"Russia has begun intervention in Syria," says Israeli site
Russia "has begun its military intervention in Syria, deploying an aerial contingent to a permanent Syrian base to attack ISIS and Islamist rebels."
Source: ynetnews.com
Close the entire text of the article here
The report quoted Western diplomats to say that "a Russian expeditionary force has already arrived in Syria and set up camp in an Assad-controlled air base," and added:
"The base is said to be in area surrounding Damascus, and will serve, for all intents and purposes, as a Russian forward operating base."
According to the website, "in the coming weeks thousands of Russian military personnel are set to touch down in Syria, including advisors, instructors, logistics personnel, technical personnel, members of the aerial protection division, and the pilots who will operate the aircraft."
As for "the current makeup of the expeditionary force" it is "still unknown - but there is no doubt that Russian pilots flying combat missions in Syrian skies will definitely change the existing dynamics in the Middle East."
The article also quoted "past reports that stated the Russians were in talks to sell the Syrians a package of MiG-29 fighter jets, and Yak-130 trainer jets which can also serve as attack aircraft."
The Israeli website added that "the Russians do not harbor offensive intentions towards Israel or other sovereign states in the area, and their main stated goal is battling ISIS and preserving Assad's rule," but that " their presence will represent a challenge to the Israeli Air Force's freedom of operation in the skies above the Middle East."
Further, "Western diplomatic sources have emphasized that the Obama administration is fully aware of the Russian intent to intervene directly in Syria, but has yet to issue any reaction."
According to the article, "the absence of a vocal opposition from the Obama administration is compounded by its cessation of calls for the dissolution of Assad's murderous regime."
"The Iranians and the Russians - with the U.S. well aware- have begun the struggle to reequip the Syrian army, which has been left in tatters by the civil war," said Ynet, adding that "during the entire duration of the civil war, the Russians have consistently sent a weapons supply ship to the Russian held port of Tartus in Syria on a weekly basis."
However, the article said, "the Russians are not the only ones coordinating their Middle East policy with the Iranians," as "the U.S. has also jumped aboard that train."
"American government officials have been holding intensive consultations with representatives of the Iranian regime concerning a stronger joint effort against ISIS in Iraq. It seems that the U.S. government currently views Iran as a central and necessary force in the campaign against ISIS within Iraq," said Ynet.
If Russia supports the regime, it also becomes responsible for ensuring its reasonable behaviour in line with international norms. People do not want to function perpetually under repressive regimes - a civilised society has to take account of its people's reasonable views.
(Bob, 2 September 2015 01:12)
Bob,
I would generally agree with your argument if Putin were a trustworthy individual, however, I'm sure you would agree on many occasions in the past, Putin has proven himself to be ruthlessly underhanded and does not deserve to be given the benefit of the doubt. He is not an ally of the West and never has been. There is one point on which I would disagree with you. The U.S. did not stand aside, they continue to bomb IS. Furthermore, Putin has not indicated he will act against IS directly and I doubt he ever will unless the U.S. agrees to lift sanctions. However, that will never happen unless little Vlad rolls over and withdraws from Crimea then ends hostilities in Eastern Ukraine. Lastly, do you actually believe Putin's repressive regime takes account of its people's reasonable views and would Putin insist Assad do the same.
(The Count of Kosova, 3 September 2015 03:07)
I have little regard for Assad, but much less for so-called IS. Just as the US is standing aside while Russia has a go at IS from Damascus, it might be good if Turkey could come to a truce with the PKK so that they can both be free to continue their attacks on the evil so-called IS.
To any Islamic (I will for once out of politeness use the capital letter) who takes his or her religion seriously, I would suggest that for the honour of the religion, the destruction of the evil so-called IS should be taken as a Jihad obligation on all Muslims (capital letter again).
IS is NOT Islam. It is not even Islamic.
Once that evil organisation is destroyed (the best thing for it) the world will be a better place.
I hope too that Russia will at some stage ensure that the heavy hand of Assad will be given a slap on the wrist because of his previous inability to satisfy the needs of the moderate Syrians who were originally making legitimate peaceful protest.
If Russia supports the regime, it also becomes responsible for ensuring its reasonable behaviour in line with international norms. People do not want to function perpetually under repressive regimes - a civilised society has to take account of its people's reasonable views.
(Bob, 2 September 2015 01:12)
I hope this is true. ISIS terrorists will be quickly destroyed by Russian planes supporting brave Syrians soldiers. ISIS command-and-control units will quickly retreat to their NATO bases in Turkey.
(Michael Thomas, 1 September 2015 14:17)
I hope this is true. ISIS terrorists will be quickly destroyed by Russian planes supporting brave Syrians soldiers. ISIS command-and-control units will quickly retreat to their NATO bases in Turkey.
(Michael Thomas, 1 September 2015 14:17)
I have little regard for Assad, but much less for so-called IS. Just as the US is standing aside while Russia has a go at IS from Damascus, it might be good if Turkey could come to a truce with the PKK so that they can both be free to continue their attacks on the evil so-called IS.
To any Islamic (I will for once out of politeness use the capital letter) who takes his or her religion seriously, I would suggest that for the honour of the religion, the destruction of the evil so-called IS should be taken as a Jihad obligation on all Muslims (capital letter again).
IS is NOT Islam. It is not even Islamic.
Once that evil organisation is destroyed (the best thing for it) the world will be a better place.
I hope too that Russia will at some stage ensure that the heavy hand of Assad will be given a slap on the wrist because of his previous inability to satisfy the needs of the moderate Syrians who were originally making legitimate peaceful protest.
If Russia supports the regime, it also becomes responsible for ensuring its reasonable behaviour in line with international norms. People do not want to function perpetually under repressive regimes - a civilised society has to take account of its people's reasonable views.
(Bob, 2 September 2015 01:12)
If Russia supports the regime, it also becomes responsible for ensuring its reasonable behaviour in line with international norms. People do not want to function perpetually under repressive regimes - a civilised society has to take account of its people's reasonable views.
(Bob, 2 September 2015 01:12)
Bob,
I would generally agree with your argument if Putin were a trustworthy individual, however, I'm sure you would agree on many occasions in the past, Putin has proven himself to be ruthlessly underhanded and does not deserve to be given the benefit of the doubt. He is not an ally of the West and never has been. There is one point on which I would disagree with you. The U.S. did not stand aside, they continue to bomb IS. Furthermore, Putin has not indicated he will act against IS directly and I doubt he ever will unless the U.S. agrees to lift sanctions. However, that will never happen unless little Vlad rolls over and withdraws from Crimea then ends hostilities in Eastern Ukraine. Lastly, do you actually believe Putin's repressive regime takes account of its people's reasonable views and would Putin insist Assad do the same.
(The Count of Kosova, 3 September 2015 03:07)
I hope this is true. ISIS terrorists will be quickly destroyed by Russian planes supporting brave Syrians soldiers. ISIS command-and-control units will quickly retreat to their NATO bases in Turkey.
(Michael Thomas, 1 September 2015 14:17)
I have little regard for Assad, but much less for so-called IS. Just as the US is standing aside while Russia has a go at IS from Damascus, it might be good if Turkey could come to a truce with the PKK so that they can both be free to continue their attacks on the evil so-called IS.
To any Islamic (I will for once out of politeness use the capital letter) who takes his or her religion seriously, I would suggest that for the honour of the religion, the destruction of the evil so-called IS should be taken as a Jihad obligation on all Muslims (capital letter again).
IS is NOT Islam. It is not even Islamic.
Once that evil organisation is destroyed (the best thing for it) the world will be a better place.
I hope too that Russia will at some stage ensure that the heavy hand of Assad will be given a slap on the wrist because of his previous inability to satisfy the needs of the moderate Syrians who were originally making legitimate peaceful protest.
If Russia supports the regime, it also becomes responsible for ensuring its reasonable behaviour in line with international norms. People do not want to function perpetually under repressive regimes - a civilised society has to take account of its people's reasonable views.
(Bob, 2 September 2015 01:12)
If Russia supports the regime, it also becomes responsible for ensuring its reasonable behaviour in line with international norms. People do not want to function perpetually under repressive regimes - a civilised society has to take account of its people's reasonable views.
(Bob, 2 September 2015 01:12)
Bob,
I would generally agree with your argument if Putin were a trustworthy individual, however, I'm sure you would agree on many occasions in the past, Putin has proven himself to be ruthlessly underhanded and does not deserve to be given the benefit of the doubt. He is not an ally of the West and never has been. There is one point on which I would disagree with you. The U.S. did not stand aside, they continue to bomb IS. Furthermore, Putin has not indicated he will act against IS directly and I doubt he ever will unless the U.S. agrees to lift sanctions. However, that will never happen unless little Vlad rolls over and withdraws from Crimea then ends hostilities in Eastern Ukraine. Lastly, do you actually believe Putin's repressive regime takes account of its people's reasonable views and would Putin insist Assad do the same.
(The Count of Kosova, 3 September 2015 03:07)