Aleppo Air Drops 'would Endanger Uk Planes'

[naomi24]

More than 120 MPs have urged the government to authorise air drops of food and medical supplies to the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo but a Foreign Office minister has said British aircraft would risk being shot down if they were used to drop aid.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38134858

Should we - or shouldn't we?

[youngmafbog]

No, we should stay out of it. If food is dropped it will nt get to the ones we would want it to anyway. We would jut be feeding the fighters and making the war go on even longer.

[agchristie]

Probably not, might damage the fabric of the remaining 362 children's hospitals in the city..

[vulcan42]

The Berlin airlift began 68 years ago. If we could feed, clothe and provide heat for over two million people for nearly a year then surely we could organise a few airdrops to one city. I realise the Russians didn't shoot any planes down in the airlift and this is a distinct possibility in Aleppo but we have fighter aircraft to escort, bomber aircraft and gunships to create diversions and other weapons at our disposal. I sure Britain hasn't lost its backbone since 1982,(Falklands war) so yes, we should help these people.

[anotheoldgit]

No we shouldn't, as said before it will only lengthen the conflict, the rebels should surrender so as to save further innocence's bloodshed.

[hereIam]

I agree with the 'no's'.

[agchristie]

Fraught with danger and complications.

It's a different kettle of fish to that, say, of dropping supplies to fleeing Yazidis on Mt.Sinjar.

[vulcan42]

AOG, " the rebels should surrender", a nice idea but surely the chance of that happening is zero.

[EDDIE51]

AOG at 13.50 ' the rebels should surrender so as to save further innocents blood shed'
That is about the most ignorant statement I have seen you make !!
I am just hoping it is a joke!

[anotheoldgit]

EDDIE51

All rebels are forced to surrender sometime, especially when they are opposing superior forces.

[mushroom25]

//The Berlin airlift began 68 years ago. If we could feed, clothe and provide heat for over two million people for nearly a year then surely we could organise a few airdrops to one city.//

in Berlin, the airlift utilized transport aircraft flying into and landing at a suitable facility, taking a risk that the planes could be shot down but knowing that the Soviets actually wouldn't. in Aleppo there's no ground facility and the aircraft would be vulnerable during the delicate/awkward airdrop manoeuvre, even if escorted, and you can bet that every available white-pick-up mounted rocket launcher will be trained on the planes the second they appear.

[vulcan42]

Yes of course there's a risk but do we only help people now if there aren't any risks involved?

[mushroom25]

to answer that one you'd need to properly assess the risk - and that includes the possibility or probability that most or all of the aircraft (and their cargos) are lost to enemy fire. take a risk of course, but what's the point if you lose everything in the process?

[Baldric]

My immediate reaction is no.
If someone could come up with a viable argument in favour I'm willing to listen.

[naomi24]

I'm surprised Mikey hasn't responded to this. The tragedy of Aleppo is a subject he's passionate about.

[DTCwordfan]

Just use drones.....