In a first, Russia uses Iran base to bomb targets in Syria

[webfact]

In a first, Russia uses Iran base to bomb targets in Syria

By ZEINA KARAM

 

BEIRUT (AP) — Iran allowed Russian warplanes to take off from its territory to bomb targets in Syria on Tuesday, an unprecedented move that underscores the deepening cooperation between two powerhouses heavily invested in the Syrian civil war.

 

The Iranian deployment increases Russia's foothold in the Middle East and widens Moscow's bombing campaign in Syria, bolstering President Bashar Assad's government ahead of a new round of peace talks the United Nations hopes to convene in coming weeks.

 

The long-range bombers took off early Tuesday near the Iranian city of Hamedan, 280 kilometers (175 miles) southwest of the Iranian capital, and struck targets in three provinces in northern and eastern Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

 

The Russian warplanes then returned to Russia and no Russian forces remained stationed in Iran, said a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to speak to reporters about the matter.

 

"Russia's use of an Iranian base represents a turning point in Russia's relations in the Middle East. ... It sends a powerful message to the United States and regional powers that Russia is here to stay," said Fawaz Gerges, professor of international relations at the London School of Economics.

 

Russia had talked about the possibility of flying planes out of Iran since late last year, but its decision to do so on Tuesday came as a surprise, U.S. officials said.

 

Secretary of State John Kerry called Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss the operations. Underscoring the U.S. confusion, State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters that Washington was "still trying to assess what exactly they're doing."

 

Col. Christopher Garver, a U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad, told reporters at the Pentagon on Tuesday that the Russians activated a communications link with coalition officials just ahead of the bomber mission.

 

"The Russians did notify the coalition," he said, adding that they "informed us they were coming through" airspace that could potentially put them in proximity to U.S. and coalition aircraft in Iraq or Syria.

 

Asked how much advance notice the Russians gave the U.S., Garver said, "We did know in time" to maintain safety of flight.

 

U.S. officials said the setup at the Iranian air base occurred very quickly, perhaps overnight. One military official said the Russians flew four Tu-22 Backfire bombers to the Iranian air base, along with a Russian cargo plane loaded with the munitions for the bombers, just hours before the bombers flew their missions. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

 

It is virtually unheard of in Iran's recent history to allow a foreign power to use one of its bases to stage attacks. Russia has also never used the territory of another country in the Middle East for its operations inside Syria, where it has been carrying out an aerial campaign in support of Assad's government for nearly a year.

 

Tuesday's action suggests cooperation on the highest levels between Moscow and Tehran, both key allies of the embattled Syrian president, and sends a powerful message to the United States and the Sunni monarchies of the Gulf, which have seen Iran as the arch-enemy.

 

The Russian move provides a psychological boost for the Assad-Iran-Hezbollah alliance, illustrating that Russia is strategically committed to stay on course in Syria.

 

It also heralds even more intense Russian bombardment of Syrian cities. Moscow already stands accused of indiscriminate bombing that has killed many civilians in Syria and of using incendiary weapons in civilian areas — a claim that was repeated by Human Rights Watch on Tuesday. Russia denies the charges.

 

Syrian rebels and opposition activists reacted angrily to the news.

 

The Russians "are taking advantage of the political vacuum that was left by America and Western countries that withdrew," said Paris-based senior Syrian opposition figure George Sabra. "It is clear today that the Russians are fighting their global war in Syria."

 

The Russian deployment in Iran comes a day after Russia's defense minister said Moscow and Washington are edging closer to an agreement on Syria that would help defuse the situation in the besieged northern city of Aleppo.

 

A U.S. official said, however, that discussions with the Russians are still ongoing and no agreement is close.

 

Russia and the United States have been discussing greater coordination for striking extremists in Syria, but they have been unable to reach agreement on which militant groups could be targeted.

 

Gerges, the analyst, said the new developments put to rest any hope of coordination between the United States and Russia in Syria. "It is just too poisonous for the Obama administration. Too costly at this particular moment," he said.

 

In Tehran, the state-run IRNA news agency quoted Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, as saying that Tehran and Moscow have exchanged "capacity and possibilities" in the fight against the Islamic State group.

 

Moscow and Tehran have been expanding their ties in recent months after most of the sanctions against Iran were lifted following the nuclear deal with world powers.

 

Russian military experts say the deployment of Russian bombers at the Iranian base sharply cuts the distance to targets in Syria, allowing them to carry a bigger load of bombs.

 

The bombers previously have flown from their base in Mozdok in southern Russia, and had to cover more than 2,000 kilometers to reach targets in Syria. The distance from Hamedan is less than half that. Russia's Tu-22M3 bomber is capable of carrying more than 20 metric tons of bombs if flown from Iran.

 

The deployment appeared to stem from political and strategic objectives, rather than military needs.

 

While flying the warplanes from Hamedan allows Russia to pack a heavier punch in striking the militants' positions, the same job could have been accomplished by flying from the central Syrian air base at Hmeimeem or by increasing the number of bombers flying from Russia.

 

A top Russian lawmaker, Adm. Vladimir Komoyedov, said Russia's decision to use a base in Iran will help to cut costs, which is "paramount right now."

 

The Russian ministry statement said the Su-34 and Tu-22M3 bombers targeted the Islamic State group and militants of the al-Qaida-linked group formerly known as the Nusra Front in Aleppo, as well as in Deir el-Zour and Idlib, destroying five major ammunition depots, training camps and three command posts.

 

The nearest air base to Hamedan is Shahid Nojeh, some 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of the city. Russian aircraft have been reported to land there before. In December, the American Enterprise Institute said in a report based on satellite imagery that a Russian Su-34 "Fullback" strike fighter landed there in late November. It said a Russian Il-76 "Candid" transport plane also landed around the same time before both took off, suggesting the Su-34 may have suffered a mechanical issue.

 

Iran's constitution, ratified after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, bans the establishment of any foreign military base in the country. However, nothing bars Iranian officials from allowing foreign countries to use an airfield.

 

The announcement from Russia marks the first significant stationing of its troops there since World War II, when allied British and Soviet forces invaded Iran to secure oil fields and keep Allied supply lines open.

 

Russia says its bombing campaign in Syria is focused on extremist groups but it has frequently struck other targets, including more moderate rebels fighting Assad's forces. Last week, Russian bombers launched a wave of airstrikes on the city of Raqqa, the Islamic State group's de factor capital in northern Syria, killing at least 20 civilians according to Syrian opposition activists.

___

Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue in Beirut, Nataliya Vasilyeva and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow, Lolita C. Baldor and Robert Burns in Washington, Nasser Karimi in Tehran and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.

 

-- © Associated Press 2016-08-17

[beechguy]

Is anyone really surprised?

[MobileContent]

NATO uses Turkey so let the Russians use Iran.

[Credo]

Turkey is a member of NATO.   

[Class C]

and China says it seeks closer military ties with Syria...

China seeks closer military ties with Syria

 

[craigt3365]

Iran has troops inside Syria and is starting religious schools to push their forum of Islam.  Too many outsiders in Syria that are making things worse.  Interesting how much Iran is spending on the war there, to keep the flow of arms open to places like Lebanon.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_involvement_in_the_Syrian_Civil_War

Quote

According to the United Nations envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, the Iranian government spends at least $6 billion annually on maintaining Assad's government. Nadim Shehadi, the director of the Fares Center for Eastern Mediterranean Studies at Tufts University, said that his research puts the actual number at $15 billion annually.

 

Seems Iran doesn't really trust Russia with regards to it's end game:

 

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/06/iran-russia-syria-defense-ministers-tehran-meeting.html

Quote

After the Khan Tuman incident, many Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) strategists who had previously welcomed the Russian military presence in Syria began to express doubt and worry about Moscow’s objectives in fighting alongside Iranian, Lebanese and Syrian forces. These strategists and others in Iran who oppose Russia’s military presence in Syria now argue that Moscow has no reason to pay a heavy price for only Tehran to reach its objectives, and so Russia must be pursuing its own objectives in Syria without informing Iran.

What a mess....and in the end, innocent civilians are paying the ultimate price.

[Class C]

@craigt3365

What are you talking about?

Syria and Iran are strategic allies. Syria is usually called Iran's "closest ally"

 

All you are doing is spewing this forum with posts supporting one side of the story. Your analysis would be much better if you were more objective. 

 

 

[Kasset Tak]

This is just a bunch of US rants... it's OK when US, NATO and their allies are bombing countries, civilians and make a mess out of it (Iraq was actually more peaceful under Saddam, Al Qaida was initially armed and funded by CIA and so on) but when Russia does it then all we can read in the news is that it's the end of the world.

[Class C]

1 = Russia & China going UP 

2 = US$ dollar hegemony going DOWN

 

If money is your god and you don't want 2, then you have to fight 1

 

But beware of the eternal curse on those who make money their god

 

 

[craigt3365]

1 hour ago, Class C said:

@craigt3365

What are you talking about?

Syria and Iran are strategic allies. Syria is usually called Iran's "closest ally"

 

All you are doing is spewing this forum with posts supporting one side of the story. Your analysis would be much better if you were more objective.

Be nice.  Iranians are Shia.  The ruling religion in Syria is Alawites (8% of the population), a branch of the Shia religion.  The majority of Syrians are Sunni, some 70%.  Assad and Iran don't want the Sunni's to take over.  There has been problems between the Alawites and the Sunnis for years.  The Sunnis are the ones who want Assad out.  Iran is against that, for obvious reasons.  So "closest ally" is a dubious definition.

 

This is all on the internet for you to research and educate yourself.  This is worth a read:

http://martinkramer.org/sandbox/reader/archives/syria-alawis-and-shiism/

[craigt3365]

29 minutes ago, Class C said:

1 = Russia & China going UP 

2 = US$ dollar hegemony going DOWN

 

If money is your god and you don't want 2, then you have to fight 1

 

But beware of the eternal curse on those who make money their god

Hmmm....the US dollar is doing fantastic.  The Ruble has crashed as has the Russian economy.  The Chinese economy...well...who knows.  The US economy is still doing OK.  There is no currency to counter the US dollar as a global currency.  Whether you like it or not.

[williamgeorgeallen]

20 metric tones per plane load. staggering. have to wonder what is left of that country to fight over. hell of a business supplying the planes, bombs and support to carry out operations like that. 

[craigt3365]

Take a look at the pictures here:

https://www.google.co.th/search?q=syria+aleppo+news&safe=off&client=firefox-b-ab&biw=1696&bih=902&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjtrfzL5MfOAhWHL48KHcjtBjY4ChD8BQgIKAM#safe=off&tbm=isch&q=syria+aleppo

Unreal.

[derator01]

No conspiracy theories, please.

[ilostmypassword]

10 hours ago, Credo said:

Turkey is a member of NATO.   

Turkey has the right to not let the USA use bases in the country. In 2003, it wouldn't let the USA invade Iraq from Turkish soil.

[craigt3365]

1 hour ago, Class C said:

US Senator Richard Black:

"War in Syria was not a domestic uprising. War in Syria was provoked by CIA-backed jihadists"

Let's hear it from an American Senator

Great quote from a politician about at the same level as Trump:

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/the-virginia-state-senator-who-met-assad-thinks--and-acts--globally-before-assad-black-had-vietnam-and-a-nanny-with-a-wartime-backstory/2016/06/03/2e06da2c-1d38-11e6-b6e0-c53b7ef63b45_story.html

Quote

After Virginia state Sen. Richard H. Black popped up in Damascus this spring, shaking hands with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the reaction was swift and cutting.

 

“Dangerously clueless,” Democrats said. “Ignorant” of Assad’s brutality, said the White House. Even fellow Republicans cracked jokes.

 

 

Not a well respected politician.  Gotta love this one:

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/15/dick-black-rape_n_4602683.html

 

[craigt3365]

33 minutes ago, Class C said:

Ron Paul, a previous US presidential candidate:

"The US Deliberately Backed ISIS to Destabilize Syria"

 

Another nut:

http://prospect.org/article/ron-paul-crazy-person

Quote

Last night, Ron Paul was on The Daily Show, and under the gentlest of questioning from Jon Stewart, he said some truly insane things. After alleging that people who don't support him "don't understand what freedom is all about," Paul made his usual case that government is bad because it makes decisions for everyone, whereas "when you make a bad decision, it only hurts you."

 

He's lost the plot...

[beechguy]

21 hours ago, Kasset Tak said:

On ‎8‎/‎17‎/‎2016 at 6:09 AM, MobileContent said:

On ‎8‎/‎17‎/‎2016 at 6:09 AM, MobileContent said:

NATO uses Turkey so let the Russians use Iran.

NATO uses Turkey so let the Russians use Iran.

This is just a bunch of US rants... it's OK when US, NATO and their allies are bombing countries, civilians and make a mess out of it (Iraq was actually more peaceful under Saddam, Al Qaida was initially armed and funded by CIA and so on) but when Russia does it then all we can read in the news is that it's the end of the world.

 

I don't see it as new problem. Just another example of Putin and Iran being one step ahead of Obama, and pissing on his leg on his way out.  

[Kiwiken]

The USA and her alliues in Europe put sanctions on Russia. So Russia makes Diplomatic and Military Alliance in the middle East which in effect made the US a by stander.Now Russia has Iran , Iraq and Syria in its pocket. Possibly soon Turkey. Talk about the Domino theory. I guess if a game of checkers Russia just crowned 3 of its Pawns

[craigt3365]

7 minutes ago, Kiwiken said:

The USA and her alliues in Europe put sanctions on Russia. So Russia makes Diplomatic and Military Alliance in the middle East which in effect made the US a by stander.Now Russia has Iran , Iraq and Syria in its pocket. Possibly soon Turkey. Talk about the Domino theory. I guess if a game of checkers Russia just crowned 3 of its Pawns

You have read about Iran's relationship with Russia.  It's not good.  Just working together regarding Syria.  Where both have significant interests.

 

Read my linked article above for more details.  Post #6.

[Credo]

On 8/17/2016 at 4:54 PM, ilostmypassword said:

Turkey has the right to not let the USA use bases in the country. In 2003, it wouldn't let the USA invade Iraq from Turkish soil.

I am not sure what you are talking about.   The invasion of Iraq was not a NATO action.   

[JHolmesJr]

Mmmmm….a clear message fm russia to crooked lyin hillary….its game on….

 

She may well be known for the first female prez to lead the US into a world war.

 

You heard t here first, folks.

[Pakboong]

On 8/17/2016 at 9:53 AM, craigt3365 said:

Hmmm....the US dollar is doing fantastic.  The Ruble has crashed as has the Russian economy.  The Chinese economy...well...who knows.  The US economy is still doing OK.  There is no currency to counter the US dollar as a global currency.  Whether you like it or not.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-08-15/russian-stocks-soar-record-highs-60-white-house-sell-order

 

The above article suggests otherwise

[craigt3365]

26 minutes ago, Pakboong said:

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-08-15/russian-stocks-soar-record-highs-60-white-house-sell-order

 

The above article suggests otherwise

Hmmm....a bit of a difference between a stock market and an economy.  Just look at the US. And as the comments say, you need to factor in the devastating currency devaluation.

 

Zerohedge.com?  Really? Wow.

[craigt3365]

1 hour ago, JHolmesJr said:

Mmmmm….a clear message fm russia to crooked lyin hillary….its game on….

 

She may well be known for the first female prez to lead the US into a world war.

 

You heard t here first, folks.

Putin's too smart to start a war he can't win.

[ilostmypassword]

3 hours ago, Pakboong said:

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-08-15/russian-stocks-soar-record-highs-60-white-house-sell-order

 

The above article suggests otherwise

You're confusing the stock market with the economy.

[JHolmesJr]

2 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

Putin's too smart to start a war he can't win.

 

i doubt he'll start it.

[craigt3365]

1 minute ago, JHolmesJr said:

 

i doubt he'll start it.

Who then?  Guaranteed it won't be the US.  It's not up to one person.

[ilostmypassword]

3 minutes ago, JHolmesJr said:

 

i doubt he'll start it.

 

Just now, craigt3365 said:

Who then?  Guaranteed it won't be the US.  It's not up to one person.

You've got to remember that JHolmesJr feels obliged to defend all of Trump's allies and supporters.

[JHolmesJr]

14 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

Who then?  Guaranteed it won't be the US.  It's not up to one person.

 

Mr Putns too smart to start anything like WW3…he actually strikes me as a normal person who speaks sense….someone who stands up to BS when it threatens his nations interests.

 

But they are heading for some sort of showdown over syria…the lines are being drawn and the US as usual is hopeless at chess.

 

Their newest pathetic response is the picture of that poor syrian kid….with a dusty blood streaked face….using the kid as propaganda to vilify russia….like none of obama's drones ever did that? Unbelievable.

Edited August 20, 2016 by JHolmesJr