This Is What They Don’t Want You To Know About Syria
pressfortruth (72) in news • 2 days ago
We are being lied to about the real agenda for Syria and the middle east.
The truth is this is a decades old plan being carried out with the sole purpose of regime change and control of the entire region. As more bombs continue to drop we are fed more lies from the mainstream media and unless we expose what’s really going on it’s only going to get worse.
In this video
Dan Dicks of Press For Truth interviews Eva Bartlett, an award winning journalist who is currently in Syria documenting what’s been taking place on the grounds in an effort to show the world not only what’s really going on there but also what exactly is at stake! The world could use more brave and courageous people like Eva Bartlett who are willing to put their lives on the line for the causes of freedom, liberty and truth. If you would like to support her efforts check the links to find out how you can contribute.
Follow Eva and support her work here:
Twitter https://twitter.com/EvaKBartlett
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EvaBoBeeva
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/InGazaUpdates
Website https://ingaza.wordpress.com/
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/EvaKBartlett
https://steemit.com/news/@pressfortruth ... bout-syria
I have not viewed this video but Ms Bartlett has yet to disappoint on matters of Syria.
Syria
Re: Syria
"There is great chaos under heaven; the situation is excellent."
Re: Syria
Prediction of New False-Flag Gas Attack in Syria Seems to Fit US Escalation Plans
If a chemical weapons “attack” comes to pass in the place it has been predicted, it would be the first such provocation blamed on Assad to take place in territory occupied by a foreign power, likely triggering an intensified military response from the U.S.
by Whitney Webb
May 14th, 2018
DAMASCUS – Though last month’s unilateral bombing of Syria by the U.S., U.K. and France came and went, the threat of foreign military intervention targeting the Syrian government remains, particularly given Syria’s success in defeating the foreign-funded terrorist proxies that have prolonged the Syrian conflict for seven long years. While Israel seems to have taken it upon itself to militarily intervene in Syria to prevent the Syrian government from continuing to reclaim its lost territory, the other major powers that have long sought the end of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have seemed to step back from intervening in Syria, unless another chemical weapons attack were to take place and be blamed on Assad.
For that reason, a recent article, published in early May by Russian news agency RIA Novosti, should raise concern, as it exposes alleged plans for another gas-attack provocation in Syria. According to the report, preparations for a staged chemical weapons attack began late last month as civilians were relocated to a territory near Jafra oil field in Eastern Syria, where they will participate in a staged filming of a chemical-weapons attack scene. According to South Front, a U.S. military garrison was recently established in this area. The report, based on the testimony of an anonymous member of the Syrian security services, claimed that an attack was being planned by U.S. security services and would employ “prohibited substances” against a group of civilians.
The source also noted that the operation itself was being led by a former Daesh (ISIS) militant, Mishan Idris Hamash. Though this may seem unusual, the U.S. and its proxy force in Eastern Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), have been known to collaborate with former Daesh forces, including militias composed of former Daesh fighters under the SDF banner.
If this report is true, it would not be the first time that such warnings were made public prior to chemical weapons attacks in Syria that were ultimately blamed on the Syrian government. For instance, in late March, the Russian Ministry of Defense had warned that a chemical weapons “provocation” was being planned in Eastern Ghouta by rebel groups in the area as part of a last-ditch attempt to prevent being run out of the Damascus suburb by the Syrian Arab Army. Just a few weeks later, a chemical weapons attack in Douma – widely believed to have been staged – took place and, prior to any investigation, prompted the U.S., U.K. and France to bomb the Syrian government, which they blamed for the attack.
In addition, once Eastern Ghouta had returned to Syrian government control, several chemical weapon laboratories under rebel control were uncovered, revealing that the Syrian rebels are in possession of chemical weapons while chemical weapons stockpiles of the Syrian government were destroyed under international supervision in 2013.
White Helmets still in the game
Given the warning that another staged chemical weapons attack could soon take place in Syria, it seems likely that such an attack will involve the “humanitarian” group of dubious credibility, the White Helmets. Indeed, the evidence of the last chemical weapons attack blamed on the Assad-led government, occurring in Douma of Eastern Ghouta, largely came from the group, whose ties to terrorist groups and pro-regime-change foreign governments have been the subject of several reports at MintPress and elsewhere.
Yet the White Helmets have been in the news as of late as a result of the fact that the State Department has put the funds it has long provided to the group, a third of the White Helmets’ total funding, under “active review.” As a result, given the threat of withheld funds, the case has been made that the White Helmets would be unlikely to participate in any upcoming staged provocations, particularly in an area controlled by the U.S. and its proxies.
However, the withholding of funds from the U.S. is largely a sham. While the funds are “under active review,” U.S. funding of the White Helmets remains in effect while that review is taking place. According to State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert, during the review period, “all of their work still continues, peoples bills are still being paid […] as far as I know [all U.S. contributions] are still in play.”
Other evidence suggesting that the White Helmets’ funding freeze is not at all what it seems is the fact that the group was just given the McCain Institute’s “Award for Courage and Leadership” for 2018 and that the State Department has already tried to back-pedal claims that it was cutting funds for the group.
On May 4, VICE News quoted an unnamed State Department spokesperson as saying, “the U.S. jointly supports the White Helmets with other donors, and we expect their operations to continue as a result of additional multilateral donations.” Thus, the fact that funds have not actually been cut off to the group negates the thinking that its purported status change would limit its participation in a staged chemical weapons attack.
Furthermore — as Vanessa Beeley, independent journalist and well-known expert on the White Helmets, recently wrote at 21st Century Wire — the U.S. “funding freeze” on the White Helmets may be just another Trump administration fake-out prior to a staged chemical attack. Indeed, prior to the alleged attack in April in Douma, Trump had promised to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria, but quickly changed his tune after the alleged gas attack.
A step up in false-flag provocation?
If a chemical weapons attack is again being planned, as reports suggest, this provocation would likely be more significant than previous such attacks and would likely result in a more drastic response from Western powers. This is because Jafra oil field, where the staged attack is allegedly being planned/staged, lies within the portion of the Deir Ez Zor governorate that is under the control of the United States and its armed proxy group, the SDF. Past chemical weapons attacks that have been blamed on the Syrian government, have all occurred in areas held by Syrian rebel groups, such as Idlib province and Eastern Ghouta. If such an attack comes to pass, it would be the first such provocation blamed on Assad to take place in territory occupied by a foreign power.
This is significant, as it would open the door to a greater show of American military force as retaliation. While past U.S. interventions that have followed alleged chemical weapons attacks have been justified out of concern for Syrian civilians, a subsequent intervention would instead be justified as having endangered U.S. military assets and allies, warranting a larger response. Indeed, U.S. special forces have been shown to be embedded with SDF forces in some areas.
U.S.-backed anti-government Syrian rebels surround a piece of artillery while speaking to an American special forces member in Southern Syria near Tanf. (Hammurabi’s Justice News/AP)
Furthermore, past Syrian government attacks using conventional weapons that have targeted the SDF along the Euphrates have drawn a sharp response from the U.S., namely airstrikes. A chemical weapons attack that is said to have targeted the SDF would surely draw a more significant U.S. military response, regardless of whether or not U.S. troops or military assets are actually threatened.
Setup for two-front U.S.-Israeli attack?
While no new information has since emerged that would corroborate Novosti’s report, it is true that the U.S. — as the occupying force in the area where the provocation is allegedly being planned – does have a motive to conduct such a false flag attack, as the U.S. and Israel stand to benefit the most were the worst to occur. As MintPress has reported over the course of the war in Syria, the U.S. has long had the goal of regime change in Syria and it – along with many of its allies – have helped foment and prolong the Syrian conflict in pursuit of this end.
However, timing here is key. Such a provocation, and the retaliation it would inspire, would come just as Israel and Syria are the closest to outright war in decades, as Israeli airstrikes targeting Syria earlier this week were extensive and have led to the relocation of significant military assets, including tanks, to the Golan Heights, the portion of southern Syria under illegal Israeli occupation.
Were a U.S. and Western military intervention – provoked by another alleged chemical weapons attack blamed on Assad – to occur while Israel is actively preparing for a major conflict with Syria, it would put pressure on Assad from the U.S.-occupied east while Israel attacks from the south, making any military campaign against the Syrian government much more effective for those forces that have long sought the destruction of the Syrian state.
Top Photo | US troops chat with Kurdish rebel forces from the (YPG) in the town of Darbasiya next to the Turkish border, Syria April 29, 2017. (Rodi Said/Reuters)
Whitney Webb is a staff writer for MintPress News and a contributor to Ben Swann’s Truth in Media. Her work has appeared on Global Research, the Ron Paul Institute and 21st Century Wire, among others. She has also made radio and TV appearances on RT and Sputnik. She currently lives with her family in southern Chile.
https://www.mintpressnews.com/syrian-in ... fY.twitter
Lotta speculation here and not the best credentials, we shall see.
"There is great chaos under heaven; the situation is excellent."
Re: Syria
18 May، 2018
Syria’s statement at Human Rights Council: Israeli violations not possible without US protection
Geneva, SANA-Syria reiterated condemnation of Israel’s appalling massacres against Palestinians who are tenaciously defending their legitimate national rights.
Syria’s denunciation came in a statement delivered by Deputy Permanent Representative of Syria to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva Tawfik Abu Galon, during a Human Rights Council’s special session dedicated to discuss deteriorating human rights situation in occupied Palestinian territories, mainly in east Jerusalem.
“Since late March, Israeli occupation soldiers have deliberately killed over 100 Palestinians and wounded several thousand others. This is the clearest response yet to those defending Israel’s crimes at this council, and the newest proof of Israeli authorities’ barbarity, breaches of international humanitarian law and disregard for the UN resolutions,” he said.
These violations, he said, would not have been possible without US protection of Israel at the UN Security Council and its abstention from adopting any measure to rein Israeli in, even in the form of a press statement by the UN Security Council.
“Israeli settlement activities, forceful displacement of Palestinians and denying them the right to return have all pushed the Palestinian people to protest against these measures and organize return marches to emphasize their legitimate rights,” he added.
Abu Galon considered that the US moving of its embassy to Jerusalem, which is a grave violation of international law and the UNSC resolution no. 478, has emboldened the occupation authorities to brutally put down peaceful protests and commit despicable crimes against Palestinian children and civilians.
The US insistence to let off Israeli occupation soldiers scot-free places the US administration in an untenable position due to its irresponsible decisions and attempts to ignite conflicts in the region, the statement concluded.
Manal
https://sana.sy/en/?p=138078
Syria’s statement at Human Rights Council: Israeli violations not possible without US protection
Geneva, SANA-Syria reiterated condemnation of Israel’s appalling massacres against Palestinians who are tenaciously defending their legitimate national rights.
Syria’s denunciation came in a statement delivered by Deputy Permanent Representative of Syria to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva Tawfik Abu Galon, during a Human Rights Council’s special session dedicated to discuss deteriorating human rights situation in occupied Palestinian territories, mainly in east Jerusalem.
“Since late March, Israeli occupation soldiers have deliberately killed over 100 Palestinians and wounded several thousand others. This is the clearest response yet to those defending Israel’s crimes at this council, and the newest proof of Israeli authorities’ barbarity, breaches of international humanitarian law and disregard for the UN resolutions,” he said.
These violations, he said, would not have been possible without US protection of Israel at the UN Security Council and its abstention from adopting any measure to rein Israeli in, even in the form of a press statement by the UN Security Council.
“Israeli settlement activities, forceful displacement of Palestinians and denying them the right to return have all pushed the Palestinian people to protest against these measures and organize return marches to emphasize their legitimate rights,” he added.
Abu Galon considered that the US moving of its embassy to Jerusalem, which is a grave violation of international law and the UNSC resolution no. 478, has emboldened the occupation authorities to brutally put down peaceful protests and commit despicable crimes against Palestinian children and civilians.
The US insistence to let off Israeli occupation soldiers scot-free places the US administration in an untenable position due to its irresponsible decisions and attempts to ignite conflicts in the region, the statement concluded.
Manal
https://sana.sy/en/?p=138078
"There is great chaos under heaven; the situation is excellent."
Re: Syria
Army’s General Command announces Damascus and Damascus countryside entirely safe after liberating al-Hajar al-Aswad
21 May، 2018
Damascus, SANA-The General Command of the Army and Armed Forces announced Damascus and Damascus countryside entirely safe areas after fully cleansing al-Hajar al-Aswad and al-Yarmouk Camp of terrorism.
The Command said in a statement of which SANA received a copy that units of the Syrian armed forces, aided by allied forces, have completed the cleansing of the entire al-Hajar al-Aswad and the area surrounding it of terrorists after a string of precision and successive military operations.
The General Command indicated that the military operations have left big numbers of Daesh (ISIS) terrorists dead, adding up to establishing full control over the areas of al-Hajar al-Aswad and al-Yarouk Camp, which was preceded by cleansing Yelda, Babila and Beit Sehem in southern Damascus of terrorists.
The new military win means that the entire towns of Western and Eastern Ghouta are now completely clear of the scourge of takfiri terrorism in all its forms and designations, with all its gatherings in these areas wiped out, said the Command’s statement.
The new victory is particularly important because it signifies the total elimination of the fiercest components of terrorist organizations and proves the Syrian army’s competence in sealing the defeat of externally backed terrorism, according to the statement.
It also ensures the safety of capital Damascus and its entire countryside, eliminating the sources of a terrorist threat that had haunted millions of residents and sought to disrupt normal life, which creates the environment for wiping out the residual hotbeds of armed terrorism on the Syrian territories, the statement said.
The Command went on to say that in parallel with announcing Damascus and Damascus countryside entirely safe and invincible areas, it affirms that the Syrian army is more resolved than ever to hunt down the remaining terrorism no matter how hard its sponsors strive to prolong its longevity.
“It is an irrevocable decision, purely Syrian,” said the statement, referring to the decision to eliminate terrorism.
https://sana.sy/en/?p=138433
Another great accomplishment in the face the United States, NATO & Gulf States. Resistance is NOT futile.
21 May، 2018
Damascus, SANA-The General Command of the Army and Armed Forces announced Damascus and Damascus countryside entirely safe areas after fully cleansing al-Hajar al-Aswad and al-Yarmouk Camp of terrorism.
The Command said in a statement of which SANA received a copy that units of the Syrian armed forces, aided by allied forces, have completed the cleansing of the entire al-Hajar al-Aswad and the area surrounding it of terrorists after a string of precision and successive military operations.
The General Command indicated that the military operations have left big numbers of Daesh (ISIS) terrorists dead, adding up to establishing full control over the areas of al-Hajar al-Aswad and al-Yarouk Camp, which was preceded by cleansing Yelda, Babila and Beit Sehem in southern Damascus of terrorists.
The new military win means that the entire towns of Western and Eastern Ghouta are now completely clear of the scourge of takfiri terrorism in all its forms and designations, with all its gatherings in these areas wiped out, said the Command’s statement.
The new victory is particularly important because it signifies the total elimination of the fiercest components of terrorist organizations and proves the Syrian army’s competence in sealing the defeat of externally backed terrorism, according to the statement.
It also ensures the safety of capital Damascus and its entire countryside, eliminating the sources of a terrorist threat that had haunted millions of residents and sought to disrupt normal life, which creates the environment for wiping out the residual hotbeds of armed terrorism on the Syrian territories, the statement said.
The Command went on to say that in parallel with announcing Damascus and Damascus countryside entirely safe and invincible areas, it affirms that the Syrian army is more resolved than ever to hunt down the remaining terrorism no matter how hard its sponsors strive to prolong its longevity.
“It is an irrevocable decision, purely Syrian,” said the statement, referring to the decision to eliminate terrorism.
https://sana.sy/en/?p=138433
Another great accomplishment in the face the United States, NATO & Gulf States. Resistance is NOT futile.
"There is great chaos under heaven; the situation is excellent."
Re: Syria
US-led coalition attacks some military positions in Deir Ezzor countryside
24 May، 2018
Deir Ezzor, SANA-The US-led “international coalition” aircrafts have carried out an aggression on some of the Syrian Arab Army’s positions in the south-eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor on Thursday at dawn.
“Some of our military positions between al-Bukamal and Hmeimea were hit this morning in an aggression by “American coalition” warplanes,” a military source said.
The source added that only material damage was caused .
The new attack comes in the framework of the coalition’s explicit support to the terrorist organizations and uncovers its fake claims about fighting terrorism.
The aggression came less than 24 hours after the Syrian army and the allied forces thwarted a terrorist attack by Daesh on a number of military points in al-Mayadeen Badiya (Desert) in the countryside of Deir Ezzor;the army killed over 10 of the attacking terrorists, among them terrorists of foreign nationalities, injured scores others and destroyed a vehicle mounted by a heavy cannon.
Ghossoun/
https://sana.sy/en/?p=138634
24 May، 2018
Deir Ezzor, SANA-The US-led “international coalition” aircrafts have carried out an aggression on some of the Syrian Arab Army’s positions in the south-eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor on Thursday at dawn.
“Some of our military positions between al-Bukamal and Hmeimea were hit this morning in an aggression by “American coalition” warplanes,” a military source said.
The source added that only material damage was caused .
The new attack comes in the framework of the coalition’s explicit support to the terrorist organizations and uncovers its fake claims about fighting terrorism.
The aggression came less than 24 hours after the Syrian army and the allied forces thwarted a terrorist attack by Daesh on a number of military points in al-Mayadeen Badiya (Desert) in the countryside of Deir Ezzor;the army killed over 10 of the attacking terrorists, among them terrorists of foreign nationalities, injured scores others and destroyed a vehicle mounted by a heavy cannon.
Ghossoun/
https://sana.sy/en/?p=138634
"There is great chaos under heaven; the situation is excellent."
Re: Syria
Russia Has Reached the End of the Road in Syria
Posted by INTERNATIONALIST 360° on MAY 28, 2018
Damascus will continue to fight on with its remaining allies
Elijah J. Magnier
Russia has almost reached the end of its military operations in the Levant, which is certainly not the case for the central government in Damascus and its main allies within the “Axis of Resistance.”
Moscow is preparing to put an end to its occupation of some of the remaining sites still held by ISIS and al-Qaeda in northern Syria and is paving the way for the political process, which is expected to be complex. However, it is predictable that the political process may not unfold as desired by President Vladimir Putin, and for one simple reason, the position of the Syrian government. This will run counter to what the Russian patron thinks and will become clear when all the countries involved (USA, Turkey, Russia, Iran, Syria) eventually unite around one negotiating table.
Russia was able to cohabit with the US for decades in Germany after World War II because the spheres of influence were divided between the countries that themselves won the war. In the Levant, things are entirely different. Even though Russia itself has been ready to “co-exist” with the US on one territory in Syria, the government of Damascus – along with its allies in the “Axis of Resistance” – is totally unwilling to allow or accept any foreign occupation of its territory, even temporarily.
Russia’s allies also view the presence of US-French-British forces as the greatest threat to Syria. These are known for their planning and implementation of regime change, and for their underlying and unconditional support for Israel and its expansionist ambitions, with its occupation of neighbouring territory in the Middle East.
Damascus considers that the illegal airports under US control in north – eastern Syria are used as stations and services for Israeli jets. Moreover, the US illegal presence is also acting as an incubator for Israel and the US in a Syrian environment north of the country outside the central government’s control, which is provocative in a Kurdish controlled area and represents a threat to the national security of Syria, as well as that of its allies in neighbouring Iraq and Lebanon.
Syria considers that Russian intervention in Syria since September 2015 has positively counter-balanced the military position on the battlefield. The Russian involvement has in fact allowed the return of more than 50 percent of the Syrian territory, together with the liberation of Damascus, Homs and Hama and their respective surrounding areas, plus the city of Aleppo, and some of rural Idlib as well as Deir Ezzor. But Russia would have been incapable of achieving this goal without the participation of tens of thousands of Syrians and allies, i.e. Hezbollah, Iran and its close allies on the ground. Russia actually brought a very small ground force, compared with the mass of ground forces provided by the allies of Damascus.
Russia also crucially supported the Syrian government in international forums and prevented America from taking international decisions at the United Nations to legitimise the overthrow of the regime. It also, interestingly, minimised two US “disciplinary” attacks on Syria (one against Shu’ayrat military airport and months later against multiple targets).
But Russia’s reward in the Levant has been, through Syria, to open the door to the international arena. Using it as a live experimental battlefield, Moscow was able to show its military capability and takes away tremendous lessons from the results of using its advanced weapons on real targets. Damascus agreed to sign a strategic agreement (for 49 years) with Russia, to keep and develop its naval base in those warm Mediterranean waters. Russia was also able to boost its economic role in Syria relating to the exploitation of energy resources and the reconstruction of the country, which will allow Russian firms to enjoy unlimited contracts.
In the political arena, Russia played a vital role by giving impetus to the Astana talks, which imposed themselves as a real and efficient alternative to Geneva.
Nevertheless, all this will not deter Syria from demanding the return of all occupied territories, in particular those under US control, firstly in the north-east of Hasaka and Deir al-Zour. The al-Tanf area is more difficult because of its desert terrain and openness – but it therefore becomes insignificant once the US occupation of the north-east is ended.
So the central government in Damascus will not be intimidated and will claim back the return of the south despite the Russian-American agreement on Daraa and the Golan, where groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS are still in control (1,500 “Khalid bin al-Walid Army” militants control 8 villages and over 200 sq km of territory). This may indeed run counter to Russia’s desire to lay down arms, to end the war and begin political action to regain the occupied territories without resorting to fighting.
However, Russia is acting as if it does not know that political negotiations will never force the US and Israel out of Syria. Actually, these two countries have never ended any of their occupations by their own freewill, only under repeated attacks from whatever locals they have tried to dominate!
Syria and its allies (led by Iran) believe that they won this war because their situation on the ground against jihadists until September 2015, even before the Russian intervention, was critical. Today, the Arab states (and Turkey) have lost all the Syrian proxies they had in the Syrian war. Syria and Iran have inflicted serious losses on western countries (EU and US) who have been aiming since 2011 to topple the Syrian regime, and President Bashar al-Assad has maintained the command and control of both political and military power in Syria.
Even if holding on to President Assad was not a prerequisite for Moscow (which is convinced today of the necessity of holding presidential elections), today Russia would like to see the Syrian people choosing their own president. This is consistent with the expressed desire of Assad himself and his other strategic allies.
As regards Iran and its allies, Assad does not find any points of disagreement on the objectives to be achieved in Syria. Moscow is indeed a strategic ally of Damascus, but there are points of disagreement between Damascus and Moscow : what is important is that these differences do not spoil the friendliness of the relationship, nor damage the underlying support.
Moscow can say what it wants and what it says may even be contradicted between the same Russian officials. However, the language and the objectives aimed by Assad and Iran in relation to the Syrian war are identical and do not appear to vary.
Moscow will work for peace in its own way without contradicting Syria’s goals and without having to interfere in the military operations that Syria and its allies can carry out without Russian support.
The liberation of the far north-east at Albuqmal, and the far south-west at Beit Jinn, was carried out by paramilitary forces without Russian air support. Russia and Syria have their own policies which are not themselves at war! It seems that Moscow’s strategic understanding does allow it to coexist in the Levant with the US and with Damascus and its allies-and all on the same territory, even though they have targets which are themselves conflictual.
https://syria360.wordpress.com/2018/05/ ... -in-syria/
This is very good.
Posted by INTERNATIONALIST 360° on MAY 28, 2018
Damascus will continue to fight on with its remaining allies
Elijah J. Magnier
Russia has almost reached the end of its military operations in the Levant, which is certainly not the case for the central government in Damascus and its main allies within the “Axis of Resistance.”
Moscow is preparing to put an end to its occupation of some of the remaining sites still held by ISIS and al-Qaeda in northern Syria and is paving the way for the political process, which is expected to be complex. However, it is predictable that the political process may not unfold as desired by President Vladimir Putin, and for one simple reason, the position of the Syrian government. This will run counter to what the Russian patron thinks and will become clear when all the countries involved (USA, Turkey, Russia, Iran, Syria) eventually unite around one negotiating table.
Russia was able to cohabit with the US for decades in Germany after World War II because the spheres of influence were divided between the countries that themselves won the war. In the Levant, things are entirely different. Even though Russia itself has been ready to “co-exist” with the US on one territory in Syria, the government of Damascus – along with its allies in the “Axis of Resistance” – is totally unwilling to allow or accept any foreign occupation of its territory, even temporarily.
Russia’s allies also view the presence of US-French-British forces as the greatest threat to Syria. These are known for their planning and implementation of regime change, and for their underlying and unconditional support for Israel and its expansionist ambitions, with its occupation of neighbouring territory in the Middle East.
Damascus considers that the illegal airports under US control in north – eastern Syria are used as stations and services for Israeli jets. Moreover, the US illegal presence is also acting as an incubator for Israel and the US in a Syrian environment north of the country outside the central government’s control, which is provocative in a Kurdish controlled area and represents a threat to the national security of Syria, as well as that of its allies in neighbouring Iraq and Lebanon.
Syria considers that Russian intervention in Syria since September 2015 has positively counter-balanced the military position on the battlefield. The Russian involvement has in fact allowed the return of more than 50 percent of the Syrian territory, together with the liberation of Damascus, Homs and Hama and their respective surrounding areas, plus the city of Aleppo, and some of rural Idlib as well as Deir Ezzor. But Russia would have been incapable of achieving this goal without the participation of tens of thousands of Syrians and allies, i.e. Hezbollah, Iran and its close allies on the ground. Russia actually brought a very small ground force, compared with the mass of ground forces provided by the allies of Damascus.
Russia also crucially supported the Syrian government in international forums and prevented America from taking international decisions at the United Nations to legitimise the overthrow of the regime. It also, interestingly, minimised two US “disciplinary” attacks on Syria (one against Shu’ayrat military airport and months later against multiple targets).
But Russia’s reward in the Levant has been, through Syria, to open the door to the international arena. Using it as a live experimental battlefield, Moscow was able to show its military capability and takes away tremendous lessons from the results of using its advanced weapons on real targets. Damascus agreed to sign a strategic agreement (for 49 years) with Russia, to keep and develop its naval base in those warm Mediterranean waters. Russia was also able to boost its economic role in Syria relating to the exploitation of energy resources and the reconstruction of the country, which will allow Russian firms to enjoy unlimited contracts.
In the political arena, Russia played a vital role by giving impetus to the Astana talks, which imposed themselves as a real and efficient alternative to Geneva.
Nevertheless, all this will not deter Syria from demanding the return of all occupied territories, in particular those under US control, firstly in the north-east of Hasaka and Deir al-Zour. The al-Tanf area is more difficult because of its desert terrain and openness – but it therefore becomes insignificant once the US occupation of the north-east is ended.
So the central government in Damascus will not be intimidated and will claim back the return of the south despite the Russian-American agreement on Daraa and the Golan, where groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS are still in control (1,500 “Khalid bin al-Walid Army” militants control 8 villages and over 200 sq km of territory). This may indeed run counter to Russia’s desire to lay down arms, to end the war and begin political action to regain the occupied territories without resorting to fighting.
However, Russia is acting as if it does not know that political negotiations will never force the US and Israel out of Syria. Actually, these two countries have never ended any of their occupations by their own freewill, only under repeated attacks from whatever locals they have tried to dominate!
Syria and its allies (led by Iran) believe that they won this war because their situation on the ground against jihadists until September 2015, even before the Russian intervention, was critical. Today, the Arab states (and Turkey) have lost all the Syrian proxies they had in the Syrian war. Syria and Iran have inflicted serious losses on western countries (EU and US) who have been aiming since 2011 to topple the Syrian regime, and President Bashar al-Assad has maintained the command and control of both political and military power in Syria.
Even if holding on to President Assad was not a prerequisite for Moscow (which is convinced today of the necessity of holding presidential elections), today Russia would like to see the Syrian people choosing their own president. This is consistent with the expressed desire of Assad himself and his other strategic allies.
As regards Iran and its allies, Assad does not find any points of disagreement on the objectives to be achieved in Syria. Moscow is indeed a strategic ally of Damascus, but there are points of disagreement between Damascus and Moscow : what is important is that these differences do not spoil the friendliness of the relationship, nor damage the underlying support.
Moscow can say what it wants and what it says may even be contradicted between the same Russian officials. However, the language and the objectives aimed by Assad and Iran in relation to the Syrian war are identical and do not appear to vary.
Moscow will work for peace in its own way without contradicting Syria’s goals and without having to interfere in the military operations that Syria and its allies can carry out without Russian support.
The liberation of the far north-east at Albuqmal, and the far south-west at Beit Jinn, was carried out by paramilitary forces without Russian air support. Russia and Syria have their own policies which are not themselves at war! It seems that Moscow’s strategic understanding does allow it to coexist in the Levant with the US and with Damascus and its allies-and all on the same territory, even though they have targets which are themselves conflictual.
https://syria360.wordpress.com/2018/05/ ... -in-syria/
This is very good.
"There is great chaos under heaven; the situation is excellent."
Re: Syria
Syria - Israel Falsely Claims Iran Pull-Back Deal With Russia - Again
Israel loves to pretend that it is an important country which can move other governments to do its bidding.
During last fall, when Russia, Jordan and the U.S. negotiated about a de-escalation zone in southwest Syria, Israel demanded to exclude Iranian troops and militia supported by Iran from a 40 or even 60 kilometer zone from the occupied Golan heights. Later Israel media announced success: Russia agrees to keep Iran, Hezbollah forces away from Israeli border wrote JPost in October.
But such an agreement was only rumored by Israel. It was never made. Israel had demanded an exclusion zone but neither Syria nor Iran accepted that. The Russian/U.S./Jordan agreement was not published but it obviously included no such clause. In November 2017 Hizbullah successfully fought Syrian "rebels" in the Beit Jinn pocket, a stone throw from the Golan Heights. Iranian advisers have regularly visited and advised Iranian paid pro-government militia, marked green on the map, near the Golan line.
full size with full legend
Now Israel tries the same trick again. It sets expectations and announces agreements where none exist.
The teaser came yesterday when Haaretz headlined: Russia Considers Pulling Back Iranian Forces From Israel-Syria Border
Russia fears Israel's strikes in Syria will undermine Assad's rule. Israel believes Moscow may agree to move the Iranians 60 kilometers away from the Israeli border
Israeli political and military leaders believe Russia is willing to discuss a significant distancing of Iranian forces and allied Shi’ite militias from the Israel-Syria border, Israeli officials say.
The change in Russia’s position has become clearer since Israel’s May 10 military clash with Iran in Syria and amid Moscow’s concerns that further Israeli moves would threaten the stability of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime.
Russia recently renewed efforts to try to get the United States involved in agreements that would stabilize Syria. The Russians might be willing to remove the Iranians from the Israeli border, though not necessarily remove the forces linked to them from the whole country.
...
Israel's Channel 2 followed up by announcing success: Israel, Russia agree to keep Iran and Hezbollah from border
After months of diplomacy between Jerusalem and Moscow, the two sides reached an understanding that Iran should be kept away from Israel's northern border with Syria, Channel 2 News reported on Monday evening.
According to the report, Israel and Russia agreed the Syrian army will be allowed to re-take control of southern Syria up to the border with Israel. Iran and Hezbollah, though, will not be permitted to take part in the takeover.
This is again nonsense for at least two reasons.
1. Russia has no way to keep Iran out of Syria or to tell Iranian advisors and militia where to go or not to go. The Syrian government will not do away with its best ally, Iran, which came to its help before Russia came in and will continue to help while Russia lowers its presence in the conflict. Were Russia to play "either-or" hardball with the Syrian government the decision would likely be against Russia and for Iran.
2. Iran already announced that it will not take part in the upcoming Daraa operation in southwest Syria.
Damascus, May 23, IRNA – Iranian Ambassador to Jordan Mojtaba Ferdowsi-pour said on Wednesday that Iran has no role in military operations in southern Syria and has no presence in the area.
Iran is concentrating the other militia it supports in east Syria for the continuing fight against ISIS and the U.S. occupation forces. (Hezbullah will stay where it is.)
The Iranian announcement was ignored by other media.
The shrewd Russian foreign minister Lavrov used the Iranian decision to offer a deal to the U.S.:
Russia said on Monday only Syrian army troops should be on the country's southern border with Jordan and Israel, ..
...
"Of course, the withdrawal of all non-Syrian forces must be carried out on a mutual basis, this should be a two-way street," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a news conference in on Monday.
The U.S. is holding the border station of al-Tanf at the border triangle of Syria, Jordan and Iraq. In the same news conference Lavrov accused the U.S. of hiding ISIS forces in a nearby refugee camp. When Lavrov says "the withdrawal of all non-Syrian forces must be carried out on a mutual basis" he is offering the (already announced) Iranian pull-back from southwest Syria in exchange for a U.S. pull-out from al-Tanf in the southeast.
The Israeli defense minister Liberman was asked to come to Moscow on Thursday for talks with the Russian defense minister Shoigu. The Russians will likely reinforce earlier warnings against Israeli overreach in Syria. They will also press Israel to pull its strings in Washington in favor of the "mutual bases" deal.
Posted by b on May 29, 2018 at 05:48 AM | Permalink
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2018/05/sy ... twice.html
Only problem I see with is is that if Lavrov is willing to take the US's word on anything then he ain't so shrewd, or worse.
Israel loves to pretend that it is an important country which can move other governments to do its bidding.
During last fall, when Russia, Jordan and the U.S. negotiated about a de-escalation zone in southwest Syria, Israel demanded to exclude Iranian troops and militia supported by Iran from a 40 or even 60 kilometer zone from the occupied Golan heights. Later Israel media announced success: Russia agrees to keep Iran, Hezbollah forces away from Israeli border wrote JPost in October.
But such an agreement was only rumored by Israel. It was never made. Israel had demanded an exclusion zone but neither Syria nor Iran accepted that. The Russian/U.S./Jordan agreement was not published but it obviously included no such clause. In November 2017 Hizbullah successfully fought Syrian "rebels" in the Beit Jinn pocket, a stone throw from the Golan Heights. Iranian advisers have regularly visited and advised Iranian paid pro-government militia, marked green on the map, near the Golan line.
full size with full legend
Now Israel tries the same trick again. It sets expectations and announces agreements where none exist.
The teaser came yesterday when Haaretz headlined: Russia Considers Pulling Back Iranian Forces From Israel-Syria Border
Russia fears Israel's strikes in Syria will undermine Assad's rule. Israel believes Moscow may agree to move the Iranians 60 kilometers away from the Israeli border
Israeli political and military leaders believe Russia is willing to discuss a significant distancing of Iranian forces and allied Shi’ite militias from the Israel-Syria border, Israeli officials say.
The change in Russia’s position has become clearer since Israel’s May 10 military clash with Iran in Syria and amid Moscow’s concerns that further Israeli moves would threaten the stability of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime.
Russia recently renewed efforts to try to get the United States involved in agreements that would stabilize Syria. The Russians might be willing to remove the Iranians from the Israeli border, though not necessarily remove the forces linked to them from the whole country.
...
Israel's Channel 2 followed up by announcing success: Israel, Russia agree to keep Iran and Hezbollah from border
After months of diplomacy between Jerusalem and Moscow, the two sides reached an understanding that Iran should be kept away from Israel's northern border with Syria, Channel 2 News reported on Monday evening.
According to the report, Israel and Russia agreed the Syrian army will be allowed to re-take control of southern Syria up to the border with Israel. Iran and Hezbollah, though, will not be permitted to take part in the takeover.
This is again nonsense for at least two reasons.
1. Russia has no way to keep Iran out of Syria or to tell Iranian advisors and militia where to go or not to go. The Syrian government will not do away with its best ally, Iran, which came to its help before Russia came in and will continue to help while Russia lowers its presence in the conflict. Were Russia to play "either-or" hardball with the Syrian government the decision would likely be against Russia and for Iran.
2. Iran already announced that it will not take part in the upcoming Daraa operation in southwest Syria.
Damascus, May 23, IRNA – Iranian Ambassador to Jordan Mojtaba Ferdowsi-pour said on Wednesday that Iran has no role in military operations in southern Syria and has no presence in the area.
Iran is concentrating the other militia it supports in east Syria for the continuing fight against ISIS and the U.S. occupation forces. (Hezbullah will stay where it is.)
The Iranian announcement was ignored by other media.
The shrewd Russian foreign minister Lavrov used the Iranian decision to offer a deal to the U.S.:
Russia said on Monday only Syrian army troops should be on the country's southern border with Jordan and Israel, ..
...
"Of course, the withdrawal of all non-Syrian forces must be carried out on a mutual basis, this should be a two-way street," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a news conference in on Monday.
The U.S. is holding the border station of al-Tanf at the border triangle of Syria, Jordan and Iraq. In the same news conference Lavrov accused the U.S. of hiding ISIS forces in a nearby refugee camp. When Lavrov says "the withdrawal of all non-Syrian forces must be carried out on a mutual basis" he is offering the (already announced) Iranian pull-back from southwest Syria in exchange for a U.S. pull-out from al-Tanf in the southeast.
The Israeli defense minister Liberman was asked to come to Moscow on Thursday for talks with the Russian defense minister Shoigu. The Russians will likely reinforce earlier warnings against Israeli overreach in Syria. They will also press Israel to pull its strings in Washington in favor of the "mutual bases" deal.
Posted by b on May 29, 2018 at 05:48 AM | Permalink
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2018/05/sy ... twice.html
Only problem I see with is is that if Lavrov is willing to take the US's word on anything then he ain't so shrewd, or worse.
"There is great chaos under heaven; the situation is excellent."
Re: Syria
President al-Assad: We will liberate every part of Syria…The Americans should leave; somehow they’re going to leave …Israel is losing the dear ones of al-Nusra and ISIS and that’s why it is panicking
31 May، 2018
Damascus, SANA- President Bashar al-Assad has said that with every move forward for the Syrian Army, and for the political process, and for the whole situation, forward in the positive meaning, towards more stability, our enemies and our opponents, mainly the West led by the United States and their puppets in Europe and the region, with their mercenaries in Syria, they try to make it farther, either by supporting more terrorism, bringing more terrorists to Syria, or by hindering the political process.
In an interview given to RT, President al-Assad added that after the liberation of Aleppo and later Deir Ezzor, and before that Homs, and now Damascus, actually the United States is losing its cards where the main card was al-Nusra that was called “moderate.” But when the scandal started leaking, that al-Nusra is part of Al Qaida that was supposed to be fought by the United States, they looked for another card. This card is the SDF now.
President al-Assad said: We’re going to deal with SDF by two options: the first one, we started now opening doors for negotiations, this is the first option. If not, we’re going to resort to liberating by force, to liberating those areas by force. We don’t have any other options, with the Americans or without the Americans.
The Americans should leave; somehow they’re going to leave. They came to Iraq with no legal basis, and look what happened to them. They have to learn the lesson. Iraq is no exception, and Syria is no exception. People will not accept foreigners in this region anymore, President al-Assad added.
Following is the full text of the interview:
Question 1: Mr. President, thank you very much for inviting us here, for giving us this opportunity, having spent years now traveling to and through Syria reporting from here, it is an honor to finally meet you. But, Mr. President, since time is short, first question: your latest victories in Ghouta, in Yarmouk, they have drastically changed the situation on the ground in Syria. How much near the end of this war are we now in your estimation?
President Assad: First of all, you’re most welcome in Syria. With every move forward in the battlefield, with every victory, with every liberated area, we are moving closer to the end of the conflict, and I always said without external interference it won’t take more than a year to settle the situation in Syria. But at the same time, with every move forward for the Syrian Army, and for the political process, and for the whole situation – forward in the positive meaning, towards more stability – our enemies and our opponents, mainly the West led by the United States and their puppets in Europe and in our region, with their mercenaries in Syria, they try to make it farther, either by supporting more terrorism, bringing more terrorists coming to Syria, or by hindering the political process. So, our challenge is how can we to close this gap between their plans and our plans, and I think we are succeeding in that regard, but at the same time, it’s difficult for anyone to tell you when. But it is getting closer, that’s self-evident.
Question 2: Your latest military victories, they have been – objectively speaking – spectacular; the speed at which rebel defenses that have withstood for years have collapsed. Are you planning on retaking all of Syria by force? We’re talking about Idleb, the borders with Israel, SDF-controlled territories.
President Assad: The war is the worst choice. I think every Syrian agrees upon this fact. But sometimes you only have this choice, especially when you talk about factions like Al Qaida, like ISIS, like al-Nusra, and the like-minded factions – actually most of them have the same ideology; Jaish al-Islam, Ahrar al-Cham, and so on – they’re not ready for any dialogue, they don’t have any political plan; they only have this dark ideological plan, which is to be like any Al Qaida-controlled area anywhere in this world. So, the only option to deal with those factions is force. At the same time, in other areas, we succeeded by implementing reconciliations, especially when the community in those different areas made pressure on those militants to leave those areas. So, I think the best choice is to make reconciliation. This is our plan. But when it doesn’t work, the only method to resort to is the force.
Question 3: With regards to reconciliation, how wise is it to send all of these veteran jihadists with their small arms to Idleb? By now, tens of thousands have gone to Idleb, they have consolidated, they have built defenses. Eventually, as you say, you’ll have to fight them. On the other hand, are you perhaps planning on building an area that is outside of government control?
President Assad: Actually, we always say we’re going to liberate every area, so it’s impossible for us to intentionally leave any area on the Syrian soil outside our control as government. This is natural. And as you know, Idleb was captured by the terrorists in 2015 with the Turkish support. It was mainly captured by al-Nusra and some other supportive factions. Actually, we started the reconciliations before that time, but every reconciliation that happened after that time, after 2015- it was, I think, May 2015- every faction wanted to leave the city or the village, they choose to go to Idleb. This is a very good indication that they have the same ideology, because they choose to go to al-Nusra area, they didn’t choose to go to any other area. So, we didn’t send people to Idleb; they wanted to go there, because they have the same incubator, they have the same atmosphere, way of thinking, and so on.
This is one part, the other part, which is the military aspect of your question; the plan of the terrorists and their masters was to distract the Syrian Army by scattering the different units all over the Syrian soil, which is not good for any army. Our plan was to put them in one area, two areas, three areas. Let’s say, if you have two or three or four frontiers, better than having tens, or maybe more than one hundred frontiers at the same time. So, militarily, it is better. They chose it, but it’s better for us from the military point of view.
Question 4: On the other hand, talking about similar mindsets, Idleb is predominantly… the rebels there overwhelmingly are Sunni. As a Sunni myself, I have a long distant relative who came to Syria to fight against you, to resist you, because he was told that you were targeting… you were killing Sunnis, and that is what many people in Idleb believe. Why is it that so many people in all these different countries, in America, in Russia, these Sunnis, these Muslims, they believe that you are oppressing them?
President Assad: Because the first narrative when it started, internationally – mainly in the West, of course – and within Syria and in some mainstream medias in our region and in the West, their plan was to create this rift within the society. That will make things easier for them; “when you have such a civil, kind of civil war between sects or ethnicities,” and it failed. Now, they keep using the same narrative, at least to encourage some fanatics in different places in the world to come and defend their “brothers” in this area, because that’s how they imagine; they imagine that there is conflict between sects. So, because of their narrow-minded way of thinking, maybe, or their ignorance, they came here just to support their “brothers”. Now, if I’m going to tell you this is right or wrong, your audience doesn’t’ know me, they don’t have any idea maybe about my credibility, but I’ll tell you, you know Syria very well, it’s better to go and see the reality on the ground. Now, if there’s such a narrative, let’s say, in reality, sect killing another sect, Syria should be divided now according to sectarian lines. You should come to this area under our control and see one color or a few colors of the Syrian society, you should go to the other area where you have the terrorists, you should have different colors, and the reality is not like this. Now, in Damascus, in Aleppo, in Homs, in every area under the Syrian government’s control, you’ll see every spectrum of the Syrian society, with no exceptions. So, this reality will debunk this narrative. I mean, how could they live with each other while the government is killing them according to sectarian basis? It doesn’t work.
Question 5: Fair enough, but with regards to negotiations and reconciliation, there have been efforts to start talks to achieve a result in Geneva, in Astana. There has been limited success, but it hasn’t been all that great. Now, let’s be honest, you’re winning, you’re winning on the ground, your forces are advancing, the rebels are in retreat. Why would you negotiate with them now, that they’re losing?
President Assad: Since the very beginning, we said whenever we can save Syrian blood, we have to go forward and deal with any initiative, any kind of initiative, even if they have bad will. Some initiatives have bad will, but in spite of that, we dealt with them. And the reality now, if you go around Syria, the reality, the results that’s been embodied by the reconciliations is proof of what I’m saying. Without this policy, without this intention of saving blood, negotiating, talking to people, we couldn’t have reached these reconciliations.
This is one thing. The other thing, not everyone who fought the government have the same basis; some of them have ideological background, some of them for financial background, some of them they made a mistake in the very beginning, they were forced to go in that direction, and they couldn’t withdraw, so you have to open the doors, and you have to distinguish between different kinds of people. And the most important than this, is the majority of the people who were against the government – apparently – in the different liberated areas, actually, in their hearts they are with the government, because they could tell the difference between having government and having chaos.
Question 6: Well, with regards to talks and, you know, retaking areas by force, let’s take for example SDF-controlled territories in Deir Ezzor. There have been clashes there between troops who are loyal to you and the SDF itself, the United States’ partners, and the United States brought to bear force, to stop troops loyal to you from taking territories. This has happened with al-Tanf as well. How are you going to deal with the United States’ presence, military presence, in Syria?
President Assad: After the liberation of Aleppo and later Deir Ezzor, and before that Homs, and now Damascus, actually the United States is losing its cards. The main card was al-Nusra that was called “moderate.” But when the scandal started leaking, that they are not moderate, they are Al Qaida that was supposed to be fought by the United States, they looked for another card. This card is the SDF now, because when as it seems, as you just mentioned, we are moving forward in the different areas to defeat the terrorists, the only problem left in Syria is the SDF. We’re going to deal with it by two options: the first one, we started now opening doors for negotiations, because the majority of them are Syrians, and supposedly they like their country, they don’t like to be puppets to any foreigners, that’s what we suppose, so we have the same basis. We all don’t trust the Americans for decades, not because of the war, because they always say a thing and do the opposite, they tell daily lies. So, we have one option is to live with each other as Syrians, like forever.
This is the first option. If not, we’re going to resort to liberating by force, to liberating those areas by force. We don’t have any other options, with the Americans or without the Americans. We don’t have any other option. So, this is our land, it’s our right, and it’s our duty to liberate it, and the Americans should leave, somehow they’re going to leave. They came to Iraq with no legal basis, and look what happened to them. They have to learn the lesson. Iraq is no exception, and Syria is no exception. People will not accept foreigners in this region anymore.
Question 7: But with regards to retaking territories, it seems inexplicably whenever you eliminate one threat, say, be in Ghouta, another threat seems to materialize, and this has happened repeatedly. Now, we have the Israeli energy minister who is threatening that his country could, quote, “liquidate you and your government.” Are you afraid, and how do you take that threat?
President Assad: Since we were born – I’m talking about my generation and most of the generations now in Syria – we lived under the threat of the Israeli aggression. This is something in our unconscious feeling, so to say that you’re afraid while living with the same threat for decades, this is nonsense. The Israelis have been assassinating, killing, occupying for decades now, for around seven decades, in this region, but usually they do all this without threatening. Now, why do they threat in this way? This is panic, this is a kind of hysterical feeling, because they are losing the “dear ones,” the dear ones al-Nusra and ISIS, that’s why Israel is panicking recently, and we understand their feeling.
Question 8: Well, Israel is now seemingly striking across Syria, airstrikes, at will. They’re boasting publicly on camera again and again that your defenses, they’re powerless to stop them, that they can do in Syria whatever they want. Is that true, is there anything you can do to stop Israel carrying out its airstrikes in Syria?
President Assad: Actually, the first target of the mercenaries in Syria was the air defense, before attacking any other military base, it was the air defense, and you would be surprised at that time; why do they attack the air defense? The air defense will not deal with the “peaceful demonstrators” as they say or the “moderate forces,” and it cannot deal with extremists anyway. It’s another thing, it’s built to defend the country. This is the other proof that Israel was in direct link with those terrorists in Syria. So, they attacked those bases, and they destroyed a big part of our air defenses. Now, in spite of that, our position, let’s say, our air defense is much stronger than before, thanks to the Russian support, and the recent attacks by the Israelis and by the Americans and British and French proved that we are in a better situation.
Now, my answer to your question, the only option is to improve our air defense, this is the only thing we can do, and we are doing that.
Question 9: Israel says that its strikes are, so far, that they aren’t targeted against you, the President or the government, that they’re targeted at Iran, and they’re to keep Iran – which is your ally – weak in Syria. It’s strange, but Iran being here, they are your allies, it’s no secret, they have helped, but them being here now puts you at threat. Would you ever consider asking Iran to leave?
President Assad: The most important fact regarding this issue, is that we don’t have Iranian troops. We never had, and you cannot hide it, and we’re not ashamed to say that we have, like we invited the Russians, we could have invited the Iranians. We have Iranian officers who work with the Syrian Army as help, but they don’t have troops. And the starkest fact about their lies about this issue, the Iranian issue, that the recent attack a few weeks ago, they said that they attacked Iranian bases and camps, as they said, allegedly, and actually we had tens of Syrian martyrs and wounded soldiers, not a single Iranian. So, how could they say that we have it? So, it’s a lie. We always say that we have Iranian officers, but they work with our army, we don’t have troops.
Question 10: Changing subject now, with regards to chemical attacks. There are now regular alleged chemical attacks happening in Syria. Your government and your allies have said that you had nothing to do with this. Your allies have backed your claims, denying any responsibility, saying they have no knowledge of you carrying out these attacks. The question is: in whose interest is it to gas opposition to you?
President Assad: That is the most part of the answer: in whose interest? That is the question. Is it in our interest? Why, and why no? Because the timing of this alleged strike was after the victory of the Syrian troops in Ghouta, let alone the fact that we don’t have chemical weapons anyway, and let the other fact is that we are not going to use it against our people, because the battle in Syria was about winning the hearts of the civilians, this is the main battle, and we won it. So, how can you use chemical weapons against civilians that you want them to be supportive to you?
This is first. Second, if you want to use it, let’s suppose that you have it and you want to use it, do you use it after you finished the battle, or before, or during? It’s not logical. Second, if you go to that area, it was a very cramped area by armies, by factions, and by civilians. Whenever you use such armaments or weapons in that area, you’re going to harm everyone, something that didn’t happen. And if you go to that area and you ask the civilians, there was no chemical attack by anyone. Even the Western journalists who went there after the Ghouta was liberated, they said “we asked the people and they said we didn’t see any chemical attack.” So, it was a narrative, it was just a pretext in order to attack Syria.
Question 11: Well, it may have been a pretext, but we don’t have proof that, you know, even we have rumors on Twitter, a few videos of… confusing videos showing allegedly the aftermath of an attack, is enough to justify for the United States, its allies, launching cruise missiles at Syria. What if, conveniently, there is another attack, alleged attack? Could there be a lot more missiles aimed at Syria?
President Assad: Of course, it could, because when the Unites States trampled over the international law, on daily basis sometimes in different areas for different reasons, any country in the world could have such an attack. What’s the legal base of this attack, what’s the legal base of their aircrafts, with their alliance, the so-called “anti-terrorist alliance” that supports the terrorists actually, what’s the legal base of that alliance? Nothing. What’s the legal base of the attack in Yemen, in Afghanistan, on the borders with Pakistan, etc.? There is no legal base. So, as long as you don’t have an international law that could be obeyed by the United States and its puppets in the West, there is no guarantee that it won’t happen. That happened a few weeks ago, and it happened last year, in April 2017, and that could happen anytime, exactly, I agree with you.
Question 12: But the response Trump promised was going to be extreme and severe, according to his words early on. The response that we saw, the strike that we saw after the latest alleged chemical attack was, it seems to be much more symbolic, much smaller in scope, and there was unexpectedly again a delay when Trump promised the attack and when it came. Why was there a delay? Did it have something perhaps to do with Russia?
President Assad: It has two aspects, as we saw it. The first one is they told a story, they told a lie, and the public opinion around the world and in the West didn’t buy their story, but they couldn’t withdraw. So, they had to do something, even on a smaller scale. The second issue is related to the Russian position, that time, as you know, that the Russians announced publically that they are going to destroy the bases that are going to be used to launch missiles, and our information – we don’t have evidence, we only have information, and those information are credible information – that they were thinking about a comprehensive attack all over Syria, and that’s why the threat pushed the West to make it on a much smaller scale.
Question 13: Well, with regards to the United States’ relation towards you, President Trump has called you, quote, “Animal Assad.” Do you have a nickname for the US president?
President Assad: This is not my language, so, I cannot use similar language. This is his language. It represents him, and I think there is a very known principle, that what you say is what you are. So, he wanted to represent what he is, and that’s normal. Anyway, it didn’t move anything, and this kind of language shouldn’t move anything for anyone. The only thing that moves you is what people that you trust, people who are level-headed, people who are thoughtful, people who are moral, ethical, that’s what should move anything inside you, whether positive or negative. Somebody like Trump will move nothing for me.
Question 14: With regards to the United States’ presidency, there is an interesting thing, you know, I came up with, thought up of a while ago; there are now in Syria forces from five nuclear powers, five nuclear powers directly engaged in military operations in Syria, be it boots on the grounds or airstrikes. Some of those countries are on different sides. How Syrian is this civil war still?
President Assad: The word “civil war” has been used widely since the beginning of the conflict in Syria, even by our friends, and by our allies by mistake, without understanding the content of this meaning. Syrian “civil war” means there are sectarian lines based on either ethnicities or sects or religions or maybe political opinion or political currents, let’s say, something we don’t have in Syria. In reality, in the area controlled by the government, which is now the majority of Syria, you have all these diversities. So, the word “civil war” is not correct. What we have actually from the very beginning are mercenaries, Syrians, and foreigners being paid by the West in order to topple the government. This is the reality, the mere reality, the very stark reality. Everything else is just masks to cover the real intentions. Talking about political differences, moderates, peaceful demonstration; we don’t have civil war in Syria. If we had civil war for seven years, we should have been divided by now. You cannot have one country, united country, united society, it’s not geographically because now of the Unites States’ puppets and the Turkish puppets. If there were a civil war, then you should have a divided society. Go by yourself, deal with different spectrums of the Syrian society, and you can answer that question in the same way I’m answering it.
Question 15: But with regards to potential escalation. Okay, there are proxy forces from all these five nuclear powers, as well as the other forces engaged in Syria, but you, as the President, again, you must have information. How close have we come during this civil war… during this war to an escalation between these nuclear powers?
President Assad: In reality, we were close to have direct conflict between the Russian forces and the American forces, and fortunately, it has been avoided, not by the wisdom of the American leadership, but by the wisdom of the Russian leadership, because it is not in the interest of anyone, anyone in this world, and first of all the Syrians, to have this conflict. We need the Russian support, but we need at the same time to avoid the American foolishness in order to be able to stabilize our country.
Question 16: And just briefly, one last question. The closer we get to the end, is the danger of an escalation, in your estimation, is it decreasing or is it, on the other hand, increasing?
President Assad: As I said at the very beginning, the more we get closer to the end, the more they want to make it farther. What does it mean? The more stability you have, the more escalation we will have. The more reconciliation you have in one area, the more killing and destruction and trying to capture more areas by the terrorists we’ll have. That’s why within the reconciliation, when we started reconciliations in many areas, the other factions in the same area tried to destroy it, because they have the orders from the outside not to go toward any reconciliation, of course, you have the orders with the pocket of money. So, what you say is correct, but the more escalation we have, the more determined we’ll be to solve the problem, because you don’t have any other choice; either you have a country or you don’t have a country.
Journalist: Mr. President, thank you very much for your insights, and thank you very much for welcoming us here and giving us so much of your time. We wish you all the best, the Syrian people all the best, and a swift conclusion to this awful conflict. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
President Assad: Thank you, thank you for coming to Syria again.
https://sana.sy/en/?p=139186
"There is great chaos under heaven; the situation is excellent."
Re: Syria
The US Should Withdraw from the Syrian State and the Sovereign Integrated Land
DAMASCUS, (ST)_ Once the US troops withdraw from al-Tanf, you can say there is agreement about the South of Syria, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Mr. Walid Al-Moallem outlined.
In a press conference aired live on Syrian TV, Minister Al-Moallem added that the US should withdraw from this Syrian land and there is no bargain when it comes to our integrated sovereign territories.
In reply to another question, Minister Al-Moallem , said that Israel violated the 1974 UNDOF Agreement and sought to establish a 'security belt' and once it failed, Israel started talking falsely about 'Iranian troops and started to call for UNDOF return.
The Syrian Armed Forces called on the terrorists in the Southern part through written clips of paper to withdraw and if not, necessary measures are to be taken accordingly, Minister Al-Moallem Added.
"We are seeking to liberate every span of the Syrian territories from the terrorists as well as from foreign troops" reiterated Minister Al-Moallem.
"Turkey is an invading enemy of the Syrian territories, and we have to liberate every inch of our territory and any Turkish-Us or French Turkish 'agreement' about any occupied Syria City, whether Minbij or another, is but a direct illegitimate aggression," Minister Al-Moallem said in reply to a question.
We are proud of our martyrs and pray for the wounded. We have been steadfast though the conspiracy was very big and dangerous as to break Qassyoun Mountain down into pieces , said Minister Al-Moallem highly lauding the ability and capacity of the government to provide the food, electricity and other substances and needs to the citizen.
The UN envoy for Syria, De Mistura's task is to facilitate the coming discussions within the frame of the committee on discussing the present constitution of Syria, Minister Al-Moallem underscored.
"The list of the candidates to the present Constitution discussions was sent to Russia, Iran as the guarantors of Astana talks, and as was agreed with the Russian President Special Envoy on Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev," Minister Al-Moallem added.
" 50 names were cited and the majority of the names should be backed by the Syrian Government and the decisions should be taken by consensus," said Minister Al-Moallem in reply to a question about the Sochi decided Constitution Committee.
"The Committee is to discuss the present Constitution of 2012, the best among the region constitutions, and as suggested by Sochi Intra-Syrian Conference, proposals emerging are to be referred to the Syrian Government," Minister Al-Moallem added, reiterating that Whatever numbers of the Committee were, the Syrian Government has the majority.
"Iran has been assisting Syria in the fight against terrorism; there is no Iranian military presence in Syria but some experts advisors among whom some fell martyrs on the Syrian soil," Minister Al-Moallem reiterated.
In reply to another question, Minister Al-Moallem cited the Israeli lies and fabrications regarding Iran.
Iran was officially invited unlike the illegitimate presence of the US troops , Minister Al-Moallem underlined, asserting that Syria will invite whom it wants as to help in the fight against terrorism.
" Article 15 of the Syrian Constitution prohibits the expropriation of private ownership," Minister Al-Moallem said in reply to a question about Law 10, asserting that Law 10 is a necessity after the liberation of East Ghoutta from terrorism where the terrorist groups forged and falsified real estates ownerships and private ownerships; accordingly the Law is to correct, validate and prove the private ownership.
Mr. Moallem blasted the fabrications against the Law, asserting that Law 10 has easy measures to prove the ownership even by a fourth grade relatives of the concerned person.
"We are keen on the returning of Syrians abroad to their homeland, I will send a message to the Foreign Minister of Lebanon about the Law," said Minister Al-Moallem in reference to the recent misunderstandings and fabrications echoed by some political figures during the recently concluded Parliamentary elections.
Dr. Mohamad Abdo Al-Ibrahim
Editor-in-Chief
alibrahim56@hotmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Mohamad.Abdo.AlIbrahim
http://www.presidentassad.net/
http://www.syriatimes.sy/index.php/news ... rated-land
DAMASCUS, (ST)_ Once the US troops withdraw from al-Tanf, you can say there is agreement about the South of Syria, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Mr. Walid Al-Moallem outlined.
In a press conference aired live on Syrian TV, Minister Al-Moallem added that the US should withdraw from this Syrian land and there is no bargain when it comes to our integrated sovereign territories.
In reply to another question, Minister Al-Moallem , said that Israel violated the 1974 UNDOF Agreement and sought to establish a 'security belt' and once it failed, Israel started talking falsely about 'Iranian troops and started to call for UNDOF return.
The Syrian Armed Forces called on the terrorists in the Southern part through written clips of paper to withdraw and if not, necessary measures are to be taken accordingly, Minister Al-Moallem Added.
"We are seeking to liberate every span of the Syrian territories from the terrorists as well as from foreign troops" reiterated Minister Al-Moallem.
"Turkey is an invading enemy of the Syrian territories, and we have to liberate every inch of our territory and any Turkish-Us or French Turkish 'agreement' about any occupied Syria City, whether Minbij or another, is but a direct illegitimate aggression," Minister Al-Moallem said in reply to a question.
We are proud of our martyrs and pray for the wounded. We have been steadfast though the conspiracy was very big and dangerous as to break Qassyoun Mountain down into pieces , said Minister Al-Moallem highly lauding the ability and capacity of the government to provide the food, electricity and other substances and needs to the citizen.
The UN envoy for Syria, De Mistura's task is to facilitate the coming discussions within the frame of the committee on discussing the present constitution of Syria, Minister Al-Moallem underscored.
"The list of the candidates to the present Constitution discussions was sent to Russia, Iran as the guarantors of Astana talks, and as was agreed with the Russian President Special Envoy on Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev," Minister Al-Moallem added.
" 50 names were cited and the majority of the names should be backed by the Syrian Government and the decisions should be taken by consensus," said Minister Al-Moallem in reply to a question about the Sochi decided Constitution Committee.
"The Committee is to discuss the present Constitution of 2012, the best among the region constitutions, and as suggested by Sochi Intra-Syrian Conference, proposals emerging are to be referred to the Syrian Government," Minister Al-Moallem added, reiterating that Whatever numbers of the Committee were, the Syrian Government has the majority.
"Iran has been assisting Syria in the fight against terrorism; there is no Iranian military presence in Syria but some experts advisors among whom some fell martyrs on the Syrian soil," Minister Al-Moallem reiterated.
In reply to another question, Minister Al-Moallem cited the Israeli lies and fabrications regarding Iran.
Iran was officially invited unlike the illegitimate presence of the US troops , Minister Al-Moallem underlined, asserting that Syria will invite whom it wants as to help in the fight against terrorism.
" Article 15 of the Syrian Constitution prohibits the expropriation of private ownership," Minister Al-Moallem said in reply to a question about Law 10, asserting that Law 10 is a necessity after the liberation of East Ghoutta from terrorism where the terrorist groups forged and falsified real estates ownerships and private ownerships; accordingly the Law is to correct, validate and prove the private ownership.
Mr. Moallem blasted the fabrications against the Law, asserting that Law 10 has easy measures to prove the ownership even by a fourth grade relatives of the concerned person.
"We are keen on the returning of Syrians abroad to their homeland, I will send a message to the Foreign Minister of Lebanon about the Law," said Minister Al-Moallem in reference to the recent misunderstandings and fabrications echoed by some political figures during the recently concluded Parliamentary elections.
Dr. Mohamad Abdo Al-Ibrahim
Editor-in-Chief
alibrahim56@hotmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Mohamad.Abdo.AlIbrahim
http://www.presidentassad.net/
http://www.syriatimes.sy/index.php/news ... rated-land
"There is great chaos under heaven; the situation is excellent."
Re: Syria
Over 70 Syrian tribes declare war on US-backed forces, foreign troops in northern Syria
By Leith Aboufadel - 2018-06-033
BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:30 P.M.) – Over 70 Syrian tribes issued a joint statement on Saturday that announced the formation of a new combined force that would fight the US-backed militias and foreign troops in northern Syria.
The tribesmen from the Al-Hasakah, Aleppo, and Al-Raqqa governorates reportedly met in the government-held city of Deir Hafer, where they all agreed that they will come together to expel the US and their militias from their provinces.
Given the size of these tribes, they could present a serious problem for the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria, if they receive military assistance from the Syrian Arab Army (SAA).
Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad stated during his latest interview with Russia Today that the US-backed forces and foreign troops in northern Syria will be dealt with militarily if they do not withdrawal.
The Pentagon responded to this threat by warning the Syrian President that any attack on their forces in Syria will end ‘badly’ for him.
https://mobile.almasdarnews.com/article ... ern-syria/
This is not a small thing.
By Leith Aboufadel - 2018-06-033
BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:30 P.M.) – Over 70 Syrian tribes issued a joint statement on Saturday that announced the formation of a new combined force that would fight the US-backed militias and foreign troops in northern Syria.
The tribesmen from the Al-Hasakah, Aleppo, and Al-Raqqa governorates reportedly met in the government-held city of Deir Hafer, where they all agreed that they will come together to expel the US and their militias from their provinces.
Given the size of these tribes, they could present a serious problem for the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria, if they receive military assistance from the Syrian Arab Army (SAA).
Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad stated during his latest interview with Russia Today that the US-backed forces and foreign troops in northern Syria will be dealt with militarily if they do not withdrawal.
The Pentagon responded to this threat by warning the Syrian President that any attack on their forces in Syria will end ‘badly’ for him.
https://mobile.almasdarnews.com/article ... ern-syria/
This is not a small thing.
"There is great chaos under heaven; the situation is excellent."