Posted on 02/15/2016 12:35:42 PM PST by Mariner
Turkey warned Kurdish militia fighters in northern Syria on Monday they would face the "harshest reaction" if they tried to capture a town near the Turkish border, and accused Russia of a missile attack there that killed at least 14 civilians.
A major offensive supported by Russian bombing and Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias has brought the Syrian army to within 25 km (15 miles) of Turkey's border. The Kurdish YPG militia has exploited the situation, seizing ground from Syrian rebels to extend its presence along the frontier.
At least 14 civilians were killed in the Syrian town of Azaz, the last rebel stronghold before the border with Turkey, when missiles hit a children's hospital and a school sheltering refugees fleeing the Syrian army offensive, a medic and two residents said.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said a Russian missile had hit the buildings and that many civilians including children had been killed.
Turkey shelled YPG positions for a third day to try to stop its fighters seizing Azaz, just 8 km (5 miles) from the border. Ankara fears the Kurdish militia, backed by Russia, is trying to secure the last stretch of around 100 km (60 miles) along the Syrian border not already under its control.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
It should be exciting to watch.
They put 3000 troops across the border near the western side of the Euphrates a while back - may still be there.
Mech Brig: M1A1s vs T-72s upgraded and T-90s - with armor designed to take M1A1 hits.
How’s your popcorn supply?
The first one that claims their bombs did not hit a civilian target, is the first one to know that bombs hit a civilian target. Odd, that is.
That was Iraq, not Syria. Russia has not pledged to defend Iraq.
Oh, and the Turks don't have any M1A1, they have M-60's and some old Leopard II's.
A NATO member is about to go to war with Russia.
NATO was formed to counter a Soviet (Russian) attack.
This is a lose/lose for the US.
If we enter on behalf of Turkey, we are siding with terrorists and risking global war.
If we stay out of it, the entire world knows for sure that NATO means nothing.
How the heck did Barry get us into this mess.
NATO and the US have no obligation to aid a member who is the aggressor. ESPECIALLY if their forces are outside their own country.
‘How the heck did Barry get us into this mess.’
No opposition party or curious press...thats how.
My money is on Russia.
Vlad has nukes and lots of experience with the death cult. Wouldn’t surprise me to see Turkeys capitol vaporized.
Valid Points.
In December, Russia sent 5k troops to Armenia...which has an ongoing border dispute with Turkey. This seems very similar to when Russia annexed Crimea a few years ago.
I don’t know what will happen, but its like there’s a chess match going on, and Barry’s out catching butterflies with Jay Z.
“A NATO member is about to go to war with Russia.
NATO was formed to counter a Soviet (Russian) attack.”
Nato doesn’t cover members who launch attacks against Russia because the Russians are interfering with a nato nations efforts to destabilize a non-nato neighbor for sectarian religious reasons.
And if it does, that proves everything Russia says about NATO being an expansionist aggressor.
The Turkish troops were in Jarabulus, Syria on the west side of the Euphrates River to stop the link up of the Kurd factions. Was a small mention you might have missed.
There were some images of Turkish tankers along the Syrian border that looked like the M1 - I saw those on TV, but on closer look at some web images of the same shots, you are right.
Barry should just publicly say “If Turkey initiates a conflict by attacking Russian forces in Syria, then the Turks are on their own”.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.