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Could a 'no fly zone' be in store for Syria?

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    Col. Cedric Leighton on the possibilities of enforcing a 'no fly zone' in Syria

  • Duration 6:30
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-- -- let's bring -- Cedric Leighton now a US air force retired and president of Cedric Leighton associates.

Good to see it kernel has always.

The decision to you Jonathan Ogden didn't that Lehman was referring that to the possibility of a no fly zone.

Any charges that that could be implemented by the US some.

Other nations.

Yes I think you would have to be implemented there without the UN -- it becomes a very interesting situation but the reason nicely without the U and it's because of Russian and Chinese intransigence and in this particular area and there intransigence in.

Letting us do anything with the Asad regime.

So that too would then bring -- win and as we've been mentioned.

NATO and all of its resources will take some time to get into a position where they can actually effectively enforce a no fly zone.

So probably what would happen first is you would have the navy carrier battle group going in.

And then possibly also air force -- that's based in Turkey.

Conducting missions that would then oversee certain area of Syria.

The question then becomes -- what area of Syria do you -- and how do you actually enforce the no fly zone.

So it's it's a lot you -- of people sitting watching could think well what it would just get some planes up -- and some -- knocking knees and you know Syrian migs.

Out of the sky it's a heck of a lot more complicated than that you need to a lot of intelligence and a real plan value -- implement this kind of thing.

That is absolutely correct Jonathan and the reason you need a lot of intelligence is because you don't want to make mistakes we're you.

-- -- numbers for example of the rubble.

Army.

You wanna make sure that you -- -- protecting civilians who need to -- where the civilians are.

I need to understand -- the refugees are you need to understand where the roots are that the refugees are taking you also need to understand.

The logistical.

Supply you elements that the army -- would be a government army needs and uses in Syria.

As well as what the rebels who uses the rebels used in Syria and that becomes a very very dynamic and fluid environment.

It took us a long time to set up the no fly zone for Iraq back decade after the first gulf war and it will also take a long time to do the Syrian and no fly zone.

Very well and that becomes a big big issue and it also requires a lot of international cooperation to get it right.

And this that this that question of territory as well do what what -- -- are you really protecting.

Do the rebels have another enough.

Enough of an area that you could could call it any sort of safe haven how do you see that right now it looks is of the struggling really.

It does look like they're struggling in the problem that we have is that the situation is so fluid.

That you don't know exactly what parts of certain cities for example when you look at the fighting in a -- -- There are so many neighborhoods that are changing hands probably on a daily if not an hourly basis and because they changed hands so quickly.

It becomes very very difficult to keep track of exactly what's going on and of course the first casualty in any war like this is going to be the truth.

And that is a very very difficult thing for the intelligence.

Apparatus to really look at -- to really understand so that than the operational pieces can come together and actually effectively enforce something like a no fly zone.

But it didn't -- We'll who's winning it in -- -- -- right now because that seems to will be what this is coming down to.

For the moment at least -- is just a fight for a -- but.

Well as you know -- -- who is.

Is serious major city -- as far as who's winning.

No one can really tell you for sure -- it see it see it very difficult very fluid situation however the rebels are saying right now.

That they have control of several neighborhoods in a -- -- and that they are working on.

You -- but he particular area that connects to the main highway from a left go to Damascus that main highway also serves as the government's -- logistical trail.

And if they can get that then they can cut the government off from -- the supply forces and if that happens.

Than they stand a chance at keeping a level the problem though is it a -- though they don't have as much popular support as appears to be the case in other parts of Syria.

So we.

The -- -- regime ultimately fools and most people would say that it will do it's a matter of time though that -- could be a long time.

But if and when it does and the rebels then to have control of Syria -- -- -- foam those rebels take.

How they get a look at us -- -- -- -- eighteen months to -- pretty much of this and we've not done right as they say would not given them much other than one.

You know honorable -- It's and the honorable words are good and as far as they go -- their real problem because -- -- they're not backed up by actual.

Actions they're not backed up by actual material.

A communications -- is it practically irrelevant for these people use their cell phones and they use them fairly effectively to do command and control.

What they need it is -- mentioned is a good intelligence and good intelligence becomes the key to winning not only for them.

But it also becomes the key to enforcing a no fly zone.

And that is the real reason that we have to.

Make sure that we share intelligence with them but we also get intelligence from the rebels and it requires an establishment of trust.

That because of the failures of our policy has been lacking the rebels don't trust us we don't know which elements of the rebels to trust if any.

And because we have failed to get in there.

And actually see what's on the ground in these areas it becomes a real difficult -- from which extricate ourselves and becomes very very hard and the rebels are going to look at us as being.

A little bit too late little bit too short and a little bit unable to help them in their fight and they believe that they're fighting for the same things that we would want to fight for in a situation like this.

All right colonel Cedric Leighton US apples -- -- president centric witness says it's great to have your insights as always colonel.

Thank you so much Jonathan pleasure being with you thank you very much -- -- -- skiing here.

Canned food and medical supplies get through.

Some of -- -- certainly -- through Julie see but not nearly enough for the number of people who are suffering in Syria right now food.

-- in particular in very short supply.

Medical supplies there -- some of those doctors who are doing their best to patch up the rebels as they fight and get wounded.

Are really struggling for supplies too so bottom line -- -- you question is some is getting through but nowhere near and.

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