southfront--2020-12-19--Turkish Attack On Ain Issa Failed, But Put More Pressure On SDF

The Turkish-led attack on the town of Ain Issa , which started early on December 18 , has come to an end .
The Syrian National Army ( SNA ) failed to make any gains due to the fierce resistance of the Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) .
By December 19 morning , all clashes around Ain Issa , in the northern countryside of Raqqa , ended .
Turkish forces have not shelled the town and its outskirts in hours .
The attack claimed the lives of at least nine SNA militants .
The SDF also sustained casualties , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rights .
While Turkish forces failed to drive the SDF out of Ain Issa and its outskirts , their attack mounted real pressure on the Kurdish-led group .
Recent reports revealed that Russia is pressuring the SDF into handing over Ain Issa and other parts to northern Raqqa to Syrian government forces .
The group was warned of a Turkish plan to occupy the region .
The SDF agreed to establish three joint observation posts with government forces around Ain Issa following Russia ’ s pressure .
Nevertheless , it refused to hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack will likely push the SDF to comply with Russia ’ s demands , which are meant to protect Ain Issa and its residents .
Turkish forces appear to be preparing to launch a second attack , not only in northern Raqqa but also in northern al-Hasakah .
Any new Turkish operation in northeastern Syria will threaten the already fragile humanitarian situation in the region .
The SDF ’ s will have to make concessions to Turkey or Russia .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • In Photo : Russian Mi-35M Gunship Locked-On @ @ @ @ @ @

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The Turkish-led attack on the town of Ain Issa, which started early on December 18, has come to an end. The Syrian National Army (SNA) failed to make any gains due to the fierce resistance of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
By December 19 morning, all clashes around Ain Issa, in the northern countryside of Raqqa, ended. Turkish forces have not shelled the town and its outskirts for the last few hours.
The attack claimed the lives of at least nine SNA militants. The SDF also sustained casualties, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
While Turkish forces failed to drive the SDF out of Ain Issa and its outskirts, their attack mounted real pressure on the Kurdish-led group.
Recent reports revealed that Russia is pressuring the SDF into handing over Ain Issa and other parts to northern Raqqa to Syrian government forces. The group was warned of a Turkish plan to occupy the region.
The SDF agreed to establish three joint observation posts with government forces around Ain Issa following Russia’s pressure. Nevertheless, it refused to hand the region over.
The last Turkish-led attack will likely push the SDF to comply with Russia’s demands, which are meant to protect Ain Issa and its residents. Turkish forces appear to be preparing to launch a second attack, not only in northern Raqqa but also in northern al-Hasakah.
Any new Turkish operation in northeastern Syria will threaten the already fragile humanitarian situation in the region.
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southfront--2020-12-19--President Of Azerbaijan Claims 80% Of Armenian Military Potential Was Destroyed During War

Click to see the full-size image More than 80 % of the Armenian military potential was destroyed during the war @ @ @ @ @ President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said at the session of the Council of Heads of @ @ @ @ @ Independent States ( CIS ) held in the format of a video conference .
“ @ @ @ @ @ are known : Azerbaijan won a victory over the occupying country , which for many @ @ @ @ @ recognized territories .
As a result of the war , according to our data , @ @ @ @ @ potential of the Armenian Armed Forces was destroyed , ” the President said .
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More than 80% of the Armenian military potential was destroyed during the war in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said at the session of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) held in the format of a video conference.
“The results of the war are known: Azerbaijan won a victory over the occupying country, which for many years held our significant internationally recognized territories. As a result of the war, according to our data, over 80% of the potential of the Armenian Armed Forces was destroyed,” the President said.
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southfront--2020-12-19--Meet The U.S. Space Force’s Guardians Of … Qatar, Currently

In a revelation that should have happened on April 1st , but actually happened in December , the United States space force revealed the name with which its recruits are to be referred as : Guardians .
Of course , this was announced and Twitter and it received some positively funny feedback .
Many recalled that the logo of the US Space Force is directly stolen from Star Trek , and that CBS/Viacom have , apparently , decided not to sue for copyright infringement .
Now , the new branch of the US Military appears to be testing its luck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the name “ Guardians ” – as in “ Guardians of the Galaxy ” Marvel comics and Disney films .
It also , apparently , took an entire year ’ s worth of thinking to come up with a name that ’ s directly taken from a movie that came 6 years ago , back in 2014 .
Guardians of the Galaxy features Chris Pratt in the role of “ Starlord ” whose humorous adventures and misadventures lead him to saving some parts of the galaxy , but not really the entire galaxy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US Space Force hasn ’ t had any adventures yet , and it is questionable if it will anytime soon .
Especially if incoming President Joe Biden cancels the entire thing .
There were also questions as to what part exactly the “ heritage and culture ” part played , in the statement .
There were also suggestions to change the logo , it could also get sued for copyright infringement , however .
It is questionable , since the US said freedom of expression even for Nazis is important , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mutual respect , the KKK might allow them to use it .
On a more serious note , if at all possible , US Vice President Mike Pence announced the name .
“ Henceforth , the men and women of the United States Space Force will be known as Guardians , ” U.S. Vice President Mike Pence announced today during a ceremony marking the branch ’ s impending first anniversary .
“ Soldiers , Sailors , Airmen , Marines and Guardians will be defending our nation for generations to come , ” Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refer to people who serve in the U.S. Army , Navy , Air Force and Marine Corps .
( Service members in the nation ’ s other military branch , the Coast Guard , are called “ Coast Guardsmen.
” ) The Space Force is officially part of the Air Force , just as the Marine Corps is part of the Department of the Navy .
Hopkins was selected in June 2009 as a member of the NASA Astronaut Group 20 .
He made his first spaceflight as a Flight Engineer on Soyuz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until March 2014 .
Yes , the US Space Force ’ s first astronaut went to space with a Russian launch vehicle .
So far , the farthest US Space Force has been from US soil is to Qatar .
The Space Force “ organizes , trains , and equips space forces in order to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities to the joint force , ” the new branch ’ s mission statement reads .
With the Trump administration on its way out , the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Associated Press put it delicately .
It is possible that quite a few US taxpayer ’ s dollars were spent on a force that has no weapons , hasn ’ t been to space , and came up with a rip-off name .
President-elect Joe Biden has yet to reveal his plans for the space force in the next administration .
Regardless , this is one of the more positive news in 2020 , since it ’ s simply more funny than sad .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • A Look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Targeting Access Node ( TITAN ) • U.S Deployed Off American Soil For The First Time Ever To … Qatar

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In a revelation that should have happened on April 1st, but actually happened in December, the United States space force revealed the name with which its recruits are to be referred as: Guardians.
The opportunity to name a force is a momentous responsibility. Guardians is a name with a long history in space operations, tracing back to the original command motto of Air Force Space Command in 1983, “Guardians of the High Frontier.” — United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) December 18, 2020
HINT: The Latin motto “Semper Supra!” means “Always Above!”
Of course, this was announced and Twitter and it received some positively funny feedback.
At what point is this space organization that's never going to space and has the Star Trek logo and a name nicked from Marvel going to admit that you just like playing dress up — James Felton (@JimMFelton) December 18, 2020
this is so embarassing — Matunalicius princeps, Lord of Misrule (@matunos) December 18, 2020
Many recalled that the logo of the US Space Force is directly stolen from Star Trek, and that CBS/Viacom have, apparently, decided not to sue for copyright infringement.
Now, the new branch of the US Military appears to be testing its luck with Disney possibly suing it for using the name “Guardians” – as in “Guardians of the Galaxy” Marvel comics and Disney films.
So if CBS/Viacom doesn't sue you for the stolen logo, Disney will for the Guardians name. Brilliant. — P. D. White (@whitepatrick) December 18, 2020
It also, apparently, took an entire year’s worth of thinking to come up with a name that’s directly taken from a movie that came 6 years ago, back in 2014.
wow hard work really pays off thx @VP pic.twitter.com/PTFxdB8lk5 — Ryan Gielen (@ryangielen) December 18, 2020
Guardians of the Galaxy features Chris Pratt in the role of “Starlord” whose humorous adventures and misadventures lead him to saving some parts of the galaxy, but not really the entire galaxy. This is also humorous, since the US Space Force hasn’t had any adventures yet, and it is questionable if it will anytime soon. Especially if incoming President Joe Biden cancels the entire thing.
There were also questions as to what part exactly the “heritage and culture” part played, in the statement.
There were also suggestions to change the logo, it could also get sued for copyright infringement, however.
When you frame it as "heritage and culture," it makes me think you meant your insignia to look like this. pic.twitter.com/ugutE9NZnq — alex gradet :: blm :: wear a damn mask (@menace2snacks) December 19, 2020
It is questionable, since the US said freedom of expression even for Nazis is important, so maybe not, in a sign of mutual respect, the KKK might allow them to use it.
On a more serious note, if at all possible, US Vice President Mike Pence announced the name.
“Henceforth, the men and women of the United States Space Force will be known as Guardians,” U.S. Vice President Mike Pence announced today during a ceremony marking the branch’s impending first anniversary. “Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Guardians will be defending our nation for generations to come,” Pence added, also invoking the terms that refer to people who serve in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. (Service members in the nation’s other military branch, the Coast Guard, are called “Coast Guardsmen.”)
The Space Force is officially part of the Air Force, just as the Marine Corps is part of the Department of the Navy.
Hopkins was selected in June 2009 as a member of the NASA Astronaut Group 20. He made his first spaceflight as a Flight Engineer on Soyuz TMA-10M/Expedition 37/Expedition 38, from September 2013 until March 2014.
Yes, the US Space Force’s first astronaut went to space with a Russian launch vehicle. So far, the farthest US Space Force has been from US soil is to Qatar.
The Space Force “organizes, trains, and equips space forces in order to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities to the joint force,” the new branch’s mission statement reads.
“USSF responsibilities include developing military space professionals, acquiring military space systems, maturing the military doctrine for space power and organizing space forces to present to our Combatant Commands.”
With the Trump administration on its way out, the future of the space force seems uncertain. The Associated Press put it delicately. It is possible that quite a few US taxpayer’s dollars were spent on a force that has no weapons, hasn’t been to space, and came up with a rip-off name. President-elect Joe Biden has yet to reveal his plans for the space force in the next administration.
Regardless, this is one of the more positive news in 2020, since it’s simply more funny than sad.
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southfront--2020-12-19--Pashinyan Comes Out Of The Basement, Meets With Opposition Protest Demanding His Resignation

On December 19th , Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that he and his supporters would hold a march in remembrance of the victims of the Nagorno-Karabakh War .
On the same day , the opposition said it would rally , demanding his resignation .
He stressed that this is a promise to “ all our brothers , their children , family members that their sacrifice will not be in vain.
” “ This will be a process of reflection , where each of us as a nation must reflect on our past and future path .
Today ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes place in a specific political situation .
My position on resolving that situation remains the same and has not changed .
The people , and only the people , should decide the fate of the government and not the elite circles ” , Pashinyan said .
In his message , Nikol Pashinyan also referred to the processes taking place around Syunik .
According to the Prime Minister , these days the borders in the Syunik sector are being adjusted , or rather , the RA Armed Forces , the border guards , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borders of Armenia .
He also spoke of the captives : While Pashinyan and others were moving towards Yerablur , the opposition blocked the road , and there were clashes with police .
Meanwhile , the situation in Syunik remains unclear .
According to the Mayor of Kapan , 13 villages will be surrendered to # Azerbaijan .
The Head of Syunik ’ s Shurnukh village urged volunteers to go there and protect the village The “ Information Verification Center ” reported that the information does not correspond to reality .
Inhabitants of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the road demanded cancelling the decision of the Armenian Ministry of Defense ’ s decision about surrendering Kapan ’ s military positions .
Shurnukh remains under the control of the Armenian side And , finally , the process of demarcation of new borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan has begun in Syunik region .
On Azerbaijan ’ s side , president Ilham Aliyev attended the CIS Heads of State Council ’ s session via video conference .
He said that the conflict had been concluded in Karabakh .
The Azerbaijani leader stressed the stable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the ceasefire agreement .
Aliyev noted that only one incident took place in Karabakh in a month and a half .
Separately , European Union officials tried to hold a trilateral meeting with the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan , but failed to do so , according to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell .
Following the Russia-negotiated peace in Nagorno-Karabakh in November , Azerbaijan signals it seeks EU-style reconciliation in the region based on economic projects , while a leading MEP replied democratic reforms should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bloc Fuad Isgandarov said he wants to cooperate with the Union to “ create something unique in Southern Caucasus and to create a small pilot EU-similar project there.
” He drew a parallel with how the EU was created , on the basis of a coal and steel union that evolved into a space for common values and deep political ties .
MEP Marina Kaljurand , the chair of the European Parliament ’ s delegation for relations with the South Caucasus , said the key to EU-Azerbaijan relations “ should develop based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then comes economy.
” The work of the Russian peacekeepers continues in the region , with them providing medical help , clearing explosives and securing the safe return of refugees .
On December 18th , engineering reconnaissance and demining of the area in Stepanakert were carried out .
During the day , 21.8 km of roads were cleared , 1,334 explosive objects were found and removed for destruction .
In total , 195 ha of territory and 87 km of roads were cleared during mine clearance in Nagorno-Karabakh , 423 buildings were cleared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and destroyed .
Russian peacekeepers from the special-purpose medical detachment ( SMU ) have created multifunctional medical teams to ensure the field work of military medics in remote localities of Nagorno-Karabakh .
Over the past day , Russian military medics have provided medical assistance to 95 residents .
In total , more than 700 residents of Nagorno-Karabakh received qualified medical care in the field hospital of the Ministry of Defense , including 79 children .
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On December 19th, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that he and his supporters would hold a march in remembrance of the victims of the Nagorno-Karabakh War.
On the same day, the opposition said it would rally, demanding his resignation.
“Today, from 13:00, we will hold a march of respect from the Republic Square to Yerablur, to pay tribute to the memory of our martyrs”, Pashinyan said in his video message.
He stressed that this is a promise to “all our brothers, their children, family members that their sacrifice will not be in vain.”
“This will be a process of reflection, where each of us as a nation must reflect on our past and future path. Today’s march has no political context, but takes place in a specific political situation. My position on resolving that situation remains the same and has not changed. The people, and only the people, should decide the fate of the government and not the elite circles”, Pashinyan said.
In his message, Nikol Pashinyan also referred to the processes taking place around Syunik. According to the Prime Minister, these days the borders in the Syunik sector are being adjusted, or rather, the RA Armed Forces, the border guards, are being stationed on the internationally recognized borders of Armenia.
“This, of course, brings certain changes in the environment we are familiar with, creates certain complications and inconveniences, emotions, even assessments that what is happening – is a loss of Syunik. The reality, however, is exactly the opposite. “All this is done to ensure the security of Syunik”, said the Prime Minister.
He also spoke of the captives:
“One of our biggest problems remains the return of our captive compatriots, the search for the missing, as well as the stabilization of the situation around Armenia and Artsakh. That is what the government’s daily efforts are aimed at.”
While Pashinyan and others were moving towards Yerablur, the opposition blocked the road, and there were clashes with police.
Meanwhile, the situation in Syunik remains unclear. According to the Mayor of Kapan, 13 villages will be surrendered to #Azerbaijan.
The Head of Syunik’s Shurnukh village urged volunteers to go there and protect the village.
The “Information Verification Center” reported that the information does not correspond to reality.
Inhabitants of the Karahunj community of Syunik have blocked the road demanded cancelling the decision of the Armenian Ministry of Defense’s decision about surrendering Kapan’s military positions.
Shurnukh remains under the control of the Armenian side.
And, finally, the process of demarcation of new borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan has begun in Syunik region.
On Azerbaijan’s side, president Ilham Aliyev attended the CIS Heads of State Council’s session via video conference.
He said that the conflict had been concluded in Karabakh.
“I agree with Vladimir Putin that we should talk about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the past tense. It is already history,” Aliyev said.
The Azerbaijani leader stressed the stable situation in the region since the signing of the ceasefire agreement. Aliyev noted that only one incident took place in Karabakh in a month and a half.
“It was provoked by groups of militias outside the control of the Armenian authorities – in fact, militants. The incident was settled within one day,” he said.
Separately, European Union officials tried to hold a trilateral meeting with the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, but failed to do so, according to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.
Following the Russia-negotiated peace in Nagorno-Karabakh in November, Azerbaijan signals it seeks EU-style reconciliation in the region based on economic projects, while a leading MEP replied democratic reforms should come first.
Azerbaijani ambassador to the bloc Fuad Isgandarov said he wants to cooperate with the Union to “create something unique in Southern Caucasus and to create a small pilot EU-similar project there.” He drew a parallel with how the EU was created, on the basis of a coal and steel union that evolved into a space for common values and deep political ties.
MEP Marina Kaljurand, the chair of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, said the key to EU-Azerbaijan relations “should develop based on democratic reforms, democratic institutions, and then comes economy.”
“I will say that it’s very much in the hands of Azerbaijan today,” she added.
The work of the Russian peacekeepers continues in the region, with them providing medical help, clearing explosives and securing the safe return of refugees.
On December 18th, engineering reconnaissance and demining of the area in Stepanakert were carried out. During the day, 21.8 km of roads were cleared, 1,334 explosive objects were found and removed for destruction.
In total, 195 ha of territory and 87 km of roads were cleared during mine clearance in Nagorno-Karabakh, 423 buildings were cleared, and 73,500 explosive objects were found and destroyed.
Russian peacekeepers from the special-purpose medical detachment (SMU) have created multifunctional medical teams to ensure the field work of military medics in remote localities of Nagorno-Karabakh. Over the past day, Russian military medics have provided medical assistance to 95 residents.
In total, more than 700 residents of Nagorno-Karabakh received qualified medical care in the field hospital of the Ministry of Defense, including 79 children.
Currently, the situation appears stable.
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southfront--2020-12-19--Ground Forces Of Iran

Ground Forces Of Iran

Written by Colonel N. Turchin , Candidat of Military Sciences , Lieutenant-Colonel A. Volodin ; Originally appeared at Foreign Military Review 2020 # 6 , translated by AlexD exclusively for SouthFront The ground forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran ( IRI ) are one of the main branches of the armed forces of the country , which are organisationally part of the army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp ( IRGC ) , they have their own management system and are subordinate to the commanders of the army and IRGC .
The Ground Forces of the Army ( GFA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operational ( operational-tactical ) tasks in land theaters of military operations by conducting or participating in independent or joint ( with other types of armed forces ) air-ground defensive ( offensive ) operations on their territory , and if necessary , beyond its borders .
The main tasks of the GFA : • maintaining the necessary level of combat training of personnel , ensuring readiness for operational and mobilisation deployment ; • operational equipment of the country ’ s territory , creation of weapons stocks , military equipment and other material resources ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequences of natural disasters ; • increasing the number of personnel , increasing the combat and mobilisation readiness of troops ; • completion of formations and units , as well as territorial bodies of military administration to wartime states ; • operational deployment of troops in threatened areas and preparation of military equipment for combat use ; • conducting defensive combat operations in order to hold the occupied borders , districts and territories , inflicting maximum damage to the advancing group of troops of the probable enemy and creating conditions for the subsequent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together with the Air Force , Navy , Air Defence Forces and means of the army and the IRGC in repelling missile and bomb attacks of the potential enemy ; • organisation in conjunction with the Navy and Air Force of the army of anti-amphibious defence .
The GFA management system in peacetime consists of the Ground Forces Army Command , the GF Army Operational Commands in operational areas , as well as the control bodies of formations .
The central body of military administration is the Command of the Army ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Commander .
The main command post is located in the north-east of Tehran , the reserve , in the mountainous region of Kuchak .
Operational commands are formed in the north-western , western , southern , south-eastern and north-eastern operational directions and begin to function with the start of operational deployment of the IRI Armed Forces , and in peacetime there are headquarters of reduced operational commands .
The GFA includes formations and units of various branches of the Armed Forces ( infantry , armoured , mechanised , airborne , rocket troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special forces ( electronic warfare , engineering and communications ) , technical and logistics support units , and military police .
The basis of the combat structure is made up of infantry , armoured , mechanised airborne brigades , as well as special purpose and rapid response brigades .
The combat strength of the GF Army consists of 4 brigades ( armoured , infantry , airborne , amphibious assault ) , 47 separate brigades ( 20 infantry , 3 mechanised , 14 armoured , airborne , 9 special forces ) , 19 separate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-aircraft artillery , 2 electronic warfare , 5 communications , 2 engineering and 2 medical ) , 11 brigades ( bases ) or army aviation .
An armoured brigade consists of a headquarters , two or four tank and infantry battalions , an armoured cavalry battalion , artillery and air defence divisions , as well as combat and logistics support units .
In total , the armoured brigade has : about 5,000 personnel , 80 tanks , 80 AIFV ( CVAs ) , more than 50 guns and mortars , about 30 air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tanks , M-47 , T-72 and Iranian-made “ Zulfiqar ” tanks , 175-mm M-107 and 203.2-mm M-110 self-propelled howitzers , 120-mm self-propelled mortars , as well as 35-mm “ Oerlikon ” anti-aircraft guns and 23-mm ZU-23-2 .
An infantry brigade consists of a headquarters , two to four infantry battalions , a tank battalion , artillery , air defence units , as well as combat and logistics support .
In total , the infantry brigade has : about 5,000 personnel , up to 50 tanks , 100 AIFV ( APCs ) , 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defence systems , 155-mm M-109 and 130-mm M-46 howitzers , 122-mm MLRS BM-21 , 120- , 106.7-mm M-30 and 81-mm mortars .
The mechanised brigade consists of a headquarters , two or four mechanised and reconnaissance battalions , one or two artillery divisions , an anti-tank and engineering companies , an air defence group and a company of radiation , chemical and biological protection and intelligence .
The number of personnel of the brigade is up to 2,200 people .
It is armed with : AIFV-1 , -2 , APC-60PB ( Russian production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 203.2-mm M-110 , 120-mm SM , 122-mm MLRS BM-21 , as well as 35-mm ZU “ Oerlikon ” and 23-mm ZU 23-2 , mobile “ Toufan-1 , -2 ” ATGMs , “ Saege-1 , -2 ” , “ Tousan ” and “ Raad ” , as well as “ Concours-M ” .
The forces and means of the army aviation are subordinate to the Army Aviation Command ( part of the GF command , Tehran ) .
The army aviation brigade consists of combat units ( attack helicopters , amphibious assault and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as combat and logistics support units .
The army logistics command of the GF Army is responsible for all types of support , subordinate to rear areas , the base of supply ( munitions , food and material-technical property ) , warehouses of combustive-lubricating materials , transport companies and platoons of the resupply of the material equipment , repair facilities .
The main weapons and military equipment of the IRI GF are represented by foreign sample of Soviet ( Russian ) , American , English and Chinese production , as well as some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complex under license or by direct copying .
The tank fleet has the following models : M-47 , M-60 , Mk-2/3 “ Chieftain ” , T-62A , T-54/55 “ Scorpion ” .
The most modern products of national production are the MBT “ Karrar ” , T-72S “ Zulfikar-1 ” and T-72S “ Zulfikar-2 ” .
Armoured combat vehicles are represented by AIVF-1 , AIVF-2 , APC M-133 , APC 60PB and APC “ Borak ” .
The rocket and artillery units and units in their composition have : TP “ Fateh-POM ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , -10 , 203.2-mm SG M-110 , 175-mm SG M-107 , 155-mm BG M-109 , 130-mm BP M-46 , MLRS “ Fajr-5 ” and 122-mm BM-21 , 120- , 106.7 and 81-mm towed mortars .
To combat armoured vehicles , there are the ATGM launchers “ Malyutka ” , “ Concours ” , “ Dragon ” , “ Tow ” , 011 -9 , Pill-22 , Pill-7 , as well as various types of recoilless guns .
Currently , the number of anti-tank complexes of national production , such as “ Toufan-1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , “ Saege-1 , -2 ” ( analog of ATGM “ Dragon ” ) , “ Tousan ” , “ Raad ” ( analog of ATGM “ Malyutka ” ) , is significantly increasing in parts and formations of the IRI GF .
The aircraft and helicopter fleet of the Army Aviation of the IRI is represented by the AH-1G “ Cobra ” attack helicopters , AV-205 and AV-206 “ Ranger ” fire support helicopters , CH-47A “ Chinook ” transport helicopters , AV-212 , AV-214 general purpose helicopters , Cessna-type communication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air defence forces are armed with ZSU 57-2 , ZU57-1 , ZU 35-2 “ Oerlikon ” , “ Bofos ” , ZU-23-2 , MANPADS “ Strela-2 , -3 ” , and Iranian-made “ Misag-1 , -2 ” .
The main problem of the country ’ s GFS is the serious moral lag between the existing models of weapons and military equipment and the modern world analogues , the exhaustion of a significant part of their service life , and the lack of a developed repair and maintenance base that would enable the extension @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment .
It is planned to increase the combat capabilities of formations and units by solving the following main tasks : improving the organisational structure of control bodies , formations and units ; equipping the GF with new weapons and military equipment ; improving the system of training military personnel .
Significant fundamental changes are taking place in the field of improving the organisational structure of the Army in the Iranian Armed Forces .
In particular , the divisions have already been transferred to a brigade basis .
It is planned to significantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapid response teams in their composition .
In the framework of modernisation of the GFA the command of the Armed Forces decided to focus on the level of training of military personnel , especially officers and junior commanders .
In military educational institutions , the role of teaching military disciplines ( theoretical and practical courses ) based on the experience of the operation of the coalition forces against Iraq has significantly increased .
The IRGC Ground Forces are a branch of the country ’ s Armed Forces , the backbone of its combat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategic , operational ( operational-tactical ) missions on the ground theater , as well as to conduct independent or joint ( with other types of forces ) air and ground defence ( offensive ) operations and currently form the basis of the ground grouping of the Iranian GF , as this species outnumbers the Army of the IRI .
The general management carries out the GF IRGC commander who is responsible for maintaining the necessary level of combat capability and combat readiness of subordinate forces , the development and implementation of plans for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of staff and units to fulfill assigned combat tasks .
Structurally , this type of armed forces consists of control bodies , combat formations and units , units and of combat and logistics support , as well as military educational institutions and training centres .
The IR ’ s highest operational association in peacetime is the command with the corresponding groupings of troops ( forces ) in the operational area .
Currently , the territory of Iran is divided into the following operational zones : Tehran and its suburbs , northern , central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ southern , north-eastern and eastern provinces bordering Iraq .
The territorial corps are subordinate to the command in the operational zone ( currently 32 are formed ) .
According to its plans , the formation of the headquarters of such corps takes place during the threat period on the basis of the command structures of infantry or mechanised formations .
The combat composition of the corps included formations and units of the IRGC GF , as well as battalions of the Basij Resistance Forces ( RF ) stationed in the area of responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divisions ( 25 infantry , 5 armoured , 3 mechanised and 2 special purpose ) ; 34 separate brigades ( 18 infantry , 2 mechanised , 4 armoured , 6 engineer-sapper , a brigade of chemical troops , airborne , indoctrination and special purpose ) ; 12 separate groups ( 5 rocket-artillery , 2 artillery , air defence , 2 communications , engineer-sapper and engineering ) .
They also include a separate engineering base .
The infantry division ( ID ) consists of the directorate , the division headquarters , three infantry and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ division , combat and logistics support units .
The number of personnel of the ID is 10-12 thousand people , it is armed with up to 70 MBTs ( T-55 , T-59 ) , 30 APCs , 12 105-mm howitzers , 11 107-mm towed MLRS , 18 106.07-mm and 40 81-mm mortars , 5 ATGMs launchers , 10 MANPADS .
The number of weapons and military equipment and the organisational structure of each RIGC infantry division varies depending on the tasks assigned .
An armoured division , as a rule , consists of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headquarters , the headquarters of two armoured brigades , an infantry brigade , artillery and air defence divisions , combat and logistics support units .
The number of divisions is 10-12 thousand people , it is armed with more than 150 tanks , 20 IFVs , 40 APCs , 24 106.7-mm , 12 120-mm and 60 81-mm mortars , 10 ATGM launchers , 15 106-mm recoilless guns , 30 MANPADS .
The separate infantry and armoured brigades of the IRGC GF are similar in their organisational structure and number of personnel , weapons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Army GF .
The basis of heavy weapons of the IRGC GF is made up of Soviet and Russian-made specimens .
The most modern types of equipment are the T-72 MBT and the BMP-2 fighting vehicles .
It should be noted that the Defence Industry Organisation ( DIO ) of the MoD and the Iranian Armed Forces support organisations have mastered the production of the Borak armoured combat vehicles ( the Russian BMP-2 analogue ) and “ Raad-1 ” 122-mm self-propelled artillery units mounted on their chassis .
The IRI also produces the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-developed “ Sarir ” and “ Shenidar ” armoured personnel carriers , which have high off-road capability and manoeuvrability .
At the same time , according to representatives of the DIO , industrial groups are able to produce up to 70 % of components for the T-72 tank under a Russian licence .
In accordance with the construction programme of the Iranian Armed Forces major efforts are directed to raising the combat and mobilisation readiness , finding the optimal organisational structure of formations and units , improvement of management systems and comprehensive troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and military equipment , increasing the level of training of staff and personnel , as well as the creation of optimal groups of troops ( forces ) in the most important areas .
The IRGC ’ s peacetime army staffing structure is based on the principle of “ triple deployment ” through the RF reserve system in case of war , i.e.
, an IRGC battalion forms a brigade , a brigade forms a division , and a division may form a corps .
Units of the “ Basif ” RF are traditionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it is within its structure that the leadership apparatus of these irregular paramilitary groups functions .
In additional to addressing issues of ideological and patriotic education of young people , the leadership of the corps , remembering the precepts of the founder of the Islamic Republic , Imam R. Khomeini , about the need to create a 20-million army , considers this structure as the main , most prepared part of the mobilisation reserve of the Armed Forces .
The RF paramilitary formations have been transferred to the direct subordination of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 2 thousand battalions , and the total number of “ Basij ” is about 400 thousand people .
The Iranian command plans to involve the Basij battalions not only in the mobilisation process of the Armed Forces under threat and during the war , but also in peacetime to actively carry out border security tasks , as well as to fight arms and drug smuggling jointly with the IRGC and the RF .
The main combat unit of the RF is the “ Ashura ” ( male ) and “ Al-Zohra ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 450 to 500 people who have received special training in the RF system .
Formations commanded by regular IRGC officers are irregular units .
Small arms and ammunition assigned to the militia in peacetime are stored in warehouses of units and division of the Armed Forces .
Typically , each province has between 70 and 90 battalions , depending on the mobilisation resources .
In addition , the corps is actively creating RF units , referred to as special forces groups “ Beitol-Moqaddas ” , “ Karbala ” and “ Zolfakar ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried out in training centres of airborne troops and units of Special Forces of the Armed Forces of Iran .
The main objectives of the development of the RF are : broad involvement of human resources , their training and subsequent use in the interests of protecting the country from possible aggression from an external enemy ; participation and large-scale involvement of young people in the so-called scientific and technical jihad , designed to develop information and communication technologies in Iran ; timely identification and elimination of threats to the ruling regime from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Programme of General Reform of the Country ’ s Defence Capability ” , organisational measures aimed at optimising the number , composition and structure of the IRGC GF formations ( the creation of AA brigades in their structure , previously they were part of the IRGC AQS ) continue to be implemented .
Upon completion of the reorganisation , as in the GF Army , it is expected to have a brigade as the main operational and tactical unit .
The ongoing reform , according to the corps commander , will contribute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which in general will have a positive impact on the effectiveness of the operational use of troops in wartime .
At the same time , in the context of the aggravation of the foreign policy situation around the country and the threat of its escalation into an armed conflict , the command of this formation has developed a special programme for the relocation of formations and units of the GF located in large cities to new permanent locations , which are supposed to be in close proximity to the state border and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main problem of improving the combat capability and combat readiness of the IRGC ’ s Armed Forces remains the equipping of troops with modern weapons and military equipment .
Based on international restrictions on the development of military-technical cooperation between Iran and other states , the main emphasis is placed on equipping the IRGC with its own production of military equipment , especially heavy equipment ; new MBT , infantry fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carriers , artillery systems of both field artillery and anti-aircraft .
Thus , at present , the ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Islamic Republic of Iran are able , in cooperation with other types of Armed Forces , to successfully solve the tasks of repelling aggression from any neighbouring state .
At the same time , their capabilities , in particular the conduct of large-scale military operations in the event of an attack from more militarily powerful countries , will be severely limited .
This is primarily due to the lack of the necessary number of modern weapons and military equipment , as well as the low stability of the control and communication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Role Of Russia ’ s New Strategic Weapons Systems In Providing Strategic Deterrence

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Written by Colonel N. Turchin, Candidat of Military Sciences, Lieutenant-Colonel A. Volodin; Originally appeared at Foreign Military Review 2020 #6, translated by AlexD exclusively for SouthFront
You can read this article in German. LINK
The ground forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) are one of the main branches of the armed forces of the country, which are organisationally part of the army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC), they have their own management system and are subordinate to the commanders of the army and IRGC.
The Ground Forces of the Army (GFA) are designed to solve strategic, operational (operational-tactical) tasks in land theaters of military operations by conducting or participating in independent or joint (with other types of armed forces) air-ground defensive (offensive) operations on their territory, and if necessary, beyond its borders. The main tasks of the GFA:
in peacetime:
maintaining the necessary level of combat training of personnel, ensuring readiness for operational and mobilisation deployment;
operational equipment of the country’s territory, creation of weapons stocks, military equipment and other material resources;
participation in the elimination of the consequences of natural disasters;
in the threat period:
increasing the number of personnel, increasing the combat and mobilisation readiness of troops;
completion of formations and units, as well as territorial bodies of military administration to wartime states;
operational deployment of troops in threatened areas and preparation of military equipment for combat use;
preparation of initial defensive operations, covering the state border;
in time of war:
conducting defensive combat operations in order to hold the occupied borders, districts and territories, inflicting maximum damage to the advancing group of troops of the probable enemy and creating conditions for the subsequent transition to a counteroffensive;
participation together with the Air Force, Navy, Air Defence Forces and means of the army and the IRGC in repelling missile and bomb attacks of the potential enemy;
organisation in conjunction with the Navy and Air Force of the army of anti-amphibious defence.
The GFA management system in peacetime consists of the Ground Forces Army Command, the GF Army Operational Commands in operational areas, as well as the control bodies of formations.
The central body of military administration is the Command of the Army’s Ground Forces, which is headed by the Commander. The main command post is located in the north-east of Tehran, the reserve, in the mountainous region of Kuchak.
Operational commands are formed in the north-western, western, southern, south-eastern and north-eastern operational directions and begin to function with the start of operational deployment of the IRI Armed Forces, and in peacetime there are headquarters of reduced operational commands.
The GFA includes formations and units of various branches of the Armed Forces (infantry, armoured, mechanised, airborne, rocket troops and artillery, army aviation), special forces (electronic warfare, engineering and communications), technical and logistics support units, and military police. The basis of the combat structure is made up of infantry, armoured, mechanised airborne brigades, as well as special purpose and rapid response brigades.
The combat strength of the GF Army consists of 4 brigades (armoured, infantry, airborne, amphibious assault), 47 separate brigades (20 infantry, 3 mechanised, 14 armoured, airborne, 9 special forces), 19 separate groups (rocket, 6 artillery, anti-aircraft artillery, 2 electronic warfare, 5 communications, 2 engineering and 2 medical), 11 brigades (bases) or army aviation.
An armoured brigade consists of a headquarters, two or four tank and infantry battalions, an armoured cavalry battalion, artillery and air defence divisions, as well as combat and logistics support units.
In total, the armoured brigade has: about 5,000 personnel, 80 tanks, 80 AIFV (CVAs), more than 50 guns and mortars, about 30 air defence systems, “Chieftain” medium tanks, M-47, T-72 and Iranian-made “Zulfiqar” tanks, 175-mm M-107 and 203.2-mm M-110 self-propelled howitzers, 120-mm self-propelled mortars, as well as 35-mm “Oerlikon” anti-aircraft guns and 23-mm ZU-23-2.
An infantry brigade consists of a headquarters, two to four infantry battalions, a tank battalion, artillery, air defence units, as well as combat and logistics support.
In total, the infantry brigade has: about 5,000 personnel, up to 50 tanks, 100 AIFV (APCs), 50 guns and mortars, about 120 air defence systems, 155-mm M-109 and 130-mm M-46 howitzers, 122-mm MLRS BM-21, 120-, 106.7-mm M-30 and 81-mm mortars.
The mechanised brigade consists of a headquarters, two or four mechanised and reconnaissance battalions, one or two artillery divisions, an anti-tank and engineering companies, an air defence group and a company of radiation, chemical and biological protection and intelligence.
The number of personnel of the brigade is up to 2,200 people. It is armed with: AIFV-1, -2, APC-60PB (Russian production), APC M-113, 175-mm SGM-107 and 203.2-mm M-110, 120-mm SM, 122-mm MLRS BM-21, as well as 35-mm ZU “Oerlikon” and 23-mm ZU 23-2, mobile “Toufan-1, -2” ATGMs, “Saege-1, -2”, “Tousan” and “Raad”, as well as “Concours-M”.
The forces and means of the army aviation are subordinate to the Army Aviation Command (part of the GF command, Tehran).
The army aviation brigade consists of combat units (attack helicopters, amphibious assault and transport helicopter battalions), as well as combat and logistics support units.
The army logistics command of the GF Army is responsible for all types of support, subordinate to rear areas, the base of supply (munitions, food and material-technical property), warehouses of combustive-lubricating materials, transport companies and platoons of the resupply of the material equipment, repair facilities.
The main weapons and military equipment of the IRI GF are represented by foreign sample of Soviet (Russian), American, English and Chinese production, as well as some products produced by the Iranian military- industrial complex under license or by direct copying.
The tank fleet has the following models: M-47, M-60, Mk-2/3 “Chieftain”, T-62A, T-54/55 “Scorpion”. The most modern products of national production are the MBT “Karrar”, T-72S “Zulfikar-1” and T-72S “Zulfikar-2”. Armoured combat vehicles are represented by AIVF-1, AIVF-2, APC M-133, APC 60PB and APC “Borak”.
The rocket and artillery units and units in their composition have: TP “Fateh-POM”, “Zelzal-3” and “Nazeat-6, -10, 203.2-mm SG M-110, 175-mm SG M-107, 155-mm BG M-109, 130-mm BP M-46, MLRS “Fajr-5” and 122-mm BM-21, 120-, 106.7 and 81-mm towed mortars.
To combat armoured vehicles, there are the ATGM launchers “Malyutka”, “Concours”, “Dragon”, “Tow”, 011 -9, Pill-22, Pill-7, as well as various types of recoilless guns. Currently, the number of anti-tank complexes of national production, such as “Toufan-1, -2” (prototype “TOU-2A”), “Saege-1, -2” (analog of ATGM “Dragon”), “Tousan”, “Raad” (analog of ATGM “Malyutka”), is significantly increasing in parts and formations of the IRI GF.
The aircraft and helicopter fleet of the Army Aviation of the IRI is represented by the AH-1G “Cobra” attack helicopters, AV-205 and AV-206 “Ranger” fire support helicopters, CH-47A “Chinook” transport helicopters, AV-212, AV-214 general purpose helicopters, Cessna-type communication and control aircraft.
Units of the air defence forces are armed with ZSU 57-2, ZU57-1, ZU 35-2 “Oerlikon”, “Bofos”, ZU-23-2, MANPADS “Strela-2, -3”, and Iranian-made “Misag-1, -2”.
The main problem of the country’s GFS is the serious moral lag between the existing models of weapons and military equipment and the modern world analogues, the exhaustion of a significant part of their service life, and the lack of a developed repair and maintenance base that would enable the extension of the service life of armaments and equipment.
It is planned to increase the combat capabilities of formations and units by solving the following main tasks: improving the organisational structure of control bodies, formations and units; equipping the GF with new weapons and military equipment; improving the system of training military personnel.
Significant fundamental changes are taking place in the field of improving the organisational structure of the Army in the Iranian Armed Forces. In particular, the divisions have already been transferred to a brigade basis. It is planned to significantly increase the share of special forces and rapid response teams in their composition.
In the framework of modernisation of the GFA the command of the Armed Forces decided to focus on the level of training of military personnel, especially officers and junior commanders. In military educational institutions, the role of teaching military disciplines (theoretical and practical courses) based on the experience of the operation of the coalition forces against Iraq has significantly increased.
The IRGC Ground Forces are a branch of the country’s Armed Forces, the backbone of its combat power. They are designed to perform strategic, operational (operational-tactical) missions on the ground theater, as well as to conduct independent or joint (with other types of forces) air and ground defence (offensive) operations and currently form the basis of the ground grouping of the Iranian GF, as this species outnumbers the Army of the IRI.
The general management carries out the GF IRGC commander who is responsible for maintaining the necessary level of combat capability and combat readiness of subordinate forces, the development and implementation of plans for their operational and combat use, training of staff and units to fulfill assigned combat tasks.
Structurally, this type of armed forces consists of control bodies, combat formations and units, units and of combat and logistics support, as well as military educational institutions and training centres.
The IR’s highest operational association in peacetime is the command with the corresponding groupings of troops (forces) in the operational area. Currently, the territory of Iran is divided into the following operational zones: Tehran and its suburbs, northern, central, north-western, western, south-western, southern, north-eastern and eastern provinces bordering Iraq.
The territorial corps are subordinate to the command in the operational zone (currently 32 are formed). According to its plans, the formation of the headquarters of such corps takes place during the threat period on the basis of the command structures of infantry or mechanised formations.
The combat composition of the corps included formations and units of the IRGC GF, as well as battalions of the Basij Resistance Forces (RF) stationed in the area of responsibility.
The IRGC GF has: 35 divisions (25 infantry, 5 armoured, 3 mechanised and 2 special purpose); 34 separate brigades (18 infantry, 2 mechanised, 4 armoured, 6 engineer-sapper, a brigade of chemical troops, airborne, indoctrination and special purpose); 12 separate groups (5 rocket-artillery, 2 artillery, air defence, 2 communications, engineer-sapper and engineering). They also include a separate engineering base.
The infantry division (ID) consists of the directorate, the division headquarters, three infantry and armoured brigades, artillery and air defence division, combat and logistics support units. The number of personnel of the ID is 10-12 thousand people, it is armed with up to 70 MBTs (T-55, T-59), 30 APCs, 12 105-mm howitzers, 11 107-mm towed MLRS, 18 106.07-mm and 40 81-mm mortars, 5 ATGMs launchers, 10 MANPADS.
The number of weapons and military equipment and the organisational structure of each RIGC infantry division varies depending on the tasks assigned.
An armoured division, as a rule, consists of management, a headquarters with a company headquarters, the headquarters of two armoured brigades, an infantry brigade, artillery and air defence divisions, combat and logistics support units. The number of divisions is 10-12 thousand people, it is armed with more than 150 tanks, 20 IFVs, 40 APCs, 24 106.7-mm, 12 120-mm and 60 81-mm mortars, 10 ATGM launchers, 15 106-mm recoilless guns, 30 MANPADS.
The separate infantry and armoured brigades of the IRGC GF are similar in their organisational structure and number of personnel, weapons and equipment to the brigades of the Army GF.
The basis of heavy weapons of the IRGC GF is made up of Soviet and Russian-made specimens. The most modern types of equipment are the T-72 MBT and the BMP-2 fighting vehicles. It should be noted that the Defence Industry Organisation (DIO) of the MoD and the Iranian Armed Forces support organisations have mastered the production of the Borak armoured combat vehicles (the Russian BMP-2 analogue) and “Raad-1” 122-mm self-propelled artillery units mounted on their chassis. The IRI also produces the 155-mm “Raad-2” self-propelled howitzer and self-developed “Sarir” and “Shenidar” armoured personnel carriers, which have high off-road capability and manoeuvrability.
At the same time, according to representatives of the DIO, industrial groups are able to produce up to 70% of components for the T-72 tank under a Russian licence.
In accordance with the construction programme of the Iranian Armed Forces major efforts are directed to raising the combat and mobilisation readiness, finding the optimal organisational structure of formations and units, improvement of management systems and comprehensive troops re-equipment support with new types of weapons and military equipment, increasing the level of training of staff and personnel, as well as the creation of optimal groups of troops (forces) in the most important areas.
The IRGC’s peacetime army staffing structure is based on the principle of “triple deployment” through the RF reserve system in case of war, i.e., an IRGC battalion forms a brigade, a brigade forms a division, and a division may form a corps.
Units of the “Basif” RF are traditionally supervised by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and it is within its structure that the leadership apparatus of these irregular paramilitary groups functions. In additional to addressing issues of ideological and patriotic education of young people, the leadership of the corps, remembering the precepts of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam R. Khomeini, about the need to create a 20-million army, considers this structure as the main, most prepared part of the mobilisation reserve of the Armed Forces.
The RF paramilitary formations have been transferred to the direct subordination of the commander of the IRGC, they have about 2 thousand battalions, and the total number of “Basij” is about 400 thousand people. The Iranian command plans to involve the Basij battalions not only in the mobilisation process of the Armed Forces under threat and during the war, but also in peacetime to actively carry out border security tasks, as well as to fight arms and drug smuggling jointly with the IRGC and the RF.
The main combat unit of the RF is the “Ashura” (male) and “Al-Zohra” (female) battalions, numbering from 450 to 500 people who have received special training in the RF system. Formations commanded by regular IRGC officers are irregular units.
Small arms and ammunition assigned to the militia in peacetime are stored in warehouses of units and division of the Armed Forces. Typically, each province has between 70 and 90 battalions, depending on the mobilisation resources. In addition, the corps is actively creating RF units, referred to as special forces groups “Beitol-Moqaddas”, “Karbala” and “Zolfakar”. Training of personnel in this category is carried out in training centres of airborne troops and units of Special Forces of the Armed Forces of Iran.
The main objectives of the development of the RF are: broad involvement of human resources, their training and subsequent use in the interests of protecting the country from possible aggression from an external enemy; participation and large-scale involvement of young people in the so-called scientific and technical jihad, designed to develop information and communication technologies in Iran; timely identification and elimination of threats to the ruling regime from opposition forces.
In accordance with the “Programme of General Reform of the Country’s Defence Capability”, organisational measures aimed at optimising the number, composition and structure of the IRGC GF formations (the creation of AA brigades in their structure, previously they were part of the IRGC AQS) continue to be implemented.
Upon completion of the reorganisation, as in the GF Army, it is expected to have a brigade as the main operational and tactical unit. The ongoing reform, according to the corps commander, will contribute to the optimisation of the command-and-control system, which in general will have a positive impact on the effectiveness of the operational use of troops in wartime.
At the same time, in the context of the aggravation of the foreign policy situation around the country and the threat of its escalation into an armed conflict, the command of this formation has developed a special programme for the relocation of formations and units of the GF located in large cities to new permanent locations, which are supposed to be in close proximity to the state border and away from large industrial centres.
The main problem of improving the combat capability and combat readiness of the IRGC’s Armed Forces remains the equipping of troops with modern weapons and military equipment. Based on international restrictions on the development of military-technical cooperation between Iran and other states, the main emphasis is placed on equipping the IRGC with its own production of military equipment, especially heavy equipment; new MBT, infantry fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carriers, artillery systems of both field artillery and anti-aircraft.
Thus, at present, the ground forces of the army and the IRGC of the Islamic Republic of Iran are able, in cooperation with other types of Armed Forces, to successfully solve the tasks of repelling aggression from any neighbouring state. At the same time, their capabilities, in particular the conduct of large-scale military operations in the event of an attack from more militarily powerful countries, will be severely limited. This is primarily due to the lack of the necessary number of modern weapons and military equipment, as well as the low stability of the control and communication system.
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southfront--2020-12-19--Military Situation In Syria On December 19, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria : • On December 19 @ @ @ @ @ militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 30 times : 21 – in Idlib @ @ @ @ @ Aleppo province , 6 – in Latakia province , 5 – in Hama province ; @ @ @ @ @ Turkish-backed forces allegedly entered Mushairafa and Jahbal villages near Ain Issa .
At least 2 @ @ @ @ @ were killed in the clashes ; • On December 18 , at least 6 Turkish-backed @ @ @ @ @ explosion of the ammunition depot near Jindires ; • On December 18 , US has @ @ @ @ @ its base in the Conoco area .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • In Photo @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Apache Helicopter Over Northeastern Syria • Turkish-Backed Forces Back Down In Ain Issa After @ @ @ @ @

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
On December 19, Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 30 times: 21 – in Idlib province, 6 – in Aleppo province, 6 – in Latakia province, 5 – in Hama province;
On December 18, Turkish-backed forces allegedly entered Mushairafa and Jahbal villages near Ain Issa. At least 2 SDF and 9 Turkish-backed militias were killed in the clashes;
On December 18, at least 6 Turkish-backed fighters were killed in an explosion of the ammunition depot near Jindires;
On December 18, US has sent a logistical convoy to its base in the Conoco area.
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southfront--2020-12-19--SouthFront Will Not Survive Without Your Immediate Support!

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southfront--2020-12-19--Satellite Photos Show Iran Likely Building New Underground Nuclear Facility

New satellite images widely circulating in international press purport to reveal that Iran has begun construction on an underground nuclear facility at Fordo in Qom province , which lies in the north of the country .
The site has been a suspected place of nuclear development since at least 2009 when it was first uncovered by the West , however , since the US exit from the 2015 nuclear deal which Trump pulled out of in May 2018 , it ’ s believed the Iranians are pursuing underground facilities at the site deep within a protective mountain .
Iran has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the site and has always maintained that its nuclear program , long since subject to rigorous United Nations IAEA inspections , is only for peaceful domestic energy purposes .
Iran has lately threatened to suspend the IAEA inspections , with hardliners in parliament recently giving legal cover to President Hassan Rouhani for such a move , which he hasn ’ t acted on yet .
However , Israel would likely be provoked enough to launch some type of preemptive action on Iran ’ s declared and undeclared nuclear development sites if inspectors were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cameras switched off .
It also remains that the public satellite imaging analysis institutes advancing the claims of a new underground nuclear facility can ’ t ultimately be sure that ’ s what ’ s happening there .
The Associated Press details the satellite images as follows : Construction on the Fordo site began in late September .
Satellite images obtained from Maxar Technologies by the AP show the construction taking place at a northwest corner of the site , near the holy Shiite city of Qom some 90 kilometers ( 55 miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 satellite photo shows what appears to be a dug foundation for a building with dozens of pillars .
Such pillars can be used in construction to support buildings in earthquake zones .
The site is raising suspicions given there ’ s construction happening deep inside the mountain , believed for the purpose of protecting a sensitive part of the facility from airstrikes .
Defense analysts in the West are now carefully monitoring development and changes at the site , also at a sensitive moment the outgoing Trump administration has vowed to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ .
This has reportedly included Secretary of State Mike Pompeo being issued broad authority to pursue covert action to degrade the Islamic Republic ’ s capabilities short of sparking war , according to a report from early this month .
Meanwhile , on Friday Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz stressed that Israeli army forces “ are ready to confront any possibility of the Iranian threat in the region , ” in fresh comments made to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley .
It ’ s an alarming sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Trump presidency , a major conflict with Iran is a distinct possibility , also as hawks fear Biden will restore the JCPOA nuclear deal the moment he takes office .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Israel Is Searching For Pretext To Invade Southern Syria • Israel Will Take Care Of Gulf Monarchies

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
New satellite images widely circulating in international press purport to reveal that Iran has begun construction on an underground nuclear facility at Fordo in Qom province, which lies in the north of the country.
The site has been a suspected place of nuclear development since at least 2009 when it was first uncovered by the West, however, since the US exit from the 2015 nuclear deal which Trump pulled out of in May 2018, it’s believed the Iranians are pursuing underground facilities at the site deep within a protective mountain.
#Fordow Uranium Enrichment Plan #IRAN – New construction activity located in the support/R&D area, 350 meters East of the actual complex. Leveling started in September 2020. Foundation trenches were dug for a new 50x70m structure which purpose is currently unknown. #JCPOA #IMINT pic.twitter.com/k42vTZrJni — Observer IL (@Obs_IL) December 16, 2020
Iran has not publicly disclosed any new construction at the site and has always maintained that its nuclear program, long since subject to rigorous United Nations IAEA inspections, is only for peaceful domestic energy purposes.
Iran has lately threatened to suspend the IAEA inspections, with hardliners in parliament recently giving legal cover to President Hassan Rouhani for such a move, which he hasn’t acted on yet. However, Israel would likely be provoked enough to launch some type of preemptive action on Iran’s declared and undeclared nuclear development sites if inspectors were booted from the country, and monitoring cameras switched off.
It also remains that the public satellite imaging analysis institutes advancing the claims of a new underground nuclear facility can’t ultimately be sure that’s what’s happening there.
Satellite photo by Maxar Technologies showing Iran’s Fordo nuclear site, (Maxar Technologies via AP
The Associated Press details the satellite images as follows:
Construction on the Fordo site began in late September. Satellite images obtained from Maxar Technologies by the AP show the construction taking place at a northwest corner of the site, near the holy Shiite city of Qom some 90 kilometers (55 miles) southwest of Tehran. A December 11 satellite photo shows what appears to be a dug foundation for a building with dozens of pillars. Such pillars can be used in construction to support buildings in earthquake zones.
The site is raising suspicions given there’s construction happening deep inside the mountain, believed for the purpose of protecting a sensitive part of the facility from airstrikes.
Satellite images show construction at Iran's nuclear facility at Fordo https://t.co/QHPwgjtnWG — Los Angeles Times (@latimes) December 18, 2020
Defense analysts in the West are now carefully monitoring development and changes at the site, also at a sensitive moment the outgoing Trump administration has vowed to keep up it’s ‘maximum pressure’.
This has reportedly included Secretary of State Mike Pompeo being issued broad authority to pursue covert action to degrade the Islamic Republic’s capabilities short of sparking war, according to a Daily Beast report from early this month.
Meanwhile, on Friday Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz stressed that Israeli army forces “are ready to confront any possibility of the Iranian threat in the region,” in fresh comments made to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley. It’s an alarming sign that even with just weeks to go in the Trump presidency, a major conflict with Iran is a distinct possibility, also as hawks fear Biden will restore the JCPOA nuclear deal the moment he takes office.
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southfront--2020-12-19--Russian Officer Died During Demining Works In Nagorno-Karabakh

A Russian officer died during demining works the area of Suhsha in the Nagorno-Karabakh region , the Russian Defense Ministry @ @ @ @ @ “ On December 17 , during the demining of a section of the road in @ @ @ @ @ of Shusha , an explosive device was detonated .
As a result of the explosion @ @ @ @ @ demining group of the International Mine Action Center was seriously wounded , ” the Defense @ @ @ @ @ that the serviceman received emergency medical assistance .
“ During the transportation to the hospital @ @ @ @ @ his injuries .
The Ministry of Defense will provide all possible and necessary assistance and @ @ @ @ @ the serviceman , ” the department stressed .
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A Russian officer died during demining works the area of Suhsha in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on December 18.
“On December 17, during the demining of a section of the road in the area of the settlement of Shusha, an explosive device was detonated. As a result of the explosion, an officer of the demining group of the International Mine Action Center was seriously wounded,” the Defense Ministry said.
They noted that the serviceman received emergency medical assistance.
“During the transportation to the hospital, the officer died from his injuries. The Ministry of Defense will provide all possible and necessary assistance and support to the family of the serviceman,” the department stressed.
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southfront--2020-12-19--In Photo: Russian Mi-35M Gunship Locked-On U.S. Apache Helicopter Over Northeastern Syria

On December 18 , the Military Informant channel on Telegram shared a photo showing the gun sight of a Russian Mi-35M gunship locked on a U.S. AH-64 Apache attack helicopter .
The photo was reportedly taken during a recent encounter between Russian and U.S. forces in Syria ’ s northeastern region , where both sides conduct aerial patrols on a regular basis .
The Mi-30M ’ s GSh-23V 23 mm machine gun is capable of engaging aerial targets .
The gunship can be also armed with Igla-V and R-73 air-to-air missiles .
Russia deployed several Mi-35M and Mi-8 helicopters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations of the Russian Military Police in the region .
Russian troops have been observing the ceasefire between the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and Turkish forces .
This year there were many dangerous encounters between the Russian Military Police and U.S. forces in northeastern Syria , especially in northern al-Hasakah .
U.S. forces have been actively working to limit Russian forces ’ freedom of movements in northeastern Syria .
In spite of this , Russian forces are fulfilling their missions and expanding their presence in the region .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Issa After Sustaining Casualties ( Videos ) • Israel Is Searching For Pretext To Invade Southern Syria

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On December 18, the Military Informant channel on Telegram shared a photo showing the gun sight of a Russian Mi-35M gunship locked on a U.S. AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.
The photo was reportedly taken during a recent encounter between Russian and U.S. forces in Syria’s northeastern region, where both sides conduct aerial patrols on a regular basis.
The Mi-30M’s GSh-23V 23 mm machine gun is capable of engaging aerial targets. The gunship can be also armed with Igla-V and R-73 air-to-air missiles.
Russia deployed several Mi-35M and Mi-8 helicopters in northeastern Syria last year to support the operations of the Russian Military Police in the region. Russian troops have been observing the ceasefire between the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and Turkish forces.
This year there were many dangerous encounters between the Russian Military Police and U.S. forces in northeastern Syria, especially in northern al-Hasakah. U.S. forces have been actively working to limit Russian forces’ freedom of movements in northeastern Syria. In spite of this, Russian forces are fulfilling their missions and expanding their presence in the region.
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southfront--2020-12-19--Turkish Proxies Suffer Casualties In IED Explosion In Afrin

Click to see the full-size image At least two members of Turkish-backed Jabhat al-Shamiya were injured , when an IED @ @ @ @ @ the Turkish-occupied city of Afrin in northern Syria .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • @ @ @ @ @ Ain Issa After Sustaining Casualties ( Videos ) • Israel Is Searching For Pretext To @ @ @

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At least two members of Turkish-backed Jabhat al-Shamiya were injured, when an IED explosion targeted their car in the Turkish-occupied city of Afrin in northern Syria.
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southfront--2020-12-19--Turkish-Backed Forces Back Down In Ain Issa After Sustaining Casualties (Videos)

The Turkish-backed Syrian National Army ( SNA ) has toned down its attack on the town of Ain Issa in the northern countryside of Raqqa after failing to make any gains .
SNA militants , backed by the Turkish Armed Forces , launched early on December 18 a large-scale attack on positions of the Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) in the outskirts of Ain Issa .
According to the Hawar News Agency , SDF fighters repelled several ground assaults by the SNA on the town of Mushayrifah .
The town is located near Ain Issa , along the M4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the east and Aleppo from the west .
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said nine militants of the SNA were killed in clashes near Ain Issa .
Turkish-backed militants are toning down their attack on Ain Issa .
Clashes are winding down .
However , the Turkish Armed Forces are still shelling the town and its outskirts .
Units of the Russian Military Police and troops of the Syrian Arab Army , which are deployed around Ain Issa , didn ’ t take part in the clashes .
Nevertheless , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to SDF sources .
SNA sources said earlier today that the attack on Ain Issa was a “ limited military operation.
” The operation , which is nearing its end , appears to be a complete failure .
The SDF , however , will for sure reconsider its presence in northern Raqqa due to the growing Turkish threat .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Rocket Attack Hits U.S. Base In Large Oil Field In Northeastern Syria • After Months Of Speculations , Turkish Forces Launch Attack On Kurdish Forces In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Map )

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The Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) has toned down its attack on the town of Ain Issa in the northern countryside of Raqqa after failing to make any gains.
SNA militants, backed by the Turkish Armed Forces, launched early on December 18 a large-scale attack on positions of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the outskirts of Ain Issa.
According to the Hawar News Agency, SDF fighters repelled several ground assaults by the SNA on the town of Mushayrifah. The town is located near Ain Issa, along the M4 highway that links Raqqa with al-Hasakah from the east and Aleppo from the west.
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said nine militants of the SNA were killed in clashes near Ain Issa.
Turkish-backed militants are toning down their attack on Ain Issa. Clashes are winding down. However, the Turkish Armed Forces are still shelling the town and its outskirts.
Units of the Russian Military Police and troops of the Syrian Arab Army, which are deployed around Ain Issa, didn’t take part in the clashes. Nevertheless, a Syrian soldier was injured by Turkish shelling, according to SDF sources.
SNA sources said earlier today that the attack on Ain Issa was a “limited military operation.” The operation, which is nearing its end, appears to be a complete failure. The SDF, however, will for sure reconsider its presence in northern Raqqa due to the growing Turkish threat.
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southfront--2020-12-19--Israel Is Searching For Pretext To Invade Southern Syria

The Russian military and Russian-backed Syrian forces have been increasing their presence on the border with Iraq .
Less than a week ago , the Russian Military Police established a local HQ in al-Bukamal .
Recently , the 5th Corps of the Syrian Army , known for its links with the Russian military , created a network of border posts in the area .
The move was apparently coordinated with Iranian-backed forces and the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces that actively operate in the border area .
Al-Bukamal is locating less than 30km from the town of al-Qaim , the stronghold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraqi side of the border .
Pro-Israeli sources claim that the increasing Russian presence in southern Deir Ezzor and along the border with Iraq may be a sign of a nearing Iranian withdrawal from the region .
At the same time , there are no indications that Iranian-backed forces are going to withdraw from al-Bukamal anytime soon .
The presence of the Russians on the Iraqi-Syrian border is not something new .
Russian forces played an important role in the anti-ISIS operations in the province , including the liberation of Deir Ezzor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the increasing Russian involvement is likely linked with the ongoing anti-ISIS operations in the central Syrian desert .
Just recently , the ISIS propaganda wing , Amaq , claimed that ISIS militants repelled a large attack of the Syrian Army on its hideouts in the eastern part of Hama province .
3 soldiers were allegedly killed , 10 others were inured and a vehicle was destroyed .
Pro-militant sources also confirmed the increase of Russian airstrikes on terrorist targets in the region .
The remaining ISIS threat in the central part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the situation in the south .
Negative processes have been taking place in Quneitra and Daraa provinces , which remain under the permanent destructive influence of Israel and its special services .
Recently , Israeli media and think tanks have started promoting the idea of the Israeli intervention into the ‘ unstable ’ Syrian south under the pretext of restoring ‘ peace and prosperity ’ in this region .
Therefore , it is possible to expect the resumption of active Israeli military and clandestine operations to undermine the Syrian statehood in this @ @ @

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The Russian military and Russian-backed Syrian forces have been increasing their presence on the border with Iraq.
Less than a week ago, the Russian Military Police established a local HQ in al-Bukamal. Recently, the 5th Corps of the Syrian Army, known for its links with the Russian military, created a network of border posts in the area. The move was apparently coordinated with Iranian-backed forces and the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces that actively operate in the border area.
Al-Bukamal is locating less than 30km from the town of al-Qaim, the stronghold of the Popular Mobilization Forces on the Iraqi side of the border.
Pro-Israeli sources claim that the increasing Russian presence in southern Deir Ezzor and along the border with Iraq may be a sign of a nearing Iranian withdrawal from the region. At the same time, there are no indications that Iranian-backed forces are going to withdraw from al-Bukamal anytime soon.
The presence of the Russians on the Iraqi-Syrian border is not something new. Russian forces played an important role in the anti-ISIS operations in the province, including the liberation of Deir Ezzor, al-Mayadin and al-Bukamal itself. In fact, the increasing Russian involvement is likely linked with the ongoing anti-ISIS operations in the central Syrian desert.
Just recently, the ISIS propaganda wing, Amaq, claimed that ISIS militants repelled a large attack of the Syrian Army on its hideouts in the eastern part of Hama province. 3 soldiers were allegedly killed, 10 others were inured and a vehicle was destroyed. Pro-militant sources also confirmed the increase of Russian airstrikes on terrorist targets in the region.
The remaining ISIS threat in the central part of the country also has a negative impact on the situation in the south. Negative processes have been taking place in Quneitra and Daraa provinces, which remain under the permanent destructive influence of Israel and its special services.
Recently, Israeli media and think tanks have started promoting the idea of the Israeli intervention into the ‘unstable’ Syrian south under the pretext of restoring ‘peace and prosperity’ in this region. Therefore, it is possible to expect the resumption of active Israeli military and clandestine operations to undermine the Syrian statehood in this particular region.
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southfront--2020-12-19--Saudi-led Coalition Destroyed Houthis’ Naval Mine In Red Sea

The Saudi-led coalition announced on December 18 that its naval forces had destroyed a naval mine that was laid by the Yemeni Houthis , officially known as Ansar Allah .
In a statement , Col. Turki Al-Malki , a spokesman for the coalition , said the mine was laid by the Houthis ’ naval units in the southern part of the Red Sea .
The spokesman claimed that the mine was of the Iranian “ Sadaf ” type .
The spokesman went on to reveal that the Saudi-led coalition has removed 171 naval mines laid by the Houthis since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier this week , the Houthis targeted the BW Rhine tanker off the Saudi port city of Jeddah .
The Singapore-flagged tanker was reportedly hit with a remotely-controlled water-born improvised explosive device ( WBIED ) .
A new satellite image shows damage at the western side of the tankers , which burst into flame for hours as a result of the WBIED attack .
The Houthis have been successfully challenging the Saudi-led coalition naval operations in the Red Sea and disturbing Saudi oil exports .
This is mounting more pressure on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its objectives five years into the conflict in Yemen .
• Curse Of Saudis : Tanker Explosions And Other Unfortunate Events

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The Saudi-led coalition announced on December 18 that its naval forces had destroyed a naval mine that was laid by the Yemeni Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah.
In a statement, Col. Turki Al-Malki, a spokesman for the coalition, said the mine was laid by the Houthis’ naval units in the southern part of the Red Sea. The spokesman claimed that the mine was of the Iranian “Sadaf” type.
“The Iranian-backed Houthis hostile acts are threatening the security of Bab al-Mandab Strait,” the spokesman said.
The spokesman went on to reveal that the Saudi-led coalition has removed 171 naval mines laid by the Houthis since the outbreak of the Yemeni war in 2015.
Earlier this week, the Houthis targeted the BW Rhine tanker off the Saudi port city of Jeddah. The Singapore-flagged tanker was reportedly hit with a remotely-controlled water-born improvised explosive device (WBIED).
A new satellite image shows damage at the western side of the tankers, which burst into flame for hours as a result of the WBIED attack.
Satellite Imagery from December 15th morning (7 hours post-incident) assesses that the damage caused to the BW Rhine Oil Tanker in #Jeddah #Saudi Arabia is minor. AIS data courtesy of @MarineTraffic shows that the BW Rhine is now underway to Fujairah #UAE. #IMINT #OOTT pic.twitter.com/L9crStnFQt — Observer IL (@Obs_IL) December 17, 2020
The Houthis have been successfully challenging the Saudi-led coalition naval operations in the Red Sea and disturbing Saudi oil exports. This is mounting more pressure on the Kingdom, which failed to achieve any of its objectives five years into the conflict in Yemen.
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southfront--2020-12-19--Rocket Attack Hits U.S. Base In Large Oil Field In Northeastern Syria

Late on December 17 , a rocket attack targeted a U.S.-led coalition base in one of northeastern Syria ’ s largest oil fields .
Local sources said several rockets struck the base at the al-Omar oil fields in the late hours of the night .
The rockets landed as a U.S.-led coalition convoy was entering the oil fields .
No casualties or material losses have been reported , thus far .
Following the rocket attack , U.S. forces carried out a combing operation in a graveyard next to the oil fields .
Coalition fighter jets and attack helicopters backed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of responsibility for the attack .
ISIS remains the main suspect .
Its cells are highly-active in southeastern Deir Ezzor .
In the last few years , the terrorist group ’ s cells carried out many attacks on the al-Omar oil fields .
Earlier this year , the U.S.-led coalition expanded its based in the al-Omar oil fields .
The U.S. claims its troops are present in northeastern Syria to “ guard ” oil fields from ISIS .
While this was not the first such attack on an oil facility occupied by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an example of the growing threats to U.S. troops in northeastern Syria .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • After Months Of Speculations , Turkish Forces Launch Attack On Kurdish Forces In Syria ’ s Ain Issa ( Videos , Map )

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Late on December 17, a rocket attack targeted a U.S.-led coalition base in one of northeastern Syria’s largest oil fields.
Local sources said several rockets struck the base at the al-Omar oil fields in the late hours of the night. The rockets landed as a U.S.-led coalition convoy was entering the oil fields. No casualties or material losses have been reported, thus far.
Following the rocket attack, U.S. forces carried out a combing operation in a graveyard next to the oil fields. Coalition fighter jets and attack helicopters backed the operation.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. ISIS remains the main suspect. Its cells are highly-active in southeastern Deir Ezzor. In the last few years, the terrorist group’s cells carried out many attacks on the al-Omar oil fields.
Earlier this year, the U.S.-led coalition expanded its based in the al-Omar oil fields. The U.S. claims its troops are present in northeastern Syria to “guard” oil fields from ISIS.
While this was not the first such attack on an oil facility occupied by the coalition, it is without a doubt an example of the growing threats to U.S. troops in northeastern Syria.
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southfront--2020-12-19--Another Victory Of Russian Science: Vector Claimed Successful Trial Of HIV Vaccine

The human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV ) vaccine developed by the Vector Research Center of Rospotrebnadzor is capable to produce antibodies to the virus .
This was confirmed during the first phase of clinical trials in 100 % of volunteers , Vector claimed on December 18 .
The Center clarified that the first phase of clinical studies of the “ CombiHIVvac ” vaccine was conducted in 2011 , and they confirmed that “ the vaccine is safe , does not cause any adverse reaction and induces an HIV-specific humoral and cellular response.
” At the moment , Vector has developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – Novo ” vaccine on the basis of “ CombiHIVvac ” .
The effectiveness of the HIV vaccine can be determined in further clinical studies .
For the first time , the head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova announced that an HIV vaccine had been developed in Russia on December 1 .
According to the Russian State Drug Tariff , permission for clinical trials of the “ CombiHIVvac ” was issued in 2013 , and they will continue until the end of 2021 .
Tests are carried out on 240 volunteers in two medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s medical unit and the infectious diseases center , both institutions are located in the Novosibirsk region .
“ Vector ” reported that the immunoprophylactic HIV/AIDS vaccine contained small fragments of the main viral proteins that are highly conservative for the three HIV-1 subtypes A , B , and C. “ The advantage of such vaccines is that they include only fragments of viral proteins necessary for the formation of specific immunity , do not contain in their composition full – size structures of the virus in their composition , which can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formation of protective immunity or stimulate the development of autoimmune reactions , ” the research center said .
The developers note that the activity of antibodies in the new version of the “ Vector ” HIV vaccine is ten times higher than in the original one .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • The 2020 Worldwide Corona Crisis : Destroying Civil Society , Engineered Economic Depression , Global Coup D ’ Etat And The ” Great Reset ” • Hoarding The Jabs : The Inequalities Of Vaccine Distribution

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The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine developed by the Vector Research Center of Rospotrebnadzor is capable to produce antibodies to the virus. This was confirmed during the first phase of clinical trials in 100% of volunteers, Vector claimed on December 18.
“HIV-specific antibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocytes were identified after double vaccination in 100% of the volunteers; antibodies, masked viruses, that neutralize HIV were traced in 80% of cases,” – Vector said.
The Center clarified that the first phase of clinical studies of the “CombiHIVvac” vaccine was conducted in 2011, and they confirmed that “the vaccine is safe, does not cause any adverse reaction and induces an HIV-specific humoral and cellular response.”
At the moment, Vector has developed an improved version of the “CombiHIVvac – Novo” vaccine on the basis of “CombiHIVvac”. The effectiveness of the HIV vaccine can be determined in further clinical studies.
For the first time, the head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova announced that an HIV vaccine had been developed in Russia on December 1.
According to the Russian State Drug Tariff, permission for clinical trials of the “CombiHIVvac” was issued in 2013, and they will continue until the end of 2021.
Tests are carried out on 240 volunteers in two medical organizations – the Federal Medical-Biological Agency’s medical unit and the infectious diseases center, both institutions are located in the Novosibirsk region.
“Vector” reported that the immunoprophylactic HIV/AIDS vaccine contained small fragments of the main viral proteins that are highly conservative for the three HIV-1 subtypes A, B, and C.
“The advantage of such vaccines is that they include only fragments of viral proteins necessary for the formation of specific immunity, do not contain in their composition full – size structures of the virus in their composition, which can be factors of pathogenicity and/or can inhibit the formation of protective immunity or stimulate the development of autoimmune reactions,” the research center said.
The developers note that the activity of antibodies in the new version of the “Vector” HIV vaccine is ten times higher than in the original one.
“To complete the development of the “CombiHIVvac” vaccine, it is necessary to conduct clinical trials and register the vaccine in the Russian Federation,” Vector said.
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