The Syrian Crisis

[pmaitra]

Re: Russia Planning of Delivering Yak-130 to Syria

Fires in Turkey: Syrian forces blamed

4 July 2012 Last updated at 21:51 ET Help
Turkish firefighters are battling a number of blazes along the Syrian border.

Turkey's state-run television claims Syrian forces lit the fires to stop rebels seeking shelter in the area.

More than 35,000 Syrians are living in refugee camps on the Turkish side, after fleeing fighting in their country.

Susana Mendonca reports.

See article and VIDEO: BBC News - Fires in Turkey: Syrian forces blamed

 

[pmaitra]

Re: Russia Planning of Delivering Yak-130 to Syria

Bodies of Turkish jet crew shot down by Syria found

The bodies of the crew members of a Turkish jet shot down by Syria last month have been found.

Turkey's TRT television said the two airmen were found on the Eastern Mediterranean seabed by a US deep-sea exploration vessel, according to AP.

The Turkish military named the crew members as Air Force Captain Gokhan Ertan and Air Force Lieutenant Hasan Huseyin Aksoy, according to Reuters news agency.

Source: BBC News - Bodies of Turkish jet crew shot down by Syria found

 

[Razor]

Syria files: Wikileaks releases 2m 'embarrassing' emails

"Ground-breaking" news stories derived from the "Syria files" will be published over the next two months, Wikileaks said.
Its founder Julian Assange was quoted as saying the material was embarrassing - not only to Syria but its opponents.

Emails from the Syrian ministries of presidential affairs, foreign affairs, finance, information, transport and culture are all represented among the data to be released, Sarah Harrison from Wikileaks told reporters in London.

Mr Assange remains in the Ecuadorean embassy in London, where he is trying to avoid extradition to Sweden over accusations of rape and sexual assault.

But Ms Harrison quoted him as saying that this material "helps us not merely to criticise one group or another, but to understand their interests, actions and thoughts. It is only through understanding this conflict that we can hope to resolve it."

Some of the 2,434,899 emails would reveal, Wikileaks promises, "how the West and Western companies say one thing and do another".

News stories based on the emails will be published by news providers including US news agency Associated Press, Spain's Publico.es and Egypt's al-Masry al-Youm.

Some stories which have already appeared seem to concern communications between Syrian representatives and Western suppliers of equipment that could be used for military purposes.

Source: BBC: Syria files: Wikileaks releases 2m 'embarrassing' emails

 

[Razor]

Re: Russia Planning of Delivering Yak-130 to Syria

WikiLeaks releases Syria Files, almost 2.5 mln emails to be published

The whistleblower website WikiLeaks has announced the release of almost 2.5 million emails derived from 680 Syria-related entities and domain names. They are said to be "embarrassing to Syria, but it is also embarrassing to Syria's opponents."

-"It helps us not merely to criticize one group or another, but to understand their interests, actions and thoughts. It is only through understanding this conflict that we can hope to resolve it," the announcement quotes Julian Assange, who is currently in the Ecuador embassy in London, where he is awaiting a decision on his appeal for political asylum.

The website says the files"shine a light on the inner workings of the Syrian government and economy, but they also reveal how the West and Western companies say one thing and do another."

Italy 'secretly supplied' Syria despite official censure

-The first revelation exposes ties between Italian industrial giant Finmeccanica, which is 30-per cent owned by the government, and Damascus.

Despite the fact that Italy has repeatedly condemned Assad, one of Finmeccanica's subsidiaries supplied Syria with TETRA, an $50 million interception-proof communications network used by the military and police.

Although the contract was signed in 2008, the latest email details Italian engineers arriving to teach Syrians how to use the system in February this year, as the civil war raged on. Radios equipped with the system were then installed on military vehicles and helicopters.

The information about the contract had not been posted on Finmeccanica's website alongside their other agreements.

In the end the supposedly secure system did not seem to match its job description – as the leaks report that the US National Security Agency hacked the encryption code and freely intercepted Syrian communications.

UK newspaper Daily Telegraph have contacted Finmeccanica, which says that it will give no statement until it has verified the authenticity of the emails.

Source: RT : WikiLeaks releases Syria Files, almost 2.5 mln emails to be published

 

[pmaitra]

What are the chances that Finmeccanica sold the encryption codes to the US?

Make money off the Syrians, make money of the US.

Neat - if true.

 

[Razor]

What are the chances that Finmeccanica sold the encryption codes to the US?

Make money off the Syrians, make money of the US.

Neat - if true.

I'd say, chances are high, that the NSA already knows how to break most encryption systems of Italy or any of it's other friends (or foes). In this case, either Italy sold the decryption codes to the NSA, or the NSA through it's network of agents with their high-tech gadgets and "do or die" mentality and not to mention vast budget, would have broken the code themselves.

PS: OT: If you haven't read the book "Body of Secrets:Anatomy of the Ultra Secret NSA" by James Bamford, I suggest you give it a try. I loved it.

 

[Razor]

Syria armed forces hold 'large-scale' exercises

The Syrian armed forces have been conducting "large-scale" manoeuvres to test their "combat capability and readiness", Syrian state media report.

The exercises showed Syria was able "to defend [its] shores against any possible aggression", according to state-run news agency Sana.

Tensions along the border with Turkey have been raised after Syria shot down a Turkish fighter jet last month.

Meanwhile President Assad has accused the US of trying to destabilise Syria.

He said in an interview with German broadcaster ARD that the US was "part of the conflict" and was giving political support to "gangs" trying to "destabilise" his country.

Annan talks

UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan has arrived in Damascus.

Mr Annan will hold talks with President Bashar al-Assad, his office said.

On Saturday Mr Annan said his six-point peace plan for Syria had so far "failed", in comments to French newspaper Le Monde.

Recent diplomatic moves by world powers to try and reach agreement on Syria have also not resulted in fresh action.

Earlier this week, a group of more than 100 countries known as the Friends of Syria called on the UN Security Council to adopt Mr Annan's six point plan under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which would allow for further sanctions.

However, Russia and China, both of whom hold vetoes at the Council, were not at the meeting and have refused to call for Mr Assad's departure - a key demand of many in the Syrian opposition.

Source

 

[Razor]

President Assad accuses US of 'destabilising' Syria

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said the US is trying to destabilise Syria by providing political protection for "gangs" operating in the country.

In an interview for German TV, Mr Assad also said Saudi Arabia and Qatar were arming "terrorists" in Syria.

He also accused Turkey of giving the "terrorists" logistical support.

Meanwhile, Syria's armed forces have been conducting "large-scale" manoeuvres to test their "combat readiness", Syrian state media report.

On being asked whether the US was partially responsible for the deaths of innocent Syrian civilians, Mr Assad replied: "Yes, of course."

"As long as [the US] offers support to terrorists in some way, they will be their partner," he added.

Mr Assad said the authorities in Syria had arrested "dozens" of al-Qaeda fighters from Tunisia and Libya.

The remarks were provided by German broadcaster ARD ahead of the transmission of the interview later on Sunday.

Source

 

[spikey360]

USA doesn't have the guts to effect no-fly zone over Syria.

 

[asianobserve]

Russia Halts Arms Shipments to Syria | World | TIME.com

 

[ejazr]

Looks like latin America is moving towards the anti-Us bloc

Venezuelan support

The Syrian government seems prepared for all eventualities. And it is far from isolated internationally. Venezuela, like other Latin American and Caribbean countries, has been with the Syrian government in its time of need. The Venezuelan government recently dispatched 35,000 tonnes of diesel to Syria. It is planning to send another shipload of diesel in the coming weeks. Syrians have been facing an acute energy crisis because of acts of sabotage and terrorism targeting gas and oil pipelines as well as the sanctions imposed by the European Union on the state oil company.

Iran has also been helping out. There are reports that a massive joint military exercise involving the Syrian, Russian, Chinese and Iranian armed forces is being planned in July. According to the Iranian media, 90,000 troops will participate in the land and sea war games.

Itching for a war

 

[pmaitra]

Re: Russia Planning of Delivering Yak-130 to Syria

Russia proposes UN resolution on Syria without sanctions

Russia has proposed a UN Security Council resolution on Syria that would extend the UN mission in the conflict-stricken country without any threat of sanctions, diplomats said.

Source: Russia proposes UN resolution on Syria without sanctions - Telegraph

 

[Armand2REP]

Syria armed forces hold 'large-scale' exercises

 

[Armand2REP]

Re: Russia Planning of Delivering Yak-130 to Syria

France prepares to engage Syria

 

[Defcon 1]

Russia matches NATO muscle

Russia has sent a large flotilla of warships to Syria even as NATO is conducting war games in the region.

Russia's Defence Ministry said 11 warships drawn from the Northern, Baltic and Black Sea Fleets were on a three-month training mission in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. The flotilla includes three destroyers, five landing ships, tankers and support vessels.

The official announcement made no mention of Syria, but military sources said some of the ships with marines onboard would visit the Russian naval base at the Syrian port of Tartus to "stock up on fuel, water and food".

Russia's naval build-up in the Eastern Mediterranean comes at a time when the NATO navy is flexing its muscle in the area. The Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 comprising Turkish, German and French warships is conducting anti-terrorist drills not far from the Syrian borders.

The growing military activity near Syrian borders follows a flare-up of tension between Turkey and Syria over a recent cross-border incident when Syrian air defences shot down a Turkish jet that violated Syria's airspace.

As Russia dispatched its warships to Syria, the head of Syria's main opposition group visited Moscow in an effort to persuade the Russian leadership to stop backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Following talks Syrian National Council chief Abdel Basset Sayda held with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, a spokesperson for the SNC said Russia refused to shift its position.

In its communiqué on the talks, the Russian Foreign Ministry said dialogue between the Syrian opposition and the government "without any pre-conditions" was the only way to end violence in Syria.

"Lavrov strongly urged his interlocutors to take a clear and unambiguous stand confirming the SNC's readiness to honour its obligations under Kofi Annan's plan," said the Russian statement.

Mr. Sayda for his part said the opposition was not prepared for peace talks till the Syrian President stepped down. At the same time he said Moscow had made some new proposals that would be discussed at follow-up meetings between the two sides.

Two days ago Moscow played host to another Syrian opposition leader and intellectual, Michel Kilo, who said he had "very successful talks" with the Russian Foreign Minister.

The Hindu : News / International : Russia matches NATO muscle

 

[rock127]

Looks like latin America is moving towards the anti-Us bloc

Many South/Latin American countries don't like US for ages.The US is said to be behind Mafia/Drugs there.

 

[The Messiah]

These wahabi scums should be killed mercilessly. Infact we should give arms to assad so that atleast Indian weapons are used to kill these bastards.

 

[amoy]

Re-flagged Russian arms ship sets sail to Syria - Lloyd's Loading List

The re-flagged MV Alaed, which is carrying a cargo of arms bound for Syria, has been permitted to leave Murmansk port and is heading south along the Norwegian coast on Friday accompanied by a flotilla of six Russian warships also en route to Syria.

According to Norwegian naval sources, the vessel was about halfway down the Nordic coast at the time of publication.

The Russian FEMCO-owned ship was forced to return to Roslyakovo, a cargo port south of the Russian Navy's Northern Fleet base in Severomorsk, on 19 June after UK insurer The Standard Club withdrew cover for the ship which was flying under a Curacao flag when it changed direction off the Scottish coast and was re-routed to Severomorsk. The ship arrived in the Russian port on 24 June.

A major contributing factor in the withdrawal of cover related to the MV Alaed's mixed military cargo of Russian-made Mi25 attack helicopters, rocket launchers, air-defence systems and munitions.

Such a cargo of offensive-type weapons risked breaching a European Union arms embargo against Syria. Russia, one of the primary providers of military materials to Syria, has no such embargo in place.

Under a Russian flag, the Alaed has continued its journey under insurance cover acquired in Russia to its end destination in Tartus, Syria. The Norwegian Navy, which is monitoring the Alaed's progress, reported Friday that the Russian flotilla was maintaining a distance of some 25 nautical miles from the ship, adding that it was standard practice for Russian warships to provide escorts for valuable military cargoes to Middle Eastern destinations.

FEMCO's decision to re-route the Alaed to Roslyakovo, and re-flag the vessel, came in response to information passed from the UK's Foreign Office to The Standard Club advising the insurer of the ship's sanction-breaching cargo.

FEMCo initially denied that the ship was carrying a military cargo, but confirmed that the bulk of the Alaed's cargo was military hardware and materials on June 20.

A full statement from FEMCO regarding the controversy can be read by clicking here.

 

[W.G.Ewald]

Syria has begun moving its chemical weapons stockpile out of storage, U.S. warns | Mail Online

Syria has undeclared arsenals of sarin nerve agent, mustard gas, cyanide
U.S. officials fear Assad may want to use weapons against rebels or civilians
Others believe he is trying to safeguard stockpile from his opponents

Syria has started to move part of its chemical weapons arsenal out of storage facilities, according to U.S. officials.

The country's undeclared stockpiles of sarin nerve agent, mustard gas and cyanide have long worried the U.S. officials and its allies in the region, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Western nations have looked for signs amid the rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad's government of any change in the location of those weapons, believed to be the world's largest stockpile...The Syrian government denied chemical stockpiles have been moved, the Journal said.

Syria is one of eight states - along with Israel and nearby Egypt - that have not joined the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, which means the world's chemical weapons watchdog has no jurisdiction to intervene there.

 

[pmaitra]

A full statement from FEMCO regarding the controversy can be read by clicking here.

Link: http://www.femco.ru/uploads/files/alaed_eng5.pdf