Exclusive: Western report - Iran ships arms, personnel to Syria via Iraq

Exclusive: Western report - Iran ships arms, personnel to Syria via Iraq

news.yahoo.com

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Iran has been using civilian aircraft to fly military personnel and large quantities of weapons across Iraqi airspace to Syria to aid President Bashar al-Assad in his attempt to crush an 18-month uprising against his government, according to a Western intelligence report seen by Reuters.

Earlier this month, U.S. officials said they were questioning Iraq about Iranian flights in Iraqi airspace suspected of ferrying arms to Assad, a staunch Iranian ally. On Wednesday, U.S. Senator John Kerry threatened to review U.S. aid to Baghdad if it does not halt such overfligh

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Iran is up to something, and right now it is helping Syria squash the rebels. I'm not sure of the reasons why, but I do believe caution should be in order and we shouldn't assume things. To my knowledge, there is very little information on those rebels, who they are and what they stand for.

Whenever there's a rebellion in the Middle East, we should always be cautions. It was the Muslim brotherhood that led the uprisings a few months ago, and look what they've done since then. So those rebels Syria is fighting could just be just another extremist group.

So, if anything should be done, I say we just take a wait and see attitude.

news.yahoo.com
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Originally posted by EvilSadamClone



Iran is up to something, and right now it is helping Syria squash the rebels. I'm not sure of the reasons why, but I do believe caution should be in order and we shouldn't assume things. To my knowledge, there is very little information on those rebels, who they are and what they stand for.

Whenever there's a rebellion in the Middle East, we should always be cautions. It was the Muslim brotherhood that led the uprisings a few months ago, and look what they've done since then. So those rebels Syria is fighting could just be just another extremist group.

So, if anything should be done, I say we just take a wait and see attitude.

news.yahoo.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

Yeap, yeap, keep spreading the fear. Yeap yeap

So, they are covertly bringing in troops and weapons to defend an ally. I see nothing wrong with this, as they can't go doing it the conventional way.

I think it's real important to note here that Iran and Syria are open, acknowledged and enthusiastic military and national allies. They have a mutual defense treaty similar to that the United States has with places like Japan, South Korea and various other locations around the world.

So, Iran is doing what a responsible country should by living up to their international agreements and obligations. As I think of Israel and the example that sets to every ally we have left......we could learn something from this situation about staying a friend or just cutting ties with allies....and not half assing it like we've come to do.

At least those dealing with Iran know where they stand. That is something I'm not sure others have been able to say about us for many years now.

On Wednesday, U.S. Senator John Kerry threatened to review U.S. aid to Baghdad if it does not halt such overflights.

Kerry said he was alarmed that U.S. efforts thus far had not persuaded Baghdad to halt the overflights, and suggested that the United States could in future make some of the hundreds of millions of dollars in assistance it gives to Iraq contingent on their cooperation on Syria.

So basically in the end Iraq will agree with the US on everything with the threat of aid being cut off.

Extortion (also called blackmail, shakedown, outwresting, and exaction) is a criminal offence of unlawfully obtaining money, property, or services from a person, entity, or institution, through coercion.

Pretty much sums it up.

Originally posted by DaesDaemar
So, they are covertly bringing in troops and weapons to defend an ally. I see nothing wrong with this, as they can't go doing it the conventional way.

Iran has often defended itself from international accusations by saying that they are not, in any way, responsible for hostile acts, and that they don't follow western courses of action.

This proves that is incorrect. Iran military does offer support in conflicts, although not directly.

Leaving political propaganda behind, Iran has just showed that they are actively countering Western policies, since it's well known - even more for the countries in the area - that the West has been supporting the FSA.

Welcome to West vs Iran (+?) proxy war. It doesn't get much clearer than this, without having to wait 30 years for History to explain such war existed.

Iraq will turn its back on the US very soon and side with Iran and Syria.

If it doesnt, its own people will overthrow the current Iraqi government.

Just my take on it.

reply to post by Wrabbit2000

I think it's real important to note here that Iran and Syria are open, acknowledged and enthusiastic military and national allies. They have a mutual defense treaty similar to that the United States has with places like Japan, South Korea and various other locations around the world.

If they are open allies why doesn't Iran openly support Syria? Why use civilian airliners?

I don't see the need to hide weapons in civilian airplanes, and the fact they still do it concerns me.

reply to post by EvilSadamClone


This really isn't anything new. Not to say it wasn't a interesting read, but Iran has been helping Assad since these "rebel uprisings" occured. Iran and Syria are allies, therefore Iran will help Syria in their time of need.

I always have to ask though, I wonder if Syria would help Iran if the shoe was on the other foot...?

-SAP-

Originally posted by GarrusVasNormandy

Originally posted by DaesDaemar
So, they are covertly bringing in troops and weapons to defend an ally. I see nothing wrong with this, as they can't go doing it the conventional way.

Iran has often defended itself from international accusations by saying that they are not, in any way, responsible for hostile acts, and that they don't follow western courses of action.

This proves that is incorrect. Iran military does offer support in conflicts, although not directly.

Leaving political propaganda behind, Iran has just showed that they are actively countering Western policies, since it's well known - even more for the countries in the area - that the West has been supporting the FSA.

Welcome to West vs Iran (+?) proxy war. It doesn't get much clearer than this, without having to wait 30 years for History to explain such war existed.

I don't think Iran has any choice but to fight by proxy. Their only direct routes militarily are via plane and ship, either of those spell doom for Iran.

reply to post by GarrusVasNormandy

I'm not sure how I'd say they are hiding anything now? Glenn Beck was talking about this on his radio show clear back in 07-08 or earlier, regarding the regular flights to Caracas through Damascus and starting in Tehran. Once a week, like clockwork and for a long time before that. Civilian planes...but no schedule for flights in any civilian publication.

So..Kind like Syria's chemical weapons they're legal to have by not being members of the Chemical treaty, and have openly sat on for over 30 years with no one being excited much either way......the timing for this suddenly mattering to everyone in power is more than confusing. It's proof of manipulation and a push at all levels to go to war here. Israel and Obama disagree on timing...VERY strongly it would seem...but the end result is one I don't think they disagree on at all. Even if they, perhaps, see each other in different places at the end of it all.

Good for them,that's whats allies should do.,the conflict in Syria is far from internal,with Turkey engaging across the border,and western powers employing and commanding militia in the region,this is a NATO operation and Iran is justified in intervening.

Originally posted by EvilSadamClone



Iran is up to something, and right now it is helping Syria squash the rebels. I'm not sure of the reasons why, but I do believe caution should be in order and we shouldn't assume things. To my knowledge, there is very little information on those rebels, who they are and what they stand for.

Whenever there's a rebellion in the Middle East, we should always be cautions. It was the Muslim brotherhood that led the uprisings a few months ago, and look what they've done since then. So those rebels Syria is fighting could just be just another extremist group.

So, if anything should be done, I say we just take a wait and see attitude.

news.yahoo.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

Well, lets see. Hmmmm.... I did research on what happened in libya and Syria, and these people dont want SHARIA and BURQUA's, they have a more moderate system. CIA and BROTHERHOOD IS PUTTING THEM BACK HUNDREDS OF YEARS INTO HIDEOUS EVIL BRUTAL SYSTEMS.

THEY COME IN WITH FOREIGN MERCENARIES AND SAW THE HEADS OF CHILDREN AND MURDER PEOPLE. I GUESS IF AND ONLY IF IRAN IS DOING THIS AND ITS NOT A LIE, THEY'RE OPPOSING THE WEST'S EVIL AGENDA.

And US has endorsed Saudi Arabia sending 5000 Jihad sharia agents over. INSANE BEYOND BELIEF!!!!!!!!
DEMONS ALL OF THEM!!!1

Anyone that can harm a child or put a death shroud on a woman is a DEMON!!!! US SHOULD GET A MOTEL ROOM WITH SAUDI AND STAY THERE TIMED THE HELL OUT.

Wake up and stop the US/UK PTB GOV FROM ITS EVIL. NOW! Be humans and wake up!!!! Are people really this corrupt and apathetic they can't even take to the streets to shout hell no!

Originally posted by GarrusVasNormandy
.

This proves that is incorrect. Iran military does offer support in conflicts, although not directly.

Leaving political propaganda behind, Iran has just showed that they are actively countering Western policies, since it's well known - even more for the countries in the area - that the West has been supporting the FSA.

So you are saying that the west is in the right?
like so many other times they have been in the right like Libya?

reply to post by DaesDaemar

I don't think Iran has any choice but to fight by proxy. Their only direct routes militarily are via plane and ship, either of those spell doom for Iran.

Iran has the freedom to pursue whatever means they think are necessary for their objectives. However, if they are going to constantly tell the world they are all about peace and that sort of thing, they shouldn't be playing cards under the table in the middle of conflicts.

In my opinion, this is another nail in the coffin for Iran.

reply to post by Wrabbit2000

I'm not sure how I'd say they are hiding anything now?

The Iranian airforce has cargo planes. Why don't they use those?

If you don't know the answer:

(Reuters) - A U.N. Security Council committee has published a report on Iranian sanctions violations, including shipments of weapons to Syria in breach of a U.N. ban on weapons exports by the Islamic Republic.

Source

I could make a longer post debating how stupid it is for Iran to be caught with this in their hands, and how many implications could be made around this, but I believe you are well educated enough to know what I mean.

How can people say they believe Iran isn't developing a nuke, when they lie and deceive bans imposed by the U.N.? If they can go - quietly - around bans and sanctions on weapons exportations, why are people so sure they aren't being equally covert in their nuclear program, with all the underground facilities and undisclosed sites?

and have openly sat on for over 30 years with no one being excited much either way......the timing for this suddenly mattering to everyone in power is more than confusing.

On a side note, it's examples like Syria and their chemical weapons program that make me believe that it would be better for Iran to leave the NPT and IAEA instead of playing chicken with Israel and the West.

But to answer your point, the reason why nobody really cared about the chemical weapons that Syria had, was mainly due to the fact that the regime had a grip on their country. They were stable, and although they did possess chemical weapons, everyone knew - through intelligence - where they were, and that they weren't going to be used soon.

That has changed. A lot.

Not only there is the risk of Assad using them out of desperation, but they could also be stolen and handed out to the wrong kind of people.

reply to post by munkey66

So you are saying that the west is in the right?

Yes and no.

Yes, because I don't believe in dictators, wherever they are, and Assad is a dictator.

No, because I know that Assad will most provably step down or will be taken out by the FSA, but the guy that will follow him will just be slightly better, instead of making a real change in the country and region.

The FSA can be very shady and dubious, but in all honesty, Assad caused this. He was the one who promised his people change and a more open policy, and he was the one that failed.

Also, when the first minor protests started to appear, Assad did the right thing for a dictator to do, and that was to send the Army against the protesters.

What was he expecting to accomplish with that?

like so many other times they have been in the right like Libya?

Syria has nothing to do with Libya.

And in Libya, it wasn't the U.S. who played a major role. The U.S. has/had very little interest in that country. Libya was more connected with Europe than with the U.S..

It was France and Italy who displayed the most decisive attitude towards Libya. And anyone can understand why by looking at the world map.

reply to post by GarrusVasNormandy

On a side note, it's examples like Syria and their chemical weapons program that make me believe that it would be better for Iran to leave the NPT and IAEA instead of playing chicken with Israel and the West

.

The only reason I can think of Iran is not leaving the NPT and IAEA, is because it allows them to buy time while covertly proceeding with their Nuclear plan.

Originally posted by gravitational

The only reason I can think of Iran is not leaving the NPT and IAEA, is because it allows them to buy time while covertly proceeding with their Nuclear plan.

If they are doing it, yes.

That and the fact that the IAEA and the NPT have allowed Iran free access to technology, means and expertise for their nuclear program.

I've seen a lot of people claim in ATS that they have been hearing "Iran will have a nuke in 6 months" for years, but all I can find are reports stating that if Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, they will - or would - achieve weaponization between 2010 and 2015.

2012 is right in the middle of that.