The Syrian Information Minister, Omran al-Zoabi, reads a statement by the Council of Ministers (the Syrian Cabinet), in which he directly links Israel to the Takfiri Islamist mercenaries fighting in Syria to topple the Syrian government.
I think that this is a very good reaction: its make the US/NATO and Israelis pay the maximal political price for that aggression by using the Israeli attack as a proof that the Zionists and the Wahabis are working hand in hand, while refusing to take the bait and reply to the provocation by military means while leaving all options on the table.
So far so good – the Syrians are taking the correct stance.
The Saker
Saker Message:
Agree that this is the correct stance, & likely will be a boon in the long run if the GCC/NATO alliance is not able to muster the support for an almost immediate large-scale air assault.
I would not be reading too much in Israel’s ability to conduct these first strikes – advanced cruise missiles picking particular holes in the Syrian defence grid is not surprising, & the GCC/NATO/Takfiri alliance will be providing an enormous level of intelligence sharing to facilitate things.
However, a moderately large air assault which requires multiple aircraft that will have an extended time over the battlefield will likely take serious casualties, especially as the Syrians are now completely forwarned of what is likely coming.
The Russian’s have already stated repeatedly that the major equipment that they are still supplying is air-defence equipment – maybe not absolute first-line stuff, but solid radar & missile upgrades for older equipment will do heavy damage to most 4th generation air forces.
The only way for the ‘corrupt rich country’ alliance to overwhelm the Syrian defences is via massive cruise missile attacks which will take out most of the country’s infrastructure, which will essentially have to be carried out by enormous US force deployment. Even then, there are still likely to be mobile air-defence units remaining which will make any aircraft deployment over the country dangerous & likely costing casualties.
Every week there is not a massive US assault, the Syrian’s will get stronger, more support will come from the Russians, & Iran’s air defences is likely to be heavily strengthened as well.