Syria Forces Squeeze Rebels Around Aleppo

Shiite fighters, largely from outside Syria, are advancing toward the countryâ€™s largest city backed by Russian airstrikes, giving the Assad regime the most significant momentum it has had in years just days ahead of new cease-fire talks.

Syrian and Russian airstrikes routed rebels from long-held territories in northern Syria, while pro-government forces led by Iranian, Lebanese Hezbollah, and other Shiite fighters are advancing on Aleppo, according to rebels on the ground and officials tracking the conflict.

They seized the village of Kifeen north of Aleppo on Sunday night, rebels said, putting the regime forces about 15 miles from the Turkish borderâ€”the closest they have been since late 2013.

More than 35,000 Syrians seeking to escape the assault over the past week have already converged on the border with Turkey, creating a new humanitarian crisis. Some are sleeping out in the cold in open fields or amid olive trees. Others have taken refuge in schools and mosques, waiting to be allowed into Turkey.

To think i was worried our f...t in Chief would go up against Russia to protect muzzies.

I’m shocked he didn’t, but glad.

First Egypt, then Russia foiled his MB plans. gotta love surprises :)

if there’s justice, I’ll see Saudi Arabia and Qatar glowing before I die

Waiting for the other shoe to drop...

Russia and Syria worked with the Kurds from Afrin to cut the supply roads to the many rebel groups in Aleppo. Those Kurds are progressing well from the West, heading to occupy the last gap in the Turkish/Syrian border, where ISIS still has access (~50 miles).

Well, the Kurds from Kobane have been massing on the East side of that gap to attack from the East. Their attack (against the small city of Manbij) would be supported by the USA, UK and France instead of Russia and Iran - and their assault would cut the main supply lines of ISIS, rather than other rebel groups.

They are probably just hours or days away from being ready to launch an operation, that would effectively doom ISIS in Syria. The diplomatic maneuvers from Turkey and Saudi Arabia are hitting a fever pitch, as they seek to keep that operation from launching. Lots of threats.

There has been some bad weather over the weekend, which might have delayed the preparatory aerial attacks.

If this operation launches this week, then the die is cast. The Kurds will have crossed the Rubicon of Turkey’s “Red Line” (the Euphrates River) in earnest - in a bold strike to completely cut ISIS off from Turkey, and to join the Kurdish administered areas of Syria into a single continuous entity - Rojava.

If that operation launches, it will also signal that the US has decided to toss over the Saudis and Turks hopes of Sunni conquest in Syria, and clean up the mess of ISIS - to get it off the table as an issue, going into the Presidential election this year.

If that operation does not launch, then the US will likely have buckled to Saudi and Turkish wishes.

Keeping an eye on the skies over Manbij...

“The Duty Officer asked General Ripper to confirm the fact that he *had* issued the go code, and he said, uh, “Yes gentlemen, they are on their way in, and no one can bring them back. For the sake of our country, and our way of life, I suggest you get the rest of SAC in after them. Otherwise, we will be totally destroyed by Red retaliation. Uh, my boys will give you the best kind of start, 1400 megatons worth, and you sure as hell won’t stop them now, uhuh. Uh, so let’s get going, there’s no other choice. God willing, we will prevail, in peace and freedom from fear, and in true health, through the purity and essence of our natural... fluids. God bless you all” and he hung up. “

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.