To War, To War, This Country’s Going to War” - TTG

I’m afraid the recent “defensive attack” by US attack helicopters and artillery on Syrian tribesmen loyal to Damascus is not just a one-off fluke. It is a feature of the current US policy in Syria that will most likely result in another full blown war in the region… one that will put the US on a track to war with Russia. 

First, here’s an account of the fighting southeast of Deir Ezzor on the eastern side of the Euphrates taken from the twitter feed of Maxim A. Suchkov, Russian editor for Al-Monitor. I’ve put it into prose form and corrected some spelling/grammar for easier reading.

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“Russia’s Defense Ministry on US-coalition killing of 100+ pro-Assad forces: "The incident once again exposed true American intentions in Syria which is not the fight against terrorism but seizure &  control of economic assets." Russia’s MoD version of the incident:"On Feb.7, a Syrian pro-Assad militia was making an incursion to destroy a terrorist group which had been sporadically shelling pro-gov positions.The SYR militia was near El Isba, former oil refinery, 17 km south-east of Salkhiyakh. Suddenly, the Syrian pro-Assad militia came under mortar and multiple artillery rocket system fire, shortly followed by US helicopter strikes. 25 militiamen were wounded (no mention of how many killed). Russia's MoD suggests the US attack on pro-Assad militia were made possible because "the militia movements hadn’t been coordinated with the Russian military there." Following the attack Russia hosted reps of US coalition forces in Khmeymim airbase for talks during which according to Moscow, US told the oil refinery was under SDF and US control (which probably was meant to say "stay out" and what prompted Russian response on US trying to seize Syrian economic assets). Finally, Russian MoD claims attacks on Syrian pro-gov positions are getting more frequent over recent days from settlements of Mazlum, Al-Tabiya, and Ksh Sham. Moscow references its military radio intercepts saying it's done by one of ISIS "sleeper cells."  (@MSuchkov_ALM)

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Maxim A. Suchov continues with the Russian reaction to the attack.

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Follow-up on Moscow’s reaction to US strike on Syrian pro-gov forces: 

1. Russia's UN Ambassador Nebenzya will raise the issue at the upcoming UN Security Council closed-door briefing on the humanitarian situation in Syria.
2. Moscow is now conducting a thorough investigation of the incident, Russia’s MFA asks "How could a decision to open a massive fire to defeat the Syrian militiamen be made in such a short period of time [between SDF attacks and time US aviation came to the field]?”
3. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Zakharova: "US military presence in Syria presents a serious challenge to the peace process and thwarts the protection of the country's territorial integrity."
4. Russia’s MFA spox Zakharova: "A 55-kilometer zone unilaterally created by US around mil base near al-Tanf used by scattered units of Daesh terrorists [who] have opportunity to hide from gov forces in area as well as regroup and prepare for new raids in the Syrian deserts"  (@MSuchkov_ALM)

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An editorial in the pro-Turkish government paper “The Daily Sabah” lays the blame squarely on the shoulders of an out of control Pentagon and rogue CENTCOM generals. In so many words, they call on Trump to grow a pair and correct the situation. The full editorial is well worth reading.

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“During his 2016 election campaign, U.S. President Donald Trump kept asking: "Why are we in Syria and Afghanistan?" He called for an end to entanglements abroad and a focus on domestic problems. President Barack Obama's Syria policy was based on little more than indifference and, the Trump administration just automatically adopted it.

After all these years, the U.S. still does not have a good grasp on what its policies on Syria are. What does it want to achieve? What is its endgame? What kind of timeframe has it settled on to achieve its objectives? American politicians seem clueless about what they have gotten themselves into.

No one knows who is in charge of the U.S.'s Syria policy. Chaos reigns. Who do we call to ask what the U.S. is doing in Syria?

It seems that with no lead from the top, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has decided it is the boss. While operationally, it is good that soldiers are in charge, it seems soldiers have also taken over the decision making that should be under the purview of elected officials. CENTCOM and its officers now make statements, formulate strategies and even conduct diplomacy. Turkey has a history of power-hungry generals seeing themselves as guardians of the country and the U.S. is well-advised not to repeat it.”  (Daily Sabah)

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Maxim Suchkov holds out a similar hope that Trump, himself, will step in and right the ship. He retweeted Trump and provided a comment to that tweet.

“I will be meeting with Henry Kissinger at 1:45pm. Will be discussing North Korea, China and the Middle East.” (@realDonaldTrump)

“Very interesting given Kissinger has now long been Putin’s go-to on messaging of Russia’s own position on same issues. Putin also holds Kissinger in high regard, seeking his wisdom, experience and balanced analysis of US-related matters."  (@MSuchkov_ALM)

I certainly hope Suchkov and the editors at The Daily Sabah are correct and that our current course in Syria is a temporary result of Trump’s inattention. The thought that a simple rage-filled outburst, accompanied by a few firings, can correct our course is oddly reassuring. However, I also have my doubts. Are the generals deflecting Trump by mentioning we control the Syrian oilfields when the President brings up the issue? Are the generals filling the President’s head with fears of Hezbollah and IRGC hordes running rampant across Syria?

Al-Monitor has an article out today extensively quoting Secretary of Defense Mattis. He downplays the role of Russia in Syria and Russian influence over Assad. He seems to be downplaying the risks that our aggressive talk and actions in Syria could lead to a confrontation with Russia. Well I think this jarhead is full of crap this time. To reinforce this man’s fullness of crap, a story appears this morning in Al Masdar News about attacks by the US controlled Deir Ezzor Military Council on SAA and NDF forces in Khashim and Tabiyyah on the Eastern shore of the Euphrates. Unlike the YPG/SDF, the Deir Ezzor Military Council is on the direct payroll of the State Department. This is a dangerous game we are playing.

TTG

https://twitter.com/msuchkov_alm

https://www.dailysabah.com/editorial/2018/02/08/us-generals-turning-into-warlords-in-syria-hijacking-us-foreign-policy

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/02/pentagon-play-down-russia-influence-syria-clash-sdf.html

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-us-led-forces-launch-offensive-syrian-army-deir-ezzor/

Comments

[catherine]

Richard

The thought of this FUBAR becoming larger and the US and Russia colliding makes my head explode.
I have been following this fellow lately, who seems to have good creds, for 'local reports' on Israel, Syria and Lebanon.
See what you think.

Elijah J. Magnier
https://twitter.com/ejmalrai?lang=en

[turcopolier]

catherine

Yes, we live near the memorial to Washington. In those days the Institute would give you a short leave to be a deb escort. My presence was brokered by classmates for girls who wanted a VMI escort. Great weekend away from school. pl

[robt willmann]

different clue,

(Number 73) You ask, why would the South Koreans want to be unified into North Korea?

It is not a question of South Korea being unified into North Korea or vice versa. Korea is one of the most homogeneous countries and areas on earth. However, due to human nature, other countries have put their fingers into Korea. Japan annexed it in 1910 and basically ruled Korea until 1945 at the end of World War 2. Russia, China, and the U.S. have put their hands into Korea as well.

What has all of this activity by outsiders produced? Your are looking at it: an intractable mess--

https://www.lrb.co.uk/v39/n10/bruce-cumings/a-murderous-history-of-korea

Nevertheless, all logjams eventually come apart. Kim Jong-un was educated in Switzerland for a while, it has been said. A little talking has begun between the political areas of north and south Korea. It may be that they are starting to understand the Natural Law that they might be better off with each other -- fellow Koreans -- than with the outsiders and any specific political doctrine. Once that realization expands, the problem will take care of itself.

[different clue]

robt willmann,

( to number 79),

That would be fine if it actually works out that way. Is the Kim Dynasty and all its support staff and cadres really willing to see the setting aside of Ju Che? Are the South Koreans really willing to see their buildup of wealth be taxed away and their standard of living reduced so the North Korean standard of living can be raised, to where they both meet in the middle?

If it really works out that way, then that would be fine. The South Koreans should understand that once all our forces have evacuated from South Korea, that We Shall Not Return. Never Ever. If they decide they are okay with that, well okay then.

[DH]

catherine #13

"Last week we were informed that missile interceptor systems have already been deployed throughout the country as part of a joint “drill” between the IDF and the U.S. military."-lobelog

It will be interesting to see how effective the interceptor systems are.

[Karel]

LondonBob#50, you should be more patient with the non-native SST readers, especially with Lyttenburgh. ;)

Feminists have a different task in English then in other languages, no doubt. Never mind that their endeavors may feel unfamiliar and sometimes even a bit silly to both male and female, occasionally?

Surely both the more general "spokesperson" and the "spokeswoman" are used by now. Spokeswoman according to Webster was first first recorded: First Known Use: 1569. Wonder in what context exactly. Have to check OED.

Oxford agrees:
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/spokeswoman

While Webster only lists more recent examples in the arts, Oxford seems to be closer to reality. Women are quite present as Public Faces. ;) Had Clinton become president, how would she have been called? A Presidentess? Analogous to lion, lioness? Prince, princess?

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Finally, slight irony alert: the word woman was created from Adam's rib after all figuratively speaking. Woman should never forget that! ;)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woman#Etymology

[Procopius]

But the horrifying thing is that this applies to almost all Americans throughout our country's history. Protected by the impassable moats of two oceans, America has never had to fear invasion, although for some reason they very much did after Pearl Harbor. I suspect that was just an act to justify stealing the property of people of Japanese ancestry. Anyway, if you read some of the essays over at Vineyard of the Saker you will see that althugh America still does not have to fear an invasion, we are no longer save from bombardment from the sea. The current generation of Russian hyper-sonic cruise missiles can be launched from any platform, including civilian cargo ships and railway cars. The vaunted American anti-missile defenses actually don't work very well, and they certainly could not handle multiple missiles traveling at three or four times the speed of sound and changing direction and altitude every few seconds. Thus, they don't understand the consequences of a "bloody nose" strike against an opponent. I don't know what they're telling each other, but I think it has something to do with, "The North Koreans will figure out that we don't intend to follow up with further attacks if they just don't respond, so there's no risk." We saw how well that worked with Hanoi.

[different clue]

Laura,

(reply to comment 22),

" You really must let Hillary Clinton rest in piece." Oh? She doesn't let me rest in peace and she doesn't let the political system rest in peace.
Here is a very recent article from the Washington Post about how she continues to meddle in the American politics, after having brought us Donald J. Trump to begin with. Here is the link.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/hillary-clinton-a-favorite-gop-foil-plans-discreet-2018-strategy/2018/02/11/ec02d02e-0cd0-11e8-95a5-c396801049ef_story.html?hpid=hp_rhp-top-table-main_clintonmidterms-830am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.50792f7d6c5c

Hillary Clinton remains an active threat and a deadly menace to any hope of political progress in this country. I will let Hillary Clinton "rest in peace" when every last vestige of Clintonism has been purged and burned from out of the Democratic Party, and also when the Clinton Crime Family which she is working so hard to turn into a long-standing Crime Dynasty like the Bushes is purged and burned all the way out of political influence and influence-peddling grifting opportunities. This will of course involve destroying any hope of golden brat Chelsea ever entering politics of any kind.

Once all that is safely achieved, then I will let Hillary Clinton "rest in peace."

[Fred]

Procopius,

Uncontrolled immigration is invasion. Especially as practiced by the open borders globalists.

[Greco]

A new report out of Bloomberg contends that those killed in the attack were mostly Russians and Ukrainians. About 100 killed with a further 200 to 300 injured.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-13/cold-war-rivals-risk-direct-conflict-in-syria

I also found this tidbit to be of interest:

The Russian assault may have been a rogue operation, underscoring the complexity of a conflict that started as a domestic crackdown only to morph into a proxy war involving Islamic extremists, stateless Kurds and regional powers Iran, Turkey and now Israel. Russia’s military said it had nothing to do with the attack and the U.S. accepted the claim. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis called the whole thing “perplexing,” but provided no further details.

President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, declined to comment on reports of Russian casualties, saying the Kremlin only tracks data on the country’s armed forces. Putin talked with U.S. President Donald Trump by phone Monday, but the military action in Syria wasn’t discussed, he said.

[The Twisted Genius]

Greco,

Don't put your faith in these reports of excessive KIAs and WIAs from this incident east of Deir Ezzor. Military actions in Syria haven't had that kind of mass of troops involved as far back as I can remember. Watch a lot of the videos of battles. This is a war of platoons and companies, not brigades.

[Greco]

My hat off to you sir.

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-02-15/russia-slams-report-hundreds-russian-fighters-killed-syria-fake-news

“The reports on the deaths of dozens, hundreds, of Russians is classic disinformation,” Zakharova said, who nonetheless admitted that some Russians did die, although in Moscow's official estimation, the number was far lower, no more than "5 people" [....] adding that their citizenship still needs to be checked.

[....]

The Russian Defense Ministry later said 25 Syrian militia fighters had been wounded in the airstrike. The ministry added that they came under attack while conducting a reconnaissance operation that was not coordinated with the Russian side. No Russian military servicemen were in the area, according to the ministry, although that narrative now appears to have also changed with "at least" 5 Russians admittedly killed.