Russian Media Lauds Syrian Army Advances -- & Adds A Dash Of Patriotism
Russian pro-Kremlin media is lauding news of Syrian loyalist advances ahead of the Syria talks, which are set to start on Jan. 29.
RIA Novosti has published a series of photographs of Syrian government forces in Darayya, a suburb of Damascus, with the headline "A War For Every Meter."
In a second report, RIA notes how the Syrian "Desert Falcons" have been decorated with an award for bravery during the recapture of rebel-held towns in northern Latakia province.
Naturally, the award ceremony mentioned Oleg Peshkov, the Russian Su-24 pilot killed in Latakia province after Turkish warplanes downed his fighter jet in November.
RIA quotes a Syrian commander, Ayman Jaber, as saying:
"Today we remember that day when the Russian plane was downed. And we remember that Lt. Col. Oleg Peshkov was heroically killed then. Therefore we have taken the best team from the Falcons and given them a task: liberate the Turkmen Mountain and destroy the terrorists who killed the Russian pilot."
Jaber went on to say that the Falcons succeeded thanks to the Russian air force, "who helped us a lot."
Syrian Army Capture Of Sheikh Miskeen 'Turns Tide Of War' -- Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera has described the capture of the southern Syrian town of Sheikh Miskeen by Syrian army forces as turning the tide of the war.
The fall of Sheikh [Miskeen] on Monday means that government forces will strengthen their hold on [Daraa] province, while cutting off rebel factions from key supply lines.
[Daraa], the scene of the earliest protests against the Syrian government in 2011, contains routes crucial to both the Syrian army and rebel fighters.
"The town is very important for both sides. They have both fought fiercely. Now, by taking it, the regime has cut off the rebels links between eastern and western [Daraa]," said Rami Abdulrahman, head of the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which tracks violence in the country through a wide network of local sources.
IS Shrugging Off U.S. Air Strikes: Iraqi Shi'ite Paramilitary Leader
The IS group is withstanding U.S.-led air strikes in Iraq, Hadi al-Amiri, the leader of a powerful Shi'ite militia group, has told Reuters.
"Many of its leadership have been killed but one should know that Daesh (IS) is still strong," said Amiri, leader of the Badr Organization whose armed wing has been fighting alongside Iraqi security forces to recapture territory seized by IS.
"Their attacks are still daring and swift and their morale is high. They still have money and weapons."
Individuals Proposed By Russia Invited To Syria Talks: Reuters
Some of the individuals whom Russia proposed should attend the upcoming Syria peace talks in Geneva have got invitations, two people who got invitations have told Reuters.
"I have been invited, and Haitham Manaa, Saleh Muslim [one of the leaders of the Syrian Kurdish PYD], Ilham Ahmed and Qadri Jamil. We were invited individually," Randa Kassis, president of the Movement of the Pluralistic Society, told Reuters.
However, when asked by Reuters, Muslim said that he had yet to be invited.
Israeli Defense Minister: IS Enjoyed Turkish Money For Oil For A Long Time
Israel's Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon has said that the IS group has "enjoyed Turkish money" for oil for a long time.
"It's up to Turkey, to the Turkish government, to the Turkish leadership, whether they want to be part of this or that cooperation in the war on terror. This is not the case so far. As you know, IS has been enjoying Turkish money for oil for a very, very long time. I hope that this will end," Ya'alon told reporters in Athens this afternoon, according to the Hebrew press.
Capture Of Syrian Town Reveals 'Hypocrisy Of Russian Targeting' -- UK
The capture by Syrian government forces of the southern Syrian town of Sheikh Miskeen "reveals the hypocrisy of Russian targeting" in Syria, the UK's Special Representative for Syria, Gareth Bayley, has said.
"Despite having themselves defined the Southern Front and Free Syrian Army as opposition groups -- not extremists -- Russia and the Asad regime bombarded the town, causing massive destruction," Bayley said in a statement.
"This blatant targeting of opposition groups is deeply concerning, particularly as it comes just days before UN-led negotiations for a political settlement leading to transition in Syria."
More Footage Inside Recaptured Town Of Sheikh Miskeen, Syria
Russia Today has published more footage taken inside the southern Syrian town of Sheikh Miskeen in Daraa province. The strategic town was recaptured today from rebels by Syrian loyalist forces backed by Russian air strikes.
Rebel Infighting Major Cause Of Loss Of Sheikh Miskeen -- Syria Direct
Rebel infighting contributed to the loss of the southern Syrian town of Sheikh Miskeen to Syrian government forces, citizen journalists and rebel spokesmen have told Syria Direct.
“One of the main reasons for the fall of Sheikh Miskeen has been ongoing infighting between Harakat al-Muthanna and the [FSA-affiliated] Southern Front,” Mahameed told Syria Direct Tuesday.
The full report is here.
Videos Show Suffering In Starving Syrian Town Of Madaya
CNN has published videos shot in the besieged Syrian town of Madaya. The videos show emaciated people suffering ten days after the last aid convoy brought emergency relief.
The town is still surrounded by pro-government forces.
A doctor in the town's makeshift hospital, in the basement of a house, said that one woman named Lama Issa died Monday from acute malnutrition, after not responding to treatment with intravenous drips; a man was also said to have died. CNN cannot independently confirm their deaths.
One of the videos CNN was able to verify shows a man, Fawaz Saeef Aldin, 50, almost unconscious, his stomach concave from longstanding malnutrition. Lamar, his 9-month-old granddaughter is next to him, her face skeletal.
We are now closing the live blog for today. Join us again tomorrow morning for all the latest news on Islamic State.