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The Independent on Sunday has learned that a military decision has been taken in Iran – even before last week’s presidential election – to send a first contingent of 4,000 Iranian Revolutionary Guards to Syria to support President Bashar al-Assad’s forces against the largely Sunni rebellion that has cost almost 100,000 lives in just over two years. Iran is now fully committed to preserving Assad’s regime, according to pro-Iranian sources which have been deeply involved in the Islamic Republic’s security, even to the extent of proposing to open up a new ‘Syrian’ front on the Golan Heights against Israel.
Syrian troops pushed forward with their offensive against rebels Saturday, capturing a suburb near the Damascus international airport as the U.S. warned that the alleged use of chemical weapons by President Bashar Assad's forces and the involvement of the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah in the civil war threaten to put a proposed political settlement out of reach.
Anybody notice how the "brave" and "honorable" A-rabs and Salafi A-rab nationalists in the ME aren't sending anything more than their pocket lint to the Free Syrian Army ?? Once again, the Saud's, Emirati and Qatari A-rabs want others (US and Euros) to fight their fight, just like with Saddam.
France's Former Foreign Minister, Roland Dumas, has stated in a televised program on LCP that UK government officials had told him about preparations for war in Syria two years prior to the start of the 2011 protests and conflict. The reason given for this war is the Syrian government's anti-Israel stance that made Syria a target for Western-backed regime change.
the GCC armies if deployed in the field as an expeditionary force on their own and under their own steam will be chewn up and spat out by any combo of Syrian and Iranian regulars - ofcourse they want to outsource the fighting
^^ their special forces are already fighting inside Syria for the last 2 months.
Meanwhile, expect KSA military to get directly involved this time and take a major role (something happened and it's not clear what exactly.). Situation very serious. Strong rumours of KSA King Abdullah to make a speech today on the subject.
King A of Jo also expected to make a speech today. Morsi suspended all ties with Bashar and called for a NFZ yesterday. He ordered closing of Syrian embassy. Lakhdar Brahimi announced that he is against arming of rebels
shyamd - i know you have great confidence in the capabilities of the GCC forces - however I don't. none of them have a cohesive serious war fighting capability beyond self defence. its no surprise that unkil has kept it that way.
^^ sir they have capabilities... And they haven't proven those capabilities in a while (1990 GWI). Their air capabilities are good.. 1990 they led the first strikes on Iraq. Ground forces - I agree with you they haven't got good rep after fiasco in Yemen. Organisation wise not great. Buy some popcorn and watch. I'd fill up your tank of fuel by the way. 1.30 at the pump now it's probably gonna get higher.
350 British troops to be deployed on Syria border. Special forces in Jo too. Press says this is part of 42 commando who specialise in NBC.
I had the distinct displeasure of being in the "venerable KSA" under the protection of the "custodian of the two holy mosques" and I can still remember how during the First Gulf war when Saddam was lobbing his Scuds at the Saudis blowing up huge apartment buildings full of people, oil tanks burning filling the air with smoke in the capital Riyadh, the Saudi sheiks were "busy" vacationing in France, Britain and the US. Half the Saudi soldiers didn't show up to work with excuses and the other half were busy driving the Americans around their bases and standing watch outside their own barracks and running trying to look important.The Saud King was more worried that the Wahhabi's would stage a coup and take over than bother about Saddam who was lobbing Scuds. They literally "paid" the Americans to come and fight for them and protect them from Saddam! Even Islamic rules that are strictly followed were "suspended" for the Americans - like wearing the hijab, covering their faces, no music etc. This meek and pervasive American (Infidel) presence in Saudi Arabia, what is considered to be Islamic "holy land" was one of the reason's Al Qaeda and Bin Laden in particular hated the Saud family. For all the Hardware and "bases" the Saudi have built, they are utterly incompetent and cowardly soldiers brought up in a culture that has too much money and too little competence. They may have squadrons of F15s and Typhoons but they are so inept and incompetent that even the Sri Lankans can probably invade and "hold" Saudi Arabia. The Saudi National Guard - comprising of Bedouin forces ( the Saudi Pride and joy ) are the only "loyal" forces the Sauds can count on to fight when commanded and these people are paid lavishly despite being basically illiterate nomads who tend camels in their spare time! In nearly 2 decades since - the change is not likely to be significant.
In the case of Saudi Arabia, no matter what "machines" and gear they have, they can't compensate for their lack of "soldiers". Every year they send about a two dozen or so Saudi "fighter pilots" to pretend to learn how to operate their fancy fighter jets and this is what they end up doing : Sergeant in Saudi Arabia's air force jailed in Vegas on New Year's Eve child rape charges Does the man in this picture look like a "soldier" ?
Brando wrote:^^^ :
For all the Hardware and "bases" the Saudi have built, they are utterly incompetent and cowardly soldiers brought up in a culture that has too much money and too little competence. They may have squadrons of F15s and Typhoons but they are so inept and incompetent that even the Sri Lankans can probably invade and "hold" Saudi Arabia. The Saudi National Guard - comprising of Bedouin forces ( the Saudi Pride and joy ) are the only "loyal" forces the Sauds can count on to fight when commanded and these people are paid lavishly despite being basically illiterate nomads who tend camels in their spare time! In nearly 2 decades since - the change is not likely to be significant.
In the case of Saudi Arabia, no matter what "machines" and gear they have, they can't compensate for their lack of "soldiers". ...
But sometimes, on a rare occassion they do find a gem of an irregular. Like this specimen below.
In his first public comments since a decision by United States President Barack Obama's administration to arm rebels trying to overthrow Mr Assad, Mr Putin said Russia wanted to create the conditions for settling the two-year conflict.
"I think you will not deny that one does not really need to support the people who not only kill their enemies, but open up their bodies, eat their intestines, in front of the public and cameras," Mr Putin said at a joint news conference in London with Mr Cameron.
Meanwhile explosion at mezzeh Military airport. People saying its too big to be your average FSA car bomb. Pro Asad blaming Israel for the attack. Observatory says car bomb at checkpoint outside airport
EXCLUSIVE: 1st pics of arms shipments from #Libya via #Turkey to #Syria oppositn --> http://t.co/dzcvV8xJmJ
To put things in perspective, one needs to build on Putin's views. To share the world with these american and british deep state turds with their Jihadi organ-eating black-towel worshipping bunnies is not happening. Either they live or we do. It would be a right idea for Putin and the Govts of China and India (not mumble's govt ofcourse) to spike the Earth's core and vulnerable crust plates with high yield fusion nukes so that if and when these turds get along with their plan of neutralizing all opposition and organizing regime change through economic malarkey and street protests, naxals, gladio and whatever Putin & Co are in a position to destroy the ground underneath their feet. Screw the earth if they are winning, will make a good backup plan. There should be no earth left for these turds to peddle their wares on.
The rest can fly to mars or someplace else where they feel closer to their makers.
What Russia is keen for is negotiated settlement and Bashar will have to go to make way for some one broadly agreed upon , I think what they dont want is complete steam rolling by Rebels which will have consequences far beyond Syria borders , beyond that Russia role is very much overrated as Syria is not part of CSTO entity and Russia has no legal obligation to support them. They are pretty much shit scared of rise of Wahabi/Deoband types in Chechnya after the steam rolling and probably even a full scale ME war.
What will matter is the support from Iran and Iraq as they are major Shiah population base and Assad has served as buffer to Iran hence the stakes are most high for Iran.
It wont be a surprise if the French Foreign minister said that UK had plans much before 2010 to take on Syria when and if that plan materalises where will that plan lead to into in the end , some one would be knocking on Irans door next and it wont just be the rebels then it would be a combined effort of NATO/US and Israel to take on Iran with support from GCC state.
Wont either be surprised if Iran goes nuclear if Syria is controlled by rebels perhaps the only way to keep their Sovereignty intact , they have all the material to build perhaps many N weapons and the question is when.
I hope the new Iran President is not naive enough to give up its Nuclear Weapons capability in return for some negotiated settlement as west is keen for , If any thing else they would have learnt their lessons from Libya/Gadafi fate once he gave up his NCW and BM program in return for some false promised from West he was decimated.
My take is that Russia view Syria as another Afghanistan where Chechens are busy engaged as supposed against Russian troops. As long as the war drags on and the jihadis are engaged in Syria it keeps russia safer. I think Putin would be stupid to let go of Bashar. But in light of the larger regional instability and the humanitarian situation they should opt for a negotiated solution.
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@TelegraphNews: Defence chiefs to reverse cuts to meet Syria's chemical weapons threat http://t.co/qdqflnfhOt by @ddamned
2nd confirmation today. They are issuing message to investors in saudi capital markets, that don't get spooked "our intervention will be short and our role is limited".
I think KSA is doing its own unilateral action. Western action will depend a lot on Putin meeting today.
Saudi action will be sooner apparently. But I emphasize this source is correct about 75% of the time.
Can anyone confirm what aircraft this is? Hovering over southern city of Deraa yesterday. Apparently not one of asads
Last edited by shyamd on 17 Jun 2013 15:15, edited 1 time in total.
come come dear chap, the summer is almost upon us - the saudis will be too busy frequenting the bars, restaurants and nightclubs of london and paris to bother with tiresome things like taking military action!
euwwww...
Lalmohan wrote:come come dear chap, the summer is almost upon us - the saudis will be too busy frequenting the bars, restaurants and nightclubs of london and paris to bother with tiresome things like taking military action!
euwwww...
Ramadan too in July. They returned from holiday in Morocco. They were meant to stay till after Ramadan.
and ofcourse you can't fight during ramadan (without special dispensation, etc.) and then there is the hajj to be managed... no, no, no... this is no time for rash military actions!
2 people sitting in 2 different countries confirming something is up. If they are warning capital markets then you know something is up.
Saudi markets dropped a lot the other day.
Can anyone get us a Syrian currency movement graph for the last 3 months?
3rd confirmation - Hamas just issued a statement on Syria. Asking Hezb to withdraw and keep its weapons directed at the zionist enemy. Hezb intervention is increasing sectarianism and polarization. They recognise the freedom and aspirations of the people of Syria. Asking them to stay united.
They met on the weekend in Beirut.
Update: Rus Foreign Min spokesman says Russia will not allow a No Fly Zone
Major incident in Hadhramout Yemen. Troops storming an airport there.
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Saudi supplying missiles to Syria rebels-Gulf source
Source: Reuters - Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:15 PM
DUBAI, June 17 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia began supplying anti-aircraft missiles to the Syrian opposition "on a small scale" about two months ago, a Gulf source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday.
The shoulder-fired weapons were obtained mostly from suppliers in France and Belgium, the source said, adding that France had paid for the transport of the weapons to the region. (Reporting by Amena Bakr, Editing by William Maclean and Jon Boyle)
They are implementing a de-facto NFZ. Source told me they had these plans last year.
saudi arabia and qatar - seem to be the designated pakistan of the arab world and maghreb - superpawa top cover and a license to spread mayhem all over the place. TSP is unique in being omnirole ... serves one fn for allah, one for america, one for china.
Last edited by Singha on 17 Jun 2013 18:22, edited 1 time in total.
>> Turkey is now housing 59 defected Syrian generals. Seven generals defected to Turkey today.
are generals more prolific in middle east armies? how many generals does the indian army have? no army could function with 59 generals going away!
methinks these generals have the responsibility of a Lt Col & Col in other armies...ie batallion commanders.
Singha wrote:saudi arabia and qatar - seem to be the designated pakistan of the arab world and maghreb - superpawa top cover and a license to spread mayhem all over the place.
What about Jordan? Methinks the Saudis have huge stakes to pre-empt the Summer rolling into Jordan and that is why efforts are on to deflect any blowback from the Spring onto Turkey and Iran, letting them absorb the after-shocks of the Spring.
Petro-dollars, funding infra building overseas, changing visa rules to allow more Saudis into the workforce- all of these so called moves masked as *reforms*, in order to avoid riots in Riyadh or Amman.