Syria news/Current

18 Oct. Russia suspends airstrikes in Aleppo prior to a humanitarian pause on 20 Oct., describing it as a goodwill gesture. First rebels are seen being evacuated from east Aleppo on UN buses.

Syria's first lady Asma al-Assad gives her first interview since the beginning of the crisis (video).

17 Oct. A day after the beginning of the operation to liberate Mosul from ISIS, which will likely cause a flood of fighters and/or civilians into Syria, Rudaw has a handy Mosul factsheet.

16 Oct. RT's Oksana Boyko interviews Mokhtar Lamani, representative of the UN-Arab League mission in Damascus from 2012 to 2014, who resigned over a lack of political will towards a national reconciliation he saw back then and still sees today (video).

Turkish-backed militias take over the symbolic village of Dabiq in northern Aleppo province from ISIS. The Turkish foreign minister declares that they intend to go south and take Al-Bab next.

13 Oct. Al Masdar: 4 children killed and 5 wounded in "rebel" shelling of Al-Ta'ai Grammar School in Suleimaniyeh District of western Aleppo city.

Rudaw/Raqqa_SL: 10 Buses and 35 SUV Chevrolet with Iraqi Plates arrived in Raqqa full with ISIS fighters and their families.

Assad was interviewed by Komsomolskaya Pravda (transcript).

12 Oct. US and Russia to resume talks on Syria-BBC.
 * Kerry, Lavrov to meet in Switzerland on 15 Oct. Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran are also expected to attend.
 *  ...'despite war crimes row'...no longer in the context of ...U.S. military cooperation with Russia ... (Reuters).

11 Oct. Jawad Abu Hatab, the "prime minister" of the "Syrian Interim Government" of the western-created external opposition construct "Syrian National Coalition" is interviewed by Al Monitor.

SANA: Among other things, the Cabinet discusses the reasons behind the rising prices of eggs and the decreasing prices of chicken meat.

10 Oct. Putin and Erdogan meet on the sidelines of the World Energy Congress in Istanbul. According to public statements by both, Operation Euphrates Shield was discussed and on Aleppo it was agreed to do everything needed to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of the city. According to Putin, he informed Erdogan that the US refused to use their influence for a plan to make both the Syrian Army and "rebel" forces withdraw from Castello Road to make it a save path for aid to inhabitants of both parts of Aleppo.

9 Oct. Basma Qadamani, Member of the delegation of the Syrian Supreme Commission for negotiations calls for unilateral American intervention to save Aleppo (alhadath.net, Arabic), (TASS, Russian). Western sources report (aa.com.tr, English) a call to impose EU sanctions.

7 Oct. SANA: Fighter jets of the US-led coalition destroy the al-Syasia Bridge, the largest one in Deir Ezzor, which makes it a total of eight Euphrates bridges in the province recently destroyed by that coalition founded to fight ISIS.

6 Oct. TASS source: Russia (rolling UNSC chair) calls for UNSC meeting to discuss Staffan de Mistura initiative on withdrawal of militants from Aleppo. The meeting occurred on 8 Oct.
 * Russia and France proposed alternative UNSC resolutions. French resolution calls for a halt of strikes in Aleppo. Russian resolution calls to support de Mistura initiative on withdrawal of militants from Aleppo. Those UNSC permanent members were poised to block each other's alternative resolutions.
 * Russia vetoes French-Spanish UNSC resolution. Russian version of the resolution is rejected as well. Live stream (Russian). Western delegation leaders left the room when the floor was given to SAA representative.
 * SAA representative stated that 'we conduct(ed) an investigation' of the Red Crescent convoy bombing at Urm al-Kubra, and results will be provided when the investigation is completed.
 * According to media reports, 'Jihadist rebels reject UN offer of safe pass from east Aleppo'.

Reuters reports Syrian army promises to ease airstrikes in Aleppo after criticism.

"Edward Dark", inhabitant of Aleppo: Rebel shelling of Jamilieh market in west Aleppo leaves 10s dead & wounded today. [pics]

A high-ranking member of the government of Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava) states in an interview that for them to march on Raqqa as the USA wants, they demand political support for their model of democratic federalism and representation in full delegation strength at the negotiations in Geneva (against the will of the Turks, Saudis etc).

Assad was interviewed by Denmark's TV2 (transcript).

5 Oct. SANA: 100 kg (600,000 pills) of Captagon confiscated in Damascus.

4 Oct. "Secret operation in Aleppo - Turkish special forces are preparing to de-block the surrounded militants", Rusvesna, (robo-translation).

3 Oct. U.S. suspends talks with Russia on Syria ceasefire, Reuters.
 * John Kerry Consults with Russians on Syria Less Than 48 Hours After Suspending Ties, Foreign Policy, 5 Oct. 2016

2 Oct. Firat News: Democratic Syria Debate Platform in Girkê Legê with 160 representatives of opposition groups ends with calls for a federal system and a solution without international powers.

Obama Warned to Defuse Tensions with Russia-"Consortium News"
 * ''A group of ex-U.S. intelligence officials is warning President Obama to defuse growing tensions with Russia over Syria (discussion)

FARS News: In attacks on two separate days fighter jets of the US coalition destroyed a total of four bridges over the Euphrates in Deir Ez-Zour province: al-Shihan Bridge, Tarif Bridge, al-Asharah Bridge and al-Mayadin Bridge. (Statement by al-Ja'afari at the UN)

basnews: According to SOHR statistics, 3,686 people, among them 1,228 civilians died in hostilities in Syria in September 2016. For Iraq, their number is 1,003, the majority of them civilians (609).

1 Oct. 'Fierce fights in historic Aleppo', report and video, Kurdistan-Insider.com.

"US Bases in Syria"? Are there any? What says congress? And international law? Check the new ACLOS article.

In this video, Virginia State senator and a retired marine colonel Richard Black provides a brief and clear explanation of the situation in Aleppo in recent months (consistent but easier to grasp than our more cryptic presentation here). He points out that created by media impression that regime forces are fighting civilians and little dusty boys is wrong, and it is in fact up against up a large, motivated, and well armed rebel military force, which is essentially al Qaeda. Further he points out that regime has offered free exit to civilians and rebels laying down arms, and has a history of such sort of arrangements in the past. This is in fact the rebels preventing such exit, and pressure has to be applied to rebels, not the regime.
 * Note. In a recent interview, Bashar al-Assad has stated that full amnesty is given to rebels laying down arms. In automatic translation, it says for the second question about the possibility of dialogue with the armed groups to give up their arms, the answer is, yes, this is what we have applied, "both decided to lay down its arms we made them a full pardon, we were flexible to the point that we surpassed even the law, the law does not absolve the terrorists from their business, however, and in the interest of the people and to stop the bloodshed, we provide amnesty.

Chlorine use accusation was made by rebels, Oct. 2, 2016 at 5:45 AM report.

Syrian military intelligence source to Rusvesna: "terrorists are preparing a bloody provocation -a chemical attack to accuse Russia" (robo-translated here), Oct. 1, 2016 at 21:49 report.

29 Sept. City fighting near ancient Citadel video, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=729VrCANQ3o 'Old Aleppo. Fight in Azazi'], ANNA news; (English captions).

Hacker News: 37-Year-Old &#39;Syrian Electronic Army&#39; Hacker Pleads Guilty in US court

28 Sept. The Intercept: U.S. and EU Sanctions Are Punishing Ordinary Syrians and Crippling Aid Work, U.N. Report Reveals

19 Sept. 2016 After the ceasefire lapsed at 7 p.m., Syrian jets pound Aleppo as Syrian Army prepares to attack, Almasdar News.

Aid trucks said to be hit.
 * Reuters: Aleppo aid trucks were "hit by air strikes", quoting SOHR and interviews given to them over the phone.
 * According to Russian reconciliation centre, al Nusra started massive attacks west of Aleppo, attacking SAA positions and residential areas west of Aleppo with massive artillery and MLRS fire from 19:30 to 20:00.
 * BBC version
 * Footage by the Syrian Civil Defence aka White Helmets at the warehouse in Aleppo, Syria, where a UN-RC aid convoy was targeted by airstrikes; video.
 * Talks about 'regime helicopters' hitting warehouse, with 20 trucks outside; 'regime' striking again when rescuers arrived. (Not a trustworthy source with no independent info at this point..)
 * Moved here: Attack on Red Crescent convoy in Urm al-Kubra.

17 Sept. 2016 US airstrike on SAA in Deir ez-Zor (separate page and talk page).

15 Sept. 2016. Online video feed from Aleppo. First Deputy Chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff Russian Armed Forces, Lieutenant-General Viktor Poznihir, RT report and video: On Castello road  "checkpoint was set and transferred to Syrian Red Crescent, guarded by 'people militia'. (Some earlier reports suggested Russian guards, but this report does not mention this). Syrian government forces  ceased fire and began to redeploy tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and artillery on the set distance, to satisfy conditions for the creation of a demilitarized zone. Air and space forces of Russia and the Syrian Air Force suspended air strikes on the areas where there may be opposition forces.    "There is no information on  analogous actions by opposition forces controlled by USA". Also separation of rebel forces, into moderate and otherwise, is not seen on the ground. Follow-up video reports by Russian military located in Khmeimim reconciliation center and in Aleppo make certain that withdrawal refers to Castello Road, and that the rebels do not follow the suit. They ask to stop the withdrawal if this remains to be the case. Contacts with USA said to be made.

13 Sept. "Firefight wrecks Russian army Syria vid-link, commanders stand ground until dismissed", Russian  reconciliation centre video feed from Castello Road- RT. Same event, another video cut

8 Sept. 2016. It is reported that SAA established full control over Al-Ramouseh District in southern Aleppo- Almasdar News.

4 Sept. First reports of southern rebel's corridor into Aleppo re-sealed. At night and early morning, SAA and Liva al Quds broke Al Nusra defences in the southern part of artillery base Ramuseh and captured the artillery college building and buildings nearby (Cassad). Rebels still control the central part of artillery vase where artillery academy is located. SAA assault continued in the evening. ANNA news video from the ground with English captions from the area. Fighting continued for several more days.

18 Aug. 2016 "Russian Defense Ministry ready to support 48-hour humanitarian pauses in Aleppo", TASS (Eng.)

12 Aug., 2016. "Jihadists foil first Syrian Army offensive in southern Aleppo", Almasdar News. "Fighting rages in Aleppo despite Russian lull pledge", - Aljazeera (Russia proposed 3 hour pause in fighting daily for civilians to leave and/or humanitarian supplies come in; while the UN and the West want 48 hours).

11 Aug., 2016 Report: 4 rebel groups attacked Syrian Government positions in Southern Aleppo and captured Mahmiat al-Ghazalan, in a bid to obstruct the Syrian Government's Khanasir supply line, liveuamap.


 * 12 Aug. According to reports (quoting Al Maiadin TV), lost positions in Mahmiat al-Ghazalan were retaken by SAA.

7 Aug, 2016 Rebels sent vegs convoy; but it failed phytosanitary inspection

Aerial footage of Syrian airstrikes targeting jihadists positions in south Aleppo, almasdarnews

6 Aug. 2016. almasdarnews: after morning attack, half of artillery base is in the hands of rebels. Cassad online report and latest map, similar to PetoLucem map below.

Cassad update says that rebels from outisde made contact with those surrounded, updates maps, but the fighting continues -report. almasdarnews: SAA still have fire control, more battles ahead.

Further Cassad update, conflicting claims by SAA and the rebels on control of Ramouseh area. Almasdarnews reports on SAA reinforcements arriving

SAR MOD facebook page reports, mostly, heavy airstrikes on rebels in Aleppo, and that fighting is ongoing. Aljazeera cautiously say that siege is broken.

5 Aug., 2016 Rebel attack on Ramousah Artillery Base was repelled almasdarnews

3 Aug, 2016. It is said that rebel attack was repelled. almasdarnews:
 * ''Following a long and gruesome battle, the jihadist rebels were forced to retreat from Al-Huwayz Hill and the nearby sawmills, leaving the Syrian Arab Army in full control of the Al-Ramouseh District.
 * 'Large' rebel losses reported, including 'about 40' in an ambush. Several rebel commanders from various factions are reported killed. 4 tanks and 5 BMPs said to be destroyed.
 * Aljazeera provides an update from the other side.

2 Aug, 2016. As reported (Rusvesna) quoting Syrian war correspondent Kinana Alush, 6 people were killed, 8 injured after poisonous gases were released in the area of the old town. It was gaseous chlorine type substance. After that the rebels have begun a major offensive on the positions of government troops. Similar report by RIA.
 * Video, called "Militants used poison gas in Aleppo", published 3 Aug., 2016.
 * Earlier Western media alleged chlorine use near the area where Russian Mi 8 was shot down.

Update (Rusvesna), with photos, maps, video. Area map here.
 * '' "Right now, the militants carried out diversionary attacks from different directions. The main assault on the positions of the Syrian army by combined forces of groups (about 20 gangs) are in the neighborhood Ramouseh in the south of Aleppo. There gangsters blew up the tunnel bomb of huge capacity under the position of the SAA, it is known that several soldiers were killed"

Update almasdarnews, and HD map
 * ''Jihadist rebels continue, for the third day, their wide-scale offensive in southern Aleppo aimed to lift the siege on the districts they control in the eastern parts of the embattled city. Today’s battles have, so far, granted the insurgents full control on Sawmills area in Minyan following fierce battles with the government troops; now holed up at the adjacent Cardboard factory.

1 Aug, 2016. Russian MOD briefing, Engl (shows a map. too).

31 July, 2016. Big explosions, believed to be suicide bombing, and counter attack by rebel faction, said to be Jaish al Fath reported (map)

29 July, 2016. Russian -US consultations on Aleppo started in Geneva -TASS (Eng).

Aleppo humanitarian corridors information published (locations, and instructions how to make checkpoint approach--leaflet in one hand, another hand on the head or holding a child. Following a signal, slowly turn around to show no explosives back. Approach checkpoint slowly). Arabic and Russian here

28 July, 2016. Rebels, said to be al Nusra and Ahrar al Sham, fled the area of Bani Zeid and Lyaramun (Layramun) in the northern city of Aleppo. Attached video soldiers advancing or chanting among ruins, than a large captured ammo storage, mostly crude locally made ammo for do-it-yourself  mortars  and MLRS

Assad offers amnesty for Syria rebels who lay down arms - Reuters

July 7. Another report that Castillo road is under 'fire control' and southern part of al-Mallah farms is taken by SAA-  Rusvesna report and maps, quoting in particular Al-Mayadeen reports from the scene.

July 3, 2016 SAA cut rebel supply road Castillo, north of Aleppo city- Rusvesna report
 * Disputed in other reports (+map), re-posted on Cassad

ISIS seizes large chunk of territory from the SDF south of Manbij – 9 sites lost

Footage of Syrian Republican Guard operations in Aleppo city

June 26, 2016 Aleppo Battle Update: Syrian Army fully recaptures eastern parts of Mallah (+map)

June 21, 2016 'Terrorist leaders met with Turkish emissaries and agreed on the offensive in Aleppo and large supplies of weapons', Rusvesna (robo-translation)

Suicide bomber attacks Kurdish base in Aleppo, -Rusvesna (report and video).
 * Another video of the attack.



May 2, 2016 Kerry is said to work on Aleppo ceasefire. Wants Russia to pressure the Syrian government.

According to Russian sources reports, on April 27 2016 FSA broken ceasefire and attacked Kurdish positions. At least 83 "Turkish supported terrorists" were killed in clashes, and significant quantities of weapons captured--report and photos. Meanwhile, MSM media reports that a hospital was hit


 * ''The UN says the situation in Syria's city of Aleppo is catastrophic, after dozens of people were killed in attacks on targets including a hospital. Air strikes on and around the Medecins sans Frontieres-backed al-Qud hospital killed at least 27 people, while more than 30 died in other attacks

April 28, 2016 Russian sources accused opposition in shelling of residential areas of Aleppo. Some mortar shells hit the Russian consulate in Aleppo; it is said that 30 people elsewhere in the city were killed and over 100 wounded. Videos in the report show cars damaged by shrapnel or destroyed, and blood on a staircase of a building.

Meanwhile, Russian and US military negotiated a 'day of calm' to start 00.00 on April 30. Reports on what is included and how long it will last differ, but in the Russian version, "areas in Aleppo, Damascus. Latakia" are included, and there is no termination date for the calm. Western reports say that there is nothing on Aleppo, and that this is for one day.
 * Updated Russian report clarifies that Aleppo was not included in the Syrian army announcement, but representatives of 16 settlements in Aleppo province contacted the Russian center to join the ceasefire.