VOA: Pentagon Monitoring Reports of Aid Convoy Bombing in Syria
A U.S. defense official says the Pentagon is monitoring reports that a convoy of humanitarian vehicles was hit in an airstrike Wednesday near Azaz, Syria, about 6 kilometers south of the Turkish border.
Reuters video shows aid trucks on fire at the Bab al-Salam border crossing. It was not immediately clear to which group the trucks belonged. Media and a monitoring group say three people were killed and at least 6 others wounded when airstrikes near Azaz hit an aid convoy.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that the warplanes bombing in the vicinity of Azaz are believed to be Russian.
Update #1: Russian airstrikes target aid convoy in northwestern Syrian town of Azaz, 7 killed -- Daily Sabah/Reuters
Update #2: Mystery over who bombed Turkish convoy allegedly carrying weapons to militants in Syria -- RT
WNU Editor: According to reports no aid organization is claiming that this "aid convoy" was sanctioned by them. We should also remember that Turkey has been caught shipping weapons to Syrian rebels before .... Turkish newspaper editor in court for 'espionage' after revealing weapon convoy to Syrian militants (RT). As to Russia being responsible for this air-strike .... it would not surprise me.
Update #3: I agree with this Business Insider analysis .... Russia is already exacting its revenge on Turkey for downing a Russian warplane (Natasha Bertrand, Business Insider). The one thing that I would add is Russian support for Kurdish groups .... do not be surprised in the next few weeks/months we hear reports of Kurdish forces having money, new and better weapons, good communications equipment, and excellent intelligence.
Update #4: Russia targets Turkish economy over downed warplane (AFP)
Update #5: Russia Cuts All Military Ties With Turkey (Sputnik)
We may soon be able to say that the Syrian/Turkish border is de facto closed. A condition long over due.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the boss, the Kurds are now going to get all kinds of equipment from the Russians. Don't be too surprised if a Turkish chopper gets shot down by Kurdish rebels in the next year or so...Putin knows exactly how to get back at the Turks.
ReplyDeleteThe video is interesting. I quickly counted at least three probable minders, red head scarf at the beginning, shirt with horizontal stripes and dark pants (through out), and young guy with blue shirt at the end. Did you notice the fire hoses had numerous leaks, far more than an actual unit should have and the "civilians jumping in to "help" with the hoses redirecting them etc. Some of the trucks parked side by side and every truck seemingly parked far away from anything that could be damaged.
ReplyDeleteAfter a second look thru I saw little to no damage from bullets or shrapnel on the trucks or the ground around them. As far as the bomb crater that was shown as proof, are the Russians dropping mortar rounds from their planes?
ReplyDeleteWere these trucks deliberately destroyed? Hmmmm ....
ReplyDeleteAnd it happened at the Bab al-Salam, the old "Gate of Peace" is looking a little rowdy!
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ReplyDeleteFunny,
ReplyDeleteAt least two of the guys talking to the camera kept looking up to the right, like they're lying. Mr. White T shirt and Mr Red shirt looked shifty as all get out.
RRH,
ReplyDeleteYes, there was a whole cast of characters in that video each playing their part. Exactly who each one worked for is speculation (though it shouldn't be that hard to guess), all in all I believe it was propaganda though kind of clumsy created in haste, like something "ready made" off the rack but not quite fitting for the occasion.