Seven.

This is coolbert. 

“'Behold, I am bringing a nation against you from afar, O house of Israel,' declares the Lord.

“It is an enduring nation,

It is an ancient nation,

A nation whose language you do not know,

Nor can you understand what they say."

Jeremiah 5:15.

"Israel readies for war on 7 fronts as attacks recorded in neighboring countries"

From The Independent  | Tom Watling | 26 December 2023.

"Israel readies for war on 7 fronts as attacks recorded in neighboring countries"

"Israel has warned they are in a war on seven fronts as attacks recorded in a handful of neighboring countries in the last 48 hours spark fears of the conflict escalating to the wider region."

"In an address to the Israeli government on Tuesday, Yoav Gallant, the country’s defense minister and one of only three members of its war cabinet, said they were coming under attack from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, Iraq, Yemen and Iran."

At this time Iranian participation in the Gaza war consists of proxy units as far as I know, nothing more than that. Direct and overt Iranian participation in the war, of course, could be seen as a very serious expansion and enlargement of a local to a regional war and beyond that to further conflict with repercussions and ramifications of unforeseen consequences.

coolbert.

Existential II.

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Copied unashamedly so in entirety from the Peter Grant blog the first paragraph of a recent article. See previous blog entry within context most germane! Existential you the devoted reader to the blog must decide for yourselves.

"Hamas attacks Israel. Is a nuclear war next?"

 From https://bayourenaissanceman.blogspot.com | October 7, 2023.

"By now we've surely all heard about Hamas' attack on Israel.  How they managed to make so many preparations in secret for so long is a question many are asking, and I'm sure there'll be an inquest to end all inquests in Israel in due course.  Be that as it may, Israel has suffered a body blow to its self-image.  The 'proud Jewish state' has been humbled in the eyes of most people in the Middle East, and that's a dangerous thing, because many of them will be tempted to get in on the act.  Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iranian Revolutionary Guards and their proxy forces in Syria, and the Palestinian government of the West Bank are almost certainly gearing up, ready and waiting for their chance to strike.  I'd say things are balanced on a knife-edge right now."

I strongly encourage all readers to the blog to peruse the entire Peter Grant article!

coolbert.

Existential I.

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"existential: adjective - of, relating to, or affirming existence"

A very threat to the Jewish homeland and nation?

"Israel faces an 'existential' threat if war expands - former security advisor"

"In an interview with Kan Bet, Eiland — a former head of The IDF’s Planning Directorate --  said that the 'State of Gaza' has declared war on the State of Israel."

From https://www.jpost.com | the article by HERB KEINON | OCTOBER 8, 2023.

"Israel will face an existential threat if Hezbollah, Iranian militias in Iraq and Syria, and Palestinian terrorists from Judea and Samaria join the fighting, former National Security Advisor Giora Eiland said in a chilling assessment on Sunday."

"In an interview with Kan Bet, Eiland — a former head of The IDF’s Planning Directorate --  said that the 'State of Gaza' has declared war on the State of Israel, and in this situation, it is not enough just to fight combatants, but it is incumbent upon Israel to hit the infrastructure inside Gaza that enables it to continue waging this war."

A threat to the very existence of Israel but ONLY if Hezbollah, other Palestinian groups and various Iranian backed proxy militias in Syria and Iraq join the battle.

DEVOTED READERS TO THE BLOG AND THOSE MERELY PERUSING IN A MUCH MORE CASUAL MANNER BE AWARE THE SITUATION IN ISRAEL VERY FLUIDIC. NUMBER OF POSTS TO THE BLOG YOU CAN EXPECT A MARKED INCREASE.

coolbert.

Waterworks II.

This is coolbert:

Here links to various previous blog entries the topic the breaching of dams and dikes as a weapon of war. An ancient and venerable practice and as relevant to most recent events the Ukraine Conflict:

From that period of the Islamic State [ISIL] insurgency:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2017/04/tabqa.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/04/thar-thar.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2014/08/mosul-dam.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2014/07/haditha-mosul.html 

From that period of the Saddam insurgency in the aftermath of Gulf War Two:

https://www.danielpipes.org/blog/2007/11/the-latest-about-mosul-dam

Further and in historical context the Yellow River flood, 1938-47:

"In June 1938, Chinese Nationalist armies under the command of Chiang Kai-shek breached the Yellow River’s dikes at Huayuankou in Henan province in a desperate attempt to block a Japanese military advance . . . Perhaps the single most environmentally damaging act of warfare in world history . . . Between 1938 and 1947, this disaster killed more than 800,000 people in Henan, Anhui, and Jiangsu and displaced nearly four million."

And the culprit the Dneiper river flooding is? We might never know with any degree of certainty?

coolbert.

Dezwaan Jr.

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The American military man behaving badly. Fragging incident Syria solved? Culprit arrested and charged with various offenses. An EOD man. 

See previous blog entries as applicable here and here.

"UCMJ CHARGES: EOD TECH SET OFF BOMBS ON US BASE IN SYRIA"

UCMJ = Uniform Code of Military Justice. 

Thanks for the story from the Internet webzine "Coffee or Die" August 04, 2022 |  • Matt White.

David W Dezwaan Jr. USAF as charged. Explosive ordnance disposal man [EOD].

"An Air Force explosive ordnance disposal, or EOD, technician was charged with setting off explosives on a base in Syria in a rare case of an American service member being legally accused of trying to kill or harm other Americans in combat."    

"Tech. Sgt. David W. Dezwaan, Jr. was charged Thursday, Aug. 4, with six counts under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including aggravated assault and dereliction of duty."

"Dezwaan, according to the Air Force, is assigned to Hill Air Force Base in Utah, where he is a noncommissioned officer in charge of an EOD unit.:

[....]

"Dezwaan was arrested in June but not named until Thursday. Prosecutors have not yet named a motive in the event and have not said whether the explosions were intentionally set to simulate a mortar attack."

THIS DEZWAAN IN REAL TROUBLE! I AM SURPRISED HE HAS NOT BEEN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER! NO MOTIVE? MORE TO THIS STORY I AM SURE.

coolbert.

Chaiko.

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From DEBKAfile:

Top Russian general officer assumes command of Russian forces in Syria. With experience in the area. 

“What we don’t know is, is he a dog off-leash trying to re-establish himself.” - Kurilla.

"Meaning: If someone is off the leash, they are no longer restricted or controlled."

"Hostile Russian-US incidents erupt in E. Syria after key Russian general transferred from Ukraine"

 Jul 4, 2022.

RUSSIAN GENERAL CHAIKO HAS ARRIVED! BEWARE THE CHIKO?

"Following the posting to Syria from Ukraine of Russian Col. Gen. Aleksandr Chayko, US CENTCOM chief Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla paid a visit to the important US Al Tanf base that straddles the Syrian-Iraq-Jordan border triangle."

That statement of American general Kurilla intemperate? He has without even realizing it issued a challenge to Russian general Chaiko? Chaiko will NOW feel COMPELLED to respond in an effort to show his mettle and determination?

Bad move Kurilla?

coolbert.

Irregulars.

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The Syrian bashi bazooks Ukraine have arrived?

Syrian recruits fighting for the Russian military the Ukraine Conflict!

Click on image to see an enlarged view.

As was the topic of a previous blog entry, the recruitment of Syrian nationals to fight on the Russian side in the Ukraine Conflict duly noted and reported. See: https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2022/03/guards.htm

Bashi bazook to clarify in the Islamic tradition irregular fighters recruited from persons often imprisoned their release from confinement made with the proviso of military service a must!

Bashi bazook as tacitly understood not being required to follow the normal rules and conduct of land warfare. Even plunder and pillage as a common practice by the bashi bazook encouraged in an unexpressed and unspoken manner as an incentive of recruitment.

My impression is that the Syrian bashi bazook was to function as occupation troops Ukraine primarily but it seems now involved in direct combat?

coolbert.

Confinement.

This is coolbert:

Continuing with more coverage, the "fragging" incident the USA military base Syria.

A culprit has been arrested and will face justice?

"American airman arrested in connection with April attack on US base in Syria"

From the "Air Force Times" as seen at yahoo.com the story by Rachel Cohen June 21, 2022.

"Military law enforcement on June 16 arrested an American airman as part of an ongoing investigation into an insider attack on a small U.S. base in northern Syria that injured four service members in April, CNN reported Tuesday."

“'An airman was taken into custody stateside in conjunction with the attack in Green Village, Syria,' Air Force spokesperson Ann Stefanek told CNN. 'After reviewing the information in the investigation, the airman’s commander made the decision to place him in pretrial confinement.'”

An airman? An airman? An angry and disaffected military man having some beef not made apparent.

coolbert.

HTS.

This is coolbert:

The Russian has bashi bazooks. The Ukrainians have them too?

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend!".  Al Qaeda jihadists Ukraine? 

AND ARE WELCOME?

"450 Arab and foreign extremists from Idlib arrive in Ukraine".

Many are going to be surprised by this? The story from Al Mayadeen Net. Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham has arrived!

"Close to 450 extremist Arab and foreign nationals have arrived in Ukraine from Idlib to fight against Russia's forces, less than only three days after they left Syria, passing through Turkey." 

[...]

"The sources added that most of these foreign fighters are veterans of the Syrian war, had been causing issues in Idlib, and were given this opportunity to fight against Russia as a compromise by which they would receive a new start and with an acceptable income."

"Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham" also gave these fighters assurances that their families would be allowed to join them later.

[...]

"As for the financial compensation, the sources said the fighters that hail from Syria will receive around $1200-$1500, but had no knowledge what the foreign nationals were going to be paid."

ISLAMIC IRREGULARS AS ASSOCIATED WITH AL QAEDA [affiliation with Al Qaeda not clearly explained to me] GOING TO GET A FRESH START IN THE UKRAINE AS MERCENARIES? FAMILIES WILL BE LATER ABLE TO JOIN THEM. 

Islamic irregulars veterans of combat action in Syria and highly opposed to the Russian desiring if nothing else revenge? 

See my previous blog entry Syrian irregulars entering the Ukraine conflict as hired mercenaries of the Russian.

coolbert.

Guards?

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Bashi bazooks in Ukraine? Bashi bazooks?

"The bashi bazooks in the ancient and venerable practice quasi-military units comprised predominantly of criminal elements and prisoners released from prison and compelled to go to war." Within the Islamic cultural domain the bashi bazook as an irregular combatant a fairly common [?] practice.

"US Officials: Russia Recruiting Syrian Fighters for Urban Warfare in Ukraine"

From Newsmax the article by Nick Koutsobinas -Sunday, 06 March 2022.

"U.S. officials say Russia is recruiting Syrian fighters in the hopes that their skill in urban combat will help Moscow overthrow Kyiv, The Wall Street Journal reports."

"According to Syrian publication "Deir Ezzo", Russia is offering Syrian fighters 'salaries ranging between 200 and 300 $USD to operate as 'guards' for six months.

LESS THAT $4,000 A YEAR. PROBABLY WITH A PLATE FULL OF RICE AND GOAT ONCE PER DAY TOO. LOW SALARY WITH THE FULL UNDERSTANDING THAT PILLAGE BY THE BASHI BAZOOK APPROVED AND ENCOURAGED AS A REWARD FOR SERVICES RENDERED.

See prior blog entries the topic the bashi bazook:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2018/06/bb-saudi.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2016/05/bashi-bazook-syria.html

coolbert.

Steaming.

This is coolbet:

From the Internet web site "South Front" we have clarification the "steaming" of the entire "visible" Russian navy in the Mediterranean Sea. A cogent explanation?

"IN VIDEO: RUSSIA CONCLUDES LARGE-SCALE DRILLS IN EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA"

With a lot of images and video. Thanks "South Front".

"On February 25, the Russian Ministry of Defense [MoD] announced that it had concluded drills in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.:

"More than 20 vessels of the Russian Navy took part in the large-scale drills which began around ten days earlier. Tu-22M3 strategic bombers and MiG-31K fighter jets armed with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles also participated in the drills. The warplanes were deployed in Hmeimim Air Base on the Syrian coast."

""The drills were likely meant as a warning to the NATO ahead of the Russian military operation in Ukraine. Currently, the NATO maintains a total of three carrier strike groups are situation in the Mediterranean Sea; the US Harry Truman carrier strike group integrated with the French carrier Charles de Gaulle’s task force and Italian carrier Cavour strike groups.""

THREE NATO CARRIER STRIKE GROUPS ACTIVE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. FRENCH, ITALIAN, AMERICAN. TWO OF WHICH BELONG TO NUCLEAR POWERS!

coolbert.

ВМФ.

This is coolbert:

ВМФ = Russian Navy.

Consider this to be odd within the context of the Ukraine Conflict?

Sources to include H.I. Sutton and  Donald Standeford, "Defcon Level Warning System" Internet web site.

"Entire Visible Russian Navy Sails To Syria In Midst Of Ukrainian War"

Last Modified: February 25, 2022 12:20PM UTC

THAT WHOLE RUSSIAN FLEET IN THE MEDITERRANEAN ONLY AND NOT THE ENTIRE RUSSIAN FLEET.

"UKRAINE/SYRIA - It appears 'the whole Russian Navy in the Mediterranean Sea (that we know of) sailed to Syria this morning while the invasion of Ukraine was unfolding' according to Defense analyst H.I. Sutton, writer for Naval News. Ukraine is also asking Turkey to cut its straits off to Russian vessels which would essentially be declaring economic war on Russia."

"According to Naval News Russia reinforced the presence of its Navy in the Mediterranean a lot more than usual, which, according Naval News could be an outer defense layer for their operations in the Black Sea off of Ukraine. They also said it could be used to deter the involvement of NATO forces. 

Even as we speak, Russian naval contingents conducting amphibious operations the Black Sea? Seize all land bordering the Black Sea and deny the Ukrainian access to an oceanic trade route!

Russian naval shipborne cruise missiles presumably could not fire [range not adequate] at targets in the Ukraine from within Syrian waters?

coolbert.

MH-60.

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More on the Delta Force [?] raid that killed the Islamic State # 1 honcho Abu Ibrahim.

American forces having to destroy their own MH-60 helicopter. Chopper grounded and perhaps destroyed by an airstrike after valuable electronics removed!

Courtesy here the Internet web site "The Aviationist" STEFANO D'URSO and DAVID CENCIOTTI.

"U.S. MH-60M Helicopter Used In Raid To Kill ISIS Leader in Syria Blown Up On The Ground By U.S. Forces"

"What we know about the U.S. Special Forces raid on al-Qurayshi in Syria and the MH-60M helicopter destroyed on the ground because it was 'not going to be usable' for the return flight."

Further:

"Following the explosion, the Special Forces were engaged in a gunfight with a ISIS top lieutenant who lived on the second floor with his family. The explosion and gunfight contributed to the number of women and children among the 13 reported casualties, which official said were not due to U.S. weaponry. Several children were evacuated from the second floor, along with the other civilian family on the first floor that was successfully evacuated at the beginning of the raid."

Again, place the blame for civilian deaths on the bad guy who refused to surrender when facing overwhelming force. NOT Americans responsible and let it be known so.

coolbert.

Abu Ibrahim.

This is coolbert:

 "He was on our target list from the earliest days of the campaign. He was Baghdadi's right-hand man, and ... was personally responsible for some of the most vicious ISIS atrocities," 

Abu Ibrahim gone. Swims with the fishes. # 2 man in the Islamic State hierarchy and apparently # 1 since the death of Caliph Ibrahim [Al-Baghdadi].

"Inside U.S. raid on ISIS leader: Months of preparation, then a deadly blast"

Thatnks to Reuters and the story by Phil Stewart and Trevor Hunnicutt.

"WASHINGTON, Feb 3 (Reuters) - U.S. forces rehearsed the helicopter raid over and over, hoping to capture Islamic State's leader on the third floor of a residential building in a Syrian town on the Turkish border, where he was holed up with his family."

"But before they [American special forces] could reach him, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Quraishi detonated a suicide bomb, triggering a large explosion that blew mangled bodies -- including his own -- out of the building into the streets outside."

His body, the body of his wives and children also now bits and pieces. Also some of his comrades and other civilians blow up by the detonation.

DON'T TRY TO BLAME THE DEATHS OF INNOCENTS ON THE  USA. ONLY ONE MAN TO BLAME AND THAT IS ABU IBRAHIM.

coolbert.

Allison.

This is coolbert:

The evening news USA today considered this to be a story of proportions beyond normal. And with good reason.

In many species the female is often the more dangerous?

American Islamic State adherent and much more than a mere operative so it seems.

Allison Elizabeth Fluke-Ekren, 42 years of age and an American schoolteacher.

"Kansas Woman Accused of Leading ISIS Battalion Ordered Held Without Bail"

From Epoch Times the story by Alice Giordano and Zachary Stieber.

"A Kansas woman who is accused of plotting terrorist attacks on American soil was ordered held without bail during a hearing on Monday."

“Fluke-Ekren is charged with providing and conspiring to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties."

Allison apparently much more than a run-of-the-mill operative. Better understood as an organizer and leader. Part and parcel of a terrorist organization hierarchy responsible for crimes against humanity.

"run-of-the-mill: Common, standard, or average; mediocre."

Read further of this Allison and her Islamic state adventure:

"Allison Fluke-Ekren: Overbrook, Kansas, Teacher Accused in ISIS Plot"

As far as I understand American law, this Allison cannot be tried for treason or sedition. Can be tried as apparently charged with only [?] "providing material support or resources" to a terrorist organization. She should be charged with crimes against humanity. Tried in a Nuremberg style court and given an appropriate punishment to include the death penalty if possible. Doubt it will happen but wish it would be so.

coolbert.

Checkmate.

This is coolbert:

Israel stymied? Tactics used to routinely destroy Iranian weapons bound for the Syrian military and Hezbollah now hardly routine if even possible.

Russia enters the fray. Has been involved in the Syrian Civil War for some time but now participation escalating?

Thanks to DEBKAfile as copied in entirety.

"Russia lets Iranian arms planes land at its Syrian air base"

 Jan 29, 2022 @ 17:57

"In a major concession to Iran – and the third setback in a week for Israel – Moscow is for the first time allowing Iranian weapons-laden flights land at the big Russian Hmeimim air base in western Syria. This follows the announcement of joint Russia-Syria air patrols over the Golan and the deployment of Russian military police units at the Syrian port of Latakia, after it was bombed by Israel as a primary portal for the intake of Iranian weapons shipments for its surrogate forces. Hmeimim is the main hub of Russia’s military operations in Syria. Our sources report that a joint Russia-Syria air defense exercise was conducted this week, another inhibitor of the continuation of Israeli air strikes.."

Absolutely clear what is occurring here. Israeli warplanes attacking [as has been done repeatedly in the past] Iranian munitions-carrying transport aircraft or arms depots now out of the question? Too much danger of killing Russian military personnel on-the-scene, enraging the Kremlin.

Anyone disagree with this?

coolbert.

ASRAAM.

This is coolbert:

Courtesy the Aviationist. I am not sure if any of this is good or bad!

"RAF [British Royal Air Force] Typhoon's First Air-To-Air Kill: Terrorist Drone Shot Down In Syria"

"In what the UK Ministry of Defence called an 'unprecedented event', an RAF Typhoon conducted the type’s first ever operational air-to-air engagement in Syria on Dec. 14, 2021. The event marked also the first RAF air-to-air missile firing during Operation SHADER, the UK’s contribution to the military campaign against ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant),"

"The kill was carried out using an Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM) that successfully hit and destroyed a small-sized drone."

Small-sized drone taken out by an air-to-air missile. Does the pilot get full credit for a kill? Or is it half a kill or one quarter?

And consider how cost effective is all this? Price of a single ASRAAM: "COST: $274,830 per missile".

Contrast with the of a small-sized commercially available drone: "Chinese Skywalker X8 drone . . . less than 200 US Dollars". [My assumption here is that this was a commercially available drone modified by the Islamic State weapons experts. Military grade small-sized drones can be very expensive.]

Consider also:

"US Gen. David Perkins made headlines last week when he announced that a US ally had used a $3 million Patriot missile to destroy a single small ISIS drone." [May 2017]

I guess as long as it saves the life of one troop it is OK?

coolbert.

Eternal.

This is coolbert:

Iran invades Afghan?

Hazara proxy forces of the Shia persuasion we are speaking of. 

From the Internet web site Strategy Page and thanks to same.

"Forces: Iranian Forces In Afghanistan"

The eternal struggle within Islam. Shia versus Sunni. Hazara people Afghan nationals profess Shia and are despised [?] by the Afghan Sunni majority including the Taliban.

"August 6, 2021: Iranian media reports that Iran is establishing explicitly Iran-backed Shia militias in western Afghanistan. Iran wants to protect the Shia minority (about 20 percent of Afghans) from the expanding reach of the Taliban. In the late 1990s the Taliban went after Afghan Shia in a big way and the victims have not forgotten. The new militias are composed of combat experienced Afghan Shia who served as Iranian mercenaries and survived combat in Syria."

Indeed. Shia Hazara proxy para-military evidently have seen extensive combat action in the Syrian Civil war. See previous blog entries as germane:

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htworld/articles/20210806.aspx

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2020/02/hazara.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/04/mehdi.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2016/01/hazara.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/02/hazara-zaynubian.html

Afghan it ain't gonna be over until the shooting  is over. And maybe  never will be.

coolbert.

Display.

This is coolbert:

Once more from the Internet web site English Russia we have images of captured Islamic State [ISIL] munitions. As displayed at the "Patriot Park", Moscow.

1. "Examples of ISIS Artillery on Display in Moscow"

"In Moscow there is an exposition showcasing different Syrian armaments that were seized there and brought by military planes to Russia. We already had a display of Syrian militants armored vehicles and trucks. And today here thanks to Twower we can see the artillery of Syria militants."

Not necessarily artillery as thought of in the normal sense. Rather think rocket artillery and heavy mortars. The Islamic State munition makers seem to be aware of the spigot mortar. Useful when fire a propane canister to function in the manner of a fuel-air explosive.

2. "Hand Grenade Launchers of Syrian Militants on Display in Russia"

"Russia’s 'Patriot Park' featured an exhibition of hand grenade launchers seized from various militant groups in Syria. The weapons have various makers – Russian, Soviet, NATO countries and self modified ones. Here are some of them, thanks to Twower"

NOT hand-grenade launchers. Launchers for anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade rounds. AND as mentioned from a variety of nations.

See additionally further displays of captured ISIL weaponry.

Russians seem to be quite proud of their military success in Syria!

coolbert.

Prize.

This is coolbert:

Thanks here to the Internet web site English Russia for the articles and images.

Captured Islamic State [ISIL] war munitions, expedient and modified.

Prizes of war on display. Munitions and ordnance both battlefield trophies of the Russian military.

1. "Trophy ISIS Armored Vehicles Now Traveling Thru Russia [7 photos]"

2. "Examples of ISIS Artillery on Display in Moscow"

3. "ISIS Armored Vehicles Captured During Battle for Oil Fields in Syria on Expo in Moscow"

4. "Hand Grenade Launchers of Syrian Militants on Display in Russia"

5. "Russia Army Shows Syrian Militants Shot Down drones"

Devoted readers to the blog please enjoy, one and all.

coolbert.