Liberating Northern Syria Km by Km

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

Russian airpower and material support on the ground turned defeat into hoped for triumph of Syrian forces against the US, NATO, Turkey, Israel, the Saudis, and their jihadist proxies.

Despite raping and destroying one country after another, the US hasn't won a war throughout the post-WW II period.

For decades, countless US trillions of dollars have been poured down a black hole of waste, fraud and abuse with no accountability for grand theft America.

The military, industrial, security, media complex benefitted greatly at the expense of world peace, stability, and vital homeland needs gone begging.

Imperial America is in decline like previous empires in world history. 

According to some observers, late-stage decadence describes its current state — similar to the decline and fall of the Roman empire.

Waging permanent wars on humanity is America's most self-destructive feature.

According to US Military Academy Law Professor Tim Bakken, the Pentagon is a self-serving authoritarian institution that's "separat(ed) from society," adding:

Its "hubris, arrogance, and self-righteousness…isolated the military from modern thinking and mores."

It transformed itself into "an unaccountable hierarchy," believing "it cannot be challenged."

America's military reflects its decadence. Generals and admirals know a hellova lot about waging wars, little about winning them.

It shows in all post-WW II wars launched preemptively against nations threatening no one, notably multiple ongoing post-9/11 ones — forever wars being lost, not won.

Afghanistan is the most glaring example, long ago lost, acknowledged privately but concealed publicly, establishment media failing to explain what's essential to report. 

The same thing is true of Syria after Russia got involved in September 2015, changing the dynamic on the ground.

Government forces liberated most of the country from areas controlled by US/NATO/Turkish supported jihadists.

They're advancing steadily in Idlib and Aleppo provinces, liberating numerous cities, towns and villages.

On Tuesday, Southfront reported that Syrian forces "captured over 10 locations from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (US/Turkish supported al-Nusra) and other radical groups in western Aleppo," adding: 

"Government forces also besieged another Turkish observation point, deployed in the vicinity of the Regiment 111 area and set a foothold for an advance on Darat Izza."

On Tuesday, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that "(c)itizens of Aleppo (are) joy(ous) (about) victory after (government forces) liberat(ed) several towns and villages in the western and northwestern countryside of Aleppo…"

They "completely secured the surrounding of the city, rescuing it from terrorism and shells of hatred and spite from which the city has been suffering for many years."

Addressing the nation on Monday, President Bashar al-Assad said the battle to liberate Idlib and Aleppo provinces continues, praising the heroism, steadfastness, faith, and sacrifices of Syrian soldiers, adding:

"When Aleppo city was liberated at the end of 2016, I said that what was before the liberation of Aleppo city will not be the same as what will be after that, and I based that on my knowledge of where the members of our armed forces are aiming with their hearts and minds." 

"I based that on my conviction that the patriotism of the people of Aleppo and their fealty to their homeland and the homeland's army will overturn the calculations of the enemies."

"This is what happened, but Aleppo had to pay a great price equal to the greatness of its people and the patriotism of its position; years of violent and barbaric shelling that affected most neighborhoods, tens of thousands of martyrs, injured people, orphans, people who lost children, and widows." 

"Years of siege (by US/Turkish supported terrorists went on) without water or electricity or other life necessities, all for Aleppo to kneel and for her people to surrender."

"With every treacherous shell that had fallen, the enemies' hopes would grow that Aleppo would become another Aleppo, one that never existed throughout history, an Aleppo that does not constitute with its twin Damascus the wings by which the homeland soars; rather an Aleppo whose people would stand with traitors in front of masters, kneeling and prostrating themselves before them, begging for a few dollars and much disgrace."

Liberating Aleppo in 2016 "did not achieve the desired safety for the city at the time, and it remained under the threat of treacherous and cowardly shells, and it is also true today that victory in one battle does not mean victory in the war."

"(W)e must not relax. (W)e must prepare for the coming battles. Therefore, the battle to liberate the countryside of Aleppo and Idlib will continue regardless of some empty sound bubbles coming from the north, and the battle for liberating all Syrian soil, crushing terrorism, and achieving stability will also continue."

"Our beloved people in Aleppo, I congratulate you on the victory of your will, the will by which we will wage the greater battle: the battle to build Aleppo." 

"By the will of all the Syrian people we will build Syria, and we will continue liberation, God willing."

Syrian forces gained control over areas around Aleppo for the first time since 2012, liberating about two dozen towns and villages west and north of the city.

Similar advances were made in Idlib province, US/Turkish supported jihadists retreating as government forces advance — greatly aided by Russian airpower.

On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian forces and military advisors will continue to "support the Syrian Arab Republic armed forces in their fight against terrorism."

His statement countered the Trump and Erdogan regimes, calling for ceasefire and withdrawal of Syrian forces from areas near illegal Turkish observation posts in northern Syria.

A White House statement said "Trump expressed his concern (sic) over the increase in violence in Syria's Idlib, and thanked President Erdogan for Turkey's efforts to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe there (sic)."

The US, Turkey, and their jihadist proxies bear full responsibility for endless war, countless thousands of casualties, and devastation in Idlib and Aleppo provinces.

On Monday, Erdogan regime spokesman Omer Celik falsely claimed Turkey is in compliance with Sochi ceasefire terms (sic), adding:

Damascus violated the agreement "more than 20,000 times (sic)" — his remarks a gross perversion of reality on the ground.

On Monday, Russian and Turkish officials in Moscow discussed ongoing conflict in northern Syria.

According to Turkish foreign minister Cavusoglu, "(a) lot of work lies ahead. We continue to cooperate actively on (this issue) with Russia."

"We must not let the Syrian problem affect our cooperation and our relations."

Positions of Russia and Turkey on Syria are world's apart.

Erdogan supports Washington's aim to destroy Syrian sovereignty.

Russia is committed to protecting and preserving it.

The struggle for Syria's soul continues until foreign-supported terrorists are defeated and illegal US/Turkish occupation ends.

A Final Comment

Russia and Turkey failed to agree on issues relating to Syria after talks between Putin and Erdogan, Lavrov and Cavusoglu, and officials from both countries in Moscow on Monday.

Talks between them continue on Tuesday to deescalate conflict and tensions in Idlib and surrounding areas.

VISIT MY WEBSITE: stephenlendman.org (Home - Stephen Lendman). Contact at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

My newest book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html