Russian forces have fired a flurry of cruise missiles from a warship stationed in the Mediterranean Sea at ISIS forces‘ positions near the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra. The reports are that the strikes focused on heavy weapons positions on the city’s outskirts.
Russia says that they believe all of the missiles hit their intended target. The Russian Defense Ministry apparently informed the US, Turkey, and Israel in advance of the attack. The use of cruise missiles by Russia is not unprecedented in Syria, though it is unusual, as they’ve tended to use airstrikes instead.
There was no specific word on why they used cruise missiles in this case, though they have tended to use such strikes in cases where they were attacking particularly hardened targets that might survive an airstrike.
ISIS has been a recurring problem in and around Palmyra, having captured the city twice in recent years, before eventually being repelled back to the outskirts. With Syria eager to establish a land link between their forces and Shi’ite militias in Iraq, Russia may be trying to soften up the ISIS forces clearly in the way of that route.
The battle against ISIS conducted by US and Kurdish forces is now fully exposed as a sham. It was clear for a while that US could have obliterated ISIS in or around Raqqa long time ago. But it was suspected that Kurdish interests were the reason US wanted to create ground forces to hold region under US control. But it was not clear that US actually is helping ISIS and using it for its operational purposes. Now it is. In spite of supposedly being under attack in Raqqa, and Kurdish forces getting closer and closer, ISIS has been freeing up a great deal of its heavy artillery and manpower in two directions: towards Syrian desert, and Palmira, and towards Syrian-held, but ISIS surrounded town of Deir Azzor. How is it possible? It would not be unless it is with a full coordination with US and Kurds. So, Raqqa is safe, and the noise we hear about Kurds progressing, is merely Kurdish raid of surrounding non-Kurdish villages and small towns, kicking out population, and getting more territory for their future “autonomy”. But the real effort is now to prevent Syrian Army to push through to Iraqi borders, so that Iraq and Syria would control this retreat route for ISIS. Even this article, presumably Antiwar is giving credence to the official US-Israeli-Saudi line of connecting to “Shia” militias in Iraq. These may be militias, but they are UNDER THE CONTROL OF IRAQI GOVENMENT MILITARY. Not some freelancers, another “Shia” conspiracy! Enough! Allowing ISIS to go this far from Raqqa, and not even being concerned about taking out this much artillery to push back Syrian Government forces, is an indication that US is clearly aware of ISIS operations — and approves. At the same time, US is pushing across Jordanian border some other militants under whatever name, also to harass Syrian Army, preventing it to secure portions of Jordanian border. All bridges across Euphrates have been destroyed by US “Allies”, and for what? To prevent Syrian forces from coming into ISIS territory. So, now the timing of ISIS demise will be decided essentially on the ability of ISIS and other “democratic forces” to hold back Syrian government from borders, and on Turkey’s tolerance of expanding Kurdish state at the expense of other population of the region. It has been a practice thus far that every time Kurds presumably liberate any place from ISIS — two things happen. As if on orders, ISIS forces withdraw, but not before they kill all the prominent people in the area. Thus, they leave the place to Kurds and US, to administer as they please, as only people with no power are left alive. This has happened in Manbij, and everybody kept mum about it, and is happening now with regularity. This may be the reason Russia used missiles to target buildup of ISIS heavy artillery around Palmira — and to send a message. ISIS repositioning in full view of US — as US has always had the control of skies over ISIS-controlled region — will not be tolerated. And will be targeted any time they expand to threaten Syrian Army.
When the time is right, ISIS will be asked to leave, and perform their gruesome ritual before departing. Kurds will just take their place. But Syrian and Iraqi control of borders may spoil the retreat of ISIS into Iraq, to be used again for some another imperial mischief.
Trump has empowered generals to eliminate ISIS. So far, it does not look like they are doing a good job, as Hillary plan is still in operation. However, one cannot tell what Trump will do. If he becomes dissatisfied with the results, some generals may look into retirement or reassignment. At present, Iraq and Syria control only one border crossing, while Syrian Army has taken control of about 50 miles of border with Jordan. And again, ISIS to the rescue — from Raqqa, they go on clearly preapproved venture against Syrian forces. And are getting Russia’s response, loud and clear.
Russian actions are in part a display of power. They use cruise missiles to remind the West that they have them.