CNBC: Pentagon defends airstrike that reportedly killed 'dozens' of Russian mercenaries in Syria
* A senior U.S. military official Tuesday defended an airstrike on pro-Syrian government forces last week that reportedly killed "dozens" of Russians.
* "This was self defense," Air Force Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command told reporters at a briefing.
* The airstrike followed an attack by pro-Syrian government forces on U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, who are fighting ISIS.
* An undisclosed number of U.S. coalition advisors were on the ground with SDF fighters during the clash but they apparently didn't suffer casualties.
The Pentagon on Tuesday defended an airstrike on pro-Syrian government forces last week that reportedly killed "dozens" of Russian mercenaries.
Reports have suggested more than 100 fighters supporting the regime led by Syrian President Bashar Assad were killed Feb. 7 in Syria's Deir al-Zor province when they attacked U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, who are fighting ISIS.
"This was self defense," Air Force Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, said at a news briefing Tuesday. "This is a hostile force launching an unprovoked, coordinated attack ... against an established SDF position."
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Previous Post: Report: U.S. Strikes Killed 200 Russian Contract Fighters In Syria Last Week During A Failed Military Attack (Update)
WNU Editor: Here is a good summary one what is known .... Here's What We Know About The US Airstrikes That Killed Russian Fighters In Syria (Buzzfeed).
More News On Reports That Dozens Of Russian Mercenaries Were Killed By U.S. Military Strikes In Syria
Syria conflict: 'Russians killed' in US air strikes -- BBC News
Dozens of Russians Are Believed Killed in US-Backed Syria Attack -- New York Times
Scores of Russian mercenaries reportedly killed by US airstrikes in Syria -- The Guardian
US forces reportedly killed more than 100 Russian mercenaries inside Syria -- Vox
US strike in Syria kills Russian fighters in first such clash -- The Telegraph
US Strikes Killed Scores of Russia Fighters in Syria, Sources Say -- Bloomberg
A massive battle between US and Syrian pro-regime forces reportedly killed more than 200 Russians -- Business Insider
Russians Among Those Killed in US Airstrike in Eastern Syria -- Wall Street Journal
That Massive Firefight Between US And Pro-Regime Forces In Syria Reportedly Killed Hundreds Of Russian Mercenaries -- Task & Purpose
The moment a US fighter jet destroys a Russian tank in massive raid that 'killed hundreds of fighters and DOZENS of Putin's mercenaries who are secretly fighting in Syria' -- Daily Mail
8 comments:
1. Don't attack Russia in the winter.
2. Don't attack a base full of US operators.
2 basic universal truths
"Don't attack Russia in the winter." Good advice!! It's never ended well. As for the second part, the US never should've been there in the first place.
At present, the US seems more interested in ousting Assad than fighting ISIS leaving others to do the heavy lifting such as pro-Assad forces, Russia, and Iranian backed forces to do the heavy lifting against ISIS. I hope my assessment is wrong.
I'm actually pleased that our people won this round. Next time we may not be so lucky and there will be a "next time" unless US leadership comes to its senses. I will reiterate OUR FORCES NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!!
When US leaders first chose to get us involved, I suggested DON'T or place our forces under the command and vontrol of the Russians. The latter option is likely impossible as there would be huge cultural and trust issues that would need to be overcome to make such an arrangement work. Hopefully we can get there some day.
Getting rid of Assad is impossible. The Russians would never allow it even if it were a viable alternative. Get out of the way while they defeat ISIS seems to be the best option.
The side which has air support is necessarily wining. The speed of this air support means it was a complete ready for fight before the attack. US has all the tools to know what is going on.
B.Poster,
"place our forces under the command and control of the Russians"
and why not giving them the key of the Pentagon? Do you realize what you are saying? All the suicidal task would be for us...
Jac,
I respect you. I actually agree with you more often than not. Very respectfully I think you misread the situation. I think the opposing force was likely simply overconfident, a problem they are going to fix before the next confrontation.
During WW2, US leadership took certain "command and control" because the allies deemed it in the best interests of winning the war. This is a similar situation here. How can we best defeat ISIS? Such a move even if it could be achieved isn't likely to happen for the reasons mentioned above. This did not lead to suicide for the allies nor would it lead to suicide for us.
Besides Russia is pretty busy with problems of their own. They don't really want problems with us but they've demonstrated in places like Ukraine and Georgia they have abilitoes we don't. Certain US and "western" leaders have or so it apoears to me gone out of their way to antagonize Russia.
As I've said before, we can't afford Cold War 2, we lack the resources to prosecute ot effectively, and pethaps we "win" but WE DON'T NEED IT!!
Again, I'm immensely pleased our people and our "allies" won this round. Just maybe our people get to come home alive, not physically maimed for life, and not suffering ftom PTSD for a fight we DIDN'T NEED!! THEY NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE AND NEXT TIME WE ARE UNLIKELY TO BE SO FORTUNATE!! Perhaps we "win" the next round too. I'd expect casualties on our side to be quite high next time. The enemy does not figure to be as overconfident.
Best case scrnario in wars like this you win some and you lose some but, as I stated, ee can't afford to sustain it, lack the resources to prosecute it effectively, and we don't need it.
Jac.. Bposter is a Russian troll. No matter what the topic is he'll always find a way to somehow undermine US position, while claiming he's American. However Russia is always "best", "most powerful"...just go back in time - use Google, you'll see issue after issue where he sup ports Russia. Just ignore him.
The U.S.response to that attack was a failure..all those assets that were involved including B 52s and we only killed a 100 out of 500 ?
We should have wiped out that whole battalion!!!
Anonymous,
Please try reading the posts in their entirety, carefully evaluate the context, and you will see that I'm obviously not pro-Russian nor do I blindly assume Russia is "best," or "most powerful."
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