teqniq
DisMembered
Yeah there's this Torygraph article which is linked to from the businessinsider article that Froggie posted. Looks pretty big build-up to me.
There has been a big increase in Russian military aid, and military advisers and special forces, in the past few months. It seems entirely possible to me that this might be in response to their concern that NATO might be about to intervene against both the regime and ISIS. Even if they were right and they were totally able to eliminate ISIS and the Assad regime, they would be giving the country to an opposition dominated by Al-Qaeda and Al-Qaeda-like groups.
There are already Russian troops embedded with the Syrians in an advisory role . Same too for the Iranians . Then there are a number of non state actors also in the field , such as HZB and Palestinians . If Britain sets about killing those forces I'd imagine there'd be some pretty miffed people in various quarters . Madness, in a word .
Personally I hope the Russians do make a serious intervention here , hopefully with air power .
I'm also sort of amused at the arrogance of the western reaction to Russian involvement . Any assistance they provide is at the request of and in cooperation with the Syrian government . They don't have to seek anyone else's permission . These bloody people...
Anyone else here been to Damascus or Homs or Hama or Krak de Chevalier or Palmyra or Aleppo or anywhere in Syria or Lebanon?
Osborne mentioned bombing both ISIS and Assad yesterday, Fox (given his past how is anyone taking him seriously again? Do they think that we are goldfish?) seems to be arguing only for bombing ISIS but there is more than a bit of an allusion in what he says to leaving the door open to bombing Assad as well.
The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) is not the only Salafi-Jihadist threat emanating from Syria. Its prominence in U.S. policy has overshadowed a threat of similar magnitude from Jabhat al-Nusra (JN), the official al-Qaeda (AQ) affiliate in Syria. JN rivals ISIS as a sophisticated, intelligent, strategic actor in the region and continues to enjoy a dangerous freedom to operate in Syria. The two groups share common goals, including a revived Islamic Caliphate. JN, however, is pursuing its aims through a distinct, more patient methodology that is highly threatening despite its low signature. Whereas ISIS has announced its state and tried to legitimize it by conquest, JN is following AQ leader Ayman al-Zawahiri’s method of fomenting a religious and social revolution by embedding itself within an indigenous insurgency. The Syrian war has provided JN a nearly ideal environment within which to implement this strategy on behalf of al-Qaeda, and JN has enjoyed worrying success to date. - See more at: Jabhat al-Nusra in Syria
Oh right...Britain has already started bombing Syria some weeks back.
Two Britons killed in RAF Syria strike, PM tells MPs - BBC News
And Cameron says he'll not even bother with a fucking vote this time either, if he fancies it . Hell just send in the bombers and chat about it later .
I'm still in Damascus, head back home at the end of the week for a break and then I'll be coming back hereFuchs66
he's been working in Syria for the UN - chemical weapons specialist. not seem him about for a bit, so i'm assuming he's somewhere not on Thomas Cooks most visited list....
One month ago they captured the mostly Christian town of al-Qaratayn, north-east of Damascus. (The inhabitants fled, of course). And now Islamic State forces are within 30 km of the M5, the key highway that links Damascus with the other parts of Syria that remain under government control.
The jihadis captured Palmyra, by the way, because the “anti-Isil coalition” — the U.S. Air Force, in practice — did not drop a single bomb in its defense. It made at least a thousand air strikes to save Kobani, the Kurdish city on the border with Turkey that was besieged by Islamic State fighters, because the Kurds were U.S. allies. Whereas Palmyra was defended by Assad’s soldiers, so the U.S. let Islamic State have it.
One can imagine Kerry’s (and Obama’s) horror at the idea that by defending Palmyra they would be seen as protecting Assad’s brutal regime, but if Islamic State troops manage to cut the M5 it will be seen as a sign of the regime’s impending defeat. At that point, up to half the people who still live in government-controlled areas — around 17 million — may panic and start trying to get out of Syria.
I'm still in Damascus, head back home at the end of the week for a break and then I'll be coming back here
Without going into too much detail we're basically looking after ourselves more or less.How do you get there - i thought travelling there was banned ? I thought the british embassy was closed - would anyone be able to offer assistance if something really bad went on?
Whats it looking like over there?
Without going into too much detail we're basically looking after ourselves more or less.
Survived nearly 2 years on and off here, we're carefulFucking hell mate take care. Fair play to you and all though.
Survived nearly 2 years on and off here, we're careful
I wouldn't know what the young 'uns say; oh hang on yes I would my girlfriend tells me . It's a great job out here I much prefer being here to Russiastay careful - and cheers for helping me cross another potential career off my list! be lucky bruv, or whatever the young people say...
how much internet porn do you get through?
...It's a great job out here I much prefer being here to Russia ...
If I never have to return to Russia again I will not be too upset.there's well spent Roubles by the Russian Tourist Board: 'Russia: i prefered Syria myself...
interesting work - and i bet you don't have fucking interminable squabbles about down and out, or up and in - but it sounds a bit hard on on the family life. actually, i've just watched my kids Spagetti Bolognase - got any jobs?
Was in those places in Syria when Bashar's daddy was boss. Fabulous place to visit, nice people, but horrible regime. Heartbreaking to see this disaster.Anyone else here been to Damascus or Homs or Hama or Krak de Chevalier or Palmyra or Aleppo or anywhere in Syria or Lebanon?
Survived nearly 2 years on and off here, we're careful