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US-Supplied
Weapons Likely Downed Russian Helicopter Delivering Humanitarian Aid in Syria |
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By
Stephen Lendman |
| Washington wants war, not peace in Syria, its democratically elected
government replaced by a US-controlled puppet one. It’s strategy includes massacring civilians and preventing humanitarian aid from reaching others in need. Russia is the only major power aiding long-suffering Syrian people, going all-out to supply them with food, medical supplies and medicines, as well as other humanitarian aid. After delivering supplies to civilians in Aleppo, its Mi-8 helicopter was downed by US-supported terrorists over an area they control. “Three crew members and two officers from the Russian Reconciliation Center” on board were killed, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry. Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said “(t)hose on board…died heroically…tr(ying) to divert the helicopter to minimize casualties on the ground.” The struggle to liberate Syria and aid its people has five more martyrs. Washington and its rogue allies supplied terrorists they call “moderates” with US-made surface-to-air missiles - man-portable air-defense (MANPADS) and others able to down aircraft. TOW anti-tank missiles supplied them can be used against helicopters. CIA elements and Pentagon contractors train them in their use. One of these advanced weapons likely downed the Russian helicopter. It’s the third one lost in Syria this year. In April, an Mi-28N attack helicopter crashed near Homs. Moscow cited technical failure. Both pilots died. In July, an Mi-25 attack helicopter was shot down near Palmyra, killing its two crew members engaged in combating ISIS. Since Russian operations began last September, 19 of its servicemen died. Moscow dismissed baseless Western accusations, claiming it used toxic gas near where it’s latest helicopter was shot down. Russia’s Defense Ministry said its aerial operations helped Syrian ground forces kill hundreds of terrorist fighters, waging an offensive to break the government’s blockade of Aleppo areas held by hostile militants. Scores more surrendered. Weapons and equipment were destroyed. Russian General Staff Main Operational Directorate chief General Sergei Rudskoy said terrorists continue try blocking civilians from fleeing war-torn Aleppo through seven humanitarian corridors Moscow and Syria established. Unlike US warplanes massacring Syrian civilians lawlessly, Russian and Syrian operations do their best to protect them. They have the upper hand against US-supported terrorists. If Putin convinces Erdogan to stop backing them in return for normalizing ties and resuming billions of dollars in trade lost after Turkey downed a Russian aircraft in Syrian airspace, it prove a major turning point in over five years of conflict. At the same time, the likelihood of Hillary succeeding Obama next year means resolution is as distant as ever. All US post-9/11 wars continue raging with no prospect for peace anywhere - a testimony to America’s ruthlessness, continuing for sure with Hillary in charge. Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network. |
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