Written by Prof Michel Chossudovsky; Originally appeared at Global Research
Are the U.S. France and Britain preparing to launch punitive airstrikes against Syria in reprisal for another (forthcoming) “false flag” Chemical Weapons attack allegedly ordered by president Bashar al Assad against his own people.
U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton is reported to have told his Russian counterpart, Nikolai Patrushev, that “Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may be preparing to use chemical weapons to recapture the northwestern province of Idlib from rebels.”
On August 22, at a press conference in Jerusalem, John Bolton, Trump’s (“Humanitarian”) National Security Adviser expressed his “concern” intimating that Assad is preparing to “kill his own people”:
“We are obviously concerned about the possibility that Assad may use chemical weapons again, …
if the Syrian regime uses chemical weapons, we will respond very strongly and they really ought to think about this a long time before they come into any decision, because there is no ambiguity in the U.S. position on this point.”
Screen Shot, UPI, August 22, 2018
Is another false flag CW attack on the drawing board of the Pentagon?
It’s intent (according to Bolton) would be to provide legitimacy to a US and allied “humanitarian” bombing, i.e. “Responsibility to Protect”, i.e. “war with a human face”.
Apart from acknowledging Bolton’s statement, the Western media (with the exception of a report by Germany’s Deutsche Welle) have remained silent regarding the details of the alleged false flag CW scenario which were revealed by Russia’s Ministry of Defense:
“Foreign specialists” have arrived in Syria and may stage a chemical attack using chlorine in “the next two days,” the Russian Defense Ministry said. This will be filmed for international media to frame Damascus forces.
Defense Ministry Spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said the operation is planned to unfold in the village of Kafr Zita in Syria’s northwestern Hama Province in “the next two days.”
Konashenkov said that “English-speaking specialists” are already in place to use “poisonous agents.” While a group of residents from the north has been transported to Kafr Zita and is currently being prepared “to take part in the staging of the attack” and be filmed suffering from supposed “‘chemical munitions’ and ‘barrel bombs’ launched by the Syrian government forces.”
The groups of residents will be used to assist “fake rescuers from the White Helmets.”They will be filmed apparently suffering from the effects of chemical weapons and then be shown in “the Middle Eastern and English-language media.”
The defense ministry earlier warned that the US, UK, and France are preparing to use the planned attack as a pretext for airstrikes against Syria. The USS The Sullivans, an Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided missile destroyer, was already deployed to the Persian Gulf a couple of days ago. (RT, August 26, 2018)
The above report remains to be corroborated or refuted. The Western media has remained silent. It has not taken the trouble (with a couple of exceptions) to report or challenge the statement of the Russian Defense Ministry.
The unspoken truth is that the US and its allies including Israel are largely intent upon sabotaging the peace process in Syria.
What Next?
Now that the details concerning the alleged false flag CW operation have been revealed, the question is whether the US and its allies will go ahead with the punitive bombing raid against Syria.
Russia’s Response
“We warned the Americans and their allies against taking new reckless steps in Syria,” said Russia’s deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov,
According to Tass (August 25) Russia has responded with major naval deployments:
“The Black Sea Fleet’s frigates Admiral Grigorovich and Admiral Essen armed with Kalibr cruise missiles will join the Russian Navy’s Mediterranean task force, the Fleet’s press office reported on Saturday.
“The Black Sea Fleet’s frigates Admiral Grigorovich and Admiral Essen are making a planned passage from Sevastopol to the Mediterranean Sea. Currently, the warships’ crews are passing through the Black Sea’s Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits,”
These developments are of strategic significance.
The Russia-Turkey relationship has facilitated the routine deployment of Russia’s Black Sea fleet out of Sevastopol in Crimea through the Bosphorus into the Eastern Mediterranean. From Russia’s perspective, the naval integration of the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean constitutes a major turning point which also affects the deployment of NATO naval forces in the Black Sea out of Romania and Bulgaria.
We are dealing with a geopolitical shift: With Ankara siding with Moscow, the Russian Federation has regained control over the Black Sea Basin.
The Kurdish YPG Supported by the US
The US has largely been supportive of Al Qaeda affiliated rebels as well the Kurdish YPG militants which have been fighting Turkish forces in Northern Syria. Back in January, “The White House said Trump had urged Erdogan to curtail the military operation in Syria, while Turkey said Erdogan had told Trump that U.S. troops should withdraw from Manbij.” (Reuters, January 24, 2018)
Both governments agreed in January to remain in “close coordination” to “avoid misunderstandings”.
About Turn: In recent developments, Washington has reaffirmed its support for the YPG (against Turkey) in defiance of the January understanding with Ankara “to collaborate”. In turn, Russia and Turkey are coordinating their actions in Syria against the US supported Kurdish YPG.
On August 25, a senior official of the State Department William Roebuck traveled to Manbij and Ayn al-Arab in Kobani close to the border with Turkey (see map). “He also visited Dayr al-Zawr Province which is held by US-backed Kurdish militants.” (Press TV, August 26, 2018)
“We are prepared to stay here, as the president (Donald Trump) has made clear,”
He was referring to more than 2,000 US and allied troops deployed in territories in Northeast Syria under Kurdish YPG control. (Press Tv, 25 August 2018).
On Saturday, Kurdish media reported that the US had installed advanced radar systems in its bases at the Ayn al-Arab military airport and the town of Rmelan in Hasakah Province.
Quoting an informed source at the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed coalition of Kurdish militants, the report said the systems are meant to create a no-fly zone in northeastern Syria.
The source also said the US had recently sent additional weapons and ammunition for SDF militants in the southern countryside of Hasakah (see map below). (Press Tv, August 25, 2018)
US military deployments in Northeastern Syria are in practice (not officially) also directed against Turkey, with a view to creating a separate Kurdish proxy state in Northern Syria.
“The no fly zone” appears to be modelled on that imposed on Iraq in the wake of the 1991 Gulf War, allegedly to protect Kurds in Norther Iraq.
But in this case the US zone of influence is on Turkey’s door step, the No Fly Zone extends to Turkey’s border.
While Turkey has established an alliance of convenience with Russia and Iran (both of which are involved militarily in Syria), the US and Turkey are potentially on a “Collision Course” which could lead to a broader war.
When Allies Confront Allies
Needless to say, NATO is in disarray with the US, France and Britain confronting Turkey (which is also a NATO member state) in the Syria war theater.
Interesting to see..if some day all that weed fights between them…Turks vs USA ( both NATO allies and supporters of terrorist groups in Syria)…Turks vs Kurdish ( both anti Assad, the last one a mix of US&Israel puppets + Comunist)….
Dont forget that there is infighting between the terrorist groups as well + Terrorists vs Kurds.
Be interesting to see how a no-fly-zone will pertain to Russian aircraft and missiles targeting terrorists in Idlib. If the psychopaths are dumb enough to try this, it could be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
I think the proposed no fly zone of the US would only cover the kurdish held areas of the north east not Idlib which is north west
Maybe, but the US is also interested in Manbij and extremely interested in keeping Idlib from being taken away from the terrorists and returned to the Syrian people. I believe that’s what all of this preparation to bomb Syria using a false flag event in cooperation with the terrorist’s air force. Further, imagine that when the Syrian military and it’s allies launch their attack, that the air force supporting the large build up of terrorists, strikes the Syrian military’s grouping. I call it coordination that would allow the terrorists to gain an advantage.
Out of context I dont get naka oil field is bigger then Omar. Why is it not at the map.
Very speculative and biased. In the other hand its a very complicated affair.
There will be no NATO bombing campaign (aka “no-fly-zone”, let´s call it by it´s true name). NATO only bombs countries that don´t have air defences. Syria does. Taking it out would be a gigantic operation, many months of bombing, a lot of planes downed, a lot of dead NATO soldiers. There might be some show-of attacs, but no more than that.
welcome to 2018…now they just launch ballistic missiles from ship…no matter the cost…they dont use planes anymore…it is so 90’s!!
Actually they use exactly the same methods they have used for many years. First they use missiles and stealth bombers to destroy the AA, then when the country is defenseless they start their kill everybody bombing campaign.
so far in Syria they expended around 300 cruise missiles in two attacks to :
– Destroy an airbase that was operational within the next 24 hours – Destroy 3 or 4 empty buildings.
Everybody can make his assumptions, but the above results are imho the result of a two feet in one shoe reasoning, to show israel (or whatever zionist clique) and public opinions that the west appeases such requests, without incurring in the risk of angering Russia, which would happen if:
1- Russian personnel is targeted 2- the strikes are made to change the situation on the terrain, something that NATO cannot do for a series of reasons anyway.
It is my opinion that the Syrian civil war outcome has been decided in Assad’s favor the day Russia intervened.
All that is happening now is a huge amount of bullshit made to hide from the public the massive failure and defeat of zionist forces in this chapter, and the impotence of the west to impose its will (actually, zionist will) wherever they want.
Those who know a little about Cold War know what I mean – If a superpower says NO, and shows that it means it, it’s NO.
they launch cruise missile frm ships because they fear that Syrian air defense or Russia can shot down US&allies aircraft..included the stealth aircraft…
Conventional ballistic missile or cruise missile ? You do know that the more complex and flexible cruise missile had failed them the moment they’re detected on it’s launch point.
Look, the tomahawks are so beautiful. They look allmost like fire works when launched! And that’s a good description of them if you have defence. Look at the Shayrat attac: 59 missiles lauched, more than half missed the target, the base operational whitin 24 hours. The attac was part of the propaganda war, not a serious military undertaking. To establish a no-fly-zone you need full spectrum air control (including electronic). That means taking out every thing the syrians have, everything you think they have, and quite a few iranian, russin and possibly turkish assets. That takes month, the ship mounted tomahawks will run out in days. Then it’s back to the planes, and in a little while there will be an increasing number of heaps of F16 trash in the syrian dessert. I’m not saying the US couldn’t do it, I am saying they aren’t willing to pay the price.
totally agree with you.
and even if they did, they would find themselves at war with russia :)))
jorgen_hassler I do not agree
Bolton has his brainless head so far up his Zionist masters’ arses that he cannot see where he is going. His head seems to have changed shape somewhat also . . .
he still lives in the past and still thinks american weapons are the best and russia is not lol what a moron
Bolton has pea brain like all his administration. How can one be so stupid even to suggest Assad will bomb his own people and really thinks the world are kids?
How insulting yo even a moron’s intelligence
Does Trump really want the expense of another proxy state draining the US coffers, no, he’s been saying all along he wants to get out of Syria, it’s the neo cons in the government who want to stay. Are the Turks and the Russians really on the same side. If they are it’s a strange relationship, first Erdogan builds an extra 4 OB posts that weren’t a part of the Astana agreement, which stopped the first [very successful] Idlib offensive in it’s tracks, and now he’s begging Putin to stop bombing in Idlib, and to also cancel the second upcoming offensive there too, great relationship. And as far as the Kurds are concerned, lets look at who they’ve been talking too the most lately, and also who’s been helping or hindering them the most. At first it was the US that held favor with the Kurds but that all changed when Erdogan invaded their homelands in the west. They were disgusted that the US refused to intervene on their behalf, and it was Assad instead that sent the SAA troops up and stationed them in the Kurdish areas, to hopefully deter the Turks from advancing, but sadly it didn’t work, the SAA lost several soldier trying to protect the Kurds, the US did nothing. Soon after that the Kurds went on strike, they didn’t attack Isis even once over a 4 or 5 month period, just repelled any Isis attacks if they had to, and there weren’t that many. They didn’t start fighting Isis again until about 5 or 6 months ago, and that was only because the Iraqis forced them too. The Iraqis had gotten fed up with Isis being able to use the US controlled Syrian border as a transit zone, and unable to get the US to do anything about it, they took matters into their own hands. They were the first ones to recommence operations, launching airstrikes against Isis in Al-Hasaka, not the US, and very strangely, even though they did coordinate their actions with the US, they didn’t ask for the US’s permission, the Iraqis instead only asked Assad for his permission, was that the Iraqi version off an threat/example/offering to the Kurds, as well as a rebuke to the US, I thought it was. And over the last few months we’ve had more than 20 Kurdish delegations negotiating terms with the Syrian government, twice concerning self autonomy, and so far Assad’s knocked back everything but ‘ it’s my way or the highway’, which means they got nothing. Even after all those knockbacks, the Kurds have just offered up some of their Isis prisoners, in exchange for the Druze women and children Isis captured in southern Syria just recently. If you’re in any doubt as to who the Kurds want to show their allegiance to now, read the statement they made with that offer, it tells us all loud and clear the path they now want to take, that is if they have any hope at all of getting their western enclaves back. The Kurds are already killing the Turks and their henchmen as we read this very story, I don’t see either Putin or Trump telling them to stop, it’s only Erdogan crying by himself, what does that tell us. The US no fly zone might not only be there to stop the Russians and Syrians, it may be there to stop someone else too. Now the false flag CW attack and the expected retaliatory missile strike by the US, they tell us where and when, but not why, there must be a reason why, but the article fails to suggest one. Could it be that Assad’s has just signed an agreement with Iran, that further strengthens their military ties, and also extends Iran’s military operations in Syria for an indefinite amount of time, the two things Trump warned Assad not to do. And since Assad snubbed him and did it anyway, Trumps sent another delegation to offer new terms. It seems to me that there’s a lot of horse trading going on at the moment, and depending on what the US delegation manages to squeeze out of Assad or doesn’t, will be the difference between a US fireworks show or a pathetic fizzle. Assad’s been very confident lately and I won’t be surprised if the US delegation also gets a “it’s my way or the highway” from Assad, which from my perspective is way better than giving in to them, but sadly it might also mean we do get a fireworks show. Where is China, it’s time to make an appearance. This is the second expert assessment of the Syrian situation I’ve read today, and both were very different to each other, even worse than that, I couldn’t agree with much either of them had to say. How do you become an expert, I want to become one too, I’m sure they get heaps of cash to write this trash, I don’t get paid anything to write my trash. Prof Michel Chossudovsky and Global Research, you’d be poor if I had my way.
Its the Yinon plan. Israel is ordering its USSA NATO slaves to implement lhe Yinon plan and die for a greater more racist more supremacist Israel. Erdogan and all his relatives and friends. high government officials etc., are to be murdered by Mossad and their NATO slave death squads, Turkey will be turned into one big Raqqa, bombed to bits and then broken up, with Israel getting Western Turkey along the Med, the Kurds will get central southern Turkey, Armenians Eastern Turkey, half the Turkish population will be killed and the rest wil be forced to flee to Germany. Turkey as a state and people are to cease to exist forever.
Turkey knows this and that surrender means extermination for them, so there will be war, with Russia, Iran, China, Syria on Turkeys side against the racist supremacist global Jewish confederate slave empire dictatorship. The question is will it be limited war or expand to include Israel and areas outside the middle east and or will there be a rebellion amongst the empires slaves, when they start to take a lot of casualties and big losses in equipment, ships, planes, pilots etc. the dollar collapses, as they die for their racist supremacist Jewish slave masters.