After a few days of relative calm, the battle over the northern Syrian city of Aleppo has picked up anew, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reporting heavy Russian airstrikes against the eastern half of the city, held by the Nusra Front.
The observatory reported that the bombing had killed at least 25 people over several neighborhoods, while locals claimed at least 50 killed, all civilians. Large numbers are also believed to be wounded, though exact figures are unclear.
At the same time, the Syrian Army is reporting that it has consolidated gains north of the city, further establishing control over a key intersection on the city’s northern outskirts, and controlling a main route through which they intend civilians to flee the east.
Aleppo was, before the civil war, Syria’s industrial and financial capital. Years of fighting over the city has left it heavily damaged and badly divided,. meaning that while everyone initially saw control of the city as the key to winning the war, it’s unclear how valuable it will be if any faction ends up with full control of it in the near term.
The resumption of airstrikes around Aleppo is likely to add to the chorus of US officials calling for war with Russia to keep the al-Qaeda-linked rebels from losing, with officials harping on about this even after the airstrikes had stopped.
Let’s just cuddle Al-Qaeda. Never thought would see a day that US will so blatantly and openly protect Al-Qaeda, and call them “rebels”. It is also a reflection on US media — absolute slave to the Government line, and keeping from the public the fact that the whole bullhorn of the “war crimes” chorus — is about trying to protect Al-Qaeda, simply to maintain the image of US still having some relevance in Syria. Somebody to protect. And the holed up Islamists that have committed horrible crimes against civilians, and who have killed people trying to flee — are now our darling “victims” and Russia — the villain. But it is to no avail. Russia’s humanitarian effort aimed at Aleppo consists of many countries, namely, China, India. Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Serbia. And more are joining. It is really good to see such a mixture of countries, consisting besides China and India, of countries that have cultural and religious commonalities with Syria’s population. Kazakhstan a Sunni country, Azerbaijan — a Shia country, and Armenia, an Orthodox Christian country, and Syria has a large Armenian community. It is probably less known also that there are a large variety of militias supporting Syrian government forces. I knew of Christian and Hezbollah militias, but I did not know of a sizeable Palestinian militia until it was mentioned in the latest action against militants in Hama.
Turkey is moving on ISIS in Al-Bab. And interestingly enough, Ahrar al Sham has changed loyalty, and is now participating in Turkish offensive. Since I think all Free Syrian Army have already sought to join Turkish offensive against ISIS — we are getting a pretty clear picture. I did not know that Ahrar a-Sham has jumped to secure protection under Turkey. If this continues — Turkey will get a sizeable Syrian contingent to go after ISIS, and it does appear that the defections are from Aleppo. Since Turkey does not want any division of Syria, arguing its territorial integrity, these groups cannot hope for a territorial gains, but can only hope to be part of the secure zone that Turkey has established. The militants as well as fleeing population can be resettled there — I can only imagine that Turkey wants to insure that the Kurdish ethnic cleansing gains are reversed, and populated with loyal militants. If this plan for secure zone is successful, Syria would not have to worry about its border with Turkey, nor worry about the incursion of armed PKK from Turkey. Kurdish problem is indeed the key to resolving the border region with Turkey.
It remains to be seen just what Turkey’s next move is. Clearly, two settlements occupied by ISIS are the key to having a clear path to Raqqa. But with US blowing up two bridges it may not be as easy. Either way, it ISIS will be under pressure, and is very likely already moving into Iraq. Saudi Arabia can use them in fighting Shia Yemen. It is also very interesting that Shia Yemen has been accused of firing on US ship — even though there is no way they could have been in position to do it — never mind that such a move would be suicidal. The attack must have been a false flag by Saudi allies — with hope that US will be “forced” into action to help its ally in serious trouble. What a mess!
The so called Syrian Observatory of Human Rights is a one-man operation with no pretence of being anything more than a propaganda operation of the alleged “rebels”.
Actually, they have exactly such a pretense.
The name of this site is Anti-War which implies against all wars waged no matter by which nation. If you are anti-war you must condemn the US, Russia, Turkey, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Australia, Saudi-Arabia and Iran all of whom are waging wars in countries which have not harmed them.
At the latest news bulletin it appears that China is not among them.
Being anti-war doesn’t mean you should be a pushover either..
When pushed, push back I say.
Being antiwar does not mean playing dead when the worst kind of barbarians take over cities. Those in Alrppo famous for recently beheading a boy. Organ eaters, killing people by stoning, kidnapping girls for “marriage” and boys for fighting. Taking food from people and any property they desire. Now if you know of a better way to rescue people from being hostages that are not allowed to leave — please call UN and give them your ideas. Yhe longer they are dug into east Aleppo the worse ghe suffering. Our press is reprehensible — and cruel. Not one of our mainstream media bothered to ralk to people who fled. Or to those still inside with cell phones who call their families outside to tell them what is happening.
UN representative for Syria has offered to take Al-Nusra out. Niw Russia and Turkey are coordinating the aid corridors as well as safe passage for inhabitants.
The bombing is to secure key control points. While many nagions are working with Russia to deliver aid and secure exit corridors — our Western perfumed princes and princesses are pretending that this is a battle against innocent civilians! What fools.
There are interesting tid bits in this article that cought my eye. First that nothing is going to be worth to anybody whichever faction wins!!!! Faction? Next we have a terrorists take over a facility and police attacks them — lets call them all “factions”.
It will make ALL the difference to people who for years are waiting to be liberated from the clutches of Al-Qaeda. And the US coalition has been just parading around not moving a finger to fight these monsters. Well our Western heros have been fighting ISIS. How come that after all these years ghey gave done nothing to Raqqa — where they can organize all the attricities unmolested? And what will happen if Russia decides to go there once Al-qaeda is defeated? Would there be more outcry for poor ISIS.
Our press has been behaving criminally. The politicians and press are now collectively trying to stop the offensive to save Al-Qaeda and prolong the misery of those held hostage. I did not hear anyone in the West demanding that Al-Qaeda lets the people go. No — they are selling the lie that the entire population supports “rebels” and are bravely manning ghe barricades. What idiots!
“Being antiwar does not mean playing dead when the worst kind of barbarians take over cities.”
It also doesn’t mean pretending that your preferred barbarians are automatically morally superior to the other varieties of barbarians involved.
Funny how this Observatory, which can use is magnificent telescopes to see what is happening in East Allepo all the way from its perch in Coventry, England, can’t ever manage to see any of the mortar shells or rockets that the its loving, moderate, rebels for democracy friends fire every day and night at the civilians in West Allepo.
From Donesk to West Allepo, this seems to be the CIA terror tactic of choice these days. Give nasty people some mortars and tell them that they are free to fire away at people who want to be free from fascists or religious fundamentalists. And you’ll never see reports of such on this website, but oh, let a bomb fall on Al Qaeda in Allepo, and don’t get in the way of the rush of the stampede running to report on it.
This tight network of media, politics, religious or nazi terrorists for hire and war profiteering — is so suffocating and overwhelming. We may have the knowledge and we know the difference between right and wrong — but we are helpless and powerless in the face of the machine.
Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Al-Qaeda ….. YAY!
Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Al-Qaeda ….. YAY!
Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Al-Qaeda ….. YAY!
Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Al-Qaeda …. YAY!
If Al-Qaeda is dying, this is a good day. I hope some Ruskie writes on one of the bombs that this is in revenge for the Twin Towers in NYC before they drop it. Or that this other bomb comes in memory of the NYFD.
What a good idea — somebody to avenge those souls and remind western sleezebag politicians that those lives matter to us.
No one actually knows for sure whats going down in Aleppo but based on the breathless histrionics of the Samantha Power set and their little Eichmann’s in the White Helmets I’m willing to bet it’s another Benghazi scenario AKA all smoke and very little fire in the innocent civilian department.
But unlike Benghazi where things were happening fast — here we know what is going on for years. We know exactly who Al-Nusra is and who are other Salafi groups. We know the kind of extreme religious lifestyle they put population under once they take over. We know of their regular beheadings. We know of taking girls for “marriage”. We know how many people tried to flee -and were shot. We know that they used to allow people leave Aleppo to visit family on the other side of town — but only if family would stay as a collateral. We know their number. We know they do not have population support excep when people were forced ow to fight. We know they have taken all valuables from people. We know of cell phone calls telling what is going on inside. We know all there is to know if Al-Qaeda. We know that it is on UN list of ferrorist organizations. And we know that US signed several cease fire agreements — all of them excepted Al-Nusra and ISIS. The last agreement was to have US and Russia jointly strike Al-Nusra after US orders any other non Al-Qaeda group to separate. The deal broke down over bombing of Syrian base — but it was ghe olan to bomb East Aleppo. So — what changed? Turkey happened — that us what. And all other groups including our own Free Syrian Army — seeking and getting Turkish patronage. Ahrar Al-Sham also went to Turkey. The advancement facilitated by US of Kurdish forces — stopped in its tracks. US still trying to browbeat Turkey to let Kurds with US liberate Al-Raqqa.
Why does US insist on Kurds? Why not Turks and Syrian forces now under Turkey.? Well — that would ruin the plans of staying in the area. Noiw that Turkey has removed all Kurds and ISIS from its border there cannot be any Kurdish state. But US is using Raqqa and ISIS as a place holder for Kurds — to have a little autonomy — and hence a happy reason for US staying with a base and a flag. To be forever a magnet for terrorists. Instead Turkey wants to liberate area from ISIS and let the population get back home. Once Syria can get borders under control and a normal life returns to Syria-Turkey border and Syria-Iraq border — Turkey can go home and territorial integrity of Syria preserved. That is what is troubling the western politicians. Havens forbid that they will no longer be needed in Syria. Perhaps if the world respects again the borders and sovereign netion states we will have a more leacefull and prosperous world.
Or pissibly in Iraq. After Turkey gets involved in Mosul action.