BREAKING: CNN reporting Israeli troops landing near the Syrian border

[Karmadillo]

Quoting Reuters. Saying helicopters are near Baalbeck in northeast Lebanon near the Syrian border.

[Selatius]

1. As long as they don't cross over into Syria, Syria won't do anything

If they do cross into Syrian space, Syria will oppose them.

[eFriendly]

2. Fucking Israel

won't stop until they get Syria involved. :mad:

[SteppingRazor]

3. I'd say this has less ot do with getting Syria involved...

and more to do with controlling the Bekaa Valley in NE Lebanon, through which Hizbollah resupplies via Syria.

[spinbaby]

5. It's got everything to do with getting Syria involved

This whole exercise has been to try to get Syria and/or Iran involved.

[eFriendly]

6. Exactly. n/t

[SteppingRazor]

11. Kay ... well, there's legitimate tactical reasons behind my premise...

what exactly would be the reason for getting into a war with Syria and/or Iran? How would that be good for Israel? What purpose would it serve for the Israelis?

[eFriendly]

25. I never said it would be a "good idea" for Israel.

But it would serve the U.S./Israeli "New Middle East" fantasy to transform the region.

[TX-RAT]

18. I agree

[_testify_]

8. So you think Syria isn't involved yet?

Naive.

[Solo_in_MD]

17. Reports of long range rockets and missiles being stored in Syria

and brought into Lebanon to launch have been circulating for a week or so. Nothing concrete yet, but if there are, look for airstrikes close to the border or air assault.

[lonestarnot]

19. You mean the deal between the leaders of Israel and bushitler

through condasleeza beaver won't stop.

[kentuck]

4. See this post from earlier today?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1788353

[originalpckelly]

7. America may be completely fucked if Syria gets into it...

because of Iraq. Poor troops would be sitting ducks.

[Solo_in_MD]

23. With the amount of American air power in the region

I would not worry about US troops being attacked by Syria. The CBGs could easily disrupt, disperse and destroy any Syrian attack against US forces in Iraq.

[blue2helix]

9. The goal is to provoke Syria and justify a counteroffensive/invasion

!

[BillZBubb]

Exactly, you beat me by 30 seconds!

[blue2helix]

13. See this thread

I was trying to make this point as a Judo martial arts analysis in this thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1790723&mesg_id=1790723


and read the informed rational response I got

[BillZBubb]

10. Trying to provoke a response--so they can "defend themselves"

Israel is a terror state.

[Fleshdancer]

12. Well. I guess Syria is happy it decided to put its army on alert.

It's sick to admit this, but at this point all I can do is laugh at the insanity. Is it too early to open up the wine bottle??

[Pharaoh]

28. No ,I opened the brandy bottle

along time ago!!!!!

[mitchtv]

14. Long range plans?

control over the headwaters of the Jordan

[Fleshdancer]

15. Syria Military stats in case anyone is curious:

https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sy.html

Military branches:
Syrian Armed Forces: Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air and Air Defense Force (includes Air Defense Command) (2005)

Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 30 months (18 months in the Syrian Arab Navy); women are not conscripted but may volunteer to serve (2004)

Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 4,356,413
females age 18-49: 4,123,339 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 3,453,888
females age 18-49: 3,421,558 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males age 18-49: 225,113
females age 18-49: 211,829 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$858 million (FY00 est.); note - based on official budget data that may understate actual spending
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
5.9% (FY00)

[Lars39]

16. Thanks for posting that, GloriaSmith.

I think. :yoiks:

[lonestarnot]

21. If you are going to provide these, you need to provide Iran's.

And it is being reported that we have no ready strategic reserve. Rugh Ro. Can you smell a fucking draft? or just feel one?

[Fleshdancer]

26. Good (but sad) point. Here are the stats for Iran:

CRAP! :wow:

https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ir.html

Military branches:
Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense); Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e Eslami, IRGC): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Qods Force (special operations), and Basij Force (Popular Mobilization Army); Law Enforcement Forces (2004)

Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; soldiers as young as 9 were recruited extensively during the Iran-Iraq War; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004)

Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 18,319,545
females age 18-49: 17,541,037 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 15,665,725
females age 18-49: 15,005,597 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males age 18-49: 862,056
females age 18-49: 808,044 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$4.3 billion (2003 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
3.3% (2003 est.)

[mmonk]

20. According to plan?

Syria knew to be on alert.

[Karmadillo]

22. Blitzer now saying Israel has struck several targets in the area.

nt

[countryjake]

24. Link to the new attacks in Northeastern Lebanon...

Israel strikes northeastern Lebanon

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/08/01/mideast.main/index.html

~snip~

Israeli aircraft hit "several" targets near the northeastern Lebanese town of Baalbeck, the Lebanese army reported.

The army also reported heavy helicopter traffic east and west of the town. The Arab-language television network Al-Arabiya said it appeared the Israeli army was attempting to drop in soldiers.

The Israel Defense Forces had no comment on the reports.

[Karmadillo]

27. CNN says Hezbollah TV says Hezbollah forces engaged with

Israeli troops in area of Baalbeck (10 km from the Syrian border).

[countryjake]

29. New link from the Guardian...hospital has been hit & is burning

Israel Launches Attack Deep in Lebanon
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5988075,00.html

~snip~

BOURJ AL-MULOUK, Lebanon (AP) - Israel launched a major attack deep into Lebanon, and Hezbollah said its guerrillas were fighting Israeli commandos on the ground near the eastern city of Baalbek near Syria early Wednesday.

The Israeli army would not comment on the operation near Baalbek, an ancient city that was a former Syrian army headquarters some 80 miles north of the Israeli border. Israel refused to comment. The Internet Web site of the Israeli daily Haaretz reported that ``Helicopters put down IDF (military) commandos near Baalbek,'' without adding details.

Hezbollah's chief spokesman said Israeli troops landed near a Baalbek hospital and that fierce fighting raged with guerrilla fighters for more than one hour. Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV reported that fighters were involved in a ``confrontation with an Israeli unit that landed near Al-Hikma Hospital west of Baalbek.''

Some witnesses said that the hospital had been hit in an Israeli airstrike, and was burning.

[countryjake]

30. Haaretz reports that hospital burning from Israeli airstrike...

Fierce fighting as IDF commandos launch raid deep in Lebanon
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/745276.html

~snip~

Israel Defense Forces commandos landed by helicopter late Tuesday night near the Hezbollah stronghold of Baalbek in what Lebanese security sources described as a major operation against suspected Hezbollah positions.

Lebanese security sources said the troops landed as aircraft launched several strikes near Baalbek, which is located in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley.

One Lebanese officer saying the Israel Air Force presence in the air above the ancient city was "unprecedented."