May 2020 - Syria Special Weapons News

Syria receives advanced MiG-29 fighter jets from Russia: SANA Press TV 31 May 2020 -- Syria has received a second batch of advanced MiG-29 fighter jets from Russia as Damascus and its allies are fighting a remaining Daesh pocket in the Arab country.
Turkish forces strike Syrian army positions in Aleppo, no casualties reported Press TV 30 May 2020 -- Turkish military forces have reportedly fired several rockets at the positions of Syrian government forces in the Arab country's northwestern province of Aleppo.
Militants Shell Settlements in Northwestern Syria, Russian Military Says Sputnik 30 May 2020 -- The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham* terrorist group has attacked settlements in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, Rear Admiral Oleg Zhuravlev, the head of the Russian Defence Ministry's centre for Syrian reconciliation, said on Saturday.
Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 29 May 2020 -- The RAF are continuing to take the fight to Daesh in Iraq and Syria.
US General: Russia Using 'Same Playbook' in Libya as in Ukraine, Syria VOA 29 May 2020 -- Russia is further destabilizing Libya to gain a stronghold in northern Africa, just as it has in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, according to a top official with U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
Syria decries European Union's hypocrisy after sanctions prolonged for another year Press TV 29 May 2020 -- Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has censured the European Union (EU) over prolonging its sanctions against the war-ravaged Arab country for another year, stating such measures expose the hypocrisy of the bloc and spurious statements of its officials.
US General: Russia Using 'Same Playbook' in Libya as in Ukraine, Syria VOA 29 May 2020 -- Russia is further destabilizing Libya to gain a stronghold in northern Africa, just as it has in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, according to a top official with U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
Islamic State Calls Coronavirus Pandemic a Plague of Biblical Proportions VOA 28 May 2020 -- The Islamic State is promising the terror group's enemies will be struck down by the coronavirus pandemic much like the Bible says Egypt's pharaoh was devastated by the 10 plagues.
Syrian civilians block US military convoys seeking to enter two villages in Hasakah Press TV 28 May 2020 -- The residents of two small villages in the northern countryside of Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah have blocked US military convoys attempting to pass through their areas, forcing them to return to their bases.
Infighting flares up among Turkish-backed militants over stolen objects in Syria's Hasakah province Press TV 28 May 2020 -- Several Turkish-backed militants have been killed and injured during a fierce infighting between Turkish-backed rival groups in Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah, a local media report says.
US-led coalition deploys Patriot missile batteries at Syria gas field: Report Press TV 27 May 2020 -- The Western military coalition, purported to fight the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, has reportedly deployed three Patriot missile batteries at a US base in Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr.
Russian Military Names Group Behind Attack on Turkish Patrol in Syria Sputnik 27 May 2020 -- Militants of the "Al-Islamad-Turkestani"* group were behind a bomb attack on a Turkish patrol in the Idlib de-escalation zone, in which one Turkish soldier was killed, Rear Admiral Oleg Zhuravlev, head of the Russian Centre for the Reconciliation of Warring Parties in Syria, said at a briefing.
US Denies Reports It Has 'Multiple Patriot Missile Batteries' Deployed Near Massive Syrian Gas Field Sputnik 27 May 2020 -- US forces in northeastern Syria began to redeploy from the border with Turkey to the country's interior and oil and gas fields last October, after Ankara launched an abortive invasion of the area targeting the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces militia.
US Troops, Kurdish Militia Injured Following Ambush, Firefight in Northeast Syria - Reports Sputnik 27 May 2020 -- The reported incident comes just over a month after a similar ambush which led to the loss of a vehicle carrying US troops and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militia, the predominantly Kurdish militia group which enjoys de facto control over part of northeast Syria. Several people were reported injured in that attack.
Turkish forces, allied militants intend to steal wheat crops in Syria's Hasakah: SANA Press TV 26 May 2020 -- Turkish military forces and allied militants are reportedly planning to steal tens of tons of grain from Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah, and smuggle it across the border.
Militants Shell Town in Syria's Idlib, Russian Military Says Sputnik 26 May 2020 -- Militants from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham* terrorist group have attacked a settlement in the Syrian province of Idlib, Rear Admiral Oleg Zhuravlev, the head of the Russian Defence Ministry's centre for Syrian reconciliation, said on Tuesday.
Daesh's Iraq Head Killed in US Coalition Airstrike in Syria, Iraqi Anti-Terrorism Service Says Sputnik 26 May 2020 -- Mouataz al-Jabouri, an who heads militants associated with the Daesh* terrorist group in Iraq, has been killed in an attack carried out by the US-led international coalition in northeastern Syria, a spokesman of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) said on Tuesday.
Militants Shell Town in Syria's Idlib, Russian Military Says Sputnik 25 May 2020 -- Militants from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham* terrorist group have attacked a settlement in the Syrian province of Idlib, Rear Admiral Oleg Zhuravlev, the head of the Russian Defence Ministry's centre for Syrian reconciliation, said on Monday.
Turkish-backed militants set fire to farms in northeastern Syria: SANA Press TV 24 May 2020 -- Turkish-backed Takfiri militants have burned wide areas of agricultural lands in Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah, reports say.
Infighting kills Turkish-backed militants in northern Syria Press TV 24 May 2020 -- Infighting between rival groups in Syria's northern provinces of Aleppo and Idlib has ended in the killing and injuring of several Turkish-backed Takfiri militants.
Two Daesh Regional Leaders Killed in Joint SDF, Coalition Raid Sputnik 22 May 2020 -- The leader of the Daesh terrorist group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was claimed to have been killed in October 2019 during a US Special Forces operation in the Syrian province of Idlib, according to US President Donald Trump.
Iran Lawmaker Says $30 Billion Spent On Syria Must Be Returned Radio Farda 20 May 2020 -- A conservative lawmaker and former chairman of the Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission has said that Iran spent 20-30 billion dollars in Syria that must be reimbursed.
Iranian Media Refute Israel's Claim That Tehran is Scaling Down Its Presence in Syria Sputnik 20 May 2020 -- Previously, outgoing Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennet commented that Iran "has begun the withdrawal process from Syria," his uncorroborated-by-evidence statement coming in the wake of earlier reports of Israeli officials suggesting there was a scaling down of Tehran's presence in the country.
Syrian Justice Ministry Refutes Reports of Arresting Accounts of Assad's Cousin Makhlouf Sputnik 20 May 2020 -- The Syrian Justice Ministry on Wednesday refuted media reports about arrested accounts of businessman Rami Makhlouf, a cousin of President Bashar Assad.
UN official says militants from Syria being sent to fight in Libya Press TV 19 May 2020 -- United Nations (UN) Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen says militants from the Arab country are being sent to Libya to fight on both sides of the conflict there.
Accusations of Russian war crimes in Syria 'part of media war' Press TV 19 May 2020 -- Russia says allegations that the Russian military has committed war crimes in Syria are part of a "media war" on Moscow and are based on information from unidentified, unreliable sources.
Syria vows fight against 'American, Turkish, Israeli occupiers' Press TV 19 May 2020 -- Syria's UN envoy says any presence of foreign forces on Syrian soil without authorization from the Damascus government amounts to "aggression and occupation," emphasizing the Arab nation's right to defend its sovereignty and resources.
Syria: UN relief chief appeals for renewal of lifesaving cross-border aid operation UN News 19 May 2020 -- The UN's top aid official has urged the Security Council to renew a mechanism that provides lifesaving assistance to millions of desperate people in northwest Syria, through cross-border deliveries from Turkey.
US, other foreign forces must leave Syria, respect its sovereignty: Iran Press TV 18 May 2020 -- Iran's permanent ambassador to the United Nations says the US must end its illegal occupation of Syria and stop shielding terrorist groups under the mask of fighting terrorism.
US, other foreign forces must leave Syria, respect its sovereignty: Iran Press TV 18 May 2020 -- Iran's permanent ambassador to the United Nations says the US must end its illegal occupation of Syria and stop shielding terrorist groups under the mask of fighting terrorism.
US P-8A Poseidon spy aircraft detected near Russian military base in Syria Press TV 18 May 2020 -- Russian air defense forces have reportedly spotted a US military reconnaissance aircraft flying in close proximity to the strategic Hmeimim air base in Syria's western coastal province of Latakia.
Russia, Iran And The Future Of Syria's Assad Radio Farda 18 May 2020 -- The "project to oust the Syrian strongman, Bashar al-Assad" is a "big American-Zionist lie", says a former senior Iranian diplomat and a current advisor to the speaker of parliament.
Renewed trust and cooperation could finally 'unlock progress' toward peace in Syria – UN envoy UN News 18 May 2020 -- Renewed trust, confidence, and cooperation between international players and Syrians could finally "unlock progress", putting the country on a political path towards lasting peace, the UN Special Envoy for Syria told the Security Council on Monday.
Assad Exploiting COVID-19 Prevention Measures to Consolidate Grip on Syria, Observers Say VOA 18 May 2020 -- Observers say the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is using the coronavirus crisis to exploit prevention measures to consolidate its control. Syria's health ministry has so far reported 59 cases of COVID-19, with three deaths, accounting only for people in areas under Assad's control. But Western intelligence officials believe the official tally is far too low. Concerns are growing that the pandemic could devastate crowded displacement camps and conflict-ridden regions in Syria's northwest and northeast.
Khamenei Threatens The US With Expulsion From Iraq And Syria Radio Farda 18 May 2020 -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei says the United States will be "expelled from Iraq and Syria," adding that "The U.S. government's long-term performance has led to abhorrence by a major part of the world."
US aircraft drops incendiary balloons, sets fire to wheat crops in NE Syria Press TV 17 May 2020 -- An American aircraft has reportedly dropped thermal balloons over agricultural lands in Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah, setting fire to wheat crops in the area.
Militants Shell Towns in 3 Provinces of Syria, Russian Military Says Sputnik 17 May 2020 -- Militants from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham* terrorist group have conducted numerous attacks in the Syrian provinces of Idlib, Aleppo, and Latakia, Rear Admiral Oleg Zhuravlev, the head of the Russian Defence Ministry's centre for Syrian reconciliation, said on Saturday.
Ayatollah Khamenei: Americans support terrorists, will be expelled from Syria and Iraq Press TV 17 May 2020 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says due to its support for terrorists, the US is hated in most parts of the world and will be soon expelled from Syria and Iraq, where it is illegally present in the two Arab countries.
US Will Be 'Expelled From Iraq and Syria', Iran's Supreme Leader Says Sputnik 17 May 2020 -- The situation between Iran and the United States almost escalated into a full conflict after a US drone strike killed top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad in January, prompting Tehran to retaliate by firing ballistic missiles at two bases in Iraq hosting US forces.
Supreme Leader: US to be expelled from Iraq, Syria IRNA 17 May 2020 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Sunday that the US government's long-term performance has led to its being abhorred by a major part of the world and the Americans won't stay in Iraq and Syria; they'll be expelled.
Tactical Change Or Withdrawal? Iran's Syria Strategy Analyzed Amid Reports Of Force Reductions Radio Farda 16 May 2020 -- Some nine years after Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) deployed military advisers and fighters to Syria to prop up the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, Israeli and U.S. officials have said Tehran is reducing its presence in Syria.
Militants Shell Towns in Syria's Idlib, Russian Military Says Sputnik 16 May 2020 -- Militants from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham* terrorist group have conducted three attacks in the Syrian province of Idlib, Rear Admiral Oleg Zhuravlev, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry's centre for Syrian reconciliation, said on Saturday.
Report: Former al-Qaida Syria Branch Should Be Included in Cease-Fire VOA 15 May 2020 -- A powerful Islamist militant group should be included in a Russian-Turkish deal to sustain a cease-fire and prevent a new humanitarian crisis in northwest Syria, said an international conflict prevention group.
Infighting flares up among Turkish-backed militants over stolen objects in northern Syria: Report Press TV 15 May 2020 -- Infighting has erupted among Turkish-backed Takfiri militants in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province following dispute over distribution of stolen objects, a report says.
Tactical Change Or Withdrawal? Iran's Syria Strategy Analyzed Amid Reports Of Force Reductions RFE/RL 15 May 2020 -- Some nine years after Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) deployed military advisers and fighters to Syria to prop up the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, Israeli and U.S. officials have said Tehran is reducing its presence in Syria.
US Global Maritime Advisory Warns Of Iran's 'Deceptions' Radio Farda 15 May 2020 -- In its newly released Global Maritime Advisory (GMA), the U.S. government has advised the world's shipping lines to be vigilant about "Iran's, North Korea's and Syria's deceptions".
Millions of Syrians food insecure amid coronavirus pandemic: WFP Press TV 14 May 2020 -- The United Nations food agency says a record 9.3 million people are now food insecure in Syria, which has endured almost a decade of foreign-backed militancy and is under rounds of crippling economic sanctions imposed by the United States.
Report reveals UK attempt to turn Syria Alawites against Assad Press TV 14 May 2020 -- A new report sheds light on Britain's role in the formation of a so-called protest campaign online against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the name of the Arab country's Alawite community, a key source of support for Damascus in its years-long fight against foreign-sponsored terrorists.
Data on Islamic State Attacks Could be Masking Growing Problem, Some Fear VOA 13 May 2020 -- Across Iraq and Syria there is a growing sense of unease that when it comes to the Islamic State terror group, data showing the jihadist force on its heels should not be trusted.
Daesh Continues Low-Level Insurgency, Unable to Gain Ground in Iraq, Syria - Pentagon Sputnik 13 May 2020 -- The Daesh* terrorist group wages a low-level insurgency in Iraq and Syria but is unable to gain and hold territory despite decreased counteractions amid the coronavirus pandemic, Inspector General for Operation Inherent Resolve said in a quarterly report on Wednesday.
Syrian Village Residents Block Road, Thwart US Convoy's Attempt to Use Local Highway Sputnik 12 May 2020 -- The incident comes amid the ongoing standoff between US troops, Syrian Army units, local residents and Kurdish militia in northeast Syria, home to the majority of Damascus's oil and gas reserves.
Russia, Turkey Carry Out 10th Joint Patrolling in Syria's Idlib – MoD Sputnik 12 May 2020 -- The Russian and Turkish military on Tuesday conducted the tenth joint patrol along the M4 highway in Syria's northern Idlib de-escalation zone, the Russian Defence Ministry's centre for the reconciliation of the warring parties in Syria said in a statement on Tuesday.
Amnesty International: Attacks By Damascus, Russian Forces In Syria 'Amount To War Crimes' RFE/RL 11 May 2020 -- Amnesty International says it has documented 18 attacks in northwest Syria carried out by Syrian government and Russian forces over the past year that amounted to war crimes.
Unilateral sanctions hamper Syria's fight against coronavirus pandemic: UN envoy Press TV 10 May 2020 -- Syria's Ambassador to the United Nations Bashar al-Jaafari says unilateral sanctions imposed by the Western countries are hampering the Damascus government's efforts to import medicine and other medical supplies to fight the deadly novel coronavirus outbreak in the country.
US sets up new military base in Syria's oil-rich Dayr al-Zawr: Report Press TV 09 May 2020 -- The United States has reportedly established a new military base in Syria's oil-rich eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr after bringing in reinforcements to the war-torn Arab country.
Idlib Terrorists Shell Outskirts of Syria's Latakia - Reports Sputnik 09 May 2020 -- Earlier this month, militants of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham* terrorist organisation shelled the Kafr Nabl town in the Syrian province of Idlib, according to the Russian Defence Ministry's centre for the Syrian reconciliation.
UN: Syria Armed Groups Use Global Focus on COVID to Escalate Fighting VOA 09 May 2020 -- The U.N.'s top human rights official is warning that armed groups in Syria are using the global focus on COVID-19 to regroup and escalate fighting in the country.
Terrorists upping attacks on Syrian civilians during pandemic, situation deteriorating: UN Press TV 08 May 2020 -- The United Nations rights chief Michelle Bachelet has said that Syria's situation is a "ticking time-bomb" as terrorist groups such as the Daesh Takfiri outfit exploit the COVID-19 pandemic and heighten attacks on civilians.
Syria violence 'a ticking time-bomb that must not be ignored': UN human rights chief UN News 08 May 2020 -- As civilian casualties mount across Syria and human rights violations continue unabated, the UN rights chief expressed serious concern on Friday that some parties to the conflict, including ISIL terrorist fighters, may be using the COVID-19 pandemic as "an opportunity to regroup and inflict violence on the population".
U.S. Accuses Russia Of Inflaming Libya Conflict, Sending Syrian Fighters RFE/RL 08 May 2020 -- The United States has accused Russia of worsening the situation in war-torn Libya and funneling Syrian mercenaries to support Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar in his battle to capture the capital, Tripoli.
From Syria to Libya: Captured Mercenaries Recount Tales of Coercion, Deception Sputnik 08 May 2020 -- As violence returns to Libya, Syrian foreign mercenaries get caught in the crosshairs between Tobruk and Tripoli, but instead of hardened warriors, they cut out a sorry figure.s
Briefing with Special Representative for Syria Engagement and Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Ambassador James Jeffrey, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Henry Wooster, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Christoper Robinson On Russian Engagement in the Middle East US Dept. of State 07 May 2020
US-Backed Forces Crack Down on Resurgent Islamic State VOA 07 May 2020 -- U.S.-led coalition special operation forces hit back against an Islamic State cell in Syria, capturing a midlevel leader linked to a rise in attacks by the terror group in the Deir el-Zour countryside.
Daesh terrorists kill 11 Syrian soldiers, allied fighters in eastern Syria: Monitor Press TV 07 May 2020 -- Members of the Daesh terrorist group have killed 11 Syrian government soldiers and their allied fighters, a monitoring group says.
Trump Renews US Sanctions Against Syria Over Ongoing Conflict Sputnik 07 May 2020 -- President Donald Trump sent a letter to Congress on Thursday announcing that he is renewing US sanctions against Syria due to the ongoing conflict in the country.
Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate The White House 07 May 2020
Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Actions of the Government of Syria The White House 07 May 2020
Israel Not To Stop Operations Until Iran Driven Out Of Syria, Defense Minister Says Radio Farda 06 May 2020 -- Speaking to the state-owned Kan 11 news channel on Tuesday following airstrikes in the north of Syria that killed at least 14 fighters, Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett said Israel will keep up its operations in Syria until Iran is driven out.
Daesh used gorge near ex-bastion in Syria to dump corpses: HRW Press TV 05 May 2020 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) says the Daesh terror group used a gorge in Syria's northern city of Raqqah – the Takfiri outfit's former stronghold in the country – as a dumping ground and mass grave for bodies of the people it had abducted and killed.
Iranian, Iraqi Fighters Reported Killed In Israeli Air Strikes In Syria RFE/RL 05 May 2020 -- Israeli air strikes in eastern Syria have killed 14 Iranian and Iraqi fighters, a group monitoring the Syrian war says.
Syria's air defenses thwart aerial missile attack in skies of Aleppo: SANA Press TV 04 May 2020 -- The Syrian army's air defense units have foiled an aerial missile attack in the skies of the northern province of Aleppo, Syria's official news agency reports.
Assad: Syria facing unjust embargo in its fight against pandemic Press TV 04 May 2020 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says unjust sanctions imposed by Western countries against Damascus constitute a major obstacle on the way of fighting the ongoing deadly pandemic of the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
Unknown terrorists murder nine policemen in Syria's Dara'a Press TV 04 May 2020 -- At least nine Syrian policemen have been killed after a group of unidentified armed men launched an attack on a government building in southwestern province of Dara'a.
US forces transport imprisoned Daesh terrorists from Syria to Iraq: SANA Press TV 04 May 2020 -- US forces have reportedly transported an unspecified number of imprisoned members of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in the northeastern province of Hasaka to their occupied bases in Iraq.
Investigation Urged into Syrian Gorge Used to Dump Dead Bodies VOA 04 May 2020 -- Human Rights Watch is calling for an investigation into a gorge in northwest Syria that was used as a dumping site for dead bodies over the years.
Russian forces block US convoy in northeast Syria as tensions rise Press TV 03 May 2020 -- Russian military police units in Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah have reportedly prevented a US convoy from entering a strategic city, amid escalation between the two sides over freedom of movement in the mainly Kurdish-inhabited region.
Syria strongly denounces Israel's plan for annexing occupied West Bank Press TV 03 May 2020 -- Syria has strongly lambasted Israel's plan for annexing much of the occupied West Bank and roundly rejected statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to grab more Palestinian lands in the occupied region.
Syrian Troops Demine Hundreds of Hectares of Land in Bid to Rebuild War-Torn Nation Sputnik 03 May 2020 -- Damascus has estimated that it will cost between $200 and $400 billion to rebuild the infrastructure damaged or destroyed during the foreign-backed-civil war which kicked off in 2011. It remains unclear where the money will come from, as the US and its Syrian Kurdish militia allies have taken control of much of Syria's oil-rich eastern territories.
Syrian civilian shot dead by US military forces in Dayr al-Zawr: SANA Press TV 02 May 2020 -- US military forces have shot and killed a civilian in Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr, amid soaring resentment and protests against the deployment of the troops in the strategic region, which has forced the occupying soldiers to retreat on occasions.
Syrian Forces Demine Almost 5 Acres of Land Over Past 24 Hours, Russian Military Says Sputnik 02 May 2020 -- Syrian military engineers have diffused 60 explosive devices over the past 24 hours, thereby demining 2 hectares (4.9 acres) of territory, the Russian Defence Ministry's Centre for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides said on Saturday.
'Informed Source' Denies Iranian Guard General Killed In Israeli Attack Radio Farda 02 May 2020 -- An Iranian news agency on Saturday denied Arab social media reports claiming Brigadier General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, Commander of the Guards' Aerospace Force, had was in an Israeli strike in Syria on Friday.
Militants Shell Town in Syria's Idlib, Russian Military Says Sputnik 01 May 2020 -- Militants of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham* terrorist organization have shelled the Kafr Nabl town in the Syrian province of Idlib, Oleg Zhuravlev, the head of the Russian Defence Ministry's centre for the Syrian reconciliation, said during a briefing on Friday.
Syria, Yemen slam Germany for complying with US, Israeli dictates to ban Hezbollah Press TV 01 May 2020 -- Syria and Yemen have slammed the German government's decision to designate Hezbollah a "terrorist organization", saying Berlin has complied with the dictates of Washington and Tel Aviv to ban the resistance movement.

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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

May 2020 - Syria Special Weapons News