Archive for Raqqa

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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Available in ebook and paperback at Amazon.com

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Trend Update: Wars & Rumors of Wars, September 2017

Posted in Euphrates River, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 5, 2017 by paulthepoke

Mark 13:7-8 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. -Jesus

September 5, 2017: These are the headlines for the day…We will start in Israel.

http://www.newsweek.com/israel-preparing-another-war-hezbollah-idf-practices-attack-lebanon-659510

http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Hezbollah-reacts-to-IDF-drill-We-are-ready-for-any-act-of-Israeli-stupidity-504293

Israel is rehearsing an attack on the terrorist group Hezbollah out of Lebanon. The military exercise is taking place in northern Israel. The activity is a war simulation. Hezbollah’s response, “We are ready for an act of Israeli stupidity.”

 

Nuclear North Korea

http://www.nasdaq.com/article/north-korea-warns-of-more-gift-packages-for-united-states-20170905-01076

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/09/05/putin-warns-global-catastrophe-over-north-korea-nuclear-crisis.html

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/09/05/north-korea-mountain-used-as-nuclear-test-site-at-risk-collapsing-chinese-scientist-says.html

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Pyongyang-provocation/North-Korea-threat-prompts-Japan-evacuation-preparations

 

Russia & Ukraine

Russia wants a UN Security Council resolution for peacekeepers to the Ukraine.

https://www.rt.com/news/402094-russia-resolution-peacekeepers-ukraine/

 

ISIS

ISIS is out at Deir Ezzor, Syria on the Euphrates River. The fighting continue in Raqqa, Syria. This is the only remaining stronghold of ISIS. Raqqa is on the Euphrates River. ISIS is getting seriously squeezed in the Middle East.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-lifts-siege-deir-ezzor/

https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1298928/syrian-democratic-forces-clear-great-mosque-of-raqqa/

 

Yemen

cholera yemen

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/09/saudi-arabia-yemen-war-rebel-alliance-imploding-washington.html

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/yemens-cholera-epidemic-hits-600-000-confounding-expectations/

 

And the earthquakes and famine portions of the verse were not addressed in this post. Let alone regional flooding throughout the planet and Harvey and Irma…

NOAA Hurricane Irma

These are but the beginning of the birth pains.

 

Rapture Promo

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

Available in ebook and paperback at Amazon.com

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

 

 

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Trend Update: US Backed Kurds Vow to Take Raqqa From ISIS, June 2017

Posted in Euphrates River, Kurds/Medes, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 7, 2017 by paulthepoke

Jeremiah 46:10 That day is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, to avenge Himself on His foes. The sword shall devour and be sated and drink its fill of their blood. For the Lord GOD of hosts holds a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.

The context of Jeremiah 46 is the pending judgment of Egypt at the hands of Babylon’s Nebuchadnezzar. Egypt and Babylon were the world powers of their day. History shows that Egypt received their judgment per the prophet at the hands of the Babylonians. The area discussed is near ancient Carchemish on the Euphrates River. This is the modern day area of the northern part of Lake Assad on the Euphrates in Syria.

Today in the 21st century, military conflict is taking place again on the Euphrates River. The same areas on the Euphrates River are the source of major conflict. As in the past, fighting started near the Syrian/Turkish border and moved south along the river. Operation Euphrates Wrath has moved east to the city of Raqqa, Syria.

June 6, 2017: The battle to remove ISIS from Raqqa, Syria has begun. The United States is supporting the Kurds and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

“We declare today the beginning of the great battle to liberate the city of Raqqa, the alleged capital of terrorism and terrorists. Morale is high and military readiness to implement the military plan is complete, in coordination with the US-led coalition,” Talal Sillo, spokesman for the SDF.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/06/syrian-forces-launch-offensive-to-recapture-raqqa-from-islamic-state

As the campaign into Raqqa begins, the terrorist group Hezbollah from Lebanon is threatening the United States. The US is being warned not to cross “red lines”.

For the second time in less than three weeks, the US has bombed Iranian supported forces in southern Syria.

“Despite previous warnings, pro-regime forces entered the agreed-upon de-confliction zone with a tank, artillery, anti-aircraft weapons, armed technical vehicles and more than 60 soldiers,” US coalition forces.

The US is also suspected of bombing a van near Deir el-Zour, Syria.

https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/executive-summaries/2017/06/07

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/us-raqqa-fight-accelerate-loses-iraq-47882856

Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan is also warning the United States.

“Those who justify terrorist organizations for the sake of their regional policies by depicting them as militia, instead of taking a decisive stance, will soon realize they made a vital mistake,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has accused the United States of violating International Law with the military strikes.

http://www.trtworld.com/mea/turkey-warns-us-against-treating-ypg-as-an-ally-in-syria-373948

In the past, King Josiah of Israel wanted to intervene in the conflict in 2 Chronicles 35:20-27. King Neco of Egypt warned Josiah not to intervene. Josiah did not listen and met his end. The location was a place called Megiddo…

2 Chronicles 35:22 Nevertheless, Josiah did not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to fight with him. He did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, but came to fight in the plain of Megiddo.

The next time a Jewish king intervenes in a war in Meggido, the result will be quite different.

 

 

 

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Trend Update: ISIS Squeezed in the Middle East, June 2017

Posted in Euphrates River, Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 3, 2017 by paulthepoke

June 2017: This is the pattern that has been repeatedly observed in the Middle East. ISIS has been surrounded and removed from a geographic area or location. The big picture shows ISIS surrounded on all sides in Iraq and Syria.

We will start in Aleppo, Syria and move east.

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

Per Ellicott’s Commentary, the modern day location of Arpad is approximately 14 miles north of Aleppo, Syria. This is where the fighting started, north of modern day Aleppo or what is ancient Arpad. ISIS has been pushed out of the city of Aleppo to the east. The last ISIS controlled area is in Maskanah. Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) elite Tiger Forces have surrounded ISIS on the north and west. ISIS is covered by Lake Assad on the east.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-makes-significant-progress-near-last-isis-stronghold-east-aleppo-map-update/

ISIS was surrounded and removed from the Euphrates/Tabqa Dam east of Aleppo on the Euphrates River. The link below provides the recent history of the ISIS capture of the Euphrates/Tabqa Dam and their removal.

https://paulthepoke.com/category/euphrates-river/

 

From the Euphrates/Tabqa Dam, Operation Euphrates Wrath is moving east down river about 30 miles to Raqqa, Syria. Raqqa is the city ISIS has claimed as its capital. Leaflets from US and Kurdish forces have been dropped in Raqqa, Syria since April 2017 telling ISIS to surrender.

“The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have given instructions to the citizens of Raqqa to vacate,” Colonel Ryan Dillon, a U.S. military spokesman located in Baghdad. Per Colonel Dillon, 200,000 people have taken the warning seriously and left Raqqa. Citizens have gone to refugee tent camps.

Keep in mind, Raqqa is located on the north side of the Euphrates River. Bridges into Raqqa from the south over the Euphrates have been taken out. “The SDF is poised around Raqqa. They are within 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from the north and the east, and are about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the city to the west,” Colonel Ryan Dillon.

“The sh*t is about to go down in Raqqa. I would expect to see the assault begin in the coming days.” -anonymous Pentagon official

The United States has begun giving small arms and anti-tank weapons to Kurdish forces.

 

ISIS is surrounded west of Mosul, Iraq in Tal Afar.

ISIS is surrounded southeast of Mosul, Iraq near Kirkuk where oil fields are located.

 

ISIS is all but done in western Mosul, Iraq or what is ancient Nineveh. See the prophets Jonah and Nahum for details regarding ancient Nineveh. See the link below regarding the recent history of ancient Nineveh or modern day Mosul, Iraq.

https://paulthepoke.com/category/mosulnineveh/

There are an estimated 1,000 ISIS jihadi left in Mosul. They are limited to approximately 6 square miles. ISIS occupies three territories including the old city. Up to 150,000 civilians also live in these areas. And there is nowhere to go.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/the-s-t-is-about-to-go-down-in-raqqa-pentagon-source-says/article/2624695

The donut hole is shrinking all across the Middle East and war rages on for now…

 

 

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Trend Update: Operation Euphrates Wrath Moves East, May 2017

Posted in Euphrates River, Kurds/Medes, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 23, 2017 by paulthepoke

Joshua 1:3-4 Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.

The Euphrates River is a significant geographical landmark in the Bible. The text states the Euphrates River will be the eastern border of a future nation Israel. The Bible also states this river will dry up and allow the kings of the east to cross west towards Armageddon in Revelation 16:12. When today’s current events focus on the Euphrates River, we should pay attention. The Euphrates River matters to God and His chosen people, Israel.

May 23, 2017: Operation Euphrates Wrath is moving east from the Euphrates/Tabqa Dam towards Raqqa, Syria. Raqqa has been proclaimed as the de facto capital by ISIS. But over the past few months, leaflets from US and Kurdish forces have been dropped in Raqqa, Syria telling ISIS to surrender. ISIS is taking the leaflets seriously. They have been moving their capital from Raqqa to Deir ez-Zur, Syria. Deir ez-Zur is about 90 miles southeast from Raqqa down the Euphrates River to the southeast.

Supply routes to Raqqa, Syria have been cut off by the Kurds (Syrian Democratic Forces/SDF). Raqqa is located on the north bank of the Euphrates River. There are two bridges that cross the Euphrates River into Raqqa, Syria. Both of those bridges have been destroyed.

“Reliable sources confirmed to the Observatory that the operation to target the two main bridges, and other bridges around Raqqa came as attempts to prevent the Islamic State from bringing military reinforcements to the city of Raqqa.”  -United Kingdom based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

http://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/05022017

http://aranews.net/2017/05/kurdish-led-sdf-cut-off-last-isis-supply-route-in-raqqa/

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Trend Update: ISIS Out at Tabqa/Euphrates Dam, May 2017

Posted in Euphrates River, Kurds/Medes, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 10, 2017 by paulthepoke

ISIS has been booted out at the Tabqa/Euphrates Dam. The Kurds backed by U.S. forces are now in control of the dam. All eyes are now shifting to the east at Raqqa, Syria.

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Trend Update: ISIS Surrounded on Euphrates Dam, April 2017

Posted in Euphrates River, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on April 25, 2017 by paulthepoke

Joshua 1:3-4 Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.

At some point in the future, the Euphrates River will be the eastern border of Israel.

For now, the Euphrates River is a point of contention in the country of Syria. The issue is the Euphrates Dam or also known as the Tabqa Dam. It is located in northern Syria. The dam forms Lake Assad. The dam is a primary source of electricity and water in Syria.

ISIS has been surrounded on the southern part of the dam and in the town of al-Tabqah, Syria.

Leaflets from US and Kurdish have been dropped in Raqqa, Syria telling ISIS to surrender. ISIS is taking the leaflets seriously. They have moved their capital from Raqqa to Deir ez-Zur, Syria. Deir ez-Zur is about 90 miles southeast from Raqqa.

ISIS is getting squeezed across the Middle East.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/04/21/isis-moves-its-capital-in-syria.html

For those who are new to the site…it is the author’s position that we are not in the great tribulation. We are trending toward the events described by the prophets in the Great Day of the Lord, the end of days, or Revelation.

There is no Temple. There is no peace treaty in the Middle East with Israel. There is no 10 nation federation. And there is no antichrist. But, we are trending…

Luke 21:28 “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” -Jesus

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Trend Update: Tabqa/Euphrates Dam Near Collapse??? March 2017

Posted in Burden of Damascus, Euphrates River, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 27, 2017 by paulthepoke

The Tabqa Dam is also known as the Euphrates Dam. It is an earthen dam 25 miles west of Raqqa, Syria. Raqqa is the proclaimed capital of ISIS. Lake Assad was created when the Euphrates Dam was constructed. The dam provides electricity and water resources to the region. -Wikipedia

March 26, 2017: There are conflicting reports about the status of the Tabqa or Euphrates Dam. ISIS is stating the dam is on the verge of collapse. Water is reportedly rising in Lake Assad due to dam malfunction. ISIS is stating the United States is bombing near the dam. Bombing raids have weakened the Euphrates Dam per ISIS. The United States is denying the claim. News sources have been unable to validate the ISIS claims.

People in Tabqa and Raqqa, Syria are heeding the warning. Thousands of people are fleeing the cities down river of the Tabqa Dam.

At this time, it is not clear who is in control of the Euphrates Dam.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-39399803

 

This is clear. The Tabqa Military Base and Airport are under the control of Kurdish forces. This has occurred within the last day (March 26, 2017). The Tabqa Military Base is located 3-5 miles south of the Euphrates Dam. The Kurdish forces have been supported by the United States. The United States has provided air support and special forces.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-kurdish-forces-liberate-tabqa-airbase-raqqa-province/

Please enjoy the celebration dance provided by Kurdish forces.

https://twitter.com/TheDaneChris/status/846078232986312705

 

Revelation 16:12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east.

Scripture tells us towards the end of the great tribulation the Euphrates River will go dry. This is the last series of bowl judgments. It does not specifically say where on the Euphrates. It would stand to reason it would be south of this location.

Presumably the kings of the east would be China but that is speculation based on Revelation 9:16 The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.

Currently, there is only one country on earth that fits this army size…China.

The context of Revelation 9 and Revelation 16 have these two items in common, the Euphrates River and a massive army.

As for now, we are not in the tribulation. But the Euphrates River is in the world’s news and trending…

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