Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #HTS
Most recents (21)
Excellent write-up by J. Flores at FRN on Russia going along with western narrative over the IL-20 jet downed on Monday.
That French frigate Auvergne shot down the plane is a long shot, but #NATO wanting to sever #Russia–#France ties is nothing new. fort-russ.com/2018/09/full-a…
That French frigate Auvergne shot down the plane is a long shot, but #NATO wanting to sever #Russia–#France ties is nothing new. fort-russ.com/2018/09/full-a…
Summing up the facts that led to, and followed, the downing of a Russian IL-20 plane.
1/ #NATO has strongly opposed the #Idlib campaign from #Syria & #Russia, warning a response to a chemical attack and then – to secure an escalation – on any attack. maps.southfront.org/now-u-s-threat…
1/ #NATO has strongly opposed the #Idlib campaign from #Syria & #Russia, warning a response to a chemical attack and then – to secure an escalation – on any attack. maps.southfront.org/now-u-s-threat…
2/ One #NATO member also strongly opposed to the #Idlib campaign, but for all different reasons: #Turkey reinforced its backed rebels in Idlib with support (after striking out the #HTS on its books) and weapons.
reuters.com/article/us-mid…
reuters.com/article/us-mid…
#US Senator Dick Black speaking to reporters at a #SAA position in #Aleppo: "Beyond this dividing line is Al Qaeda. They keep changing names, but it is Al Qaeda, the same group that did 9/11." He also proceeds to praise the Syrian soldier who is observing the enemy.
Senator Black on #HTS terrorists: "This is their final stand here in Idlib province. This is a very good time for us, for anyone who cares about terrorism. We have been fighting the War on Terror for 17 years with nothing to show, but the Syrian army has them cornered."
"The Syrian army cares very much about casualties, considering that what we have here is urban combat, a very brutal type of combat."
Senator Richard Black, ladies and gentlemen.
Senator Richard Black, ladies and gentlemen.
THREAD: #SAA will soon launch #IdlibDawn operation to eliminate militants' presence in #Idlib, #Latakia, #Hama & W #Aleppo CS w/in green area (6,222 km^2).
Map shows vital targets, strategic mountain ranges & locations of #TAF/ #TSK military “observation” posts. #Syria 1️⃣
Map shows vital targets, strategic mountain ranges & locations of #TAF/ #TSK military “observation” posts. #Syria 1️⃣
With #Daraa & #Quneitra province under full control. #SAA turn their eyes on N.W. #Syria : In the next days army will launch a new operation ( #IdlibDawn ) in order to liberate the remaining areas of #Latakia , #Hama , #Idlib & W. #Aleppo & eliminate #HTS rule (Dark green) (1)
Just now getting around to reading the @UN’s report on AQ & #ISIS.
Some “analysis” of its content on the AQ in #Syria issue has been skewed, to say the least - with some aspects aggrandized & others underplayed.
Report: undocs.org/S/2018/705
Some “analysis” of its content on the AQ in #Syria issue has been skewed, to say the least - with some aspects aggrandized & others underplayed.
Report: undocs.org/S/2018/705
Preparations appear to be underway for a pro-#Assad offensive on #Idlib.
12hrs of on/off air & artillery strikes vs. southeastern & western #Idlib & northern #Hama - see marks on map (original by @ETANA_Syria + my additions).
+ multiple large pro-regime convoys moving north.
12hrs of on/off air & artillery strikes vs. southeastern & western #Idlib & northern #Hama - see marks on map (original by @ETANA_Syria + my additions).
+ multiple large pro-regime convoys moving north.
@ETANA_Syria #pt: If/when any major military campaign gets underway, expect the #Assad regime (+ #Russia & #Iran-backed militias) to focus on these 2 fronts:
1) West #Idlib (Jisr al-Shughour)
2) N. #Hama/#SE #Idlib (Latamineh, Khan Sheikhoun, Kafrazita)
-> a gradual push ‘inland’ & north.
1) West #Idlib (Jisr al-Shughour)
2) N. #Hama/#SE #Idlib (Latamineh, Khan Sheikhoun, Kafrazita)
-> a gradual push ‘inland’ & north.
@ETANA_Syria Very good by @theIRC’s @DMiliband:
- The West must “re-assert” itself & protect civilians in NW #Syria & as a backstop, safe-routes should be opened for civilians to flee into #Turkey.
- UNSC must demand full access to S #Syria; for aid, monitoring etc.
washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-w…
- The West must “re-assert” itself & protect civilians in NW #Syria & as a backstop, safe-routes should be opened for civilians to flee into #Turkey.
- UNSC must demand full access to S #Syria; for aid, monitoring etc.
washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-w…
Fascinating, in-depth reporting by @AP on the #Saudi-#UAE coalition’s complex dealing with #AQAP in #Yemen.
- Key thought: this is the challenge #AQAP (& Nusra/#HTS in #Syria) poses, by embedding into & reflecting broader local dynamics.
apnews.com/f38788a561d74c…
- Key thought: this is the challenge #AQAP (& Nusra/#HTS in #Syria) poses, by embedding into & reflecting broader local dynamics.
apnews.com/f38788a561d74c…
@AP #pt: Just like #HTS in #Syria, #AQAP in #Yemen is not a wholly contiguous organization of committed global jihadis - it's strengthened itself by embracing local drivers & structures.
=> That provides opportunities for counter-actors, but they require [some] engagement to do so.
=> That provides opportunities for counter-actors, but they require [some] engagement to do so.
@AP #pts: Another parallel to #Syria is seen in how the extent of localism embraced by #AQAP may in fact have weakened its long-term durability; by leaving large swathes of fighters vulnerable to cooptation by adversaries/rivals.
For more, see @Dr_E_Kendall:
For more, see @Dr_E_Kendall:
This, ladies & gentlemen, is what happens when one writes about something one knows literally nothing about.
Complete nonsense, interspersed with lies & conspiracy theories made popular by far-left #Assad supporters & #Russia.
How utterly shameful.
Complete nonsense, interspersed with lies & conspiracy theories made popular by far-left #Assad supporters & #Russia.
How utterly shameful.
#Syria Civil Defense = volunteer rescue service, whose members also provide medical care, de-mining, infrastructure repair & children’s safety education.
They've operated anywhere they can in opposition areas - to save lives & keep people safe.
= 114,000+ people saved till now.
They've operated anywhere they can in opposition areas - to save lives & keep people safe.
= 114,000+ people saved till now.
.@ClarkeMicah says @SyriaCivilDefe are “closely associated with… al-Qaeda or… even worse” - based on what exactly?
An organization that works w. the U.S., UK et al., who espouse pro-democratic views & get evacuated by #Israel (etc. etc.) are somehow global jihadists?
Please.
An organization that works w. the U.S., UK et al., who espouse pro-democratic views & get evacuated by #Israel (etc. etc.) are somehow global jihadists?
Please.
Amid #Assad regime offensive in south #Syria, worth bearing in mind its continued bombing of areas in #Idlib - also under a so-called “de-escalation zone.”
Having watched the southern zone dissolved w/o response from #Jordan or #Israel, #Turkey’s now warning #Idlib = “red line."
Having watched the southern zone dissolved w/o response from #Jordan or #Israel, #Turkey’s now warning #Idlib = “red line."
PRESSER: #Russia's FM #Lavrov & #Jordan/ian FM Safadi:
1. Say they're satisfiedd w/ "close & useful interaction" over #Syria both in trilateral format (w/ #US in Amman) & via Astana where Jordan is observer.
Lavrov says #Rus appreciates JRD mediation b/n #SAA&opposition militants
1. Say they're satisfiedd w/ "close & useful interaction" over #Syria both in trilateral format (w/ #US in Amman) & via Astana where Jordan is observer.
Lavrov says #Rus appreciates JRD mediation b/n #SAA&opposition militants
As expected, the #Assad regime - supported by #Russia & yes, #Iran-backed militias - is well into a pre-planned offensive vs. opposition-held areas in S/SW #Syria.
= Violating de-escalation zone agreement & with little/no word/response from the opposition’s foreign backers.
= Violating de-escalation zone agreement & with little/no word/response from the opposition’s foreign backers.
#pt: At least one pro-#Assad Shia militia group overtly backed by #Iran/#IRGC -- Liwa Zulfiqar -- has publicly proclaimed its ongoing role in the offensive in south #Syria.
No word or response from #Israel, as yet.
[via @hadialbahra]
No word or response from #Israel, as yet.
[via @hadialbahra]
@hadialbahra #pt: The U.S’s impotent role in #Syria has again been revealed for all to see & exploit…
June 21: @StateDept threatens “serious repercussions” for any offensive in the south.
June 23: @USEmbassyJordan tells FSA 'we don’t have your back' [via @AbuJamajem]
June 25-27: Silence.
June 21: @StateDept threatens “serious repercussions” for any offensive in the south.
June 23: @USEmbassyJordan tells FSA 'we don’t have your back' [via @AbuJamajem]
June 25-27: Silence.
1/ Important Development: After weeks of intense fighting in #YarmoukCamp in South #Damascus an agreement has been reached between #HTS (Nusra) & #SAA for militants to leave, deal includes #Fua & #Kafraya, #ISIS are not involved
Here's the full story:
Here's the full story:
#Syria: for over two years the people of Maarat al-Numan have protested continuously against Jabhat al-Nusra (& synonyms #JFS, #HTS).
Now the city together with the whole Jabal al-Zawiya region of #Idlib are freed of jihadists, thanks to local #FSA & #JTS
Now the city together with the whole Jabal al-Zawiya region of #Idlib are freed of jihadists, thanks to local #FSA & #JTS
NEW - #Ahrar al-Sham & Nour al-Din al-Zinki have merged, creating Jabhat Tahrir Souriya, branded with “green” revolutionary flag.
- Ahrar leader Hassan Soufan = leader
- #Zinki leader Tawfiq Shahbuddin = deputy
“JTS” calls on other groups to join for greater unity.
- Ahrar leader Hassan Soufan = leader
- #Zinki leader Tawfiq Shahbuddin = deputy
“JTS” calls on other groups to join for greater unity.
#SRO | ANALYSIS - Strangely (or not), the only important group inside rebellion factions in N-#Syria to be sceptical about #Turkey use of rebels is... #HTS (1).
Just about a fact that all of us knew about for weeks : the massive withdrawal, without important losses for rebellion factions, frm E-#Idlib was well prepared by #Turkey (1).
Wer'e going to see now frontlines to stabilize with regime to concentrate firepower on Liwa al-Aqsa [Wilayat Hama] remnants and rebels to fortify M5 side under #Turkey new "border posts" (2).
In case you forgot - the #Assad regime continues to use chemical munitions on civilian areas.
This morning, a chemical gas attack hit the besieged #Douma suburb of #Damascus - mostly women & children affected.
A similar attack hit Douma 9 days ago. #Syria
This morning, a chemical gas attack hit the besieged #Douma suburb of #Damascus - mostly women & children affected.
A similar attack hit Douma 9 days ago. #Syria
We started a new year (I hope the last) of the Syrian civil war. But 2017 has been the most important year & the result of inflection point of the war in 2016 with many political & military developments : (1)
The first military operation of #SAA was Wadi Bara (23/12/2016 - 29/1/2017) which finished with the evacuation of rebels from Wadi Barada & the North montainous area in the border with Lebanon. At the same time other forces advanced in E.Ghouta reaching some parts of Hazrama (2) 
#SDF started the second phase of #WrathOfEuphrates operation on December securing the West flank of #Raqqa plains (3) 
Regime forces and allied militias captured strategic Abu Dali village and Hamdaniyah village from Syrian rebels and #HTS. Regime is also assaulting on #Athsan: wikimapia.org/#lang=tr&lat=3…
Abu Dali was a black market hub where civilians and rebels bought important stuffs from corrupt regime local warlords. After assault of #HTS into the city, this supply road was cut
Regime forces and allied militias captured Tal Maraq: 
#AbuDuhur Offensive: expected scenario by @NorsForStudies with 2 main fronts (Sinjar road & W. #Khanasser) to take Airbase & isolate NE. Hama pocket.
Troops movement suggest large-scale assault is imminent.
General mobilization declared. Op. room yet to be formed.
Troops movement suggest large-scale assault is imminent.
General mobilization declared. Op. room yet to be formed.
Amusing & sad seeing some analysts continue to naively read shady & complex developments through a strictly black/white lens - as if things in the world of jihadism occur along slick, clean lines.
It only shows your analytical immaturity.
Look deeper. #Syria
It only shows your analytical immaturity.
Look deeper. #Syria
Jabhat al-Nusra (pre-#JFS) was a movement of several ‘wings.’
When Nusra leader #Jolani was presented w. an ultimatum in mid-July 2016 (break from AQ or face 30%+ defection), there then began a furious debate throughout #Nusra’s command structure about the group’s future.
1/10
When Nusra leader #Jolani was presented w. an ultimatum in mid-July 2016 (break from AQ or face 30%+ defection), there then began a furious debate throughout #Nusra’s command structure about the group’s future.
1/10
Within #Nusra’s Shura Council, the subject of moving away from AQ was almost 50:50 - with several of the group’s most senior leaders insisting *no.*
As the debate bled down through Nusra’s regional commands, differing proposals gained weight - like 'Chinese Whispers.'
2/10
As the debate bled down through Nusra’s regional commands, differing proposals gained weight - like 'Chinese Whispers.'
2/10
