Russia Hints at Deploying Ground Forces in Syria

Moving Artillery and Rockets to Idlib and Homs

Russia appears to be ready to deploy ground forces in Syria. Today, Adm. Vladimir Komoyedov, who chairs Defense and Security Committee in the Russian Federation Council, said Russian “volunteers” could soon be deployed to Syria to support the Syrian army on combat operations, Russia’s news agencies reported.

CNN also reported that Russia is moving artillery and rockets from its base of operations at Latakia airport to Idlib and Homs for a possible ground operations against the opposition forces.

Russia has in the past successfully deployed its Special Forces, Spetsnaz, for counter-insurgent operations, including in Chechnya, Crimea and eastern Ukraine. The volunteers heading to Syria could well include elements of Spetsnaz.

The addition of Russian ground forces into the battle, supported by Russian airstrikes, would dramatically elevate Russian involvement in the 4.5-year civil war.

The opposition forces captured Idlib province earlier this year and were pushing to capture the neighboring Al Gharb area that separated them from the coast of Latakia, the traditional Alawai stronghold. The fall of Latakia would have been fatal to the regime. The Russian ground forces could now support the Syrian army to push the opposition forces out of Al Gharb and save Latakia for Assad.

It is not clear where and how the Russians could join forces with the Iranians, the Hezbollah and other foreign Shia militias. The Iran-led coalition has been engaged in heavy combat with the opposition in Aleppo recently. Since the beginning of its direct military intervention in Syria two weeks ago, however, Russia has conducted airstrikes against the opposition forces in Aleppo.

Russia's goal in Syria is becoming clearer. Support Assad rather than pushing for a political solution and a transition from Assad. And doing so by concentrating its attacks on opposition forces, and not ISIL. 

File photo: Russian Spetsnaz (Wikipedia)

Iran: Senior Ministers Critical of Economy – Warn of Crisis

In a highly unusual move, four senior members of President Rouhani’s cabinet have written a letter to the Iranian president expressing deep concerns over continued economic recession and the risks of an upcoming economic crisis in the country. Ali Taeb-Nia, Minister of Economy and Finance; Ali Rabii, Minister of Labor; Mohammad Reza Nemat-Zadeh, Minister of Industries; and Gen. Hossein Dehqan, Minister of Defense, signed the letter, which was reported by the Iranian news agencies Mehr and ILNA on Sunday.

In the letter, dated 9 September 2015, the ministers point to the near meltdown of Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE), writing that TSE has lost 42 percent of its value since January 2013, with major publicly-traded companies losing some $55 billion of their values. The ministers also point to falling oil prices and other minerals. They warn that if the government does not take immediate actions, the Iranian economy could soon face a crisis, which would take years to come out of it.

Photo credit: The photos of the four ministers signing the letter highly critical of the state of the Iranian economy. From left: Ali Rabii, Minister of Labor; Gen. Hossein Dehqan, Minister of Defense; Mohammad-Reza Nemat-Zadeh, Minister of Industries, and Ali Taeb-Nia, Minister of Economy. (asemandailynews)

Iran Parliament Begins Formal Consideration of JCPOA

After Receiving Highly Critical Report by Special Commission

Majlis, the Iranian parliament, on Sunday formally began consideration of the nuclear agreement with major world powers after the much-anticipated report by its Special Commission on JCPOA, entitled “Islamic Republic Government’s Reciprocal and Proportional Action in Implementing the Agreement,” was presented to the full house.

The 20-page report is heavily critical of many aspects of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), including provisions related to defense, sanctions relief and the future of enrichment activities. The Majlis will now send the report probably back to the same commission to produce a bill for consideration. 

The bill coming out of the commission could propose a yes or no vote on JCPOA by the full Majlis. Or alternatively the Majlis could send today's report drafted by the special commission, with all its criticism of major components of the nuclear agreement, or a revised version of it, to the country's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) for final consideration, effectively passing the responsibility for approving the JCPOA at its present form to SNSC and Rouhani's government.

Photo credit: Members of Majlis during consideration of the highly critical report by the Special Commission on JCPOA; Tehran, 4 October 2015  (Mahmoud Rahimi/Mehr News Agency)

First Iran Hajj Stampede Dead Flown Home (2)

Iran media imagery of remains of Iranian victims of the 2015 Mina stampede, returned to Iran on 03OCT15:

Aircraft transporting victims to Tehran - Mehrabad International Airport (THR) is IRIG Boeing 707-3J9C, reg. EP-AJD / 1002 (cn 21124/910). This venerable VIP aircraft went through overhaul and four-engine replacement in 2013, with updated livery also applied.

What appears to be IRIAF aircrew of EP-AJD, veteran captains and first lieutenants, and an IRGC first lieutenant

Artesh presidential honor guard serve as pallbearers during solemn transport procession

Looking upon the transport procession, left to right:
- First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri Kouhshahi
- Speaker of Parliament Ali Ardashir Amoli Larijani
- President Hassan Rouhani
- Chief Justice Ayatollah Sadeq Ardeshir Amoli Larijani
- Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Mohammadi-Golpayegani, Leader of Islamic Revolution chief of staff

In attendance: Basij Commander Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naqdi

COMMENTARY: According to Wikipedia, on 24SEP15 an overcrowding situation caused the death of at least over 1,223 people who suffocated or were crushed to death during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mina, Mecca. The incident happened at the intersection of streets 204 and 223 leading up to Jamaraat Bridge. The death toll is expected to rise since there are about 1,200 people still missing, and over 900 injured. Some of the injured were placed in induced comas. The official Saudi figures say that at least 769 were killed and 934 others injured due to the stampede, though other sources have estimated the death toll to be much higher. It was the deadliest accident to occur in the Hajj since the 1990 disaster that killed 1,426 people.

Of the victims of the 2015 Mina Stampede incident, more than 450 were Iranian.

On 29SEP15, it was reported King Salman of Saudi Arabia congratulated Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef, on the “success of the Hajj.”

First Iran Hajj Stampede Dead Flown Home (1)

The Iranian honor guard carries the caskets of Iranian pilgrim, killed in a stampede at Hajj nine days ago, during a ceremony on their arrival. Tehran, 3 October 2015 (Atta Kenare/AFP)

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UPDATE: President Hassan Rouhani and other top Iranian officials laid white flowers on coffins at a somber ceremony on Saturday in Tehran for the 104 pilgrims, among 464 Iranians declared dead or missing in the stampede. More bodies will arrive later today. Iranian health minister said not all Iranian dead had yet been found.

Yemen: PM Bahah Visits Bab al-Mandab Strait

Yemen’s Prime Minister Khaled Bahah visited the coast at Bab al-Mandab Strait, the strategic entrance to the Red Sea and the gateway to the Suez Canal, after the Saudi/UAE-led coalition forces pushed the Houthi/Saleh fighters out of the immediate area. (AP, 3 October)

The coalition officials say their fighters with air and naval support advanced against the insurgent forces on Saturday to retake control of access to Bab al-Mandab Strait. Saudi and Egyptian warships have been deployed off the coast of Yemen to secure the strategically vital strait.

Map credit: eoearth.org

Decommissioned USN ship sunk IRIN vessel during Iran-Iraq War

USS Simpson (FFG-56) Oilver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigate

Decommission ceremony photo: Bruce Lipsky/The Florida Times-Union

According to Florida Times-Union:

The United States Navy decommissioned its last Perry-class frigate, reducing the Navy's number of ships that have sunk an enemy vessel to just one. The end of the Navy's frigates marks a new era of naval warfare where ships are less likely to go to battle in the open sea.

The USS Simpson removed its weapons, covered its windows, and on Sept. 29, it lowered its flags. Now, the ship will travel to Philadelphia until a foreign nation buys it.

After 30 years of service — including an April 1988 battle when it fired missiles at and sunk an Iranian oil platform and an Iranian Navy vessel — the ship's service came to an end on Sept. 29 with a ceremony at Mayport Naval Station.

Now the only Navy ship that has sunk an enemy is the USS Constitution, which did so during the War of 1812.

COMMENTARY: IRINS Joshan ("Shield") Kaman class (Combattante II type) patrol missile boat was sunk during Operation Preying Mantis involving actions of USS Simpson.

Operation Praying Mantis effectively knocked out Iran Navy's ability to provide convoy escort for its merchant shipping, rendering vulnerable Iran's means of continuing the conflict with declared war aim of removing Saddam Hussein from power.

More than a decade after the Iran-Iraq War, Iranian shipbuilders built a Combattante II based Sina class patrol missile boat, bestowing the name Joshan on the newly commissioned vessel. Joshan'​s launch on 22SEP06 was timed to coincide with Sacred Defense Week and took place at Noshahr’s Imam Khomeini Marine Sciences University..

This vessel currently serves at the Caspian Sea with IRIN 4th Naval Region, headquartered at Bandar Anzali.

IRIN Sina class (Combattante II type) patrol missile boats (PGGF)

Photo: Michail Varlashin at astra-novosti.ru 

Detail of Iranian-built Sina class patrol missile boat on 04JUL13, departing Astrakhan, Russia

Memorial at Behesht-e Zahra cemetery in Tehran for Iran Navy sailors who lost their lives during USN Operation Praying Mantis.

Iran Denies Deployment of Ground Forces to Syria

Contradicting Reports of Hundreds of Troops Being Deployed

A high-ranking Iranian official dismissed as “sheer lie” media reports that Iranian troops have been deployed to Syria, Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported today.

Reuters, citing Lebanese sources, had reported that in the past two weeks hundreds of Iranian troops have moved into Syria to join a major ground offensive in support of Assad’s government. The report said the deployed troops were not advisers but a fighting force, and that they will be followed by more troops in the coming days. 

Note: The Iranian government usually denies deployment of any Iranian forces to Syria. It took them nearly two years to confirm that hundreds of Quds Force advisers were operating in the country. 

Photo: AP

 

Afghan Forces Recapture Kunduz

Afghan troops supported by U.S.-led coalition airpower recaptured the center of Kunduz today after fierce clashes with the Taliban, three days after losing the provincial capital to the insurgents. Clearing operations are continuing in parts of the city, including house-to-house searches for Talib fighters. The Taliban flag was removed earlier today from the central square, replaced with government colors. Military helicopters are in the sky and government forces are patrolling major streets.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid implicitly conceded defeat, saying the Taliban fighters had withdrawn to the edge of the city. Mujahid added the withdrawal was tactical to draw government forces into the city.

The battle to recapture the strategic town began on Wednesday when Afghan Special Forces with coalition air support entered into the city and retook control of the governor’s office and the police headquarters. News agencies reported heavy fighting in the city center early Thursday before it came under control of Afghan security forces.

Photo credit: Afghan security forces in Kunduz; 1 October 2015 (Wali Kohsar/AP)

Bahrain Recalls Ambassador to Tehran

Expels Iranian Charge d’Affaires

Bahraini government today recalled its ambassador to Tehran, accusing Iran of sponsoring “subversion” and arming local Shia fighters. Bahrain also ordered Iranian charge d’affairs to leave the island kingdom within 72 hours. Allegations against Iran included assisting anti-government groups in the smuggling of weapons and explosives into the country and training their members.

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UPDATE: Iran has expelled the number two official in Bahraini embassy in Tehran in retaliation of Bahrain’s action to expel Iranian envoy in Manama and recall its ambassador from Tehran. Iran also denied Bahrain’s accusation of interference in internal affairs of the Island kingdom.

Meanwhile, Bahrain took its complaint to the UN Security Council today. BNA news agency quoted Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Khaled bin Ahmed al-Khalifa telling the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon that “Iran has chosen the path of escalation in an attempt to exert control over its neighbors by continuing to interfere in internal affairs” of neighboring countries. (AFP, 3 October)