Syria vows to defend itself in case of strikes-'We have defences which will surprise others'

AFP ^ | August 27, 2013

[maggief]

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem vowed on Tuesday that his country will defend itself in case of any Western military strikes against it.

"We have two options: either to surrender, or to defend ourselves with the means at our disposal. The second choice is the best: we will defend ourselves," Muallem said in a televised news conference.

Muallem said that his country had defences that would "surprise" the world, and that any such action against it would serve the interests of Israel and Al-Qaeda.

"Syria is not an easy case. We have defences which will surprise others," he said.

"The war effort lead by the United States and their allies will serve the interests of Israel and secondly Al-Nusra Front," an Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group in Syria, said Muallem.

He challenged Western states to present evidence that the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had used chemical weapons.

"We are hearing war drums around us. If they want to launch an attack against Syria, I think using the excuse of chemical weapons is not true at all. I challenge them to show what proof they have," Muallem said.

[maggief]

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/08/27/Russia-Syria-has-defences-to-prevent-easy-victory-.html

AFP, Moscow

A possible Western intervention in Syria would not bring an “easy victory” because the Damascus government has enough air defense systems to rebuff attacks, the Interfax news agency said Tuesday.

“If the U.S. army together with NATO launch an operation against Syria there won’t be an easy victory,” the news agency quoted a military-diplomatic source as saying.

“Multi-functional surface-to-air missile system Buk-M2E and other means of air defense that the Syrian troops possess will give a proper response to the aggressors,” the source added.

The source said Syria currently has up to 10 batteries of such air defense systems.

The Soviet and Russian-made Buk are medium-range surface-to-air missile systems designed to engage cruise missiles, bombs and unmanned aircraft.

[maggief]

http://rt.com/news/syria-foreign-minister-strike-050/

Despite threats of international intervention, Damascus will continue its military efforts against the rebels, Syria’s Foreign Minister has said. Decrying plans for a foreign strike as “deluded,” he said any attempt to hinder the Syrian army would fail.

Speaking at a press conference in Damascus, Muallem condemned western allegations that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons on its own citizens as “a lie.”

“No country in the world uses weapons of mass destruction against its own people,” said Muallem.

He also rejected claims that the government had delayed the UN inspectors’ probe of the Ghouta site.

“The UN team did not ask to go to site until Saturday,” said Muallem, stressing that government permission was granted Sunday. Muallum went on to say that the UN team’s mission had been temporarily put on hold until Wednesday as a safety precaution after unidentified snipers opened fire on the inspectors on Monday.

(snip)

“The [government’s] military effort will not stop around Damascus. If the purpose is to limit the victories of our armed forces, they will not be successful,” said Muallem, adding that a foreign strike would only play into the hands of Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist groups operating in Syria.

[econjack]

We have defences which will surprise others...

Perhaps, but my guess is that we may have a few surprises for you, as well. That wasn't Baghdad Bob being quoted, was it?

[Little Pig]

On the one hand, every one of these two-bit tinhorn middle east dictators says the same thing when threatened: “Mother of all wars”, “we have defenses that will surprise you” etc etc.

On the other hand, one of these days, one of them just might turn out not to be bluffing.

[EQAndyBuzz]

If Obama thinks that launching missiles from 50 miles off shore won’t provoke a response from Syria, he is sadly mistaken.

[Yorlik803]

What happens if Syria launches those Ship killers that travel at mach 3?
If we lose one ship we have to put boots on the ground and expose them to possible gas attacks from either side.
Lose/lose thing.

[Netz]

“Defenses” such as Soviet, oops, I mean advanced Russian systems? Yes? That's why Obambi might use Tomahawks ONLY. Of course the Russkies will launch Silkworm type coastal defense missiles at US ships. What else do they have? SCUD B, C and Ds? Does it matter?

When/if they launch this stuff, the lights will go out in Damascus and it will be Shock and Awe all over again.

I am beginning to think that all of the US campaigns are based on weapon system expiration dates. It would seem that many Tomahawks are old by now, time to fire ‘em off, just gotta find a villain:

70’s - Indo-China
80’s - Lebanese Druze, Haiti, Russkies in Afghanistan, Contras, Libya.
90’s - Serbs, Iraq, Afghanistan
2000’s - Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan
2013 - Syria?
2014 - American Republicans?

[maggief]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/27/us-syria-usa-options-analysis-idUSBRE97Q0I420130827?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&dlvrit=992637

Analysis: U.S. strike would aim to punish Assad, not turn tide of war

(Reuters) - Any strike by the United States and its allies on Syria will probably aim to teach President Bashar al-Assad - and Iran - a lesson on the risks of defying the West, but not try to turn the tide of the civil war.

U.S. and European officials say a short, sharp attack - perhaps entirely with cruise missiles - is the preferred response to what they believe is Assad’s responsibility for a chemical weapons attack on rebel-held areas last week.

If such a strike goes ahead, President Barack Obama’s administration will have to select its targets with extreme care as it tries to deter not only Assad but also Syria’s ally Iran over its nuclear program.

(snip)

[Psalm 73]

Maybe Syria has a couple of black-market nukes from the dismantling of the old Soviet Union (maybe dozens unaccounted for).

[MestaMachine]

obie don’t wanna. Britain and France are pushing this as hard as they can. What is mildly perplexing is john mccain’s hysterical insistence that we attack. Does he owe someone something he MUST repay?

[B.O. Plenty]

Seeing as how Pres Zer0 ignores laws willy-nilly..

...why doesn't he just kill Basher Assad with a drone strike?

...heck, lets get this nonsense over with...why extend the misery to our children?

...there will be no "peace" with muslims until they are dead....or we are dead..

...lets find out what "peace" looks like...

...the peace of oppression...

...or the Peace of God...

[maggief]

URGENT - Repeating this BULLETIN - @NBCNews says strike on #Syria may come soon as Thursday - #Breaking

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100988767

#

WH Schedule. Afternoon, ‘Spades’ or golf??

8:00 am
The Vice President will host a breakfast meeting with Secretary of State Kerry
Naval Observatory
Closed Press
9:30 am
The President and the Vice President receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:15 am
The President meets with mayors on reducing youth violence
The Roosevelt Room
Closed Press
12:30 pm
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney
1:45 pm
The Vice President will deliver remarks at The American Legion National Convention
George R. Brown Convention Center
Open Press
7:30 pm
The President and the First Lady host a reception for the March on Washington
East Room
Closed Press

[DuncanWaring]

Yes ... Satan ... his soul.

[DuncanWaring]

Unless Soviet-era nukes have had their tritium refreshed, they’re considerably “down” from their original effectiveness.

[MestaMachine]

They better not do it, maggie. This will not be fun and games like Libya was.

[MestaMachine]

THAT goes without saying. But what is THIS about? I have never seen someone so anxious to go to war in my life...and on the worst side possible in every case.

[ConorMacNessa]

John F'n Kerry is expressing moral outrage at the use of gas in Syria - who the Hell is he to express moral outrage about anything? The blood of several hundred thousand freedom-loving Vietnamese is on his hands.

The rebels are slaughtering Christians, burning churches and houses, effectively cleansing Syria of Christians. Where's his moral outrage about that?

And what about the elements of MB and AQ involved with the rebels? In my view, this is one we should stay out of. It's the wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time - and against the wrong enemy. Not that I excuse any of Assad's crimes - I abhor them. Notwithstanding that, this is one case in which the enemy of my enemy is not my friend.

America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[DuncanWaring]

I have no idea; that’s my one regret about leaving Arizona - I can’t vote against him anymore.

[penelopesire]

Funny...I thought the other day that he will wait until after his big MLK dream speech, which I think is Wed. Obama does not want anything to take America’s focus off of his race speech. It is designed to go with all the ‘voters rights’ lawsuits that Holder has going on. It is politics with this guy all the time. He has a lot invested in stirring up race grievances at home first.