PHOTO: Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov “ready to attack terrorist targets”

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SUNDAY FEATURE

Analysis: Targeting the Medics — Assad Regime’s Propaganda & an Embedded Reporter Named Fisk

UPDATE 1400 GMT: Testimony from a doctor of a Russian attack on an underground hospital today — two airstrikes included “bunker-buster” bombs:

UPDATE 0725 GMT: The Syrian military has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to rebels to surrender. in east Aleppo.

Leaflets and messages from loudspeakers assert, “Whoever wants to stay alive must drop his weapons and we will secure his safety. After the 24 hours is up, we will implement our strategic attack using our highly sophisticated weapons.”

ORIGINAL ENTRY: Russia continued its dual language of threat and assurance on Saturday over Syria’s conflict, hinting at renewed attacks on Aleppo city while saying that “humanitarian pauses” are possible.

Facing political pressure over its bombing of opposition-held areas of Aleppo city, killing several hundred civilians in a month, Russia suspended airstrikes on October 18. However, at the same time, Moscow and the Assad regime are hoping to force a capitulation of the 270,000 residents, tightening their siege — imposed in late August — with operations west of the city.

On Saturday the military highlighted its fleet, including Russia’s flagship aircraft carrier, which was moved to the Mediterranean last week in preparation for strikes.

Sergey Artamonov, the captain of the carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, told Russian TV that flights were now being carried out for “interaction” with Russia’s main airbase, located in Latakia Province in western Syria.

The commander of a battle cruiser added some tough talk for anyone opposed to the deployment, “Nobody is flying above us. Everybody is afraid of approaching us closer than 50 km (31 miles), understanding the might of the cruisers.”

Russian State outlet RT added the message, “The planes and vessels from the battle group are ready to attack terrorist targets on the outskirts of Syria’s Aleppo to prevent more militants from entering the city.”

At the same time, the Defense Ministry said that it is ready to consider the possibility of new “humanitarian pauses” as soon as the UN confirmed its readiness to deliver aid to Aleppo and evacuate injured and sick civilians.

But spokesman Igor Konashenkov gave Moscow the pretext to step back from the offer:

The experience of previous humanitarian pauses showed that assurances of UN representatives about ‘preliminary’ agreements with militants in Aleppo are just words. All attempts of any vehicles with humanitarian aid for Aleppo to even approach humanitarian corridors always end in shellings by militants and impossibility to go through because of mines in the roads and streets.

Since late August, Russia has periodically declared the “pauses”, saying that civilians and rebels can depart east Aleppo through “corridors”. However, Moscow and the Assad regime have continued to block aid deliveries, bombing a UN convoy on September 19 west of the city.

Moscow and the Assad regime have also continued to bomb outside Aleppo city. Most of the attacks have been in northwest Syria; however, footage on Saturday also showed Russian incendiary attacks on Khan al-Shih, southwest of Damascus, as pro-Assad forces tried for a 7th week to overrun the town.

Regime attacks this morning on Idlib Province in northwest Syria:

Damage in the Khan al-Shih mosque:

khan-al-shih-mosque-hit-11-16

Yesterday pro-Assad forces completed the takeover of the Dahiyat al-Assad district, west of Aleppo, which had been taken by rebels in an offensive at the end of October.

With the advance, the foreign militias and Syrian paramilitary Tiger Forces have regained all the area lost in the past two weeks as well as retaking control of the 1070 Housing Complex, most of which rebels had held since August.

See Syria Daily, Nov 12: Pro-Assad Forces Advance West of Aleppo

Car Bombing in Azaz in Northwest Syria Kills 2

Another car bomb has been detonated in the town of Azaz, in northwest Syria near the border with Turkey, killing at least two people.

The Islamic State has set off a series of bombs in the opposition-controlled area.

Turkish-Supported Rebels Launch Offensive on ISIS-Held Al-Bab in Aleppo Province

Turkish-supported rebels, including the Free Syrian Army, have launched their offensive to take the Islamic State’s remaining major position in Aleppo Province, the town of al-Bab.

Reports say the advance troops of the force have taken a series of villages to move within 2 to 3 km (1.2 to 1.9 miles) from al-Bab, 40 km (25 miles) northeast of Aleppo.

The rebels have been closing on al-Bab since an offensive — joined by Turkish airstrikes, tanks, and special forces — began pushing the Islamic State back in northern Syria in late August.

However, political and military complications because of the proximity of both the Kurdish militia YPG and pro-Assad forces to al-Bab, setting the stage for a possible race for the city.

With the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces now concentrating on an offensive against ISIS in the city of Raqqa, and with pro-Assad forces battling rebels west of Aleppo, the space has opened up for Ankara and the rebels to renew the push on al-Bab.