Syria: Latest on Raqqah offensive

June 12, 2016  [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjJQh7wfd5E] The latest confirmed government advance is the capture of Sfaiyeh crossroad, a junction leading directly north to Tabqa Airbase. The SAA offensive along the road from Ithriya to Raqqah has now reached Sfaiyeh crossroad, just 20km south of the key airbase of Tabqa Stepping up the ante in the battle…

Russian Diplomat Cites Reports Turkish Military Advisers Command Militants Near Aleppo

According to mass media reports, up to 2,000 Jihadists are taking part in the fighting © EPA/OKAN OZER/ANADOLU AGENCY, archive MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. Turkey’s military advisers are reportedly ruling the gunmen near Syria’s Aleppo, Russia’s Foreign Ministry official spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on Friday. The diplomat said the situation in Syria still remains tense,…

Syrian Forces Sever Main Daesh Route Into Turkey

 In the fight against Daesh, also known as IS/Islamic State, Syrian forces have cut off a major road that the terrorists group used to access Turkey. The Syrian city of Manbij has been a stronghold for Daesh in the region along the Turkish border. On Thursday, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) encircled the city, effectively cutting off supply roads. ©…

UPDATE 2-Assad vows to fight on, says Aleppo to be Erdogan’s graveyard

Source: reuters.com * Assad vows to fight on, win back all Syria* Says Aleppo will be graveyard for Erdogan’s “dreams”* Russia has vowed strong support for government near Aleppo (Adds Assad remarks on peace talks, context)BEIRUT, June 7 President Bashar al-Assad vowed on Tuesday to fight on in what he called Syria’s war against terrorism, showing…

Syrian army ‘crosses into Raqqa province’

Source: aljazeera.com Government troops backed by Russian air strikes cross into Raqqa province for the first time since August 2014. The Syrian army has crossed the boundary of Raqqa province after advancing in a major Russian-backed offensive against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).Heavy…