Turkish fighter jets shot down a Russian-made warplane near the Syrian border on Tuesday after repeatedly warning it over air space violations, Turkish officials said, but Moscow said it could prove the jet had not left Syrian air space.
Turkish presidential sources said the warplane was a Russian-made SU-24. The Turkish military, which did not confirm the plane's origin, said it had been warned 10 times in the space of five minutes about violating Turkish airspace.
Russia's defence ministry said one of its fighter jets had been downed in Syria, apparently after coming under fire from the ground, but said it could prove the plane was over Syria for the duration of its flight, Interfax news agency reported.
A Russian Su-24 fighter has been shot down in Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry said, adding the plane hadn’t violated Turkish airspace and was flying at an altitude of 6,000 meters.
“During the flight, the aircraft was flying within the borders of Syria, which was registered by objective monitoring data,” the ministry said, adding that the aircraft was "supposedly shot down from the ground.”
COMMENTARY: This is the first time a NATO member armed forces has downed a Russian or Soviet military aircraft since the 1950s.
This action by the Turkish military could be interpreted by the Russo-Iranian led coalition as rendering support for armed opposition forces, against Russian military forces engaged in supporting current Syrian pro-government offensive at northern Latakia Governorate. [see military situation map at bottom of post]
Russian and Turkish assets fell on fears of an escalation between these two countries that have seen periods of hostility and open warfare during the previous five centuries.
RuAF Sukhoi Su-24 "Fencer" attack aircraft falling to earth upon Turkmen Mountain, in the north of Latakia region of Syria
Flight radar track imagery of downed RuAF Su-24 attack aircraft, as provided by Turkish military following shootdown. Russian Defense Ministry disputes this, claiming it has evidence to show the downed attack aircraft remained within Syrian airspace.
Military situation map of area where RuAF attack aircraft are supporting Syrian government military forces in their current offensive at Latakia Governorate. [source: Peto Lucem]
Illustration by Babak Taghvaee (click to enlarge) detailing IRIAF escort of RuAF strategic aviation transiting Iran to attack ISIL, Al-Qaeda (AQ) and AQ-aligned armed groups in Syria. From Mr. Taghvaee's observations, the following Iranian combat aircraft types, units and base locations include:
IRIAF Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29B (9-12B) air superiority fighters (x2)
11th Tactical Fighter Squadron
Shahid Lashkari Tactical Air Base (TAB-1) – Tehran
IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II fighter-bombers (x4)
31st Tactical Fighter Squadron
Shahid Nojeh Tactical Air Base (TAB-3) – Hamedan
IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat air superiority fighters (x4)
81st/82nd Tactical Fighter Squadron
Shahid Babei Tactical Air Base (TAB-8) – Isfahan
File photo by Rahim Sharafi: IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II of 31st TFS from Shahid Nojeh Tactical Air Base (TAB-3) – Hamedan.
File photo by Babak Taghvaee: IRIAF Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29B (9-12B), serial 3-6133 of 11th TFS from Shahid Lashkari Tactical Air Base (TAB-1) – Tehran.
File photo by MohammadReza Izadi: IRIAF F-14A Tomcats of 81st/82nd TFS from Shahid Babei Tactical Air Base (TAB-8) – Isfahan.
Photo emerging 21NOV15 of errant RuAF Kh-101 ALCM that landed in Shush County, Khuzestan
Social media video emerged 20NOV15 depicting Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) F-14A and F-4E combat aircraft rendering allied fighter escort for Russian Air Force (RuAF) strategic aviation over Iranian airspace. The Russian video depicts RuAF strategic aviation comprised of Tu-22M3 “Blinder’, Tu-95MS “Bear” and Tu-160 “Blackjack" combat aircraft. Video stills and complete video provided below:
IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat air superiority fighter accompanying RuAF Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bomber and missile platform over Iranian airspace.
Detail of IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat air superiority fighter, as filmed by RuAF crewman while traversing Iranian airspace.
IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat air superiority fighters accompanying RuAF Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bomber and missile platform over Iranian airspace.
What appears to be an IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E fighter-bomber accompanying RuAF Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bomber and missile platform, emerging in Russian cameraman's LOS immediately following the drop-launch of ALCM. Next ALCM is now visible on rotated launcher.
COMMENTARY: IRIAF can now claim to have participated in the war against ISIL on two theaters: the Iraqi theater and now the Syrian theaters of war.
The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet Iranian Commander-in-Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on 23NOV15 in Tehran.
Members of SyAA "Cheetah Forces," unit responsible for spearheading the relief of Kuweiris Airbase
According to Chris Tomson at Al-Masdar News, dated 11NOV15:
[T]he Syrian Arab Army’s Tiger Forces (Cheetah Forces Team 6) finally managed to liberate Kuweiris Airbase after the area had been besieged for 35 months by the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS).
Currently, Tiger Forces are attempting to thicken the dangerously thin supply line that cuts deep into previously ISIS-held territory; however, this unit is set to be reployed to Hama, leaving the future of this base in the Deir Hafer Plains unknown.
On the southern front, the Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Mechanized Division and Hezbollah have captured approximately 250 square kilometers of territory in just one month of fighting the Islamist opposition fighters.
In the last 48 hours alone, the Syrian Arab Army and Hezbollah have captured 5 villages that are located south of the strategic town of Al-Hader while the Islamist insurgents were only able to recapture 1 village from the pro-government forces.
Syrian Army and Hezbollah soldiers on this frontline have seen themselves advance to areas which had previously been rebel-held since the summer of 2012.
According to Leith Fadel at Al-Masdar News, dated 11NOV15:
On Tuesday morning, the Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Mechanized Division – in coordination with Hezbollah, the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Aleppo City, the Al-Ba’ath Battalions, and several Iranian and Iraq paramilitary units – expanded their control over a number of points in the southern Aleppo countryside after a series of intense firefights with the Islamist rebels of Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra”, and Liwaa Suqour Al-Sham.
The Syrian Armed Forces and the Lebanese Resistance began their assault in Markahalah, where they were confronted by a large contingent of fighters from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham and Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki at the eastern perimeter of this small village located directly west of Tal Mamou; this aforementioned village was captured by the Syrian Armed Forces and Lebanese Resistance the day before this successful assault.
Not long after they began their assault at this village, the Syrian Armed Forces and Lebanese Resistance imposed full control over Markahalah, killing several enemy combatants from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham and Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki in the process of its capture.
Following the capture of Markahalah, the Syrian Armed Forces and Lebanese Resistance turned their attention to the isolated village of Maryoudah, where they once again broke-through the Islamist rebel defenses and imposed full control over this area that is located directly south of Al-‘Eis.
In the last 48 hours, the Syrian Armed Forces and Hezbollah have captured 4 villages from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham and Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, while only conceding the village of Talaylat to the Islamist rebels after a violent firefight at the strategic city of Al-Hadher.
COMMENTARY: Beyond the obvious symbolism and morale boost generated by the relief Kuweiris Airbase, these multi-pronged Syrian pro-government attacks carried out with Russian/Iranian/Lebanese/Iraqi support are exacting a toll on Al-Qaeda (AQ), AQ-linked armed groups and ISIL. Where Syrian pro-government forces had previously been disadvantaged in the war of attrition with aforementioned armed groups, now enabled by RuAF fire support from the air and ground support from Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, Syrian pro-government forces appear to have wrested back the initiative in this four year-old conflict. What's more, these military gains are sure to play out in the diplomatic sphere when conflict resolution talks resume on 14NOV15 in Vienna, Austria.
It must be said the Russians enjoy the advantage over the United States in possessing reliable ground force partners in the war against Al Qaeda and ISIL in Syria. The reliable ground partner of the United States in this conflict consists of Kurds, where a NATO ally provides limitations on the utility of this force as does its ethnic composition in advancing into Arab regions.
There also exists another Russian advantage in that Syrian pro-government forces rally behind the Baath government. This is in contrast to neighboring Iraq, where the United States is enmeshed in intra-Shia political struggles, as well as attempting to re-enfranchise the Sunni populace.
Military situation map for eastern Aleppo countryside, dated 10NOV15 [source: Peto Lucem]
Iran-organized National Defense Force (NDF) members at recaptured Sheikh Ahmad village, near Kuweiris Airbase
Iran-backed Iraqi Kata'ib Hezbollah fighting forces flags appearing in the southern Aleppo town of Azzan
Fr. Gabriel Dawood, a Syriac Orthodox priest of the Cathedral of St. George in Damascus, with Syrian pro-government Sootoro (Gozarto Protection Force) light infantrymen at the ancient village of Sadad in Homs Governorate.
Sootoro (Gozarto Protection Force) light infantrymen audience before Fr. Gabriel Dawood
Flags of the Syrian pro-government Sootoro (Gozarto Protection Force) Christian fighting force, composed of members of the Assyrian/Syriac and some members of the Armenian communities in Syria.
T-62 main battle tank of Sootoro (Gozarto Protection Force) Christian fighting force, positioned at a frontline near Sadad village in Homs Governorate.
Hammer into anvil during 2015 Syrian Offensive: RuAF airstrikes and the Syrian pro-government ground force partners.
Russo-Iranian backed Syrian offensive gains during the past 72 hours, as detailed by Al-Masdar News (the Arab Source):
Military situation at southern rural Aleppo, dated 06NOV15 [source: PetoLucem]
Syrian Army and Hezbollah Capture Kafr Haddad in Northeastern Idlib, dated 06NOV15 [source: Leith Fadel, Al-Masdar News]
[T]he Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Mechanized Division – in coordination with Hezbollah, the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Aleppo City, and several Iraqi paramilitary units – have declared the complete capture of Kafr Haddad in southern Aleppo after intense firefights with the Islamist rebels from Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra”, and Liwaa Suqour Al-Sham.
According to a battlefield report from a local source in Al-Safira, the Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Division, Hezbollah, and their allies stormed the Islamist rebel defenses at Kafr Haddad this morning, resulting in a long and fierce battle for its control.
However, Jabhat Al-Nusra, Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, Liwaa Suqour Al-Sham, and Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham were unable to withstand the aerial assault from the Russian and Syrian Air Forces, as their airstrikes forced the aforementioned Islamist rebels to withdraw to Dalameh, which is located directly east of Kafr Haddad.
With the capture of Kafr Haddad today, the Syrian Armed Forces and Lebanese Resistance have now expanded their territorial gains in southern Aleppo to 240km in only 35 days, while also entering the Idlib Governorate.
The capture of Kafr Haddad marks the first time in three years that the Syrian Armed Forces have entered the northeastern countryside of the Idlib Governorate.
SyAA T-72B main battle tank observed near Palmyra by Zvezda TV channel (Russian Ministry of Defence)
Syrian Army Advances on the Ancient City of Palmyra as Reinforcements Pour into the East Homs Countryside, dated 07NOV15 [source: Leith Fadel, Al-Masdar News]
On On [the morning of 07NOV15], the Syrian Arab Army’s 67th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division – in coordination with Kataebat Al-Ba’ath (Al-Ba’ath Battalions) and the National Defense Forces of Homs City advanced from the eastern groves of Al-Bayarat to the Palmyra Drivers School after a week of intense firefights with the ISIS terrorists.
North of Palmyra, the Syrian Arab Army’s “Panther Brigades” (Tiger Forces ) conducted military operations along the seasonal road from the town of Jazal to Palmyra, killing several ISIS terrorists in the process.
The northern flank of Palmyra has been the most volatile for the Syrian Armed Forces, as ISIS has launched several attacks on their positions in the Jazal Mountain area.
However, the Syrian Armed Forces in the Palmyra Triangle received a substantial boost on Friday, when a large convoy of reinforcements arrived at the T-4 Airport in order to participate in the upcoming Palmyra offensive that is only in its preliminary stages.
Military situation in Hama and Idlib Governates, dated 07OCT15 [source: PetoLucem]
Syrian Army Captures 4 Villages in Northwestern Hama, dated 07NOV15 [source: Leith Fadel, Al-Masdar News]
On [the night of 07NOV15], the Syrian Arab Army’s 45th Regiment of the 1st Armored Division – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Joureen and the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) – reportedly captured 4 villages on the western rim of the Al-Ghaab Plains after a series of intense firefights with the Islamist rebels from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, the Free Syrian Army’s “Liwaa Suqour Al-Ghaab”, and the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra.”
With the capture of these 4 villages, the Syrian Armed Forces are steadily building their protective wall along the Latakia Governorate’s eastern border with the Al-Ghaab Plains of the Hama Governorate; however, as long as the Islamist rebels control the strategic city of Jisr Al-Shughour in the Idlib, the Latakia border will not be safe.
Should the Syrian Armed Forces capture the imperative town of Al-Sirmaniyah at the northwestern part of the Al-Ghaab Plains, they will have positioned themselves at the southern flank of Jisr Al-Shughour.
Well equipped and exhibiting high morale, SyAA Special Forces members transported toward Jubb Ahmar region of Al-Ghaab plains.
Military situation north Latakia mountains, dated 06NOV15 [source: miladvisor]
RuAF Sukhoi Su-34 "Fullback" "22 RED" at LTK exhibiting six stars, Syrian conflict
RuAF Sukhoi Su-24M "Fencer" "83 WHITE" at LTK exhibiting five stars denoting 50 combat missions, Syrian conflict
RuAF Su-30SM "Flanker-C" at LTK, equipped with 2x OFAB-250-270 HE unguided bombs
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Friday that Iran and Russia were helping Iraq battle a Sunni extremist insurgency but that the U.S. was not coordinating its own assistance with either country.
"We are aware of the Iranian and Russian efforts to help the Iraqis, but we are not involved in coordinating any missions," Hagel said.
Hagel’s comments came after reports quoted Iraqi military officials saying that Iran and Russia were conducting airstrikes in their country, hitting Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) targets.
A Pentagon official said the U.S. believes Iranian pilots are in the air in Iraq but not Russian pilots.
"We believe that there are some manned Iranian flights manned by Iranian pilots," the official said. "There's nothing that indicates there are Russian pilots flying around."
Commentary: This appears to serve as a form of cooroboration for open source rumors regarding less than operational condition of ex-RuAF Su-25 aircraft (as well as a lack of required technical resources) Russia recently airlifted to Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Air Base; while at least three operational IRGC-AF Su-25s have been successfully flown to al-Muthanna Air Base at Baghdad.
This further serves to validate this writer's impression that IRGC-AF air and ground crews are functioning in Iraq, in ways similar to American armed forces Farm Gate operations during early U.S. efforts in the Vietnam War.
RuAF delivery of Sukhoi Su-25 "Frogfoot" close air support aircraft to IqAF on 29JUN14
IqAF Su-25 combat aircraft presently undergoing assembly at Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Air Force Base (ICAO: ORTL / LID: TAL), located 20 kilometers southwest of Nasiriyah
Russian sources claim initial five Su-25s rushed through ‘routine maintenance’ at ARZ 121 / Kubinka before shipment to IqAF. Also it's rumored Iraq's previous request for Iran to return Su-25 aircraft now in IRGC-AF inventory was declined, presumably based on Iranian defense needs and possibly operational condition.
It's said current IqAF pilot roster includes four individuals with experience flying the Sukhoi Su-25, however it's also said IqAF currently lacks trained ground crew personnel for this type.
Claim indicates number of Su-25 aircraft to be delivered to IqAF at twelve. Above 29 RED prior to delivery at ARZ 121 / Kubinka. Russian sources claim above aircraft of Su-25K specification.
Iraqi sources are also claiming a forthcoming delivery of two Sukhoi Su-24 "Fencer" all-weather attack aircraft.
