Mark Maat MA’s Post

Today, the #Syrian regime has reportedly lost contact with Maher al-Assad, the #brother of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, following an Israeli airstrike that targeted his villa near Damascus. #Maher, who commands the elite 4th Division of the Syrian Army, was said to be hosting a high-level meeting with Iranian leaders at the time of the strike. The 4th Division, known for its close ties to #Iran and its involvement in protecting the Assad regime, has been a key player in Syria’s internal security and military operations throughout the civil war. Israeli airstrikes in Syria are often aimed at curbing the influence of Iran and its allied militias, which have entrenched themselves in the region. While the full extent of the damage from today’s attack remains unclear, the loss of contact with Maher could signal a significant disruption within the regime’s command structure. The presence of Iranian officials at the meeting further underscores the deep military cooperation between Syria and Iran, a partnership that has long been a point of tension with Israel.

Today, we solemnly commemorate the sacrifice of 220 Marines, 18 Sailors, and 3 Soldiers who perished in the Beirut Barracks Bombing. In the early hours of October 23, 1983, a suicide bomber detonated a truck bomb at the barracks housing the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines (Battalion Landing Team – BLT 1/8) of the 2nd Marine Division. This horrific attack claimed the lives of 220 Marines, 18 Sailors, and 3 Soldiers, marking it as the deadliest single-day toll for the United States Marine Corps since the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. The explosion wounded an additional 128 Americans, with 13 later succumbing to their injuries, bringing the total number of fatalities to a heart-wrenching 241. The explosives used were estimated to be equivalent to as much as 21,000 pounds of TNT. Responsibility for the bombing was claimed by a group known as Islamic Jihad, which asserted that the attack aimed to drive multinational forces out of Lebanon. Some analyses attribute the operation to Hezbollah and Iran, describing it as "an Iranian operation from top to bottom," although there is no consensus on whether Hezbollah was fully operational at the time of the attack. This tragic event ultimately led to the withdrawal of the international peacekeeping forces from Lebanon, who had been deployed following the Palestine Liberation Organization's (PLO) exit in the wake of Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon. As we remember those who lost their lives that day, we honor their bravery and commitment to duty, reflecting on the profound cost of conflict and the enduring impact it has on our world. #templartitannews

Brigadier General Nitzan Nuriel (res), former head of the counter-terrorism bureau, reveals the strategic thinking behind Israel's recent "Arrow of Bashan" operation. Learn how Israel is navigating the complex geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, targeting Syrian military infrastructure, and countering potential threats from Iran and terror groups. Key Topics: 📌 Detailed breakdown of Israel's preemptive military strategy 📌 Analysis of Syria's potential future instability Iranian expansion concerns 📌 Regional diplomatic implications IDF's military capabilities and deterrence. Watch now https://lnkd.in/dhXZWw5R #MiddleEast #SyriaCrisis #IsraelNews Comment

How does the scale of harm in #Gaza compare to other conflicts? New Airwars “report focuses on the pattern and intensity of civilian harm during the opening weeks of Israel’s campaign in Gaza, comparing the level of civilian harm with military campaigns documented by Airwars over a decade of work in some of the world’s most intense and complex conflict zones.” One graphic shows October 2023—the first three weeks of war in Gaza—as the deadliest for children across all conflicts covered by Airwars. https://lnkd.in/dnPZ5HpN

Not surprising to me at all! If you have learned a few things about the CCP's perception of the instabilities and security concerns regarding Xinjiang and Tibet, such a military strategy would make more sense to you... Actually, it is paying off greatly from the CCP's perspective.

China's efforts to seize land from its neighbours - China has inserted many settlements into disputed border regions of neighbouring countries, for example Arunachal Pradesh in India, the Beyul Khenpajong region of Bhutan, Humla in Nepal...Recently, China revived fake historical claims to 40% of Tajikistan, the border regions of North East China/Siberia, and has revived claims to Vladivostok. As part of these efforts to seize territory from neighbouring countries, China has republished maps showing regions and towns renamed with Chinese names.

Updated map showing the advances of anti-Assad groups in Syria. It shows the situation this Saturday, 12/07, around 1 pm local time. In green we see the main opposition groups, including the HTS jihadists and the SNA military dissidents, directly supported by Türkiye. In yellow we see the YPG Kurds, supported by the US. In red we see the areas still under the control of the Bashar al-Assad regime. The Russian bases are on the Mediterranean coast, which means that if Homs falls, the approximately 3,000 troops, 2 dozen planes and some Russian warships will be isolated from Damascus. As we can see, the capital Damascus is already under direct attack, with videos showing cities just 5km away already under control of anti-Assad forces.

US military says it killed 37 militants in airstrikes in Syria this month: Reuters, 29 September 2024. https://lnkd.in/eGc75kw8 -- What is the Iran-backed Axis of Resistance, and what does it mean for Israel?: LA Times, 26 September 2024. Url: https://lnkd.in/egFSmeez The Iranian expansion discussion (into Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen) goes back to 2011 when the Syrian Sunni genocide killed over one million Sunni Muslims (included crematoriums), chemical weapons (Sarin) attacks on civilian populations, rape as a weapon of war and torture of children spotlighted in the 2014 Syria Torture Report on Children. The United Nations Security Council turned it's back on the Syrian people, allowing Russia and China to use their veto power to support the genocide, and funding the atrocities by providing Iran over $1.7 Billion. SYRIA2012 www.Syria2012.com "The international community awaits a response by the International Criminal Court, who has been provided eye witness reports and evidence, disseminated by the international media for close to one year. To abandon civilians without food, water, electricity or medical care has severely damaged the credibility of the United Nations as a representative body, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Law." -- Stephen M. Apatow, President, Humanitarian Resource Institute (UN:NGO:DESA), Member, International Bar Association War Crimes Committee, March 2012. -- 2009-2024: A UN, Civil Affairs (CIMIC) Failure of Holocaust Proportions: HRI: H-II OPSEC, 18 November 2017. Url: https://lnkd.in/etBiPjK Note: Why does this discussion goes back to 2009? See: Iran 2009: HRI:H-II OPSEC, https://lnkd.in/r9rdqF -- JCPOA - $1.7 Billion in Cash Paid to State Sponsor of Terrorism Iran, Funds Syrian Genocide, Terrorist Operations: HRI: H-II OPSEC, 18 December 2018. Url: https://lnkd.in/ekzcPvx Stephen M. Apatow, Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Officer, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Certified Sailing Rescue Swimmer is CEO, Humanitarian Resource Institute: H-II OPSEC Expeditionary Operations, Anti-Terrorism Officer: Director, Global Special Operations Network, Member of the War Crimes Committee, International Bar Association, and an Ordained Licensed Ministry Chaplain. -- VSO:SSTR:FID - Global Special Operations Network - Intelligence - Defense - Interpol - LEO Fusion Support. https://lnkd.in/dFwQjhm -- Preventing Genocide and Mass Atrocities - Our Responsibility to Protect: HRI: H-II OPSEC. https://lnkd.in/ejSWH95

What To Know About Hezbollah: — It is an armed paramilitary and legitimate political group in Lebanon (a state within a state). — It is separate from Lebanon’s military. — It has lawmakers who have served in Lebanon’s Parliament since 1990. — It rose to power in 1982, when Israel backed by its western colonialist allies invaded Lebanon and caused divisions, violence, and warfare among the country’s very diverse population and political factions. — It opposes the Taliban and ISIS. — It has one of the world’s top intelligence services. — Its armed forces is as big and powerful as a medium-sized military. #Gaza #Palestine

Peace the Software Delusion Update Is not Working in the Dream Land of OZ? The drunken fighter project 2025 hardware or has NVDA AI Implemented Grand Theft Auto at the Whitehouse? Radical transparency is a phrase used across fields of governance,politics, software design & business to describe actions or approaches that radically increase the openness of organizational process & data. Biden or Bibi called in the thousands of US troops as Isreali forces met a barrage attack chasing the Isreal IDF back across the Lebanon border. The same ruthless Persian warriors who defeated ruthless Ashi-nazi Bibi in 2006. As thousands of American,Lebanese,Palestitians lives could go down with the debt based debacle? As Isreal expands its violation of every international law while hollowing out the land of OZ in a Persian vs Khazar-Ashi endless war. The OG administration still is not convinced that it should give Ukraine Zelensky(Khazar-ashi) the authority to launch long-range missiles deeper into Russia,U.S. officials say they are seeking more detailed how Kyiv would use the weapons. Who gives weapon & then tell you how to use them, while at war for your life, use the weapon then discuss why you violated the agreement afterwards, as Khazarashi's & Persians have done for centuries? Will there be veterans support for the sons & daughters of the US military after seeing the arms & legs of Arabs, IDF & US mates in the campaign ? This has nothing to do with religion, or which religion is always false flag,Islam Christianity & Judism are religions of peace & is examplified in the daily lives of billions of people is the basis of law & civilization. But the governments are godless. In the 20th century,at least 200 million people-perhaps 360 million have been murdered by governments in false flag or resource wars. Use your Radical Transperency Economic Patch Toto ! Will the longshoremans shipping shortage cartel & Houthi strike's increase shipping profits as it did in pandemic causing import inflation,US food lines & record shipping profits? Will the Federal Reserve up its terminal rate to 3 than 4 than 5 percent ? What will be the victory, the spoils or the setback or the status quo of perpetual inflation for the jobless debt of US youth & retiree's ? Is the Fed pivot apart of the twinkle before the storm or is it the dead cat bounce of a major ego centric debacle cause by delusions from the past? Is the US- the only one on the seven country ala cart takeout menu.Can you really beat,ruthless willing to die by murdering women & children for colonial aparthied in a perpetual regional border bombing conflict while buying back your own Treasuries-without destroying yourself? Whats is the US dollar reserve burn rate, asked the scarecrow ? Are Americans being financially hollowed out from within? AS the threat of conflict and nuclear war escalates,activists for Peace are more critical for humanity than ever. Peace is winners Saudi, UAE, India China,BRICS Gold