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On Thursday, the Syrian Arab Army and its allies have resumed large-scale military operations against terrorists in the provinces of Damascus, Quneitra, Aleppo, Homs and Latakia. The pro-government sources’ reports said large groups of terrorists have been killed and injured in the clashes. While such terrorists’ loses are hardly confirmed, it’s clear that the pro-government forces are intensifying its activity at the battlefield.
The recent reports confirm that vast areas of the North of Marj al-Sultan village in Damascus were liberated by the Syrian Arab Army from the control of jnad al-Sham Islamic Union and al-Nusra. The clashes in the area are continuing. Separately, the SAA is advancing towards Harasta al-Qantara and Noulah in the South of the Eastern Ghouta.
The Syrian government has deployed large reinforcements of the SAA’s 4th Mechanized Division and Hezbollah to the Southern Aleppo. Supported by the earlier arrived T-90 Tanks, these forces will play a lead role in the pro-government offensive in the area aimed to capture the strategic ICARDA agricultural facility which is located along the Aleppo-Damascus Highway. If seized, the militants will have their primary supply line cut.
On Friday morning, the Syrian forces struck back against the militants of Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham and Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, capturing the small villages of Tal Al-Baraqa, Tal Dadeen, Tal Ja’eera and Tal ‘Arba’een.
Commander of Iraq’s popular forces complain that the US is hindering the start of final phase of the operation to free Ramadi, from ISIS control. “The US bargains and pressures on the Baghdad government have prevented accomplishment of Ramadi liberation operation,” Abu Yousef al-Khazali, a commander of Seyed al-Shohada battalion, told FNA on Thursday. According to him, the Washington concerns about a high role of popular forces in anti-ISIS operations in Iraq because it increases their influence in the country.
Turkey dismisses Putin IS oil trade claims as ‘Soviet propaganda’
“In the Cold War period there was a Soviet propaganda machine. Every day it created different lies. Firstly they would believe them and then expect the world to believe them. These were remembered as Pravda lies and nonsense,” Davutoglu said, according to Reuters.
“This was an old tradition but it has suddenly reared its head again. Nobody attaches any value to the lies of this Soviet-style propaganda machine,” he told a news conference before leaving on an official visit to Azerbaijan.
http://www.unian.info/world/1201492-turkey-dismisses-putin-is-oil-trade-claims-as-soviet-propaganda.html
Which just goes to show that during the Cold War it was the Soviets telling the truth and the west the lies, if the present day characterizations are anything to go by. Maybe it was the Soviet Union telling the truth the whole time. Lets ask the citizens of the Donbas and Transnistria about Soviet times, or those from Eastern Europe (including Russia during the 90’s) about the reality of life under neo-liberal capitalism, or the Libyans and Syrians about the brutal face of imperialism. All these people had a far better life under non-capitalist systems, than what they are being exposed to now. Maybe the Berlin Wall really was raised because of the destabilization and espionage emanating from the west, and the psychological use of needs-based manipulation of whole societies, as per Edward Bernays – rather than that they just “preferred our freedoms.”
Just a thought.
“… Just a thought. …”
Shared fully by many of us, especially the old guard, who lived through it all and saw it all.
The East in those days got the full brunt of Western propaganda. And they had no way of knowing the truth. So many of them bought it. Just like today,those in the West are brainwashed by the MSM propaganda (also many are buying that). I’ve read many comments from Russians and other Eastern Europeans saying that since their media was known to lie to them in those days, “how could we know that what they said about the West would be the thing that was all true”. We today are able to search out the truth easier because of the internet.
Once heard an interview (too far back to remember details or references) but the point was he spoke for himself (and perhaps his generation) that the psychological turning point towards the West (and away from 100% Soviet status quo) was the Beatles Inc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHD5nd3QLTg
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/beatles-beat-communism-spy-article-1.1360024
I saw this article from a Russian,about youth then and now. The translation is a little rough,but understandable:
“Take care of her from an early age!”
http://www.vsetut.ru/beregi-svoih-smolodu
Береги своих смолоду!
“… Take care of one’s own from an early age! …”
*Commander of Iraq’s popular forces complain that the US is hindering the start of final phase of the operation to free Ramadi, from ISIS control. “The US bargains and pressures on the Baghdad government have prevented accomplishment of Ramadi liberation operation,”*
U.S. always protecting their evil tools, which is ISIS in this case. U.S. wanting heavy control at the expense of the citizens/inhabitants.
Pathetic about the US influence over Iraq – a brave soldier speaks out….God bless him…
But South Front, I also want to mention again, that black area on your map is so much smaller than when I first started watching your fabulous news shows….that’s awesome.
Sneak preview — I expect this new video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJKYxTuAB8E
Foreign Policy Diary – Escalation in Syria leads to a global war
will be up as a blog post soon.
Very good analysis of the overall imperialist strategy, in line with past actions to gain control of Middle East and resources by setting up a narrative (and media story) to feed to the mass of people who don’t see the in depth forces at work. It’s this level of strategic explanation which needs to get out to the general population. This could be the ‘vision statement’ of the empire.
thanks Blue…it seems like as soon as Russia deploys anything they (NATO) all copy ….
A noble war of against ISIS quickly turned into a war of score settling. Russian bombing Turks at Syrian Turkish border akin to US bombing Russian at Russian Ukraine border. Tell me RF will seat around see its kin being bombed to dust.
RF government and Arm fail to do proper home work, now the war got a lot more complicated, a lot more proxy wars on horizon because of it, Russian made a new enemy out of a friend, big economical consequence as well.
Russia does not distinguish between “moderate rebels” and ISIS. If Turkmen in Syria want to be left alone, then they should work with the legitimate Syrian government and not NATO and their mercenaries.
Another thing. Turkey was never a friend of Russia’s. Ever. But especially since they started their operation of destroying Syria, things boiled over.
There will be further escalations between NATO and Russia (Turkey is only a pawn of the US Empire, never forget that)
The possibility of Russia using the Kurds to undermine Turkish statehood is increasing by the day.
There’s that perpetual war and ever deluding peace that is uniquely european. Carry on.
RUSSIA’S NON-GMO FOOD REVOLUTION
Russia could become the world’s largest supplier of ecologically clean and high-quality organic food, said President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.
” Ten years ago, we imported almost half of the food from abroad, and were dependent on imports. Now Russia is among the exporters. Last year, Russian exports of agricultural products amounted to almost $20 billion – a quarter more than the revenue from the sale of arms, or one-third the revenue coming from gas exports,” Putin said.
https://www.rt.com/business/324605-russia-putin-healthy-food/
Resistance to empire and their flunkies continues to coalesce…
https://www.rt.com/news/324787-turkish-troops-deployed-iraq/
‘Incursion’: Baghdad demands Turkey withdraw ‘training’ troops from northern Iraq
Published time: 4 Dec, 2015 20:12Edited time: 5 Dec, 2015 02:34
The Iraqi government has demanded that Ankara withdraw the more than 100 Turkish forces that entered Iraq with tanks and artillery for alleged “training” of troops near Islamic State-occupied Mosul. Baghdad stressed the unsanctioned move was a breach of its sovereignty.
[…]
Meanwhile, as the US has stepped in for Turkey, supporting its refutation of Russia’s IS oil claims, other powers have come forward to back Moscow’s charges concerning Ankara’s trade with the terrorists. On Friday, Tehran said that it has collected photo and video evidence of IS oil entering Turkey by truck.
[…]
While officially Baghdad is now considering whether there is enough evidence of Turkey’s involvement in oil trade with IS to file a formal protest at the UN Security Council, an Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman, Naseer Nuri, told Sputnik on Wednesday that “general information about the smuggling of Iraqi oil by trucks to certain countries, including Turkey” is already available to them, and “this oil is used to fund Daesh.”
Other Iraqi officials have openly accused Turkey of knowingly trading with the terrorists.
There is “no shadow of a doubt” that Ankara knows about the oil smuggling operations, Iraqi MP and former national security adviser Mowaffak al Rubaie told RT.
Here more on it from the Turkish press:
http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_turkish-soldiers-training-iraqi-troops-near-mosul-source-says_406176.html
http://www.todayszaman.com/anasayfa_iraqi-president-says-turkish-deployment-inside-iraq-violates-international-law_406188.html
It is not exactly clear what those troops claim to be training. Most mentioned is a Sunni militia of a former pro-Turkish provincial governor. The location is Bashiqa, some 20 km northeast of Mosul and some 150 km from the Turkish border.
Here are some interesting facts –
In July this year the Thai government stopped over 100 Uyghurs on their way to wage glorious ‘CIA-had’ in Syria (via Turkey), and sent them back to China. The US State Department was very annoyed – so annoyed, in fact, that in August a bomb exploded at a shrine in Bangkok, killing 20 people, mostly ethnic Chinese holiday-makers. The key suspect fled to Turkey. An accomplice to the bomber was arrested and found to be carrying 11 Turkish passports. The bombing is now suspected to have been carried out by the Grey Wolves in retaliation for Thailand’s previous deportation of Uyghur terrorist suspects back to China instead of allowing them to travel to Turkey, and then Syria.
Read more here:http://www.sott.net/article/307515-Russia-versus-NATOs-Gladio-2-0-Turkish-jihad-from-China-to-Syria
hadi needs to go so we can get rid of IS in Yemen! GO NOW…
Are IS getting the orange jump suits left over from gitanamo?
3rd group; #IS beheads 9 Houthis rebels, who are battling both the govt. & al-Qaeda in #Yemen
Final graphic execution, 18+
4 men are blown up when an #IS member puts mortar shells around their necks in #Yemen
https://twitter.com/HK2307/status/672895358125510656
Graphic 18+ | 2nd group led onto a boat which is then pushed out to sea. #IS blow the boat & men up remotely. #Yemen
https://twitter.com/HK2307/status/672890222359674880
HIGHLY Graphic 18+ | First group; #IS used remotely triggered rocket launcher to execute 6 ‘Houthi rebels’ in #Yemen
https://twitter.com/HK2307/status/672888485787787264
Russia bombing #Syria will lead to further radicalisation & increased terrorism -David Cameron 4 Oct 15
UK Must bomb #IS in Syria 2 Dec 15 to bring peace and religion to Syria…. We bomb moderately so as to be moderately useful.. because out brains are only working moderately most of the time.
This was a huge problem that Iran seemed to have learnt from.. In Iraq US soldiers would take over schools or houses to stay in while the civilians were kicked out onto the streets and the students went without classes.. And it would not be just a few houses but entire neighborhoods would be cleared of people so they would be safe.. and the civilians slept outside on the street.
Hezbollah soldiers slept outside in Ma’aloula; liberated the city from the “moderates” and then left before sunrise. True men of Islam.
The Iranian soldiers don’t enter our churches or our market places. If we offer them food, they politely refuse. Islamist rebels just steal.
Iranian soldiers are protecting my village. They do not bother the people or take anything. The Islamist rebels would kick the people out…
Lol “Iranian imperialists” – Iranians are in my village and sleeping in tents because they won’t kick people out of their homes.
Leith Abou Fadel also has a bunch of pics of his cousins enjoying Halloween and getting baptized in Aleppo… Just a bunch of streets away from the Christian burning us supported moderate terrorists are cutting of peoples heads..
https://twitter.com/leithfadel
This is the funniest article I have read. He interviews a Syrian Christian and calls him “Alawi” and makes fun of them –
Syria’s Elites Find Time For Fun As Country Burns
The ruling minority sect has tried to shield itself from the death and violence other Syrians have been enduring for years
http://www.vocativ.com/usa/nat-sec/syrias-elites-find-time-for-fun-as-country-burns/
There are some major blunders in the translated article.. Happens with autocorrect spelling checkers.. So corrections are needed to the article.. But there are some important tidbits to note..
Interesting is the missile base.. Seems it is to prevent a Turkish invasion of Syria..
Russia is preparing to establish a second airbase in Syria, after Hmeimim.
A Russian defense source told lenta.ru that Shairat is necessary in order to execute operations in southern and eastern Syria.
–In order to support the offensive in the vicinity of Palmira and further to the east, toward Deir-es-Zor, Hmeimim is rather too far especially when it comes to using helicopters and attack aircraft which need to be based closer to their targets in order to ensure they are deployed in a timely manner, said the source. Russian VKS used Shairat on earlier occasions as a forward base.
SP already reported earlier that in November there appeared reports on Russia using four bases to launch raids against the militants. In addition to Hmeimim in the Latakia province, helicopter sections were flown to the T4-Tiyas airbase between Homs and Palmira as well as Hama and Shairat bases near Homs.
–The standard scenario is one regiment, one airbase. Our small group in Latakia was the first step. Our permanent presence in Syria demands further infrastructure development and increasing the size of the air group.
It is now necessary to expand Russian presence in Syria in order to increase the number of airstrikes, to deploy additional fighter aircraft in order to provide protection for the strike aircraft, and to base electronic intelligence gathering aircraft to locate targets for aircraft and cruise missiles. I would not rule out the deployment not only of the Il-20M but also the A-50 airborne early warning aircraft. The Military Transport Aviation component will also be increased to ship munitions and other cargoes.
All of these measures are sensible since it’s obvious that the Russian presence in Syria is a long-term affair. It’s also logical to expect the deployment of not only air assets since a new threat has emerged in the form of Turkish army invasion into Syria to create a so-called “buffer zone.” These would not be scattered militant bands but an organized military force. Therefore we will need to deploy something to attack land units in the event the Turks attempt to invade.
SP: Surely we are not talking about tactical ballistic missiles…
–Yes, we need a means of attacking area targets, MRLs and TOS flamethrowers.
–The Syria advisory mission came under attack by Anatoliy Kvashnin while he was the head of the General Staff…
Our military town near Damascus had about 450 people, including the families. It was a fairly large and comfortable cantonment which was well protected by the Syrian special services. Our officers operated effectively and the Syrians always listened to our advice. We plainly see the results: the Syrian army, unlike Iraqi or Libyan, is still holding on.Captain First Rank Konstantin Sivkov believes we have no choice but to deploy additional forces to Syria.
–It was clear right from the start that Hmeimim can accept a limited quantity of aircraft insufficient for that war. So we needed to find a way out. Naturally supplying another airbase will be complicated. The ability to airlift cargoes is limited. Turks are slowing down Russian ships passing through the Bosphorus. Moreover, munitions to Shairat will have to be transported overland which means the risks of islamists ambushing the columns. Using Iraqi airbases is no answer because they are far away and supplying them is also difficult. Moreover, Iraq is being pressured by the US.
SP: Western media write additional forces will be sent to Shairat…–There’s no way around it. If we are to establish a base there, we can’t count on the Syrians to ensure the security of the daily shipments. We’ll have to send columns Afghanistan-style, with a security detachment complete with armored vehicles to sweep the road for explosives or to establish checkpoints .It was one thing when Sharat was being used as a staging base, a forward basing site for army aviation. Then only small forces were required. But if we are to set up a whole new airbase, we’ll need to deploy sizable ground components, greater than what was needed to protect and defend Hmeimim which is close to the coast.That’s the whole problem. But I don’t see any problems with seaborne supply for the whole force.
full article..
http://southfront.org/russian-spetsnaz-on-the-way-to-shairat/
Israeli military: “We didn’t think even in our dreams that we’d see S-400 in our backyard”
With Russian Anti-aircraft Missiles in Syria, Israeli Army Prepares for More Surprises
The IDF girds for cyberwar, massive rocket barrages, attacks on strategic infrastructure, attacks by ISIS, and a wider Palestinian uprising.
The Israeli Defense Force is preparing for its next five-year plan and the situation in Israel’s neighborhood has changed dramatically since the last plan was formulated.
“We didn’t think even in our dreams that we’d see S-400 anti-aircraft missiles in our backyard,” General Staff officer was quoted as saying.
“Nor did we think cruise missiles would be flying over Syria.”
http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.689720
Supreme Allied Commander Europe: Russia creating A2/AD bubble in Syria
The other zone in the Mediterranean is centered around Russian-occupied Crimea.
“Russia has developed a very strong A2/AD capability in the Black Sea,” said Breedlove. “Essentially their [anti-ship] cruise missiles range the entire Black Sea, and their air defense missiles range about 40 to 50 percent of the Black Sea.”
http://alert5.com/2015/09/30/supreme-allied-commander-europe-russia-creating-a2ad-bubble-in-syria/
Russian space assets involved in Syria…
Russia gets its own “ghost” satellites
On May 6, 2014, Russia launched a routine spy satellite in the Kobalt-M series. However to the surprise of Russian space watchers, it was designated Kosmos-2495, even though the previously launched military payload was believed to be Kosmos-2491. Unless it was an error, three military payloads were “missing” from the record!
Initially, the prevailing theory was that the two of the missing numbers were assigned to a pair of radar calibration spheres released in December 2013, during the first test launch of the Soyuz-2-1v rocket. The third missing number — Kosmos-2491 — was believed to be associated with an object detected by Western radar after the launch of three Strela/Rodnik satellites on Dec. 25, 2013. The story was repeated on May 23, 2014, when another trio of Rodniks had been launched with a mysterious “add-on” payload. Its maneuvers in the following weeks bewildered watchers of the Russian space program.
When the GLONASS-M No. 55 was launched on June 14, 2014, under name Kosmos-1500, Russian military essentially confirmed the existence of previously unannounced military payloads. It now looked certain that the May 23 fragment had indeed been Kosmos-2499. The purpose of Kosmos-2491 and Kosmos-2499 “ghost” satellites remained a mystery.
Russia mobilizes satellites for Syrian campaign
On November 17, 2015, the Russian Ministry of Defense detailed the use of space assets in support of Moscow’s military campaign in Syria, which has began on September 30. According to the Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov, a total of 10 spacecraft were involved, including civilian remote-sensing satellites. He likely referred to satellites like Resurs-P and Kanopus. Orbits of some spacecraft had to be adjusted to facilitate their coverage of the conflict zone. The orbital assets were used to accelerate the identification of targets and to increase accuracy in determining their coordinates, Gerasimov said.
The visual presentation released by the Ministry of Defense did not specify particular satellites involved in the operation, but some assumptions can be made based on known data on Russia’s currently operational spacecraft:
Russian military officials specifically stated that space reconnaissance enabled to establish that oil trucks from terrorist-controlled areas head to Turkish ports for further shipment overseas. Satellites also helped to detect as many as 1,720 oil trucks stationed primarily off road on improvised parking areas, Russian military officials said. A satellite was also credited for obtaining images showing up to 3,200 trucks heading from terrorist-controlled areas in Iraq to an oil refinery in Turkey.
http://russianspaceweb.com/spacecraft_military.html#syria
If these claims are true about Israel still carrying out airstrikes on targets in Syria, then Putin will have to soon realize that its ; ”IN FOR A PENNY, IN FOR A POUND”.! There can be NO COMPROMISE. And those who are fighting alongside you have got to know that you have their backs.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-jets-carry-out-strikes-north-of-damascus-reports/
”….The Israeli planes struck the vehicles after they left an army base, the reports said.
The Israeli Air Force also reportedly hit a gas supply, sparking massive explosions..”
Those S-300s and S-400s are gonna have to start living up to their reputation, or Russia and its allies are gonna have to call it quits.
Yes, I know that the situation in Syria and Iraq are extremely complicated and multiple countries are involved with numerous agendas, but Israeli impunity cannot, and must not be tolerated any longer.
It is unfair for the SAA to be fending off Western-backed terrorists who are wreaking havoc across large swathes of the country, while at the same time, be forced to contend with Israel attacking assets of the SAA as it sees fit, and this is despite having the means-S-300S & S-400s in the country- with which to bring this to an end.
If these missile defense systems are only in the country to protect Russian assets, then Iran will not be comfortable and will likely never commit the large amount of troops and equipment needed to tip the balance.
There are those who will argue that this will further widen the conflict and escalate tensions, but we have to bear in mind that this is the same Israel that has been aiding Al Nusrah terrorists and letting this use Syria’s Golan Heights as a Safe Zone. Israel has been part of this conflict from day one:
http://www.timesofisrael.com/syrian-rebel-leader-thanks-pm-for-standing-by-wounded/
Putin will have to -sooner or later- speak about Israel in the same manner he now speaks about Turkey or the cognitive dissonance will become unbearable.
Israel is vehemently opposed to Russia’s actions in Syria and has long been facilitating the groups trying to topple Assad.
Russia and its allies did not seek this war. This war is been imposed upon them, whether they want it or not, and they have no choice but to wage it, and win it. To do otherwise, is to submit and be vanquished….
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/12/05/440438/Germany-parliament-Muslim-group-Syria-Daesh
The Central Muslim Council of Germany has censured the parliament for its approval of Germany’s contribution to the US-led coalition in Syria purportedly battling the Takfiri Daesh terrorists.
The move is a “recipe for failure,” said Aiman Mazyek, the head of council, also known as the ZMD, on Saturday.
What, no HALT signs there?
“Soviet propaganda”: by El Territorio del Lince
http://elterritoriodellince.blogspot.com.es/2015/12/propaganda-sovietica-si-algo-mas.html
“If anything stupider than a Westerner is another western. Or a Turk. Turkish Prime Minister Davutoglu has described as “Soviet propaganda lie” the impressive sample tests conducted yesterday by Russia on the sale of oil by the so called Islamic State to Turkey. All western media propaganda, in full, have echoed this but as the light passes through the glass, without touching or staining. They reflected because the evidence is so overwhelming that can not be ignored, but let it pass. Neither publishers nor tracking of some with such relief. The slogan: without giving importance to things. Any other stupidity would have had pages and pages, minutes and minutes. This does not. Do not care. And as happened with the downing of Russian aircraft, the US came to the defense of Turkey saying that “the Turkish government is not complicit in the smuggling of ISIS´ oil”(….)
(….) Well, at least there is someone who lends credence to Soviet propaganda. I. So I’m going to echo the Soviet propaganda about Syria. In an impressive pincer movement, Aleppo is getting closer to passing to total control of the Syrian government.
1. In the south of this city, Hezbollah, the Lebanese political-military movement, has taken control of three towns: Jaeera, Dadeen Tal and Tal Al-Bakara.(….)
2. In the north of Aleppo, the SAA, with Syrian Social Nationalist Party militias, has taken Hamidah Katf Hills. It is the most important strategic point in Latakia province from which virtually dominates the border with Turkey.
3. In the east of Aleppo, the SAA, Hezbollah and Baath Party militias ( the ruling party in Syria ) have taken the town of Al-Kabira Humayma.
Soviet propaganda has developed these two maps showing the progress of the Syrian government forces in six days in the north and the south-east of Aleppo (….)
There is nothing to worry about. Soviet propaganda lies. As oil transit to Turkey. Soon the Syrian government forces will link with the Kurds of the Efrin Canton and have halved extremely moderate or moderately extremist forces in Latakia.(…..)
(…..)To finish with the Soviet propaganda, video on the hosting ( and tribute to the dead ) to the Kuweries heroes, the detachment that stood for nearly three years the siege by the so-called Islamic State of an air base.
I think I agree with MoA — tell the Turks to leave immediately or they will be bombed back to Turkey (… or Hell — which comes first).
What’s the difference between a gangster, a terrorist, and a corrupt politician? It’s doesn’t seem that obvious at first look.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article43630.htm
Erdogan Moves To Annexes Mosul
By Moon Of Alabama
December 06, 2015 “Information Clearing House” – “Moon Of Alabama” – – The wannabe Sultan Erdogan did not get his will in Syria where he had planned to capture and annex Aleppo. The Russians prevented that. He now goes for his secondary target, Mosul in Iraq, which many Turks see as historic part of their country:
[…]
Barzani’s Kurdistan is so broke that is has even confiscated foreign bank accounts to pay some bills. That may be the reason why Barzani agreed to the deal now. But the roots run deeper. Barzani is illegally selling oil that belongs to the Iraqi government to Turkey. The Barzani family occupies not only the presidential office in the KRG but also the prime minister position and the local secret services. It is running the oil business and gets a big share of everything else. On the Turkish side the oil deal is handled within the family of President Erdogan. His son in law, now energy minister, had the exclusive right to transport the Kurdish oil through Turkey. Erdogan’s son controls the shipping company that transports the oil over sea to the customer, most often Israel. The oil under the control of the Islamic State in Iraq passes the exactly same route. These are businesses that generate hundreds of millions per year.
It is unlikely that U.S., if it is not behinds Turkey new escapade, will do anything about it. The best Iraq could do now is to ask the Russians for their active military support. The Turks insisted on their sovereignty when they ambushed a Russian jet that brushed its border but had no intend of harming Turkey. Iraq should likewise insist on its sovereignty, ask Russia for help and immediately kick the Turks out. The longer it waits the bigger the risk that Turkey will eventually own Mosul.