IN DAMASCUS FOR " A PILGRIMAGE"???? GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!

About two months ago, I spoke of the significance if the rebels in Syria could prove Iranian support to Assad.

Well.. I think they have achieved that goal and then some.

Now, looking at this group the rebels have, it's clear these are not your stereo typical ground combat troops of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Force.

It could be some of the cover story was moving these members in and out of the area of operation with "others" mixed in; a tactic many countries employ.

My bet is the Iranian Military members are "technical member" perhaps specialist in some area that Assad's forces are lacking and not real combatants.

Oh ya; I feel sorry for the poor guy who had his military ID on him.

You can bet one of the ground rules for this support operation in Syria is absolutely no ID on your body that shows who you are with.

Now, the have baked story of these retires being on " Pilgrimage".. well... that was what I would consider a really poor, knee-jerk  response by Iran to their members being caught with IDs on them.

Here is the fact of the matter.

The rebels needed to prove Assad was getting help from Iran to justify receiving help from "others".

Iran's argument, one they made again today in a most pathetic manner, the people of Syria must decide the future of their nation completely went out the window with the capture of these Iranian military members.

As for what they were doing, you can bet the rebels will find out and have probably already done so in a most brutal manner.

The statement that three of the "captives" / notice they didn't call them " hostages", "captives invokes the fact they are combatants, were killed is a sign the rest are singing like song birds by now.

Whatever the mission of these men was, the rebels know it now.

The question becomes, who do they tell the information to and how do the rebels exploit the confessions?

I can think of a few "agencies" that would love to know what these members had to confess!

Ok, the bottom line here is this.

This event is a disaster for Iran at a time when Iran can afford no additional disasters!

Saudi and the GCC will exploit this event to the fullest extent possible.

Backroom discussions on support to the rebels now becomes an unwinnable argument for those still opposed to the concept.

Revenge is a option Iran may be thinking of, but revenge in what fashion?

The one thing Iran had going for it as this crisis was unfolding was the attack in the Sinai.

That attack was an example of "control" and the battle that is pending between the MB and more radical elements of the Sunni faith.

Leverage is something Iran has very little of and perhaps this event in the Sinai can allow Iran to keep the focus on other events while they desperately try to  figure their way out of the hostage event.

Someone in Iran will take the heat for this debacle in Syria and it will not be Soleimani.

He is a favored Son in Iran.

Someone will take the blame and lets see who it will be.

The blame game will only make maters worse in Iran and Iran can't take more bad news.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19176528