U.S. General: Military action in Syria 'extremely challenging'

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Possible military intervention against the regime in Syria would be “extremely challenging” given the country’s advanced air defenses and the presence of Al-Qaeda extremists, a top US general said Tuesday.

Syria has Russian-made missiles and radars that would complicate any outside effort to use air power to protect civilians or resistance forces, General James Mattis, head of US Central Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“The Russians have provided very advanced integrated air defense capabilities — missiles, radars, that sort of thing — that would make imposition of any no-fly zone challenging if we were to go that direction,” Mattis added.

The CENTCOM chief cautioned that although Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would eventually fall from power, his regime would likely stay in place for some time.

“The bravery of the Syrian people is laudable but the options available to address the situation are extremely challenging,” said the four-star general, who oversees the forces in the Middle East.

As for setting up a safe haven for civilians fleeing the regime’s violent crackdown, Mattis said the absence of a natural barrier such as a mountain range made it more difficult compared to northern Iraq in the 1990s, when American forces set up a zone to safeguard civilians.

“I have not been directed to do detailed planning” on a safe haven, Mattis said, adding that such an approach would require a “significant commitment of resources” as military forces would have to carve out a safe area for fleeing civilians.

The general downplayed possible US military intervention as monitors said Syrian forces pounded rebel-held towns and blasted a bridge used by refugees to escape to Lebanon.

At the hearing, Senator John McCain renewed his calls for arming the opposition in Syria but Mattis warned that any effort to supply weapons had to take into account the role of Al-Qaeda militants within the rebels’ ranks.

“I think we’ll have to do our best to determine who we’re providing the arms to and follow the physician’s oath of first do no harm, to make certain what we’re doing is actually going to reduce the scale of violence ultimately,” he said.

He said there was a growing prospect of a full-blown civil war that could have far-reaching consequences across the region and expressed concern about the regime’s “substantial” chemical and biological weapons stockpiles.

Asked about Iran’s role, Mattis said Tehran was working hard to prop up Assad and had flown in advisers, weapons and equipment, including eavesdropping devices.

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5 responses to “U.S. General: Military action in Syria 'extremely challenging'”

  1. wargame1 Avatar
    wargame1

    Assad is successful for claiming Alqaeda presence with few remote controlled bomb. The world is embarrassed by the daily slaughter in Syria so they have been trying to do something for a year already. Now they have a great excuse in letting Assad do what he does best. They can now back Assad because he is slaughtering “Alqaeda” . Hilary Clinton lately said that arming Syrian resistance means arming Alqaeda and Hamas!! according to the recent news Hamas is no longer supporting Assad government. 

    The Syrian resistance will seize the arms from Assad inshallah. A international intervention will only happen when Assad is about to fall and that is to protect the regime or installing another regime who is Israel friendly. I do not want to convince any one about the alqaeda deception, As soon as it seen Iman Al Zawaheri praising Syrian resistance and proclaiming his presence I knew that this fictional Alqaeda will be the last excuse for UN/America not to support the Syrian resistance.Alqaeda just pops up where ever UN/USA wants it to pop up. Its too convenient. It is predetermined long before to keep Assad in power and that VETO system is there to make sure that the decision remain unchanged. 

    Do we support a Libyan style NATO attack similar to Iraq and Afghanistan? NO. Its pure death and destruction and the ultimate goal is to steal resources.The UN is self appointed guardian so it is necessary to go through UN to solve international problem knowing full well that its a fraud .That UN become an obstacle too when the interest goes against its will. Now in this circumstance any country who would support Syrian resistance will be branded as Alqaeda sympathizer. So at the end of the day its the Free Syrian army who have to take up the task. 

    1. dateam Avatar

      And there u have another problem? Who is the free Syrian army? The Syrian opposition is fractured and has no one leader that anyone can turn to…in Tunisia when they met the Syrian opposition inside Syria was not invited because they are against the violence…then the 2parties in Tunisia split and formed a 3rd party….so I ask again who is the free Syrian army?

  2. wargame1 Avatar
    wargame1

    Assad is successful for claiming Alqaeda presence with few remote controlled bomb. The world is embarrassed by the daily slaughter in Syria so they have been trying to do something for a year already. Now they have a great excuse in letting Assad do what he does best. They can now back Assad because he is slaughtering “Alqaeda” . Hilary Clinton lately said that arming Syrian resistance means arming Alqaeda and Hamas!! according to the recent news Hamas is no longer supporting Assad government. 

    The Syrian resistance will seize the arms from Assad inshallah. A international intervention will only happen when Assad is about to fall and that is to protect the regime or installing another regime who is Israel friendly. I do not want to convince any one about the alqaeda deception, As soon as it seen Iman Al Zawaheri praising Syrian resistance and proclaiming his presence I knew that this fictional Alqaeda will be the last excuse for UN/America not to support the Syrian resistance.Alqaeda just pops up where ever UN/USA wants it to pop up. Its too convenient. It is predetermined long before to keep Assad in power and that VETO system is there to make sure that the decision remain unchanged. 

    Do we support a Libyan style NATO attack similar to Iraq and Afghanistan? NO. Its pure death and destruction and the ultimate goal is to steal resources.The UN is self appointed guardian so it is necessary to go through UN to solve international problem knowing full well that its a fraud .That UN become an obstacle too when the interest goes against its will. Now in this circumstance any country who would support Syrian resistance will be branded as Alqaeda sympathizer. So at the end of the day its the Free Syrian army who have to take up the task. 

  3. wargame1 Avatar
    wargame1

    Assad is successful for claiming Alqaeda presence with few remote controlled bomb. The world is embarrassed by the daily slaughter in Syria so they have been trying to do something for a year already. Now they have a great excuse in letting Assad do what he does best. They can now back Assad because he is slaughtering “Alqaeda” . Hilary Clinton lately said that arming Syrian resistance means arming Alqaeda and Hamas!! according to the recent news Hamas is no longer supporting Assad government. 

    The Syrian resistance will seize the arms from Assad inshallah. A international intervention will only happen when Assad is about to fall and that is to protect the regime or installing another regime who is Israel friendly. I do not want to convince any one about the alqaeda deception, As soon as it seen Iman Al Zawaheri praising Syrian resistance and proclaiming his presence I knew that this fictional Alqaeda will be the last excuse for UN/America not to support the Syrian resistance.Alqaeda just pops up where ever UN/USA wants it to pop up. Its too convenient. It is predetermined long before to keep Assad in power and that VETO system is there to make sure that the decision remain unchanged. 

    Do we support a Libyan style NATO attack similar to Iraq and Afghanistan? NO. Its pure death and destruction and the ultimate goal is to steal resources.The UN is self appointed guardian so it is necessary to go through UN to solve international problem knowing full well that its a fraud .That UN become an obstacle too when the interest goes against its will. Now in this circumstance any country who would support Syrian resistance will be branded as Alqaeda sympathizer. So at the end of the day its the Free Syrian army who have to take up the task. 

    1. dateam Avatar

      And there u have another problem? Who is the free Syrian army? The Syrian opposition is fractured and has no one leader that anyone can turn to…in Tunisia when they met the Syrian opposition inside Syria was not invited because they are against the violence…then the 2parties in Tunisia split and formed a 3rd party….so I ask again who is the free Syrian army?

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