Manpads obtained by Islamist terrorists: 'No one knows when and where these weapons will be used next, either.' Lavrov.

Lavrov on Manpads in the possession of Islamist terrorists: 'No one knows when and where these weapons will be used next, either.'(Mid.Ru) .

Question: Can you comment on the regular media reports about modern weapons making it into the hands of terrorist groups in the Middle East and North Africa?

Sergey Lavrov: Apparently, our Western colleagues have yet to fully realise the implications of their recent military operations in the Middle East and Africa. They believed they would destroy the Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi regimes, and that democracy would instantly prevail in Iraq and Libya. Instead, these nations are now torn by chaos. Abandoned military depots and arsenals were looted. All weapons, including MANPADS, and hundreds of tonnes of ammunition, went missing. Now, those countries are shattered by fratricidal wars with no end in sight. Unfortunately, this situation was quite predictable, and the President repeatedly warned about it.

In Libya alone, at least 500 Strela and Igla MANPADS went missing. The first bell rang in Mali, where, in 2012, militants shot down a government Mig-21 using a MANPAD. No one knows which terrorist groups may have got their hands on these weapons, which are most dangerous for civil aviation.

Is it ISIS, Jabhat al-Nusra, or Al-Qaeda? No one knows when and where these weapons will be used next, either. It’s unlikely that anyone in Iraq, with hundreds of thousands of casualties and millions now living in a country torn by civil war, experienced any relief from learning that the British have found out that then Prime Minister Tony Blair actually deceived the parliament by pushing through a resolution to have the British Army participate in the invasion of Iraq alongside the United States.

Of course, the consequences could have been even more devastating, if three years ago Russia had failed to prevent the US attack on Syria, having persuaded al-Assad to get rid of Syria’s chemical weapons. Even the thought of who may have ended up with MANPADS and other conventional weapons, as well as stocks of these weapons of mass destruction, is dreadful.

Israel successfully tests anti-missile system for commercial planes - https://t.co/bV7yT0C3Pf

— MFS - The Other News (@MFS001) August 25, 2016

Iraqi Mobilization Forces Urge Abadi to apply for Russian Strikes

Iraqi Mobilization Forces Urge Abadi to apply for Russian Strikes. (AM).

Iraq’s ruling alliance and powerful Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) have urged Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to request Russian air strikes on the Takfiri group, ISIL (so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Levant), a report said on Wednesday.

Reuters news agency quoted two members of parliament as saying that the prime minister was under “tremendous pressure” from the ruling National Alliance to request Russian intervention.

MPs and alliance members said an official request for Russian air strikes was relayed to Abadi last week and that he has not officially responded.

“Abadi told the meeting parties that it wasn’t the right time to include the Russians in the fight because that would only complicate the situation with the Americans and could have undesired consequences even on long-term future relations with America,” said a senior Shi’ite politician close to Abadi.

Abadi’s spokesman said he has not discussed air strikes with Russia. At the same time he was “not ruling out any side that could provide support to Iraq,” Saad al-Hadithi said. Read the full story here.

Russia will strike any regional country supplying Syrian rebels with MANPADs that can hit its jets

Russia will strike any regional country supplying Syrian rebels with MANPADs. HT: EjmAlrai

Sources close to the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told me “important decisions were taken on regional level, the military needs of the Syrian army to eliminate terrorism, and a serious message Russia is sending to the countries involved in supporting insurgents and terrorists in the Levant. ”


” The early departure of President Assad is not conceivable for both Russia and Syria. Neither side has mentioned this topic. Nonetheless, the Syrian President expressed to his counterpart his readiness for an early election to ensure a place for all, after proposing an amendment of the Constitution.


Putin explained that Russia has used intercontinental cruise missiles to show to all players with proxies fighting on the ground in Syria its determination to target any regional country providing extremists with anti-air missiles (MANPADs) that can damage or shoot down any Russian jet. Any country that supports terrorists exposing Russian jets at risk would be a legitimate target to Russia. Read the full story here.

Who are the #Syria/n moderate that have received or obtained #USA made TOWs https://t.co/cy1ZwFQqjN v @Pyrrha108 pic.twitter.com/DxgXzFKqQw

— Elijah J. Magnier (@EjmAlrai) October 23, 2015

Four-fifths of U.S. House Members tell Obama 'admin' be harder on Iran.

Four-fifths of U.S. House Members tell Obama 'admin' be harder on Iran. HT: IMRA.

SOURCE: Al Arabiya News 3 Oct.’14:”U.D.House members press Kerry on nuclear talks with Iran”, By Patricia Zengerle, Reuters .

SUBJECT:US House of Representatives members say be harder on Iran.

QUOTE: Four-fifths of the U.S. House of Representatives signed a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry - - - to lean harder on Iran”

FULL TEXT:

Three hundred and fifty-four members - four-fifths - of the U.S. House of Representatives signed the letter sent to Secretary of State John Kerry. Hundreds of U.S. lawmakers pressed Secretary of State John Kerry to lean harder on Iran in talks over its nuclear program in a letter released on Thursday[2 Oct.] after Israel warned Washington not to go easy on Tehran.

Three hundred and fifty-four members - four-fifths - of the U.S. House of Representatives signed the letter sent to Kerry on Wednesday night, expressing concerns that an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program might not require sufficiently strict inspections of its nuclear facilities.
The U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Sept. 5 that Iran had failed to address concerns about suspected atomic bomb research by an agreed deadline.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President Barack Obama on Wednesday[1 Oct.] that he must make sure any final nuclear deal with Iran does not leave it at the “threshold” of being able to develop nuclear weapons.

Netanyahu has been attempting to shift the global spotlight away from Islamic State fighters in Iraq and Syria and back to Iran, warning that a nuclear-armed Tehran would pose a far greater threat than the militant Islamists.

On Thursday[2 Oct.] Netanyahu voiced doubts that his talks with Obama would lead to a tougher U.S. line.

“Both of us want to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. But I say that is not enough. You want to prevent it from (being able to) develop a nuclear weapon in a short term, of weeks or months. What is called breakout time,” Netanyahu said in an interview with Israel’s Channel 10 television.

Asked whether he was “encouraged” about the issue of preventing Iran from achieving break-out capability after meeting Obama, Netanyahu answered: “I cannot say that. I can only say that I expressed the things important to Israel and Israel’s security.”

Although Israel backs Obama’s efforts to forge a coalition to confront Islamic State of Iraq and Syria fighters, some Israelis fear world powers could go easy on Shi’ite Muslim Iran’s nuclear program so it will help in the fight against the Sunni Islamists.

Iran and six world powers are expected to meet again for nuclear talks in Europe in the next two weeks, Iranian and Western officials said.

Iranian leader Khamenei: "ISIL Created by West to Split Muslims" - "Gaza in the hands of Blood soaking Zionist Wolves oppressors"

Iranian leader Khamenei: "ISIL Created by West to Split Muslims". (Fars).

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei slammed the West, specially the US, for creating the Takfiri terrorists, and said that the main objective of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is to create differences among Muslim sects.

"The Takfiri groups are spreading atrocities in the West Asian region in a bid to sow discord among Muslims," the Supreme Leader said in a message to the Hajj pilgrims on Friday.

He noted that the enemy is pursuing to provide the Zionist regime with safety through igniting war among Muslims.

Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated that unity among Muslims, the issue of Palestine and making a clear-cut distinction between the notion of pure Islam of the Prophet Mohammad and the American-style Islam are among the most important issues facing the present Muslim world.

"However, now that in the light of the Islamic Awakening, Muslim nations have correctly found out about the animosity of the Arrogant and Zionist front and have taken stances against it, policies that aim to divide Muslims are being pursued with more fervor," the Supreme Leader stated.

He underlined that the deceitful enemy is bent on fanning the flame of civil wars among Muslims in order to deviate motivations for resistance and struggle among them and create a safe margin for the Zionist regime and other agents of global arrogance that are true enemies.

"Launching Takfiri terrorist groups and the likes of them in countries located in West Asia region is a consequence of this treacherous policy," Ayatollah Khamenei added.

In July, the Supreme Leader Ayatollah called on Muslims across the world to set aside their differences, and use all their means to help the Palestinian people.

Addressing hundreds of officials and people from various walks of life as well as ambassadors and charge d'affairs of Muslim countries on the occasion of the auspicious Eid-al-Fitr (Fast breaking feast) in Tehran, Ayatollah Khamenei said Muslim governments should set aside political and non-political differences to help the oppressed in Gaza.

"Setting aside differences, the world of Islam should use all its potential to meet needs of the people of Gaza and while countering impudent crimes of Zionists, Muslim world should voice hatred and disavow of Zionist allies, especially the US and the UK," he said.

The Supreme Leader invited Muslim countriesˈ officials to set aside such motivations and opt for the establishment of a united, powerful and capable Ummah.

"If power mongering, dependences and corruptions fail to divide the world of Islam, no arrogant power would dare to invade and make aggression on Muslim countries or seek ransom from them," he said.

Stressing that the Zionistsˈ impudence in massacring people in Gaza is the result of rift in the world of Islam, Ayatollah Khamenei said secret censorship in the west does not allow western nations to be informed of the depth of Gaza events. "The crimes are so heinous and heart rending that reflection of even part of it by the western media has shocked non-Muslim nations and brought them to streets."

"Our clear message to Muslim governments is to rise up to assist the oppressed people and show that the world of Islam will not keep silent in face of tyranny and injustice. To meet the goal, Muslim governments should ignore political and non-political differences and get united in rushing aid to the oppressed who are in clutches of the blood soaking Zionist wolves," he underlined.

The Supreme Leader said open support of the arrogant powers, including the US and the UK, and the explicit or implicit confirmation of Zionistsˈcrimes by the international communities, including the UN, is complicity in the crimes of the blood soaking regime.

New Home-Made Heavy Tactical Vehicle, Rocket Launcher Unveiled in Iran

Looks a bit like S-300... only smaller S-30,5

New Home-Made Heavy Tactical Vehicle, Rocket Launcher Unveiled in Iran. (Fars).

Iran's defense industries organization on Thursday unveiled a home-made rocket launching system and a tactical heavy vehicle in a ceremony attended by Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan.

Addressing the ceremony, Dehqan said the new launcher system is used to fire Falaq rockets and is a useful weapon for ground battles.

Falaq rocket launcher which is capable of opening heavy fire on the targets enjoys high maneuverability. It can also be stationed rapidly and has good mobility for difficult terrains, the minister explained.

When equipped with Falaq 1 and 2 rockets, the new launcher can hit targets within a range of 10 kilometers, he added.

Thanks to the high destructive power of the Falaq rocket’s warhead, the proper area that its shrapnel covers and the tactical features of the launcher, the Iranian forces will have the power to fight ground battles proportionate to the threats, Dehqan explained.

In a relevant development on Sunday, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps unveiled a home-made high-explosive mine and test-fired an anti-cruise missile in a ceremony attended by IRGC Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour.

Among the weapons test-fired on Sunday was a rotating three-cylinder cannon, 'Asefeh', which was unveiled a few months ago and can be used to target and destroy incoming cruise missiles and hostile flying objects in low altitudes.

Another system which was unveiled and test-fired was 'Ramait' high-explosive roadside mine which can destroy an armored column within a radius of 100-150 meters with high precision.

Also a solo weapon, 'Fateh', was the third system unveiled this afternoon. Fateh is an Iran-made sniper rifle that fires 5.56mm bullets.

"Ramait roadside mine which enjoys good capabilities will be mass-produced tomorrow," Pakpour told FNA. He added that other systems tested today are also ready for mass-production.

Full photo gallery here:

Video - Iranian Analyst Mohammad Sadeq Al-Hosseini: Saudi Arabia Is on the Verge of Extinction; We Are the New Sultans of the Mediterranean, the Gulf, and the Red Sea

Iran is manufacturing it's 'manpad Drone'

Note: Add duct tape to list of forbidden products

Iran is manufacturing it's 'manpad Drone'. (Taz).

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force is finalizing manufacture of a new homemade drone armed with the RPG (rocket-propelled grenade).

Commander of the IRGC Ground Forces Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour said that the combat drone will carry the RPG with no Backblast, Iran’s Fars news agency reported Oct. 1.

Pakpour also noted that the drone has passed the tests and will be completed in the near future.
Iran unveiled its first homemade fighter drone that carries air-to-air missiles on Sept. 23.

The Iranian media outlets reported that the drone is capable of destroying all types of aircrafts including fighters, small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters.

The Islamic Republic has so far unveiled various domestically produced drones, including Ababil, Fotros, Hazem, Karrar (long range attack drone), Mohajer, Sarir, Shahed 129, Yasir and Zohal.
The country unveiled its first domestically manufactured long-range UAV named Karrar in 2010. The first Iranian medium-altitude long-endurance UAV, the Shahed-129 was unveiled in September 2012, which is capable of carrying out combat and reconnaissance eight missions for 24 hours and has a range of 1,700 km.

The country also unveiled its largest yet homemade UAV, titled 'Fotros' in 2013. Fotros has a range of some 2,000 kilometers and is capable of launching air-to-surface missile strikes. The drone can fly at an altitude of 25,000 feet, with a flight time of 16 to 30 hours.

Iran started mass production of the "Yasir" UAV in September 2013. Yasir can fly at an altitude of 15,000 ft., be in flight for eight hours, cover the distance of 200 km, and does not need a runway. The UAV is equipped with light powerful modern cameras, and can precisely control the target. Hmmm....To boldly go where no drone went before.

Iran unveils its first fighter drone.....does it fly?

Hmmm....looks like a drone with a Manpad stuck to it :)

Iran unveils its first fighter drone.....does it fly?(Taz).

Iran has unveiled a new home-made drone equipped with air defense missiles.

It is the first home-made fighter drone which carries air to air missiles, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported Sept. 23.

Iran’s Deputy Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami told reporters that the drone is capable of destroying all types of aircrafts including fighters, small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters.

Hatami noted that the drone was manufactured by the Islamic Republic’s defense ministry.

The Islamic Republic has so far unveiled various home-made drones including Ababil, Fotros, Hazem, Karrar (long range attack drone), Mohajer, Sarir, Shahed 129, Yasir and Zohal.

The country unveiled its first domestically-manufactured long-range UAV named Karrar in 2010.

Iran also inaugurated the production line of two domestically-built UAVs dubbed Raad and Nazir with bombing and reconnaissance capabilities at that year. The two hi-tech drones are capable of performing long-range reconnaissance, patrolling, assault and bombing missions with high precision.

Iran also successfully tested a home-made radar-evading UAV in June 2009.

The first Iranian medium-altitude long-endurance UAV, the Shahed-129 was unveiled in September 2012, which is capable of carrying out combat and reconnaissance eight missions for 24 hours and has a range of 1,700 km.

The country unveiled its largest yet home-made UAV, titled 'Fotros' in 2013. Fotros has a range of some 2,000 kilometers and is capable of launching air-to-surface missile strikes.

The drone can fly at an altitude of 25,000 feet, with a flight time of 16 to 30 hours.

Iran started mass production of the "Yasir" UAV in September 2013. Yasir can fly at an altitude of 15,000 ft., be in flight for eight hours, cover the distance of 200 km, and does not need a runway. The UAV is equipped with light powerful modern cameras, and can precisely control the target.

Video - Another Israeli First - Sky Shield - Protecting Passenger Planes from Shoulder-Fired Missiles

Related:

Israel completes tests on "Sky Shield" airline defense system.

Israel completes tests on "Sky Shield" airline defense system.

Coming to a neighborhood near you soon?

Israel completes tests on "Sky Shield" airline defense system.(YNet).

Elbit Systems and Transportation Ministry cooperation yields world's most advanced safety measure for passanger jets.

The development of the new safety measure, at a cost of hundreds of millions of shekels, was funded by the Transportation Ministry and executed with the help of Israeli defense electronics manufacturer, Elbit Systems.

Eitan Eshel, head of research and development at the ministry, said Wednesday that testing of the "Sky Shield" system was "100 percent successful."

The system integrates laser technology with a thermal camera to protect aircraft against missiles fired from the ground. It deflects missiles fired at aircraft by changing their direction. Hmmmm.....They'll need it with all these rocket launchers being distributed in Syria. At least Israel acts wisely.Read the full story here.

Was the Late Christopher Stevens in Benghazi Trying to Get His Hands on Gadaffi's MANPADS?

Was the Late Christopher Stevens in Benghazi Trying to Get His Hands on Gadaffi's MANPADS?HT: BarryRuben.

Let’s begin with Syria. As U.S. officials became increasingly worried about the visible Islamist domination of the Syrian opposition—which their own policies had helped promote—they have realized the horrible situation of creating still another radical Islamist regime. (Note: This column has been warning of this very point for years.)

So the response is to try to do two things. The first is to train, with Jordanian cooperation, a more moderate force of Free Syrian Army (FSA) units. The idea is to help the non-Islamists compete more effectively with the Muslim Brotherhood, Salafist, and especially al-Qaeda (Jabhat al-Nusra group) affiliated units.

The second is supposedly to create a buffer zone along Syria’s borders with Jordan and perhaps later Israel and even Iraq in order to avoid the conflict spilling over—i.e., cross-border jihad terror attacks—to those countries.

Why isn’t the United States working full-time to stop the arms flows to the Islamists by pressuring the Saudis and Qataris (perhaps the point of Secretary of State John Kerry’s trip but hardly effective) and to rein in Turkey’s enthusiasm for a Syrian Islamist regime?

Speaking of Turkey, now we see the reason for the attempted Israel-Turkey rapprochement, because on top of everything else there will be a Kurdish-ruled zone not run by moderates but by the Syrian affiliate of the radical PKK, which is at war with Turkey.

What does this have to do with Benghazi?

Read this paragraph from the Washington Post:

Obama administration officials have expressed repeated concern that some of about 20,000 of the weapons, called MANPADS, have made their way from the arsenals of former Libyan dictator Moammar (sic) Gaddafi to Syria.

This weapons system might be the most technologically impressive arms ever to fall into the hands of terrorists. Once Libya’s regime fell (another U.S. foreign policy production), these weapons were grabbed by the Libyan rebels and sold to the Saudis and Qataris, who supplied them, respectively, to the Syrian Salafists and the Muslim Brotherhood.

According to reliable sources, Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens was in Benghazi trying to get those MANPADS back and was negotiating with radical militias toward that goal. Stevens was doing something good—trying to take weapons out of the hands of terrorists—and not running weapons to terrorists.

Yet that doesn’t mitigate the mess unleashed by the administration’s policy. At any rate, Stevens and these efforts failed. The money was too good for the Libyan insurgents to pass up, not to mention helping fellow Islamists and anti-Americans. And now thousands of advanced, easily launched anti-aircraft systems are in the hands of anti-Jordanian, anti-Iraqi, anti-Israeli, and possibly anti-Turkish terrorists.

And just imagine the very real possibility of commercial passenger planes being shot at, or even shot down, by terrorists armed with a weapon they obtained because of U.S. government ineptitude or even involvement.Read the full story here.