Posted on 11/24/2015 10:30:05 AM PST by SeekAndFind
The spokesman for the coalition fighting ISIS in Iraq and Syria confirmed to reporters at the Pentagon this morning that Turkey gave 10 warnings to Russian fighters before one was shot down over the Syrian border region today.
Col. Steve Warren, the spokesman in Iraq for Operation Inherent Resolve, also said Russia greatly "exaggerated" its claims last week to have destroyed 500 ISIS oil tankers with airstrikes.
Warren, stressing that the shootdown "is not an issue that involves Operation Inherent Resolve," confirmed two Turkish F-16s on border patrol "engaged" two Russian Su-24s. One Russian aircraft was shot down.
The crew reportedly ejected before the crash in Latakia province; the Defense Department couldn't confirm reports that one of the pilots was dead.
"This goes beyond the normal struggle against terrorism. This was a stab in the back by the accomplices of terrorists," Russian President Vladimir Putin said. "Our pilots and our plane did not in any way threaten Turkey. It is quite clear."
Putin said the planes "were carrying out an operation against [Islamic State militants] in the mountains of northern Latakia, where militants who originate from Russian territory are concentrated. So they were carrying the key task of preventative attacks against those who could return to Russia at any time."
Warren said today, though, that the Russians are still not focused on taking out ISIS. "Only a fraction of their attacks have been against ISIL targets," he said. "There are no ISIL targets in the area where this happened, anyway."
The colonel said Russia is conducting "sloppy military work," with a "reckless, irresponsible, uncaring approach." He added there's "upwards of a thousand civilian casualties caused by the Russians," including "over 100 kids."
Warren said of the Turkey shootdown, "There were no U.S. personnel in the vicinity of this incident, so we did not observe it."
"This was purely an action that took place between the Russians and the Turks," he said, noting that "certainly we have radar and other acquisition capabilities in place ... we're still gathering the facts and looking at all the details."
"The incident happened at the border, that much I can tell you."
Warren stressed that "all aircraft should respect the sovereignty of nations around them."
"The international protocol and standards and norms are well established," he said. "There's no reason for aircraft to be flying where they shouldn't."
Asked what could have been done to stop the Russian planes instead of firing, Warren said there's a "whole range" of intercepting options including escorting -- but "it's really a matter for the Turks to talk about."
Turkey said in a letter to the UN Security Council today that the Russian aircraft were warned 10 times in a span of five minutes, with no response. They said Turkish airspace was violated for 17 seconds, with one Russian plane leaving and the other fired at "in accordance with the rules of engagement."
Last week, Russia released video it said showed their airstrikes to destroy 500 ISIS oil tankers. Warren said there's no way the operation could have happened as the Kremlin claimed.
"The battle damage assessment they issued seemed to be exaggerated," Warren said, estimating Russian hit "under 100" tankers.
"We didn't go through the effort to count, to do a detailed battle assessment," he said, elaborating that Defense officials studied the video. "Unless the Russians are counting flattened tires and chipped paint," Warren added, it's "impossible" -- especially using the "dumb bombs, old-fashioned mid-20th century technology and accuracy to sling lead around the battlefield" as Russia does.
Russia has "routinely demonstrated now that their goal is to prop up and prolong the Assad regime," the Inherent Resolve spokesman stressed, conducting strikes that are a "direct benefit" to the Assad regime.
"It's notable that Russia struck trucks only after we met with such stunning success, and I guess the Russians felt they had to get in on that," Warren said.
As far as coalition efforts, Warren said "we're seeing the impacts of our operations to defeat ISIL." He showed video of Nov. 22 strikes near Al-Hasakah and Deir Ezzor that took out 283 oil tanker trucks. "As we did on the first tanker truck strike we did a leaflet drop ahead of time to warn civilian tanker drivers to leave the area."
He also showed video of a precision strike on a bridge near Ramadi to protect Iraqi forces from car bomb attacks -- the vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices that are "an ISIL weapon of choice." Targeted strikes are also focused on VBIED factories.
That is only part of the bottom line, the other is that Russia has been crossing boarders and they have been told over and over to stop the incursions but Russia just can't help themselves poking at countries.
This is both sides in the wrong. A sovereign nation had already warned Russia to knock it off and explained what the consequences would be, they refused. Turkey is in on the wrong side of the war supporting terrorist. A pox on both of their houses.
Unlike Iraq we never had any business in Syria....this is Obama's shame. His legacy will have been to start WWIII.
Looking at a map, that sliver of land is less than 5 miles across. The plane would have been across it in under a minute.
10 warnings in 17 seconds? Someone is a fast talker!
Bottom line is a Russia jet was bombing ISIS, and the Muslim/pro Isis government of Turkey shot that Russian jet down.
Syria is a sovereign nation, too. :)
I know what you're saying, believe me. But I am more inclined to believe the Russian at this point than the lying Obamugabe and the Turks. Pretty sad, I think, but that is where I am at this moment.
BO is singularly untrustworthy and the Turk is too...Erdogan, is it?
I do know that the worldwide media has been reporting that RUSSIA has been bombing the hell out of ISIS since it was determined ISIS took down the Russian plane.
Obama insists that Russia is bombing the "moderate" Syrian rebels who oppose Assad. The "moderate" Syrian rebels also oppose ISIS. So if the Obama is telling the truth, then the Russians are "helping" ISIS by bombing the "moderate" Syrian rebels.
If that is the case, if the Russians are ASSISTING ISIS by bombing "moderate" rebels, why would ISIS target the Russian airliner? Doesn't make sense.
And the Turks--after their soccer fans booed the "moment of silence" and shouted Allahu Akbar--don't seem to be allies against ISIS. (I know I shouldn't necessarily conflate soccer hooligans with the government, but it is at least indicative of some of the thinking in that nation...)
best, sff
Bottom line is don’t violate airspace. Eventually they’ll get tired of your crap.
Bottom line is don’t violate airspace. Eventually, they’ll get tired of your crap.
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True dat. I suspect that the time has arrived when TURKEY NEEDS TO EXPECT ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATING SYRIAN AIRSPACE in Turkey’s campaign to bomb the Kurds who are battling ISIS. Turkey needs to pay for this defense of ISIS IMHO.
Except neither Syria nor Russia have the quality equipment to do it. In the end the better weapon system always wins that argument.
And there’s a lot of people that “need” to pay for the defense of ISIS who never will. Welcome to reality.
Except neither Syria nor Russia have the quality equipment to do it.
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Ahh...tell that to the relatives of the Dutch plane that was shot down over Ukraine.
Shooting down passenger jets and shooting down fighter jets are very apples and chickens. You know how you can tell Syria can’t shoot down Turkish planes? They haven’t.
The Russians can. The S300 or worse the S400 systems can. Everybody needs to take a deep breath before we get a far more direct confrontation than anyone wants.
I don’t think Russia will come out ahead. They’ve got crappy equipment. They MIGHT be able to shoot down Turkish planes, but we already KNOW the Turks can shoot them down. The only real question is is Putin self aware enough to figure out that’s an escalation he’ll lose. I hope so, but I have my doubts. IMHO getting involved in a mid-east situation is always a mistake, so just by taking that first step I have no confidence in Putin. But his losses are starting to mount up already, so maybe he’s on the path to learning. We’ll see.
Shooting down passenger jets and shooting down fighter jets are very apples and chickens. You know how you can tell Syria can’t shoot down Turkish planes? They haven’t.
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Really?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_2012_interception_of_Turkish_aircraft
I guess it's a good thing America has never violated Russian air space, right? But I guess it's okay when we do it, nothing to start world war three over, unless of course you are a GOPe lackey.
Wow.
That map/graphic helps put things in perspective. Russia will probably be justified in repaying Turkey - with generous interest - one fine day.
James 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Funny, but helps give one perspective.
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