Russian and US Objectives World’s Apart on Syria
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org – Home – Stephen Lendman)
There’s nothing civil about Washington’s war on Syria, launched by the Obama administration in March 2011, orchestrated by Hillary Clinton, using ISIS and other terrorists as imperial foot soldiers, aiming for regime change, wanting the country transformed into another US vassal state.
Russia’s intervention in September 2015 changed the dynamic on the ground, turning likely defeat into triumph – ISIS smashed, pockets of its fighters being mopped up, attacks on al-Nusra terrorists continuing to eliminate them as a threat.
Most of Syria is now liberated. A US-controlled Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman falsely claimed the so-called “coalition” deserves credit for defeating ISIS in the country.
Days earlier Trump turned truth on its head, claiming US forces “knocked the hell out of them.” Pentagon terror-bombing “knocked the hell out of” Syrian civilians and vital infrastructure, supporting ISIS, not combating it.
America supports the scourge it claims to oppose – recruiting ISIS and other terrorist fighters, funding, arming, training and directing them.
Syrian and allied forces, greatly aided by Russian airpower, alone defeated ISIS. US forces tried obstructing their efforts.
On December 9, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman General Igor Konashenkov said a US F-22 warplane tried preventing two Russian Su-25s from bombing an ISIS position on the western bank of the Euphrates River on November 23, explaining:
“The F-22 launched decoy flares and used airbrakes while constantly maneuvering (near the Russian aircraft), imitating an air fight – ceasing its hostile action only after a Russian Su-35S interceded, adding:
“(M)ost close-midair encounters between Russian and US jets in the area around the Euphrates River have been linked to the attempts of US aircraft to get in the way (of Russian warplanes) striking against Islamic State terrorists.”
Konashenkov denounced US Air Force Central Command spokesman Lt. Col. Damien Pickart, claiming the eastern bank of the Euphrates River belongs to the US-led coalition – stressing all parts of the country are Syrian sovereign territory, America an illegal invader.
“Unlike the Russian Air Force, the US-led coalition is operating in Syria without any legal basis,” Konashenkov stressed.
Moscow opposes US plans to remain in Syria after conflict ends. The Trump administration intends to stay, wanting control over as much Syrian territory as possible, opposing conflict resolution efforts.
Restoring peace and stability in the country won’t be easily achieved as long as Washington keeps obstructing efforts.
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