storm333 Sun Oct 02, 2016 3:31 am
I do expect Western Nations or a "coalition " of countries to intervene by striking Syrian Government troops. This is the only way they can bring Syria and its allies to negotiate a ceasefire. There is the trade off between deep strikes and tactical strikes and the various degrees of escalation associated with each. So far, we have witnessed tactical strikes by both sides in tit for tat face off, latest example being the coalition strikes on Syrian troops in Deir Ezzor.
What would the repercussions of a deep strike be? If I were to plan such a mission it would involve the employment of standoff weapons and remote systems such cruise missiles and drones rather than using piloted aircraft. Airplanes can be interdicted by Russian and Syrian Air force without being shot down or even worse direct conflict with Russian Forces but cruise missiles will have to be shot down.
The target list will be dependent on the mission objectives, whether would be limited to bring Syria to the table or to destroy the Syrian Army. In the case of bringing Syria to the table, limited HPTs targets in Damascus and Southern Syria, and eastern Aleppo will be struck avoiding Latakia and other areas where Russian Forces are located.
The Syrian response to a limited operation such as this will be limited to enforcing its air space and EEZ or can escalate it at the UN.
However deep strikes with the intent of destroying the SAA and the Government will have a severe response regionally as the Russian Foreign Ministry stated, due to Iranian-Shia reactions.
I don't see Russian Forces directly retaliating on remote assets such as subs, surface vessels and bases. However the Syrians would have reasons to retaliate on coalition Assets using their Air force and rocket forces
Military intelligence would need to look for indications and warnings. We are beginning to see non violent indicators such as increase in the veracity of propaganda , and the testing of the Syrian response in the mentioned strike. Turkey just recently sent and additional 1000 SF to "secure the 900km buffer".
Syrian and Russian forces should now consider disrupting reconnaissance efforts by drones and aircraft in government controlled areas.