Dare elz-Zor: to whom glory, to whom is shame
One of the main events of last week in the Middle East was the concentration of the shock group of US Navy ships to strike at Syria. As American officials said, the buildup of forces was a response to the training of the formations loyal to Bashar Assad to deliver another blow weapons.
At the same time - no specifics where and when the government army intends to commit "another crime," from Washington were not reported.
Chemistry Intrigue
The grouping that advanced to the initial areas was quite strong: an aircraft carrier with an escort, as well as several destroyers with Tomahawk missiles. But the blow did not take place. Representatives of the Pentagon said that the threats had the effect, because Assad and refused to use poisonous substances. The Russian media sounded accusations of the American military and political leadership in the forgery - all the events were allegedly carried out solely for the purpose of propaganda: "See, we scared Bashar al-Assad."
Meanwhile, the advancement of the US Navy strike force pursued a well-defined task, far from propaganda. The US military intends to take part in the upcoming battle for Deir ez-Zor. It was this city that became the most important goal for Russia, Iran and Syria, and for the “anti-Igil” coalition led by the United States. The party that can establish control over this locality will gain a significant advantage when dividing the country into zones of influence. After the failure of the Jordanian border, the United States and its allies, who are losing the race for control over Syria, have almost the last chance to correct the situation.
While the struggle for Deir ez-Zor is hidden. Both sides motivate their desire to establish control over the city by fighting the IG (banned in Russia). But the Islamic State itself is no longer perceived by the headquarters of the opposing sides as an organized force. The presence of IG units looks more like a pretext.
Key city
Deir ez-Zor is a small town in eastern Syria. Before the war, its population did not exceed 130 thousand people. Meanwhile, Deir ez-Zor is the only settlement in the eastern and northeastern desert regions of the country, which lies on the way to Iraq.
The Pentagon understood the importance of this settlement back when it invaded Iraq in 2003. It was the routes connecting the country with Deir ez-Zor that the Wolverine tactical group formed from the Delta squad and ranger battalions should have blocked. At the last stage, operations “Wolverine” strengthened tank company. It was expected that weapons of mass destruction would be exported in the direction of Deir ez-Zor. Also along this route, according to the headquarters of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Saddam Hussein was supposed to flee.
In 2004 – 2005, Deir-ez-Zor became the most important route by which militants who sought to fight the United States entered Iraq. They arrived in Syria through the coastal cities, as well as through Lebanon. A separate route ran through Ankara. And already in Deir ez-Zor, the militants gathered in groups, received money, documents, and waited for the crossing of the border.
It is noteworthy that at the request of the United States, the government of Bashar al-Assad took an unprecedented step. With the permission of the Syrian government, secret American military bases were established in the Deir ez-Zor area, and units of the United States Special Operations Command (JSOC) secretly operated in the city itself. The US military began training paramilitary groups from local residents and Iraqi refugees who were hunting for militants. All this was done with the knowledge and with the support of the Syrian special services. Later, the US-trained troops became the force that beat Bashar al-Assad’s east of the country.
If the United States and its allies take Deir ez-Zor, then combining it with the conquered areas of Raqqi will gain control over the northeast, east, and partly southeast of Syria. Also in their hands will be the main path to Iraq. It is clear that such acquisitions almost completely offset Bashar al-Assad’s control over the Mediterranean coast and its borders with Jordan and Lebanon. In fact, this area will become a separate state with open borders.
But if Deir-ez-Zor passes under the control of government forces, all the achievements of the anti-Igilov coalition in the liberation of Raqqah will be in vain. This territory will be cut off from Iraq. Neither of which independence will not go. Such a “state” in any case will fall into a serious dependence on the Syrian government.
War without rules
Deir ez-Zor is a nodal point connecting the roads to Damascus, on the Mediterranean coast of Syria and to Palmyra into a single road network. The mastery of the city gives control over this important transport artery of the country. Therefore, even at the beginning of the civil war, government troops transferred the mobile forces of the 104th Airborne Brigade and took control of it at the beginning. aviation base, and later the whole city. Therefore, the troops prepared by the United States could not take it and were forced to retreat. Although some of them remained in Deir ez-Zor and moved to an illegal position.
But in 2014, IG troops approached the city, fighting began, which continues to this day. First, the Syrian paratroopers fought off all attacks, but after the fall of Palmyra, the position of the defenders deteriorated sharply. The only connection with the "big land" was military transport aviation. But because of the losses and the failure of the aircraft at the beginning of 2015, the supply of the most necessary fell to a minimum. Caliphate troops gradually won back the quarters from the paratroopers.
The situation was somewhat facilitated by the start of the operation of the Air and Space Forces of Russia. But IG continued to press anyway, and already in the autumn and winter of last year, a critical situation developed in Deir ez-Zor several times. In particular, the airbase was actually cut off from the city. Aircraft could not use the runway. Additional units of the airborne troops of Syria were deployed by the IL-76 to the advanced platforms. And from there the paratroopers were transported by Mi-8 helicopters to Deir ez-Zor itself. The reinforcement was able to correct the situation somewhat. In the future, Russian long-range aviation joined the strikes on the IG detachments near the city. Tu-22М3 struck several massive bombing attacks.
Now the situation has stabilized, approximately 40 percent of Deir ez-Zor remains under the control of the Syrian government forces. The use of the runway by the military transport An-12 and IL-76 is still difficult. These cars can land only at night and, without turning off the engines, quickly unload and take off. True, helicopters fly freely to the air base. And military transport planes drop parasailing aid to defenders and civilians every day.
At the most critical moment of the defense of Deir ez-Zor, defenders were hit by the USAF. Although the Pentagon insisted on a mistake, in the light of further events the plan of the American military becomes clear. They are quite satisfied that the city was captured by the IG. Then he became quite a legal goal for the release of coalition forces. But the Syrian troops, with the support of the Russian Aerospace Forces, resisted.
Kurdish factor
In May, representatives of the Kurdish YPG units suddenly started talking about Deir ez-Zor. According to their data, the IG transfers to the city government institutions. The Caliphate is preparing to call Deir ez-Zor its new capital. This data was confirmed by the Pentagon.
Syria and Russia put such allegations into question, calling Deir-ez-Zor “Syrian Stalingrad.” Given the intensity of the fighting, the statement is quite reasonable. It is very difficult to talk about the placement of some leadership in the city, which is shot by the Syrian troops and where contact fights are taking place.
The position of Moscow and Damascus is simple. This is not about the release of this locality, but about the release of government forces with the subsequent sweep. And only Syrian formations can perform these tasks.
But the Kurds and the United States continued to justify their intentions to free Deir ez-Zor at any cost. The fact that after the fall of Raqqah, it would be him who was to be liberated, representatives of the Kurdish troops officially announced last week.
Less than a day later, the US Navy ship group entered the attacking position. By analogy with the attack on the Shairat airbase, the Pentagon could well call one of the military bases from which the government troops attacking the route Palmyra-Deir ez-Zor are supplied with a place where poisonous substances are allegedly stored. And then level it with the ground. The recent attacks on the Iranian-Syrian detachments on the Jordanian border and the destruction of the Su-22 in the Raqqah area only confirms this development of the situation.
And if the Syrian government troops marching from Palmyra to release Deir ez-Zor do not have time, the situation with Aleppo may be repeated. Then, when the city was liberated, Kurdish detachments managed to take control of several blocks. And they did not hide the fact that they are supported by the United States. All attempts to agree on leaving the city were unsuccessful. Moreover, the Kurds were only entrenched in their positions.
If you look at the events in retrospect, the current situation became possible due to a serious miscalculation of the Syrian and Russian military, when Palmyra fell for the second time. Her re-release significantly delayed the march to Deir ez-Zor. It also allowed US units to go to the Raqqi area and launch an operation to liberate the city.
The past month has shown that the struggle with the IS has faded into the background. Moreover, it is already used by the parties to cover up post-war plans. The race for the liberation of Deir-ez-Zor is too important for both Syria and the anti-Igil coalition and the United States. Victory in it will determine which side will be able to dominate the territory of Syria, liberated from the "Islamic state". The stakes are unusually high.
At the same time - no specifics where and when the government army intends to commit "another crime," from Washington were not reported.
Chemistry Intrigue
The grouping that advanced to the initial areas was quite strong: an aircraft carrier with an escort, as well as several destroyers with Tomahawk missiles. But the blow did not take place. Representatives of the Pentagon said that the threats had the effect, because Assad and refused to use poisonous substances. The Russian media sounded accusations of the American military and political leadership in the forgery - all the events were allegedly carried out solely for the purpose of propaganda: "See, we scared Bashar al-Assad."
Meanwhile, the advancement of the US Navy strike force pursued a well-defined task, far from propaganda. The US military intends to take part in the upcoming battle for Deir ez-Zor. It was this city that became the most important goal for Russia, Iran and Syria, and for the “anti-Igil” coalition led by the United States. The party that can establish control over this locality will gain a significant advantage when dividing the country into zones of influence. After the failure of the Jordanian border, the United States and its allies, who are losing the race for control over Syria, have almost the last chance to correct the situation.
While the struggle for Deir ez-Zor is hidden. Both sides motivate their desire to establish control over the city by fighting the IG (banned in Russia). But the Islamic State itself is no longer perceived by the headquarters of the opposing sides as an organized force. The presence of IG units looks more like a pretext.
Key city
Deir ez-Zor is a small town in eastern Syria. Before the war, its population did not exceed 130 thousand people. Meanwhile, Deir ez-Zor is the only settlement in the eastern and northeastern desert regions of the country, which lies on the way to Iraq.
The Pentagon understood the importance of this settlement back when it invaded Iraq in 2003. It was the routes connecting the country with Deir ez-Zor that the Wolverine tactical group formed from the Delta squad and ranger battalions should have blocked. At the last stage, operations “Wolverine” strengthened tank company. It was expected that weapons of mass destruction would be exported in the direction of Deir ez-Zor. Also along this route, according to the headquarters of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Saddam Hussein was supposed to flee.In 2004 – 2005, Deir-ez-Zor became the most important route by which militants who sought to fight the United States entered Iraq. They arrived in Syria through the coastal cities, as well as through Lebanon. A separate route ran through Ankara. And already in Deir ez-Zor, the militants gathered in groups, received money, documents, and waited for the crossing of the border.
It is noteworthy that at the request of the United States, the government of Bashar al-Assad took an unprecedented step. With the permission of the Syrian government, secret American military bases were established in the Deir ez-Zor area, and units of the United States Special Operations Command (JSOC) secretly operated in the city itself. The US military began training paramilitary groups from local residents and Iraqi refugees who were hunting for militants. All this was done with the knowledge and with the support of the Syrian special services. Later, the US-trained troops became the force that beat Bashar al-Assad’s east of the country.
If the United States and its allies take Deir ez-Zor, then combining it with the conquered areas of Raqqi will gain control over the northeast, east, and partly southeast of Syria. Also in their hands will be the main path to Iraq. It is clear that such acquisitions almost completely offset Bashar al-Assad’s control over the Mediterranean coast and its borders with Jordan and Lebanon. In fact, this area will become a separate state with open borders.
But if Deir-ez-Zor passes under the control of government forces, all the achievements of the anti-Igilov coalition in the liberation of Raqqah will be in vain. This territory will be cut off from Iraq. Neither of which independence will not go. Such a “state” in any case will fall into a serious dependence on the Syrian government.
War without rules
Deir ez-Zor is a nodal point connecting the roads to Damascus, on the Mediterranean coast of Syria and to Palmyra into a single road network. The mastery of the city gives control over this important transport artery of the country. Therefore, even at the beginning of the civil war, government troops transferred the mobile forces of the 104th Airborne Brigade and took control of it at the beginning. aviation base, and later the whole city. Therefore, the troops prepared by the United States could not take it and were forced to retreat. Although some of them remained in Deir ez-Zor and moved to an illegal position.
But in 2014, IG troops approached the city, fighting began, which continues to this day. First, the Syrian paratroopers fought off all attacks, but after the fall of Palmyra, the position of the defenders deteriorated sharply. The only connection with the "big land" was military transport aviation. But because of the losses and the failure of the aircraft at the beginning of 2015, the supply of the most necessary fell to a minimum. Caliphate troops gradually won back the quarters from the paratroopers.The situation was somewhat facilitated by the start of the operation of the Air and Space Forces of Russia. But IG continued to press anyway, and already in the autumn and winter of last year, a critical situation developed in Deir ez-Zor several times. In particular, the airbase was actually cut off from the city. Aircraft could not use the runway. Additional units of the airborne troops of Syria were deployed by the IL-76 to the advanced platforms. And from there the paratroopers were transported by Mi-8 helicopters to Deir ez-Zor itself. The reinforcement was able to correct the situation somewhat. In the future, Russian long-range aviation joined the strikes on the IG detachments near the city. Tu-22М3 struck several massive bombing attacks.
Now the situation has stabilized, approximately 40 percent of Deir ez-Zor remains under the control of the Syrian government forces. The use of the runway by the military transport An-12 and IL-76 is still difficult. These cars can land only at night and, without turning off the engines, quickly unload and take off. True, helicopters fly freely to the air base. And military transport planes drop parasailing aid to defenders and civilians every day.
At the most critical moment of the defense of Deir ez-Zor, defenders were hit by the USAF. Although the Pentagon insisted on a mistake, in the light of further events the plan of the American military becomes clear. They are quite satisfied that the city was captured by the IG. Then he became quite a legal goal for the release of coalition forces. But the Syrian troops, with the support of the Russian Aerospace Forces, resisted.
Kurdish factor
In May, representatives of the Kurdish YPG units suddenly started talking about Deir ez-Zor. According to their data, the IG transfers to the city government institutions. The Caliphate is preparing to call Deir ez-Zor its new capital. This data was confirmed by the Pentagon.
Syria and Russia put such allegations into question, calling Deir-ez-Zor “Syrian Stalingrad.” Given the intensity of the fighting, the statement is quite reasonable. It is very difficult to talk about the placement of some leadership in the city, which is shot by the Syrian troops and where contact fights are taking place.
The position of Moscow and Damascus is simple. This is not about the release of this locality, but about the release of government forces with the subsequent sweep. And only Syrian formations can perform these tasks.
But the Kurds and the United States continued to justify their intentions to free Deir ez-Zor at any cost. The fact that after the fall of Raqqah, it would be him who was to be liberated, representatives of the Kurdish troops officially announced last week.
Less than a day later, the US Navy ship group entered the attacking position. By analogy with the attack on the Shairat airbase, the Pentagon could well call one of the military bases from which the government troops attacking the route Palmyra-Deir ez-Zor are supplied with a place where poisonous substances are allegedly stored. And then level it with the ground. The recent attacks on the Iranian-Syrian detachments on the Jordanian border and the destruction of the Su-22 in the Raqqah area only confirms this development of the situation.
And if the Syrian government troops marching from Palmyra to release Deir ez-Zor do not have time, the situation with Aleppo may be repeated. Then, when the city was liberated, Kurdish detachments managed to take control of several blocks. And they did not hide the fact that they are supported by the United States. All attempts to agree on leaving the city were unsuccessful. Moreover, the Kurds were only entrenched in their positions.
If you look at the events in retrospect, the current situation became possible due to a serious miscalculation of the Syrian and Russian military, when Palmyra fell for the second time. Her re-release significantly delayed the march to Deir ez-Zor. It also allowed US units to go to the Raqqi area and launch an operation to liberate the city.
The past month has shown that the struggle with the IS has faded into the background. Moreover, it is already used by the parties to cover up post-war plans. The race for the liberation of Deir-ez-Zor is too important for both Syria and the anti-Igil coalition and the United States. Victory in it will determine which side will be able to dominate the territory of Syria, liberated from the "Islamic state". The stakes are unusually high.
Information