Palmyra: 22-3-2016

A new progress has been made today by the Syrian Armed Forces and allied national Defense Forces (NDF), seizing Palmyra Triangle and thus establishing full control on the Hayyal Moutains and overlooking the Tar Mountain.

Today’s achievement comes only one day after scores of Syrian soldiers were killed as a Russian rocket mistakenly hit their position.

A field correspondent covering the battles told Al-Masdar News that fierce battles erupted before the Syrian Army managed to control the strategic Triangle.

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Pentagon announced that it assigned a detachment of US marines on the ground in Iraq to support international coalition efforts against the so-called ‘Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’ (ISIL) takfiri group.

The group of Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit will provide additional support to Iraqi security forces and the US-led coalition, who are already on the ground to defeat ISIL, according to a statement of the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.

This assignment was carried out after consultation with the Iraqi government, the statement added, without clarifying how this new additional group will support efforts against ISIL on the ground.

The 26th Marine Unit is currently deployed to maintain regional security in the US 5th Fleet area of operations – the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.

The announcement came one day after a US marine was killed and several others were hurt in a rocket attack against ISIL on an Iraqi base.

AFP

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A powerful explosion has reportedly hit an area near a military academy in a Kurdish-majority area of northeastern Syria, leaving an unknown number of people dead and injured.

Local sources said the blast had targeted an area near the Kurdish district of Torbesi in the northeastern city of Qamishli.

Reports suggest the explosion may have been caused by a car bombing attack.

Further details regarding the incident have not yet been released.

Meanwhile, Daesh terrorists have reportedly executed nine people, including two children, in the village of Kafr Saqr, located northeast of Aleppo.

Reports indicate the killings come after the Syrian army forces killed nine Daesh militants and arrested 45 others in the area before regaining control over the village.

This comes shortly after the Syrian government and the Arab League (AL) rejected a request by the country’s Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) to form a federal government system in Syria.

Kurdish parties are already in control of three administrations in Syria’s north near the Turkish border. The regions are known as Afrin and Kobane, both in Aleppo Province, as well as Jazire in Hasakah Province.

Syria has been grappling with a foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. More than 470,000 people have been killed in the turmoil, according to a February report by the Syrian Center for Policy Research.

PressTV

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For decades, China has maintained a non-interventionist approach to foreign policies; however, the country is now taking steps to counter terrorism within its border and beyond. Since implementing nation-wide reforms in regards of farms and the financial sector in the 1980’s and 1990’s, China has been the leading economic power in Asia. Now, it will likely also be the leading military power.

Our partners from www.Southfront.org have covered the story:

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A powerful explosion has reportedly hit an area near a military academy in a Kurdish-majority area of northeastern Syria, leaving an Cyber Geek number of people dead and injured.

Local sources said the blast had targeted an area near the Kurdish district of Torbesi in the northeastern city of Qamishli.

Reports suggest the explosion may have been caused by a car bombing attack.

Further details regarding the incident have not yet been released.

Meanwhile, Daesh terrorists have reportedly executed nine people, including two children, in the village of Kafr Saqr, located northeast of Aleppo.

Reports indicate the killings come after the Syrian army forces killed nine Daesh militants and arrested 45 others in the area before regaining control over the village.

This comes shortly after the Syrian government and the Arab League (AL) rejected a request by the country’s Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) to form a federal government system in Syria.

Kurdish parties are already in control of three administrations in Syria’s north near the Turkish border. The regions are known as Afrin and Kobane, both in Aleppo Province, as well as Jazire in Hasakah Province.

Syria has been grappling with a foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. More than 470,000 people have been killed in the turmoil, according to a February report by the Syrian Center for Policy Research.

PressTV

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В понедельник утром российская ракета поразила позиции Сирийской Арабской Армии (САА) в окрестностях Пальмиры, убив 17 солдат и ранив еще 26 человек в ходе и без того кровопролитных боев с «Исламским Государством» (организацией, запрещенной на территории РФ).

Согласно данным военного корреспондента при САА под Пальмирой, снаряд угодил в группу сирийских морских пехотинцев, уничтожив подразделение при этом практически полностью. Погиб также командир морпехов Аль Рахмон.

Инцидент с дружественным огнем произошел близ Пальмирского треугольника, где сирийские войска пытаются подавить ожесточенное сопротивление джихадистов и прорвать их оборонительные позиции.

Данная трагедия была непреднамеренной, в качестве одной из ее причин была названа неудовлетворительная координация.

Ряд западных СМИ сообщил об уничтожении боевиками ИГ 26 сирийских солдат под Пальмирой сегодня; эта информация, однако, не соответствует действительности, большинство потерь за этот день было понесено в результате инцидента с дружественным огнем.

Сирийским и российским военным еще толькопредстоит прокомментировать данное происшествие, так как расследование еще не завершено.

Автор оригинальной статьи – Лейс Фадель

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Qatar is making progress toward ending forced labor and improving conditions for migrant workers, but the test will be whether it enforces new legislation from December, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said on Monday.

The small, wealthy Gulf Arab state is building facilities to hold the 2022 soccer World Cup and has imported hundreds of thousands of construction workers for that purpose, drawing more attention to the conditions of its migrant labor community.

A high-level ILO team who visited the tiny Gulf state this month after persistent complaints from migrant workers said any decision to appoint an ILO commission of inquiry should be put off for a year to allow time to implement the reforms.

The report and recommendations will be debated at the ILO’s Governing Body on Tuesday, spokesman Hans von Rohland said.

A commission of inquiry is a rare sanction which the United Nations agency has imposed only about a dozen times since Wold War Two, against countries including Myanmar and Belarus.

In a report, the ILO mission said it “acknowledges the recent concrete measures taken by the government and other interlocutors” it met in Qatar to improve migrants’ working conditions.

Yet “certain challenges remain and the implementation of the measures to overcome them are still under way,” said the report by the team led by Japanese Ambassador Misako Kaji and including representatives of governments, employers and workers groups.

From December, a new Qatari law abolishes the “kafala” sponsorship system for migrant workers in favor of a labor contract system, removing all curbs on worker movements.

A worker will no longer be forced to continue a job if there is abuse or exploitation, although domestic workers are excluded from this provision, the report said.

Workers’ groups first complained in 2014 about forced labor affecting a migrant worker population of some 1.5 million – roughly 90 percent of Qatar’s population.

The ILO mission, the second in two years, met the prime minister, ministers of labor and justice, the CEO of Qatar Petroleum [QATPE.UL] and workers’ groups, mostly from the Philippines and Nepal. It visited sites including Khalifa stadium, a major construction site ahead of the 2022 World Cup.

“Concerns raised by migrant workers related to the payment of wages (non-payment, late payment and/or reduction of agreed wages), passport confiscation, long hours of work…, the non-renewal of their identity cards by the employer and difficulty in transferring sponsorship,” the report said.

It said thousands of migrant workers were in accommodation that fell short of minimum standards, with 10-12 workers frequently sharing one small room, and unhygienic and poor kitchen and sanitary facilities.

Qatar announced long-awaited but modest labor reforms in October following international criticism by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other rights groups.

Reuters

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В понедельник утром «Джабхат Ан-Нусра» (сирийская ветвь «Аль-Каиды») вступила в подконтрольные повстанцам населенные пункты Абу Аджава, Сурудж и Тель Халлава на востоке Хамы и задержала несколько мирных жителей за участие в процессе национального примирения, проводимом совместно с сирийским правительством.

Согласно сообщениям с мест событий, разъяренные боевики «Свободной Сирийской Армии» (ССА) призвали своих союзников из «Джабхат Ан-Нусра»  и «Джунд-аль-Акса» (связанных с «Аль-Каидой» группировок) для проведения арестов жителей вышеупомянутых населенных пунктов за сепаратные мирные переговоры.

Более 80 поселений на севере и востоке провинции Хама согласились присоединиться к процессу национального примирения, инициированному официальным Дамаском после пяти лет противостояния.

К сожалению, некоторые повстанческие группировки выразили свое недовольство участием некоторых населенных пунктов в этих переговорах, что привело к серии арестов мирных жителей.

Автор оригинальной статьи – Лейс Фадель

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Algerian soldiers killed six suspected jihadists in an area near the Tunisian border on Monday, the defense ministry said.

They were killed in an “ongoing army operation” in El Oued province, 600 kilometers (370 miles) southeast of Algiers, it said in a statement.

Five Kalashnikov assault rifles, three machine guns and an automatic pistol were seized, it added.

The ministry did not link the operation to an assault on Friday claimed by Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb on a gas plant in Krechba further south.

On Monday, Britain’s BP and Norway’s Statoil — who run the plant with Algerian company Sonatrach — said they would temporarily pull out their staff from two gas facilities in Algeria after the attack.

Last month, Algerian troops recovered six Stinger shoulder-fired ground-to-air missiles and other weaponry in an operation in El Oued in which three suspected jihadists were killed.

A total of “157 terrorists, including 10 commanders” were killed or arrested in military operations last year, according to the defense ministry.

A brutal civil war in the 1990s between the government and Islamists killed 200,000 people.

Despite adopting a peace and reconciliation charter in 2005 aimed at turning the page on the conflict, armed groups remain active in the center and east of Algeria.

AFP

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Iraqi security forces cross a bridge built by corps of engineers over the Euphrates in Ramadi, December 22, 2015. Picture taken December 22, 2015. REUTERS/Stringer

The Iraqi Army foiled another infiltration attempt by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the Al-Ramadi countryside on Monday, killing several enemy combatants from the aforementioned terrorist group, while also destroying 8 armored vehicles that were mounted with anti-aircraft machine guns.

Recently, the Iraqi Army has launched a large-scale offensive in central Al-‘Anbar to recapture large swathes of territory from ISIL.

However, ISIL’s attack on Al-Ramadi was a desperate attempt to alleviate the pressure being put on their forces by the Iraqi Army near Al-Hit.

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The Saudi-led Coalition continued its brutal aerial campaign over Yemen, launching several airstrikes over the Al-Jawf, Taiz, Sanaa, Mareb, and Saada governorates.

Among the Saudi Air Force’s most deadly air raids was the attack that killed 11 civilians at the Matoun district in the al-Jawf province.

The Saudi warplanes also launched on Monday a number of air raids that struck 60th Street in Sanaa.

Politically, Ansarullah spokesman asserted that the talks with Saudi Arabia aims at concluding a comprehensive ceasefire, noting that tackling the humanitarian issues (prisoners, missed fighters) is scheduled to precede the final agreement.

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Minutes ago in the southeastern countryside of the Homs Governorate, the Syrian Arab Army’s 120th Brigade of the 2nd Division – backed by the National Defense Forces (NDF), the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP), Dara’ Qalamoun (Qalamoun Shield), and Liwaa Suqour Al-Sahra (Desert Hawks Brigade) – liberated several points from the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) near the strategic desert city of Quraytayn.

According to the latest military report from this desert front, the Syrian Armed Forces began their assault by imposing full control over Point 875 in Taloul Al-Soud after a violent battle with the ISIS terrorists at this important hilltop.

Following the capture of Point 875, the Syrian Armed Forces liberated points 908.8, 901, and 893.6 at Jabal Al-Ramili and then points 856 and 866 at Wadi Al-Tabah in the Quraytayn countryside.

With the capture of these strategic points today, the Syrian Armed Forces have effectively cutoff ISIS at the Quraytayn-Palmyra Road, leaving them without a supply route between these large desert cities in east Homs.

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По информации, поступающей из Алеппо, группировка «Джабхат Ан-Нусра» (сирийская ветвь “Аль-Каиды”) собирается в скором времени учредить в административном центре провинции свою собственную «исламскую полицию». Очевидно, целью создаваемой структуры будет наблюдение за соблюдением религиозных предписаний жителями города и, соответственно, наказание нарушителей. В частности, наказание может последовать за несоответствующую требованиям ислама одежду, работу магазина или торговой лавки во время намаза или продажу табачной продукции.

Следует отметить, что Алеппо станет отнюдь не первым городом, где «Джабхат Ан-Нусра» возьмет на себя подобные функции. В частности, уже почти год подобное учреждение, «аль-хисба», действует в Идлибе.  Небольшие, по 3-6 человек, легковооруженные отряды этой организации патрулируют город в пешем порядке или на машинах.

Помимо полицейских функций, «исламская полиция» занимается пропагандой («ад-дава»), например, ею может осуществляться раздача буклетов, содержащими распространяемые джихадистами материалы, а также вещание исламистской агитации.

Прежде «Джабхат Ан-Нусра» осуществляла подобные функции вместе с другими исламистскими формированиями оппозиции. Сообщения же об учреждении собственной «исламской полиции» сирийской «Аль-Каидой» приходят на фоне усилившегося раскола между этой группировкой и ее бывшими союзниками из «Свободной Сирийской Армии» и массовых демонстраций протеста против «Джабхат Ан-Нусра», проведенных в ряде городов провинции Идлиб. Поэтому можно предположить, что подобные действия направлены на монополизацию группировкой власти в подконтрольных ей районах, а также на создание силы, способной подавить возможные волнения недовольного населения. Впрочем, информацию, еще следует подтвердить.

Наибольшую известность получила «аль-хисба», организованная «Исламским Государством» (организацией, запрещенной на территории РФ). Таким образом, ИГ не является единственной группировкой, стремящейся к осуществлению администрации на местах и претендующей на выполнение государственных функций.

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As of today, the Syrian Arab Army’s 11th Division and 3rd Division have secured all hills around al-Qaraytayn city. However, with ISIS still in control of the city; their fighters now face either having to battle it out with government forces or retreat. Reportedly, the Syrian Government prefers the latter as they do not wish to suffer the casualties which will naturally be sustained by attacking a large town filled with improvised ISIS traps and potential suicide bombers. Therefore, they have left a line of retreat open for the Islamic State.

These are the hills captured north, west and south of al-Quraytan over the past 2 weeks:
– Jabal Sharifah (north)
– Jabal Muntar Rumayli (north)
– Tall Dakari (north)
– Jabal ar-Rumayli (north)
– Tulul as-Sud (west)
– Rujm al-Qa’dah (west)
– Hazm al-Abyad (west)
– Tall Ibn’ Uthman (west – very close to the city)
– Jabal Muzaybilah (south)
– Tall Wadi al-Ayn (south)

Not long ago, ISIS actually caused a temporarily crisis among Syrian military commanders as they were able to advance westwards of al-Qaratayn and captured both Mahin and Sadad while marching dangerously closely to the government strongholds of Qarah and An-Nabk. Also, such a move would spell the Islamic State’s entrance to Lebanon which lies not far west of the aforementioned towns. However, this entire offensive was halted within weeks and now, ISIS remains bogged down at al-Quraytyan.

Meanwhile, in Palmyra, the Syrian government troops have also experienced some successes with capturing hilltops; nevertheless, they have failed to enter the historic city due to extensive minefields and stubborn resistance by hostile ISIS warriors. However, the do enjoy support from several highly experienced units – the Tiger Forces, the Syrian Marines, the Desert Hawk Brigade, Hezbollah (Lebanese paramilitary) along with several volunteer Iraqi paramilitaries groups. In total, some 5.000 to 5.500 soldiers are stationed on the Palmyra frontline and with the Russian Airforce aiding their every move, they will likely capture Palmyra within weeks.

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On Monday morning, a Russian missile struck the Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) positions in the Palmyra countryside, killing 17 soldiers and wounding 26 others during a fierce battle with the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS).

According to a battlefield correspondent that is embedded with the Syrian Armed Forces in the Palmyra countryside, the Russian missile hit a group of soldiers from the Syrian Marines, killing the entire unit and their commander ‘Ali Rahmoun.

The friendly-fire took place near the Palmyra Triangle, where the Syrian Armed Forces are currently advancing amid fierce resistance from the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham.

The incident was not intentional; however, poor coordination was cited as the reason for the friendly-fire that killed 17 Syrian Marines.

Several western publications reported that ISIS killed 26 Syrian soldiers in Palmyra today; this is incorrect – the majority of the casualties today came as a result of friendly-fire.

The Syrian and Russian armed forces have yet to comment on this matter because of the ongoing investigation.

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On Monday morning, the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra” entered the rebel-controlled villages of Abu Ajawah, Surouj, and Tal Hallawah in east Hama to arrest several civilians for reconciling with the Syrian government.

According to local reports, dissatisfied rebel fighters from the Free Syrian Army (FSA) called on their allies from Jabhat Al-Nusra and Jund Al-Aqsa (Syrian Al-Qaeda group) to arrest civilians in the aforementioned villages for making peace without their consent.

Over 80 villages in northern and eastern Hama agreed to reconcile with the Syrian government after 5 years of hostility.

Unfortunately, several rebel forces have expressed their dissatisfaction with these villagers for reconciling with the Syrian government; and as a result, a number of civilians have been arrested.

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Спустя несколько часов после освобождения Кафр-Сагира и окрестных районов к севернее Алеппо от «Исламского Государства» (организации, запрещенной на территории РФ), Сирийская Арабская Армия (САА) обнаружила трупы 18 боевиков, оставленных бежавшими в воскресенье террористами.

Среди убитых, обнаруженных сирийскими войсками в воскресенье, опознан полевой командир ИГ Абу Анас Аль-Джазаири (террорист из Алжира), возглавлявший наступавшие на Кафр-Сагир формирования джихадистов.

Помимо обнаруженных убитых боевиков, представители Сирийской Арабской Армии сообщают также об уничтожении в ходе проведенной в воскресенье после полудня операции по освобождению Кафр-Сагира еще, по меньшей мере, 30 исламистов.

Сирийские войска полностью контролируют Кафр-Сагир, Бабиннис и блокпосты восточнее; в то же время, ИГ до сих пор представляет серьезную угрозу правительственным войскам в этом районе в силу своего значительного присутствия на равнине Аль-Баб и в окрестностях пехотного училища Алеппо.

Автор оригинальной статьи – Лейс Фадель

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The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly carried out a “complex covert operation” last night to bring the last 19 Yemenite Jews to Israel as part of their “aliyah” (return to Israel).

According to a statement released by an NGO for Jewish immigration to Israel, “19 individuals arrived in Israel in recent days, including 14 from the town of Raydah and a family of 5 from Sanaa.”

Since Yemen and Israel do not have diplomatic ties; this covert mission was conducted in secrecy.

These 19 Yemeni nationals were believed to be the last Yemenite Jews inside this Persian Gulf country.

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В понедельник во второй половине дня боевики филиала “Исламского государства” – террористической группировки “Лива Шахада аль-Ярмук” – предположительно захватили город Тасиль на западе провинции Дераа в результате ожесточённого противостояния с исламистскими группировками “Свободная сирийская армия” и “Джабхат ан-Нусра (сирийский филиал “Аль-Каиды”).

Боевики “Лива Шахада аль-Ярмук” начали бой со штурма линии обороны боевиков оппозиции в Тасиле, завязав ожесточённую перестрелку, продлившуюся около двух часов, прежде чем ССА и “Джабхат ан-Нусра” вынуждены были оставить свои позиции и отступить к городу Нава.

В ходе боёв в Тасиле боевики оппозиции понесли ряд потерь, в том числе был убит полевой командир “Нусры” по кличке “Абу Азам”.

Потеря Тасиля в долгосрочной перспективе может стать тяжёлым ударом для оппозиции, с учётом близкого его расположения к городам Шейх-Мискин (под контролем правительства) и Нава (под контролем боевиков оппозиции).

Лейс Фадель.

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