Syrian Control of Border with Iraq a Strategic Turning Point?

(image: Inside Syria Media Center)

On Saturday, Syria’s General Command of the Army and General Forces announced the following:

“Units of the Syrian Arab Army, in cooperation with the allied forces, completed on Friday evening the first stage of the military operations in the Syrian Badia and were able to reach the border with the friendly Iraq northeast of al-Tanf.”

“This achievement is a strategic turning point in the war on terrorism and a springboard to expand military operations in the Badia and along the border with the friendly Iraq.”

For the first time since 2015, the Syrian flag flies on the border with Iraq, a significant achievement, whether a turning point remains to be seen.

According with Al-Masdar news (AMN), US and Russian forces agreed to let Syrian and allied troops take control of Al-Boudah village – northeast of the strategic al-Tanf crossing between Syria and Iraq, now under Syrian Arab Army control.

US-supported terrorists in southern Syria, masquerading as moderate rebels, are surrounded, vulnerable to elimination, government and allied forces fortifying the area to secure it.

Washington’s goal to control southern Syria is considerably weakened – short of escalated terror-bombing on government forces to change things in its favor it may be reluctant to do at this time.

On Sunday morning, Syrian media reported ISIS leader Ibrahim Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi killed by an airstrike in Raqqa.

Earlier reports of his death were false, perhaps this one as well without verifiable proof. He’s been wounded before but survived, perhaps the case this time unless proved otherwise.

Unverified earlier reports suggested he might be several people using the same nom de guerre, unlikely but possible.

In 2004, he was reported captured by US forces and held at Camp Bucca. The facility held inmates later recruited as top ISIS operatives.

Perhaps the CIA recruited Baghdadi to lead US-backed ISIS foot soldiers. An unconfirmed report claimed he was trained by Mossad operatives for months.

Separately, US-backed terrorists comprising the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) entered Raqqa from the west, part of the al-Sabahiya neighborhood captured, fierce fighting reported.

Last week SDF spokesman Talal Sello said “(w)e declare…the start of the great battle to liberate the city of Raqqa,” an ISIS stronghold.

Will Washington redeploy most of its fighters to serve as imperial foot soldiers elsewhere in Syria – the way it shifted thousands of its elements earlier from Mosul to Palmyra and elsewhere in the country?

Raqqa is the caliphate’s self-declared capital. Does it have another location in mind in Syria, Iraq or elsewhere – with US-led coalition help?

Washington created this monster and likeminded ones. It’s not likely abandoning their use to advance its imperium.

US/UK/Jordanian Troops Near Syria’s Border a Likely Joint Military Exercise

On Monday, regional media reported large numbers of heavily armed US, UK and Jordanian troops, along with ISIS and al-Nusra terrorists, massed near Syria’s border, heightening fears of possible invasion.

Government forces captured Beit Naim village, southwest of eastern Ghouta near Damascus, Jaish al-Islam terrorists routed.

On Tuesday, terrorists comprising the so-called Free Syrian Army launched a counter-offensive in the southeastern Damascus countryside.

Intense clashes continue. The area’s Tishreen power plant was attacked. Leaked photos show apparent US special forces entering southern Syria, supporting terrorist fighters battling government forces, on the phony pretext of training nonexistent “moderate rebels.”

According to Jordanian media, about 7,400 US, UK, Jordanian and forces from other countries are participating in annual Eager Lion military exercises – the likely reason for reported troop concentrations near Syria’s border.

Operating this close is hugely provocative. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem warned Jordan against sending its forces cross-border.

Syrian military sources said government troops continued anti-terrorist operations southeast of Palmyra to prevent a plan by US forces, allied with ISIS and al-Nusra fighters, from accessing Deir Ezzor.

Clashes continue. De-escalation zones so far failed to deter US regime change plans, aiding terrorists combat government forces.

Syrian intelligence fears Eagle Lion exercises in Jordan may be followed by cross-border attacks or possible invasion.

Government forces launched a large-scale operation along the Damascus-Baghdad highway to prevent it, along with wanting terrorists operating in Syria near the Jordanian border eliminated.