Posted on 03/15/2017 12:26:22 PM PDT by BeauBo
Edited on 03/15/2017 12:49:29 PM PDT by Sidebar Moderator. [history]
The Washington Post reported today that the US is considering sending up to 1,000 more troops to Syria in coming weeks.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
To accomplish what?
Why?
Who are they going to fight? Assad or isis?
Good Question - Our track record is rather poor for last 25 years. A case can be made the more we intervene, the less secure we become.
These people have been throwing rocks at each other for over 2,000 years. Does anyone really want to argue We can stop that ?
I suggest - we use our treasure to secure our borders, the sea & air lanes and not squander ourself in yet another quagmire.
Fantastic. I can’t see any downside to sending more US soldiers & taxpayer money to get further involved in a civil war where there are no good guys.
The speculation was that these troops would reinforce the Raqqa offensive somehow.
This administration is pretty tight-lipped about future operations, so the media is left speculating, and just reporting as they see signs of troops moving.
The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is already in Theater, aboard ship. The 2nd Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division was reported to have arrived in Kuwait.
I don’t think they are likely to send them into town to go door-to-door. I would guess that they will fill non-infantry roles like logistics support, intel, and fire support. Maybe a forward Command Post, and probably a bunch of guard force and quick reaction force - to thoroughly protect the forces that are already there. If you want 100 alert guys guarding the perimeter and another 100-200 ready to react quickly (on three shifts) you would need about 1,000.
They might also be planned for refugee support, or stabilization after the assault. Perhaps they are there to deter the Turks from invading.
Lot’s of possibilities.
I must have missed a current Congressional authorization.
Just like Obama, Trump is working off the original AUMF from 2001.
What a disappointment.
Who are they going to fight? Assad or isis?
I am pretty sure that they are going to fight (or support the fight) against ISIS.
One thing that has not been widely reported, is that the USA has dropped support to the anti-Assad rebels, like the Free Syrian Army. Dropped them cold right after Trump’s inauguration - no more weapons, ammo, or paychecks. They work for Turkey now, or they are on their own.
The 11th MEU onboard the USS Makin Island is the only MEU in theater and on the ground.
The USS Bataan and 24th MEU left Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Camp Lejeune, Feb. 25 and March 1. They should be on station in the Mediterranean by the end of March.
“The 11th MEU onboard the USS Makin Island is the only MEU in theater”
You are right brother, thanks for the correction. The article speculates that additional troops might come from the 24th “now steaming toward the region”.
That would push any operational plan for them out at least 2-3 weeks from now. The main assault force for Raqqa (SDF) could still be drawing in the cordon around Raqqa for three weeks. They are clearing the urban settlemnts that runs along the North shore of the Euphrates River, coming from the East (20-25 miles to go). To the North and West of Raqqa there is a ring of settlements about 15-20 miles out that have not yet been cleared.
The Syrian Arab Army might even be coming up on the South side of the river by then (not likely, but possible). They are only about 75 miles west on Highway 4, with a lot of open terrain. ISIS has been folding relatively quickly (withdrawing some forces and evacuating families East towards Raqqa or Dier ez Zour). They would likely have to take Dayr Hafir (kind of tough), Maskanah (less tough), and Tabqa (toughest) to get to Raqqa. If ISIS collapses or pulls everyone back, they could be there for the party.
Good to know. Thanks!
To keep the Turks and Kurds apart... and everyone else too.
It’s going to be our fight, we have a lot more assets packing their bags right now.
Prayers.
They must have some broader plan in mind. There were enough SDF to take Raqqa, and enough ISF to take Mosul.
I guess that ISIS is just in for even more of a whipping, and quicker.
They might be going for the stabilization phase, after Raqqa falls.
They might be going elsewhere after jihadis as well.
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