Syrian Civil War (Graphic Photos/Vid Not Allowed)

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/is-begins-quitting-last-pocket-of-syria-s-capital/592130.html
Posted at: May 20, 2018, 8:12 PM;

last updated: May 20, 2018, 8:12 PM (IST)
IS begins quitting last pocket of Syria's capital
Beirut, May 20

Islamic State group fighters began evacuating their final stronghold in southern Damascus on Sunday, a monitor said, bringing Syria's government closer than ever to flushing out the last threat to the capital.


Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has used a combination of military pressure and evacuation deals in recent months to recapture territory around the capital from his armed opponents.


Last month, troops and allied Palestinian militia launched a fierce offensive to oust Islamic State from a cluster of districts in southern Damascus, including the Palestinian camp of Yarmuk.


After weeks of combat and heavy casualties, an apparent deal was reached for remaining Islamic State fighters to leave Yarmuk and the adjacent district of Tadamun, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.


Islamic State jihadists burned their headquarters in Yarmuk before boarding buses with their relatives to leave the area, said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.


"The six buses left at dawn, heading east for the Syrian desert," he said.


Abdel Rahman could not specify how many had left, but said a majority were relatives of jihadists and not armed. More than two dozen buses remained in Yarmuk for additional evacuations, he said.


Syrian state media and a Palestinian official have denied a deal was reached or that evacuations were taking place.


Islamic State has had a presence in southern Damascus since 2015, expanding in recent years from Yarmuk to Tadamun and the nearby districts of Hajar al-Aswad and Qadam.


Yarmuk in particular has been devastated by Syria's conflict, suffering a crippling government siege since 2012 and ruined by years of fighting.


It was once home to 160,000 Palestinian refugees, as well as Syrians, but just a few hundred remain.


Assad has already ousted tens of thousands of rebels and civilians from areas around Damascus this year through military force and negotiated withdrawals, including the rebel bastion of Eastern Ghouta.


The regime used similar tactics to clear opposition towns northeast and south of Damascus earlier this month, leaving Islamic State as the only armed presence in the capital.


The assault against the jihadist force has left more than 250 pro-regime forces, 233 jihadists and more than 60 civilians dead according to the Britain-based Observatory.


But the offensive died down around midday Saturday after a truce between Islamic State on one side and pro-government Palestinian militias and regime ally Russia on the other, said the monitor, which relies on a network of sources in Syria.


"After the ceasefire yesterday, Islamic State withdrew from areas in the western part of Yarmuk camp, east towards the centre of the camp," Abdel Rahman said.


"Troops and Palestinian loyalist militias entered that area for sweeping operations," he told AFP.


Syrian state media on Sunday denied evacuations were taking place in Hajar al-Aswad and made no mention of any departures from Yarmuk or Tadamun.


"Army units in southern Damascus continued their operations against the remaining terrorists in a small area of Hajar al-Aswad, making further progress towards ending the terrorist presence in the area," it said.


Anwar Abdel Hadi, the head of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) also denied the evacuations but said IS appeared to be giving up.


"Daesh is surrendering in Yarmuk, Hajar al-Aswad, and Tadamun," he said, using the Arabic acronym for Islamic State.


It remains unclear exactly where Sunday's evacuees will go, or if they will be pursued by regime troops.


A similar deal reached last year by Syria's regime and saw Islamic State fighters bussed out of the Lebanon-Syria border area towards Syria's east.


Islamic State once held large parts of Syria's north and east, but offensives by rival forces have whittled down its control to less than three percent of the country.


The jihadists still hold some territory in remote parts of central Homs province and Deir Ezzor in the east, according to the Observatory.


But Islamic State is even under attack there.


The Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters backed by Western powers, launched an assault on Islamic State holdouts in Deir Ezzor earlier this month.


On Sunday, they were closing in on a key IS-held village, backed by close US and Lebanese ground support, the Observatory said.


"There are intense clashes around Hajjin, and the SDF is advancing thanks to American and Lebanese artillery fire," Abdel Rahman said.


The SDF has already driven Islamic State out of large parts of northern and eastern Syria, including the onetime jihadist capital of Raqqa, with help from the coalition's air strikes, weapons and special forces advisors. — AFP

 

[Hindustani78]

FILE PHOTO
By Levent Tok and Adham Kako

DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria

French special forces have established six artillery batteries in a terror group YPG/PKK-held area near Syria's border with Iraq, according to local sources.

The sources said French troops, which support the terror group in Syria, have established artillery batteries in the north . They also fired some shots, added the sources.

French troops have recently increased their presence in some YPG/PKK-held areas in Syria, including Manbij, al-Hasakah, Ayn Issa and Raqqah.

In March, leaders which is, in fact, the Syrian branch of the PKK terror group -- met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

French media outlets later reported that France had promised to send troops to Syria’s northern Manbij region with the aim of supporting the SDF.

Listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU, the PKK has waged a wide-ranging terror campaign against the Turkish state since the mid-1980s, in which an estimated 40,000 people have been killed.

**************

• May 20 2018 13:02:00

Turkish chief of staff urges Greece not to make ‘miscalculations’ over Aegean
ANKARA

Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar has indirectly urged Greece not to make “miscalculations” amid a rise in tension between Turkey and Greece over the Aegean.

“We can conduct operations in Afrin [in northwest Syria]. We can conduct operations in [Turkey’s] east and southeast. If necessary, we will fulfill any duty that may be assigned to us in the Mediterranean and in the Aegean without hesitation. No one should make any miscalculation on this issue,” Akar was quoted as saying by the state-run Anadolu Agency on May 20.

Akara was speaking during a visit to the TCG Gaziantep battleship, which is taking part in the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) White Strom military exercise in the Mediterranean Sea. He was accompanied by the force commanders of the land, navy and air forces.

He did not openly mention Greece but his remarks clearly referred to the country, as there has long been tension between the two NATO members over sovereignty claims on a number of disputed islets in the Aegean Sea. Akar recently held an in-person meeting with his Greek counterpart Adm. Evangelos Apostolakis at the NATO headquarters on the margins of a NATO meeting.

“What is essential is good neighborly relations, friendship and respect for human rights and international law. We are expressing our views on this issue at appropriate platforms. But we have always expressed that we are ready to use all the authorities pledged to us unfalteringly if dialogue and cooperation do not work,” Akar said.

He also underlined that Turkey is also “closely following developments in the Black Sea” and is in constant talks with the littoral countries for the security and the stability of the region.


“Our fight against the terrorism continues with determination through 365 days of the year at the same intensity and pace. Our efforts are to finish the job after neutralizing the last terrorist,” Akar stated, also referring to ongoing operations in the Idlib, Afrin and al-Bab areas of Syria.


“There are a number of land mines and improvised explosive devices in Afrin. Our works to clear Afrin of these are continuing,” he said, also praising the role of the Free Syrian Army (FSA).


“The FSA has shown great heroism and has achieved great successes,” he said.

“Our operation [in Afrin] has been completed without any damage given to any innocent person thanks to our sensitively crafted plans, unlike other countries present in Syria. Despite this a very serious smear campaign has been conducted [against Turkey]. To understand that smear campaign, it is sufficient to compare the situation in post-operation Afrin with post-operation Mosul, Aleppo, Raqqa and East Ghouta,” Akar said.

‘Army is strengthening after FETÖ’s removal’

The chief of staff noted that Turkey has “suffered a lot” because of the July 2016 coup attempt. The network of U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, widely believed to have been behind the coup attempt.

“However, after this treason we have become stronger. We see we are getting much stronger as we are cleaning the army of members of the [Fethullahist Terror Organization] FETÖ. All elements of the armed forces have fulfilled their duties heartily and with much more success compared to past performances,” Akar said.

 

[500]

Nothing to see here. Yarmouk camp, home of 120,000 Palestinians leveled to he ground by Iranian militias.

 

[Hindustani78]

BEIRUT:, May 21, 2018 15:38 IST
Updated: May 21, 2018 15:38 IST

http://www.thehindu.com/news/intern...in-damascus/article23949245.ece?homepage=true

In Tehran, the Foreign Ministry’s spokesman said Iranian forces will not be leaving Syria but would continue fighting “terrorism” there, at the request of the Syrian government.

Syrian government forces on Monday resumed their offensive against the Islamic State group in the south of Damascus, after evacuating a group of civilians from the area, Syrian state TV reported.

The TV quoted an unnamed military official as saying a truce had been in place to evacuate women, children and elderly on Sunday night from Damascus’ southern neighborhood of Hajar al-Aswad.

Shortly before noon Monday, when the truce was supposed to end, government warplanes struck IS held areas as Syrian troops began pounding and advancing slowly in the remaining IS-held neighborhoods in Damascus, according to state TV.

“The Daesh terrorist organization is living its last hours” in the Damascus area, the TV’s reporter said, using an Arabic acronym to refer to IS.

Damascus residents said warplanes were flying over the city again. The fighting resumed in the Hajar al-Aswad neighborhood and the nearby Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitoring group, said some IS fighters were permitted to leave Yarmouk and the adjacent al-Tadamon neighborhood. Syria’s state media denied a deal was reached to evacuate fighters.

The Observatory said on Monday that a new batch of fighters and their families left late Sunday, heading east toward the Syrian desert. It added that IS fighters have been setting their offices and vehicles on fire so that government forces would not be able to seize equipment or documents belonging to the group.

President Bashar Assad’s forces launched an offensive against IS militants in southern Damascus a month ago. The offensive has brought more than 70 % of the area under government control.

The capture of these southern neighborhoods would bring the entire Syrian capital under government control for the first time since the civil war began in 2011.

In Tehran, the Foreign Ministry’s spokesman said Iranian forces will not be leaving Syria but would continue fighting “terrorism” there, at the request of the Syrian government.

Bahram Ghasemi told reporters on Monday that no one can force Tehran to do anything it doesn’t desire to do.

“Our presence in Syria has been based on request by Syrian government and Iran will continue its support as long as the Syrian government wants,” he said.

Vladimir Putin’s envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentyev, said on Friday that the Russian President’s statement about the need for foreign troop pullout from Syria referred to Iran, Mr. Assad’s key regional ally.

Mr. Putin told Mr. Assad during a meeting on Thursday that a political settlement in Syria should encourage foreign countries to pull out their troops from Syria.

Russia and Iran have been Mr. Assad’s strongest backers and have joined the war on his side.

 

[timmy_area51]

They are neonazis.

most russians are neonazis

 

[vostok]

Syrian troops in Yarmuk. Syrian flag raising.

 

[Aramagedon]

‘Ramadan of Aleppo more beautiful’ event revitalizes old city

Mon May 21, 2018 12:26PM

This photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA shows “Ramadan of Aleppo more beautiful” event in Khan al-Wazir.
With the aim of reviving the heritage of and shedding light on the efforts to reconstruct Aleppo’s Old City, activities of “Ramadan of Aleppo is more beautiful” have begun in Khan al-Wazir.

The event, organized by Bukra Ahla (Tomorrow is more beautiful) Association, revitalizes the old city and highlights the state of recovery it witnessed.

It also shows that life has returned to normal as many of the Old City’s markets were re-opened, encouraging various businesses to resume work.

The 30-day event is held in Khan al-Wazir due to its archaeological importance and as a step to activate all shops in it.

The event program includes continued artistic performances derived from the Ramadan rituals such as Hakawati (storyteller), Ramadan evenings, concerts and other artistic activities, which will activate the social side and introduce the traditional crafts, for which Aleppo is famous.

During Ramadan, the city of Aleppo has unique traditions, especially with regard to the selection of foods and beverages.

The atmosphere of this month in Aleppo city reflects the authenticity of the past, familiarity and affection, particularly during family gatherings on Iftar and Suhoor.

On December 22, 2016, the Syrian army declared Aleppo city under full control, after the last batch of terrorists was evacuated from the city, ending four years of people’s suffering.

In the following photo album, Syria’s official news agency SANA shows normal life restored to Aleppo after being liberated from terrorists.

 

[Najdorf]

When you have so many outside elements participating in this war, I think it's more appropriate to call it / title it the "Syrian War" rather than the "Syrian 'Civil' War."

 

[Hindustani78]

Daesh attack in Syria desert kills more than 30 regime troops and allied militia

File photo showing regime troops take up positions near the ancient city of Palmyra from Daesh in an operation on March 2, 2017. ( AFP)

BEIRUT: More than two dozen pro-government forces based in Syria’s desert died in a surprise attack Tuesday, a day after the extremists militants were removed from the outskirts of Damascus, a monitor said.

“At least 30 regime soldiers and allied militia were killed in an attack at dawn today, against one of their posts in the Syrian Badiya,” said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Among them were Iranian militiamen, said the Britain-based monitor.

The Badiya is a vast desert region stretching from central Syria to the eastern border with Iraq, where Daesh still holds small pockets.

Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said the attack hit a small base east of Palmyra, the famed ancient city that Daesh has overrun twice in Syria’s war.

“It began with a car bomb targeting regime forces that set off clashes that are still ongoing,” he said.

Five Daesh militants were also killed.

Militants launched their attack from a pocket they control in the Badiya, and which was the destination for extremists evacuated from southern Damascus on Sunday and Monday,” Abdel Rahman added.

Syria’s government on Monday seized a southern pocket of the capital , announcing that the regime was back in full control of Damascus and its outskirts.

The Observatory, as well as a military source close to the regime, said the capture came after militants were bussed out of the zone to desert territory.

 

[500]

After liberating Yarmouk of its citizens Assad aka Khamenai thugs are liberating it of refrigerators and wash machines:

 

[50cent]

Daesh attack in Syria desert kills more than 30 regime troops and allied militia

File photo showing regime troops take up positions near the ancient city of Palmyra from Daesh in an operation on March 2, 2017. ( AFP)

BEIRUT: More than two dozen pro-government forces based in Syria’s desert died in a surprise attack Tuesday, a day after the extremists militants were removed from the outskirts of Damascus, a monitor said.

“At least 30 regime soldiers and allied militia were killed in an attack at dawn today, against one of their posts in the Syrian Badiya,” said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Among them were Iranian militiamen, said the Britain-based monitor.

The Badiya is a vast desert region stretching from central Syria to the eastern border with Iraq, where Daesh still holds small pockets.

Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said the attack hit a small base east of Palmyra, the famed ancient city that Daesh has overrun twice in Syria’s war.

“It began with a car bomb targeting regime forces that set off clashes that are still ongoing,” he said.

Five Daesh militants were also killed.

Militants launched their attack from a pocket they control in the Badiya, and which was the destination for extremists evacuated from southern Damascus on Sunday and Monday,” Abdel Rahman ad

ded.

Syria’s government on Monday seized a southern pocket of the capital , announcing that the regime was back in full control of Damascus and its outskirts.

The Observatory, as well as a military source close to the regime, said the capture came after militants were bussed out of the zone to desert territory.

Syrian army has denied it Its fake news


There ate plenty of Isis rats. Eliminated

 

[bdslph]

After liberating Yarmouk of its citizens Assad aka Khamenai thugs are liberating it of refrigerators and wash machines:

lol fake news

 

[Hindustani78]

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/assad-regime-targets-farmland-in-syrias-idlib/1154973

IDLIB, Syria

Regime forces on Wednesday shelled farmland in opposition-held parts of Syria’s Idlib and Hama provinces, local sources have said.

According to Anadolu Agency correspondents based in the area, regime forces in northern Hama fired artillery shells into farmland in opposition-held areas.

The attacks -- in which two civilians were reportedly killed -- were intended to reduce this season’s agricultural harvest and starve the civilian population.

Some sources said the shelling came after regime forces failed to exact a tribute from local farmers.

Dozens of hectares of agricultural land have reportedly been destroyed by the shelling.

*****************

 

[The SiLent crY]

The SAA is amassing troops for Daraa .

Fall of Daraa would be a strategic defeat for the US camp . Maybe another headache for Israel !

 

[925boy]

From this video,(especially at 1:21) it seems the US or "coalition forces" actually performed attacks that supported cornered ISIS forces.

where is @500 ??? pls come and explain why US led forces at 1:21 would attack 3 SAA areas directly surrounding or close to ISIS in east Syria?
This seems like more evidence that at a minimum, the US selectively assists ISIS in certain convenient situations.
Nowadays in the Syrian war, most anti Assad countries seem to be supporting ISIS or directly attacking SAA now that their proxy groups have been vanquished.