International Military Review – Syria & Iraq, May 24, 2016

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Al-Nusra Front has gathered a force of some 6,000 fighters, preparing for a major offensive in Syria’s Aleppo province. Despite the military efforts of the pro-government forces, the city of Aleppo remains a hot spot of Al-Nusra activities. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Al Nusra militants will make attempt to block the loyalist forces in the city with a strike from the east, while in the north they seek to cut off access to the city of Nubl.

The US CENTCOM commander, General Joseph Votel, visited the Kurdish areas of Syria last Saturday and met with officials of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to coordinate future operations aimed to liberate the ISIS-controlled town of Raqqa. The visit comes as the first of 250 additional U.S. special operations forces are beginning to arrive in Syria to work with local forces.

Iraqi forces supported by US-led coalition warplanes have launched a military operation in order to re-take the ISIS-controlled city of Fallujah. According to the Iraqi military’s Joint Operations Command, the Iraqi army, counter-terrorism forces, police, tribal fighters and the Popular Mobilization Forces participate in the assault. Last week there were reports that Kata’ib Hezbollah units also deployed to the area in order to support the operation. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi reportedly traveled to a command center east of Fallujah to supervise the offensive.

On Monday, the Iraqi forces liberated the town of al-Karmah, 13 km to the east of Fallujah. Meanwhile, the Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella group of Shia militias, has already taken over two districts on the outskirts of Fallujah, according to one of its commanders, Col. Mahmood al-Jumaili. However, there are reports that the success of the Iraqi forces more significant.

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citizen

It’s expressions like “ISIS-controlled town of Raqqa” instead of “ISIS self-declared Capital Raqqa” when US and allies try to liberate gives an impression of southfront being biased towards Russia.

citizen

Yes, in that article you have used the words “ISIS capital Raqqa”. But in this video cum article, you’ve said “ISIS-controlled town of Raqqa”, not “ISIS capital”. So, your link isn’t really the answer. If you don’t want to give your unfair criticisers any ammunition, you should be a little bit more cautious in every article.

southfront

It’s hilarious. Do you really believe that Raqqa is the ISIS capital? There is no an “ISIS government” there. “ISIS capital” is a term, used by some media. If you want blame the “biased approach” of SF, you can find more ideas here: https://southfront.org/southfront-is-run-by-the-russian-military/

citizen

First of all, in the link you have provided, you yourself have mentioned it as “ISIS capital, not me”. What I was mentioning is “ISIS self-declared Capital”, so, you judge your own point.

Also, I am a huge fan of yours, otherwise, I wouldn’t have been watching your articles, let alone commenting. I wasn’t till now blaming you of having “biased approach”, rather letting you know, how your unfair criticisers could use the words you use to their advantages. I was talking about the impressions (of being biased) of such words, not you being biased. Sounds like you don’t need any positive criticism and ideas. I’m so sorry for giving you unsolicited suggestion, I hope you can understand that as a well wisher of your organisation for being a non-USA based, I thought it will be helpful. I promise you, I won’t indulge in any such unsolicited activites.

Regards

southfront

The criticism of term “ISIS-controlled city” looks questionably. This is why you got that answer that you got. If you have some factual criticism, feel free. We are always glad to read facts.

citizen

For this specific instance, as you have asked for facts of behind the use of the term “ISIS-controlled city” my take is that, there are many cities which are controlled by ISIS. Raqqa stands out differently among them as ISIS itself has declared it as their capital. So, there is a specific value of the words “ISIS self-declared capital” and revelas the importance of the city more than some other cities.

Also, about criticising your content, I do really feel that I wasn’t criticising rather showing some simple improvements for the choice of words. In any case, I feel ashamed of my unsolicited comments and do apologise again. And my best wishes to SF.

southfront

Now, we understand each other. Thank you for the opinion and the feedback.