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发帖数: 29846 | 1 Isis fighters are closing in on the city of Kobani near the Turkish border.
ISIS evades air strikes simply by scattering when planes approach.
The Guardian reports Air Strikes Against Isis are not Working, say Syrian
Kurds.
US-led air strikes in northern Syria have failed to interrupt the
advance of Islamic State (Isis) fighters closing in on a key city on the
Turkish border, raising questions about the western strategy for defeating
the jihadi movement.
Almost two weeks after the Pentagon extended its aerial campaign from
Iraq to neighbouring Syria in an attempt to take on Isis militants in their
desert strongholds, Kurdish fighters said the bombing campaign was having
little impact in driving them back.
Isis units have edged to within two kilometres of the centre of Kobani,
according to Kurds fighting a rearguard action inside the city. The jihadis,
who this weekend generated further outrage with the murder of the British
hostage Alan Henning, are simply too numerous to be cowed by the air assault
by US fighter jets, the Kurds say.
“Air strikes alone are really not enough to defeat Isis in Kobani,”
said Idris Nassan, a senior spokesman for the Kurdish fighters desperately
trying to defend the important strategic redoubt from the advancing
militants. “They are besieging the city on three sides, and fighter jets
simply cannot hit each and every Isis fighter on the ground.”
He said Isis had adapted its tactics to military strikes from the air.
“Each time a jet approaches, they leave their open positions, they scatter
and hide. What we really need is ground support. We need heavy weapons and
ammunition in order to fend them off and defeat them.”
What's Next?
Most likely the US will drop more and more bombs, with 20% of the bombs
finding the right targets, 40% the wrong targets, and the remaining 40%
doing nothing. This will be labeled as a "success".
However, many so-called moderates will get fed up with US action and join
ISIS.
Then, after another beheading or two, Obama will send in more ground troops
and weapons, but purportedly only for training and aiding moderates who will
take the weapons and training in directions contrary to the stated
intentions.
My Take
The US and UK should issue a travel advisory labeled "beheadings happen".
The advisory should tell everyone, including journalists to get the hell out
of the region and if they don't, they are on their own.
Tax dollars should not go to protect those who voluntarily put themselves in
harm's way. This is not a disparaging comment on journalists, who choose to
do what they do. I commend them for wanting to get the story out.
Rather, my comments are a simple practical matter: The US has no obligation
to protect anyone who voluntarily puts themselves in harm's way outside the
US. |
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