Senior US lawmakers have
begun probing possible intelligence lapses over Moscow’s intervention in Syria,
concerned that American spy agencies were slow to grasp the scope and intention
of Russia’s military offensive there, congressional sources and officials
report. Findings of major blind spots would mark the latest of several US
intelligence misses in recent years, including Moscow’s surprise takeover of
Ukraine’s Crimea region last year and China’s rapid expansion of
island-building activities in the South China Sea.
Russia’s Defense
Ministry said Thursday that it launched cruise missiles at ISIS targets in
Syria overnight, targeting command centers, ammunition dumps, training camps
and facilities for production of explosives and artillery shells. It said the
missiles were launched from four warships in the Caspian Sea.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said
Wednesday there would be no more talks with the US after the nuclear deal, contradicting
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani who offered talks with Washington on Syria.
"Through negotiations Americans seek to influence Iran ... but there are
naive people in Iran who don't understand this," Khamenei was quoted as
saying to the IRGC commanders.
Prime Minister
Binyamin Netanyahu said at Jerusalem city police headquarters Wednesday: “We
are still in the middle of a wave of terror. We are dealing firmly with
terrorists, lawbreakers and inciters, placing all our resources at the disposal
of security forces and employing the necessary methods for combating this wave
of terror. We have known such situations before and we shall overcome this one
too by resolve, responsibility and unity.”
Russia has sent its crack special troops into Syria to back up President Bashar al-Assad.
Vladimir Putin’s feared Spetsnaz unit (pictured above) and a covert para
battalion ghosted into the war-torn country and are preparing for an all-out
assault on rebels fighting the regime.
A military source said: “Putin’s
marines are there to guard the airbases they are using against rebels.”
"But Spetsnaz and air-assault
troops are not there to provide security to static objects, they are extremely
aggressive and highly trained.”
“They are there to mop up after air
strikes, call in air strikes, go on extremely covert missions against rebels
and ultimately wipe them out.”
“And they will not be as
accountable as British or US special forces. They are there for one reason, to
wipe out anyone threatening Assad by any means.”
"They will be
consolidating Russia’s position on the Med and in the Middle East.”
Most of the targets in
Northern Syria have been al-Qaeda affiliates.
The Spetsnaz – Special
Purpose Soldiers – have been joined by the 7th Air Assault Mountain Division.
They are among Russia’s
toughest and most shadowy troops, many of whom have fought dirty wars in
Chechnya where they built up a deep hatred of jihadists.
They went on bloody
revenge missions against local jihad units to punish them for atrocities against
Russian troops and civilians.
Meanwhile Saudi clerics called on Muslim countries to
back holy war against Syria and its Iranian and Russian backers.
The Sunnis support
al-Qaeda and IS against Shia supporters of Assad. Saudi has joined air strikes
on IS in Syria.
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