In the final countdown to Christmas . . . .
Heads up. I’ll likely take a few days off from posting between now and new years.
Globalism / Great Reset –
The United Nations and World Health Organization are tightening the noose on free speech. While the UN uses treaties, WHO is deploying a “social listening” technique in Pacific island nations.
The European Union is creating a committee specifically to tackle online “disinformation.” In the UK, Ofcom is tightening the noose through the Online Safety Act and is leading the global push for online censorship as it chairs the Global Online Safety Regulators Network for a second year.
Meanwhile, corporate media in France is using the courts to enforce French censorship globally. And Spain is proposing a law to force social media influencers to issue public corrections for “misinformation.”
In the US it’s more of a mixed bag with some wins for freedom of speech and some worrying developments, such as the Kids Online Safety Act which some Senators are attempting to rush through before the current Congress expires.
https://expose-news.com/2024/12/21/the-week-in-censorship/
OBSERVATION - Remember back to the various WEF related conferences early in the year? The major theme was the spread of ‘misinformation’ and the need to censor it and replace it with their narrative. We are now seeing the combined efforts of WEF ‘compliant’ nations and entities towards that goal. This time, there are more legal/governmental structures to enforce the ‘narrative’ versus the generally covert efforts employed during the heart of the wuhan plandemic.
This is a flow against which Trump will have to remain vigilant which desires overall to stamp his policies and goals into the dirt.
***
Unconfirmed reports that Trump will pull the US out of the WHO within days of his return to the WH. This is in light of the effort of the WHO to establish a quasi-treaty pandemic control over the world and the US via an unconstitutional scheme.
This is one reason the globalists fear him. That giant sucking sound is all that money no longer coming in to support them and the more difficult task to bring the US under more globalist controls.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Moderate THREAT - up dated Nov 12, 2024
The House Select Committee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government uncovered censorship, FBI whistleblower retaliation, and politicization of the nation’s top law enforcement and intelligence agencies over its nearly two-year probe into federal agencies.
On Friday, the House subcommittee housed under Chairman Jim Jordan’s Judiciary Committee, released its 17,000-page final report touting these and other findings. The broad investigation, the subcommittee says, uncovered a “two-tiered system of government—one of favorable treatment for the politically-favored class, and one of intimidation and unfairness for the rest of American citizens.”
OBSERVATION - When the govt targets its citizens in this manner several things become apparent. First, the swamp has been exposed for using Stalist / Stasi methods to subjugate the citizenry. Second rides with the first - the gross abuse of the constitution and the specific protections of citizens therein. Finally, the heavy handedness and prosecutorial bias to forcefully silence opinions and movements contrary to the swamps narrative (which also echos that of the globalists).
***
(FO) A recent revolutionary anarchist blog post argued that protests and direct action demonstrations against fascists and corporations no longer work, and that anarchist should return to assassinating their enemies.
The post argues that continued assassinations of political enemies would send a message to the capitalist class that prominent members are not “untouchable.” The post described the current situation as a “precipice,” as anarchist readers are asked to consider their willingness to commit acts of armed violence if those acts lead to desired change.
In related, A popular revolutionary anarchist media outlet encouraged anarchists to focus their efforts on recruiting those disillusioned with political solutions to intractable problems like poor economic conditions and wealthy corporations, police violence, and environmental issues.
OBSERVATION - Forward Observer has been monitoring the far left for a while with reliable analysis (recommend you sign up for their daily reports). Their analysis is “Left wing anarchism has a long history of political assassination, and this blog post pushes its anarchist readers to consider their movement’s heritage.”.
This flows parallel to the recent assassination of the health care CEO and inference towards other CEOs. As I’ve noted before, these leftists have historically conducted attacks like this and the concern is that in the absence of broader support for 2020 style riots and actions, they may revert to this method, doable with fewer numbers of true believers.
Military / Strategic Activity / Deployments –
According to U.S. Central Command; a friendly-fire incident occurred earlier tonight over the Red Sea, with a U.S. Navy F/A-18F “Super Hornet” from the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) being accidentally shot-down by the Ticonderoga-Class Guided-Missile Cruiser, USS Gettysburg (CG-64). Both pilots were able to safely eject and have since been rescued; with one of the pilots suffering minor injuries.
There is a likelihood that the shoot down occurred during a time frame when Houthi cruise missiles were being engaged. Still speculation.
POLITICAL FRONT –
The democrats are running around beating their chests claiming that the CR battle was won by them. In one way they did succeed in peeling back the cover of many so-called republican ‘conservatives’ as being deeply infected by the poisons of the swamp and suddenly being tone deaf to the demands of the nation. There is no way the 1500+ page monstrosity should have ever seen the light of day in the first place.
But in reality, the democrat ‘win’ only served to place the republican in congress on notice, we won’t be putting up with this nonsense any longer. The final concession of a single 100+ page bill (versus 1500) with very limited extras shows what the people with the help of their voices being amplified by “X” can do for starters.
This has shaped up the 2025 battle lines and in much the same manner that Senators got a taste of what their constituents thought about their refusals to support Trumps picks, the representatives got a taste of the same. When DOGE is fully engaged, budget battles will become epic. What is different this time around is that the battles will no longer be constrained by the liberal MSM forcing the ‘narrative’. “X” and Rumble for starters have shaken up the social media world so much that the MSM has lost a lot of credibility as well as viewer ship.
INTERNATIONAL GENERAL –
Trump on Saturday slammed what he called unfair fees for US ships passing through the Panama Canal and threatened to demand control of the waterway be returned to Washington.
Authorities in Panama did not immediately react to Trump’s post.
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/trump-panama-canal/2024/12/22/id/1192544/
OBSERVATION - Another holdover from Carter’s disastrous presidency. He single handedly set not only the US but the whole world up for many of the ills besetting us today.
This was basically a warning shot to the leftists in Central America and Panama in particular as I don’t see serious action until later in his term. He has a lot on his plate to deal with in his first year alone. But as seen in the immigration and even the CR, he is shaping policies even before inauguration.
Biden / Harris Watch –
A new report has uncovered that the White House deliberately concealed President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline throughout his entire presidency.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the administration took extensive steps to manage the president’s health concerns, from hiring a vocal coach to downplaying his cognitive struggles.
The report highlights an ongoing effort to hide Biden’s decline, which included appointing other officials to handle tasks typically overseen by the president, canceling meetings on his “bad days,” and even avoiding calls with other political leaders.
While aides worked to downplay the issue, Biden’s cognitive decline became more evident over time, especially after Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report last year, which detailed the president’s forgetfulness and frailty.
OBSERVATION - We knew he was feeble minded even during the 2020 campaign based on his ‘basement’ campaign. This report is beyond that. The allegations need serious investigation because if he was mentally incompetent throughout his term, then the decisions he reportedly “made” are potentially illegal and overturn able. Sadly, though congress may peal things back, I seriously doubt that anyone will be held accountable for covering for this senile so called president for the 4 years of chaos we’ve experienced.
Russia -
*****
Putin rumbling about using his MIRV MRBMs against Ukraine again and may well do so soon.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures in the 30s and rain and snow throughout much of the period.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Ukraine’s Air Force reports on a Shahed drone attack overnight by Russia. Out of 103 launched, 52 were shot down by regular air defense and another 44 were suppressed by electronic warfare. One more flew back to Belarus.
Russian losses per 22/12/24 reported by the Ukrainian General Staff.
+1820 men
+15 tanks
+29 APVs
+32 artillery systems
+3 AD systems
Overnight, Ukrainian drones attacked an oil depot in Oryol, Russia. Drones could be heard flying and explosions were reported right after. One of the tanks caught fire. Local authorities say the fire has already been put down.
Summary —
Continued high Russian casualties and little reported terrain captured. On a subjective level, it also seems that Russian attacks across the eastern front are down. One conclusion is that though few attacks, they are suffering even higher losses. Could well be the result of poor equipment and tactics being used by Russia. One example posted was Russian forces advancing to the front in unarmored civilian vehicles. Ukraine devastated the forces as they are very susceptible to FPV drones. See pervious post on increasing reliance on such vehicles by Russia.
Russia’s threats to use their MIRV missile are increasing, but I think that a lot of the ‘fear’ of its use has been lessened by after strike analysis. It is not the ‘Rods from god’ weapon much propaganda has been spread about. The submunitions of the warhead, if actually deployed as a bomb, could be serious but still much of an area weapon.
Russia’s use of this missile may well be limited to the small numbers at hand and hindered by sanctioned elements necessary for its key components - like much of the rest of the high tech weapons used by Russia.
Limited supply may cause putin to employ the weapon against Kyiv, Odesa or Lviv as a terror weapon.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- Netanyahu not to visit the 80th remembrance of the liberation of Auschwitz due to ICC arrest threats.
——— GENERAL ——————————-
An Israeli Air Force investigation into a Houthi ballistic missile that evaded Israel’s aerial defense system and hit a residential area in Jaffa overnight Friday has found that an interceptor missile malfunction caused the failure.
The IAF probe into the Jaffa missile strike also ruled out the possibility that the Iranian-backed rebels had made changes to the missile’s trajectory and range.
The Israel Defense Forces’ initial assessment had suggested the missile might have employed a different type of rocket engine, designed for activation in space, Israel’s Channel 12 News reported on Saturday. This could have altered its trajectory, complicating detection and interception. Furthermore, investigators examined whether the Houthis had reduced the warhead size to increase fuel capacity, thereby extending the missile’s range.
***
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will reportedly not attend the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz on International Holocaust Remembrance Day next month because of fear that Poland will honor a warrant to arrest him.
According to Polish outlet Rzeczpospolita, Israeli authorities haven’t contacted their Polish counterparts about attending the event, and officials in Warsaw believe the reason is related to Poland’s stance that it will adhere to the ICC’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu over possible war crimes in the Gaza war.
https://harbingersdaily.com/israel-at-war-week-56/
——— GAZA FRONT / HAMAS ———————————-
IDF continues to hit identified Hamas et al gatherings across Gaza.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
More IDF destruction of Hezbollah infrastructure in occupied areas of S Lebanon.
——— JUDEA AND SAMARIA——————————-
Continued Israeli security forces actions across the area.
———“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
U.S. Central Command has announced that major strikes were carried out tonight against Houthi Command-and-Control Centers and missile storage facilities in Western Yemen; with the strikes involving both U.S. Air Force and Navy Assets, including several F/A-18E “Super Hornets” from Carrier Air Wing 1 aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) operating in the Red Sea.
During the operation, CENTCOM forces also shot down multiple Houthi one way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA UAV) and an anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) over the Red Sea.
NOTE - See Military / Strategic Activity / Deployments above on friendly fire incident associated with the operation.
***
The Houthis are threatening to strike the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier. The Truman is currently operating in the Red Sea region.
——— ASSESSMENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS ————————-
Relative calm across Israel as the intensity of combat remains low to very low. The biggest issue now is the resurgent Houthi attacks. Israeli and even US/coalition strikes have caused some serious damage, like other terrorists in the region, Houthi’s have spread their assets out to prevent singular destruction of stockpiles from limited strikes. It is going to take a much more prolonged campaign to significantly damage their ballistic missile capabilities and anti-shipping efforts that first believed. IMHO, again, I think that the Houthi’s are a bit over confident that they can ride out this campaign because of the lack of will to conduct such an extended campaign. Additionally, they likely have further diversified their storage locations to thwart future attacks. With the successful penetration of a missile a few days ago, they are further encouraged to keep their attacks up, maybe even increase them.
OTOH, Iran is incapable of supporting them as they were even a year ago. So Houthi operations can be expected to suffer a lot of degradation military should a serious air campaign be launched against it. Israel also has shown that they are willing to hit the Houthis economically and dry that source of power away. Should Israel get the leads on leadership hideouts, one can expect targeting on that level.
Because of the continued threat to Red Sea shipping and associated US interests, the arrival of Trump to the WH may suddenly swing the balance of power against them. If done in coordination with Israel (better likelihood than under biden), the US with its heavy bombers and BIG bombs could place a significant dent in Houthi capabilities. It may not stop them entirely, since radicalized islamic jihadists would not roll over so quickly until dead, they would attempt to continue. This in turn could expose the leadership to a greater threat.
Final note on the Houthi’s. They renewed their threats to take out a US aircraft carrier. Their hope would be to saturate the ADA capabilities of escort ships and get at least one missile thru.
Syria -
A high-level Saudi delegation arrives at the People’s Palace in Damascus and meets with Ahmed Al-Sharaa.
OBSERVATION - In spite of its radical islamic past, the leaders of Syria are putting up a very moderate front to the rest of the arab world. In part because they displayed STRENGTH against Iran and Russia (key component of regional geopolitics) as well as indicating that they wont use that strength against these arab nations.
***
IDF continues to make contacts with local leaders in the occupied buffer zone.
Turkey –
Turkey continues to attack Kurdish based forces in N Syria. They have not committed the reported large forces being set up just north of the Syrian border.
Misc of Note –
Drones, drones, drones . . . . again!
The Federal Aviation Administration has expanded its temporary flight restrictions for drones to include parts of New York state, marking an unprecedented regional-scale restriction of civilian drone operations in response to ongoing reports of unexplained aerial activity. The extension follows an earlier ban covering 22 New Jersey communities, reports The Guardian.
The new restrictions encompass sections of Brooklyn and Queens, as well as multiple Long Island communities, specifically targeting areas around 30 critical infrastructure sites, primarily electrical power stations. Governor Kathy Hochul characterized the measure as “purely precautionary,” emphasizing the absence of specific threats to these facilities.
The technical characteristics reported by witnesses – including extended flight times and advanced maneuverability – raise questions about the nature of the observed aircraft. These descriptions appear inconsistent with typical consumer drone capabilities, particularly regarding battery life limitations and speed parameters common to civilian platforms.
https://dronexl.co/2024/12/20/faa-drone-flight-restrictions-ny-nj-region/
OBSERVATION - We use drones in my SAR unit, and the FAA restrictions on use are already strict - even for first responders.
Flight ‘restrictions’ sound nice on headlines and from govt mouthpieces, but that will only apply to those legally operating them. Potential hostile foreign agents and care free ‘hobbyists’ will by and large ignore these restrictions. Until these drones start being taken down and their operators tracked down will these ‘restrictions’ have any teeth. So far, not a single report of a valid downing of any of these drones have occurred. Further, officials have been both reluctant and unable to even try.
The reports of exceptional “technical characteristics” is hard to judge, particularly by untrained observers who may never seen the maneuverability of drones before. That said, there are some reports that push thru the static that suggest some credibility to them as well. The technology of drones has accelerated since the adaptation to war by Ukraine and has caused a lot of out of the box thinking by many on modifications and uses. Both hostile agents and zealous ‘hobbyists’ have the capability to apply this growing knowledge and technology to create advanced drones.
Again, until we start downing some of these things, we won’t even be able to start to understand what is going on.
Trump will either keep them in line or pull us out. It's going to be a great four years.
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This flows parallel to the recent assassination of the health care CEO and inference towards other CEOs. As I’ve noted before, these leftists have historically conducted attacks like this...
Just like good people work together - bad people also work together. Anarchists/commies/cartels/sexual weirdos/wokesters/progressives/white liberal global 'elites' - same team.
Wishing you and yours a Blessed Christmas and a very happy, healthy and prosperous .2025
I’ll probably not post tomorrow or Christmas. Expect a big one after christmas. Plus I’m setting up for the TM 2025 edition - probably use parts of those days to get it accomplished for Jan 1.
Should something break, I’ll be on it though.
Terrorism - HIGH THREAT as of Oct 20, 2024
Hanukkah: Dec 26 - Jan 1
***
Hanukkah is fast approaching. I expect violence at celebrations this year given the violence seen in Europe over the past month and the sudden shifts in power in the middle east.
Be situationally aware as even Christian events are at a risk.
Economy- HIGH Threat - as of Dec 5, 2024
Stories on how Christmas sales are going have been pretty scarce. What I have seen suggests that spending has not increased if at all by very much - a flat Christmas. This due to loss of spending power due to inflation. Looking for further information.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Now that the CR drama has been kicked down the road three months, DC has calmed considerably. Congress critters headed home for the holidays.
INTERNATIONAL GENERAL –
Trump’s threat to retake control of the Panama canal is not a far fetched as one might think. The agreement that transferred control to Panama has a clause in it that should it not be able to operate is properly / have difficulties, the US can regain control.
Now he’s talking about buying Greenland?
Biden / Harris Watch –
More and more reports on how staff hid biden’s collapse of mental facilities essentially from day one of his term. In a real, just world, all his decisions could and should be evaluated to see if he had the mental capability to make the decisions to begin with. Sadly, those days are long gone and apart from sensational stories and congressional committees, nothing will be done.
Illegal Immigration –
President Joe Biden’s administration deported about 390,000 fewer illegal aliens over the last four years than President Donald Trump’s administration did in his first term, new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data reveals.
From Fiscal Year 2021 through Fiscal Year 2024, the Biden administration deported 545,252 illegal aliens from the United States — a fraction of the estimated 8 million migrants the administration is estimated to have welcomed over the same period.
At the same time it has reduced deportations, the Biden administration has overseen the largest wave of illegal immigration to the United States in American history, with more than 10 million migrants having shown up at the nation’s border over the last four years.
NOTE - one of those illegals biden refused to deport burned a woman alive on a NY subway yesterday. Jan 20 can’t come soon enough.
China –
The PRC announced that it “allowed” a Philippine resupply mission to the Sierra Madre in Second Thomas Shoal. The PRC’s rhetoric likely aims to bolster the credibility of its claims to sovereignty over the territory.
North/South Korea –
North Korea is ramping up its weapons deliveries to Russia, according to the WSJ. Thousands of containers filled with ammunition, including 122mm and 152mm shells, Hwasong-11 missiles, and advanced weapons like 170mm Koksan howitzers and 240mm MLRS, have been shipped by rail and sea. Train traffic at the Tumangan-Hasan border crossing has tripled this year, reaching record levels.
Around 200 factories in North Korea are running at full capacity to produce ammunition for Russia, with Pyongyang receiving oil and cash in return. Satellite imagery shows rapid expansion of missile production facilities, including those for the Hwasong-11. So far, over 5 million artillery shells and more than 100 missiles have been sent to Russia
https://www.wsj.com/world/russia-north-korea-weapons-shipment-676d7f52
Phillipines –
The Philippines ratified its Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan on December 16 in the latest act of military cooperation between the two states amid increasing pressure from the PRC.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures in the 20 -30s with widely scattered rain and snow.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
The Ukrainian Air Force reports on a Shahed drone attack overnight. Out of 72 Shaheds launched, 47 were shot down by regular air defense. Another 25 were supressed by electronic warfare. In Khmelnytskyi and Kyiv regions, private businesses and citizens’ homes were damaged.
Russian losses per 23/12/24 reported by the Ukrainian General Staff.
+1990 men
+6 tanks
+15 APVs
+29 artillery systems
Zaporizhzhia Axis -
Continued rumbling of a Russian offensive into the region using 4000 airborne/special ops troops to attempt to gain potential bridge heads for follow on attacks.
Summary —
In a broad manner, reported contacts / attacks across the eastern fronts are down, yet Russia casualties remain very much on the high side again. Over 1800 yesterday. This is becoming the new average which as I pointed out in previous posts, is running far higher than the 1000-1200 /day seen this past summer. Ukraine reports that over the past weeks Russia has returned more to the ‘meat attacks’ of throwing a lot of men at an objective over a prolonged period resulting in heavy losses for a minimal terrain gain. These attacks are being picked up earlier and earlier by Ukraine’s recon drones and decimated early, but still the numbers press on.
Continued reports of heavy N Korean casualties. The most recent numbers indicate that thousands have been killed/wounded. This is out of a force of around 10K believed to have been committed. Though there has been talk of NK sending more troops, very little info indicates that it has happened. Increased munitions production seems to be what they and the Russians are pressing for. With this is probably greater quality control - with more Russian inspectors than with the original shipments. Those shipments reflected poor quality and storage control and reportedly cost a lot of Russian lives due to mis fires.
The ‘long’ war has been relatively quiet of late. Standard (now) 60 - 90 Shahed drones to be dealt with nightly and a few Ukraine drone efforts. Likely lowered due to winter weather / storm conditions. Drones are relatively light weight and don’t like storms very well.
ISRAEL –
——— GAZA FRONT / HAMAS ———————————-
Hamas groupings being identified and taken out across Gaza, but intensity of fighting very light.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
IDF destroyed more Hezbollah underground facilities
——— JUDEA AND SAMARIA——————————-
Continued Israeli security force raids to arrest terror suspects
———“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Israelis on Sunday to be “patient” as Jerusalem prepares to respond forcefully to attacks by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists.
“We will take forceful, determined and sophisticated action,” the prime minister vowed after a Houthi ballistic missile evaded the Israel Defense Forces’ aerial defense systems and hit a playground in Tel Aviv’s Jaffa quarter overnight Friday, lightly wounding 16 people.
“Even if it takes time, the result will be the same—as it has been with the other terrorist arms,” he said, in reference to previous IDF operations against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“Just as we have acted forcefully against the terror arms of Iran’s axis of evil, so too will we act against the Houthis,” Netanyahu said. “However, in this case, we are not acting alone. Like us, the U.S. and other countries see the Houthis not only as a threat to international maritime navigation, but to the international order as well.
“what I ask of you, citizens of Israel, is to be patient, to continue showing the same resilience that you have shown up until now, and to strictly follow the [IDF] Home Front Command directives,” he said.
https://www.jns.org/netanyahu-appeals-for-patience-as-idf-prepares-to-hit-houthis-hard/
——— ASSESSMENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS ————————-
Gaza and Lebanon are very quiet, giving Israel the break necessary to focus on the Houthi and Iran. Two different thought coming out on how Israel should handle the situation.
One thought is to do unto the Houthi’s as they have done to Hamas and Hezbollah - wage a sustained assault on the whole of the Houthi empire - military, economic and social. The Houthi are smart enough not to put all their eggs in one basket. They also benefit from the distance which prevents rapid Israeli targeting like they had against Hamas and Hezbollah. There IAF could quickly react to intelligence within minutes. Houthi controlled Yemen is some 2000 KM from Israel - several hours of travel time in which a missile TEL can set up, fire and scoot (hide) before Israeli planes can get it.
Houthi also don’t have the missile production base like Iran does, so internal production limited to simpler systems while relying on Iran for more sophisticated systems like ballistic missiles. Then Houthi, though Iranian proxies, were not an imminent threat like Iran, so the penetration of the society and military by Mossad may not be as deep and will take time to develop intelligence identifying key targets to strike.
The second thought is go for the puppet master - Iran. The Houthi threat currently consists of the ability to throw a missile or two and a few drones at Israel every day. Iran OTOH can and has fired hundreds of missiles in a barrage. Hit the head, and the support to the minions like Houthi’s will dry up as well. A former Mossad chief has been interviewed recently supporting the Iranian attack option.
Israel is full of surprises and the current rhetoric at least suggests that they are focusing on the Houthi first. The demonstrated successful meticulous planning of the military and intelligence branches in the past is being brought to bear towards Yemen. Just like it took several weeks for the attack plan against Iran, it takes time to ready a plan here. Israel has hit the low hanging fruit, now I expect they are going for more substantial, though harder to get to targets.
Iran –
Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei urges Syrian youth to rise against the new leadership, calling for resistance.
Iraq -
Iran-backed militias in Iraq have reached an agreement with the Iraqi government to stop attacks on Israel and remain silent on the situation in Syria, reports the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Akhbar outlet.
Seemingly in exchange, the Iraqi government will not cave to international pressure to disarm and disband the Iranian proxies operating in Iraq.
Syria -
Considerable fighting continues in the north between Kurdish SDF and Turkish backed SNA.
***
Israeli Broadcasting Authority: Israel is concerned about Türkiye’s intention to launch a large-scale military operation against the SDF in northern Syria
***
Unconfirmed reports from the Syrian Center for Human Rights that a convoy of US military reinforcements arrived in the area of the Kurdish city of Kobani in northern Syria, near the border with Turkey. In addition, reinforcements were reported to have arrived via US cargo planes to the Harb al-Jir base in eastern Syria - amid the escalation of fighting between pro-Turkish forces and the Kurdish SDF forces.
***
Russia is sending one of its newest and largest landing ships, the Ivan Gren-class RFS Ivan Gren, to assist the maritime evacuation from Syria.
h/t jr_amon_ceuta_shipspotting on insta for spotting the vessel in the Strait of Gibraltar.