Syrian Army Deploys troops and Missile Batteries: “We’ll defend ourselves from an Attack”
Syrian army officials said that forces have been deployed once more in Damascus, and barriers are being placed in the main entrances to the capital as well as the main roads leading into the city, for fear of a U.S ground operation. President Assad was quoted on state television saying: “we will defend ourselves against any aggression”.
Assad attempts to show that everything is as usual- but it seems that the Syrian army is on high alert for an American attack: Lebanese news website quoted senior sources in the Syrian army saying that they began re-deploying troops across the capital of Damascus. At the same time barriers were placed at all the main entrances to the city and the roads leading into it.
The change in forces is due to the fear of a ground attack by the United States and its allies, which is rumored to accompany the planned aerial attack according to the Syrian army official.
Syrian army deploys missile batteries to Damascus Photography: Syrian News Agency
According to sources, armored brigades and the air force of Syria were put on high alert. They also deployed a number of missile batteries, which have not been used since the beginning of the civil war in Syria, over a year ago. “We take into account that U.S action could lead to the possibility of the conflict overflowing into other countries in the region”.
“Direct threats against Syria will only increase our commitment to our values and our independence,” said Assad on Syrian Television. “Syria is prepared to defend herself against any attack”.
Earlier, Assad said that at any moment he expects the “real enemy” will expose themselves and interfere. “This is a historical battle and we will win it,” said Syrian President in a private conversation with his officers.
„We will be the winners”- Assad Photography: AP
The Lebanese newspaper, Al-Ahkbar, which is close to the regime in Damascus, presented an updated picture of the preparations for an attack in Damascus. “Damascus is prepared like an emergency room,” said a reported, who noted that communication between Syria and its allies has not stopped for a moment.
At a recent meeting with his officers, Assad said: “since the beginning of the crisis, we’ve been waiting for the moment when our real enemy will reveal its face and intervene in Syria”.
The president tried to encourage his followers by saying, “I know morale is high, and you have done everything needed to prepare against any aggression to our homeland. My request to you is to pass the morale onto those beneath you and all the citizens of Syria. This will make history, and we shall be the winners”. Very similar speeches were made over a decade ago by the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein prior to the U.S attack on his regime.
