red = Syrian Gov't
green = "moderate" rebels (al-Qaeda)
yellow = Western Kurdistan
black = ISIS
This map is from last October, but it shows the general areas of control, and why Russia had to move or lose Latakia.
Posted on 02/06/2016 12:02:04 AM PST by tcrlaf
It's a bad time to be a "moderate" in Syria: Even the Washington Post is now reporting that Al-Nusra and other freedom-loving moderate groups are losing the war.
As the SAA closes in on Aleppo, Russia is paving the way for a new offensive in northern Homs.
And by "paving the way", we really mean "36 hours of continuous airstrikes"
For 36 straight hours, the Russian Air Force has pulverized the Islamist rebel defenses in northern Homs, as the Syrian Arab Army’s 47th Brigade of the 11th Tank Division and the National Defense Forces (NDF) prepare to strike the imperative villages of Harbinifseh and Kisseen that are located along the Orontes River.
According to a senior officer from the Syrian Arab Army, the Russian Air Force’s powerful airstrikes over northern Homs are part of the largest aerial campaign launched by the Russian Federation since the advent of their participation in the Syrian Conflict
Trusted western media outlets are already crying foul, accusing Russia and Assad of derailing peace talks.
The reality is that the west and its Arab client states wanted terrorist groups to have a seat at the negotiating table, which was (rightfully) unacceptable to Moscow.
It looks like Russia has found a more effective way of negotiating with Al-Nusra and Ahrar Al-Sham: Surrender or be turned to dust.
(Excerpt) Read more at russia-insider.com ...
Certainly not Obama...
Love it!
Why people think this thug Putin is so great escapes me. Less than 30% of Russian hits are on ISIS targets. Putin us propping up a Baathist NAZI dictator in Syria who is killing his own people. Putin’s friends, the Iranians ( also Obama’s new friends) are backing the Houthi rebels in Yemen who took over our embassy there. Putin is taking over the Middle East with its oil wealth by controlling three legs of a geographical chair: Syria, Yemen, Iran.
Russian insider as a source?
Blitzkrieg
“Russian insider as a source?
Actually, I have to agree with you. Take it with a grain of salt, but the Wash Post is reporting it, as well.
The FRussians here buy into every piece of Putin propaganda they can see.
Because 0% of American hits have been on ISIS.
Because Obama has fomented a civil war in Syria with an incredible death toll.
Because Obama has also fomented a civil war in Ukraine - for control of both Ukraine and Syria would allow this demented White House to control the critical gas pipeline routes to Europe.
There’s no enormity that Obama’s backers won’t commit to maintain NATO and to force Europe to keep using the dollar for trade reconciliation.
Dollar status is item zero on the agenda. If Europe stops using the dollar for trade reconciliation then the ponzi scheme is over.
My sympathy for the barbarians in the Middle East is gone.
Ten years ago, I thought that everybody deserved freedom and that we should go in there and liberate everybody and spread democracy.
Years in Iraq (been once) and Afghanistan (been twice) have educated us formerly naive Westerns about the true nature of these savages.
Remember, these poor innocent Syrians that want freedom are the same people that are raping Europe right now. Putin can bomb them all to Hell for all I care.
They deserve their dictators and repression.
“The FRussians here buy into every piece of Putin propaganda they can see.”
Not really. There is a misconception here, and I say that as a “Putinista.” I can’t stand Putin. He’s a commie and a criminal. What makes him different from Obama is he is actually a leader, which is what this country desperately needs. I like the fact that Putin isn’t a chickens**t, has great negotiating skills and truly loves his country.
Now take an American President. Do you want him to lead like Obama or Putin? It is strictly based on leadrship skills and not ideology. Hope that helps.
70% of their hits are on groups like al Nustra, another word for “al Qaiada”. The most effective rebel groups (other than ISIS) are also not moderates.
Remember, these poor innocent Syrians that want freedom are the same people that are raping Europe right now. Putin can bomb them all to Hell for all I care.
*******************************
Agree! I hope Putin also starts taking out ISIS in Libya, where thousands of their fanatics have gone recently.
Obama’s ridiculous ROEs do nothing but put our military in danger. .......Saw today that an Army General was speaking before a Congressional committee and said he had the authority to allow our troops in AFGH to fire back in self-defense but that he did NOT have authority to allow our troops to attack the Taliban forces even when we know exactly where they are. ....Idiot Muslim POTUS!
I would like to see Egypt take on ISIS n Libya-—Egypt should have Libya! (maybe with Russian Help?).
Russian shock and awe. Not losing this crusade.
yep,
There Putin goes once again,
making obammy look like the weak jive ass punk he is.
Showing him how to win a war.
It isn’t called waltzing, it’s called WAR.
As far as I’m concerned “moderate” Muslims are the tall grass in which Jihadi Terrorists hide undisturbed.
-Putin us propping up a Baathist NAZI dictator in Syria who is killing his own people. -
Prior to Obama the United States propped up a bevy of similar thug dictators. The number one basic problem is that Islam is a tribal war cult. The Russians and the West are trying to impose a western national model on a bunch of warring tribes. Churchill famously created these new countries by drawing lines on a map after World War 1, with no consideration of the cultural, ethnic or social divides that had existed for centuries. Those lines must be maintained by force or the entire area will fracture into another Somalia. (That is what the much vaunted Arab Spring almost did.) The dictators, through the only means possible, force, maintain order and the semblance of civilization. This gives the west reliable and profitable trading partners. Notice there is no appreciable trade with Somalia.
Unlike Obama, who is operating in the interests of Iran, Putin is operating in the best interests of Russia. I am no Putin fan, but I believe propping up Assad is the least bad of a number of horrible alternatives.
Unlike our American ‘president,’ Putin isn’t a wuss.
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