Initial Western intelligence finds Syrian forces used chemical weapons
Source: Reuters
By Mark Hosenball and Matt Spetalnick
WASHINGTON | Fri Aug 23, 2013 6:30pm EDT
(Reuters) - U.S. and allied intelligence agencies have made a preliminary assessment that chemical weapons were used by Syrian forces in an attack near Damascus this week, likely with high-level approval from the government of President Bashar al-Assad, according to American and European security sources.
The early intelligence finding could increase pressure for action by President Barack Obama, who made clear that he planned to tread cautiously even as his aides sought to narrow their differences in debate over possible military responses to the Syrian government.
The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, cautioned that the assessment was preliminary and, at this stage, they were still seeking conclusive proof, which could take days, weeks or even longer to gather.
But with a mounting international outcry over the apparent mass poisoning of hundreds of people, the issue appeared to have taken on a sense of urgency for the Obama administration.
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/23/us-syria-crisis-obama-idUSBRE97M0E420130823
rdharma
(6,057 posts)And NO!!!!..... I don't think the rebels are "faking this"!
Arctic Dave
(13,812 posts)What "proof" do you have?
rdharma
(6,057 posts)There's enough video showing this was not "faked".
Do you think this was faked? Or are you questioning who employed this crap on these people?
I can tell you one thing........ those weren't conventional weapons!
Arctic Dave
(13,812 posts)Showing a few minutes of footage of people dying makes an emotional response but what wasn't shown how it happened, when it happened, where it happened.
There is massive gap in proof of who did what, when and where and why.
rdharma
(6,057 posts)And note how the Syrian govt. tries to keep the area from inspection by continued shelling.
No doubt in my mind who did it.
Arctic Dave
(13,812 posts)As seen on many videos posted here. They are also funded and armed by outside countries that could have given them the weaponry.
It seems preposterous to the point laughing that Assad would invite the UN in the day he supposedly planned a chemical weapons barrage.
As for the fighting, why didn't the rebels leave so Assad could move the UN in.
Another thing, the rebels supposedly can't get evidence out but they can get plenty of footage on the Internet. Another flag.
rdharma
(6,057 posts)None!
Arctic Dave
(13,812 posts)Artillery.
Bunkers of different types of rockets.
Ask Sand Wind. He/she post quite often of rebel victories of captured weaponry.
You need an artillery shell designed to deliver the binary combo.
Arctic Dave
(13,812 posts)Rockets can also be used. They captured those too.
Of course they could make the shell just like they made the other artillery rounds.
rdharma
(6,057 posts)Sorry, I'm very familiar with military systems and weaponry. This is not within the rebels' capabilities. This is the work of the Syrian military.
Arctic Dave
(13,812 posts)Especially if you have at least one piece as a template. A decent machinist could make one.
But that isn't only assuming that is what happened. There is no proof how it happened.
A few minutes of video in a room doesn't say how, what, where, who.
rdharma
(6,057 posts)It takes WAY more than a skilled machinist!
The stuff has to be manufactured and handled very carefully.
This was done by a well equipped military.
Arctic Dave
(13,812 posts)How do you think they are made?
Or are you saying the rebels are dumb and can't figure it out?
If they are too dumb to do that how will they be able to govern a country?
But you are right, rebels could have staged it all and murdered those people to further their agenda. That is probably the most likely answer, unfortunately.
rdharma
(6,057 posts)Simple, eh?
Having more than a little experience with this type of weaponry, I'd like for you to tell me how "easily" that's done!
Arctic Dave
(13,812 posts)easily with the equipment I have.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_warfare
Seems a hollow shell with a small explosive is all you need.
Sounds like a project a high school machinist student could do.
rdharma
(6,057 posts)Arctic Dave
(13,812 posts)I'm sure the "rebels" have a chemist or two working for them.