Trouble in Syria and Iraq

While we've been distracted, ISIS has quietly been rebuilding. And, the Turks have been plotting to eradicate the Kurds. Latest reports say ISIS has rebuilt to a force of 18,000 troops albeit it fairly scattered and under-armed and supplied. But still a growing threat.

Perhaps even more alarming is the build up of Turkish troops on the borders of Syria and Iraq. With Russia's blessing and logistical support the Turks seem poised to invade and attack the Kurds. This will not be the first time the Turks have tried this. The previous two times the Turks got their azzes kicked by the Kurds, but apparently they grossly underestimated the capacity of the Kurds to defend themselves.

The worst beating of the two was a special forces brigade of Turks supported by attack helicopters and Russian jet fighters flying air cover. The Russian jets were never engaged in the fighting. The Turks sent 3,000 troops with some armored vehicles and the helicopters to attack a Kurdish position defended by a 600-man battalion. But the Kurds had been tipped off and the night before they reinforced the position and maneuvered troops on the flanks. The Turks found 5,000 Kurds ready and able to defend themselves. After being thoroughly whipped the Turks retreated and were pursued to the border. The Kurds took prisoners and released them a week later after questioning.

The Turks were embarrassed by the butt-kicking and vowed to try again, only next time with much superior forces. This was about a year ago now, and the US warned Turkey, and Russia, the Kurds would not be left to fight alone. But now, due to our troop withdrawals and shifting of emphasis to closer to Israel, and the fact that we, as a nation, have mostly moved on from the whole ISIS-Syria-Iraq affair, the Turks see an opportunity. They have moved two full divisions, 25,000 troops, to the border area of northern Syria. The Turks do have their own adequate air force and don't need the Russians, although Putin wants to be a part of it to give Russia a claim to territory there.

Keep in mind the real conflict here is the ancient ethnic "war" between the Turks and the Kurds. Turkey is really not interested in supporting Russian imperialism, and Turkey is not all that concerned about the rise of ISIS, except to keep that radical movement from crossing into Turkey. Their focus is keeping the Kurds in check. But the Kurds can't continue to hunt down and destroy ISIS if they have to defend against a Turkish attack.

Iran has helped to prop up ISIS with resupply and support. To this point ISIS remains mostly a terrorist organization, thanks to the Kurds not allowing ISIS to gather in large numbers. But thanks to Iran, ISIS now has bases, supply depots, and safe havens scattered throughout both Syria and Iraq.

We cannot afford to take our eye off this ball. The US, indeed, the West, needs to continue to support the Kurds who are doing the heavy lifting on the ground.

Yes, Obama's "JV Team" is at it again.

And he could have killed them all in 10 minutes, on the roads of Iraq headed west, at the very beginning.

:(

If you're a regular reader of this forum you have seen my posts touting the Kurds over the past 3-4 years. They have been HEROIC in their war with evil extremist Islam. They have stood side by side with us, the USA, our American soldiers in the fields of Iraq and Syria. They have often done the heavy lifting, taking on the most dangerous aspects of the mission while we, the US Military, have supported them with air cover and/or long range artillery. But it was the Kurds, the average grunt, who went into the caves to root out ISIS scumbags, or attacked ISIS positions storming into machinegun fire.

It was the Kurds that the scummy ISIS thugs feared the most. Even a US colonel on the ground admitted once, "all we have to do is allow ISIS to intercept our radio communications that Kurd troops were entering a region, and we'd see ISIS hastily retreating!"

It was the Kurds who first drew a line in the sand in northern Iraq and halted the ISIS advance, back when ISIS was still a professional army with tanks and attack helicopters. It was the Kurds who soundly routed ISIS and drove them back, rescuing those Christians isolated on top of that mountain. While the rest of the world sat back and moaned and groaned about all the atrocities being committed by ISIS, the Kurds actually bucked up and did something about it.

Now...this.

Shame on President Trump. You know I am an overall Trump supporter, but I call things as I see them. This is just plain wrong, but it is also VERY dangerous. This is exactly what Russia and Iran was hoping for, and Turkey is also quite pleased with this. Just watch, the US WILL BE drug back into a war in Syria-Iraq and many a good American soldier will die just to get us back to WHERE WE ALREADY ARE on October 7, 2019. Only next time the Kurds will rightfully tell us "go f_ck yourself!" And who can blame them?

I do not like Trump's move on this one even though Obama/Biden/Hillary, along with their radical Islamist buddies put us in the terrible place.
Again it's very Biblical as far as "end days prophecy" but that doesn't mean I have to like the decision by an American President.

Trump's Syria withdrawal announcement draws GOP condemnation...
TURKEY MOVES IN...



https://www.bing.com/th?id=OIP.p-YnD...=7&o=5&pid=1.7

Turkish troops are massing on the border with Syria, just waiting for us to pull out our remaining soldiers. The Kurds have already abandoned their positions/camps close to the border. The Kurds have also announced they are abandoning two large POW camps, where close to 10,000 ISIS fighters are being held. Maybe the Syrians and/or the Turks will sweep in and slaughter those ISIS scumbags...that would be fine by me...but also someone might open the doors and let 'em out.

Trump says we are not abandoning the Kurds, and the Turks will suffer consequences if they attempt to harm the Kurds in some way. Well, I can say with 99% certainty it is the intention of the Turks to "harm the Kurds in some way." That might start out as the Turks trying to disarm the Kurds and usher them into holding camps, but the Kurds are not likely to take kindly to that, and besides! just last year the Kurds routed the Turks in a fight for control of a key reservoir, the only drinking water for 50 miles. Many Turkish soldiers were killed and wounded in that battle, and the Kurds literally chased them back across the border. Nope! the Kurds will stand their ground and fight the Turks...but alas, they are vastly out-numbered and out-gunned by the modern Turkish military. The Kurds have depended on the US for crucial air support, as well as intelligence via our spy planes/drones and satellites.

Just saw on the news the Turks moving a whole division with tanks and attack-helicopters to the border. The Turks also have modern jet fighters and bombers. The Kurds possess nothing to deal with that.

Also just saw a former US "commando" who served along side the Kurds during the war with ISIS in Iraq. He says to a person the US military establishment stands with the Kurds, and are very concerned for them. But, while the Kurds will stand and fight gallantly, and many a Turk will never see home again, eventually even the Kurds will be over-whelmed by numbers and technology. I hope I am wrong about this.

It makes be think that Trump and his advisers knew what it would take to shut up the opposition...

Most of those who would be and have been against military support have already taken a stand against the withdrawal.

Trump has backed them ( several Republicans too) into a corner and now they MUST support the Kurds.

Another brilliant move that a politician would never attempt?

Maybe...but the Turks are actively attacking right now. Air strikes mixed with a massive ground assault is underway. We'll learn throughout the day the tactics being employed but it appears the Turks have been carefully planning this invasion for awhile and mean business.

I have too much on my plate today to follow it blow by blow...I am sure we will all see the very sad results by tonight. Shame on President Trump and on the USA. This has nothing to do with domestic politics, not for many of us anyway. This is about doing...or now NOT doing...the right thing. FWIW I stand in spirit with the Kurds. I hope and pray that somehow...well, not likely. The Turks aim to slaughter the Kurds in Syria, and then, probably in Iraq too.

Bay of Pigs all over again...

Trump says it is because the Kurds didn’t help us in Normandy. We know, though, it is because Trump adores despotic leaders and the Turkish President sweet talked him into doing it.

There goes the neighborhood.. :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dawg80

There goes the neighborhood.. :(

---

LOL, that's all he has. He's in the crowd who would have bashed him either way.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PawDawg

LOL, that's all he has. He's in the crowd who would have bashed him either way.

---

Is that like like being in the crowd that would have praised him either way?

No that crowd cares about what matters at home. It's funny that the dem/rep swamp acted like this was the end of the world. Trump is doing what he ran on

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Guisslapp

Trump says it is because the Kurds didn’t help us in Normandy.

---

That was a pretty stupid thing to say. I wish he could control his urge to say dumb things.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Guisslapp

We know, though, it is because Trump adores despotic leaders and the Turkish President sweet talked him into doing it.

---

OK, so Trump isn't the only one who can't control his urge to say stupid stuff.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PawDawg

No that crowd cares about what matters at home. It's funny that the dem/rep swamp acted like this was the end of the world. Trump is doing what he ran on

---

I'm actually much more of an isolationist than most here. That said, we're not bringing these troops home, we're sending them to Iraq. How you do what you do can be just as important as what you do. This is no brilliant master stroke. Kurds are dying today. Our allies have been left out to dry and the consequences are real.

I can't imagine trying to defend Trump on something as indefensible as this. It's almost like he's trying to sink himself. Gets free of Muller...steps into Ukraine. GOP circles the wagons to defend him...and then he pulls this stuff with the Kurds.

If the dems weren't so stupid, he would be toast. I imagine he WILL be impeached. He won't be removed. Then, he'll win reelection.

Would it make you feel better if some of those dying were Americans?