The Airstrike that Didn't Take Place
30 September 2016
By Abdulrahman Al-Rashed
Unfortunately, the only right action the U.S. took in Syria throughout the
past five years was a mistargeted airstrike. U.S. jets struck the regime's
military sites in Deir Ezzor for the first time.
Although Russian forces attacked, more than once, Syrian opposition sites and
did not justify or apologize, Washington, on the other hand, did admit and
apologize.
If the U.S. forces had continued to target Assad's forces intentionally or by
mistake, the regime would have showed more interest in negotiations and
peaceful solutions that might end this tragedy. However, the lack of balance
in the face of Iran and Russia –supporters of the Assad regime- has led to the
persistence of war. The lack of balance also gave birth to ISIS and propped
the Syrian regime's rejection of any solution that doesn't grant it full
control over the country.
Before the first airstrike that targeted them, regime forces were in full
control of the Syrian airspace during the five-year-old war.
Yet, a question arises: Is it true that the airstrike was intentional,
according to media rumors? The answer is: Absolutely not, because the
Americans would have justified their action in a different way or even blamed
the regime forces or the Russians. Washington, however, admitted its mistake
which was a result of poor coordination.
Since Moscow joined the war in Syria, Washington has been showing keenness to
avoid clashes between the U.S.-led coalition forces and Assad regime allies.
On the Syrian territories, the Americans, Russians and Turks agree that there
is one enemy: ISIS. Russians are known for their steady huge military presence
on the ground beside the Iranian and Syrian forces against the Syrian
opposition, which continues to amaze the world with its resistance.
The Syrian opposition prevented Assad's forces, Iranians and Russians from
achieving their plan, which is to end the crisis by raging their war
collectively. They failed, although they besieged the Free Syrian Army (FSA)
in several areas.
The U.S. raid on Assad's forces might motivate Russians to coordinate more in
order to avoid similar mistakes. It is also possible that the Russians will
exploit this in an adverse way through downsizing the U.S. military presence
in the Syrian airspace.
U.S. President Barack Obama's tenure is almost over; the time is ticking and
new ideas for a political solution must be suggested following the latest
negotiations between Washington and Moscow.
Al Rashed is the general manager of Al -Arabiya television. He is also the
former editor-in-chief of Asharq Al- Awsat, and the leading Arabic weekly
magazine, Al Majalla. He is also a senior Columnist in the daily newspapers of
Al Madina and Al Bilad. He is a US post-graduate degree in mass
communications. He has been a guest on many TV current affairs programs. He is
currently based in Dubai.
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