4000 US Troops Launch Massive Military Drill On Edge Of Syria | Zero Hedge
Description: Some 4,000 US troops began major wargames in Jordan today, just hours after neighbouring Syria was bombarded by more than 100 missiles launched by America, Britain and France.

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# 4000 US Troops Launch Massive Military Drill On Edge Of Syria

A little over three weeks ago, we published a report on leaked images of U.S. military equipment arriving in Jordan’s Aqaba Industrial Port via the vehicle carrier vessel “Liberty pride” for the upcoming participation in the annual war drill “Eager Lion.”

To conclude, we asked a straightforward question: with the return of John Bolton, is war imminent in Syria?

> “Jordan is a major player bordering southwestern Syria but has been silent as the Russian-backed Syrian regime expanded territorial gains from terrorist groups in the eastern Ghouta region. Now, Jordan seems like it is preparing for a conflict with Syria, as the United States Armed Forces have recently unloaded large amounts of tanks and personnel carriers. Nevertheless, with the return of John Bolton, is war imminent on the Jordan–Syria border?”

Fast forward to today when two days after the United States, Britain, and France lobbed more than 100 missiles into Syria, the Jordan Armed Forces- Arab Army (JAF) kicked off the twelve-day Eager Lion 2018 military exercise with the United States at its side.

In a joint press conference on Sunday, Maj. Gen. Jon K. Mott, Director of Exercises and Training U.S. Central Command and Brigadier General Mohammed Al-Thalji of the Jordan Armed Forces, told reporters “the exercise is carried out for the eighth consecutive time with the participation of land, sea and air forces of about 7,000 troops, representing the Jordanian and American forces,” as quoted by the Jordan News Agency.

In total, nearly 4,000 US servicemen will participate in the drill.

“Today marked the official opening of Eager Lion 2018, the premier US-Jordanian joint military training exercise,” stated U.S. Embassy Jordan.

> Today marked the official opening of Eager Lion 2018, the premier US-Jordanian joint military training exercise. #USAinJO #EagerLion18 pic.twitter.com/IanrI9Nalh

> — U.S. Embassy Jordan (@USEmbassyJordan) April 15, 2018

Brigadier General Mohammed Al-Thalji of the Jordan Armed Forces and Major General Jon Mott of the U.S. Air Force, the co-directors of Eager Lion, met with journalists today to talk about the exercise.

> Brigadier General Mohammed Al-Thalji of the Jordan Armed Forces and Major General Jon Mott of the U.S. Air Force, the co-directors of Eager Lion, met with journalists today to talk about the exercise. Here are some of their key remarks. #USAinJO #EagerLion18 pic.twitter.com/3FtxpkpDlt

> — U.S. Embassy Jordan (@USEmbassyJordan) April 15, 2018

Al-Thlaji said, “this year’s exercise aims at improving operational alignment between the Jordanian armed forces and the US military, training in counterterrorism, border security and humanitarian operations, crisis management, strategic communications and future planning.”

Al-Thlaji further told reporters that the exercise deeply focuses on “search, rescue, and joint logistics operations and other goals that are in line with the armed forces’ strategy to develop their operational, training and humanitarian capabilities.'”

Gen. Mott said, “around 3,500 American troops are taking part in the drill, which is a part of the US-Jordanian strategic partnership, and will help boost preparedness of the two countries’ armies.”

> “This is a golden opportunity to tackle specific threats to regional security at the operational level,” he underlined, spurring participants to develop new ideas and scenarios “that improve our ability to think and act faster than our strongest opponents”.

Eager Lion: Jordan and US forces train in massive CENTCOM exercise

The exercises are being conducted around Jordan's capital Amman, which is about 100km (62 miles) from the Syrian border. During the drill, there will be a variety of war scenarios playing out, which we think the most fascinating will be the simulated attack of chemical weapons. The exercise is extremely convenient and comes about a week after the West has blamed President Bashar Assad for an apparent chemical weapons attack against his civilians. While Russia tells the world, the Syrian gas attack was staged, U.S. officials are making the case that the Assad regime is the responsible actor behind the attack.

Gen. Mott, detailed to reporters that a mobile scientific team will respond to a simulated chemical event during the exercise. He said that it is a “threat all too real, as we have seen recently in Syria.”

While it is still not clear who the responsible actor was during the gas attack in Syria, what is quite evident and disturbing, is that the United States and Jordan have been planning this military drill next to Syria’s border for quite some time.

With more than 7,000 troops in total, including 3,500 U.S. troops, and dozens of tanks, this is currently the most massive U.S. military drill in the region.

What is social media’s response? “Apr 15th Eager lion begins “coincidentally” scheduled for April this year and not may like the last 3,” said one Twitter user.

> Apr 15th Eager lion begins "coincidentally" scheduled for April this year and not may like the last 3

> — NRUnion (@NRU4pt) April 15, 2018

"It’s just Eager Lion. We’ve been doing that one for many years,” a combat veteran said.

> It's just Eager Lion. We've been doing that one for many years.

> — Chris Alexander (@cmalex79) April 14, 2018

The good news is that president Trump already declared that the US adventure in Syria is over and that “Mission Accomplished!”, which means there is no risk of those 4,000 US troops in Jordan deciding to launch an invasion on the proxy and civil war torn country...

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Sudden Debt Sun, 04/15/2018 - 18:23 Permalink

And so the next multi trillion dollar war is started that the US will eventually lose...

AGAIN...

sending in the canon fodder...

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tmosley Sudden Debt Sun, 04/15/2018 - 18:26 Permalink

Incorrect. They will be slaughtering the Deep State terrorist army that Hillary Clinton and John McCain created.

In reply to And so the next multi… by Sudden Debt

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dirty fingernails tmosley Sun, 04/15/2018 - 18:38 Permalink

You mean that indellible pocket in Der Ezzor that has been surrounded by US coalition for around a year and still hasn't shrunk? Dude, you're losing your shit.

In reply to Incorrect. They will be… by tmosley

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King of Ruperts Land dirty fingernails Sun, 04/15/2018 - 18:41 Permalink

Russia is bringing in equipment to support Assad forces crossing the Euphrates, to bring the fight to the Americans.

Edit: By "Americans" I meant - the Deep State terrorist army that Hillary Clinton and John McCain created.

In reply to You mean that indellible… by dirty fingernails

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HowdyDoody King of Ruperts Land Sun, 04/15/2018 - 18:46 Permalink

The two main sites in Syria, Barzah and Jamrayah, supposedly CW plants or stores were inspected by OPCW on 22 November 2017 and declared in complinace both with the amounts of scheduled chemicals (presumably dual use chemicals) present and no evidence of diversion of use. The OPCW thus certified they were not CW plants or stores. Last I heard, the US is an OPCW member, as is the UK, so the respective governments would be aware of this.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dawj1AkW0AcBuGn.jpg

Edit: In the past, the Syrians have asked the Russians to supply S-300s. The Rusisans were pressured by unknown (((partners))) to decline, which they did. I suspect the Russians are now more open to supplying S-300s.

In reply to Russia is bringing in… by King of Ruperts Land

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Bes HowdyDoody Sun, 04/15/2018 - 18:52 Permalink

Trump is going for broke!

"I can shoot someone in the middle of 5th Ave and wouldn't lose any voters."

in other words:

"I can murder at will, commit war crimes, break the Constitutions, and the Trumptards will still support me"

Keep circling the wagons around cheeto-jesus, Comey is talking

keep circling trumptards

hahaha!

enjoy bitchez ;-)

In reply to The two main sites in Syria,… by HowdyDoody

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???ö? Bes Sun, 04/15/2018 - 19:01 Permalink

We don't see any illegal "exercises" by the west in nuclear capable North Korea, do we now.

In reply to h by Bes

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IH8OBAMA ???ö? Sun, 04/15/2018 - 19:24 Permalink

Even though the Syrian war is winding down, Russia is bringing in boat loads of armor and trucks, the other Arab countries and their U.S. ally have to be prepared to repel any new adventure Putin, Iran and Assad may try.

We know Putin has tried these tactics before in Georgia, Crimea and Ukraine in recent years. He can't be trusted to do the right thing.

(Just presenting an honest assessment but go ahead and down vote me anyway.) LOL

In reply to We don't see any illegal … by ???ö?

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Manthong IH8OBAMA Sun, 04/15/2018 - 19:25 Permalink

The late Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, Walther von Brauchitsch is smiling up at Trump.

In reply to With Russia bringing in boat… by IH8OBAMA

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BullyBearish Manthong Sun, 04/15/2018 - 19:36 Permalink

the poor jordanians...gave him an american trophy wife and the choice: silver or lead...

In reply to The late Oberkommando der… by Manthong

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veritas semper… BullyBearish Sun, 04/15/2018 - 20:48 Permalink

The Hashemites were never to be trusted .

In reply to the poor jordanians...gave… by BullyBearish

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beepbop veritas semper… Sun, 04/15/2018 - 21:02 Permalink

THE DEMONS OF WAR are busy.

In reply to The Hashemites were never to… by veritas semper…

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silverer Manthong Sun, 04/15/2018 - 21:35 Permalink

"...repel any new adventure Putin, Iran and Assad may try."

An adventure like saving their own people and maintaining the sovereignty of their own country? That adventure?

In reply to The late Oberkommando der… by Manthong

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Brazen Heist IH8OBAMA Sun, 04/15/2018 - 19:39 Permalink

Fuck you are misguided. What kind of "misadventure" is it to rightfully reclaim land that is yours from a bunch of abject squatters and gypsies that have come to occupy your country?

The USSA is occupying northern Syria under the absurd pretext of "fighting terrorism". I hope an insurgency starts soon if kicking the occupiers out by conventional force won't work (running the risk of WW3). Just sick and tired of this fucked up empire running amok and plundering the world. And useful Goyim like you who are brainwashed into thinking this is doing the region any good.

In reply to With Russia bringing in boat… by IH8OBAMA

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Twee Surgeon IH8OBAMA Sun, 04/15/2018 - 19:49 Permalink

Russia has 143 million in population and shit for farmland. California has more people than that between LA and the Mexican border and even the homeless are getting fat. California, if left alone by the Commie bastards, could feed every man, woman and child on Earth forever. Populations are in decline world wide, the West and Japan most notably and all population increases in the future are coming from Sub-Saharan Africa. The real world and the soppy wet liberal science world are two entirely different environments. The Syrian war is not winding down as it's an Iranian moslem quiet invasion for Ali Babba or whatever his name is.

That war is not likely to go away fast. It's written about in some very old books. The truth is out there.

In reply to With Russia bringing in boat… by IH8OBAMA

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rccalhoun Twee Surgeon Sun, 04/15/2018 - 19:51 Permalink

MOSELY---- you were wrong (again) apologize and admit it.

In reply to Russia has 143 million in… by Twee Surgeon

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Leakanthrophy rccalhoun Sun, 04/15/2018 - 20:25 Permalink

@weedSurgeon Russia...shit for farmland. LOLOLOL

Lay of the weed Kool-aid, troll.

FYI Russia is the new agricultural powerhouse.

BLOOMBERG: Russia Is Exporting More Wheat Than Any Country in 25 Years

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-16/russia-is-exporting-…

In reply to MOSELY---- you were wrong … by rccalhoun

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Blankone Twee Surgeon Sun, 04/15/2018 - 20:04 Permalink

Which makes Putin's inaction regarding EUke even more of a blunder.
The EUke's wanted to join Russia also but Putin ignored them. There is a lot of good farmland in EUke I believe.

In reply to Russia has 143 million in… by Twee Surgeon

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pluto the dog Twee Surgeon Sun, 04/15/2018 - 20:29 Permalink

yes. very old books written by kikes in babylon in 942. very very old. blueprint for world domination. pity they cant rebuild the temple as 1 they dont have the original plans and 2 the temple was not where they say it was. the wailing wall (boohoo) was one of the walls of fort antonia, built by the romans after they tamed jerusalem. according to josephus not one stone of the temple was left in place. good luck finding its location, kikes

In reply to Russia has 143 million in… by Twee Surgeon

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veritas semper… Twee Surgeon Sun, 04/15/2018 - 20:50 Permalink

You probably haven't heard the news : Russia is the No 1 wheat exporter now. Non GMO ,like america has.

In reply to Russia has 143 million in… by Twee Surgeon

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pluto the dog IH8OBAMA Sun, 04/15/2018 - 20:23 Permalink

oh yes Puotin cant be trusted. l bet he and Assad are planning on invading Cuba now - or maybe even invading Afghanistan.

In reply to With Russia bringing in boat… by IH8OBAMA

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veritas semper… IH8OBAMA Sun, 04/15/2018 - 20:44 Permalink

Don't flatter yourself : assessment implies critical thinking . And LOL at your own delusion , reflects serious problems. Seek professional help.

In reply to With Russia bringing in boat… by IH8OBAMA

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Mustafa Kemal IH8OBAMA Sun, 04/15/2018 - 21:27 Permalink

"(Just presenting an honest assessment but go ahead and down vote me anyway.) LOL"

LOL indeed, have you seen that southpark episode

"There coming right for us!"

In reply to With Russia bringing in boat… by IH8OBAMA

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Big Whoop ???ö? Sun, 04/15/2018 - 20:45 Permalink

Kim will use chemical weapons against the people of North Korea in June. Then you'll see some shit.

In reply to We don't see any illegal … by ???ö?

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D.T.Barnum Bes Sun, 04/15/2018 - 19:38 Permalink

@bes i think you had a typo in there, so i'll repost :

Donald Trump: 'I could shoot somebody [on 5th Ave] and I wouldn’t lose any voters'
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jan/24/donald-trump-says-he-co…

In reply to h by Bes

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Bes D.T.Barnum Sun, 04/15/2018 - 20:11 Permalink

yes! thank you sir.

In reply to @bes i think you had a typo… by D.T.Barnum

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booboo HowdyDoody Sun, 04/15/2018 - 20:08 Permalink

"Eager Lion", or Operation "Wet Pussy"

In reply to The two main sites in Syria,… by HowdyDoody

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veritas semper… booboo Sun, 04/15/2018 - 20:54 Permalink

The Storming of the desert ? Desert Stormy again ? It's a Stormy day ? So many possibilities .

In reply to "Eager Lion", or Operation … by booboo

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dirty fingernails veritas semper… Sun, 04/15/2018 - 21:42 Permalink

I suspect Trump will avoid using the name "Stormy" for any ops, but ya never know

In reply to The Storming of the desert ?… by veritas semper…

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Brazen Heist King of Ruperts Land Sun, 04/15/2018 - 18:49 Permalink

Dayr el Zor airport first needs an S-400 battery and some serious aviation to back up the campaign to take back the al Omar oil fields from those fucking squatter plunderers and their Kurdish fudge packers. Something tells me the old rules of engagement north of the Euphrates are going to change soon.

Do it for the honour of the brave, mad Druze......General Zahreddine!

In reply to Russia is bringing in… by King of Ruperts Land

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Polynik3s tmosley Sun, 04/15/2018 - 18:50 Permalink

> Incorrect. They will be slaughtering the Deep State terrorist army that Hillary Clinton and John McCain created.

You. Really? A regular on ZeroHedge. And that is the most naive/retarded thing of the day. Or are you just the troll that everyone claims you are? Hasbara or CIA mockingbird?

In reply to Incorrect. They will be… by tmosley

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Clashfan Polynik3s Sun, 04/15/2018 - 19:57 Permalink

Neither would surprise us. Izrahole /USSA created Hamas and Hezbollah.

http://washingtonsblog.com/2012/11/israel-and-the-u-s-created-hamas-hez…

In reply to Incorrect. They will be… by Polynik3s

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simpson seers tmosley Sun, 04/15/2018 - 19:11 Permalink

really, all those down votes would indicate otherwise

In reply to Incorrect. They will be… by tmosley

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Mouldy Sudden Debt Sun, 04/15/2018 - 18:32 Permalink

That's why Putin hasn't responded - The fat lady hasn't sung yet.

In reply to And so the next multi… by Sudden Debt

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DeathMerchant Sudden Debt Sun, 04/15/2018 - 19:49 Permalink

The US will lose, here's why:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysb_Isix5cM

In reply to And so the next multi… by Sudden Debt

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LordWillingly Sun, 04/15/2018 - 18:24 Permalink

4000 is not massive.

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Sudden Debt LordWillingly Sun, 04/15/2018 - 18:26 Permalink

the 1st battalion in Vietnam was only 800 strong.

In reply to 4000 is not massive. by LordWillingly

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tmosley Sudden Debt Sun, 04/15/2018 - 18:29 Permalink

Lots of small military forces in the world. Most of them don't start large scale conflicts with nuclear superpowers for no reason.

In reply to the 1st battalion in Vietnam… by Sudden Debt

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King of Ruperts Land tmosley Sun, 04/15/2018 - 18:43 Permalink

Castro started in Cuba with about 100 men.

In reply to Lots of small military… by tmosley

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directaction King of Ruperts Land Sun, 04/15/2018 - 19:00 Permalink

And with his Granma

In reply to Castro started in Cuba with… by King of Ruperts Land

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UmbilicalMosqu… King of Ruperts Land Sun, 04/15/2018 - 19:08 Permalink

...with the blessings of the Jew Dork Times and the commie 5th column in the USSA.

In reply to Castro started in Cuba with… by King of Ruperts Land

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johnnycanuck UmbilicalMosqu… Sun, 04/15/2018 - 20:17 Permalink

Yeah, Meyer Lanskey wasn't very happy about his loses in Cuba either. Ditto for Goldwater backers

In reply to ...with the blessings of the… by UmbilicalMosqu…

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rockstone King of Ruperts Land Sun, 04/15/2018 - 20:10 Permalink

His 100 played for keeps. Our 4000 just want free college.

In reply to Castro started in Cuba with… by King of Ruperts Land

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lolmao500 Sudden Debt Sun, 04/15/2018 - 18:31 Permalink

Theyve been doing that drill for the last 7 years. Nothing unusual. Stop your fearmongering BS

In reply to the 1st battalion in Vietnam… by Sudden Debt

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Polynik3s lolmao500 Sun, 04/15/2018 - 18:52 Permalink

Rothschild's dual monsters:

Israel and the Central Banking Mafia

In reply to Theyve been doing that drill… by lolmao500

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Conscious Reviver lolmao500 Sun, 04/15/2018 - 19:22 Permalink

The 6th fleet is arriving soon as well.

Trumpo, Friday April 13: Mission accomplished.

Trumpo, Friday April 20: Fake out! Bombs away!

In reply to Theyve been doing that drill… by lolmao500

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dirty fingernails Conscious Reviver Sun, 04/15/2018 - 20:18 Permalink

We could still be in the posturing and probing defenses stage. The more I think about Friday's strike, the more it looked like a test to see if they could spam the Syrian AA/AD to overwhelm it and if the causes for failures in April 2017 were fixed. I wonder if any of the JASSM got shot down.

In reply to The 6th fleet is arriving… by Conscious Reviver

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Whoa Dammit Sudden Debt Sun, 04/15/2018 - 18:32 Permalink

We should never sell weapons to any other country, nor should we ever train any other country's soldiers. It always gets turned against us. Take a look at what is going on at the Mexican side of the border to see the effects of our military training which is now used by the narcos who recruited our trainees.

In reply to the 1st battalion in Vietnam… by Sudden Debt

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Whoa Dammit Sudden Debt Sun, 04/15/2018 - 18:32 Permalink

Dupe.

In reply to the 1st battalion in Vietnam… by Sudden Debt

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directaction LordWillingly Sun, 04/15/2018 - 18:27 Permalink

That’s about how many Marines invaded Da Nang to get the Vietnam War rolling.

It doesn’t take much.

In reply to 4000 is not massive. by LordWillingly

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