PDA

View Full Version : Russian Anti-Terror Troops Arrive in Syria



Mister D
03-19-2012, 03:18 PM
A Russian military unit has arrived in Syria, according to Russian news reports, a development that a United Nations Security Council source told ABC News was "a bomb" certain to have serious repercussions.
Russia, one of President Bashar al-Assad's strongest allies despite international condemnation of the government's violent crackdown on the country's uprising, has repeatedly blocked the United Nations Security Council's attempts to halt the violence, accusing the U.S. and its allies of trying to start another war.
Now the Russian Black Sea fleet's Iman tanker has arrived in the Syrian port of Tartus on the Mediterranean Sea with an anti-terror squad from the Russian Marines aboard according to the Interfax news agency. The Assad government has insisted it is fighting a terrorist insurgency.

The Iman replaced another Russian ship "which had been sent to Syria for demonstrating (sic) the Russian presence in the turbulent region and possible evaluation of Russian citizens," the Black Sea Fleet told Interfax.

http://news.yahoo.com/russian-anti-terror-troops-arrive-syria-164035966--abc-news.html

Mister D
03-19-2012, 03:19 PM
The headline on the main Yahoo page was "Russian troops roll into to support Assad". It was a little misleading. They made it sound like a large force.

Conley
03-19-2012, 03:46 PM
Wow, that is huge news. I agree the Yahoo headline is misleading but still...if those troops disembark and begin fighting along side Assad's forces, look out! I know Russia wants their port but I thought Assad had already turned the tide without needing Russian forces.

Mister D
03-19-2012, 03:50 PM
I'd imagine they are a special ops unit but I guess we'll hear more about them soon enough. The UN isn't happy.

Conley
03-19-2012, 03:52 PM
I'd imagine they are a special ops unit but I guess we'll hear more about them soon enough. The UN isn't happy.

Yeah, it makes sense that they'd be specops. Part of me enjoys it when the UN gets pissed off. :grin:

Mister D
03-19-2012, 03:55 PM
Yeah, it makes sense that they'd be specops. Part of me enjoys it when the UN gets pissed off. :grin:

Same here. It's not like they are going to do much about anything. :grin:

Peter1469
03-19-2012, 04:31 PM
Russia needs to keep the US busy now that we have left Iraq and are considering leaving Afghanistan.

Conley
03-19-2012, 04:40 PM
Just in time for the excrement to hit the fan in Iran.

Mister D
03-19-2012, 05:43 PM
Hopefully the Russians can clue us in on why we care about Syria.

Conley
03-19-2012, 06:03 PM
Hopefully the Russians can clue us in on why we care about Syria.

:laugh: I know, right? I mean they want a warm water port. We want... :huh:

Mister D
03-19-2012, 06:06 PM
:laugh: I know, right? I mean they want a warm water port. We want... :huh:

http://thepoliticalforums.com/image.php?u=4&dateline=1325016614

Mister D
03-19-2012, 06:08 PM
Seriously, this is why I've been sticking to my guns as far as my views regarding the neocons and assorted liberals. Ideology (universalism, democracy etc.) plays a big role in this.

Conley
03-19-2012, 06:12 PM
Right. It makes no sense. It's a civil war. Furthermore, if the Russians want to get bogged down in it and waste their resources, so be it. It's no business of ours.

Mister D
03-19-2012, 06:15 PM
Right. It makes no sense. It's a civil war. Furthermore, if the Russians want to get bogged down in it and waste their resources, so be it. It's no business of ours.

Exactly. What would this be? Our 4th intervention in the Mideast in a decade!?

Peter1469
03-19-2012, 06:31 PM
Hopefully the Russians can clue us in on why we care about Syria.

Hopefully we don't fall for it and ignore Syria at least overtly.

Mister D
03-19-2012, 06:51 PM
Hopefully we don't fall for it and ignore Syria at least overtly.

I have a feeling this is all ideological. That is, we have a supposed interest in pushing liberal western values.

Peter1469
03-19-2012, 07:04 PM
I have a feeling this is all ideological. That is, we have a supposed interest in pushing liberal western values.

What we do have is an interest in anti-Shiite values and sticking Iran in the eye. But that does not rise to the level of conventional war.

MMC
03-19-2012, 07:12 PM
The headline on the main Yahoo page was "Russian troops roll into to support Assad". It was a little misleading. They made it sound like a large force.

Yep.....I was thinking right off the top that they sent in all sorts of troops from tht headline. Still, Putin didn't waste any time did he?

Mister D
03-19-2012, 07:46 PM
What we do have is an interest in anti-Shiite values and sticking Iran in the eye. But that does not rise to the level of conventional war.

Not even close. I would have no problem with covert support for Iran's enemies. After all, they do the same to us.

Mister D
03-19-2012, 07:47 PM
Yep.....I was thinking right off the top that they sent in all sorts of troops from tht headline. Still, Putin didn't waste any time did he?

Yeah, when I saw the headline I was like...oh shit.

MMC
03-19-2012, 07:49 PM
Still.....right now thats what Hillary and Obama are saying. Oh Shit! :laugh:

Mister D
03-19-2012, 07:50 PM
Still.....right now thats what Hillary and Obama are saying. Oh Shit! :laugh:

Apparently, so is the UN.

roadmaster
03-19-2012, 08:00 PM
Russians had already said they would side with Iran. It's just a matter of time before a war starts.

MMC
03-19-2012, 08:21 PM
Personally I don't think anything is jumping off with Iran. As they now have enough material for 6 bombs. Technically they don't need to do this sabre-rattling. All they have to do is sit back and wait.

I think it is clear for all to see. Iran has basically told all. Then.....jump niggazs! Thats strictly in straight up street terms. :wink: :laugh:

MMC
03-19-2012, 08:50 PM
Here let me add this to mix.....the UN may be stuttering. But I think Team-Obama and The Bench Player,(France) were given a dose of reality.

Unlike Gaddafi, Assad has hugely upgraded his air-and-sea-attack capabilities since the revolt against him erupted a year ago, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), which tracks the opaque defense industry. In its yearly report on global arms transfers, also to be published on Monday, SIPRI lists billions spent by Assad on state-of-the-art Russian systems, much of which has been delivered during the past year. "This is a major upgrade," says Paul Holtom, SIPRI senior researcher on arms transfers. "Any discussions about an air attack on Syria would be more challenging than it would have been previously."

Last year, Russia delivered as many as 36 Pantsyr-SI antiaircraft missiles to Syria, according to SIPRI. Lightweight and mobile, the medium-range missiles can be mounted on the back of trucks, making them difficult for combat jets to target. In addition, the organization believes Russia has recently delivered upgraded versions of the MiG-29 combat aircraft to Syria. And it has upgraded hundreds of T-72 tanks every year since 2007, fitting them with far more modern weapons; in recent weeks, opposition activists in the besieged city of Homs filmed video footage showing T-72 tanks in action during the assault on the city.

Aside from the Pantsyr, Russia also sent Syria other modern antiaircraft missiles last year, including about 40 SA-17 Grizzly missiles and two medium-range SA-17 Buk systems, according to SIPRI. And despite the worlds outrage over Assad's crackdown, Assad announced a $550 million deal with Russia in January for 36 light training and combat aircraft called Yak-130.

MMC
03-20-2012, 11:42 AM
http://www.nowtheendbegins.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/russian-troops-enter-syria-march-19-2012.jpg
The Russian Black Sea fleet's Iman tanker has arrived in the Syrian port of Tartus on the Mediterranean Sea with an anti-terror squad from the Russian Marines aboard.

Sure is a funny looking tanker.....isn't it? :undecided:

Mister D
03-20-2012, 11:45 AM
http://www.nowtheendbegins.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/russian-troops-enter-syria-march-19-2012.jpg
The Russian Black Sea fleet's Iman tanker has arrived in the Syrian port of Tartus on the Mediterranean Sea with an anti-terror squad from the Russian Marines aboard.

Sure is a funny looking tanker.....isn't it? :undecided:

:laugh:

MMC
03-20-2012, 11:51 AM
Wonder if Putin decided this after those French Soldiers were caught inside Syria? The Iranians have stated they are aware of this. So it looks like they are watching with interest too.

Mister D
03-20-2012, 11:54 AM
Wonder if Putin decided this after those French Soldiers were caught inside Syria? The Iranians have stated they are aware of this. So it looks like they are watching with interest too.

That was a while back though assuming it was true. It looks like the opposition is pretty much beaten and has been reduced to guerrilla tactics. Maybe that's why.

MMC
03-20-2012, 11:58 AM
Looks like they jumped off with attacks in Assad's Capital. I think the Russians will help stop that. But with the Ship thingy. It's like the Russians are saying.....call it what you like. We say Tanker!!!!!

Mister D
03-20-2012, 11:59 AM
Looks like they jumped off with attacks in Assad's Capital. I think the Russians will help stop that. But with the Ship thingy. It's like the Russians are saying.....call it what you like. We say Tanker!!!!!

Sure doesn't look like a tanker. :grin: This may break down into an insurgency type deal so the arrival of those Russian specialists makes sense.

Conley
03-20-2012, 12:13 PM
With all those armaments delivered over the past year it surprises me Assad has had so much trouble crushing this rebellion. It doesn't seem like he has held too much back in terms of brutality.

Mister D
03-20-2012, 12:24 PM
The Syrian army may not be competent.

MMC
03-20-2012, 02:26 PM
The Syrian army may not be competent.

Well one thing is for sure the Sunni rebels, no matter what conflict they are in. Are not competant either. Althought Assad seems to have the upper hand on them for the moment. I doubt that he can stop them from making atacks. But he can make sure they have no means to set up bases.