Big Russian Fleet Nears Syria. Iran To Fight Regime Change As Foreign Forces Pile Up

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Quigley_Sharps, Jul 26, 2012.


  1. Quigley_Sharps

    Quigley_Sharps The Badministrator Administrator Founding Member

    rab forces were piling up on Syrian borders Wednesday, July 25, bringing closer a war confrontation which could spur the Assad regime into making good on its threat to use chemical weapons against “external aggression.”
    Based on this reading, Moscow added its voice Tuesday to that of US President Obama and warned Bashar Assad against using chemical weapons in view of “its commitments under the international convention it ratified prohibiting the use of poisonous gases as a method of warfare.”
    DEBKAfile’s military sources: With operational intelligence deployment and electronic stations positioned inside Syria, the Russians are better placed than any other outsiders to know what is happening on Syria’s battlefields. Their warning must therefore be tied to solid information confirming Washington’s assessment that Assad is dangerously close to deciding to use his chemical and biological weapons in a way that would precipitate a regional conflict.
    Israel, Turkey and Jordan would be the first targets on his list.
    The immediacy of the peril, DEBKAfile’s military sources report, has speeded the arrival of Russian warships to Syria to counter a potential Western, Arab or Israeli assault on the embattled country.
    The Russian Ministry of Defense, which rarely discloses Russian military movements outside its borders, announced early Wednesday morning, July 25 that a fleet of Russian warships had passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and entered the Mediterranean.

    The fleet is headed by the anti-submarine and anti-aircraft Admiral Chabanenko warship and consists of another three vessels carrying a large number of Russian marines. This fleet will rendezvous with a Russian flotilla standing by in the Mediterranean since July 21, detached from Russian Black Fleet and composed of the Smetlivy figate and two large landing craft loaded with Russian marines. This group awaited the main force before approaching Syria.
    The fact that Russia is massing large numbers of marines off the Syrian coast looks as though a landing on Syrian soil is on Moscow’s cards.
    The Russian marine contingent, DEBKAfile’s sources say, will stand ready - either to come to the aid of the Assad regime or to serve as a bargaining chip for a last-minute deal between Moscow and Washington for ending the war by establishing a transitional military regime in Damascus whose makeup would be agreed between them and Assad.
    US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hinted at this possibility on Tuesday, July 24, when she said: “We do believe that it is not too late for the Assad regime to commence with planning for a transition.”

    But Clinton also hinted, in a more threatening tone, that a situation is developing for the creation of safe zones in rebel-controlled areas of Syria. “More and more territory is being taken and it will, eventually, result in a safe haven inside Syria which will then provide a base for further actions by the opposition,” she said.
    Clinton didn’t name the potential protectors of those havens. However, since the Syrian rebels are short of manpower, Western, Muslim or Arab defenders would have to be called in.
    Wednesday, British military sources in London said the moment is rushing forward for British forces to get involved in what is happening in Syria. Iran and Turkey are not indifferent either.

    Deputy Iranian Revolutionary Guard chief, Gen. Masoud Jazayeri, warned on Tuesday, July 24, that Tehran would not permit regime change in Damascus and if Syria’s enemies intervened, Iran would hit them hard. The Iranian commander pointed a finger at Saudi Arabia and Qatar, adding that the US and Israel are at the forefront of the comprehensive campaign against Syria but are being beaten back.
    This was the first time Tehran had explicitly threatened military intervention in Syria.

    Wednesday, Turkey shut its border crossings to Syria. Military sources in Ankara confirmed that massive Turkish military strength had been on the move toward the Syrian border.
     
  2. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    One mis-step, however slight --
     
    Quigley_Sharps likes this.
  3. TheEconomist

    TheEconomist Creighton Bluejay

    good read
     
  4. Nadja

    Nadja RIP 3-11-2013 Forum Leader

    This has been building since I was a very young little boy. Duck and Cover. This is shaping up to be a game of chicken between puterhead and oscared one in the white house. Could get really interesting very very quickly now. One little spark and Poof ! End game. Buy more food.
     
  5. Silversnake

    Silversnake Silverback

    Since Turkey is part of NATO and Syria shot down Turkish planes that opens the door for NATO escalation.
     
  6. TheEconomist

    TheEconomist Creighton Bluejay

    NATO, thats an organization I can get behind.

    This could open the door for NATO activity. The only thing here is that Russia is a non-voting associate of NATO. This being the case they would have to tread lightly.
     
  7. TwoCrows

    TwoCrows Monkey++

  8. Clyde

    Clyde Jet Set Tourer Administrator Founding Member

    We don't need another war. It is still about oil and the reality is....We are NATO. The rest of them are just coasting on our coattails.
     
    Quigley_Sharps and BTPost like this.
  9. Nadja

    Nadja RIP 3-11-2013 Forum Leader

    But don't forget we are also paying all the bills as usual
     
  10. Clyde

    Clyde Jet Set Tourer Administrator Founding Member

    Yes, Nadja, that is what I meant. They send 100 men, 2 planes and we pay for it all. NATO is a one way street of US protection to Europe.
     
  11. Gunny Highway

    Gunny Highway Hard Work and Sacrifice blessed by God's Grace

    I for one am real tired of doing it all by ourselves - or should I say with just us and the UK
     
  12. Clyde

    Clyde Jet Set Tourer Administrator Founding Member

    Don't forget all the help from our good friends the [FF]. Always willing to send a mirage and a few guys who will help out.....and we can't forget Sodexo.....what would we do without them but hire a US company.
     
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