Despite the denials, recent satellite photos confirm that there is movement in the Rmeilan air base, in northern Syria, near the Turkish-Iraqi border, in an area controlled by the Kurds, in the province of Hassakeh. The outpost would become the main projection base for US special departments.
Despite having denied "control of any base in Syria" by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), the satellites also confirm work to expand the main runway. Even the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a few days ago, confirmed that the United States took control of Rmeilan airport to support Kurdish fighters against the Islamic state.
L'Popular Protection Unit (YPG), would have granted the US use of the airport. The basic infrastructure is expanding to support US military operations in the area. The Americans have been operating for some weeks at the Rmeilan base.
The denial of CENTCOM is a proper practice, considering the deployment of operators of special departments. Due to the particular nature of these forces and the operations they perform (targeting leader, hunter killer), it is essential to maintain a low profile.
Last November, Obama decided to send 50 green caps supported by an independent battle group consisting of F-15, A-10, Apache helicopters and armed drones in Syria to coordinate efforts against the Islamic State. Sending green caps, also defined multipliers, was a clear sign of the new White House strategy against the Islamic State.
A little less than two months, the Pentagon statement on the redeployment of green caps in Syria "will come into action in northern Syria", takes on a precise meaning. From the beginning we had assumed it was a bridgehead for a real contingent of Special Operations Force. The main air support, still today operates from the Incirlik base in Turkey. In the coming weeks, however, the US may decide to redirect air support to the Syrian base.
The American tactic of advanced redeployment of special operators in enemy territory is particular. The function of multipliers (green caps) has long been known. What the Pentagon does not say is that for particular mission profiles, the US prefers to integrate other departments as well. If the presence of the 24 ° is confirmed Special Tactics Squadron, assigned to the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), in Syria, in addition to the green caps, there may already have been both elements of the Delta Force that unit of Naval Special Warfare Development Group, Also known as SEAL Team Six.
(photo: US DoD)
