Posted on 01/01/2024 5:05:22 AM PST by Godzilla
Welcome to Threat Matrix 2024
For historical reference TM2023 link is
https://freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/4120141/posts?page=1#1
Established in 2001, after the 9/11 attack on America and now in its 23nd year, this thread is designed to identify threats to America, both internal and external, and evaluate the probability of those threats occurring and the extent of potential damage. Discussions may stray into ‘tinfoil’ territory, but the goal is to peel back and confirm information so we can make informed decisions and actions. Incredible as it seems, “tinfoil” conspiracy theories have fast become realities so they can no longer be ignored outright, but must be evaluated and compared to current events.
2023 has been “historic”: Continued inflation Record illegal immigration Record crime Record housing prices and Unprecedented prime lending rate increases. Push to globalize the economy, food production and energy
I expect 2024 to be even worse as we are facing, among many things -
- 2024 is a political year with all the deep divisions and turmoils that brings. - Political assassinations - The potential for a serious and deep recession - CBDC stripping Americans of their free use of money - Race and other ethnic wars in the US as illegals mark out territory - Continued massive increase in crime - Further movement towards implementing the goals of the WEF via its “global reset” - - Continued combat in Ukraine that could spill out into other parts of Europe - Potential Chinese move on Taiwan – breaking analysis - Israel and Hezbollah/Iran finally directly going at it. - Other political turmoil growing globally over a wide range of issues. - Potential for a wide variety of Black Swan events to create even greater problems. . And this is just a short list.
It has been my pleasure to continue this thread over the past few years. This thread hopefully is continuing the goals of when it started.
For those who care, my posts reflect my scanning of the interwebs to provide me with early warning concerning factors that can endanger my life and family. Yes, I’m what many would call a “prepper”, and proudly accept that characterization.
How can something happening half way around the world affect me personally? Wuhan virus, my friend is but one recent example. I noted it in TM Dec 2019 and was prepared when chaos hit in 2020.
Other events have secondary and tertiary affects that reach us via shortages and inflation – fossil fuel prices are the most common, as well as economic impacts. I simply share news items and often my opinions that shape my actions and preparations.
My posts are broken down into specific topics and regions. I highlight and evaluative opensource reports in those areas in regard to how it will affect the US. Sometimes it feels like trying to drink from a fire hose and I don’t expect this to let up, only increase as the year progresses.
Will we even make it to the 2024 elections without things flying apart? Will the democrats / leftist manage a way to steal the election? Will the US find itself in the early stages of a civil war / national split up? The year promises to be very bumpy, so buckle up and prepare yourselves for what is to come.
It would be wonderful - but about as likely as half of Hollywood leaving the country.
Military / Strategic Activity / Deployments –
Three B-52 nuclear bombers arrived in Finland, in response to Moscow’s threats to use nuclear weapons.
Biden / Harris Watch –
For anyone who thought biden would have kept his word, I’ve got a bridge to sell you.
Biden’s pardon for his son, Hunter doesn’t just relate to his Federal Firearms Charges, but any Federal Crimes he committed between January 1st of 2014 until December 1st of 2024. It covers ALL federal crimes Hunter committed or may have committed for a period of 10 years. The unprecedented extent of blanket amnesty indicates that there’s more to hide.
NOTE - This may backlash in the future. If brought into any trial, hunter will be unable to plea the 5th on matters during this period. He can’t because he has been pardoned for ALL federal crimes during that period - he must testify else face new charges not covered by the pardon.
OBSERVATION - biden has nothing to lose as his term comes to an end. This attitude becomes very dangerous when considering the other actions he can still take on things like climate change, economy, global crisis, etc. No one can stop him as congress will do nothing, nor any other of the checks/balances of the constitution. Not only to make the transition more difficult but the first year of Trump’s term an even greater challenge.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures cooling to the 20-30s and scattered snow/rain
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Ukrainian air defense shot down 52 Shahed-type drones overnight
1700+ Russians casualties yesterday.
Summary —
The overall results of the daily crawl of Russian forces into Ukraine has taken its toll -
This fall has been grim for Ukraine. According to our assessment, between 1 September and 30 November, the Russians captured over 1600 km2 in Ukraine, and retook roughly 500 km2 in Kursk. The rate of advance accelerated every month, despite the Russians suffering heavy losses.
https://x.com/emilkastehelmi/status/1863261737358664119?s=61&t=Ca4dYBe3FZLWI7Zi7HkShg
Interesting in-depth analysis.
Putin will continue to press the attack, regardless of the losses, in order to have greater leverage when ceasefire and peace talks eventually come around.
Europe / NATO General –
GEORGIA - Protesters in Georgia gathered again outside the Parliament building in Tbilisi following yesterday’s violent crackdown, local media report. Demonstrations are also taking place in Batumi, Poti, Kutaisi, and other cities across the country.
In Tblisi, the level of violence has grown. Protestors are now using molotov cocktails to attack security forces.
OBSERVATION - The reaction against the ‘dream party’s’ actions are beginning to increase. The questions I have is who has more of the loyalty of the police - the govt or the people. In an eastern Europe setting, the police tend to back the govt, so one can expect even more escalation in the violence.
A key point is that protests are expanding to other cities - indicating that things are gaining traction and forcing the govt to stretch its resources out into other areas.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- Ceasefire continues to essentially hold
- Dead hostage identified, a dual citizen Israeli-American.
——— GENERAL ——————————-
Jerusalem is constantly monitoring the situation in Syria, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday, after Sunni jihadist rebels over the weekend took control of Aleppo, the country’s second-largest city.
“We are determined to both protect the vital interests of the State of Israel and preserve the achievements of the war,” Netanyahu told Israel Defense Forces recruits at the Tel Hashomer induction center in Ramat Gan.
***
The IDF on Monday confirmed that Capt. Omer Neutra, 21, died on October 7, 2023, and his body was taken by Hamas back to the Gaza Strip.
New intelligence information that came to light allowed a special military commission of rabbis, scientists, and lawyers to finally confirm his death around 14 months later, despite long-standing suspicions that he was dead.
Neutra was a lone soldier from New York, serving as a tank platoon commander in the 77th Battalion of the 7th Brigade.
——— GAZA FRONT / HAMAS ———————————-
IDF picked off some of the few remaining Hamas et al leaders.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
IDF is continuing to destroy discovered Hezbollah facilities / bunkers in areas it is occupying in S Lebanon. Daily reports of bulldozers and explosions used to destroy them.
Hezbollah elements were targeted and destroyed when identified by Israel as violating the terms of the ceasefire.
——— SYRIA / HEZBOLLAH / IRAN———————————-
An Iranian flight suspected to be ferrying arms to Hezbollah was blocked by the Israeli Air Force over Syria overnight between Saturday and Sunday, The Times of Israel has learned. IAF fighter jets flew up to the Iranian plane over Syria and ordered it to turn around, and it did a short while later
———“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
On Sunday, the Houthi terrorist organization claimed it launched 16 ballistic missiles and a drone at a US Navy destroyer and US carrier ships Stena Impeccable, Maersk Saratoga, and Liberty Grace, claiming “accurate and direct” hits.
CENTCOM acknowledged the Houthis targeted US destroyers and US-flagged ships in the Gulf of Aden, but the attacks were successfully defeated and no damage or injuries were caused.
OBSERVATION - This marks a continued escalation in Houthi actions over the past week.
——— ASSESSMENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS ————————-
Israeli vigilance denied Iran’s attempt to smuggle in arms/munitions to remnant Hezbollah elements in Lebanon. Iran is focusing on the near threat in Syria by mobilizing militias it supports in Iraq and eastern Syria to the battle zone. It has few other assets it can deploy because it doesn’t want its regular army units entangled in Syria.
Israel continues aggressive vigilance of Hezbollah actions and has taken actions to protect its forces. The Lebanese Army is still essentially AWOL when it comes to interdicting and disarming Hezbollah, so it falls on to Israel.
Israel has also been busy destroying remaining Hezbollah sites in occupied S Lebanon.
Gaza sees continued search and destroy operations liquidating elements of Hamas that pop their heads up. Hamas seems more interested in stealing food shipments of late, rather than engage israel. .
The chaos in Syria has Israeli focusing on potential scenarios should conditions there lead to a fall of the Assad regime. Israel has security concerns given the anti-Assad coalition is also very anti-Israel and could end up going after Israel. It is doubtful they would help Hezbollah who they’ve been fighting against for years now.
Iran –
Iranian Foreign Minister: We confirm Iran’s full readiness to provide all kinds of support to the Pro-Assad forces.
Iranian Foreign Minister: We support the ceasefire in Lebanon and enhancing the delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip
Syria -
Regional media has cited HTS sources to say they’ve “begun marching towards Hama, successfully capturing six towns and villages in the countryside, including Morek, which lies along an important highway connecting central Syria to the north.” The Syrian government has denied that many of these towns or villages were captured, amid conflicting social media reports.
Syrian sources affiliated with the Syrian opposition report that the rebels took control of the Syrian Ministry of Defense laboratory complex in Safira, south of Aleppo. This is a site that has been attacked many times by the IDF in recent years due to the production of various weapons there.
Syrian rebel forces captured General Malik Hassan Makhabir, a key figure in Assad’s military production near Aleppo. The arrest weakens the regime’s grip in northern Syria and threatens its strategic and Quds Force operations.
It remains unclear whether the Kremlin will be able to deploy additional assets to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime given the high tempo and operational requirements for Russia to continue conducting operations in Ukraine – the Kremlin’s priority theater.
To demonstrate then degree of chaotic here is a list that was compiled by OSINT observers of who is participating.
Here all the groups involved in Syria Right now:
1.Syrian Arab Army (SAA)
2.National Defense Forces (NDF)
3.Hezbollah
4.Fatemiyoun Brigade
5.Zainabiyoun Brigade
6.Russian Armed Forces
7.Wagner Group
8.Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)
9.People’s Protection Units (YPG)
10.Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)
11.Free Syrian Army (FSA)
12.Syrian National Army (SNA)
13.Ahrar al-Sham
14.Jaysh al-Islam
15.National Liberation Front (NLF)
16.Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh)
17.Turkish Armed Forces
18.Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
19.Druze militias
20.Local tribal forces
https://x.com/osint613/status/1863307088589635978?s=61&t=Ca4dYBe3FZLWI7Zi7HkShg
After this above was compiled, it was being reported that the pro-Iranian Iraqi militia operatives of AL Hashd AL Shaabi have entered Syria to join the fray.
Unconfirmed reports indicating that Javad Ghaffari, senior IRGC Quds Force commander—known as the “Butcher of Aleppo”—been deployed to Syria. Ghaffari was one of the first IRGC commanders to be deployed to Syria in 2011+. He formerly commanded the IRGC HQ in Aleppo & later became one of the main commanders of the Iranian contingent of IRGC and Basij in Syria, as well as IRGC proxy forces. In 2021, he was expelled from Syria by the Assad regime for a “major security breach of Syrian sovereignty” after reportedly planning attacks against the US. Ghaffari serves as the head of IRGC’s Intel Org’s Special Ops Division.
https://x.com/kasraaarabi/status/1863334504158712109?s=46&t=nfRT-Yioj0xALNzJelzFcA
The Syrian Arab Army appears to be prioritizing securing Hama Province before undertaking any major defensive operations in Aleppo Province. The regime fortified defensive positions north of Hama City on December 1
***
Heavy U.S. airstrikes overnight, against Iranian and Iranian-backed sites near the town of al-Mayadin in Eastern Syria; with A-10C “Warthogs” and other assets have targeting a communication center, barracks, and several other military sites.
Over 50 Iranian-backed militants were killed, and at least a dozen military trucks and Technicals were destroyed yesterday in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate of Eastern Syria, after a convoy entering from Iraq was targeted by several A-10 “Warthogs”.
OVERALL OBSERVATION - With all the players in action, order of battle tracking has got to be a joy.
One major strategic aspect of the action is that it seems that Turkey is poised to exploit a further southward presence into Syria. Some out there think this is related to reestablishing the caliphate - in this instance by force.
It looks like the next big battle will be for Hama city. Yesterday it was reported that rebels breached the city but then pulled back. Looking at some tentative mapping, it seems the rebels saw that they were over extending and needed to bring further reinforcements to face the reinforcements Syria was bringing in on the other side. Syria either stops the offensive at Hama or else it faces potentially losing the more strategic city of Homs further to the south.
In the midst of this, the US has taken advantage of those pesky Iranian backed militias that have been taking shots at them all these years to unleash the dogs of war - A10 - on troop clusters moving to the fighting in the west. US/Coalition forces may see a decrease in sporadic attacks in the short term.
Thanks
Christmas decorations are up and the holidays officially are here.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Moderate THREAT - up dated Nov 12, 2024
A federal appeals court has ruled that an order in King County, Washington, barring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from using a Seattle-area airport to deport illegal immigrants from the country is unlawful, affirming a lower court’s summary judgment and clearing the way for the removals to continue.
Judge Daniel A. Bress of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit wrote in the Nov. 29 opinion that a 2019 executive order issued by King County Executive Dow Constantine that prohibited the ICE deportation flights was unlawful. The ruling identified two primary legal violations: discrimination against federal operations under the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution and breach of a World War II-era instrument of transfer agreement governing the airport’s use.
OBSERVATION - This article bridges both CW2 and Illegal immigration. More so, it shows attempts by state/local liberal govts to block deportations. IMHO, the defenders of illegals are attempting to use sanctuary tools that have become out of date and popularly opposed by the majority of the citizenry. 2019 arguments not carrying over well into 2024/25.
Efforts like this can be seen to increase over the coming year (s)
***
(FO) The California State Assembly is considering two bills that would give the California Department of Justice (CDOJ) $25 million for Trump administration-related lawsuits. California Attorney General Rob Bonta called the $25 million a “down payment” to bolster CDOJ’s legal teams, which would “be ready to file cases within 24 hours of an action from the Trump administration.”
OBSERVATION - Another step towards potential efforts to essentially cede from the union, but in a less direct way.
***
Forward Observer notes - “A popular left wing resistance website issued a call for activists and anarchists to gather around the country for “Festivals of Resistance” on the weekend of 18 January 2025, days before the Presidential Inauguration.
The all-call is intended to help groups and individuals begin organizing before Trump takes office, when the author says that organizing will become more difficult.
Organizing activities will include educational workshops on activism, security, and direct action, among other topics; and opportunities to strategize and network ahead of operations once Trump takes office.
OBSERVATION - They also note that this activity indicates a difficulty in generating passion for direct action and will be a gauge by which to estimate further actions in 2025.
Other than these plans, the current drivers of protests are pro-hamas and the growing potential for anti-deportation events. The latter has the greatest potential for violence as Antifa et al can tap into the illegal base essentially for foot soldiers.
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics
Congressional report out on the wuhan plandemic and it confirms the called claims of misinformation and conspiracy theories.
POLITICAL FRONT –
***
Part of the blow back over biden’s blanket ( covering nearly 11 years) pardon of hunter is the justification for pardoning the J6 participants from the DoJ’s witch hunt.
***
There is rising rumbling from the left for biden to issue a blanket pardon to Jack Smith and the DoJ lawyers who were involved with the lawfare actions against Trump.
IMHO, this would confirm that they did illegal things as part of their efforts to take down Trump and that it was a partisan effort. I would expect similar calls for other sectors of the govt to be coming out as well.
Biden / Harris Watch –
Biden explained his reversal by claiming that Hunter’s prosecution was politically motivated–by Biden’s own DOJ. However, biden also claims his DoJ is apolitical and not moved by political actions.
Which one is it?
Commentators indicating that the pardon has essentially stripped the democrats of the moral ‘high ground’ in the debate for govt reform.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures cooling to the 20-30s and scattered snow/rain
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Ukrainian air defense shot down 22 Shahed-type drones and 3 Kh-59/69 aviation guided missiles near Kryvyi Rih overnight
Fighting continues to be intense all along the eastern front.
Russian losses per 03/12/24 reported by the Ukrainian general staff
+1780 men
+8 tanks
+22 AFVs
+23 artillery systems
Personnel losses continue to be 50-70% higher than earlier this summer. The reported 1780 figure now is the new general daily average, up from approximately 1100.
Ukraine Kursk Offensive-
In Kursk region Ukrainian forces have repelled 15 Russian army assaults, - General Staff of Armed Forces of Ukraine reports. No reports of any success by Russian forces.
Summary —
The fight in eastern Ukraine may be approaching an end game scenario. Numerous reports from the Ukraine side on the inability to recruit soldiers and poor morale, evident from the progressive losses of the past months. Now Zelenski hinting at ceding captured terrain in any peace plan.
Putin seeing success in cowing NATO from increasing key support as well as his maintained continuous attacks on the ground. Russian demands for surrender are strengthening in the face of the ongoing, but bloody, successes on the ground and geopolitical.
To top this off, both sides are anticipating Trump’s effort to stop the war, granting further Russian incentive to capture as much territory as possible.
OTOH, Russia is fast approaching a wall of its own in being able to sustain combat. The war effort has pulled many out of the manufacturing sector, hurting the economy. Sanctions have hurt broad sectors including military production. Need for bodies evidenced by the large numbers of N Koreans being brought into the theatre.
2025 looks to be the year the realities of the war is going to force a stop.
Belarus -
New record: 151 drones flew into Belarus in November, at least 3 were shot down
According to Hajun_BY, at least 148 Russian kamikaze drones of the Shahed type and 3 reconnaissance drones of unknown type flew into Belarus in November. Over the month, of the 151 UAVs:
• 82 returned to Ukraine and Russia;
• 66 disappeared;
• 3 were shot down by the Air Defense Forces of Belarus.
OBSERVATION - over the past year or so, Ukraine has devoted a lot of effort to develop EW methods of defeating the drones. The major one seems to be GPS jamming, preventing the drone from accurately piloting its way to its target and instead being ‘spoofed’ into believing the alternative coordinate data it is receiving. Russian has been doing similar to defeat advanced US supplied missiles that rely upon GPS as well.
Europe / NATO General –
NATO Secretary General: We are not discussing inviting Ukraine to join the alliance
***
GEORGIA -
Tensions escalated in Georgia: clashes again erupted between protesters and special forces as authorities mobilize reserves to bolster security services. Despite crackdowns, streets remain packed with demonstrators. Police are deploying tear gas heavily against the crowds.
https://x.com/noelreports/status/1863695183264530889?s=46&t=nfRT-Yioj0xALNzJelzFcA
Protests continue to increase in other towns throughout Georgia.
OBSERVATION - There are no signs at this time that these protests will be ending any time soon. Whether or not this will develop into a full blown ‘color’ style revolution is yet to be seen.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- Ceasefire strained following Hezbollah rocket attack against N Israel and Israeli retaliatory strikes.
——— GENERAL ——————————-
Trump: “If the hostages (held by Hamas et al) are not released by January 20th, whoever holds them will pay a heavy price. Whoever holds the hostages will receive a stronger blow than anyone in the history of the United States.” Release the hostages now”
——— GAZA FRONT / HAMAS ———————————-
IDF hit numerous targets in and around Gaza City with air and artillery strikes.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
Israeli army: Hezbollah fired two rockets towards Har Dov area, no casualties. Hezbollah confirms it fired rockets towards Israel’i positions following “repeat violations initiated by the Israeli enemy,” and warns they will retaliate with more rocket fire if Israel responds to the latest 2 rockets.
Lebanese media report multiple IDF airstrikes in southern Lebanon, following Defense Minister Israel Katz’s warning of retaliation for a Hezbollah mortar attack on an IDF border position earlier this evening.
IDF Spokesperson:
“ The IDF conducted extensive strikes tonight, targeting terrorists, multiple rocket launchers, and Hezbollah infrastructure across Lebanon.
The IDF has struck 30 Hezbollah terror targets tonight including launch sites and Hezbollah infrastructure, and the launcher responsible for firing rockets toward Mount Dov from the Reaz area in southern Lebanon.
These rocket launches constitute a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Israel demands that Lebanese authorities uphold the agreement and prevent Hezbollah from carrying out hostile actions from its territory.
Israel remains committed to the ceasefire understandings but will continue to act decisively to protect its citizens. The IDF stands ready to carry out further operations as necessary.”
Top Israeli security officials informed Israeli media that the IDF is prepared for the “high likelihood” of a full breakdown in the “so-called ceasefire which Hezbollah has consistently and blatantly violated.
As a result of the forceful Israeli strikes in response to Hezbollah rockets - there was the start of another exodus of southern Lebanese from their homes, sparked by fears of the resumption in full combat.
———INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
International attention is being forced onto the fighting in Syria.
——— ASSESSMENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS ————————-
Israel’s strong response to Hezbollah provocations may or may not cause a full breakdown of the ceasefire. The response may have caught Hezbollah by surprise, given that they were probably going by previous ceasefires. Hezbollah has been placed in a very difficult situation, having the snot kicked out of it by Israel and now having its forces facing the wrath of rebels in Syria. Whether or not Hezbollah continues to poke the bear against Israel given the situation in Syria and inability of substantial support from Iran is yet to be seen.
Some reports out of the Israeli govt have indicated that the ceasefire was a stop gap until Trump took office anyway and don’t expect it to last long.
Speaking of Iran, they are facing a two edged catastrophe in Lebanon and Syria. This will keep them very occupied from potential missile attacks against Israel in the near term.
IDF continues search and destroy operations and now they appear to be moving those efforts further south into Gaza City and central Gaza.
Iran –
Iranian Foreign Minister: Doha may host a meeting next week involving Qatar, Iran, Turkey and Russia to discuss the situation in Syria
Syria -
RUMINT - Bashar al-Assad has reportedly reached out to Israel asking for help to remove the jihadi threat in Syria.
In return, he has offered to move the IRGC and their proxies out of the country.
***
There are four major areas Syria and its allies are being stressed.
First is the main rebel push on Hama. Recent OSINT suggests that rebels are working to encircle the town from both the east and west sides and achieving some success.
The second is a push westward north of the Hamas fight, toward the Med Sea. This axis threatens to cut of a significant area of Assad controlled territory south of Idib.
The third area that is developing is the Deir ez-Zor region in eastern Syria.
Khasham pocket is now under control of the SDF. Statement of Deir ez-Zor Military Council Command: The Deir ez-Zor Military Council of the Syrian Democratic Forces announced that it has taken control of 7 villages. The deployment of forces to these villages was carried out in response to the calls of the local population against the increasing threats posed by ISIS by exploiting the developments in the west of the country. The SDF has been receiving considerable air and artillery support from the US and Coalition forces in the area. While not directly engaging Assad supporters, the region has been a hot bed for Iranian backed militias who do support Assad and ISIS who is affiliated with the rebels.
The fourth is growing unrest and potential incipient rebellion in the eastern countryside of Daraa, south of Damascus, in support of the operations of the rebels in the north and the overthrow of Assad.
OBSERVATION - Seems Assad has been able to reinforce his hold on the country for the time being. Pro-assad forces are still at a disadvantage in that the rebels have been able to maintain the initiative and so far appear to be tactically as well as strategically out maneuvering them.
The fight for Hama could be the watershed moment for both sides. Will the Assad forces regain some confidence and stand and fight, instead of fleeing as they have? Will the rebels maintain the apparent unity of command that has marked the course of their operations.
If Hama stands, the rebels could lose support and the offensive die down. If it falls, then Homs is next on the hit parade and a VERY important town strategically.
Black Swans -
A newly-discovered asteroid currently designated COWECP5 is expected to impact Earth’s atmosphere over Siberia, Russia at around 16:15 UTC (08:15 PST) on December 3, 2024. This is the 11th predicted Earth impactor on record – and the 4th so far this year.
OBSERVATION - On top of all the geopolitical chaos and wars, one thing hang out there that necessitates alertness and preparedness - natural disasters. This asteroid is expected to burn up in the atmosphere. Earth history notes that many others have not.
Earthquake, floods, fires, storms, etc are things that need to be kept in the mix for preparedness as they can hit unexpectedly.
Sounds like an insurrection to me.
Any chance FBI thugs and goons will start seeing this as an 'insurrection'? LOL - didn't think so...
CW2 / Domestic violence - Moderate THREAT - up dated Nov 12, 2024
Residents of Chicago are blasting Mayor Brandon Johnson over the city spending more than half a billion dollars on sheltering migrants, with one telling the Democrat to his face during a City Council meeting that he’s the “worst mayor in America.”
The criticism surrounding Johnson and Chicago’s New Arrivals Mission – which so far has cost the city $574.5 million since its inception in August 2022 – comes as the mayor is trying to overcome a $1 billion budget shortfall by the end of the year. The City Council held a meeting Monday during which residents voiced their opposition to an approximately $60 million property tax increase floated as one way to help close the gap.
They wanted a $300 million increase originally, but that wasn’t going to fly.
OBSERVATION - Illegal immigration is becoming a very hot button issue and Chicago is displaying the push back by the liberals and minorities to the wealth redistribution going to illegals. Similar developing but by Mayor Adams in NYC. Should violent resistance against deportations build, areas like Chicago may break out in inter-minority class fighting. There are already tensions in major cities between older, established gangs and the new, more violent interlopers from central/south america. Fuses are being lit.
Economy- HIGH Threat - as of AUG 5, 2024
Initial reports that job creation continues to be in the basement. Details coming out.
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics
The WEF / globalists wanted it all during wuhan, we came close to giving it.
Consider the vaccine passports alone. Six cities were locked down to include only the vaccinated in public indoor places. They were New York City, Boston, Chicago, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and Seattle. The plan was to enforce this with a vaccine passport. It broke. Once the news leaked that the shot didn’t stop infection or transmission, the planners lost public support and the scheme collapsed.
On July 26, 2020, the CDC issued a plan for establishing nationwide quarantine camps. Proving that while things were bad during COVID, even worse was planned. People were to be isolated, given only food and some cleaning supplies. They would be banned from participating in any religious services. The plan included contingencies for preventing suicide. There were no provisions made for any legal appeals or even the right to legal counsel.
It was called “Interim Operational Considerations for Implementing the Shielding Approach to Prevent COVID-19 Infections in Humanitarian Settings.”
Who are these people who would be rounded up? They are “older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions.” Who determines this? Public health authorities. The purpose? The CDC explains: “physically separating high-risk individuals from the general population” allows authorities “to prioritize the use of the limited available resources.”
This sounds a lot like condemning people to death in the name of protecting them.
https://brownstone.org/articles/the-cdc-planned-quarantine-camps-nationwide/
OBSERVATIONS - More details at the link. This plan was similar to those implemented in Australia and attempted in other WEF/Globalist compliant nations in the world. Only by God’s grace that he clear ineffectiveness of the wuhan jab cut this and other totalitarian actions off from full implementation.
Will we ever see the perpetrators of these policies ever face justice - doubt it. The swamp/globalists will do what is necessary to protect these key minions.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Increasing calls by democrats for biden to issue blanket pardons for many in his administration that will be facing scrutiny for their actions during wuhan, lawfare and general attacks on the American people.
Biden / Harris Watch –
I don’t think biden and his handlers are finished yet with their attempts to tie up the govt to thwart Trump.
Cyber attacks/warfare – Moderate ALERT as of Oct 20, 2024
(FO) Chinese hacker group Salt Typhoon is still present on U.S. telecommunication company networks, and it is “impossible for us to predict a time frame on when we’ll have full eviction,” according to Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Executive Assistant Director Jeff Greene.
China –
China bans exports of gallium, germanium, antimony, and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications to the United States — AP
OBSERVATION - China has been working for year to corner the market, now it is beginning to pay off for China.
***
Taiwan’s defense ministry said on Tuesday it is watching the movements of a Chinese aircraft carrier and assessing China’s military activities as security sources said Beijing could launch new war games as soon as this weekend.
China has a strong dislike of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, whom it calls a “separatist”, and sources have told Reuters it could launch new drills to coincide with his trip to the Pacific this week which includes visits to Hawaii and Guam.
China has deployed close to 40 vessels in the region, including a Chinese aircraft carrier group led by Liaoning in the East China Sea as well as other naval and coast guard boats in the South China Sea.
https://x.com/IndoPac_Info/status/1863933029389144513
OBSERVATION - These maneuvers are likely to simulate a blockade of Taiwan - the primary action many believe China will implement to force reunification.
North/South Korea –
Still sorting out the mess in S Korea yesterday.
President Yoon said he was imposing martial law to protect the country from “anti-state” forces that sympathized with North Korea. Yoon claimed that the National Assembly’ s 22 impeachment attempts of government officials and reduction of government budget amounted to “an anti-state activity that foments treason.” Yoon said the emergency martial law was necessary to “protect free Republic of Korea and eliminate the pro-North Korean, anti-state forces.”The embattled leader is in a deadlock over a budget bill, dogged by corruption scandals and investigations into his cabinet members.
The military then announced that all parliamentary activity was suspended under martial law. But neither that nor the heavy security presence stopped thousands from gathering in front of the assembly in concern and fury.
Lawmakers then managed to get 190 past the barricades, enough for a quorum, and voted unanimously to cancel martial law and initiate impeachment proceedings.
Yoon shortly thereafter cancelled martial law. The heads of departments and senior secretaries within the South Korean presidential administration have resigned following the recent implementation and subsequent lifting of martial law. (Yonhap)
Yoon is facing calls for his immediate resignation.
OBSERVATION - Out of the blue and a complete surprise. The danger phase is past, now waiting for the collapse of his administration to be finished and new elections started.
What surprised me was the speed at which the military responded. Suggests that they were tipped off to the move.
Phillipines –
People’s Liberation Army Navy warships and China Coast Guard cutters fired water canons and rammed a Philippine maritime patrol near Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday in the latest spat between the two countries in the South China Sea.
Philippine Coast Guard flagship BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) and BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) joined the Bureau of Aquatic Resources and Fisheries offshore vessels BRP Datu Pagbuaya (MMOV-3003) and BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV-3002) in a patrol to support fishermen in the vicinity of the disputed South China Sea maritime feature. Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson on West Philippine Sea Concerns, said in a statement that four China Coast Guard cutters with the pennants 5303, 3302, 3104, 3304 and the People’s Liberation Army Navy Type 054A frigates Xianning (500) and Yuncheng (571) met the combined civilian maritime agency mission.
RELATED
The Philippine Coast Guard deployed two patrol vessels to protect Philippine fishermen at Iroquois Reef following reports of harassment from a Chinese Navy helicopter at the disputed South China Sea maritime feature.
BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411) were sent to Iroquois, known to the Philippines as Rozul Reef and China as Houteng Jiao, after Philippine fishermen recorded a low-flying People’s Liberation Army Navy Z-9 helicopter on Nov. 28. It is unclear if the aircraft was deployed from a warship or one of Beijing’s artificial island bases in the region. The use of helicopter downwash was previously seen at Sandy Cay 3 when a Z-8 flew directly over a civilian scientific mission.
OBSERVATIONS - China continues bullying in areas the are contesting as theirs - though global entities have ruled otherwise. A dangerous game of chicken.
Russia -
*****
Russian warships and submarine fired hypersonic Zircon missiles, and launched a Kalibr cruise missile during exercise in the Med Sea on December 3, - Russian MoD says. The exercise involves over 1,000 military personnel, 10 ships and support vessels, 24 aircraft, including Russian Aerospace Forces MiG-31I fighters with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and the Bastion coastal missile system
Many saw the deployment of vessels for this exercise out of the Syrian naval base as a response to the fighting.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures cooling to the 20-30s and scattered snow/rain
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Ukrainian air defense shot down 29 Shahed-type drones overnight. Explosion was reported in Shostka of Sumy region, Russian aircraft launchd Kh-59 guided missile towards the city
Russia still pressing the fight all along the eastern front.
Summary —
As noted yesterday, the war is coming to a cumulation point where either Ukraine taps out or Russia runs out of resources to throw at the offensive to maintain the momentum. Both are facing a determined Trump whose stated one of his primary goals is to stop the fighting.
Europe / NATO General –
***
GEORGIA - Day 6 of protests in Tbilisi: Riot police use water cannons & tear gas to disperse crowds outside Parliament. Protesters launched fireworks at the building and again clashed with special forces. Several arrests have been made as tensions keeps rising.
OBSERVATION - Showing no signs of letting up, protestors continue to press their protests/riots.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- No escalation in fighting since yesterdays Hezbollah rocket (mortar?) attack and Israeli reprisal.
——— GENERAL ——————————-
Netanyahu on Lebanon: “We are currently in a ceasefire, I note, a ceasefire, not the end of the war. We have a clear goal to return the residents, to rehabilitate the north. We are enforcing this ceasefire with an iron fist, acting against any violation, minor or serious.”
***
PM Netanyahu thanked US President-elect Trump for issuing a toughly worded statement demanding that hostages held in the Gaza Strip be released ahead of his January 20 inauguration. “Hamas is required to release the hostages. President Trump put the emphasis in the right place, on Hamas, and not on the Israeli government, as is customary (elsewhere),” Netanyahu said. Other Israeli leaders also hailed the pledge that there would be “hell to pay” in the Middle East unless hostages held in the Gaza Strip were released ahead of Trump’s inauguration. Israeli ministers lined up to thank Trump for his hard-hitting words.
***
Israel issued a direct warning to Lebanon on Tuesday and said it will no longer distinguish between Hezbollah and the country should the tenuous cease-fire with the terrorist group collapse.
“There will no longer be an exemption for the state of Lebanon,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said, according to the Times of Israel, adding that Jerusalem will “show maximum response and zero tolerance.”
“[Beirut must] authorize the Lebanese army to enforce their part, to keep Hezbollah away beyond the Litani [River] and to dismantle all the infrastructure,” Katz continued in reference to one of the 13-point agreements in the Wednesday cease-fire that said only the Lebanese army will operate in the area south of the landmark river.
——— GAZA FRONT / HAMAS ———————————-
IDF increases operations in Jabalia camp, N Gaza.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
Some IDF demolition of captured Hezbollah sites.
——— SYRIA / HEZBOLLAH / IRAN———————————-
The Israeli army takes responsibility for an airstrike near Damascus yesterday, killing Hezbollah’s liaison with the Syrian Army, Salman Jumaa. According to the military, Jumaa was a “key” figure in the relationship between the Syrian Army and Hezbollah, enabling weapons to be transferred
———WEST BANK——————————-
Three Palestinian gunmen planning an “imminent terror attack” were killed in an Israeli drone strike in the northern West Bank this morning, the Israeli army and Shin Bet say. The trio, members of Hamas, were struck near the Palestinian village of Aqabah. After the strike, the Israeli army says troops raided the site and captured four weapons
——— ASSESSMENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS ————————-
Ceasefire still holds in spite of yesterday’s flair up. Key point is Lebanon is being called out for failing to even begin to disarm Hezbollah and remove them from regions south of the Litiani River - as the current agreement and UN 1701 demand. This will be a sticking point in the future given Hezbollah’s deep penetration into the military .
Threatening the Lebanese govt and in turn the people is not a good strategy as it would turn them away from rejecting Hezbollah and joining with them against a common enemy - Israel.
Imminent threat of missile exchanges between Israel and Iran still on hold. Seems Iran is trying to ramp its nuclear program up a notch, an act Israel is very aware of and will likely take a shot at once Trump is in office.
Action in Gaza continues at a significantly decreased intensity. IDF generally shapes the conditions and ‘allows’ Hamas et al to regroup in desired spots, the moves in quickly to eradicate them.
The only element of the “resistance” really still in the game are the Houthi’s. The Iranian backed militias in Iraq and eastern Syria have largely moved west to reinforce Assad’s forces
Iran –
US Treasury: New Iran-related sanctions include dozens of entities, including oil tankers and shipping companies
Syria -
Rebel forces continue to take ground. On the southern front, rebels have move forward across a wide area east of Hama as well as pressing forward the west.
The battle of Hama is continuing to shape itself and its not going well for the pro-Assad forces. Rebels have deepened their pincer action to surround the city on the east and west sides. Rebels have advanced within five kilometers of Hama City and likely seized key defensive terrain in the area.
In the north, columns of the Turkish led SNA (Joint Forces) have reached Manbij and are being deployed to the frontlines with SDF held Manbij.
Pentagon: In eastern Syria today, US aircraft destroyed multiple weapons – including truck-mounted MLRS and a T-64 tank – after Mission Support Site-Euphrates, a key US base in the area, came under mortar fire. Pentagon PresSec says incident was not linked to situation around Aleppo in NW Syria.
OVERALL OBSERVATION - Assad’s efforts to reinforce his military in the Hamas region has done some, but not enough, to slow the rebel advance. The apparent coordination on a strategic and tactical level strongly suggest that the various rebel groups have been working up towards this for a while. Most likely Turkey is providing the backbone for the direction of the fighting. Assad forces are facing soon encirclement of Hama by the rebels and will likely be forced out of the town, yielding it with little fighting.
Turkey –
Turkish Presidency: President Erdogan held a phone call with his Russian counterpart Putin regarding Syria
Misc of Note –
Warning to Christmas Shoppers Situational awareness is critical as thieves are watching for potential victims at night time as they leave the store and head for their cars, where they will be distracted loading them. This permits the thieves to approach relatively undetected and strike fast.
Keep your head on a swivel. Shop with another person who maintains surveillant of the area during vehicle loading. Some store provide a security person to escort shoppers to their cars. Finally, the ‘horn’ button on fobs can be hit to cause the car alarm to go off, brining unwanted attention to the thieves and potentially chasing them off.
Carry is good too, but if you are unaware of your surroundings, the quick strike by the thieves can neutralize your carry advantage.
https://brownstone.org/articles/the-cdc-planned-quarantine-camps-nationwide/
I'm blessed to live in Florida - DeSantis would have fought this tooth and nail.
This time frame I had escaped kalifornia for the big sky country. Would have been fought here as well
Thanks very much Godzilla.
Globalism / Great Reset –
The UNRWA is one of the worst international organizations in the world.
Funded by Western governments, it subsidizes terrorist organizations, delivers supplies to them, employs many terrorists, trains them in schools, and hides tunnels for Hamas on its properties.
Since 10/7/2023, there has been an undeclared war between the UNRWA and Israel in the political sphere. Israel exposes UNRWA corruption, and the UNRWA defends its practices, attacks Israel using mostly baseless accusations and Hamas propaganda, and egging on antisemites around the world to pressure Israel to give up its war against Hamas.
The UNRWA has many backers around the world, unfortunately including the Biden administration, and now it is arguing that Israel should be prevented from defending itself in the public sphere as well as its physical territory.
OBSERVATION - Remember, censorship (or rather the emphasis on the control of ‘misinformation’) has been a key topic at WEF and related global gathering this past year, and will likely become an amplified message in 2025. So it shouldn’t surprise anyone that an arm of the globalist octopus is calling for censorship of any and all criticism - because that criticism has been found time and again to be true.
Terrorism - HIGH THREAT as of Oct 20, 2024
Hanukkah: Dec 26 - Jan 1
***
United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot in the chest Wednesday morning outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan in what is believed to be a targeted attack.
Thompson, 50, arrived before 7 am for a conference when he was shot at multiple times by a masked man who police say was waiting for him to arrive, the New York Post reported.
The assailant calmly executed Brian Thompson and then took off down 6th Street on a bicycle.
OBSERVATION - Though the news appears to be drifting a different cause for the murder, one thing that came to mind were the reports of numerous CEO in Europe that were assassinated by marxist radicals. For the life of me I couldn’t pin those events down any further, years or specific details. But this could be developing in a Trump pro business environment. Unfortunately, we are in a wait and see mode.
Economy- HIGH Threat - as of Dec 5, 2024
Maintaining the HIGH Threat watch because of the potential for biden regime actions that could throw the economy into a tail spin in order to hamstring Trump’s agenda
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics
Dr. Peter Hotez is one of the most prolific liars about COVID in the world.
A big fan of medical totalitarianism, Hotez helped fund the gain of function research that likely led to the outbreak of COVID-19, and he was among the most vociferous critics of the lab leak theory, which is almost certainly correct.
. . . on MSDNC, Hotez went on a rant against Trump and his appointments, and while doing so he made comments that one might or might not interpret as a threat.
—
“PETER HOTEZ: “We have some big picture stuff coming down the pike starting on January 21st”
… Names Nearly a Dozen Viruses …
“All that’s going to come crashing down on January 21st on the Trump Administration””
https://x.com/TheChiefNerd/status/1864367493675950142
—
In that light, I am keeping an eye out for stories about novel viruses popping up, or unexplained appearances of rare viral diseases. Not because I believe Hotez intends to release them, but because I don’t trust him not to.
https://hotair.com/david-strom/2024/12/05/is-this-a-threat-n3797592
OBSERVATION - The thought that wuhan was a bioengineered plague is credible and who knows what other bugs have been in the petri dish in multiple biolabs world wide. Nut jobs like him are the type that could facilitate the release of new plagues as a revenge against Trump - a very scary thought.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Joe Biden’s White House is reportedly considering issuing “preemptive” pardons for certain Democrat and government officials who President-elect Donald Trump suggested could be investigated when he takes office in January.
Top White House officials are “deeply concerned” certain government officials, like January 6 committee members and public health officials like former NIAID Director Anthony Fauci, “could find themselves facing inquiries and even indictments” when Trump returns to power, according to Politico.
Those who could face exposure include such members of Congress’ Jan. 6 Committee as Sen.-elect Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming. Trump has previously said Cheney “should go to Jail along with the rest of the Unselect Committee!” Also mentioned by Biden’s aides for a pardon is Anthony Fauci, the former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases who became a lightning rod for criticism from the right during the Covid-19 pandemic.
OBSERVATION - biden’s blanket pardon of hunter has opened the flood gates of speculation he will expand upon it for others who’s actions are at the least, very questionable and at the worst very criminal and treasonous. Some view the POLITICO’s article a test balloon.
IMHO, this is a very short sighted effort that will blow up on them, especially for the mid term elections. It would in essence confirm that their behavior WAS illegal and that would further undermine any remaining credibility of the democrat party and MSM.
Biden / Harris Watch –
US President Joe Biden fell asleep during his meeting with the presidents of several African nations.
Illegal Immigration –
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., said in a post on X that “President Biden has the power to protect immigrant families, and I’m calling on him to use it.”
She pointed to the use of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which is a status administered by the Department of Homeland Security that allows nationals who are living in the U.S. already to obtain work permits and be shielded from deportation.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dem-senator-urges-biden-extend-protections-some-illegal-immigrants-before-trump-admin-nobody-safe
.
OBSERVATION - There is a growing desperation on the left to find some means to thwart the deportation plans of Trump. One nasty rumor built upon the blanket pardon of hunter could also be a blanket pardon of the 12 million who broke federal laws entering the country. Such action would seriously impact deportation proceedings. So far that idea is still rumbling around in the background.
North/South Korea –
South Korea’s opposition parties on Wednesday submitted a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is facing pressure to leave office hours after he ended a short-lived martial law that prompted troops to encircle parliament before lawmakers voted to lift it.
Impeaching Yoon would require the support of two-thirds of parliament for the motion and then the backing of at least six Constitutional Court justices.
The motion, submitted jointly by the main opposition Democratic Party and five smaller opposition parties, could be put to a vote as early as Friday.
***
The United States, amid the situation with the introduction and cancellation of martial law in South Korea, has postponed joint exercises on nuclear deterrence against North Korea, Yonhap reports.
Russia -
*****
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov at the meeting of OSCE in Malta threatens that ongoing “Cold War” could become “Hot”
***
Russia is in a pickle. Its commitments to the Ukraine war have essentially drained their strategic flexibility to respond to other ‘crisises’
Russian Personnel Issues –-
Rumors that Russia is pulling forces out of Africa and redeploying them to Syria to bolster Assad’s regime.
Economic Impact –
India, once a major purchaser of Russian military arms and materials, has started to cancel a lot of orders. This is in large part due to delivery delays by Russia, diverting production to the Ukraine war. India also sees the poor performance of those systems in Ukraine and is looking at other suppliers for more reliable delivery and quality.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures cooling to the 20-30s and scattered snow/rain
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Overnight, Russia launched a missile and drone attack. Two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 44 Shahed drones were launched of which 30 drones were shot down and 12 suppressed by electronic warfare. One more drone returned to Belarus.
OSINT analysts are noting that the Russian use of glide bombs has nearly ceased, making them wonder if this is due to weather considerations or the destruction of the munitions in an ammo dump strike by Ukraine. Those documented uses were in the Sumy region.
Ukraine Kursk Offensive-
Russian forces have renewed their push against the Ukraine forces. Mostly attacking from the western side of the pocket. Ukraine claims to have repelled the attacks.
Pokrovsk axis (Formerly Ocheretyne) -
Russia maintains high tempo of attacks in this region. Attempting to exploit advances from earlier this week.
Summary —
News on the war continues to focus on moves to come to some sort of a ceasefire - perhaps even before Trump enters office. The US, however, has opened the floodgates to push as much money and arms to Ukraine as possible to prevent Trump from canceling the effort.
putin continues to play the nuclear card and seemingly has shut down the use of ATACMS and British/French cruise missiles against Russian territory. This has brought some observers to look at Ukraine’s home built systems, principally the upgraded Neptune missiles. Some are thinking they are stockpiling them in order to launch a massive attack some time soon.
putin’s shut down of the use of these western weapons has allow his army to continue to focus on the meat grinder in the Donbas region. Moscow considers the massive casualties versus terrain gained to still be acceptable.
Europe / NATO General –
GEORGIA - Mass arrests of oppositions and protest leaders and searches in the offices of opposition organizations in Georgia today.
Arrests in Tbilisi by now: Nika Gvaramia, leader of the “Ahali” party; Gela Khasaia, member of the Coalition for Changes; Zviad Tsetskhladze, leader of the youth movement “Dafioni”;“Lelo” members Vepkhia Kasradze and Vasil Kakhelashvili
OBSERVATIONS - Arrests of movement leaders can in some instances squelch a movement. Other times it can back fire, creating martyrs for the cause and increase support for the movement. Blow back is especially true if the opposition has a deep bench so that arrests of public figureheads do not impact the continued organization of protests. I think the last point is in play here and that the protests have withstood heavy handedness by the ‘dream party’ govt and will be further provoked by these arrests.
***
FRANCE - The French government collapsed about yesterday after a “No Confidence” Vote in Parliament. The historic vote of no-confidence was passed against Prime Minister Michel Barnier in the National Assembly. It marks the first time a French government has been ousted by a no-confidence vote in over 60 years.
French MPs including the left and the far right combined voted 331 out of 574 in favour of the motion to pass, exceeding the minimum mark of 288.
The vote rose from fierce opposition to his proposed budget for 2025 from opposition parties such as the left-wing alliance New Popular Front (NFP) and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN).
OBSERVATION - This will certainly throw a wrench into France’s leadership role in Europe. May set up a new, rigorous political fight between the right and the left.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- Israel strikes Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, while maintaining a marginal ceasefire.
——— GENERAL ——————————-
Qatar has resumed Hamas-Israel mediation in efforts to secure truce: source with knowledge of Gaza talks
Evidence shows that the bodies of six Israeli hostages recovered a few months ago were killed by their captors and not by any airstrikes.
The US govt has assessed that Hezbollah is working hard to reconstitute its forces as quickly as possible during the current ceasefire, both in recruiting new fighters as well as replacing arms and munitions destroyed in the fight.
——— GAZA FRONT / HAMAS ———————————-
IDF focusing on Hamas holed up in Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip.
The IDF reported that an airstrike in the Khan Younis humanitarian zone yesterday that targeted senior Hamas commanders involved in terror activity.
Palestinian media claim the strike killed over 20 people and shared footage allegedly showing the incident. The IDF noted secondary explosions at the site, confirming the presence of weapons.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
IDF made targeted strikes on identified Hezbollah elements, many in the process of trying to set up rockets to fire on Israel.
The Lebanese army continues to essentially be AWOL in disarming and removing Hezbollah forces as required by the ceasefire agreement (as well as UN resolution 1701)
———INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
Saudi Foreign Minister held discussions with Palestinian Prime Minister on the latest developments in the Palestinian territories and the efforts being made in this regard
——— ASSESSMENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS ————————-
The situation in Lebanon remains relatively stable but advantageous only to Hezbollah elements in the northern half of the country where the attempts at reconstituting the forces like are occurring - and out of range/targeting by Israel under the current ceasefire. Hezbollah is in such bad shape that they told Syria that they cannot move forces to Syria to help the Assad regime.
In Gaza, Hamas and affiliated continue to get caught in ‘humanitarian’ zones still thinking that it will provide a shield from Israeli attacks. They obviously haven’t learned that it won’t stop Israel from destroying them.
Iran mostly has been reduced to just bleating a lot of words about Israel, Syria and other enemies. This would be more of a deliberate effort to lay low, lick their wounds and ratchet up the nuclear program. Unless they can develop a deterrent to Israel, they are wide open to Israeli attacks at times and places of their choosing.
Iraq -
The Prime Minster of Iraq, Mohammed al-Sudani has been authorized by the House of Representatives to take the decision to enter the war.
al-Sudani has reportedly mobilized three army brigades and two PMF brigades to the Syrian border, stressing Iraq won’t remain a “spectator” amid escalating regional conflicts.
OBSERVATION - I’ve not seen word that these forces have been deployed yet. They should be making second thoughts. These Iraqi forces are not battle hardened or tested, going into a maelstrom of better motivated and experienced fighters. This potential action is driven more by Iranian-supported factions in the govt, (Shia) versus the predominantly Sunni (same as the rebels) population of Iraq.
As is is right now, Iraqi forces will be too little, too late to impact the fight significantly.
Lebanon -
The Lebanese army mobilized forces to secure its border with Syria in an effort to prevent the fighting there from spilling over.
Syria -
The battle for Hama is essentially over. Rebel forces are pouring into the city and Assad’s forces are pulling out. There are still skirmishes in some of the adjacent cities. Russian and Syrian aircraft at the military base were evacuated as rebel forces advanced and have now taken control of the airfield. Rumors of helicopters rescuing Assad’s officers, leaving the troops without leadership.
Rebel forces have been pushing towards key Russian air and naval bases on the Mediterranean coast. Reports of Russian naval vessels off the coast of Syria, launching cruise missile strikes against rebel forces to the north of Hama.
In N Syria, Turkish-backed groups were killed and others were injured during fierce clashes with the Manbij Military Council in the southern countryside of Manbij and with the Tabqa Military Council forces in the Deir Hafer area.
Lebanese sources report Hezbollah does not currently intend to send fighters to northern Syria to support the Syrian army there, three sources familiar with the Iran-backed group’s thinking told Reuters on Monday
Unconfirmed, but likely reports of mass defections with hundreds of Assad’s forces joining the Rebel.
Hundreds of Assad regime soldiers, security personnel, and police defectors are now registering with the rebels’ Interior ministry under the salvation government.
OBSERVATION - Assad’s forces continue to collapse in the face of the rebel push. What i find interesting is the coordination of the rebels in sealing off the city on three sides prior to the direct assault on it. Takes coordination at a higher level. These are not rag tag units on a rampage, but have a carefully designed higher leadership. The same was noted when rebels initially breached Hama last week and pulled back - avoiding overextending its forces and risking being taken out.
Loss of Hama has complicated Russian land routes to its naval base in Tartus and the whole logistics network of the Syrian army in general. If the rebels continue to press southward, the westernmost portion of Syria will be completely cut off.
The next logical objective is Homs. It is the major logistical hub in the region and would complete the sealing off of the coastal area of NW Syria.
After this would be about a 150 mile march to Damascus. Rebel forces would need to get their logistics ramped up for that length of essentially open terrain. So far they could pull resources (food, water, fuel) from the many villages and towns they have taken. South of Homs, the villages are much smaller and less likely to be able to provide the logistics seen further north. Russian/Syrian aircraft so far have done little to intercept logistic trains of the rebel forces
The trend is not looking good for Assad who may see his regime totally collapse soon.
Thanks Godzilla
CW2 / Domestic violence - Moderate THREAT - up dated Nov 12, 2024
BLM in Akron, Ohio are trying to organize riots after an armed 15-year-old was shot dead on Thanksgiving by police. At the funeral for Jazmir Tucker outside the Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts, masked armed militants did patrols around the school.
https://x.com/mrandyngo/status/1864822272760123882?s=61&t=Ca4dYBe3FZLWI7Zi7HkShg
OBSERVATION - Release of police body cameras clearly showing the armed 15 yr old may help defuse the situation. However, armed militants / BLM marching around, in violation of the law, the school is disturbing and could indicate some are considering a more violent protest.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Hard ball continues to be played by anti-trumper RINOs in the senate who are threatening to prevent the appointment of key personnel to administrative positions.
China –
China urges all its citizens to evacuate Syria immediately.
Russia -
Russian Personnel Issues –-
(ISW) Russian forces have suffered an estimated 125,800 casualties during a period of intensified offensive operations in Sept-Nov 2024 in exchange for 2,356 sq km of gains. (Or approximately 53 Russian casualties per sq km of Ukrainian territory seized.)
Since the start of the war, it is estimated that Russia has suffered over 750,000 casualties.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures cooling to the 20-30s and scattered snow/rain
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Overnight, 53 Shahed drones were launched into Ukraine. A total of 32 were shot down, 16 were suppressed by electronic warfare and 2 returned to Belarus.
Russian losses per 06/12/24 reported by the Ukrainian general staff
+1660 men
+8 tanks
+46 AFVs
+20 artillery systems
Russian casualties are estimated to have passed 750,000 since the start of the war.
Ukraine Kursk Offensive-
Russia continues its efforts to remove Ukraine forces from the territory.
Pokrovsk axis (Formerly Ocheretyne) -
Russian forces are pushing westward, just south of Pokrovsk, towards Novopustynka
Summary —
I still see the war moving toward some sort of an end game scenario. Russia is holding fast to its demands for the essential total surrender of Ukraine as well as ceding portions of eastern Ukraine to Russia proper. Russia is backing its demands with a bloody offensive in the east that is gaining more territory even at incredible personnel and equipment losses. Ukraine and western supporters are struggling to switch the narrative to grant them leverage in any talks.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- Rapid wins by Syrian rebels has caused Israel to prepare defensive plans is the Assad regime collapses.
——— GENERAL ——————————-
After discussing the crisis in Syria last night, the Israeli security cabinet ministers were summoned to two more follow up meetings on Syria - on Saturday night and on Sunday, Israeli official says
In Israel, there was surprise at the rapid rate of progress by the rebels and their occupation of the city of Hama within a few hours. There is also surprise at Russia’s relative lack of involvement, which has not been bombing villages in Syria as extensively as it did nearly a decade ago when it saved the Assad regime from collapse.
US State Department: Washington does not agree with Amnesty International’s conclusions that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza
——— GAZA FRONT / HAMAS ———————————-
Artillery and air strikes hit central and northern Gaza overnight.
Hamas has finally agreed to the deal reached with Fatah (Palestinian Authority) in Cairo, which transfers all governmental powers and jurisdiction in Gaza to the Palestinian Authority. This agreement, presented as the establishment of a “Community Support Committee,” effectively restores the Palestinian Authority’s governance over Gaza. The Community Support Committee will not become official until a presidential decree is issued approving its establishment, structure, and leadership. It is now waiting for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to issue the decree
https://x.com/IhabHassane/status/1864693778558132527
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
In a new Israeli attack, the army targeted the Al-Arida border crossing between Lebanon and Syria in Akkar, at dawn on Friday, which put it out of service again. This attack comes only 4 days after the crossing returned to work after it was rehabilitated due to being targeted previously
——— SYRIA / HEZBOLLAH / IRAN———————————-
Israeli raids at dawn today on areas in the Qusayr area in the Homs countryside targeted the Asi Bridge near the Sayyida Shrine in the town of Rablah and military equipment belonging to the Radwan Unit of the Lebanese Hezbollah militia
Multiple border crossings between Syria and Southern Lebanon were targeted last night by the Israeli Air Force, as they continue attempts to deny Iranian-backed forces in Syria from transferring weapons and equipment to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
———WEST BANK——————————-
Israeli security forces raid numerous locations across Judea and Samaria.
——— ASSESSMENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS ————————-
Ceasefire continues to hold as Hezbollah opts to go with less conspicuous actions to rebuild forces versus direct attacks.
Gaza continues to shift to end game, with the apparent shifting of leadership from Hamas to the PA and Abbas.
Iran is still in suffering from the Hamas and Hezbollah losses in addition to new losses in Syria. Short of sending in IRGC or regular army units to fight the rebels, the multiple militias they have moved into the fight have not helped Assad’s forces stop the advance of the rebels.
The apparent and impending collapse of the Assad regime is posing new security challenges to Israel. As the rebel forces continue to plunge to the south, they come closer and closer to Israel’s border and the Golan Heights, controlled by Israel. Currently, the objective of the rebels appears to be maintained on ousting Assad from power - and they are very close to achieving that goal. The problem for Israel is that inspire of the rebels being in opposition to Hezbollah and Iran, they are cored by idealists more closely aligned with ISIS and AQ - and can in no way be seen as friendly towards Israel.
Israel, OTOH, is not the poorly trained and demoralized rag tag army of Assad. They are masters of combined arms combat and currently hold key defensive terrain in the Golan and N Israel areas. The rebels would have to face an army that will not flee, as they have so far. Its easy to win when your opponent runs away, not so when they stand and fight and know how to do so.
I see Israel forming up units for initial defensive operations and probably reinforcing border regions. The slow down in Gaza and the ongoing ceasefire in Lebanon will give them the personnel and equipment necessary for this initial preparation.
The rebels, for their part, will be involved in trying to establish control of the country when/if Assad falls, and that will take some time. But given how their offensive has been so well organized, they may already have plans made to expedite the switch over of power.
Iran –
Iran aims to send missiles and drones to Syria and increase the number of its military advisers there to support Assad, a senior Iranian official told Reuters
Iraq -
PMF chief Faleh al-Fayyadh says what is happening in Syria is an ‘internal matter’ and has ‘no connection to Iraq’. Russian airstrikes targeted the Al-Rastan Bridge in an effort cut the road between Hama and Homs, but apparently the rebel forces were able to use alternative routes to cross the Orontes River.
Muqtada al-Sadr issues a statement prohibiting interference in Syrian affairs, emphasizing that it is up to the Syrian people to decide their own fate
Lebanon -
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem: We will stand by Syria to defeat the goals of “this aggression”
Syria -
Following the capture of Hama, rebel forces have exploded southward and now control the entire northern countryside of Homs, and have just taken control of the town of “Al-Dar Al-Kabira”, which is six kilometers away from the center of Homs city. Syria. They have flown down highway M5 like a rocket sled, far faster than I anticipated.
Social media reports that tens of thousands of Syrians are flooding roads south of Homs in an effort to escape the rebels.
Meanwhile, Rebels also pushed eastward, deep into the East Hama desert, reaching the areas of Ithriya (strategic crossroads) and Uqayribat. Assad’s forces also left everything behind there
Formation of the Southern Operations Room for fighters from Daraa, Sweida and Quneitra has been announced. Southern rebel forces have begun to take terrain and capture Syrian army equipment.
Turkish backed units continue to press the attack in N Syria against Druid forces in the region.
Several drones were reported to have been intercepted by air defenses earlier over the city of Damascus, in what is believed to have been the first drone attack ever by Rebel forces on the Syrian Capital.
OBSERVATION -
Now outdated (already!) maps showing the rapid progress of the rebel move the past few weeks. Now they are on the edges of Homs, further south than the second map indicates.
Start of rebel offensive
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GeDGBzGWAAcQ91M?format=jpg&name=large
Current
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GeDGBzHWsAA1FKQ?format=jpg&name=large
Again, note the second figure/link is already out of date.
Assad’s control over Syria is coming apart rapidly. He is not getting the support from Russia and Iran he did at the start of the civil war when he was on the verge of being overthrown then. Both Russia and Iran have bigger problems of their own.
If / when Homs is captured, Russia will be faced with either more aggressively fighting the rebels or substantially pulling out of the region.
Iran is facing losing Hezbollah and militia assets to the rebels and being forced to inject its IRGC and regular forces into the fray. These assets are relatively available, but at a cost that Iran may be hard pressed to support - while attempting to rebuild Hezbollah and move its nuclear program forward.
I expect Homs to fall rather quickly like Hama did. The Syrian army has shown very little taste for a fight to stop the rebels and continue to retreat rather than fight. The terrain between Homs and Damascus is relatively open with few villages that could be fortified. They are small and as the rebels have demonstrated, they are wise enough to bypass and surround as necessary. Lengthened logistics tail may do more to slow the rebels down than any Syrian army resistance.
The battle for Damascus may come to a head by the end of the year.
Misc of Note –
Yesterday, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake shook Northern California generating a tsunami warning stretching all the way from Florence, Oregon, to Davenport, California. That warning was later cancelled. In addition to the size of the quake, it was also shallow, both key contributors to the creation of a tsunami. The motion of the quake - strike/slip - however doesn’t always generate major tsunamis ,but often smaller, local surges.
Setting - for all the hyperbole, the epicenter was just west of the triple junction structure off the coast of N California. Here, the San Andreas curves to the west becoming the Mendocino fault zone (right lateral). Connected to this spot is the southern end of the Cascadia subduction zone, where the Juan de Fuca plate (a remnant of the Farallon Plate) is being shoved under the Pacific Northwest.
The tsunami alert involved evacuation notices for all coastal residents and created a substantial traffic jam of people leaving ocean front areas. News discussions indicated that many of those who evacuated were woefully unprepared for the experience.
For all Freepers out there who live in areas where you could be required to evacuate in the event of a natural disaster such as -
- tsunami
- flood
- forest fire
- hurricanes
- nuclear fallout projections
You must make sure you have a grab and go system that can quickly be loaded up. Such would include at least 3 days worth of clothing, food, water for you AND YOUR PETS. Have important household documents together and any heirlooms identified so they can be quickly taken (but note - these would be very low on the evacuation list)
Next, make sure you are VERY familiar with evacuation routes. I’ve been to the coastal areas of N Cal a lot over the years, and the road network out there absolutely sucks and is incapable of evacuating the numbers of people now living out there quickly. Second, for flood, fire, hurricane scenarios - you may have a little more warning - so get out the sooner is better.
Many still look to an impending mega quake generated by the Cascade subduction zone. This is not bogus doomsday talk. The geologic setting is similar to that near Japan and Indonesia where massive tsunamis have recently hit. It has been documented that a 9+ hit the region in 1700, generating a 100 foot plus tsunami in the PNW area and reached Japan causing damage. And this hasn’t been the only mega quake generated by the Cascadia subduction zone. Should another big one hit, similar levels of tsunami damage can be expected from British Colombia south to N California. The damage and deaths would increase that from the quake itself and create a tremendous disaster zone encompassing millions.
Advice - research where you live and identify if you are in a zone where evacuation may be necessary on short notice. Gather the necessary evacuation kit (remembering to check it at least annually), know evacuation routes and identify destinations to evac too.
This last item is important. Past disasters have shown that FEMA / Red Cross shelters are just another disaster for refugees. Make plans with family and/or friends to hole up - and do so long before the event, don’t just show up at their door. Or if RVing it, have locations down certain as others may be headed to the same destination(s).
Specific to those living in the PNW, the earthquake damage alone could leave hundreds of thousands in western regions of California, Oregon and Washington cut off from the rest of the country due to damages to roads and other infrastructure. These area could face months before substantial aid reaches them via roads or rail. Plan accordingly.
Oops ping to previous post. (mumble, need more coffee)
ALERT
Things moving ever quicker. Fighting now reported on the northern outskirts of Homs
ALERT 2
Reports that the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) had ordered a Full Withdrawal from the City of Homs, as Rebel Forces are advancing on the City from the North.
Folks, Assad’s army and regime are on the verge of a total collapse
“PETER HOTEZ: “We have some big picture stuff coming down the pike starting on January 21st”
… Names Nearly a Dozen Viruses …
“All that’s going to come crashing down on January 21st on the Trump Administration””
https://x.com/TheChiefNerd/status/1864367493675950142
************************************************************************
so just who is this guy????
It’s beyond disgusting that they have so little regard for human life, that they’d sacrifice ours to further their power and money grabs.
And suddenly RFK Jr is *Too dangerous for the government*???????
He wasn’t when he was a democrat.
We need to seriously pray for the safety and success of all these appointees of Trump’s.
Thank You. Coffee ~ yes, coffee - lol
A more abbreviated report today. Got a lot on the plate and have to get out early to collect food for the local emergency food bank. This drive is the largest in the state, so my SAR unit has called for all hands.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Moderate THREAT - up dated Nov 12, 2024
BLM elements in NYC are attempting to rally the faithful using the Daniel Penny trial as a backstop. Claims that Perry will get off of charges because he is white and the so called victim - Jordan Neely - was black. Coincides with a wrongful death lawsuit being filed by Neely’s father.
Terrorism - HIGH THREAT as of Oct 20, 2024
Hanukkah: Dec 26 - Jan 1
***
Butte County law enforcement officials on Thursday revealed that the gunman behind Wednesday’s shooting at a private K-8 school was allegedly attempting “child executions” because of American involvement in the alleged genocide of Palestinians in Gaza
The suspected shooter has been identified as 56-year-old Glenn Litton, a homeless man with a lengthy criminal record who moved between the Chico and Sacramento area.
The development comes after authorities obtained the man’s writing, which gave the motive for the shooting, and referenced something called the “International Alliance.” However, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said authorities have found no evidence of the alliance, and the suspect has a history of mental illness, per the Daily Wire.
“Countermeasure involving child executions has now been imposed at the Seventh-Day Adventist school in California, United States by the International Alliance,” Litton wrote. “Lieutenant [Litton] of the Alliance, carried out countermeasure in necessitated response to America’s involvement in Genocide and Oppression of Palestinians along with attack towards Yemen.”
OBSERVATION - Mental case or just a serious lefty who’s swallowed the pro-Hamas propaganda hook, line and sinker.
Economy- HIGH Threat - as of Dec 5, 2024
Employers created 227,000 jobs in November, a solid improvement reflecting resilience in the economy following a weaker report in October
The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2 percent but remains near low levels, according to the November jobs report released by the Labor Department.
Job gains in November beat forecasters’ predictions of 200,000. But economists have noted that November job creation could paint an artificially strong picture of the labor market, coming after one-off economic events. Two hurricanes and a strike at Boeing pushed job creation down in October, resulting in the weakest showing since December 2020.
(Washington Post)
OBSERVATION - Through they try to put lipstick on it, job market is still very weak.
North/South Korea –
All but three MPs of South Korea’s ruling party left parliament ahead of a vote on whether to impeach embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol That means the bill fell short of the 200 members required to pass it, with the opposition needing eight MPs from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) to back it.
Protests in Seoul demanding the resignation / impeachment of Yeol.
Russia -
The Russian embassy in Damascus calls on its citizens to leave the country immediately.
In Syria, Russian forces may be preparing to leave Hmeimim air base & Tartus naval base in Syria as the regime continues to lose ground to opposition forces.
The Kremlin losing its footprint in Syria would undermine its strategic objectives in the Mediterranean & Africa.
Tartus is Russia’s only formal overseas naval base, which it uses to project power into the Mediterranean and support its Africa operations.
Tartus also links Russia’s Black Sea assets to the Mediterranean, although Turkey has severed this link by closing the Turkish Straits.
Russian forces have evacuated their S-400 long-range SAM battery from Khmeimim Air Base in western Syria. Multiple 5P85SM2 TELs were spotted earlier today driving south down the M1 highway towards the port of Tartus.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures cooling to the 20-30s and scattered snow/rain
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Russian losses per 07/12/24 reported by the Ukrainian general staff
+1300 men
+17 AFVs
+12 artillery systems
+2 AD systems
This marks a substantial decrease in losses - potentially reflecting slow down of offensive operations.
Ukraine has reportedly released videos that shows a number of strikes on gas rigs in the black sea which they believe are used to house surveillance equipment.
The sea drones attack the structures at their base while air drones strike the platform.
Clips show rigs engulfed in massive blazes while others show huge explosions on the platforms as the drones strike.
Summary —
Ukraine hit some low hanging fruit in the Black Sea. With the Russian Black Sea fleet cowering in ports far away from Ukraine reach, Russian oil and gas platforms don’t have the luxury of running away.
Belarus -
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow could deploy its Oreshnik Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile System (IRBM) in Belarus by the second half of 2025. The decision follows a request from Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko during a Summit in Minsk, Belarus. Putin stated that Belarus would choose the targets for the missiles deployed on its soil.
Europe / NATO General –
GEORGIA - Demonstrations continue in Georgia
New protest rally at Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi tonight. Rustaveli Avenue: Riot police used tear gas and water cannons to dismantle the protest in front of Parliament, which was followed by violent arrests
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- Unconfirmed reports on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release.
——— GENERAL ——————————-
Hostage deal negotiations have been reported to enter a new and “final” phase, sources told Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar.
Hamas is attempting to determine the number of living Israeli hostages it and other terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip are holding, Palestinian sources told Saudi-owned news outlet Asharq Al-Awsat on Saturday.
The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Hamas leadership reached out to other groups to assess the number of living hostages.
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-832330
——— SYRIA / HEZBOLLAH / IRAN———————————-
IDF bolsters forces on Golan Heights, the IDF decided to reinforce forces in Division 210 on the Syrian border in the Golan Heights security cabinet to hold special sessions Saturday & Sunday night. via N12News.
Engineering elements are constructing trenches and installing other vehicle barriers along the border with Syria.
***
Channel 12 (as well as other sources) is reporting that the Israeli Air Force recently carried out strikes against several of the Assad regime’s chemical weapon facilities in Western Syria, in order to prevent them from falling into the hands of advancing rebel forces.
——— ASSESSMENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS ————————-
Israel is taking the pause in the action in Gaza and Lebanon to shift focus on the developing rebellion in Syria and making preparations for any spill over or direct attempts at attacking the nation.
Iran –
Three Iranian officials have told the New York Times that they have begun the evacuation of senior military leaders and personnel from Syria, in anticipation of the imminent collapse of the Assad regime. Top commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Quds Force have left Syria for refuge in both Lebanon and Iraq; in addition, Iranian military personnel, diplomatic staff and their families, as well as Iranian civilians began to be evacuated on Friday, with their departure being ordered by the Iranian Embassy in Damascus and IRGC Leadership.
***
International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran is “dramatically” accelerating its enrichment of uranium to up to 60% purity. This level is considered the last step before quickly enriching to weapons-grade levels.
Syria -
Assad hours are numbered. Without getting into all the details as in the past a summary is more than sufficient.
- Rebel forces have entered Homs and Syrian forces are retreating.
- Daraa Governorate in Southwestern Syria has fallen to rebels after 24 hours. This region was where the civil war began in 2011. Syrian forces retreating. This has resulted in fighting beginning in the southern neighborhoods and town of Damascus.
- Rebel forces pressing towards Damascus from the east, taking control of the Qalamoun region in the northern Damascus countryside. Syrian forces retreating
- US backed rebels have taken control over the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor. Iranian backed militias fleeing.
- SDF has taken full control over the government pockets in Hassakeh and Qamishlo as well as nearly all of eastern Syria
- Iranian forces and civilians have begun to evacuate from Syria
- Hezbollah is fleeing Syria
- Russian forces are in the process of evacuating Syria
A senior source in the Kremlin: “We have no intention of saving the Bashar regime, as long as he does not fight, and runs away from his positions.”
- The U.S. Embassy in Syria has now amended its security alert for the country and included newly taken territory in the impacted areas.
“The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to depart Syria now while commercial options remain available in Damascus.”
- Assad’s family has remained in Russia.
Damascus is facing assault from three sides and Assad’s forces are failing to put up much of a fight as well. This has been made worse by the lack of Russian and Hezbollah (Iranian) support they received early on in the civil war. The total collapse of the Syrian army has been epic and generally unforeseen.
Some analysts suggest that Syria may be broken up into three countries.
- An Assad supporting regions along the coast from Idlib south to the Tartus region. NOTE - the rebel forces may well take control of this region at the rate they are going.
- A Sunni majority in the central regions, that included Damascus, Aleppo, Homs and Hama
- A possible druze / Kurd controlled eastern and far southern coalition.
JORDAN -
Jordan has closed its border with Syria. The Jordanian Foreign Ministry called on Jordanian citizens residing and present in Syria to leave the country as soon as possible.
Source: Sky News Arabia
Thanks for your work Godzilla.
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