Cyprus-Forum.com

by **Robin Hood** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 8:39 am

The US admits to a total of 119 civilian deaths up to July 2016, when they started the Mosul campaign and this figure is for just US air strikes. Other coalition casualty figures are not given. But this has not been mentioned in the western MSM. Whilst reported on RT and Sputnik, there have been no stupid claims, as there would have been if these figures were related to Syrian/Russian air strikes, that these deaths represent the deliberate targeting of civilians and are thus war crimes.

When you consider that these are ONLY the deaths the US admit to, and only up to Jul 2016, the actual figure would likely be around 10 times greater during that period, when all coalition air strikes are taken into account or at least 1200 people probably more! Add to that the civilian deaths, as yet unreported in Mosul and according to unconfirmed reports are well over a 1000, then civilian casualties attributed to the US coalition are substantial. If the deaths attributed to coalition forces are in Syria ..... they are war crimes, as Amnesty points out. :roll:

U.S. military announces that civilian casualties in Iraq and Syria are more than double previous estimate

The announcement of 64 additional deaths brings the total civilian death toll in U.S. air attacks to 119 since the campaign against the Islamic State began in 2014, Centcom said. The command, responsible for U.S. military operations in the Middle East, is investigating other allegations.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/11/09/u-s-military-announces-that-civilian-casualties-in-iraq-and-syria-are-more-than-double-previous-estimate/?utm_term=.f2f298378732

Rights group calls Pentagon’s Syrian civilian casualty probes inadequate, incomplete

Following a detailed study, Amnesty International concluded that a series of attacks from September 2014 to July 2016 killed at least 300 people. Some of the raids by the United States and its allies, the group said, may have violated international humanitarian law.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/10/25/rights-group-calls-pentagons-syrian-civilian-casualty-probes-inadequate-incomplete/?tid=a_inl&utm_term=.a1c7fbef0d83

by **Robin Hood** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 5:47 pm

I wondered what happened to the White Helmets when Aleppo was liberated ? Now we know! I was expecting to see them revered in the MSM as hero's and each given a medal ..... for their services to the US/coalition terrorists. Now they turn up helping Al-Qaida poison the water suuply to Damascus and Aleppo. Isn't poisoning drinking water a war crime?

U.S./UK Paid "White Helmets" Help Blocking Water To 5 Million Thirsty Syrians - By Moon Of Alabama

The blockade of water from Wadi Barada to 5 million people in Damascus is taking an interesting turn. The U.S. and UK financed White Helmet organization seems to be directly involved in it. This increases the suspicion that the illegal blockade of water to civilians in Damascus is part of a organized campaign under U.S. command. The campaign is designed to block utilities to government held areas as revenge for the liberation of east Aleppo.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/46154.htm

IMO: The US and its Allies will now try every trick in the book to make sure it fails. It seems to be holding generally but there are a lot of complaints from the 'Rebels', that Assad/Russia are breaking the ceasefire? I remember reading that one of the terms of this agreement was that if 'Rebels' laid down their arms they would be given an amnesty ....... and those that didn't would be treated as terrorists and dealt with accordingly. They made their choice so why complain?

Good News: Washington Frozen Out of Syria Peace Plan - By Ron Paul

What is so important about this particular ceasefire? It was planned, agreed to, and implemented without the participation of the United States Government.

In fact it was frustration with Washington’s refusal to separate its “moderates” from terrorist groups and its continued insistence on regime change for the Syrian government that led the three countries to pursue a solution on their own for Syria. They also included the Syrian government and much of the opposition in the agreement, which the US government has been unwilling to do.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/46150.htm

by **repulsewarrior** » Sun Jan 08, 2017 4:01 am

http://maritime-executive.com/editorials/russias-aircraft-carrier-departs-mediterranean

The campaign presented Russia's first opportunity to test out naval flight operations in combat conditions. The Kuznetsov’s air wings flew over 400 combat sorties in November and December, but the Soviet-era carrier, which has been plagued with maintenance issues over her 22 years in operation, suffered the loss of two fighters due to the failure of the ship's arresting gear. In addition, sources indicate that Russia had to hire retired pilots as contractors in order to fill out the ranks of its naval aviators. Western analysts suggest that given her limitations, Kuznetsov’s presence had little material effect on the broader military campaign.

...interesting reading; this paragraph, for the record.

by **Lordo** » Thu Jan 19, 2017 11:28 am

today russian and jet fighters cooperated in bombing daesh. what do you know next they tergs will jone the gc ng to bomb the tcs.

by **kurupetos** » Thu Jan 19, 2017 3:02 pm

You want it, kuz?

by **repulsewarrior** » Fri Feb 17, 2017 11:55 pm

New U.N. team aims to bring Syria war crimes to court

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-midea ... n=20170217

A new body is being set up at the United Nations in Geneva to prepare prosecutions of war crimes committed in Syria, U.N. officials and diplomats said on Thursday.

The General Assembly voted to establish the mechanism in December and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is due to name a judge or prosecutor as its head this month.

"We expect to start very, very shortly with just a handful of people," a U.N. human rights official told Reuters.

The team will "analyze information, organize and prepare files on the worst abuses that amount to international crimes - primarily war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide - and identify those responsible", she said.

While it would not be able to prosecute itself, the idea is to prepare files for future prosecution that states or the International Criminal Court in The Hague could use.

The focus on prosecutions means evidence collected since 2011 by a U.N. Commission of Inquiry may be sharpened into legal action.

...for the record.

by **Robin Hood** » Sat Feb 18, 2017 7:41 am

repulsewarrior wrote:
New U.N. team aims to bring Syria war crimes to court

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-midea ... n=20170217

A new body is being set up at the United Nations in Geneva to prepare prosecutions of war crimes committed in Syria, U.N. officials and diplomats said on Thursday.

The General Assembly voted to establish the mechanism in December and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is due to name a judge or prosecutor as its head this month.

"We expect to start very, very shortly with just a handful of people," a U.N. human rights official told Reuters.

The team will "analyze information, organize and prepare files on the worst abuses that amount to international crimes - primarily war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide - and identify those responsible", she said.

While it would not be able to prosecute itself, the idea is to prepare files for future prosecution that states or the International Criminal Court in The Hague could use.

The focus on prosecutions means evidence collected since 2011 by a U.N. Commission of Inquiry may be sharpened into legal action.

...for the record.

Good news because now the accusers will have to back the rhetoric with some facts. Maybe with Banki-Moon gone, the new UNSG may be more independent in his approach. We shall have to wait and see! :wink:

by **Robin Hood** » Mon Feb 20, 2017 8:09 am

A bit more rational in his attitude and his replies than Trump ............ :roll:

Transcript.

"We Fight for the Syrian People" - By President al-Assad

An Interview with French TF1 and EUROPE 1 – 16th Feb 2017

Damascus-SANA-President Bashar al-Assad affirmed that victory in Aleppo is an important step in the way to defeat and to eliminate the terrorism from our country, adding “we don’t think that we can talk about winning the war unless we defeat the terrorists everywhere in Syria.”

The president added in an interview given to French TF1 TV and EUROPE 1 Radio that the west supported terrorists in Syria under the name of “moderate,” but it was supporting the same basis of al-Qaeda and ISIS.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/46491.htm