UK & US Prep for Attack on Syria. US Senator: "US Response Imminent". Russia OKs Attack

It seems like it's almost unavoidable now. Shock & Awe 2.

&

PIN!

CYPRESS? ffs come on

Daniel’s Biblical “King of the North” (NATO) prophecy could be fulfilled in days (and let’s not forget Isaiah 17:1 too!)

[link to i.dailymail.co.uk]


UK and US military chiefs are drawing up a list of targets for precision-guided bombs and missiles to strike at the heart of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime. Defence correspondent Ian Drury looks at the options.

WHAT TARGETS WOULD THE COALITION HIT?

The favoured option among top brass is for limited Western action using ‘stand-off’ weapons from long distance to disrupt Assad’s ability to carry out chemical attacks and damage his military machine.

Intelligence on targets would come from pilotless drones patrolling the skies above Syria and special forces on the ground.

Military analysts believe an attack could last between 24 and 48 hours and would target key regime installations.

These would include Syria’s integrated air defence system, command and control bunkers, communications hubs, government buildings, missile sites and Assad’s air force.

The dictator’s use of air power has been a huge advantage for the regime, and eliminating or weakening it would tilt the odds toward the rebels.

Other military options are airstrikes on Syrian units believed to be responsible for chemical attacks. Reports last week claimed the chemical weapons were fired by the 155th Brigade of the 4th Armoured Division of the Syrian Army.

This division, which has a military base in a mountain range west of Damascus is under the command of the president’s brother, Maher Assad.

WHAT BASES WOULD BE USED?

US-led strikes would be launched from warships or submarines patrolling in the eastern Mediterranean or Persian Gulf, or from combat aircraft that can fire missiles from hundreds of miles away.

A US Navy battlegroup including four destroyers is already in the eastern Mediterranean and has moved closer to Syria in preparation for action.

They are armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles capable of hitting a target from up to 1,200 miles away. Around 124 of the 18ft-long, £300,000 warheads were fired by US and British forces against Colonel Gaddafi’s forces during the Libyan war.

The US Air Force could also send B-2 stealth bombers to pound Assad’s military installations. Based in Missouri, they can cover the entire world with just one refuelling.

The most expensive aircraft ever – at a cost of £600million each – they are almost invisible to radar and can carry 40,000lbs of bombs.

As well as having F-16 fighter jets and refuelling aircraft based at airfields in the Middle East, the US also has defensive Patriot missile batteries positioned in Jordan, which neighbours Syria.

[link to www.dailymail.co.uk]

Last night, Cypress air traffic was diverted. A couple planes coming in now though.

Today, looks like no air traffic over Lebanon & Syria


I've been keeping an eye on the airspace, and there hasn't been much of anything over Syria in the last couple of weeks - but you're right. Lebanon & Israel have some pretty odd flight patterns going right now. Avoiding it like the plague. And the nearby planes are sparse, compared to the usual cluster in the screen.

Britain is planning to join forces with America and launch military action against Syria within days in response to the gas attack believed to have been carried out by President Bashar al-Assad’s forces against his own people.

British Royal Navy vessels are being readied to take part in a possible series of cruise missile strikes, alongside the United States, as military commanders finalize a list of potential targets.

Government sources said talks between Prime Minister David Cameron and international leaders, including Barack Obama, would continue but that any military action that was agreed could begin within the next week.

[link to www.trunews.com]

Al-Qaida Muslims declare war on Hezbollah Muslims

Read more at [link to www.wnd.com]

US Sponsored Air War in Kosovo Seen as Precedent For Syrian War

[link to www.blacklistednews.com]

Add this to the Italian fighter incident there a while back and things start to look more interesting.

Breaking: Israeli, US, Jordanian Commandos Operating in Syria

[link to stratrisks.com]

TEHRAN (FNA)- Saudi National Security Council Secretary and Intelligence Chief Prince Bandar Bin Sultan has recently had a secret meeting with UK’s MI6 Director Sir Robert John Sawers to brief him on Riyadh’s support for the militants fighting President Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria, sources disclosed on Sunday.

"At the meeting, the Saudi intelligence chief briefed Sawers on Riyadh's latest moves on Syria, including the supply of over 400 tons of weapons to the militants in Syria via Turkey," an informed source, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of his information, told FNA.

“ … we have made the Syrian army engage in a civil war and of course this strategic mission could not be accomplished without your (MI6) cooperation,” the source quoted Prince Bandar as saying during the meeting.

"At the meeting, Prince Bandar underlined that Britain, Israel and their allies should be thankful to his country's efforts and plans in Syria," the source said.

[link to english.farsnews.com]

Iran warns of ‘harsh consequences’ if US acts on Syria

[link to counterpsyops.com]

We don't want a another ME war. The arrogance of the American
administration and our British government is absolutely astounding. William (should be in the) Hague should be tried as a war criminal.

Newspaper: Turkish base Injirlik can be used in military campaign against Syria

[link to en.trend.az]

Obama Administration Accepts Rebels’ Account on Syria, Prepares for War

Officials Cite Media Reports as Leaving Them 'Very Little Doubt'

[link to news.antiwar.com]

Report Claims US, Israeli Trained Rebels Moving Toward Damascus

[link to news.antiwar.com]

Britain says Syria response possible without unanimous UN backing

"Is it possible to respond to chemical weapons without complete unity on the UN Security Council? I would argue yes it is, otherwise it might be impossible to respond to such outrages, such crimes, and I don't think that's an acceptable situation," Hague said on BBC radio.

"The United Nations Security Council ... has not been united on Syria, has not shouldered its responsibilities on Syria, bluntly, otherwise there would have been a better chance of bringing this conflict to an end a long time ago," Hague said.

[link to www.todayszaman.com]

Turkey readies for Syria intervention with NATO-backed coalition

[link to www.todayszaman.com]

Britain and other countries could respond to an alleged chemical attack in Syria without the unanimous backing of the UN, the Foreign Secretary has said.

Speaking as weapons inspectors set off for an area of Damascus where hundreds of people are reported to have been killed, William Hague suggested military action may be the only remaining option.

He said such a response would not require the "complete unity" of the UN Security Council, telling the BBC: "Otherwise it might be impossible to respond to such outrages, such crimes."

Mr Hague's comments came as David Cameron announced he was cutting short his holiday to chair a meeting of the UK's National Security Committee.

[link to news.sky.com]

Western military intervention into Syria would only end in failure, Syrian President Bashar Assad said on Monday in an extensive interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestia, in which he dismissed allegations of chemical weapons use by his government.

If America decided to intervene the Syrian civil war, it would meet “what it has been confronted with in every war since Vietnam… failure,” Assad said, according to a translation provided by the Syria state news agency.

“It will also not be able to convince the American people of the benefits of this war, nor will it be able to convince the people in this region of their policies and plans,” he added.

[link to www.timesofisrael.com]

Turkey says it would join coalition against Syria

FM Ahmet Davutoglu says Istanbul willing to commit to action, UN-approved or not; French FM says all options open for Syria strike

[link to www.timesofisrael.com]


Cameron reportedly pushing Obama toward Syria strike

British PM said by Times of London to want to act while outrage is still fresh; British naval vessels reportedly readying for possible attack

[link to www.timesofisrael.com]

Anyone wondering "WHY NOW and not BEFORE this?" might very well want to read:

[link to www.godlikeproductions.com]

Michael (as Prophesied)

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon met Sunday with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius in Jerusalem, and in his statements, indirectly confirmed that Israel has no doubt that Bashar al-Assad's forces are behind the use of chemical weapons against civilians last week.

In the course of the meeting, Yaalon said, “There are many events taking place in our region, especially the use of unconventional weapons by an unconventional regime – a step that caused the tragic deaths of thousands of innocent civilians.”

"This is not the first time that the Syrian regime, which is supported by Iran and Hezbollah, uses unconventional weapons, and for it, this has become a matter of routine,” Yaalon stated.

[link to www.israelnationalnews.com]

Much thanks for pin!

IDF Boosts Navy near Lebanon

Bombings, rocket attack followed by news that IDF will station a new, advanced warship on Israel’s northern border.

[link to www.israelnationalnews.com]

Syria Rebels: We'll Use Chemical Weapons, Too

Rebel forces say they will retaliate for regime's chemical attack with all the means they possess, no compunctions.

[link to www.israelnationalnews.com]

The 20-member UN inspection team has been in Syria since 18 August to look into three earlier suspected chemical attacks.

The experts are expected to take soil, blood, urine and tissue samples for laboratory testing.

Analysts say the team is unlikely to play any role in apportioning blame for the attack.

A year ago, US President Barack Obama said the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government would be "a red line" that could trigger US military action.
[link to www.bbc.co.uk]