Tango01 | 06 Feb 2016 10:27 p.m. PST |
Jihadists reinforce other rebels during key battle in Aleppo province "Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda's official branch in Syria, sent a massive convoy of fighters to the Aleppo province in late January. The jihadists' redeployment was promoted in a short video posted on Twitter. More than 100 vehicles filled with fighters streamed into the province. It was a harbinger of the heavy fighting to come. Bashar al Assad's regime, backed by Russian airstrikes, Iranian-sponsored Shiite militias and Hezbollah, launched a major offensive in Aleppo earlier this month. The fight for the province is likely the most important battle in Syria since early last year, when the Jaysh al Fateh coalition, led by Al Nusrah and Ahrar al Sham (an al Qaeda-linked jihadist group) swept through the neighboring Idlib province…" See here link It looks like the rebel groups knew only a few weeks ago that the battle for Aleppo was going to intensify! Amicalement Armand |
Mako11 | 07 Feb 2016 12:01 a.m. PST |
So, we don't attack jihadi convoys either, now? Perhaps they couldn't get the leaflets/warnings to them in a timely manner. Man, movements like this are the A-10 Warthogs' bread and butter…….. |
Jcfrog | 07 Feb 2016 3:32 a.m. PST |
Possibly came into a convoy of saudi humanitarian aid. News paid by big adds from companies owned by saudis help look elsewhere. |
dwight shrute | 07 Feb 2016 5:21 a.m. PST |
I predict Aleppo falls fairly soon . Much like when Homs fell to Assads forces it didn't get that much publicity . |
Bangorstu | 07 Feb 2016 6:03 a.m. PST |
Mako – the jihadis in Aleppo aren't ISIS, they're al-Nusra. We're not bombing al-Nusra. |
Legion 4 | 07 Feb 2016 8:37 a.m. PST |
Daesh or AQ … both targets that need to be serviced with extreme prejudice. I don't case who does it. Assad, Hezbollah, the Persians, the Russians, etc. … just eliminate them in large numbers as often as possible. |
Jcfrog | 07 Feb 2016 8:38 a.m. PST |
Al nusra hails to AQ who have for some reasons passed from arch enemy to near ally. Confusion? 2001 forgotten? |
Legion 4 | 07 Feb 2016 10:02 a.m. PST |
No … we have not forgotten. AQ and any of their franchises must be ended … along with Daesh … |
15mm and 28mm Fanatik | 07 Feb 2016 10:53 a.m. PST |
Aren't Hezbollah also considered to be "jihadists," albeit shia rather than sunni? Are they any better than Daesh or Al Nusra jihadists? |
Mako11 | 07 Feb 2016 1:37 p.m. PST |
Al-Nusra = AQ, IIRC. Kind of like the difference between AFC vs. NFC football teams (or American and National league baseball teams), if you ask me, so no real distinction as far as radical jihadis goes. |
Legion 4 | 07 Feb 2016 3:01 p.m. PST |
Yes, Al-Nusra = AQ … Hezbollah are terrorists as well … But yes, Shia … Not Sunni. If they all whipped each other out is fine with me … |
Lion in the Stars | 07 Feb 2016 8:14 p.m. PST |
Are they any better than Daesh or Al Nusra jihadists? Only by comparison. Hezbollah doesn't seem to behead everyone they capture. |
Tango01 | 07 Feb 2016 9:32 p.m. PST |
If Aleppo Falls Will This End The Syrian War? "If Aleppo falls, the Syrian war could quickly turn in President Bashar al-Assad's favor—and spell the end for the rebel bid for freedom. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could make his biggest gains in the country's long civil war—and potentially tip its outcome in his favor in a matter of weeks—by wresting control of the city of Aleppo from opposition forces, two U.S. military officials told The Daily Beast on condition of anonymity. If government forces are able to successfully encircle the city and hold it, and control the province around it, "the war is essentially over," said one of the senior defense officials. Under assault from hundreds of Russian airstrikes over the past week, Aleppo increasingly is falling out of rebel hands. As many as 40,000 Syrians fled the city toward Turkey's border over the past two days, walking up to 60 miles to get to safety. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Friday that 15,000 people had already arrived at Turkey's border from Aleppo…" Full article here link The battle for Aleppo may take some time … but the dye has been cast, and unless the dynamics on the ground change…. in the next few weeks/months, the "moderate rebels" are doomed for defeat and/or to become a marginalized force. There are also going to be geopolitical implications from such a defeat….. U.S. prestige and reliability will take a hit in the Middle East, and the world will now see Russia as the more dependable ally of the two. Amicalement Armand |
Bangorstu | 08 Feb 2016 2:53 a.m. PST |
Hezbollah aren't jihadis – they don't execute members of other faiths, and don't try to export their world view. Their political party is regarded as being legitimate outside Israel and the USA I think, certainly here. |
Legion 4 | 08 Feb 2016 8:03 a.m. PST |
As I said on another thread, as many have said, and I agree. Raqqa is Daesh's center of gravity, their "capital". If the Syrians w/Russian support takes it. Daesh, may be in trouble. With the Syrians/Russians going after Daesh and doing it effectively, could be a game changer. As I said sooner or later, Daesh and AQ must be removed from Syria. And in theory, that should affect Daesh in Iraq. And maybe a weakened Daesh can be eradicated from there as well. The Iraqis with all the support they have from the US/NATO and Iran. May be able to clear up Daesh once Raqqa is in Syrian control. With Mosul continuing to be a primary objective in Iraq. Plus if Daesh starts losing ground, like Raqqa falling to the Syrians/Russians. This probably will effect their online recruiting efforts. The next thing to consider is will Daesh shift to Libya ? Well IMO, if Deash suffers large losses in Syria and possibly Iraq. They may find it hard to actually move their "remaining" force to Libya. Plus how would they physically do that ? They don't have ships to transport them. And if they did. They'd be sunk by a number of navies and aircraft in the Med. How many can they infiltrate overland ? Few, IMO. Plus IMO it is paramount to take out Baghdadi and his male heirs. As they supposedly are related to the "Prophet". If I understand it correctly ? Their loss in a ["bloody way"], would certainly effect Daesh's moral. And their e-recruiting efforts. So it looks like to me. The Syrians, Russians, Hezbollah, Persians, Iraqis, Kurds, US/NATO, Arabs, moslems, etc., have a lot of work to do … Or as they say in the Movies … "They have a lot of killing to do. " |
Legion 4 | 08 Feb 2016 8:09 a.m. PST |
Hezbollah aren't jihadis I don't care what they are called. They are not friends of the US or Israel. Jihadis, terrorists, or targets works fine for me. Note the links about Americans killed by Hezbollah … that is enough for me to keep them on the target lists. The link includes videos … link A couple of headlines : hezbollah has killed more americans than any other terroist organization,US soldiers were killed in lebanon and they were peace … Hezbollah Has Seized and Murdered Hostages, … including Americans. Hezbollah, … After the group killed him it released a statement announcing the murder. Hezbollah's goal is the establishment of an Islamic state encompassing Lebanon and Israel. It has been implicated in terrorist actions targeting Americans, Jews and … Jihadis, terrorists, militant islam … or just targets. I know my decision … |
15mm and 28mm Fanatik | 08 Feb 2016 9:10 a.m. PST |
Raqqa is low on the totem pole of their list of priorities. Assad's goal has always been to sectarianize the conflict so that western attention is focused on the grave threat of Daesh and not replacing him with a newly elected government. By neutralizing whatever's left of the moderate opposition (i.e. FSA) in their last stronghold of Aleppo, Assad will strengthen his position politically and can make the case that the world "needs" him to counter the greater Daesh threat. It is in his best interests not to wipe out Daesh completely. |
Blackhorse MP | 08 Feb 2016 12:25 p.m. PST |
Daesh or AQ … both targets that need to be serviced with extreme prejudice. I don't case who does it. Assad, Hezbollah, the Persians, the Russians, etc. … just eliminate them in large numbers as often as possible. LOL…Nicely put, Legion. |
Legion 4 | 08 Feb 2016 3:54 p.m. PST |
It is in his best interests not to wipe out Daesh completely. For now … They will have to face off with Daesh sooner of later. And sooner may be sooner than they hope. |
Legion 4 | 08 Feb 2016 3:57 p.m. PST |
Thanks Blackhorse … As soon as Daesh and AQ is gone. I'd add the Iranians and Hezbollah. I'm not a fan of most involved in this conflict. I like the Russians best ! |
Tango01 | 08 Feb 2016 4:00 p.m. PST |
The Battle For The Syrian City Of Aleppo Continues "The images from Aleppo, Idlib and Syria's border with Turkey can be described in one word: despair. Tens of thousands of people have fled the relentless bombing and shelling that has paved the way for dramatic battlefield gains by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and its allies. Hundreds of thousands more remain trapped, awaiting their fate with trepidation. In the space of a few weeks, the Syrian battlefield has been transformed, the balance of forces pulverized and the prospects for peace talks -- already dark -- virtually extinguished. Another tide of displaced civilians converge on the Turkish border, trapped by the advance of regime forces…" Full article here link Amicalement Armand |
15mm and 28mm Fanatik | 08 Feb 2016 4:52 p.m. PST |
I like the Russians best Ah, the Russians. One can only wonder if Putin would've bombed Daesh so vigorously had they not made the mistake of bringing down the jetliner over Egypt with the soda can bomb. Prior to that incident Russia was exclusively focused on wiping out moderate non-ISIS anti-Assad rebels. What's that saying about poking the bear with a stick? |
Bangorstu | 09 Feb 2016 4:28 a.m. PST |
Hezbollah haven't actually killed any Americans since the US Marines bombing dates from before their inception… Still, who needs facts? It was also some decades ago and people change. There are limits to how long you should hold a grudge – after all you're making nice with the Vietnamese who killed rather more. |
zippyfusenet | 09 Feb 2016 6:51 a.m. PST |
Wrong as usual, Stu: April 12, 1984: Hezbollah bombs a restaurant near a U.S. Air Force Base in Torrejon, Spain, killing 18 U.S. servicemen. June 14, 1985: Hezbollah terrorists hijack TWA Flight 847. Hijackers kill Robert Stethem, a U.S. Navy diver, and take other hostages. June 25, 1996: Drawing on Saudi terrorist networks, Hezbollah bombs Khobar Towers, a housing complex in Saudi Arabia that houses foreign military personnel, including Americans. From link But it's not me that's stuck in the past, Stu. If the Hezbos change their attitude toward me, I'll engage with them. Hasn't happened yet. Start with my name. It's not "Little Satan". My name is Irving. link As for Aleppo, I hope it's a roach motel. Roaches check in, but never check out. |
Legion 4 | 09 Feb 2016 9:29 a.m. PST |
Still, who needs facts? Yes stu … who needs facts. It was also some decades ago and people change. There are limits to how long you should hold a grudge No not really, in a recent speech the POTUS mentioned something like we have a long memory when it come to this sort of thing. And he said it may take time but "we will get" you. So who am I to question the orders on my CinC. Especially when I agree with him. And we Don't forgive or forget islamic acts of terrorism. Period … get it. after all you're making nice with the Vietnamese who killed rather more. The Vietnamese were not islamic terrorists, and very few terrorists acts were committed against SEATO forces in Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos. They happened but it was very few. Which is not to excuse them. However, the vast majority of SEATO losses occurred in actual combat. Not terrorist attacks. Most Vets can see the difference. It appears you can't. And Vietnam has an actual recognized government you can talk to and deal with, etc. … Even a seat at the UN. Unless I missed it … the terrorists known a Hezbollah does Not … Hence to many of us including our best ally in the Mid East the Israelis. They, Hezbollah, are terrorists and only should be eliminated, like pirates of old. If you read the book "We Were Soldiers, Once and Young" or saw the movie, "We Were Soldiers". lzxray.com There was a lot of hatred but still a modicum of "respect" between the US and NVA at "LZ X-Ray". After it was all over. You don't have that with islamic terrorists. And if any US unit went toe-to-toe with Hezbollah like the NVA at LZ X-Ray. There would only be hatred and Hezbollah would like Deash or AQ in a direct pitched conventional battle. They All would be on their way to "paradise". At the hands of the infidel Americans. With only very few prisoners taken. I never see any respect or consideration of any type for any islamic terrorist group. If there is ever an end to the "War on islamic Terrorism". Like you see between Vets of WWII with the IJF or Germans, etc. … [ Note we don't have that with North Korea as we are still at a state of war with them. I had 2 tours on the DMZ, '84-'85 … I remember … The hatred continued and does today …] Part of the reason for that is if the West does it right … there will be No islamic terrorist left … and again, "paradise" will be full of them. |
Legion 4 | 09 Feb 2016 9:52 a.m. PST |
Zippy … 100% … |
Tango01 | 11 Feb 2016 10:35 p.m. PST |
From stalemate to slaughter: On the front lines of the battle for Aleppo… "Years of combat have turned Aleppo's old town into a neighborhood of rubble and dust. What's left of this once-beguiling maze of narrow alleys and covered souks is a reminder of its tragic location at the heart of Syria's five-year civil war. The city's once-famous Khan al-Wazir inn lies completely burned out; as we walked through one of its halls, eerie beams of light shone in through the broken windows. On the streets nearby, we glimpsed movement inside buildings that looked, at first glance, to be nothing more than abandoned ruins, revealing that people are still living amid the wreckage…" Full article here link Amicalement Armand |
Legion 4 | 15 Feb 2016 8:39 a.m. PST |
And the horror show continues … And it's a moslem run show … The West has little it can do with it at this point. However, the East with Russians deployed to Syria, as I have said, could be a game changer. But in the end the vast majority of deaths will be moslem killing moslem … |
Bangorstu | 15 Feb 2016 12:20 p.m. PST |
Legion – Hezbollah does have UN representation, it's part of the Lebanese government IIRC. It's a political party, not a state. I repeat, the Vietnamese killed more of you, often using bombs and IEDs. I fail to see the difference between what the VC did and what happened in Beirut except perhaps scale. |
Legion 4 | 15 Feb 2016 2:24 p.m. PST |
Well if true, it regardless does not change the fact that many including the US government and military designated Hezbollah as terrorists. And I have to agree. And the VC and NVA killed US and SEATO troops and booby traps/IEDs was just one method that was used. And I'm well aware of the 60,000 KIA the US suffered in South East Asia. Again, the VC or NVA were not considered terrorist and committed few terrorist acts against SEATO. Most were in actual combat operations. US Casualties : KIA/WIA Small Arms – 51%/16% Fragments mainly from shells & grenades – 36%/65% Booby Traps – 11%/15% Punji Stakes – 0/2% Other Causes – 2%/2% |
Noble713 | 19 Feb 2016 4:55 a.m. PST |
April 12, 1984: Hezbollah bombs a restaurant near a U.S. Air Force Base in Torrejon, Spain, killing 18 U.S. servicemen.June 14, 1985: Hezbollah terrorists hijack TWA Flight 847. Hijackers kill Robert Stethem, a U.S. Navy diver, and take other hostages. June 25, 1996: Drawing on Saudi terrorist networks, Hezbollah bombs Khobar Towers, a housing complex in Saudi Arabia that houses foreign military personnel, including Americans. Those all look like military targets to me, just ones that were attacked with asymmetric means. Not everybody has access to laser-guided bombs. I dunno, the "terrorist" moniker is powerful like the term "sex offender". Regardless of one's inclinations or present behavior, it's nearly impossible to remove the stigma once attached. |
Legion 4 | 19 Feb 2016 8:56 a.m. PST |
Well the statement was Hezbollah had not killed any Americans since the USMC barracks in '83. It was not really about how or why. Regardless of the means … they have killed Americans since then. Which again, I'm not going to say that is OK. Even though we are at war with radicalized islam. I'd say the same when we were at war with the Germans or IJFs in WWII, etc., … But we all understand it can and will happen when US troops are deployed to "unfriendly" locals. "In harms way … " Not everybody has access to laser-guided bombs. And that is a good thing. But as we see, they don't have to use LBGs, 747s work too. As we all saw and remember. That was not Hezbollah but still islamists. Which in most if not all cases they all want to kill the infidel … and that is us. Are all radicalized, fanatical militant islamists basically the same ? I'd have to say in the vast majority cases … Yes. Don't some still have bounty on capturing an American service member ? Are we going to be "PC" enough to say there are some "good" radicalized, fanatical, militant islamists ? I think not. the "terrorist" moniker is powerful like the term "sex offender". Regardless of one's inclinations or present behavior, it's nearly impossible to remove the stigma once attached.
In this case, the only reason they have not killed any more Americans is they are too busy elsewhere. And have not had the opportunity. Never underestimate your enemy. And in not only my mind but many others … Hezbollah are still "bad guys". If for no other reason they are the enemy of our best ally in the region, the Israelis … |
zippyfusenet | 19 Feb 2016 2:22 p.m. PST |
Those all look like military targets to me, I never said otherwise. I say that Hezbollah are active enemies who have killed many Americans long after 1983. Legion 4, +100. |