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Anissa Naouai crushes CNN propagandists for justifying terrorism in Russia
Russia
is bombing terrorists in Syria and terrorists will seek revenge –
says CNN.That's fair, blowback is possible. Up to 7 thousand ISIS
fighters are from former Soviet republics, one of the key reasons
Russia delved "head front" into the Syrian war. But then
CNN "reporting" crosses the line and turns into a monster.
They refuse to call those behind Beslan school siege terrorists and
twist other horrific acts against Russian people to fit their
narrative.
The CNN version of events
Footage
of the operation was filmed by RussiaWorks. Syrian President Bashar
Assad requested substantial help from Putin in fighting militant
groups in September 2015. Russia soon began targeting ISIS
strongholds with extensive airstrikes on Syria. The West and Arab
countries have been critical on the operation. While Iran and Iraq
support Russian strikes.
US,
Russia ready to discuss search and rescue in Syria in case of downed
pilot or aircraft in distress
through the newly established channel, Pentagon said.
Numerous
officials and experts in the West have been astonished by Russia's
military capabilities. Moscow's newest weapons are surely impressive
in themselves, but many in the United States and Europe have also
been shocked by the "style and speed" of Russia's military
operation in Syria, Il Giornale reported.
Moscow's
success in the Middle East and the attention it attracted has left a
traumatic effect on America's political and military elites, much
like the launch of the world's first satellite, Sputnik I, on October
4, 1957, the Italian newspaper added.
Back
then Washington did not expect the Soviets to have the technology
needed to make such an achievement. These days the US was unprepared
that Russia managed to create a powerful and efficient military
machine at a time of economic crisis.
Until
recently, many in the US and Europe viewed the Russian Armed Forces
through Soviet clichés: they seem to have expected millions of
soldiers in ragged uniforms and piles of scrap metal, Il Giornale
noted.
Well,
they were wrong. Russian military equipment, command centers and
outfits look brand new as if they were taken right from a military
expo. Russian troops, the newspaper emphasized, also know how to
fight.
Following
a request from Syria's legitimate government, Russia launched a
multinational aerial campaign aimed at assisting Damascus-led forces
in their fight against a four-and-a-half-year old insurgency in the
country.
These
developments prompted Barack Obama to keep US troops in Afghanistan
despite election promises to withdraw from the country.
A
huge number of foreign mercenaries is arriving in the Syrian province
of Idlib to fight the government troops on the side of the militants,
the Russian Defense Ministry reported on its website on Tuesday
referring to Syrian reconnaissance data.
"The
chieftains of terrorist groups are trying to recoup the losses which
were sustained in battles against the Syrian troops or occurred as a
result of militants’ desertion from the frontline. According to the
Syrian reconnaissance information, a huge number of foreign
mercenaries is arriving in Idlib province," the Russian Defense
Ministry said.
At
the same time, the Russian Armed Forces General Staff said that the
terrorists defending the town of al-Shaykh Maskin in Deraa province
were short of ammunitions and personnel.
"They
have had nothing to eat for the past three days. The local population
is avoiding any cooperation (with the militants) and is refusing to
help them," the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"The
militants are depressed by the huge losses. Cases of desertion from
the frontline have become commonplace," the ministry went on to
say.
The
Russian aircraft have been delivering air strikes at the positions of
the Islamic State terrorist group, which is banned in Russia, at the
request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since September 30. The
Russian air group in Syria consists of more than 50 planes and
helicopters. Russia is not planning any ground operation in Syria.
The
Russian warplanes have made 55 sorties and attacked 60 terrorist
targets over the past 24 hours.
The
Reality of Syrian Army's Soldiers
These
are the heartbreaking final moments of a brave Syrian soldier in
battle. I'm not sure how old he was, but he doesn't look much older
than 20. His tears here aren't tears of weakness, but they are tears
of loss and goodbye as he sends a last message to his mother. I wish
that woman strength and love, and I hope she knows that her whole
nation will forever mourn her son and bow their heads to the
sacrifice he made for Syria. Him and every one of his comrades.
Interview with Colonel General Andrey Kartapolov: Russia may have a military base in Syria. It will be sea, air, and ground
Colonel
General Andrey Kartapolov: Russia may have a military base in Syria.
It will be sea, air, and ground .
October
16, 2015
Author Victor
Baranets
Translated
by Carpatho-Russian
Our
military observer Victor Baranets talked with the Chief of the Main
Operations Directorate of the General Staff, who is directing the
operation in Syria.
Nearly
90 years ago, the outstanding military theorist and practitioner,
Marshal of the Soviet Union Boris
Shaposhnikov ,
figuratively called the General Staff “the brain of the army”.
And the Main Operations Directorate (GOU) of the General Staff has
always been and remains the main center of this “brain”.
Everything that occurs today in our army – from its construction
until application, and also timely preparation, re-deployment of
armies, training, firing, maritime campaigns, aircraft flights –
all this is done at the will of the General Staff and under its
vigilant control. This includes planning and carrying out strategic
operations, and also those actions, which today our aerospace forces
are conducting in Syria.
How
were they prepared? What plan do they have? Why it was decided to
involve only airplanes and helicopters? And what role is played by
our fighting ships, which are carrying out their tasks in the eastern
part of the Mediterranean Sea? I asked these and many other questions
of the
chief of the Main Operations Directorate — Deputy Chief of the
General Staff, Colonel General Andrey Kartapolov.
The
general talked with me in his private office. Our conversation was
interrupted over and over again by phone calls — Andrey Valeryevich
continually accepted reports on the course of execution of military
tasks for our aircraft in Syria, listened to the directions of the
Chief of the General Staff, and gave instructions to subordinates. To
one, to urgently discuss an operational situation with the Syrian
military leader; to another, to fly to Istanbul for negotiations with
the Turkish military; to a third, to prepare for the next
teleconference session with the Pentagon regarding “rules of
behavior” for our and the American pilots in the Syrian sky. The
continuous high-voltage tension of the operations occurring many
thousands kilometers away from Moscow literally “sparks” in the
general’s receiver. He answered my questions strictly in the manner
of a General Staff, verifying each word with the precision of a
sniper (operators do not like lyricism). He did not answer at all
some of my questions – answers to them might reveal operational
secrets, or else was beyond the scope of the chief of the Main
Operations Administration. Allow me to present him.
PERSONAL
DOSSIER
Kartapolov
Andrey Valeryevich. Born
in 1963 in Weimar (GDR). Education: secondary school, Moscow Higher
All-troops Command College, Frunze Military Academy, Military Academy
of the General Staff. Commanded a platoon, a company, a battalion, a
regiment, a division, and an army. Was the chief of a staff of a
brigade, a division, and a military district; and head of the
department in the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff.
Deputy
Chief of the General Staff, Colonel General Andrey Kartapolov.
Since
2014, Chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff.
Awards: “For Service to the Fatherland” the, IV degree with
crossed swords, Award of Courage, award “For Military Services”,
many departmental medals.
INTEL
KNOWS EVERYTHING
– When
was the decision to begin a transfer of our military equipment to
Syria actually made?
– Next
question.
-
With what did the General Staff’s work on the Syrian events begin?
– We
did not stop work on the Syrian events for a minute. We constantly
tracked the situation there. Because Syria is our longtime partner,
an ally, and our advisors have been working there all the time. And
from the beginning of these anti-government events, which then
developed into the well-known situation, we tracked the situation in
Syria practically round-the-clock. Also, we constantly know what is
occurring there and how.
– And
yet, what was the “first step” of the Russian General Staff even
prior to the beginning of the use of our aircraft in Syria?
– We
created a coordinating committee that is now working in Baghdad. Here
we were engaged in solving this problem first of all. We needed to
make this committee work.
-
What brought about the decision
to create this coordinating committee? What was the idea here?
– We
understood that with the actions of the so-called international
coalition led by the USA, which is engaged only in bombing objects
from the air, it is impossible to crush ISIS (the terrorist
organization forbidden in Russia — editor’s
note ).
This can only be done by executing tasks on the ground. And on the
ground there is nobody to fight except the Army of the Syrian Arab
Republic. Therefore, we specifically began with that. And to
coordinate the actions, we must unite the efforts of those countries
and those forces at war with ISIS on the ground.
After
getting air support, the Syrian armies passed in separate sectors of
the front to approach the positions of the terrorists . Photos:
Alexander KOTZ, Dmitry STESHIN.
-
Did you invite the American representatives to this coordinating
committee?
– From
the very beginning. Being in Baghdad, I practically waited for days
when the American partners would contact us. But they did not, and so
I departed from there.
– Why
did they refuse to do this?
– They
have a number of reasons why they do not wish to do this. They
consider it humiliating to admit that without Russia they cannot
solve the problem they declared a year ago. They do not want it to be
said about them that they are somehow cooperating with Assad, whom
they have been demonizing in recent years. And another thing. They
actually hardly possess the necessary quantity of information on ISIS
objects, which is, actually, evident from the results of their
attacks. They have a vague idea of the real objects of the rebels,
and probably, they were ashamed to admit this.
– With
what did the Main Operations Directorate begin to prepare for actions
in Syria?
– From
an assessment of the situation and preparation of suggestions to our
leadership to execute various tasks.
– To
the Leadership of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff?
– Certainly.
TACTICAL
SECRETS
– And
what main task faced the Main Operations Directorate during this
period, on the eve of operations?
– We
needed to utilize as fully as possible all the resources available
for us to transfer equipment, arms, and other material to Syria in
the shortest possible time.
-
How was it possible to resolve this issue in a timely and concealed
manner?
– We
used an entire range of various approaches of technical,
informational, and tactical nature. You know the result.
– But
Obama claims that American reconnaissance “saw everything”…
– If
it really “saw” this, then Obama would hardly be silent.
– And
nevertheless: You received information that the USA got wind of the
fact that we were starting to move?
– We
certainly had this information. However, we saw that they did not
understand the essence of our operations and did not imagine to what
it is directed. Therefore, they did not bother us.
– Perhaps
they simply got confused about your combinations and did not evaluate
their essence?
– I
would not wish to offend our American colleagues. What they thought –
let that remain with them.
-
In what ways did the General Staff receive information on the
dislocation of ISIS formations?
– We
have developed and constantly use an entire system of reconnaissance
methods. Therefore there are practically no secrets for us on this
account…
-
Can you tell what exactly this system includes? There is space, there
are airplanes, there are drones, there is electronic intel, and
finally, on-ground reconnaissance?
– I
have told you that an entire system of forces and means of
reconnaissance has been activated …. In constant operational mode.
With the exception of troop-unit reconnaissance, because we have not
conducted troop-unit reconnaissance on site. Because we have no
ground divisions there.
WHO
ON THAT SIDE?
-
How do you evaluate the tactics of the actions of ISIS groups and
their arms? Do the terrorists have mobile surface-to-air missile
systems (MANPADS)?
– We
have information on the existence of MANPADS there, but have not yet
seen their actual use. Therefore the appearance of such arms among
the militants can now provide evidence of someone’s ill-advised
approach to the resolution of this issue …
-
Are you hinting at possible deliveries to fighters of the American
Stinger-type MANPADS?
– This
is possible. We go even further. As pertains to the tactics of the
militants. In ISIS, there are many former officers who had served in
the Iraq army under Saddam Hussein. And they left there only because
the Americans, having smashed Iraq, occupied it; and they, as
patriots of their country (as it is possible to call them) decided to
fight against it. Certainly, it was a mistake that they decided to
fight by entering ISIS groups, but that is their choice. These
officers possess rather advanced skills and knowledge; they are
capable both of organizing and of teaching people. Therefore, the
individual groups are prepared rather well. Plus – they seized a
mass of armament in the warehouses of the Iraq army and also from the
units of the Syrian army. It is just those arms that our American
partners had so energetically delivered to Iraq. And there are both
Abrams M1 tanks, and armored troop carriers, and artillery systems,
and many other things. Therefore, when speaking about ISIS, do not
imagine that these are the garden variety bandits, a crowd armed only
with machine guns and with long daggers, knowing nothing but how to
cut off heads. They know how to fight; they have improved various
tactical approaches, which they turned out during operations against
the Iraq army and against the Syrian army. And at times they apply
these approaches quite successfully.
– How
many soldiers do the ISIS armed formations contain now?
– By
various estimates, from 30,000 to 80,000. As usual, the truth is
somewhere in the middle, so let’s say 40-50,000.
-
The coalition headed by the USA has been bombing ISIS positions for
more than a year. But yet we saw that the Syrian territory controlled
by ISIS has extended to almost 75%. How can you comment on this?
– The
coalition headed by the United States conducts air strikes against
objects of the ISIS infrastructure. These are bridges, overpasses,
electrical substations, thermal grids, hydraulic pump systems, and
water pump stations. This makes the people’ life intolerable. This
does not so much hinder the ISIS actions, as it substantially
complicates the actions of governmental armies of President Assad. By
so doing, announcing one thing, they have, by and large, reduced the
fighting potential of the armed forces of Syria. Due to which, these
have surrendered more and more positions, because transport was made
difficult, because there was no water, there was no heat, and there
were no products. But ISIS does not need this, they just bought food
in various adjacent countries, and this was delivered to them (we
know who, but will not at this time speak about these organizations
and states). Hence the result.
-
How do you evaluate the fighting potential and arms of the so-called
“moderate opposition”, and where did it receive weapons?
– The
West speaks of a “moderate opposition”, but we do not see it in
Syria. It could be named in different ways – moderate or immoderate
opposition – but any person who takes up arms against legitimate
authority, how moderate is he? … Various countries have delivered
weapons to many groups of ISIS. After all, some groups are supported
and supplied by one country, other groups are supported by another
country, and the yet more groups are supported by a third country.
And, therefore, they are all giving money and all giving weapons
there. These lads are engaging in banditry, marauding, and dividing
spheres of influence among themselves. When they need the next
monetary tranche, they declare that are the most active fighters
against the Assad regime. They are given this money, after which they
begin to use it at their personal discretion. And we have asked, you
know who – show us this “moderate opposition” …
AMERICAN
WINDOW-DRESSING
-
Why did the General Staff came to their conclusion about the
necessity of using airforce?
– Because
we saw that everything that the coalition headed by the United States
does is window-dressing… It is an imitation of strikes …
-
And are the military air forces of Syria, Iraq, and Iran
participating in air operations together with us?
– They
carry out tasks according to their own plan.
– But
they are coordinating their own plans with us?
– Absolutely.
-
How do you monitor the accuracy of our strikes on ISIS?
– From
the moment that a target is chosen, we conduct a no less than
threefold confirmation of the precise details, importance, and
characteristics of the object.
-
Using what facilities?
– The
same things that I have already spoken of. An entire integrated
system is employed — aerospace, air, radio, and electronic
reconnaissance is employed.
– And
drones?
– Drones,
certainly. We, naturally, also use the information we receive within
the framework of the information committee in Baghdad, from our
partners, and from the intelligence services of Iraq, Syria, and
Iran.
-
Also – is there extensive data that is considered for bombardment
by aircraft and missile?
– They
have lots of information, but we verify all information. And the
choice of the strike targets remains, naturally, with us.
– Why
has the USA refused to provide to us data about the positions of the
so-called Syrian Free Army and about ISIS positions? Are they now
giving us this information or not?
– They
are not providing us this information. We addressed them more than
once directly, and more than once spoke about this even in the mass
media. The reasons for this position are still not clear to us.
Either they do not have these data, or if they do they are hiding it
from us – which means that they do not want us to strike the actual
positions of ISIS.
-
How are the tactics of ISIS actions changing after our bombing
attacks by aircraft and missile?
– Terrorists
are abandoning their positions, departing into the interior, trying
to hide in remote districts and in various caves and rocky
formations. Second. They are trying to hide in mosques and in
hospitals. By the way, we showed on TV a video, where this whole
matter is made evident. They are also trying to blend in the civilian
population.
-
Did the Syrian army begin ground operations too early? Is it ready,
and are there results?
– You
know, it is difficult for me to judge how ready the Syrian army is
for offensive operations. I can draw only one conclusion, that even
in whatever condition the Syrian army is in, if it went over to the
offensive it means that our strikes have significantly reduced the
fighting potential of the opponent. In the first days of the
offensive, more than ten settlements were liberated, and one large
settlement named Achan has been taken today, after the militants had
held it for a long time. In the first days, approximately 90 square
kilometers were liberated during the offensive operation. Therefore,
I think that the Syrian military leadership knows better but they
concluded they could go over to the offensive.
STRIKE
FROM THE CASPIAN SEA
-
What caused the necessity of our missile attacks from the Caspian
Sea? Was it coordinated with Iran and Iraq?
– Yes.
I talked about this at the briefing. We coordinated the flight of our
missiles beforehand with our partners in the coordinating committee,
which includes not only Syria, but also Iran and Iraq. And the
necessity was caused by that we discovered on October 5th and 6th
some very important objects, which were subjected to pinpoint attack.
Our aircraft were already assigned to other objects that had been
reconnoitered earlier. Therefore, the decision had been made for
cruise missiles attacks.
– T he
Pentagon claims that 4 rockets either blew up or did not fall there.
What do you think of this information?
– The
Pentagon could claim anything and everything. Let them show
something, though. All of our missiles hit their targets.
– And
might the group of our ships in the Mediterranean Sea be involved in
Syria too, if necessary?
– Certainly.
-
What is this group today?
– Our
group in the Mediterranean Sea, first of all, provides transport
facilities. To be unrestricted, the group was developed to include
also attack ships. Plus, this group will guarantee the antiaircraft
defense of our base. We are by no means directing this air defense
against the coalition countries.
– And
if the General Staff comes to the conclusion that it is immediately
necessary for rocket strikes on ISIS from our ships, this can be
done?
– It
can.
-
Can we
speak today about the creation of two high-grade Russian bases in
Syria – a ground base near Latakia and the Navy in Tartus?
– I
think that, most likely, we should talk about the creation of one
Russian military base. This will be one base, which will be composed
of several components – sea, air, and ground.
-The
Syrian armed “moderate” opposition is sending signals about its
readiness to participate in fight against ISIS. What do you think of
such signals?
– We
are ready for joint operations with them. Let them come to Baghdad
and participate in the coordinating committee.
– And
if such an offer is accepted, will this seriously change the tactics
of the coalition troops? Will this change the nature of the war with
ISIS?
– If
they cease to fight against the government troops and begin to fight
against ISIS, then this can change. But if they, after declaring that
they are at war with ISIS, continue wage war on the government
troops, nothing will change.
– You
just said that ISIS groups are changing tactics, and going into
hospitals, mosques, and settlements, and dispersing. Do both the
General Staff and the Syrian army understand that they also must
change tactics, so as to more subtly root out the terrorists from
there? What it is necessary to select new “tools”?
– We
have a rather large set of methods and means to affect ISIS, taking
into account this tactic, without impacting in any manner mosques, or
hospitals, or the peaceful population.
THE
PENTAGON THREATENS, BUT WE ARE NOT AFRAID
– The
USA Secretary of Defense is threatening us that one of these days,
the Russian group will suffer large losses. What is this – is he
threatening us with what the Stingers can do? How do you read this
statement, doe it sound like a threat?
– We
have read this statement as a manifestation of non-professionalism of
the highest order. A serious politician cannot permit himself such
statements. All the more, as he is talking about allies victorious
over Hitler in the Second World War (one would like to remind him of
that). Well, whatever he meant, let that remain on his conscience.
Remember how Lev Tolstoy answered Leonid Andreyev: “He tries to
scare me me, but I am not afraid”.
– Might
the situation develop in such a manner that we would after all need
to transfer overland combat units to take part in the military
operations?
– This
is out of the question. Our overland combat units will under no
circumstances take part in the land operations. This, by the way, was
stated by our President.
– If
you learn that ISIS or the so-called Free Syrian Army have American
Stinger MANPADS, what will your reaction be?
– I
think that it would be necessary to ask the question about this
matter in the UN Security Council. So that it is examined there.
– Are
our airplanes striking ISIS formations in Iraq?
– No.
We are operating in Syria, because the President of Syria turned to
us with a request that we assist the fight against ISIS on the
territory of his country. If a similar request arrives from the Iraqi
leadership, we will wait for the decision from the leaders of our
country.
– It
would seem the Iraq request has already arrived?
– I
have already answered this question …
– How
is interaction provided between our aerospace forces, our officers,
and the Syrian army? Are our officers in the ranks of the Syrian army
or not?
– No.
Our group operates independently. But with our staff in Syria, there
is a small operation group from the Syrian armed forces that provides
coordination with flights of the Syrian Air Force and gives us exact
data regarding the location of the front line of the government army.
– How
is the situation at the moment on the Syrian front? What are we
doing, and what are the Syrians doing?
– We
continue to carry out our tasks. Since the operation began, we have
completed more than 600 sorties.
– This is
since September 30?
– Yes,
since September 30. We have hit more than 380 ISIS objects. According
to various data, ISIS rebel groups have suffered very serious losses.
We have also noted cases of panic, and abandonment of positions.
This, too, says something. Naturally, this also inspires the
government armies, which have gone over to the offensive. As one of
the Syrian generals said, the operations of the Air Forces of Russia
have returned smiles to the faces of Syrian children.
THE
GOAL – DEFEATING ISIS
– Are
the Americans seeking contact with the Ministry of Defense of Russia
and the General Staff?
– They
are compelled to do this. They requested that we organize a
videoconference with them.
– They
will be in Washington and you will be in Moscow?
– We
gave our consent. We are ready to work with them everywhere, at any
level, in every spot on the globe. If it is more convenient for them
to work from Washington, we will work from Moscow.
– How
do you see the ultimate goal of our actions in Syria?
– This
is, without a doubt, the defeat of ISIS formations and transferring
the Syrian crisis to the political sphere.
– And
if nevertheless the need arises to hit ISIS with bombing attacks on
the territory of Iraq, will Russia accept such a request?
– This
is the decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. But we have all
the technical facilities for this purpose .
– At
the moment, are the Americans and French striking ISIS positions?
– Americans
are striking objects that are located on the territory that ISIS
controls.
– A
report came out that French planes took off several times on a
bombing run. Do you have such data?
– We
have such data, but we do not know, which objects specifically were
attacked by the French planes.
– Did
you not have an opportunity to see this using the means available to
you?
– We
did not set ourselves that task.
– Do
you have a feeling that the Americans are beginning to understand
that we need to strike ISIS with a joint “cooperative”? And
consequently they are starting to hover in the waiting room?
– You
know, the Americans are a very pragmatic people. But it is very
difficult for them to admit their own miscalculations. When they
mature to the point that they recognize that, after all, they
miscalculated, then I hope they will make a reasonable decision.
– Let’s
suppose they will after all agree to act with us in a unified
coalition. What is necessary for this purpose?
– Their
desire.
– Why
did the USA react so spitefully to the launch of our “Calibers”
from the Caspian Sea?
– Because
they absolutely missed the sea-based cruise missile salvo.
– And
why?
– Because
all their capabilities, about which they speak as if they were
limitless, are just a fairy tale for children.
– Two
private matters. How many times during our air operation did you
spend the night in a back room of the office? One of your assistants
admitted that the days…
– Next
question.
– There
are many icons behind you. Why are they here?
– I
am a believer. Some icons were gifts, others I acquired when I was in
various places. Well, and I also believe in the correctness of what
we are doing…
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