Posted on 07/09/2013 11:04:32 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
REUTERS/Baz Ratner New reports of strikes on Russian anti-ship missiles near the port of Latakia, Syria, seem to indicate another possible Israeli strike, Reuters reports.
This would be the fourth such strike this year.
Rebels described huge blasts - the ferocity of which, they said, was beyond the firepower available to them but consistent with that of a modern military like Israel's.
Israel has not confirmed or denied involvement. The Syrian government has not commented on the incident, beyond a state television report noting a "series of explosions" at the site.
As has been the trend, Israel has neither confirmed nor denied the strikes.
Israel warned Russia just this May not to arm Syria with missiles.
"At this stage I can't say there is an escalation. The shipments have not been sent on their way yet. And I hope that they will not be sent," said Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon last May . But "if God forbid they do reach Syria, we will know what to do."
Though Yaalon's warning was about s300 anti-aircraft missiles, the anti-ship missiles at Syria's port could easily threaten Israeli or American ships operating in the Mediterranean.
From Reuters:
Such weaponry, Israeli officials have made clear, would include the long-range Yakhonts, which could help Hezbollah repel Israel's navy and endanger its offshore gas rigs.
Yaalon has already been asked about the blasts reported in Latakia, and his words remained largely the same, telling reporters, "We have set red lines in regards to our own interests, and we keep them.
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Israel will continue to DO what is necessary to survive.
They need not comment.
Damn, and I had the Knights of Columbus in the office pool...
How dies Putin respond?
LOL
It depends on whether Russia's been paid. If they have, he'll ask if the Syrians (or their backers) want to buy more.
Thanks Reuters...you pos’s. Keep stirring.
-—I hope they can create a nuclear “accident” in Iran, one of these days-—
The world is just a little bit better when Syria’s missile inventory is reduced. Seems a little odd to blame those pesky Israelis without solid proof.
Israel would counter punch with three subs that all carry nuclear weapons; all the players have so been advised of such, hence no one really wants (as a State or Nation) to have their capital city among others destroyed in a ball of fire. Turn about is fair play, an eye for an eye.
Exactly right. Israel has a top notch military, That said, they aren’t going to beat up on the Russians Or even give them a spanking.They have been good at finding ways to get out of those situations where they find themselves between a “rock and a hard place”,and they need to do it once more..
The phrase, "Never again!" in reference to the Shoah (Holcaust) is really incomplete. It really should read, "Never again...but if again, then not for free."
Surely, the Russkies aren't so stupid as to think that they'll get off scot-free for nuking Israel.
Israel wants Assad out. Do you think they want to face a strong nationalist Syria with a large military and modern economy or do they want a broken up region of squabbling ethno-religious rump states ruled by backward militants? They want to have happen in Syria what the US/NATO did to Libya and Iraq.
The US/NATO is arming Al Qaeda in Syria to behead Christians and eat their hearts. Do you think this is being done for US national security interests?
It was Captain Obvious’s day off.
Israel will do whatever it needs to do to insure its safety and survival.
Russia knows this.
You do not send weapons into a war zone before the check clears. Those missiles have been paid for.
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