"Islamic State makes closest advance to Aleppo, Iranian..." Topic

… killed.

"Islamic State fighters have seized Syrian villages on the outskirts of Aleppo from rival insurgent fighters, a monitoring group said on Friday, despite Russian air strikes that Moscow says have targeted the militant group.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps said separately one of its senior commanders had been killed this week near Aleppo, Syria's main northern city. Iran, an ally of the Syrian government, says it has advisory missions in the country but no military forces.

Islamic State are now within 2 km (1 mile) of government-held territory on Aleppo's northern edge, the closest they have been to the city…"
Full article here
link

Amicalement
Armand

Russian air force softens up non-IS rebels so IS can come in and kill an Iranian general; makes sense.

Rami Abdulrahman ( Syrian observatory ) who lives In Coventry , hasn't been in Syria since 2001 and says he kind of knows the people who work for him , and his sources are in the main friends of friends .
For some reason just like Bellingcat the Western news and Governments treat him as a reliable source .

ISIS advances on Aleppo after Russian air strikes force other rebels to retreat… and prevent Western jets from bombing Islamic State as they cannot risk coming into contact with Putin's warplanes

"* ISIS militants have stormed several villages in Aleppo province
* Jihadis are now less than two miles from the outskirts of the main city
* Top Iranian general killed whilst working as a military adviser in Syria
* Syria Observatory for Human Rights suggest 10% of Russian airstrikes have hit ISIS targets
* Obama administration set to confirm abandoning of rebel training program

ISIS have taken advantage and launched a new offensive in Aleppo province following Russia's decision to target Free Syrian army rebels and Al-Qaeda affiliated groups.

The jihadi group released a statement confirming they had taken over the 'strategic' infantry academy close to Aleppo's northern industrial area.

US jets have reportedly been told to keep 20 miles from the Russian jets to avoid getting caught up in clashes, providing ISIS with the chance to make rapid gains without fear of coalition strikes…"

Full article here
link

Amicalement
Armand

So, it appears those Iranian Revolutionary Guards are a bit over-rated, at least to me.

Where's the Iranian Air Force?

Doesn't seem like they are flying any sorties to combat ISIS in Iraq, or Syria.

"For some reason just like Bellingcat the Western news and Governments treat him as a reliable source ."

Both on the payroll I believe but presented as 'independent'. Its a game as old as the hills and lets face it there is not much quality journalism left.

So, it appears those Iranian Revolutionary Guards are a bit over-rated, at least to me.

I always believed so … If for no other reason look at their performance during the decade long Iran-Iraq War. It is a toss up who was more tactically inept between the two. Plus most of the militaries in the region are not known for being effective combat forces … add the Persians to the list if you have not already …

Again bottom line … Daesh continues it's advance … almost unimpeded … Hopefully this will slow once the Russians get a little more time on the ground.

Yea, that's where I've looked for info in the past, as well.

Human wave attacks, and sending children out to do mine clearing with their bodies isn't really too impressive from some who prefer a more nuanced, tactical approach.

They do prance nicely on video though, during parades.