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August 16, 2006
Russian Weapons To Hezbollah via Syria and Iran
Israel Finds Evidence That Syria, Iran Arm Hezbollah With Russian Weapons
Wed, 16 Aug 2006, 01:04
Abandoned Hezbollah positions in Lebanon yesterday revealed conclusive evidence that Syria — and almost certainly Iran — provided the Russian-made anti-tank missiles that have blunted the power of Israel’s once invincible armor, the Daily Telegraph reported.
After one of the fiercest confrontations of the war, Israeli forces took the small town of Ghandouriyeh, east of the southern city of Tyre, on Sunday evening, hours before a ceasefire brokered by the United Nations took effect.
At least 24 Israeli soldiers were killed in the advance on the strategic hilltop town as Hezbollah fighters were pushed back to its outskirts, abandoning many weapons.
The discovery helped to explain the slow progress made by Israeli ground forces in nearly five weeks of a war which Hezbollah last night claimed as “a historic victory.” Israeli political and military leaders are facing mounting criticism over the conduct of the offensive, which was intended to smash the Iranian-backed Shia militia.
Outside one of the town’s two mosques a van was found filled with green casings about 6ft long. The serial numbers identified them as AT-5 Spandrel anti-tank missiles. The wire-guided weapon was developed in Russia but Iran began making a copy in 2000.
Beyond no-man’s land, in the east of the village, was evidence of Syrian-supplied hardware. In a garden next to a junction used as an outpost by Hezbollah lay eight Kornet anti-tank rockets, described by Brig Mickey Edelstein, the commander of the Nahal troops who took Ghandouriyeh, as “some of the best in the world”.
Written underneath a contract number on each casing were the words: “Customer: Ministry of Defence of Syria. Supplier: KBP, Tula, Russia.”
Brig Edelstein said: “If they tell you that Syria knew nothing about this, just look. This is the evidence. Proof, not just talk.”
The discovery of the origin of the weapons proved to the Israelis that their enemy was not a ragged and lightly armed militia but a semi-professional army equipped by Syria and Iran to take on Israel. The weapons require serious training to operate and could be beyond the capabilities of some supposedly regular armies in the Middle East. The Kornet was unveiled by Russia in 1994. It is laser-guided, has a range of three miles and carries a double warhead capable of penetrating the reactive armour on Israeli Merkava tanks. Russia started supplying them to Syria in 1998.
Israeli forces were taken by surprise by the sophistication of the anti-tank weapons they faced. They are believed to have accounted for many of the 116 deaths the army suffered. Dozens of tanks were hit and an unknown number destroyed.
The missiles were also used against infantry, in one case bringing down a house and killing nine soldiers. They played an important part in Hezbollah’s tactics of using a network of concealed positions to set up ambushes for the Israelis as they inched in.
Last night, Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader, said his men had achieved “a strategic, historic victory” over “a confused, cowardly and defeated” enemy. He said the militia would not disarm, as Israel and the UN Security Council were demanding. It would be “immoral, incorrect and inappropriate,” he said. “It is the wrong timing on a pyschological and moral level.”
As the militia leader was claiming victory, Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister, defended his handling of the crisis and said that the massive air, ground and sea attack had changed the face of the Middle East. But he admitted that the military and political leadership was guilty of “shortcomings”, not least in underestimating the threat from anti-tank weapons.
Critics say that he placed too much faith in the ability of the air force to break the back of Hezbollah and delayed launching a major ground offensive until it was too late.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Likud Party leader and a rival, said:
“There were many failures — failures on identifying the threat, failures in preparing to meet the threat, failures in the management of the war, failures in the management of the home front.”
Last night, President George W. Bush blamed Iran and Syria for fomenting the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. “We can only imagine how much more dangerous this conflict would be if Iran had the nuclear weapon it seeks,” he said.
Wild Thing's comment.......
I am not surprised at all. Thanks for nothing Russia you must want to go backward in history instead of forward. Sure we can say Russia is doing this to garner protection to their country, but in all honesty I think it goes much deeper and sicker then that. It is one thing to know your enemy and we should, it is another thing to sleep with them. Will the Hezbollah call you in the morning Russia? Only time will tell.
Posted by Wild Thing at August 16, 2006 01:55 AM
Comments
Russia, Iran, Syria as well as Hezbollah are doing what is only necessary to balance the level of security within the region, such integral cooperation between these parties should not be misinterpreted as an act of provocation, thus such case must be viewed at a positive prospective with political motives, interests and double standards set aside. American Imperialism shall not triumph over the innocent, your country shall crumble and its impending collapse is inevitable, At last, Humanity shall once again enjoy the benefits of absolute freedom and cherish this gift for many centuries to come. Until then, we will not stop until we completly strip america off their power and lay ruins to their pitiable lands. Death to the United States of America.
Posted by: Israfil at August 16, 2006 04:03 AM
I was listening to a radio talk show and they said their was almost a revolt by Israel's generals over the stupidity of the Prime Minister. It seems the politician Prime Minister of Israel has no idea on how to conduct a way and wouldn't allow the military to seize the advantage with surprise and rapid strikes into Lebanon. That's what happens when politicians try to run a war and won't allow the military to do their jobs...Vietnam.
If Israel's generals were allowed to conduct the war in the way they do best, there is no way on God's Green Earth that Hezbollah would be around today. Good men died because of stinking politicians.
Posted by: BobF at August 16, 2006 09:31 AM
This has been Russia and China's goal since WWII, supporting the United States enemies with arms and 'advisors'. I still have a memento from my 24th birthday present, courtesy of Uncle Ho, Chairman Mao and the Russian government. It arrived early on my birthday, via air drop, it was damaged on arrival in destroying my living quarters but I managed to retrieve a small portion which had the makers mark on it, I still have it to remind me how much of a friend we have in Russia. Americans are in denial about the role Putin has in this conflict. Who sold the Nuclear package at Bushehr? Who built that Iranian reactor? Who made the pact with Iran and Syria to furnish arms? The cadaverous Rooskevelt FDR's asshole buddies, that's who, the Russians. I see no point in discussing the fine art his of camel felching or the merits of a free society with Israfil, that autistic savant from the closed society, PBUH camel.
Posted by: Jack at August 16, 2006 11:32 AM
Israfil you are full of it.
Do you know why I allowed your stupid comment on here? Because it shows what you people are like, I did it to shame you. Nothing more!
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 16, 2006 11:54 AM
Bob I agree so much!! I hate politics in war, hate it!
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 16, 2006 12:01 PM
Jack great comment, thank you so much!!
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 16, 2006 12:02 PM
Israfil, could you explain just what these benefits of absolute freedom are? I would like to know, through your eyes, what you consider freedom? Maybe you could enlighten us Americans.
Posted by: BobF at August 16, 2006 12:28 PM
Israfil, promoting the freedom of sharia.
therefore Israfil
Posted by: Mark at August 16, 2006 01:38 PM
Putin is a Communist. I believe he would rather see the downfall of America rather than become partners with us. While he was at the Crawford ranch, he never smiled during photo ops. Bush did everything but kiss him. I think he considers Bush a fool.
Posted by: TomR at August 16, 2006 02:11 PM
In the book of Revalations it is fairly clear that Russia is deeply involved in the terrorizing of Christians and also the last great battle (Armageddon). This involvement of theirs is of no great surprise.
Posted by: DE644 at August 16, 2006 03:17 PM
Israfil,you been messing around with those
goats again,can you get them to hold still
now??Anyway you wouldn't know what "Freedom"
was if it jumped up and bit you in the arse!!
You don't like pigs but you live in conditons
no self-respecting pig would...You treat women
like dirt and if she gets out of line just kill
her,don't you just love the words Honor Killing
Explain to me why its ok to behead a teacher
for teaching girls,come on goat boy explain it,
the Arab oil countries should use all that
money to build and manifacture all kinds
of products and goods but no the money stays
at the top with no trickle down to the masses
you lose at least a million brillent minds
by the way you opress women...I could go on
but its a waste of time and remember this,
keep screwing around and you won't like what
you wish for,America is comming and its
bringing "HELL" with it...
Posted by: Tincan Sailor at August 16, 2006 06:57 PM
humm..
My last comment didn't post right, I made a cute algebraic equation proving Israfil a dumbass, i see your comments are open for html, guess my use of the "less than" arrow was my mistake, Tincan sailor said it right, I'll second his motion.
Posted by: Mark at August 16, 2006 08:02 PM
Mark I noticed that too, I see it in your post in my email but not on here. It must read the code and say no to it for some reason. All that computer code stuff.
I had that happen when I posted soooo at another blog and it showed up so#$%^&**
hahaha
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 16, 2006 08:41 PM
Chrissie
I am as fermished as anyone about what the world has seen and worse, how the MSM world wide showed just how much they hate Jews and America. Those that hate God first, hate us, that is believers in Christ and the Jew.
In all my 58 years I have never experienced the evil in this world until these last 7 years. In my time Vietnam was the major concern for those of us graduating high school. And because it was a 'un-popular war', and a Draft, most were not as willing to go.
This time around its different. We have as you know a total volunteer military. And you are also very aware of the guts, courage and commitment they have for this country. It is beyond America's 'comfortable' comprehension what they are really enduring for our safe living. They are fighting for true freedom, morality, democracy and most of all LIFE. These Islamo-tards live a culture of death.
And countries like Russia who still despise the Reagan years that tore Communism down will not give up or give in until they see America come to her knees. I pray we NEVER see that day. Ever.
So as the old saying goes "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition."
Posted by: LLoyd at August 17, 2006 02:10 AM
Tom, gosh you are right on target about Putin and Bush, I agree.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 17, 2006 02:17 AM
DE644, I remember being taught that in Bible school. You are so right!! Thank you.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 17, 2006 02:20 AM
LLoyd I agree, Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition! Thanks for sharing about this LLoyd, your right.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 17, 2006 02:22 AM
Israfil demonstrates the degradation of a Madrassa education. Absolute bullshit festooned with Marxist nonsense, Isalmic propaganda (Israfil is too stupid and culturally limited to know that he's been programmed), and the wishful thinking of the Fourth World loser.
He uses English, but that's necessary for him for reasons he couldn't begin to comprehend. His native language doesn't even have a word for "transistor", or "computer", or "wrench", or "machine", so he needs the language of his superiors to express any thought worth having.
Israfil...your world has been gone for five centuries. You're a native, a cultural and religious monkey, permanently incapable of complicated thinking. In our world, you wouldn't have the skill or ambition to wash the sidewalks. You will never prevail, Israfil. America will scrape you off her feet and wash the stains away. When you and your kind are gone, the world will be a better place.
Death to Israfil and his world.
Posted by: Rhod at August 17, 2006 07:40 PM
Hi Rhod, brillant! I love your comment!
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 18, 2006 01:45 AM
