Syria Updates/Intel

[RonZeplin]

Sen. Richard Black to ST: U.S. has established 17 bases in Syria without the slightest lawful justification for doing so


Virginia State senator Richard H. Black has made it clear that the United States makes trade between Iran and Syria more difficult by occupying the north of the Euphrates River in accordance with ‘Plan B’ announced several years ago by Secretary of State John Kerry .

He told the Syriatimes e-newspaper that The U.S. has attempted to block routes between the countries wherever possible and it has established 17 bases in Syria without the slightest lawful justification for doing so.

“The United States has established a semi-autonomous region dominated by Syrian Kurds to control the region. Since Kurds make up only 20% of the area’s population, allowing them to dominate the region creates a political unstable situation; the much larger Arabic population is almost certain to take up arms to avoid falling under the domination of the Kurdish minority. This creates a situation where ethnic violence provides justification for the U.S. to remain in the area indefinitely, since the United States has announced it’s intention to prevent the resurgence of ISIS. The reemergence of violence in the area would likely be attributed to ISIS and used as a pretext for continued occupation,” the senator said.

U.S. refuses to publicize barbaric nature of its premier “moderate rebel” group

Asked about the US use of internationally banned weapons in attacking areas in the north of Syria, Sen. Black replied: “There are reports that the U.S. has used cluster bombs and white phosphorus in Syria. The U.S. has denied those allegations. Meanwhile, the U.S. led coalition repeatedly complains about the use of so-called “barrel bombs” by Syria. It is not clear what the distinction is between a barrel containing explosives and shrapnel and a 15,000 pound “bunker-busting” bomb that hurls razor-sharp shrapnel great distances.”

He pointed out that during his recent visit to Syria [in September 2018] he entered a building that contained “barrel rockets” that were manufactured by the terrorists who were driven from Aleppo.

“Some people claim that “barrel bombs” should be illegal because they are not precision-guided. The “barrel rockets” were fired by terrorists into random civilian areas for the sole purpose of killing innocent people. I have not heard any of Syria’s military opponents complaining about the use of “barrel rockets” by the terrorists. In fact, the west has never complained about any legal violations by terrorists that they support,” the Senator stated.

He made it clear that the United States refuses to publicize the barbaric nature of it’s premier “moderate rebel” group [the Free Syrian Army], and its constant cooperation with terror forces like al Nusra and ISIS. “We know, for example, that the Free Syrian Army frequently beheads and mutilates captives.

We know they have cannibalized soldiers in battle. We know that they have thrown postal workers from municipal buildings to their death. Within the last several weeks, the Free Syrian Army distributed a video depicting one of its soldiers carrying out an “honor killing” of his own sister by machine gunning her to death,” the Senator said.

He indicated that he traveled five hours from Damascus to Aleppo on his trip to Syria this September. Everywhere he went, there was a feeling of joy among the people that the terrorists were driven out and that freedom had returned to Syria. There was tremendous gratitude for the Syrian president and the Syrian armed forces.

“Had Western powers, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey overthrown Syria, an al-Qaeda-style government would have seized power. It would have combined with ISIS-held territories to form a massive and violent caliphate with all of the arms presently held by the Syrian Arab Army. Surrounding nations would have collapsed as a result, and been integrated into the savage caliphate. This terroristic government would have annihilated millions of moderate Muslims and religious minorities,” Sen. Black asserted.
,,,,

[goldenequity]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to RonZeplin again.

[goldenequity]

https://twitter.com/Ozkok_/status/1066280929398804486


►ISIS once again advances against US backed SDF. Unbelievable...

https://twitter.com/Bosni94/status/1066312269750038528

Breaking: ISIS captures key Euphrates town in eastern Syria after ripping open SDF lines (+ Video)
https://en.muraselon.com/2018/11/eas...euphrates-sdf/


Hajin
captured SDF fighters today:



https://twitter.com/MapsSyria/status...90925468893184

Video shows the surrender of #SDF fighters at the Al-Bahra front, also big number of #SDF fighters killed. Also at least 1 humvee captured. GRAPHIC!

https://twitter.com/MapsSyria/status...77333411557377

[Swordsmyth]

The Syrian government and rebels swapped prisoners Saturday in a "first important step" in building trust between the warring sides under a Russia-Iran-Turkey-brokered peace process, Turkey's foreign ministry said Saturday."Certain individuals" were exchanged simultaneously in northwest of Syria, near the town of Al-Bab close to Aleppo, the ministry said, calling it a "pilot project".
While it did not give a precise figure of detainees involved, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on sources in Syria, said 10 prisoners from each side were exchanged.

More at: https://www.yahoo.com/news/syria-reg...192755458.html

[goldenequity]

Deir Ezzor:

SyriaYemenMaps
Maps shows current situation, the blue area is the newly captured area of Islamic State.




Brasco_Aad
ISIS terrorists are annihilating SDF/YPG militants in Deir Ezzor like there's no tomorrow.
Yo... @Brett_mcgurk @CENTCOM @CJTFOIR @OIRSpox
step aside and let the legitimate entities in the form of the Syrian Army and the Russian Army clean up the area. You are failing miserably.


Aleppo:


ELINT News
BREAKING: SANA reports projectiles fired by rebels in Idlib at Aleppo City are rockets containing chlorine gas, not mortars

Within Syria
Unconfirmed: militants launched mortars containing chlorine gas on Aleppo city, casualties reported. Updates to follow.

Within Syria
Update1: the state-run SANA now says that 8 civilians were injured in the alleged chemical attack on Aleppo city

Within Syria
Update2: number of civilian who were injured in the alleged chemical attack in Aleppo has risen to 13, according to Syrian sources.
Victims are suffering shortness of breath as well as burning sensation in their eyes.

https://twitter.com/raedsyrian002/st...21500272619522

vanessa beeley
Terrorists in western countryside of #Aleppo "Moderate Rebels" shelling civilians in the western neighborhoods of city with toxic gases, poss Chlorine.
At least 11 cases of suffocation.

https://twitter.com/WithinSyriaBlog/...29251715563521

vanessa beeley
UPDATE: Aleppo
Medical sources : At least 30 cases of suffocation have arrived to the hospitals, including children. Terrorist chemical weapon attack. @21WIRE

https://twitter.com/ShehabiFares/sta...37409854955520

https://twitter.com/IvanSidorenko1/s...38025100578817

https://twitter.com/RisboLensky/stat...42165767815177

https://twitter.com/IvanSidorenko1/s...53788276506625


Al-Masdar News
Jihadist group admits losing 700 fighters during east #Idlib battle (video)
https://aml.ink/1tnm2

[Swordsmyth]

Deir Ezzor:

SyriaYemenMaps
Maps shows current situation, the blue area is the newly captured area of Islamic State.




Brasco_Aad
ISIS terrorists are annihilating SDF/YPG militants in Deir Ezzor like there's no tomorrow.
Yo... @Brett_mcgurk @CENTCOM @CJTFOIR @OIRSpox
step aside and let the legitimate entities in the form of the Syrian Army and the Russian Army clean up the area. You are failing miserably.


Aleppo:


ELINT News
BREAKING: SANA reports projectiles fired by rebels in Idlib at Aleppo City are rockets containing chlorine gas, not mortars

Within Syria
Unconfirmed: militants launched mortars containing chlorine gas on Aleppo city, casualties reported. Updates to follow.

Within Syria
Update1: the state-run SANA now says that 8 civilians were injured in the alleged chemical attack on Aleppo city

Within Syria
Update2: number of civilian who were injured in the alleged chemical attack in Aleppo has risen to 13, according to Syrian sources.
Victims are suffering shortness of breath as well as burning sensation in their eyes.

https://twitter.com/raedsyrian002/st...21500272619522

vanessa beeley
Terrorists in western countryside of #Aleppo "Moderate Rebels" shelling civilians in the western neighborhoods of city with toxic gases, poss Chlorine.
At least 11 cases of suffocation.

https://twitter.com/WithinSyriaBlog/...29251715563521

vanessa beeley
UPDATE: Aleppo
Medical sources : At least 30 cases of suffocation have arrived to the hospitals, including children. Terrorist chemical weapon attack. @21WIRE

https://twitter.com/ShehabiFares/sta...37409854955520

https://twitter.com/IvanSidorenko1/s...38025100578817

https://twitter.com/RisboLensky/stat...42165767815177

https://twitter.com/IvanSidorenko1/s...53788276506625


Al-Masdar News
Jihadist group admits losing 700 fighters during east #Idlib battle (video)
https://aml.ink/1tnm2

We await the F/UK/US bombardment of the "moderate" rebels.

[goldenequity]

Aleppo:



Drexl Spivey
100 people injured in yesterday's chemical attack in Aleppo Militants denied involvement
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-m...-idUSKCN1NU0AM


Al-Masdar News
Russian specialists confirm chemical weapons were used in Aleppo
https://aml.ink/kQV0P

https://twitter.com/RisboLensky/stat...58506600792064

Within Syria
The SAA and its allies are now conducting a limited military operation around Aleppo. In case of any response by HTS or the NFL, the SAA will develop the operation.

Within Syria
The ongoing operation is a response to the repeated violation by the Turkish-backed NFL, other groups will be targeted if they tried to carry out any aggressive act.


H.K
All hell breaks out in Idlib buffer zone as Syrian Army, rebels trade attacks
http://dlvr.it/Qs3m1H

Al-Masdar News
Breaking: Russian Air Force launches first strikes in response to rebel chemical weapons attack
https://aml.ink/nCAuC

Danny Makki
Russian Ministry of Defense: "Our Jets have destroyed the militants who bombed Aleppo with chemical weapons"




Deir Ezzor:

https://twitter.com/RisboLensky/stat...23937432870912

[goldenequity]

Damascus:


H.K
President al-Assad issues decree on Cabinet reshuffle
http://dlvr.it/Qs7lqR

Leith Abou Fadel‏
Assad appoints powerful politician from Khan Sheikhoun as Minister of Interior
http://dlvr.it/Qs86fj

Ghouta:

Al-Masdar News
Syrian military uncovers multiple weapons caches in East Ghouta
https://aml.ink/OoeeC



Manbij / Afrin:

https://twitter.com/Ozkok_/status/1067001325492293632

Ömer Özkizilcik
Arab tribes of Manbij have coordinated and discussed their stance towards YPG militants and their view regarding Turkey.
Now, tribes of Manbij have published statement calling for a Turkish intervention in Manbij to liberate them from the YPG oppression
https://mobile.twitter.com/OmerOzkiz...05901507739648
(Big news the Arabs of Manbij have officially asked for Turkish help)



Latakia:

https://twitter.com/SyriaWarReports/...91915890032641


Idlib / CHEMWATCH

HTS equipment in Idlib:

https://twitter.com/annanews_info/st...80013151907840

Al-Masdar News
Turkish military sends large convoy southern Idlib amid reports of Syrian Army offensive
https://aml.ink/lq614

Al-Masdar News
Breaking: Syrian Army reopens vital east Idlib crossing
https://aml.ink/gDhDd

Muraselon News
Abu Ghraib prison style Rebels torture civilian brutally in Idlib
https://en.muraselon.com/2018/11/idl...ture-civilian/




Deir Ezzor:


As per reports, US/NATO troops flee Tanak oil fields from ISIS rag tag milita.

SyriaYemenMaps
Coalition troops are leaving Tanak oilfields for the Omar oilfields because of enclosed danger from the IS militants
after they captured positions south of Tanak and north of Bahra and Hajin desert.


AFP news agency
BREAKING East Syria ISIS assault killed 92 US-backed forces in three days: monitor
https://mobile.twitter.com/AFP/statu...98497445126144

Al-Masdar News
Large FSA convoy heads to Deir Ezzor to aid SDF in offensive against ISIS
https://aml.ink/L1nF1

East Syria death toll soars after massive ISIS attack against US led coalition.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/east-syri...-131222125.htm

Beirut (AFP) - US-backed fighters in Syria suffered record fatalities in an assault by the Islamic State group.
It said a total of more than 200 people have been killed since around 500 IS fighters 'burst out of the fog'
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights,
92 of the dead were fighters from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).


At least 61 jihadists and 51 civilians, mostly their relatives (sure.)
also died in the violence which saw US-led coalition air strikes help the SDF recover positions it had briefly lost.

"It's the largest number of SDF fighters killed (by IS) in a single battle since it was founded"

- Mounting toll -

Abdel Rahman said the latest deaths brought to 452 the number of SDF fighters killed since the start of their offensive on the Hajin pocket on September 10.

[RonZeplin]

With Shoe on Other Foot, Trump Admin Mum on Syria “Rebel” Chemical Attack in Aleppo

Despite the fact that chemical weapons were used by al Qaeda-linked militants in Idlib, the U.S. government and its allies have thus far been silent about the recent attack — a starkly different response from their bombing of Syria after its government was falsely alleged to have used chemicals in April.

ALEPPO, SYRIA — On Saturday evening, a barrage of mortars filled with chemical weapons was launched into Syrian government-controlled territory in the Aleppo province by “rebels” linked to al Qaeda in the nearby Idlib province.

The attack – which was confirmed by both pro-government and pro-opposition sources – left over 100 civilians hospitalized after the gas released by the mortars caused “difficulty breathing, eye inflammation, shivering and fainting,” according to the head of the Aleppo Doctors Syndicate, Zaher Batal, as cited by Reuters. Batal and other Aleppo doctors suspect that chlorine gas was the substance responsible for the symptoms of those affected.

Despite the fact that chemical weapons were used by al Qaeda-linked militants in Idlib, the U.S. government and its allies have thus far been silent about the recent attack, even though the incident was covered by mainstream Western outlets such as CNN and Reuters. Instead, the U.S. announced a UN Security Council meeting — not to denounce the chemical-weapons attacks launched against civilians by an internationally recognized terror group but to address the recent hostilities between Russia and Ukraine over Crimea.

This is particularly telling given that the U.S. – along with the U.K. and France – bombed the Syrian government earlier this year in April after the Syrian “rebel” group Jaysh al-Islam accused the Syrian government of launching a chlorine gas attack in the Damascus suburb of Douma.

That attack was later found to have been staged, when reporters like Robert Fisk of The Independent visited the site of the area where the attack was alleged to have taken place and found no evidence of chemical weapons use.

The fact that al Qaeda-linked militants launched the current attack would be expected to provoke a response from the U.S. government, given that the U.S. has used al Qaeda as an excuse to launch military operations without congressional approval around the world following the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

Indeed, the group accused of launching the current attack is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) — previously known as the al-Nusra Front, al Qaeda’s branch in Syria, prior to its name change last year. That name change allowed the group to evade the U.S. and Canadian governments’ terror watch list. MintPress recently reported that HTS had announced earlier this month that all Idlib rebels are now coordinating military operations through a “joint operations room” controlled by the al Qaeda-linked group. Prior to that frank admission from the group itself, the U.S. government as well as Western mainstream media had admitted that Idlib was dominated by al Qaeda-linked militant factions.

.....................

[Swordsmyth]

Syrian President Bashar Assad has reshuffled his Cabinet, replacing nine officials including the minister in charge of internal security.
Cabinet reshuffles like the one announced Monday are not uncommon in Syria and have occurred on several occasions since the civil war began seven years ago.
It was not immediately why Assad replaced longtime Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim al-Shaar, who was wounded in a 2012 bombing that killed four top security officials.
Al-Shaar was replaced by Maj. Gen. Mohammed Khaled Rahmoun, who headed the powerful Political Security Directorate, one of the main intelligence agencies in the country.
The U.S. Department of Treasury imposed sanctions on Rahmoun, 61, last year.
Other ministers changed include those of tourism, education, public works, telecommunications and industry.

More at: https://www.yahoo.com/news/latest-us...123534368.html

[Swordsmyth]

The global chemical weapons watchdog is considering sending inspectors to investigate an alleged poison gas attack by rebels in Syria that wounded dozens, its director-general said Monday.Syria's state-run SANA news agency said the suspected chemical attack late Saturday was carried out by "terrorist groups positioned in Aleppo countryside" that fired shells containing toxic gases on three neighborhoods in Syria's largest city.
Syria has asked the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to launch an investigation and officials at the Hague-based watchdog have been in touch with U.N. experts "to assess the security situation on the ground for a possible deployment" of a fact-finding mission, Director-General Fernando Arias told a meeting of the organization's member states in The Hague.

More at: https://www.yahoo.com/news/watchdog-...115410794.html

[Swordsmyth]

Over the past few months, military and diplomatic representatives of Russia and Syria had repeatedly warned that Idlib militant groups with assistance from the so-called White Helmets were preparing to stage chemical attacks in the Idlib demilitarized zone in order to accuse the Damascus government of using chemical weapons and trigger another US-led military action against Syria. The Russian Defense Ministry also provided intelligence data about the movement of chemical substances across the militant-held area in northwestern Syria.
This media and diplomatic campaign undermined a possible effectiveness of such staged attack. However, at least a part of the militant factions, which obtained chemical weapons, appeared to be ready to use them even without propaganda purpose and attacked Aleppo city.
Following the attack, mainstream media organizations as well as Syrian media outlets and speakers linked to militant groups started speculating that it was the evil Assad regime, that attacked itself in Aleppo city with chemical weapons.
This version claims that the attack was a part of Assad’s skilful plan to blame the so-called “moderate opposition” in chemical weapons usage and to undermine the peaceful settlement in Idlib province.
Thus, the mainstream narrative is clear:

• If an alleged chemical attack takes place within the militant-held area, the Assad regime is guilty it because it cannot defeat “moderate rebels” in a conventional fight;
• If an alleged chemical attack takes place within the government-held area, the Assad regime is guilty because it wants to undermine a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

More at: https://www.globalresearch.ca/video-...aleppo/5661241

[goldenequity]

Al-Masdar News
Russia continues communication with US, European forces in Syria
https://aml.ink/35jCA

Al-Masdar News
Putin demands punishment for rebel groups behind Aleppo chemical weapons attack
https://aml.ink/9702Y


Qalamoun:


Al-Masdar News
Hundreds of residents of eastern Qalamoun join Syrian Army ranks
https://aml.ink/sLbyB


Deir Ezzor:

Al-Masdar News
Large US military convoy enters Syria amid increased tensions with Turkey over SDF support (video)
https://aml.ink/AFbom #DeirEzzor


Drexl Spivey
SAA artillery shelled Shafah, while IS inflitration attempt was reported on border with Iraq Also it seems that SDF again reached vicinity of Baghuz



Drexl Spivey
IS claims targeting SDF technical with ATGM near Bahrah, amid reports of heavy fighting on Hajin-Bahrah axis SE DeirEzzor



Drexl Spivey
SDF and allied forces launched assault on IS lines near Hajin from 2 axis. Looks like Rumble in the Valley round 2 just started




Hama/Idlib:

Al-Masdar News
Fierce clashes breakout between Syrian Army, jihadists along Hama-Idlib axis
https://aml.ink/TIZ3l

[Swordsmyth]

Israel has reportedly launched an operation to destroy Iranian communication sites in Kisweh, an area with significant Hezbollah activity just south of Damascus, The Times of Israel reported Nov. 30.

More at: https://worldview.stratfor.com/situa...-near-damascus

[Swordsmyth]

On Thursday night social media accounts that follow Syria lit up with reports of air strikes south of Damascus. Sana, the Damascus state media, claimed that “air defenses of the Syrian Arab Army responded to an aggression on the southern region,” and had prevented the attack from achieving objectives.

However, Syrian state media and allies of the Syrian regime have downplayed the incident in the 12 hours since it happened. From wild claims that the air defenses had downed rockets and even a plane, Syria’s allies now appear to want to sweep the incident under the carpet. This may be to protect the regime from embarrassment.

A variety of social media accounts that support the Syrian government were active Thursday night, but many now seem disinterested in the aftermath. This is also true of Iranian media, which supports Syria, and media that tend to be pro-Hezbollah.

On Thursday night, some of these outlets, such as Beirut’s television station Al Mayadeen, showed images purportedly of air defenses over Damascus. Reports began around 10 p.m. and continued for more than an hour. By midnight, it was all over and what appeared to be a serious incident had gone quiet. Most of these reports followed the message from Damascus. “Our air defenses met hostile targets over the area of Al-Kiswah” and intercepted the attack.

What’s particularly interesting is that none of the media sought to point fingers at who the aggressor was. In the past, the Syrian regime has blamed Israel and the US. One of the only major accounts that have kept on the story is Sputnik News in Arabic, a Russian channel. Russia supports the Syrian regime. On Friday, Sputnik claimed that shrapnel from Syrian air defenses was found on the Golan Heights. It based its report on an announcement from Israel. Sputnik also noted that Syrian air defense had used the S-200, not the more advanced S-300 system that Russia supplied to Syria in October and which the Syrians are still being trained to use. Sputnik also reported that Syrian officials told them the S-300 was not used.

This was a major climb-down from Thursday night, when the same news channel had tweeted reports that Syrian air defense intercepted four cruise missiles and a jet that was involved in the attack. By Friday morning, all those reports had stopped. Iranian media also did not report heavily on the incident. Iranian news agency Tasnim entirely ignored it. Fars News did the same. PressTV claimed Syria had downed targets over Damascus. However, PressTV also made sure to emphasize that it was unclear if the S-300 had been used and noted that a “military source [in Syria] did not specify the targets but dismissed reports that an Israeli plane had been downed.”

Al-Masdar News published images of what it said were the remains of projectiles that fell south of Damascus. These might have been pieces of incoming missiles or from Syrian air defense. Babak Taghvaee, a social media user who has expertise on air defense and follows conflict in the region, claimed Syria used Pantsir 57E6 air defense missiles and S-200s against the attack “scoring at least three kills on Delilah cruise missiles.”

The decision to downplay Thursday’s air strikes, after initially hyping them, clearly indicates that Damascus wants to save face. It didn’t use the S-300, or if it did, it found the system was ineffective at interdicting the strike. It wants to therefore highlight its use of the older air defense system, which has been ineffective in the past at defending Damascus.

Russia is busy at the G20 and dealing with a crisis in Ukraine over navigation of the Kerch Straits. This means that Syria’s main ally is distracted by other issues. Russia has condemned attacks on Syria in the past and has warned against any “hot heads” carrying out air raids. But Russia has been mum about whatever happened on Thursday night. RT and Tass news agencies both lack reports about the attack. Syria’s Iranian ally is also quiet, indicating that Iran also knows that discussing the attack too much will lead to questions about Iran’s own activities in places like Kiswah, where the attack was reported. Kiswah was the site of an air strike in May that the regime blamed on Israel. After an air strike near Kiswah in December, satellite images showed damage had been done to an alleged Iranian base.

More at: https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Sy...amascus-573219

[merkelstan]

Thanks for the updates folks. Someone needs to do it.

[goldenequity]

SouthFront
Lavrov: U.S. Is Working To Establish Quasi-State In Eastern Syria
https://southfront.org/lavrov-u-s-is...eastern-syria/




al-Tanaf


Within Syria
Breaking: US forces in al-Tanaf allegedly launched 14 rockets at several positions of the SAA's 21 Brigade, updates to follow.

SR
The occupation forces used a surface to surface missiles most likely the HIMARS systems
The missiles landed in Al Hableh area / Al Ghrab mount.

Within Syria
Update1: the rockets hit the areas of al-Hilbah and Ghurab mount, it is not confirmed yet if it was aimed at the 21 Brigade positions there. The supposed rocket strike happened only minutes ago.
Update2: 4 of the rockets, which were launched by US forces in al-Tanaf, landed 6km northeast of Ghurab mount. According to the a source in the SAA, there is no casualties.
Update3: available information suggest that US forces launched the rockets at areas right next to SAA position in what appears to be a warning or a message.
Update4: SANA just confirmed my reports. According to the state-run agency, the SAA positions in al-Ghurab mount were targeted with rockets launched by US forces in al-Tanaf. The rocket strike caused material damage only.

Syrian MoD confirms US occupant forces attack towards Syrian Army.

https://twitter.com/mod_gov_sy/statu...38828949864450




Daraa:

https://twitter.com/Bosni94/status/1068846049765281792

Al-Masdar News
Syrian Army seizes large quantity of US-made missiles (photos)
https://aml.ink/liR9i



west of Aleppo

https://twitter.com/Bosni94/status/1068813729532452864


Deir Ezzor:


Entrance to Al-Bukamal city:

https://twitter.com/sayed_ridha/stat...31197252399104



Homs

https://twitter.com/MIG29_/status/1069323900721553408

[goldenequity]

Deir Ezzor:

H.K.
SDF capture senior ISIS leader in Deir ez-Zor
http://dlvr.it/QsjfC9

H.K
US-led Coalition’s airstrikes on al-Sha’fa village in Deir Ezzor leave over 30 civilians dead
http://dlvr.it/QsjfC0
(again.)

Drexl Spivey
SDF stormed Hajin and break into town. Fierce clashes and heavy bombardment ongoing SE DeirEzzor





Idlib:


Al-Masdar News
Syrian Army reinforcements keep pouring into Idlib from southern Syria
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article...outhern-syria/

Al-Masdar News
Syrian Army unleashes new attack in southern Idlib
https://aml.ink/FJrKu

SR
Idlib operation is imminent.


Aleppo:


Al-Masdar News
Jaysh Al-Islam foils YPG attack in northwestern Aleppo
https://aml.ink/MC5Nj

Al-Masdar New
Jihadist rebels blow up 2 bridges in southern Aleppo
https://aml.ink/9JYpk



Damascus:


Al-Masdar News
Israeli warplanes return to Syrian border as Damascus raises alert levels
https://aml.ink/UlQR



Suweida:


SouthFront
Syrian Army Eliminated Over 270 ISIS Members In Al-Suwayda Province Since Middle November: Russian MoD
https://southfront.org/syrian-army-e...r-russian-mod/


Homs:

https://twitter.com/Bosni94/status/1069570495014756353

[goldenequity]

Idlib:

Al-Masdar News
Jihadists seize more ground inside Idlib deescalation zone as Turkish Army watches from afar
https://aml.ink/xeI0t


Deir Ezzor:

https://twitter.com/RisboLensky/stat...94019973939201


Homs:

https://twitter.com/IvanSidorenko1/s...16900024258562
https://twitter.com/IvanSidorenko1/s...17155629338624

[goldenequity]

Damascus:


Muraselon News
Japanese government grants $5M in aid to rehabilitate large district in Damascus
https://en.muraselon.com/2018/12/jap...million-syria/



Idlib:


Al-Masdar News
Syrian Army hammers jihadist positions across southern Idlib
https://aml.ink/akIuF

Daraa:

https://twitter.com/Bosni94/status/1070319676130058240

Video from the site where underground ammo depot was discovered:

https://twitter.com/Bosni94/status/1070349871431933952

►Very easy to connect these cached 'discoveries' in regions with the biggest jihadi activity and their biggest sponsors:

Ali Özkök
Bulgaria exported 1.2 billion euros’ worth of weapons 2017. The number has grown by 20 per cent compared to 2016.
Here you find, where the weapons went.



Raqqa:

H.K
YPG removes their flags and banners from Tall Abyad and Salouk towns in far north Raqqa countryside to ease tension with Turkey according to local sources

[AZJoe]

[Swordsmyth]

The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) issued a report on Sunday saying Syrian air defences had intercepted enemy targets around Damascus international airport, but later in the day said the attack had not happened."Our air defences intercepted enemy aerial targets in the vicinity of Damascus international airport in southern Damascus," SANA said in its initial report.
The agency later removed the report from its website. Later still, it quoted a source at the Damascus international airport as saying "there was no attack on the airport and the air traffic is normal".
The Syrian Observatory for Human rights, a UK-based war monitor, said however there had been firing near the airport.

More at: https://www.yahoo.com/news/syrian-ai...195641244.html

[Swordsmyth]

Syria's army on Monday announced the demobilisation of officers who have completed five years of compulsory service, the second such move in recent months as fighting abates in the civil war.The decree ends the drawn-out deployment of conscripts and reservists of the rank of officer "who will have completed five years of service" as of January 1, 2019, state news agency SANA reported.
The latest order comes after the army in May sent those conscripted in 2010, the year before the conflict erupted, back to their homes.
Before the war started, men 18 and older had to serve between 18 months and two years in the armed forces, after which they remained part of the reserves.
But when the conflict broke out, anyone enlisted remained deployed on active duty.
The 300,000-strong army was nearly halved by deaths, injuries and defections as the violence tore apart the country.

More at: https://www.yahoo.com/news/syria-ann...152630814.html

[Swordsmyth]

A large group of Syrian civilians took control over several oil wells in eastern Syria after clashes with rebel group Syrian Democratic Forces, Iranian Fars News reported today, citing information from the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
According to the report, the rebel group, which comprises Kurdish and Arab fighters supported by the United States, had been hoarding fuel, refusing to supply it to communities in the eastern Syrian province of Deir ez Zor, and as a result caused a spike in prices.

More at: https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-N...bel-Group.html

[Swordsmyth]

The Turkish Lira tumbled to session lows after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Turkey will start a new military operation in Syria east of the Euphrates river in northern Syria in a "few days". "It is time to realize our decision to wipe out terror groups east of the Euphrates," Erdogan said in a speech at the Turkish Defense Industry Summit held at the presidential complex in Ankara on Dec. 12.
"We will start the operation in east of the Euphrates in a few days to save it from the separatist terrorist organization," Erdoğan added, referring to the YPG. "Turkey's target is never the U.S. soldiers, but rather the members of the terror group."
Turkey has repeatedly threatened to attack Kurdish militants in the region, who are backed by the U.S. but viewed by Turkey as an extension of a terrorist organization, the PKK.
The Pentagon had announced on Dec. 11 that American observation posts in northern Syria, meant to prevent altercations between the Turkish army and US-supported YPG, have been erected, despite Ankara’s request to scrap the move. The Turkish army since 2016 has already launched two military operations in Syria, the last of which saw Ankara-backed Syrian rebels take the border city of Afrin from the YPG in March.
the United States has long been complained that tensions between Turkey and the SDF, of which the YPG is the backbone, have at times slowed down progress on fighting the ISIL.
In the same speech, Erdoğan also slammed the new US plan for 'protecting terrorists, not Turkey.'

"There is no Daesh threat in Syria any longer," Erdoğan said accusing the U.S. of "delaying tactics" regarding its promise to clear the northeastern Syrian town of Manbij from YPG members.
"It is clear that the purpose of U.S. observation points in Syria is not to protect our country from terrorists but protect terrorists from Turkey," he noted.

Turkey has also been skeptical about a U.S. plan to train around 40,000 locals in northeastern Syria:“We do not see them as well-intentioned approaches," the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) spokesman Ömer Çelik said Dec. 11, referring to the reported U.S. plan. He added that the move will be seen by Turkey as "lending fresh support to terror elements in Syria."

More at: https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-...peration-syria

[RonZeplin]

[goldenequity]

NE.Syria


Al-Masdar News
Erdogan goes on offensive against US, accuses them of supplying Kurdish YPG with weapons
https://aml.ink/l9GSu

Ali Özkök
If Turkey starts an offensive in Eastern Syria, all should have this map with all foreign military bases in this area in mind.
The focus is on the bases of the USA, France and Great Britain.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DuNvDm0X4AEXXFt.jpg:large


Pentagon responds to Turkish threats of a military incursion into NE Syria:
"“Unilateral military action into northeast Syria by any party, particularly as US personnel may be present or in the vicinity, is of grave concern.
We would find any such actions unacceptable"
https://twitter.com/rabrowne75/statu...80222125969408

Sorry Turkey: US establishes observation post in northwest Hasakah
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article...hwest-hasakah/

►On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that his forces were preparing to kickoff their military operation east of the Euphrates River.
►This move by the U.S. military [observation post] will not be received well by the Turkish regime, as this blocks their advance into this YPG-held area in northwestern Al-Hasakah.
►While Erdogan did not specify which town they were going to target, it is believed that the Turkish military will begin their operation near Manbij in northeast Aleppo.

Al-Masdar News
Turkey mobilizes 14,000 rebels for eastern Euphrates operation - report
https://aml.ink/0Iv-A

The'Nimr'Tiger
YPG think US will fly it's fighter jets out of Turkish Incirlik Airbase and impose anti-Turkey No Fly Zone in Northeast Syria.
(srsly?)

Saudi and UAE forces roam northern Syria to back SDF - Report
https://en.muraselon.com/2018/12/sau...es-roam-syria/



(More like back ISIS. The last thing Syria needs is a Wahhabist mini-state backed by the Saudis.
If true Syria should send heavy weapons to the PMF on the Saudi border in Iraq.)


Al Tanf


SR
Russia has established a new base only 55 KM north of the US base in Al Tanf southern Syria
The Russian base is guarded by AA and EW systems





Idlib

Syrian Army strikes militant trenches along Idlib-Hama axis
https://aml.ink/zSFSZ



Deir Ezzor

https://twitter.com/RisboLensky/stat...72780902948864

[Swordsmyth]

Kurdish-led and US-backed forces seized the town of Hajin from Islamic State group on Friday, a milestone in a massive and costly operation to drive the jihadists out of eastern Syria.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the Syrian Democratic Forces had secured Hajin, which is the last big town held by Islamic State group in its remaining pocket of territory east of the Euphrates River near the border with Iraq.
“After a week of heavy fighting and air strikes, the SDF were able to kick IS group out of Hajin,” Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Britain-based monitoring organization, said.


The operation was completed at dawn, he said, a day after SDF forces fanned out across the large village in the Euphrates valley.
On Thursday, the last IS fighters were confined to a network of tunnels and the edges of Hajin.
SDF commander-in-chief Mazloum Kobani told Reuters on Thursday that at least 5,000 Islamic State group fighters remain holed up in the pocket of territory including Hajin and that they had decided to fight to the death.
This includes some 2,000 foreign fighters, mostly Arabs and Europeans, along with their families.
IS fighters pulled back to positions east of Hajin Friday and to Sousa and Al-Shaafa, the other two main villages in their shrinking Euphrates valley enclave.
As recently as Thursday, the group posted pictures of fighting in Hajin on its social media accounts.


US President Donald Trump this week predicted the jihadist group would be fully defeated within a month.

“We’ve done a very, very major job on ISIS,” he said on Tuesday, using another acronym for IS.

“There are very few of them left in that area of the world. And within another 30 days, there won’t be any of them left,” he vowed.

More at: https://www.infowars.com/syria-kurdi...c-state-group/

[Swordsmyth]

The European Union's foreign policy chief on Saturday asked Turkey to forgo any unilateral military action in Syria, where Ankara has threatened a fresh offensive against a US-backed Kurdish militia."The statements of a possible Turkish military operation in northeast Syria are a source of concern," Federica Mogherini said in a statement.
"We share the goal of ending violence, defeating terrorism and promoting stability in Syria and the wider region. We expect the Turkish authorities therefore to refrain from any unilateral action likely to undermine the efforts of the Counter-Daesh Coalition or to risk further instability in Syria," she said, using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group.

Mogherini, calling Turkey "a critically important actor in this crisis and in the region", said that "as the fight against Daesh is entering its final stages, all parties must work towards the goal of ensuring its upcoming defeat".

More at: https://news.yahoo.com/eu-urges-turk...174349316.html

[goldenequity]

Deir Ezzor:


IvanSidorenko1
Hajjin
Happening Now :
- "Fierce battles between ISIS and SDF close to the gas station on the east side with airstrike assistance. God help us"
- Intense & fierce airstrikes by drones on Al Kazzeh - Qalaa area

https://twitter.com/Nidalgazaui/stat...11385640730625



Hama

https://twitter.com/RisboLensky/stat...42360969994240