The rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) has issued a statement today blaming the Iraqi government, and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in particular, for an air strike against the eastern city of Deir Ezzor.
Local rebels say that the warplane which launched the strike was seen flying across the Iraqi border, though there are differences in opinion as to whether it was an Iraqi plane or simply a Syrian MiG that used Iraqi air space during the bombing run.
Iraq has made it a public point to attempt to stay neutral in the ongoing civil war next door, but with some of the rebels openly tied to Iraqi militants and a sectarian fight growing in Iraq itself, there may be pressure on Maliki to back Assad more openly.
That said, while spillover violence is being experienced by multiple Syrian neighbors, this would be the first time a neighboring military directly took a role inside Syria, since even Turkey, which has been hosting the rebels, has so far refused to take the step of crossing the border.
Violence continues to be a problem nationwide in Syria, and neighbors are still struggling to cope with hundreds of thousands of refugees, civilians chased out of the country by the fighting.
Iraq does not have such aircraft. The US never set up an air force. Efforts are now being made, half hearted, but no jets are flying after years of "efforts."
"Iraq is slowly building its fighter force from the ground up. Cessna light planes serve as primary trainers, and some of the larger Cessna 208B Caravans have been modified to perform surveillance or even combat strike roles." http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/iraq-seeks-f-…
FSA is the very same entity supported by the Saudis and other tyrant regimes in the region.., they very well have noticed that they are losing this war due to its nature being an unjust and a war that.., like other USA and British or French wars are based on lyes …, so they are lying again…, even if what they say is true the fact is that they are going to lose this war faster now that Iraqi fighter jets helping out the Syrian people to gain their freedom again.., if is true.., then is a very good time for FSA and their representative to start negotiating with the Syrian legitimate government and put the end to this war, it is very good time for FSA to say to Saudis, the Qatari, the USA and England to hell with you and your politics.., look what you have done to our countries, look what you have done to Iraq.., let the people of Middle East alone, take your dogs with you and leave.., Yankee go home. Bashir Al-Assad is not your enemy.., your enemy are those who pay you to fight the Syrian people, you are their puppet not the Syrian government nor the Syrian people.
Russian journalist in the Syrian tank… mopping up operation against rebels in Daraya, April 27th.
Iraq hasnt got any Migs, so it was probably a Syrian Airforce aircraft that flew in from the East after going around the city!