War Against ISIS

The Syrian Army and allies have opened Deyr Ez Zor, with solid routes to both halves of the former enclave. It appears that Hezbollah and Russian "advisers" were key to the speed and intensity of the offensive. From the battle damage to the Russian armored truck, it looks like Russian forces were on the front line in this one. This is coupled with rumors that some Russian PMCs died in this offensive, and two Russian service members were killed by a mortar strike. It's noteworthy that an IMR-2 engineering vehicle was used to clear the path into the enclave. Also apparently Kalibr cruise missiles were used to strike targets in support of this offensive.

Interestingly enough it appears that at least some Syrian artillerymen have been properly trained and are now using the Russian Msta-B howitzers in place of Russian artillerymen. Interestingly enough Russian troops are here in completely desert camouflage.

Interestingly enough US-backed forces are rapidly pushing towards Deyr Ez Zor from the north. It's likely the movement of a Syrian convoy with pontoon gear tipped off the US to the intent of the pro-Assad coalition.

https://vk.com/milinfolive?w=wall-123538639_421663
https://vk.com/milinfolive?w=wall-123538639_421169
https://vk.com/milinfolive?w=wall-123538639_420490
https://imp-navigator.livejournal.com/657794.html
https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/3668581.html
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https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/3663343.html
Gur Khan attacks!: Ð’ Сирии руÑÑкие ИМР-2 "прогрызали" дорогу наÑтупающим танкам
https://bmpd.livejournal.com/2829751.html
https://bmpd.livejournal.com/2830682.html
https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/3658972.html
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Syrian Army pontoon gear.

https://diana-mihailova.livejournal.com/970575.html

Akerbat has fallen to the Syrian Army.

https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/3651888.html

Russian dive-bombers rebased to T4, likely in support of operations around Akerbat.

https://diana-mihailova.livejournal.com/971781.html

The US is reportedly pulling pro-US fighters out of At-Tanf through Jordan. Which says a lot about just how "Syrian" these fighters are.

https://diana-mihailova.livejournal.com/967534.html

An interesting article on GLONASS and it's use in Syria.

Moscow Defense Brief

A look at ISIS fighting positions near Palymra.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/2820671.html

A Czech OT-64 APC has been "donated" to the rebels in Syria. It's part of a record flow of weapons from ex-WARPAC NATO members (and other sources) into Syria.

БТР OT-64 поÑвилÑÑ Ñƒ боевиков на юге Сирии - Юрий ЛÑмин
https://diana-mihailova.livejournal.com/947049.html

An anectodal look at the accuracy of Russian airstrikes in Syria. It looks impressive until you realize the US was there 20 years ago. Still the progress is noteworthy.

О точноÑти боевого Ð¿Ñ€Ð¸Ð¼ÐµÐ½ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐšÐБ и ОФÐБ Су-24Ðœ и Су-34 ВКС РФ в Сирии: diana_mihailova

Russian military aid continues to arrive in the form of surplus stocks and ex Russian army gear that's easier to leave in Syria then ship home. This time BTR-80 APCs (the type is on it's way out with the BTR-82 rapidly replacing it) and GAZ Vodnik armored cars, out of Russian Army service for some time.

Gur Khan attacks!: СирийÑÐºÐ°Ñ Ð¿ÐµÑ…Ð¾Ñ‚Ð° обрадовалаÑÑŒ новым БТР-80 и ГÐЗ-39371 "Водник"

Since early August 2017 Russia has two A-50Us at Khmeimeem, likely to provide better coverage. Also since the beginning of the operation Russia has flown 14 000 UAV sorties over Syria. Which isn't that impressive next to the US but a first for Russia.

Второй Ð-50У ВКС РФ поÑвилÑÑ Ð½Ð° авиабазе Хмеймим уже в начале авгуÑта 2017 г.: diana_mihailova
РоÑÑийÑкие беÑпилотники ÐµÐ¼Ñ Ð¾Ð¿ÐµÑ€Ð°Ñ†Ð¸Ð¸ в Сирии Ñовершили более 14 Ñ‚Ñ‹ÑÑч вылетов: diana_mihailova

Some statistics on combat use of the Pantsyr-S in Syria, noteworthy is the downing of 3 Israeli Herons and 1 US RQ-21A. They also shot down quite a few rocket-arty munitions and some weather balloons.

Боевое применение комплекÑа "Панцирь-С" в Сирии - Colonel Cassad'

The Iraqis have captured a Javelin ATGM from ISIS.

ИракÑкие войÑка Ñ Ñ‚Ñ€Ð¾Ñ„ÐµÐ¹Ð½Ñ‹Ð¼ ПТРК FGM-148 Javelin - Юрий ЛÑмин

Thanks Feanor. I was reading over the weekend that Turkey and Germany are still having spats - well the Turks are the ones spitting the dummy most of the time.

The Iraqis have captured a Javelin ATGM from ISIS.

ИракÑкие войÑка Ñ Ñ‚Ñ€Ð¾Ñ„ÐµÐ¹Ð½Ñ‹Ð¼ ПТÐ*К FGM-148 Javelin - Юрий ЛÑмин

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The CLU in this picture is totally wrong looks like a very cheap knockoff

Cadredave said:

The CLU in this picture is totally wrong looks like a very cheap knockoff

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This is interesting. Who manufactures Javelin look-a-likes? China?

ngatimozart said:

Thanks Feanor. I was reading over the weekend that Turkey and Germany are still having spats - well the Turks are the ones spitting the dummy most of the time.

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I just realized, re-reading it, that I used "interestingly enough" way too many times. That's what I get for piecing it together and not proof-reading it.

The Javelin, the M47 Dragon and that iranian Saegheh knock-off all look the same to me :/

Feanor said:

This is interesting. Who manufactures Javelin look-a-likes? China?

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I would say from China what model I'm not sure but it ain't a Javlin the CLU gives it away

Feanor said:

Russia has flown 14 000 UAV sorties over Syria. Which isn't that impressive next to the US but a first for Russia.

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Any ideas what UAV's they are operating in Syria? I saw your post on the Aviation section about future Russian UAV's, but any info to which ones they are using for Syria day to day operations?

supercomrade said:

Any ideas what UAV's they are operating in Syria? I saw your post on the Aviation section about future Russian UAV's, but any info to which ones they are using for Syria day to day operations?

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Orlan-10 is the workhorse, Eleron both 3 and 10 models are also used, more of a front-line model. Of course the Forpost (Searcher MkII). Those are the 3 main ones, though I'm sure many other models have been used both to test them under real combat conditions, and because the Russian UAV inventory isn't particularly standardized.

Syrian Arab Army did it with Russian support

I just wrote in a post that Syrian Forces will be in Deir Ezzor in August. Guess what they got there in September. The high volume of bombing by Russian Aerospace Forces greatly help Syrian Forces. Now you have the SDF coming at full speed towards Deir Ezzor. The Syrian forces must go past Euphrates River to stop SDF from advancing in the eastern Deir Ezzor. The past month they have advance rapidly across the desert. More modern equipment has gotten into Syrian Forces. ISIS has show me they still have captured tanks and pick up trucks in there arsenal. I'm still amazed how far Russian forces have became modern they still got work to do but they can battle with the best armies of the world now thank to there EW capabilities. Great news for SYRIAN ARAB ARMY they are back in charge again thanks to Russia.

There's unconfirmed information that Tiger Force has crossed Deyr ez Zor with the use of a pontoon bridge possibly provided by Russia. There are oil fields on the other shore of the Euphrates whose ownership is in question. Meanwhile Mi-17s are being rebased by the Syrians to the Deyr ez Zor airbase, and it's only a matter of time until their Russian counterparts show up.

Also Russian sappers have been deployed to Deyr ez Zor, mirroring previous actions of this sort in Tadmor and Aleppo.

https://diana-mihailova.livejournal.com/991030.html
https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/3675257.html
https://diana-mihailova.livejournal.com/983553.html
https://diana-mihailova.livejournal.com/983237.html
Análisis Militares: Se rifa un cruce del Eufrates y las papeletas las tiene el Ejército sirio
https://nortwolf-sam.livejournal.com/2023600.html

Footage of Russian An-26s in Aleppo.

https://diana-mihailova.livejournal.com/989166.html

In a predictable move the MiG-29SMT has show up in Syria. After, of course, all the heavy lifting is done. The type is unimpressive and their current unit is receiving Su-30SMs instead. The SMT fleet likely won't be retired, instead replacing the last few Soviet era MiG-29s left.

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https://altyn73.livejournal.com/1235640.html

US backed SDF attacked by Russian and Syrian air power east or the Euphrates:

Jets strike U.S.-backed forces in Syrian border zone: SDF | Reuters

I can rapidly feel another humiliation for the US approaching unless it takes a firm stance and makes a convincing case for it's presence in the region.

Yet another example of military forces in the world showing utter contempt and lack of fear for the greatest super power on the planet.

Will she retaliate or withdraw?

gazzzwp said:

Will she retaliate or withdraw?

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Hopefully the decision is not based on how much "dirt" Putin has on Trump.

Toblerone said:

New details on US shoot down of Syrian jet - CNNPolitics.com

So according to this narrative from a named Navy officer an AIM-9X (I presume) was launched from half a mile away and got countered by flares and they then used an AMRAAM.

Must be a little disappointing not being able to immediately down a fully loaded su-22 rustbucket.

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On page 200 of this thread there is speculation about 'why' missiles fired on Su-22 so here is the actual USN pilots at TAILHOOK 2017 telling their story.

Su-22 Shoot Down 4 USN Pilots Explain TAILHOOK 2017 Excerpt (7 minutes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAbxl_jxquo

Su-22 Shoot Down 4 USN Pilots Explain ALL at TAILHOOK 2017 (47 minutes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uston4gybSk

John Fedup said:

Hopefully the decision is not based on how much "dirt" Putin has on Trump.

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The democrats have dug to the core of the Earth and have found no dirt on Trump, don't hold your breath. In general, the Putin boogeyman angle has been overplayed and the wild accusations ranging from collusion to having "dirt" have been disproven.

@gazzzwp
Which embarassments have the US suffered in Syria? The stuff I remember is a russian plane shot down by a NATO partner, syrian planes destroyed on the air and on the ground, the US and Israel bombing syrian and iranian-backed forces ...

Toblerone said:

The democrats have dug to the core of the Earth and have found no dirt on Trump, don't hold your breath. In general, the Putin boogeyman angle has been overplayed and the wild accusations ranging from collusion to having "dirt" have been disproven.

Click to expand...

You might want to revisit the Watergate timeline. Whether dirt exists or not, the search has a very long way to go yet. Hurricanes and NK have merely pushed this issue to the sidelines.

gazzzwp said:

US backed SDF attacked by Russian and Syrian air power east or the Euphrates:

Jets strike U.S.-backed forces in Syrian border zone: SDF | Reuters

I can rapidly feel another humiliation for the US approaching unless it takes a firm stance and makes a convincing case for it's presence in the region.

Yet another example of military forces in the world showing utter contempt and lack of fear for the greatest super power on the planet.

Will she retaliate or withdraw?

Click to expand...

The US has struck Syrian forces how many times and under what justifications? Russia could apply the same logic to the Kurds that the US used at At-Tanf, given that Russian ground forces are committed at Deyr-ez-Zor. It's also not at all clear whether the strike was Russian, Syrian, or both. It's too soon to claim that the "US backed SDF attacked by Russian and Syrian". Emphasis mine.

Some updates.

Syrian sources are cautiously talking about a foothold on the east shore of the Euphrates, with Russian SpN presence on the front line. If true, Russian presence is being used to secure the positions. Whether Russian forces are involved in the crossing, Russian forces are definitely present in Deyr ez Zor. There is also a rumor that the Syrians are prepared to take a key island in the Euphrates.

Also an airstrike, likely Russian or Syrian, hit SDF forces on the east shore of the Euphrates. This comes after a statement from the Assad government that they will fight for Syrian territorial integrity against anyone who threatens it

https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/3682382.html
https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/3682615.html
https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/3683602.html

It looks like there is an Iranian-backed effort on both the Syrian and Iraqi side of the border to take the Abu-Kemal crossing, securing the land corridor between Syria and Iraq.

https://diana-mihailova.livejournal.com/1003836.html

It appears some sort of agreement has been reached on Idlib, splitting the province between various actors. The ultimate loser is likely to be al-Nusra, with Iran, Turkey, and Russia, each allegedly policing a slice of the province.

https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/3680922.html

Some shots of Russian Hinds in Syria.

https://diana-mihailova.livejournal.com/1003643.html

It appears that parts of the New Syrian Army created by the US to allegedly fight ISIS have been abandoned, when they refused to depart their area of operations and transfer to Deyr-ez-Zor front line.

https://diana-mihailova.livejournal.com/996362.html

Two project 636 Kilo subs fired a total of 7 Kalibr cruise missiles at ISIS targets in Syria.

https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/3678145.html

EDIT: Turkish forces are allegedly moving towards Idlib province, possibly in preparation for a large operation against al-Nusra in Idlib.

https://vk.com/milinfolive?z=photo-123538639_456286299/wall-123538639_427046

Toblerone said:

The democrats have dug to the core of the Earth and have found no dirt on Trump, don't hold your breath. In general, the Putin boogeyman angle has been overplayed and the wild accusations ranging from collusion to having "dirt" have been disproven.

@gazzzwp
Which embarassments have the US suffered in Syria? The stuff I remember is a russian plane shot down by a NATO partner, syrian planes destroyed on the air and on the ground, the US and Israel bombing syrian and iranian-backed forces ...

Click to expand...

Glad to see you've seen Mueller's files. If not, you're guessing. Bets that more than one of Trump's administration gets indicted?

Art