Syria

Loco

It seems I was wrong about the S-300 missile defence system being deployed in Syria, they had been ordered but, not delivered because they were not paid for! According to this website anyhow, I bet they wish they had them now

http://missilethreat.com/report-russia-suspends-delivery-of-s-300-missile-defense-system-to-syria/

Also (as these were discussed above) the s-300 systems sold to Iran were dependant on them complying with certain criteria regarding the nuclear enrichment programme which, they failed to adhere to. So the Russians have scrapped the deal before they were even delivered.

http://en.ria.ru/world/20130829/183040436/S-300-Missiles-for-Iran-Dismantled-Scrapped---Manufacturer.html

---------------------------

General Jack Keane offers his view on likely targets and level depth of attack.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-23941520

seriously_red

Saga Lout said:

PeanutsMolloy said:

shine166 said:

PeanutsMolloy said:

GOLDEN RULE: Don't make threats you're not prepared to act upon.
Net result of Obama's prevarication: The Iranian's will press on with nuclear armament certain that the US does not have the stomach to prevent them.

Or at least have proof first before attacking

24 hours earlier Kerry was adamant that they have incontrovertible proof. Not a scintilla of doubt for the Obama Administration.
Even if Obama can enlist enough Republicans to give him political cover on 9 Sept, by the time any strike occurs, they will be less likely to be hitting the intended targets and more likely to be killing civilians who happen to be (or are placed by Assad) in the way.
Moreover, now that Netanyahu knows he can't trust Obama to stop the Iranians from completing a nuclear missile capability (on the contrary, they're likely to be emboldened to do so by this prevarication), you'd have to assume Israel will likely launch a pre-emptive strike itself against Iran.

These kind of nuances prove how incredibly complex international relations are. The vast majority of "joe public" in the UK or the US will most likely not understand the ramifications of the action their government decide is necessary. It's far from simple. It is the duty of our politicians to explain the nuances and convince us that action is (or is not) necessary.

This is surely far too serious for political points-scoring - all of our politicians should debate this openly and not be seeking to damage one-another with a view to who wins the next general election.

Politics is all about point scoring both on a single debate and over a period of time about competence over the economy, defence and other issues. It may seem unpleasant, petty and destructive but how else can a particular political philosophy get across its views? You can argue that there are many people who don't vote who might be attracted back in with a friendlier approach but the stakes are too high.

The one big win was politicians of both sides in Parliament saying they were not going to war over a dossier with no evidence... As I said before time to talk to the Russians... Have I started that Robert Fisk book yet? Tomorrow?!

Loco

A new wave of bombs in Iraq targeting Shia Muslims, 8 bombs this week alone.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24724163

Add to that the attacks on Shia's and in particular Iran/Iranians sectarianism violence is taking off across the region and at the heart of it Saudi Arabia.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24997876

I'm so glad that America backed down even if it were forced in the end, bombing was the wrong way to go and I suspect prompted and encouraged by our ally in the region Saudi Arabia.

I've been banging this drum for so long my hands hurt.

Karim_myBagheri

was just thinking about the film 'waltz with Bashir' . which btw is a great film. and I wanted to know a little more about what the war in Lebanon during the 70's and 80's and I find out only a couple of hours ago there has been a suicide bombers hitting the Iranian embassy in Beirut. They think it's something to do with Syria so I thought i'll put it on this thread.

It's just a weird coincidence, me randomly thinking about a film I watched some time ago to make me want to look up Beirut online, and finding out that this has just happened there...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24997876

edit: same link as you have above loco. still, I was just taken back a bit by the coincidence.

Loco

Karim_myBagheri said:

was just thinking about the film 'waltz with Bashir' . which btw is a great film. and I wanted to know a little more about what the war in Lebanon during the 70's and 80's and I find out only a couple of hours ago there has been a suicide bombers hitting the Iranian embassy in Beirut. They think it's something to do with Syria so I thought i'll put it on this thread.

It's just a weird coincidence, me randomly thinking about a film I watched some time ago to make me want to look up Beirut online, and finding out that this has just happened there...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24997876

edit: same link as you have above loco. still, I was just taken back a bit by the coincidence.

Yes I've seen the film, it's about the Israelis standing guard while Drews militia men (who are supposedly Christian) go into a Palestinian refugee camp and massacre the inhabitants. We've not seen the end of that one believe me, vengeance shall be reaped upon them from some nutters sooner or later.

McBobbin

^just read up on that massacre. I couldn't believe what I was reading.

Karim_myBagheri

McBobbin said:

^just read up on that massacre. I couldn't believe what I was reading.

it's so depressing when I saw the film and then read up on it.

I thought maybe that area has had it's bit when it comes to death. seems as if it hasn't stopped. Looking back at what Beirut used to be like it's such a shame that even to this modern day it's still being dragged down.

Karim_myBagheri

Loco said:

Karim_myBagheri said:

was just thinking about the film 'waltz with Bashir' . which btw is a great film. and I wanted to know a little more about what the war in Lebanon during the 70's and 80's and I find out only a couple of hours ago there has been a suicide bombers hitting the Iranian embassy in Beirut. They think it's something to do with Syria so I thought i'll put it on this thread.

It's just a weird coincidence, me randomly thinking about a film I watched some time ago to make me want to look up Beirut online, and finding out that this has just happened there...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24997876

edit: same link as you have above loco. still, I was just taken back a bit by the coincidence.

Yes I've seen the film, it's about the Israelis standing guard while Drews militia men (who are supposedly Christian) go into a Palestinian refugee camp and massacre the inhabitants. We've not seen the end of that one believe me, vengeance shall be reaped upon them from some nutters sooner or later.

it's such a shame. seeing what people nowerdays are willing to do for whatever reasons. vengeance is very much likely. always the innocent gets most affected.

for myself I always wondered in this situations what I could do to help.

Chizz

The fall of Bashar al-Assad was almost unthinkable just a week ago, when rebels started their astonishing campaign against the regime from their base in Idlib, in Syria's north-west. 

This is a turning point for Syria. Assad came to power in 2000 after the death of his father Hafez, who ruled the country for 29 years - and very much like his son, with an iron fist.  

Assad will forever be remembered as the man who violently repressed peaceful protests against his regime in 2011, which led to a civil war. More than half a million people were killed, six million others became refugees. 

With the help of Russia and Iran, he crushed the rebels, and survived. Russia used its formidable air power while Iran sent military advisors to Syria and Hezbollah, the militia it supports in neighbouring Lebanon, deployed its well-trained fighters.

Perhaps Russia and Iran finally decided to leave Assad to it, considering their preoccupation with Ukraine and Gaza to be more pressing, urgent and costly. 

I can only hope that today's celebrations in Damascus don't turn out to be premature. 

ShootersHillGuru

Chizz said:

The fall of Bashar al-Assad was almost unthinkable just a week ago, when rebels started their astonishing campaign against the regime from their base in Idlib, in Syria's north-west. 

This is a turning point for Syria. Assad came to power in 2000 after the death of his father Hafez, who ruled the country for 29 years - and very much like his son, with an iron fist.  

Assad will forever be remembered as the man who violently repressed peaceful protests against his regime in 2011, which led to a civil war. More than half a million people were killed, six million others became refugees. 

With the help of Russia and Iran, he crushed the rebels, and survived. Russia used its formidable air power while Iran sent military advisors to Syria and Hezbollah, the militia it supports in neighbouring Lebanon, deployed its well-trained fighters.

Perhaps Russia and Iran finally decided to leave Assad to it, considering their preoccupation with Ukraine and Gaza to be more pressing, urgent and costly. 

I can only hope that today's celebrations in Damascus don't turn out to be premature. 

Don’t see a way back for him. Any loyal military have evaporated. What follows is the next big question.

Chizz

ShootersHillGuru said:

Chizz said:

The fall of Bashar al-Assad was almost unthinkable just a week ago, when rebels started their astonishing campaign against the regime from their base in Idlib, in Syria's north-west. 

This is a turning point for Syria. Assad came to power in 2000 after the death of his father Hafez, who ruled the country for 29 years - and very much like his son, with an iron fist.  

Assad will forever be remembered as the man who violently repressed peaceful protests against his regime in 2011, which led to a civil war. More than half a million people were killed, six million others became refugees. 

With the help of Russia and Iran, he crushed the rebels, and survived. Russia used its formidable air power while Iran sent military advisors to Syria and Hezbollah, the militia it supports in neighbouring Lebanon, deployed its well-trained fighters.

Perhaps Russia and Iran finally decided to leave Assad to it, considering their preoccupation with Ukraine and Gaza to be more pressing, urgent and costly. 

I can only hope that today's celebrations in Damascus don't turn out to be premature. 

Don’t see a way back for him. Any loyal military have evaporated. What follows is the next big question.

What I meant by premature is that I hope that the new regime doesn't turn out to be as brutal and repressive as its predecessor. 

Chippycafc

ShootersHillGuru said:

Chizz said:

The fall of Bashar al-Assad was almost unthinkable just a week ago, when rebels started their astonishing campaign against the regime from their base in Idlib, in Syria's north-west. 

This is a turning point for Syria. Assad came to power in 2000 after the death of his father Hafez, who ruled the country for 29 years - and very much like his son, with an iron fist.  

Assad will forever be remembered as the man who violently repressed peaceful protests against his regime in 2011, which led to a civil war. More than half a million people were killed, six million others became refugees. 

With the help of Russia and Iran, he crushed the rebels, and survived. Russia used its formidable air power while Iran sent military advisors to Syria and Hezbollah, the militia it supports in neighbouring Lebanon, deployed its well-trained fighters.

Perhaps Russia and Iran finally decided to leave Assad to it, considering their preoccupation with Ukraine and Gaza to be more pressing, urgent and costly. 

I can only hope that today's celebrations in Damascus don't turn out to be premature. 

Don’t see a way back for him. Any loyal military have evaporated. What follows is the next big question.

You alright shoots.

ShootersHillGuru

Chizz said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

Chizz said:

The fall of Bashar al-Assad was almost unthinkable just a week ago, when rebels started their astonishing campaign against the regime from their base in Idlib, in Syria's north-west. 

This is a turning point for Syria. Assad came to power in 2000 after the death of his father Hafez, who ruled the country for 29 years - and very much like his son, with an iron fist.  

Assad will forever be remembered as the man who violently repressed peaceful protests against his regime in 2011, which led to a civil war. More than half a million people were killed, six million others became refugees. 

With the help of Russia and Iran, he crushed the rebels, and survived. Russia used its formidable air power while Iran sent military advisors to Syria and Hezbollah, the militia it supports in neighbouring Lebanon, deployed its well-trained fighters.

Perhaps Russia and Iran finally decided to leave Assad to it, considering their preoccupation with Ukraine and Gaza to be more pressing, urgent and costly. 

I can only hope that today's celebrations in Damascus don't turn out to be premature. 

Don’t see a way back for him. Any loyal military have evaporated. What follows is the next big question.

What I meant by premature is that I hope that the new regime doesn't turn out to be as brutal and repressive as its predecessor. 

Aren’t the rebels an Islamist group focused on Jihad rather than being a solely revolutionary front ? 

Chizz

ShootersHillGuru said:

Chizz said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

Chizz said:

The fall of Bashar al-Assad was almost unthinkable just a week ago, when rebels started their astonishing campaign against the regime from their base in Idlib, in Syria's north-west. 

This is a turning point for Syria. Assad came to power in 2000 after the death of his father Hafez, who ruled the country for 29 years - and very much like his son, with an iron fist.  

Assad will forever be remembered as the man who violently repressed peaceful protests against his regime in 2011, which led to a civil war. More than half a million people were killed, six million others became refugees. 

With the help of Russia and Iran, he crushed the rebels, and survived. Russia used its formidable air power while Iran sent military advisors to Syria and Hezbollah, the militia it supports in neighbouring Lebanon, deployed its well-trained fighters.

Perhaps Russia and Iran finally decided to leave Assad to it, considering their preoccupation with Ukraine and Gaza to be more pressing, urgent and costly. 

I can only hope that today's celebrations in Damascus don't turn out to be premature. 

Don’t see a way back for him. Any loyal military have evaporated. What follows is the next big question.

What I meant by premature is that I hope that the new regime doesn't turn out to be as brutal and repressive as its predecessor. 

Aren’t the rebels an Islamist group focused on Jihad rather than being a solely revolutionary front ? 

That's how I understand it, yes

ShootersHillGuru

Chizz said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

Chizz said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

Chizz said:

The fall of Bashar al-Assad was almost unthinkable just a week ago, when rebels started their astonishing campaign against the regime from their base in Idlib, in Syria's north-west. 

This is a turning point for Syria. Assad came to power in 2000 after the death of his father Hafez, who ruled the country for 29 years - and very much like his son, with an iron fist.  

Assad will forever be remembered as the man who violently repressed peaceful protests against his regime in 2011, which led to a civil war. More than half a million people were killed, six million others became refugees. 

With the help of Russia and Iran, he crushed the rebels, and survived. Russia used its formidable air power while Iran sent military advisors to Syria and Hezbollah, the militia it supports in neighbouring Lebanon, deployed its well-trained fighters.

Perhaps Russia and Iran finally decided to leave Assad to it, considering their preoccupation with Ukraine and Gaza to be more pressing, urgent and costly. 

I can only hope that today's celebrations in Damascus don't turn out to be premature. 

Don’t see a way back for him. Any loyal military have evaporated. What follows is the next big question.

What I meant by premature is that I hope that the new regime doesn't turn out to be as brutal and repressive as its predecessor. 

Aren’t the rebels an Islamist group focused on Jihad rather than being a solely revolutionary front ? 

That's how I understand it, yes

Could go either way then. Frying pan fire springs to mind. I doubt the rebels are intent on restoring a democracy.

Henry Irving

ShootersHillGuru said:

Chizz said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

Chizz said:

The fall of Bashar al-Assad was almost unthinkable just a week ago, when rebels started their astonishing campaign against the regime from their base in Idlib, in Syria's north-west. 

This is a turning point for Syria. Assad came to power in 2000 after the death of his father Hafez, who ruled the country for 29 years - and very much like his son, with an iron fist.  

Assad will forever be remembered as the man who violently repressed peaceful protests against his regime in 2011, which led to a civil war. More than half a million people were killed, six million others became refugees. 

With the help of Russia and Iran, he crushed the rebels, and survived. Russia used its formidable air power while Iran sent military advisors to Syria and Hezbollah, the militia it supports in neighbouring Lebanon, deployed its well-trained fighters.

Perhaps Russia and Iran finally decided to leave Assad to it, considering their preoccupation with Ukraine and Gaza to be more pressing, urgent and costly. 

I can only hope that today's celebrations in Damascus don't turn out to be premature. 

Don’t see a way back for him. Any loyal military have evaporated. What follows is the next big question.

What I meant by premature is that I hope that the new regime doesn't turn out to be as brutal and repressive as its predecessor. 

Aren’t the rebels an Islamist group focused on Jihad rather than being a solely revolutionary front ? 

Some of them.

There are four or five different "rebel" groups.

We shall have to wait and see if what replaces butcher Assad is better or just as bad

Been a bad year for the "Axis of Resistance" and their useful idiots in the West.

Chris_from_Sidcup

Chizz said:

The fall of Bashar al-Assad was almost unthinkable just a week ago, when rebels started their astonishing campaign against the regime from their base in Idlib, in Syria's north-west. 

This is a turning point for Syria. Assad came to power in 2000 after the death of his father Hafez, who ruled the country for 29 years - and very much like his son, with an iron fist.  

Assad will forever be remembered as the man who violently repressed peaceful protests against his regime in 2011, which led to a civil war. More than half a million people were killed, six million others became refugees. 

With the help of Russia and Iran, he crushed the rebels, and survived. Russia used its formidable air power while Iran sent military advisors to Syria and Hezbollah, the militia it supports in neighbouring Lebanon, deployed its well-trained fighters.

Perhaps Russia and Iran finally decided to leave Assad to it, considering their preoccupation with Ukraine and Gaza to be more pressing, urgent and costly. 

I can only hope that today's celebrations in Damascus don't turn out to be premature. 

Exactly this, he only survived before with their help but with Russia in Ukraine and Iran dealing with their own regional issues, they couldn't support him this time.

seth plum

The  presidential palaces have been done.
That’s usually the end, like Marcos in the Phillipines or the Shah of Iran.
Toppling statues is also a signal of the end. 

SDAddick

Henry Irving said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

Chizz said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

Chizz said:

The fall of Bashar al-Assad was almost unthinkable just a week ago, when rebels started their astonishing campaign against the regime from their base in Idlib, in Syria's north-west. 

This is a turning point for Syria. Assad came to power in 2000 after the death of his father Hafez, who ruled the country for 29 years - and very much like his son, with an iron fist.  

Assad will forever be remembered as the man who violently repressed peaceful protests against his regime in 2011, which led to a civil war. More than half a million people were killed, six million others became refugees. 

With the help of Russia and Iran, he crushed the rebels, and survived. Russia used its formidable air power while Iran sent military advisors to Syria and Hezbollah, the militia it supports in neighbouring Lebanon, deployed its well-trained fighters.

Perhaps Russia and Iran finally decided to leave Assad to it, considering their preoccupation with Ukraine and Gaza to be more pressing, urgent and costly. 

I can only hope that today's celebrations in Damascus don't turn out to be premature. 

Don’t see a way back for him. Any loyal military have evaporated. What follows is the next big question.

What I meant by premature is that I hope that the new regime doesn't turn out to be as brutal and repressive as its predecessor. 

Aren’t the rebels an Islamist group focused on Jihad rather than being a solely revolutionary front ? 

Some of them.

There are four or five different "rebel" groups.

We shall have to wait and see if what replaces butcher Assad is better or just as bad

Been a bad year for the "Axis of Resistance" and their useful idiots in the West.

Yeah today is a real tough day for all the western Assadists and Khamenei supporters who are definitely real and not just anti-war activists who you want to tar with a ridiculous Hasbara brush.

Completely unrelated: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/12/amnesty-international-concludes-israel-is-committing-genocide-against-palestinians-in-gaza/

seth plum

Is the ‘ex’ British schoolgirl in a refugee camp in Syria?

Callumcafc

SDAddick said:

Henry Irving said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

Chizz said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

Chizz said:

The fall of Bashar al-Assad was almost unthinkable just a week ago, when rebels started their astonishing campaign against the regime from their base in Idlib, in Syria's north-west. 

This is a turning point for Syria. Assad came to power in 2000 after the death of his father Hafez, who ruled the country for 29 years - and very much like his son, with an iron fist.  

Assad will forever be remembered as the man who violently repressed peaceful protests against his regime in 2011, which led to a civil war. More than half a million people were killed, six million others became refugees. 

With the help of Russia and Iran, he crushed the rebels, and survived. Russia used its formidable air power while Iran sent military advisors to Syria and Hezbollah, the militia it supports in neighbouring Lebanon, deployed its well-trained fighters.

Perhaps Russia and Iran finally decided to leave Assad to it, considering their preoccupation with Ukraine and Gaza to be more pressing, urgent and costly. 

I can only hope that today's celebrations in Damascus don't turn out to be premature. 

Don’t see a way back for him. Any loyal military have evaporated. What follows is the next big question.

What I meant by premature is that I hope that the new regime doesn't turn out to be as brutal and repressive as its predecessor. 

Aren’t the rebels an Islamist group focused on Jihad rather than being a solely revolutionary front ? 

Some of them.

There are four or five different "rebel" groups.

We shall have to wait and see if what replaces butcher Assad is better or just as bad

Been a bad year for the "Axis of Resistance" and their useful idiots in the West.

Yeah today is a real tough day for all the western Assadists and Khamenei supporters who are definitely real and not just anti-war activists who you want to tar with a ridiculous Hasbara brush.

Completely unrelated: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/12/amnesty-international-concludes-israel-is-committing-genocide-against-palestinians-in-gaza/

Those well known useful idiots Amnesty International…

Everything crossed for the decent people of Syria that this turns out well for them.

Chaz Hill

I wonder how long before Bashar falls out of a window 

ken_shabby

I see having bombed various places around the country, Israel are now invading Syria, to precisly no reaction from western governments. 

I guess when the US arm yu to the hilt and pour billions in, you do exactly what you want with no repercusions.