War

The Syrian war will, or at least should be remembered as one of the most shameful episodes in the history of the American press. Coverage about the carnage in the ancient city of Aleppo is the latest reason why. There are one or two notable exceptions including this excellent report by Stephen Kinzer via Boston Globe: For three years, violent militants have run Aleppo. Their rule began with a wave of repression. They posted notices warning residents: “Don’t send your children to school.

U.S. defense officials have told The Daily Beast that the Obama administration has turned down Pentagon plans to go after ISIS/Islamic State in Libya. The Islamic State is gaining ground in Libya and Sirte, the former dictator Muammar Gaddafi’s home city, is now the epicenter for the terror group in Libya and north Africa. The Daily Beast reports: In recent weeks, the U.S. military—led by its Africa and Special Operations Commands—have pushed for more airstrikes and the deployment of elite troops, particularly in the city of Sirte.

A March 2014 tape recording between former Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu and the chief of the Turkish intelligence (MIT) has been leaked in which the two officials discuss creating false flag event in Turkey to justify invading Syria.  A false flag event is one in which a covert operation, such as a ‘terrorist’ car bomb attack, is performed in such a way to appear as though it is being carried out by a group other than those who actually planned and executed it.

The Syrian army have found more evidence of Turkey assisting drug smuggling terrorist organisations such as ISIS, after the they freed two strategic villages of Masqan and Ahras.  Sources in Masqan village said ISIS militants fled the battlefield following the surprise Syrian army attack on terrorists’ positions in the region. Farsnews.com reports: They added that the terrorist groups had turned a school in Masqan into their medical center in which a large number of Turkey-made medical packages and drugs were found, a proof of Ankara’s logistic support for the militants.

The head of the Syrian Kurds, Rodi Osman, has said that a ground offensive by Turkey in Syria will lead to a “big war” with Russia.  “We take this threat very seriously because the ruling party in Turkey is a party of war,” Osman,said. “Russia will respond if there is an invasion. This isn’t only about the Kurds, they will defend the territorial sovereignty of Syria.“ Thespec.com reports: Conflicting interests in Syria have created a dangerous new phase in the country’s five-year war, even as world powers struggle to implement a truce agreement.