as a rule, but I'm interpreting it in conjunction with the long speech given by Vlad at Valdai talkfest recently which someone was kind enough to post a Paul Craig Roberts link to on an earlier thread.
In it Putin assembles a long list of Yankee treachery and Arseholery.
Like everything Vlad says, it's worth paying attention to this declaration.
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2016/10/30/president-putin-asks-us-to-stop-provoking-russia/
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Nov 2 2016 6:28 utc | 67
The comments to this entry are closed.
It is pretty obvious to anyone who has conscience mind that these terrorists are supported by the US, but the question is what can we do about it? I happen to see that reading and writing isn't going to help us other than being informed.
Posted by: shoes | Oct 31 2016 18:20 utc | 1