Posted on 12/11/2015 11:53:57 AM PST by Mariner
President Vladimir Putin said on Friday Russia is supporting the opposition Free Syrian Army, providing it with air cover, arms and ammunition in joint operations with Syrian troops against Islamist militants.
His statement appeared to be the first time Moscow said it was actually supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's opponents in the fight against Islamic State forces. Putin said last month the Russian air force had hit several "terrorist" targets identified by the Free Syrian Army.
A few hours later, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Putin had been talking about weapons supplies to the armed forces loyal to Assad.
But Peskov did not say Putin had been mistaken or misquoted about supplies to the Free Syrian Army and did not deny weapons were going to the opposition force.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
You?
I think so too.
Ping
The number of handgrenades Putin is able to juggle right now is mind boggling. Iran. Israel. Assad. FSA. Hezbollah. All while smaller men with greater assets keep rolling marbles under his feet.
If he can broker some kind of armistice or detente between Shi’ites and Israel, that will be a watershed. Those two may put their conflict aside to deal with the greater threat of Sunni jihadism, especially as supported by Western janisseries.
WAIT WAIT WAIT.
Did I miss something? I am confused.
It appears Putin believes his best interest is in a political solution in Syria.
And, this political solution may not involve any of the Jihadi groups or sponsors.
FSA was formed by ex Syrian Army officers.
And, it's possible the west, while they'll be at the table, will not have much of a vote.
If Putin can get FSA and Assad to agree to a deal, then the only opposition are Jihadis. And, the west can't overtly support Jihadis, can they?
Bad move, Russia.
What is that saying, the enemy of my enemy is my friend? At least for today. I wouldn’t plan my next vacation in Moscow if I were them.
“And, the west can’t overtly support Jihadis, can they? “
Supported them in the 80s, in the 90s, in the 2000s and in 2010s. So, yes, the west — America primarily — had been, has been, and will be supporting Jihadis.
A month ago, the Russians already said they helped and were helped by moderate forces per targets so this is not entirely new.
Broker peace between Shi’ites and Israel. Thanks for the laugh.
And Assad didn’t??
How many times does it need to be said, the Assads bombed our Marines, killed the Christian Prez in Lebanon.
You’ll find plenty of sources saying Iran is scaling back in Syria, they’ve had so much problems, mentioning this for those reading mickey mouse news sources.
Every time Putin bombs ISIS, an angel gets his wings.
Putin just poached our guys and are taking direction from the Syrian Army.
Putin and McCain make weird bedfellows...
“Broker peace between Shi’ites and Israel. Thanks for the laugh.”
I didn’t say peace, which implies permanence. I said armistice or detente, which is for mutual benefit for a time.
I fully realize that there are people who will always ensure that the war continues.
Thanks for the usual distortion and deflection you clones do.
“I believe this is a significant development.
You?”
Is this a trick question?
“President Vladimir Putin said on Friday Russia is supporting the opposition Free Syrian Army, providing it with air cover, arms and ammunition in joint operations with Syrian troops against Islamist militants.”
“Opposition Free Syrian Army”.. is a technical phrase. Can Reuters (the news source per article) define it, specifically?
It’s amusing to read these articles throwing words, labels and limited phrases around without detailed qualification or explanation of who they are and they want to achieve.
The real threat to Iran is from the Sunni triangle of Turkey-Saudia-Pakistan.
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