Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNo Iran threat in Syria or Iraq, top British officer says, contradicting US
No Iran threat in Syria or Iraq, top British officer says, contradicting US
Deputy commander of anti-Isis coalition rebuts White House justification for sending troops
Julian Borger in Washington
Tue 14 May 2019 13.32 EDT
The top British general in the US-led coalition against Isis has said there is no increased threat from Iranian-backed forces in Iraq or Syria, directly contradicting US assertions used to justify a military buildup in the region.
Maj Gen Christopher Ghika, who is a deputy commander of Operation Inherent Resolve, the coalition conducting counter-terrorist operations against Isis in Iraq and Syria, was repeatedly questioned by reporters about the threat from Shia militias in Syria and Iraq, cited by US officials over the past week as justification for speeding up the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group in the Gulf and for sending B-52 Stratofortress bombers and an anti-aircraft battery to the region.
No theres been no increased threat from Iranian-backed forces in Iraq and Syria, Ghika said in a videolink briefing from Baghdad to the Pentagon. Were aware of that presence, clearly. And we monitor them along with a whole range of others because thats the environment were in. We are monitoring the Shia militia groups. I think youre referring to carefully and if the threat level seems to go up then well raise our force protection measures accordingly.
The generals comments are likely to heighten concerns that fabricated or exaggerated intelligence may be being used by administration hawks led by the national security adviser, John Bolton, to further the case for war against Iran, in a manner reminiscent of the buildup to the Iraq invasion.
more...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/14/no-iran-threat-in-syria-or-iraq-says-top-british-officer-in-defiance-of-us?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=fb_us&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2W7bhXnzPPbFvFFYInclZL8phweMwwHmhjouqgCV544Cpuf_Z0aMuP1FQ#Echobox=1557856318
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
7 replies, 778 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (7)
ReplyReply to this post
7 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
No Iran threat in Syria or Iraq, top British officer says, contradicting US (Original Post)
babylonsister
May 2019
OP
malaise
(269,365 posts)1. Give thank for the rest of the planet
Would be nice if MI5 threw him in the Tower of London on that trip -and then parade him from the top floor (cameras rolling) wearing a crown marked the Naked Emperor Who Wanted to be King.
democratisphere
(17,235 posts)2. drumpf fabricating phony intelligence in an attempt to legitimize
a diversionary war. Everything continues to be a lie and fraud.
Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)3. K&R
dhol82
(9,353 posts)4. Have they brought up the WMD yet?
Thats what got us into the current mess that cant go away.
sarabelle
(453 posts)5. Don't worry ...we will fake an attack.
Or the IDF will.
MFGsunny
(2,356 posts)6. Imagine our surprise! NOT.
Just a DEAD-BOLTon nightmare that lives on and on and on = more PNAC bullshit.
EX500rider
(10,893 posts)7. Headline does not quite match the quote...
...he said "theres been no increased threat from Iranian-backed forces in Iraq and Syria, , not there is no threat.