US, UK, France, Italy, Turkey prepare
for military intervention in Syria
DEBKAfile, Feb 23 2012
Despite public denials, military preparations for intervention in Syria are afoot in Washington, London, Paris, Rome and Ankara. Obama is poised for a final decision after the Pentagon submits operational plans. This process is also underway in allied capitals which joined the US in the Libyan operation in Aug 2011. They are waiting for a White House decision before going forward. Western countries are planning military action of limited scope outside the purview of the UNSC, possibly on behalf of the Friends of Syria, an 80-nation group which meets in Tunis Feb 24. Preparations for the event are taking place at the Foreign Office in London. On Feb 23, Foreign Secretary Hague said:
Governments around the world have the responsibility to act and to redouble our efforts to stop the Assad regime’s despicable campaign of terror.
Hague pointedly said nothing about removing the Syrian ruler. Nor did he spell out the efforts needed. He left these issues open because a decision by Obama about if and how the US will act is pending while the Pentagon submits operational plans. Obama is also waiting for Sec State Clinton’s report on the mood at the Tunis conference. He wants to know in particular if Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar and the UAE will support US-led Western intervention in Syria, both politically and financially.
