France And Britain Agree To Send More Troops To Syria To Aid The U.S. Witdrawal

The Guardian: UK and France to send further forces to Syria in aid of US withdrawal

Move has been described as ‘major victory’ for Donald Trump’s national security team.

Britain has agreed to deploy additional special forces in Syria alongside France to allow the US to withdraw its ground troops from the ongoing fight against the remaining Isis forces in the country.

US officials briefed on Tuesday that Britain and France would contribute 10% to 15% more elite soldiers, although the exact numbers involved remain secret.

The decision was first reported in the journal Foreign Policy, which described the development as “a major victory … for Donald Trump’s national security team” because few other countries had been willing to help out.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The Germans are not onboard .... Germany Says No To A U.S. Request For Ground Troops In Syria (July 9, 2019).

More News On France And Britain Agreeing To Send More Troops To Syria

France and Britain agree to send more troops to Syria -- The National
Britain 'planning to send more troops' to Syria to backfill US withdrawal -- The Telegraph
Britain, France Agree to Send Additional Troops to Syria -- Foreign Policy
Britain and France will send forces to Syria ...but Americans will pay for it, report suggests -- RT

Two British Special Forces Soldiers Injured From An ISIS Missile Attack In Syria

The attack targeted a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) base in Deir al-Zour. File pic

The Daily Mail: Two British special forces soldiers are seriously injured after being hit by a missile in an ISIS attack in Syria

* British soldiers hit by a missile after an attack by Islamic State militants in Syria
* The soldiers were airlifted from the scene by US forces for medical treatment
* A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'We do not comment on special forces'

Two British special forces soldiers have been seriously injured after being hit by a missile during an attack by ISIS.

The incident is believed to have happened in Syria this morning. The soldiers were airlifted from the scene by US forces for specialist medical treatment.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'We do not comment on special forces.'

Read more ....

More News On Two British Special Forces Soldiers Injured From An ISIS Missile Attack In Syria

Two British soldiers injured in Islamic State attack in Syria -- BBC
British special forces soldiers seriously hurt by IS missile -- SKY News
Two British special forces soldiers injured by Isis in Syria -- The Guardian/Press Association
Two British soldiers seriously injured in Isil missile attack in Syria -- The Telegraph
Two British soldiers seriously injured in Syria after Isis missile attack -- The Independent
Two British special forces soldiers seriously injured in missile attack by so-called Islamic State in Syria -- ITV News

U.K. Foreign Minister: Britain Looking At Military Options In Syria. British PM Says No

Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson listens as Prime Minister Theresa May gives her speech on the final day of the annual Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, Britain, October 5, 2016. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Reuters: Britain looking at military options in Syria - foreign minister

Britain is looking at its military options in Syria but any action would need to be part of a coalition involving the United States and is not likely to happen soon, foreign minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday.

Prime Minister Theresa May's spokeswoman took a more cautious approach, saying there were no plans for further military action and no decisions had been made.

But Johnson's comments reflected frustration, shared in other Western capitals, at the worsening humanitarian situation in Syria and what he described as the barbaric role of Russia alongside the forces of President Bashar al-Assad.

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WNU Editor: The British PM is saying that there are no new military options on Syria .... No new plans for British military action in Syria, PM says (SKY News). More British PM denials here .... No UK plans for military force in Syria – PM May contradicts Johnson (RT). But there are reports that orders have been given to the RAF to shoot down "hostile" Russia war planes .... RAF ready to shoot down Russian aircraft over Syria (The Times). More here .... Royal Air Force Pilots Ordered To Shoot Down "Hostile" Russian Jets Over Syria (Zero Hedge). There are also calls from top Tories that British jets must be free to shoot down Russian warplanes in Syria .... British jets must be free to SHOOT DOWN Russian warplanes in Syria, says top Tory MP (Express).

British Special Forces Pictured For The First Time On The Front Line In Syria

BBC: UK special forces pictured on the ground in Syria

The BBC has obtained exclusive pictures showing for the first time British special forces operating on the ground in Syria.

It is the vehicles that first stand out. The open air, Thalab long range patrol vehicles are built for harsh terrain and are favoured by special forces.

In this case it is British special forces, seen for the first time on the ground, inside Syria, in photographs obtained by the BBC.

The pictures, which date from June, follow an attack by the so-called Islamic State (IS) on the moderate rebel New Syrian Army base of Al Tanaf on the Syria-Iraq border. The British soldiers appear to be securing the base's perimeter.

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Update #1: British special forces pictured on front line in Syria for first time (Telegraph)
Update #2: The elite UK force waging secret ground war in Syria: Footage shows troops armed with heavy machine guns defend Syrian rebel base against ISIS for the first time (Daily Mail)
Update #3: Elite SAS troops pictured on Syrian front line fighting ISIS jihadis for first time (Mirror)

WNU Editor: These pictures are from June .... I can only imagine that as the fight intensifies, more forces will be deployed.

British Special Forces Are Fighting Alongside Syrian Rebels

The Telegraph: British special forces 'operating inside Syria alongside rebels'

British special forces are operating on the front line against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Syria, according to rebel commanders.

The Times reports that they have been defending a rebel unit against Isil attacks, marking the first evidence of the troop's direct involvement involvement inside Syria rather than training fighters in neighbouring Jordan.

First Lieutenant Mahmoud al-Saleh said British forces frequently crossed the border to help the New Syrian Army (NSA), comprised of former Syrian special forces, as it defends the south-eastern village of al-Tanf.

“They helped us with logistics, like building defences to make the bunkers safe,” he said.

Read more ....

More News On Reports That British Special Forces Are Fighting Alongside Syrian Rebels

UK special forces 'operating on frontline' against Isis in Syria -- The Independent
UK special forces take frontline role in Syria -- The Times
UK special forces 'active on Syrian frontline' -- Press Association
British special forces are 'active on Syrian frontline' to help rebels defeat ISIS -- Daily Mail
Senior MP 'not concerned or surprised' by report of UK special forces in Syria -- The Guardian
REVEALED: British special forces secretly fight Islamic State jihadis on Syrian front line -- Express
UK Special Forces Operating on Front Line in Syria Against Daesh -- Sputnik
UK special forces fighting alongside Syrian rebels on Jordanian border – report -- RT

U.K. Air-Strikes Target ISIS oil Assets in Syria

Wall Street Journal: U.K. Airstrikes Target Islamic State Oil Assets in Syria

Prime Minister David Cameron says campaign against militants will take time.

LONDON—Britain’s military began airstrikes in Syria against Islamic State targets to bolster a growing effort to cut off the extremist group’s revenue from oil sales.

The first raids, which took place only hours after British lawmakers authorized such strikes, targeted oil infrastructure about 35 miles inside Syria’s eastern border with Iraq, the Ministry of Defense said Thursday.

“The terrorists depend for their revenue on the control of oil,” said British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon. “Cutting off their finances is extremely important to degrading the terrorists, to undermining their campaign in Iraq, and to shrink their operations in eastern Syria.”

WNU editor: British ministers are claiming that it will take two years to destroy the Islamic State .... Ministers say it could take two years to destroy Isis (The Guardian). How they have come to this conclusion bewilders me .... because blowing up a few oil installations is not going to make a dent against the Islamic State.

U.K. Debate On Bombing Syria -- News Updates December 2, 2015

Daily Mail: Britain could be bombing by midnight: Cameron on course to win crunch vote on airstrikes against ISIS in Syria with a majority of up to 100

* Britain set to launch airstrikes as MPs line up to back the Prime Minister
* Dozens of Labour MPs expected to join Tories, Lib Dems and DUP
* Cameron says UK must answer call from allies to defeat the 'death cult'
* But faces questions over claim opponents are 'terrorist sympathisers'
* Corbyn denies he is advocating 'pacifism' as he warns of 'mission creep'

Britain is on the brink of launching airstrikes against ISIS in its Syria stronghold tonight as MPs lined up to support David Cameron's plan to defeat the jihadist 'death cult'.

At least 40 Labour MPs including Alan Johnson, Margaret Beckett and Hilary Benn are expected to join hundreds of Conservatives with the support of Lib Dems and the DUP to authorise bombing raids which could start within hours of the result after 10pm.

Ex-Paratrooper and Labour MP Dan Jarvis said ISIS are the 'fascists of our time' as he urged MPs to unite with Britain's allies 'in defence of our common humanity'.

WNU Editor: This is sobering .... The Wishful Thinking War: a Briefing on Syria to Members of Parliament (Patrick Cockburn, Counter Punch). Hat tip to reader Jay for this link.

U.K. Debate On Bombing Syria -- News Updates December 2, 2015

MPs debating Syria bombing: Leaders and MPs debate Syria strikes before vote: Live -- BBC
Syria airstrikes: Miliband attacks 'demonisation' of Labour MPs who support action – live -- The Guardian
Watch live: MPs debate and vote on Syria air strikes -- The Telegraph

Syria vote: Cameron and Corbyn clash over air strikes -- BBC
David Cameron: it is Britain's duty to attack Isis in Syria -- The Guardian
Cameron urges UK parliament to back bombing of Islamic State in Syria -- Reuters
UK set to vote for Syria air strikes despite divisions -- AFP
U.K. Parliament To Vote On Syrian Airstrikes as Voter Support Falls -- Newsweek
UK Parliament to vote on whether to bomb ISIS in Syria -- CNN
Cameron brands Corbyn ‘terrorist sympathizer’ for opposing Syria airstrikes -- RT
UK Anti-ISIS Syria Airstrikes Debate: In Parliament, Cameron Refuses To Apologize For Islamic State 'Terrorist Sympathizers' Comment -- IBTimes
Corbyn branded a 'cheerleader for angry, intolerant pacifism' by his own MPs as Labour split deepens over airstrikes -- Daily Mail
Syria air strikes: Public support falls as Parliament prepares to vote -- The Independent
Less than half of voters back Syria airstrikes in shock poll as doubts mount over Cameron's case for war -- Daily Mail
UK Media as Deeply Divided on Syria Vote as House of Commons -- Sputnik
Syria air strikes: How will MPs vote and what is the motion they are voting on? -- Telegraph‎
Syria air strikes: debate in UK exposes deep divisions -- Financial Times
The U.K. Vote on Striking ISIS in Syria -- Krishnadev Calamur, The Atlantic
UK's Syria debate: Key quotes and clips -- BBC

The Myth Of The 70,000 Moderate Syrian Rebels

Thousands of anti-war protesters marched on Downing Street this weekend. Credit: Reuters

Robert Fisk, The Independent: David Cameron, there aren't 70,000 moderate fighters in Syria - and whoever heard of a moderate with a Kalashnikov, anyway?

The Blairite Labour MPs are going to vote with Dave because they loathe Corbyn more than Isis

Not since Hitler ordered General Walther Wenck to send his non-existent 12th Army to rescue him from the Red Army in Berlin has a European leader believed in military fantasies as PR Dave Cameron did last week. Telling the House of Commons about the 70,000 “moderate” fighters deployed in Syria was not just lying in the sense that Tony Blair lied – because Blair persuaded himself to believe in his own dishonesty – but something approaching burlesque. It was whimsy – ridiculous, comic, grotesque, ludicrous. It came close to a unique form of tragic pantomime.

At one point last week, one of Cameron’s satraps was even referring to this phantom army as “ground troops”. I doubt if there are 700 active “moderate” foot soldiers in Syria – and I am being very generous, for the figure may be nearer 70 – let alone 70,000. And the Syrian Kurds are not going to conquer Isis for us; they’re too busy trying to survive the assaults of our Turkish allies. Besides, aren’t the “moderates” supposed to be the folk who don’t carry weapons at all? Who’s ever heard before of a “moderate” with a Kalashnikov?

WNU Editor: Robert Fisk unleashed. The funny thing is that years ago I was not sympathetic to Robert Fisk and his analysis .... now .... he s making sense.

Hat Tip Jay for the link.

Britain's Contribution To The War Against The Islamic State In Syria Will Be Negligible (They Do Not Have The Planes To Mount An Effective Campaign)

Daily Mail: Fiasco of Britain's missing Tornados: No10 wants to send more jets to Syria...but we have '2 to 4' spare as defence expert MP reveals cuts and mothballing makes us a 'marginal' force

* Experts say that 24 Tornado ground-attack aircraft would be needed for Britain to mount an effective campaign, while maintaining missions in Iraq
* But RAF sources say that only 'two to four' jets poised to join eight-strong force already operating over IS territory from Britain's airbase in Cyprus
* Julian Lewis MP said Britain could only then make 'marginal' contribution

Britain does not have enough aircraft to carry out effective bombing missions against Islamic State in Syria, a senior Conservative MP has told The Mail on Sunday.
Experts say that 24 Tornado ground-attack aircraft would be needed for Britain to mount an effective campaign, while maintaining current missions in Iraq.
But RAF sources say that only 'two to four' jets are poised to join the eight-strong force already operating over IS territory from Britain's airbase at Akrotiri in Cyprus.

Update: Analysts: UK Airstrikes in Syria Won't Turn Tide Against Islamic State (VOA)

WNU Editor: If these reports are true .... shame on British PM Cameron.

U.K.'s Anti-War Movement Protests Against Proposed British Military Action In Syria

The Guardian: Thousands attend protests against UK airstrikes on Syria

Stretch of Whitehall blocked by 4,000-strong protest outside Downing Street, and smaller rallies held in other cities

Thousands of people gathered outside Downing Street and in cities around the UK on Saturday to protest against the government’s plans to bomb Islamic State targets in Syria.

The protests, organised at short notice by the Stop the War Coalition, followed renewed calls for military action against the terror group in the wake of the attacks in Paris two weeks ago.

WNU Editor: Only 4,000 protesters ?!?!?! .... I am old enough to remember anti-war protests in the U.K. in the 1980s that numbered in the hundreds of thousands. The vote authorizing Britain to launch air strikes will probably happen this Wednesday .... it should pass because of the Conservative majority in parliament. As for the British Labour party .... they are deeply split on this issue .... Jeremy Corbyn faces humiliation as more than 100 Labour MPs plan to defy leader over air-strikes (The Telegraph). More here .... Labour leadership in turmoil over vote on UK military action in Syria (The Guardian).

More News On Saturday's Protests In The U.K. On Proposed British Military Action In Syria

Protests in UK, Spain as momentum builds to join Syria strikes -- AFP
Don’t Bomb Syria! Thousands protest against proposed UK military action -- RT
Thousands take to London streets in protest against UK Syria intervention -- DW
Protests as France's Hollande calls on UK to join Syria campaign -- AFP
Syria air strikes: Government ministers call Labour MPs for support -- BBC
David Cameron to risk Commons vote over Syria airstrikes -- The Guardian
What's the UK doing about Syria: 11 key questions answered -- BBC

A British Air Campaign Over Syria Would Be 'High Risk And Pointless'

RAF Tornados involved in the anti-Isis mission Operation Shader in Syria are to be equipped with ASRAAM missiles. Reuters

The Guardian: British airstrikes against Isis forces in Syria 'high risk and pointless'

Tory chair of defence select committee and former ambassador warn David Cameron against extending bombing mission

David Cameron would be guilty of embarking on a “high-risk and pointless endeavour” if he sought to extend the British bombing mission against Islamic State forces in Iraq to Syria, a senior Tory MP and a former UK ambassador to Syria have warned.

As Downing Street lays the ground for a possible commons vote to endorse an extension of the military campaign, Julian Lewis and Peter Ford say that joining forces with the US and other allied nations in the skies over Syria would be “extremely dangerous”.

WNU Editor: With no boots on the ground and/or allies to work with .... a rare acknowledgement that such an air campaign will not work.