| Submit your comments on this article |
| Middle East |
| Iraqi rockets sent to Syria for use by Hezbollah |
| 2002-12-26 |
| Some of the equipment transferred from Iraq to Syria in recent weeks was apparently earmarked for Hezbollah in Lebanon, to be used in opening a northern front against Israel in the event of an American offensive in Iraq. Wishful thinking on Sammy's part The shipments contained Iraqi rockets with a range of 100 to 150 kilometers, and possibly also various items that Iraq wanted to hide in Lebanon. In an interview with Channel Two television on Monday, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon spoke of the possibility that Saddam Hussein had had chemical and biological weapons smuggled to Syria in order to hide them from United Nations weapons inspectors. Syria would be treading on very thin ice if this is true Hezbollah has received rockets from Syria before. But the previous shipments contained Fatah and Tsumud rockets, whose range is no greater than 70 kilometers. Iraq's efforts to hide weapons are focused primarily on weapons of mass destruction, such as chemical or biological weapons. The discovery of such weapons in Iraq would provide the United States with a justification for military action and toppling Saddam Hussein's regime. But at the same time that it is hiding its unconventional weapons, there are reports that Iraq has been trying to increase the number of Scud missiles at its disposal. It is known, for instance, that the missile cargo captured two weeks ago on a ship bound for Yemen from North Korea was in fact destined for Iraq. The Americans released the ship after Yemen promised to keep the missiles itself, apparently to ensure Yemen's cooperation in the struggle against Al-Qaida. Very interesting. I thought that we gave up that cargo of Scuds a little too easy. If this is true, President Bush is more devious than even I have given him credit for. Importing long range missles is a clear violation of the U.N. sanctions and would give us a go-to-war-free card. We must be on a timetable that they don't want to advance. This also would explain why N. Korea was so pissed and said we were pirates. If they had sold them to Yemen, why get so upset? If they were on the way to Iraq, and we grabbed them and gave them to Yemen, the N.K. might not be able to cash that check from Saddam. In addition, the Syrians at one point tried to find Scud missiles for Iraq. Given the Scuds' range, they were obviously meant to be used against Israel in case of war, rather than against other states in the region like Saudi Arabia. The Syrian aid to Iraq - in making military purchases and apparently also in hiding equipment - raises questions regarding President Bashar Assad's willingness to jeopardize his relations with the United States. On one hand, Damascus is making an effort to help Washington with information about Al-Qaida, but on the other, Baghdad is exerting economic pressure on it. In addition to helping Iraq, Assad also takes a risk by sheltering and aiding terrorist organizations like Islamic Jihad and Hamas, hiding behind the claim that they only operate information offices in his country. Must be having some sleepless nights in Syria these days. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #7 Iran has two bomb type nuclear device and one missile type nuclear warhead fitted to a North Korean missile. That would be one heck of a diversion allright. I suppose if the main objective was even bigger, that would qualify as a diversion. |
| Posted by: kestrel 2002-12-27 08:42:31 |
| #6 I think Iran has 1 or 2 diseal/electric subs. D/E subs scare surface warships because they are very,very quite. |
| Posted by: raptor 2002-12-27 07:31:05 |
| #5 Besides which, nobody uses a nuke as a "diversion". |
| Posted by: mojo 2002-12-26 23:51:15 |
| #4 A diversionary nuclear attack against a US carrier battle group? As far as I know Syria, Iraq and Iran do not have nukes, yet. That is the point of the hub-bub in Iraq. Syria does not have the ability to do anything but distract Isreal until the Isreali's destroy them and perhaps save Saddam for a short while. Exactly how does that help the House of Assad? Won't happen, Syria will continue their proxy war through Hezzbolah hoping not to risk their own necks. |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2002-12-26 18:12:00 |
| #3 Syria wont attack israel until Iraq is neutralized. To defeat Israel,they will need to give it all they have, and you cant do that while you have a neighbor with a penchant for invasion of weak countries (say a country with little defense, like kuwait, or syria when committed on its western frontier. Saddam prefers power to good will, and wouldnt miss that opportunity. |
| Posted by: flash91 2002-12-26 16:22:11 |
| #2 But they won't. |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2002-12-26 14:55:37 |
| #1 Sooner or later, the Syrians are going to cut loose against Israel again. If they wait too long, their friend and ally Iraq may have already come under new management. Will Saddam and Bashar decide to launch a pre-emptive strike against Israel, before the US is ready with all the troops and supplies for its assault? Such a strike, along with a diversionary nuclear attack against a US carrier battle group, is not beyond the capability of the Syria-Iraq-Iran axis. |
| Posted by: Incubus 2002-12-26 11:27:09 |