U.S. Orders Its Vassals To Close Airspace To Russian Planes Attacking ISIS

[galdur]

Europe, Turkey Close Airspace To Russian Warplanes Flying Anti-ISIS Missions, General Says

Submitted by Tyler Durden on 12/19/2015 16:30 -0500

Exactly a month ago, Russia took it up a notch in Syria by deploying Tupolev Tu-95 Bears, Tu-22 Blinders, and Tu-160 Blackjacks in the fight against anti-Assad elements including ISIS and al-Nusra.

The first footage of the strategic long-range bombers in action surfaced on November 17 and served notice that Moscow is willing to double down on its commitment to the fight even if securing key cities like Aleppo proves more challenging that The Kremlin originally anticipated.



According to Gen. Anatoly Konovalov, deputy commander of Russia’s long-range aviation force, Moscow’s long-range warplanes have carried out 145 sorties against terrorist targets since mid-November. “In total, long-range aviation aircraft in Syria have carried out around 145 mission sorties, some 1,500 bombs have been dropped and about 20 cruise missiles have been fired," Konovalov said.

Those who have followed the Syrian conflict might recall that in early September (so before Moscow made Russia’s involvement “official”) the US pressured Greece to deny Russia use of its airspace on supply runs to Latakia. Subsequently, Bulgaria said it had "enough serious doubts about the cargo of the planes” to refuse overflight privileges.  

Well in the course of detailing Russia’s long-range bomber missions, Konovalov noted that the Tu-160s were forced to fly from the airfield of Olenegorsk in Russia’s northwestern Murmansk Region.

Why is this notable, you ask? Here's Konovalov again: “Europe didn’t let us fly; Turkey didn’t let us fly, but we showed that even is such conditions we’re capable of coping with the task using airfields on the Russian territory."

In other words, Europe and Turkey declined to allow Russia to use their airspace on the way to conducting airstrikes against the very same terrorists that attacked Paris just four days before the long-range warplanes were deployed to the fight in Syria. "Russian pilots had to leave for Syria from Russia’s northernmost Olenegorsk military airport in order to bypass Europe and then cross the Mediterranean Sea toward Syria," Sputnik adds.

As for the EU, the refusal likely stems from the long-running dispute over Ukraine and the attendant economic sanctions which are of course part and parcel of generally frosty relations between Brussels and Moscow. As for Turkey, it's fairly obvious why Ankara is seeking to make life difficult for the Russians. The two countries are embroiled in an intense war of words following Erdogan's move to down a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian border and like closing the Bosphorus, hampering Russian bombers' path to Syria by declning overflight is just one more way for Ankara to impede Moscow's efforts to shore up Assad.

At the end of the day, this is still more evidence that when it comes to "cooperation" in the war on terror, one side isn't doing its part.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-12-19/europe-turkey-closed-airspace-russian-warplanes-flying-anti-isis-missions-general-sa

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[bryant.coleman]

Perhaps Russia should close its airspace to all the European aircraft, including passenger flights. These idiots should not be let off despite supporting the ISIS in such a direct way. If the US vassals want shit, then let them have it. That said, there was another easier option for the Russian aircraft. They should have traveled to Syria via Iran / Central Asia.

[galdur]

Well, it doesn´t seem to be much of an issue for Russia. They´re probably happy to show that they can fly the world´s largest bomber from pretty much anywhere in their huge land, even the arctic. Also it´s welcome, although it´s becoming rather superfluous, that U.S./NATO confirm once again how disinterested they are in getting rid of those terrorists. Which they and their allies in the Middle East spawned to begin with and have funded and sheltered more or less openly since. So, no surprises there.

[galdur]

Terrorism Antidote: Libya Mulls Requesting Russia for Anti-Daesh Airstrikes

The formation of a national unity government may pave the way toward asking Russia to conduct airstrikes on Daesh positions.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The request to Russia on the launch of airstrikes against Islamic State (IS or Daesh in Arabic) can be submitted only after the formation of a national unity government, which will be in exclusive position to make such decisions, the Tripoli-based government’s foreign minister told Sputnik.

"This decision can be made, only when the government of national unity is formed, it should take such a decision. We are currently striving to create such a government," Ali Abu Zaakouk said.

Due to negligent policies of Western countries Libya is on the verge of being engulfed by terrorism and becoming the new stronghold of Daesh (Islamic State), Olivier d’Auzon wrote for Le Huffington Post.

© REUTERS/ ESAM OMRAN AL-FETORI
Hotbed of Terrorism: Post-Gaddafi Libya is Becoming New Daesh Stronghold

The internationally-recognized Libyan government in Tobruk and its rival in Tripoli signed a UN-brokered accord on December 17 to form a national unity government in a bid to end hostilities.
It is expected that the Libyan government's delegation will hold a meeting at the Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.

Libya has been in a state of turmoil for years after the Arab Spring protests in early 2011 led to a civil war, and a western military intervention helped Islamic rebels overthrow the country’s long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The instability that has plagued Libya since 2011 has facilitated the emergence of numerous militant groups, including Daesh. It is a designated terrorist organization that is outlawed in Russia and numerous other countries.

http://sputniknews.com/africa/20151221/1032106968/libya-russia-daesh-airstrikes.html