Archive for Al Nusra

Trend Update: Fighting in Damascus & Hama Continues/Struggle Over Euphrates River, March 2017

Posted in Burden of Damascus, Euphrates River, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 24, 2017 by paulthepoke

Jeremiah 49:23 Concerning Damascus. “Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard bad news; they are disheartened. There is anxiety by the sea, it cannot be calmed.

Hamath: The name means “fortress”. In the times of Jeremiah, Hamath was a city in valley of the Orontes River. Hamath was considered the capital of the northern kingdom of Syria. In the early 21st century, this is the city known as Hama, Syria. It has a population of roughly 854,000 per 2009 census. It is the fourth largest city in Syria (Wikipedia).

March 24, 2017: Fighting between the Syrian Army of President Assad and the rebels continues. The majority of the hostilities are taking place north of the city of Hama. It appears the opposition rebels are gaining near Hama. The United Nations is holding peace talks in Geneva in an attempt to stop the clashes.

The Syrian rebels consist of the Free Syrian Army, the Fateh al-Sham front, the jihadists formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaeda in Syria. These groups are constantly changing names and alliances. This group is primarily Sunni Muslims.

The Syrian Army is supported by Russian forces as well as Iran and Hezbollah out of Lebanon. This group is primarily Shia Muslims.

 

Euphrates River

March 24, 2017: Fighting for control of the Tabqa Dam on the Euphrates River is currently taking place. The Tabqa Dam is located approximately 20 miles west of Raqqa, Syria the defacto capital for ISIS. The United States, France, and the Kurds are claiming to have taken control of the Tabqa Dam away from ISIS. This is critical. ISIS has previously threatened to blow the dam and flood the Euphrates River valley. ISIS claims the offensive to take the Tabqa Dam is failing…

 

Jeremiah 49:27 “I will set fire to the wall of Damascus, and it will devour the fortified towers of Ben-hadad.” –The Lord.

The conflict in Damascus has stopped the supply of food to 300,000 residents per the United Nations.

“They are totally dependent on our supplies. Starvation will be just around the corner unless we get there in the coming weeks,” Jan Egeland, UN humanitarian adviser on Syria.

Currently the old wall of Damascus is still standing. Fighting and warfare are taking place in the Jobar neighborhood. Jobar borders old Damascus on the east where the wall is located.

2,600 years ago the Lord God told Jeremiah the wall of Damascus would come down by fire. Currently, the wall is still standing. The prophecy has not happened, not yet…

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/03/geneva-talks-resume-fighting-rages-hama-damascus-170324070102119.html

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Trend Update: Damascus Water Crisis Deepens, January 2017

Posted in Burden of Damascus, Isaiah, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 16, 2017 by paulthepoke

Isaiah 17:6 Gleanings will be left in it, as when an olive tree is beaten— two or three berries in the top of the highest bough, four or five on the branches of a fruit tree, declares the LORD God of Israel.

January 16, 2017: The water crisis in the Damascus area continues to worsen. The Ein al-Fijeh spring provides Damascus with approximately 70 percent of the water supply. Nine million people in and around Damascus have significantly impaired access to clean water. This is up from four million people just a couple of weeks ago. To make matters worse, the chief negotiator respected by both sides was assassinated.

Water prices on the black market are soaring. The cost of water ranges from $500 to $750 a month. The water is for daily needs such as drinking and sanitation. The economic backdrop is a good paying job results in about $150 a month.

Of particular concern is the area of Wadi Barada. There are an estimated 100,000 people in the surrounded area. This is the Sunni controlled area (Al Qaeda of Syria, Al Nusra, or rebels supported by Obama Administration) enclosed by Shia lead forces of the Syrian government and Hezbollah of Lebanon. This area has been surrounded since mid-December 2016.

Inside the area, conditions are deteriorating rapidly. Utilities such as water, electricity, and internet are out. Communication is nonexistent.

Food is becoming scarce and people are cutting back on meals. Staples such as flour and baby formula are gone. People are eating limited olives and pickled eggplant. Locals are starting to live off the land by eating apples from local orchards and eating grass.

Medical care is declining as well. It is estimated there are only 10 doctors and 25 nurses. Medicine is in short supply and people are dying from a lack of supplies. Emergency care is becoming more and more limited. Amputations are increasing as a way to save critically injured patients. Disease is spreading among the weakest children and elderly. A lack of clean water is only making the situation worse with each day.

 

Northeast of Damascus, ISIS has cut off water to Aleppo. Electrical water pumps have been shut down since this past Saturday, January 14, 2017.

ISIS has warned the Kurdish military to stay away from the Tabqa or Euphrates Dam. They have threatened to blow the dam and flood the Euphrates River valley.

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=80867

http://syriadirect.org/news/a-ground-level-perspective-of-the-damascus-water-battle-%E2%80%98this-is-the-crucible-of-war-and-it%E2%80%99s-an-inferno%E2%80%99/

http://syriadirect.org/news/assassination-of-lead-negotiator-derails-damascus-water-talks-battles-resume/

https://paulthepoke.com/category/burden-of-damascus/

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Trend Update: ISIS Cuts Water to Aleppo & Damascus, December 2016

Posted in Burden of Damascus, Isaiah, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 31, 2016 by paulthepoke

Isaiah 17:1 The oracle concerning Damascus. “Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city and will become a fallen ruin.”

Jeremiah 49:23 Concerning Damascus. “Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard bad news; they are disheartened. There is anxiety by the sea, it cannot be calmed.

December 31, 2016: There is news out of Syria involving all three cities mentioned in the two prophetic verses; Damascus, Hamath (modern day Hamah), and Arpad (northern suburb of modern day Aleppo).

See video link for geographical detail.

Hamath: The name means “fortress”. In the times of Jeremiah, Hamath was a city in valley of the Orontes River. Hamath was considered the capital of the northern kingdom of Syria. In the early 21st century, this is the city known as Hamah, Syria. It has a population of roughly 854,000 per 2009 census. It is the fourth largest city in Syria (Wikipedia).

Arpad: The name means “I will be spread out.” Per Ellicott’s Commentary, the modern day location is approximately 14 miles north of Aleppo, Syria. The city is effectively on the Turkey border. Scholars believe the modern day city is Tel Erfad, Syria (Barnes Notes on the Bible).

Multiple reports out of the region are indicating ISIS has cut water supplies to the cities. The United Nations estimates up to 15 million people across Syria have been affected.

The Euphrates River is the main water source for Aleppo, specifically the al-Khafsa stations.

Up to 4 million people in and around Damascus have been affected. Water springs north and west of Damascus have been poisoned with diesel by the rebels or Al-Nusra or Al-Qaeda in Syria (group supported by Obama Administration). The areas are Wadi Barada and Ain al-Fija springs. These springs provide 70% of the water for the city of Damascus. Water trucks are distributing water to Damascus. Fighting continues in and around these springs as of December 31, 2016.

Local news sources indicating these findings are Shia. Sources indicate Sunni Muslims are carrying out these crimes against humanity.

http://nsnbc.me/2016/12/30/isis-cuts-off-water-for-aleppo/

http://en.alalam.ir/news/1904894

Pray for this situation. Do your homework. This is a mess.

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