Syria Masses Tanks On Border With Turkey

The Times of Israel ^ | June 29, 2012

[Strategy]

The Assad regime has massed approximately 170 tanks near the Turkish border, according to an unconfirmed report on Friday by a general in the Free Syrian Army.

General Mustafa al-Sheikh told Reuters that the tanks are now located 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the border, northeast of Aleppo.

"They either want to move toward the border to confront Turkish troops stationed there, or they are planning to attack rebels in towns near the border," al-Sheikh said.

The move comes after Turkey on Thursday sent anti-aircraft guns, rocket launchers and other fortifications to the border, marking an escalation in hostilities between the two countries.

[TSgt]

What could possibly go wrong in this peaceful part of the world?

[Alter Kaker]

Syria Masses Tanks Near Turkish Border

In the event of an invasion, I am sure Prime Minister Erdogan would have to contemplate calling up his police force.

Turkey has a large, modern, well-trained military (which also happens to be the second largest in NATO, after the United States).

This is like Guatemala threatening to invade the United States.

[Tallguy]

We may find out very shortly. I'm thinking that Turkey might be preparing a punitive raid along the Syrian border by moving some combat brigades a few miles into Syrian territory and setting up a defensive enclave. Turkey has shown the ability to project power short distances, so they could do this. It would then be up to Assad's forces to try to eject them. The Syrian regime could conceivably collapse if Assad's forces fail. But War is the Province of Uncertainty, so who knows what could happen.

[Tallguy]

Yes, but you're still talking Rolled Homogeneous Armor in a Composite Armor world. You can put reactive armor panels on them to give them some improved defense against anti-tank missiles, but a good-old kinetic round will slice right through that.

It always comes down to the quality of the tank crews in the end.

[Alter Kaker]

The big question will be: how many Syrian soldiers are going to want to fight Turkey in order to keep the Assad regime in power?

Does it really matter? Even if they all did, Syria's army poses absolutely no threat to Turkey in any kind of conventional sense. Syria's army is small, poorly trained and reliant on 1950s and 1960s era Soviet technology. Syria has thousands and thousands of obsolete Soviet tanks -- easy pickings for Turkey's modern air force (unless of course Turkey runs out of bombs -- which I think is pretty unlikely).

[dfwgator]

Syria Masses Tanks On Border With Turkey

Get your popcorn ready!

[dfwgator]

Just great, we’re going to go to war to bail out frickin’ Turkey, especially after what they did to us during the Iraq War.

[Tallguy]

I would not put it past our quasi-Muslim president to “come to the aid” of Turkey. Actually I expect the CIC to prod Turkey into doing something as a way to get us involved in striking at the Assad regime. Too clever by half, but that’s our Barry Soetero!

[Alter Kaker]

Muslims threatening muslims. Is there a downside?

Not that I can see. They will blame Israel and America no matter what happens

It's always reassuring to remember that national security policy isn't directed by morons on internet forums, although with this administration I'm not always sure.

In case you forgot, Turkey is a NATO ally, the world's 15th largest economy and a first world country. It's economy is growing at 9% a year and it is a major trade and security partner of the United States. Moreover, Turkey's strategic importance is growing very quickly in the region.

[Bon mots]

Let the Turks fight their own battles.

When we needed to fly over to get to Iraq, Turkey said no.
So they bought and paid for this.

It’s our turn to say NO!

[gore_sux]

“Muslims threatening muslims. Is there a downside?” - Except one side is part of NATO while the other side is being supplied by the Russians. This could easily balloon out of control, esp. with the Choom-in-Chief concentrating on destroying his own country.

[Michael Barnes]

especially after what they did to us during the Iraq War.

Lets not forget Nancy Pelosi was a key part in stirring up those problems for the 4th ID.

[Michael Barnes]

If you recall, it was Pelosi who pissed of Turkey with that “Armenian Genocide Resolution” in the house prior to the invasion but shortly after she was in the region meeting with some unsavory characters. The woman is pure anti-American.

[Bon mots]

If you recall, it was Pelosi who pissed of Turkey with that “Armenian Genocide Resolution” in the house prior to the invasion but shortly after she was in the region meeting with some unsavory characters. The woman is pure anti-American.

Of course.

Bottom line: Turkey said "NO" when we needed them.
We should say the same. Screw NATO.

[Drill Thrawl]

Muslims threatening muslims. Is there a downside?

Not that I can see. I love mes some hot muzzy on muzzy action. I say they should fight to the last man!

[Doe Eyes]

Let the Turks fight their own battles.

When did they ask for any help?

[Mike Darancette]

Why all the flexing?

See July, 1914.

[donozark]

Syria may have many tanks but most will remain parked just as Khadffi’s tanks did a year ago. Many, many T-72s simply remained in garrison. No trained crews to operate them. The Brothers Assad face a likewise dismal situation. Some crews have already sky-ed up for Turkey or Jordan. Those that remain are not likely to stay seated once Turkey/NATO begins top-down attacks.

[VanDeKoik]

Makes me really wish Turkey was still secular and friendly to Israel. A Neo-Ottoman land grab would actually might put a cork in at least part of that hell hole.