US 'takes control' of Rmeilan airfield in Syria
Source: Al Jazeera
US troops have taken control of Rmeilan airfield in Syria's northern province of Hasakah to support Kurdish fighters against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a spokesperson for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) told Al Jazeera.
The airfield near the city of Rmeilan, which will become the first US-controlled airbase in Syria, was previously controlled by the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). The airfield is close to Syria's borders with Iraq and Turkey.
"Under a deal with the YPG, the US was given control of the airport. The purpose of this deal is to back up the SDF, by providing weapons and an airbase for US warplanes," Taj Kordsh, a media activist from the SDF told Al Jazeera on Tuesday.
"This airport was previously controlled by the YPG for over two years now. This strategic airport is close to several oil bases - one of the biggest in this area. "Rmeilan airport was previously used for agricultural purposes by the Syrian government," he said.
Read more: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/01/takes-control-rmeilan-airfield-syria-160119141331681.html
eppur_se_muova
(36,227 posts)newthinking
(3,982 posts)You can't believe most anything in the media when it comes to foreign policy and war.
We have had "boots" on the ground (spec ops) in Syria even before we sent "trainers" there.
Our policy is bizzarre and lacks transparency. But it seems now that Russia and Syria have weakened ISIS they are afraid of losing face and starting to fight (as opposed to "using" ISIS, steering them rather than defeating them).
This is still screwing around though: It seems like we have decided to empower the Kurds rather than completely lose influence. No doubt they are would like to turn them against Syria (if they can). It feels much more like we are just shifting strategy that actually trying end conflict in the region.
Bernin
(311 posts)about our involvement in Syria is in violation of international law and treaties.
Nihil
(13,508 posts)At what point does the US develop honesty and admit that they are
illegally attacking yet another Middle East country?