March 26, 2014 (Tony Cartalucci - NEO) - Tensions
have risen once again along the Syrian-Tukrish border as Turkey downs a
Syrian warplane and terrorists backed by Turkish troops storm across
the border and down Syria’s western coast in Latakia province. Turkey’s
renewed vigor appears to be in part a result of pressure placed on
Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan by US-backed mobs who have been taking to the streets for months seeking his ouster.
Citing Reuters and AFP reports, RT’s article, “Turkey downs Syrian jet near border ‘for airspace violation’,” notes that:
The Syrian Air Force jet was shot down near the Kasab crossing in Latakia province, where fierce fighting between Syrian forces and armed insurgents has been going on for three days, Reuters reported.
And that:
The statement [of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces] noted that the jet went down “1,200 meters to the south of the border on the Syrian territory in Kasab region,” adding that Turkish border guards “observed its fall.”
That
the plane was shot down while conducting air raids against militants
crossing over the Syrian-Turkish border, and even fell within Syrian
territory – suggests that not only did Turkey unreasonably target a
Syrian warplane it knew posed no threat to Turkey, but did so while
providing anti-air support for internationally designated terrorists it
is harboring within its territory.
Additionally,
it has been reported that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s cousin,
Hilal al-Assad, had been killed in the ongoing clashes in Latakia along
with several other defense militia fighters while fighting admittedly Al
Qaeda Al Nusra terrorists. Reuters, in their report, “Assad cousin killed in Latakia clash with Syria rebels,” states:
…Hilal al-Assad, local head of the National Defence Force militia, and seven of his fighters were killed in clashes with the Nusra Front and other Islamist brigades.
While the news of Hilal al-Assad’s death
will be leveraged by the West for propaganda value, it must be
remembered that the West’s proxy war is against the nation of Syria, not
one particular family, or even the government of Syria. Syria possesses
institutions, and when leaders are removed, new leaders take their
place, just as was illustrated by the July, 2012 assassination/bombing in Damascus.
The death of Hilal al-Assad will only steel the resolve of Syrians further in their fight against foreign-backed violence.Latakia Offensive is Part of Larger “Last Gasp” Militant Campaign
Read the rest at New Eastern Outlook...
