ISIS update 10/15/2017..Syrian troops capture ISIS stronghold Al-Mayadeen

The Syrian Arab Army’s elite Tiger Forces backed by Russian Air Force have full liberated Al Mayadeen, dozens of Isis militants were killed and others wounded during the military operation to liberate the city… The engineering units are clearing the controlled areas to dismantle the IED’s and booby traps planted by Isis… During clearing the controlled areas, the Syrian Arab Army’s troops found huge weapons stores and military equipment, which could not be transferred to the East bank… Russian and Syrian Air Force continuously targeting Isis sites in East bank of Euphrates River… In the coming days, the Syrian Arab Army’s troops will shift their focus to the Al-Umar Oil-fields (the Deir ezzor Governorate’s largest Oil-fields in Albukamal), where they hope to reach this site before the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces…

Syrian army, allied forces retake al-Mayadin from Daesh

Video footage of the Syrian Arab Army’s and allied forces liberating Al Mayadeen, located 44 k.m² Southeast of Deir ezzor and is thought to be one of the last stronghold of the Terror-group as they flee Raqqa… Video footage shows initial moments after the liberation of Al Mayadeen, as smoke billows above the house of the deserted city… During clearing the controlled areas the Syrian Arab Army’s troops found huge weapons stores and military equipment, which could not be transferred to the East bank… The operation lasted 3 days…

Footage has been released on Pro-government social media showing a significant portion of the Syrian Arab Army’s campaign against the so-called Islamic state in and around the strategic Al Mayadeen city… The footage showing the Syrian Arab Army’s elite Tiger Forces Division, conducting a powerful mechanized offensive against Isis militants using modern Battle-Tanks, Gun-trucks, infantry fighting vehicles, Rocket Artillery, and Air power… Al Mayadeen was officially liberated by Pro-government forces yesterday following a week of intense firefights, and Airstrikes in and around the city… Prior to its liberation Al Mayadeen served as the so-called Islamic state’s de facto capital…

RT films stockpiles of ISIS arms abandoned inside liberated Al Mayadeen

Direct Confrontation Growing More Likely between Syrian Troops, SDF in Deir Ezzur

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have moved towards the Syrian Army troops’ positions in the Northern countryside of Deir Ezzur city, increasing the possibility of direct confrontation with the Syrian Army troops deployed in the region, a military source said Sunday.

The source said that the SDF fighters have moved towards al-Halabiyeh square after the army men captured the square in al-Salehiyeh region at the Northern entrance of Deir Ezzur city.

The source added that the SDF have gained control over al-Riyan ice-making workshop in the village of al-Salehiyeh only 500 meters away from al-Halabiyeh square, increasing the possibility of direct clashes between the two sides.

The SDF’s move is aimed at accessing the Northern entrance of Deir Ezzur city and imposing control over al-Amr oilfield, so, capturing al-Halabiyeh square, which links the Western, Northern and Northeastern countryside of Deir Ezzur to each other, would be a great strategic achievement for the Syrian soldiers.

Military sources said on Saturday that the army soldiers engaged in a tough battle with ISIL and imposed control over several positions near al-Hosseiniyeh, laying siege on the remaining terrorist-held neighborhoods in Deir Ezzur city.

Also, the army soldiers cut off the road connecting the Eastern and Northwestern countryside of Deir Ezzur to each other on the Eastern bank of the Euphrates River, they added.

ISIL suffered heavy casualties and its military hardware and vehicles sustained major damage in the attacks.

In the meantime, reports also said that the army units inflicted major defeats on ISIL in the neighborhoods of al-Sina’ah and al-Orfi.

Syria, Deir Ez Zor Airport October 13th, 2017 – Syrian Arab Air Force & Russian Air Force Ivan Sidorenko

Syrian Arab Air Force fighter Jets and Russian Helicopters landed at the Deir ezzor Military Airport… The event marks the first time in one year that Syrian combat aviation has been able to land at the strategic Airbase… Video footage shows 4 kamov ka-50 attack Helicopters (aka Black Shark) and one Mi-24 Helicopter to operating from inside the Deir ezzor Military Airbase… The Airfield will be extensively used by the Syrian and Russia Air Force to carry out Airstrikes against the so-called Islamic state in the countryside East… Thirteen months ago, US Airstrikes against Syrian Arab Army’s positions on Thardeh Mountain forced Government troops to abandon the imperative high-ground, which overlooks the Deir ezzor Airbase, de facto ceding it to Isis… Isis-Terrorists set up Artillery on Thardeh used it to shell the Deir ezzor Airbase… Under these conditions, the S.A.A.F forbade its pilots to land at the Military site… However, around one month ago the Syrian Arab Army’s troops reclaimed Thardeh Mountain from the Isis as part of a wider offensive in Deir ezzor since re-securing the Military Airport from Artillery attacks,is now once again allowing combat aviation to land at it…

Zero Hour Arriving for Iraqi Forces’ Large-Scale Anti-ISIL Operation at Border with Syria

The Iraqi Army called on people to stay away from ISIL-held regions near the border with Syria as the pro-government forces are getting ready to launch an imminent large-scale operation to purge border regions of terrorists, well-informed sources reported on Sunday.

The sources said that the Iraqi planes have dropped thousands of leaflets by the country’s Joint Command Operation over the towns of Rawa and al-Qa’em, calling on people to stay away from ISIL’s positions and gatherings.

In the meantime, Rajeh Barakat al-Isawi, a member of Anbar province’s security council, said that a large volume of military equipment has arrived in Ein al-Assad airbase in Western Anbar in line with preparation for the launch of the liberation operation of Rawa and al-Qa’em.

Relevant reports said on Saturday that the pro-government paramilitary troops repelled an ISIL attack, killing six militants on borders with Syria.

“Al-Hashd al-Shaabi [Popular Mobilization Forces] repulsed an attack by ISIL in Tal Safuk region, on borders with Syria. Troops killed six militants and burned down a vehicle loaded with weapons,” a statement by the PMFs media service said.

ISIL has increasingly targeted security forces and civilians across Iraq over the past months coinciding with operations by the Iraqi government forces which sought to retake areas occupied by the group since 2014.

Iraqi troops managed to retake several ISIL strongholds including Mosul and Tal Afar in Nineveh, Huweija in Kirkuk and Ana in Anbar. Only al-Qa’em and neighboring Rawa currently remain in ISIL grip.

In a weekly press briefing on Tuesday, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said that 2017 would witness the end of ISIL’s existence in Iraq.  

Russian Air Force targeted base of the so-called moderate oppositions Faylaq al-Sham South of the Idlib city in the vicinity of Ma’arat Al-Nu’man in Northern Syria… The Russian Airstrikes killing 7 fighters and injuring more than 10 others…

Scenes targeting the Headquarters and the so-called Islamic state’s mechanisms in the Al-Badiya, in the Eastern Syrian Desert,between the T-2 station & Al Mayadeen city, carried out by Aircraft units, possible Armed Drones,from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (I.R.G.C)… The precise Drone strikes destroyed Isis command centres, and mechanisms(Armed vehicles) leaving scores of the Jihadists killed and injured… The Armed Drones most likely Shahed 129s,appears to be employing TV, guided missiles, of a design similar to the US-built Hellfire missile… The strikes is part of the “Wa Al-Fajr 3″(Dawn 3) operations, to reach the border Towns, including the Abu Kamal, and clear this vast and strategic area from the Isis Terror organisation…

“Blacklisting IRGC aimed at helping terrorists”

Syria demands withdrawal of Turkish forces from Idlib province

Syria Demands “Immediate, Unconditional Withdrawal” Of “Terror Supporting” Turkey From Its Territory | Zero Hedge

The Syrian government has issued a strong condemnation of Turkey’s recent military incursion into northern Syria, demanding “immediate and unconditional withdrawal” according to Syrian state media citing the foreign ministry. Though Turkey claims to be acting in accordance with the Astana agreement reached by Russia, Turkey, and Iran, Damascus is now calling the move a departure from the deal and an intentional violation of Syrian sovereignty, while further accusing Turkey of collaborating with al-Qaeda terrorists on the ground in pursuance of an expansionist policy.

On Thursday a large Turkish army convoy consisting of more than 100 Turkish soldiers, including special forces and commandos, along with at least 30 armored trucks entered Syria’s Idlib region for a joint mission ostensibly to monitor a local de-escalation zone and “to pacify al-Qaeda linked militants” there, according to official Turkish statements.

Many analysts, however, predict that Turkey will not directly confront al-Qaeda, but instead will either allow the terror group to secure an exit or will recognize it under a new form or identify while pretending it to be a local organization.

The Syrian foreign ministry said on Saturday, “The Syrian Arab Republic condemns in the strongest terms the incursion of Turkish military units in the Idlib Province, which constitutes to blatant aggression against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and flagrant violation of international law.” According to SANA Syrian state news, the foreign ministry further noted that Turkey’s military entered Idlib province “accompanied by Jabhat a-Nusra terrorists which shows clearly the close relationship between Turkish regime and terrorist groups, a matter that the international community should pay more attention to and take firm stance in order to oblige Turkey to end its support to terrorism which managed to shed the blood of Syrian people and destabilize the region and the entire world.”

Meanwhile, Russia has not formally responded to Damascus’ condemnation, and it is unclear how the Syrian government’s declaration will be interpreted. Turkish government officials have consistently claimed complete cooperation and coordination between Turkey and Russia – though President Erdogan this week stressed that Turkey would implement its “own game plan, step by step” in Syria and that “we are not bounded by just resistance or defense.”

Erdogan has also vowed to prevent the YPG (Syrian Kurdish “People’s Protection Units”) from establishing what he called a “terror corridor” to the Mediterranean. Turkey has long sought a green light from Russia to attack YPG-held Afrin – a city close to the Turkish border which is part of the Kurdish declared Rojava autonomous zone – as part of a broader Turkish attempt to prevent such a Kurdish zone from gaining any permanence. And it appears we are now witnessing the beginning this strategy which Turkey clearly holds as its top priority far and above pacifying Idlib (after all, Turkey assisted al-Qaeda’s takeover of Idlib in the first place).

Both the Syrian Kurds and the Damascus government see Turkey’s real motives in Idlib as merely a land grab using both local proxies (including al-Qaeda) and direct troop occupation. Turkey hopes the deal reached in Astana, Kazakhstan to implement “safe zones” in the area will give Russian backing to its war on the Kurds, and Turkey’s first step which it began implementing this week is to ensure the YPG is contained. As a spokesman for the Turkish sponsored Free Syrian Army (FSA) told the Reuters this week, the Turkish deployment would “ensure the area is protected from Russian and regime bombing and to foil any attempt by the separatist YPG militias to illegally seize any territory.”

In doing a deal with Turkey, it now appears Russia will walk a fine line between keeping a leash on Erdogan’s machinations and conducting legitimate anti-terror operations with its Syrian ally.

Syria demands withdrawal of Turkish forces from Idlib province

Fighting Daesh: Sinan Hatahet discusses the weakening of Daesh and its consequences

Russia urges full UN probe into “staged” incident

Iraqi, Peshmerga forces standoff as tensions rise in disputed Kirkuk

Direct Confrontation Growing More Likely between Syrian Troops, SDF in Deir Ezzur
Al-Nusra Terrorists Push ISIL back from More Lands in Syria’s Hama
Syrian Army Makes Fresh Gains in Northern Outskirts of Deir Ezzur City
Turkish Military Column, Scores of Terrorists Arrive in Northwestern Syria
Syrian Army Ready to Seize Control over Energy Fields in Deir Ezzur Province
Russia: US Trying to Destroy Syria’s Vital Infrastructure, Residential Areas
Syrian Air Force Bombs Heavily ISIL’s Positions in Southeastern Deir Ezzur
Zero Hour Arriving for Iraqi Forces’ Large-Scale Anti-ISIL Operation at Border with Syria