PARIS — French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Monday called on the European Union to “mobilize” to respond to appeals from Iraqs Kurds for arms to fight Islamic State jihadists.
In a letter to EU foreign affairs supremo Catherine Ashton, Fabius said: “It is crucial that the European Union mobilizes from today to respond to this appeal for help.”
Fabius, who has just returned from a trip to Iraq where he met Iraqi Kurdish president Massud Barzani, explained that the latter had stressed “the urgent need for weapons and ammunition that would allow them to confront and beat the terrorist group Islamic State.”
Well I guess at this point it's inevitable. If we or the EU start arming the Kurds independently from the Iraqi government, how long before we start to recognize their other requests independently as well.
Even if the Kurds don't get formal recognition as a state, this whole thing should give them a lot of political influence in the new Iraqi government that forms out of all of this.
On August 13 2014 03:33 cheese sandwich wrote: Really hope the Kurds get their land but our alliance with Turkey will be hard to fully support Kurdistan since Turkey is in NATO for whatever reason.
Turkey is one of the most important countries in NATO as far as strategic alliances go.
I understand the politics of not wanting to piss off Turkey, but there's a lot they too could benefit from by having Iraqi and Syrian Kurdistan be independent.
The KKG and KRG aren't the same entity and from what I've read they don't exactly get along all that well either.
On August 13 2014 03:33 cheese sandwich wrote: Really hope the Kurds get their land but our alliance with Turkey will be hard to fully support Kurdistan since Turkey is in NATO for whatever reason.
Turkey is one of the most important countries in NATO as far as strategic alliances go.
I understand the politics of not wanting to piss off Turkey, but there's a lot they too could benefit from by having Iraqi and Syrian Kurdistan be independent.
The KKG and KRG aren't the same entity and from what I've read they don't exactly get along all that well either.
The Kurds problem is different in each country: In Syria the provinces are geographically scattered with centers around northern cities and the independence is self-declared from around the start of the civil war. It is not gonna hold without a more geographically unified area and official recognition. In Iraq the northern provinces have had a semi-official accept of independence. They had to vote on where the borders should go, but it has not happened yet. In Turkey Kurdistan is a large area where Kurdish is spoken. Erdongan is the first leader in Turkey to recognise them as Kurds, but the border region between Iraq and Turkey is still highly explosive. In Iran, the Kurds are seen as a problem as any minority is "against the religious doctrines". They are brutally suppressed by the iranian army.
I think Turkey and Iran both fear a flaming up of the fighting at the iraqi borders. Whether it is a civil war between Kurds about control of areas or a real fight for independence are different degrees on the same end of a certain spectrum. Instability of any kind can be problematic.
Russia to Destroy S-300 Weapons Systems Meant for Export to Syria
MOSCOW, August 11 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s anti-aircraft S-300 weapons systems, intended for export to Syria before sanctions were imposed, will be destroyed, the director for the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said Monday.
“The S-300 complexes meant for Syria will be destroyed. This decision has been made on the level of the country’s political leadership,” Konstantin Biryulin said.
Asked if the complexes could be sold to a different country, Biryulin said that it was possible, “but very unlikely.”
Mind you the contracts were arranged (and partly paid for) back in 2012, possibly even late 2011. Western sanctions not withstanding, the Kremlin had no compunction to halt the shipments from going through to Syria.
So why are they cancelling the whole contract all of the sudden? Assad's treasury running out? Israeli airstrikes? Or afraid of ISIS 'borrowing' a few launchers for a joyride?
Russia to Destroy S-300 Weapons Systems Meant for Export to Syria
MOSCOW, August 11 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s anti-aircraft S-300 weapons systems, intended for export to Syria before sanctions were imposed, will be destroyed, the director for the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said Monday.
“The S-300 complexes meant for Syria will be destroyed. This decision has been made on the level of the country’s political leadership,” Konstantin Biryulin said.
Asked if the complexes could be sold to a different country, Biryulin said that it was possible, “but very unlikely.”
Mind you the contracts were arranged (and partly paid for) back in 2012, possibly even late 2011. Western sanctions not withstanding, the Kremlin had no compunction to halt the shipments from going through to Syria.
So why are they cancelling the whole contract all of the sudden? Assad's treasury running out? Israeli airstrikes? Or afraid of ISIS 'borrowing' a few launchers for a joyride?
Russia to Destroy S-300 Weapons Systems Meant for Export to Syria
MOSCOW, August 11 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s anti-aircraft S-300 weapons systems, intended for export to Syria before sanctions were imposed, will be destroyed, the director for the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said Monday.
“The S-300 complexes meant for Syria will be destroyed. This decision has been made on the level of the country’s political leadership,” Konstantin Biryulin said.
Asked if the complexes could be sold to a different country, Biryulin said that it was possible, “but very unlikely.”
Mind you the contracts were arranged (and partly paid for) back in 2012, possibly even late 2011. Western sanctions not withstanding, the Kremlin had no compunction to halt the shipments from going through to Syria.
So why are they cancelling the whole contract all of the sudden? Assad's treasury running out? Israeli airstrikes? Or afraid of ISIS 'borrowing' a few launchers for a joyride?
Why did Assad want AA platforms? His enemies don't have an airforce....
On August 13 2014 17:12 sgtnoobkilla wrote: Not exactly shocking news but:
Russia to Destroy S-300 Weapons Systems Meant for Export to Syria
MOSCOW, August 11 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s anti-aircraft S-300 weapons systems, intended for export to Syria before sanctions were imposed, will be destroyed, the director for the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said Monday.
“The S-300 complexes meant for Syria will be destroyed. This decision has been made on the level of the country’s political leadership,” Konstantin Biryulin said.
Asked if the complexes could be sold to a different country, Biryulin said that it was possible, “but very unlikely.”
Mind you the contracts were arranged (and partly paid for) back in 2012, possibly even late 2011. Western sanctions not withstanding, the Kremlin had no compunction to halt the shipments from going through to Syria.
So why are they cancelling the whole contract all of the sudden? Assad's treasury running out? Israeli airstrikes? Or afraid of ISIS 'borrowing' a few launchers for a joyride?
Why did Assad want AA platforms? His enemies don't have an airforce....
Israel has bombed Syrian military sites on several occasions in recent years. I am guessing the weapons were to deter Israeli strikes.
On August 13 2014 17:12 sgtnoobkilla wrote: Not exactly shocking news but:
Russia to Destroy S-300 Weapons Systems Meant for Export to Syria
MOSCOW, August 11 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s anti-aircraft S-300 weapons systems, intended for export to Syria before sanctions were imposed, will be destroyed, the director for the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said Monday.
“The S-300 complexes meant for Syria will be destroyed. This decision has been made on the level of the country’s political leadership,” Konstantin Biryulin said.
Asked if the complexes could be sold to a different country, Biryulin said that it was possible, “but very unlikely.”
Mind you the contracts were arranged (and partly paid for) back in 2012, possibly even late 2011. Western sanctions not withstanding, the Kremlin had no compunction to halt the shipments from going through to Syria.
So why are they cancelling the whole contract all of the sudden? Assad's treasury running out? Israeli airstrikes? Or afraid of ISIS 'borrowing' a few launchers for a joyride?
Why did Assad want AA platforms? His enemies don't have an airforce....
Israel has bombed Syrian military sites on several occasions in recent years. I am guessing the weapons were to deter Israeli strikes.
Indeed and to secure the weapon shipments (especially missiles) to Hezbollah that are used to pay them for their help. Israel has so far been able to disrupt those efficiently. Also at some point it looked like Turkey would intervene actively with its airforce.
Russia to Destroy S-300 Weapons Systems Meant for Export to Syria
MOSCOW, August 11 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s anti-aircraft S-300 weapons systems, intended for export to Syria before sanctions were imposed, will be destroyed, the director for the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said Monday.
“The S-300 complexes meant for Syria will be destroyed. This decision has been made on the level of the country’s political leadership,” Konstantin Biryulin said.
Asked if the complexes could be sold to a different country, Biryulin said that it was possible, “but very unlikely.”
Mind you the contracts were arranged (and partly paid for) back in 2012, possibly even late 2011. Western sanctions not withstanding, the Kremlin had no compunction to halt the shipments from going through to Syria.
So why are they cancelling the whole contract all of the sudden? Assad's treasury running out? Israeli airstrikes? Or afraid of ISIS 'borrowing' a few launchers for a joyride?
Although Russia sells watered-down export versions of weapons since Soviet times, these are still extremely potent SAM systems. In the wrong hands, it would be a disastrous loss and even worse if ISIS learned how to properly use them. Frankly, it's not worth taking any risks at the moment.
On August 13 2014 17:12 sgtnoobkilla wrote: Not exactly shocking news but:
Russia to Destroy S-300 Weapons Systems Meant for Export to Syria
MOSCOW, August 11 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s anti-aircraft S-300 weapons systems, intended for export to Syria before sanctions were imposed, will be destroyed, the director for the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said Monday.
“The S-300 complexes meant for Syria will be destroyed. This decision has been made on the level of the country’s political leadership,” Konstantin Biryulin said.
Asked if the complexes could be sold to a different country, Biryulin said that it was possible, “but very unlikely.”
Mind you the contracts were arranged (and partly paid for) back in 2012, possibly even late 2011. Western sanctions not withstanding, the Kremlin had no compunction to halt the shipments from going through to Syria.
So why are they cancelling the whole contract all of the sudden? Assad's treasury running out? Israeli airstrikes? Or afraid of ISIS 'borrowing' a few launchers for a joyride?
Although Russia sells watered-down export versions of weapons since Soviet times, these are still extremely potent SAM systems. In the wrong hands, it would be a disastrous loss and even worse if ISIS learned how to properly use them. Frankly, it's not worth taking any risks at the moment.
Definitely a piece of technology that would be more useful for ISIS than against ISIS.
Why destroy them rather than just store them though? Surely it isn't that expensive to use one warehouse for military hardware.
Russia to Destroy S-300 Weapons Systems Meant for Export to Syria
MOSCOW, August 11 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s anti-aircraft S-300 weapons systems, intended for export to Syria before sanctions were imposed, will be destroyed, the director for the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said Monday.
“The S-300 complexes meant for Syria will be destroyed. This decision has been made on the level of the country’s political leadership,” Konstantin Biryulin said.
Asked if the complexes could be sold to a different country, Biryulin said that it was possible, “but very unlikely.”
Mind you the contracts were arranged (and partly paid for) back in 2012, possibly even late 2011. Western sanctions not withstanding, the Kremlin had no compunction to halt the shipments from going through to Syria.
So why are they cancelling the whole contract all of the sudden? Assad's treasury running out? Israeli airstrikes? Or afraid of ISIS 'borrowing' a few launchers for a joyride?
Just a guess but maybe they're afraid of them being used on a commercial plane, Even a Turkish or Israeli plane going down by a Russian made AA system might not look good for the Kremlin. Or they could simply be afraid of them falling into the hands of ISIS like how a bunch of American weapons did recently.
France will send weapons to Kurdish forces in Iraq to support their fight against the Islamic State, President François Hollande’s office said Wednesday. The announcement came as the United States said 130 Marines and special operations forces were sent to the Sinjar area and a defiant Nouri al-Maliki continued to rebuff calls for him to step down after eight years as prime minister.
"To meet the urgent needs expressed by the regional authorities in Kurdistan, the head of state has decided, in agreement with Baghdad, to deliver weapons in the coming hours," Hollande's office said in a news release. "France intends to play an active role by providing, along with its partners and in liaison with the new Iraqi authorities, all the assistance required."
Paris has already provided 18 tons of humanitarian aid to the semiautonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq, and a new shipment of 20 tons was due to arrive on Wednesday.
well, the west backed the afghanis against communism and look how that turned out. i wouldn't /clap yet. thought, it would be interested to know the games played behind the curtain there.
On August 14 2014 02:08 xM(Z wrote: well, the west backed the afghanis against communism and look how that turned out. i wouldn't /clap yet. thought, it would be interested to know the games played behind the curtain there.
I don't think we'll come to know that until long after this has passed, maybe the normal CIA timeline of 50 years will still be a thing then.
EPT
