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| Merkava Mk4 MBT |
UPDATE BELOW 24 February 2020: All indications point towards the IDF launching major military operations to fundamentally if not radically change the situation in Gaza. Such an operation could easily expand to operations against other military adversaries in the north.
Exact execution date/time is unknown, but it is close, possibly even within a week or so after the new election. The Likud currently leads in polling data, so PM Netanyahu may believe he has a free hand to do what has been promised for so long in the near term.
28 February 2020: Based upon the prophecy in Jeremiah 49:23-27 Eschatology Today has multipleblog posts anticipating a mjaor escalation in the fighting in northwestern Syria (Idlib Province) for the better part of two years.
This morning an emergency meeting of NATO, under Article 4 of the NATO charter, will occur at Turkey's request following an airstrike last evening by the Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF) on Turkish armed forces in Idlib. The SAAF strike killed 33 Turkish soldiers. In retaliation Turkish airstrikes have been pounding a broad range of Syrian Arab Army (SAA) positions and depots for hours on end, with the Turkish defense ministry estimating the neutralizing of at least 300 SAA troops, and other foreign sources estimating only a couple dozen SAA troops have been killed in the ongoing retaliation.
Thus, the crisis between Turkey and Russia/Iran-backed Syria has reached an unprecedented level of escalation. Additionally, multiple intelligence reports confirm that two Russian naval frigates armed with Kalibur-NK cruise missiles have deployed the Mediterranean Sea from the RussianBlack Sea Fleet. One Russian lawmaker has directly threatened the Turkish forces. The cruise missiles almost certainly would be used against Turkish forces. Ironically, the Turkish forces in Idlib are there under an agreement with Russia to defend ethnic Turks from the SAA. Turkey and Russia are no where near being allies, even Iran is predicting a Turkish defeat in Syria.
In southern Syria last night there was a significant engagement between IDF attack helicopters and "Syrian" troops in the area between Hader and Quneitra on the Golan. The "Syrian" troops could be a mix of SAA, Hezbollah and IRGC-QF troops who are well-known to disguise themselves in SAA uniforms. There were two separate IDF heliborne strikes yesterday. In the first a high-level Hezbollah officer, Imad Tawil, was reportedly killed; in the second several of the "Syrian" troops were severely injured. These troops have been busy establishing forward combat positions on the Golan for IRGC-QF operations against Israel.
New developments today may resolve some of the ambiguities in current OSINT reporting. Watching closely...
UPDATE 10 March 2020: The crisis discussed above can now be understood in very clear terms. The all but full-scale war in Idlib, which had a good chance of pitting Turkey directly against Russian forces in Syria, resulted in an unambiguous Turkish victory.
The hundreds of Syrian tanks and armored vehicles that were destroyed in and around the town of Saraqeb owe their miserable fate largely to the Turkish drone imaged above, the Bayraktar TB2. The relatively cheap drone was instrumental in not only halting the Syrians in their tracks but in getting Vladimir Putin's undivided attention. This resulted in the Erdogan-Putin summit and ceasefire agreement of last Thursday. Putin's attention was piqued by the fact that Turkey has sold several of the Bayraktar TB2 drones to Ukraine which could easily be turned loose on pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine to devastating effect.
Skirmishing in Idlib is sporadic, but these are nothing like the pitched battle of two weeks ago which destroyed the Syrian Army day and night without cessation. Russia could have intervened directly, but the cost over a small province such as Idlib was obviously not something Putin would go all-in on. So, for the moment a fragile ceasefire remains in place. Hundred of Turkish Army reinforcements have flooded into Idlib during the present lull. And that's all this is, a lull in the fighting.
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| Map from Global SITREP C10-18 07SEP20`8 |
This morning an emergency meeting of NATO, under Article 4 of the NATO charter, will occur at Turkey's request following an airstrike last evening by the Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF) on Turkish armed forces in Idlib. The SAAF strike killed 33 Turkish soldiers. In retaliation Turkish airstrikes have been pounding a broad range of Syrian Arab Army (SAA) positions and depots for hours on end, with the Turkish defense ministry estimating the neutralizing of at least 300 SAA troops, and other foreign sources estimating only a couple dozen SAA troops have been killed in the ongoing retaliation.
Thus, the crisis between Turkey and Russia/Iran-backed Syria has reached an unprecedented level of escalation. Additionally, multiple intelligence reports confirm that two Russian naval frigates armed with Kalibur-NK cruise missiles have deployed the Mediterranean Sea from the RussianBlack Sea Fleet. One Russian lawmaker has directly threatened the Turkish forces. The cruise missiles almost certainly would be used against Turkish forces. Ironically, the Turkish forces in Idlib are there under an agreement with Russia to defend ethnic Turks from the SAA. Turkey and Russia are no where near being allies, even Iran is predicting a Turkish defeat in Syria.
In southern Syria last night there was a significant engagement between IDF attack helicopters and "Syrian" troops in the area between Hader and Quneitra on the Golan. The "Syrian" troops could be a mix of SAA, Hezbollah and IRGC-QF troops who are well-known to disguise themselves in SAA uniforms. There were two separate IDF heliborne strikes yesterday. In the first a high-level Hezbollah officer, Imad Tawil, was reportedly killed; in the second several of the "Syrian" troops were severely injured. These troops have been busy establishing forward combat positions on the Golan for IRGC-QF operations against Israel.
New developments today may resolve some of the ambiguities in current OSINT reporting. Watching closely...
 |
| Turkish Bayraktar TB2 UAV |
The hundreds of Syrian tanks and armored vehicles that were destroyed in and around the town of Saraqeb owe their miserable fate largely to the Turkish drone imaged above, the Bayraktar TB2. The relatively cheap drone was instrumental in not only halting the Syrians in their tracks but in getting Vladimir Putin's undivided attention. This resulted in the Erdogan-Putin summit and ceasefire agreement of last Thursday. Putin's attention was piqued by the fact that Turkey has sold several of the Bayraktar TB2 drones to Ukraine which could easily be turned loose on pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine to devastating effect.
Skirmishing in Idlib is sporadic, but these are nothing like the pitched battle of two weeks ago which destroyed the Syrian Army day and night without cessation. Russia could have intervened directly, but the cost over a small province such as Idlib was obviously not something Putin would go all-in on. So, for the moment a fragile ceasefire remains in place. Hundred of Turkish Army reinforcements have flooded into Idlib during the present lull. And that's all this is, a lull in the fighting.
Sean, I am thankful for your healing and so glad you are back. Could you give insight to this statement Naftali Bennett gave to the Jerusalem Post in reference to IDF military action in Gaza:
ReplyDelete... but the perspective of what Gaza will look like “the day after” will also be “completely different” than in the past, he said.
Thank you, Robin
Robin,
DeleteThe best insight I have was contained in this excerpt from the first paragraph:
"the IDF launching major military operations to fundamentally if not radically change the situation in Gaza."
This may mean the erradication of HAMAS, PIJ and all terror factions. I think this will be about the demilitarization of Gaza.
Thankfully our Lord has an abundance of patients.... all the while evil is growing exponentially.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.israelhayom.com/2020/02/25/the-gaza-strip-could-go-up-in-flames-at-any-time/
My prayers for all of Israel and peace in Jerusalem.
Maranatha
Another secular Israeli assessment by Israel Today which totally ignores the prophetic word of the God of Israel's fathers. Again, the crux should have been Isaiah 11:14.
DeleteThis also has little to do with the Lord exhibiting patience, but rather His plan and appointments being supreme.
Hello Sean,
DeleteI’m sure you’re swamped but in light of quickening pace, would you consider a new global sitrep?
Hope you’re back to 100%!
Maranatha!
Justin
Justin,
DeleteGlobal SITREP A9-20 is only a couple days old, so we're gonna hold here at least until after the Israeli election takes place.
Sean, I'm grateful to the Lord for getting you out of the hospital and back home. My continued prayers for a complete recovery. Hopefully we'll all be getting our new bodies soon in heaven.
ReplyDeleteAmen for that. Getting home is just 20% of the recovery. This bug nearly flattens one. Getting strength and stamina back will take some time, a total change of diet and some serious exercise in coming days. Nevertheless, marana'tha!
DeleteYes!!
DeleteRev.22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Thank you for the update, Sean. Praying for you as you continue to recover. God Bless you.
ReplyDeleteFollow-up to today's update. The propaganda coming from Russian news is over-the-top. Mostly it's about whether Russia and Turkey will militarily engage in combat in Idlib, and secondly, whether Turkey and Syria are on the precipice of full-scale war.
ReplyDeletePutin and Erdogan are reported to hold a meeting to diffuse the crisis ASAP. This may be the result of NATO's decision in today's Article 4 meeting to decline Turkey's request for the NATO establishment of a no-fly zone over Idlib.
Turkey's Defense Minister, Hulusi Akar, said this morning that "Operation Spring Shield" against Syrian regime forces and its allied militia in Idlib have essentially wiped out an entire battalion and its associated armored force (100 tanks and an equal number of armored fighting vehicles/artillery).
DeleteThe accuracy of the Turkish claim is reflected in an Iranian threat to launch strikes on the Turkish forces with ballistic missiles. The Iranian threat is likely due to Russia lack of response to the Turkish offensive.
With "Operation Spring Shield" Turkey intends to create a 30km deep "safe zone" in Syria along the entire length of their recognized border.
Related report from Times of Israel:
Deletehttps://www.timesofisrael.com/turkey-launches-military-operation-against-syrian-regime
Hat-tip to Justin for piquing my interest to look into the COVID-19 crisis in Iran.
ReplyDeleteThe linked report below appears to hit the nail on the head in confirming that Iranian government officials are a disproportionately large percentage of Iran's COVID-19 victims, with the overall Iranian mortality rate being #1 in the world.
To say this has prophetic implications is an understatement.
https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/how-iran-became-a-new-epicenter-of-the-coronavirus-outbreak
UPDATES:
ReplyDelete1.) Turkey shot down two Syrian SU-24 attack aircraft over Idlib today.
2.) The Russian fleet off Syria's coast fired 14 Kaliber cruise missiles in Idlib today.
3.) The USS Eisenhower CSG has entered the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar within the past 24 hours.
Bibi wins big. Now things will move forward.
ReplyDeleteWill he be able a form a government this time?
DeleteYes he will form a government this time!!!
DeleteSean, my son is on the Eisenhower. He's saved. Prayers for the battlegroup would be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteTen thousand thousands.
DeleteThank you Sean
DeletePraying for your son and for all those on the Eisenhower, Baptistmama!
ReplyDeleteI will pray for you, too, Sean, for your full recovery. Welcome back. :)
Thank you Lori!
DeleteLori,
ReplyDeleteI am now fully recovered and working out to far exceed my pre-illness athletic abilities.
I'm glad to read that you're folly recovered! The Lord is good!
DeleteThat is great, Sean! You are an inspiration. I'm really glad. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, again, for your continued faithfulness in what you do here, keeping us informed with news we can trust.
Fighting in NW Syria continues to escalate. Turkish F-16s have shot down a few more Syrian Su-24 and L-39 attack aircraft.
ReplyDeleteCOVID-19 is DECIMATING Iran's leadership. One of the Lord's "swords" in my view.
ReplyDeleteSean, Erdogan is pressuring NATO and EU to support his invasion of Syria?? European countries are using the crisis for promoting nationalism in their countries.??
ReplyDeleteNick,
DeleteYes, he is, and he's using Syrian refugees as pawns in this gambit. Much rests on the Erdogan-Putin summit tomorrow. If it fails then direct Russian-Turkish fighting in Syria could happen.
The Lord IS good, indeed! You are welcome, Baptistmama. Blessings :)
ReplyDeleteSean,
ReplyDeleteTurkey is part of the Gog Magog Coalition? Correct?
This is interesting!
Ken B
Ken B,
DeleteThat is not how I interpret Ezekiel 38. This one prophetic sentence has been simplistically interpreted for about 2,600 years.
Gomer were ancient Cimmerians and long ago were well north of the Caucasus Mtns, i.e. southern Russia. Togarmah, a son of Gomer, are identified with ancient Armenians, a Caucasian people fron antiquity. The Seljuk Turks did not invade Asia Minor until circa 1000 AD.
I wrote about this on the blog some time ago.
Ken B, Back in 2009 this was posted:
Delete"Armenian-Turkish Accord is a Major Signal of the Gog Military Alliance Fulfillment"
Thursday morning, 5 March.
ReplyDeleteIAF strike aircraft fire a dozen or more missiles at two military airports in Syria: Al-Dabaa in western countryside of Homs and Al-Shayrat in eastern countryside of Homs. Also, the area of Kodana and Al-Qahtania in rural Al-Quneitra were attacked by the IAF at the same time.
Now we learn one of the targets the IAF struck yesterday morning was a just completed, top secret, chemical weapons production facility.
DeleteFew -even in the al-Assad regime - knew of its existence, which suggests it was covertly financed & constructed by a foreign entity (like the IRGC-QF).
Putin and Erdogan agreed to a bilateral ceasefire in NW Syria. However, Syria, Iran and Hezbollah are NOT party to the ceasefire.
ReplyDeleteWithin minutes of the deal, Syrian troops killed two Turkish soldiers.
The current situation in Syria is tenuous. Both Isaiah 17 and Jeremiah 49:23-27 prophesy about a coming and certain military catastrophe.
ReplyDeleteA report just released moments ago --
ReplyDelete"Damascus Province –
Reliable sources have informed the Syrian Observatory that Iranian-backed militias, stationed in Al-Sayyidah Zaynab area in the south of the capital Damascus, seized four houses in Hujayrah town, south of Damascus. The houses are owned by people who were displaced earlier to north Syria."
Now, here's the rest of the story...
ReplyDeleteLast night, an Iranian commander who was close Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah, was killed.
Iran's semiofficial Fars news agency has identified the commander as Farhad Dabirian and said he was killed in the south Damascus suburb of Al-Sayyidah Zaynab.
The circumstances and manner of commander Dabirian's killing have not been disclosed.
Something very serious is going on in the southern Damascus suburb Sayyidah Zaynab.
Close to Nasrallah? Hmmm. Sounds very serious. And mysterious.? Something's gotta give soon, right? One would think so, anyways. Will stay "tuned to this station," awaiting more news. Thanks, Sean. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, Qassem Soleimeni's IRGC-QF replacement in Syria, who was under Nasrallah's direct command, was killed in Idlib fighting yesterday.
ReplyDeleteBaptistmama,
ReplyDeleteThe Ike was in vicinity of southern Italy 5 days ago.
Sean... I can't express how much this means to us!! You're such a blessing!!
ReplyDeleteIranian opposition is calling for a citizens rebellion against the 12er regime to begin one week from today- March 17.
ReplyDeleteIn Deir Ez-Zor, al-Mayadin town, the Syrian 4th Division was mauled and sent into a hasty retreat by a newly-formed local militia that declared loyalty to the IRGC-QF.
ReplyDeleteThe IRGC-QF militia now controls al-Mayadin.
The Ike was seen in satellite imagery this morning cruising southbound in the northern Red Sea.
ReplyDeleteThere are at this time three strike groups in the US 5th Fleet AOR, The Eisenhower (CSG), the Truman (CSG) and the Bataan (ARG). That's a lot of firepower.
ReplyDeleteYes it is!! God Bless those sailors and all who are serving!! Talk about a great witnessing tool, bing in the Red Sea. I know my sailor is most likely using it!
DeleteSean, do you have any idea of whether we should be worried about food running out? Are we in danger of martial law, at this time? I am sorry to change the subject, but I'm really scared.
ReplyDeleteLori,
DeleteDo not worry about anything, God is in complete and total control. This is the Deep State doing their best trying to manipulate people to instill fear when there is nothing to fear.
Fear God instead. These days are just the beginning of sorrows, they are birthpangs, but the end they are not.
Defy the evil Deep State, laugh in their faces, show them they have no power over the bride of the Lord Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Amen!
DeleteLori, dear sister, do not fret!! We cannot know when our soul will be required of us. (Luke 12:20). I had a minor stroke just last week. Thank the Lord I am alive today. However, those of us who are saved have nothing to worry about because we know where we're going when we die. (To be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 2 Cor 5:8)
DeleteBe in prayer for those who are lost and have no hope. Those are the ones who should be afraid.... Not us. God bless you. I'll be praying for your peace!
Matt 6:34 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Sean, any update on Bibi forming a government? Will he make it?
ReplyDeleteIsraeli politics is a confusing mish mash of competing factions. The attempt to form a minority coalition government has failed. Looking to see what happens today.
DeleteRocket attack on Camp Taji, Iraq. No casualties.
ReplyDeleteWHO officially declares COVID-19 a global pandemic.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sean, will do! :) I so appreciate your taking the time and for your thoughtful answer.
ReplyDeleteThanks, again for your continued faithfulness! Blessings to you and to all readers, here!
The flu has been severe this year in the usa. 16,000 deaths. Here's a comparison as of February with the flu verses COVID-19.
ReplyDeletehttps://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2762386
The initial report on the rocket attack on Camp Taji I noted above was incorrect.
ReplyDeleteThe truth is 18 Katyusha's were fired at the CJTFOIR troops living quarters, killing 2 American, 1 British and wounding 18 others.
This is the kind of attack, had it occurred in January, that POTUS Trump said would unleash devastation on IRGC-QF forces in Iran & Iraq.
Standing by...
AFP, BeirutThursday, 12 March 2020
DeleteAn air strike killed 26 fighters of Iraqi paramilitary group Hashed al-Shaabi in eastern Syria after a deadly attack on US-led coalition troops in Iraq, a war monitor said Thursday.
Updating its toll for the Wednesday strike, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was probably carried out by the coalition.
The coalition did not immediately provide comment.
Before the strike near the border town of Albu Kamal, rockets were fired at a military base north of Baghdad hosting coalition troops, killing two Americans and one Briton.
It was the deadliest such attack in years on an Iraqi military base hosting foreign troops.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the United States has blamed Iran-backed factions from the Hashed al-Shaabi for similar violence in recent months.
Within hours, the air strikes were launched against Hashed forces just across the border in Syria.
Hardline Hashed factions have fought alongside Syrian government forces for several years and have been targeted by both coalition and Israeli air strikes.
The coalition has been carrying out air strikes in Syria since 2014, when IS overran a large swathe of the country and neighbouring Iraq.
Coalition-backed forces last year expelled the jihadists from their last outpost in eastern Syria, but the group retains sleeper cells on both sides of the border.
Last Update: Thursday, 12 March 2020 KSA 11:33 - GMT 08:33
Word is that POTUS has authorized SECDEF Esper to conduct strikes against Iranian military and Iraqi proxies.
ReplyDeleteHold onto your hats people!! It's gonna get interesting real soon!
ReplyDeleteYup, just as this SITREP has been out in front of for the last two weeks! It's going to get very real quick.
ReplyDeleteAbout an hour after this comment posted, the Pentagon Spox read a statement:
Delete"Earlier this evening, the United States conducted defensive precision strikes against Kata’ib Hizbollah (KH) facilities across Iraq, These strikes targeted five weapon storage facilities to significantly degrade their ability to conduct future attacks against CJTFOIR coalition forces. The storage sites included facilities that housed weapons that have been used against U.S. and coalition troops."
Dozens of targets were struck allacross Iraq. Another strike, second day in a row, hit PMF militia near Abukamal, Syria.
Dear Baptistmama,
ReplyDeleteThank you, so much, for your encouragement and prayers. I love Matt. 6:34. That is a good reminder. :)
I am sorry to hear that you had a minor stroke. I hope that you are well, now. I will pray for you and continue to pray for your son and all the others. Thank you for your prayers. I so appreciate it! Prayer accomplishes so much!
Many blessings to you and to your family, sister.
Lori, thanks for the prayers. I appreciate them. I long to be with our Savior.
ReplyDeleteMy younger daughter was having a field day making jokes about the coronavirus (Kung Flu) It's really a manufactured crisis. I mean...we couldn't buy toilet paper. It's a respiratory virus ppl! Lol If we're not raptured soon, it'll be just like the measles outbreak or ebola in a few weeks.... A forgotten catastrophe.
"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:28
ReplyDeleteBaptistmama, you are so welcome! I so agree re: it being a manufactured crisis. I hope and pray it will be over in a few weeks. The other side seems to be making their move toward the new world order with this, but our redemption does draw nigh.
ReplyDeleteKung Flu! That's great!
My daughter isn't worried, either. Thank goodness our children are not in fear. It is a terrible thing.
I so long for the rapture, too. I try not to get my hopes up, but it is seeming near, these days. Perhaps, this fall. Luke 21:28! :)
Till then, I will watch, pray, prepare as led, and stay away from the fear mongering as much as possible. I am glad that you are letting us know how to pray for your family.
Many blessings, Lori <3
Sean, I didn't click the publish box right a few days, ago, I don't think.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your kind and wise response, that this crisis is the deep state trying to manipulate people to instill fear, that God is in complete control and that they have NO power over the bride of Jesus Christ!
God bless you! I can't tell you how much that helped me and my little family. :)
I continue to thank God that you are here, informing us of what is happening. Thank God we can depend on factual information and truth, here.
Many blessings to you and all, here.
~Lori