Posted on 3/25/2019, 11:22:17 AM by Enlightened1
You expected an outcome that was never in the cards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRYHORQcmjA
(Excerpt) Read more at youtube.com ...
Leaked audio recordings said to be of Russian mercenaries in Syria capture expressions of lament and humiliation over a battle in early February involving US forces and Russian nationals.
Published by Polygraph.info — a fact-checking website produced by Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, news organizations that receive funding from the US government — the audio recordings paint a picture of Russian mercenaries essentially sent to die in an ill-conceived advance on a US-held position in Syria. Polygraph says the audio recordings are from a source close to the Kremlin.
The Pentagon has described the attack as “unprovoked” and started by forces loyal to the Syrian government that crossed over the Euphrates River, which functions as a border between US-backed troops and Russian-backed ones.
The Pentagon says that about 500 men began to fire on the position and that the US responded with air power and artillery strikes. The audio from Polygraph seems to confirm that while giving some insight into the feelings of the defeated forces.
Also apparent in the audio is displeasure with how Russia has responded to the situation. Initially, Russia denied that its citizens took part in the clash. Later, a representative said five may have died. Last week, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the fight left “several dozen wounded” and that some had died.
The audio recordings, in which voices can be heard saying 200 people died “right away,” appear to back up reports from Reuters, Bloomberg, and the Pentagon that roughly 100 — if not more— Russians died in the fight. Reuters has cited sources as saying the advance’s purpose was to test the US’s response.
Russia is thought to use military contractors in Syria rather than its military — experts speculate it’s to maintain deniability for acts of war and conceal the true cost of fighting from the Russian people. The Washington Post reported last week that US intelligence reports with intercepted communications showed that a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin told a senior Syrian official he “secured permission” from the Kremlin before the advance on the US forces.
BTW - it was about 500 men and 27 vehicles. Started off against 30 Special Forces guys - later reinforced by 16 Marines.
Of course our air power is a considerable force multiplier. (I love that term - it is so true!)
A good article on the event. Lots of fighting by our guys on the ground obviously, but without air-power and fire support they would have probably lost the fight.
From the sounds of the article - none of our guys was even wounded! One Syrian ally was.
Thomas Wictor is awesome. Miss him on twitter and FB.
Wow! Thank you so much for posting this.
Interesting vid.
Of course our air power is a considerable force multiplier. (I love that term - it is so true!)
Not a fair fight. Wonderful.
This was a bigger scam than the email Ethiopian prince who wanted everyone’s bank account number.
BUMP
Reminds me of the Johnny Reb' joke. One evening, Johnny Reb called from the south bank of a river to the Yankees encamped on the north bank. "I'm Johnny Reb. I'm mean & tough and I can lick any Yankee!"
So after 30 minutes of this braggadocio, the Yankees sent Big Joe over to shut Jonny Reb up. As soon as he climbed out of the water, there was shouting, hollering, trees shaking, then finally silence. After a moment came, "I'm Johnny Reb. I'm mean & tough and I can lick any Yankee!"
So the Yankees sent over a dozen of their biggest soldiers. Same results.
Well, this time they decided to REALLY shut up this Rebel! As they were finishing getting the platoon ready to cross the river, they noticed the scarred and beaten Big Joe trying to crawl back up the northern bank of the river. They pulled him up on dry land, poured a shot of whiskey in his mouth and said, "Big Joe, speak to us!"
With a feeble croak, Big Joe managed to utter, " Don't go!, Don't go! It's a trap!
"There are TWO of them!"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.