Archive for Idlib

Trend Update: Turkey’s Operation Olive Branch, February 2018

Posted in Burden of Damascus, Ezekiel 38-39, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 11, 2018 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.

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).

Ezekiel 38:1-3 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, and prophesy against him and say, thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, 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.

For research linking Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Beth-Togarmah to modern day Turkey, click the link below.

https://godinanutshell.com/2017/08/08/ezekiel-38-who-are-meshech-tubal-gomer-beth-togarmah/

For geography and additional analysis, see the video link below. Photo: Getty Images

February 2018: President Recep Erdogan of Turkey has launched Operation Olive Branch. Turkey is looking to rid the region of terrorism. Turkey has crossed into northern Syria to do their bidding. The object of the operation is the Kurdish population. Turkey has indicated they prefer the Kurds east of the Euphrates River.

“One of our helicopters was downed just recently. These things will happen, we are in a war. (We) might lose a helicopter. (They) pay a heavy price.”

Erdogan is looking to expand further to the south in Syria. He is not finished in Afrin.

“We want our Syrian brothers and sisters to return to their land, and now we want to do the same in Idlib what we have done in Afrin.”

https://www.rt.com/news/418412-turkish-helicopter-downed-operation/

Turkish fighter jets are being seen all over the Afrin region.

Turkey has at least 3 observation posts west of Aleppo. Two other posts are located south of Aleppo towards Hamah.

Multiple posts on social media have indicated video of Turkish convoys in the Idlib region in and around Saraqib.

Turkey is moving south into Syria towards Israel.

 

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Trend Update: Turkey Troops Enter Syria’s Idlib Province, October 2017

Posted in Ezekiel 38-39, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , on October 10, 2017 by paulthepoke

Ezekiel 38:4 And I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great host, all of them with buckler and shield, wielding swords.

Ezekiel 38:3 and say, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, 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.

The ancient of people of Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Beth-Togarmah compose what is modern day Turkey. See attached link for historical evidence linking to modern day Turkey.

https://paulthepoke.com/2015/12/09/trend-update-russia-magogisrael-ezekiel-38-39-december-9-2015/

October 10, 2017: At this time, let us welcome more military troops of Turkey into the Syrian theater. The first time Turkey inserted troops into Syria was with Operation Euphrates Shield in August 2016. Turkey has begun their military build south toward Israel. The prophet Ezekiel in chapter 38 predicts a future invasion of Israel from the north.

Russia, Iran, and Turkey continue to agree to provide peace and stability to Syria. The de-escalation zone is the Idlib province in northwest Syria. Turkish troops are reported to be in the western part of the province. Russian troops are reported to be in the eastern part of Idlib.

http://www.janes.com/article/74759/turkish-soldiers-cross-into-syria-s-idlib-province

Turkey says they will remain in Syria until the threat of terrorism is eliminated. Previously, Turkey had called for the ouster of President Assad in Syria. Now, they are confronting forces opposed to Assad. The following is a statement from Turkey’s Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

“As part of the reached agreement, Idlib will be taken in a security circle by the three guarantor states, and terrorist activities will be prevented. This is the second cross-border operation after Operation Euphrates Shield in Syria. Our aim is clear – tackling mass migration and hindering conflicts by reducing tensions,” Turkey’s Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

Prime Minister Yildirim said Turkey intends to create control points in Idlib for future deployments. Turkey is just getting started with their military hardware into Syria. The point is to stop further conflict between civilians and militant groups.

https://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2017/10/10/turkish-troops-to-remain-in-syria-until-threats-eliminated-defense-minister-says

The military build towards the Golan Heights and Israel continues…

Ezekiel 38:23 So I will show My greatness and My holiness and make Myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.

 

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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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 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

Euphrates Bridge Russia

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

Fighters from Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) walk together along a damaged street in 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???

kurd flag

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: Russian Military Police to “Safe Zone” Near Golan Heights, July 2017

Posted in Burden of Damascus, Ezekiel 38-39, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , on July 24, 2017 by paulthepoke

Ezekiel 38:8 After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them.

…you will be summoned…The “you” is Gog of Magog. The ancient land of Magog is largely regarded as modern day Russia by secular and Biblical scholars. Jewish rabbis generally contend Magog is Russia. Gog is the leader of Magog.

https://paulthepoke.com/2015/01/07/trend-update-russia-magogisrael-ezekiel-38-39-january-2015/

The time point is in the latter years. The prophet Ezekiel documented this book roughly 2,600 years ago. The Hebrew language describes the time period as being toward the end or the final period. So the question remains, is now the latter years?

…whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them.

The nation of Israel was reborn in 1948 and recognized as a nation by the world. The mountains of Israel are located in the Golan Heights. Since 1948, Jews from around the world have migrated and returned back to the Promised Land. The land was a desert and barren until the return of its people.

The immigration of the chosen people back to the land is called “Aliyah”. Israel has a “Law of Return” granting citizenship to people of Jewish cultural heritage. Today the population of Israel is roughly 8.3 million per the latest census numbers. http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/israel-population/

Some would argue whether or not Israel is dwelling safely in light of all the terrorism. That piece of the prophecy is up for debate as of July 2017. We also know the future holds a faulty peace deal for the people of Israel.

The context of Ezekiel 38 is a future invasion of Israel from the north. Gog of Magog will lead this invasion through the mountains of Israel or the Golan Heights.

July 24, 2017: The Russian Defense Ministry issued the following statement. Russian military police are being introduced to “safe zones” in Syria. Ultimately, there are to be four “safe zones” in Syria. For now, Russian troops are being sent to two “safe zones”.

Two of these areas have yet to be established at this time. One is believed to be in the northwest part of Syria in the Idlib Province. The second is thought to be in the Homs Province. A new round of peace talks for these two “safe zones” is scheduled for late August in Kazakhstan.

One of the “safe zones” is the eastern suburb area of Damascus in the Ghouta region. At this time, nobody is following the ceasefire agreement and fighting continues. Isaiah 17 and Jeremiah 49 tells us what ultimately happens to Damascus. It is a burden too heavy to carry.

The-Golan-Heights

The last “safe zone” is in southwest Syria on the Golan Heights border with Israel. The following is from Senior Commander Sergei Rudskoi.

“Moscow has also informed Israel of its deployment and that the nearest Russian position is 13 kilometers (about 8 miles) from the demarcation line between Israeli and Syrian troops in the Golan Heights.”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/russia-says-deployed-forces-police-syria-safe-zones-135401735.html

The Russian military buildup near Israel’s Golan Heights border has begun.

 

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

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Trend Upate: Locust Plague in Syria, June 2017

Posted in Burden of Damascus, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , on June 19, 2017 by paulthepoke

Joel 1:4 What the gnawing locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten;
and what the swarming locust has left, the creeping locust has eaten;
and what the creeping locust has left, the stripping locust has eaten.

Granted the context of Joel 1 is the land of Israel. The prophet does offer a glimpse into the future. There are an estimated 80-90 species of locusts in the Middle East per Wycliffe Bible Commentary. The insect is hungry at every stage of development from larvae to worm to locust. Locust plagues can devour everything in sight to the point where the land is laid bare.

June 2017: To add insult to injury in Syria, a plague of locusts has emerged and is spreading.

“Locusts killed about 60% of the agricultural crops in Idlib province, mostly in the Shahshbo Mountain. We noticed the spread of this scourge in 2016, but we were unable to contain it because of the directorate’s lack of the necessary tools, equipment and pesticides, and this caused the spread of more locusts this year. Even al-Rouj plain, al-Jabal al-Wastani and the Harim Mountains have been affected in Idlib.” Khaled al-Hassan, Director of the Idlib Agricultural Directorate

“The spread of this pest is the result of what happened in 2016, when our agricultural harvest in Idlib was significantly affected, and locusts also spread, with a large portion of wheat, barley and olive crops being destroyed. The problem was not addressed by the Idlib Agricultural Directorate until late in the year, after locusts had laid their eggs, causing a wider spread of the insect this year.”  Mohammad Salam, Farmer

“The town of Kfar Derian suffered from swarms of locusts that in February started to eat the agricultural crops for which the town is known. Wheat, barley, vegetables and fruit trees, such as olives and figs, were among the damaged crops, which barely yielded 30% of what they usually produce.” Hossam Mahalli, Director of the Agriculture Office, Kfar Derian Council

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/06/syria-war-idlib-agriculture-grasshopper-scourge.html#ixzz4kDakkC2e

locust buffet

Locusts can be eaten. The heads, legs, and wings are removed. Locusts can be boiled, stewed, roasted, or dressed with butter. They can be eaten fresh, dried, or salted. Leviticus 11:22 tells us locusts are kosher.

Leviticus 11:22 These of them you may eat: the locust in its kinds, and the devastating locust in its kinds, and the cricket in its kinds, and the grasshopper in its kinds.

The prophet Joel promises a time when there will be no food in Israel. The land will be stripped of its resources by locusts. The only thing left to eat will be locusts. Consider the implications and benefits of locusts.

Locusts: 1) high in protein; 2) protect the human body against the harmful effects of radiation; 3) suppress the growth of cancer cells; 4) prevents the development of heart attack and stroke by boosting the effect of blood-thinning drugs; 5) increases immunity levels; 6) helps control cholesterol levels; 7) combat inflammatory processes; 8) enhances regeneration of tissues.

Is there a hint of the prophetic future with benefits of a locust diet? Fights the effects of radiation? Suppresses cancer? Enhances tissue regeneration? Increases immunity?

Sounds like an antidote to nuclear exposure and disease to me.

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

Posted in Burden of Damascus, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 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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