2017-07-27 at 3:55 AM UTC
aldra
JIDF Controlled Opposition
SYRIA - The SAA is now reporting that they can potentially launch an attack on Raqqa from the South within 5 hours. A few news outlets have reported the 'city could be liberated within 5 hours', but the quote from the General is that they could bring their main force to Raqqa within 5 hours; they predict the city would be fully liberated within 3 months.
They're currently in the process of entering and reinforcing Deir Eizzor from the north, meaning that they've broken ISIS' supply line from Raqqa to the region. Once DEZ is clear, Raqqa will be the last real ISIS power base in the country.
The US and SDF had hoped to have taken the city already; their progress has been halted though so now it's likely they'll have to race the SAA; SDF attacking from the west, SAA from the south.
If Mosul's any indication, we can expect the US to turn to indiscriminate bombing and widespread use of white phosphorous in order to force progress, so being trapped in Raqqa's going to suck even more for people who aren't ISIS-affiliated.
2017-07-27 at 4:44 AM UTC
aldra
JIDF Controlled Opposition
SYRIA - SAA have taken fire control over all major settlements in the Deir Eizzor region (biggest one was Suknah which they just now claimed the hills above). ISIS will have to pull back or be obliterated by mortar/MLRS fire.
ISIS have apparently released a new nasheed titled 'nightcall to Deir' and chatter on social networks and Telegram indicates they're falling back to amp up and mount a final attack on Deir Eizzor.
2017-07-28 at 2:50 AM UTC
aldra
JIDF Controlled Opposition
Kind of torn on this one, the Tigers are badass, easily the most effective force in the war, but their general is a total faggot.
That's not hyperbole or anything, there are pictures around of him kissing dudes and them stroking his beard and shit
2017-07-28 at 3:29 AM UTC
aldra
JIDF Controlled Opposition
SYRIA - A SDF group has shelled SAA positions near Tabqa (southwest Raqqa governate) and killed four. The reason is unclear - awaiting further details.
2017-07-28 at 5:04 AM UTC
aldra
JIDF Controlled Opposition
YEMEN - Saudi Arabia are claiming that they were able to shoot down a Yemeni TBM with a Blackhawk helicopter. LOL.
2017-07-28 at 7:01 PM UTC
aldra
JIDF Controlled Opposition
BEST KOREA - NK just launched another TBM that flew ~750km; not sure what they're testing at this point.
2017-07-30 at 8:57 AM UTC
aldra
JIDF Controlled Opposition
SYRIA - ISIS recently raided a YPG base at Al-Bukamal; there have been conflicting reports as to what happened - ISIS claims they killed ~60 and lost less than 10, YPG claims they repelled the attack and killed 40, losing less than 10.
Regardless of the actual facts of the engagement, ISIS apparently stole a bunch of harddrives or flashdrives from the base and have been releasing the data - much of it is training footage, USSOF training SDF fighters, but they've apparently also been releasing targeting data that indicates bombing raids and mortar strikes have been knowingly executed on civilian targets.
I'll post a rundown when I can find more data; I've only seen a few screenshots so far
2017-07-31 at 8:55 AM UTC
aldra
JIDF Controlled Opposition
IRAQ - The 16th unit have been accused by many lately of committing mass executions of alleged ISIS members and sympathisers in liberated Mosul.
The 16th is comprised completely of Mosul refugees, meaning two things, only one of which the media is reporting:
1. Many of these executions are motivated by revenge
2. These ex-residents are likely better-informed as to who fought with or aided ISIS than anyone else.
This will likely be spun as Shia-Sunni warfare/genocide.
LEBANON - With the aid of Hezbullah, the Army have destroyed ISIS and Al-Qaeda's main positions - they're reporting 90% of the area they held has been retaken.
Amusingly, Trump has congratulated the Lebanese army on fighting ISIS and Hezbullah - Hezbullah had been doing a lot of the heavy lifting against ISIS/AN.
2017-07-31 at 2:14 PM UTC
aldra, do you ever plan of getting all footages of the conflict, arrange them chronologically into a multi episode documentaries ????
cos, tbh, words are really tldr and less dramatic.
2017-07-31 at 2:44 PM UTC
aldra
JIDF Controlled Opposition
that's actually an interesting idea - a documentary that spans the war that's more or less just short summaries of key events
I know that sounds like a standard documentary, but I'm thinking more along the lines of raw footage corresponding to the major events in an episodic sort of way
2017-07-31 at 3:13 PM UTC
Originally posted by aldra
that's actually an interesting idea - a documentary that spans the war that's more or less just short summaries of key events
I know that sounds like a standard documentary, but I'm thinking more along the lines of raw footage corresponding to the major events in an episodic sort of way
and all those that you ever wrote here can be used as voice over.
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2017-08-01 at 6:28 AM UTC
aldra
JIDF Controlled Opposition
SYRIA - ISIS have apparently switched tactics. SDF progress into Raqqa has been effectively halted by sniper teams, freeing up forces - they previously hit an SDF facility and took prisoners and data, now they've hit an SDF training camp, killed 60 and taken prisoners. Expect them to hit more seemingly random SDF targets.
ASIA - North Korea's launched another missile test; South Korea's training special forces and prepping aircraft; media reports that it's for a mission to assassinate NK leadership if all else fails.
Japan has been outfitting it's aircraft with hypersonic missiles, reportedly as a measure against the Chinese navy.
China's closed off a section of the Yellow Sea for massive joint naval drills with Russia.
2017-08-01 at 6:44 AM UTC
aldra
JIDF Controlled Opposition
EUROPE - New US sanctions have been passed by the house (and senate I believe), Trump has been quoted as saying he doesn't oppose them so he'll sign them when they hit his desk.
The sanctions:
Block trade with Russia, specifically their natural gas
Penalise any companies working with Russia or Russian companies, specifically targeting construction of the NORDSTREAM pipeline (that will be able to deliver Russian gas to the EU at reduced cost)
Block the president from improving ties with Russia - any such measures must be approved by congress
Basically, the sanctions are meant as an economic weapon, making Russian gas so expensive that Europe will need to rely on the US for gas, which is several times more expensive than Russian gas (direct through pipeline vs. shipping via sea, plus US extraction methods and labour costs).
Germany and other EU countries are protesting this and looking for countermeasures - it's not just columnists that are saying this; the German Energy minister and several other members of government have openly been calling for rejection of the sanctions and reciprocal measures. They know their energy supply is being held hostage, and this might be enough for them to finally break away from US policy.
2017-08-01 at 7:14 AM UTC
aldra
JIDF Controlled Opposition
SYRIA - Desert Hawks (a militia that works with the SAA) has been expelled from the Homs offensive for getting confused and firing on an SAA supply convoy (with mortars I believe).
A squad of FSA troops (Revolution Commandos specifically) stole a truck and a bunch of small arms and defected to the SAA.\
***Edit: More than a squad now, 40 or so defected
Post last edited by aldra at 2017-08-01T07:29:30.894330+00:00
2017-08-01 at 7:20 AM UTC
aldra
JIDF Controlled Opposition
YEMEN - The Yemeni army (not just 'Houthi Rebels' as the media likes to say) have been pushing back KSA's forces and have stepped up their missile attacks - among other, smaller sites, they managed to blast the airbase at Ta'if in Saudi Arabia - local news reports that the missile was intercepted, but their airbase is still wrecked and burning.
2017-08-02 at 4:42 AM UTC
aldra
JIDF Controlled Opposition
SYRIA - The US SOF have a base at al-Tanf, as discussed earlier - there's a small special forces group that trains (or attempts to train) FSA units to 'fight ISIS' in the southeast (their real goal is to create a buffer force that stops the SAA from controlling the border).
Recently the FSA groups there have gotten out of control - large numbers have defected to the SAA, another large segment have openly refused to adhere to the US' directive of not instigating conflict with government forces. Infighting between HTS (Al Nusra) and other rebel groups (who mostly align with Al-Nusra but want to maintain their independence)
It appears the US has deemed the situation unsalvageable - US SOF are pulling out and have issued an ultimatum to the groups that they previously armed - return your weapons or you will be engaged from the iar.
Lol, good luck with that.
2017-08-02 at 5:11 AM UTC
Originally posted by aldra
They have a lot of military bases, I think they might've just finished building their first in Africa though
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-djibouti-idUSKBN1AH3E3BEIJING (Reuters) - China formally opened its first overseas military base on Tuesday with a flag raising ceremony in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, the same day as the People's Liberation Army marks its 90th birthday, state media said.
Djibouti's position on the northwestern edge of the Indian Ocean has fueled worry in India that it would become another of China's "string of pearls" military alliances and assets ringing India, including Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
China began construction of a logistics base in Djibouti last year. It will be used to resupply navy ships taking part in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions off the coasts of Yemen and Somalia, in particular.
It is China's first overseas naval base, though Beijing officially describes it as a logistics facility.
State radio said more than 300 people attended the ceremony, including deputy Chinese naval commander Tian Zhong and Djibouti's defense minister.
The base will enable China to better support its patrols in waters off Somalia and Yemen and carried out its international humanitarian obligations, the report said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is overseeing an ambitious military modernization program, including developing capabilities for China's forces to operate far from home.
Djibouti, which is about the size of Wales, is at the southern entrance to the Red Sea on the route to the Suez Canal. The tiny, barren nation sandwiched between Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia also hosts U.S., Japanese and French bases.
Ships carrying personnel for the Djibouti base left China last month.
There has been persistent speculation in diplomatic circles that China would build other such bases, in Pakistan for example, but the government has dismissed this.
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