Russian envoy to Lebanon: Any U.S. missiles fired at Syria will be shot down

[bsnub]

Russia’s ambassador to Lebanon said any U.S. missiles fired at Syria would be shot down and the launch sites targeted, a step that could trigger a major escalation in the Syrian war.

Russian Ambassador Alexander Zasypkin, in comments broadcast on Tuesday evening, said he was referring to a statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian armed forces chief of staff.

The Russian military said on March 13 that it would respond to any U.S. strike on Syria, targeting any missiles and launchers involved in such an attack. Russia is Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s most powerful ally.

The United States and its allies are considering whether to hit Syria over a suspected poison gas attack that medical relief organizations say killed dozens of people in the rebel-held town of Douma near Damascus on Saturday.

“If there is a strike by the Americans, then...the missiles will be downed and even the sources from which the missiles were fired,” Zasypkin told Hezbollah’s al-Manar TV, speaking in Arabic. He also said a clash “should be ruled out and therefore we are ready to hold negotiations”.

Russia and the United States blocked attempts by each other in the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday to set up international investigations into chemical weapons attacks in Syria.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday canceled a planned trip to Latin America later this week to focus instead on responding to the Syria incident, the White House said. Trump had on Monday warned of a quick, forceful response once responsibility for the Syria attack was established.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-russia-diplomat/russian-envoy-to-lebanon-any-u-s-missiles-fired-at-syria-will-be-shot-down-idUSKBN1HI0PU

[bsnub]

Saudi Arabia could take part in military action in Syria after a suspected chemical attack that killed at least 60 people in the eastern Ghouta region over the weekend, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Tuesday.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday promised quick, forceful action in response to the attack, appearing to suggest a potential military response.

“If our alliance with our partners requires it, we will be present,” Prince Mohammed said at a news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, wrapping up a three-day visit to Paris.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir had told reporters that a number of countries were holding consultations on how to respond to a chemical weapons attack in Syria and called for those responsible to be held accountable.

“Our position is that those responsible have to be held accountable and brought to justice,” he said.

The attack late on Saturday killed at least 60 people and hurt more than 1,000 at several sites in Douma, a town near the capital, Damascus, according to the Union of Medical Care Organizations.

When asked whether Saudi Arabia could be part of such a response, Jubeir declined to comment.

“I’m not going to get into speculation about what may nor may not take place but all I can say is that there are discussions with regards to the options that are available to deal with this matter,” he said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-m...-idUSKBN1HH26L

[raycarey]

for those who were wondering how trump would handle a complex international crisis...buckle up.

[harrybarracuda]

for those who were wondering how trump would handle a complex international crisis...buckle up.

Yes,

Russia just said "I dare you" to a petulant child.

[bsnub]

Russia just said "I dare you" to a petulant child.

That is the way I took it as well and with the enormous amount of anxiety/stress the orange one is under after his lawyers home and offices were raided I would think this is the perfect moment for a "wag the dog" incident.

[bsnub]

The Russian military said on March 13 that it would respond to any U.S. strike on Syria, targeting any missiles and launchers involved in such an attack.

I think this threat is utterly laughable as the Ruskies have no way to target any of the "launchers". They do not have the capability to do so in that theater of operations.

[OhOh]

They do not have the capability to do so in that theater of operations.

We shall see.

[harrybarracuda]

It will be like last time. The US will tell Russia what they are going to bomb *, Russia will pull out, the US will bomb it and it will just be a headline.

* Maybe after Vlad tells baldy orange cunto what he is allowed to bomb.

[Dragonfly]

for those who were wondering how trump would handle a complex international crisis...buckle up.

this is why he is awesome, we need crazy people like him to move things

let's see how he is going to rollover and sit like a good boy

[HermantheGerman]

this is why he is awesome, we need crazy people like him to move things

let's see how he is going to rollover and sit like a good boy

With the support of his "French Poodle".

[HermantheGerman]

...and his Corgis waggling their tails ready to fetch the stick.

[HermantheGerman]

O.K. lets be fair.....

and his "German Sheppard & Great Dane" ready to pick up the puppies (refugees)....ahemm pieces.

[Farangrakthai]

It will be like last time. The US will tell Russia what they are going to bomb *, Russia will pull out, the US will bomb it and it will just be a headline.

hope so; but, the "chemical attack" happened a day or two after trump announced that he was pulling u.s. troops out of syria.

the israelis/neo-cons want the europeans/us to do israel's bidding and remove assad (like saddam) and put in place an israel-friendly government.

14 people (mostly iranians) killed in strike on airforce base:

Israel faces blowback from suspected role in Syria strike

Israel faced international blowback on Tuesday over the bombardment of Syria's largest air base, a center for the Iranian military effort to support Syrian President Bashar Assad. Although it has not acknowledged a role in the attack, Israel is widely believed to have carried it out.

"I don't know what happened there and who attacked," Lieberman said of the Syrian strike. "I know one thing with certainty: We will not allow the Iranians to establish themselves in Syria, whatever the price may be. We have no other choice."

Allowing Iran to remain in Syria, he said, was akin to "agreeing to the Iranians placing a noose around our necks. We will not allow it."

Eliot Higgins, the founder of the investigative reporting site Bellingcat, said in an interview that, in addition to a strictly military purpose, bombing T4 may serve as an Israeli signal to a wavering Trump that it is possible to respond militarily against Russia and Syria in the Syrian arena.

[Farangrakthai]

[Neverna]

I think this threat is utterly laughable as the Ruskies have no way to target any of the "launchers". They do not have the capability to do so in that theater of operations.

They can launch missiles from the Caspian Sea like they did before. Last time the missiles landed in Syria. Next time they could land on the USS Harry S. Truman and its associated carrier strike group - or whatever other ship US missiles are launched from.

[Dragonfly]

Vlad needs to flex his muscles, and bitchslap Trump and his loser friends at the Pentagon

[Neverna]

They can launch missiles from the Caspian Sea like they did before. Last time the missiles landed in Syria. Next time they could land on the USS Harry S. Truman and its associated carrier strike group - or whatever other ship US missiles are launched from.

The USS Harry S. Truman's crew complement consists of over 5,600 sailors and airmen.

Ship's company: 3,200
Air wing: 2,480

A lot of body bags could be needed just for that one ship.

[bsnub]

The USS Harry S. Truman's crew complement consists of over 5,600 sailors and airmen.

Firstly that carrier would never be in the range of any Russian missiles, secondly a carrier battle group has a robust anti missile defense system that is comprised of several layers. Not to mention the fact that these are moving targets at sea.

[harrybarracuda]

The USS Harry S. Truman's crew complement consists of over 5,600 sailors and airmen.

Ship's company: 3,200
Air wing: 2,480

A lot of body bags could be needed just for that one ship.

Russia is never going to win a conventional war with the US, so you'd just better hope to fuck nothing like that happens with these two idiots in charge.

[bsnub]

If the US does attack Russia will most likely retaliate within Syria and not directly at American troops. Attempting to attack a carrier group would be a futile suicide mission. This article does a good job explaining what the Russians are capable of doing after a US strike;

If The U.S. Attacks Syria Here's How Russia Could Retaliate Militarily - The Drive

[david44]

Why bother a moving target just send Iranian suicide bombers or as they're already accused of chemical hit a base Ramstein by gas etc,Incirlik from the Caspian or if the really want to go for broke invade through the Twangste gap via Lithuania to Kaliningrad enclave. Sure teh USA can raze Russias cities many times over but Russians really have to be lucky twice and wipe out LA New York London etc few hits from subs or bio attacks from sleepers to sprread panic and surrender etc.It'll be a real test of NATO see the French wait until every Israeli and Brit is dead before or after they surrender.

It won't really after who started and rights and wrongs, once it goes nuclear. The elephant in the room is of course Israel which may have better self preservation instinct than Trump a person who reacts without reflection or dimplomacy.

I'd imagine as it really tales off China might have a crack at Taiwan, I posted about all this in another thread 3 days ago but the brinkmanship continues.

The one lesson is having idiots at the tiller is a risky option.

[Neverna]

I wonder if the Russians have a submarine in the Med.

[bsnub]

I wonder if the Russians have a submarine in the Med.

Who doesn't?

[Neverna]

^ Thailand?

[bsnub]

^OMG!!! I just spat beer all over my monitor!! Greened!