Significant Progress Toward Liberating Syria

by Stephen Lendman

According to the UN Commission of Inquiry on the Syria conflict, de-escalation zones agreed to by Russia, Iran and Turkey "resulted in a discernible reduction in levels of violence (in areas) around Idlib and western Aleppo."

Progress toward liberating Syria is being made despite Iranian Armed Forces chief of staff General Massoud Jazayeri saying on Tuesday:

"Today, we are witnessing the destructive outcomes of state-sponsored terrorism backed by Saudi Arabia, the United States and some (other) reactionary regional countries in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen and elsewhere, including in some European countries."

Earlier on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif explained Iranian intelligence has information, proving Riyadh's dirty hands were responsible for the June 7 terrorist attacks in Tehran, killing 17, injuring dozens more.

On Wednesday, the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria said US-led airstrikes caused a "staggering loss of civilian lives," along with displacing another 160,000 civilians, fleeing from harm's way if possible.

Same day good news was reported. According to Syria's Defense Ministry, government and allied forces liberated the strategically important eastern Palmyra countryside Arak Triangle, aided by Russian airpower - despite heavy ISIS resistance.

The area was declared free from US-backed terrorists, operations underway to clear it from mines and IEDs.

Other government and allied forces are advancing on ISIS-held Sukhna, located en route to Deir Ezzor.

Syria's main concern is America's illegal presence - in northern and southern areas. On June 13, CNN said the Pentagon "moved its High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) from Jordan into southern Syria for the first time, positioning it near the US-Coalition…At Tanf" base, according to unnamed DOD officials, adding:

"HIMARS, a truck-mounted system which can fire missiles as far as 300 kilometers, represents a major boost to US combat power near At Tanf, a location that has come under the spotlight following a series of recent coalition strikes against pro (government) forces operating in the area."

The deployment suggests possible US conflict escalation in southern Syria - perhaps north in the battle for Raqqa as well.

Conflict in Syria is far from over - despite significant progress made by government and allied forces, greatly aided by Russian airpower, turning the tide of battle.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new 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

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

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