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Syria: Assad officials defiant as Damascus residents brace for US missile attack Syria: Assad officials defiant as Damascus residents brace for US missile attack
(17 days later)
Damascus residents, already accustomed to incessant warfare within the Syrian capital, were making final preparations this weekend for an attack from outside, attempting to anticipate where American missiles might strike.Damascus residents, already accustomed to incessant warfare within the Syrian capital, were making final preparations this weekend for an attack from outside, attempting to anticipate where American missiles might strike.
Military officers and senior officials, who have mostly stayed in the city as momentum has built towards an imminent air assault, said that whatever was coming their way was unlikely to prove decisive in the 30-month-old civil war.Military officers and senior officials, who have mostly stayed in the city as momentum has built towards an imminent air assault, said that whatever was coming their way was unlikely to prove decisive in the 30-month-old civil war.
Opposition groups inside Syria reported heightened activity at the Nasiriyah missile base 50 miles north-east of Damascus, where ballistic missiles including Scuds that have been fired at Aleppo and surrounding area since January are known to be stored.Opposition groups inside Syria reported heightened activity at the Nasiriyah missile base 50 miles north-east of Damascus, where ballistic missiles including Scuds that have been fired at Aleppo and surrounding area since January are known to be stored.
Turkey believes that the Syrian military had 700 ballistic missiles at the start of the war, some of which could be used to deliver chemical weapons.Turkey believes that the Syrian military had 700 ballistic missiles at the start of the war, some of which could be used to deliver chemical weapons.
Officials who spoke to the Observer say the indecision over the US and European response to a chemical attack in eastern Damascus has exposed the limitations of Syria's foes.Officials who spoke to the Observer say the indecision over the US and European response to a chemical attack in eastern Damascus has exposed the limitations of Syria's foes.
US secretary of state John Kerry's case for attacking was derided by several senior figures who also said the House of Commons vote against David Cameron's attempt to join in had ensured that Bashar al-Assad would emerge stronger from the ruins of his military bases.US secretary of state John Kerry's case for attacking was derided by several senior figures who also said the House of Commons vote against David Cameron's attempt to join in had ensured that Bashar al-Assad would emerge stronger from the ruins of his military bases.
Brigadier Turki al-Hassan, a retired air force officer, said the British vote had resonated widely in Damascus. "We have welcomed the British decision and we salute the parliament which stopped this aggressive act against Syria," he said. "We consider it to be a rational decision, which takes into consideration Britain's benefit, because if they wanted to go for war then maybe they would ignite something that they couldn't stop. They can easily start a war. But they can't control what happens next."Brigadier Turki al-Hassan, a retired air force officer, said the British vote had resonated widely in Damascus. "We have welcomed the British decision and we salute the parliament which stopped this aggressive act against Syria," he said. "We consider it to be a rational decision, which takes into consideration Britain's benefit, because if they wanted to go for war then maybe they would ignite something that they couldn't stop. They can easily start a war. But they can't control what happens next."
In Syria and neighbouring Lebanon, both supporters and foes of the Assad regime seem to be taking at face value the US claim that anything it does do will be short and targeted, and will not aim to seriously weaken Assad or his military, which is battle-weary after being fully deployed for much of the last two years.In Syria and neighbouring Lebanon, both supporters and foes of the Assad regime seem to be taking at face value the US claim that anything it does do will be short and targeted, and will not aim to seriously weaken Assad or his military, which is battle-weary after being fully deployed for much of the last two years.
"When the Americans stop bombing, we will have every right to declare victory against international terrorism," said Hassan. "Prepare yourselves that people will go back to Britain and the US to fight you.""When the Americans stop bombing, we will have every right to declare victory against international terrorism," said Hassan. "Prepare yourselves that people will go back to Britain and the US to fight you."
A delegation of Iranian officials was due to arrive in Damascus on Saturday to meet the Syrian leader, who seemed keen to project an air of normality before a rare test of his regime's resolve by a foreign power.A delegation of Iranian officials was due to arrive in Damascus on Saturday to meet the Syrian leader, who seemed keen to project an air of normality before a rare test of his regime's resolve by a foreign power.
Russian warships in the eastern Mediterranean are believed to be in place ready to provide advance warning of any attack from the five US missile destroyers also in position nearby. Cruise missiles fired from the five ships, which will soon be joined by a sixth, are expected to form the main thrust of any attack. French warships have also deployed to the area and may also join in.Russian warships in the eastern Mediterranean are believed to be in place ready to provide advance warning of any attack from the five US missile destroyers also in position nearby. Cruise missiles fired from the five ships, which will soon be joined by a sixth, are expected to form the main thrust of any attack. French warships have also deployed to the area and may also join in.
Both countries are seen as unlikely to send their fighter jets over Syrian skies – a reluctance that may change if the regime's air defence system is neutralised during early strikes.Both countries are seen as unlikely to send their fighter jets over Syrian skies – a reluctance that may change if the regime's air defence system is neutralised during early strikes.
Though Syria's air defences are regarded as formidable, the Israeli air force has been able to penetrate Syrian air space three times in the last nine months and attack sites in and around Damascus and Latakia. It is understood that the Israeli strike in May on the bases of the 4th Division and Republican Guards, led by Assad's younger brother, Maher al-Assad, was launched from the air space of neighbouring Lebanon, which has no air defence system.Though Syria's air defences are regarded as formidable, the Israeli air force has been able to penetrate Syrian air space three times in the last nine months and attack sites in and around Damascus and Latakia. It is understood that the Israeli strike in May on the bases of the 4th Division and Republican Guards, led by Assad's younger brother, Maher al-Assad, was launched from the air space of neighbouring Lebanon, which has no air defence system.
It is not clear how Israel launched the other two attacks, one in January which destroyed anti-aircraft launchers near Damascus, and another in July which damaged a warehouse where anti-ship missiles were stored.It is not clear how Israel launched the other two attacks, one in January which destroyed anti-aircraft launchers near Damascus, and another in July which damaged a warehouse where anti-ship missiles were stored.
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