Posted on 10/16/2015 7:32:51 AM PDT by Enlightened1
Earlier this week, we noted that Iran had reportedly sent “thousands” of troops to Syria in preparation for an offensive aimed at retaking the city of Aleppo.
With a population of more than 2 million, Aleppo was Syria’s largest city prior to the war and it’s now run by a hodgepodge of rebels and militants including al-Qaeda, the Free Syrian Army, and ISIS.
To get an idea of the effect the war has had on the city, have a look at the following before and after nighttime light emissions images:
The battle is also notable for the scale of Iran’s involvement. Between Hezbollah and Iranian forces, the battle for Aleppo is shaping up to be the largest ground operation orchestrated by Tehran to date.
Syrian troops backed by Hezbollah and Iranian fighters launched an offensive south of Aleppo on Friday, expanding their counter-attack against rebels across western Syria with support from Russian air strikes.
Aleppo, a commercial and industrial hub near the border with Turkey, was Syria's largest city before its four-year civil war, which grew out of protests against Assad's rule.
Control of the city, still home to two million people, is divided between the government and rebels.
"This is the promised battle," a senior government military source said of the offensive backed by hundreds of Hezbollah and Iranian forces which he said had made some gains on the ground.
It was the first time Iranian fighters had taken part on such a scale in the Syrian conflict, he said, although their numbers were modest compared to the army force. "The main core is the Syrian army," the source said.
(Excerpt) Read more at zerohedge.com ...
GAME ON!
“Final” bid? I don’t think any of the players on either side are the types to go, “Oh well, that didn’t work. I think I’ll go home now...”. These are the worlds’ champions at stubborn and callous. This is just starting.
ISIS is learning what the rest of us already knew... not even they can trust Obama.
I think they’re going for the transport hub, Stabilize the region for Assad and then let ISIS keep up their disruption. As long as they’re around, there will be a “need” for Russia.
The Kurds and the remaining Christians are the ones looking penned up. Stuck between Turkey, Iran and Syria. Anytime they want those oil fields in the north of Iraq and water sources in Syria then the Russians can squeeze ISIS.
Is it my imagination or is ISIS holding less territory now than it was awhile ago?
Looking at those two pictures, Damascus isn’t doing so hot either.
Sounds like a plan to me.
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