Syrian army weakening as rebels make gains

The Washington Post ^ | Tuesday, December 4, 2012 | Joby Warrick and Babak Dehghanpisheh

[MinorityRepublican]

After nearly two years of fighting, Syria’s vaunted war machine is showing serious cracks as emboldened rebels snap up more bases and airfields and force army units to retrench behind defensive lines in major cities, Western officials and military analysts say.

Bolstered by a steady flow of arms from foreign backers, opposition forces have scored a series of tactical victories in the Damascus suburbs in recent days and are advancing steadily toward the city’s airport, adding to what some analysts view as a sense of momentum that has been building since late summer.

Powerful antitank and antiaircraft weapons have helped level what was once a lopsided contest, the officials say, so much so that army commanders have been unable or unwilling to challenge rebel assaults on large military bases on the capital’s outskirts.

“The regime isn’t intervening to defend its positions,” said Jeffrey White, a former Middle East military analyst with the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency. “And when it does try to counterattack, it often fails.”

[justa-hairyape]

Some additional information in these two stories.

Report: Syria Combining Chemicals for Sarin Gas

Obama Blasts Syria's Chemical Weapons, Not Iran, Iraq

[justa-hairyape]

And if you want to see just how far the Ministry of Disinformation will squirm to defend Obama, just read this story from the NBC Oligarchy Network.

No evidence Syria mixing chemical agents, Pentagon official says

Nothing but unicorns pooping skittles on the Oligarchy Networks.

[justa-hairyape]

From the Hagman article.

The Russians already have about 100,000 soldiers in Syria.

That cannot be right. The Russians have less then 100,000 in Syria. Estimated to be 30,000 Russian citizens in Syria. The Russians really want Turkey for the Holidays anyway.

[Cronos]

the "rebels" a.k.a. Al-Qaeda jihadis will do that and worse

Does Hezbollah unite with fellow muzzie rebel bros and get even more aggresive with Israel? -- Not a chance -- the Hizb being Shias will be at loggerheads with the Sunni jihadis

[Marine_Uncle]

RE: "Well the Washington Post will be the primary outlet for "NEWS" from the White House.
Are you sure they aren't already holding that position. :)
REL :The Russians already have about 100,000 soldiers in Syria."
As you indicated. That number is entirely to high. Hagmann had written some very reasonable stuff on the Benghazi issue, but one should use care as you did in anything they read.
It's to easy to throw stuff out one cannot verify as the whole truth.

[justa-hairyape]

If he is right, we are in for a world of hurt. Probably more like 10,000, if you include marines on their Black Sea Fleet (a thousand or more). With about 5,000 to 8,000 Russians troops at various Russian equipment installations and also security for Russian citizens. Could believe a number like 10,000. No problem.

[Marine_Uncle]

Your estimate seem quite reasonable/realistic to me.