By Aram Mirzaei
On December 8, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorist group launched a major offensive in a bid to recapture the ancient city of Palmyra, which was otherwise lost to the Syrian Army earlier in March this year. ISIL managed to not only muster between 4000-5000 fighters, but managed to travel across the eastern Homs desert unnoticed until they reached the gates of the ancient city. Their swift advance was made from three flanks, with ISIL terrorists attacking from the north, the south and the east. ISIL initially captured the Jabal Hayyan area which overlooks the city and the Al-Mahr Oil Fields to the north. Despite a Syrian-Russian counterattack which initially repelled the ISIL assault and killed at least 300 militants according to the Russian Ministry of Defense, ISIL still managed to renew their assault as the Syrian government forces were forced to withdraw amid a massive evacuation of civilians from the city. [1] [2]
By December 11, ISIL had fully recaptured the city after the Syrian Army withdrew, facing overwhelming ISIL numbers and an imminent threat of encirclement.[3]
This event left many observers of the Syrian conflict with the question: what happened? How could the SAA lose the city so quickly, especially with ISIL being weakened so badly in recent times?
It has since the offensive was launched been revealed that a large number of ISIL terrorists had withdrawn from the towns of Rawa and Al-Qaem in Iraq, in order to engage the Syrian and Russian forces in the eastern Homs area. [4]
Southfront.org offered an analysis the next day, explaining the events that led to the second fall of Palmyra. The article explains that the rapid breakthrough and advancement of the ISIL terrorists was due to some fundamental mistakes made by commanders of the Syrian Army and the allied National Defense Forces (NDF) who let their guards down. In sum, they had not paid attention to sufficient fortification activities, and tactical reconnaissance and assessment of the attacking enemy forces. This resulted in insufficient information to the Army High Command causing them to fail to take preventive actions to counter the imminent ISIL threat. Southfront however also considers mistakes made by the Russian assist and advice mission, with regards to the surprise of the redeployment of ISIL units from Iraq to Syria. [5]
This reason is one of the most important ones to consider when analysing the fall of Palmyra. Already in October this year, reports emerged that the US along with its Gulf allies had devised a plan to “relocate” ISIL militants from Mosul to Syria. The Russian news outlet RIA Novosti had revealed that the plan was to allow up to 9000 ISIL terrorists safe passage out of Mosul with the condition that they fight Syrian and Russian troops in Palmyra and Deir Ezzor. [6] This plan is essentially aimed at removing all Syrian government presence from eastern Syria, thus creating the infamous “Sunni entity” in eastern Syria and Western Iraq, with its role intended to be a permanent thorn in the side of Syria and its allies.
With this information at the disposal of the Syrian and Russian governments, it seems rather strange that the preparations for this upcoming influx of ISIL terrorists from Iraq to Syria was rather absent amid the rapid ISIL advance. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports from twitter mainly, speculated about the idea that the US air force could have played a part in the very unnoticed ISIL advance to Palmyra. Any observer of this war would wonder how the massive ISIL convoys managed to travel from the oil rich town of Al-Sukhanah in the far eastern reaches of the Homs province to Palmyra totally under the radar with Russian satellites being unable to detect them. The Twitter user “Maytham” reported that the US air force had disrupted the “VHF radios and radars via satellites over the roads between Al-Sukhanah and Palmyra” in order to provide a 6 hour cover for ISIL’s passage. Whether or not this is true, I’ll leave up for debate, we should however not forget that the US has assisted ISIL in the past, most notably when it “accidentally” bombed the Syrian Army in Deir Ezzor on September 20, killing more than 80 Syrian soldiers in the process.
Another factor explaining the loss of Palmyra that must be underscored is the fact that the Syrian Army simply does not have enough troops to attack and hold its positions on the multitude of fronts it is engaged in. The Army had sent some of its best troops to Aleppo for the major offensive that was launched in November and that resulted in the inevitable defeat of terrorist groups in this imperative city. This however left the Army very vulnerable on other fronts, especially the eastern fronts such as Palmyra.
While the liberation of Aleppo was welcomed by many, including me, I do think that it could have gone a lot quicker than it did. Ever since the Army managed to complete the siege back in July this year, the Army has had a chance to finally finish off the terrorist groups entrenched inside the eastern districts of the city. The Syrian and Russian governments have however been stalled on multiple occasions due to interference by the Western powers and their regional vassals. On too many occasions have the Syrian government and its allies agreed to pointless ceasefires, putting their faith in diplomacy and trusting the main backers of the terrorist groups fighting the Syrian Army. Too many times have they been disappointed and had to paid the price with the lives of brave soldiers.
These constant ceasefires have only been used by the US and its allies as a way to stall the Army and delay the inevitable. This gave other jihadists, most notably ISIL a window of opportunity to attack weaker fronts and take advantage of the massive amount of troops tied down at the Aleppo front. The liberation of Aleppo gives a bittersweet taste as Palmyra fell simultaneously, allowing the US to strike back in revenge for its proxies losing perhaps the most important battle in this war.
The Syrian government and its allies must stop putting their faith in “diplomacy” and allow the West to direct the course of actions, or else they will continue to remain in this kind of stalemate where they achieve an important gain, only to lose another strategic or symbolic point elsewhere. While the battle for Aleppo is over, the battle for Idlib is about to become the next focus point in this bloody war, a battle that will take the SAA far longer time and demand far more resources in order to achieve victory.
- http://tass.com/world/918505?__hstc=143095274.6382dc5dd8e3b5f6135ac5ee5371dcdf.1473976512470.1481753379374.1481973110672.185&__hssc=143095274.10.1481973110672&__hsfp=56543330 ↑
- https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/palmyra-serious-threat-isis-moves-closer-city/ ↑
- https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-fully-retakes-palmyra-stunning-blitz-offensive-map-update/ ↑
- https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-relocated-fighters-iraq-capture-palmyra/ ↑
- https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-december-12-2016-mistakes-that-led-to-fall-of-palmyra/ ↑
- http://theduran.com/the-us-plan-for-isis-out-of-iraq-into-syria-to-fight-assad/ ↑
Thank you Mr. Mirzaei,
I have heard this frustration over the ceasefires from many people, but I don’t share it. I always point to how the West does not win on the battlefield, but in the court of public opinion. Russia was playing the Western propaganda line beautifully, advancing and retreating as needed. Sieges are never quick, and rushing prepared defences too early would have not only have wasted valuable Syrian, Iranian, Russian, Lebanese and Iraqi lives, but killed many more civilians, giving the Empire a propaganda victory. They did it in the Russian way, slowly, and with an overwhelming preponderance of force.
Losing Palmyra was unpleasant, but was of no strategic value. Its initial liberation was only a propaganda victory in the first place, while the Russians retrained and equipped the SAA. ISIS’s retaking was also a propaganda victory, which is why I resisted despair and projected the rational view instead. ISIS has done the Resistance a favour by taking Palmyra, it is a White Elephant. Now the SAA has reduced their frontage by withdrawing from the Palmyra Salient, while drawing ISIS far from their LOC into a killing ground the Resistance knows well. I am awed by the clear strategic thinking this demonstrates, and look forward to seeing these rats stew in their desert cauldron some time soon.
Bring on 2017, a year none of us will ever forget.
The acceptance of ceasefires actually did erode and the last shreds of credibility of the West exposing both their impotence and treachery. They showed to the world that the West and its allies are unreliable partners and led to their elimination from the settlement of the problem. That’s a strategic success of significance. The ISIS will be dealt with in due time and that will be its total elimination.
The West already has no credibility, apart from the brainwashed sheeples it controls via MSM. It does not matter how much you expose to the world, it falls on deaf ears.
Sounds plausible, and I sure hope you are right. The rule now should be ….no prisoners, just body-bags embelished with the appropriate flags of the “advisers”.
Earthrise,
Palmrya has no tactical value but, falls within the center of the West’s strategic objective: Qatari Pipeline
http://www.mintpressnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/QatarTurkeyGasLine_01.png
Palmrya must be retaken and held at all costs. Aleppo must be held at all costs. Shaayrat Airbase should be reinforced as I would expect an attack on it. Airbase will be key in defending Palmrya.
Deir ez-Zur would be nice to control but, it falls outside what is needed to block the pipeline.
Key to understanding opponent and their potential moves is having a full grasp of what they are strategically trying to accomplish in the end.
You will know the end game is near when south of Damascus heats up again. Have you noticed how quiet it is down there recently? The second objective of destroying Syria is the destruction of Hezbolla. For those that do not know, Hezbolla is Iran’s MAD deterrent for Israel. Iran (whether they have a nuke or not) does not have a means to reliably launch it into Israel. Because of this, Iran supports Hezbolla because (with Iran’s support) Hezbolla can destroy Israel. This maintains a strategic balance in the region. Israel/U.S., etc… want to upset this balance so that they will have free reign to pursue their interests unimpeded (without dire consequences)
I suspect the sign of the end game phase beginning will be a push by FSA/JN around the area of Khirbet-Naamer to encircle SAA then retake Daraa. This phase will be the razors edge on if Hezbolla is unleashed on Israel and leads us to WWIII. If it truly is the objective to eliminate Hezbolla as a counter to Israel, then we are facing WWIII and it is just a matter of timing. I am pessimistic and think Israel will not accept Hezbolla as strategic counter to their power and will use their considerable influence to use America as their mercenary army to destroy Syria and Hezbolla thinking Russia will back down at some point. I think Russia has few options on backing down unless they want to doom their country to being another U.S. vassal.
Good analysis AP,
Considering the corresponding distances from their supply/air bases, ISIS cannot hold Palmyra. I am not across the proposed pipeline paths, I just assumed they needed any north/south corridor from Qatar to Turkey to do the job. I am still focused on the Raqqa – Deir ez-Zur (Sunnistan) corridor, but that also depends what happens in Iraq. I can’t see it being in the AZ’s interest for Iraq to liberate her own territory (now that they are in the Resistance), they want Turkey to control Mosul to divide Kurdistan and anchor Sunnistan. I still think the final battle in the East will be Deir ez-Zur, once Syria liberates this Pipelinestan should be over.
Yes, the Daraa front is really interesting. I do harbour a little smile thinking of the Israelis watching their own jihadis fleeing back towards them. They are the silent partner behind this whole war, and while they may gloat over the drone footage of a ruined Syria, I think they must be sweating a bit over how muscular Hezbollah have gotten, and to what degree Russia will curb their ambition. Israel, crazy as a cut snake, is also pragmatic. When you consider all that shuttle diplomacy last year, I wonder if Russia is taking over some of the guarantees of the Zionist State. Only Russia now can guarantee Israel’s northern border, and potentially the Golan, though moves are afoot to end the occupation there. Best case is Israel pulls out of the Golan, and Russia secures the North. Israeli will not suffer Hezbollah on the Golan otherwise; we Humans are so stupid, we always make our worst fears come true. Otherwise your scenario happens, and no-one wants that.
Earthrise,
From how I see it, Deir ez-Zur is outside the path of the pipeline because they would have to go through Iraq to go that route and they will not do that. It will go through SA and Jordon so they need to push far enough west to Palmrya to achieve that. Syria can save saves by not forcing issue on Deir ez-Zur until it is 100% clear they have won and will maintain control over Aleppo, Homs and Palmrya. I would say if ISIS holds eastern Syria (Raqqa/Deir ex-Zur) they accomplish half of the strategic objective for those that fund and control them, cutting off Hezbolla supply routes from Iran. But, they lose the money maker which is the pipeline.
You are exactly right about Iraq, they do not like seeing Iraq regain control of their territory. Especially when they have been accomplishing that with Iranian assistance. Iran has done more for Iraq than SA ever has and this is further pushing Iraq to ally with Iran. It is not lost on the Iraqis that SA and Qatar fund ISIS. If Iraq regains control of their territory with continued Iranian assistance, supply line through Iraq for Hezbolla stays open.
Right again on Israel/Russia issue. It is now apparent to Israel that they cannot have security on their border and be at odds with Russia. I am still pessimistic on this one though. I have met enough Israelis to know how stubborn they are. I would think if they keep the below in place it should serve as a deterrent to Israel to provide air support for an assault from the south.
http://tass.com/defense/855430
As long as this is in Syria, Israel has to play nice with their neighbors. This MUST stay in Syria. If this is eventually withdrawn through negotiations, it will be a great loss for Syrian security.
Again, right on Hezbolla. Hezbolla has grown from fairly sophisticated rebel group to a full blown military unit capable of combined arms support (coordinated assaults with armor/air support). That has to really keep Israeli war planners up at night on how to counter them now.
Merry Christmas ActivePatriot, looking forward to working with you again next year.
Can someone please explain to me why the western-backed-head-chopping-regimes don’t just bypass Syria and lay their gas pipe through Iraq into Turkey and then onto Europe?
One word: Iran.
Iran runs Iraq for the most part and aren’t interested in letting Saudi Arabia and Qatar influence the oil market via Iraq.
Thank you
Nicholas,
2 reasons
1 – Saudis want the pipeline to go through Saudi Arabia because they get revenue that way. If it goes through Iraq, Saudis would get no revenue from that pipeline.
2 – Iraq is 65% Shia while both Saudi Arabia and Qatar are about 90% Sunni. This actually makes Iraq a natural ally of Iran despite our meddling to try to prevent that.
Thank you
Topography
There are some serious mountain ranges blocking alternatives.
At the risk of asking the most ignorant and naive questions ever, why are the Islamic Pipeline and the Qatar-Turkey Pipeline mutually exclusive?
I’m assuming there are no technical issues that can’t be solved, hence the fundamental issue is political. Do both sides agree that the pipelines are mutually exclusive?
Is one side more adamant than the other that their pipeline is an all-or-nothing proposition?
Please answer gently.
All the cease fires were well worth it. as even Hillary Clinton said the criminal global elite (the global Zionist empire) are losing the information war, which is the most important war of all. If Turkey leaves NATO which is looking more and more likely, who on this board will be complaining about how Putin handled the Syrian war? or even thought such a thing was possible. So Turkey the Philippines, Indonesia, which other countries will split off from the empire this year? If they crash the USSA economy to hurt Trump by raising interest rates etc. their global empire will likely collapse all at once worldwide.
If someone in Russia with clout can help these people it would be appreciated…
http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2016/12/20/taliban-video-shows-kidnapped-u-s-canadian-family/
Why would “someone in Russia with clout” use their position to help these people? Russia isn’t backing the Taliban, go ask whoever is pouring cash/weapons to the Taliban to “use their clout”… try Pakistan (a US ally) and the Saudis (another US ally). Even the NY Times sees it (article from Feb 2016) so it is no secret, even though much of the article is a whitewash and deflections of US/NATO/Zionist meddling.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/06/world/asia/saudi-arabia-afghanistan.html?_r=0
Going “backpacking” in Afghanistan by US or Canadian citizens has to be the stupidest thing ever. Taking your children as well just elevates this to pure idiocy in the face of the deliberate illegal 15 years of destruction of Afghanistan by US/Canadian military/covert-ops. Perhaps the US/Cdn spies/covert-ops-spotters thought bringing their children was a good cover story.
His name is al-buraq, Hussein (a name associated with the 12th Madhi), Obama…garden servant of the king of the morning.
A Nigerian can confirm to you what the name Obama means. A Nigerian king is called an Ob.
The SouthFront analysis was simply bad. This offensive came during a widely reported sandstorm, so tactical recon’s role could’ve been minimal, and, more over the Russians hadn’t detected anything from this offensive either, there was no prior warning. The “fortifications” couldn’t stand due to overwhelming numerical superiority of attacking forces.
“On too many occasions have the Syrian government and its allies agreed to pointless ceasefires”
This is simply the denial of truth. It is well known that the Russian political command forces these ceasefires to the Russian military and the Syrians (and the Novorossians as well).
I think the explanation on Palmyra «falling» is simpler. Itsa trap for 4000 ISIS terrorists.
Think about it, the Russians do war like they play chess. In addition to thinking many moves ahead and planning for different scenarious, the good chess player is capable of sacrifying even his most valuable piece like the Queen, in order to win.
Now ad the author writes, the Russians knew that the CIA is stupid enough to send ISIS troops from Iraq to Syria. In Iraq they were untouchable cuz after all Russia has «not been invited» by the government. But it Syria its game on.
So ISIS and US fell for the bait. Palmyra in this chess analogy is strategically bot even the queen, at max a knight or horse… maybe even just a pawn.
So very soon we shall have us a jihadi «cauldron» and the ISIS terrorist in Palmyra slaughtered. And the good guys will be much closer to real victory in the war.
In spite of many small mistakes we have seen that the Russians are much better at the game of chess war strategy and patience than the yippi kay ey MF Americans.
Have faith in Putin friends. :)
“Itsa trap for 4000 ISIS terrorists.”
Actually, this was my first suspicion. The civilians in the town (and the surroundings) were evacuated before, so it looked like there had been preparations for the attack. Palmyra isn’t a strategically important place.
You are absolutely correct.
The terrorists are trapped and cannot be resupplied. The civilians got out – as did the defenders.
The Russians are always aiming to separate the terrorists from the civilians. Once they are separated, it is easy for the aircraft and artillery to pick them off – one by one. That is also why they agreed to let the terrorists “escape” on the green buses to Idlib.
The American and Israeli handlers of the terrorists are well aware of this, but they are under pressure from their political masters to have a “success”, regardless of cost, to try and offset the Aleppo debacle.
Response to question … where is my comment …Do not know which comments you are referencing … we receive maybe 300-400 daily ..looked over by 6 different moderators … the moderators send questionable comments onto the saker for final disposition. If you had some unique keywords in your comment i could search all approved comments. mod-hs
This is a fact, the fall of Palmyra was a total failure on behalf of SAA and Russia. I am amuzed that most of you can see a bright side of this collapse. There won’t be any trap, ISIS will reatreat should they find themself under loosing scenario. The product of this failure will be another syrian city in rubbles, and more soldiers life lost. But above all it shows that syrian conflict can be kept alive as long as opposing side wishes to. The is one of the reason that Russia pushes for diplomatic solution. SAA is not enough to win this war, and russian military comitment too small to put end to it.
“This event left many observers of the Syrian conflict with the question: what happened? How could the SAA lose the city so quickly, especially with ISIL being weakened so badly in recent times?”
I am yet to read any commentator or analyst provide an adequate assessment of ISIS troop numbers, since they withdrew from Faluja, Baiji, large swathes of al-Anbar province, their numbers are now highly concentrated in Mosul & ar-Raqqa. Their last strongholds. Since they are – so far – successfully repelling the assault on the central core of Mosul district, they had troops to spare evidently.
It’s official: the US is funding Middle-East jihadists!
http://bit.ly/2hseucj
I fully agree with the truce-stall statements. The USA and it’s flunkies seemed to be calling the shots and then stabbing the SAA in the back.
I’d appreciate thoughts on why all the terrorists/”armed opposition are being sent to Idlib (mostly):
1. why there?
And why are they not detained? Is just for logistical reasons, like guarding and feeding them, or is it for other purposes?
I agree about this always agreeing to ceasefire. I’ve thought so from the very beginning. The Russians are too naive regarding the West. Much too naive.
The ‘excuses’ and or ‘explanations’ for the fall of Palmyra
1) Russia didn’t appreciate the imminent threat (and dribble about a ‘sandstorm’).
Utter *nonsense. 6 days before Isis attacked Palmyra, informed sources all across the internet warned about the massive Isis build-up, and begged the Russians to strike them before it was too late.
2) Russia didn’t notice the Isis army form, and by the time it became apparent, Russia didn’t have time to gather an opposing force, what with Apello and all that.
Utter nonsense. The Isis attack had been monbths in the planning, and Russia has agents on the ground and embedded in the West’s covert departments that oversaw the project. Russia has satellites every bit as good as the Yanks and watched from space each major ground movement
3) It’s a trap to kill 4000 Isis troops.
Utter nonsense. The demons recruit new Isis cannon fodder from so many places across North Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, getting a new team of 4000 fighters is less than nothing to them- a drop in the ocean.
4) Putin wanted the perfectly good non-Russian defense force at Palmyra to be forced to prove themselves.
Slightly possible. Without a doubt the defensive forces at Palmyra were more than good enough (in theory) to see off 4000 Isis fighters. However, Russian battle intelligence is more than good enough to allow them to assess the capability of the gov troops and their foreign assists. To prove once again how hopeless these fighters are against a well trained, well armed Isis force led by US and UK special ops personnel would be totally pointless.
5) Putin wanted Palmya to fall for *propaganda* purposes.
Quite possible. Russia is endlessly bashed by the mainstream media cos Russia does not attack ISIS- and even the Russians admit (to our disgust) that many of the ‘rebels’ in Aleppo were “good guys”, and none were Isis. Even the West admits that the forces Russia fights in Palmya are Isis. So Putin calculated that having Isis back in the news as an immediate threat would mitigate the troubling definition of the enemies in Aleppo, and force the sheeple to accept that Russia really is fighting ‘real’ terrorists in Syria.
6) Palmyra just wasn’t important enough to defend.
A total total nonsense. The negative fallout from the loss of Palmyra has been terrible for Russia. The cost of recapturing it is going to be massive vs the cost of defending it properly in the first place.
7) Russia didn’t have the forces to defend Palmyra while focused on the liberation of Aleppo.
What complete idiot would belive this one. The Isis forces had to travel across open desert for hours to attack Palmyra. Without their vehicles, the attack had *zero* chance of success. A tiny number of frontline Russia special ops could have laser designated strikes on the vehicles miles before they represented a risk. Russian specialists with wire guided missiles could have taken them all out within a few miles. Russian special ops snipers could have eliminated the Isis/UK/USA force leaders within a mile and a half of their approach. It wouldn’t matter how many ISIS foot soldiers were left- they would have been mown down.
The tiny number of Russian special ops forces that could have defended Palmyra weren’t even useful in the type of fighting going on in Aleppo at the time either (different types of battle situations).
8) Putin didn’t want to kill the UK and USA special ops soldiers leading the ISIS assault.
Quite possible. Ole Putin, no matter how much the West kicks Russia and directly causes its troops to be killed, bends over backwards to ensure the safety of all the West’s military forces on the ground in Syria. Make of this what you will.
9) The West/Saudi Arabia/Israel offered Putin something if he allowed Palmya to fall.
Sadly somewhat possible. These games are played to complex, sick rules, for reasons that are often hard to fathom. There is always a degree of horse-trading in the background. Saudi Arabia needs battlefield successes, and Putin is a rock solid ally of the despicable House of Saud. The fall of Palmyra (even for a temporary period) would help shore up the current leaders in Saudi since they need to keep the powerful religious extremists there sated.
Now Russia will take Palmyra back, but will almost certainly allow the vast majority of the ISIS forces to safely retreat, as per Saudi Arabia’s wishes. Russia will use the second liberation of Palmyra as a military ‘exercise’ to help prepare for the liberation of other regions of Syria. But Putin doesn’t have the will to end the war in Syria (same as in the Ukraine), so the West will be back with their terror gangs just as soon as Putin looks the other way, and the whole cycle of death and destruction will simply repeat- with all of Russia’s efforts so far being for naught.
Russia *cannot* complete the Syrian mission while remaining a solid ally of Israel and Saudi Arabia. But Putin will never betray his loyalty to the zionists and wahhabis (the real reason Putin doesn’t just exterminate ISIS in Syria- cos ISIS is the army of Israel and Saudi Arabia).
Putin plays a complicated game, it seems, and he seems careful to balance out winning with what looks like deliberate losing.
Nice work Twilight,
You may well be right. When we hear Putin and Kissinger are friends, and Netanyahu seems to have an open door, you have to wonder. The Jewish/Russian diaspora in Israel is very strong, and Putin seems to have maintained clear ties. The only connection between Saudi and Russia seems to be the Oil market, which is no small thing considering Russia is ‘nothing more than a gas station’. I am always wary of believing what I want to believe, so I appreciate your counter-analysis.
I think it is safe to say Russia saw the attack coming on Palmyra and let it happen. You say it was external geopolitical considerations, I still say it was a strategic withdrawal and not the disaster you say it is. Either way we are both right, we would only be arguing about the degrees.
The Western operatives captured are bargaining chips, nothing more.
“Russia *cannot* complete the Syrian mission while remaining a solid ally of Israel and Saudi Arabia. But Putin will never betray his loyalty to the zionists and Wahhabis”
I agree with most of your post, this would be the only bone of contention. But as this fact is impossible to prove, it is worthy of consideration. It is the shadow game which makes amateur analysis difficult, but at the same time also makes it interesting. I’ll watch for the shadows and ripples of your position, and lets assess again in a few months.
One other possibility: maybe Assad got a bit too self confident and needed to be remembered how weak the Syrian troops really are.
Wim,
I think you are right. There some good units (mainly private), it seems what is left of the SAA is not much more than a shell. Most of the good leaders have defected or died, the ones left are tired or broken. This may be why they are creating the 5th Corps from scratch, to be built on Iranian/Russian models. Over at Debka, they are calling it the first Shiite foreign legion in the Middle East, and by being part of the formal Syrian Army, her neighbours can’t do much about it. This war has a bit to go unfortunately, by the end the SAA will be the most experienced, tactically-modern force in the world.
Spoken like a true bitter Jew or Jew sympathizer. Stop trolling.
The Syrian Arab Army is no good? Come on, they have been fighting and winning for the last 6 years against an international onslaught. Hezbollah too.
Or is the pathetic IDF (Israeli army )good , whom got spanked hard by a militia, Hezbollah in 2000, 2006 . How will they fare in a future conflict against Hezbollah, now that Hezbollah are giants. Or even the battle hardened SAA for that matter.
Saker, with all due respect, I am absent from this blog and come back to find it infested with Jewish trolls.
What?! Putin is friends and warm with Netanyahu and Kissinger?! Putin just patronizes them , its called international diplomacy norms. Just because he accommodates them on their frenzied , panicked visits doesn’t say anything. Putin and his team probably have a good laugh one these said two get onboard the plane heading back. Putin and the Russian people know whom these said two represent, they represent 100 years of atrocities perpetrated by their ‘tribe’ against them. See. Bolsheviks, Chemists, Gulag bosses, assassinations, regicide and pillaging during the 90’s.
If Putin and Russia were such good friends and tight with Israel and the ‘tribe’, why did they get involved in the first place. Why is Russia working closely with Hezbollah and Shoigu’s (Russian MoD) frequent meetings and coordination with Irans MoD. At high level talks?!
Some of these comment are wishfull thinking and some are outright laughable.
Putin and The Russian MoD allowed Palmyra to be taken?! What?!
Russians are masters at ground (and now aerial too) warfare and drawing an enemy out and encirclement maneuverers. They wrote the book on it. Just ask the Germans or Japanese.
What happened in Palmyra was a sleight of hand. Its in Russian MoD doctrine. Aleppo was a beautiful example of chiping away at your enemy , drawing him out to save civilian life and crush him. Diplomatically and Militarily. ISIS and its advisors see. Isreali’s and U.S.,MI6 etc spooks are out in the open now. A tactical and strategic blunder and the show is about to start.
So I have advice for you trolls, Jews and Israel lovers. Come to term with things, as the old biblical term’ the writing is on the wall’. Cease and desist and join in with the rest of humanity. Before its too late. The noose is tightening.
Even China cast its lot with the Syrian Arab Army and Allies.
Shalom.
Merry Christmas Bored Muslim,
Hopefully we have seen the turning of the tide with the liberation of Aleppo (Stalingrad). The Hasbara veil is being lifted, and emerging powers are no friend of Israel. A better world awaits, as long as people of love and light stay together. A Zionist troll would melt like a snowflake before it hit the ground in this place, no need to worry about that. But this is not a propaganda bullhorn, but an open and honest discussion of the world as we see it. At least we have you straining at the leash for when a Zionist does pop up here, though you may only get scraps after the Sharks get through with them.
As-salamu alaykum Sadiq
A thing I don’t know is what communication has taken place between Russia and the Trump guys — and how the situation will change when Trump takes office. I’ll guess that ISIS will still be in Palmyra then. The ‘external’ factors could play a major role in a month or two.
ISIS may find they are in a ‘roach mote — they checked in but can’t check out.
One think I don’t assume is that the Russians are naive or dumb, and don’t know what is going on.
Who are those who want war
http://www.smh.com.au/world/prince-charles-warns-rising-populism-has-deeply-disturbing-echoes-of-the-dark-days-of-the-1930s-20161222-gtgx0n.html
“The pawns of Islamo-facism drive lorries into peaceful crowds, blow up innocent people on their way to work, and perpetrate the sexual abuse of non-Muslim girls on an industrial scale,” UKIP said in a statement.
But the fact that the global class (the .001%), sell billions in arms to Saudi Arabia, and that the Jews (both neocon in Washington and simply Nazi-Zionist in Israel) have organized, directed and funded the destabilization and genocide of first, Palestine, and now the entire Middle East, goes so conveniently and so elegantly unnoticed in the British Parliament and UKIP.
I am sorry that His Highness had to cite, once again, the suffering of the Jews as the gold standard. They, and it, has been surpassed by many in our time. What they themselves doled out and continue to dole out to Palestinian Semites under Jewish occupation is a case in point. Slow-motion holocaust is still a holocaust.
Hear hear, Franz.
Beautifully said Franz. Thank you. From a brotherly Muslim.
The west is hell -bent on following the Jews and Israel right off the cliff. So be it.
“The Syrian and Russian governments have however been stalled on multiple occasions due to interference by the Western powers and their regional vassals. On too many occasions have the Syrian government and its allies agreed to pointless ceasefires, putting their faith in diplomacy and trusting the main backers of the terrorist groups fighting the Syrian Army. Too many times have they been disappointed and had to paid the price with the lives of brave soldiers.
These constant ceasefires have only been used by the US and its allies as a way to stall the Army and delay the inevitable. This gave other jihadists, most notably ISIL a window of opportunity to attack weaker fronts and take advantage of the massive amount of troops tied down at the Aleppo front.”
This begs the question as to why Russia and Syria repeatedly agree to these self-defeating “ceasefires” which even the average layperson (like here on this website) can see are transparent ploys to give the moderate jihadists and terrorists breathing room?
If global public opinion has seen through America’s and the West’s designs in Syria, they never will–regardless of how many ceasefires one agrees to.