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Trend Update: Syria in Conflict, September 2017

Posted in Burden of Damascus, Euphrates River, Ezekiel 38-39, Kurds/Medes, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags Aleppo, Arpad, Deir Ezzor, Hama, Hamath, Idlib, Ilisu Dam, Iran, Iraq, ISIS, Jeremiah 49, Kurdish Independence Vote, Kurdistan, Kurds, Latakia, MiG 29SMT, President Recep Erdogan, Raqqa, Russia, SDF, Syria, Syrian Democratic Forces, Tigris River, Turkey on September 26, 2017 by paulthepoke

Jeremiah 49:23 Concerning Damascus. “Hamath and Arpad are put to shame…

Roughly 2,600 years ago the prophet Jeremiah wrote about the eventual destruction of Damascus in Jeremiah 49. See also Isaiah 17. In the northern part of Syria is Aleppo. Ancient Arpad is located approximately 10 miles north of modern day Aleppo. Moving south in Syria, the next location is ancient Hamath or modern day Hama. Hamath was the capital of the northern kingdom of ancient Syria.

September 26, 2017: Russia is pounding the area to the west of the two ancient cities in the Idlib province. The Idlib province is home to Sunni rebel forces of Al Nusra or Al Qaeda of Syria. Russia continues its support of the Assad’s Shia government in Syria. Russia is bombing throughout the province continually.

Russia has introduced its most advanced fighter jet (the MiG 29SMT) into the conflict. The MiG 29SMT is stationed near Latakia, Syria. For detail and specifics of the jet’s capabilities, see the link below.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/russia-just-deployed-upgraded-mig-200749544.html

Euphrates River

Deir Ezzor

Photo: Southfront

The Assad Syrian government claims Russia has constructed pontoon bridges across the Euphrates River. This is allowing for the transport of heavy equipment east of the Euphrates. Local reports indicate two bridges have been built. Russian backed Syrian forces have pushed east to the point of United States backed Kurdish (Syrian Democratic Forces or SDF). This is occurring about 3-5 miles east of the Euphrates River.

Otherwise, the Euphrates River is operating as a point of division between the Shia forces of the Syrian government and the predominantly Sunni forces of the Kurds.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-russian-heavy-bombers-annihilate-terrorists-idlib-deir-ezzor/

Raqqa

Photo: Reuters, Raqqa

The battle for Raqqa continues. Devastation in the city is profound. Sources on the ground indicate the United States backed Kurds (SDF) now control 80-90% of the area. Roughly 700-1,000 ISIS fighters remain in the city. Military commanders estimate the liberation of Raqqa should take place within the next month. Kurds now control the grain silos for the city. Medicine, food, and water remain in short supply.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-raqqa/syrian-militias-aim-to-push-islamic-state-out-of-raqqa-within-a-month-idUSKCN1C01RZ?il=0

Kurdistan???

And this is a developing story. Kurds are voting for their independence. Early polling numbers show the Kurds are overwhelmingly in favor of their own country. Preliminary results indicate 93% in favor of the nation Kurdistan.

Neighbors around the Middle East are less then enthused. President Recep Erdogan of Turkey is threatening military action and to cut off food supplies to the future country. Erdogan has indicated he will cut oil and gas lines coming from the region. Turkey also looks to control the water of the Tigris River with the construction of the Ilisu Dam. And for good measure, military hardware and troops are headed to the Turkey/Iraqi border.

https://www.iraqinews.com/baghdad-politics/initial-results-show-93-voters-support-kurdistan-independence/

Iraq and Iran are not supportive of a national Kurdistan. The following is from Radio Free Europe.

September 25, 2017: “We are not ready to discuss or have a dialogue about the results of the referendum because it is unconstitutional,” Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi.

Hours after Kurdish polls closed, the Iraqi Defense Ministry announced “large-scale” joint military exercises with Turkey.

September 27, 2017: Tehran, Iran… The Iranian parliament announced it would hold a closed-door meeting on the referendum on the Kurdish issue.

https://www.rferl.org/a/iraq-turkey-iran-kurdistan-independence-referendum-reactions-treachery/28758048.html

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Trend Update: Israel Bombs Syrian Research Center, September 2017

Posted in Burden of Damascus, Ezekiel 38-39, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags Amos Yadlin, chemical weapons, Hama, Hamath, Hezbollah, IDF, Iran, Israel, Israeli Defense Forces, Jeremiah 49, Lebanon, Missiles, Shia, Syria on September 7, 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 the capital of the northern kingdom of ancient Syria. Today, this is the city known as Hama, Syria.

Click on video link below for geography and additional analysis.

September 7, 2017: Hama, Syria is prophetically significant. Roughly 2,600 years ago the prophet Jeremiah wrote about Hamath, Syria. In the early morning hours, Israeli Defense Force jets bombed a chemical plant on the outskirts of the ancient city. The operation took place at approximately 2:30 in the morning. The location has been dubbed as a “scientific research center for chemical weapons”. Missile development is also believed to be conducted at this site. Multiple weapons convoys were also hit during operation. Two Syrian soldiers are reported as dead.

Amos Yadlin is the former head of Israeli military intelligence and Executive Director of Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies (INSS). In response to the attack in Syria, Yadlin tweeted the following.

“The reported attack overnight is not routine. It is a military-scientific Syrian site in which they produce, among other things, precision missiles, some of which will be significant in the next military campaign.”

“…chemical weapons and explosives that have killed thousands of Syrian civilians. If it was an Israeli attack, it is finally an Israeli moral statement about the massacre in Syria.”

“Israel won’t allow for empowerment and production of strategic arms. Israel intends to enforce its red lines despite the fact that the great powers are ignoring them. The presence of Russian air defense does not prevent airstrikes attributed to Israel. Now it’s important to keep the escalation in check and to prepare for a Syrian-Iranian-Hezbollah response and even opposition from Russia.”

See this link for Amos Yadlin’s Twitter page. https://twitter.com/YadlinAmos

Which brings up an interesting question. What happened to the Russian S400 Missile System response?

In response, Syria has announced the following warning of “dangerous repercussions of this aggressive action to the security and stability of the region”.

The United States sanctions on this “research” facility and its employees have now been rendered useless.

http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Initial-Israel-attacked-chemical-weapons-facility-in-Syria-Arab-media-claims-504455

The southern Sunni Muslims (Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia) are curiously quiet. Makes one wonder what is going on behind the scenes.

Keep in mind, Syria is supported by Iran who is supported by Russia. See Ezekiel 38.

The geo-political situation in the Middle East just got more interesting…

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/731160

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Trend Update: Russia, Turkey, & Iran…Peace Makers in Syria, August 2017

Posted in Burden of Damascus, Ezekiel 38-39, Persia/Elam/Iran, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags 1 Thessalonians 5, Beth Togarmah, de escalation zones, golan heights, Gomer, Hama, Hamath, Hezbollah, Iran, Israel, Jeremiah 49, Magog, Meshech, Muslims, Peace, Persia, Russia, Safe Zones, safety, Shiites, Tubal, Turkey, United Nations International Day of Peace on August 9, 2017 by paulthepoke

Ezekiel 38:1-2 The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal…

Ezekiel 38:6 Gomer and all his hordes; Beth-Togarmah from the uttermost parts of the north with all his hordes—many peoples are with you.

Ezekiel 38:5 Persia, Ethiopia and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet…

https://paulthepoke.com/category/ezekiel-38-39/

Ezekiel 38-39 says Russia allied with Turkey, Iran and others are going to invade Israel from the north. Look who is getting together to form an alliance for peace on Israel’s northern border in Syria.

Click on video for geography and analysis.

August 8-9, 2017: Turkey, Iran, and Russia are having peace talks about “safe zones” in Syria. The location of the discussion is Tehran, Iran. This is according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

According to Lavrov, there are three operating safe zones in Syria. They include: southern Syria, Eastern Ghouta, and north of Homs. The focus of the peace talks is the Idlib province.

The safe zones were allegedly brokered on May 4, 2017. Turkey, Iran and Russia signed the deal to establish safe zones in Syria. More discussion is scheduled for later in August 2017.

This per the Daily Sabah out of Turkey.

https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2017/08/07/turkey-iran-russia-to-hold-syria-talks-in-tehran-aug-8-9

August 9, 2017: A peace deal has been reached in Cairo, Egypt regarding a safe zone. The meeting was between the Russian Defense Ministry and Syrian opposition. The safe zone is the area between Hama (ancient Hamath of Jeremiah 49) and Homs. Again…Russia, Turkey, and Iran are the enforcers of the ceasefire.

This per Sputnik News out of Russia.

https://sputniknews.com/military/201708091056300824-syrian-opposition-deescalation-zone-deal/

August 8, 2017: Israel has held secret talks with the Russians and the United States. Meetings reportedly took place in Europe and Jordan. The Israeli concern is the increased presence of Iranian troops near the border in the Golan Heights. Increased Iranian presence is an Israeli concern all across Syria.

Here is the official statement from Israel.

“Senior Israeli officials said that the main dispute was that the Americans and the Russians see the cease-fire in southern Syria and the safe zones as a practical and tactical means of stabilizing the situation and enable a focus on wiping out the Islamic State and lowering the flames of the civil war. Israel, however, believes that the agreement should be considered from a long-term, strategic perspective and should focus on what the extent of Iranian influence will be in Syria after the civil war ends.

The Israelis told their interlocutors that the agreement should provide a solution not regarding Iranian presence in the 20 kilometers from the Israeli border, but for the rest of Syria as well. A senior Israeli official said the Israelis told the Russians and the Americans that they had to demand from the Iranians that the Revolutionary Guards, Hezbollah and the Shi’ite militias in Syria must leave the country.”

Southfront is a global intelligence agency.

https://southfront.org/israel-held-secret-talks-with-russia-us-in-attempt-to-reduce-growing-iranian-influence-in-syria/

More troops are going to be necessary to keep the peace. This is escalating faster than earlier plans revealed by the Russians.

In case you didn’t know…The United Nations International Peace Day is scheduled for September 21, 2017. This also coincides with the start of God’s Appointed Fall Feasts. This year’s theme: Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All.

http://internationaldayofpeace.org/

For those who have not made a decision on Jesus Christ. You might want to think about it. Did He really die for sin?

Time to be vigilant and pay attention…

1 Thessalonians 5:3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/731160

Available in ebook and paperback at Amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Rapture+Bride+Redeemed

Also available online at Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and Inktera

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Trend Update: Syria…”All Options Are On The Table”

Posted in Burden of Damascus, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags Assad, Chemical Warfare, chlorine, Damascus, gas, Ghouta, Hama, Homs, Idlib, Isaiah 17, President Donald Trump, sarin, Sharyat Airbase, Syria, Tomahawk cruise missiles on April 6, 2017 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.”

Sadly, chemical gas attacks on the Syrian population are nothing new in the Syrian civil war.

Ghouta, Syria: Sarin gas was used in 2013 that resulted in the death of over 1,000 citizens. Ghouta is a suburb east of Damascus.

Idlib, Syria: At least 100 people have died from the recent gas attack. Hundreds more have been injured and hospitalized. The attack occurred on April 4, 2017.

Hama, Syria: On March 30, 2017 chlorine gas was used as a chemical weapon in Hama, Syria. The Assad regime of Syria was accused of using chlorine on civilians. Approximately 100 civilians were affected.

Damascus, Syria: Chlorine gas was dispersed in the Al-Qaboun district northeast of Damascus on Wednesday, March 29, 2017.

The Assad regime has continually denied the use of chemical weapons during the civil war.

April 6, 2017: The United States military has begun missile strikes near Homs, Syria. Multiple reports from NBC and CNN indicate 50-60 Tomahawk cruise missiles have been fired. President Trump has changed his mind on Syria’s President Assad after the chemical attacks on civilians.

The United States has indicated a coalition of countries is forming to overthrow President Assad of Syria. This past week, the presidents of Egypt and Jordan have visited the White House. It would appear the United States is forming an alliance with Sunni Arab nations south of Syria.

Battle lines are being drawn. Russia is supporting its Shia Muslim countries in the north of the theater with Iran, Syria, and Lebanon (Hezbollah).

Turkey is primarily a Sunni Muslim nation with President Recep Erdogan. He has a big election coming in a couple of weeks. Erdogan has ambitious plans for the region. Turkey is determined to be a player.

“All options are on the table” regarding a United States response to Syria’s use of chemical weapons. Vice President Mike Pence.

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Trend Update: Chemical Weapons in Syria; Battle for Euphrates Dam Intensifies, March 2017

Posted in Burden of Damascus, Euphrates River, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags 5 million refugees, al Qaboun, Aleppo, Arpad, Assad, chemical weapons, chlorine gas, Damascus, Euphrates Dam, Euphrates River, Hama, Hamath, ISIS, Jeremiah 49, Kurds, Lake Assad, Syria, Tabqa Dam, United States on March 30, 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 the capital of the northern kingdom of ancient Syria. Today, this is the city known as Hama, Syria.

Hama, Syria is prophetically significant. Roughly 2,600 years ago the prophet Jeremiah wrote about the eventual destruction of Damascus in Jeremiah 49. Before Damascus, trouble would start in northern Syria from Arpad. Arpad is essentially modern day Aleppo, Syria. The destruction would move south to Hamath or Hama, Syria. Finally, Damascus would see bloodshed and war before its destruction. In March 2017, all three of these cities in modern day Syria are hot spots of military conflict.

See Isaiah 17 as well for the Burden of Damascus.

March 30, 2017: The Anadolu Agency out of Turkey is reporting of chlorine gas used as a chemical weapon in Hama, Syria. The Assad regime of Syria is being accused of using chlorine on civilians. Approximately 100 civilians have been affected.

“Local residents are showing symptoms of chlorine gas exposure, including vomiting, dizziness, blurred vision and shortness of breath,” Mohamed Elwan, Hama doctor.

The Assad regime is suspected of using chlorine gas in Al-Qaboun district northeast of Damascus.

http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/syrian-regime-strikes-targets-in-hama-with-chlorine-gas/784284

“The bombardment had a substance that caused intense irritation, heavy foaming from the mouth, and constricting pupils. A chemical attack hit the same area on Saturday, killing an orthopedic doctor,” Abdallah Darwish, Health Authority Hama Province.

The Assad regime in Syria has continually denied the use of chemical weapons and chlorine gas.

“The army has not, will not, and does not need to use these weapons,” unnamed Syrian spokesman.

Military airstrikes in the region are increasing. Russian bombing runs are nonstop per witnesses on the ground.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-hama-idUSKBN1711O9

Escalation in violence is noted across the country including the Euphrates or Tabqa Dam. Fighting continues on the Tabqa Dam between ISIS and US backed Kurds. ISIS controls the southern part of the dam and the Kurds along with embedded US Marines holds the northern part of the dam.

Russia and ISIS are accusing the United States of trying to destroy the Euphrates Dam. The United States backed Kurds claim ISIS is bombing the dam. One thing is clear. The Tabqa Dam has taken some bombing. The control room of the dam has been destroyed. Maintenance work on the dam is required to repair failing flood gates.

“Because the dam has been out of service for three straight days, the technical equipment in the lower levels of the dam is under water. This rise in the level of the reservoir means that one of the spillways must be opened to drain the water so it doesn’t build up, which would pose a growing threat to the dam.” A nameless technician.

The United States says the dam has not been structurally damaged…

http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/31694/19/

http://pulse.ng/world/in-syria-engineers-set-to-to-enter-is-held-parts-of-tabqa-dam-id6445175.html

The United Nations estimates one half of Syria’s 22 million people have been displaced. The UN estimates 5 million refugees have left the country. The situation is not getting better in Syria.

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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 Al Nusra, Al Qaeda, Assad, Euphrates River, Fateh al Sham, Free Syrian Army, Hama, Hamath, ISIS, Jeremiah 49, Muslims, Rebels, Shia, Sunni, Syria, Tabqa Dam 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 21^st 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