US Bombs Syrian Gov. Forces

[Influenza]

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42986089


The US has carried out rare air strikes on Syrian pro-government forces after what it called an "unprovoked attack" on allied Kurdish and Arab fighters.
An estimated 100 pro-government fighters were killed in the overnight incident in Deir al-Zour province.
They had allegedly tried to take ground east of the River Euphrates, captured from the Islamic State group by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
State media said the US "aggression" left dozens of people dead or wounded.
The Middle Euphrates Valley serves as an informal demarcation line in eastern Syria, with the government controlling the western side and the SDF the east. The two sides have clashed there in the past year while seeking to drive IS militants from their last major stronghold in the country.
Elsewhere in Syria on Thursday, government warplanes bombed towns in the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta region near the capital Damascus for a fourth day.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, said at least 36 civilians were killed, bringing the death toll to 185 since Monday.
What happened in Deir al-Zour?

The US-led coalition against IS accused pro-government forces of initiating "an unprovoked attack against well-established SDF headquarters (http://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/NEWS-ARTICLES/News-Article-View/Article/1435218/unprovoked-attack-by-syrian-pro-regime-forces-prompts-coalition-defensive-strik/)" late on Wednesday.
"Coalition service members in an advise, assist, and accompany capacity were co-located with SDF partners during the attack 8km east of the agreed-upon Euphrates river de-confliction line," a statement said.


ty dolan trump

[Brian4Liberty]

"In defence of coalition and partner forces, the coalition conducted strikes against attacking forces to repel the act of aggression," it added, asserting its "non-negotiable right to act in self-defence".

So the Syrian government attacked a position where US forces were present. Why are we occupying Syria again?

[goldenequity]

Oil.

[timosman]

So the Syrian government attacked a position where US forces were present. Why are we occupying Syria again?

Because Saudis are nice?

[goldenequity]

Wael Al Hussaini- @WaelAlHussaini · 4 min.
Until this moment there is NO accurate information regarding the clashes between SAA and SDF
Reports are coming only from the same people who said “we are going to invade Iraq because they’re developing WMDs”
And personally speaking, I don’t believe these people.

BREAKING: US safe zone in Syria helps Daesh terrorists hide from gov't forces - Moscow



Sputnik@SputnikInt
►BREAKING: Syrian militias were conducting anti-Daesh op when US jets attacked them –@mod_russia
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802081061470988-us-safe-zone-syria-daesh/



Zakharova at the weekly briefing on Thursday:

"First of all, how can a '500 man Syrian unit'...
attack a headquarters which has the support of tanks and artillery..
and then [they] supposedly injured only one of the attackers?"

"How could the people inside the headquarters be able to survive in these conditions
for at least the half an hour that is needed for aviation to arrive at the scene?"

"How [then] could a decision to open a massive fire to defeat the Syrian militiamen be made in such a short period of time?”

[B]US Version of the Events

The US-led coalition has described the attack
"as retaliation for an 'unprovoked attack' by pro-government armed militias on the headquarters of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The Russian Defense Ministry said:

The operation of Syrian militiamen "was not coordinated with the command of the Russian task force," adding that

"the militiamen launched the reconnaissance [not an attack] operation
to deal with the [Daesh] attacks on the posts of the Syrian government forces by one of the cells in the area."

"While carrying out the task, militiamen were subjected to sudden mortar shelling and artillery rocket fire;
after that the helicopters of the US-led international coalition struck them,"

the statement read saying that a total of 25 militiamen were wounded in the attack. (?)

US-Coalition Strike is a War Crime Syrian FM

The Syrian Foreign Ministry has blasted the US-led alliance for the attack, urging the United Nations to bring the military bloc to account.

"This is a new act of aggression that constitutes a war crime and a crime against humanity,
shows the direct US support for terrorists who are aimed against sovereignty and integrity of Syria," SANA cited the Foreign Ministry as saying.

An ISIS 'safe zone'

The 55-kilometer [al-Tanf] zone unilaterally created by Americans around their military base near al-Tanf is being used by the scattered units of Daesh terrorists," Zakharova said during the weekly briefing,

"the extremists have the opportunity to hide from the government forces in the area as well as regroup and prepare for new raids in the Syrian deserts."

She went on to underscore that the US presence remains "a serious challenge to the promotion of peace in Syria and the protection of its unity and territorial integrity."

"Some influential external players are apparently not using the opportunities they have
to promote a political settlement in Syria and facilitate the elimination of terrorists on Syrian soil."

----------

►U.S.' GOAL IN SYRIA IS NOT TO FIGHT ISIL BUT TO SEIZE ECONOMIC ASSETS BELONGING ONLY TO SYRIA - RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY ON U.S. STRIKE UPON SYRIAN FORCES
Interfax

[goldenequity]

related... (MANPAD downing of Russian Su-25 over Idlib)

ZeroHedge
How Al-Qaeda Ended Up With Anti-Aircraft Missiles: Here Is The Congressional Authorization
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-02-06/how-al-qaeda-ended-anti-aircraft-missiles-here-congressional-authorization

[shakey1]

Well, we can't have a country operating outside the empire's sphere of influence, now can we?:cool:

[goldenequity]

Russian Mod statement

The Russian Defense Mionistry said on Thursday that the Syrian Forces were carrying out an anti-Daesh operation near the Al-Isba oil refinery in the Deir ez-Zor province when they were attacked by US-led coalition’s aircraft.

“While carrying out the task, Syrian Forces were subjected to sudden mortar shelling and artillery rocket fire; after that the helicopters of the US-led international coalition struck them,” the statement reads, saying that a total of 25 of Syrian Forces were killed in an aerial attack ”

The Defense Ministry highlighted that the attack showcased that the real goal behind US “illegal military presense in Syria” is control over the country’s assets rather than fight against Daesh terrorist group.

The US-led coalition has described the attack as retaliation to an “unprovoked attack” by pro-government armed Forces on the headquarters of the Syrian Democratic Forces’s (SDF), US allies in the region.

----------------------


According to ABC citing sources, at least 100 pro-government forces have been killed

Field Source told Muraselon that about 25 fighters of Syrian troops were killed and wounded due to US attack

https://muraselon.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/esyriaa-750x430.jpg

According to SANA,
forces of the US-led coalition on Wednesday midnight
attacked popular forces that were fighting Daesh terrorist organization and Qasad groups [Syrian Democratic Forces]
between the villages of Khsham and al-Tabyia in Deir Ezzor northeastern countryside,
leaving scores of persons dead and others injured.

[timosman]

Well, we can't have a country operating outside the empire's sphere of influence, now can we?:cool:

Maybe we can? Did anybody actually ask this question? This war narrative might be pushed by a bunch of overzealous sycophants.

[goldenequity]

Ron Paul-@RonPaul · 2 min.
Who's pushing for a US attack on the #Syrian government? Tune in to my Liberty Report:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRsolFRsyRk&feature=youtu.be

------------

MOSCOW HAS 'A HOST OF QUESTIONS' ABOUT REASONS FOR WHICH U.S.-LED COALITION STRUCK PRO-GOVERNMENT FORCES IN SYRIA - RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

Max Abrahms-@MaxAbrahms · 10 min.
Let’s be honest, with the implosion of Islamic State the U.S. presence in Syria is looking more and more like a foreign occupation.

So why is nobody admitting that Trump is helping ISIS by bombing Syrian government forces?
We all rightfully called out Obama for it but it's ok if Trump does it?

RT
https://www.rt.com/news/418180-us-strike-syria-aggression/

“The actions of the US coalition do not comply with legal norms. Beyond all doubt, it is aggression,” Klintsevich, the first deputy chairman of the Federation Council’s Committee for Defense and Security, told Interfax on Thursday.

“The Americans have never acted so openly before in Syria – this is unprecedented"

https://www.rt.com/news/418164-coalition-airstrikes-syrian-forces/
https://www.rt.com/news/418208-us-airstrike-syria-sdf/
https://www.rt.com/news/418227-syria-us-resources-grab/

----------


US public is being distracted with internal bruhaha over memos, uranium one and election meddling.
There are so many red herrings that little to none of the US citizens are aware that their current government
continues with the NWO agenda and gives away their taxes for illegal and useless military operations around the globe.
As Trump admin drags world to the WWIII, most of the US citizens hope for pie in the sky
in the form of either Trump's impeachment or Clinton's imprisonment...

[goldenequity]

US CLAIMS 'RUSSIANS' KILLED

@L0gg0l
Geopolitical escalation in Syria: Russian "mercenaries" killed in U.S air strike -- U.S official

@L0gg0l
RUSSIANS AMONG KILLED IN U.S AIR STRIKE IN SYRIA -- CBS NEWS

Interfax: NO RUSSIAN SERVICEMEN IN AREA STRUCK BY U.S.-LED COALITION IN SYRIA - RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY

Leith Aboufadel
The Pentagon claims the Russians had prior knowledge about the attack they launched against the pro-government Al-Bakara Tribe in northeast Deir Ezzor last night.

"We informed Russia of Attacking Syrian Army in Deir Ezzor in advance ” – Pentagon
https://muraselon.com/en/2018/02/breaking-informed-russia-attacking-syrian-army-deir-ezzor-advance-pentagon/

US not looking for war with Syrian government: Pentagon
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-not-looking-war-syrian-government-pentagon/
(so.. GTFO!)


WTF is the U.S. doing attacking the SAA at Deir Ezzor in the first place?
ISIS is there.
It's Assad's country.
There's no rightness in any of this. None.


Fox News claiming that they used AC-130s, F-15s, F-22s, Apaches and marine artillery. (this has 'Mad Dog' ROE fingerprints all over it.)
They never ever used such firepower against ISIS if this is correct.
Actually... they allowed them to leave Tabqa and, later, Raqqa.



Syrian Foreign Ministry
The new US aggression on Syria, which constitutes a War crime & a crime against Humanity
is directly in support of terrorism, also reveals the disgusting nature of US intentions
against the sovereignty, territorial integrity and the people of Syria.


Details from the #US bombing of pro-government forces in Deir Ezzor
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/details-us-bombing-pro-government-forces-deir-ezzor/


"While the U.S. claimed “100 pro-regime fighters” were killed in the attack, a Syrian military source reported
that approximately 25-30 tribal fighters were dead and many more severely wounded by the Coalition assault."
...
"...the pro-government forces that were attacked by the U.S. Coalition were members of the large Al-Baraka tribe,
who have fought the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) in the Euphrates River Valley for years.

Besides fighting the Islamic State, the Al-Baraka tribesmen are also from the Euphrates River Valley and considered locals."


"Furthermore, the Arab al-Bakara tribe announced in an official statement
that dozens of its sons were killed in the US-led coalition airstrikes on the SAA.

Earlier, Syrian opposition sources claimed that the US-led coalition target “Iranian and Russian forces” in Khasham.
However, it appears that these claims were nothing more than a propaganda stunt to justify the airstrikes.

Al-Bakara also vowed in its official statement to continue its fight
against ISIS,
the US-led coalition
and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)
and described the three forces as “occupiers” and “terrorists”."


Donald J. Trump realDonaldTrump
I will be meeting with Henry Kissinger at 1:45pm. Will be discussing North Korea, China and the Middle East.

[Raginfridus]

Donald J. Trump @real (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/member.php?u=68777)DonaldTrump
I will be meeting with Henry Kissinger at 1:45pm. Will be discussing North Korea, China and the Middle East.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dPgwlElHfHk/WA29IPsHN4I/AAAAAAAATQE/wyN3pz_uJH0aYAQQg4ECTiWdNg-RcGYuQCLcB/s1600/imageedit_9_8630432121.jpg

[goldenequity]

GROUND INTEL

1. SAA & Tribal Forces have monitored yesterday movements from unknown units trying to cross towards Khusham, fearing that those could be ISIS sleeper cells, they didn't hold on and started shooting at them.

2. SDF had one of their members killed as a result, they called the US for help claiming that the SAA are trying to advance (courtesy of Abu Khawla the ex-ISIS smuggler who's now an SDF commander in DeirEzzor area.)

3. The US came in with air support & targeted one of SAA checkpoints, casualties of the Tribal Forces & SAA are barely minimal or even inexistant. (END)

961627640473047040




Twitter thread about the background of Abu Khawla, the ex-ISIS smuggler who's now an SDF commander

...the commander in American created SDF who called in the American airstrikes.

909742546934534146

Translated:

1. Abu Khawla was an ex-con, imprisoned for vehicle theft multiple times before the war

2. When the war began, Abu Khawla and his brothers set up extortion checkpoints in the vicinity of the provincial capital of Deir Ezzor.

3. After the Islamic State took over the province in 2014, Abu Khawla and his group pledged allegiance to ISIS.

4. ISIS initially allowed Abu Khawla to keep his checkpoints as they continued taking bribes and abusing women at them,
later, ISIS arrested and executed Abu Khawla's brother for rape and bribery, then Abu Khawla and his men fled.

5. A week before the SDF was founded Abu Khawla showed up in al-Hasakah and became a commander.


This is who Abu Khawla is.

[goldenequity]

Pro Tip: any time True Pundit/Thomas Paine covers Foreign Policy...
set your filters to: HIGH :mad:

961743980391206913

[phill4paul]

http://i.imgur.com/hAZjVWR.png

[charrob]

US May Have Arranged 'Self Defense' Attack On Syrian Government Forces: (http://ronpaulinstitute.org/archives/featured-articles/2018/february/08/us-may-have-arranged-self-defense-attack-on-syrian-government-forces/)




Last night the illegal US occupation force in north-east Syria attacked a group of Syrian government aligned troops and their Russian support. The incident happened north-east of Deir Ezzor city on the east side of the Euphrates. The US claims that it killed some 100 Syrian soldiers that were allegedly attacking its proxy forces in an attempt to recover oil fields.

There is a factual separation of areas south-west of the Euphrates under Syrian government control and north-east of the Euphrates under US occupation. But several locations around Manbij, Raqqa and Deir Ezzor contradict that and are under control of the respective other side. The US claims that a "de-confliction line" along the Euphrates is agreed upon. The Syrian government says that no such agreement exists.

A small area across the Euphrates north-east of Deir Ezzor had been taken by Syrian government forces months ago. It is near some oilfields which the US wants to keep away from the Syrian government.

"The US wants to keep Syria weak and poor," says Prof. Joshua Landis. According to Landis the US is keeping the north-east of Syria under occupation to deny Syria access to its oil and its best agricultural land. It wants to turn Syria into a swamp for Russia and Iran to the benefit of mostly Israel.

The valuable oil and gas fields are currently in the hands of local Arab tribes who earlier worked with the Islamic State and are now, the US claims, allied with the YPG/PKK Kurds under the name Syrian Democratic Forces. The SDF is the US local proxy force for its occupation.

On the Syrian government side in Deir Ezzor are a few Syrian troops, local militia from the area, as well as members of Russian private military contractor named Wagner Group. Wagner allegedly has a contract with the Syrian government that will give it some 25 percent of all revenues from oil-fields it recovers and protects.

Last night the US military announced that it had "self defended" against an attack by Syrian government troops on Syrian ground:


Syrian pro-regime forces initiated an unprovoked attack against well-established Syrian Democratic Forces headquarters Feb. 7. Coalition service members in an advise, assist, and accompany capacity were co-located with SDF partners during the attack eight kilometers east of the agreed-upon Euphrates River de-confliction line.

In defense of Coalition and partner forces, the Coalition conducted strikes against attacking forces to repel the act of aggression against partners engaged in the Global Coalition's defeat-Daesh mission.

Reuters reports:


More than 100 fighters aligned with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were killed overnight when US coalition and coalition-backed local forces repelled their attack in eastern Syria, a US official said on Thursday.

The heavy death toll underscored the large size of the attack, which the US official said included about 500 opposing forces, backed by artillery, tanks, multiple-launch rocket systems and mortars. The official spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.
...
No American troops were killed or wounded in the incident, officials said.

Some US troops had been embedded at the time with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), whose headquarters in Syria’s Deir al-Zor province had been a target of the attack.

One SDF fighter was wounded, the official said.

The US also claims that it had seen preparations for the Syrian move and had warned the Russian command in Syria in advance:


The US-led coalition had alerted Russian officials about the presence of SDF forces in the area far in advance of the thwarted attack, the US official said.

Other sources say that there have been talks between Wagner and locals Arabs guarding the currently unproductive "Conoco" oil and gas field operation near the town of Khisham.


Hassan Hassan @hxhassan - 12:17 AM - 8 Feb 2018
5. Interesting, about a week ago, local reports also suggested an imminent deal to hand over the plant to the regime through an Arab faction within the SDF.

A translation of an earlier report from the opposition Al-Etihad media seems to confirm that some deal had been made:


Activists said Assad forces and Shiite militias have gathered near the villages of Bakkara Akidat, Dahla and Sabah in the eastern suburbs of Deir-ez-Zor (east of the Euphrates) near the Conoco gas field, which is controlled by Kurdish forces.

The sources added that the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces informed the US-led coalition forces of these developments. The coalition urged SDF fighters not to resist the regime forces and surrender the area.

The activists added that the SDF has already withdrawn heavy weapons from their areas held by Arab and Turkmen factions.

Might this whole operation have been a trap? The US military clearly knew that something was going to happen in the area. Local deals were made between the Syrian government side and local Arabs holding the oil fields. The US told the SDF to move out of the way. When the government aligned groups started to take over the field, as presumably agreed upon, the US bombed them.

The "attack on coalition forces" the US claimed as justification for its bombing seems not to have taken place at all. How else does one explain that sole casualty of the claimed battalion size attack with strong artillery support is "one wounded SDF" fighter? A later US military statement to a journalist seems to be vague about the reality of an attack:


After 20 to 30 artillery and tank rounds landed within 500 meters of the SDF headquarters location, Syrian Democratic Forces supported by the Coalition targeted the aggressors with a combination of air and artillery strikes.

Is the US military emphasizing the "SDF headquarters location" because the headquarter was no longer there as the SDF had already withdrawn from it? And why is a tank round landing some 500 meters away seen as a direct attack? Tanks rounds may deviate from the targeted point by a meter or two. There is no chance that rounds landing some 500 meters away were intended to hit the headquarter location.

The story the US military is trying to sell here stinks.

The incident seems comparable to the unprovoked US attack on Syrian troops in September 2016. That air attack killed 100 Syrian troops who were then encircled and holding out against Islamic State forces. At that time it nearly enabled the Takfiris to eliminate that last Syrian government position in the east.

There has recently been a chain of provocations against Russian and Syrian forces in Syria. Two massive drone swarm attacks were directed against the Russian air-port in Hememim and its naval base in Tartus. This week well targeted mortar rounds from east-Ghouta have hit the Russian trade mission in Damascus and severely damaged it. A Russian aid-distribution point in Damascus was similarly attacked just while leaders of some Russian non-government organizations were visiting it. Over Idleb a Russian jet was shot down with a rare MANPADS. All three were beyond the material and intelligence capabilities of the "rebel" forces.

The ludicrous "chlorine gas attack" propaganda against Syria is back in full force. Despite an Russian-Turkish-Iranian de-escalation agreement with Turkey, al-Qaeda and other "rebel" forces in Idleb governorate still seem to receive unlimited supplies through Turkish borders. Israel is attacking targets in Syria and tries to extend its occupation of the Golan heights.

The US war against Syria and its allies continues with full forces even while the US pretends that no such war is happening at all. The intent to create the swamp Prof. Landis talks about is hidden behind clandestine operations, "self defense" action and "humanitarian" blubber.

The US should be careful. More than one side can play dirty games. Its troops in north-east Syria have thin supply lines and are not well protected. They, as well as US forces in Iraq, are vulnerable to clandestine activities of the other side. I would not be surprised at all should they suddenly receive some unwanted and very bloody attention.


http://ronpaulinstitute.org/archives/featured-articles/2018/february/08/us-may-have-arranged-self-defense-attack-on-syrian-government-forces/

[enhanced_deficit]

Unlike Obama, non-interventionist Trump was not supposed to be puppet of Israeli democrats-Saudi dictators alliance.. what is going on?

[AZJoe]

"In defence of coalition and partner forces, the coalition conducted strikes against attacking forces to repel the act of aggression," it added, asserting its "non-negotiable right to act in self-defence".

Self defense? That's like a home invader invading your home, killing some family members, bringing in some gang members to assist, commandeering the master bedroom as "our territory" , firing at the home owner, and claiming it as self defense.

No. Syria has every right to use force to defend against and expel the US invaders. The only defense right that the invading US forces have is to leave.

[AZJoe]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDYL6Rqp6Is

[goldenequity]

Too many obstacles to lasting political settlement in Syria, goal unlikely to be reached in 2018 - ambassador in Damascus
Interfax

Thanks America!

[goldenequity]

961653220446785537




sinking to new heights. MAGA!

[Origanalist]

No need for concern, dannno has informed me that Trump is going to save Syria with Putin's help.

[CCTelander]

No need for concern, dannno has informed me that Trump is going to save Syria with Putin's help.


Just another brilliant multi-dimensional chess move. Nothing to be concerned about. /s

[Influenza]

Just another brilliant multi-dimensional chess move. Nothing to be concerned about. /s
You do know you're functioning as the mouthpiece of the deep state, right? Make Soros proud.

[Origanalist]

You do know you're functioning as the mouthpiece of the deep state, right? Make Soros proud.

You forgot the /s. People here will think you're serious.

[Influenza]

You forgot the /s. People here will think you're serious.
You sir are no friend of liberty. You are going to spend eternity burning in the hellfires of damnation for that comment.

[CCTelander]

You sir are no friend of liberty. You are going to spend eternity burning in the hellfires of damnation for that comment.


LOL! I'd + rep you if I could.

[Origanalist]

LOL! I'd + rep you if I could.

Got it.

[Wooden Indian]

Ooh... i love this game.

Did any of you personally witness this bombing? Did you hear Trump himself give this order? No. If my instincts are right, Trump had nothing to do with this and was a call made by his generals or is largely exaggerated by the deep state.

Stop spreading Leftist Propoganda!

How'd I do?

[r3volution 3.0]

Ooh... i love this game.

Did any of you personally witness this bombing? Did you hear Trump himself give this order? No. If my instincts are right, Trump had nothing to do with this and was a call made by his generals or is largely exaggerated by the deep state.

Stop spreading Leftist Propoganda!

How'd I do?

F

They prefer that their spokesmen are dumb as bricks.

[enhanced_deficit]

Normally we should oppose spending US blood and treasure in elective foreign interventions and ill-thought out wars but in this case we may need to make an exception since Syria had violently opposed use of its air space by our closest ally/only non-racist democracy in mideast:

Syrian forces down Israeli F-16 near occupied Golan Heights (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?519275-Breaking-Syrian-forces-down-Israeli-F-16-near-occupied-Golan-Heights&)

[goldenequity]

Deir Ezzor

Syria battles US in Deir Ezzor according the fresh reports.

Ivan Sidorenko
Heavy clashes between the #SAA & Allied Forces and SDF militias in the surroundings of Koniko oil field, amid violent explosions shaking the region

962127074898083840

Looks like there is and ongoing battle between Syrian army and Kurdish collaborators for the last two days since US aggression....

►Funeral: 10 Elite Syrian Militia troops (ISIS Hunters) killed by US airtrikes in Deir Ezzor
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/pictures-10-elite-syrian-army-troops-killed-us-airtrikes-deir-ezzor/

On the night of Wednesday to Thursday, warplanes of the US-led anti-ISIS coalition bombarded
a government-held stronghold on the eastern shore of the Euphrates River.

Many of the fallen troops belonged to the National Defense Forces NDF (Syrian national paramilitary), others also belonging to the elite ISIS Hunters detachment.

Recently, a funeral was held at the town of Al-Suqaylabiyah for ten of the ISIS Hunters soldiers killed in the US airstrikes – many of them were Christians. (photos)
https://www.almasdarnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/3-5-688x516.jpg
https://www.almasdarnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/1-10-688x516.jpg
https://www.almasdarnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2-6-688x516.jpg
https://www.almasdarnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/3-6-688x516.jpg
https://www.almasdarnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/4-7-688x516.jpg
https://www.almasdarnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/5-5-688x516.jpg

[charrob]

Difficult to know how many Russian mercenaries were killed. Putin and the Russian government may be minimizing the casualties since there is an upcoming presidential election in Russia. Seems like articles are all over the place on this.





U.S. Strikes Killed Scores of Russia Fighters in Syria, Sources Say: (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-13/u-s-strikes-said-to-kill-scores-of-russian-fighters-in-syria)



U.S. forces killed scores of Russian mercenaries in Syria last week in what may be the deadliest clash between citizens of the former foes since the Cold War, according to one U.S. official and three Russians familiar with the matter.

More than 200 contract soldiers, mostly Russians fighting on behalf of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, died in a failed attack on a base held by U.S. and mainly Kurdish forces in the oil-rich Deir Ezzor region, two of the Russians said. The U.S. official put the death toll in the fighting at about 100, with 200 to 300 injured, but was unable to say how many were Russians.

The Russian assault may have been a rogue operation, underscoring the complexity of a conflict that started as a domestic crackdown only to morph into a proxy war involving Islamic extremists, stateless Kurds and regional powers Iran, Turkey and now Israel. Russia’s military said it had nothing to do with the attack and the U.S. accepted the claim. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis called the whole thing “perplexing,” but provided no further details.

[…]

It’s not clear who was paying the Russian contingent, whether it was Russia directly, Syria, Iran or a third party. Reports in Russian media have said Wagner -- a shadowy organization known as Russia’s answer to Blackwater -- was hired by Assad or his allies to guard Syrian energy assets in exchange for oil concessions.

The death toll from the skirmish, already about five times more than Russia’s official losses in Syria, is still rising, according to one mercenary commander who said by phone that dozens of his wounded men are still being treated at military hospitals in St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Most of those killed and injured were Russian and Ukrainian, many of them veterans of the separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine, according to Alexander Ionov, who runs a Kremlin-funded group that fosters ties to separatists and who’s personally fought alongside pro-government forces in Syria.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-13/u-s-strikes-said-to-kill-scores-of-russian-fighters-in-syria

[goldenequity]

Difficult to know how many Russian mercenaries were killed. Putin and the Russian government may be minimizing the casualties since there is an upcoming presidential election in Russia. Seems like articles are all over the place on this.

Put these 2 headlines together:

Breaking: Syrian Army deploys massive reinforcements to Deir Ezzor for all-out offensive against #US-backed forces
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-deploys-massive-reinforcements-deir-ezzor-offensive-us-backed-forces/

The development comes one week after US coalition warplanes attacked Syrian pro-government forces
near the army-held town of Khasham on the east Euphrates shore,
killing at least 50 troops (with some sources saying the death toll exceeded one hundred).

Syrian Army Will Down Any Jet That Launches an Assault – Damascus
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802141061657421-syrian-army-down-jet/

[charrob]

Put these 2 headlines together:

Breaking: Syrian Army deploys massive reinforcements to Deir Ezzor for all-out offensive against #US-backed forces
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-deploys-massive-reinforcements-deir-ezzor-offensive-us-backed-forces/

The development comes one week after US coalition warplanes attacked Syrian pro-government forces
near the army-held town of Khasham on the east Euphrates shore,
killing at least 50 troops (with some sources saying the death toll exceeded one hundred).

Syrian Army Will Down Any Jet That Launches an Assault – Damascus
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802141061657421-syrian-army-down-jet/

Oh my God. This is really bad news that I would have missed. The question is whether Russia will back up the SAA if the SAA goes on the offensive against the SDF/U.S. east of the Euphrates. My gut says no: with a total population of less than half ours and a total defense budget of $50 billion, Russia can't afford a war with the U.S., and I think they know this. But you're right: the numbers of SAA and Russian Mercenaries killed by U.S. airstrikes must have been quite large for the SAA to be redeploying in such large numbers to Deir Ezzor and "building new fortified areas and trenches" on the West bank of the Euphrates. This is not good at all. Thanks for sharing. +rep if I could (You must spread some reputation around before giving it to goldenequity again.)

[Swordsmyth]

(You must spread some reputation around before giving it to goldenequity again.)

Covered

[charrob]

Covered

Thanks!

[Swordsmyth]

Thanks!
It's my pleasure, golden can't get enough rep as far as I'm concerned.

[charrob]

It's my pleasure, golden can't get enough rep as far as I'm concerned.

I agree. :)

[goldenequity]

:o
========
FWIW
I am definitely of the opinion that we are not in the 'middle' of Ezekiel 38/39
because too many of the named alliances (tribal names from the 'Table of Nations' in Genesis) do not line up,
and
'Israel' seems completely 'out of character' (to say the least)
but
in a 'weird' way prophetically it's like it's being 'force fit'.

Almost like if you took biblical eschatology and turned it completely upside down.
Like a round peg being forcefully jammed into a square hole.
It's really bizarre imo.

We have in fact... 2 'armies' gathering on either side of the Euphrates.
but...
it's still completely contorted (imo) from this:

Revelation 16:12-15
The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”)

Don't you guys find things 'familiar' but just plain WRONG??

If 'someone' dries it up (upstream) it's REALLY going to be weird.

[Swordsmyth]

:o
========
FWIW
I am definitely of the opinion that we are not in the 'middle' of Ezekiel 38/39
because too many of the named alliances (tribal names from the 'Table of Nations' in Genesis) do not line up,
and
'Israel' seems completely 'out of character'
but
in a 'weird' way prophetically it's like it's being 'force fit'.

Almost like if you took biblical eschatology and turned it completely upside down.
Like a round peg being forcefully jammed into a square hole.
It's really bizarre imo.

We have in fact... 2 'armies' gathering on either side of the Euphrates.
but...
it's still completely contorted (imo) from this:

Revelation 16:12-15
The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”)

Don't you guys find things 'familiar' but just plain WRONG??

Things will slowly continue to look more and more like the end-times as they approach.

[charrob]

:o
========
FWIW
I am definitely of the opinion that we are not in the 'middle' of Ezekiel 38/39
because too many of the named alliances (tribal names from the 'Table of Nations' in Genesis) do not line up,
and
'Israel' seems completely 'out of character' (to say the least)
but
in a 'weird' way prophetically it's like it's being 'force fit'.

Almost like if you took biblical eschatology and turned it completely upside down.
Like a round peg being forcefully jammed into a square hole.
It's really bizarre imo.

We have in fact... 2 'armies' gathering on either side of the Euphrates.
but...
it's still completely contorted (imo) from this:

Revelation 16:12-15
The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”)

Don't you guys find things 'familiar' but just plain WRONG??

If 'someone' dries it up (upstream) it's REALLY going to be weird.

That's an incredible verse to find that is astonishingly similar to the present situation. It's horrifying that the psychopaths at the Pentagon are playing chicken with all of our lives (and the lives of the rest of the planet) at stake.

[pcosmar]

That's an incredible verse to find that is astonishingly similar to the present situation. It's horrifying that the psychopaths at the Pentagon are playing chicken with all of our lives (and the lives of the rest of the planet) at stake.

Getting closer all the time,, but not yet.
I do believe they are setting the stage..

These are "the beginning of sorrows". Things will get much worse.(more evil)

[charrob]

Getting closer all the time,, but not yet.
I do believe they are setting the stage..

These are "the beginning of sorrows". Things will get much worse.(more evil)

It wouldn't take much for things to happen quickly. Killing large numbers of Russians, even though they were contractors and not military, can't be setting well with Putin. imho, the only thing that has kept the wrath of Russia at a minimum when so many of their own were needlessly murdered is the Russian Presidential elections next month. Also, Russia could never compete with the U.S. in a conventional war; if they get pushed into a corner they may feel using nuclear weapons is their only defense. All of this in perspective of the endless U.S. aggression and violence overseas could change things very quickly. :(

[charrob]

Russia claims the pro-Syrian government forces were going after an ISIS cell in eastern Deir Ezzor. I pretty much thought the Kurds (with U.S. backers) controlled most of the territory east of the Euphrates with the exception of the small area captured by the SAA from ISIS east of the city of Deir Ezzor many months ago. But according to some recent articles in a Lebanese based news outlet, since Turkey began its invasion against them, the Kurds in the eastern Deir Ezzor province have since moved northward into the Raqqa and Hasakeh provinces to protect the border areas from Turkey, as well as the Afrin canton where current fighting is ongoing. What's left in the Deir Ezzor province is an arab militia known as the Deir Ezzor Military Council (DMC). The U.S. has now included them in the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). This militia is composed of 2 parts: a group of local arabs that joined ISIS in 2014 when ISIS took over the Deir Ezzor province; another group of al qaeda affiliated jihadists known as Nusra Front which fought ISIS in Deir Ezzor, lost, and then was brought into Jordan for retraining by the CIA.

All that said, it appears that the pro-Syrian government forces were actually, and truthfully, going after the DMC -- which were part of ISIS and al qaeda, and of which the U.S. State Dpt. is actually giving paychecks to. When the U.S. protected these jihadists, they killed the 200 or so pro-government forces that were legitimately going after actual terrorists. This explains a lot, as i was surprised when i thought the Kurds were involved, but apparently they were not. Here's the articles from the Lebanese based publication that discuss this:

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-backed-kurdish-forces-withdraw-deir-ezzor-province-sources/

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/confirmed-us-retrains-isis-isis-like-jihadists-east-syria-re-brands-democratic-forces-video-exclusive/

Note I disagree there is any confirmation or proof given in the second article despite its title, however the article does provide a good background about this new U.S. backed militia operating east of the Euphrates called the Deir Ezzor Military Council (DMC) which I had not heard of before.

[Ender]

It's my pleasure, golden can't get enough rep as far as I'm concerned.

Agree- I can't rep him at the moment either.

[TheCount]

Ooh... i love this game.

Did any of you personally witness this bombing? Did you hear Trump himself give this order? No. If my instincts are right, Trump had nothing to do with this and was a call made by his generals or is largely exaggerated by the deep state.

Stop spreading Leftist Propoganda!

How'd I do?
Hillary would have bombed twice!!1

[charrob]

Russia Confirms Several Dozen Citizens Killed in US Strike:
(https://news.antiwar.com/2018/02/20/russia-confirms-several-dozen-citizens-killed-in-us-strike/)



Slain Included Many Citizens of Former Soviet States

Russia’s Foreign Ministry offered a surprising confirmation on Tuesday, saying that indeed “dozens” of the people killed in a recent flurry (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-russia/several-dozen-russian-ex-soviet-fighters-wounded-in-syria-clash-russia-idUSKCN1G41M0) of US strikes against pro-government forces in Syria were either Russian citizens or citizens of other former Soviet states.

Reports are that hundreds (https://news.antiwar.com/2018/02/14/us-strikes-killed-scores-of-russians-in-syria-last-week/) of people were killed in the US attack on February 7, which the Syrian government described as a “massacre.” The slain were contractors (https://news.antiwar.com/2018/02/15/russia-confirms-non-military-citizens-slain-in-syria/) for the ChVK Wagner company, which is employed by Syria’s government.

Russia has insisted that none of the slain were Russian military personnel, but had previously said only five Russian citizens were killed. As recently as yesterday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was calling reports of more Russians killed false propaganda.

US officials said that the killings were done “in self defense.” They suggested that the contractors had fired shots about half a kilometer from a base US troops were stationed at, and that they responded with intense shelling and strikes.

https://news.antiwar.com/2018/02/20/russia-confirms-several-dozen-citizens-killed-in-us-strike/