SYRIAN REBELS AND
ANTI AIRCRAFT WEAPONS?? WHAT WOULD IT MEAN?
With all the talk of the downed MiG today, it brings to
light a issue that needs careful consideration.
It's a point of history the inclusion of anti air weapons in
Afghanistan was the key factor in the defeat of the Soviet military there.
If the statement today was, " anti air" weapons
could change the course of the war in Syria, the person or persons saying this
could be far more astute than they realize.
Anti SAM operations for the Syrian air force is most likely
weak at best and the fact their pilots have not stayed proficient in this
highly perishable skill for well over a year now could be a crisis Assad
doesn't realize.
Forcing helicopters to realize they are no longer in
controlled airspace is going to have a dramatic impact on assaulting city
sites.
If the rebels gain the ability to secure or at least
threaten the airspace over their heads, the impact will be dramatic.
So, is this potential game changer good news?
Maybe not!
If these weapons are now becoming available to the rebels,
we have to ask the question; what are the guidelines?
It's one thing to bring down a tactical target such as a MiG
or a attack helicopter, but what happens if the rebels or worse yet those who
are not rebels take a shot at non tactical aircraft?
What stops the rebels from targeting non tactical aircraft?
What stops those who pretend to be rebels from obtaining
these weapons in the name of the revolution?
Are these weapons in the rebels hands yet?
Lets assume they do and lets also assume the agreements on
how they may be used can and will be violated; if there was an agreement!
At face value, this may sound like a good news story.
My fear is, this could be the event that truly turns Assad
into a completely desperate leader.
That fear is only compounded by my fear of what other
targets may be chosen.
