Cross-posted from Mike Malloy
Russia's Putin is none-too-happy about the airstrikes and has condemned the US for arming Syrian militants and forging ahead with the missile attacks without permission from his buddy Bashar Assad. Assad, for his part, has thus far remained silent on the matter, but has indicated his tacit approval as verified by an Agence France Press tweet:
#BREAKING Syria backs 'any international effort' in fight against jihadists
We now get our most reliable news from tweets. That's how far the mainstream media has fallen from grace. Bit I digress ...
It didn't take long for Israel to get into the fray, shooting down a Syrian aircraft that allegedly invaded Israeli airspace. That can't be good.
The NY Times has more:
"The Israeli military said on Tuesday morning that it had shot down a Syrian fighter jet that had 'infiltrated into Israeli airspace,' the first such episode in at least a quarter-century. Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, a military spokesman, said a Patriot air-defense system had intercepted a Russian-made Sukhoi warplane over the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights around 9:15 a.m.
"Brig. Gen. Ram Shmueli, a former head of intelligence in the Israeli Air Force who is now serving in the reserves, said that the pilots of the jet, which he identified as an Su-24, had ejected safely in Syrian territory. 'We cannot tolerate any penetration of the Israeli airspace, so we had to shut him down even though we understand that his intention was not to attack us,' General Shmueli told reporters in a conference call, saying the aircraft had flown half a mile into Israeli airspace."
Israel and Syria have maintained a tenuous truce since 1973. That might soon change, despite assertions from Israeli officials that they have no interest in this war (!). Yes, they are calling it a war, even if President Obama shies away from the word. So what has the President said about the latest airstrikes?
This is from USA Today:
"President Obama said Tuesday the United States carried out airstrikes in Syria to eliminate potential terrorist threats and won't hesitate to do so again in the future. 'We will not tolerate safe havens for terrorists who threaten our people.' Obama said the morning after the Pentagon announced attacks in Syria against the Islamic State and the Khorasan Group.
"The president spoke briefly from the White House before leaving for New York City and three days of meetings at the United Nations, where military action in both Iraq and Syria will be prominent topics. Obama also emphasized that five Middle East countries also participated in attacks in Syria: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates.
"'The strength of this coalition makes it clear to the world that this is not America's fight alone,' Obama said. The Arab world as well as the west face terrorist threats from the Islamic State and other organizations, he said."
We cannot let Syria be a safe haven for terrorists who plot against the US. A broad coalition of the willing to fight this (Islamic) enemy. Gee, where have we heard that before, Truthseekers? Sounds so familiar ....
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