ISIS Takes Syria's Deir ez-Zor AFB
Basically, the major airbase that was home to many of Syria's military aircraft in the eastern section, was given to ISIS following an evacuation. The airbase was the last air facility for enabling fighter-bombers to strike ISIS forces in northeastern Syria and the western Iraqi province of Anbar. The evacuation was done on May 27th, and ISIS walked in. But the lost of the AFB, was the third airbase within a week that ISIS was given. Why?
The simple fact is that Assad's military is diminishing in all aspects after four years of the Syrian civil war. Despite the replenishment from Russia and Iran of weapons is only effective if there is manpower to operate them. After four years, even the Syrian Army is reduced and Assad has decided to pull forces and assets from its remote military bases to defend the Damascus area. Assad is consolidating his assets now to survive. The wholesale surrender has opened up the eastern, northern and central parts to ISIS and al-Nusra. As ISIS consolidates and gathers, there is little doubt the next Syrian airbase between Homs and Damascus . The T4 AFB is the Syrian's army largest facility. With no Syrian army to defend it, Assad has already started redeploying it 32 MiG-25, 20 Su-24M2 aircraft and its vast ammo depots with bombs, air to ground missiles, air to air missiles.
ISIS, while it is gradually expanding in the Middle East and making it clear Baghdad is on their target, is also controlling much of Syria abandoned by Assad. Baghdad and Damascus will become targets more and more. With Baghdad, many think Iran will never let that city be threatened or controlled by ISIS. But if the US does not defend it, Iran will pour its soldiers across. This scenario is as bad as any for America. If Damascus falls, Syria will cease to exist and the borders will be altered. The question is, would Russia and Iran intervene with their own troops to curtail it?
