I would read an opinion by anyone commenting on the difference between the Government Forces spending
while the distance is even longer for 2.
- about one month to get to the Kuweiris Airbase, and
- about one week to get to "M5"
I sure don't want to spoil this, but I've read, as for #1 above, ISIL is still about one km from the Airbase in three directions, and I'm puzzled by the advances in #2 (there had been a local command center of Rebels in a large compound between Tall Hadiayah, Al-Barqum, and "M5", previously an Istitute for something, I've read, which according to pro-Government sources has been most recently cleared (I think the word used was "mopped"
No, and a big no.I wonder what China's response will be to this, will they finally help out in air strikes against ISIS?
Turkish FM confirms the beginnings of an agreement with the US to begin air strikes in Syria. Debate underway about which terrorist groups to target and which not to; also whether strikes should be directed against Syrian Military Forces and the Syrian Government itself.
By Burak Ege Bekdil1:06 p.m. EDT May 26, 2015
ANKARA — NATO allies Turkey and the US have agreed in principle to provide air support to Syrian rebels fighting the regime of Syria's President Bashar Assad, Turkey's foreign minister said.
The planned air support would protect the Syrian opposition fighters who have been trained and equipped by a joint Turkish-US program at a military base in Turkey, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said. Turkey and the US hope to train up to 15,000 rebels.
A US diplomat in Ankara did not comment on how soon the air support for the rebels could start.
The move marks a departure for Washington from its earlier position in opposing a safe zone for Syrian rebels, observers say. It also could mean broader US involvement in the Syrian conflict.
Cavusoglu did not elaborate on what "in principle" meant, what kind of air power would be provided or by whom.
"They have to be supported via air. If you do not protect them or provide air support, what is the point?" Cavusoglu told reporters in televised remarks. "There is a principle agreement on providing air support. How it is going to be provided is in the responsibility of the army."
Although Turkey and the US agree on supporting moderate Islamist forces fighting in Syria, they disagree on who should be the priority target.
Turkey insists the rebels should be supported to fight primarily Assad's regime in Damascus while the US thinks the priority enemy is the Islamic State group that has captured large swaths of land in Syria and Iraq since last summer.
A senior Turkish diplomat said both enemies could be fought simultaneously if rebels are given sufficient support.
"We need not specify in bold letters which enemy is the worse enemy," he said. "The rebel forces can be trained, equipped and supported enough to fight at more than one front."