BLOODY, URBAN E. Ghouta/Damascus Battles to Begin (Idlib now on 'back burner')

[goldenequity]

Idlib goes to the backburner. ISIS 'pocket' has been eliminated and remnants driven inside Idlib with Nusra/HTS rebels.
It's time to secure Damascus.


"This will be some of the bloodiest, toughest fighting seen in Syria to date."

They've had YEARS to tunnel, fortify, dig-in and stockpile amid the concrete ruble, dust and structures.
This will be 'urban warfare' at it's worst.




van Sidorenko
Syria The Transfer of Tiger Forces Has Started this Morning.
Many Different Groups such as Air Force Intelligence - Rahal Battalion have been getting prepared to head towards Damascus
and this morning the driving has started SAA SyrianArmy To Damascus

"A major convoy of 4 KM long of the Tiger Forces reached Damascus today!"

►Huge convoy of Syrian Army Tiger Forces tanks, artillery and armored carriers arrives in east Damascus
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article...east-damascus/

►Syrian Army’s Tiger Forces start arriving en-mass in east Damascus for major offensive
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article...jor-offensive/

[goldenequity]

@WaelAlHussaini
Forces participating in the upcoming EastGhoutta offensive
Code name: DamascusSteel
SAA 1st Division,
4th Division,
9th Division,
Republic Guards,
Tiger Forces,
14th Division (special forces).
SyAAF
RuAF

[goldenequity]

Damascus:

Muraselon News
BREAKING: Elite Syrian troops begin preliminary shelling on rebel-held East Ghouta towns
https://muraselon.com/en/2018/02/bre...-ghouta-towns/

Al-Masdar News
Breaking: Syrian Army Tiger Forces unleash massive artillery barrage across east Damascus
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article...east-damascus/

Al-Masdar News
Confirmed: Syrian Army's full order of battle for east Damascus offensive
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article...cus-offensive/

The'Nimr'Tiger 18 Feb 2018
East Ghouta map with jihadists (green) and Syrian Government (red) ISIS (black) Jihadists-government truce (purple)

[goldenequity]

========

War in Syria
Army starts first of 3 axes #DamascusSteel operation

[goldenequity]

Rook
Syria: PHOTOS: That's alot of SAA troops..... EastGhouta



https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DWWNhoaWkAQtCO5.jpg:large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DWWNq8jWsAAMpHW.jpg:large

[goldenequity]

Something planned against the 'great gathering' of Syria's best troops???



Israeli Airforce Flying Heavily above South Lebanon

Ali Hamdan @Abubassel_
Looks like Israel planning for an attack tonight.
Earlier AD shot down a UAV above Damascus and now Israeli airforce heavily flying above south of Lebanon

Wael Al Hussaini
@WaelAlHussaini
Israeli jets are conducting reconnaissance missions over #Lebanon
Shortly after the Syrian Air Defense downed an Israeli UAV North West of #Damascus



as I post this...
3 hrs ago... Syria downed the recon drone.
1 hr ago... Israeli Airforce appears over S. Lebanon...

prolly sabre rattling... U nvr know.

[goldenequity]

(HOLEEEE CRAP )

[goldenequity]

Multiple Rocket launchers

BM-27 Uragan


BM-30 Smerch

(If you 'live' there... I'd say it's time to move. now.)




Western Media has already begun the campaign:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43121547



E. Ghouta footage (this is a dystopian 'world' of rubble and tunnels... BBC wants you to picture hospitals, schools & children )





I'll let you be the judge... I've seen enough of these.

be prepared for "The last hospital of Ghouta" campaign...








ALEPPO 2.0


"Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nsura) will be exterminated if powers having influence on the group fail to discipline it", Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on February 19.

“The experience gained in Aleppo, when an agreement was reached with militants on their organized exodus,
can be used in Eastern Ghouta.

It took enormous effort to reach agreements on medical evacuation, first of all, of children and people needing emergency medical assistance.
But
subsequent efforts to organize large-scale evacuation of civilians from that area encountered Jabhat al-Nusra’s refusal
as it seeks to keep these people as a human shield,”

“That is why we are asking our Western colleagues, who have influence of Jabhat al-Nusra, to take effort to discipline this structure,
as far as resolution of humanitarian problems is concerned,
otherwise it is to be exterminated.“



Lavrov emphasized that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is present and continues attacking civilian facilities in the Damascus countryisde
adding that the group “runs the show” in Idlib and Eastern Ghouta.


“We find it very worrisome that in fact only the Syrian army and the Russian aerospace group that supports it
are trying to suppress this terrorist wing of Al-Qaeda and those collaborating with it,”

“All the calls to stop the offensive of the Syrian army
that are accompanied by turning down our initiatives requiring guarantees that Janhat al-Nusra also stops,
all these calls
seem to be geared – and I have no other view of the situation – to spare Jabhat al-Nusra again.”

[goldenequity]

RuAF Joins the Battle

The Russian air grouping in Syria has now officially joined the Syrian Army’s looming East Ghouta offensive,
backing up the heavy raids conducted by Syrian warplanes.

Russian airpower conducted heavy precision strikes across multiple rebel-held districts east of Damascus city
targeting militant tactical positions, gatherings and movements.

Russian combat aircraft have placed considerable emphasis on striking rebel fire support positions
(such as anti-tank missile dug-outs and heavy machine gun nests) with precision weapons.


(that is NOT a barrel bomb!)

It was not until around midnight on Monday to Tuesday
that Russian jets started to conduct the strikes against militant targets throughout the region.

[goldenequity]

White Helmets

[goldenequity]

======

Syrian Air Defense on high alert as Israeli warplanes seen flying along Syrian-Lebanese border
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article...banese-border/


=====

US-led Coalition airstrikes near Deir Ez-Zor kill at least 16 people – reports
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article...eople-reports/

[goldenequity]

as predicted...

Maya Gebeily
@GebeilyM
#BREAKING: Six hospitals bombed in two days in Syria opposition enclave, half of them now out of service, UN says - via @AFP

Conflict News- @Conflicts · 5 min.
BREAKING: Red Cross demands access to treat wounded in rebel-held Syria enclave of Eastern Ghouta - @AFP










►RuAF AEW Spy Planes return to Latakia

►Nusra is lobbing retaliatory mortars into Damascus central...

When will the Ground Offensive begin? Schoon.

[goldenequity]

I really love these short clips now on RP twitter... https://twitter.com/RonPaul
u can use them anytime/anywhere on RPF as 'bumps' as far as I'm concerned.

[goldenequity]

Press TV Breaking
RUSSIAN MILITARY SAYS MILITANTS IN EASTERN GHOUTA PREVENTING CIVILIANS FROM LEAVING THE CONFLICT ZONE

Syria war: UN calls for end to 'hell on earth' violence in eastern Ghouta




Peace negotiations in Syria’s East Ghouta derailed – Russian Defense Ministry
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article...ense-ministry/

“The humanitarian and socio-economic situation in East Ghouta is getting critical. The appeals by the Russian reconciliation center to illegal armed groups to stop resistance, surrender arms and regulate their status did not bring positive results,” spokesman Maj. Gen. Yuri Yevtushenko said in a statement.

Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Russia was working within the UN Security Council to prepare a resolution on humanitarian issues in the suburb, adding that the humanitarian issues in Syria were a clear example of Washington’s double standards.

US Department of States spokeswoman Heather Nauert said earlier that Damascus airforces allegedly conducted airstrikes in Eastern Ghouta, which claimed lives of 100 civilians, calling on Russia to stop supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

==========

Brasco_Aad
@Brasco_Aad
A Russian Air Force plane flew directly from Damascus to Riyadh earlier today.

Brasco_Aad
Russian military officials to tell Saudis face to face that Ghouta will be obliterated, Grozny style unless they order their JayshalIslam pawns to call it a day and especially to stop firing rockets into Damascus.

The ball is in Saudi's corner now...

-------

Russia allegedly deployed 5th generation of their multirole fighter jets, Su-57s, to Syria!

[goldenequity]

Another night of air strikes & artillery...

"THOSE WHO SUPPORT TERRORISTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EAST GHOUTA SITUATION, RUSSIA, IRAN, SYRIA NOT AMONG THEM." - PESKOV

[goldenequity]

Over 15,000 Syrian military personnel deployed to East Ghouta for upcoming offensive
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article...ing-offensive/




Ghouta prompts UN Security Council to vote on 'Syrian ceasefire' proposal...
Russia rejects proposal.
UN SECURITY COUNCIL ENDS MTG WITHOUT VOTE ON SYRIAN CEASEFIRE



Russia's UN envoy reminds Nikki Haley Russia has legally elected government, not ‘regime’
http://tass.com/politics/991188

"Syria has a legitimate government as well... whether someone likes it or not."

(Nikki has such a waspish tongue... like her predecessor )

[goldenequity]

Syria UN Envoy Bashar Jaafari's comments after the UNSC meeting on E. Ghouta

his five fact filled points covered the gamut, and his answers to the questions asked were well expressed and revealing of the deceit undertaken
by the terrorists to help sway public opinion to their cause with propaganda.

Dog & Pony 'Vote' Today

Michelle Nichols @Michellenichols
UN Security Council to vote 11 am/1600 GMT Friday on demand for Syria truce

Conflict News- @Conflicts · 33 sek.
BREAKING: Merkel, Macron ask Putin for ceasefire in Syria's Eastern Ghouta - @AFP





Photos of the damage in the residential neighbourhood of Rikn al-Din in #Damascus caused by the rockets fired from militants eastern #Ghouta.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DWt4wKYWsAAPr-i.jpg:large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DWt4wKZWkAIGeBa.jpg:large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DWt4wKbX4AAOhLH.jpg:large

Brasco_Aad
Helicopters of the SAA dropped leaflets for civilians on East Ghouta, asking them to surrender themselves and to exit ASAP
From the leaflet.
We guarantee you:
Safety
Food and Shelter
Free medical services
Returning home after squashing terrorism

==========

Wael Al Hussaini- @WaelAlHussaini · 7 sek.
2 additional Russian Su-57 landed in the #RuAF AB in #Khmemeim
(That's 4)

[goldenequity]

EHSANI2
Lavrov: Russia is prepared to vote in favour of UN resolution on a proposed ceasefire in Syria.
The UN Security Council "resolution declaring a 30-day humanitarian pause should be immediately established," Lavrov said


RT
JUST IN: US refuses to amend #UNSC resolution to include guarantee militants honor #Syria ceasefire - Lavrov
►(in other words... Haley is demanding a uni-lateral ceasefire.)

Lavrov: US & allies refuse to amend UN draft to include guarantee militants honor Syria ceasefire
https://www.rt.com/news/419658-us-re...ria-ceasefire/

These guarantees should be supported by those who can influence “extremist groups” in Eastern Ghouta, Lavrov stressed, apparently referring to the US-led coalition. At the same time, Washington and its allies do not want to pass any amendment that would place responsibility on itself for the militants’ failure to stop the hostilities, according to the diplomat.

“For now, they refuse to accept an amendment which will place responsibility on them to ensure that the militants give clear guarantees to stop the shelling,” the Russian foreign minister stated on Friday.

[goldenequity]

Dr. Bashar Jaafari at UNSC saying East Ghouta and Idlib will be the second Aleppo and saying that

'Hell is big enough for you all, there is no need to compete to see who can be the worst.'" …

"I assure you, ladies and gentlemen that, very soon history will show that we and our allies
have fought a war on behalf of the whole world against terrorism
supported by governments that will be held accountable by its own people..."

"We're not there for any other reason."
Says the guy supporting the Yemeni massacre, who leveled Mosul, leveled Raqqa and transported headchoppers by the hundreds back into Syria.
You have had a whole year to end this tragedy and stop the assault on Syrian sovereignty.
MAGA


This is the humanitarian concern you had of Mosul.
"Civilian casualties are a fact of Life" - Mad Dog Mattis



Compare to Aleppo.



"President Trump has all the legal authority he needs to keep U.S. forces in Syria and Iraq indefinitely,"
the Pentagon and State Department said.

[goldenequity]

UN security council delays vote on truce in Syria until 1700 GMT on Sat. (noon EST)
but...
(The US refuses to amend UNSC resolution to include guarantee militants honor Syria ceasefire)



Russia has agreed to the 30 day ceasefire..... but this impasse remains to be solved, otherwise today is another dead-end vote at UNSC.

[goldenequity]

UN Security Council unanimously adopts resolution on Syria ceasefire
Sweden introduce the resolution: 30 days of Humanitarian Relief
The resolution 2401 affirms that the cessation of hostilities does not apply on ISIS and AlQaeda,
and all individuals, groups, institutions and other entities associated with Al-Qaeda or other terrorist groups as defined by the UNSC.

E. GHOUTA
Kevork Almassian
@KevorkAlmassian
My source said despite UNSC resolution 2401, the SAA will continue its military operations against AlQaeda in Harasta, Jobar, Arbin and Ain Tarma.
Only Douma will be excluded.

Wael Al Hussaini
@WaelAlHussaini
SAA will continue DamascusSteel Op. in E. Ghouta With exclusion of Duma city;
But if the militias used the safe area to attack the SAA the army will respond at will.

Yusha Yuseef
@MIG29_
Syrian Army military operation will start in E. Ghouta where HTS controls Jobar, Harasta and Ain Tarmah.




==========

Hanan Shamoun
@HananShamounNL
Al-Jaafari: 8 million citizens of Damascus are under constant threat by a few thousand terrorists in Eastern Ghouta and yet the western powers are more concerned with the well being of the terrorists than of the 8 million people of 1 of the oldest populated cities in the world.

Wael Al Hussaini
Syria is the first country to threaten the US under the UNSC.
Syrian ambassador:
"Let me remind the US that we have the right to defend ourselves from the US presence in Syria under the international law."

[goldenequity]

E. Ghouta


(Friday just before Saturday UN resolution)
Syrian militants fire over 70 missiles and shells into Damascus during single day, hit civilian evacuation points
https://mobile.almasdarnews.com/arti...uation-points/

Operation Damascus Steel continues (Dohuma excepted)
►Syrian Army breaks through Islamist lines in East Ghouta, major advance achieved
►Syrian Army captures another town in East Ghouta region
►Syrian Army storms strategic part of East Ghouta
►Breaking: Syrian Army annihilates hair-brained Nusra assault in east Damascus within minutes
►Breaking: Syrian Army begins another offensive in East Ghouta region

Nashabiyah, Hazrama, Tal Farzat, Salehiya, Tell Ferzat in SE Ghouta pocket liberated by SAA Tiger forces.
Utaya is next..



Utaya axis
Hassan Ridha @sayed_ridha
Airstrikes now on militant positions on Utaya - Riyhan axis

Harasta axis
Syrian Army enters large district in Harasta after fierce battle with jihadists
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article...tle-jihadists/

Militants using TOWS in Harasta

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


Russia not to tolerate any arbitral interpretation of UNSC resolution on Syria from U.S. - Russian ambassador to UN
http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=812595

Nebenzya recalled that the new UNSC resolution does not apply to several terrorist groups in Syria, including the ISIL and Jabhat al-Nusra (both outlawed in Russia).

"The resolution clearly states that it does not apply to any actions against ISIL, Jabhat al-Nusra or any other organizations linked with Al Qaeda [outlawed in Russia], or any other terrorist groups recognized as such by the UN Security Council," Nebenzya said.

(basically, the 'resolution' doesn't stop E. Ghouta op... nikki squealing in 3-2-1...)


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


PUTIN UPDATES MACRON, MERKEL ON STEPS RUSSIA IS TAKING TO EVACUATE CIVILIANS, DELIVER HUMANITARIAN AID AND PROVIDE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO WAR-AFFECTED PEOPLE IN SYRIA - KREMLIN

PUTIN IN CONVERSATION WITH MACRON, MERKEL DRAWS ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES IN SYRIA DOES NOT AFFECT OPERATIONS AGAINST TERRORISTS - KREMLIN




Syrian govt's attempts to provide aid to East Ghouta residents being blocked by militants - Reconciliation Center

[goldenequity]

an epilog to the liberation of E. Ghouta (started February 18, 2018 )
(despite the shrieking of Nikki, Heather, the media and the UN puppet show)



Celebration in Ghouta for being liberated from jihadists







Russia in Ghouta...:




60,000 have already returned to E. Ghouta.