Friday, August 30, 2013
chycho: Lest we forget, an attack on Syria is an attack on...
chycho: Lest we forget, an attack on Syria is an attack on...: United States involvement in Syria has nothing to do with a repressive regime. After all, in 2002 the United States willingly used Assad’s ...
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Typhoon jets sent to Cyprus to guard against possible Syrian retaliation
Typhoon jets sent to Cyprus to guard against possible Syrian retaliation
RAF says fighters' presence is a precautionary measure against any potential attacks on bases if intervention is agreed
Email
RAF Typhoons, like the ones that will be on standby in Cyprus. Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images
The UK is sending six RAF Typhoon jets to Cyprus to defend the strategically important bases on the island against potential retaliatory attacks from the regime of Bashar al-Assad.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the fighters were flying to the Mediterranean on Thursday morning, ahead of any possible military action against Syria in the coming days.
The MoD stressed that the jets were not being sent to conduct potential ground-attack missions against Assad's regime, but were there as a precautionary measure.
The UK has two sovereign base areas on the former British colony at Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The aircraft will be based at the Akrotiri base, which has been a key staging post for military flights to and from Afghanistan.
The bases are also home to listening and surveillance stations that provide the British and US militaries, and western intelligence services, with vital information about what is going on across the Middle East.
Military analysts have expressed concern that Cyprus might be in range of Syria's Scud missiles. Assad also has a strong air force.
An RAF spokesman said: "We can confirm that as part of ongoing contingency planning, six RAF Typhoon interceptor fast jets are deploying this morning to Akrotiri in Cyprus. This is purely a prudent and precautionary measure to ensure the protection of UK interests and the defence of our sovereign base areas at a time of heightened tension in the wider region.
"This is a movement of defensive assets operating in an air-to-air role only. They are not deploying to take part in any military action against Syria. The PM has made clear no decision has been taken on our response and the government has said that there will be a Commons vote before direct military involvement".
The MoD said the deployment was meant to deter and protect against attack from the air, and that the Typhoons would be armed with advanced medium range air-to-air missiles (Amraams), advanced short-range air-to-air missile (Asraams) and a Mauser cannon.
The RAF's four frontline Typhoon squadrons are based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and RAF Leuchars in Fife. Each squadron operates up to 15 aircraft.
Prof Michael Clarke, the director general of the defence thinktank the Royal United Services Institute, said there was a threat to British interests in Cyprus whether or not it was used to launch strikes on Syria, so sensible measures would be in place to defend it.
"If the Syrians wanted to retaliate, they would retaliate against British bases whether or not it had been used," he said.
"The safety of Cyprus is not an issue here but you would take sensible actions to keep Cyprus properly defended. Defending Cyprus is not a problem but there will be measures taken to be on alert."
The MoD said there were currently around 2,500 military and UK civilian personnel serving on the bases, accompanied by around 3,000 family members.
Two infantry battalions serve there. One provides security to UK defence assets and the other provides a high readiness reserve force for operations.
The base at Akrotiri is home to 84 Squadron, a search-and-rescue helicopter and a range of other units. A number are involved in providing air transport links and other support to operations in Afghanistan, including decompression for personnel returning from operations there.
A further 270 UK personnel are based in Nicosia on peacekeeping duties, as part of the UN force in Cyprus.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the fighters were flying to the Mediterranean on Thursday morning, ahead of any possible military action against Syria in the coming days.
The MoD stressed that the jets were not being sent to conduct potential ground-attack missions against Assad's regime, but were there as a precautionary measure.
The UK has two sovereign base areas on the former British colony at Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The aircraft will be based at the Akrotiri base, which has been a key staging post for military flights to and from Afghanistan.
The bases are also home to listening and surveillance stations that provide the British and US militaries, and western intelligence services, with vital information about what is going on across the Middle East.
Military analysts have expressed concern that Cyprus might be in range of Syria's Scud missiles. Assad also has a strong air force.
An RAF spokesman said: "We can confirm that as part of ongoing contingency planning, six RAF Typhoon interceptor fast jets are deploying this morning to Akrotiri in Cyprus. This is purely a prudent and precautionary measure to ensure the protection of UK interests and the defence of our sovereign base areas at a time of heightened tension in the wider region.
"This is a movement of defensive assets operating in an air-to-air role only. They are not deploying to take part in any military action against Syria. The PM has made clear no decision has been taken on our response and the government has said that there will be a Commons vote before direct military involvement".
The MoD said the deployment was meant to deter and protect against attack from the air, and that the Typhoons would be armed with advanced medium range air-to-air missiles (Amraams), advanced short-range air-to-air missile (Asraams) and a Mauser cannon.
The RAF's four frontline Typhoon squadrons are based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and RAF Leuchars in Fife. Each squadron operates up to 15 aircraft.
Prof Michael Clarke, the director general of the defence thinktank the Royal United Services Institute, said there was a threat to British interests in Cyprus whether or not it was used to launch strikes on Syria, so sensible measures would be in place to defend it.
"If the Syrians wanted to retaliate, they would retaliate against British bases whether or not it had been used," he said.
"The safety of Cyprus is not an issue here but you would take sensible actions to keep Cyprus properly defended. Defending Cyprus is not a problem but there will be measures taken to be on alert."
The MoD said there were currently around 2,500 military and UK civilian personnel serving on the bases, accompanied by around 3,000 family members.
Two infantry battalions serve there. One provides security to UK defence assets and the other provides a high readiness reserve force for operations.
The base at Akrotiri is home to 84 Squadron, a search-and-rescue helicopter and a range of other units. A number are involved in providing air transport links and other support to operations in Afghanistan, including decompression for personnel returning from operations there.
A further 270 UK personnel are based in Nicosia on peacekeeping duties, as part of the UN force in Cyprus.
Typhoon jets sent to Cyprus to guard against possible Syrian retaliation
Typhoon jets sent to Cyprus to guard against possible Syrian retaliation
RAF says fighters' presence is a precautionary measure against any potential attacks on bases if intervention is agreed
RAF Typhoons, like the ones that will be on standby in Cyprus. Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images
The UK is sending six RAF Typhoon jets to Cyprus to defend the strategically important bases on the island against potential retaliatory attacks from the regime of Bashar al-Assad.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the fighters were flying to the Mediterranean on Thursday morning, ahead of any possible military action against Syria in the coming days.
The MoD stressed that the jets were not being sent to conduct potential ground-attack missions against Assad's regime, but were there as a precautionary measure.
The UK has two sovereign base areas on the former British colony at Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The aircraft will be based at the Akrotiri base, which has been a key staging post for military flights to and from Afghanistan.
The bases are also home to listening and surveillance stations that provide the British and US militaries, and western intelligence services, with vital information about what is going on across the Middle East.
Military analysts have expressed concern that Cyprus might be in range of Syria's Scud missiles. Assad also has a strong air force.
An RAF spokesman said: "We can confirm that as part of ongoing contingency planning, six RAF Typhoon interceptor fast jets are deploying this morning to Akrotiri in Cyprus. This is purely a prudent and precautionary measure to ensure the protection of UK interests and the defence of our sovereign base areas at a time of heightened tension in the wider region.
"This is a movement of defensive assets operating in an air-to-air role only. They are not deploying to take part in any military action against Syria. The PM has made clear no decision has been taken on our response and the government has said that there will be a Commons vote before direct military involvement".
The MoD said the deployment was meant to deter and protect against attack from the air, and that the Typhoons would be armed with advanced medium range air-to-air missiles (Amraams), advanced short-range air-to-air missile (Asraams) and a Mauser cannon.
The RAF's four frontline Typhoon squadrons are based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and RAF Leuchars in Fife. Each squadron operates up to 15 aircraft.
Prof Michael Clarke, the director general of the defence thinktank the Royal United Services Institute, said there was a threat to British interests in Cyprus whether or not it was used to launch strikes on Syria, so sensible measures would be in place to defend it.
"If the Syrians wanted to retaliate, they would retaliate against British bases whether or not it had been used," he said.
"The safety of Cyprus is not an issue here but you would take sensible actions to keep Cyprus properly defended. Defending Cyprus is not a problem but there will be measures taken to be on alert."
The MoD said there were currently around 2,500 military and UK civilian personnel serving on the bases, accompanied by around 3,000 family members.
Two infantry battalions serve there. One provides security to UK defence assets and the other provides a high readiness reserve force for operations.
The base at Akrotiri is home to 84 Squadron, a search-and-rescue helicopter and a range of other units. A number are involved in providing air transport links and other support to operations in Afghanistan, including decompression for personnel returning from operations there.
A further 270 UK personnel are based in Nicosia on peacekeeping duties, as part of the UN force in Cyprus.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the fighters were flying to the Mediterranean on Thursday morning, ahead of any possible military action against Syria in the coming days.
The MoD stressed that the jets were not being sent to conduct potential ground-attack missions against Assad's regime, but were there as a precautionary measure.
The UK has two sovereign base areas on the former British colony at Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The aircraft will be based at the Akrotiri base, which has been a key staging post for military flights to and from Afghanistan.
The bases are also home to listening and surveillance stations that provide the British and US militaries, and western intelligence services, with vital information about what is going on across the Middle East.
Military analysts have expressed concern that Cyprus might be in range of Syria's Scud missiles. Assad also has a strong air force.
An RAF spokesman said: "We can confirm that as part of ongoing contingency planning, six RAF Typhoon interceptor fast jets are deploying this morning to Akrotiri in Cyprus. This is purely a prudent and precautionary measure to ensure the protection of UK interests and the defence of our sovereign base areas at a time of heightened tension in the wider region.
"This is a movement of defensive assets operating in an air-to-air role only. They are not deploying to take part in any military action against Syria. The PM has made clear no decision has been taken on our response and the government has said that there will be a Commons vote before direct military involvement".
The MoD said the deployment was meant to deter and protect against attack from the air, and that the Typhoons would be armed with advanced medium range air-to-air missiles (Amraams), advanced short-range air-to-air missile (Asraams) and a Mauser cannon.
The RAF's four frontline Typhoon squadrons are based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and RAF Leuchars in Fife. Each squadron operates up to 15 aircraft.
Prof Michael Clarke, the director general of the defence thinktank the Royal United Services Institute, said there was a threat to British interests in Cyprus whether or not it was used to launch strikes on Syria, so sensible measures would be in place to defend it.
"If the Syrians wanted to retaliate, they would retaliate against British bases whether or not it had been used," he said.
"The safety of Cyprus is not an issue here but you would take sensible actions to keep Cyprus properly defended. Defending Cyprus is not a problem but there will be measures taken to be on alert."
The MoD said there were currently around 2,500 military and UK civilian personnel serving on the bases, accompanied by around 3,000 family members.
Two infantry battalions serve there. One provides security to UK defence assets and the other provides a high readiness reserve force for operations.
The base at Akrotiri is home to 84 Squadron, a search-and-rescue helicopter and a range of other units. A number are involved in providing air transport links and other support to operations in Afghanistan, including decompression for personnel returning from operations there.
A further 270 UK personnel are based in Nicosia on peacekeeping duties, as part of the UN force in Cyprus.
Russia to send two warships to Mediterranean
| Russia to send two warships to Mediterranean |
Russia warns of "catastrophic consequences" of U.S. strike against Syria, sends anti-submarine vessel, missile cruiser to the Mediterranean • However, high-ranking Russian officials say it "will not go to war with anyone" over Syria.
Eli Leon, News Agencies and Israel Hayom Staff
| Russian missle cruiser Moskva [Illustrative] | Photo credit: AFP  | ||||
|
Russia hinted Wednesday that while it adamantly believes the West should not interfere in the Syrian civil war, it is highly unlikely that it will actively intervene in case the U.S. will mount an attack against Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime.
"Russia will not intervene if Syria is attacked," an unnamed, high-ranking government source in Moscow was quoted as saying by the Russian news agency Interfax.
The official's remark echoed a statement by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who said Monday that Russia had "no plans to go to war with anyone" over Syria.
But despite these statements, a Russian defense official said that the country would send two ships to the eastern Mediterranean to strengthen its naval presence because of the "well-known situation" there.
Interfax quoted a source in the armed forces' general staff as saying an anti-submarine vessel and a missile cruiser would be sent in the coming days because the situation "required us to make some adjustments" in the naval force. According to Reuters, the Russian Defense Ministry refused to comment on the matter.
Russia, which -- together with China -- has been using its veto power in the U.N. Security Council to ward off any resolutions against Syria, warned Wednesday that a Western military intervention in the Syrian civil war could have "catastrophic consequences" for the Middle East, and urged the international community to show "prudence" over the crisis.
Moscow, which is Damascus' main weapons supplier, has been trying to convince the U.N.'s Security Council to force the U.S. to back down and nix its plans to strike Syria as punishment for using chemical weapons against civilian in an Aug. 21 attack on the outskirts of Damascus.
U.S. President Barack Obama stated Wednesday that Washington has unequivocal proof that the Syrian army used toxic gas -- most probably sarin -- on the civilian population in the area.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said that the U.S. and the U.K. were trying "to bypass the Security Council, once again to create artificial groundless excuses for a military intervention in the region," warning that the "unwarranted attack" would have "catastrophic consequences for other countries of the Middle East and North Africa.
"We are calling on our American partners and all members of the world community to demonstrate prudence [and] strict observance of international law, especially the fundamental principles of the U.N. Charter," he said.
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