Posted on 10/01/2015 2:47:40 AM PDT by JPX2011
Russian jets bomb rebel positions in Syria including rural areas near the north-western town of Jisr al-Shughour, a day after launching air strikes.
Pro-government supporters on social media as well as a Hizbollah-aligned Lebanese news station reported the strikes on parts of Jisr al-Shughour, Hama, and Jabal al-Zawiyah, writes Nabih Bulos in Beirut.
There was no mention of the attack by Syrian state media.
An opposition activist from Jisr al-Shughour confirmed the report, uploading a picture to social media purporting to show the aftermath of a missile hit in his area.
The strikes' targets have been the centre of fierce battles between forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad and armed opposition rebels. Last March, the Army of Conquest, a grouping of Islamist factions that includes the hardline Ahrar al-Sham and al-Qaeda's affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra, began a wide-scale campaign to take over large swathes of north-western Syria.
The offensive forced government troops to cede strategic territory to the rebels, putting the government stronghold province of Latakia within firing range of the opposition's mortars.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Omar Kattab mosque, aka ammo dump
Reports are surfacing that Hezbollah and Iranian fighters are moving into Syria to supplement the Syrian Army. So it looks like Russia has its ground forces.
LOL! Indeed. Something tells me that Russia isn't going to fall for that old gag. The more reports we get of Russia bombing schools, hospitals and mosques the more we know they are waging an effective campaign.
Hezbollah and Iranian fighters “moving into Syria” will cause chaos alright...but, this is all very fascinating. I can’t wait to see how this turns out.
Russia could proceed counter clockwise through Syria, cattle drive drive of sorts, always leaving a means of egress for ISIS. Stampeed ISIS right into Jordan (historically part of “the Levant”).
Welcome to the Shia/Putin Arab spring.
“Reports are surfacing that Hezbollah and Iranian fighters are moving into Syria to supplement the Syrian Army. So it looks like Russia has its ground forces.”
Lots of chatter this morning about HEz participating in a big way in attacks in Northern Syria this morning.
Also twitter saying that the Russian 810th Naval Infantry (Marines) Brigade landed in last night in Lattakia.
If true, that would jive with the info that the “Syrian Express” through the Bosphorus has picked up significantly in recent days, with landing ships seen from the Baltic and Northern Fleets, as well as the 4 ships of the Black Sea Fleet that have been running it for a year.
Any indication that they will be going outside the wire to conduct operations or just base defense?
I would guess local defense.
Putin has said no Russian ground troops, FOR NOW, but you can bet the Spetz are active.
Lots of Twitter Chatter about Hezbollah participating in a new offensive in Northern Syria, in a big way, today or tomorrow.
That would jive with info about where the Russians are bombing the heaviest. 55+ strikes reported after dawn today.
Regarding my earlier about the Syria Express, tweets are saying several Russian ships have already passed through today.
Otrakovsky & Korolev southbound, Novocherkassk, TCG Bodrum and now Russian intelligence vessel Kildin northbound.
I find the left wing media scum calling any group of Islamonazis “The Rebel Alliance” offensive and insulting.
And I, on behalf of the Jedi community...snorkel...demand an...snorkel....heh heh...ahem...an immediate apology!!!
It seems the “rules of engagement” have swung in our favor.
I can't believe we are rooting for the Russians...but we are...aren't we?
BOMBS AWAY IVAN....THINK DRESDEN ON THE MED!
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.