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Russian Air Power Making the Difference in Syria |
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By
Stephen Lendman |
| Defeating US-supported terrorists in Syria
requires longterm struggle. Reinvigorated government forces greatly aided
by Russian air power, intelligence and other assistance are up to the task. Russia’s involvement since last September turned the tide of battle, its General Staff’s Main Operational Directorate head Gen. Sergei Rudskoy, saying: “Over almost seven months of the Russian Aerospace Forces' military operation (in Syria), more than 9,500 sorties (were) conducted, and some 29,000 terrorist targets (were) destroyed.” They include terrorist-held oil facilities, explaining “(t)he sources of finance of Daesh and al-Nusra Front have been cut off.” “More than 200 facilities for extracting, refining, and pumping fuel in locations controlled by terrorist groups in Syria have been destroyed, as well as more than 2,000 means of delivering oil products.” Despite falsified reports claiming otherwise, Russian warplanes struck no civilian targets, scrupulously avoiding noncombatant casualties or destruction of nonmilitary related facilities and sites. In contrast, “(m)ultiple militants' attempts to provoke strikes on civilian facilities have been disrupted,” Rudskoy explained. “According to the terrorists' plot, civilian deaths should have undermined the Russian Aerospace Forces, provoked negative reaction from the international community, and forced the Russian leadership to stop the fight against terrorism.” The scheme failed. Despite withdrawing a large part of its aerial force, enough firepower remains to continue combating ISIS and other terrorist groups effectively. More can be brought in on short notice if needed. Dozens of drones along with other aerial and ground reconnaissance maintain close watch on conditions throughout the country. On Wednesday, Russia’s Defense Ministry said Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists arrive daily from Turkish territory where they’re given safe haven along with other terrorist fighters. Syrian forces seized a large cargo of Israeli weapons and munitions in Sweida province in the country’s south. Netanyahu actively backs Obama’s war, supplying material support for ISIS and other terrorist groups, treating their wounded in Israeli hospitals, and conducting air attacks on Syrian targets at his discretion. The struggle to preserve Syrian sovereignty and integrity continues. Assad deserves universal support. Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network. |
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