Article

2005-11-25 Syria-Lebanon-Iran

US Marines are locked in battle with Syrian troops (DEBKA SAYZ)

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by Craiper Fleresh4413 2005-11-25 03:47|| || Front Page|| [12 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 I thought this kinda fell off the table. DEBKA did not follow up and there has not been a word from any other news outlet.

Posted by anymouse">anymouse 2005-11-25 09:22|| 2005-11-25 09:22|| Front Page Top

#2 I think they've pulled that article.

I doubt they would have done that if it was false. Why bother? If it was true, the US probably made a few phone calls asking the Israelis to downplay it, because of the "sensitivity" of ongoing operations and diplomacy.

In that Debka is pretty much a conduit for information that one or more of the Israeli intelligence agencies want to get out, they are probably pretty cooperative about such things.

Posted by Anonymoose 2005-11-25 09:22|| 2005-11-25 09:22|| Front Page Top

#3 not sure on this but i think there may be something in it, i reackon debka has improved alot in the last year or so - yes still need for a pinch of salt here and there but don't discredit them so easily

Posted by Shep UK 2005-11-25 09:30|| 2005-11-25 09:30|| Front Page Top

#4 This one is pretty discreditable. No regular units are going into Syria except by mistake or perhaps hot pursuit yet. Wouldn't be prudent. Domestically. Maybe later.

Posted by Slineck Clineper8879 2005-11-25 09:34|| 2005-11-25 09:34|| Front Page Top

#5 not discrediting it outright...but I find it odd that there has been zero followup. It either means the lid is hermetically sealed, or DEBKA is letting this die a quiet death.

Posted by anymouse">anymouse 2005-11-25 09:35|| 2005-11-25 09:35|| Front Page Top

#6 Debka pulled the story....mmmmm?

Posted by Ulinert Phavitle4858 2005-11-25 10:14|| 2005-11-25 10:14|| Front Page Top

#7 itz ad driven, no newz recently.

Posted by Shipman 2005-11-25 10:36|| 2005-11-25 10:36|| Front Page Top

#8 The story is still on Debka. It just moved down to the bottom.

If you read it, it's really just saying that we got into a skirmish with border guards. This has happened before.

More interesting is the general ratcheting of pressure on Assad, of which this may be another manifestation.

I totally disagree that there would be major domestic problems with us finally going into Syria and dealing with the support of the so called Iraqi insurgency. The American electorate is angry that our troops get killed everyday by Baathists with IEDs. This would directly deal with the source of their anger.

Posted by JAB 2005-11-25 10:38|| 2005-11-25 10:38|| Front Page Top

#9 The headline should have read:

US Marines get Syriass

Posted by Zenster 2005-11-25 10:56|| 2005-11-25 10:56|| Front Page Top

#10 From Hammorabi, http://hammorabi.blogspot.com/
There are news of at least 12 American soldiers have been killed and wounded near the Al-Bo-Kamal area when they followed insurgents escaped to Syria. Fighting then broke down with the Syrians who had at least 3 casualties.

A buffer zone as deep as 30-50 km is needed inside the Syrian border along the Iraqi borders to allow the Iraqi-American forces to penetrate to kill or arrest the insurgent terrorists. Syria has no choice but either to end fully its support for terrorists, that is not going to happen at all or to allow such buffer otherwise it will face serious consequences.

A UN resolution regarding the support of terrorists by the Syrian may now become essential due to their failure to end that support, however for the multinational and Iraqi troops they need the zone to protect themselves and the civilians.

Posted by Glenmore">Glenmore 2005-11-25 11:15|| 2005-11-25 11:15|| Front Page Top

#11 A UN resolution regarding the support of terrorists by the Syrian may now become essential...

A mighty good that will do!
[/sarc]

Posted by twobyfour 2005-11-25 12:02|| 2005-11-25 12:02|| Front Page Top

#12 I said this under another similar post earlier this morning because this article wasn't up yet...but DEBKA has become significant enough to merit an offical confirmation or denial.

Posted by 2b 2005-11-25 12:03|| 2005-11-25 12:03|| Front Page Top

#13 Jed Babbin's on this at the American Spectator weblog. FWIW, his sources say its just hot pursuit, which has been going on for a while.

As he points out, planned operations intended to attack sites within Syria are the next level of escalation and are not occurring (yet).

Posted by JAB 2005-11-25 12:20|| 2005-11-25 12:20|| Front Page Top

#14 Well I guess the pressure worked?

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/11/25/hariri.un.ap/index.html?section=cnn_world

But then Aljizz explains the pressure worked on the wrong party Namley the UN..

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/1E50ED0F-8F1E-4A97-8491-245BC0F0920F.htm

"The official said the individuals, whose names were not released, would return to Damascus after the interviews."

this quote earlier from CNN explains the above quote from Aljizz "Syria had rejected Mehlis' request to interview the officials in Beirut, claiming its civil servants would not be safe there. It is believed Syria was concerned that Mehlis could recommend the arrest of the officials after they were questioned in Lebanon. Lebanon has detained several other suspects at Mehlis' request"

not to mention its 5 suspects not 6 wanted originaly

That is the catch, No arrest option available so if they show up and just tell the interrogators to stuff it at the end of the time they just fly back to Damascus they complied right??? The UN is absolutley useless unless.

Posted by C-Low 2005-11-25 15:36|| 2005-11-25 15:36|| Front Page Top

#15 Debka is now saying Syrian sources claim the engagement took 30+ Syrian losses and 11 Marine losses.

Still waiting on US confirmation although I am rather confused the article says the US were chasing some AQ they crossed the border the US demanded them turned over (so I guess they captured them or they turned themselves over) then a the next day with no compliance the Marines continue persuit engage the Syrian's now it gets confusing I cant imagine the Marines not being able to overcome a Syrian border patrol or they would not have gone ahead, 30+ dead syrians make me think maybe they took the position so the question is what about the terrorsit were they released by the Syrians never detained killed escaped? Debka makes it sound like the Marines were beat back with casualties which maybe if it was during the presuit but not the next day that dont jive.

Posted by C-Low 2005-11-25 19:06|| 2005-11-25 19:06|| Front Page Top

#16 Syrian sources claim the engagement took 30+ Syrian losses and 11 Marine losses.

Another very cridible claim reported by a credible outlet. If there were 11 Marine losses in their first fight with the Syrians, I guarantee there were 500 Syrians lost.

Posted by Angavish Clotle9140 2005-11-25 19:13|| 2005-11-25 19:13|| Front Page Top

23:33 Zenster
23:20 Zenster
22:10 C-Low
22:05 Dave D.
21:54 C-Low
21:29 mac
21:26 JosephMendiola
21:24 Hupeque Uluper6859
21:22 Hupeque Uluper6859
21:21 JosephMendiola
21:15 plainslow
21:06 Anonymoose
20:54 Hupeque Uluper6859
20:36 OnlySaneAnonymouseLeft
20:21 ryuge
20:04 Whiskey Mike
20:03 Chuck Simmins
20:00 Yes, anonymous
19:29 Elmenter Snineque1852
19:19 49 pan
19:13 Angavish Clotle9140
19:09 Slesh Clavising6784
19:06 C-Low
19:03 49 pan