US offers 'military support' to Syrian rebels

[BDforever]

President Obama's decision comes after White House determines Syrian regime used chemical weapons against opposition.

The United States is boosting military support to the main Syrian rebel group after determining that the government has used chemical weapons against the opposition, a top White House official has said.

"The president has made a decision about providing more support to the opposition, that will involve providing direct support to the [Supreme Military Council], that includes military support," Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes told reporters on a conference call on Thursday.

"This is going to be different in both scope and scale in terms of what we are providing to the SMC than what we have provided before."

The Supreme Military Council is the military wing of the main civilian opposition group.

'Syria used chemical weapons'

The US working with European allies concluded that the Syrian regime has used chemical weapons against the rebels killing up to 150 people.

The president has made a decision about providing more support to the opposition [Supreme Military Council], that includes military support

Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor

The White House said on Thursday that the casualty data was likely incomplete and that it had no reliable, corroborated information to suggest that the Syrian opposition in the country's civil war had acquired chemical weapons.

"Our intelligence community assesses that the Assad regime has used chemical weapons, including the nerve agent sarin, on a small scale against the opposition multiple times in the last year," Rhodes said.

He said that the "intelligence community estimates that 100 to 150 people have died from detected chemical weapons attacks in Syria to date."

Rhodes said in a written statement that the Syrian government’s refusal to grant access to the United Nations to investigate credible allegations of chemical weapons use had prevented a comprehensive investigation as called for by the international community.

The White House said in a statement issued late on Thursday that the use of chemical weapons "violates international norms and crosses clear red lines".

Earlier, the United Nations said the number of those killed in the Syrian conflict had risen to more than 93,000 people.

'Game changer'

President Barack Obama has said repeatedly that the use of chemical weapons would cross a "red line" and constitute a "game changer" for US policy on Syria, which until now has focused entirely on providing the opposition with nonlethal assistance and humanitarian aid."The president has been clear that the use of chemical weapons - or the transfer of chemical weapons to terrorist groups - is a red line for the United States," Rhodes noted.

"The president has said that the use of chemical weapons would change his calculus, and it has."

Rhodes did not say if the United States was moving towards directly arming the rebels battling Assad but said Obama "will be consulting with Congress on these matters in the coming weeks."

"The United States and the international community have a number of other legal, financial, diplomatic, and military responses available. We are prepared for all contingencies, and we will make decisions on our own timeline," he said.

source: US offers 'military support' to Syrian rebels - Americas - Al Jazeera English


Here comes the democracy ... excuse: Assad is using chemical weapon (what about rebels is using chemical weapon which is also proven ? )

 

[Dillinger]

President Obama's decision comes after White House determines Syrian regime used chemical weapons against opposition.

The United States is boosting military support to the main Syrian rebel group after determining that the government has used chemical weapons against the opposition, a top White House official has said.

"The president has made a decision about providing more support to the opposition, that will involve providing direct support to the [Supreme Military Council], that includes military support," Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes told reporters on a conference call on Thursday.

"This is going to be different in both scope and scale in terms of what we are providing to the SMC than what we have provided before."

The Supreme Military Council is the military wing of the main civilian opposition group.

'Syria used chemical weapons'

The US working with European allies concluded that the Syrian regime has used chemical weapons against the rebels killing up to 150 people.

The president has made a decision about providing more support to the opposition [Supreme Military Council], that includes military support

Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor

The White House said on Thursday that the casualty data was likely incomplete and that it had no reliable, corroborated information to suggest that the Syrian opposition in the country's civil war had acquired chemical weapons.

"Our intelligence community assesses that the Assad regime has used chemical weapons, including the nerve agent sarin, on a small scale against the opposition multiple times in the last year," Rhodes said.

He said that the "intelligence community estimates that 100 to 150 people have died from detected chemical weapons attacks in Syria to date."

Rhodes said in a written statement that the Syrian government’s refusal to grant access to the United Nations to investigate credible allegations of chemical weapons use had prevented a comprehensive investigation as called for by the international community.

The White House said in a statement issued late on Thursday that the use of chemical weapons "violates international norms and crosses clear red lines".

Earlier, the United Nations said the number of those killed in the Syrian conflict had risen to more than 93,000 people.

'Game changer'

President Barack Obama has said repeatedly that the use of chemical weapons would cross a "red line" and constitute a "game changer" for US policy on Syria, which until now has focused entirely on providing the opposition with nonlethal assistance and humanitarian aid."The president has been clear that the use of chemical weapons - or the transfer of chemical weapons to terrorist groups - is a red line for the United States," Rhodes noted.

"The president has said that the use of chemical weapons would change his calculus, and it has."

Rhodes did not say if the United States was moving towards directly arming the rebels battling Assad but said Obama "will be consulting with Congress on these matters in the coming weeks."

"The United States and the international community have a number of other legal, financial, diplomatic, and military responses available. We are prepared for all contingencies, and we will make decisions on our own timeline," he said.

source: US offers 'military support' to Syrian rebels - Americas - Al Jazeera English


Here comes the democracy ... excuse: Assad is using chemical weapon (what about rebels is using chemical weapon which is also proven ? )

Well at least they aren't attacking directly or else Assad would have gone down and taken Syria down to hell with him. Now if only the Qaeda guys in the FSA and Hezbollah guys on Assad's side would just ensure each others decimation before the conflict comes to an end.

Israel must be happy. AND I get to be happy right along with them.

 

[Dillinger]

@Yzd Khalifa

Btw exactly how good are the Hezbo fighters? I keep hearing that they are rather proficient. It does seem as if Assad has gotten a temporary breather with the FSA losing some of its momentum. Any idea as to how the FSA can regain the initiative?

 

[Psyops]

Well at least they aren't attacking directly or else Assad would have gone down and taken Syria down to hell with him. Now if only the Qaeda guys in the FSA and Hezbollah guys on Assad's side would just ensure each others decimation before the conflict comes to an end.

Israel must be happy. AND I get to be happy right along with them.

Of course you are happy, 1) supporting terrorists and 2) being slave to the whites, are something Indians are known for.

@Yzd Khalifa

Btw exactly how good are the Hezbo fighters? I keep hearing that they are rather proficient. It does seem as if Assad has gotten a temporary breather with the FSA losing some of its momentum. Any idea as to how the FSA can regain the initiative?

The same way all terrorists regain territory, doing terrorist activities. Indians should know, you support terror groups in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

 

[Dillinger]

Of course you are happy, 1) supporting terrorists and 2) being slave to the whites, are something Indians are known for.

It has to do with Assad being a butcher..ask any of the Arabs here..ask them how he has been killing like there's no tomorrow.

As opposed to you dingbats cowering and not helping your allies in Iran and Syria against the West.
@Yzd Khalifa Please educate this fellow as to how deserving Assad is of a painful demise and send him on his way.

Pay attention to the reply you MAY get from Yzd..he's in the know..might help you.

 

[Yzd Khalifa]

@Yzd Khalifa

Btw exactly how good are the Hezbo fighters? I keep hearing that they are rather proficient. It does seem as if Assad has gotten a temporary breather with the FSA losing some of its momentum. Any idea as to how the FSA can regain the initiative?

Well, Hezbollah is being portrayed as an epic armed group here and there, but I don't see any difference between Afghanistan's Mujahideen ,and Hezbollah. Both use guerrilla warfare tactics giving them advantages over modern warfare led by armed forces. I just think that people here are overestimating them, the Mujahideen in Chechnya, on the other hand, were as brutal as monsters.

The reason why Assad chose to play Hezbollah card now is because of his armed forces ineffectiveness to combat on their own, which means that Assad is losing power. Aside from his military ineffectiveness, Baathist Syria economy is on the brink, which also means that he's in jeopardy, and Iran can't help it these days.

I guess if the FSA confronted Hezbollah on its own, the FSA might get into trouble if they don't have enough supplies. Hezbollah might also face a devastating issue though, most of the FSA fighters defected from the SAA, which means they are good at fighting, we suppose.


Interesting to know that many Hezbollah fighters are actually peasants living in southern Lebanon.

Assad is a merciless dictator.

It has to do with Assad being a butcher..ask any of the Arabs here..ask them how he has been killing like there's no tomorrow.

As opposed to you dingbats cowering and not helping your allies in Iran and Syria against the West.
@Yzd Khalifa Please educate this fellow as to how deserving Assad is of a painful demise and send him on his way.

Pay attention to the reply you MAY get from Yzd..he's in the know..might help you.

Psyops is a fellow of ours he might be flipping a little bit.

 

[DV RULES]

Of course you are happy, 1) supporting terrorists and 2) being slave to the whites, are something Indians are known for.



The same way all terrorists regain territory, doing terrorist activities. Indians should know, you support terror groups in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Actually they are exposed badly, terrorists are terrorists so if you will use even atomic, biological weapons then also its legitimate and who is crying it means they are supporters of terrorists. USA, UK,EU, India and their allies are known for their democratic terrorism.

 

[Dillinger]

Well, Hezbollah is being portrayed as an epic armed group here and there, but I don't see any difference between Afghanistan's Mujahideen ,and Hezbollah. Both use guerrilla warfare tactics giving them advantages over modern warfare led by armed forces. I just think that people here are overestimating them, the Mujahideen in Chechnya, on the other hand, were as brutal as monsters.

The reason why Assad chose to play Hezbollah card now is because of his armed forces ineffectiveness to combat on their own, which means that Assad is losing power. Aside from his military ineffectiveness, Baathist Syria economy is on the brink, which also means that he's in jeopardy, and Iran can't help it these days.

I guess if the FSA confronted Hezbollah on its own, the FSA might get into trouble if they don't have enough supplies. Hezbollah might also face a devastating issue though, most of the FSA fighters defected from the SAA, which means they are good at fighting, we suppose.


Interesting to know that many Hezbollah fighters are actually peasants living in southern Lebanon.

Assad is a merciless dictator.


Psyops is a fellow of ours he might be flipping a little bit.

So he's just insulting me coz I am an Indian...predictable.

But why is he labeling the people fighting against Assad as terrorists then? Or is using Sarin on your own people pardonable these days?

 

[Yzd Khalifa]

So he's just insulting me coz I am an Indian...predictable.

But why is he labeling the people fighting against Assad as terrorists then? Or is using Sarin on your own people pardonable these days?

It's where you stand man. Listen, at least, Indians -that their county doesn't interfere in others' business- are more humane than Assad.
‫
‫

Assad crossed the line ages ago, I wish he could have stooped at using sarin agents.

Actually they are exposed badly, terrorists are terrorists so if you will use even atomic, biological weapons then also its legitimate and who is crying it means they are supporters of terrorists. USA, UK,EU, India and their allies are known for their democratic terrorism.

See Asad massacres to the Syrian people and then you most defiantly will agree with us bro. I'm sure

 

[Dillinger]

It's where you stand man. Listen, at least, Indians -that their county doesn't interfere in others' business- are more humane than Assad.
‫
‫

Assad crossed the line ages ago, I wish he could have stooped at using sarin agents.

How is it that the embargo and all haven't collapsed the dingbat's government yet...has he decided to latch on to his throne at the cost of the last innocent Syrian.

Has anyone told him that EVEN IF he wins..the next thing he'll know is that Hezbos will be camping outside his palace and using him as a doormat?

 

[Yzd Khalifa]

@Dillinger

How is it that the embargo and all haven't collapsed the dingbat's government yet...has he decided to latch on to his throne at the cost of the last innocent Syrian.

Credits go to the Mullah regime, they are starving their nations, so Assad can live. We vowed that Assad won't remain in office any longer.

Has anyone told him that EVEN IF he wins..the next thing he'll know is that Hezbos will be camping outside his palace and using him as a doormat?

What? After killing 92k Syrians? No, Assad won't stay not even a single second of another term whatsoever. That SOB doesn't deserve to live if you ask me.

By the way, his father did the same to the Syrians 30 years ago.

 

[Dillinger]

@Dillinger


Credits go to the Mullah regime, they are starving their nations, so Assad can live. We vowed that Assad won't remain in office any longer.



What? After killing 92k Syrians? No, Assad won't stay not even a single second of another term whatsoever. That SOB doesn't deserve to live if you ask me.

By the way, his father did the same to the Syrians 30 years ago.

Maybe its time for direct intervention..before he decides to kill ALL of his people in some fool's venture of grandiosity and vengeance. Just plonk the fool in his palace..your AF can do it with minimal losses..

 

[Yzd Khalifa]

Maybe its time for direct intervention..before he decides to kill ALL of his people in some fool's venture of grandiosity and vengeance. Just plonk the fool in his palace..your AF can do it with minimal losses..

With him vengeances are sweet to the core. His next ride will be hedonistic.

 

[Dillinger]

With him vengeances are sweet to the core. His next ride will be hedonistic.

But if he lasts even another year he'll kill hundreds of thousands! He's already used Sarin in small amounts..what's next? And what IF he decides to hit Turkey and Jordan as a last ditch measure? Hope to the lord that both these countries are beefing up their defenses.

 

[Star Wars]

(Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned on Thursday that military action against sovereign states could lead to a regional nuclear war, starkly voicing Moscow's opposition to Western intervention ahead of a G8 summit at which Syria and Iran will be discussed.

"Hasty military operations in foreign states usually bring radicals to power," Medvedev, president for four years until Vladimir Putin's inauguration on May 7, told a conference in St. Petersburg in remarks posted on the government's website.





"At some point such actions which undermine state sovereignty may lead to a full-scale regional war, even, although I do not want to frighten anyone, with the use of nuclear weapons," Medvedev said. "Everyone should bear this in mind."

Medvedev gave no further explanation. Nuclear-armed Russia has said publicly that it is under no obligation to protect Syria if it is attacked, and analysts and diplomats say Russia would not get involved in military action if Iran were attacked.

Russia has adamantly urged Western nations not to attack Iran to neutralize its nuclear program or intervene against the Syrian government over bloodshed in which the United Nations says its forces have killed more than 9,000 people.

Medvedev will represent Russia at the Group of Eight summit in place of Putin, whose decision to stay away from the meeting in the United States was seen as muscle-flexing in the face of the West.

Putin said previously that threats will only encourage Iran to develop nuclear weapons. Analysts have said that Medvedev also meant that regional nuclear powers such as Israel, Pakistan and India could get involved into a conflict.

As president, Medvedev instructed Russia to abstain in a U.N. Security Council vote on a resolution that authorized NATO intervention in Libya, a decision Putin implicitly criticized when he likened the resolution to "medieval calls for crusades".

Medvedev rebuked Putin for the remark, and some Kremlin insiders have said the confrontation over Libya was a factor in Putin's decision to return to the presidency this year instead of letting his junior partner seek a second term.

Russia has since accused NATO of overstepping its mandate under the resolution to help rebels oust long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi, and has warned it will not let anything similar happen in Syria.

Since Putin announced plans last September to seek a third presidential term and make Medvedev prime minister, Russia has vetoed two Security Council resolutions condemning Assad's government, one of which would have called on him to cede power.

Russia's G8 liaison Arkady Dvorkovich said Russia will try to influence the final version of the G8 statement at a summit in Camp David this weekend to avoid a "one-sided" approach that would favor the Syrian opposition.

"In the G8 final statement we would like to avoid the recommendations similar to those which were forced upon during the preparations of the U.N. Security Council resolutions," Dvorkovich said. "A one-sided signal is not acceptable for us."

Russia successfully managed to water down the part of the statement on Syria at a G8 summit in France in May 2011, removing the calls for action against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

"We believe that the United Nations is the main venue to discussing such issues," Dvorkovich said.

LAST APPEARANCE

The G8 summit is likely to be the last appearance among all the leaders of industrialized nations for Medvedev, who embraced U.S. President Barack Obama's "reset", improving strained ties between the nations.

Dvorkovich said Putin's absence from the summit, the first time a Russian president has skipped one, would not affect the outcome: "All the leaders, I saw their reaction, are ready to comprehensively work with the chairman of the government (Medvedev)."

Dvorkovich said that at a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama, Medvedev will raise opposition to attempts by some U.S. lawmakers to introduce legislation which will address human rights violations in Russia.

Such legislation could take a form of the so-called Sergei Magnitsky bill, named after the Russian lawyer who died in prison in 2009. The Kremlin human rights council says he was probably beaten to death.

The bill would require the United States to deny visas and freeze the assets of Russians or others with links to his detention and death as well as those who commit other human rights violations.

"New legislation which will address new political issues as imagined by some U.S. congressmen or senators is unacceptable," Dvorkovich said, promising a retaliation.

Russia says action on Syria, Iran may go nuclear | Reuters

1 year old article but just reminding you folks where we might be heading...... Could they have not done all this nonsense after i grow old and die