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.
Powderkeg.
Yeah but we don’t shoot Russian planes. We buzz them, escort them, anything short of shooting ‘em down.
10 Warnings huh.
The United States believes Russia’s incursion into Turkish airspace on Tuesday likely lasted only a matter of seconds before Turkey shot down a Russian warplane, a U.S. official said, saying the assessment was based on preliminary indications.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the United States was still investigating the incident.
http://news.yahoo.com/russian-entry-turkish-airspace-lasted-seconds-u-official-164618732.html
They're not noted for precision, accuracy, nor sympathy.
They're noted for brute force & results.
our Pentagon briefings are now just embarrassing
another Obama mouthpiece
guess they are directed at us stupid people because the rest of the world has finally got a clue what is really going on
Bottom line is that Russia was bombing ISIS and the Muslim government of Turkey shot a Russian jet down.
This entire statement reads like an Obama propaganda release.
Yep. Lots of turnover of military leadership in the last seven years.....Valerie has been making her charge move out any dissent and replace them with sycophants.
So obvious.
And I’m supposed to believe the same people that have been cooking intelligence reports on ISIS?
At this stage, you can’t believe anything Turkey, Russia or the US say. The lies will fall fast and thick. Ten warnings for a 17 second incursion does sound like a false statement and internally inconsistent.
Why is Russia flying over Turkey in the first place if they want to get to Syria?
Syria has a beach on the Mediterranean.
So is it just a matter of Putin saving some rubles by taking a militarily expedient but risky shortcut?
This entire statement reads like an Obama propaganda release.
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It does indeed. This is the result of many years of the Obama regime rewarding compliant military officers with promotion. Those honest officers who have resisted have been lucky to be promoted in the higher ranks unless they have kept their doubts and true beliefs secret.
“”This entire statement reads like an Obama propaganda release.””
It sure does. This Warren character must be well insulated from any press questions - if they were so inclined to question any statements put out by this administration and its mouthpieces in the first place. Sounds like he’s trying real hard to point the fingers elsewhere - distraction which they have honed to perfection except for those of us who pay attention. Mid 20th century techniques? Do we really want to pick a fight with Russia?
My thoughts exactly. That's 10 2-second warnings. I know the warnings would have started as the jet was approaching Turkish airspace, so there were more than 17 seconds of warnings, but still, to be shot down after a 17-sec incursion seems extreme. If the jet were flying at 600 mph, 17 seconds would have gotten the jet only about 3 miles into Syrian territory. Well, it's made clear whose side Turkey is on.
So, Colonel Warren, a spokesman for the coalition fighting ISIS, is making fun of Russia’s attack on an ISIS oil convoy?
Insanity.
That would be like FDR ridiculing the British victories against the Nazis in North Africa in WWII.
Madness.
Sorry - make that “mid 20th century technology”....””We didn’t in other words make ANY EFFORT to come up with facts - just words to confuse everyone who is watching.”” Some day these goons are going to be made to answer for their blindness in following an incompetent, corrupt (ahem!)leader while he sells our country right down the river. Well, we can never give up hope anyway!
“”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.
leaflets work best when dropped from the air, and are ineffective when shown to pilots as they fly above
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