Teh One Who Knocks
10-12-2015, 11:50 AM
BY NIGEL ATKINS - The Mirror
http://i.imgur.com/FwGeges.jpg
Russia summoned Britain's military attache to explain reports that RAF pilots had been given the green light to shoot down Russian war planes in the Middle East, the Foreign Office has said.
It was reported that RAF Tornado fighters homing in on Islamic State (IS) targets in Iraq had been equipped with missiles designed for aerial combat - reports the Foreign Office described as "inaccurate".
The Russian ambassador in London, Alexander Yakovenko, said he "urgently requested explanations" from the Foreign Office, The Times said.
http://i.imgur.com/x9EDu7h.jpg
Britain's Moscow defence attache met the Russian Ministry of Defence on Sunday and reiterated the UK's concerns about Russian military involvement in Syria.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "The Russian government sought clarification over inaccurate newspaper reports concerning RAF rules of engagement in Iraq.
http://i.imgur.com/wlbYvyg.jpg
"The defence attache reiterated the British government's concerns about Russia's military operation in Syria, including targeting legitimate opposition groups, using unguided weaponry and leading to large numbers of civilian deaths."
In recent days Russian jets have carried out strikes against targets in Syria. The Kremlin has insisted the action is designed to degrade IS, but the West has claimed other groups opposed to Syrian president Bashar Assad are also being hit.
It comes as news that we could be 30 seconds from the brink of World War Three as international tensions over powder keg Syria threaten to ignite.
As US-led forces announced they had staged 24 attacks on the Islamic State on Saturday, Russia claimed to have hit 55 IS targets – and president Vladimir Putin taunted the West for not getting “results”.
But rebels on the ground claimed Moscow’s airstrikes, combined with ground attacks by forces loyal to Syrian despot Bashar al-Assad , have also targeted rebel groups not associated with ISIS , including US-trained fighters.
And as the airspace over Syria becomes increasingly congested, military commanders fear a clash of warplanes, helicopters, drones, missiles and artillery is increasingly likely – and could have global ramifications.
One military expert warned: “Rationalising such a complex airspace is not possible – like getting your mind round a Rubik’s Cube that moves around at Mach 1.5, then adding a dozen more.
http://i.imgur.com/FwGeges.jpg
Russia summoned Britain's military attache to explain reports that RAF pilots had been given the green light to shoot down Russian war planes in the Middle East, the Foreign Office has said.
It was reported that RAF Tornado fighters homing in on Islamic State (IS) targets in Iraq had been equipped with missiles designed for aerial combat - reports the Foreign Office described as "inaccurate".
The Russian ambassador in London, Alexander Yakovenko, said he "urgently requested explanations" from the Foreign Office, The Times said.
http://i.imgur.com/x9EDu7h.jpg
Britain's Moscow defence attache met the Russian Ministry of Defence on Sunday and reiterated the UK's concerns about Russian military involvement in Syria.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "The Russian government sought clarification over inaccurate newspaper reports concerning RAF rules of engagement in Iraq.
http://i.imgur.com/wlbYvyg.jpg
"The defence attache reiterated the British government's concerns about Russia's military operation in Syria, including targeting legitimate opposition groups, using unguided weaponry and leading to large numbers of civilian deaths."
In recent days Russian jets have carried out strikes against targets in Syria. The Kremlin has insisted the action is designed to degrade IS, but the West has claimed other groups opposed to Syrian president Bashar Assad are also being hit.
It comes as news that we could be 30 seconds from the brink of World War Three as international tensions over powder keg Syria threaten to ignite.
As US-led forces announced they had staged 24 attacks on the Islamic State on Saturday, Russia claimed to have hit 55 IS targets – and president Vladimir Putin taunted the West for not getting “results”.
But rebels on the ground claimed Moscow’s airstrikes, combined with ground attacks by forces loyal to Syrian despot Bashar al-Assad , have also targeted rebel groups not associated with ISIS , including US-trained fighters.
And as the airspace over Syria becomes increasingly congested, military commanders fear a clash of warplanes, helicopters, drones, missiles and artillery is increasingly likely – and could have global ramifications.
One military expert warned: “Rationalising such a complex airspace is not possible – like getting your mind round a Rubik’s Cube that moves around at Mach 1.5, then adding a dozen more.