The UAE “ceased its participation because of concerns over a lack of contingency plans to rescue downed aircrew.” Indeed. The whole enterprise against the Islamic State has been poorly thought out and continues to be hamstrung by the prevailing denial and refusal to examine its guiding ideology.
“UAE halted Isis air attacks after pilot capture,” by Ian Black, the Guardian, February 4, 2015:
The United Arab Emirates has suspended its air attacks against the Islamic State in Syria since the capture of a Jordanian pilot who was burned alive by the jihadi group, it has emerged.
US officials confirmed that the UAE, one of the four Arab states in the anti-Isis coalition, had ceased its participation because of concerns over a lack of contingency plans to rescue downed aircrew….
The UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain joined the coalition when attacks began in September. All have flown sorties against Isis targets, but in the absence of any statistics in US military communiques and silence in their own capitals, most observers believe their participation has been largely symbolic.
President Barack Obama was keen to have Sunni Arab support to avoid the impression that the US alone was fighting the jihadi group. But critics, in Jordan and elsewhere, still attack the operation as an “American war” that is doing little to turn the tide against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria….
Isn’t the “coalition” supposed to be fighting the Islamic State, not Assad?
Angemon says
Alicia says
LOL! They only fight infidels or when they are directly threatened. Islam’s scripture does not include a war ideology that defends the defenseless. They are only concerned with war to conquer infidels.
Bezelel says
The UAE should ask the IDF for help.
RonaldB says
“But critics, in Jordan and elsewhere, still attack the operation as an “American war” that is doing little to turn the tide against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria….”
Recall the Assad regime in Syria is the only effective fighting force holding ISIS back. Recall also the US military under the command of Obama was a whisker away from carrying out crippling and probably fatal attacks on the Syrian military and government. The action would have undoubtedly laid Syria completely open to ISIS takeover, and was averted only because Congress called such a move into question. Chief moron-in-residence John McCain criticized Obama for not taking strong measures against the Syrian government.
My point is that it is our friends, allies, and leaders who will do us in.
Bezelel says
And then there’s the Benghazi arms transfer to supply the formerly Al Qaida with stinger missiles. And attacking Libya when Gadafi was looking for a way out.
jewdog says
If the UAE is scared after the burning, then the terrorism worked. It reminds me of how pirates used to scream bloody murder at the top of their lungs whenever they assaulted another ship. Now if the IS can just make a move against Iran, that would be great.
umbra says
cowardly uae armed forces. At the first sign of death, their soldiers/pilots fold.
pumbar says
“UAE halted air attacks on Islamic State after pilot capture”
Apparently the batteries had run out on the remote control handset and little Abdul wanted to take the plane to his nan’s for the weekend.
Salah says
UAE halted air attacks – Jordan launches air attacks.
“After Jordanian Pilot Burned Alive, Jordan Launches Airstrikes Against ISIS, Kills 55 In Iraq Including Top Commander ‘Prince Of Nineveh’ ”
http://www.ibtimes.com/after-jordanian-pilot-burned-alive-jordan-launches-airstrikes-against-isis-kills-55-1805814
Lioness says
“Isn’t the “coalition” supposed to be fighting the Islamic State, not Assad?”
Yes, they supposed to, except Obama actually is “dying” to remove Assad from power, just like he removed Mubarak in Egypt. This will bring to power Obama’s allies and friends, the Muslim Brotherhood.
So the “Guardian” ignorance is inadvertently the truth.