RUSSIANS DEFEAT MASSIVE TERRORIST DRONE STRIKE

In what looks like a major breakthrough in guerrilla military operations, Jihadi rebels in Syria, possibly with the backing of foreign powers, have launched a massive, coordinated drone strike on targets in Syria. The attack, involving 13 drone aircraft, targeted the Khmeimim air base and Tartus navy base, which are used by Syrian and Russian forces.  

The attack was thwarted by Russian air defences, according to ZeroHedge.com:

As the drones approached both bases, Russia unleashed the Pantsir-S anti-aircraft missile and Electronic Warfare Units. Seven [unmanned aerial vehicles] UAVs were destroyed by the Pantsir-S anti-aircraft missile system, and another six UAVs were hacked with radio equipment. Three of the UAVs landed in a safe area just outside the base, but the others exploded on various landing attempts. The Defense Ministry notes that the defense systems eliminated all threats with no casualties or damages.

It was the “first time that terrorists massively used unmanned combat aerial vehicles of an aircraft type that were launched from a distance of more than 50 kilometers, and operated using GPS satellite navigation coordinates,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Defense Ministry said experts are analyzing the aircraft’s flight components and bomb ordnances for clues. Flight data from the GPS indicates the UAVs could have been launched at a range of 100 kilometers (62 miles). If so, this would be the first long-range drone attack by militants in the Syrian War.

Further, the Defense Ministry says the extremists may have been aided by a “technologically advanced state,” as Russian specialist are now attempting to determine where the flight systems of the drones originated from.

In recent days, Syrian government forces have been attacking areas still held by rebels in the North of the country, and making significant advances. This raises the possibility of total victory for the government of Bashar al-Assad, which is regarded by Israel -- and thus the United States -- as hostile to its interests. 

The recent unsuccessful attempt by America to support an uprising in Iran is also thought to be aimed at influencing the result of the Syrian conflict, as Iran has provided most of the ground support for Syrian government forces fighting against ISIS and other Jihadi elements in the country, which have, at various times, been supported by Israel and the USA.