Israel Stikes Convoy on Syria/Lebanon Border

[G8trGr8t]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...90T0K120130130

Israeli forces attacked a convoy on the Syrian-Lebanese border overnight, a Western diplomat and regional security sources said on Wednesday, as concern has grown in the Jewish state over the fate of Syrian chemical and advanced conventional weapons.

The sources, four in total, all of whom declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue, had no further information about what the vehicles may have been carrying, what forces were used or where precisely the attack happened.

In the run-up to the raid, Israeli officials have been warning very publicly of a threat of high-tech anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles reaching Israel's enemies in the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah from Syria. They have also echoed U.S. concerns about Syria's presumed chemical weapons arsenal.

The Lebanese army reported a heavy presence of Israeli jets over its territory throughout the night.

"There was definitely a hit in the border area," one security source said. A Western diplomat in the region who asked about the strike said "something has happened", without elaborating.

An activist in Syria who works with a network of opposition groups around the country said that she had heard of a strike in southern Syria from her colleagues but could not confirm it. A strike just inside Lebanon would appear a less diplomatically explosive option for Israel to avoid provoking Syrian ally Iran.

Israeli Vice Premier Silvan Shalom said on Sunday that any sign that Syria's grip on its chemical weapons was slipping, as President Bashar al-Assad fights rebels trying to overthrow him, could trigger Israeli intervention.

keep an eye on this. it could blow up. It appears that Syria may be trying to move their chemical weapons into Lebanon at the request of Iran and Israel isn't going to let that happen.

[G8trGr8t]

Yemeni forces intercepted a ship on January 23 carrying a large cache of weapons - including surface-to-air missiles - that U.S. officials suspect were being smuggled from Iran and destined for Yemeni insurgents, officials said on Monday.

Yemen's government said the arms intercepted aboard the ship off the country's coast also included military grade explosives, rocket-propelled grenades and bomb-making equipment, according to a statement by its embassy in Washington.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the operation was coordinated with the U.S. Navy and that a Navy destroyer was nearby.

A second official told Reuters the intercepted shipment was believed to have been from Iran and destined for insurgents, likely Houthis.

"This demonstrates the ever pernicious Iranian meddling in other countries in the region," said the second U.S. official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...90S01B20130129

[egator1245]

This can't be good.

[The_Graygator]

And Obama sits back and waits for Isreal's enemies to destroy them.

[HALLGATOR]

This has nothing to do with the pertinence of the OP, but unrest in that area is a given. Us staying out of it as much as possible is the best course of action in my opinion.

[MichaelJoeWilliamson]

Big explosion in an Iranian Uranium factory too

Israeli Source Confirms Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Plant Exploded

[HALLGATOR]

Originally Posted by MichaelJoeWilliamson

Big explosion in an Iranian Uranium factory too

Israeli Source Confirms Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Plant Exploded

Who wants to bet that this was no "accident?"

[G8trGr8t]

It would seem that some of their centrifuges finally blew up. Have to think that the possible radioactive contamination could make a facility like that useless for a long time . Iran has been denying that explosion for about a week now

edit IAEA denies explosion took place

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/...2221359555441/

Published: Jan. 30, 2013 at 9:17 AM

VIENNA, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency said Wednesday it was able to confirm Iranian accounts there was no incident at the Fordow nuclear facility.

Conservative news website WND last week reported there was a massive explosion at the Fordow nuclear facility in Iran. It cited a defected Iranian intelligence officer in its report.

IAEA spokesman Gill Tudor told United Press International there was no basis to the WND report.

"We understand that Iran has denied that there has been an incident at Fordow," he said. "This is consistent with our observations

[G8trGr8t]

CNN now reporting that Israeli strike was inside Syria close to Damascus. All that Iranian bluster about an attack on Syria equating to an attack on Iran has proved to be just a lot of hot air. Israel called their bluff and Iran went and hid.

[ChartsandGrafs]

This would be a great opportunity for the Israeli Zionists to carry out one of those false flag attacks they are known around the world for. All they would have to do is lob a chemical weapon into a highly populated area of Syria and then blame Assad for it.

Or maybe Washington can take the lead:

http://lewrockwell.com/rep4/false-fl...chem-arms.html

Alleged hacked emails from defense contractor Britam reveal a plan “approved by Washington” and funded by Qatar to stage a chemical weapons attack in Syria and blame it on the Assad regime, fulfilling what the Obama administration has made clear is a “red line” that would mandate US military intervention.

[co_gator89]

Looks like they were transporting SAMs. Interesting that the Israelis decided to hit now when Iran has been running missiles to Hezbollah through Syria for years.

[northgagator]

Originally Posted by co_gator89

Looks like they were transporting SAMs. Interesting that the Israelis decided to hit now when Iran has been running missiles to Hezbollah through Syria for years.

You just don't hand out SAM's like you can with shoulder held rocket launcher. These weapons systems require a trained crew to be effective. A couple options about crews for these SAMS. If they are being manned by Hezbollah then the training took place in Syria or Iran. If not Hezbollah then who? Is it Syrian or Iranian crews?

[G8trGr8t]

And why did Iran want Hezbollah to have Sam's?!

[co_gator89]

Originally Posted by G8trGr8t

And why did Iran want Hezbollah to have Sam's?!

Hezbollah and Israel have spent the last 6 years gearing up for "the next one" both sides know is coming. Hezbollah is preparing for another IAF bombardment and it's unlikely that these would have been the first SAMs in their arsenal.

Hezbollah also knows their time could be running out. Not only are they armed to the teeth (their rocket stockpiles are massive), but the Hezbollah guerilla is as well-trained a soldier as you'll see in that region. But their reputation in the Arab world has been severely tarnished over their support of Assad. It's not a secret anymore that they have fighters in Syria helping the government squash a very popular uprising. If Assad falls and the Sunnis take over, Iran's pipeline into southern Lebanon is severed.

[G8trGr8t]

Syria really seems to be the first real proxy war between SA and Iran. and it looks like Iran is loosing. Assad must be very anxious and upset that Iran has not responded to IAF attack inside Syria

[northgagator]

Originally Posted by G8trGr8t

Syria really seems to be the first real proxy war between SA and Iran. and it looks like Iran is loosing. Assad must be very anxious and upset that Iran has not responded to IAF attack inside Syria

Iran may of painted themselves into a corner.
They probably have more hardware and personnel in Syria and Lebanon then they care to admit. Also, the other day Russia stated that Assad is loosing. I ran picked a bad horse to ride in this episode as the Middle East Turns.

[gatorev12]

Originally Posted by G8trGr8t

Syria really seems to be the first real proxy war between SA and Iran. and it looks like Iran is loosing. Assad must be very anxious and upset that Iran has not responded to IAF attack inside Syria

Iraq post Saddam was probably the first proxy war between SA and Iran...the Iranians were keen to destabilize Iraq as much as possible and prevent Saudi influence from gaining there.

The Saudis, by contrast, were very involved in "nation building" and trying to prop up the Iraqi government and helping the Iraqi economy recover ASAP.

The results there were mixed: Iran succeeded for a long time in hampering US/Saudi efforts to transition Iraq into a viable society...but Iran definitely didn't really gain the foothold in Iraq they were seeking (think a Germany-Austrian Anschluss arrangement).

The Saudis have definitely learned though...and the tables have been flipped somewhat: now it's the Saudis trying to destabilize areas with Iranian influence (Bahrain, Syria, Lebanon, etc).

[AmericaFirst]

Originally Posted by G8trGr8t

CNN now reporting that Israeli strike was inside Syria close to Damascus. All that Iranian bluster about an attack on Syria equating to an attack on Iran has proved to be just a lot of hot air. Israel called their bluff and Iran went and hid.

Similar to that garbage we heard about Israel attacking Iran's nuclear facilities, eh? Everyone knew they wouldn't do it.

[AmericaFirst]

Originally Posted by ChartsandGrafs

This would be a great opportunity for the Israeli Zionists to carry out one of those false flag attacks they are known around the world for. All they would have to do is lob a chemical weapon into a highly populated area of Syria and then blame Assad for it.

Or maybe Washington can take the lead:

http://lewrockwell.com/rep4/false-fl...chem-arms.html

Yep, that's why Israel is the most despicable nation in the world today. They've been killing their own people for years while blaming it on Muslim terrorists and all for political gain.

[ChartsandGrafs]

Originally Posted by AmericaFirst

Yep, that's why Israel is the most despicable nation in the world today. They've been killing their own people for years while blaming it on Muslim terrorists and all for political gain.

It's an AshkeNAZI thing. You wouldn't understand.