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US A-10s bombed city of Aleppo on Wednesday, blames Russia
RT,
11
February, 2016
Two
US Air Force A-10 warplanes carried out airstrikes on Aleppo
Wednesday, destroying nine facilities, Russia’s Defense Ministry
reported. The same day, the Pentagon accused Moscow of bombing two
hospitals, despite no Russian flights over the city.
“Yesterday,
at 13:55 Moscow time (10:55 GMT), two American A-10 assault aircraft
entered Syrian airspace from Turkey, flew right to the city of Aleppo
and bombed targets there,” Russian
Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Thursday.
Also
on Wednesday, Konashenkov referenced, the Pentagon’s spokesman,
Colonel Steven Warren claimed that Russian warplanes allegedly bombed
two hospitals in Aleppo.
“In
his words, some 50,000 Syrian have been allegedly deprived of vital
services,” Konashenkov said, pointing out that Warren forgot to
mention either hospitals’ coordinates, or the time of the
airstrikes, or sources of information. “Absolutely nothing.”
“No
Russian warplanes carried out airstrikes in Aleppo city area
yesterday. The nearest target engaged was over 20km away from the
city,” Konashenkov stressed, adding that on the contrary, airplanes
from the US-led anti-ISIS coalition were active over Aleppo, “both
aircrafts and UAVs.”
“I’m
going to be honest with you: we did not have enough time to clarify
what exactly those nine objects bombed out by US planes in Aleppo
yesterday were,” Konashenkov said. “We will look more carefully."
However,
a senior State Department official denied the allegations, saying
that Russian reports are “false,” and that the US did not carry
out any missions over Aleppo on Wednesday or Thursday, NBC reports.
On
Wednesday, the US accused the Russian Air Force of targeting two
hospitals in Aleppo.
"The
situation in and around Aleppo has become, in our view, increasingly
dire," Col. Steve Warren, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman,
said Wednesday. "With the destruction of the two main hospitals
in Aleppo by Russian and regime attacks, over 50,000 Syrians are now
without any access to live-saving assistance."
Warren
added, "There's little or no ISIL in the Aleppo area, so they're
kind of, at this point, separate fights."
The
spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry drew attention to the
stunning similarity of the situation with the American airstrike on
the Medecins Sans Frontieres hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan, and the
US bombing of the positions of the Iraqi army in Fallujah.
“What
they do first is make unfounded accusations against us – to deflect
blame away from themselves. If it goes on like this, we’re going to
make two media briefings: one for ourselves, another for those
coalition guys,” Konashenkov said.
Western
countries never bothered to share intelligence on terrorists in Syria
with Moscow, although they did accept Russian maps with terrorists’
positions marked, the Russian MoD’s spokesman said.
“Now
they criticize us, saying we fly wrong way and bomb wrong places.
Should we send them more maps?” Konashenkov questioned.
He
recalled what the Russian Defense Ministry had pointed out earlier –
the more terrorists Russia destroys the more it is being accused of
indiscriminate airstrikes.
“If
you look at how Western media presents information, it looks like the
cities not controlled by the Syrian government are full of peaceful
opposition and human rights activists,” the spokesman said.
The
Russian Defense Ministry and its partners in Syria operate multilevel
intelligence, maintaining unimpeachable target spotting, the MoD
representative said, adding that all airstrikes are delivered only
after repeated verification of a target to avoid civilian casualties.
Konashenkov said intelligence also comes from the armed units of the
Syrian opposition.
Konashenkov
accused Western TV channels of presenting the ruins of the city of
Aleppo, devastated long before the Russian Air Force was deployed to
Syria, as the results of recent Russian airstrikes.
“An
experienced orchestrator has a finger in this pie,” the spokesman
said. “The obvious trend is to trumpet about alleged Russia sins
and be silent about the ‘effectiveness’ of the US-led anti-ISIS
coalition in Syria.”
The
Russian Air Force has performed over 500 sorties, eliminating nearly
1,900 terrorist facilities in Syria between February 4 and February
11. The Defense Ministry reports that two senior terrorist field
commanders have been killed.
“Over
the past week, February 4-11, the planes of Russia's aviation group
in Syria made 510 sorties during which 1,888 facilities of terrorists
were destroyed in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir
ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Al-Hasakah and Raqqah,” Konashenkov said.
The
MoD spokesman shared with the media about wholesale desertion among
the terrorists in Aleppo. The jihadists intimidate local civilians
and force them to walk en masse towards the Turkish border, while the
militants try to melt into the crowd.
“They
know for sure that neither the Russian Air Force nor the Syrian
government troops ever deliver strikes on non-combatants,”
Konashenkov said.
Elaborating
on some details of the latest Russian airstrikes in Syria, he related
how Sukhoi Su-25 ground-support fighters eliminated three terrorist
convoys on the highway connecting Homs and Al-Qaryatayn. A
reconnaissance check revealed that airstrikes destroyed nine trucks
loaded with munitions, two armored vehicles and over 40 jihadists.
In
Daraa province, a Sukhoi Su-34 bomber wiped out a hardened terrorist
position near Ghariyah settlement. The strike that destroyed the
fortified strong point also eliminated two armored vehicles parked
nearby
“They
know for sure that neither the Russian Air Force nor the Syrian
government troops ever deliver strikes on
non-combatants,” Konashenkov
said.
Elaborating
on some details of the latest Russian airstrikes in Syria, he related
how Sukhoi Su-25 ground-support fighters eliminated three terrorist
convoys on the highway connecting Homs and Al-Qaryatayn. A
reconnaissance check revealed that airstrikes destroyed nine trucks
loaded with munitions, two armored vehicles and over 40 jihadists.
In
Daraa province, a Sukhoi Su-34 bomber wiped out a hardened terrorist
position near Ghariyah settlement. The strike that destroyed the
fortified strong point also eliminated two armored vehicles parked
nearby.
Listen especially from the 4 minute mark. Maj Gen Konoshenkov doesn't mince words about the western "colleagues"
“Yesterday,
at 13:55 Moscow time (10:55 GMT), two American A-10 assault aircraft
entered Syrian airspace from Turkey, flew right to the city of Aleppo
and bombed targets there,” Russian
Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Thursday.
Also
on Wednesday, Konashenkov referenced, the Pentagon’s spokesman,
Colonel Steven Warren claimed that Russian warplanes allegedly bombed
two hospitals in Aleppo.
“In
his words, some 50,000 Syrian have been allegedly deprived of vital
services,” Konashenkov said, pointing out that Warren forgot to
mention either hospitals’ coordinates, or the time of the
airstrikes, or sources of information. “Absolutely nothing.”
“No
Russian warplanes carried out airstrikes in Aleppo city area
yesterday. The nearest target engaged was over 20km away from the
city,” Konashenkov stressed, adding that on the contrary, airplanes
from the US-led anti-ISIS coalition were active over Aleppo, “both
aircrafts and UAVs.”
“I’m
going to be honest with you: we did not have enough time to clarify
what exactly those nine objects bombed out by US planes in Aleppo
yesterday were,” Konashenkov said. “We will look more carefully."
However,
a senior State Department official denied the allegations, saying
that Russian reports are “false,” and that the US did not carry
out any missions over Aleppo on Wednesday or Thursday, NBC reports.
On
Wednesday, the US accused the Russian Air Force of targeting two
hospitals in Aleppo.
"The
situation in and around Aleppo has become, in our view, increasingly
dire," Col. Steve Warren, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman,
said Wednesday. "With the destruction of the two main hospitals
in Aleppo by Russian and regime attacks, over 50,000 Syrians are now
without any access to live-saving assistance."
Warren
added, "There's little or no ISIL in the Aleppo area, so they're
kind of, at this point, separate fights."
The
spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry drew attention to the
stunning similarity of the situation with the American airstrike on
the Medecins Sans Frontieres hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan, and the
US bombing of the positions of the Iraqi army in Fallujah.
“What
they do first is make unfounded accusations against us – to deflect
blame away from themselves. If it goes on like this, we’re going to
make two media briefings: one for ourselves, another for those
coalition guys,” Konashenkov said.
Western
countries never bothered to share intelligence on terrorists in Syria
with Moscow, although they did accept Russian maps with terrorists’
positions marked, the Russian MoD’s spokesman said.
“Now
they criticize us, saying we fly wrong way and bomb wrong places.
Should we send them more maps?” Konashenkov questioned.
He
recalled what the Russian Defense Ministry had pointed out earlier –
the more terrorists Russia destroys the more it is being accused of
indiscriminate airstrikes.
“If
you look at how Western media presents information, it looks like the
cities not controlled by the Syrian government are full of peaceful
opposition and human rights activists,” the spokesman said.
The
Russian Defense Ministry and its partners in Syria operate multilevel
intelligence, maintaining unimpeachable target spotting, the MoD
representative said, adding that all airstrikes are delivered only
after repeated verification of a target to avoid civilian casualties.
Konashenkov said intelligence also comes from the armed units of the
Syrian opposition.
Konashenkov
accused Western TV channels of presenting the ruins of the city of
Aleppo, devastated long before the Russian Air Force was deployed to
Syria, as the results of recent Russian airstrikes.
“An
experienced orchestrator has a finger in this pie,” the spokesman
said. “The obvious trend is to trumpet about alleged Russia sins
and be silent about the ‘effectiveness’ of the US-led anti-ISIS
coalition in Syria.”
The
Russian Air Force has performed over 500 sorties, eliminating nearly
1,900 terrorist facilities in Syria between February 4 and February
11. The Defense Ministry reports that two senior terrorist field
commanders have been killed.
“Over
the past week, February 4-11, the planes of Russia's aviation group
in Syria made 510 sorties during which 1,888 facilities of terrorists
were destroyed in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir
ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Al-Hasakah and Raqqah,” Konashenkov said.
The
MoD spokesman shared with the media about wholesale desertion among
the terrorists in Aleppo. The jihadists intimidate local civilians
and force them to walk en masse towards the Turkish border, while the
militants try to melt into the crowd.
“They
know for sure that neither the Russian Air Force nor the Syrian
government troops ever deliver strikes on non-combatants,”
Konashenkov said.
Elaborating
on some details of the latest Russian airstrikes in Syria, he related
how Sukhoi Su-25 ground-support fighters eliminated three terrorist
convoys on the highway connecting Homs and Al-Qaryatayn. A
reconnaissance check revealed that airstrikes destroyed nine trucks
loaded with munitions, two armored vehicles and over 40 jihadists.
In
Daraa province, a Sukhoi Su-34 bomber wiped out a hardened terrorist
position near Ghariyah settlement. The strike that destroyed the
fortified strong point also eliminated two armored vehicles parked
nearby
“They know for sure that neither the Russian Air Force nor the Syrian government troops ever deliver strikes on non-combatants,” Konashenkov said.
Listen especially from the 4 minute mark. Maj Gen Konoshenkov doesn't mince words about the western "colleagues"
Russia/Syria Combat Report - 11Feb, 2016
Major General Igor Konashenkov: During last week, February 4th thru 11th, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.
6:41 - Yesterday at 13:55 (MSK), two A-10 attack aircraft of the U.S. Air Force entered the Syrian air space from the territory of Turkey and reaching Aleppo by the shortest path made strikes against objects in the city so that one wouldn't wish for more. Colonel Warren, for some reason, did not make this mission public in the literal and even figurative sense.
10:34 - In recent five years, the Russian party has been observing the results of the Washingtonian strategies of “political transitions” in the Middle East and near the Russian borders. Instead of the “triumph of democracy” – devastation, blood, refugees. Is that not the reason the transatlantic “strategists” have started talking about the necessity of “ground operations” in Syria and Libya? Perhaps, the advisers should stop stepping on the same rake?
Major General Igor Konashenkov: During last week, February 4th thru 11th, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.
NEGOTIATIONS ON SYRIA: DELAYING THE INVASION
On
February 11th in Munich, Germany, prior to the traditional security
summit, will hold international talks on Syria. In particular, there
will be meeting of the international support of Syria group with the
participation of representatives of the United States, China, the
United Nations and Russia. In addition, bilateral meetings will have
place. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Russia, Sergey Lavrov,
will meet with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and
Security Policy Federica Mogherini and US Secretary of State John
Kerry.
Zone
of the expected Turkish military invasion
12
February, 2016
Originally
appeared at Katehon
On
the eve of the summit, Russia said it was ready to provide a
ceasefire parties to the conflict on March US insists on an immediate
cessation of Russian operations in Siria, fearing that this time the
official Damascus troops backed by Moscow will complete elimination
of a large group of militants in northern part of the country and
block the border with Turkey
The
stalemate of the peace process
Inter-Syrian
negotiations, where serious efforts were made to start them on
January 30, are at an impasse at the level of prior consultation. The
opposition could not unite. Syrian Kurds were not allowed to
participate in the negotiations, but Turkey and Saudi Arabia tried to
legitimize a group of Islamic extremists.
“Peaceful”
US goals
The
United States, in contributing to the negotiations, intended to stop
the Russian military campaign in Syria, which threatened the
existence of militias under their control and the “Islamic State.”
The main objective was to achieve a political victory over Russia and
Iran at the negotiating table. After inter-Syrian negotiations have
failed Americans continued pressure on Russia, demanding to
immediately stop the offensive against the rebels, threatening to
start direct military invasion.
Preparing
for an invasion
In
case of failure, the US prepared a backup plan, which has intensified
since the middle of last week. In essence it is a direct military
intervention in Syria, with the US’ allies being supported by the
US itself. The leadership of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain said
there is a possibility of such a plan. The armed forces of Turkey are
also preparing for a military invasion, and there is possibility of
the British involvement too.
Kurdish
card
By
negotiating with Turkey on military operations in Syria, the US is
attempting to strengthen its influence among the Kurds. The visit of
Obama‘s envoy to Rojava caused a negative reaction from Ankara. At
the same time, Russia decided to play the Kurdish card too. On 9th
February, an embassy of Syrian Kurdistan opened in Moscow. The region
of Kurdish resettlement plays an ever-increasing importance in the
geopolitics of the Middle East. The reasons for this: the
geographical position (output to several key areas – Levant, South
Caucasus, Iraq), high potential of very active Kurdish ethnic group
who created the influential military-political structure and the
ability to use the Kurds in the internal geopolitics of Iran, Iraq,
Turkey and Syria.
Although
both Russia and the United States are trying to enlist the support of
the Kurds and the Kurdish factor in the use of its geopolitical
interests, in a conflict with Russia, Turkey will have to continue to
move in the wake of the US if they do not want to remain in
isolation. Agents of the US’ influence continue to prevent the
rapprochement of both countries.
The
probability of an invasion increases
A
successful offensive of the Syrian army, with the support of Russia
and Iran, in the region of Aleppo in northern Syria increases the
probability of an invasion by the Turks and allied Gulf states, which
could end in a military confrontation with Russia and Iran. US
commandos are already in northern Syria, which increases the risks of
a major war involving Russia and the United States.
Forecast
The
US and its allies will continue to put pressure on Russia with
demands to stop the military campaign. The British Foreign Office is
actively working in this direction. Russia is trying to gain time and
to delay the invasion, using “peaceful” democratic rhetoric, but
it will not stop the hostilities. The outcome of such a decision will
only appear when a direct threat to the US’ entry into the war
emerges, but it will not necessarily be realized.
Compromise
with the Americans and peacemaking with the terrorists will greatly
complicate the situation in Syria, the rebels will be allowed to
rest, regroup, and get reinforcements. As a result, all the
successes, made by Russian military in Syria, will come to naught.
Related
links
Zakharova
on Syria Talks: "I Don't Envy the State Department"
Translated
by Ollie Richardson for Fort Russ
13th
February, 2016
Official
representative of Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova,
commented on her Facebook on the outcome of the negotiations of the
International support group in Syria.
"Well,
now it begins. Yesterday till 2 am not the last people of this world
have been working on Syria's ceasefire. The statement clearly states:
Damascus and the opposition should stop the violence, the fight
against terrorism will continue", — said the representative of
the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Then,
Maria Zakharova commented on the statement by the representative of
the Higher Committee on negotiations of Riyadh.
"Today,
after sleeping on it the representative of the Higher Committee on
Negotiations of Riyadh said it would accept a truce in Syria only if
the actions of the RuAF are terminated, otherwise it is unacceptable.
In his words, "without stopping Russian airstrikes, a truce in
Syria will not be stable".
I
don't envy the state Department right now — yesterday they tried
really hard," wrote Maria Zakharova on Facebook.
Ну, вот, начинается. Вчера до двух часов ночи не последние в мире люди работали над сирийским перемирием. В заявлении четко сказано: Дамаск и оппозиция должны остановить насилие, борьба с терроризмом будет продолжена.
Сегодня хорошо выспавшийся представитель Высшего комитета по переговорам Рияд Ага заявил, что примет перемирие в Сирии только при условии приостановки действий ВКС РФ, в ином случае оно неприемлемо, заявил агентству Sputnik официальный представитель ВКП Рияд Ага. "Оно устраивает нас, если включает (приостановку) российских авиаударов, и неприемлемо, если не включает этого", — отметил Ага. По его словам, "без прекращения российских авиаударов в Сирии не будет стабильности и не будет достигнуто перемирие".
Не завидую сейчас Госдепу - они вчера действительно очень старались.
Syrian
Army enters the Al-Raqqa Governorate
By
Leith Fadel
12
February, 2016
For
the first time since August of 2014, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has
reentered the Al-Raqqa Governorate in northern Syria after a
successful past few days of fighting against the Islamic State of
Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) along the Salamiyah-Raqqa Road that flows
through much of east Hama.
The Syrian Arab Army’s 555th Brigade of
the 4th Mechanized Division – alongside Liwaa Suqour Al-Sahra
(Desert Hawks Brigade), the National Defense Forces (NDF), Fouj
Al-Joulan (Golani Regiment), and the pro-government Palestinian
militia “Liwaa Al-Quds” (Jerusalem Brigade) – have captured the
entire part of the Salamiyah-Raqqa Road in the Hama Governorate,
leaving only 35 km of territory between their positions and the
strategic Tabaqa Military Airport.
Since capturing the Tabaqa
Military Airport in August of 2014, ISIS has turned this site in the
Al-Raqqa Governorate as their primary base and training grounds in
northern Syria; it is constantly targeted by the U.S. Anti-ISIS
Coalition and Russian Air Force.
While the next 35 km along the
Salamiyah-Raqqa Highway will no doubt be an arduous journey for the
Syrian Armed Forces, they have ensured the safety of their only
supply route to the Aleppo Governorate.
With the Khanasser-Ithriyah
Road being free of any ISIS presence, the Syrian Armed Forces can
continue to concentrate their soldiers at the Raqqa-Hama axis without
having to fear another disruption along their primary supply route to
Aleppo
Syria
ceasefire deal doesn't stop Russia’s air task force operation —
official
The
ceasefire accords of the International Syria Support Group relate to
the conflict between the Syrian government and opposition rather than
the struggle against terrorists
TASS,
12
February, 2016
MOSCOW,
February 12. /TASS/. Russia will continue its anti-terror operation
in Syria despite the ceasefire accords of the International Syria
Support Group as they relate to the conflict between the Syrian
government and opposition rather than the struggle against
terrorists, a Russian senator said on Friday.
Vladimir
Dzhabarov, first deputy chairman of the committee for international
affairs at the Federation Council, the upper house of Russia’s
parliament, thus commented on the ceasefire agreement reached at a
meeting of the International Syria Support Group in Munich.
"Despite
these accords, Russia will continue its counter-terror operation of
the
air task force because the places of the location of militants
from the IS [the Islamic State terrorist organization outlawed in
Russia] and the routes of their supply with ammunition, cargoes and
manpower are well-known," the senator said.
"As
far as I understand, these accords relate only to the warring
groupings in Syria but do not relate to terrorists who are staying on
the territory of Syria and partially on the territory of Iraq,"
he added.
Opposition
says will attend Geneva talks if plan to break Syria deadlock is
implemented
Russia
FM: Syrian army backed by Russian planes unblocked Aleppo from east
Deputy
PM: Russia is not going to expand air operation in Syria to
neighboring countries
"We’re
working at the request of the Syrian president and are struggling
against the terrorists who represent the IS on the territory of
Syria," the parliamentarian said.
The
Russian senator praised the ceasefire accords reached in Munich.
"The
ceasefire between the warring groupings in Syria will always be
welcomed because innocent people are dying and the situation in the
country is being destabilized," he noted.
The
senator said, however, that the prospect of the truce observance
"does not inspire much optimism."
"There
are too many groupings, which position themselves as
anti-governmental and anti-Assad forces, on the one hand, and some of
them are of clearly terrorist nature, on the other hand,"
Dzhabarov said.
Russia’s
advanced Su-35S fighter jet: premier performance over Syrian skies
The
senator said he was confident that it was necessary to clearly
separate opposition forces in Syria from terrorist groupings.
"This
should be agreed by the leading world powers, which are fighting
against the IS," the senator said.
Russian
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier on Friday the Munich
meeting of the International Syria Support Group had agreed that "the
working group co-chaired by Russia and the United States will work
out the modalities of the ceasefire in Syria over a week."
Also,
"this group’s mandate includes determining the areas, which
are under terrorists’ control," the minister said.
According
to US Secretary of State John Kerry, all the group’s participants
expressed their readiness to work with Russia in a way, which covered
the political, humanitarian and military aspects of the problem.
And
appear to be poised to take Azzaz - an important
Turkey border
crossing
Earlier
this week, the Levantine Front, an Islamist faction that holds a
small
amount of territory in northern Aleppo Province, began
complaining that they are
fighting on several fronts,
facing the Syrian military advance, along with ISIS and Kurdish
pressure on their respective frontiers.
While
most of their focus in recent days has been on the Syrian military’s
offensive in the area, today it’s the Kurdish YPG that is moving
against them, taking advantage of Russian airstrikes and an
off-balance rebel force to attack
the Mannagh Air Base.
The
reports indicate that while pushing toward the base, the YPG is also
aiming for the village of Kfar Naya. Kurdish officials have suggested
their goal is to take more or less the entire Aleppo Province border
with Turkey, which mostly belongs to ISIS, but which includes this
strip of territory as well.
Russian
warplanes are said to be providing air support for the YPG offensive,
a
shift since the group usually depends on the US coalition for help.
With Russia’s
focus on helping the Assad government, however, they
likely figure that
bolstering the Kurds at the expensive of Islamist
factions is a step in the right direction.
Translated
by Ollie Richardson for Fort Russ
13th
February, 2016
Official
representative of Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova,
commented on her Facebook on the outcome of the negotiations of the
International support group in Syria.
"Well,
now it begins. Yesterday till 2 am not the last people of this world
have been working on Syria's ceasefire. The statement clearly states:
Damascus and the opposition should stop the violence, the fight
against terrorism will continue", — said the representative of
the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Then,
Maria Zakharova commented on the statement by the representative of
the Higher Committee on negotiations of Riyadh.
"Today,
after sleeping on it the representative of the Higher Committee on
Negotiations of Riyadh said it would accept a truce in Syria only if
the actions of the RuAF are terminated, otherwise it is unacceptable.
In his words, "without stopping Russian airstrikes, a truce in
Syria will not be stable".
I
don't envy the state Department right now — yesterday they tried
really hard," wrote Maria Zakharova on Facebook.
Ну, вот, начинается. Вчера до двух часов ночи не последние в мире люди работали над сирийским перемирием. В заявлении четко сказано: Дамаск и оппозиция должны остановить насилие, борьба с терроризмом будет продолжена.
Сегодня хорошо выспавшийся представитель Высшего комитета по переговорам Рияд Ага заявил, что примет перемирие в Сирии только при условии приостановки действий ВКС РФ, в ином случае оно неприемлемо, заявил агентству Sputnik официальный представитель ВКП Рияд Ага. "Оно устраивает нас, если включает (приостановку) российских авиаударов, и неприемлемо, если не включает этого", — отметил Ага. По его словам, "без прекращения российских авиаударов в Сирии не будет стабильности и не будет достигнуто перемирие".
Не завидую сейчас Госдепу - они вчера действительно очень старались.
Syrian
Army enters the Al-Raqqa Governorate
By
Leith Fadel
12
February, 2016
For
the first time since August of 2014, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has
reentered the Al-Raqqa Governorate in northern Syria after a
successful past few days of fighting against the Islamic State of
Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) along the Salamiyah-Raqqa Road that flows
through much of east Hama.
The Syrian Arab Army’s 555th Brigade of
the 4th Mechanized Division – alongside Liwaa Suqour Al-Sahra
(Desert Hawks Brigade), the National Defense Forces (NDF), Fouj
Al-Joulan (Golani Regiment), and the pro-government Palestinian
militia “Liwaa Al-Quds” (Jerusalem Brigade) – have captured the
entire part of the Salamiyah-Raqqa Road in the Hama Governorate,
leaving only 35 km of territory between their positions and the
strategic Tabaqa Military Airport.
Since capturing the Tabaqa
Military Airport in August of 2014, ISIS has turned this site in the
Al-Raqqa Governorate as their primary base and training grounds in
northern Syria; it is constantly targeted by the U.S. Anti-ISIS
Coalition and Russian Air Force.
While the next 35 km along the
Salamiyah-Raqqa Highway will no doubt be an arduous journey for the
Syrian Armed Forces, they have ensured the safety of their only
supply route to the Aleppo Governorate.
With the Khanasser-Ithriyah
Road being free of any ISIS presence, the Syrian Armed Forces can
continue to concentrate their soldiers at the Raqqa-Hama axis without
having to fear another disruption along their primary supply route to
Aleppo
Syria
ceasefire deal doesn't stop Russia’s air task force operation —
official
The
ceasefire accords of the International Syria Support Group relate to
the conflict between the Syrian government and opposition rather than
the struggle against terrorists
TASS,
12
February, 2016
MOSCOW,
February 12. /TASS/. Russia will continue its anti-terror operation
in Syria despite the ceasefire accords of the International Syria
Support Group as they relate to the conflict between the Syrian
government and opposition rather than the struggle against
terrorists, a Russian senator said on Friday.
Vladimir
Dzhabarov, first deputy chairman of the committee for international
affairs at the Federation Council, the upper house of Russia’s parliament, thus commented on the ceasefire agreement reached at a meeting of the International Syria Support Group in Munich.
affairs at the Federation Council, the upper house of Russia’s parliament, thus commented on the ceasefire agreement reached at a meeting of the International Syria Support Group in Munich.
"Despite
these accords, Russia will continue its counter-terror operation of
the
air task force because the places of the location of militants from the IS [the Islamic State terrorist organization outlawed in Russia] and the routes of their supply with ammunition, cargoes and manpower are well-known," the senator said.
air task force because the places of the location of militants from the IS [the Islamic State terrorist organization outlawed in Russia] and the routes of their supply with ammunition, cargoes and manpower are well-known," the senator said.
"As
far as I understand, these accords relate only to the warring
groupings in Syria but do not relate to terrorists who are staying on
the territory of Syria and partially on the territory of Iraq,"
he added.
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"We’re
working at the request of the Syrian president and are struggling
against the terrorists who represent the IS on the territory of
Syria," the parliamentarian said.
The
Russian senator praised the ceasefire accords reached in Munich.
"The
ceasefire between the warring groupings in Syria will always be
welcomed because innocent people are dying and the situation in the
country is being destabilized," he noted.
The
senator said, however, that the prospect of the truce observance
"does not inspire much optimism."
"There
are too many groupings, which position themselves as
anti-governmental and anti-Assad forces, on the one hand, and some of
them are of clearly terrorist nature, on the other hand,"
Dzhabarov said.
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The
senator said he was confident that it was necessary to clearly
separate opposition forces in Syria from terrorist groupings.
"This
should be agreed by the leading world powers, which are fighting
against the IS," the senator said.
Russian
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier on Friday the Munich
meeting of the International Syria Support Group had agreed that "the
working group co-chaired by Russia and the United States will work
out the modalities of the ceasefire in Syria over a week."
Also,
"this group’s mandate includes determining the areas, which
are under terrorists’ control," the minister said.
According
to US Secretary of State John Kerry, all the group’s participants
expressed their readiness to work with Russia in a way, which covered
the political, humanitarian and military aspects of the problem.
And
appear to be poised to take Azzaz - an important
Turkey border
crossing
Earlier
this week, the Levantine Front, an Islamist faction that holds a
small
amount of territory in northern Aleppo Province, began
complaining that they are
fighting on several fronts,
facing the Syrian military advance, along with ISIS and Kurdish
pressure on their respective frontiers.
While
most of their focus in recent days has been on the Syrian military’s
offensive in the area, today it’s the Kurdish YPG that is moving
against them, taking advantage of Russian airstrikes and an
off-balance rebel force to attack
the Mannagh Air Base.
The
reports indicate that while pushing toward the base, the YPG is also
aiming for the village of Kfar Naya. Kurdish officials have suggested
their goal is to take more or less the entire Aleppo Province border
with Turkey, which mostly belongs to ISIS, but which includes this
strip of territory as well.
Russian
warplanes are said to be providing air support for the YPG offensive,
a
shift since the group usually depends on the US coalition for help.
With Russia’s
focus on helping the Assad government, however, they
likely figure that
bolstering the Kurds at the expensive of Islamist
factions is a step in the right direction.
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