Leo prepares to jump. Leo jump?
Some events of recent days make it possible to judge that the coalition of Western countries and the monarchies of the Persian Gulf is up to something in the Middle East. After the victory of the Syrian government forces in El Quseir and popular exultation there and after the militants of the "opposition" once again asked Washington weaponsand more, but Barack Obama "did not rule out" the possibility of military assistance to the rebels, analysts began to speculate about the imminent "international" intervention in Syria. In large-scale exercises, started in Jordan, even the scenario of a chemical attack is being worked out. Along with this, the Syrian ambassador in Amman is threatened with expulsion.
As reported by the agency "REGNUM"Jordan’s Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh warned the Syrian ambassador to Jordan to stop criticizing the host country. The fact is that Ambassador Bahdzhat Suleiman often criticizes Jordan, for example, calling this state a puppet of the United States and Israel. In addition, he criticized Amman for holding a meeting of the Friends of Syria there.
Nasser Judeh stated that Suleiman “went beyond the borders of diplomatic norms and practices” in “offensive” statements about the host country. “This is the last warning,” Judeh told the Associated Press. - Without listening to him, Suleiman risks becoming “persona non grata”.
9 June in Jordan launched military exercises "Eager Lion" "Impatient Lion." (Their name in the Russian-language press is also translated as “The Lion Prepares for a Jump” and “The Vigilant Lion”).
According to the resource Israelinfo.ru, armies of eighteen states are involved in these maneuvers: Jordan, USA, UK, Bahrain, Canada, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Iraq, Italy, Lebanon, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Turkey, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The exercise will last until June 21. Israel was not invited to them, writes the portal.
US forces are represented by a contingent of 4.500 troops. During the exercises, F-16 aircraft and Patriot complexes will be used.
As transmits "RT", from the side of Jordan, thousands of military 3 take part in the maneuvers. This writes "Al-Hayat." It is also reported that during the exercise will be worked out "non-standard military scenarios in the region," in particular, the interaction in the conditions of use of chemical weapons. Participants will also work out search and rescue operations and actions in the event of an influx of refugees, the release of areas and objects occupied by terrorists.
Jordanian General Auni al-Adwan refuted the allegations that the teachings allegedly related to the situation in Syria. He noted that the maneuvers "are held in areas remote from the Syrian-Jordanian border."
In addition, the leadership of Jordan asked the United States to leave part of the military equipment that will be used on the maneuvers. The official representative of the government of the country Mohammad Hussein al-Mumani told about this edition. Prime Minister Abdullah en-Nussur said "the interest of Jordan in strengthening its air defense forces."
Channel Euronews indicates that the maneuvers were condemned by Russia, accusing the participants of swelling the conflict in neighboring Syria. However, in Amman itself deny it.
“I assure you that the Syrian opposition is not participating and will not take part in these exercises,” said Major General of the Jordanian Army Auni Al-Adwan, mentioned above. - No foreign troops will remain in the country after the completion of the exercises. And the Patriot complexes and F-16 aircraft will remain only if asked by the Jordanian government. ”
"Days. Ru" remind that the American Republican Senator John McCain recently proposed a plan for a military strike against Syria. He said that the United States could prevent Assad’s victory over the opposition if they strike cruise missiles at government forces. McCain noted that it is necessary to create a safe zone in Syria where a transitional government could work. To this end, the United States can arm the opposition forces.
Last week, American television channels, citing unnamed sources at the Pentagon, reported that the US intelligence services spotted Russian military ships in the amount of 3 (three) pieces heading for the Eastern Mediterranean. They are not bringing peaceful goods, but weapons for the Syrian President’s army. Through American satellites, containers were loaded onto ships — presumably with weapons. In the US, they believe that warships deliver C-300 air defense system components to Comrade Assad.
Victor Ruchkin ("A red star") cites the words of John McCain: “We should not assume that we must destroy every air defense system or send thousands of soldiers to change the situation in Syria. We have a limited selection. We can use long-range weapons, such as cruise missiles, the purpose of which will be the Assad air force and rocket launchers. ”
In addition, according to the senator, it is necessary to give the transitional government the opportunity to work in a safe area: “We can protect this zone with Patriot missiles. And we can organize a full-fledged operation to train and equip the Syrian opposition forces. ”
There were voices from Britain. Foreign Minister William Hague did not like the victory of Assad in El Quseir. He even noted that Damascus is thus making it difficult to organize an international conference on settlement in the SAR in Geneva: “Government forces have consolidated their positions. This reduces the chances that a conference in Geneva will be held and will achieve success. This reduces the likelihood of concessions to the negotiating regime and the likelihood that the opposition will be able to be persuaded to take part in these negotiations. So the development of events in Syria is currently not conducive to our reaching a political and diplomatic solution. ”
V. Ruchkin cites the losses of militants in El Quseir: around 2.700 people were killed and more than 300 were wounded. About 1.000 people were detained by government forces. Approximately 600 militants burst out of encirclement.
Analyst Alexander Gorbenko ("But") does not believe that some of the statements of the Americans and the begun teachings in Jordan are a direct path to intervention in Syria. The journalist notes that similar exercises (“The Impatient 2012 Lion”) were held last year. In addition, "it is difficult to imagine that the Americans and their NATO partners are ready to get involved in a fight that will not be as easy as the Libyan operation." The author writes that the Syrian army is the most efficient in the Arab world, it is full of modern types of weapons and has good combat experience. Finally, the situation in Syria itself is fundamentally different from the situation in Libya: after all, this time Russia could not be persuaded to “stand aside.” Well, in the appendage: in the European Union, only two countries - the United Kingdom and France - remain states that insist on helping the Syrian "oppositionists." There are also voices condemning possible intervention or the sale of weapons to militants.
As for the USA, they, the analyst notes, prefer to give the actions to their “not too careful partners”.
Then why different loud statements? Why hint at military intervention?
A. Gorbenko believes that such statements are no more than typical practice for Americans. They try not so much to act as to influence the information space. For example, this way you can give confidence to the forces that act in American interests. Simply put, show them that they are “not abandoned.” The beginning of the exercises on the eve of the peace conference in Geneva is the right time to try to convince the world community that Washington is still interested in overthrowing the “Assad regime”.
Thus, Washington and the Gulf states may frighten Syria with a "Lion" or frighten Obama with statements about possible military assistance to the rebels. Assad responds with a victory in El Quseir, and Moscow not only covers the map of aggressors with C-300's trump card, but also works out the option of placing peacekeepers on the Golan Heights.
Observed and commented on Oleg Chuvakin
- especially for topwar.ru
- especially for topwar.ru
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