A series of airstrikes from as-yet-unknown origins pounded a Syrian military site near al-Bukamal on the Iraqi border, on Sunday night. At least 52 fighters were killed in the attacks, including a number of Syrian troops.
The strike hit just half a mile from the Iraqi border, and near the main border crossing. Al-Bukamal was recently contested by ISIS, which is why more Syrian forces and allied militias are in the area. Most of the dead were, according to the Syrian Observatory, Iraqi Shi’ite militia fighters.
But who was behind the airstrikes? That’s less certain. Syrian state media initially attributed the attack to US drones, but Centcom has subsequently issued a statement insisting that, while aware of the attacks, neither the US nor any coalition member was involved.
Some reports early Monday have accused Israel of the strike. Israel certainly is no stranger to attacking Syria, and some Hezbollah fighters were killed in the incident. It would be unusual, however, for Israel to strike this far east, particularly on a target that’s on the Iraqi border.
Right, the US knows whatever is in the air in this region, and nothing flies there without US permission.
Israel does not need US permission. It is the other way around.
Last week, Israel conducted more air strikes in a single day than in any day since 1982. It’s not so far to SE Syria if Israel can use Jordanian airspace. The next war is coming and it’s not too hard to see who will be the combatants.
US neocon hunta does not want Iraqi-Syrian collaboration on the border. The two militaries have collaborated openly, as is their right. Iraqi Shia militia is Iraqi army, recognized as such. Israel may be the executor of the dirty works, especially with impotent Jordan. It is not hard to imagine why Trump does not want to be involved – promised his base he is getting out of Syria. He also means it. For neocons — it is a question of convincing Netanyahu to step in — Iraqi border is vital to them if they hope to cut of Silk Road projects from Asia accross Iran and Iraq to Levant and Southeast Europe via Turkey. Israel will be shut out, so the only hope it has — convince US that it is bad for America as well. Unfortunatelly for Israel, opening up the region to trnansport and development would be good for US and Europe. Not that our autistic political class can see beyond their election accounts. Thus, we have US tied to Moby Dick called Iran, in an suicidal obsession.
Just as US keeps the Yemen war going in another obsession — control of Red Sea straight Bab Al-Mandeb, in order to control the fate of Suez Canal. All transparent, all pointless. Israel is a country of short-terming shop-keepers that will not give an inch on their price, even though the merchandise may rot in warehouse. Thus US is obsessed with Iran and Yemen, trying to put its fingers in the dike being drected against Iran and anybody that may be deprived of using Suez canal.
This bombing targeted Iraq. A message was sent. ISIS is being defended in order to justify US endless presence.
But the dike is not holding,. Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Syria are coordinating with Russia and SCO more broadly. India and Pakistan are key partners in infrastructure and economic development of Belt and Road initiatives. Both are invested in Iran. Saudi Arabia is pivoting to Russia-China already — and UAE, US and even France are now picking up Yemen catastrophe. Last collection of the willing — but for a price. UAE wants a piece of the prize, possibly control of Aden. France just wants to be important, and satisfy Makron’s patrons who brought him to power.
Israel has only one ace — neocons eould do anything to destroy Trump should he go off the reservation too far. But it is now more isolated in the region then ever. And sooner or later will run afoul of Russia. And if Jordan collapses under the internal pressure, it can become a Palestinian state — demography is pointing to that.
Neocons are not preventing trump from doing anything. If the POTUS wants troops in Syria, he puts them there, if he wants to help destroy Yemen, he does it.
I wish it were this simple. It does not help that Trump is not well informed, but he is a fast learner. The nastiness of quid pro quo that is the foundation of Western style globalism eliminates any chance of rational decision making, even self-preservation. Imbedded in all layers of bureaucracy are special interest ideology monitors, division of powers no longer functions, and justice has been eroded by fragrant violations of legal procedures, competencies and authorities. We are going down hill, Trump has only been the catalist that is exposing the naked, ugly truth.
Just no, the power of a US CIC is supreme in a war zone, for US troops. When Trump finished his inauguration, he could have brought all troops home 5 minutes later. Same with all presidents before him. Many have been fooled by what trump has said, the truth is, our military goes where he wants them to go. Yes, it really is that simple, military authoritarianism is absolute. I can’t understand why antiwar folks can’t deal with this constitutional fact. Dream on.
Right the gloves are off. the Syrian people have suffered enough they don’t need Israel hit and run cowardly missions.
I propose a world wide anti israel call up. boycotts etc and any valid anti Israel action.