War Against ISIS

US President Trump in his speech in Saudi Arabia has called on Middle eastern nations to:

"Terrorism has spread all across the world. But the path to peace begins right here, on this ancient soil, in this sacred land ... A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and drive out the extremists. Drive them out! Drive them out of your places of worship, drive them out of your communities, drive them out of your holy land and drive them out of this earth."
Trump tells Middle East to 'drive out' Islamist extremists | Reuters

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It remains to see if this call will have any impact upon the Saudi King and his court or the leadership in the wider region.

US Sec Def Mattis has made clear the US policy on Daesh - Total annihilation and nothing less, which I think makes military sense. Don't let their foreign fighters escape to make mischief in their home countries and elsewhere. Whether the rest of his civilian leadership will accept the ongoing effects of that will remain to be seen.

ngatimozart said:

US President Trump in his speech in Saudi Arabia has called on Middle eastern nations to:

It remains to see if this call will have any impact upon the Saudi King and his court or the leadership in the wider region.

US Sec Def Mattis has made clear the US policy on Daesh - Total annihilation and nothing less, which I think makes military sense. Don't let their foreign fighters escape to make mischief in their home countries and elsewhere. Whether the rest of his civilian leadership will accept the ongoing effects of that will remain to be seen.

Click to expand...

What makes less sense is getting cozy with the Saudis. And let's not even get started on the Saudi shopping spree in Eastern Europe.

http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/turkish-saudi-weapons-found-mosul-says-shia-leader/

The US are just using that miniscule group of a few hundred jobbers to block the syrian/iraqi borders. Because both these governments are shia-aligned and Iran's reach would again extend to Lebanon.

The old NSA was proven a failure and its remnants cannot confront ISIS or SAA militarily, they have taken over some villages in the middle of the desert from ISIS.

I hope there is a way for the coalition to make a deal with Russia, save face and evacuate that town, so that the SAA can secure all of the desert and borders up until the core ISIS areas southeast of DeZ.

EDIT: As for Trump, he put most of the blame for exporting terrorism to Iran. While making a speech in the saudi capital, heh. OK. Did he even mention Yemen?

The SAA making real progress against ISIS. The forces of ISIS are retreating and Russian Areospace forces are killing them fast. If the Syrian forces keep there supply line going they will be at the border and will liberate eastern Syria. If the Iraqi PMU cross the border and assist the Syrian forces that will make a be different. I doubt US forces will attack Syrian Forces if Russians are there. The result of a US strike that hit Russian personnel will spark a wilder conflict. Syrian Military don't have the force to strike US forces but Russia can.

What Trump said during his speech in Saudi was exactly what the Saudis and their Gulf State chums wanted to hear; music to their ears. Trump spoke of instability in the region but what was ironic and hypocritical is that some of the leaders listening to his speech are directly responsible for much of the instability that currently exists in the region. Not surprisingly, Iran was the No. 1 villain with no mention at all of the role Iran has played in pushing back IS; not only in Syria but also Iraq. Sure, Iran is has its own reasons for being involved, in line with its own national interests but the same applies to every country that has got involved in the conflict.

As long as foreign powers continue with their hypocrisy and continue to meddle in regional affairs; will there ever be peace and instability in the region? It's no wonder IS continues to attract volunteers to its cause. There was also no mention at all of the civilian deaths caused by Saudi and its allies in Yemen - why would Trump want to offend the oil rich Arabs? In line with Trump's narrative; the Saudis and its allies are of course the good chaps.

[Donald Trump’s Speech To The Muslim World Was Filled With Hypocrisy And Condescension]
Donald Trump’s speech to the Muslim world was filled with hypocrisy and condescension | The Independent

[The Great White Father Comes To Saudi Arabia]]
https://ericmargolis.com/2017/05/the-great-white-father-comes-to-saudi-arabia/

STURM said:

What Trump said during his speech in Saudi was exactly what the Saudis and their Gulf State chums wanted to hear; music to their ears. Trump spoke of instability in the region but what was ironic and hypocritical is that some of the leaders listening to his speech are directly responsible for much of the instability that currently exists in the region. Not surprisingly, Iran was the No. 1 villain with no mention at all of the role Iran has played in pushing back IS; not only in Syria but also Iraq. Sure, Iran is has its own reasons for being involved, in line with its own national interests but the same applies to every country that has got involved in the conflict.

As long as foreign powers continue with their hypocrisy and continue to meddle in regional affairs; will there ever be peace and instability in the region? It's no wonder IS continues to attract volunteers to its cause. There was also no mention at all of the civilian deaths caused by Saudi and its allies in Yemen - why would Trump want to offend the oil rich Arabs? In line with Trump's narrative; the Saudis and its allies are of course the good chaps.

[Donald Trump’s Speech To The Muslim World Was Filled With Hypocrisy And Condescension]
Donald Trump’s speech to the Muslim world was filled with hypocrisy and condescension | The Independent

[The Great White Father Comes To Saudi Arabia]]
https://ericmargolis.com/2017/05/the-great-white-father-comes-to-saudi-arabia/

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Well it should be obvious to anyone that the parties involved all want to see a protracted conflict and there is no will to end it any time soon.

The two biggest military powers are there, along with two other very respectable military forces (Turkey and Iran) as well as other smaller nations. Are we really saying that with all that resource they could not have finished off ISIS by now?

That's the truth and reality; they don't want to.

So then reasons and conjecture must come into this. First the theatre presents a reasonably safe opportunity for the two super militaries to learn about each other's assets. Russia is hoping to learn about the real effectiveness of US stealth capability, and the US is learning about Russia's missile, radar and EW capabilities.

Turkey and Iran are equally testing themselves in a military sense as well. ISIS are contained in the theatre and it is better to see your enemy than to scatter it to the four corners where you never know where it might turn up next.

As well as this there is an opportunity for the US to expand it's influence or at least the influence of it's allies, while Russia is trying to hold on to what is left of it's main ally in the region.

All very interesting but nothing more than a collection of nations wanting to further their various interests.

Saudi involvement is also part of the Cold War being fought with Iran. A Cold War also involving outsiders. Doing away with Assad and having Syria run by a Sunni government will lessen Iran's influence and leave it further isolated.

Apparently the assault for the liberation of Raqqa has started. US backed SDF forces have seized and liberated the Baath Dam on the Euphrates River, 22 km upstream of Raqqa. This is the third dam on the Euphrates that the SDF have captured and completes the encirclement of Raqqa. The assault on Raqqa itself, is claimed by the SDF, to have started today with attacks launched from the west, north and east of the city.

IMHO this will probably be another Mosul with a long extended bloodbath as Daesh draw out the fight to its bitter end, giving no quarter or asking for any.

STURM said:

Saudi involvement is also part of the Cold War being fought with Iran. A Cold War also involving outsiders. Doing away with Assad and having Syria run by a Sunni government will lessen Iran's influence and leave it further isolated.

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The Sunni coalition of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Bahrain and Yemen have isolated Qatar, accusing it of supporting Iran and terrorist groups. All have ordered Qatari nationals out of their respective countries, closed their airspace to Qatari aircraft, ordered all their nationals out of Qatar (with exception of Egypt), shut down all economic activity with Qatar including overland, sea and air trade.

Qatar is the location of the main US and Coalition headquarters for the Anti-Daesh Coalition so this will most likely have an impact upon the Coalition if this isolation extends beyond the short term.

5 Arab Nations Move to Isolate Qatar, Putting the U.S. in a Bind - NY Times

Qatar row: Calls for diplomatic talks to end Gulf crisis - BBC News

ngatimozart said:

The Sunni coalition of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Bahrain and Yemen have isolated Qatar, accusing it of supporting Iran and terrorist groups. All have ordered Qatari nationals out of their respective countries, closed their airspace to Qatari aircraft, ordered all their nationals out of Qatar (with exception of Egypt), shut down all economic activity with Qatar including overland, sea and air trade.

Qatar is the location of the main US and Coalition headquarters for the Anti-Daesh Coalition so this will most likely have an impact upon the Coalition if this isolation extends beyond the short term.

5 Arab Nations Move to Isolate Qatar, Putting the U.S. in a Bind - NY Times

Qatar row: Calls for diplomatic talks to end Gulf crisis - BBC News

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Interestingly is the quoted $1bn the Qatari's paid in April, for the release of the Royal falcon hunting party captured Iraq in late 2015..

Apparently this was the tipping point for the Saudi's and Egypt - Hostage ransom paid- FT

The article goes further

ngatimozart said:

Apparently the assault for the liberation of Raqqa has started. US backed SDF forces have seized and liberated the Baath Dam on the Euphrates River, 22 km upstream of Raqqa. This is the third dam on the Euphrates that the SDF have captured and completes the encirclement of Raqqa. The assault on Raqqa itself, is claimed by the SDF, to have started today with attacks launched from the west, north and east of the city.

IMHO this will probably be another Mosul with a long extended bloodbath as Daesh draw out the fight to its bitter end, giving no quarter or asking for any.

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Raqqa's not much more than a tenth of the size of Mosul.

Update.

The assault on Raqqa has officially begun, before the encirclement is complete. This mirrors the pattern of the assault on Mosul, and it's likely the Kurds will face some serious difficulties. Rumors persist that this, like in Mosul, was intentional, to allow ISIS forces the option of escaping to fight against the Syrians. Meanwhile the Syrians continue to roll south-eastward, and it's likely that a river will serve as the demarcation line between the Kurds and the SAA in this area. Of course concerns remain about relations between the Kurdish forces and the local Arab population.

It's also noteworthy how rapidly the SAA is advancing. ISIS resistance is relatively minor in the area, and the Syrians are reaping the rewards of the Kurdish push on Raqqa.

Штурм Ð*акки - Colonel Cassad
Коротко по Сирии - Colonel Cassad
ОÑвобождение МаÑкана - Colonel Cassad
О боевом братÑтве в Сирии: diana_mihailova

ISIS continues assaults on Syrian positions in Deyr-ez-Zor. With the impending fall of Raqqa, Deyr-ez-Zor could be the next ISIS capital. However for now the SAA is holding.

Дейр-Ñз-Зор. 05.06.2017 - Colonel Cassad

T-90s continue combat service in Syria.

2-ой и 24-ый танки Т-90 ÑирийÑкой армии из партии, поÑтавленной в конце 2015 г.: diana_mihailova

In the first link a Su-35 doing strafing runs, providing CAS, to Syrian allies. In the second footage of the Ka-52 at work in Syria. In the third, dramatic footage of Syrian Army forces in the desert south-east of Damascus. In the fourth, some footage of Russian humanitarian operations in Syria.

Из пушки по боевикам.. - Юрий ЛÑмин
Ðовое!Удары Ка-52 Ñ Ð¿Ñ€Ð¸Ð¼ÐµÐ½ÐµÐ½Ð¸ÐµÐ¼ ПТУÐ* по технике ИГИЛ. - БлокпоÑÑ‚ военного милитариÑта
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKwrANNJijk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH0Z7QzCZbU

Russia has carried out another round of cruise missile strikes from the Mediterranean, with 2 missiles from a new frigate, and 2 from a new Kilo sub. Basically all new Kalibr-carriers seem to fire off 2-4 missiles on targets in Syria almost as if for training.

Удары Ñ Ð¼Ð¾Ñ€Ñ - Colonel Cassad
ÐанеÑение удара крылатыми ракетами Ñ Ñ„Ñ€ÐµÐ³Ð°Ñ‚Ð° «Ðдмирал Ð*ÑÑен» и подводной лодки «КраÑнодар» - bmpd

BTR-4s in combat in Iraq. A few of them remain in service.

http://diana-mihailova.livejournal.com/654863.html

A Syrian Army MiG-23 was brought down south-east of Damascus.

Поддерживаемые СШРбоевики Osoud Al-Sharqiyah Ñбили иÑтребитель МиГ-23МЛ борт 2797 ВВС Сирии (ФОТО): diana_mihailova

Mi-25 gunships operating out of Kuweiris airbase.

Боевой вертолет Ми-25 ВВС Сирии Ñ Ð±Ð¾Ñ€Ñ‚Ð¾Ð²Ñ‹Ð¼ номером 2823 на авиабазе ÐšÐ²ÐµÐ¹Ñ€Ð¸Ñ (Kweres AB): diana_mihailova

The Iraqi Army has captured a workshop for VBIEDs in Mosul.

ÐÑ€Ð¼Ð¸Ñ Ð˜Ñ€Ð°ÐºÐ° захватила 9 огромных шахид-мобилей в МоÑуле (ФОТО): diana_mihailova

The Syrian army has shot down some US-made Switchblade UAVs allegedly being operated by al-Qaeda associated fighters in Suweida area.

ÐмериканÑкие БЛРSwitchblade, иÑпользовавшиеÑÑ Ð±Ð¾ÐµÐ²Ð¸ÐºÐ°Ð¼Ð¸ "Ðль-Каиды" в : diana_mihailova

Wikileaks releases documents supporting allegations that the US knew about financial support of ISIS by people in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: WikiLeaks: ÑØÀ çíàëè î ôèíàíñîâîé ïîääåðæêå ÈÃ* ñî ñòîðîíû Êàòàðà è Ñàóäîâñêîé Àðàâèè

US sourced weapons and munitions are found at an Al-Nusra stockpile in Aleppo.

Склад Ð¾Ñ€ÑƒÐ¶Ð¸Ñ Ð¿Ñ€Ð¾Ð¸Ð·Ð²Ð¾Ð´Ñтва СШРи документами боевиков «Ðн-ÐуÑра» обнаружен в Ðлеппо: diana_mihailova

Putin states that there is no evidence that Assad is behind the chemical attack at Khan Tuman.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Ïóòèí çàÿâèë îá îòñóòñòâèè äîêàçàòåëüñòâ ïðè÷àñòíîñòè Àñàäà ê õèìàòàêå â Ñèðèè

An interesting piece about French SoF hunting down French citizens fighting as part of ISIS, in Iraq.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/france...or-islamic-state-1496090116?mod=djemalertNEWS

It appears that production of 130mm SP Arty on the chassis of Mercedes trucks continues.

Gur Khan attacks!: СирийÑкие Ñверхдальнобойные 130-мм СÐУ громÑÑ‚ боевиков в пуÑтыне

Russia is expanding work on the Naval Station in Tartus, and it appears that despite earlier statements they do intend to turn it into a full naval base.

Análisis Militares: Novedades en la base naval en tartus, Siria (actualizado)

Some footage of antique Migs at Dzhirah airbase.

Ð*аритеты авиабазы Джиррах (ФОТО): diana_mihailova

Allegedly these Russian Msta-SM 2S19M2 howitzers have been deployed to Syria. This is the newest Russian SP Arty, not counting the 2S35 which has yet to pass state trials. While it doesn't make the most military sense to deploy these systems to Syria, it does make sense from a standpoint of testing them under combat conditions.

Якобы СириÑ. Внезапно так.... - Коллекционер баÑнов

Footage of US forces along side rebel groups near al-Tanf. Meanwhile Russian aircraft have been spotted in the area, and ground units that appear to be Russian military.

Ð*азом за демократию! - Forward together!: diana_mihailova
http://diana-mihailova.livejournal.com/650986.html

Czech-made APCs being sent to Syria.

http://diana-mihailova.livejournal.com/654569.html

swerve said:

Raqqa's not much more than a tenth of the size of Mosul.

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Maybe so but Raqqa is the "capital" of the so called caliphate and I think that Daesh will fight harder for it, resulting in a bloodbath. They have no aversion to casualties nor any regard in the slightest for anything other than their own selfish perverted selves.

ngatimozart said:

Maybe so but Raqqa is the "capital" of the so called caliphate and I think that Daesh will fight harder for it, resulting in a bloodbath. They have no aversion to casualties nor any regard in the slightest for anything other than their own selfish perverted selves.

Click to expand...

It is not a capital at all anymore. ISIS have evacuated most high ranking commanders and their families to Mayadin. Months ago.

And the city is not as big or heavily defended as Mosul. To make it a drawn-out bloodbath equivalent to Mosul, the SDF would have to match or surpass the iraqi army in incompetence, a herculean feat.

Also, the local population is not as pro-ISIS as Mosul, in fact I have read in articles that in light of the islamist repression and the hatred towards the kurds ... they may be more pro-government.

Apparently Russian hackers are behind the crisis between the Saudis and Qatar. Good god. This is approaching the level of lunacy that you see in Ukraine, where a member of the Rada blamed Putin for the shitty condition of apartment building lobbies in Ukraine.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...ted-fake-news-story-that-led-to-crisis-report

Feanor said:

Apparently Russian hackers are behind the crisis between the Saudis and Qatar. Good god. This is approaching the level of lunacy that you see in Ukraine, where a member of the Rada blamed Putin for the shitty condition of apartment building lobbies in Ukraine.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...ted-fake-news-story-that-led-to-crisis-report

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Nothing like sowing discontent amongst one's opponents / enemies or the opponents / enemies of one's friends and allies. Every little bit helps. Comrade Vladimir Vladimirovich seems to be having his cyber-troops on overtime at the moment; of cause with plausible deniability.

ngatimozart said:

Nothing like sowing discontent amongst one's opponents / enemies or the opponents / enemies of one's friends and allies. Every little bit helps. Comrade Vladimir Vladimirovich seems to be having his cyber-troops on overtime at the moment; of cause with plausible deniability.

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How many western countries have now blamed Russian hackers for stuff? I don't buy it. Not without some serious evidence. It's just too convenient of a boogeyman.

Toblerone said:

It is not a capital at all anymore. ISIS have evacuated most high ranking commanders and their families to Mayadin. Months ago.

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Do you have a source for that?

And the city is not as big or heavily defended as Mosul. To make it a drawn-out bloodbath equivalent to Mosul, the SDF would have to match or surpass the iraqi army in incompetence, a herculean feat.

Also, the local population is not as pro-ISIS as Mosul, in fact I have read in articles that in light of the islamist repression and the hatred towards the kurds ... they may be more pro-government.

Click to expand...

Well the SDF commanders on the scene are anticipating a fierce fight.
So methinks that a bloodbath will still endure.

Looks like Daesh have undertaken an attack in Tehran. Well they're claiming responsibility for it. Two separate attacks; one on the Iranian Parliament and the second on Ayatollah Khomeini's mausoleum.

Iran's parliament and Khomeini mausoleum attacked - BBC News

ngatimozart said:

Looks like Daesh have undertaken an attack in Tehran. Well they're claiming responsibility for it. Two separate attacks; one on the Iranian Parliament and the second on Ayatollah Khomeini's mausoleum.

Iran's parliament and Khomeini mausoleum attacked - BBC News

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It will be interesting to see the POTUS' response in the media. Will he criticize Iran like he did London's mayor? Nothing would surprise me.