Soldier On
Russia has done “virtually zero” in the fight against Islamic State terrorists in Syria the US Secretary of Defense has claimed, contending that the US and its coalition partners are carrying this burden “by themselves.” “They haven’t done anything,” Ash Carter stated in an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press. “They came in, they said … Read more
A Russian aircraft carrier who reportedly destroyed over 1,000 targets in Syria is set to head to Britain. Following a ceasefire deal between the Syrian government and opposition groups on 29 December, Moscow has agreed to scale back its military operations in the country. The Russian armed forces’ chief of staff, Valery Gerasimov, said the … Read more
The head of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has admitted responsibility for the bloodshed in Syria while wishing that the US could have prevented the defeat of militants in Aleppo by Syrian forces. “I think we always like to say that we wish that we would have been able to make a difference, in a … Read more
Russia’s aerial support has been instrumental in pushing numerous radical groups out of Aleppo, one of the largest cities in Syria, Paulo Wrobel, professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, told Sputnik, saying that the victory would not have been possible without Moscow’s military engagement in the war-torn Arab country. “Russian airstrikes … Read more
While the primary goal of Russia’s military operation in Syria is to prevent the disintegration of the country, it has also provided a chance to field-test 162 advanced Russian weapons, Russia’s defense minister reported. “During the operation in Syria, 162 advanced and upgraded weapons have been tested in combat. They have proven to be highly … Read more
Syria’s conflict has killed more than 310,000 people, uprooted over half the population and left much of the country in ruins since it erupted almost six years ago. Here are some key statistics: The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said last week it had recorded the deaths of 312,001 people since the conflict began with … Read more
THE US Air Force is struggling to cope with the growing threats of Russia, China and ISIS, its chief has warned. General David Goldfein says America’s airpower needs a cash boost if it is to stay ahead of its rivals. He warned: “We just got too small too fast and we’ve got to grow. “We’re … Read more
The US army’s commander in Europe has accused Russia of using its military campaign in Syria as a “live-fire training opportunity”. Lt Gen Ben Hodges said Russia’s “disregard for civilian casualties… is not the conduct of a nation that wants to be treated like a superpower”. Russia’s defence minister said on Thursday that its air … Read more
Russia’s military today can overpower any potential foe, President Vladimir Putin told an annual end-of-year meeting Thursday with defense chiefs. “We can say with certainty: We are stronger now than any potential aggressor,” he told the meeting. “Anyone!” His comments come at the end of a year when tensions between Russia and the West have … Read more
TURKEY scrambled six pairs of fighter jets last night as tensions grow between the country and Russia following the assassination of a Russian ambassador. Twelve F-16 fighter planes took off from Eskisehir Air Base at around 7:30pm in a “loud blast” just a day after Andrei Karlov was shot dead in the Turkish capital Ankara, … Read more
The terror group’s news agency said fighters downed the chopper – understood to be an attack helicopter – near the T4 air base east of Homs. A brief statement released by the Amaq Agency read: “A Russian combat helicopter is downed over T4 Airbase east of Homs.” Russia intervened in Syria last September to help … Read more
Russian Colonel Ruslan Galitsky has died of wounds in Syria when “opposition” militants shelled a residential area in Aleppo’s western part, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Dec. 7. “Colonel Ruslan Galitsky has died in hospital after being severely wounded. Russian military medics fought for his life for several days. The officer sustained injuries in … Read more
The “Pterodactyl” drones – expected to give Russian tanks the ability to scan up to 10 kilometres from their position – boosts Russian ground forces’ capabilities as the military bolsters its presence on Europe’s borders. The drones will be attached via cable to Russia’s Armata tanks, and will greatly increase the distance at which they … Read more
The eight suspected SIMI operatives who were killed in an alleged encounter after their escape from Bhopal Central Jail on October 31, dreamed of fighting for the terrrorist outfit Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), according to police sources. This was disclosed to the police by nine other SIMI activists who are lodged in … Read more
Though his liberal worldview may not have a platform in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, Democratic statesman George Mitchell offered some pragmatic, nonpartisan advice in an interview yesterday: Before Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he should first meet with our traditional European allies, especially those in NATO. After rattling the foreign policy establishment (along … Read more
President-elect Donald Trump will soon inherit America’s wars against ISIS. The U.S. is training and assisting Iraqi and Kurdish forces in the liberation of Mosul, the last major city in Iraq controlled by ISIS. The operation is six weeks old. Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend served in northern Iraq during the U.S. occupation 10 years ago, … Read more
ISIS militants’ first clash with their most dreaded enemy ended in the jihadists being wiped out. Four terrorists were killed after opening fire on an Israel Defense Force patrol on the Israeli-controlled section of the Golan Heights on Sunday. “We will not let Daesh elements or other hostile elements use the cover of the war … Read more
If the U.S. won’t fight terrorists in Syria, it should stop getting in the way, said Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry. Konashenkov was responding to the U.S. State Department’s calls to other countries to deny port access to Russian oil tankers heading to Syria. “If Washington cannot or does not want … Read more
ISIS fanatics were planning to target Disneyland and a Christmas market on the Champs-Elysees during a new attack on Paris next week, police have revealed. Jihadists were plotting to strike on December 1 and had also researched sites including a police headquarters, Metro station and city centre cafes. Seven suspects were arrested in police raids … Read more
The first member of the US military has been killed in Syria by an improvised explosive device (IED) laid by retreating Isis fighters. US Central Command said the blast occurred near the former militant stronghold of Ayn Issa, but gave no other details, adding it would release more information “as appropriate”. The unnamed man died of his wounds on … Read more