Clashes in Iraq continue as U.S., Russia expand Syria air bases

upi.com ^ | Jan. 25, 2016 at 5:00 AM | Fred Lambert

[Trumpinator]

BAGHDAD, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Last week, fighting between security forces and Islamic State militants in Iraq's Anbar province continued alongside clashes across the border in neighboring Syria -- where the United States and Russia could be setting up new air bases.

Syria

Russia is reportedly establishing a presence in more air bases across Syria besides the currently used Hmeimim air base in Latakia province.

Russian forces are also expanding the al-Shayrat air base, located in the countryside southeast of the capital of Homs province, according to SOHR. The facility will reportedly by used by Russian warplanes in operations around the IS-held city of Palmyra.

Another Russian team is inspecting a regime-held airfield in the city of Qamishli, located in the northern part of al-Hasakah province, CNN quoted two unnamed U.S. officials as saying on Thursday. SOHR confirmed the report.

"We don't know what their intent is, but it is something we are watching closely," one official said.

Al-Hasakah province is an area mainly controlled by a U.S.-backed coalition of Kurdish, Arab and Assyrian rebel groups known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, which has since last fall fought under cover of U.S. airstrikes to clear IS forces from the province.

According to reports citing local sources, U.S. troops are making expansions of their own at the Rmeilan air base, also located in al-Hasakah province. SOHR, quoting multiple source in the province, reported Tuesday that workers had for weeks been using vehicles to increase the size of the runway, where U.S. helicopters could be seen taking off and landing. SOHR said the airfield will be a launching point for further air operations against IS and would headquarter U.S. military advisers who entered Syria last year.

[Trumpinator]

Is it me or is Syria starting to resemble China in 1900 when every world power sent in an army to quell the Boxer Rebellion (also religious holy warrior types based around a Kong Fu type of religion as best I can remember - hence the boxer name - martial artist was not used as a term then it seems).

[AU72]

China was fought for trade. Syria has nothing of value to offer.

[Trumpinator]

I alluded to only the mad dash of all these foreign interests into Syria. It is different than China in the 1900s because there it seemed the European and Japanese powers were cooperating in carving up spheres of influence.

[AU72]

Syria will be ground to powder before it’s over. I’m rooting for Kurds to survive with Russian help.

[Trumpinator]

Syria is toast. Lebanon was never completely healed and joined up as one country after that civil war and the same will happen to Syria. It will be a unified country in name only.