Syria says suspected U.S. missiles fired at air base; Washington denies strike

[webfact]

Syria says suspected U.S. missiles fired at air base; Washington denies strike

 

A man is washed following alleged chemical weapons attack, in what is said to be Douma, Syria in this still image from video obtained by Reuters on April 8, 2018. White Helmets/Reuters TV via REUTERS

 

AMMAN (Reuters) - Syrian state TV said there were casualties in what it said was a suspected U.S. missile attack on a major air base in central Syria but the United States denied it had launched any air strikes against the country.

 

The state broadcaster earlier said explosions were heard at the T-4 airfield near Homs, which is close to the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.

 

A Syrian military source was quoted as saying air defences shot down eight missiles fired at the base, where defence analysts say there are large deployments of Russian forces, and where jets fly regular sorties to strike rebel-held areas.

 

The state broadcaster said there were several dead and wounded.

 

"An aggression was perpetrated on T-4 air base in several strikes that is most likely to be an American attack," state television said in a news flash.

 

The U.S. Pentagon said it was not conducting air strikes in Syria "at this time," formally denying the Syrian state television report.

When asked about the explosions, an Israeli spokeswoman declined to comment.

 

Israel has struck Syrian army locations many times in the course of the conflict, hitting convoys and bases of Iranian-backed militias that fight alongside Syrian President Bashar al Assad's forces.

 

U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier on Sunday there would be a “big price to pay” after medical aid groups reported dozens of civilians, including many children and women, were killed by poison gas in a besieged rebel-held town.

 

The United States launched a cruise missile strike on a Syrian air base a year ago in response to the killing of dozens of civilians in a sarin gas attack in an opposition-held town in northwest Syria. The gas attack was blamed on Assad.

 

The U.S. missile strike was against a Syrian air base which Washington said was used to launch the strike.

 

The Syrian state denied government forces had launched any chemical attack. Russia, President Bashar al-Assad’s most powerful ally, called the reports fake.

 

(Reporting by Nayera Abdallah and Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien, Robert Birsel)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-04-09

[evadgib]

I suspect this might be related:

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-responds-to-reports-of-chemical-weapons-attack-in-douma-syria

[Morch]

15 minutes ago, evadgib said:

I suspect this might be related:

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-responds-to-reports-of-chemical-weapons-attack-in-douma-syria

 

Previous retaliatory attacks (by the US or Israel, for example) targeted bases and facilities that had some connections (usually direct) to the reason which prompted them. Some (unverified) reports alleged the chemical attack was carried out by tossing barrel bombs from helicopters. If so, then as far as I know, these aren't deployed in the airbase attacked.

 

There's no lack of targets in Syria, some which would have been far more relevant if someone wished to make a point regarding the chemical attack.

 

[stevenl]

Israeli strike seems more likely.

[Grouse]

9 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Israeli strike seems more likely.

Israel attacked Iranian assets at the airbase.

 

Nothing to do with Assad's gas atrocity.

 

Of course Israel can do what they like. International laws don't apply to them!

[evadgib]

Syria related:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-call-with-french-counterpart-on-syria

[Morch]

1 hour ago, Grouse said:

Israel attacked Iranian assets at the airbase.

 

Nothing to do with Assad's gas atrocity.

 

Of course Israel can do what they like. International laws don't apply to them!

 

As far as I'm aware, the legal issues are somewhat more intricate than your one liner implies. Granted, I'm not a legal expert on matters pertaining to such. Don't recall all that much outrage expressed when violations occur in the other direction, though.

[Morch]

24 minutes ago, evadgib said:

Syria related:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-call-with-french-counterpart-on-syria

 

Wrong topic....

[Grouse]

21 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

As far as I'm aware, the legal issues are somewhat more intricate than your one liner implies. Granted, I'm not a legal expert on matters pertaining to such. Don't recall all that much outrage expressed when violations occur in the other direction, though.

Explain yourself please

[Morch]

4 minutes ago, Grouse said:

Explain yourself please

 

Have a quick read on Israel-Syria, Israel-Lebanon and Israel-Iran relations. That would have some bearing on legal pronouncements. Then may want to be informed regarding UN resolutions pertaining to arms transfers to Lebanon (or rather, Hezbollah). As per violations in the other direction, here are a couple of recent ones: Iranian drone entering Israel's airspace (through Jordan's), and Assad's troops taking positions way closer to ceasefire line than "legally" allowed.

[Morch]

 

 

Quote

Israel carried out air strikes against a Syrian air base early Monday morning and informed the U.S. in advance, two U.S. officials told NBC News.

U.S. officials confirm Israel hit Syria after suspected Ghouta chemical attack

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-blamed-airstrike-syria-after-suspected-ghouta-chemical-weapon-attack-n863821

 

Putin's spokesman says Russia was not informed beforehand.

 

Russia Outs Israel, Says Two Israeli Fighter Jets Struck Iranian Base in Syria

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/russia-outs-israel-two-israeli-fighter-jets-struck-iranian-base-in-syria-1.5979943

 

Edited April 9, 2018 by Morch

[evadgib]

36 minutes ago, Morch said:

Wrong topic....

Happy for them to be moved when the board catches up.

[Grouse]

4 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

 

U.S. officials confirm Israel hit Syria after suspected Ghouta chemical attack

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-blamed-airstrike-syria-after-suspected-ghouta-chemical-weapon-attack-n863821

 

Putin's spokesman says Russia was not informed beforehand.

But do you not understand?

 

The civilised world would have taken massive multilateral action against Syria

 

Israel have now undermined this and will have to be slapped down

 

This issue is above Israel's pay grade and the target was chosen because of Iran.

 

Dont blame me if there is a reflex reaction. At the very least Israel have helped the Mullahs at the expense of the Iranian people

 

Foolish

[Morch]

40 minutes ago, Grouse said:

But do you not understand?

 

The civilised world would have taken massive multilateral action against Syria

 

Israel have now undermined this and will have to be slapped down

 

This issue is above Israel's pay grade and the target was chosen because of Iran.

 

Dont blame me if there is a reflex reaction. At the very least Israel have helped the Mullahs at the expense of the Iranian people

 

Foolish

 

Understand what?

 

Doubt the Israeli airstrike is a direct response to the chemical attack, more to do with standing issues related to Iran's presence in Syria. You seem to be conflating two issues here.

 

As for the "civilized world" supposed "massive multilateral action" against Syria - wasn't much of that on previous instances, no particular reason to expect this to be any different. There was no such planned action I'm aware of, so nothing was "undermined". Israel will get the standard flak, "slapped down" is some posters' fantasy, perhaps.

 

Why would I "blame you" for anything (least of all for some unclear "reflex action")? How did Israel "help the Mullahs at the expense of the Iranian people" and what does it have to do with the topic?

[cantata]

One thing that is extremely significant about this attack is that the Russian foreign minister has denounced it. In the past, the Russians didn't comment on Israeli strikes like this. Maybe the recent conference that Russia held with Turkey and Iran has resulted in some strengthening of Russian and Iranian bonds.

[halloween]

They got the first part right, US missiles but fired by Israel. 8 shot down by air defense seems highly unlikely.

[Stargeezr]

What ever  words comes from Assad or Syria military , for that matter is something I will not

believe. The only thing I believe is that Assad should have his head removed

by a guillotine. My opinion at least

Geezer

[Morch]

On 4/10/2018 at 2:00 AM, cantata said:

One thing that is extremely significant about this attack is that the Russian foreign minister has denounced it. In the past, the Russians didn't comment on Israeli strikes like this. Maybe the recent conference that Russia held with Turkey and Iran has resulted in some strengthening of Russian and Iranian bonds.

 

Israel and Russia sorted out some mechanism for assuring communications in the context of Russia's military presence in Syria. This was done to avoid unnecessary confrontations both running against both countries interests. Whether or not there were actual "red lines" articulated by other party, I am not sure. 

 

It is incorrect that Russia did not previously comment on such Israeli airstrikes. In some cases (perhaps most) Russia declined comment, or comment were mild. On other occasions (the higher profile ones) Russia acted otherwise. One of the main elements seems to whether Russian personnel were at risk of being hit.

 

While the recent tripartite summit did result in some statements, it did not change the facts that parties still have different interests and goals, sometimes conflicting. Doubt that there's a whole lot of brotherly love there.

 

Russia's stance is, IMO, more to do with Israel not readily willing to accept Iran's presence and role in Syria. By itself not a major issue for Putin, but inasmuch as it might effect Russia's goal of stabilizing Assad's hold on the country - unwelcome. The same goes for Israel's moves placing Russia in difficult situation - quite a balancing act supporting Assad while allowing Israeli airstrikes. Putting it out in the open reflects on Russia's image (more so with relation to Syria and Iran).

 

[Morch]

On 4/10/2018 at 4:58 AM, halloween said:

They got the first part right, US missiles but fired by Israel. 8 shot down by air defense seems highly unlikely.

 

I don't know which armaments were used. Israel does make quite a bit of these locally. Media often uses "missiles" when it fact it could be other stuff. As for hitting incoming "missiles" by air defenses - I'd seriously doubt none of the "missiles" being decoys to begin with.