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The Battle Against Isis - Winter 2016

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Medclinician Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: The Battle Against Isis - Winter 2016
    Posted: October 24 2016 at 7:07am
The situation in the Middle East continues to escalate and despite poor news and reporting. Although the media is poorly reporting the reality the situation in Aleppo is heart breaking.  It is chaotic as the U.S. continues to back rebel forces which are as bad in some instances as Isis. If the battle were won and Asaad were taken out of power, what would the new government be like? Bad. Just as in Iran, instead or working for a common goal to end the conflict and make peace with Russia, we are on the verge of what could be a nuclear war.

I will start this with the video of the young boy in Alepppo. And no matter what the rhetoric - this is a human crisis of war and poor U.S. foreign policy.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Medclinician Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 24 2016 at 7:09am



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Medclinician Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 24 2016 at 7:18am
Over three years of heartbreak for the Syrian people - women and children suffering as no effective action has done little to stop Isis.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CRS, DrPH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 24 2016 at 9:08am
^thanks, MedClinician!  I have a few Syrian friends, they are a fine & ancient people. 

We are witnessing a historic battle between Sunni and Shia Islam.  ISIS, composed primarily of Sunnis and receiving funding from Gulf States, is trying to replace Iran and their proxies (Syria for one).  

This is not a fight we belong in, and no matter what the West does, it will end poorly.  I mostly feel for the oppressed Christians, Kurds, Yazidis and others. 

This is sad: 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dutch Josh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 25 2016 at 10:47pm
IS is widespread. Groups wich proberbly work with IS, could become a "member" of IS goes to the Phillipines, Indonesia. Boko Haram-in Nigeria is believed to be part of IS already. The latest terror attack in Pakistan (maybe in reaction to the Mosul-Iraq operation) is proberbly alsi IS related. (I do not rule out that IS could be behind worsening India-Pakistan relations with terrorist attacks in Kashmer, India, for wich India than blames Pakistan). 

IS has/had cells in Iran, is fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan, in Egypt-Sinai, Libya-has cells in the EU and most likely also in the US, Canada. 

The battle for Mosul http://www.debka.com/article/25737/Fiercely-resistant-ISIS-seizes-two-Iraqi-cities is more complex than expected. IS shows up at places in Iraq far away from Mosul, keeping IS lines open towards Raqqa, eastern Syria but also disrupting the Bagdad-Amman road connection at Rubba not far away from the largest US Iraq Air Base. 

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/10/25/syria-vows-to-fight-turkish-invasion-aimed-at-seizing-aleppo/ Turkeys role in Iraq and Syria is making things even more complicated. Turkey wants to fight/rule/control the Kurds (and did use IS for that purpose, just like the US used IS against Assad in Syria and now is fighting to control its proxy army.).

Syria, Iraq, Iran could end up fighting Turkey in Syria and Iraq. The US has special forces inthe YPG-Kurds wich are bombed by the Turks. 

Turkey is involved in the battles for Mosul and getting close to Aleppo. With the Russian Northern Fleet getting to the Syrian coast around november 8 further escalation there is expected. 

https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/2313 The US denies unscheduled drills starting october 30. But they will react to the situation. (If there is thruth in the build-up of a large air-armada at Diego Garcia with B1, B2 and B52 bombers-very expensive, use-it or loose-it-momentum https://www.rt.com/usa/364100-carter-raqqa-isis-russia/ US wants to move into eastern Syria ?) For Russia it will get clearer what to expect from Turkey. 

So far Iraq/Bagdad did not invite Russia to play a role in the Mosul operation. But Teheran/Moscow "could present offers Bagdad may not refuse".

IS is, along with neo-nazi's from western Europe, fighting in the Ukraine. There are also reports of increased movement of military transports by the Kiev-regime towards the frontline.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Dutch Josh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 26 2016 at 1:01am
What to expect from "The battle against IS (not only In Syria) this winter " ? 

IS came to power as a proxy army enabled by 1 The Gulf States against Assad, control oil in Iraq and Libya, 2 The US, Israel, NATO/West against possible not pro-western governments-at the end also against Russiaand China 3 Turkey to fight the Kurds in Syria and Iraq, promote/protect Turkish interests in the area (former Ottoman Empire ? Turkey has been sending aid-ships to the Gaza-strip, Turkey-Israel relations have had better days). 

Of course IS also has its own goals. Run by military from the Saddam Hussein era, secular-socialist Baath party one of its goal is very simple: money. If you want IS to fight Kurs or Shi-its you can rent them. IS also is willing to steal and sell oil-the west is buying that oil. (From France, Japan to Israel did buy IS oil). 

Further Russian involvement in the Middle East (the northern Russian fleet may become the middle East Russian Fleet using ports in Syria, Egypt, Iran also Turkey ? Yemen/Somalia/Djibouti ? East Africa ? Libya ?) could bring IS attacks in Russia. Tactical attacks killing a lot of civilians in Moscow or sia. 

Putin came to power in the Russian "war on terror" in Chechnia. IS is in former soviet states. The war on terror as an excuse will be exploited by Russia just the way the US/NATO did so. NATO is getting more and more involved in the Syria/Iraq wars. Via Turkey but also by sending AWACS-radar, logistics etc. In Europe there is not much support for a war against Assad-the EU pays in refugee-crises and anti-Russia sanctions. To get Europe more involved NATO is an instrument. Also "IS-terror attacks" in Europe (and the US) can get people to support the "Western war on Terror" now against IS. 

China may face IS attacks by Uighurs if China gets more involved in the Middle East. 

The Kurds want their own country. US support of YPG-kurds in Syria will not help the Kurds getting their own country stretching over Iraq, Syria, Iran and (most) Turkey. Maybe Russian support may proove to be more helpfull.  Iran has to choose wich enemy it want to fight more: Turkey (IS, Sunni Arab States, NATO/West) or the Kurds. In Iraq and Syria the Kurds have their own territory. Turkish attacks on that Kurdish territory will bring the Kurdish war for independence inside Turkey even more. 

IS is fighting in Yemen-loosing the war in Iraq and Syria will mean expanding IS activity elsewere. There may have been agreements between "supportters of IS" and IS that now are broken. IS could attack in Jordan or Israel, proberbly was involved in terror attack in Saudi Arabia (IS proberbly wanted more from the Gulf States in the form of weapons, support, etc than they could get-terror attacks was a way for IS to get what they want.)

Other fronts for increased IS activity may be northern Africa, linking Libya to Nigeria, getting involved in Sudan via the Egyptian dessert-links to Somalia/Yemen. 

Also East Asia may see more IS activity. The southern Philippines, disrupting oil transports in Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia. Attacking tourists-sites. IS will enlarge their activity in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Pakistan/India border region. 

The idea that "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" is basicly wrong ! Support for Hitler because he was against the Soviet Union brought is world war two. In that war the west gave support to Mao in China, Ho Tji minh in Viet Nam against Japan. Al quada was used against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan.  

Countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan are not friends of the west but a major danger. Instead the west is preparing for a war with Russia. Without the KSA/Gulf States IS would simply not be there ! Perpetual war is a source of income for those who produce and sell weapons. When you create a monster you better make sure you can control that monster otherwise that monster will go after you. IS (and many of the KSA/Gulf State elite) sees the west as decadent non-believers, sub-humans. With that kind of belief IS is a danger for the West.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Medclinician Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 27 2016 at 7:25am
Worst child massacre since beginning of the war in Syria
Douma, Syria - 30 minutes ago

On Wednesday twenty-two children and six teachers were killed in air strikes that hit residential areas in Idlib province.

comment: heartbreaking


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dutch Josh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 27 2016 at 9:18pm
When you follow the reporting of the Syria War on sites like http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Hot+Topics/War+in+Syria you may notice how some "news"is only brought by western media. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcZBwWjg_7E Israeli News Live claims white helmets reports on a school as being propaganda. 

Western media ignore shelling by the rebels of civilians https://www.rt.com/news/364494-aleppo-school-shelling-rebels/

The propaganda-war has reached our houses, this forum....I try to find as much as possible what is realy happening. In this case China Central TeleVision may be closer to a story http://english.cctv.com/2016/10/28/VIDEqZvGsK0kXd8ex6gd7n4R161028.shtml?. This is what SANA has to say http://sana.sy/en/?p=91785.

War is a crime in itself. Incidents whit many civilians killed are part of war. It is important to keep an eye on the bigger picture and not go for propaganda from one of the many sides in a  conflict.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dutch Josh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 28 2016 at 3:18am
http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/10/27/russia-registered-us-attack-drone-in-area-where-idlib-school-was-attacked/ The blame-game propaganda war. (DJ: A major false flag operation just before the US elections would not surprise me. The "Russia=bad-propaganda in my eyes would give clinton support in her "campain"). 

https://southfront.org/turkish-forces-capture-2-more-villages-from-isis-in-northern-aleppo-clash-with-kurdish-ypg/ and https://southfront.org/militants-launch-new-offensive-to-break-aleppo-siege-detailed-overview-of-military-situation-on-octber-28-2016-maps-photos/ North of Aleppo Turkey is moving towards Aleppo-fighting Kurdish YPG. SW of Aleppo "rebels" try to break the eastern Aleppo siege. This may be a western coordinated offensive. On the other hand Russia is destroying IS energy supply http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/10/27/syrian-war-report-october-27-2016-russian-strikes-destroyed-over-300-terrorists-oil-facilities/. (DJ: were does IS gets its weapons, transport, info, oil from ? Do Turkey/ Saudi Arabia still do oil deals with IS (indirectly with "moderates" as a go between ?)

Turkey wants to play a role in both Mosul (Iraq) and Raqqa (Syria) operations. Eventhough both Iraq and Syria do not want the Turkish Army/Airforce in their territory. http://www.debka.com/newsupdatepopup/18658/Turkey-will-participate-in-offensive-to-liberate-Raqqa-from-ISIS-Erdogan. NATO is getting more involved in the war against IS. Turkey still is a NATO member. (DJ-the orders for the november 2015 terrorist attacks in France came from Mosul via Turkish telecom to terrorist cells in Belgium. If the west is serious in its "fight against IS" that line of communication would not have been there. There must be a lot of terrorist IS cells in Europe-the terrorist risk is real. But who gives the orders ? False-flags for western intervention in Syria "against IS" and to put Assad aside).

Will this winter bring a war between Turkey and Syria/Iraq ? Could that escalate further in a Turkey-Iran war ? Can Russia avoid war with Turkey in such a scenario ? 

Netanyahu called Putin to get a grip on Hizbollah http://www.debka.com/article/25739/Hizballah-ducks-Russian-ire-by-Lebanon-attack. For Syria/Golan that call worked, but for Lebanon Hezbollah still may want to attack Israel. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.748549? Due to Russian control Israel is limited in how it can react on terrorist attacks. 

Putin may have been able-for the moment-to limit the US in the Middle East-he now has to find a way to unite countries like Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen and possibly Turkey. The New Silk Road of China may become an important instrument for further development in the region. The oil-weapon may be used to get the Gulf States/Saudi Arabia under control. Russia may be able to control indirectly the Suez Canal, the Red Sea/Indian Ocean link and the straits of Hormuz. For the US/NATO this must be very hard to accept.

Russia has "boots on the ground" in Egypt, may be able to get a navy/airbase in western Egypt (and help Egypt to fight IS in both the Sinai and Libya). Russia is present in Syria and (most likely with advisors/intel) in Yemen. Iraq may request Russian aid. Iran and Russia are allies in many ways. China has a base (next to a US base) in Djibouti. On Diego Garcia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Garcia there proberbly is a build up going on of western navy and air power. When the Russian northern (and part of the Baltic from St. Petersburg/Kaliningrad) fleet arrives for the Syrian coast that armada may become "a control" for Russian intentions.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Medclinician Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 29 2016 at 6:24am
There is a term which does not seem to be present in our current foreign policy vocabulary - effective military action. It is a given that Isis is as I type this, using human shields positioned around sensitive place to prevent attack. All the way back to our invasion of Iraq, weapons and troops were stationed near or in mosques, schools, and other areas to protect them.

The motivation of the White Hats, as opposed to propaganda, appears to be genuine. An effort to offer assistance to thousands dying in Syria.

Meanwhile the battle rages on.

Voice of America
http://www.voanews.com/a/airstrikes-and-fighting-continue-in-aleppo/3571077.html



Syrian rebels continued their efforts Saturday to shake Aleppo from the government's siege, as airstrikes hit the edges of the divided city. Rebel commander Abu Mustafa told the French News Agency, "In just a few days, we will open the way for our besieged brothers." The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said fighting continues on the outskirts of government-controlled west Aleppo where "rebels have been making advances." The Observatory said Friday rebel shelling in west Aleppo killed 15 civilians and wounded 100.

On Thursday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an investigation into an airstrike on a school in Syria that killed nearly 30 people, most of them children.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Medclinician Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 29 2016 at 6:33am


In this photo posted on August 21, 2014, provided by Civil Defense Idlib, a group of volunteers in northern Syria which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, show Syrian civil defense workers with their white helmets, carry one of their comrades during a training session, in Idlib province, northern Syria. (photo credit: AP/Civil Defense Idlib)

If I were unfortunate enough to be there - trying to defend those in Syria from terror and oppression - I would not be carrying a weapon. I would be with others running -  carrying a stretcher - trying to help save the lives of the wounded. Not involved in politics - only the immediate moment - of life and death - often for women and children who have no idea or concept of why they are dying.  Medclinician


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CRS, DrPH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 29 2016 at 2:56pm
Thanks for the posts!!  This is a complex situation, with the governments of many nations (US, Russia, KSA, Iran etc.) using proxies on a battlefield.  

Once in a while, I read a particularly inspiring article, this is one: 


I actually proposed to a friend a long time ago that the US military should insert some expert snipers into Iraq & Syria to pick off ISIL soldiers & leadership from a distance.  This follows the plot of a rather violent 1971 Western movie called "The Hunting Party"!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Medclinician Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 31 2016 at 6:20am
Forces moving to within a few hundred meters of Mosul.
New Clip - one hour ago.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Medclinician Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 01 2016 at 9:58am
The real news - battle for Mosul - waiting for the final forces to gather to invade Mosul

Time - now

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Medclinician Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 01 2016 at 1:00pm
http://www.voanews.com/a/iraqi-forces-close-in-on-mosul/3574202.html

An Iraqi general says special forces troops have taken control of the state television building inside Mosul as part of an offensive to drive Islamic State out of the city.

The Iraqi forces pushed into the city for the first time since 2014, after focusing the offensive on areas around Mosul.

Maj. Gen. Sami al-Aridi said troops had entered the Gojali neighborhood of Mosul Tuesday morning, where they encountered fierce fighting with IS militants.

He said IS fighters had erected concrete barriers throughout the city to try and stop the advance of Iraqi soldiers.

The advance by Iraqi soldiers was preceded by heavy airstrikes on IS positions inside the Gojali neighborhood. The jihadists returned fire with guided anti-tank missiles and rocket propelled grenades.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CRS, DrPH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 01 2016 at 4:15pm
^Thanks, Medclinician!  I have a hunch that the ISIL bunch with scatter just like cockroaches do when you turn on the lights.  To where and what end, I don't know, but watch for it. 


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jacksdad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 02 2016 at 1:58am
Nailed it, Chuck. In time, they'll probably splinter and form new alliances.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Medclinician Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 15 2016 at 7:15am
This is not getting a lot of press on the main networks. They are fighting there still in Syria and here is an update.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Medclinician Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 27 2016 at 5:17am
We are not being told the real news concerning the battle raging in Aleppo right now. Suddenly there has been silence about the U.S. forces alledgedly liberating the city who probably got bogged down as thousands of people were trying to leave. Currently Syrian Army ground forces and Turkish troops are taking the city. 

What happened to the allied push to take out the stronghold of Isis and attacks here and military operations. Where are they?

In the midsts of continuing campaign nonsense in America there is little leadership or focused military presence in the Middle East.

The human costs in Isis have been staggering. The use of chemical weapons, possibly by al Nusra or even U.S. backed terrorists has not been ruled out. Can we ever get the U.S. media to get off the undying note of the elections to much more important global issues. The real news - still coming to you from independent sources around the world.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Medclinician Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 19 2016 at 12:02pm
The Real News from Aleppo

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