‘We have strategic weapons and we’re capable of responding,’ says official in Damscus; Russia: West has no proof of chemical attack”
A senior Syrian official on Monday issued a first direct warning that if attacked, his country would retaliate against Israel. Khalaf Muftah, a senior Baath Party official who used to serve as Syria’s assistant information minister, said in a radio interview that Damascus would consider Israel “behind the [Western] aggression and [it] will therefore come under fire.”
“We have strategic weapons and we’re capable of responding,” he said. “Normally the strategic weapons are aimed at Israel.”
Muftah concluded with a warning that “If the US or Israel make the mistake of taking advantage of the chemical issue… the region will go up in flames… that will affect security not only in the region but across the world.”
His words were echoed by Iranian officials, who on Monday shrugged off the threat of a US attack on its close ally Syria, but said that if such a strike were to take place, Israel would suffer.
“[The Americans] are incapable of starting a new war in the region, because of their lacking economic capabilities and their lack of morale,” said Mohammad Reza Naqdi, the commander of the Republican Guards’ elite Basij force.
“No military attack will be waged against Syria,” said Hossein Sheikholeslam, a member of Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly. “Yet, if such an incident takes place, which is impossible, the Zionist regime will be the first victim of a military attack on Syria.”
Israeli military officials have indicated they believe it unlikely that Syria would target Israel if the US or others intervened, but Israel has reportedly been taking security precautions just in case.
“Our hand is always on the pulse,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday. “Our finger is a responsible one and if needed, is on the trigger. We will always know how to protect our citizens and our country against those who come to injure us or try to attack us.”
The Syrian and Iranian statements Monday came as Britain reportedly pushed for US action on Syria in the wake of a horrific alleged chemical weapons attack on civilians outside Damascus. According to a report from the Times of London, British Prime Minister David Cameron wants a strike in the coming days while outrage over the alleged attack is still fresh. British Foreign Minister William Hague said in an interview with the BBC on Monday that action could be taken even without the full support of the UN Security Council.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Western nations calling for military action against Syria have no proof the Syrian government is behind the alleged chemical weapons attack.
France, Britain, Israel and some US congressmen have said military action against Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime should be an option if it has used such weapons. A UN team is on the ground investigating the August 21 attack that left hundreds dead.
Lavrov said in a news conference that the countries calling for action have assumed the role of “both investigators and the UN Security Council” in probing the incident.
Mohammad Reza Naqdi, commander of Iran’s Basij force (screen capture: Youtube/PresTVGlobalNews)
“They cannot produce evidence, but keep on saying that the ‘red line’ has been crossed and they cannot wait any longer,” he said.
Lavrov likened the situation in Syria to the run-up before the 2003 military operation in Iraq. He warned against military intervention in Syria, saying “the use of force without a sanction of the UN Security Council is a crude violation of the international law.”
Russia’s foreign policy chief also blamed the Syrian opposition for manipulating reports of the attack in order to derail a peace conference on Syria. Lavrov said Russian and US experts were days away from meeting up to arrange a peace conference in Geneva on Syria.
“This hysteria will definitely work against this meeting,” he said.
In Syria, a UN vehicle belonging to a team investigating the alleged use of chemical weapons in Damascus was shot at by snipers Monday as experts were moving to investigate the incident, which left hundreds dead.
“I don’t have any doubts that it will be said that the firing came from the other side. But all this is moving in one direction and doesn’t inspire optimism,” Lavrov said.
bernard ross Said:
honeybee Said:
I don’t understand your comment, was it in reference to something I wrote? I think his cabinet is on track for what they are trying to accomplish which appears to indicate that they have brains but that the sheeple buy the BS rather than facts. everything that has been happening re syria I have been predicting for months. the GCC involvement and what it may mean for israel and the negotiations also seems to be unfolding the same. I predicted that if the sunni jihadis turn on Israel then I am wrong but if they move on to attacking hezbullah, iraq and Iran then my suspicions may be correctly indicated. The jihadis have not only not turned on israel thus far but have even asked israel for help and have ratcheted up in Iraq and lebanon/hezbullah. All plans are subject to failure, especially when US judgment is involved,but so far the existence of a “deal/arrangement/understanding” involving GCC/Nato/Israel seem to be progressing as i suspect. I believe the main aspect of the 9 mos is a cover to keep the pal/israel issue out of the picture but there may also be a long-term deal emerging involving GCC offers to Israel. Just speculating on unfolding facts as usual. What I did not expect was hezbullahs quick jump into syria on behalf of Assad/Iraq. This was an unusually, and strange, “convenient” event which aided the sunni PR war against shia. It even made me reminisce that the Iraq iran war appeared to be staged to kill a lot of cannon fodder, (unproductive aggressive males who eat food), same with WWI waged between monarchical cousins. Just a thought.
@ bernard ross:
Is there anyone in Obama’s cabinet with brains?
@ SHmuel HaLevi 2: thanks for your info and opinion.
@ bernard ross:
Most of what I reported is vox populi here. Assistant Minister of Defense, MK Danon, went public confirming my assessment but not particularly responding to me.
We know exactly what’s up but there are no options due to terrible leadership.
@ SHmuel HaLevi 2: Are Israelis unaware of all this that you state, that they are sitting ducks being lulled into a false sense of security by their own govt.? In such a scenario it appears to me that only massive first strike WMD with no allowable response can provide real security.
@ bernard ross:
Initially such systems may have remarkable success, but the other side, the aggressor has the initiative. The most common ways to walk around such systems are well known and used. Decoys, layered launches, rocket engines types, etc. The more advanced ways to do that are sensitive in nature.
Realistically a 30% success is very good. Yet woefully inadequate for us.
Some of the people are aware and even Danon commented on the facts we mention.
The awful management of the Lebanon II War served as baseline for a huge increase in the Hezbollah ability to deliver deadly blows to us and Netanyahu who is a terrible PM, did not correct the conditions of engagement. Much as he allowed Iran to complete its nuclear program.
SHmuel HaLevi 2 Said:
it seemed that in the past they got 50-75%. aren’t Israelis concerned about this low performance?
reply 33 to HB in moderation
honeybee Said:
here is what I was referring to re deeds not rhetoric:
http://yahoo-email.com/a/hBSHcsDB8vdMnB8yrufAHxttqEr/trk607
@ bernard ross:
The World is already there,my Dear!!!!!!!!!!
@ bernard ross:
I responded but the response was PUFFED into … who knows were.
@ bernard ross:
We studied at length battle theater rocket artillery defense systems. I am a former Senior-Fellow Engineer, US Department of Defense military avionics programs and met with colleagues specialized on that subject while we were in training at certain US military facilities. Without going into details, specialists can vary the rockets configuration in such fashion that can make it very difficult to detect and pursue it.
25% is better than nothing but that is that. Use the old French lady… axiom.
There is a huge amount of cash raiding on such projects…
honeybee Said:
It may get you WWWIII
bernard ross Said:
That and quarter will get a ride on a San Antonio river boat
honeybee Said:
not how they look but rather this:
they’re polishing up the final touches.
bernard ross Said:
Oh, and that too!!!!!!!!!!!!!
honeybee Said:
neither that nor seal team seix, nor fast and furious, nor benghazi investigation, nor NSA scandal, nor birth certificate, etc etc etc. however, this is more than a diversion of attention: it is a remaking of the middle east.
@ bernard ross:
thank-you, I understand, the videos of the childrn look worst,when gass as opposed to shot and blown to bits. They resemble sleeping angels,much easier “to cry havoc and let loose the dogs of war”.
my quotes in 20,21 come from this
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57600171/obama-orders-release-of-report-justifying-syria-strike/
@ bernard ross:
Is anybody thinking about “Obama Care”. SSssssssurprise
honeybee Said:
read my last post: dying by gas enables the coalition to cite WMD and crimes against humanity as a legal justification for an overt war on Syria as opposed to the covert coalition war of the last 2 years.
bernard ross Said:
the last gas attack did not arouse enough outrage to call for intervention therefore they must wait and see if the world buys the latest WMD attack as being perpetrated by Assad. I do not know who did it but whoever did it will result in the same outcome.
Now there’s a surprise 🙂 who can say they did not see this coming when first talked about long ago? This pretend scenario was always on the table if the GCC sunni Jihad was unable to be successful on its own. The question remains: what are Nato,US and GCC really trying to achieve by destabilizing or facilitating regime change in Syria? does anyone still beleive that everything that has been going on the past couple of years is all coincidence or the “arab spring democratic revolution”?
@ bernard ross:
Now splain me, why it is worst to die by gass, then a bullet,bomb, or what ever else is employed.
This implies a scenario of neutering Syria’s ability to act as Iran’s proxy when Iran is attacked or destabilized.
SHmuel HaLevi 2 Said:
I wonder why there is not more on this glaring problem?
honeybee Said:
I have my own view on this. I believe it is all an act just like obama has been pretending to be on the fence regarding Syria. Even at this moment he has the appearance of being cautious as who to support in Syria. Pressure is being brought upon him to enter war in Syria and yet he has already entered it 2 years ago. Benghazi proved that Obama has been helping the Saudis/Qatar(GCC) to purchase arms in Croatia, sending arms to Syrian jihadis through Turkey, training Jihadis in Jordan for insertion into Syria and vetting Jihadi recruitment with Saudi on a name by name basis. I believe that Obama and his controllers are fully in support of The army but must pretend to be in opposition because of various reasons: supporting a military coup against an elected govt is illegal in US and International law,the US egyptian “quarrel” helps give street credibility to egyptian street fools (and other ME arabs)just as being anti Israel would, etc. Forget rhetoric and appearances and see what is actually happening behind pretend quarrels: US, Egypt, Israel are in full cooperation in sinai and in continuing to leash hamas as was done when hamas was under qatar(GCC) control. It does not matter if Obama interrupts aid becuase Obamas partner,Saudi(GCC) has taken over the funding and overt support just as was done by Qatar(GCC) under Morsi. Qatar continues to ship billions in gas to Egypt under the army. Saudi is funding recruiting of MB rank and file to Syria. Ever heard of good cop bad cop? This is a variation of the same theme. Morsi and his leaders are expendable and the MB is not as good at following orders as the wahabbi/salafis do under GCC authority. The MB street remains to be useful idiots and I suspect their egyptian leadership will be replaced by more cooperative characters, many will go to syria, iran jihad,. If they reappear qatar and US will be their again to give them support. MB is a tool, a puppet, not a puppet master. When MB leaders forget their proper role they are replaced. The egyptian army leadership is what western interests want but cannot admit to wanting. Therefore,their GCC partners fill in the gaps. Western and GCC nterests are in full accord and continuing in Syria and Egypt.
@ bernard ross:
They [Obama et al] don’t who did what, they just want to support the MB,have lost Egypt.
EVIDENCE: SYRIA GAS ATTACK WORK OF U.S. ALLIES
Contrary evidence arises as U.S. considers punishing Assad regime
http://www.wnd.com/2013/08/video-shows-rebels-launching-gas-attack-in-syria/#homwkpRoL3VlDwGf.99
@ SHmuel HaLevi 2:
Take care my friend.
So we leave no doubt about how close we are to the Syrian mess. We are 45 minutes drive from the Syrian border. About 35 miles away. From Lebanon 25 miles away.
I would limit myself to define the liar, cowardly speechster burps as yadah, yadah, yada stuff but for us is a matter of life or death. That internal enemy was allowed to stay as PM and we find ourselves again in the hands of a treasonous creep during a major possible confrontation.
Last week the Hezbollah-Iranian folk fired a ranging volley of four Grad rockets. Two of them hit on targets, one was downed and one missed. The defensive system proved to be 25% effective which was my estimate from the word go.
They have tens of thousands of rockets aimed against us and others and of them more than half will reach for effect.
Regrettably, as it is our way, the people kept away from acting to retake control away from Peres and Netanyahu et al and now rushes to receive gas masks and puny CB kits.
This is frustrating. Once again the ball is in Israels court to call the shots FOR HER OWN COUNTRY!! Oh by the way Obama did you hear that these very people that you want us to peace out with have just threatened that will attack us if YOU use force on Syria?? Do you not see yet that these people want DEATH not life. Do you really believe that because Israel is in a closer proximity than you that YOUR COUNTRY will escape unscathed? What kind of a so called ally are you? The Christians say ‘Father forgive them for they do not know what they do.’ And I say ‘BULLSHIT…..they know EXACTLY what they are doing and have had thousands of years to repent and repent they do not. May the God of Israel protect her and help her defeat her enemies.’
@ yamit82:
SWEET CRUDE,OMG, BE STILL MY HEART. whose drilling?
@ yamit82:
Bad Boy,but some girls like boy like you. I was going to send you a song ,but thought it to nasty. But now?
New Oil Field Could Yield Rich Returns for Israel
A newly discovered field off Israel’s coast may contain significant deposits of light crude oil – the kind used for gasoline.
honeybee Said:
Lenny Bruce!! “Yadda Yadda Yadda warden”
Unless one beleives all the arab spring narrative, etc. the question must be asked as to what are EU, US and GCC trying to accomplish in their destabilization of Syria? Why are they really there?
Nato/US about to openly join GCC war against Irans proxies.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/26/syria-warplanes-cyprus-tensions-damascus
Israel may be next.
“warplanes spotted in Cyprus as tensions rise in Damascus
Signs of advanced readiness at likely hub of air campaign …”
yamit82 Said:
You have been watching to much Steinfeld.
Blah Blah Blah…Yadda, Yadda Yadda.
From the worlds biggest bullshitter and liar.
He’s the real poster child for a Paper Tiger.
https://www.israpundit.org/archives/57200
The US has to send an appropriate message or look like a paper tiger.
Obama can lead from behind. Assad, the Iranian mullahs and Hezbollah aren’t too impressed.