Syria

[Midwest Spy]

I think the concern should be with ground crew.

Every single person who has access to a plane from mechanics, to cleaners, to baggage handlers, etc., should have background checks done every couple of months, and possibly even be surveilled from time to time (kind of like a random drug test).

I'm not sure what sort of pat downs, screening, those folks go through on a day to day basis when going to work, but if there's someone who could easily sabotage an aircraft, those would be the first people to get my attention.

If I were a terror recruiter that's whose services I'd try to get.

[Maggot]

It might be a stewardess. They know how to carry drinks through turbulence.

[crash]

I'm hearing reports in the news here that the Turks have shot down a Russian plane along the Syrian border. Things are about to get interesting, methinks..

[Duchess]

I'm hearing reports in the news here that the Turks have shot down a Russian plane along the Syrian border.

It's the lead story on every newscast I've seen this morning.

[HairOfTheDog]

It's a very big deal and potential set back to the newly formed diplomatic coalition, now inclusive of Russia and Iran.

Turkey maintains that the Russian military plane was in Turkish airspace and that the plane was warned 10 times before it was targeted. Russia insists that its plane was in Syrian airspace. Personally, I don't think it matters much.

Turkey and Russia are supposed to be setting aside longstanding animosity while in the process of fulfilling their roles as part of the global team to combat ISIS. If the Turks knew that the plane was Russia's, whether it was slightly inside Turk airspace or not, will other coalition members and NATO stand behind Turkey for aggression in response to what will be nearly impossible to prove was anything other than a technical violation? I think they might have to support Turkey publicly or push the "error - failure to communicate" narrative.

But, I bet Bagdhadi is laughing. And, I bet that Obama and Hollande are effin' livid with Erdogen. Negotiating a cease-fire between Syrian rebels and Assad's forces has gotten nowhere for 4 years. Finally, the two countries that have a lot of pull with Assad (Russia and Iran) are at the peace talks' table and there's a real possibility for progress..........and now this: coalition members at odds with each other right off the bat.

I hope this incident doesn't derail the cease fire negotiation process. I hope the missing Russian pilot is found alive. And, I hope he and the pilot who parachuted from his plane are both turned over to the Russians quickly (and Russia keeps its ass out of Turkey moving forward). That could help deescalate the internal conflict.

[HairOfTheDog]

Russian Fighter Plane Downed in Turkey


Footage reportedly filmed by rebels in Syria's Turkomen Mountains, an area which has been the cause of recent tensions between Turkey and Russia, shows local fighters cheer as they surround one of the Russian pilots.

The men can be seen surrounding the pilot, wearing Russian military fatigues, shouting 'Allahu Akbar' - 'God is great'. The area is mainly populated by Turkmens - Syrians citizens, but ethnic Turks - and it has been the target of a Syrian government offensive over the past week, where President Bashar al-Assad's ground troops have been supported by Russian airstrikes.

Both pilots ejected themselves from the jet and could be seen parachuting down to the ground, where one has been reported as captured by Syrian Turkmen rebels who are hunting for the second pilot.

Story: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/ushome/index.html

(HOTD edit: updated reported details)

[HairOfTheDog]

Russia says its plane was never warned by Turkish air control.

Turkey says the Russian plane was indeed warned, and released a tape of what they claim is that warning.

Russia said the plane was never in Turkish airspace.

Turkey says the plane was shot in Turkish airspace and NATO says analysis confirms that claim.

U.S. and French Presidents, Obama and Hollande, made a public statement yesterday supporting Turkey, saying that any country has a right to defend its airspace.

2 Russian military men dead, one rescued, and Russian President Putin vowing to get revenge against Turkey.

Let's take care of ISIS first.


Captain Konstantin Murahtin(right) was saved by Russian military in an all-night joint operation with Syrian government forces, and taken to a Russian air base. His co-pilot Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Peshkov has been confirmed dead, reportedly shot by Syrian Turkmen rebels as he parachuted out of the flaming wreckage of their Sukhoi SU-24. President Putin announced that Cpt. Murahtin and Lt. Col. Peshkov will be awarded state honours. A Russian soldier named Alexandr Pozynich who was killed during the 12-hour operation, possibly while carrying out a search-and-rescue in a helicopter, will also be honored.

[Maggot]

Well..............tomorrow is Turkey day, maybe they will get cooked. Or we'll all get a taste of hell.

[BigMark]

If you have ever have tasted hell, you'd never want another bite.

[Adub]

Well..............tomorrow is Turkey day, maybe they will get cooked. Or we'll all get a taste of hell.

Couldn't help but chuckle every time I read that turkey shot down a Russian plane. like a turkey, or the turkey? Surely not my mr turkey.
My mr turkey is proudly fanned out in a perfectly folded tissue paper display with a paper clip holding his nether regions together. He seems rather harmless.

but, whatever the hell turkey or Russia does, Obama is not playing. Let us all be thankful for that on turkey day. And may America's taking the backseat continue, Amen.

[Maggot]

If you have ever have tasted hell, you'd never want another bite.

There are over 50 shades of Hades. Each one personally built to suit. I've looked into hell and yes the first thought is to run like ........hell.

[Duchess]

This is Oman. He's 5 years old. He's not a dead baby washed up on a beach but he's just as horrific. This is a picture of war.

[Clang McFly]

This is Oman. He's 5 years old. He's not a dead baby washed up on a beach but he's just as horrific. This is a picture of war.

Kinda reminds me of me after playing on the dirt hill at our old house when I was a kid.

[Duchess]

He had just been pulled out of the wreckage of his home after it had been bombed. I'm going to assume he's in shock given there are no tears. *sigh*

[HairOfTheDog]

He had just been pulled out of the wreckage of his home after it had been bombed. I'm going to assume he's in shock given there are no tears. *sigh*

It made me cry for a minute when I first saw the video, as did the pic of the refugee boy who washed up on the coast in Greece last year.

They're just two of over 50,000 children killed during the Syrian civil war. I just read that Oman's 10-year-old brother died of the injuries he suffered during the airstrike that wounded Oman. Story: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...uries.html

It's a terrible situation all the way around. Trying to eradicate organized terrorist groups in civilian territories is tricky and, by default, involves civilian casualties (whether via airstrike, drone, or ground troops). ISIS is being severely pushed back and thwarted inside Iraq and Syria by the allied forces, but not without a human cost.

[HairOfTheDog]

Hoping hard that these peace talks lead to the end of the Syrian civil war and terrorist infiltration.


^ John Kerry, left, and Russia's Sergei Lavrov have been trying to bring about a ceasefire and restart peace talks.

It is clear some progress was made this week, but the question is whether Russia and the United States will ever be able to reach a lasting deal on crucial and complex issues.

One goal is to strengthen their military co-operation in the fight against so-called Islamic State and forces linked to al-Qaeda. But they, and their Syrian allies, still disagree on which groups are legitimate targets.

They also want the Syrian government and the opposition to accept a truce.
But, on the ground, fighting intensifies with all sides still trying to gain advantage. In the town of Darayya just outside Damascus, rebels were forced to surrender after four years of bombardment and siege.

Mr Kerry reminded journalists of the image, widely shared on social media, of a five-year-old boy sitting dazed in an ambulance after an air strike in Aleppo, saying "that image needs to motivate all of us, to get the job done".

The image of five-year-old Omran Daqneesh covered in grey dust and fresh blood should motivate everyone "to get the job done", says John Kerry.

Mr Kerry said the Syrian government, with the help of its allies including Russia, continued to breach the terms of an existing cessation of hostilities agreement.

"Aleppo continues to be besieged and bombarded by the regime and its allies, including Iran, Russia and Hezbollah, and the regime just today forced the surrender of Darayya after a brutal four years of siege," he said.

The Syrian army encircled Darayya in 2012 and just one aid delivery has reached the town since then.

Opposition fighters are due to be given safe passage to the rebel-held city of Idlib, while civilians are going to government shelters in Damascus.

The withdrawal of rebels just a few miles from Damascus is a boost for President Bashar al-Assad, analysts say.

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37202043

[Duchess]

That goddamn dictator is killing his own people every friggin' day! The Dr.'s who cared enough to stay and help those people have now been forced into the position of operating on children and adults without the benefit of anesthetics.

There are kids who have been born who haven't known one single day of their short lives without war. Many live underground and didn't even know what a bird was.

[Duchess]

I saw it reported the the Defense Department is considering sending ground troops into Syria to help with the fight against ISIS. It was said that the decision is ultimately up to the President.

[Maggot]

They are being deployed in 10 days. I know a few Marines that are on their way on Washington's birthday. To Syria they may sit on a ship off the coast but they have been bombing from the ships for a few days now.

[aussiefriend]

It's scary for them Maggot because it's a war zone and it could go or turn at anytime. I hope your mates stay safe.