Cyprus-Forum.com

[Paphitis]

Well if that is true, the Russians better behave themselves because you wouldn't want to shoot down one by accident.

[kurupetos]

Well if that is true, the Russians better behave themselves because you wouldn't want to shoot down one by accident.

Stop trying to be brave, just because you live far away in Oz... Russia's missiles can still reach you...

[Maximus]

Russian drones capture Syria from above, in HD.

https://www.rt.com/news/319592-syria-ha ... e-footage/

[Get Real!]

Syrian Army Kills Jabhat al-Nusra Leader
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151 ... illed.html

NATO's Buffer Zones Aimed at 'Saving' ISIL, Al-Qaeda
http://sputniknews.com/analysis/2015102 ... qaeda.html

Syria Refugees Praise Russian Airstrikes, Consider Returning
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151 ... rikes.html

The Empire of Chaos is in a Jam
http://sputniknews.com/columnists/20151 ... ation.html

[yialousa1971]

US Ground Troops in Syria Is 'Illegal, Big Mistake', Russia Warns Obama of 'Unpredictable Consequences'

US Ground Troops in Syria Is 'Illegal, Big Mistake', Russia Warns Obama of 'Unpredictable Consequences'
Damascus hasn't extended an invitation to the US to invade Syria

(Zero Hedge) 23 hours ago | 3,777 24

Originally appeared at Zero Hedge

On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Ash Carter told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the US would no longer hesitate to engage in “direct action on the ground” in Iraq and Syria.

The change in rhetoric (and apparent shift in strategy) comes just days after the US seemingly prepared the public for what might be coming by releasing helmet cam footage of what Washington says was a raid on an ISIS prison by Delta Force (accompanied by the Peshmerga). 70 prisoners were allegedly freed although not before the US suffered its first combat death in Iraq since 2011.

The timing of the video is suspect, to say the least. It came just days after Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joe Dunford visited Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi in an effort to dissuade Baghdad from requesting Russian airstrikes on ISIS targets. In short, it appears as though Washington is trying to simultaneously, i) prove to Mid-East governments that the US can still be effective in the fight against terrorism even as questions remain about ulterior motives and even as Russia racks up gains in Syria, ii) prepare the public for the possibility that America is about to put boots on the ground in Iraq and Syria. Here’s more from WSJ on Washington’s new “strategy”:

The White House is seriously considering deploying a small squadron of Apache attack helicopters to Iraq as part of a package of new assistance programs to counter Islamic State, according to U.S. officials.

The move could ultimately require the deployment of hundreds more U.S. service members to Iraq. Among other proposals, U.S. officials said some in the military recommend openly deploying a small number of forces on the ground in Syria, embedded among moderate rebels or Kurdish forces there, for the first time.

Pressure is mounting on the regime to change course. Recent Russian intervention in Syria on the side of the regime, and the threat of Moscow intervening in Iraq next, has spurred the U.S. to step up its role, defense officials acknowledge.

Pentagon officials have recommended to the White House that the U.S. deploy as many as eight Apache helicopters and their crews to Iraq. The helicopters, known for their targeting prowess, could work in conjunction with as many as two dozen ground spotters who would embed with local ground forces to call in strikes against Islamic State targets.

Another proposal, which is less likely, would insert small numbers of combat advisers on the front lines with Iraqi forces and possibly with moderate rebels inside Syria. Pentagon officials are also likely to enhance Iraqi intelligence capabilities, possibly through a group on the ground that would serve as a single point of coordination between the U.S. and Iraq, a senior military official said.

Last week, the defense chief said Americans should expect more raids like the joint U.S.-Kurdish operation that took place in the town of Hawija, Iraq, in which 70 prisoners were freed and an American was killed in action, the first since 2011. The U.S. also recently dropped 50 tons of ammunition to an umbrella group of moderate rebel forces inside Syria now known as the Syria-Arab Coalition, or SAC, as part of a renewed effort to strengthen local forces.

Pentagon and White House officials indicated the deployment of Apache helicopters was being given the most serious consideration, and therefore the most likely step.

U.S. officials say momentum is building within the administration to ramp up those efforts even more, capitalizing on the strength of Kurdish and other Iraqi forces.

“I believe we will have an opportunity to reinforce Iraqi success in the days ahead,” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joe Dunford told Senate lawmakers at a hearing on Tuesday.

Alright, so let’s see if we can untangle this. Washington intends to send in the Apaches to bolster Iraqi forces both Peshmerga and otherwise. Or at least that’s what it sounds like. The Pentagon is also considering the placement of American ground troops with “moderate” rebels and with the YPG in Syria.

As we’ve detailed extensively (and this isn’t exactly a secret), Iran effectively runs the Iraqi military via its various Shiite militia proxy armies. That’s not an exaggeration. As Reuters reported earlier this month, “the Fifth Iraqi Army Division now reports to the militias’ chain of command, not to the military’s, according to several U.S. and coalition military officials.” So when the Apaches and their crews aren’t supporting the Kurds, they’ll be openly supporting Iran-backed fighters.

Ok, fine.

Only that isn’t at all consistent with placing US ground troops with Syria’s “moderate rebels” like the Free Syrian Army because after all, they’re fighting the very same Iran-backed Shiite militias. So the US would be bolstering the militiamen in Iraq with Apache gunship support and then firing on those exact same militiamen across the border in Syria in support of the “moderate” rebels battling to oust the Assad regime.

It’s beyond absurd.

And then of course there’s the whole Kurd/Turkey problem. The US is, i) fighting alongside the Peshmerga in Iraq and intends to support them going forward with Apache helicopters, ii) paradropping guns and ammo to the YPG in Syria (as part of a ridiculous ruse that involves the largely made-up SAC mentioned above by WSJ), and now iii) may even send in ground troops to fight with the YPG. But Turkey just bombed the YPG yesterday. Additionally, the US is flying sorties from Incirlik which sets up the insanely ridiculous possibility that if the US embeds troops with the Syrian Kurds, US jets could be taking off from the same base as Turkish warplanes only the US warplanes would be supporting the YPG while Turkish warplanes bomb them.

So, yeah. This is should all go swimmingly.

Finally, there’s the possibility that if the US puts boots on the ground in Syria in support of the “moderate” rebels, those troops will be killed by Russia and Iran (which Dunford said on Tuesday likely has “more than 1,000 [soldiers] on the ground in Iraq [and] something less than 2,000 in Syria”), and with that, we close with several comments from Chairman of the Russian Upper House committee for foreign affairs, Konstantin Kosachev (via RT) and a few images:

Commenting on the potential involvement of US ground troops against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, Kosachev once again highlighted that, when it comes to Syria, the US-led anti-ISIS campaign is already violating international law. Potential troops on the ground, Kosachev believes, will further violate international regulations

“Any operations – air based operations, ground based operations – in Syria by American forces will be illegal,”Kosachev told RT, explaining that Washington has not been invited by Damascus to take part in military operation in a sovereign country.

“They will get trapped, they will get involved in this ongoing conflict and the consequences will be absolutely unpredictable,” Kosachev said, addicting that sending US troops into Syria would be a “big mistake.”

At the same time, Kosachev, stressed that Russia would not send ground troops into Syria.

“No ground operation is possible [in Syria], because that would inevitably involve Russia in the ongoing war,” the politician told RT.

http://russia-insider.com/en/politics/u ... nsequences

[yialousa1971]

Any use of military force in Syria needs gov’t approval: Russia

Fri Oct 30, 2015 7:43AM
Russia says no country can use military force in Syria without getting the approval of the Syrian government.

Asked about reports that the United States may launch a ground operation in Syria, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Thursday that, “The question of using military force in any form without the agreement of Damascus is for us unacceptable.”

“This situation has continued for a long time, and it is one of the topics on which we fundamentally disagree with the United States,” he added.

The Russian diplomat said that instead of further complicating the situation, the US should work with Moscow and look for ways to settle the Syrian crisis.

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2015/10/3 ... i-Ryabkov-

[Paphitis]

The US Coalition has been given an invitation by the dejure President of the Syrian Republic representing Sunni Muslims in Syria Mr. Kheled Khoja.



The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces is recognized by 90 countries so far, including Greece and Cyprus.

Therefore, I would be more concerned for the legal status of the Russians and the Assad Rebel Forces under International Law.

What you think that 13 million Sunnis are not dejure?

http://en.etilaf.org/about-us/goals.html

[yialousa1971]

Russia deploys S-400 System to Syria

Vladimir Putin has deployed an advanced anti-aircraft missile defense system to Syria with a range capable of taking down jets as far away as Tel Aviv.
The Russian military released photographs of the S-400 Air Defense System, known to NATO as SA-21 'Growler', at the Latakia Airbase on the Syrian coast.
The advanced missile system, which is understood to have a maximum range of 250 miles is capable of bringing down an aircraft at a maximum altitude of 90,000 feet - which is more than twice the height of a cruising passenger airliner.

It is understood that the weapon system is capable of monitoring and targeting British aircraft using RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
Russia has been steadily building up its forces in Syria, with increasing numbers of fighter-bombers and helicopter gun ships being deployed at its airbase.
Russian analyst Yury Barmin said on Twitter: 'Alleged S400 complex radar was spotted at the Russian air base in Latakia. Another "accidental" leak by Russia's MoD.
'By deploying S400 to Latakia, Russia sends signal to Turkey and Israel but also creates a shield over Syria's coastal areas.'
The S-400 is also able to intercept cruise missiles and other potential airborne threats.
It is also believed to be a major threat to military aircraft such as the RAF Tornado and the US Air Force F-15 and F-16.
Russian defence officials claim it can even target the fifth-generation F-22 Raptor aircraft.
Russia is also selling the older-generation S-300 system to Iran and is considering exports of the newer weapon to India, China and Saudi Arabia.
According to a Russian missile commander speaking to Sputnik News: 'Even if a plane is flying low and with the same speed as a vehicle moving on the ground, the radar will show it on the screen. For the S-400 there is no such thing as “stealth” aircraft, the system will see it and will shoot it down.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -Aviv.html

[yialousa1971]

Russia Deploys Maritime Air Defense After Jet Shot Down Over Syria




Moscow will deploy a warship off the Syrian coast near Latakia to strengthen the defense of its air base there, the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces announced on Tuesday after Turkish warplanes shot down a Russian strike aircraft.

Russian fighter jets will now accompany all of Moscow's missions against Islamic State targets in Syria, the General Staff said. Prior to Tuesday's attack, Russian bombers were conducting their missions without air cover.

Russian Bomber Jet Posed No Threat to Turkey, So Why Shoot it Down?
Turkish warplanes shot down a Russian Su-24M bomber aircraft that Turkey said had violated its airspace. Both pilots ejected, and one was fatally shot while parachuting to the ground, the Russian Defense Ministry later confirmed.

Moscow has insisted its aircraft was not in Turkish airspace and posed no threat. The Russian Defense Ministry has suspended military contact with Turkey over the plane downing, which President Vladimir Putin called "a stab in the back."

Later Tuesday, a Russian Mi-8 helicopter conducting a search-and-rescue mission for the other pilot was damaged by a rebel missile in Syria. One naval infantry soldier reportedly was killed in that attack.

The surviving crew reportedly was evacuated to the Russian base at Hmeymim, Syria.

Turkey Claims No Knowledge Jet Shot Down Near Syrian Border Was Russian
Lieutenant General Sergei Rudskoi, a spokesman for the General Staff, released a statement, saying in part:

"The General Staff is currently working out additional measures to ensure the security of the Russian air base. First: all actions of strike aircraft will be carried out only under cover of fighter planes. Second: measures will be taken to strengthen defense. To this end, the cruiser Moskva, equipped with Fort air defense system, similar to S-300, will assume position in the coastal region of Latakia. We caution that any targets, representing a potential danger for us, will be destroyed. Third: Contacts with Turkey on military lines will be discontinued."

Russia took the neglected Hmeymim Air Base in Latakia – just 30 miles from the Turkish border – and transformed it into the strategic center of Moscow's military operation against the Islamic State. The base houses hundreds of military personnel and has bays for more than 50 aircraft.



Read more: http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151 ... z3sRciPhYR

[Paphitis]

Well if that is true, the Russians better behave themselves because you wouldn't want to shoot down one by accident.

Stop trying to be brave, just because you live far away in Oz... Russia's missiles can still reach you...

Oh it looks like one of the Russian planes was shot down.

Who is brave now?