Consolidated Syria Conflict Thread

[LongBlade]

More Iranian troops have arrived in Syria for an upcoming ground operation to accompany Russian airstrikes, defense officials confirm to Fox News.

"It has always been understood in this building that the Russians would provide the air force, and the Iranians would provide the ground force in Syria," one official said.

Another official tells Fox News, "The Iranians have always been on the ground [in Syria]." The officials could not disclose the size of this new Iranian force due to the sensitivity of the information.

source: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/10/01/cia-backed-rebels-civilians-reportedly-targeted-by-russian-airstrikes-in-syria/

[mirth]

Conscripts?

The US occupied Iraq with ~120,000 highly professional soldiers and struggled.

150,000 conscripts are essentially cannon fodder. Putin truly is heartless. Or stupid. Or both.

Let's see, 20th of January 2017 is when the next president is sworn in.

Any bets as to whether Soviet Russia is still struggling to pacify Syria in 15 months?

That 150,000 doesn't mean much of anything. If recent history is any indication, half that number might actually show up and out of that maybe two-thirds will be fit for service. So they might get 50,000 or so out of the fall draft.

[undercovergeek]

Russian airstrikes have begun, Putin drafting 150,000 conscripts and sending additional equipment to Syria

so they missed ISIS again?  ::)

[LongBlade]

Maybe Russian compasses work backwards.

[mirth]

Maybe Russian compasses work backwards.

If they work at all.

[Gusington]

This will be a true party now that Iranians and Russians are fighting together.

[JasonPratt]

In Russia, ISIS bombings target you!

[OJsDad]

didnt Obama critize Romney about Russia being a threat.

[undercovergeek]

I'm assuming there's only usaaf and Russian planes in the sky?

It's going to be interesting if one shoots down the other?

[mirth]

I'm assuming there's only usaaf and Russian planes in the sky?

Nope. Saudi Arabia, UAE, France, Jordan. Just to name a few.

[Gusington]

UAE? Do they have like a zeppelin corps or somesuch?

[mirth]

UAE? Do they have like a zeppelin corps or somesuch?

80 or so F-16s. Bunch of Mirage 2000s. To be honest, I'm not sure how active the Arab states currently are over Syria. I know several of them have flown missions against ISIS in the past year or so. And France just started flying missions against ISIS.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/28/world/europe/france-says-it-has-struck-at-isis-in-syria.html

[Airborne Rifles]

Seems appropriate here.

[Staggerwing]

Yep. Seems about right.

[Nefaro]

Once again, Putin has stuck his thumb straight in the eye of POTUS.  By telling our air forces to stay out of the Russian's way while they bomb Mister Prezi's chosen allies.   ::)

I think the White House has chosen poorly in this whole conflict, and now their impotence and failure is being further mocked by Overlord Putinski & Iran.  Rubbing their nose in it.