ISIS/ISIL conflict in Syria/Iraq (No OpEd, No Politics)

Jura said:

Today at 9:20 AM
... again:

1. 
   (it's
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   ) and
2. 
   (it's
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   )

(the point is Government was massively attacking today; the main difference I can see between maps 1 & 2 is just north to the Kurdish quarter, on the other side of Castello Road)

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Chammal: GAN reinforces the French participation in the coalition against Daech

September 30, 2016, the carrier battle group (GAN) has again joined the Chammal operation. This third deployment is part of the continuity of the action of France in the Inherent Resolve operation (IRO) conducted two years ago by the coalition. The commitment of its air assets, in addition to those of the present Air Force for two years in Chammal operation aims to intensify strikes against Daech and support ground forces engaged in against the terrorist organization .
.

GAN, built around the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, is deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean with his escort and aircraft from Carrier Air Group (EAG). These reinforce the Air Component of Chammal operation. 24 Rafale on board the aircraft carrier thereby increasing the firepower and reconnaissance provided by the 12 Rafale air force present in the area.

This deployment of GAN is also in the context of the recent operational engagement of the French artillery detachment in Iraq called Task Force (TF) Wagram. This provides a capability to support Iraqi security forces, coordinated with other support from the coalition. Since September 20, the TF Wagram realized 3 sequences of shots "limited", coordinated with the actions of the coalition.

Both operational commitments (GAN and TF Wagram), announced by the President in the aftermath of the attacks of July 14, marking the determination of France to intensify fighting against Daech, alongside other French already committed and coalition forces of the Inherent Resolve operation (IRO). They have consolidated the support pillar of Chammal operation to complement the one dedicated to training.

Launched on September 19, 2014, the transaction represents Chammal French participation in RTI and now has nearly 4,050 soldiers. At the request of the Iraqi government and in coordination with France's allies in the region, the Chammal operation based on two complementary pillars: pillar "training" for the benefit of Iraqi national security units and a pillar "support" of supporting the work of local forces engaged against the ground and hit Daech military capabilities Daech.

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In a sharp deterioration of relations, the U.S. on Monday suspended diplomatic contacts with Russia over Syria, while Moscow halted cooperation on a joint program for disposal of weapons-grade plutonium.

The U.S. move followed a threat last week from Secretary of State

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after new Russian and Syrian attacks on the city of Aleppo. The State Department said Russia had not lived up to the terms of an agreement last month to restore the cease-fire and ensure sustained deliveries of humanitarian aid to besieged cities.

"This is not a decision that was taken lightly," State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement. "Unfortunately, Russia failed to live up to its own commitments ... and was also either unwilling or unable to ensure Syrian regime adherence to the arrangements to which Moscow agreed."

"Rather, Russia and the Syrian regime have chosen to pursue a military course, inconsistent with the Cessation of Hostilities, as demonstrated by their intensified attacks against civilian areas, targeting of critical infrastructure such as hospitals, and preventing humanitarian aid from reaching civilians in need, including through the September 19 attack on a humanitarian aid convoy," he said.

An airstrike last month hit a

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humanitarian aid convoy, killing 20 people. The United States has accused Russia of hitting the convoy, but both Russia and Syria deny it.

Monday's announcement came just hours after Russian President

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suspended a Russia-U.S. deal on the disposal of weapons-grade plutonium, in a move that also underscored rising tensions between Washington and Moscow.

Putin's decree cited Washington's "unfriendly actions" and the United States' inability to fulfill its obligations under the 2000 deal as reasons for the move. Under the agreement, which was expanded in 2006 and 2010, Russia and the U.S. each were to dispose of 34 metric tons of weapons-grade plutonium, enough material for about 17,000 nuclear warheads.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said patience had run out with Russia.

"What is clear is that there is nothing more for the United States and Russia to talk about with regard to stopping the ongoing violence in Syria and that is unfortunate," he told reporters.

He said the U.S. would withdraw personnel that it had dispatched to take part in the creation of a joint U.S.-Russia center that was to have coordinated military cooperation and intelligence had the cease-fire taken hold. The suspension will not affect communications between the two countries aimed at de-conflicting counter-terrorism operations in Syria.

Last week, amid the deteriorating conditions, Kerry threatened to suspend contacts with Russia unless "immediate" action was taken to ease the situation. Despite no improvements, however, he did not order the suspension until Monday.

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Jura said:

as an armchair general, I use Sectors now (previously https://www.sinodefenceforum.com/is...o-oped-no-politics.t6913/page-421#post-413187 numbers):

"A" (from the top-left corner down in the above map):
- Kurnaz G (as in 'Government held')
- Al Hamamiyat R (as in 'hold by Rebels')
- Jubbayn G
- Halfaya R
- Muhradah G
- Al Majdal G; "A" ends

"B" (the bottom part):
- Khattab G
- Qimhanah G
- (not shown, but important) "Mount Zayn al-Abdeen" (

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) G
- Iskandariyah R
- Kafr Ra G; "B" ends

"C" (where most of the fights have been going on recently):
- Mubattan G
- Kawkab R
- Tayyibat al Ism G
- Qarah R
- Junaynah G
- Zugbah G; "C" ends

"D" (I don't know almost anything here):
- Duma R
"D" ends somewhere where ISIL is to the east (and out of this map) ...

presumably it should be easy to track now, but who knows ...

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Jura said:

...
only now I noticed a pocket could possibly be formed north to, and including,

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:

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Jura said:

it's like everywhere in Russian Internet, I used google to find the text in English (that's why the source is

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):
US Suspends Contact With Russia on Syria


only now I found what appears to be the official:

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delft said:

US were unable to point to the "moderate rebels" that would be included in the cessation of hostilities except to formations that included Al Qeada ( under an new name ). The fighters were to leave the area of Aleppo they occupy safely and with their weapons to wherever they wanted to go to ensure the end of misery for the people living living in Aleppo but they stayed. So there was no basis for the cessation of hostilities to continue.

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Jura said:

a new map just not to forget
Friday at 9:37 PM

Jura said:

...
only now I noticed a pocket could possibly be formed north to, and including,

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:

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A year in Syria, where the baptism of fire for the Russian T-90

The new Russian T-90 has proven itself in combat in Syria. Tanks of this type have been made to the Hmeimim airbase to protect aircraft russes.Le deployment of Russian tanks T-90A art in the Syrian air base Hmeimim provoked a strong reaction of the Western media in 2015Selon Experts who described the new armored "superchar" Russia deployed several T-90 in Syria because the Syrian government troops with T-72 tanks were not able to guarantee the basic security.

The T-90 is better placed to protect a military site in the desert climate that the T-72. It has a welded turret, integrated thermal sight to the scoring system, a gun stabilizer and improved loading system. Its fire control system, which exceeds its foreign competitors, allows the tank to attack moving targets at any time. Analysts of the US magazine The National Interest then noted that if the Islamic State terrorist group (Daech) used US M1A1 Abrams tanks they have seized in Iraq, they would have no chance of beating the T-90.

A few months later, in late November 2015, T-90 tanks were spotted in the Aleppo region. In December, some sources claimed it was a 1992 version with a cast turret. According to media reports, Russia handed the tanks to the Syrian government army as military aid.

Several videos showing T-90 tanks in action in the Aleppo region have been published on the Internet. The Middle East media reported that the T-90 had significantly contributed to the successful operations of the Syrian government army. These tanks were used to protect the assault units during their offensive. This has freed strategic sites and cutting off supply routes of terrorists. Several T-90 tanks were deployed in cities liberated by the Syrian army. Some media quoted Syrian military who had the opportunity to drive the T-90. According to them, these tanks have been effective and have a particularly impenetrable

On a video posted in February 2016, a T-90 tank resists antitank missile strike US-made TOW-2A near Aleppo. The missile hit the front part of the turret. The cries of joy issued by terrorists stop when they see a living crew member. This proved that the armor of the tank was not punctured.

Photographed in a Syrian repair plant, the tank attack did not appear to be badly damaged. The images where you see a T-90 tank withstand three missile strikes are also impressive. Participants in battle, the terrorists first fired a missile against the car, before drawing the other two. The first missile exploded at the approach of the T-90, the second slightly damaged a caterpillar and third missed its target. The tank remained operational.

The Syrian army currently count some thirty T-90 tanks, according to Yuri Liamin, Russian expert Syrian crisis quoted by the newspaper Vestnik Mordovii. According to the newspaper, no T-90 was destroyed in Syria in a year.

According to sources, the Syrian military wish to receive additional T-90 tanks which, according to them, would put an end to the war in the country.

More:

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Jura said:

it's like everywhere in Russian Internet, I used google to find the text in English (that's why the source is

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):
US Suspends Contact With Russia on Syria


...

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