Do the Massacres in Bayda and Banyas Portend Ethnic Cleansing to Create an Alawite State?

Do the Massacres in Bayda and Banyas Portend Ethnic Cleansing to Create an Alawite State?
by Joshua Landis, Syria Comment, May 13, 2013

Map showing the cities of Latakia - Baniyas - Tartus on the Syrian coast

Map showing the cities of Latakia – Baniyas – Tartus on the Syrian coast

This question is taken up in two thoughtful articles by Hassan Hassan and Michael Young. Hassan Hassan argues that “sectarian cleansing is not being conducted for the purpose of establishing a potential state, but rather for other strategic purposes, including recruitment of Alawi fighters, deepening sectarian tensions in Assad’s favor, and ensuring a popular base of support,” (see Elizabeth O’Bagy). Michael Young sees them as a possible prelude to what may be coming if the Alawites begin to lose, but for the time being, he suggests that “ethnic cleansing” may not have been the intended result, but the massacres did serve as a shot across the bow of the Sunni population of the coast.  (see extended quotes below).

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Davutoglu claimed that Syria’s army has begun ethnically cleansing Banyas because it is losing elsewhere in the country. But Assad’s forces are not losing. According to both Liz Sly of the Washington Post and Reuters reports Assad’s forces are gaining ground in Syria, at least for the time being. This can only be cold comfort to the Sunnis along the coast who speak of their fear of ethnic cleansing.

The fighting in al-Bayda began when a bus carrying pro-regime militants, or Shabiha, was attacked, by rebel militiamen, killing at least seven and wounding more than 30, according to activists quoted by DPA. After the rebels attacked a bus, the village became “the scene of fierce fighting between the army and rebel battalions.” The brutality of the shabiha revenge on both al-Bayda and Banyas was depicted in a series of photos and videos that even by the standards of this war were shocking. The religious passions that have now colored every aspect of this fight ran out of control.

How likely is ethnic cleansing along the coast?

The likelihood of ethnic cleansing in the coastal regions is high. It will rise even higher should Assad’s troops begin to lose. The Sunni populations of the coastal cities will be the first to be targeted by Assad’s military, if it is pushed out of Damascus. Should the Alawites be compelled to fall back to the predominantly Alawite region of the mountains stretching along the western seaboard of Syria, the Sunnis of the coastal cities and eastern plan will be the first to suffer. Should Sunni militias, which are perched only kilometers from Latakia, penetrate to the city itself, Alawites may turn against the region’s Sunnis fearing that they become a fifth column. There are many precedents for this sort of defensive ethnic cleansing in the region. Zionist forces in Israel, cleared Palestinian villages of their inhabitants in 1948, rather than leave them behind Israeli lines. Armenians were driven out of Eastern Anatolia by Turks and Kurds, who claimed self-defense in their struggle against Russia in WWI. The Greek Orthodox Anatolians were driven out of Anatolia following the defeat of Greek forces which sought to conquer Anatolia in the early 1920s in an effort to resurrect the Byzantine Empire.

The Sunni cities of the Syrian coast — Latakia, Jeble, Banyas, and Tartous — had no Alawite inhabitants in the 1920s, when the French began taking censuses in Syria. Certainly, Alawite, servant girls, day laborers and peddlers may have worked in the cities, but they were alien to them. Sunnis and Alawites did not live together in any Syrian town of over 200 people, according to Jacques Weulersse, the French academic who published the most thorough and reliable study of the Alawites, Le pays des Alaouites, in 1940. Their demographic segregation was profound. The deep mistrust and hostility that separated the two communities was caused largely by religious differences. Alawites see themselves as the truest Muslims, who possess secret knowledge of God. Sunnis view Alawites to be not Muslim at all, and indeed, not even People of the Book. The many prejudices that were suppressed or attenuated during the modern national era have now reemerged and threaten to divide the two populations anew.

During the modern era, Alawites came down out of their mountain villages, migrating to the cities. Today, most of the coastal cities are only half Sunni because of the growth of Alawite neighborhoods and migration. But that population is new. Most is no older than 60 years and much of it is much newer. The same is true for Damascus, where in 1945 only 400 Alawites were recorded to be living in the capital.

An abandoned kitchen in Salma village situated in the Latakia Province (Warren Allott)

Ethnic cleansing may turn against the Alawites, as easily as it may against Sunnis. If Sunni militias win in their struggle against the regime and penetrate into the Alawite Mountains, Alawites will flee before them, rather than be vanquished. This has already been the case in six Alawite villages north of Latakia. When rebel militias entered the towns, the Alawite families hastily grabbed their possession and fled, leaving dinners on the kitchen table. Not a soul was left in them. In all likelihood, they will run to Lebanon, which is no further than an hour’s drive, The border is open.

Western policy planners have gamed out these possibilities, making them reluctant to arm rebel militias for a total victory. Although opposition leaders plead for more and better weapons to bring them a speedy victory, Western leaders have held back. The fear that three million Alawites could flee into Lebanon, destabilizing the country for decades, undoubtedly plays a role in Western reticence.  This sort of population transfer could be as disruptive to the region, as was the expulsion of Palestinians in 1948. Just as the Palestinians have not been permitted to return to their ancestral land, neither, in all probability, would the Alawites.

The fear of ethnic cleansing has increased among all populations of Syria and with good reason. Sunnis claim today that the regime is effectively trying to clear many areas of its Sunni inhabitants. One only has to look at the overwhelmingly Sunni population of the refugee camps in Turkey and Jordan to see the reason for these claims. The Assad regime has devastated whole urban neighborhoods.

Policy Implications

The strong possibility of ethnic cleansing means that foreign sponsors of both sides are proceeding with caution. If Assad’s forces are pushed out of Damascus and toward the Alawite Mountains, they could ethnically cleanse the Sunni inhabitants of the coast. If rebel militias penetrate into the Mountain villages, Alawites would almost certainly be cleansed, if they did not simply up and flee to Lebanon.

If Assad reasserts his control over rebel held parts of Syria, large populations of Sunnis would likewise flee. They would fear ruthless retribution and possible massacres.

For this reason, Western powers are searching for a political solution. It is hard to imagine the politics of compromise prevailing in Syria any time soon. Both sides remain convinced of their rectitude and eventual victory. All the same, it is not impossible that a new ethnic balance will eventually emerge in the years, if not months, ahead.

Much depends on whether rebel forces are able to unify their ranks. Their weakness is their profound fragmentation. Much too depends on external powers and their willingness to arm and finance their Syrian allies. Most Western and even some Middle Eastern leaders seem to be growing resigned to the necessity of a political solution, even as their rhetoric remains highly partisan. Erdogan, despite his bluster, seems poised to distance himself ever so slightly from Syria’s rebels. He is eager to allay Kurdish and Shiite discontent within Turkey, just as he fears any real head-butting contest with Russia and Iran over Syria.

Doha, too, seems to have hit the pause button, but continues to supply salafist militias, according to some. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are withholding arms from radical Islamist groups which have been the most effective fighters.  When the Syrian rebellion first broke out, many western pundits urged Obama to intervene if for no other reason than to seize the opportunity to eliminate Iranian influence in Syria and to crush Hizbullah in Lebanon. But to do so, would necessitate defeating the Shiite population so completely as to make it vulnerable to ethnic cleansing. What is more, the US is perhaps wiser to allow a regional balance of power to emerge between Shiites and Sunnis. If the US presses down on the scales of power too dramatically in one direction, as it did in Iraq, bad things can happen. Because the Sunnis in Iraq were so thoroughly purged from state institutions and driven from positions of authority, they have gone on the warpath and remain radicalized. What is more, the US will withdraw, causing the balance of power to swing back toward a balance reflecting regional power arrangements. Better for America not to intervene itself, but to work through regional allies. In the case of Syria, these allies are Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Israel. They have more permanent interests in Syria and will balance Iran and Iraq out of necessity, rather than out of some momentary fit of anxiety or altruism.

Mihrac Ural, sometimes called Ali Kyali, who has emerged as a leading Shabiha leader.

Key to the heightened fear of Sunnis along the coast, is the growth and power of the Shabiha, or Alawite militias, which have been adopting a raw religious and increasingly Alawite nationalist rhetoric. No one stands out among the Shabiha leaders more than Mihrac Ural, or as he is often called, Ali Kyali, of late. He is a Turkish Alawite who fled Turkey around 1981 and was given Syrian citizenship by Hafiz al-Assad. He is credited to have introduced Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK leader, to the Assads and to have married a secretary of Rifaat al-Assad. The PKK’s first conference took place on Syrian territory in July 1981. Turkish authorities are accusing Ural of masterminding the recent bombing in Reyhanli, Turkey. He is in all likelihood, the leader of the Banyas incident as well.

In this video recorded a few days before the Banyas massacre, Mihrac Ural explains why Banyas is key to the defense of the coastal region and must be cleaned of rebel combatants.

“Banias is the only route for these traitors to the sea,” he says in this video. “Jableh, due to the national forces surrounding it, cannot become a pathway or a coastal headquarters for the enemy. But Banias could, and the whole game in Banias is playing out based on this calculation.”

It is necessary, as soon as possible, to surround Banias, and I mean (someone in audience says “cleanse [tathir] sir”)…surround Banias and start the cleansing….

…The title of the Syrian Resistance is the “cleansing and liberation”, these two. We do not have any political or governing ambitions, as long as the state exists and the governing power exists. We don’t interfere in criminal or civilian matters…..

…The aim of the Syrian Resistance is the liberation of the country (watan) and if we’re needed within this week, we will join the battles in Banias and perform our patriotic duty. Everyone will see how the Syrian Resistance fights.

We fought from Amani, Kassab to Nabii Al Mir…Point 45, Qastal Al Maath, Al Mazraa. Mafraq Al Saraya, Al Mafrqah Al Bassit, Al Arjaa, Al Maydan, Bayt Fares, Al Rawda, Markaz Al Hataab, Borj Al Shaqra, Bayt Hnayn and I was ambushed in Bayt Hnayn along with my comrades and I’m still injured from that ambush. [These villages are situated to the north of Latakia]

Within this line (the cities he just listed), this is the front-line that’s always on fire. The Syrian resistance fought in all these places and collected realistic information from the enemy on the ground. It taught them a lesson. The resistance gave 27 martyrs.

Our plan has always been attack, attack, attack. Those who ask us “OK, so you entered the village, who’s going to hold it”, it doesn’t matter, our job is to cleanse and liberate and its up to the army to hold the ground, when the time comes when the army can’t hold the ground, then it will be a different story, and the Syrian Resistance will have to take additional measures….

You need to pay attention to the story of Banias, the only route from these traitors to the sea. It should be surrounded, liberated and cleansed as soon as possible, and al salam alikum.

Ali Kyali, or Mihrac Ural, the leader(secretary general) of a group calling itself The Popular Front for the Liberation of the Sanjak of AlexandrettaThey call themselves The Syrian Resistance. It seems to be composed mainly of Syrian and Turkish Alawites and may have had some connection to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. This is their official Facebook page. This was the link to the original version of the video shown above. It is posted to the groups Facebook page, but the video was removed after it went viral on the internet, dated May 2nd, 2013. Here is the google cache version of the page showing the video posting. And here’s a picture of the original posting in case the Google cache page expires
Ali Kyali speech about Banias - Orginal facebook posting

Ali Kyali speech about Banias – Original Facebook posting

Another video posted on their Facebook page shows a visit from a liberated Palestinian prisoner presenting a gift to Kyali as a token of appreciation on behalf of the the Palestinian Liberation front. Kyali is fluent in Turkish.
The importance of religion to Kayali who poses with Alawite religious leaders and defends Alawite religious shrines.
A photo album published on the group Facebook page, on April 29 ,2013, shows what they claim to be the aftermath of their liberation of Kherbet Solas in the mountains above Latakia. Some of the pictures show a Alawite shrine of Saydna al-Khidr that the group claims to have liberated and cleansed from rebel forces. One picture shows shows parts of the shrine destroyed.
Destroyed Alawite Shrine of Saydna al-Khidr

Destroyed Alawite Shrine of Saydna al-Khidr

The sheikh sitting next to the speaker in the video above is sheikh Mouwafaq Ghazal, a confounder of the Alawite Islamic council in Syria and in Diaspora. This is his facebook page and this an interview in Arabic, in which he talks about the history of his organization. Here is Mihrac’s facebook page. Look at his many photos for a quick overview of his history and friends.
Mihrac’s Turkish terrorism

According to “Terrorism, 1992 – 1995: A Chronology of Events and a Selectively Annotated Bibliography By Edward F. Mickolus, Mihrac Ural had become leader of the outlawed Turkish People’s Liberation Party Acilcier Organization. The group espouses a Marxist-Leninist ideology and holds an anti-U.S., anti-NATO position. It considers that the Turkish government is under the control of Western imperialism. He seeks to destroy this control by both violent and democratic means. The DHKP-C splinter group called Acilciler, or “Urgent Ones,” has about 500 members and operates from Syria under the name of the “Hatay Liberation Army.” Mihrac’s past connections to the Kurdish Marxist group, the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), is discussed here as well as his possible connection to the US embassy bombing in Turkey.  He is now a wanted man and has $100k bounty on his head.

Mihrac Ural is not an out and out Alawite nationalist. He is loyal to the rhetoric of Arab nationalism and defers to the “Syrian Army.” All the same, Turkish Alawites have a particular sensibility. They have not been imbued with Arab nationalist ideology and retain a less self-conscious connection to their religion and traditions. A number of my Turkish Alawite friends have a much deeper knowledge of Alawite religion than do my Syrian Alawite friends. Most Syrian Alawites have internalized the Syrian, Arab nationalism of the regime, such that they deny Alawite nationalist ambitions vehemently. They also cling to the notion that they are good Muslims, rejecting any notion that they believe in Ali as the supreme creator or have a separate religion. Most Turkish Alawites have fewer qualms along these lines. Some have turned away from religion altogether, embracing the secularism of Kemalism, but others have turned inward and embraced Alawite religion as a wellspring of their identity. This makes the emergence of Mihrac Ural particularly interesting. He embraces Alawitism, is proud to sit with Alawite religious sheikhs in his photos, and to defend religious shrines. Some of his photos show him sitting in front of a large library of books and are designed to depict him as a man of wisdom and deep learning. Turkish Alawites may play an important role in leading their Syrian coreligionists toward Alawite nationalism. If so, Mihrac Ural is a man to watch. There is no doubt that he speaks the assurance of a leader on a mission if not a prophet. The original Alawite founder of the Baath Party – Zaki Arsuzi – was from Alexandretta (Hatay). His conversion to Arabism was shaped by Turkey’s takeover of his region. It would be ironic if a Turkish Alawite led the spiritual and possibly nationalist awakening of the Alawites.

[End – Personal News]

I will be traveling in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon for the next six weeks and may not be able to post. Matt Barber, the Syria Video team, and Aron Lund will be able to keep posting on Syria Comment, although not frequently.

News Round Up

Lessons from a massacre that Assad looks to exploit
Hassan Hassan, May 08, 2013, the National

The recent carnage in the Syrian coastal city of Banias over the weekend, among the most grisly in the country’s two-year-long conflict, offers lessons into the grim calculations of Bashar Al Assad. Read Article

Syria Update: Assad Targets Sunni along Syria’s Coast
May 10, 2013 – Elizabeth O’Bagy

Although Assad has attempted to consolidate the Alawites behind him and to fortify his position in the northern Alawi coastal mountains and Tal Kalakh in the south, conditions on the ground contradict assertions that Assad is creating an Alawi rump state…..

in a video posted on YouTube, the leader of an Alawi militia in the coastal region, along with an Alawi religious leader, discusses plans to “cleanse Baniyas of the traitors.”

New phase in Syria’s war will bring blood to the coast
Michael Young, May 9, 2013, The National

….If the Alawites ever decide to create a rump state, one of their objectives will be to ensure that Sunnis do not challenge this plan. That means Sunnis must either be terrorised into silence or, in the worst case, forced out of coastal areas. The Baniyas and Bayda killings, while extraordinarily brutal, seemed primarily designed to achieve the first aim. Thousands of Sunnis reportedly left the city in fear, but appeared to be heading toward other coastal cities, namely Tartous, south of Baniyas, and Jableh, to its north.

However, the massacres were a reminder that worse may come, especially if the regime makes headway in Homs and Qusayr, allowing it to seal a major Sunni evacuation route. Sunnis in the north-east increasingly feel isolated from their brethren elsewhere in Syria. That is how the regime wants it. The Sunnis’ sense of vulnerability will make them more reluctant to side with the rebellion, and their presence as potential hostages will make Mr Al Assad’s enemies think twice before mounting military operations in coastal areas.

This may be the best the Assad regime can hope to achieve, since wholesale ethnic cleansing would be a major endeavour. There is still a significant Sunni population in coastal cities such as Tartous and Latakiya, and in the latter, Sunnis form a majority. Even if they were driven out for some reason, the consequences could be disastrous for the city itself, which would lose not only a large portion of its population, but many of its most dynamic economic actors…..Mr Al Assad has no plans to abandon Damascus. However, we are witnessing a consolidation of the Alawite statehood option as a fallback position. The Syrian conflict is entering a new phase, where long-term territorial plans and alliances are taking shape. And the ensuing violence can only increase as the stakes become higher.

Recent violence against Sunni communities in Syria’s coastal region raises new concern over sectarianism in Syria. It also suggests to some that Assad will move to form an Alawi state. In fact, these events are perpetrated to demonstrate force and to drive a sectarian narrative that strengthens Assad’s base. Assad’s support in Qardaha has weakened, an influx of internally displaced persons has transfigured the coastal region, and there are opportunities to exploit these fluctuations in Assad’s position there.

Possible ethnic cleansing in Iraq if new sectarian war starts: Ned parker – “the threat of more bloodshed between Sunnis and Shiites and the eventual breakup of the country”

Askari said he doubted there would be a new civil war because Sunnis know how much they lost in the sectarian conflict during the U.S. occupation.

“Without the American Army, no single Sunni could have stayed in Baghdad. They would have been cleansed,” he said. “Now there are no Americans. If sectarian war ignited, for sure they would lose Baghdad and most of the other provinces.”

All that would be left is their stronghold, Anbar province, Askari said, where Al Qaeda would gain strength and terrorize the Sunni population.

Quote of the Day

“Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the man, the surer he is that he knows precisely what is right and what is wrong. All human progress, even in morals, has been the work of men who have doubted the current moral values, not of men who have whooped them up and tried to enforce them. The truly civilized man is always skeptical and tolerant.”― H.L. Mencken

Those Arguing US Should Stay Out of Syria

With or Without Us
By Fareed Zakaria, Monday, May. 13, 2013 – Time Magazine

Those urging the U.S. to intervene in Syria are certain of one thing: If we had intervened sooner, things would be better in that war-torn country. Had the Obama Administration gotten involved earlier, there would be less instability and fewer killings. We would not be seeing, in John McCain’s words of April 28, “atrocities that are on a scale that we have not seen in a long, long time.”

In fact, we have seen atrocities much worse than those in Syria very recently, in Iraq under U.S. occupation only few years ago. From 2003 to 2012, despite there being as many as 180,000 American and allied troops in Iraq, somewhere between 150,000 and 300,000 Iraqi civilians died and about 1.5 million fled the country. Jihadi groups flourished in Iraq, and al-Qaeda had a huge presence there. The U.S. was about as actively engaged in Iraq as is possible, and yet more terrible things happened there than in Syria. Why?

The point here is not to make comparisons among atrocities. The situation in Syria is much like that in Iraq–and bears little resemblance to that in Libya–so we can learn a lot from our experience there. Joshua Landis, the leading scholar on Syria, points out that it is the last of the three countries of the Levant where minority regimes have been challenged by the majority. In Lebanon, the Christian elite were displaced through a bloody civil war that started in the 1970s and lasted 15 years. In Iraq in 2003, the U.S. military quickly displaced the Sunni elite, handing the country over to the Shi’ites–but the Sunnis have fought back ferociously for almost a decade. Sectarian killings persist in Iraq to this day.

Syria is following a similar pattern. the country has a Sunni majority. The regime is Alawite, a Shi’ite subsect that makes up 12% of the population, but it also draws some support from other minorities–Druze, Armenians and others–who worry about their fate in a majoritarian Syria. These fears might be justified. Consider what has happened to the Christians of Iraq. There were as many as 1.4 million of them before the Iraq war. There are now about 500,000, and many of their churches have been destroyed. Christian life in Iraq, which has survived since the days of the Bible, is in real danger of being extinguished by the current regime in Baghdad.

All the features of Syria’s civil war that are supposedly the result of U.S. nonintervention also appeared in Iraq despite America’s massive intervention there. In Iraq under U.S. occupation, many Sunni groups banded together with jihadi forces from the outside; some even broke bread with al-Qaeda. Shi’ite militias got support from Iran. Both sides employed tactics that were brutal beyond belief–putting electric drills through people’s heads, burning others alive and dumping still breathing victims into mass graves.

These struggles get vicious for a reason: the stakes are very high. The minority regime fights to the end because it fears for its life once out of power. The Sunnis of Iraq fought–even against the mighty American military–because they knew that life under the Shi’ites would be ugly, as it has proved to be. The Alawites in Syria will fight even harder because they are a smaller minority and have further to fall.

Would U.S. intervention–no-fly zones, arms, aid to the opposition forces–make things better? It depends on what one means by better. It would certainly intensify the civil war. It would also make the regime of Bashar Assad more desperate. Perhaps Assad has already used chemical weapons; with his back against the wall, he might use them on a larger scale. As for external instability, Landis points out that if U.S. intervention tipped the balance against the Alawites, they might flee Syria into Lebanon, destabilizing that country for decades. Again, this pattern is not unprecedented. Large numbers on the losing side have fled wars in the Middle East, from Palestinians in 1948 to Iraq’s Sunnis in the past decade.

If the objective is actually to reduce the atrocities and minimize potential instability, the key will be a political settlement that gives each side an assurance that it has a place in the new Syria. That was never achieved in Iraq, which is why, despite U.S. troops and arms and influence, the situation turned into a violent free-for-all. If some kind of political pact can be reached, there’s hope for Syria. If it cannot, U.S. assistance to the rebels or even direct military intervention won’t change much: Syria will follow the pattern of Lebanon and Iraq–a long, bloody civil war. And America will be in the middle of it.

President Obama: Keep Your Nerve on Syria

by Robert E. Hunter

“Then we’ll have done all we can.”“Very heartless.”“It’s safer to be heartless than mindless. History is the triumph of the heartless over the mindless.”Yes, Prime Minister.

President Barack Obama, it is said, has painted himself into a corner with his repeated statements that the use of chemical weapons by the Assad government will be a “game changer” or cross a “red line.” The difficulty of definitions has produced what must have been one of the most ambiguous letters ever to be put on White House stationery. It came as a response to a demand from two US Senators about presidential policy in the event of such weapons use.

More accurately, however, the president can be said to have painted himself into a corner with Syria on two occasions, initially as early as August 2011, and repeated since, by declaring that “Assad must go.”

Of course, Assad has not gone, thus demonstrating once again the first rule of being US President: never call for something, especially in a simple declaratory sentence, if you are not prepared to follow through and make it happen.

This recitation is not meant to be an attack on the US president. It is an introduction to what has to be a genuine dilemma, indeed, a series of dilemmas, which come in several forms.

Syria’s Future

The first dilemma regards the potentiality of a positive outcome in Syria. Assad and company are engaged in the massive slaughter of their own people, which, along with those killed by the rebels, numbers more than 70,000 by a recent (likely conservative) count, plus the creation of more than a million refugees. There is meanwhile no resolution in sight of what has become a full-scale civil war.

Let us assume that Assad is killed (or decides to seek a safe haven) tomorrow. What then? It is a vast stretch of the imagination to believe that the killing would then stop.

What is happening in Syria is radically different from what happened in the so-called “Arab spring” in Tunisia, Egypt, or even Libya. This is not primarily a matter of whether a leader who stayed too long and was too repressive will go; but whether a particular minority will continue to be able to dominate the rest of the population, or, with “regime change,” whether there will be a bloody free-for-all competition for power. None of the other three regime changes were about that.

More relevant is what happened in Iraq, when the US and partners, by invading in 2003, overturned centuries of admittedly unjust domination of a majority (Shi’ite) by a minority (Sunni). Or what is happening, or rather not happening, in Bahrain, where the situation is just the reverse but has been kept in check by military power, much of which has been applied by neighboring Saudi Arabia, with the US, concerned about its base in Bahrain for the Fifth Fleet, at best “turning a blind eye.”

It’s therefore hard to see what the United States, or any combination of outsiders, could usefully do — not to help overthrow Assad and his Alawite-dominated military (that can be done) — but to help “shape” a future in Syria that won’t lead to even more bloody chaos before something approaching “stability” could ensue. Even if that were possible, it would likely take the form of a new suppression, but by the majority (Sunni) over various minorities.

Public Opinion 

The second dilemma — perhaps it should be first — is related to whether the American people are ready and willing to see the US engaged in yet another Middle East war. The answer (“No”) is clear, but so far policy is not — hence the dilemma.

There should be no indulgence in the nonsense that all could be accomplished by providing more lethal arms to the rebels, imposing a no-fly zone, or using air power directly. That would be relatively sterile in today’s military taxology, but even if/when successful, it leads back to the first dilemma. And if unsuccessful, the US would then be called upon to do what, in current jargon, is called “boots on the ground” — that is, invasion. There should be no nonsense, however, about the US being able, as in Libya, to “lead from behind.” Even though the British and the French (the latter was the former mandatory power in Syria after World War I) would like to see something done, they are this time ready to hold the US coat, but not lead themselves.

To his credit, the president so far has been wary of getting more deeply engaged, presumably due to a combination of his awareness of the two dilemmas above, the second of which (US public opinion), if ignored, would surely take attention away from what he clearly sees as his legacy: repairs to the heavily-damaged US economy (and the global financial system) and his historical goal, which can be summarized in a few simple words: the promotion of equality in American society.

Regional Context

The third dilemma derives from the manner in which the conflict in Syria began. It did have domestic roots (as in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya), but it also had external causes and active agents, notably a desire by leading Sunni states (Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and to a lesser degree, Turkey) to right the informal and rough regional “balance of power” between them and Shi’a states that was so heavily upset by the US invasion of Iraq. This came after the spread of the “disease” from revolutionary Shi’a Iran had both been almost entirely contained in the region and had most of its fires banked at home. Some Sunni states still fear contagion, however, notably Saudi Arabia, where oil lands are heavily concentrated in Shi’a territories (hence Riyadh’s desire to get rid of the Alawite rule in Syria).

So here it is: an already slow-rolling civil war across the region, pitting Sunnis versus Shi’as, but only in part about religion, is also about competitions for power. In this case, it’s an essentially four-cornered competition among Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Turkey, the first three of which have as much to do in fueling the current confrontation with Iran as does its nuclear program.

Would the overthrow of the Assad regime cause this regional civil war to intensify? Or would it lead to a new, informal balance among religious groupings that would be reasonably “stable,” whatever that means in today’s roiling Middle East? It would take a Dr. Pangloss to argue the case for stability over more competition and even less stability and predictability about the future of inter-state relations and internal developments.

Non-governmental Actors

Dilemma number four flows from the above. As the civil war has continued and intensified, Sunni Islamist militants, including elements of al-Qaeda, Wahhabis and Salafists, have increasingly become engaged. That should be no surprise. These groups batten on conflict, especially a conflict with intense emotion and deep-seated religious inspiration. Thus even with Assad gone — perhaps by magic wand tomorrow — would the outcome of the civil war be ruled by a Sunni strongman, pacifying the country by force? Or solidification of another base for continuing terrorist operations by some of our and our allies’ worst enemies?….

Ambassador’s Pickering and Crocker on Syria (America’s two most senior retired ambassadors) from FP

Pickering has been working on a plan to offer a way forward. This would include dropping the precondition that required Assad step down for talks to begin — an idea Kerry embraced this week — an immediate humanitarian ceasefire across Syria, and a U.N.-brokered election process that would lead toward a transitional government.

While all sides note that there are no good answers and no easy solutions, Pickering notes that slow diplomatic action has not increased America’s odds of finding the best outcome among a slew of difficult options.

“I think we have tended to put the diplomatic side aside as in the ‘too hard’ category,” Pickering says. “We need to move this fairly soon or we are going to lose the opposition — certainly the al Qaedization of the opposition has been fairly serious and the fractionation of the opposition is very large.”

On the other hand, those who’ve seen the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan from a front-row diplomatic seat say caution is the better part of policy prudence when it comes to Syria.

“There are no good options here and the pressure is growing to do something because that is what we do, we do things,” says former Amb. Ryan Crocker, who served as ambassadors to both Iraq and Syria and now is a senior fellow at Yale University. ” But everything of significance I can think of doing is likely to make the situation worse, not better and put us in a worse position, not a better one.” In Crocker’s view, the stalemate with the Russians at the United Nations regarding more concerted action has actually benefited America.

“The Russians are actually doing us a favor and I don’t think they are actually going to come off it because they see a rebel victory as deeply destabilizing for the region and particularly for them,” Crocker says.  “I hope they go on blocking any Security Council action because if you get an ‘all necessary measures’ resolution, then you are in a very exposed position if you don’t use all necessary means.”  

What Crocker does favor, however, is more humanitarian aid and non-lethal support, and greater backing  for the Syrian opposition, which gathered this week in Istanbul, in the effort to come up with a vision for a post-Assad political transition.

Crocker, however, rejects the idea that Syria is simply Iraq in a different form. He cites the willingness of the Assad regime to wage war by any means necessary as among the key differences, meaning more weapons for the opposition will not necessarily lead to less fighting.

“They have been training, equipping, and organizing for this for a very long time,” he says of Assad’s forces.  “They have got the weaponry, they are ruthless and they know what the alternatives are.  Whatever you say about them, they will stand and fight and you did not have that situation with a government in either Bosnia or Iraq.” ….

“Broader regional fighting could bring the U.S. and Iran into direct conflict, a potentially major military undertaking for the U.S. A U.S.-Iran confrontation linked to the Syrian crisis could spread the area of conflict even to Afghanistan. Russia would benefit from America’s being bogged down again in the Middle East. China would resent U.S. destabilization of the region because Beijing needs stable access to energy from the Middle East.
To minimize these potential consequences, U.S. military intervention would have to achieve a decisive outcome relatively quickly through the application of overwhelming force. That would require direct Turkish involvement, which seems unlikely given Turkey’s internal difficulties, particularly its tenuous relations with its substantial Kurdish minority.
The various schemes that have been proposed for a kind of tiddlywinks intervention from around the edges of the conflict-no-fly zones, bombing Damascus and so forth-would simply make the situation worse. None of the proposals would result in an outcome strategically beneficial for the U.S. On the contrary, they would produce a more complex, undefined slide into the worst-case scenario. The only solution is to seek Russia’s and China’s support for U.N.-sponsored elections in which, with luck, Assad might be “persuaded” not to participate.”

The struggle for Syria
Op-Ed – LATimes
Any military intervention by the U.S. would only exacerbate the conflict.
By Majid Rafizadeh, May 7, 2013

My cousin, Ramez, was dead before the echoes of the gunshot that killed him stopped ringing. His 4-year-old daughter, Zeynab, watched him fall on a narrow street in Damascus, but she never heard the shot because she is deaf. She held onto his lifeless hand until a second bullet tore into her chest. She survived.

I tell this story to make it clear that my family and I have experienced the civil war firsthand. Ramez was just one of several family members who lost their lives in the battle against Bashar Assad’s police state. My mother, sister and brother, alongside millions of other war-torn Syrian refugees, were forced to flee to Lebanon and then on to Baghdad.

But despite the seriousness and severity of the situation, I don’t believe that the United States should intervene militarily in Syria. Any direct or indirect intervention by the U.S. would exacerbate Syria’s internal conflict and increase the number of people being displaced and killed.

The US can’t remake Syria
By Andrew J. Bacevich, May 08, 2013

As you contemplate the ongoing violence in Syria, here are the three things to keep in mind.

First, the United States undoubtedly possesses the wherewithal to topple the regime of Bashar Assad. On this score, the hawks are surely right. Whether acting alone, with allies, or through proxies, Washington over the past decade or so has demonstrated an impressive capacity to overthrow governments. Skeptical? Consider the fate of various evil-doers on whom we trained our gun-sights in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya.

Second, once Washington has removed Assad as it did Saddam Hussein, the likelihood of the United States being able to put things right — creating a “new” Syria that is stable, humane, and grateful for American assistance — is approximately nil. Here the evidence supports the doves. Skeptical? Again, consider the course of events in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya once the evil-doers departed the scene.

These two points define the poles around which the policy debate in Washington incessantly revolves. In one camp are those who are fired by humanitarian concerns or persuaded that Assad threatens US (or Israeli) security. They are keen to put American muscle once more to work, and chastise President Obama for his reluctance to act. In the second camp are those wary of the United States once again stumbling into a quagmire. They commend Obama for (thus far) exercising restraint, fearing that American meddling will create more problems than it will solve.

This debate overlooks the third point, which obviates the first two: Whatever Obama does or doesn’t do about Syria won’t affect the larger trajectory of events. Except to Syrians, the fate of Syria per se doesn’t matter any more than the fate of Latvia or Laos. The context within which the upheaval there is occurring — what preceded it and what it portends — matters a great deal. Yet on this score, Washington is manifestly clueless and powerles

History possesses a remarkable capacity to confound. Right when the path ahead appears clear — remember when the end of the Cold War seemed to herald a new age of harmony? — it makes a U-turn. The Syrian civil war provides only the latest indication that one such radical reversal is occurring before our very eyes. For Syria bears further witness to the ongoing disintegration of the modern Middle East and the reemergence of an assertive Islamic world, a development likely to define the 21st century.

Recall that the modern Middle East is a relatively recent creation. It emerged from the wreckage of World War I, the handiwork of cynical and devious European imperialists. As European (and especially British) power declined after World War II, the United States, playing the role of willing patsy, assumed responsibility for propping up this misbegotten product of European venality — a dubious inheritance, if there ever was one.

Now it’s all coming undone. Today, from the Maghreb to Pakistan, the order created by the West to serve Western interests is succumbing to an assault mounted from within. Who are the assailants? People intent on exercising that right to self-determination that President Woodrow Wilson bequeathed to the world nearly 100 years ago. What these multitudes are seeking remains to be seen. But they don’t want and won’t countenance outside interference.

Anyone fancying that the United States can forestall this quest for self-determination should think again. Anyone who thinks Washington can bend the process to suit our own purposes needs to undertake a remedial study of the Iraq War.

Americans have long entertained the conceit that we are bigger than history. We provide the drumbeat to which others march. Sorry: Not so.

By way of comparison, think of those stories about the sea encroaching on some Nantucket or Plum Island home. Those immediately affected might delude themselves into thinking that a bit of sand replenishment will save the day. Grown-ups know better. Ultimately, the winds and tides, reinforced of late by climate change, will have their way.

So too with the Greater Middle East. Pressure on Obama to “do something” about Syria continues to mount. Perhaps he’ll refuse. I hope so. Or perhaps he’ll cave, with Syria becoming yet another active theater in what has become America’s endless War To Be Named Later. One thing is certain: US intervention in Syria won’t affect the tsunami of change that is engulfing the Islamic world.

Former Defense Chief Gates says ‘no’ to direct military involvement in Syria
New York Daily News

says he oversaw wars that began with quick regime change “and we all know what happened after that.”

For Intervention

Fouad Ajami: “In Syria’s war, the lines that matter aren’t red

….The remarkable thing about this drawn-out fight, now entering its third year, is the passivity of the United States. A region of traditional American influence has been left to fend for itself.

Of course, these sectarian enmities do not lend themselves to an outsider’s touch. Nor did Obama call up these furies; they cannot be laid at his doorstep. But the unwillingness of his administration to make a clean break with Assad helped radicalize the Syrian rebellion. The landscape would have been altered by American help. A no-fly zone near the border with Turkey could have sheltered and aided the rebels. An early decision to arm the rebellion would have leveled the killing field. Four of the president’s principal foreign policy advisers from his first term advocated giving weapons to the rebels — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, CIA Director David Petraeusand the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey. But the president overrode them, his caution of no help in a conflict of such virulence.

Under the gaze of the world, Obama instead drew a red line on the use of chemical weapons and warned that his calculus would change if these weapons were used or moved around. He thus placed his credibility in the hands of the Syrian dictator and, in the midst of a storm of his own making, fell back on lawyerly distinctions.

A Greater Middle East, an Islamic world, used to American campaigns of rescue — Kuwait in 1991, Bosnia in 1995, Kosovo in 1999, Afghanistan in 2001, Iraq in 2003, Libya in 2011 — is now witnessing the ebb of American power and responsibility. Obama has held his fire in the face of great slaughter, and truth be known, congressional and popular opinion have given him a pass. America has wearied of Middle Eastern wars.

Syrian rebels sure that the American cavalry would turn up after this or that massacre have been bitterly disappointed. It’s the tragic luck of the Syrians that their rebellion has happened on the watch of an American president who has made a fetish of caution, who has seen the risks of action and overlooked the consequences of abdication…..

Misc.

Inside Syria’s siege economy
By Keith Proctor, May 8, 2013:

As the fighting in Syria drags on, resource flows have adapted to accommodate life inside — and to support the opposition forces vying for control…..

“I know the Blond Duck is a dictator,” said one young Syrian who requested anonymity, using a common nickname for President Assad. “But the opposition, they’re not about freedom, either. Do you really think that Jihadists will bring freedom?”

Like many young Syrians caught between the regime and rebels, he said, he simply wanted stability.

Whatever the outcome, he may be sadly disappointed. For most analysts, it’s not a question of whether the regime will fall, but when. Following that, the persistent fear is that the revolution, to use Jacques Mallet du Pan’s phrase, will devour its children. “If the Blond Duck falls,” the young Syrian said, “there will be complete anarchy.”

And if that happens, a war that has for months swirled around the still-peaceful center of Aleppo will finally rush in.

In Syria and Beyond, the Tyrant as Target
By FEISAL G. MOHAMED, May 11, 2013, New York Times

Eliminating a tyrant is not virtuous if one is knowingly creating even greater conditions of disorder and destruction. Legitimate tyrannicide must flow from a good-faith effort to institute justice. To return to the example of Syria, when we hear news of extreme violence committed (or, in recent reports, claims of the use of chemical weapons) not just by government forces but by opposition forces, too, we must be led to wonder if the latter aim to replace Assad’s tyranny with one of their own making

The effort to institute justice is one of several restrictions that we might impose on tyrannicide. At worst it is an alibi for the execution of political enemies. The most familiar examples of this tendency arose during the cold war, when a tyrant meriting assassination was one with Soviet sympathies and autocrats pliable to Western directives were deemed benign. To avoid this pitfall, we might first define a tyrant in terms familiar throughout history: a leader who rules by force, who has an incontrovertible record of directly ordering large-scale murder, and who is actively using a position of authority to engage in the slaughter of innocents. We might further define that person as a “rogue” in his refusal to participate in the community of nations, so that diplomatic and nonviolent restraint of his actions seems unachievable.

Cases in which tyrannicide seems an especially appropriate remedy will be those where the tyrant is a chief source of destructive commands in the polity, rather than presiding incompetently over a reckless and loosely organized military or security apparatus. In such an eventuality, the removal of the tyrant holds the strong possibility of ending the horrors taking place under his rule. But that removal, as we have said, must arise from the aspiration to implement a new and more peaceable civil order…..

Syrian rebel leader Salim Idriss admits difficulty of unifying fighters
By David Enders | McClatchy Foreign Staff

Savage Online Videos Fuel Syria’s Descent Into Madness
By Aryn BakerMay 12, 2013

Too Close for Comfort: Syrians in Lebanon, Beirut/Washington | 13 May 2013
Sahar Atrache, Crisis Group’s Middle East & North Africa Analyst

As the Syrian conflict increasingly implicates and spills over into Lebanon, a priority for its government and international partners must be to tackle the refugee crisis, lest it ignite domestic conflict that a weak state and volatile region can ill afford.

“Lebanon’s fate historically has been deeply intertwined with Syria’s. As Syria heads even more steadily toward catastrophe, there is every reason for Lebanese of all persuasions to worry about their own country — and to do something about it.”

Israeli Bombs and American Qualms: Assessing Syria, by Andrew Exum, May 6, 2013

U.S. and Russia agree to Syria talks, But Anti-Assad Opposition May Refuse to Participate By Jonathan S. Landay and Hannah Allam | McClatchy Newspapers

Congress Speaks With a Loud, Muddled Voice on Syria By Paul Richter | Los Angeles Times

Pentagon Plans for the Worst in Syria By Adam Entous and Julian E. Barnes | The Wall Street Journal (Subscription Required)

Sen. Menendez: Senator Menendez Introduces Syria Stabilization Act of 2013, 2013-05-06, Legislation Provides for Lethal Weapons to Vetted Syrian

Turkey Fears Russia Too Much to Intervene in Syria, Opposition, Sanctions Weapon Sales and Petroleum to the Assad Regime, While Delivering Humanitarian Assistance and Planning …

“Syria’s music wars” on your blog? by Omar Sayfo

Comments (1,333)


Dawoud said:

Sooner or later, Bashar and Hasan Nasr’al-Shytan will pay for their terrorism!

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-315347-govt-says-syrian-regime-to-blame-for-attack-denies-opposition-hand.html

Gov’t says Syrian regime to blame for attack, denies opposition hand

13 May 2013 /İBRAHİM VARLIK, ANKARA
Top government authorities on Monday reiterated accusations that the Syrian regime was responsible for twin car bombs that killed 49 people and wounded many more in Reyhanlı, a district of the southern province of Hatay, and denied claims that Syrian opposition forces or refugees had a hand in the blasts.
“The incident [bombings] is certainly linked to the Syrian regime. It has nothing to do with the [Syrian] opposition,” stated Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan when speaking to reporters. He also vowed “action” against Syria, but did not elaborate. “The Syrian regime and its extensions in Turkey have a hand in the bombings. We need to be careful [not to get provoked],” the prime minister went on.

On Saturday, one of the car bombs exploded outside the city hall while the other went off outside the post office in the town of Reyhanlı, a main hub for Syrian refugees and opposition activity in Turkey’s Hatay province. Forty-nine people were killed and as many as 100 injured in the bombings. The dead bodies of the 46 dead were retrieved from the sites of the bombings on Saturday while the bodies of three other victims were discovered on Monday.

Nine people were immediately taken into custody for suspected links to the terrorist attack. All suspects are Turkish citizens. Five of the captured suspects are members of the terrorist Revolutionary People’s Liberation Pa
[…]

May 13th, 2013, 2:02 pm

 

Dawoud said:

Syrian Revolution beautiful song! Free Syria and Palestine!

May 13th, 2013, 2:04 pm

 
 

dawoud said:

Do the Massacres in Bayda and Banyas Portend Ethnic Cleansing to Create an Alawite State?
by Joshua Landis

Yes, Mr. Landis! Bashar’s and his Lebanese allies’ goal it to create an Alawi/Shia coast separate from the rest of Syria. As you previously wrote, an Alawi homeland would only be recognized by Iran and Hizbistan. Free Syria’s central government in Damascus would not stop until it re-conquers the coast and unties the country. Sleazy and war criminal try, though, for the regime and Hizbistan to engage in ethnic cleansing as an “insurance.”

May 13th, 2013, 2:12 pm

 

b said:

Prof. Landis has emphasized a “sectarian” view of the conflict from the very beginning. He has a set of glasses that does not fit.

This conflict was pushed on Syria from the outside. Those people who instigated it tried their best to make it sectarian. But in the cities the Sunnis are still with Assad. The mostly Sunni army is still with Assad. The sectarian talk has no base outside of the imported Jihadists mindset.

Landis does not see this. He claims sectarianism is the root of this all. In that he is just as wrong as he was with his claim “Allepo has fallen” some six month ago.

May 13th, 2013, 2:20 pm

 

Dawoud said:

Is Ali Kyali, the Alawi ethnic-cleansing Shabih, Syria’s version of Bosnian war criminals Ratko Mladić and Radovan Karadžić? Yes, and one day he will also be captured and tried!

May 13th, 2013, 2:20 pm

 

b said:

Landis has emphasized a sectarian view of the conflict from the very beginning of the conflict.

This view is wrong. The conflict was, from the onset, pushed on Syria from the outside. It was the outside forces that had sectarian views. The Jihadists they send propagated this view.

But the Sunnis in the cities are still with Assad and the Syrian state. The mostly Sunni army is still with Assad and the Syrian state. The Syrian state is not sectarian.

Landis is looking through glasses that do not fit. His claim of sectarianism as base of the conflict is just as true has claim “Aleppo has fallen” was some six month ago.

May 13th, 2013, 2:24 pm

 

Visitor said:

Landis is doing, and has been doing, everything he can to please in-laws.

The curse that will continually follow him.

That is also why he needs sidekicks like Lund and Barber.

May 13th, 2013, 2:30 pm

 

revenire said:

This post by Landis is ridiculous – it reminds me of the “Assad is living on a Russian cruiser off the coast” story.

Hassan Hassan’s affiliations are well known. He is with the terrorists. Look at the cartoonish image on his Twitter page of the Houla massacre. It is laughable and obscene.

Michael Young of the Daily Star – well, what political affiliations does the Daily Star have? March 14.

No one, least of all Assad, is moving toward an Alawi state on the coast. That is nonsense.

May 13th, 2013, 2:50 pm

 

Observer said:

Well the regime has made gains in Qusayr and in the South.

The conflict has degenerated as well. I would say that there are elements within the regime that are showing signs of being uncontrollable just as the FSA has had numerous brigades that are not working together all the time. It is also clear that within the revolution there are elements that do not want a quick end to this conflict for they are gaining in strength at the expense of the FSA.

The massacres on the coast are an indication of this lack of cohesion on the regime side in my opinion.

Wali Nasr wrote a book about the declince of US foreign policy and in this the title is called the Dispensable Nation. I have not read the book yet but I would say that if so then there is no one power that is capable or willing to fill the void.

Neither Iran nor Turkey are capable of filling the void. Neither has any soft power as their hard power is limited. Russia has not been able to have any constructive role only an obstructive role at this stage. China has withdrawn from the active engagement if any.

The vetoes and the continued help from Iran and Russia I would argue have had an opposite effect on the foreign policy of both Iran and Russia.

Russia may have lost the Arab world for the sake of Syria. It may have wanted to come across as a reliable ally but in so doing it has become hostage to the whims and brutality of the regime. For months now it has been deflecting critique by pointing out the shortcomings of the opposition instead of accepting the huge shortcomings of the regime.

Iran has now only a small set of cards to play to remain relevant in its ME policy with Islamic Jihad in Gaza, HA in Lebanon, and Syria. In Syria it has lost the population for the sake of a sectarian based regime. Its continued selective support of the Bahrain revolution and the regime in Syria has painted it as a pure sectarian based regime.

As for intervention, there are numerous voices that are asking for it that have not been posted today.

The question is not whether to interevene nor not. This is a rather mute and stupid point.

The question is how to manage the inevitable intervention not because we do or do not want to intervene but because the instability created by the conflict will force the US to intervene in one form or another.

As for the bigger question of what is the future of Syria. I would posit that the future of the entire region is bleak for the simple reason that the Sykes Picot divisions have created inherently unstable and failure prone statelets that could only stay together by force.

The other main problem not addressed by JL and colleagues is that of the definition of victory. For the regime it is staying in power and continued to rule over the “farm” by killing a million or two and doing another massive Hama.

For the opposition it is the uprooting of the regime but with an inability to offer a viable stable alternative they remain hobbled by their differences, inexperience, and ideologies.

At present, though the hardliners on the ground on the one hand and the fighters on the other are going to continue to fight.

As for the Alawi state, they did not need to kill so many people, they could have come out a long time ago, after 1985 for example and said we cannot live with you and we would like to have our state and we are moving all the weapons to our areas and if you want a fight we will give you one. I think at that time they could have had their state. However they thought that they could have the cake and eat it too have their state within the state and keep all of it under their thumb.

Well that is no longer possible.

May 13th, 2013, 3:05 pm

 

revenire said:

Can anyone name anyone in the Syrian government, or anyplace else, who wants (or has floated the idea) of an Alawi state?

Would Asma be allowed to move there? What about the children? That is a joke – a bad one.

May 13th, 2013, 3:15 pm

 

revenire said:

Syrian army takes villages near Qusayr: officer

WESTERN DUMAYNA, Syria: Syrian troops captured three villages in the strategic Qusayr area of Homs province on Monday, allowing them to cut supply lines to rebels inside Qusayr town, a military officer told AFP.

“The attack on the villages of Western Dumayna, Haidariyeh and Esh al-Warwar began this morning,” the lieutenant colonel said on condition of anonymity.

“The fighting lasted for three hours until we established control over these villages, which are considered strategic because they lie on the road between the cities of Homs and Qusayr and will allow us to block supplies to the militants in Qusayr,” he said.

May 13th, 2013, 3:15 pm

 

revenire said:

“For the regime it is staying in power and continued to rule over the ‘farm’ by killing a million or two and doing another massive Hama.”

Observer there are not a million people willing to die for this Zionist revolution. I suspect we are seeing the manpower of the rats dwindling now.

The army is on a tear and momentum is building.

May 13th, 2013, 3:18 pm

 

revenire said:

DAMASCUS; SCENES OF JUBILATION AS OUR ARMY GRINDS THE RATS INTO SO MUCH FERTILIZER:

Harasta: Firefight nets 5 rodents trying to find shelter in an hostile world. 2 were identified:

Fawwaaz Habboosh
Abdul-Sattaar ‘Ali-Ahmad

Shifooniyya: The day before yesterday, these snipers were hunted down and asked to surrender. They thought they could take on the NDF. They were dead wrong:

‘Adnaan Al-‘Arabu
Na’eem Sultaaniyya
Akram Zaytoon
‘Aabed Kan’aan

Also, today, in Shiffoniyya, we are delighted to give news to the family of Mr. Muhammad Al-Najjaar of the Jabhat Al-Nusra of his premature descent down the Mephisto Autobahn to the flea market supervised by none other than the Lord of the Flies himself. Bully for him!!

Jawbar: At the cork factory, J.N. fanatics fired artillery at the building and set it on fire. The rats were all killed and their mortar piece seized and given to NDF for later use against Prince Fatso. No names of the carcasses. 12 dead.

Also in Jawbar, at the Al-Manaasher Roundabout, militia sent these 2 dung beetles to Satan’s compost heap:

Mahmoud Darweesh (Obviously not the great Palestinian poet who passed away some years ago. He would have been ashamed of professors who still don’t know that Dr. Assad is the man in Syria’s future.)
Hishaam Al-‘Uluw.

Barza: A nest of buzzards is wiped out by SAA and militia. 13 killed and no prisoners to worry about:

Muneeb Faakhoori
Ziyaad Al-Sagheer
Muhammad Jawaahiri
Sabaah Al-Mu’ti
Abdul-Hameed Al-Shamaali

The rest carried no identification and will be cremated.

Al-Qaaboon: No details about a major firefight inside the town. Only that at least 6 rats were killed.

Harmala Tunnel: We now have 2 brand new 23mm anti-aircraft cannons and a big crate of AK47s for our militia. Thank you Prince Pedophile of Qatar.

‘Adra: Jabhat Al-Nusra went down the pipe and got smoked. 11 confirmed dead foreign rats.

May 13th, 2013, 3:56 pm

 

CE said:

#5 b is completely correct. Prof. Landis, you have it right in front of your nose and even say it yourself – Mihrac Ural speaks about cleansing the place from _rebel combatants_, not from _Sunni civilians_. How can someone of the “wrong sect” be a “traitor” as he says? That’s nonsense and yet you weave it into your Alawite statelet ethnic cleansing fantasy. This constant sectarian lens – isn’t there a word for perspectives like that … Orientalism?

May 13th, 2013, 3:57 pm

 

revenire said:

IRGC Commander: Anti-Israeli Forces Can Hit Targets 400km in Occupied Territories Soon

TEHRAN (FNA)- Forces fighting the Israeli regime will soon manufacture missiles with a range of 400 km, commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Qassem Suleimani has said according to sources.

A report by al-Mayadeen network quoted an unnamed source close to Suleimani as saying that the recent Israeli air raid on Damascus cannot weaken the anti-Israel resistance movement.

“The same way stones (Symbol of the Palestinian’s anti-Israel Intifada movement) grew into missiles with a 100km-range, God willing, we will help the resistance develop its capability to build home-made missiles with warheads and with the range of 400 km in the near future,” the source quoted Suleimani as saying.

No official source has confirmed the report yet.

In November, IRGC top Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari announced that Iran has provided the Palestinian groups with the needed technology to mass produce Fajr-5 missiles, adding that Palestinians now have a large depot of the strategic weapon.

“We cannot send arms to Gaza because of its siege, but we have provided them (the Palestinians) with our experiences in manufacturing Fajr-5 missiles and today this missile is being manufactured (by Palestinians) in large numbers,” Jafari told reporters in mid November.

As regards Iran’s military assistance to the Palestinian resistance groups, Jafari said, “We extend technological aid and assistance to every Muslim standing against the arrogance (power).”

Political and military experts believe that Israel was shocked and later pushed to reassess its calculations after Palestinian groups responded to the Israeli army’s Wednesday aggression on Gaza with a stunning retaliation, hitting Tel Aviv, a move which eventually made Israel start an overture and change its war rhetoric about an impending ground incursion into Gaza to a tone of compromise in pursuit of truce.

Israel was surprised when Palestinians in Gaza targeted Tel Aviv, 70km away from the foremost Palestinian territories, for the first time on Friday. The longest range recorded by Palestinian missiles prior to Friday had been 40km.

Things grew worse for Israeli rulers when Hamas targeted Herzliya, a city 11km North of Tel Aviv, on Sunday.

Targeting Herzliya means that Palestinian resistance groups now have the capability to hit targets, at least, 80km away, much beyond the previously thought 40-km range for Palestinian missiles.

And this strategic weapon which has changed the scene of the war between Israel and Palestinians is a rocket known as Fajr-5.

Fajr-class rockets, Fajr-5 (Dawn 5) in particular, are known and described by the world military experts, as a weapon system appropriate for asymmetric wars, where the military power of the conflicting sides differs significantly.

Fajr-1 rocket is a solid fuel 107mm rocket with a range of 8.3km and can be mounted on speed boats.

Fajr-2 is the second generation of Fajr-class rockets. It is a 240mm rocket that can hit targets in 25km in distance.

Fajr-3 is an optimized version of 240mm Fajr-2 rockets but with a range of 43km and a 85kg payload. The rocket is launched by Fajr-3 rocket launchers and can provide heavy firepower in asymmetric wars.

The world class Fajr-5 is a solid fuel non-fixed wing 333mm rocket designed and optimized for artillery missions to hit enemy’s command and control, logistic, radar, communication, economic and political centers.

It is a rocket with 75km range, a payload of 178kg and speed of 1009meter per second.

The two-stage version of Fajr-5 rockets are the most effective and longest range of the Fajr-class rockets and can be used against enemy targets such as command and control centers, logistics, radar, communication, airports, plants and economic and political centers.

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9107169702&fb_action_ids=10151430717403175&fb_action_types=og.recommends

May 13th, 2013, 4:04 pm

 

zoo said:

Reve

The interpretation that Bashar is working to create a separate Alawite entity freed from anti-regime Sunnis, plays well in favor of Bashar Al Assad, even if this was not his intention.

The immediate reaction is that Obama, Cameron and all the western leaders kept repeating that Syria must remained undivided.
Well, they’ll have to work fast to make the opposition accept to sit at the negotiating table before it is too late.
If they don’t hurry up, the scenario of pushing all the Sunnis from the coast could become an irreversible reality.

Most of the minorities and many Sunnis would prefer to join that entity, secured and under a united government. The rest of Syria will be a a big chaos of fights between the different sunnis factions, MB, Salafists, moderates..

The Alawites would benefit from the sea, the oil and an outlet while in the rest of Syria the moderate Sunnis would be caught in Sunnis internal fights.
No wonder they are worrying.

May 13th, 2013, 4:13 pm

 

zoo said:

Arrests and Calls for Calm in Turkey

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/13/world/europe/9-detained-in-bombings-on-turkey-border-with-syria.html?_r=0

Turkey, like Syria’s other neighbors, is increasingly worried that the conflict will inflame border areas, where tensions among various groups are deepening amid the flood of traumatized Syrian refugees.

The reaction to the bombings in Reyhanli was a reminder of how quickly fissures could open. In a predominantly Sunni town that was seen as sympathetic to Syria’s Sunni-led opposition and the plight of those who have been displaced, some residents lashed out at Syrian refugees, tens of thousands of whom have settled in the town over the past two years.

Some youths attacked cars with Syrian license plates, and Syrians spent a second day hidden indoors in fear. Yet it was not difficult to find Turks who said the government’s Syria policy had caused the violence.

Turkey’s prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said the country needed to be “extremely calm in the face of provocations that are aimed at dragging us into the bloody quagmire in Syria.”

May 13th, 2013, 4:23 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

Prof. Josh wants to Compare Nakbas: OK, 82,000 vs. 3000?

Professor Josh said:

Zionist forces in Israel, cleared Palestinian villages of their inhabitants in 1948, rather than leave them behind Israeli lines.

Professor Josh,

The Assad family that you supported so deftly for over a decade has surpassed the “EVIL” Zionists. Although you want to make an inaccurate comparison, I feel as though you should tell “the whole story”:

Your Assad strong-man, because he has refused to step down, has over 82,000 dead Syrians on his hands. OTOH, the WHOLE 1948 war with Israel, produced about 3000 Palestinian deaths and fewer refugees. Of course, the invasion by 5 Arab armies (including Syria) didn’t help. And the arabs were even given a choice to avoid war with the UN Partition Plan.

PLENTY of Palestinians we left “behind Israeli lines”, about 20 – 25% of the arab population. Moreover, there were many reasons behind the flight of the Palestinians and a LOT of them did not leave by force. Many stayed.

The exact number of refugees is a matter of dispute.[7] The causes remain the subject of fundamental disagreement between Arabs and Israelis.

Nur-eldeen Masalha writes that over 80 percent of the Arab inhabitants left their towns and villages in 1948, while Rashid Khalidi puts the percentage at 50.[8][9] Factors involved in the flight include Jewish military advances, attacks against Arab villages and fears of massacre after Deir Yassin,[10]:239–240 which caused many to leave out of panic; expulsion orders by Zionist authorities; the voluntary self-removal of the wealthier classes,[11] the collapse in Palestinian leadership,[12] and an unwillingness to live under Jewish control.[13]

Casualties and losses
[ISRAEL]6,373 killed (about 4,000 troops and 2,400 civilians) 8,000[13]–15,000 killed.[14] An estimated breakdown is 3000 Palestinians, 2000 Egyptians, 1000 Jordanians, and 1000 Syrians

About 175,000 arabs remained in Israel AFTER the war of independence or about 20 to 25%.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948_Palestinian_exodus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948_Arab%E2%80%93Israeli_War

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_citizens_of_Israel

http://www1.cbs.gov.il/www/statistical/arabju.pdf

May 13th, 2013, 4:33 pm

 

Visitor said:

All Praise be to Allah The Al-Mighty for facilitating the elimination of 14 of the HizbAss criminal rodent cockroaches at the hands of our holy warriors of the victorious Nusra Front and associates,

http://www.aljazeera.net/news/pages/febdd1a8-fc25-40ea-98fc-3250a83c0216

Allah Willing, our Mujahedeen will continue cleansing Syria of these undesirable insects and cockroaches until Syria becomes clean of any such abomination.

We also congratulate our holy warriors for the shooting down of a criminal helicopter which was committing crimes against humanity in Idlib.

May 13th, 2013, 4:45 pm

 

zoo said:

Will Erdogan be obliged to back down on his involvement and support of the opposition?

Turkey’s Support for Syrian Opposition Under Fire

http://www.voanews.com/content/turkey-syria-bombing/1660291.html

Cengiz Aktar, a political scientist at Istanbul’s Bahcesehir University, says the bombings have increased public concern over the government’s policy of supporting the Syrian rebels.

“No such bombing has ever happened in this soil of this country before. And many people see (it) as the indirect consequence of Turkey’s Syria policy. I think what worries people is that Turkey can be dragged in(to) the conflict. And people are afraid that similar bombings may happen anywhere now in the country,” Aktar said.

Following Saturday’s bombings in Reyhanli, protests against the government were held in the Turkish border town of Antakya and the capital Ankara.

And, on Monday, the people of Reyhanli protested against the government.

Stung by the growing criticism, Prime Minister Erdogan defended his policy, warning the bombers’ intention was to sow division.

The purpose of these attacks, he said, was to create “animosity and disorder” inside Turkey and place “question marks in the minds of my people.”

Observers warn that, with Syrian refugees streaming over the border, tensions between refugees and local Turks are likely to grow. Meanwhile, Ankara has urged other nations to act against the Assad government.

On Monday, U.S. President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron reaffirmed their determination to achieve a negotiated solution to end Syria’s civil war, through a hoped-for peace conference.

May 13th, 2013, 4:47 pm

 

zoo said:

Staying out of Syria is the bolder call for Obama

By Gideon Rachman
The president is taking a position – and it is not the easy option

The fact that Mr Obama is refusing to respond to calls for “tough action” in Syria now is not a sign that he is a weak leader – it is a sign that he is a good leader.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/371d8de6-bbba-11e2-a4b4-00144feab7de.html#ixzz2TCymQPgq

May 13th, 2013, 4:56 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

A couple of Sh. Yaqoubi tweets:

9 May – ليس التفاهم الروسي الأمريكي نهاية المطاف في الأزمة السورية، وإنما مرحلة مؤقتة لإتمام الاستعدادات للحسم العسكري وإيجاد الذرائع
الكافية للتدخل

Google trans:

Russian-American understanding not end up in the Syrian crisis, but a temporary phase to complete the preparations for resolving the military and find a sufficient pretext for intervention

11 May – فرص نجاح المبادرة الأمريكية الروسية لحل الأزمة السورية ضعيفة، ولكن هذا لا يعني أن نرفضها، يجب أن نعمل بالمثل: الحق الكذاب إلى ما وراء الباب.

Google trans:

Chances of success of US-Russian initiative to resolve the Syrian crisis is weak, but this does not mean that we reject, we must work similarly: right liar beyond the door.

May 13th, 2013, 4:57 pm

 

revenire said:

Akbar what percentage of Syrian dead are soldiers and government supporters? Civilians? Males of fighting age?

Let me assure you hasbara rat no one cares about your citations.

Your mind is weak chosen one.

May 13th, 2013, 5:02 pm

 

revenire said:

Think it over, rats.

Pro-Syrian Opposition Supporters:

I sit down and read the daily filth from the New York Times, the BBC, and the Economist everyday. They always quote some random Syrian expatriate who demands that Assad step down and end the killing. I am always baffled by this because this person cannot speak any Arabic; yet, they deem him qualified to speak on behalf of Syrians. The imbecile has never been to Syria, but he calls Assad a dictator. They always bring up the Hama siege in 1982. They don’t even know what the siege was for and they do not know about the innocent lives that the Muslim Brotherhood took during their rebellion.

But, let’s just establish who these anti-Assad supporters are and why they’re anti-Assad.

1) The Western humanitarian: these people look for any world conflict and demand the end of human rights violations. However, they do not know of any human rights violations besides what is reported to them via their MSM. Moreover, they’re bound to call the country of Syria, the historical land of ‘Assyria.’

2) The Islamist: It seems these days they are everywhere. You know, the people who insult you and tell you they hope you die, while attacking Assad for human rights violations. Then they throw out some random comment that ends in ‘kafir’. They’re great!

3) The Pedantic Westerner: Oh, you know, the person who acts like he knows everything about Syria because he took a Middle Eastern History class in college. This person is usually the most annoying to argue with because they think you’re the idiot.

4) Syrian Expatriates: More than likely, they’re expatriates for a reason. The majority of Syrians that I have met in the United States are Muslim Brotherhood supporters. I am not going to lecture you on them, but they hate the Assad’s.

5) The non-Syrian Arab: Oh yes, the amazing people of the Middle East are so gracious. They could careless about Syria, but claim that Assad is a dictator, when, in reality, their country has a terrible person in power. This is usually some ardent Saudi or Jordanian. Of course, there are the Palestinians who hate the Syrian Army after the Lebanese Civil War. Speaking of the Lebanese Civil War: there are the always gracious Phalangist supporters in Lebanon. They’re sectarian, but they hate Assad and the Syrian people. They think they’re better than the Syrians. Yawn.

6) The Democracy Lover: I love these people. They love democracy; yet, democracy is such an arbitrary term. What kind of democracy? You mean, democratic elections? Lebanon has democratic elections – they’re sectarian. These people are inept.

7) I suppose there are some Syrians who oppose Assad. To be honest, I only know a handful. Their tiff with Assad stems from their wanting to avoid the army.

Syrian Perspective
https://www.facebook.com/SyrianPerspective

May 13th, 2013, 5:04 pm

 

zoo said:

Cameron has not decided to arm the rebels and is working with Obama toward the peace conference.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/71390/World/Region/US-pushes-for-Syria-talks-but-warns-of-huge-challe.aspx

Cameron said in a an interview with National Public Radio that Britain had not ruled out taking tougher action against Assad’s government, but he later told reporters that his government has not made a decision to arm the Syrian opposition.

He said, however, that Britain would double its non-lethal aid to the Syrian opposition over the next year and that it was looking at ways to provide more technical assistance to the rebels.

Obama and Cameron sought to project a united front in seeking a political solution on Syria, but the British leader warned that the clock was ticking.

“The challenges remain formidable, but we have an urgent window of opportunity before the worst fears are realized,” Cameron said.

Both leaders agreed on the need to keep up pressure on Assad to step aside and make way for a political transition.

“And that includes bringing together representatives of the regime, and the opposition in Geneva in the coming weeks to agree on a transitional body, which would allow a transfer of power from Assad to this governing body,” Obama said.

Obama said he and his aides were working to narrow differences and develop trust with Moscow, which has backed Assad’s government in the conflict.

“I don’t think it’s any secret that there remains lingering suspicions between Russia and other members of the G8 or the West,” Obama said.

He said he and Secretary of State John Kerry, who met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last week and secured agreement to pursue a Syria peace conference, were trying “to break down some of those suspicions and look objectively at the situation.”

May 13th, 2013, 5:15 pm

 

Tara said:

Zoo,

We’ve seen many anti-Sunni rhetorical from Shiaa clerics here on SC. Do you condemn such rhetorics?

May 13th, 2013, 5:26 pm

 

revenire said:

Tara no, no we haven’t. What we have seen is people that support rats who tear THE HEARTS OUT OF SOLDIERS AND EAT THEM post your sectarian filth.

May 13th, 2013, 5:56 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Joshua
Good luck on your trip
My question, are you going to visit Syria? and if not, why not?

May 13th, 2013, 6:20 pm

 

Dawoud said:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/pm-erdogan-to-get-syria-briefing-from-pentagon.aspx?pageID=238&nID=46819&NewsCatID=338

PM Erdoğan to get Syria briefing from Pentagon

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is set to depart for his four-day trip to the United States today with a heavy agenda topped by recent developments in Syria and the Syrian regime-linked deadly blast that killed 49 Turkish citizens over the weekend. Apart from Erdoğan’s meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama, another crucial meeting will take place at the Pentagon where Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel is expected to give a detailed briefing on Syria.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, EU Minister Egemen Bağış and Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan will accompany Erdoğan, along with 90 businessmen who will have separate meetings with their U.S. counterparts. The prime minister’s meeting with Obama is set to take place on May 16. The most important topic of the Erdoğan-Obama meeting will be the ongoing turmoil in Syria and international efforts to end the bloodshed in Turkey’s southern neighbor. As Turkish officials said they have evidence proving that the deadly blast in Reyhanlı was organized by the Bashar al-Assad regime, Erdoğan is likely to ask Obama to do more for the Syrian opposition to speed up the political transition.
[…]

May 13th, 2013, 7:03 pm

 

Dawoud said:

26. TARA

As I told you an Majed in my earlier comment last night in Arabic, these two have revealed their sectarian affiliation and hatred. Do you think that they support Bashar because he is great democrat, a liberator of the Golan, or even because he is a Batta and can’t pronounce the Arab letter “Seen” س ? They support him because he is their Alawi S.O.B.! 🙂

No point in arguing with them.

May 13th, 2013, 7:07 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

Akbar what percentage of Syrian dead are soldiers and government supporters? Civilians? Males of fighting age?

Reverse,

I don’t know. I also don’t know the percentage of combatants that died in the Israeli War of Independence. But rest assured, your self-appointed hero has just weakened, or more accurately, RUINED the Palestinian cause.

– Assad’s NAKBA supersedes that of the Zionist Nakba by sheer number of death and destruction. Whiners about Zionism will be pointed to the Assad legacy now, along with the Saddam Hussein and Colonel Sunglasses legacies. Not to mention the legacies of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Iranian-terrorists. Good job!

– Refugees?: Assad wins! Congrats!

The Zionist Nakba is about 2 competing nations for the same land.

What is the Assad Nakba all about? Who is competing? The Assad Nakba is the idiotic story of a Pharaoh who refused to give his people BASIC freedoms, and killed them for not bowing down to his high resolution posters. That’s it! Today’s Syrians are yesterday’s Israelites who want nothing more than freedom from bondage. It took 10 plagues, and Pharaoh gave up.

Assad had a WONDERFUL opportunity to call for elections, step-down and watch his country move proudly into the 21st century. He could have won a peace prize (OK, that’s a stretch), but he could have DONE something POSITIVE.

But noooooo, the Assad family said FU! to the Syrian people and decided it was better to shell population centers and level cities. So here we are. BRAVO! The Assad family is now on the Top-10 list of worst governments the world has ever known.

May 13th, 2013, 7:25 pm

 

Tara said:

Is the regime going to use this incident for propaganda and under what spin?

Turkish F-16 fighter crashes near Syria, killing pilot
1 hour ago

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22513439

The plane was flying over the Amanos Mountains in the southern province of Osmaniye on Monday when it lost radio contact, Anatolia news agency said.

The pilot reportedly sent a message saying “I’m jumping” before contact was lost.

Rescuers found his body near to the wreckage of the aircraft.

It was not immediately clear what caused Monday’s crash.

May 13th, 2013, 7:41 pm

 

Okeanos963 said:

You are still spinning in your own zone of ‘reality’ two years later. Two years ago, your publication predicted fall of Assad, disintegration of Syria, wider civil war, ethnic cleaning etc. And you still believe it. Like the famous saying from ‘Seinfeld’, it is not a lie of you believe it.

Happy tweeting!

May 13th, 2013, 7:45 pm

 

Tara said:

More nonsense. Notice the word “won”? The dude killed 80, 000 and has just ethnically cleansed 2 towns and they are expecting Syrians to agree to keep him?

Syria conflict: US and UK pledge to bolster opposition
5 hours ago

The US and the UK say they will work to strengthen the moderate opposition in Syria and create a transitional body to replace President Bashar al-Assad.

US President Barack Obama said such a body would be the goal of a meeting in Geneva in “the coming weeks”.

The US recently won Russian support for the conference.

“There’s no more urgent international task than this. We need to get Syrians to the table to agree a transitional government that can win the consent of all of the Syrian people,” he said.

But he added: “There will be no political progress unless the opposition is able to withstand the onslaught and put pressure on Assad so he knows there is no military victory.”

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22509646

May 13th, 2013, 7:51 pm

 

Tara said:

Dawoud@30

It is a consuming passion in favor of Bashar against the people of Syria.

May 13th, 2013, 8:07 pm

 

Dawoud said:

34. TARA

Yes, and my comment # 3 about Hizbistan’s Hasan Nasr’al-Shytan حسن نصر الشيطان is intended to drive them nuts and make them run to their medicine cabinet to take their pro-dictator Xanax 🙂

May 13th, 2013, 8:18 pm

 

ghufran said:

suddenly, the name of manaf Tlass has surfaced for a possible role in the coming months, I have my own doubts that the man will be acceptable to an opposition that sees him as part of the old regime who left when he realized that Assad’s political life will be short, but I am not sure it is true that Tlass can not come back, his supporters point to the fact that Tlass is not linked to islamist groups and has not been implicated in ordering the army to attack civilian areas in Syria.
This is what pro regime media is circulating:
الحل المزمع التفاوض عليه بين الرئيسين الاميركي والروسي في حزيران بخصوص سوريا يلحظ عدة نقاط.
أولاً:
وقف لاطلاق النار بين الجيشين الحر والرسمي.
ثانيا:
تحديد موعد للتفاوض بين الاطراف السورية المتنازعة، وخلال فترة التحضير للمؤتمر يعين الجيش الحر مجلسا عسكريا اعلى يقوده ضابط مقبول من قبل النظام ومن قبل الاميركيين وهو المنشق مناف طلاس الذي سيتولى قيادة الجيش الحر ويأتمر اللواء ادريس بامره لان الاخير اثبت عدم جدارة في المعارك الاخيرة بينما لطلاس حيثية داخل صفوف الجنود والضباط المنشقين عن الجيش النظامي والذين يمكن لهم ان يعودوا الى السلك العسكري بعد وضع الحل السياسي موضع التنفيذ.
ثالثا:
يتولى مناف طلاس وقوات الجيش الحر تصفية الحماعات المتطرفة مثل جبهة النصرة واحرار الشام وغيرها من الجماعات الارهابية الغير مقبولة اميركيا. ويتولى الجيش النظامي تسهيل مهمة الجيش الحر في المناطق التي تسمى خطوط تماس.
رابعا:
بعد القضاء على الجماعات الارهابية يتولى المجلس العسكري الاعلى برئاسة طلاس تشكيل وفد عسكري للتفاوض يرافقه وفد سياسي يشكله المجلس االائتلافي لقوى المعارضة والثورة.
وتضيف المصادر الاميركية: يجري التفاوض مع الافرقاء السوريين برعاية اميركية روسية وبمشاركة من الدولتين في المؤتمر الحواري المزمع عقده، وكل النقاط الخلافية سيجري التفاوض عليها بين الافرقاء وبضغط مباشر من الروس والاميركيين للوصول الى حل يكون عنوانه تقديم الرئيس السوري تنازلات غير اساسية في موضوع منح الحكومة المؤقتة التي تتولى تنظيم انتخابات ديمقراطية صلاحيات لا تتعارض وصلاحيات الرئيس، وفي حين يرى الروس ان نقل الصلاحيات كاملة غير مطلوب وكل ما هو متاح هو منح الحكومة المؤقتة صلاحيات لا تشمل الخارجية والداخلية والدفاع ، وهو ما يفاوض الاميركيين عليه في المرحلة الحالية ولم يقبلوا به بعد.
وفي مرحلة من مراخل التفاوض سيجري تشكل لجان ميدانية تنظم عملية فك الاشتباك بين الجيش الحر والجيش النظامي وسيكون على العميد مناف طلاس ان يقمع كل مخالف لتعليمات وقف اطلاق النار وجمع كل السلاح والمسلحين تحت امرته في مناطق سيطرة الجيش الحر حتى يعطي للوفد المعارض في المفاوضات قدرة التفاوض باسم الثورة.
الاميركيون يثقون بطلاس وبقدرته على تحقيق المطلوب منه ولكن بعض الاوساط في الادارة الروسية مطمئنة اكثر لطلاس لانها ترى فيه شخصا يمكن استعادة ولائه لصالح النظام فور تثبته من موازين القوى على الارض والتي قد تميل في المستقبل مع ضرب الجهاديين العرب لمصلحة النظام.
the same article accused Tlass of working with Mossad and helping Israel locate sites of secret SSMs that were hit earlier this month, expect a lot of this acrobatic journalism in the next few weeks, I find it hard to believe that Tlass would help Israel attack a unit he once led (104).
Here is another sample of new acrobatic acts:
حصلت صحيفة “الشرق الاوسط” على رسالة وجهتها القيادة العليا لـ”الجيش الحر” بشكل سرّي إلى “الائتلاف الوطني السوري”، تطالبه بأن يكون نصف أعضائه من الأعضاء المدنيين في المجالس العسكرية والثورية التابعة لهيئة الأركان «العاملة على الأرض». القيادة العليا حددت للائتلاف مهلة «أقصاها أسبوع» كي يرد «خطيا» بالموافقة على توسيع الائتلاف، وتأخير تسمية وزيري الدفاع والداخلية في الحكومة المؤقتة إلى ما بعد تنفيذ الطلب الأول.
من جهة أخرى، قالت مصادر في المعارضة السورية للصحيفة، إنها تبحث خلال اجتماعات الهيئة العامة للائتلاف، التي تعقد في إسطنبول يومي 11 و12 الشهر الحالي، تعيين بديل من رئيس الحكومة المؤقتة غسان هيتو، تتوافق عليه المعارضة. المصادر أشارت إلى أن أبرز المرشحين هو أمين سر «المجلس الوطني» في «إعلان دمشق» أحمد طعمة.

May 13th, 2013, 8:22 pm

 

Dawoud said:

Thanks Professor Landis for discussing the Palestinian al-Nakba النكبه
and comparing some of its aspects to the ongoing/future Syrian regime/Hizbistan ethnic-cleansing of Sunnis in al-Qasir, Latakia, Banyas, etc.
Palestinians have never given up on their homeland despite al-Nakbah and the ethnic-cleansing. Similarly, Syrians will never accept ethnic-cleansing and they will fight an ethnically-cleansed Alawistan until they prevail and re-unite their country.

Aljazeera English has an excellent documentary episode 1 on the Palestinian Nakbah:

May 13th, 2013, 8:25 pm

 

Dawoud said:

Attn: TARA, Majed, Professor Landis,

Aljazeera Arabic has re-broadcast an interview that was conducted in 2001 with the ex-Syrian President Amin Al-Hafez from his exile in Baghdad. I watched it all and I got so many impressions:
-Hafez al-Assad, according to A. al-Hafez, was a traitor who gave up the Golan without a fight despite the fact that he dragged Egypt to an Israeli trap (Syria had no real intention to fight and Egypt wasn’t ready, which only gave Israel a pretext to occupy the rest of Palestine).
-He explained how he choose not to fight many battles in order NOT to stoke sectarianism against Alawis and non-Sunnis, even after Alawi officers attached mosques in Hama

May 13th, 2013, 8:34 pm

 

ghufran said:

اعتقلت الهيئة الشرعية في حلب ظهر اليوم الأثنين “حسن جزرة” القيادي في حركة “غرباء الشام”، على خلفية توجيه عددا من التهم الجنائية له.
و قال مراسل عكس السير في حلب أن الهيئة عمدت إلى تأمين الطريق الواصلة إلى مقرها، تحسبا لمعارك مع مقاتلي الحركة.
و أوضح المراسل أن المدعو ” جزرة” وهو قيادي في الحركة ، التي تضم ما يناهز الألف مقاتل، متهم بجناية سرقة الكابلات الضوئية الخاصة بشبكة الهاتف الأرضي و سرقة معمل الكابلات النحاسية، بالاضافة إلى عدد من القضايا غير المعلومة بعد، و قد تعذر للهيئة اعتقاله سابقا نظرا للقوة العسكرية التي يملكها.
و تخوض الهيئة تحديا عسيرا في الوقت الراهن في ظل ظهور عدد كبير من الحركات و الألوية العسكرية التي تدعي قتال الجيش النظامي، فيما تمارس أنشطة اجرامية تسيء للحراك الثوري في المدينة.
و بين مراسلنا أن عملية الاعتقال التي قامت بها الهيئة تمت بمؤازرة عدد كبير من الكتائب المعارضة هي “مجاهدي حلب القديمة – أسود الاسلام – كتيبة العدالة – حسن البنا – الأحرار – الفرقان – نور الدين الزنكي – أحرار سورية – صقور الشام -القدس – شهداء خان العسل”.
و في تطور لاحق، ذكر مراسلنا أن الهيئة أغلقت المنطقة المحيطة بدوار قاضي عسكر، حيث مقرها، و نشرت عددا من القناصين على أسطح المنازل، تحسبا لهجوم من مقاتلي غرباء الشام.
و قال عضو في الهيئة للمراسل أن “القوة التي توجهت للقبض على “جزرة” تضمنت دبابات و عربات عسكرية، و هو ما كنا نتمنى استخدامه في مقارعة قوات النظام”.
و أضاف أن قرار القبض على “جزرة” اتخذ بعد جمع أدلة قاطعة عن تورطه في عدد كبير من الجرائم، التي سيتم الكشف عن تفاصيلها لاحقا.
i have the feeling that Mr Jazra’s real crime was that he did not “share”, he basically broke the code of “ethics” among fellow thieves.
I watched every episode of Amin Alhafez interview at aljazeera when it first aired, the man was stiff and got outsmarted by another Hafez (Alassad), however, everybody I asked agreed that while Amin Al-Hafez was not a good politician he was not sectarian either , remember that he was the one who was accused of bombing a mosque in Hama when there was a rebellion, the people I talked to could not agree on whether he did that or not, I heard that he denied the charges,many Syrians think he watched Assad and J’deed take over albaath and the army and did nothing to stop them.

May 13th, 2013, 8:54 pm

 

ann said:

West Can ill Afford to Get It Wrong on Syria – 13 May 2013

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/article/west-can-ill-afford-to-get-it-wrong-on-syria/479830.html

Clients are not necessarily friends, and they may even become enemies.

This is among the enduring realities of war, and the Syrian conflict is a prime example of why foreign governments need to proceed with caution and restraint.

In March, Eliot Engel, the ranking member of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, introduced a measure aimed at providing arms to the Syrian rebels. At the same time, France and Britain have been the leading voices in the EU for lifting an arms embargo on Syria so that weapons can be supplied to the opposition.

But perhaps they will be more circumspect now that the al-Nusra Front, the most effective fighting group in the Syrian opposition, has publicly pledged its loyalty to al-Qaida. Moreover, in early March, and again recently in early May, the rebels took UN peacekeepers hostage in the Golan Heights, of all places, demonstrating a real lack of discipline, awareness, and common sense.

This must have been quite embarrassing for those, like U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who asserted that the rebels were being thoroughly vetted before being armed. Russian warnings against the lifting of the embargo on military supplies to the Syrian opposition are to be explained precisely by this blatant lack of controllability. Statements coming from Moscow about the prevalence of international terrorists and drug traffickers in Syria stand indicative of Russia’s apprehensions about joining the increasingly fierce Western voices against Syrian President Bashar Assad. The recent Western rhetoric about an alleged use of chemical weapons on the part of Assad’s forces has the potential to generate a diplomatic stand-off between such diametrically opposite conceptions of what constitutes a ‘red line’.

History need not be distant to provide useful guidance to those who conceive policy and those who implement it. The recent past can also be quite telling. In the case of the rebel groups in Syria, the handwriting has been on the wall for more than 18 months. These are all groups with markedly different command structures, agendas, allegiances, and modes of operation. They are united only in the belief that the continued presence of the Assad regime prevents them from realizing whatever narrowly defined goals they may have in and for Syria.

In effect, the Syrian National Coalition remains a desperately fragmented opposition. And it is rather surprising that many countries in the West have decided to outsource regime change to such a motley crew. They cannot be controlled. They cannot be effectively vetted. General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, iterated recently that the U.S. lacks a firm understanding of the Syrian opposition. Back to the vetting board, Mr. Kerry. And welcome to reality, Mr. Engel.

It comes as no surprise, then, that the U.S. has now shifted its approach and is emphasizing the need to pursue a negotiated political settlement to the conflict. Washington’s clandestine support and training of the rebel opposition (via Jordan) has backfired, and in the worst possible way. The extremist elements of the opposition have steadily gained control of more territory, and have given every indication that Syria is not the end game, but merely the next domino. This is surely to be among the principal points of emphasis in the forthcoming peace conference recently announced by the U.S. and Russia following John Kerry’s visit to Moscow in early May.

It remains to be seen whether Ghassan Hitto, the provisional prime minister, will be able to effectively manage both the political element of the opposition and those who are fighting on the ground. The longer the conflict endures, the less palatable the rebels and their actions are likely to become. For Russia, Libya set a dangerous precedent of the West overstepping a United Nations Security Council mandate. In this vein, Moscow urges the Friends of Syria group to abstain from pursuing interests that will plunge Syria into a catastrophically unstable situation, much like Israel’s foray into the tangled web of Lebanese politics over three decades ago.

All of this leaves Iran, Syria’s last steadfast regional ally, even more isolated. On a broader level of regional power dynamics, Syria has evolved into a proxy issue for fundamentally diverging conceptions of the future regional order in the Middle East. While Shiite Iran continues to support the Alawite minority of the Assad regime publicly, logistically in terms of combatant training it is Saudi Arabia and Qatar that are openly backing the Salafists in the Syrian opposition — despite repeated claims to the contrary. It should indeed provide food for thought that European societies are debating the Salafist threat to their societal cohesion, while Western governments are backing precisely those forces in the Middle East that openly promote the regional diffusion of the very same ideology.

The West and its allies in the region cannot afford to get this one wrong. There is far too much at stake, and politics is perhaps the most insignificant piece of this increasingly complex puzzle.

[…]

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/article/west-can-ill-afford-to-get-it-wrong-on-syria/479830.html

May 13th, 2013, 9:14 pm

 

Norman said:

The war in Syria is not between shia and Sunni, it is between the people who want Syria to stay secular and the people who want religous Syria, the ones who want secular Syria are Sunni, Shia , Christians, Kurds and Druz, and if Secular Syria is saved, it would be because of the secular Sunni that want a free and democratic Syria, I do not know what happened in Bayada , but it could have been that the Syrian army does not want it’s army to be broken between north coast and south coast and that the militants were trying to cut the Syrian army supply lines and the army had to prevent that,

May 13th, 2013, 9:15 pm

 

ann said:

America’s War on Syria: Another Anti-Assad False Flag? – May 13, 2013

http://www.globalresearch.ca/americas-war-on-syria-another-anti-assad-false-flag/5334919

Since early 2011, Obama’s been waging proxy war on Syria. Imported death squads masquerade as freedom fighters. The scheme’s familiar. It repeats. It reflects US imperialism’s dark side.

In the 1980s, CIA-recruited Mujahideen fighters battled Afghanistan’s Soviet occupiers. Ronald Reagan called them “the moral equivalent of our founding fathers.” He characterized Contra killers the same way.

Naked aggression is called humanitarian intervention. New wars follow earlier ones. Ravaging humanity is called liberation. Propaganda convinces people that America is threatened. Truth is turned on its head.

Syria is Washington’s latest target. Plans haven’t gone as expected. Ousting another government was supposed to be easy. US-enlisted terrorists are no match against Syria’s military superiority.

Implementing Plan B looms. It could come any time. Obama’s heading toward full-scale intervention. Pretexts are easy to create. Assad’s been falsely blamed for numerous insurgent massacres. Evidence showed he had nothing to do with them.

More recently, he was unjustifiably accused of using chemical weapons. Insurgents used them several times. A previous article said Pentagon contractors trained them in their use. This is how imperial America operates.

Another previous article discussed a US-hatched scheme. It cited a no longer available UK Daily Mail article, saying:

“Leaked emails have allegedly proved that the White House gave the green light to a chemical weapons attack in Syria that could be blamed on Assad’s regime and in turn, spur international military action in the devastated country.”

“A report released on Monday contains an email exchange between two senior officials at British-based contractor Britam Defence where a scheme ‘approved by Washington’ is outlined explaining that Qatar would fund rebel forces in Syria to use chemical weapons.”

“Barack Obama made it clear to Syrian president Bashar al-Assad last month that the US would not tolerate Syria using chemical weapons against its own people.”

On Saturday, two car bombs exploded outside Reyhanli, Turkey’s city hall. Prime Minister Erdogan’s heading for Washington later this week.

It wasn’t coincidental that bombings killed and injured Turkish citizens days before his arrival. It’s red meat for him and Obama to discuss.

Reyhanli’s close to Syria’s border. It’s a hub for Syrian refugees and anti-Assad insurgents.

Dozens were killed. Many more were injured. Buildings were destroyed. Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said:

“We know that the Syrian refugees have become a target of the Syrian regime. Reyhanli was not chosen by coincidence.”

“Our thoughts are that their Mukhabarat (Syrian intelligence) and armed organizations are the usual suspects in planning and the carrying out of such devilish plans,” he added.

Turkey will “do whatever is necessary” if Syria ordered the attack.

Hurriyet Daily News said:

“Officials confirm(ed) link with Syrian intelligence.” Interior Minister Muammer Guler and Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay were cited.

Atalay said:

“We have to a great extent completed our work toward identifying the assailants.” How and what evidence corroborates it within hours of the attack he didn’t explain.

Legitimate forensic and other information gathering requires considerable time and analysis. A rush to judgment raises obvious questions.

Reports said Turkey began deploying large numbers of air and ground forces to Reyhanli. What follows remains to be seen.

In mid-February, a car bomb struck the Cilvegozu Turkish/Syrian border crossing. At least eight died. Around 30 others were wounded. Anti-Assad elements blamed Syria. No evidence proved it.

Turkey and Western allies blame “the usual suspects.” It happens every time.

Following Saturday’s bombings, a State Department press release said:

“The United States condemns today’s car bombings and we stand with our ally, Turkey.”

“This awful news strikes an especially personal note for all of us given how closely we work in partnership with Turkey, and how many times Turkey’s been a vital interlocutor at the center of my work as Secretary of State these last three months.”

“Our thoughts are with the wounded and we extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims.”

The glaring hypocrisy requires no comment.

NATO Secretary-General Fogh Rasmussen and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius expressed “full solidarity” with Turkey.

Washington’s Ankara embassy condemned the “murderous attack.” A statement said America “stands with the people and government of Turkey to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”

It left no ambiguity who’ll be blamed. The anti-Assad Syrian National Coalition suggested Assad’s involvement. A statement said:

“The Coalition sees these heinous terrorist acts as an attempt to take revenge on the Turkish people and punish them for their honorable support for the Syrian people, including their welcoming of Syrian refugees who have fled the regime’s crimes in their villages and cities.”

“The Coalition views this attack as a desperate and failed attempt to sow discord between the two peoples.”

Lebanon’s Daily Star published an AP report. It said Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi denied Damascus’ involvement in Saturday’s bombings.

“(N)o one has the right to make false accusations,” he said. (T)his is not the behavior of the Syrian government.”

“The Turkish government should be held responsible for what happened. It turned the border area into a center for international terrorism.”

Erdogan “must step down. He must not build his glory on the blood of Turks and Syrians.”

Assad has no death wish. It’s inconceivable that he or other Syrian officials ordered the attack. Doing so would be madness.

Syria’s fully involved internally. It’s gone to great pains to avoid direct foreign intervention. Attacking a neighboring country would invite it. Responsibility lies with anti-Assad elements.

Perhaps Ankara planned and implemented the attack. Last October, an alleged Syrian mortar attack killed five Turkish nationals.

Yurt is a Turkish newspaper. At the time, it said Prime Minister Erdogan acted on Washington’s behalf. His government supplied Free Syrian Army (FSA) elements with mortars.

The “bomber” used to launch them “is only used by NATO.” They were fired from FSA-controlled territory.

False flags are commonly used. Washington prioritizes them. Turkey’s complicit in plans to topple Assad.

Years earlier, Turkey’s military hatched a plan to bomb internal mosques, down one of its own warplanes, blame Greece, and destabilize the newly-installed Islamist government.

America has a long history of false flags. So do other NATO allies and Israel.

On Saturday, Lebanon’s Al-Manar television said five rockets fired from inside Syria struck Lebanese territory. They “landed in open areas of the Northern Beqaa region of Hermel. No casualties have been reported.”

“This was not the first time (anti-Assad) militiamen rockets passed Lebanon’s northern borders to target residential areas.”

Expect more incidents falsely blamed on Assad. Perhaps something major is planned. Doing so builds a case for war. It’s happening in plain sight.

On May 12, Haaretz headlined “Turkey blames Syria for deadly twin blasts; Damascus rejects ‘false accusations.’ ”

Nine arrests were made. They’re Turkish citizens. Ankara claims they’re Assad loyalists. Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu blamed them for an early May attack. Dozens died in Banias, Syria.

Davutoglu blamed Syria for both incidents. It’s clear where these accusations are heading. Washington’s orchestrating everything. Turkey is its lead attack dog. It’s part of Obama’s scheme to topple Assad. Libya 2.0 looms.

A Final Comment

Conflicting reports on whether Russia plans selling Syria sophisticated air defense systems surfaced. Washington and Israel expressed concern.

Kerry discussed it in Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied intentions to do so. S-300 launch systems and others were mentioned. Lavrov added that Russia and Syria have weapons deals yet to be completed.

Vladimir Putin said existing contracts will be honored. He and others added that weapons supplied are defensive.

Netanyahu’s going to Moscow. He plans doing so soon. He’ll urge Putin against supplying Syria with launch systems able to take out invading aircraft.

He’s doing so in the context of Israel’s recent attacks. Lebanon’s Daily Star suggested they were launched from inside Lebanese territory.

On May 11, Mossad-connected DEBKAfile (DF) headlined “Netanyahu to visit Putin in a bid to stop his S-300 missile sale to Syria.”

It’s a “last-ditched attempt” to call it off. DF claims doing so is “extremely slim.”

“After Israel’s (May 4 and 5 air strikes), nothing would now stop the S-300 deliveries.”

Putin is “placing a severe constraint on Israel’s operational freedom by spreading an anti-air missile cover over the Syrian, Hizballah and the Iranian Basij forces fighting for Bashar Assad.”

“Since the chances of dissuading Putin to abandon this strategy are just about nil, the best Netanyahu can hope for by his face-to-face with the Russian president is a limited accord on ground rules for averting an Israeli-Russian military clash in Syria.”

[…]

http://www.globalresearch.ca/americas-war-on-syria-another-anti-assad-false-flag/5334919

May 13th, 2013, 9:58 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

It is clear that Russia will not put pressure on Asshead to leave, The delegate from Asshead will procrastinate and will not give concessions,they may agree tp ceasefire but they will not abide with it,they will agree to releasing prisoners, ten at a time,every month.
they will object to UN force, but will agree to observers,with limited number.
they will not agree that Asshead gives up power as far as the commander of the army,and airforce, internal ministry, and foreign ministry.
So what political agreement they will produce?,Geneva agreement is doom to fail,meanwhile we will lose a month,and another 10,000 martyr
Should the Coalition agree to send a delegation?,anyone who will go will lose credibility ,
US will put pressure on them to go, so someone will go,but we need a guarantee that the Geneva agreement will be approved within a week conference,and must be implemented immidiately.

The conference has been delayed another week,till june, such a conference is a waste of time

May 13th, 2013, 10:02 pm

 

revenire said:

Syrian Air Force
43 minutes ago
Complete report on zionist strike on Mount Qusyoon

On the 5th of May, the zionist air force illegally flew an extended number of sorties over Lebanese air space. Earlier on the 3rd of May, the terrorist nation had bombed the Syrian international airport, striking a jet that was under repair and destroying a fuel storage facility in order to shut down the airport’s operation.

The strikes come as an ultimatum for the Syrian state to halt operations in Qusayr, where a large number of israeli agents and handlers reside to oversee terrorist operations around Syria.

The Syrian leadership chose to ignore the first strike, the terrorist state decided to use unconventional weapons in the second strike in order to “get” our attention.

As a result of this terrorist raid, the Syrian air defense missiles have been authorised for use in battle. These missiles and accompanying radar systems are sensitive to ground attack, thus the army has simultaneously been green-lit for politically expensive scorched-earth tactics around every major defense site.

At the same time, Syrian artillery forces have been authorised by the President Dr Bashar al Assad to carry out retaliatory strikes upon the zionist entity no matter which nation attacks the Syrian state directly. The missiles have been erected even at this minute and require no order from the president to launch.

The zionist entity has cut its life short in a bid to pressure the Syrian leadership to kneel to its terrorist forces. We are truly at the brink of a regional war and its difficult to predict what the next move will be.

May 13th, 2013, 10:20 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

We need two stages
1 ceasefire,
2 then go to the conference

May 13th, 2013, 10:22 pm

 

revenire said:

Majed the pressure is this: Russia has already shipped part of the first S-300 missile system to Syria:

“An unnamed Russian official who was present at the closed doors trilateral meeting told the Kommersant daily that Mr. Lavrov had informed his Western colleagues that ‘part of the [S-300] equipment has already been shipped to Syria and the other part is indeed being readied for shipment.'”

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/russia-plays-the-missile-card/article4712306.ece

Majed when war breaks out we know you will be cheering for your Zionist ally Israel.

Many will die.

May 13th, 2013, 10:25 pm

 

ghufran said:

this is from israeli press:
‘أيها السوريون إنصرفوا من هنا’، صاح في يوم السبت مواطنون أتراك في مدينة الريحانية موجهين ذلك الى لاجئين تجمعوا لمساعدة جرحى تفجير السيارات المفخخة. وطُلب الى اطباء سوريين يعملون في المستشفى المحلي ان يعودوا سريعا الى بيوتهم وطُلب الى سائقين جاءوا الى المدينة من سورية بسياراتهم أن يزيلوا ألواح التعريف السورية. إن العمليات التفجيرية التي قُتل فيها نحو من 46 شخصا جعلت مئات من الجنود ورجال الشرطة الاتراك يهبون سريعا الى المدينة على الحدود السورية خشية اعمال عنيفة لا توجه على آلاف اللاجئين فقط، بل خشية نشوب حرب طائفية في اقليم هتاي.
إن هذا الاقليم في شرق تركيا على حدود سورية هو فسيفساء طوائف ولغات. يسكنه مواطنون أتراك يتحدثون اللغة العربية، وسنيون وعلويون (من أبناء الطائفة العلوية التي لا تماثل الطائفة العلوية السورية)، وأكراد وأقليات اخرى نجحت في ان تعيش حياتها عشرات السنين، برغم أن عددا منها ما زالوا يرون هذا الاقليم جزءا من سورية ‘سُلبته’ حينما ضمته تركيا اليها في سنة 1939.
وقد انضم الى الطوائف التي تسكن هذا الاقليم في السنتين الماضيتين آلاف اللاجئين وهم جزء من مئات آلاف اللاجئين (300 ـ 350 ألفا) الذين تستضيفهم تركيا، والذين بدأوا في زعم سكان الاقليم يتصرفون كأنهم أصحاب الارض لا ضيوف. ‘تناولوا الطعام في مطاعم دون ان يدفعوا، وحصلوا على علاج طبي على حساب مواطني الاقليم في حين اضطر مواطنون أتراك الى الانتظار. وجاءوا معهم بأمراض المجتمع السوري ومنها الدعارة والتجارة بالمخدرات’، زعم سكان أتراك أمام صحافيين.
وأخذ التوتر بين اللاجئين والمواطنين يقوى حينما اتهم مواطنون اللاجئين الذين يتمتعون بحرية تنقل كاملة بأعمال سرقة وسطو، وبمضايقة النساء وبأنهم يُخلون في الأساس بتوازن الاقليم السكاني، فأكثر اللاجئين مسلمون سنيون، وإن جزءا كبيرا من سكان الاقليم علويون يؤيدون الاسد خلافا لموقف الحكومة بل قاموا بعدة تظاهرات تأييد للنظام السوري.
وزعم مواطنون اتراك سنيون ان نظام الاسد يحاول ان يجند العلويين الاتراك للحرب في سورية أو ليكونوا على الأقل عملاء استخبارات يقدمون تقارير عن حركة اللاجئين السوريين. وكانت النتيجة ان بدأ التوتر والشك اللذان ميزا العلاقات بين اللاجئين والاتراك ينتقلان الى العلاقات بين الاتراك العلويين والاتراك السنيين وسببا عددا من الصدامات العنيفة بين هذين الجزئين من السكان الاتراك.

May 13th, 2013, 10:30 pm

 

revenire said:

Akbar i didn’t ask about your problem with Assad – I don’t care. I asked about this number you slop about of 80,000 and how many are soldiers killed by the Zionists. You admitted you don’t know.

If that is the case why spew the 80,000 number out of your chosen mouth?

Don’t talk to me about refugees – you Zionists created them. Your fault entirely.

Go kick back some Mogen David and have these useless debates with someone who cares. I care about the rockets landing in Tel Aviv.

May 13th, 2013, 10:30 pm

 

revenire said:

Even the Western press now has to admit Assad is winning and winning BIG. Pass out the Prozac at SC – we don’t want any tragedies.

Six ways Assad has turned the tide in Syria
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/13/six-ways-assad-has-turned-the-tide-in-syria/

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his forces “are beginning to turn the tide of the country’s war,” The Washington Post’s Liz Sly reported on Saturday from Beirut, explaining that Assad is “bolstered by a new strategy, the support of Iran and Russia and the assistance of fighters with Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement.” Sly finds that “the pendulum is now swinging in favor of Assad.”

How are Assad’s forces doing it? Here are a few of the trends Sly found, plus one from another source:

(1) Sectarian reshuffling within the armed forces. Most Syrians are Sunni, and so are most Syrian rebels. But the Syrian regime is dominated by minority groups such as Alawites. Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group that is Syria’s ally, is Shia. Putting more emphasis on minority fighters helps the regime get around its internal Sunni problem – fewer defections, more committed soldiers – although it also risks exacerbating sectarian tensions.

(2) Folding in militias. The regime has brought in 60,000 “irregular” militia fighters to supplement the armed forces, giving them both more firepower and a qualitatively different kind of firepower, better suited to challenge the rebels on their own turf.

(3) Training from Hezbollah in urban warfare. The rebels have had an advantage in city street-fighting. Now, with help from the experts, regime forces are closing that gap.

(4) Cutting off rebels from supply routes. Sly reports: “Assad loyalists are steadily squeezing [the rebels], isolating them from one another and cutting their supply routes, the rebels say. Units are running out of ammunition, and some sound increasingly desperate.”

(5) Focus all energy on key “nodes.” The regime appears to be bringing its overwhelming military might to bear on a handful of strategic locations: Damascus suburbs, the transit “linchpin” of Homs and coastal ports, among others. That means neglecting less-strategic areas for now, but presumably not for good.

(6) Impenetrable strongholds. The New York Times’ C.J. Chivers, in a recent interview on NPR’s “Fresh Air“, explained that the regime has used its technological advantage to retreat into a number of strongholds around the country, from which it launches artillery, mortar and air attacks against rebels and civilians. Because the rebels don’t have the firepo

May 13th, 2013, 10:33 pm

 

Dawoud said:

Fighters from Lebanon’s terrorist Shiite Hizbass killed in Syria.Good Riddance!

http://www.aljazeera.net/news/pages/febdd1a8-fc25-40ea-98fc-3250a83c0216

إسقاط مروحية بإدلب وقتلى من حزب الله

قال ناشطون إن الجيش السوري الحر أسقط طائرة مروحية فوق مطار أبو الظهور العسكري في إدلب (شمال) مساء الاثنين، بينما تتواصل أعمال القصف والاشتباكات في عدة أنحاء بسوريا، لا سيما في دمشق وريفها، كما أكد ناشطون مقتل 14 عنصرا من حزب الله اللبناني، بمنطقة القصير في حمص (غرب).

وبينما يحاصر الجيش الحر مطار أبو الظهور العسكري في ريف إدلب منذ أكثر من شهر، تمكن مقاتلوه من إسقاط مروحية محملة بالذخيرة كانت قادمة لإمداد المطار المحاصر، وسبق أن شهدت المحافظة منذ صباح الاثنين قصفا جويا على مدينة أريحا، وقصفا مدفعيا على بلدتي دركوش ومشمشان.

وفي حلب، قصفت المدفعية الثقيلة حي الزبدية ومخيّم حندرات وبلدة دير جمال، بينما تواصلت الاشتباكات في حي الإذاعة بين الجيش الحر وقوات النظام، حيث يحاول الثوار السيطرة على الحي، الذي تنطلق منه قذائف المدفعية باتجاه أحياء أخرى عديدة.

وأفاد مراسل الجزيرة في حلب بأن الثوار عثروا الاثنين على بئر ممتلئة بجثث قتلى في قرية أم عامود، بعد أن انسحبت منها قوات النظام.

وفي غضون ذلك، قال ناشطون إن عددا من المباني السكنية دمرت جراء قصف قوات النظام لمدينة داريا بريف دمشق، بالتزامن مع إرسال قوات النظام تعزيزات عسكرية لإحكام حصارها على المدينة.

وامتد القصف إلى مواقع عديدة بريف دمشق، ومنها مدن وبلدات عربين، والبحارية، وميدعا، والمليحة، ومعضمية الشام، ودروشا، وخان الشيح، والقلمون، وذكرت شبكة شام أن اشتباكات اندلعت في مناطق حرستا والجربا ودروشا وبيت سحم والقلمون، وفي أحياء برزة وجوبر ومخيم اليرموك والقابون بدمشق.

وقال ناشطون إن قوات النظام قصفت بالطيران الحربي المنطقة الصناعية بحي القابون، وحي جوبر بدمشق، كما قصفت بالمدفعية حي جوبر، وأضافوا أن قوات النظام شنت حملة دهم وتفتيش للمنازل في حي المهاجرين، الذي يحتوي القصر الرئاسي.
[…]

May 13th, 2013, 10:35 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

After evacuating most of the country, the Assadists have launched a couple of local offensives around Homs and Damascus that haven’t really gone anywhere.

Last time I checked they’re still fighting in Homs, Aleppo, and Daraya.

However, there’s very little reports of fighting in Raqqa, the Golan Heights, or Daraa since the rebels have already taken over most of those provinces.

The Assadists lose 3 villages for every 1 village they take. And every time they take a village they celebrate!

How stupid.

May 13th, 2013, 10:37 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

The more Alawites the Assadists incorporate into their army, the more difficult they’re making it for themselves to re-take Sunni areas.

In effect the Assadists and the Alawites have given up on holding most of the country, and are trying to hold onto Homs, Hamas, Lattakia, and Damascus. The rebels have already forced them out of most of the country.

It’s one matter to TAKE a village. It’s a totally different matter to HOLD it. The Assadists have been WHOOPED so badly over the last year of war that they’ll celebrate anything.

Also, I thought you didn’t trust the Washington Post, retard.

May 13th, 2013, 10:38 pm

 

Dawoud said:

وصفي المعصراني , أحدث أغنية , حيو الشام و ثوارها

حيوا الشام وثوارها
يا ابا حيوا الشام وثوارها
فتحوا للحريه ابوابها
وصارت سوريا دارها
[…]
طفل درعا لما صاح هز بصوته الحجاره
[…]

Syrian Revolution Freedom Song by Wasfi al-Ma’asarani:

Salute al-Sham [Syria] and its Revolutionaries
They [Revolutionaries] opened its [Freedom’s] Doors
Syria has Become its [Freedom’s] Home!
[…]
Dera’ah child when he screamed, he shook rocks with his voice!
[…]

الحريه لفلسطين ولسوريا
Free Syria, Free Palestine!

May 13th, 2013, 10:54 pm

 

Dawoud said:

The Funeral of a Shia Lebanese Terrorist from the Terrorist Hizbas#. This terrorist was killed in Syria while fighting with the dictator’s forces.
جنازه ارهابي من حزب الشيطان اللبناني الشيعي قتل في سوريا

May 13th, 2013, 10:59 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

Reverse,

Most of my infomation comes from the internet. Where does yours come from?

The observers here have already taken notice of your bloodlust, that is why you can’t articulate your fondness for the empty suit and his materialist wife.

The number of killings is about 80000. No doubt more. This is over 10x the number of deaths the Palestinians suffered in ’48. Yes, the Assad family has quite a “legacy” and this is why arabs and muslims get such a bad rap. It isn’t that the people are bad, it is mostly because their self-appointed leaders are so bad.

Majedkhaldoun,

Anyone who idolizes a self-appointed poster child, IMHO, should seek counseling and/or medical attention.

May 13th, 2013, 11:34 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Revenir said
Many will die.

Yes many rats like you will die, what are you doing in california, show us that you are not a rat,or possum and go fight in Syria, but no you are a rat and will always be a rat
Infact you are more possum than rat

May 13th, 2013, 11:35 pm

 

Juergen said:

Zoo 584

I think their fear is that an fatimide Egypt could be on the rise. I think the Salafis have a hard time to understand that rual Egyptian Sunnis are much closer in the thinking to shiite than their salafi vision of islam. Egypt at least in the countryside is deeply influenced by the sufi movement. Someone suggested lately to me that more people convert to shia islam than to sunni islam, I can not verify that though.

May 13th, 2013, 11:40 pm

 

revenire said:

“Most of my infomation comes from the internet. Where does yours come from?”

God.

May 13th, 2013, 11:43 pm

 

ghufran said:

Syrian troops retake villages in Homs:
Syrian government troops loyal to Bashar al-Assad captured three villages in the strategic Qusayr area of Homs province, allowing them to cut supply lines of the Free Syrian Army from the Jordanian border to inside Qusayr town, military sources said
guardian.co.uk, Monday 13 May 2013 20.33 EDT

May 13th, 2013, 11:46 pm

 

ghufran said:

Bits and pieces about Turkey:

“The chaos of Syria has been transported here,” said Faruk Logoglu, deputy chairman of the opposition Republican People’s Party, speaking Monday from the stunned town of Reyhanli, close to the Syrian border. “This is a direct result of the government’s Syria policy.”

“There is no concrete evidence to suggest which group is behind the attack,” lawmaker Ertugrul Kurkcu of the Peace and Democracy Party told reporters in Reyhanli, according to Today’s Zaman newspaper.

On the streets of Istanbul, anger about the bombings and the government’s handling of the Syria crisis was evident Monday.
“Their stupid policy led to a situation where too many people have been killed and nothing changed,” said Begum Gunceler, a musician.

“It’s really hard now,” said Ahmed, a refugee reached via Skype near the border who didn’t want his last name used for security reasons. The Turks “are full of anger. They are saying, ‘You came here and brought all of Syria’s troubles,’ ” he said.

..and from Libya:
(are you,Libyans,better off after 2 years of NATO-type freedom? )
A car bomb explosion near a hospital in the Libyan city of Benghazi has killed several people, officials say.
The death toll is unclear. Local officials initially said nine people had been killed. A hospital spokesman later said three bodies had been found.
The blast follows a string of bombings in the eastern city in recent days.
Security remains precarious in Libya since the uprising against long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi, with protests by militias and attacks by Islamists.

May 13th, 2013, 11:52 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Juergen
Some egyptians converted to shiaa but in few years they converted back to Sunni after they found out what shiaa clergy teach,they found out that their teaching are not consistant with Quraan.
The fatimi Khalifah the last one was shiaa and yes he was crazy,his death was misterious,most believe he was killed.

May 13th, 2013, 11:52 pm

 
 

Juergen said:

Israel’s Man in Damascus
Why Jerusalem Doesn’t Want the Assad Regime to Fall

“Israel does not feel as confident, though, about the parties to the current conflict, and with good reason. On the one hand, there are the rebel forces, some of whom are increasingly under the sway of al Qaeda. On the other, there are the Syrian government’s military forces, which are still under Assad’s command, but are ever more dependent on the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah, which is also Iranian-sponsored. Iran is the only outside state with boots on the ground in Syria, and although it is supporting Assad, it is also pressuring his government to more closely serve Iran’s goals- ”

http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/139373/efraim-halevy/israels-man-in-damascus?page=show

May 13th, 2013, 11:56 pm

 

Juergen said:

Syria Plays on Fears to Blunt American Support of Rebels

“Confident they can sell their message, government officials have eased their reluctance to allow foreign reporters into Syria, paraded prisoners they described as extremist fighters and relied unofficially on a Syrian-American businessman to help tap into American fears of groups like Al Qaeda.

“We are partners in fighting terrorism,” Syria’s prime minister, Wael Nader al-Halqi, said.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/25/world/middleeast/syria-campaigns-to-persuade-us-to-change-sides.html?_r=0

May 14th, 2013, 12:07 am

 

ghufran said:

More from Turkey:
كتب محمد تزكان في صحيفة “ميللييات” التركية تعليقاً على التفجير الذي وقع في “الريحانية”: إن “مختصر القضية هو هنا، فقط أنظروا إلى الصور، مشهد كما في العراق أو سورية…” متسائلاً “من الفاعل؟” ومجيباً “المخابرات السورية؟ لا، جبهة النصرة؟ لا، أم القاعدة بجناحها السوري، والتي تريد أن تقول لأنقرة إذا فسدت العلاقات بيننا فسوف تتلقين المزيد من الإنفجارات؟…”، متمنياً “ألا تكون رسالة من الجيش السوري الحر لجرّ تركيا إلى سورية”.
ورأى الكاتب أنها أيضاً “رسالة جر تركيا إلى النار قبل لقاء أردوغان- أوباما”، موضحاً أن “السلطة تقول إن تفجيري الريحانية تمّا من قبل عملاء الأسد. والبعض يقول إن الهدف تخريب عملية حل المشكلة الكردية، أما وزير الخارجية فيقول إنها لاختبار قوة تركيا في المنطقة”… معتبراً أن هذه التبريرات كلها “كلام فارغ لا معنى له”، معللاً ذلك بأنه “لا يشرح لنا لماذا تورطنا في المستنقع السوري”.
وكشف الكاتب أن “وزير الخارجية بنى لعبته على الإطاحة بنظام الأسد خلال شهرين- ثلاثة”، موضحاً أنهم (تركيا) “أسسوا مخيمات اللاجئين قبل نزوح أي لاجىء”.
من جهتها، تساءلت صحيفة “راديكال” لماذا ضربت الريحانية؟ معتبرة أن “ما شهدته الريحانية يشبه تماماً ما حدث في لبنان عام 1975 وفي العراق بعد الإحتلال”، قائلة إن “تركيا ارتكبت أخطاءاً كثيرة في سورية، ولكن هذا لا يعني أن تنكفيء وتدير ظهرها للأحداث”، لافتة إلى أنها “إذا أرادت أن تكون لاعباً مؤثراً في الأزمة فهذا يتطلب أن تكون على استعداد لدفع تكلفة ذلك”.
وعلّقت الصحيفة بأن ما قاله أردوغان بأن “الهدف هو ضرب عملية حل المشكلة الكردية”، قد يكون “جزئياً صحيحاً”، لكنها لفتت إلى أن وقوع الإنفجار قبل لقاء أوباما – أردوغان، وخلال التحضير للمؤتمر الدولي هو “رسالة متعددة الأهداف” لهذا اللقاء وموقع تركيا التي لا تريد الأسد جزءاً من الحل، معتبرة أنه “أيا تكن الأهداف فإن منفذي الإنفجار استفادوا تماماً من الإنقسام الداخلي التركي”.
سؤال آخر طرحته صحيفة “جمهورييات”، هو التالي “لأي هدف نحارب في سورية؟”، وتحت هذا العنوان أشارت الصحيفة إلى أن الغضب “يعمّ في هاتاي بعد انفجارين لم تشهدهما حتى في أيام الإنتداب الفرنسي، فالدولة غائبة، والكهرباء مقطوعة، والشكوى من اللاجئين السوريين لم تنفع سابقاً”، مضيفة أن “معظم لاجئي الريحانية غادروا لأن الخوف هو سيد الموقف”. وعرضت الصحيفة لواقع المناطق عند الحدود التركية السورية قائلة “الأمن غير موجود، والمواطن يسأل عن أي هدف نحارب في سورية؟ ولماذا لا يحمي جيشنا الحدود؟ هل نحن في سورية؟ لقد أطفأوا مواقدنا، والحكومة لا ترى…”.
Erdo today and others tomorrow will “discover” that you can not incite and support violence then expect to be immune from it. Like many previous cases, whenever a country gets dragged into a conflict, or a number of conflicts, and create enemies, one of those enemies,local or foreign, will express his anger in a violent way, that is what happened in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Israel and now Turkey, and it is very hard to guess where this dark tunnel is going to take the people of the region to.

May 14th, 2013, 12:10 am

 

revenire said:

Juergen you look sillier and sillier as time goes on. Israel is one of the architects of the war on Syria.

May 14th, 2013, 12:27 am

 

annie said:

Assad, watch this former Guatemala dictator sentenced to 80 years for genocide ( he got 1700 people slaughtered; how many years will that mean for you ?)

http://www.democracynow.org/2013/5/13/ros_montt_guilty_of_genocide_are

May 14th, 2013, 1:54 am

 

Citizen said:

Western cholera epidemic planned from the beginning of this century, shoved in Syria for regime change and the destruction of the country today is promoted as freedom and democracy!

Mideast Backlashes Yet to Come
http://mycatbirdseat.com/2013/05/mideast-backlashes-yet-to-come/
Mideast states are now paralyzed and polarized and governance has come to a standstill. But in this paralysis lies a dangerous volatility: a backlash in the brewing, a pressure cooker about to blow.

After decades of oppression and marginalization by pro-West, secular dictatorships, the Muslim Brotherhood (Ikhwan) and similar Islamist parties have catapulted to power and prominence in several states. Quite counter-intuitively, however, these Islamist governments appear to have lined up behind the US bloc, eager to please, or at least placate, the very powers that colluded in their oppression…….

May 14th, 2013, 2:25 am

 

Ameera said:

سألتك حبييبي لوين رايحين خلينا خلينا وتسب انا سنين

إذا كنا ع طول التقيناع طول وليش متلفت خايفين

أنا كطل ما بشوفك كانمي بشوفك لأول مرة حبيبي

أنا كل ما تودعنا كأنك ودعنا لآخر مرة حبيبي

قللي احكيلي نحنا مين وليسش منتلفت خايفين

ومن مين خايفين

موعدنا بكرى وتتأخر بكرى قولك مش جاي حبيبي

عم بشوفك بالساعة بتكات الساعة من المدى جاي حبيبي

ويادني شتي يا سمين عللي تلا قؤوا ومش عارفين

ومن مين خايفين

May 14th, 2013, 2:44 am

 

Ameera said:

واحنا السوريين لوين رايحين؟

صباحكم معطر بالفل و الياسمين الشامي

May 14th, 2013, 2:47 am

 

Ameera said:

يا جماعة الخير مو معئول هيك يعني كل ما برفسور جشوا حكالو كلمة بتنطلوا و بتبلشوا تؤلوا عم تحكي هيك لانو مرتك و بيت حماك علوية
والله عيب

May 14th, 2013, 2:51 am

 
 

Dolly Buster said:

23. revenire said:

what percentage of Syrian dead are soldiers and government supporters?

 
Maybe 25%? Most of the dead are on the opposition side, because Shiites are supplied with heavy weapons by the KGB.

And the rebels mostly fight with hand-held stuff.

May 14th, 2013, 4:10 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Israeli (and American synagogues) helping Syrian refugees:

In the original Ynet report, Kahana said he had spent more than $100,000 of his private funds and raised an additional $500,000 from American synagogues to buy and transfer food and medicine for Syrian refugees in Turkey, Jordan and in Syria itself.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4378934,00.html

May 14th, 2013, 6:56 am

 

zoo said:

Syria Endgame Approaching Fast
By Shamus Cooke

http://www.zcommunications.org/syria-endgame-approaching-fast-by-shamus-cooke
Tuesday, May 14, 2013

The tempo of events in Syria has accelerated in recent weeks. The government forces have scored significant battlefield victories over the rebels, and this has provoked a mixture of war provocations and peace offers from the U.S. and its anti-Assad allies.

With Obama’s blessing, Israeli fighter jets recently attacked Syria on three occasions; in one massive air strike on a military installation in Damascus 42 Syrian soldiers were killed. Shortly thereafter Obama finally agreed to a peace conference with Russia, which had been asking for such talks for months.

Obama is entering these talks from a weakened position; the Syrian government is winning the war against the U.S.-backed rebels, and success on the ground is the trump card of any peace talks. Obama and the rebels are in no position to be demanding anything in Syria at the moment.

It’s possible that Obama wants to avoid further humiliation in his Syria meddling by a last minute face-saving “peace” deal. It’s equally likely, however, that these peace talks are a clever diplomatic ruse, with war being the real intention. It’s not uncommon for peace talks to break down and be used as a justification for an intensification of war, since “peace was attempted but failed.”

And Obama has plenty of reasons to pursue more war: he would look incredibly weak and foolish if Syria’s president were to stay in power after Obama’s administration had already announced that Assad’s regime was over and hand picked an alternative government of Syrian exiles that the U.S. — and other U.S. allies — were treating as the “legitimate government of Syria.”

Here’s how the BBC referred to Obama’s Syrian puppet government:

“… the Syrian opposition’s political leadership – which wanders around international capitals attending conferences and making grand speeches – is not leading anyone. It barely has control of the delegates in the room with it, let alone the fighters in the field.”

If an unlikely peace deal is reached, these Syrian exiles — who only a tiny minority of the rebel fighters actually listen to — will be the ones to sign off on the deal.

Many politicians in the U.S. are still clamoring for war in Syria, based on the unproven accusation that the Syrian government used chemical weapons against the rebels. In actuality, however, the UN so far has only indicated that the exact opposite is true: there is significant evidence the U.S.-backed rebels used chemical weapons against the Syrian government:

Of course this fact only made the back pages of the U.S.media, if it appeared at all. Similarly bad news about the U.S.-backed rebels committing large scale ethnic/religious cleansing and numerous human rights violations didn’t manage to make it on to the front pages either. And the numerous terrorist bombings by the U.S.-backed rebels that have indiscriminately killed civilians have likewise been largely ignored by U.S. politicians and the media.

The U.S. position is weakened further by the fact that the majority of the rebel fighters are Islamic extremists, who are fighting for jihad and sharia law, not democracy. The Guardian reported recently:

“Syria’s main armed opposition group, the Free Syrian Army (FSA), is losing fighters and capabilities to Jabhat al-Nusra, an Islamist organization with links to al-Qaida that is emerging as the best-equipped, financed and motivated force fighting Bashar al-Assad’s [Syrian] regime.”

The New York Times adds:

“Nowhere in rebel-controlled Syria is there a secular fighting force to speak of.”

But even with all these barriers to the U.S. dictating its terms to the Syrian government, Obama has trump cards of his own: the U.S. and the Israeli military.

It’s possible that the Israeli airstrikes on Syria were used as a bargaining chip with the proposed peace conference in Russia. If Obama threatened to bomb Syria into the Stone Age there is plenty of evidence —Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya — to back up this threat.

Following through with this kind of threat is actually considered intelligent foreign policy to many politicians in the U.S., since a country not aligned with the U.S. will have been weakened and fragmented as an opposing force, lowering the final barrier to war with Iran.

U.S. foreign policy is now completely dependent on using the threat of annihilation. As U.S. economic power has declined in relation to China and other countries, the economic carrot has been tossed aside in favor of the military stick. Plenty of U.S. foreign policy “experts” are demanding that Obama unsheathe the stick again, lest this foundation of U.S. foreign policy be proven to be just talk and no action.

This is the essence of U.S. involvement in Syria, which is risking regional war that could include Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, Israel, Iran, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia with the potential to drag in the bigger powers connected to these nations, the U.S. and Europe on one hand and Russia and China on the other.

The fate of the already-suffering Middle East is hanging in the balance.

May 14th, 2013, 7:25 am

 

zoo said:

#57 Juergen

Culturally Egyptians are much closer to Iranians that to Saudis. They have arts, literature, music,poetry, cinema, and above all they are pacifist, theatrical and hedonist with a sense of humor.
So I am not surprised that with just a little push they’ll all convert to Shiism. That’s what the dull and boring Salafi sheikhs are terrified of.

May 14th, 2013, 7:37 am

 

zoo said:

Kerry is now worried that Syrian officials will refuse to attend the conference, despite the fact that the USA have dropped the conditions for Bashar’s resignation.
That’s not a surprise. The Syrian army seems to be winning the war and crushing the opposition armed rebels. The opposition is now in the weakest position it has ever been, therefore the Syrian government may not need a peace conference anymore and can put all they conditions they want if Kerry wants them to attend. The Syrian government is playing hard to get.
Kerry is trapped as he has to also convince the opposition to attend and until now they have not accepted.

Kerry expects Syrian officials to attend talks for peaceful transition in Syria

By Associated Press, Updated: Tuesday, May 14, 7:09 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com

STOCKHOLM — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is dismissing suggestions that the Syrian government might not join a U.S.-Russia initiative to negotiate a peaceful transition in Syria.

Syria’s information minister says Damascus needs more details about the proposed initiative before it decides whether to attend. But Kerry says he expects Syrian officials to join the international effort and that the U.S. is aware that Syrian negotiators have been selected for the proposed conference.

May 14th, 2013, 7:50 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Syrian regime wants more informations before attending the conference citing sovereignty, it is Asshead sovereignty that we want to uproot, but ceasefire must be accomplished before the meeting continue, and free election completely free is the second condition, ,Asshead wants neither free election, nor ceasefire.
Failure of the conference will leave Obama with military option.
Where is the pressure Russia will apply?,none.
This conference will fail

May 14th, 2013, 7:58 am

 

zoo said:

What will Obama probably say to Erdogan

http://www.panorama.am/en/politics/2013/05/13/obama-erdogan/

Then the door will close and Obama will really talk about Syria, saying something like:

“Tayyip, we once again want to express our sorrow and condolences over the senseless car bombings in Reyhanli on Saturday.

But listen, the infiltration of Jabhat al-Nusra fighters through Turkish territory is inflaming the sectarian nature of the struggle in Syria. I know you do not want a sectarian bloodbath in Syria, but your joint policy with Qatar has helped get us here. The UN Security Council may now label them a terrorist group, and rightly so. This is a headache for me. Vladimir has a point here; these guys are trouble, and they are growing.

“Look, Tayyip, I understand you are frustrated and that Assad is holding on to dear life. You and I both got ahead of ourselves on this one. But we need to think ahead. The Qataris are being reckless; they seem to think that they are immune to the potential blowback. But Turkey is not immune either, and neither is the United States.

“This also reminds me that we disagree on what to do now. The situation is getting out of control and the rebels, I fear, are losing ground. Still, in the long run I believe that this will result in either a stalemate or that Assad will make a mad dash to his Alawite heartland on the coast. But nothing is assured, and it might get worse before it gets better.

“You floated an idea on the eve of your arrival here, that you would support an American effort to establish a safe zone. Let me reiterate what I have said in the past few weeks: There will be no American boots on the ground in Syria. We are considering some options to help the rebels through other parties, maybe something more, in northern or southeastern Syria designed to create safe havens with our air assets and electronic capabilities, provided the regional powers like you actively support this effort with your troops; but that is no guarantee things will get better either.

“But let’s not kid ourselves that whatever we do militarily will end Assad’s government next week or maybe even this year. We need some diplomacy here. I need you to support the Geneva II process and this conference John Kerry is trying to put together. You need to do your best to get your friends in the Syrian opposition to sit down with someone from the Syrian government at that conference, if it happens. Otherwise, it blows up, and the war goes on.

“For now, I need Russia and probably Iran to make this work. What we also need to do on Syria is to look down the road and try to estimate how the situation will unfold in the next two years and then come up with a strategy to be implemented now and designed to prevent a worst-case scenario. I think we could put our best planners together with yours and other allies to help us think this through and, most important, be on the same page.

“This war is no longer about Assad. We know that. You, Jordan, Iraq, Israel are all paying a price, and the costs are going up.

“I also need to say something here about Iraq. I know that it looks incongruent to you that after years of urging Turkey to get closer to the Kurdistan Regional Government, that now we are cautioning you against deepening ties, especially oil and gas ones. Our concern stems from the fact that Prime Minister Maliki is increasingly interpreting developments in Syria and northern Iraq as an attempt to unseat him at best and divide Iraq at worst. You believe that he has inflamed sectarian tensions in Iraq and mistreated the Sunnis. You certainly do have a point, I cannot argue with that. However, what we want you to do is to downplay these activities only to reassure Maliki that the region is not against him; otherwise we face a self-fulfilling prophecy, and he will act on his fears and make matters worse. In the end, we both agree that borders in the region ought not to change. Here too, I believe we can work together to craft a smarter and subtler policy.

“Regarding your Kurdish opening, let me reiterate our admiration for the courage it took. We have been very circumspect on this issue as my advisors tell me that you have too many conspiracy theorists claiming that all this is an American plot. I wish we were so powerful! Still, while we are careful in public discourse, let me also say that we are very willing to help you down the road when the process gathers greater momentum. I will leave this up to you; we are your allies and we very much care about this problem getting resolved.”

As the conversation above suggests, the administration will not have much to offer the Turks. But then, neither will the Turks come to the table with new initiatives.

Henri J. Barkey is a professor of international relations at Lehigh University.

May 14th, 2013, 8:02 am

 

zoo said:

#78 Majed

When Bashar Al Assad offered a dialog 2 months ago to the opposition while the armed rebels were winning, they laughed at him.

Now the opposition is loosing, Bashar could impose all the conditions he wants or may just skip the conference altogether.

I don’t think he’ll do that but he is sending a clear message to Kerry that if the USA is not able to force the opposition to the dialog table within say, a month, the Syrian government will withdraw its offer.
Beggars can’t be chosers.

May 14th, 2013, 8:10 am

 

zoo said:

Beside slitting throats, desperate main stream FSA Syrian rebels are turning to cannibalism.

Video shows rebel ‘eats heart’ of Syria soldier

Agence France-Presse | Updated: May 14, 2013 17:37 IST
http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/366816

Beirut: A gruesome video has emerged on the Internet apparently showing a Syrian rebel fighter cutting out the heart of a regime soldier and eating it.

“We swear to God we will eat your hearts and livers, you soldiers of Bashar the dog,” the insurgent says as he bends over a blurred body and cuts out the heart in the amateur footage uploaded to YouTube.

“We are the heroes of Baba Amr,” he says, referring to a rebel stronghold of the central city of Homs that has been flattened by President Bashar al-Assad’s forces.

The man, identified in the video as a member of the mainstream rebel Free Syrian Army, then stands up, raises his dagger in one hand and the heart in the other.

He then proceeds to place the organ in his mouth, before the video abruptly ends.
The authenticity of the footage, which was uploaded to YouTube on Sunday by a user named “SyrianGirl War”, cannot be verified.

May 14th, 2013, 8:21 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Zoo
“This war is no longer about Assad.
Yes it is.he is the main and only obstacle to freedom and democracy.

You said the opposition is losing, More weapons to the rebels means they will win battles,Asshead now is supported by HA and Iran troops and Russia arms,these can be countered by more weappons to the rebels.
Skipping the meeting means more weapons to the rebels.
The problem to the rebels is that the weapons supply are intermittent, not continuous,especially in the south,because of Jordan,as weapons arrive, Asshead will beg for political solution.But then it will be too late for him.
US interest is to support the rebels, if Asshead wins,it will be huge humiliation to Obama and the west and victory to Russia, this will not be allowed.

May 14th, 2013, 8:30 am

 

Tara said:

Oh please,

Have Batta refuses to attend and cancel the conference. He’d be doing us a great favor. The west would then arm the rebels and Batta will be sent to the eternal Hell.

May 14th, 2013, 8:32 am

 

Dolly Buster said:

I listen to Egyptian lectures all the time, they have tons of intellectuals. Egypt will remain staunchly Salafi.

This is the Egyptian khutbah I put on my public Facebook this morning: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDbNAoBMBqo

The Shias are dying out, especially now that Syria is about to become Wahhabi. This means the end of Shia Crescent which was put in place by George W. Bush.

May 14th, 2013, 8:40 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

HA troops are 90% in Syria fighting Syrians, when they die or captured, HA can not supply Asshead with more soldiers, Hasan Nasrallah is taking huge risk,letting his front against Israel becoms much more vulnerable,HA troops as Revenir calls them Rats, will backfire on Nasrallah,he is making the stupidiest mistake,also fighting around Zainab shrine will assure the destruction of such shrine

May 14th, 2013, 8:44 am

 

zoo said:

A look at the insides of arms delivery to the rebels

Qatar, allies tighten coordination of arms flows to Syria (with the help of the CIA)

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-rt-us-syria-qatar-supportbre94d0gt-20130514,0,1186362.story

DOHA/BEIRUT (Reuters) – Qatar, which has taken a lead in arming the Syrian opposition, is coordinating with the CIA and has tightened control of the arms flow to keep weapons out of the hands of al Qaeda-linked Islamist fighters, according to rebels and officials familiar with the operation.

Rebel fighters in Syria say that in recent months the system for distributing arms has become more centralized, with arms being delivered through opposition National Coalition’s General Command, led by Selim Idriss, a general who defected to the opposition and is a favorite of Washington.

Qatar mostly sends arms to rebels operating in the north of Syria, while Saudi Arabia, another rich Gulf Arab kingdom, sends weapons to fighters operating in the south, several rebel commanders said.

“The Qataris are now going through the Coalition for aid and humanitarian issues and for military issues they are going through the military command,” a commander in northern Syria interviewed from Beirut said.

“Before the Coalition was formed they were going through liaison offices and other military and civil formations. That was at the beginning. Now it is different – it is all going through the Coalition and the military command.”

“There’s an operations room in the Emir’s diwan (office complex), with representatives from every ministry sitting in that room, deciding how much money to allocate for Syria’s aid,” the Qatari official said.

“There’s a lot of consultation with the CIA, and they help Qatar with buying and moving the weapons into Syria, but just as consultants,” he said. The CIA declined to comment.

Rebel commanders contacted by Reuters said they submit their lists of needs to the General Command led by Idriss, which forwards the requests to Qatar or Saudi Arabia.

One Western source involved in the process said the new system of control is not foolproof: sometimes weapons sent in by Qatar do in fact reach hardline groups.

Several rebel commanders said they believed wealthy Kuwaiti and Saudi individuals were also sending weapons and money to rebel fighters outside the National Coalition’s distribution channel.

“They usually ask for a video proving that an attack took place with the name of the brigade that did it. Sometimes they ask for a statement expressing gratitude,” said a rebel commander in Damascus.

He said the Saudis and Qataris also occasionally send weapons into each other’s territory, bypassing normal controls.

“Sometimes the Qataris manage to send stuff to the southern part and the Saudis to the northern side. When they do so, they send it to brigades that are not part of the military command.”

May 14th, 2013, 8:44 am

 

zoo said:

Tara,

Kerry uses a childish gimmick to incite the reluctant opposition to join the conference.

‘Now President Assad decides’

Tue, 14 May 2013 2:37 PM
http://news.iafrica.com/worldnews/859005.html

Syria’s opposition will receive additional assistance if President Bashar al-Assad refuses to attend a peace conference proposed by the US and Russia, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday.

“If he miscalculates about that as he miscalculated about his own country’s future over the course of the last years, it is clear the opposition will be receiving additional support,” Kerry said during a visit to Stockholm.

“There will be additional efforts made, and unfortunately the violence will not end,” he added.

Kerry did not specify what type of support would be provided, nor from whom.

Washington and Moscow are trying to get Damascus and the rebels to come to the table for talks aimed at ending the armed conflict.

Kerry reiterated that he hoped the peace conference could take place in early June.

“Now President Assad decides,” he said.

“We hope we will have a chance to get to that table. If Assad decides not to come, the world will see how empty his rhetoric is, as well as his intent.”

May 14th, 2013, 8:55 am

 

Tara said:

Ok Zoo then.

As you said, beggar can not be chooser. Batta is not in any better position than the opposition.

May 14th, 2013, 9:01 am

 

Tara said:

Zoo,

Why couldn’t you bring yourself to condemn hate rhetorics coming out from a Shiaa cleric?

Please forgive my honesty but when you shy away of doing so, you transform yourself to an ineffective Shiaa propagandist. I for one do not “dialogue” with you specifically to promote an ideology. I do it to explore your thinking which at time interests me, but when you fail to condemn the obvious, you come off as insincere and by doing so you simply convert the exchange to a pure propaganda in which I have no interest.

I mean how can one lecture tolerance when one does not condemn intolerance and how can one preach humility when sounding arrogant? If you want to be an Ann or a Reve, be it, but you can’t have it both ways.

May 14th, 2013, 9:22 am

 

zoo said:

One more absurd request fron panicked opposition about the imminent fall of Qusayr and the crushing of hundreds of rebels trapped in the town.
They know very well that Hezbollah’s presence is a warrant that there will be no “massacre”. In fact they are secretly hoping there will be one so they can call for international intervention…
.

Syrian troops surround rebel-held town

http://www.news24.com/World/News/Syrian-troops-surround-rebel-held-town-20130514
2013-05-14 15:04

Beirut – Syria’s opposition National Coalition warned on Tuesday that 30 000 civilians in the rebel-held town of Qusayr, faced an “extremely dangerous situation” as regime troops prepare to attack.

“We ask the [UN] Security Council to issue a decision forcing Lebanon to control its borders, and thus guarantee the withdrawal of Hezbollah members from Syrian territory,” the coalition said

May 14th, 2013, 9:32 am

 

zoo said:

Tara

You keep asking me to make condemnation for individual events.
I won’t because events are part of a larger scheme and are usually not proven until years later.
My condemnation goes to the people and countries who have encouraged and fueled the civil war when they realized the revolution failed. The dark events that followed are the inevitable consequences.

What Shia rhetorics should I condemn? Please let me know. Since the 25 years old fatwa on Salman Rushdi, I have not seen much calling for murder and destruction of Sunnis or hysterical sheikhs calling for jihad to create a caliphate.

Now you tell me what rhetorics and fatwas coming extremists Sunnis clerics you are condemning? Youtube is full of them, make your choice.

I don’t care if you think I am a propagandist, I am just observing the facts.
If a shop has bad sales force, bad ads and sells suspicious goods, I should not blame people for shopping somewhere else.

May 14th, 2013, 9:57 am

 

citizen said:

74. AKBAR PALACE said:

Israeli (and American synagogues) helping Syrian refugees
help please good man ! Israeli and American HANDS OFF SYRIA !!

May 14th, 2013, 10:05 am

 

Dolly Buster said:

It’s very nice of Qatar to help. It’s a tiny country of 300,000 people but they are at the forefront when it comes to helping people.

To address the aviation of Shiite Evildoers, I recommend that a major power goes in with 21st century high technology, and smash the Russian-Shiite retards to pieces.

The Shia crawl to graves, and Russians lead the world in suicide rates.
These 2 groups have no future.

May 14th, 2013, 10:06 am

 

Dawoud said:

62. REVENIRE

Hasan Nasr’al-Shytan حسن نصر الشيطان, Syria’s dictator’s ally and the sectarian Iranian puppet killer of Syrians. Shame on this filthy As$. One day he will be brought to justice.

May 14th, 2013, 10:07 am

 

Dawoud said:

67. ANNIE

Nice comment. Guatemala’s very old ex-dictator finally received the punishment that he has always deserved after 30 years! I have no doubt that Syria’s murderous dictator, Bashar al-Assad, and his Shia or Shiite Lebanese ally, Hasan Nasr al-Shytan حسن نصر الشيطان, WILL receive the punishment that they both definitely deserve!

May 14th, 2013, 10:16 am

 

Dolly Buster said:

92. citizen said: Israeli and American HANDS OFF SYRIA !!

 
With all due respect брат, the Ruskies are the ones who have no business in the Arab world.

Russia is the author of the entire mess, because they blocked the UN. This set off a civil war.

It was defeat in Afghanistan that signaled the end of USSR, and it will be defeat in Syria that brings down the remainder of Russia.

May 14th, 2013, 10:26 am

 

zoo said:

The Arab League backtracks…

Arab League says Syria seat not given to opposition
May 14, 2013 05:11 PM
Agence France Presse

DUBAI: The vacant Syrian seat at the Arab League has not been given to the opposition, even though its leader addressed the bloc’s last summit, the League’s secretary general said on Tuesday.

“The opinion was that if they (opposition) form a government, which they have not done yet, then they can become a representative,” Nabil al-Arabi told reporters in Dubai.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/May-14/217069-arab-league-says-syria-seat-not-given-to-opposition.ashx#ixzz2THInEKCl
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)

May 14th, 2013, 10:41 am

 

zoo said:

Despite Qatar’s pressures, Tunisia will not give the Syrian Embassy in Tunis to the opposition,

La Tunisie ne livrera pas le siège de l’ambassade de Syrie à Tunis à l’opposition syrienne
2013-04-19

http://www.leaders.com.tn/article/la-tunisie-ne-livrera-pas-le-siege-de-l-ambassade-de-syrie-a-tunis-a-l-opposition-syrienne?id=11255

May 14th, 2013, 10:52 am

 
 

Tara said:

#

I am sorry you don’t care. I thought you did.

May 14th, 2013, 11:02 am

 

revenire said:

Visitor you’re in the United States. Calm down.

May 14th, 2013, 11:02 am

 

Dawoud said:

Exposing the hypocrisy of Hasan Nasras$

May 14th, 2013, 11:11 am

 

zoo said:

The Arab “Friends” of Syria will not support the conference if it does not abide to the “revised” version of their precondition:
They want a guarantee that neither Bashar Al Assad nor a close member of the Baath party would be part of the transitional government or candidate to the 2014 election. I wonder who will give them such guarantee, the USA? Russia?

Prominent opposition backers Qatar and Saudi Arabia, who support arming the rebels, threw their weight behind the proposal on the condition that Assad not play any part in Syria’s future.

Along with Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and the UAE, the Gulf heavyweights announced late Monday that they will support U.S.-Russian-led talks as long as “as “it takes in consideration that president Assad and his aides with blood-stained hands would have no place in Syria’s future,” the Emirati WAM news agency reported.

The countries are part of the so-called “Friends of Syria” group, a collection of Western and Arab nations that oppose Assad. The Friends group announced Tuesday that they will meet in Amman next week to coordinate on a united strategy for the June talks.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/May-14/217073-assads-fate-proves-sticking-point-for-talks.ashx#ixzz2THPrLBd4
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)

May 14th, 2013, 11:16 am

 

Visitor said:

Reverse @101, Hizb akl alhawa

You need to STFU.

May 14th, 2013, 11:16 am

 

revenire said:

That’s it Visitor – flail about online as the army destroys the rodents.

If your rats are so holy why is God allowing them to be ground up by our army?

May 14th, 2013, 11:29 am

 

zoo said:

A new blow to the “Holy Hamsters Poops” and their supporters

Report: UN to blacklist Syria’s Al-Nusra Front as a terrorist group
May 10, 2013 by Laura Rozen

The United Nations Security Council is expected to formally designate the Syrian Al Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front as a terrorist group next week,

Read more: http://backchannel.al-monitor.com/index.php/2013/05/5192/report-un-to-blacklist-syrias-al-nusra-front/#ixzz2THX0NCg7

Previously..

France wants U.N. to label Syria’s al-Nusra Front a terrorist group

Syria urges United Nations to list Nusra Front a terrorist group

May 14th, 2013, 11:39 am

 

revenire said:

Nusra to be designated terrorists by the UN? Awww. Let’s have a moment of silence for the death of the revolution.

May 14th, 2013, 11:41 am

 

Dawoud said:

قتل السوريين وتجاره المخدرات من اختصار حزب الشيطان وحسن نصر الشيطان
Hizbas$ حزب الشيطانis not only a terrorist organization and engaged in war crimes against Syrians, it is also a drug-dealing criminal entity:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/27/hezbollah-uses-mexican-drug-routes-into-us/

EXCLUSIVE: Hezbollah uses Mexican drug routes into U.S.

EXCLUSIVE:

Hezbollah is using the same southern narcotics routes that Mexican drug kingpins do to smuggle drugs and people into the United States, reaping money to finance its operations and threatening U.S. national security, current and former U.S. law enforcement, defense and counterterrorism officials say.

The Iran-backed Lebanese group has long been involved in narcotics and human trafficking in South America’s tri-border region of Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. Increasingly, however, it is relying on Mexican narcotics syndicates that control access to transit routes into the U.S.

Hezbollah relies on “the same criminal weapons smugglers, document traffickers and transportation experts as the drug cartels,” said Michael Braun, who just retired as assistant administrator and chief of operations at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

“They work together,” said Mr. Braun. “They rely on the same shadow facilitators. One way or another, they are all connected.

“They’ll leverage those relationships to their benefit, to smuggle contraband and humans into the U.S.; in fact, they already are [smuggling].”
[…]

May 14th, 2013, 11:49 am

 

Juergen said:

No joke, Ahmedinejad could be the first Mullah puppet who ends up in prison or if he chooses so with 74 lashes to be carried out in public, due to election fraud charges.

http://www.inquisitr.com/659609/ahmadinejad-charges-could-be-handed-down-over-election-fraud/

The second news, also no joke at all: Iran to chair UN nuke disarmament conference

http://en.alalam.ir/news/1474131

May 14th, 2013, 11:53 am

 
 

ziad said:

Turkish MP blames Al Nusra for border town attack

ISTANBUL // A Turkish opposition MP yesterday accused the Syrian rebel group Jabhat Al Nusra of planting the twin car bombs that killed 46 people in a frontier town this weekend.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s prime minister, said he held the Syrian government responsible for the attack in Reyhanli. But Mehmet Ali Ediboglu, who represents the Republican People’s Party (CHP), claimed that rebels with links to Al Qaeda had exploited lax security in Turkey’s Hatay province.

He said he believed that Al Nusra had planted the bombs in the frontier area in a bid to drag Turkey into Syria’s civil war because the rebels have realised that they need help to overthrow Bashar Al Assad’s regime.

“This was the work of a very professional terrorist organisation,” said Mr Ediboglu, who represents Hatay in parliament, told The National by telephone. “It looks like an Al Qaeda-style attack,” he said, adding that Al Nusra had a strong presence on the Syrian side of the border region. “They want to get Turkey into the war.”

http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/turkish-mp-blames-al-nusra-for-border-town-attack

May 14th, 2013, 12:56 pm

 

Dolly Buster said:

Al Qaeda has kicked the United States out of Iraq, so they will have no problem whatsoever in killing a few Alawite Shia bastards in Syria.

If you observe the long-term dynamics, the SAA began with 200,000 soldiers and rebels had 0. But now it’s 100,000 on the rebels’ side.

The aforementioned fact cannot be spun in favor of Russia.

May 14th, 2013, 2:00 pm

 

ghufran said:

Foreign and anti regime media is full of articles discussing an alleged plan to form an alawi state in Syria if the regime fails to end this war or if it loses Damascus. The idea does have a level of support among some Syrians,namely some christians and alawites, but I have not met a single sunni who supports the partition of Syria, such a partition,if it takes place, may not necessarily be along sectarian lines, many moderate and progressive suunis for example prefer to live with alawites and christians instead of being under MB and Nusra rule, in that sense, people who claim that the conflict is not entirely sectarian but rather ideological (secular versus religious) are not completely out of line, the proof that this war is not a mere shia-sunni fight is all over the place but talking about the subject in an honest manner does not help advocates of Nusra and opponents of Iran and Hizbullah, it is simply easier and less risky to keep regurgitating the same bile about the bad Shia and the holy Nusra fighters, but you have to admit that this rhetoric gets old and boring after a while.

May 14th, 2013, 2:11 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Cool, UN Declare NUSRA terrorist organization.

Of course all extensions of the dog-poop athad regime should be declared terrorist organizations, Al Nusra is no exception. So are all the hoards of thieves who formed theft-inc brigades composed of murderers, drug smugglers, and rapists, who were jailed before the revolution for competing with the athad’s clan criminal enterprise, but released in the fake (dog-poop amnethty) to empty space so that dog-poop athad and its mafia could torture and murder the best of Syria.

In fact, creating this terrorist organization is one more crime to hold dog-poop athad responsible for. So gloat, you fools. The demise of Al Nusra is a step toward the demise of their founder dog-poop athad.

Still that does not absolve regime dogs in Turkey from the explosions. It has direct dog-poop athad trademarks all over it.

May 14th, 2013, 2:19 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

The country’s already BEEN partitioned Ghufran. Rebels control 2/3’s of the country, including all of the oil fields and the borders, with the exception of the borders to Lebanon. The Assadists control parts of Damascus, and most of Homs, Hamas, and Lattakia.

Most of the fighting is taking place in the disputed areas near Damascus, Homs, northern Lattakia, and Hamas. The Assadists have given up most of the country to try to hold onto what remains. They got whooped so badly last year that they’ll celebrate any minor victory they can get.

May 14th, 2013, 3:12 pm

 

Citizen said:

Mr president Bashar Al-Assad is going nowhere fast; the rebels refuse a place at the negotiating table, and many of them have pledged their allegiance with Al-Nusra (Al-Qaeda) ; and your Western-trained, funded and hired mercs are collectively losing their selves to Syrian Arab Army .

The West has made an absolute mess of this, and the Syrians want to decide their own destiny without foreign interference. And as long as Al-Assad has the support of the Syrian Arab Army, he is going absolutely nowhere.

So the only option for US is some kind of outright invasion of Syria, inviting the ire of the Russian government, and military fully help for the Syrian army on the ground.

Caution you, about the outcome for which you collectively wish. You could very much get absolutely not to your liking at all.

May 14th, 2013, 3:13 pm

 

Citizen said:

113
Give us from the end!!!!!Any new division from Bernard Lewis?????Syria is not divisible!

May 14th, 2013, 3:22 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Typical Citizen Sophistry in the service of reaffirming the obvious

Of course dog-poop athad is going no where… EVER SEEN A PILE OF SHXT walking around? you fool. It is as dumb as a rock.

May 14th, 2013, 3:23 pm

 

Citizen said:

It looks like the C-300 already in Syria!

May 14th, 2013, 3:51 pm

 
 

ghufran said:

The outcry after the famous heart-eating rebel video was aired does not seem to be dying down, this is from the Guardian:
(Hind Bint Utbah , the mother of Mu’awiyah ,allegedly ate Hamzah’s liver after the battle of Uhod, I was called a sectarian when I reminded readers how al-imam Hussein head was severed and placed on a spear and taken to Yazeed):
Horrific video footage of a Syrian rebel commander eating the heart or lung of a dead government fighter has aroused furious international controversy, fuelling an already heated debate over western support for the armed uprising against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
The grisly film had been circulating for several days, attracting extensive comment on social media networks such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. But in the face of an often vicious propaganda war between the government and rebels, early doubts about the film’s authenticity faded when the perpetrator, named as Khaled al-Hamad, admitted that he had mutilated the corpse of an unnamed soldier as an act of revenge.
“We opened his cell phone and I found a clip of a woman and her two daughters fully naked and he [the dead soldier] was humiliating them, and sticking a stick here and there,” Hamad told the Time news website.
Human Rights Watch (HRW), an independent monitor, said: “The figure in the video cuts the heart and liver out of the body and uses sectarian language to insult Alawites [Assad’s minority sect]. At the end of the video [the man] is filmed putting the corpse’s heart into his mouth, as if he is taking a bite out of it.”
Hamad, also known as Abu Sakkar, said he also had video footage of himself using a saw to cut a Shabiha government militiaman into “small and large pieces”.
Yasser Taha, a fellow fighter, told the Guardian an unnamed female relative of Abu Sakkar had been raped and killed by government soldiers. Time said he had in fact eaten the dead man’s lung, not his liver or heart
(I mean no disrespect to anybody’s feeling,but I think the ugly truth about how evil and savage some of us have become must be exposed)

May 14th, 2013, 4:30 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Good news keep coming. S-300 is in (Russians use C). After its gangs burnt the country, d-p athad left no tree big enough, now Syrians have a big enough خازوق so that they can يخوزقو dog-poop athad. Mertheeeeeeeeeeeee putin.

May 14th, 2013, 4:31 pm

 

revenire said:

Al-Qusayr: We can attest to the surrender yesterday of 231 FSA rodents from the Al-Qusayr area. The surrender was arranged through MI negotiators who were informed that the rodents had little ammunition and water left. The only condition the rodents attached to the surrender agreement was that their “status would be treated fairly”. The MoD did not commit to any agreement regarding deserters. According to Wael there were only 7 deserters, anyway. Hardly a big issue. There remain now about 1,200 vermin most of whom are FSA or civilian sympathizers. The J.N. is estimated at around 400. They will all be killed anon.

May 14th, 2013, 4:34 pm

 

revenire said:

Looks like Obama might be gone before Assad with his illegal arming of rats via Libya, his spying on reporters and using the IRS to attack the opposition.

May 14th, 2013, 4:36 pm

 

revenire said:

IDLIB:

At the Abu-Dhuhoor Airbase, the SAA continues to add more fertilizer to the surrounding fields by killing rats and leaving their bodies to putrefact in the hot sun. Nobody will pick up the bodies because of the number of snipers in the area. But, rat efforts to infiltrate the base have met with consistently miserable results for Saleem Idrees and his American terrorism enablers. We can confirm that the SAA killed 87 rats around the base yesterday in another debacle worthy of the great Saleem Idrees. Wael reports that spotters counted 29 direct hits on the enemy causing wounds.

Al-Nayrab Youth Camp (YAWN): That’s right folks. They’re still trying to take over this base even though all large stores of weapons have been removed months ago. No details.

Same area, at the Brick Factory, militia killed the following skunks:

Alaa’ Mustafa
Jaassem Khaleefa
Yazeed Sayyaaf
Mahmoud Ghaazi

May 14th, 2013, 4:36 pm

 

revenire said:

Those S-300s are really nice. I’ve seen them tested. I can’t wait until we transfer them to Iran and Hezbollah.

Cheers.

May 14th, 2013, 4:56 pm

 

revenire said:

Syria Honors Martys… Tawfik al-Bouti Elected President of Levant Scholars’ Union

DAMASCUS, (SANA)-Ministry of Endowments on Tuesday held a mass meeting for the Islamic scholars at al-Othman Mosque in Damascus in honor of the Homeland martyrs, particularly the martyrs of Mihrab who scarified their souls in defending the national unity.

The Forum was held under the title “the Martyr Scholar, Imam Mohammad Said Ramadan al-Bouti and his impact in the nation’s unity.”

Minister of Endowments Mohammad Abdul-Satar al-Sayyed said that the martyrdom for God’s sake is the highest value and the martyrs are alive through their works and impacts, adding “Martyr al-Bouti was am example in his efforts to unify the nation and enlighten the mentality of its sons.”

Dr. Mohammad Tawfik Mohammad Said Ramadan al-Bouti, for his part, said that his father will remain alive in the hearts of the nation as his impacts will stay fruitful and useful to all.

He called on the Islamic scholars to assume their responsibilities during this dangerous stage of the nation’s life and uncover the reality of what is going on.

Later, the General Conference of Bilad al-Sham (Levant) Scholars’ Union elected Dr. Mohammad Tawfik al-Bouti as President of the Union.

Mazen

May 14th, 2013, 5:07 pm

 

Citizen said:

Iran has S-300 + S-400 !!!

May 14th, 2013, 5:27 pm

 

Citizen said:

Syria has many others HIGH TECH NEWEST UNITS !!!

May 14th, 2013, 5:29 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

It looks like the C-300 already in Syria!

Citizen,

So why don’t they use them?

May 14th, 2013, 5:35 pm

 

revenire said:

Hasbara how would we know? Ask them.

May 14th, 2013, 5:39 pm

 

Citizen said:

130. AKBAR PALACE
The Israelis say that! read the Israeli newspapers!

May 14th, 2013, 5:47 pm

 

revenire said:

Citizen Akbar knows that and is only here to troll. He knows Netanyahu begged Putin today.

May 14th, 2013, 5:57 pm

 

ziad said:

Mideast Backlashes Yet to Come

In Syria, widespread revulsion against what has to be the most violent manifestation of sectarianism in the region has morphed into a new language to define the conflict there: Instead of being pro or anti-government/opposition, many Syrians are now underlining their allegiance to Syria first. Despite the international media’s partiality toward framing the Syrian conflict as a sectarian one, many pro-government and pro-opposition figures tend to reject this characterization outright. This is certainly notable among pro-government Syrians, many of whom have undergone a hasty conversion from political apathy to intense nationalism in a short time, and who reject being defined as “pro-Assad.”

http://english.al-akhbar.com/blogs/sandbox/mideast-backlashes-yet-come

May 14th, 2013, 5:57 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

Citizen Akbar knows…

Reverse,

I really DON’T know. That is why asked Citizen why Assad didn’t use these AA missiles when he said, “It looks like the C-300 already in Syria!”.

Are they in a museum or what?
__________________________

On a more pleasant note, Israeli doctor saves life of Syrian girl…

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4380072,00.html

May 14th, 2013, 6:01 pm

 

Citizen said:

133. REVENIRE
Now Putin is rightly does not refuse himself the pleasure of taking in Moscow, one after the other – scared to death catastrophe “Friends of Syria”. Something like a parade of defeated enemies … Well, they have long mocked Russia and it is time to “skewed” to return their debts …

May 14th, 2013, 6:02 pm

 

ziad said:

Acts of terrorism by Israel against Palestinians in just the last 48 hours

http://uprootedpalestinians.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/acts-of-terrorism-by-israel-against.html

May 14th, 2013, 6:12 pm

 

revenire said:

Hasbara concern yourself with trying to save the lives of Zionist settlers who will be huddled in bomb shelter if war breaks out.

May 14th, 2013, 6:19 pm

 

ziad said:

The last of the Semites

It is Israel’s claims that it represents and speaks for all Jews that are the most anti-Semitic claims of all.

Jewish opponents of Zionism understood the movement since its early age as one that shared the precepts of anti-Semitism in its diagnosis of what gentile Europeans called the “Jewish Question”. What galled anti-Zionist Jews the most, however, was that Zionism also shared the “solution” to the Jewish Question that anti-Semites had always advocated, namely the expulsion of Jews from Europe.

It was the Protestant Reformation with its revival of the Hebrew Bible that would link the modern Jews of Europe to the ancient Hebrews of Palestine, a link that the philologists of the 18th century would solidify through their discovery of the family of “Semitic” languages, including Hebrew and Arabic. Whereas Millenarian Protestants insisted that contemporary Jews, as descendants of the ancient Hebrews, must leave Europe to Palestine to expedite the second coming of Christ, philological discoveries led to the labelling of contemporary Jews as “Semites”. The leap that the biological sciences of race and heredity would make in the 19th century of considering contemporary European Jews racial descendants of the ancient Hebrews would, as a result, not be a giant one.

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/05/201351275829430527.html

May 14th, 2013, 6:24 pm

 

Dawoud said:

Russia will NOT sell S-300 to the Syria dictator because it knows that sooner or later the FSA will capture them!

ليش حسن نصر الشيطان سمين مثل الثور؟ سمعت انه يأكك كثيرا من لحم الخنزير ويعتقد أنه حلالا لان علي خامئني يبارك فيه
🙂

Free Syria, Free Palestine, Bahrain is Arab Forever!

May 14th, 2013, 6:37 pm

 

revenire said:

Hasbara go read the Mossad leak sheet DEBKA for info… we can’t be bothered with you. We are watching Syria Video and all the moaning rats.

Putin again warns Netanyahu hands off Syria
http://www.debka.com/article/22963/Putin-again-warns-Netanyahu-hands-off-Syria

Israel is concerned that Moscow may decided to send the six S-300 batteries carrying 144 missiles due for Syria along with Russian missile and air defense specialists. They will also be available for operating the missiles effectively for downing Israeli Air Force planes striking targets in Syria and Lebanon. Israel will be forced to think twice before attacking the S-300 batteries for fear of hitting the Russian officers. Putin is therefore placing a severe constraint on Israel’s operational freedom by spreading an anti-air missile cover over the Syrian, Hizballah and the Iranian Basij forces fighting for Bashar Assad.

True or not I find it amusing.

May 14th, 2013, 6:38 pm

 

Dawoud said:

ليش حسن نصر الشيطان سمين مثل الثور؟ سمعت انه يأكل كثيرا من لحم الخنزير ويعتقد أنه حلالا لان علي خامئني يبارك فيه
🙂

May 14th, 2013, 6:40 pm

 

ziad said:

Syria Endgame Approaching Fast

The tempo of events in Syria has accelerated in recent weeks. The government forces have scored significant battlefield victories over the rebels, and this has provoked a mixture of war provocations and peace offers from the U.S. and its anti-Assad allies.

It’s possible that Obama wants to avoid further humiliation in his Syria meddling by a last minute face-saving “peace” deal. It’s equally likely, however, that these peace talks are a clever diplomatic ruse, with war being the real intention. It’s not uncommon for peace talks to break down and be used as a justification for an intensification of war, since “peace was attempted but failed.”

http://www.globalresearch.ca/syria-endgame-approaching-fast/5334845

May 14th, 2013, 6:42 pm

 

zoo said:

If the opposition or any country part of the planned conference have already decided on the political outcome and the sequel of the conference before it is even held then there is no point in Syria participating in it.
The countries who made these decisions without consulting the Syrian people will have to implement them on their own and… out of Syria.

http://news.yahoo.com/syria-wants-details-us-russian-initiative-081544903.html

But Syria’s Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi stressed that Damascus will not take part in any political dialogue that infringes on the country’s sovereignty, and stressed that the president, constitution and the form of political system are among the sovereign matters and will be only decided by the “Syrian people and ballot boxes.”

“Syria’s political decision is clear, which is to go toward a political solution and support positive international efforts while fighting terrorism at the same time,” he said.

May 14th, 2013, 6:46 pm

 

ziad said:

Al Nakba | The Catastrophe | النكبة – in pictures

http://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com/2010/10/10/al-nakba-the-catastrophe/

May 14th, 2013, 6:48 pm

 

zoo said:

The opposition and Arab countries are so certain that Bashar Al Assad will be easily reelected in 2014 through the ballots boxes, controlled by external auditors, that they want to impose the condition that he would not be a candidate before they accept to sit on the negotiations table.

They are doubly worried as in 2 years, they have not been able to find any candidate who could stand against Bashar AlAssad in the next election.
We have only seen only a show of weak and foreign-fed puppets with no guts, no charisma and no political savvyness.

That’s why they prefer that Syrians continue to die rather than admit they failed their revolution.

May 14th, 2013, 6:55 pm

 

Dawoud said:

145. ZIAD

I am Palestinian. Don’t use my cause to support a murderous dictator. 95% of Palestinians support the Syrian Revolution against the Syrian Dictator.

اخر مره كنت فيها في القدس المحتله السنه الماضيه وجدت كتابه على الجدران في الشوارع تقول: “لا لابن الزانيه بشار ألاسد” فأترك الفلسطينيين بحالهم. من ضرب الفلسطينيين في مخيمات الحلوه وعين البارد في سنه 1983 بعد ما غادر ابو عمار ومقاتليه بيروت؟ الا تذكر حصار المخيمات الذي قام به الكلب نبيه بري وأمل في منتصف الثمانينيات بمباركه حافظ الاسد

والله الفلسطينيون والسوريون سيرجعوا يوما مهما طال الزمان

May 14th, 2013, 6:57 pm

 

Dawoud said:

145. ZIAD

P.s., as I a Palestinian myself, I thank you for posting the link about my people’s Nakbah. But, please don’t use my cause to support a murderous dictator. 95% of my Palestinian people support the Syrian Revolt against the murderous dictator Bashar al-Assad.

الحريه لسوريا ولفلسطين. وسنرجع يوما مها طال الزمان

May 14th, 2013, 7:01 pm

 

Citizen said:

قال لافروف في حديث لقناة الميادين “الجميع يعلم أن مواقفنا من العديد من القضايا الجوهرية لن تتغير تحت تأثير الظروف المرحلية إلا أن ذلك لا يعني أننا نتحدث بلغة الإنذارات بل ندافع فقط عن المبادئء التي أرسيت في هيكلية النظام العالمي وندافع عن ميثاق الأمم المتحدة وعن الشرعية الدولية ونصر على الالتزام بكل ذلك ولن نستكين لمحاولة التلاعب بالمواثيق والمعاهدات الدولية”.
وشدد لافروف على “ضرورة مشاركة إيران في مؤتمر جنيف القادم” لافتا إلى أنه “لم يتم الاتفاق حتى الآن مع الغرب في هذا الشأن” وأن “هناك خلافات لا تزال قائمة بين واشنطن وموسكو ولاسيما ما يتعلق بأجندة المؤتمر الدولي المرتقب والأطراف المشاركة فيه”.
ولفت وزير الخارجية الروسي إلى أن “موسكو تصر على ضرورة مشاركة كل الأطراف التي شاركت في مؤتمر جنيف الماضي بالإضافة إلى دول الجوار السوري وكل من إيران والسعودية فيما تبدو أن هناك محاولة أميركية من أجل تقليص عدد المشاركين إلى حد كبير من أجل مشاركة دول معينة معروفة بعلاقاتها ودعمها لأطراف المعارضة وذلك ربما من أجل إسقاط حلول جاهزة على المؤتمر”.
وفيما يتعلق بتمثيل /المعارضة السورية/ في المؤتمر قال لافروف “إن موسكو تعتبر أن المشاركة يجب أن تكون شاملة ولكل أطراف المعارضة باستثناء القوى المتطرفة والإرهابية”.
وجدد لافروف تأكيده التزام روسيا بالعقود المبرمة مع سورية ولاسيما المتعلقة بالدفاع الجوي قائلا “نحن لا نوقع عقوداً جديدة أما العقود السابقة ولاسيما المتعلقة بالدفاع الجوي فإننا سنفي بها وقد أنجزناها جزئيا وسننهي إنجازها ولا داعي للقلق بالنسبة لأولئك الذين لا ينوون القيام بأعمال عدوانية ضد دولة ذات سيادة”.
وحول موقف روسيا من حزب الله اللبناني قال لافروف “إن حزب الله ليس منتجاً مستورداً إنه منتج محلي لبناني يعكس الواقع السياسي اللبناني.. وهو لا يملك أهدافاً تتعدى حدود الأراضي اللبنانية”.
http://aksalser.net/news/view/1978.html

May 14th, 2013, 7:04 pm

 

Dawoud said:

يا أخ زياد

الم يضرب حافظ الاسد أهلكه الله الفلسطينيين في تل الزعتر, وفي مخيمات طرابلس بعد رحيل ابو عمار ومقاتليه عن بيروت؟ الم يقم نبيه بري عميل حافظ بحصار المخيمات العزل في منتصف الثمانينيات

May 14th, 2013, 7:07 pm

 
 

Citizen said:

due to instability in Libya in Libya ability to provide consular services to U.S. citizens are strongly limited.

May 14th, 2013, 7:14 pm

 

Dawoud said:

كلمات الشاعر هارون هاشم الرشيد

سنرجع يوماً الى حينا و نغرق في دافئات المنى
سنرجع مهما يمر الزمان و تنأى المسافات ما بيننا
فيا قلب مهلآ و لا ترتم على درب عودتنا موهنا
يعز علينا غداً أن تعود رفوف الطيور و نحن هنا
هنالك عند التلال تلال تنام و تصحو على عهدنا
و ناس هم الحب أيامهم هدوء انتظار شجي الغنا
ربوع مدى العين صفصافها على كل ماء وهى فانحنى
تعب الظهيرات في ظلها عبير الهدوء و صفو الهنا
سنرجع خبرني العندليب غداة التقينا على منحنى
بأن البلابل لما تزل هناك تعيش بأشعارنا
و مازال بين تلال الحنين و ناس الحنين مكان لنا
فيا قلب كم شردتنا رياح تعال سنرجع هيا بنا

May 14th, 2013, 7:14 pm

 

Ameera said:

ايه اخي داوود يسعد مساك على هالغنية الحلوة للخانم فيروز

انت فلاسطيني و لا بس هيك بتحبا لفلسطين؟

May 14th, 2013, 7:21 pm

 

Dawoud said:

154. AMEERA

ولله العظيم فلسطيني واربيت طفولتي تحت الاحتلال الصهيوني

May 14th, 2013, 7:27 pm

 

Ameera said:

على راسي حارتك متل ما بؤلوا عنا بالشام والله الفلاسطينية خير وبركة ومو مشكلة لأنو مو كل اصابعك متل بعض الله يهدي البال و ترجعوا على فلسطين لانو صراحة الفلاسطينية رح تطلع براسهم اذا ضل او راح النظام

ممكن اسألك ليش هيك مهتم بالحرب بسوريا؟

May 14th, 2013, 7:40 pm

 

Dawoud said:

مثل ما انت مهتمه في فلسطين. كلنا عرب , وجدتي ام امي من درعا

ليش ما تسألي اللبنانيين مي حزب الشيطان وغير العرب ليش مهتمين بسوريا

May 14th, 2013, 7:45 pm

 

Ameera said:

لا تآخزني والله ما أصدي شي بس انو شو بدك بوجع هالراس يعني شوفة عينك هون السوريين نازلين شرشحة ببعض و نشر غسيل وسخ

May 14th, 2013, 7:50 pm

 

dawoud said:

158. Ameera

انا مع الحريه في كل الوطن العربي وسوريا عندي مثل فلسطين. وانا ايضا ضد التدخل الغربي والفارسي الايراني

ليش مكتوب على السوريين ان يولدوا ويعيشوا ويموتوا وعائله واحده من قرداحه تتحكم بهم؟ لا والله

May 14th, 2013, 7:55 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

Dawoud,

When it the last time you visited Palestine?

How do you like it there?

May 14th, 2013, 8:23 pm

 

Dawoud said:

160. AKBAR PALACE

In 2006 I visited Occupied Jerusalem. I was depressed to to see that the racist Zionist “Separation Wall” has divided my grandparents’ village into 2 halves. To visit my grandparents’ graves from one half to another I had to show a young/new Israeli colonialist/soldier from Russia (he probably new more Russian than Hebrew) my U.S. passport. Without my American passport I would have been treated like a dog and denied entry. However, it’s not always that an American passport saves you if young soldiers realize that you are ethnically Palestinian. I was also disturbed to see new Zionist colonies (they call them settlements) built on stolen Palestinian lands, including land stolen from my own family. I told my father, who is a U.S. citizen, to take the deed he possesses to his family’s land and sue Israel in an American court. Maybe a U.S. court would deduct a little portion from the U.S. charity (called aid) that the United States gives Israel to pay for my family’s stolen lands.

Free Syria, Free Palestine!

May 14th, 2013, 8:41 pm

 

mjabali said:

داوود:

هل تدري ان هناك علويون قاتلو من اجل بلدك في حرب ١٩٤٨ مارأيك بهم؟

May 14th, 2013, 8:44 pm

 

mjabali said:

Coming back to Syria comment and reading the comment section is painful these days.

Dawud these days gets the award for the most annoying and irrelevant posts.

May 14th, 2013, 8:46 pm

 

revenire said:

Syrian Perspective
ALEPPO:

WHAT A MASSACRE! WHAT IS THE FSA DOING? FSA COMMANDERS (Joke) should be more involved in rolling grape leaves. I mean, what’s left for them?

Al-Shaykh Sa’eed: An early morning raid on a nest of sleeping serpents resulted in a big wipe-out. This was a group belonging to J.N., specifically the “Liwaa’ Al-Tawheed” or “Monotheism Brigade” (yawn). Here are the scum who carried papers. All told, SAA counted 21 reptile carcasses:

Muhammad ‘Ali Al-Rahhaal
Hassan Bajbooj
‘Abdul-Hayy Al-Muraabet
Muhssen Shawkaat
Anwar Kaamel
Fakhri Al-Baashaa
Rashaad Bakri

Aleppo City: At the Al-Daqqaaq Factory, the Cable Warehouse near the Harshu Hotel, SAA found enough weapons and ammunition to arm a full regiment of NDF fighters. Thank you Prince Fatso!

Al-‘Alqamiyya Service Station: NDF killed 15 rats in a firefight involving hand-to-hand combat. When the dust settled, these filthy apes were strewn all around:

‘Imaad Khursheed
Ma’moon Makkaar
Naasser-Al-Deen Kalaash
Muhammad Sa’eed
‘Issmaat Al-Daadaa

The SAA also confiscated a damaged mortar and 2 23mm anti-aircraft machine gun cannons. Thanks again, Prince Porky!!

The remaining J.N. freaks carried no papers. They are suspected Libyans or Tunisians from their appearance.

Mannagh: At ‘Ain Diqna. SAA and Air Force killed 4 rats and wounded 11. No details.

Maslamiyya: A 23mm machine gun cannon was only one prize among many with this surround and snuff operation that killed 8 rodents. No survivors. Very sad. But thanks for the guns and ammo.

May 14th, 2013, 8:51 pm

 

Ameera said:

كيفك اخي مجبالي ليش هيه وئفت على هدا المنتدى لك والله السورين جنوا وما عاد براسن عئل لك صارو ياكلو بعض لكن أليلة هدا يلي طلع ألبو للعلوي و اكلو والله هادا كابوس

May 14th, 2013, 8:53 pm

 

Dawoud said:

162. MJABALI

الله يحيهم ومشكورين. والفلسطينيون سيدافعوا عن سوريا وعن قرداحه ضد الاحتلال الاجنبي. للاسف نظام بشار جر الطائفه العلويه الى حرب مذهبيه من أجل بقاءه. الم يقوموا ثوار سوريامنذ البدايه بتخصيص جمعه اسمها على اسم العلوي السوري البطل الذي ناضل ضد الاستعمار الفرنسي من أجل الوحده السوريه. للاسف لماذا الان التطهير من السنه في بانياس والقصير

May 14th, 2013, 8:53 pm

 

Ameera said:

زمان كنا نطلع على اللادقية من طريق حماة ويمر السرفيس بالضيع العلوية على الطريق وكانو النسوان اهل الضيع يبيعو منائيش على الصاج والكل مبسوط بس هلأ زمن أول تحول والشاطر من الطرفيين يلي بدو يشخت التاني على البلوعة بدون رحمة ولا ضمير

May 14th, 2013, 8:58 pm

 

Dawoud said:

166. AMEERA
لان بشار دمر الوحده الوطنيه من أجل بقائه في الحكم الدكتاتوري

May 14th, 2013, 9:00 pm

 

Tara said:

Dear Dawoud,

انت كتير حبّاب

May 14th, 2013, 9:10 pm

 

dawoud said:

168. Tara

شكرا وتسلمي

May 14th, 2013, 9:11 pm

 

Ameera said:

طول عمرهم الشباب الفلاسطينية جزابين وبلفتو النظر بس ملفظهم كتير غليظ يعني طول عمرن عايشين معنا بس فالج لا تعالج لازم يحكو فلاسطيني

May 14th, 2013, 9:15 pm

 

Ameera said:

انا بزكر بثانوية بهجة البيطارللبنات كانو الشباب يجوا يؤفوا على الطرف التاني و يلطشوا البنات و البنت يلي بدا تحكي مع شب كانت تفوت بين الحارات او مداخل البنايات

May 14th, 2013, 9:20 pm

 

Dawoud said:

170. Ameera

🙂

It’s funny because the new Iraqi National anthem is based on the poem by the Palestinian poet from Nablus, Ibrahim Touqan. نشيده موطني لابراهيم طوقان تغنى بلهجه عراقيه ثقيله جدا

May 14th, 2013, 9:21 pm

 

dawoud said:

Ibrahims Touqan’s poem above is actually sung wit a Palestinian accent, but Iraqis do sing it with their heavier accent because its their post-Saddam national anthem. Perhaps, a free Syria should also adopt it as their post-Bashar national anthem. I would be proud to see a Palestinian poet uniting free Syria, free Iraq (although al-Maliki and Iran’s influence have to go before Iraq is truly free), and free Palestine!

May 14th, 2013, 9:28 pm

 

Ameera said:

بهداك اليوم انسة العربي مين بيت الموصللي شافت رفيئتي عم تحكي مع شب فلاسطيني و باليوم التاني شرشحتها و مسحت الارض فيها وبعدني بزكرها لما آلت هدول الفلاسطينية كلن بابا حسن و ازا سلمت على فلاسطيني فاغسل يديك بالتراب و الطين

لهلأ ما بنسى هداك اليوم لانو البنات الفلاسطينيات صارو يبكو من صماصيم ألبن للاسف معظم الشوام الكبار بالعمر ما بحبوا الفلاسطينية

May 14th, 2013, 9:31 pm

 

Tara said:

Ameera

Sorry but that is very not true. My both parents are from sham (Damascus) and we love the Palestinian.

May 14th, 2013, 9:36 pm

 

dawoud said:

174. AMEERA
لان الفلسطينيون اللي بعيشوا في سوريا لاجئون مساكين. واللي في لبنان اتعس, وللاسف بشار شرد ملايين السوريين من بلدهم وجعلهم لاجئيين مساكين مثل الفلسطينيه. الله يرجع السوريين والفلسطينيين لوطنهم

May 14th, 2013, 9:37 pm

 

Ameera said:

ايه حبيبتي تارا كلامك مزبوط و انا بحبن واهلي بحبوهن بس بدك الدغري معظم الكفارسة واهل الميدان والزاهرة قديمة ما بحبوهن بنوب وانا بزكر كيف كانو يؤلوا هدول اخدو رزئنا يعني اجو من البرية واخدو الأولية
الظاهر انو الشوام الاغنيا متل حالتك ما حسو بالهشي بنوب

May 14th, 2013, 9:42 pm

 

dawoud said:

174. AMEERA
175. TARA

Not always, as Tara says, but sometimes refugees are treated harshly. Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are treated worse than dogs. Unfortunately, I heard from a relative who recently visited Jordan that some Syrian refugees are receiving bad treatment. This is caused by a struggle for scarce space and resources, particularly when some people are ignorant or inhumane, or both.

I hope that Palestinian and Syrian refugees return to their homelands.

May 14th, 2013, 9:43 pm

 

Sami said:

But Tara there is truth to what Ameera is saying. We Shami’s have a rather backwards mentality when it comes to 2bn al-balad concept. You don’t see many shami’s marrying Palestinians…

May 14th, 2013, 9:51 pm

 

habib said:

Why is Landis spreading ridiculous, sectarian propaganda from unreliable sources?

May 14th, 2013, 9:51 pm

 

Tara said:

Dawoud

I do not love Syrians more than I love Palestinians. I can’t say that about any other Non-Syrian Arabs. To me, Syrians and Palestinians come first then all other Arabs . That is how I was raised.

May 14th, 2013, 9:53 pm

 

dawoud said:

178. SAMI

My mother’s mother was from Dera’h, Syria. My mother’s father married her when Palestine was under the British mandate and Syria the French. I guess a Syrian family is worried that their daughters would one day go to Palestine when the Palestinian refugees return. My grandmother never was able to visit her relatives in Syria after Israel occupied the rest of Palestine in 1987. She died in occupied Jerusalem in 1987. I visited her grave when I was visiting occupied Palestine in 2006. How my grandfather ended up in Syria as a young man and married a Syrian woman is a big/funny story. One day I may narrate it here 🙂

May 14th, 2013, 9:59 pm

 

Ameera said:

ايه اخي سامي الشوام بحالات نادرة بيعطوا الفلاسطينية يعني ازا كانت ام العريس شامية او العريس حالتو فوء الريح
وكمان عاداتنا غير عنهم يعني مافي عندن لا مقبوضة وغير مقبوضة ولا كسوة وملبوس بدن والعريس بدفع كل شي من قراية الفاتحة لعود الكبريت بالبيت الملك

وعلى فكرة حبيبتي تارا هالكره بس بالشام يعني باللادقية الفلاسطينية ناسبو سنة و علوية ونفس الشي بحمص وحلب وباقي المحافظات ما فيها فلاسطينية

May 14th, 2013, 10:00 pm

 

Tara said:

Sami,

Hi. Then I must say my exposure was different. My mom would’ve had no problem with me marrying a Palestinian. Some Shwam do have backward mentality I must admit. It is kinda bourgeoise mentality. No one is good enough for their women but they won’t I guess hesitate to marry their girls to rich emirs from the gulf.

May 14th, 2013, 10:01 pm

 

dawoud said:

181. TARA

Thanks Tara. In 2006 I visited the Golan from the Israeli-occupied side and I could see Syria with my naked eye. We are so close not only geographically, but also intellectually. Bisan, which is complete ethnically-cleansed town that Israel now calls “Beith Shan,” is close geographically to Syria and many ethnically-cleansed Palestinians ended up as refugees in Syria. The same is true of another town called Safed صفد, which Israel still calls safed. One Safadi man is the current Palestinian “presidetn” (real presidents rule really independent, not occupied, entities)Mahmoud Abbas. Abbas recently gave an interview to the Israeli TV and mentioned that he was giving up his right of return to Safed. This outraged Safadi Palestinian refugees in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and everywhere.
The right of return is sacred to Palestinian, Syrian, and all refugees. It’s a human right and part of international law-regardless of Mahmoud Abbas, Bashar al-Assad, et al. say or don’t say!

May 14th, 2013, 10:07 pm

 

Tara said:

Dawoud,

On a lighter note, I love the name “Bisan”. If I to have a second girl, I would call her Bisan.

May 14th, 2013, 10:13 pm

 

Ameera said:

كلامك دهب يا تارا
بنت عمي تزوجت سعودي مو معروف من وين أرعة ابوه وكان عمرها ١٧ سنة كتاب شيخ براني مشان بيت طابو ونص كيلو دهب وصار السعودي يطلطل على الشام كل شهرين تلاتة وبعدين فص ملح وداب بعد سنة زمان وترك الطفلة ومعاها طفلة تانية فراح عمي الله لا يرحمو زوج البنت مرة تانية لتاجر قماش بالحريئة متزوج وولادو متزوجين وطبعا رفض يربي بنت السعودي

ولسه شايفين حالنا بالسما على شو مالي عرفانة

May 14th, 2013, 10:16 pm

 

dawoud said:

186. TARA
بيسان 🙂

شو اسم بنتك الوحيده؟

May 14th, 2013, 10:18 pm

 

zoo said:

This blog looks more and more like AA reunions…

May 14th, 2013, 10:19 pm

 

dawoud said:

189. ZOO

Better than DL (Dictator’s lovers) re-union. Please ignore him Tara!

May 14th, 2013, 10:21 pm

 

zoo said:

The opposition facing a lamentable fiasco from Qatar’s sponsorship turns to anti-MB Saudi Arabia for survival.

Saudis overtaking Qatar in sponsoring Syrian rebels

Hassan Hassan
May 15, 2013
http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/saudis-overtaking-qatar-in-sponsoring-syrian-rebels

More political and financial support for the coalition will also hinge on who will lead it and the new interim government. Saudi officials made it clear that no support will be provided unless the coalition becomes more inclusive.

Ghassan Hitto, selected in March to head an interim government, will probably be replaced; coalition members are to meet soon about such moves. Mr Hitto’s appointment, widely seen as orchestrated by the Brotherhood, Qatar and Turkey, led several figures to suspend their membership in the coalition. His replacement will signal the consummation of that supposed Saudi takeover.

The Brotherhood’s power base in Syria is limited and exaggerated. And Qatar’s support for it is a major cause of the persistent division of the opposition. Membership in opposition political bodies was often decided by older members, not on the basis of merit or representativeness, but by personal connections. This has fuelled a staggering incompetence among opposition leaders, many of whom have limited experience in negotiations, much less with politics.

For example, the appointment of Mustafa Sabbagh as the National Coalition’s secretary general came after he showed up in Doha, before formation of the coalition in November, with 16 people he falsely claimed represented provincial councils across Syria. In fact many of them were his employees in Saudi Arabia, or his relatives.

Read more: http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/saudis-overtaking-qatar-in-sponsoring-syrian-rebels#ixzz2TKAyOD67k

May 14th, 2013, 10:26 pm

 

Dawoud said:

شكرا قطر
شكرا قطر
شكرا قطر
شكرا قطر
شكرا قطر
شكرا قطرشكرا قطر
وللامير الطيب

وين ومتى سمعت لهذا الشكر والمديح
🙂

May 14th, 2013, 10:30 pm

 

Tara said:

Ameera

ولسه شايفين حالنا بالسما على شو “مالي عرفانة

One of the reasons are:

اللي مابياخد شامية مابيعيش عيشة هنية

Have you heard of that saying? It makes me smile every time I hear it.

I am holding my breath waiting for Kandi to make fun of me now.,

May 14th, 2013, 10:31 pm

 

Dawoud said:

193. TARA
اللي مابياخد شامية مابيعيش عيشة هنية

سيدي ابو امي كان هني. هل بنت درعا شاميه أو بس بنت دمشق؟

May 14th, 2013, 10:33 pm

 

Tara said:

Dawoud,

I was to it means a girl from Damascus.

May 14th, 2013, 10:41 pm

 

Ameera said:

طبعا بعرف هالمتل 😉

وينك وينك وينك
سمايلي فيس

May 14th, 2013, 10:42 pm

 

revenire said:

Dave what are you going to do to liberate Palestine? Post emoticons?

May 14th, 2013, 10:44 pm

 

Ameera said:

داوود لكنتك بتجنن يتزكرني بمسلسل التغريبة وعلى قولة تارا انت كتير حبّاب

May 14th, 2013, 10:45 pm

 

dawoud said:

شكرا قطر
شكرا قطر
شكرا قطر
شكرا قطر
شكرا قطرشكرا قطر
وللامير الطيب

وين ومتى سمعت لهذا الشكر والمديح

شكرا قطر
شكرا قطر
شكرا قطر
شكرا قطر
شكرا قطرشكرا قطر
وللامير الطيب

وين ومتى سمعت لهذا الشكر والمديح

Thanks Qatar!
Thanks Qatar!
Thanks Qatar!
….
And Thanks to the Kind Amir!

Now, where and win did we hear these thankful chants?

Didn’t these chants come from the same recipients of Qatari generosity, who are now dissing it? Heck, they may even now be living in a house re-built with Qatari charitable donation!

May 14th, 2013, 10:47 pm

 

revenire said:

Dave maybe the Zionists will get scared if you post that song from the porker again and run away from Palestine? Then you could take vacations there. You’re American right? Yeah, you are.

May 14th, 2013, 10:48 pm

 

dawoud said:

195. TARA

Thanks, I figured so! Free Damascus and all of Syria!

May 14th, 2013, 10:50 pm

 

dawoud said:

REV, Why not? Keep freedom-lovers happy 🙂

May 14th, 2013, 10:51 pm

 

Observer said:

The news of the massacres in Byada and Banias and the atrocities of the other side are coming out here is the NYT article. The gravity of a government sanctioned militia and army carry much more responsibility and accountability than the acts of individuals.

Here is the article, I sent to JL directly so that he can add it to the post
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/15/world/middleeast/grisly-killings-in-syrian-towns-dim-hopes-for-peace-talks.html?ref=world&_r=0

May 14th, 2013, 10:55 pm

 

ziad said:

Syria mutilation footage sparks doubts over wisdom of backing rebels

Anti-Assad fighter appears to eat internal organ of dead government soldier in horrific footage

Horrific video footage of a Syrian rebel commander eating the heart or lung of a dead government fighter has aroused furious international controversy, fuelling an already heated debate over western support for the armed uprising against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

The grisly film had been circulating for several days, attracting extensive comment on social media networks such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. But in the face of an often vicious propaganda war between the government and rebels, early doubts about the film’s authenticity faded when the perpetrator, named as Khaled al-Hamad, admitted that he had mutilated the corpse of an unnamed soldier as an act of revenge.

“We opened his cell phone and I found a clip of a woman and her two daughters fully naked and he [the dead soldier] was humiliating them, and sticking a stick here and there,” Hamad told the Time news website.

http://m.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/14/syria-mutilation-footage-rebels-eat

May 14th, 2013, 10:55 pm

 

Ameera said:

كمان بتزكرني بمطر ابو ربيع مسلسل ذكريات الزمن القادم

May 14th, 2013, 10:56 pm

 

revenire said:

Dave I noticed you said 90% of Palestinians support the Zionist attack on Syria. I call BS on that. Do you have a source for us?

May 14th, 2013, 10:56 pm

 

revenire said:

Cause Dave it is kinda hard for us to swallow that ANY Palestinian would support the Zionist attack on Syria. You know?

May 14th, 2013, 10:59 pm

 

dawoud said:

204. ZIAD

I actually agree with you and I am personally outraged over this inhumanity.

However, dictatorial repression corrupts BOTH the oppressor and the oppressed. Overcoming this sad reality means that Syrians have to work hard to overthrow the regime and try to have a democratic state that values the life and dignity of all human beings.

Do you think that the entire Palestinian cause should be illegitimate just because one or a few Palestinians commit outrageous terrorism or do something stupid? Doesn’t occupation corrupt BOTH the occupier and the occupied? However, the occupier ALWAYS bears the overwhelming responsibility.

May 14th, 2013, 11:01 pm

 

What we're reading – Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs said:

[…] Fareed Zakaria The likelihood of ethnic cleansing in Syria’s coastal regions is high, argues Joshua Landis on Syria Comment. “It will rise even higher should Assad’s troops begin to lose. […]

May 14th, 2013, 11:02 pm

 

revenire said:

Dave there is no “however” when it comes to eating a dead soldier’s liver.

May 14th, 2013, 11:05 pm

 

revenire said:

Dave how many hours a day do you spend on liberating Palestine? We know you support the Zionists against Syria but did you also betray your family from Palestine?

May 14th, 2013, 11:07 pm

 

dawoud said:

207. REVENIRE

I don’t. I also don’t believe that Israel did this to help the opposition. In fact, the Israeli gov’t sent a message to the Damascus’ regime indicating that it wasn’t taking sides. Didn’t Israel discourage the West from giving effective weapons to the FSA? Why do you think President Obama is still giving the opposition only “non-lethal” aid? Israel’s preference for Syria is that no side prevails soon so that Syria could be destroyed and weakened for a long time. If you truly care about Syria and its future you and all all Syrian soldiers should turn against the dictator. Try to save what is left of Syria before Bashar takes it down with him!

May 14th, 2013, 11:07 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

Retard,

How many hours do you spend as a loser? All of it?

What goes around, comes around. The war continues.

May 14th, 2013, 11:14 pm

 

ghufran said:

Since the discussion on this board is now inclusive of old shamis loving or hating palestinians and whether he who married a non shami girl is going to suffer for the rest of his life, I have decided to post this strange story about a fellow young Muslim who believes in the separation of “things” the same way many of us believe in the separation of religion and state, but this man takes a psychiatric problem that is common among religious middle eastern men, multiple personality, to a higher level:

Mohammed Ahmed, 21, was arrested for soliciting a prostitute last week while he was honeymooning with his new wife in Florida.
Ahmed was among 92 people nabbed in a sweep conducted by Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The alleged john answered an online ad which turned out to be planted by an undercover deputy.
His wife called the police when he didn’t return to their hotel and was told he’d been arrested on prostitution charges !!
(I am waiting for a crooked sheikh who will issue a fatwa declaring that Ahmed’s action was halal under “ma malakat Aymanukom” principle since the prostitute was not a muslim, the only thing Ahmed has to do is state his intention to perform Jihad in Syria)

May 14th, 2013, 11:15 pm

 

revenire said:

They probably sent Assad a dozen roses too David.

Isn’t it odd how you accept the word of the Zionists? Very strange for a “Palestinian” to do.

We call that a contradiction.

Dave you are wasting time with me. I live, breathe and eat Assad (and not his liver). I am for crushing everyone against him. I am against any negotiations unless they are done with sarin-tipped Scud missiles.

You’re a very naive boy Dave. I think I might start to call you “Bibi’s boy” perhaps.

May 14th, 2013, 11:16 pm

 

dawoud said:

206. REVENIRE

Don’t change my words. I didn’t say that “90% of Palestinians support the Zionist attack on Syria!” I said: “95% of Palestinians support the Syrian Revolution against Bashar’s dictatorship!” This poll was conducted by al-Ummah Research Institute in Toulkarim. It also seems consistent with the views of Palestinian Websites, media, social networks, social gatherings in weddings and funerals, etc.

May 14th, 2013, 11:20 pm

 

revenire said:

Link the report that shows Palestinians support the Zionist attack on Syria Dave. It should be easy for you.

May 14th, 2013, 11:22 pm

 
 

Akbar Palace said:

Zionist Entity Training Begins in 3….2…1…

Dawoud,

I am glad you were able to visit “occupied” Jerusalem. You mean the big bad Israelis let you in? OMG! Before 1967 Jews were not allowed to set foot in the Old City when it was under Jordanian “occupation”. Consider yourself fortunate.

Throughout the 1900’s until Israeli independence, Jews were the majority in Jerusalem. That is until they were thrown out by arabs. Yes, it wasn’t just the arabs that were displaced.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographic_history_of_Jerusalem

And the walls, they ARE ugly, but if it saves lives, then they’re beautiful, and the separation wall between the PA and Israel has saved thousands of lives. You see, unlike Syria, Israel believes in protecting her citizens. I think that is why not very many Israeli Arabs want to ruin a good thing. Freedom and opportunity is rare in the ME. The PA and Hamastan may be different, I don’t know.

But how did you like your visit to Palestine? How was Ramallah, Beit Lehem, Nablus, Jericho, Jenin?? And were you able to visit places in Israel besides “occupied Jerusalem”? What about “occupied Tel Aviv”? And since we’re on the subject of “Occupied” territories please tell us which part of Israel ISN’T occupied. I’m curious! Also, please let us know if the Arab-Israeli conflict should be settled peacefully through negotiations or by “armed resistance”.

Thanks in advance,

AP

May 14th, 2013, 11:23 pm

 

revenire said:

Dave if i wanted to see Zionist propaganda I know where to find it. I said LINK THE POLL with source citations. I call BS on you.

May 14th, 2013, 11:26 pm

 

revenire said:

Hasbara never use Wiki as a source.

May 14th, 2013, 11:27 pm

 

revenire said:

When the war comes I can assure you that Palestine will be fighting side by side with Syria and Assad / Hezbollah and Nasrallah / Iran against the Zionist Entity.

Traitors will be dealt with as all traitors have been dealt with during times of war.

May 14th, 2013, 11:33 pm

 

dawoud said:

218. AKBAR PALACE

I entered as a U.S. citizen on a U.S. passport and they still treated me less kindly than they treat any U.S. citizen. They gave me a visa only for 1 week, where as a regular tourist visa to any U.S. citizen is 3 months. However, if you are an American Jew you have the option of seeking what they call “Alia,” which means that you can-if you want-request Israeli citizenship, move to occupied Jerusalem or the West Bank, steal Palestinian lands and build a settlement, or live in an existing settlement or colony built on stolen Palestinian lands.

The West Bank was very depressing because the racist “separation wall” and the Israeli checkpoints make every Palestinian village and town like a tiny prison in the middle of nowhere. Moving from one “prison” to “prison” makes Palestinians’ and tourists’ lives miserable. You have to see it for yourself to experience the full de-humanization that Palestinians have to endure. Of course, you don’t see because when you go to occupied West Bank you are likely to go to an Israeli colony using Jewish-only roads, which are roads constructed on stolen Palestinian lands that Palestinians can’t use! I can go on on, but I can’t convince a pro-Israeli ideologue in the same way that I can’t convince a pro-Syrian dictator ideologue!

May 14th, 2013, 11:35 pm

 

dawoud said:

218. AKBAR PALACE

P.S.,

NO, and NO! Jews were NEVER a majority in Palestine until the ethnic-cleansing campaign in 1948! Watch the following documentary, whose historical narrative/facts are indisputable:

May 14th, 2013, 11:43 pm

 

dawoud said:

218. AKBAR PALACE

P.S., Again!

Stop using Wikipedia because it is not an reliable academic source because anybody can edit it and contribute to it. Professors in reputable colleges don’t allow any references from Wikipedia. Look at the below article on how Zionists are altering Wikipedia in order to change facts on Palestine. No wonder you are referring to Wikipedia!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/18/wikipedia-editing-zionist-groups

Wikipedia editing courses launched by Zionist groups
Two Israeli groups set up training courses in Wikipedia editing with aims to ‘show the other side’ over borders and culture

ince the earliest days of the worldwide web, the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has seen its rhetorical counterpart fought out on the talkboards and chatrooms of the internet.

Now two Israeli groups seeking to gain the upper hand in the online debate have launched a course in “Zionist editing” for Wikipedia, the online reference site.

Yesha Council, representing the Jewish settler movement, and the rightwing Israel Sheli (My I srael) movement, ran their first workshop this week in Jerusalem, teaching participants how to rewrite and revise some of the most hotly disputed pages of the online reference site.

“We don’t want to change Wikipedia or turn it into a propaganda arm,” says Naftali Bennett, director of the Yesha Council. “We just want to show the other side. People think that Israelis are mean, evil people who only want to hurt Arabs all day.”

Wikipedia is one of the world’s most popular websites, and its 16m entries are open for anyone to edit, rewrite or even erase. The problem, according to Ayelet Shaked of Israel Sheli, is that online, pro-Israeli activists are vastly outnumbered by pro-Palestinian voices. “We don’t want to give this arena to the other side,” she said. “But we are so few and they are so many. People in the US and Europe never hear about Israel’s side, with all the correct arguments and explanations.”

Like others involved with this project, Shaked thinks that her government is “not doing a very good job” of explaining Israel to the world.

And on Wikipedia, they believe that there is much work to do.

Take the page on Israel, for a start: “The map of Israel is portrayed without the Golan heights or Judea and Samaria,” said Bennett, referring to the annexed Syrian territory and the West Bank area occupied by Israel in 1967.

Another point of contention is the reference to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel – a status that is constantly alte
[…]

May 14th, 2013, 11:47 pm

 
 

Sami said:

Tara,

I was not saying I was exposed to xenophobia or anything. I just don’t see shami’s mixing with Palestinians very much in Damascus.

How many shami’s do you think have been to the moukhayamat for instance? Or for the amount of Palestinians in Damascus how many Nabulsi restaurants are there?

Personally I always found the fact that they had to live in moukhayamat rather than anywhere they wanted as a sign of intolerance. Yes, Syria treated Palestinians better than most that does not mean or translate to we treated them right.

May 14th, 2013, 11:52 pm

 

revenire said:

Yeah yeah we all know Wiki is trash but where is this poll where 95% of the Palestinians said they are for the Zionist attack on Syria?

It should be really simply to post a link to it right here, now.

Dave?

May 14th, 2013, 11:53 pm

 

Dawoud said:

213. GHUFRAN

لو هالمسكين كان في شهر العسل في طهران او الضاحيه الجنوبيه لكان دفع مصاري لمرجع شيعي وتزوج زواج المتعه لليله واحده فقط

🙂

May 15th, 2013, 12:15 am

 

revenire said:

Dave don’t forget me.

May 15th, 2013, 12:29 am

 

ghufran said:

I did not say this:
«لو أن بشار الأسد أراد اختراع معارضة تناسبه لما أوجد أفضل من هذه التي تحاربه الآن. لقد خيبت بتفككها وتسليمها مفاتيح الصراع إلى جهاديي القاعدة وجبهة النصرة، كل الآمال التي كانت معقودة عليها، ولو أن إسرائيل صلت على حائط المبكى 20 قرناً لما حصلت على نتيجة أفضل مما تراه الآن في سوريا حيث الاقتتال دمر بنى الدولة وأنهك الجيش وعزز الفتنة المذهبية».
but I heard this:
Syria will witness a number of assassinations targetting rebel leaders and chiefs of islamist groups, rebels have a small window where they may be able to retaliate for their losses in the last 6 weeks but that window is closing quickly.
do not shoot the messenger.

May 15th, 2013, 12:32 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

Eh. They’ll be some attempts at assassination, but overall the Assadists have shot the bolt. They’re incapable of re-taking AND holding any of the territories they’ve already lost. The most they can hope for is to hold onto what they have now.

Look, if they couldn’t beat the revolution 2 years ago, they aren’t going to do it now. Especially since they’ve grown much weaker and the rebels have grown much, much stronger.

May 15th, 2013, 12:42 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

sewer-pipe asks

how many hours a day do you spend on liberating Palestine?

Infinitely far more than what the entire “resistance” axis has spent since the first buffoon athad hijacked the Palestinian cause.

May 15th, 2013, 1:14 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Lest we forget the handy work of the pretender to humanity and its gang of murderers . revenire can bark as much as it wants, and pretend, like its master, connection to humanity and civility. The facts are there for all to see.

May 15th, 2013, 1:30 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

And while revenire and its friends dog-poop athad propagandists kept barking and calling for slaughter of children in Syria, real humans, who believe in higher values, are generally consistent in their condemnation of any atrocity.

Orwa Nyrabia-writes:

البارحة تم تبادل فيديو عن “قائد كتيبة عمر الفاروق المستقلة”، خالد الحمد، وهو من بابا عمرو حسب ادعائه، في دوائر الاعلام الغربي، الخاصة، ووصل خلال ساعات الى مليون مشاهدة.

في الفيديو يقوم سيادة قائد المجموعة باقتلاع قلب الشبيح القتيل، او العسكري، الله يعلم، وبالقاء خطبة من ٣ كلمات تشبه المسلسلات التاريخية، وينتهي الفيديو به يهمّ بأكل القلب. بيعضه يعني. اليوم صباحاً نشرت مجلة التايم، على موقعها، مقابلة مع الافندي… يشرح فيها، متل معتوه، ان السبب هو انهم وجدوا على موبايل الشبيح فيديو له وهو يغتصب صبية، ويقوم بتوضيحات عنصرية طائفية من الطراز الرديء.

مشكلة كبيرة ان يتم منح سلاح لمثل هذا الاحمق، ومشكلة ان يترك السلاح بيده، ومشكلة ان يمنحه اعلام غربي هائل الوصول والتأثير مساحة للتعبير عن ذاته وكأنه يمثلـ(نا).

عنوان المقابلة معه هو: “سوف نذبحهم جميعاً، قصة الثائر في الفيديو الفظيع”.

هذا ليس ثائراً، هذا مجرم، وان كان في منطقة وجوده أية جهات ثورية تتحلى بالأخلاق الثورية، لا بد من أن يكون مطلوباً للعدالة، أولاً: حتى يتم ايقاف هذه الفظاعة، انقاذ سوريا وثورتها من هذه البشاعة الوحشية، وايقاف هذه السهولة في تقبيحنا جميعاً واثارة الخوف والقلق منا جميعاً.

We reject and condemn atrocities, especially when committed by someone who call himself one of us. On the other hand, the propagandists gang like revenire, zoo, citizen, and cut-past ann have been calling for atrocities and celebrating each and every single murder, massacre, and horror inflicted by their master and its army of hyenas.

May 15th, 2013, 1:46 am

 

Syrian Atheist Against Dictatorships said:

The international fury at “the human organ eating” opposition fighter (along with all the other furies before it – at the American soldiers’ urinating on the corpses of dead Afghanies) is in itself outrageous because the ultimate insult and basest act EVER is to KILL someone, to rob them of their life, what happens after that is absolutely a non-issue. cutting up a cadaver, eating it, pissing on it, well, it is DEAD, FFS! It is disgusting, yes, but don’t bloody tell me it is morally reprehensible more than having taken the man’s life in the first place! When I die I dont give a damn what happens to my body (and despite my atheism I have to admit harboring admiration for the Arabian custom of burying the dead out in the desert without any markings whatsoever over the tomb, just a little mound of sand that the wind will eventually flatten. Perfect!).

And in this case the cadaver was that of a soldier who died trying to kill others. But was that what the women and children in Bayda were trying to do when they butchered by the Assadist thugs? Just lined up and shot from right to left in front of their other family members.

https://www.facebook.com/ENGSPK?hc_location=timeline

BTW, Ghufran, sticking a dead fighter’s severed head on a lance was done in all cultures all over the world, not an exclusivly Arab or Muslim or Sunni thing.

May 15th, 2013, 1:47 am

 

Syrian Atheist Against Dictatorships said:

Correction above…”when they WERE butchered by Assadist thugs”.

I remebered another excellent custom of dealing with dead bodies, that of the Zoroastrians of Persia who left the dead on a mountain top so that vultures and other wild animals would eat them.

May 15th, 2013, 1:59 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Dave don’t forget me.

so desperate for attention…

May 15th, 2013, 2:46 am

 

Syrian Atheist Against Dictatorships said:

Here is real depravity for you:

“Omar survived what residents, antigovernment activists and human rights monitors are calling one of the darkest recent episodes in the Syrian war, a massacre in government-held Tartus Province that has inflamed sectarian divisions, revealed new depths of depravity and made the prospect of stitching the country back together appear increasingly difficult.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/15/world/middleeast/grisly-killings-in-syrian-towns-dim-hopes-for-peace-talks.html?pagewanted=all&_r=2&

May 15th, 2013, 3:14 am

 

Mina said:

As usual, the information is strangely distorted by The Guardian.
Paul Owen, in his article of the Guardian, fails to mention that it is the Time who has obtained the tape in April, as stated in the article they published on 12 May, about the cannibalism videotape.
http://world.time.com/2013/05/12/atrocities-will-be-televised-they-syrian-war-takes-a-turn-for-the-worse/
Until 2 PM, answering some readers comments who are questioning the precautions he takes in saying “appears to show” while the person figured is a famous rebel commander and he says what he is doing, he keeps taking HRW for coverture, without any mention of The Time. The chronology seems made up. He says the tape has appeared in the last few days and is being studied by HRW, whom director he calls and quote all day long. Is this meant to provide something “live” to the Mideast Guardian Live blog? How lower will The Guardian fall next time?
http://discussion.guardian.co.uk/comment-permalink/23530405

He finally mentions The Time, but this time to refer to an article “just published”, but he apparently has not yet read the first article, nor read the news round-up of SC!
http://world.time.com/2013/05/14/we-will-slaughter-all-of-them-an-interview-with-the-man-behind-the-syrian-atrocity-video/
In his comment in the readers comments section, Owen even uses the “more soon” trick, as if for once he was providing first hand information.
here: http://discussion.guardian.co.uk/comment-permalink/23532329

Poor Paul and poor HRW, afraid of getting their Gulf and rebel friends upset? Indeed, that would make it quite dangerous for his colleagues on the ground).
Paul Owen then suddenly refers to a new article published today in the Time

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2013/may/14/syria-video-appears-to-show-rebel-mutilating-corpse-says-human-rights-watch?guni=Network%20front:network-front%20main-3%20Main%20trailblock:Network%20front%20-%20main%20trailblock:Position7:sublinks&commentpage=2#start-of-comments

And the best was yet to come:
http://discussion.guardian.co.uk/comment-permalink/23533521
PaulOwen
14 May 2013 3:39pm
@Musa1 – This video was drawn to my attention by Human Rights Watch.

Owen deserves an award!! He’s not reading the Time nor SC, he’s just running a live blog without searching or studying the information!

May 15th, 2013, 3:32 am

 

Citizen said:

A Russian military expert on a Western air attack on Syria: “dozens of destroyed aircraft and coffins covered by star-spangled banners.” 🙂

Judging by the tone of Putin and Netanyahu after the talks, the degree of disagreement between Moscow and Tel Aviv on Syria is much higher than the degree of agreement

May 15th, 2013, 5:56 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

Right. Last time I checked Israel shat on the Assadists with absolutely no losses.

Assadist air defenses are rubbish. They also have absolutely nothing against cruise missiles.

May 15th, 2013, 6:02 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Dawoud,

Thanks for your reply. My feeling so far is that you are good person, especially since you are NOT an Assad or Hezbollah supporter.

I appreciate your attitude toward Palestine. As much as you support Palestine, most Jews support Israel, so you know how everyone feels. We aren’t different we just the opposite sides of the same coin. Dehumanizing people is the crux of the problem and if we’re ever to live in peace, the first step is to recognize this.

I appreciate your anger at the Israeli government. You have a right. Israel still occupies parts of Palestine (which parts really depend on a final settlement). Palestine is still not a fully defined, sovereign country, and unfortunately, it will take negotiations to reach that point.

But you completely ignored my questions! I don’t mind hearing about how much you hate Israel, but I would appreciate it if you shed some light on some other subjects. I’ll repeat my questions again:

But how did you like your visit to Palestine? How was Ramallah, Beit Lehem, Nablus, Jericho, Jenin?? And were you able to visit places in Israel besides “occupied Jerusalem”? What about “occupied Tel Aviv”? And since we’re on the subject of “Occupied” territories please tell us which part of Israel ISN’T occupied. I’m curious! Also, please let us know if the Arab-Israeli conflict should be settled peacefully through negotiations or by “armed resistance”.

I use Wikipedia because there are often footnotes to click on, etc. If you have better info, feel free to add another link.

My comment was the population of Jews in JERUSALEM. From 1900 to 1948, Jews were always a majority.

As far as Israel/Palestine is concerned, the majority was Palestinian. In 1950, it was about even, 50/50 (non-Wiki source) since many Jews left/were thrown out of arab countries :

http://israelipalestinian.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000636#graph1

Free Syria/Free Your Mind!

May 15th, 2013, 7:15 am

 

SyrianPatriot said:

German ABC suites appear in Syria.

The video shows how Alawites in Syria are producing allegedly chemical weapons. They are doing this wearing ABC Suites with German flags on the side.

wp.me/p1tlxA-1c

May 15th, 2013, 7:15 am

 

Ruud Wedding said:

Dear Joshua,

It is striking to see how a massacre has become politicized. It is even also very interpretative. However, we do understand the views and opinions as they are very influenced by one single video.

Massacres were committed in Syria even before 2010 as we remember the Palmyra prison massacre and Hama massacre both by Hafez al-Assad.

We’re not going with the views that massacres in Syria are related with ethnic cleansing. In our view, even the Al Bayda killings fits within the profile of random revenge tactics when Assad forces loose like in Taftanaz.

The massacre on the coast did not happened so suddenly. We see this monstrous crime as a response on boiling opposition we have monitored weeks before the killings. It also remember us Al Houle (Homs) and Al Tremseh (Hama).

We think that the Al Bayda massacre is just another Al Houle or Tremseh as Assad really don’t care who has been killed as long as he can stay in power.

So, if anyone only speaks about ethnic cleansing of Alawites he or she ignores the ethnic cleansing of Sunnis which is going on for much longer.

May 15th, 2013, 7:46 am

 

Tara said:

Sami,

Yes. The girl who shared a desk with me in 7 grade was Palestinian. I just assumed they were free to live anywhere. I am not really versed on Palestinian rights on Syria. Are they not allowed to own a house or live or work where they want to? That is a shame if true.

I never been to the refugee camp in Damascus but I also never been to Zainab place either.

May 15th, 2013, 7:53 am

 

annie said:

Cannibalism in Syria: why is this a bigger story than the routine slaughter of children?

Khaled al-Hamad said had no regrets about taking revenge

The revolution is not a dinner party, Chairman Mao famously said. Tell that to Khaled al-Hamad, the rogue rebel leader who had himself videoed biting into the heart he had just cut out of a Syrian regime soldier, now circulating wildly on the internet. We don’t actually see him consume the organ, but he appears to tear off a chunk with his teeth.

Actually, Chairman Mao’s dictum wasn’t even honoured in China. During the Great Proletariat Cultural Revolution, Red Guards in China’s southern Guangxi province took rather literally the order to consume their capitalist reader enemies. According to investigative reports that leaked out in the 1990s, at least 137 people were eaten at banquets ordered by local officials. One woman was recorded by an internal inquiry as having torn the first strip from the roasted body of a school headmaster, her boyfriend’s father, to prove that despite the personal connection she was as “Red” as the best of them.

There is a point to this. Mutilating your enemy’s body and even eating his flesh are not, I think we can agree, good things, but they do have a long history. You can go back to the Iliad for the earliest great description of what happens when the bloodlust is up. As Hector lies dying in the dust, he prays his conqueror Achilles “by his life and his knees” to send his body home to his parents for a decent burial and not leave it for the dogs, but Achilles just glares at him mercilessly.

“Dog, talk not to me neither of knees nor parents,” Achilles says. “Would that I could be as sure of being able to cut your flesh into pieces and eat it raw, for the ill you have done me, as I am that nothing shall save you from the dogs.”

His fellows join in. “The other Achaeans came running up to view his wondrous strength and beauty; and no one came near him without giving him a fresh wound. Then would one turn to his neighbour and say, ‘It is easier to handle Hector now than when he was flinging fire on to our ships’ and as he spoke he would thrust his spear into him anew.”

Finally, and most famously, Achilles makes slits in Hector’s heels and uses ox-hide ties to attach them to his chariot, dragging the corpse around the battlement’s of his foe’s city.

Yet Achilles, though a petulant schoolboy in much of the Iliad, is still a great hero: as, it is said, was the British soldier (more recently) accused of slicing off the ears of dead Argentinians in the Falklands. Students of the Crusades reading of the ongoing and bloody battle over the town of Maarat al-Numaan, south-west of Aleppo, in the current conflict, can hardly fail to recall a previous “clash of civilisations”. During the siege of the same city in 1098, the Crusaders were reported (by their own side: no videos available) to have roasted the bodies of Muslim children on spits and eaten them.

Do these reminiscences lessen the crime? Of course not. But they make me wonder whether the horror caused by this latest video, which has been “shared” it seems far more than any of the other monstrosities this conflict has thrown up, is because such mutilations are now less commonly practised, more unusual, than in the past.

By contrast with the above, the overwhelmingly respectful funerals I have witnessed in Syria over the last couple of years have been rare moments of peace and higher feeling amid the carnage. A colleague the other day, while we were in Syria, described talking to a father who went through the lines to reclaim the body of his son. We were both reminded of the Homeric account above, which is why it was in my mind: after, Priam, Hector’s father, comes to beg Achilles for the body, and with its honourable return and cremation the Iliad ends: “Such was the burial of Hector, breaker of horses.”

There is a tension sometimes between journalistic and moral narratives. Although of course overall we may try to point out the bad so that the good can triumph, within that ambition there is also this: an event is more newsworthy if it is rare or strange. Other, worse, more important horrors are overlooked because they are common. In the town of Baniyas on 2-3 May, there seems to be little doubt that a pro-regime militia swept through two Sunni neighbourhoods slaughtering large numbers of those they found, shooting and knifing many to death. There are photographs – you can find them online – of piles of corpses of little children, aged from two or three upwards. Altogether there seem to have been scores of them.The nature of this crime cannot be fully revealed, because no newspaper, including this one, would publish such pictures. The media are happy to present a pixilated image of a heart-eater, however.

As a result, and of course because we have become so inured to such massacres, the Baniyas incident has received comparatively little international attention. Yet the killing of women and children in war has been regarded as an unspeakable crime throughout history: the Athenians’ massacre of the Milans in the Peloponnesian War caused great shock and debate at home, is referred to as the exemplar of genocide from ancient history, yet even they merely killed the males, and sold the women and children into slavery. That precedent may have often been honoured only in the breach – think of the hundreds of thousands of Muslims Genghis Khan killed as he swept through the Middle East, the same Genghis who is regarded as a hero in the Far East today – but it is still a fundamental principle.

Somehow, as well as honouring the dead, we have to keep our attention focused on the living, otherwise there is no hope. Suggestions on how we journalists can do this, let alone the leaders tasked with responsibility for ending the conflict, are gratefully received.

source : http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/richardspencer/100217033/cannibalism-in-syria-why-is-this-a-bigger-story-than-the-routine-slaughter-of-children/

May 15th, 2013, 8:18 am

 

zoo said:

The blame game about Syria: No Win for the West

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=58767

“So, everyone inside Syria is going their own way, fulminating at each other and with the western powers for not supporting them. The United States (and western Europe) have no good options, and their elites will therefore continue to shout at each other, each suggesting policies that will in fact be ineffective.”

This is not at all plausible for the editorial writers of Le Monde. They look at the visit of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to Moscow as a betrayal. They call it “Western renunciation” of the demand made last August by the United States, Great Britain, France, and Germany that the resignation of Assad be the prerequisite for intra-Syrian political discussions.

Of the Western powers, it has been France that has taken the most overtly “interventionist” line. But when France’s Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius gave an interview to Le Monde on May 9, he was asked whether France was not now taking a “wait-and-see position”? He seemed to be uncomfortable in his response, pointing to the fact that France could not resolve the situation by itself. He then outlined four orientations, the first of which was to “continue to push for a political solution,” endorsing to some extent Kerry’s trip to Moscow.

Prime Minister David Cameron of Great Britain has been another of the loudest critics of Assad. But he is noticeably shy about any military commitment. He made a now famous statement that he was not proposing any British “boots on the ground” in Syria. It seems no western government is ready to put “boots on the ground.” Even McCain does not advocate this. He merely says that it won’t be necessary because the United States can succeed in its objectives simply by means of a combination of a “no fly” zone, the use of drones, and military assistance to the rebels. However, the U.S. military has said repeatedly that a “no fly” zone is quite a major operation, one that in the end might necessitate the use of “boots on the ground.”

May 15th, 2013, 8:21 am

 
 

Akbar Palace said:

Annie,

In retrospect, do you think the arabs should have accepted the UN Partition Plan?

Anyway, today is Nakba Day in Palestine. 3000 Palestinians died in the Nakba. So far, we have about 82000 dead in the Syrian civil war and over 1 million refugees.

http://news.yahoo.com/palestinians-mark-1948-displacement-093248796.html
_______________

Benny Morris takes on Ilan Pappe:

http://www.newrepublic.com/article/books/magazine/85344/ilan-pappe-sloppy-dishonest-historian?page=0,0&passthru=MWE4MzAwYzEwZTUxY2M3Y2VjZWEwODI4NTYyOTZlYmU#

May 15th, 2013, 8:34 am

 

zoo said:

#244 Tara

There is a lot you should learn about Damascus and the ‘evil’ government that you hate.

Palestinians is Syria, contrary to other Arab countries, have all the rights of the Syrians ( medical, education, family allocations, subsidies, free movement etc..), except the right to vote. The educated ones are conscriptable.
In Arab countries that were generous to accepted refugees such Lebanon and Jordan, they are treated as temporary guests with limited rights. These countries have limited economical means to support such a burden. They are helped by the UN.

No a single rich GCC countries accept Palestinian refugees. They only give them a timed work permit. That means that when the contract is over or they retire, they and their family, have to leave the country within a few days.

Now you can appreciate how ‘generous’ Qatar and KSA are and how ‘inhuman’ Syria is toward arab brothers…

May 15th, 2013, 8:38 am

 

dawoud said:

246. ANNIE

Again, thanks Annie for this excellent historical video on the Nakbah!

May 15th, 2013, 8:39 am

 

zoo said:

Revenire

“al-Ummah Research Institute in Toulkarim.” ?

That’s a Institute known worldwide. It is as famous as the Al Raqqa and al Aaazazz Institute for Strategic and Research Studies. How dare you doubt about its polls!

95% is 95% if David says it…!

May 15th, 2013, 8:48 am

 

dawoud said:

242. AKBAR PALACE

Ethnic-cleansing was Zionists’ planned tragedy to create a Jewish majority homeland. If you don’t want to criticize this Zionist war criminality, then you no credibility to criticize Bashar’s ongoing ethnic-cleansing of Sunnis in Banyas, the coast, and al-Qasir in order to create a friendly Alawi state as a last resort. BOTH should be criticized and combated legally and intellectually. In his well-publicized memoir, Yitzhak Rabin described asking David Ben Gurion about the fate of Palestinians in the Lod/Ramlah area, Ben Gurion poited a gesture with his finger indicating orders to EXPEL them. Rabin goes on to describe his role in expelling 70,000 Palestinians along the Latrun road east. This was only on one area, and-sadly-it make Rabin an ethnic-cleansing soldier. I did hear first-hand accounts of al-Nakbah from my grandparents, and if you-as a human being met them you would have rejected the Zionist ideology justifying stealing and colonizing somebody else’s lands.
Now, we do have reality on the ground and I do believe that everybody in historical Palestine (Muslims, Jewish, Christians…) should have equal rights in a democratic and secular civil state. Surely, it would mean that refugees and their off springs must be given the option to return. It also means ending an immigration policy based on religion. If you want to give every Jew the right to immigrate to this democratic state, you should give it to every Muslim and Christian….NO automatic citizenship just because of religious affiliation…

May 15th, 2013, 8:53 am

 

zoo said:

Do non-lethal UK and US aid include saws?
Syrian rebel atrocity video: No apology for ‘revenge’, more clips promised
May 15, 2013

http://rt.com/news/syria-rebel-eat-lung-revenge-307/

Hamad says as a Sunni he hates Alawite Muslims, which once again signals of the increasingly sectarian side of the Syrian conflict. UN warned of it as early as in December last year.

“Hopefully we will slaughter all of [the Alawites]. I have another video clip that I will send to them. In the clip, I am sawing another shabiha [pro-government militiaman] with a saw. The saw we use to cut trees. I sawed him into small pieces and large ones,” Hamad said in the interview. The rebel was initially reported to have taken out the liver and heart, but later it was concluded that it was a lung he was holding in his hands.

Khaled al-Hamad, a rebel fighter known as Abu Sakkar and commander of the Omar al-Faruq brigade in Homs, Syria, holding the heart of a Syrian government soldier after cutting it out from his dead body.(AFP Photo / YouTube)

May 15th, 2013, 9:00 am

 

annie said:

Akbar, do not mix the Nekba with what you call the Syrian civil war, which it is not. It is an insurgency against the Assad dictatorship.

The Nekba was perpetrated by people foreign to the region and who have remained so. Being stolen one’s land is worse than losing your life.
And yet, it could have been different had they not come with their ethnic cleansing plans. Palestinians thought they were dealing with a new occupation but the occupiers wanted them out.

I am waiting for a serious refutation of Pappe’s writings based on his research in the archives.

May 15th, 2013, 9:04 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Dawoud,

cc: Annie

I would dearly enjoy discussing the arab-Israeli conflict with you. Maybe later tonight. I am always interested in understanding all sides to a conflict.

Can you tell me why you can’t answer the questions I posed to you from the last 2 posts? Are these questions difficult? I am getting the impression that you simply cannot talk about Israel or Palestine without jumping to the grievances you have against Israel.

For the 3rd time:

But how did you like your visit to Palestine? How was Ramallah, Beit Lehem, Nablus, Jericho, Jenin?? And were you able to visit places in Israel besides “occupied Jerusalem”? What about “occupied Tel Aviv”? And since we’re on the subject of “Occupied” territories please tell us which part of Israel ISN’T occupied. I’m curious! Also, please let us know if the Arab-Israeli conflict should be settled peacefully through negotiations or by “armed resistance”.

May 15th, 2013, 9:19 am

 

Sami said:

Tara,

We have been spoon fed this crap that we have helped Palestinians and to prove our point we point at other countries mistreatment of Palestinians and how we in Syria don’t do that. Just look at Zoo’s reply…

Buying a house where ever you want is not a right a Palestinian could have in Syria, even working where ever they want is not a right they have. Ask any Palestinian what it takes for them to leave Syria.

You want to judge a society on how accepting it is, judge it on its social integration. As long as there are an “us” and “them” mentality there is no integration.

And Zoo no Syrian let alone a Palestinian has a right for a real vote, this concept has been stolen from us from your hero that you adore so much. But then again a no choice other than an Assad is a perfect choice for a baathist like yourself…

May 15th, 2013, 9:22 am

 

Dolly Buster said:

I really applaud this guy who sawed Putin’s soldiers with a saw.
He truly understands that you must communicate with Russo-Shiites in their own language.

May 15th, 2013, 10:02 am

 

revenire said:

Dave could not provide the source for his ridiculous comment that 95% of Palestinians support the Zionist war on Syria. It seems it would be simple to give a link to the poll doesn’t it?

Dave is a very sectarian fellow – no surprise there.

Maybe he thinks he can liberate Palestine with slogans. I don’t know.

I do know the only Arab nation that gave arms to the Resistance is Syria. That I do know.

May 15th, 2013, 10:08 am

 

ziad said:

أحمد سبايدر ينضم لجيش بشار الأسد .. ويلقي محاضرات في جامعة دمشق !

فيما اعتبره البعض ” علامة ” علي قرب انتصار الجيش الحر في سوريا .. أعلن الشاب المصرى أحمد سبايدر ” مؤسس حركة آسفين يا ريس ” عبر موقع التواصل الاجتماعي ” فيس بوك ” إنضمامه للجيش السورى النظامى التابع لبشار الأسد ..
وقال ” سبايدر ” يوما بعد يوم الايام تثبت ان الجيش العربي السورى يقف علي ارض ثابته بتحقيق الانتصارات بكل مكان ، وكما قلتها كثيرا من قبل يوم النصر اقرب مما تتخيلون ، وكما قالها السيد حسن نصر الله عاشت سوريا الاسد ” ..

http://shabab.ahram.org.eg/News/11590.aspx

May 15th, 2013, 10:21 am

 

AIG said:

DAWOUD,

Your ideas are very nice. Show me that they work well in ONE Arab country and I will be inclined to consider them. Until then, though your ideas sound great on paper, they are just a recipe for disaster. For every David and Tara in the Arab world there is a Revenire and a Zoo. Excuse me for waiting to see how you guys can live with these vile creatures in peace and in a liberal democracy. Until then, I deem your ideas too dangerous to implement.

May 15th, 2013, 10:21 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

The Zionists R Everywhere NewZ

Dave could not provide the source for his ridiculous comment that 95% of Palestinians support the Zionist war on Syria.

Reverse,

Maybe because Dave couldn’t find a Jew is Syria with a gun.

Arabs fighting for basic freedoms aren’t Zionists.

(thanks AIG, I was going to contact you since you know the subject well)

May 15th, 2013, 10:23 am

 

Dawoud said:

259. AIG
260. AKBAR PALACE

If you want to imagine how the expelled ethnically-cleansed Palestinians in 1948 during al-Nakbah (the great Palestinian Catastrophe) felt, imagine this hypothetical scenario:

You and I are setting in the comfort of our home (regardless of wheter it’s a mansion or a one-bedroom shack) and suddenly armed soldiers come and ask us to gather all the belongings that we can carry and they expel us far away from our homes and villages to a far anther city or country! How could you and I explain this to our old parents and little children. This is exactly what the Zionists did the Palestinians during al-Nakbah! Shame on Zionists and anybody who still defends their ethnic-cleansing!

May 15th, 2013, 10:43 am

 
 

Dawoud said:

…the song above, “The Night Fallen,” was dedicated to the Palestinian refugees-the bravest and most determined people in the world! Their return is a matter to their stolen homeland is a matter of time!

Sorry to the Syrians for posting about Palestine today because it’s the anniversary of al-Nakbah-the ethnic-cleansing of Palestinians and the robbery of their lands.

May 15th, 2013, 10:52 am

 

Dawoud said:

…the song above, “The Night has Fallen,” was dedicated to the Palestinian refugees-the bravest and most determined people in the world! Their return is a matter to their stolen homeland is a matter of time!

Sorry to the Syrians for posting about Palestine today because it’s the anniversary of al-Nakbah-the ethnic-cleansing of Palestinians and the robbery of their lands.

May 15th, 2013, 10:52 am

 

zoo said:

#257 Revenire

I like these polls.. 95% of Palestinians hate Bashr al Assad, 75% of Syria is in the hands of the rebels, more than 65% of Syrians want Bashar to leave..
Very convincing..

May 15th, 2013, 11:02 am

 

annie said:

some people will go home to night ! Thank you FSA and all the brave fighters.
BREAKING NEWS | THE #FSA HAVE STORMED AND CAPTURED #ALEPPO CENTRAL PRISON! TAKBEEEEER! ALL PRAISE IS DUE TO GOD!
_______________________

ﻋﺎااااﺟـــــــــــــﻞ || قنــاة الجــزيـرة

ﺍﻟﺠﻴــﺶ ﺍﻟـﺤــﺮ ﻳﻘﺘﺤــﻢ سجن ﺣـﻠـﺐ ﺍﻟﻤــﺮﻛــﺰﻱ ويسيطــر عليــه

تكبيررررررررررر

May 15th, 2013, 11:11 am

 

zoo said:

Tara

Contrary to SAMI who spits lies better than he writes, read the docmented information about Palestinian rights in Syria. They are what I wrote in a summary before..

This study is based on several sources: publications of the Syrian Ministry of Justice, statements from Palestinian refugee institutions, surveys of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PLO) in Damascus, and various other studies on the refugee situation in Syria and the other host countries. The study addresses the current legal status, demography, UNRWA, socio-economic and political situations of Palestinian refugees in Syria

Legislation and Palestinian Civil Rights in Syria.

http://www.badil.org/en/al-majdal/item/518-profiles-palestinian-refugees-in-syriahttp:/www.badil.org/en/al-majdal/item/518-profiles-palestinian-refugees-in-syria

One of the most important laws in Syria, which provides for the administration of Palestinian refugee affairs and ensures provision of refugee needs, is Law 450 issued 25 January 1949. Law 450 authorized the establishment of a Palestine Arab Refugee Institution (PARI) under the auspices of the Syrian Social Affairs and Labor Ministry.(1) PARI was later replaced by the Syrian General Authority for Palestine Arab Refugee Affairs (GAPAR), also a department of the Social Affairs and Labor Ministry.

Half a decade later, the Syrian government adopted Law 260, 7 October 1956, which granted Palestinian residents nearly the same status as Syrian nationals. Palestinian refugees in Syria were granted equal rights, for example, in the areas of labor and employment, trade, and military service. At the same time, Palestinian refugees were able to maintain the right to their Palestinian nationality. On 2 October 1963, Law 1311 was adopted to provide Palestinian refugees with travel documents. Unlike Syrian nationals, Palestinian refugees are not allowed to travel using only the personal ID card. Recently, however, a new law has been issued that allows Palestinian refugees in Syria to travel to and from Lebanon using the personal ID card (commencing 1/7/1999).

Under Law 1311, refugees must be registered with the Palestine Arab Refugee Affairs Authority in order to acquire a travel document. One of the most important articles included in Law 1311 is Article 10 which allows Palestinian refugees to return to Syria without a re-entry permit. Travel documents given to Palestinians by the Egyptian government, for example, do not allow its holder to return to Egypt without a re-entry permit. (see al-Majdal, issue no. 2) As with Syrian nationals, the travel document can be changed or re-issued by any Syrian representative office abroad.(2)

Palestinian refugees in Syria have the right to own more than one business or commercial enterprise as well as the right to lease properties. These rights extend to trade and commerce. Union membership in Syria is also open to Palestinians. Palestinians are free to travel throughout Syria and have the right to establish residence in Syrian villages and cities. As such, Palestinian refugees in Syria have achieved a wide range of civil rights. There is, however, a noticeable gap in the home and land ownership laws. Unlike Syrian nationals, Palestinians may not own more than one home nor purchase arable land. Palestinian refugees in Syria do not have the right to vote or candidate for the Syrian National Council or Presidency.

May 15th, 2013, 11:15 am

 

ghufran said:

A lot can be said about how Syrians treated Palestinians, most of you are NOT Palestinians but may have interacted with few, in a nut shell, no Arab or Muslim country treated Palestinians better than Syria did, most Palestinians in Syria today are at least suspicious of what is going on even that they may not support the regime, more Palestinians today are against rebels compared to 2 years ago especially after what the rebels did in a number of refugee camps, I do not know much about the guy here who said that he is a Palestinian, I agree with what he said about Israel but I know for sure that some of his political positions, especially those about Shia and Hizbullah, are not shred by the majority of Palestinians , therefore, do not take the guy seriously and just add him to the list of AIRs (accidental internet revolutionists), he has the right to talk but he does not represent Palestinians in any shape or manner.

May 15th, 2013, 11:18 am

 

Hanzala said:

هنية للنظام السوري: لن نقف إلى جانب نظام يقتل شعبه

طالب رئيس وزراء حكومة حماس اسماعيل هنية النظام السوري “برفع يديه” عن الشعب الفلسطيني في مخيمات اللاجئين في سورية، مؤكداً أن حركته “لن تقف إلى جانب نظام يقتل شعبه”.

http://alhayat.com/Details/513261

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh: It is impossible for us to side with the Syrian government that kills its own people

May 15th, 2013, 11:26 am

 

zoo said:

Qatar last desperate moves before the Geneva conference: make sure that its embattled protege, the SNC is not sidelined

VOA
Also Wednesday, the U.N. General Assembly will vote on a non-binding resolution that condemns Syrian authorities and accepts the opposition Syrian National Coalition as party to a potential political transition.

The resolution, drafted by Qatar, notes the SNC’s widespread international acceptance as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.

The resolution also demands that Syria give a United Nations team free access to investigate alleged uses of chemical weapons. That team – authorized by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon – is ready to deploy, but Syria has not allowed them into the country.

Russia opposes the resolution, and diplomats say the document is expected to earn less support than a previous resolution the General Assembly passed last August.

Also Wednesday, the U.N. General Assembly will vote on a non-binding resolution that condemns Syrian authorities and accepts the opposition Syrian National Coalition as party to a potential political transition.

The resolution, drafted by Qatar, notes the SNC’s widespread international acceptance as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.

The resolution also demands that Syria give a United Nations team free access to investigate alleged uses of chemical weapons. That team – authorized by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon – is ready to deploy, but Syria has not allowed them into the country.

Russia opposes the resolution, and diplomats say the document is expected to earn less support than a previous resolution the General Assembly passed last August.

May 15th, 2013, 11:27 am

 

zoo said:

Arab Christians suffer as Islamists rise to power

by Fiorello Provera
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2013/05/16/commentary/arab-christians-suffer-as-islamists-rise-to-power/#.UZOqEjfIeEU
May 16, 2013

BRUSSELS – The recent abductions of Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Yohanna Ibrahim and his Greek Orthodox counterpart, Paul Yazigi, reflect not only the increasing brutality of Syria’s civil war, but also the escalating crisis for Christians across the Arab world — one that could end up driving them away altogether.

According to the International Society for Human Rights, 80 percent of all acts of religious persecution worldwide in 2012 were directed at Christians.

This surge in discrimination against Christian communities in countries where they have lived for many centuries can be explained largely by increasing Islamist militancy and the rise of political Islam in the wake of the Arab Spring.

As Islamist parties have taken power in the region, a wave of intimidation and discrimination has been unleashed on Christian minority populations

May 15th, 2013, 11:31 am

 

ziad said:

واشنطن تتحدث عن سلام في فلسطين وتحشد لحرب على سوريا

الحديث اليوم عن مبادرة أمريكية جديدة يروج لها وزير الخارجية جون كيري لتحريك ملف التسوية بين الفلسطينيين والإسرائيليين غير منقطع الصلة بما يجري من حرب في وعلى سوريا والتداعيات المستقبلية لها.ففي منطقة الشرق الأوسط تتداخل القضايا وتتشابك،يتداخل الماضي مع الحاضر،الديني مع الدنيوي ،الاقتصاد مع السياسة ،الأيديولوجيا مع المصالح ،وأيضا تتداخل القضية الفلسطينية مع نفط الخليج والصراعات المذهبية ومع ما يسمى بالربيع العربي والإرهاب الخ.ولذا لا يمكن لمن يتعامل مع مشكلة الشرق الأوسط ،وخصوصا الدول الكبرى، إلا أن يأخذ بعين الاعتبار كل هذا القضايا.
فمنذ التوقيع على اتفاقية الوصاية الأردنية على الأماكن المقدسة في القدس أصبح من الواضح أن شيئا ما يجري لتحريك ملف التسوية في الشرق الأوسط وتأكد ذلك من خلال جولات جون كيري المكوكية والتي توجت بطرح ما يسمى بمبادرة كيري لإحياء عملية التسوية ،ثم جاء القبول العربي بمبدأ تبادل الأراضي وتأكيد القيادة الفلسطينية بموافقتها على هذا المبدأ لتصبح الصورة أكثر وضوحا. إن كان كيري يتحدث عن مبادرات حسن نية من الطرفين الفلسطيني والإسرائيلي تساعد الطرفين على العودة لطاولة المفاوضات،كتجميد الاستيطان مؤقتا ومنح السلطة الفلسطينية مزيدا من الصلاحيات في مناطق فلسطينية مع إغراءات اقتصادية تقدمها واشنطن والجهات المانحة للسلطة لتنشيط الاقتصاد الفلسطيني،مقابل عودة الفلسطينيين لطاولة المفاوضات ووقف الخطوات الفلسطينية نحو المنتظم الدولي ومؤسساته وخصوصا نحو محكمة الجنايات الدولية ،ومتشجعا بنظام رسمي عربي – جامعة الدول العربية – تقوده دولة قطر ،نظام بات أكثر طواعية للإستراتيجية الأمريكية في المنطقة بل ومستعد للذهاب بعيدا في المساومة على القضية الفلسطينية ،بالرغم من ذلك فإن الخفي من الحراك الأمريكي – العربي أكبر بكثير مما هو معلن ،ذلك أن تحريك الملف الفلسطيني ليس هدفه حل القضية الفلسطينية بل توظيف تحريك ملف المفاوضات الفلسطينية الإسرائيلية للتفرغ لقضايا أكثر أهمية إستراتيجية من وجهة نظر واشنطن وأنظمتها العربية .

http://ahewar.org/debat/show.art.asp?aid=359357

May 15th, 2013, 11:33 am

 

Dawoud said:

“لا يمكن أن نقف إلى جانب نظام يقتل شعبه، ومن وقف معنا في الحق لا نقف معه في الباطل”.

So, when the Syrian regime supports the Palestinian cause, it is supporting a just cause. But, if Palestinians were to support a regime that kills its own people, they would be supporting tyranny and an immoral cause!

If somebody rescues me from a car accident, I am NOT obligated to help him rob a bank!

May 15th, 2013, 11:33 am

 
 

zoo said:

Neil Clark for RT

Peace will only come to Syria when the foreign countries currently menacing it start acting as fire-fighters and not arsonists. That means telling the rebels that its time to end their campaign of violence and to negotiate directly with Damascus. It also means accepting that whether or not President Assad and the Ba’ath Party continue to rule Syria, is up to the Syrian people alone, and not the US, Turkey, Qatar, Britain, France, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel or indeed anyone else.

The trouble is that the countries concerned have invested so much time and money into trying to topple Bashar al-Assad that it’s highly unlikely that they’ll change direction now, even though continuing with their destructive, destabilizing policies towards Syria only means that the bloodshed will continue.

May 15th, 2013, 11:38 am

 

AIG said:

Dawoud,

You can keep ignoring my points but that is not going to get anyone closer to a solution. Your ideas are great but since you cannot implement them in any Arab country, I am very dubious you can implement them in Israel. I will wait for your success in Arab countries first.

May 15th, 2013, 11:39 am

 

Dawoud said:

http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/437562

[فيديو].. احتراق جيب إسرائيلي وإصابة 10 مواطنين بالضفة]

رام الله- دوت كوم- أصيب 10 مواطنين، اليوم الأربعاء، خلال مواجهات مع قوات الاحتلال، اندلعت أمام سجن عوفر غرب رام الله، في الذكرى الـ 65 عاما للنكبة.

ورشق مجموعات من الشبان قوات الاحتلال الممتركزة أمام السجن بالحجارة، كما ألقوا زجاجات حارقة تجاه دوريات الاحتلال، ما أدى إلى اشتعال النار بإحدى مركبات الجيش بشكل جزئي، فيما رد جنود الاحتلال بإطلاق وابل من قنابل الغاز والر
[…]

May 15th, 2013, 11:39 am

 

zoo said:

Qatar is playing one its last card at the UN G.A trying by all means to disrupt and complicate the USA-Russia agreement. None of the previous UN G.A resolutions submitted by Qatar had any real effect. How much more bribing will Qatar do this time to get some votes?

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/assembly-expected-approve-syria-resolution-19181298#.UZOsgDfIeEU

Argentina’s U.N. Ambassador Maria Cristina Perceval, asked Qatar, the lead sponsor, to water down language welcoming the establishment of the Syrian National Coalition, the main opposition group, and to eliminate a reference to “the wide international acknowledgment” that it is the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.

She said in a letter, written on behalf of a group of Latin American countries, that they also objected to language welcoming Arab League resolutions on a political resolution of the situation in Syria because Latin American countries didn’t participate in their adoption. Perceval also demanded that language be inserted “explicitly calling for no further militarization of the conflict.”

But the Qataris refused to make any of these requested changes, putting support from this group of Latin American countries in doubt.

The last Arab-sponsored General Assembly resolution in August was approved by an overwhelming vote of 133-12 with 31 abstentions.

Diplomats predicted that the resolution being voted on Wednesday will get a reduced majority of between 100 and 110 “yes” votes because of concerns about the divided opposition.

May 15th, 2013, 11:50 am

 

AIG said:

Dawoud,

Still trying to understand when you plan to implement your fine ideas in any Arab country. Why should we follow your ideas if they don’t work for you and you can’t even implement them in your own home?

Look, you are advocating some ideas. Isn’t it a fair question to ask why if your ideas are so good they are not implemented by you? Wouldn’t you be suspicious of someone who recommended a course of action and didn’t follow it himself? And ignoring this issue is not going to make it go away. You are not going to convince Israeli Jews that your ideas will result in a paradise unless you show us by example how your ideas actually lead to a paradise in ONE Arab country. All I see is being stuck with millions of Zoo’s and Revs. You can keep them, thank you very much.

May 15th, 2013, 11:59 am

 

ziad said:

نهاية الأزمة السورية قريباً:أسرار وتفاصيل سحب واشنطن للملف السوري من أيدي القطريين..75 % سيصوتون للأسد في حال اجراء الانتخابات

بداية قال عمران الزعبي وزير الاعلام السوري اليوم الثلاثاء إن سوريا تريد تفاصيل عن مؤتمر اقترحته الولايات المتحدة وروسيا لإنهاء الحرب قبل أن تتخذ قرارها بخصوص المشاركة فيه.وأضاف أن “مسألة الرئيس وشكل الحكم والدستور هي في جوهر وصلب ومفهوم السيادة الوطنية والذي يقرر من هو رئيس البلاد وما هو شكل الحكم وكيف تجرى العملية الداخلية هو الشعب السوري وصناديق الاقتراع فقط.”

وأضاف الزعبي إن كل طرف يقول ما يريد أن يقوله ولكن في المحصلة فإننا لم ولن نقبل على الإطلاق أن يفرض علينا أحد شروطا أو سلوكا أو نمطا من الحلول أو إجراء أو عملا سياسيا يمس مفهوم السيادة فنحن لم نسمح بذلك في أصعب أوقات الأزمة وبالتالي لن نسمح بذلك مستقبلا ومسألة شكل الحكم والرئاسة نناقشها مع بعضنا كسوريين فقط.

نريد سورية دولة ديمقراطية تعددية حرة سيدة ومقاومة غير تابعة لأحد ولا تدور في فلك أحد

من جهة اخرى وفي تقرير حول الاتفاق الروسي- الامريكي جاء فية

“ينص الاتفاق – الروسي – الامريكي، على أن تقوم حكومة انتقالية كاملة الصلاحيات على أن تكون هذه الحكومة مقسمة إلى

ثلاثة حصص، ثلث مقاعدها للنظام، وثلث للمعارضة بجميع أطيافها، وثلث لشخصيات وسطية غير محسوبة على أى طرف، ومن المتوقع أن يحظى الثلث الأخير برئاسة الحكومة الانتقالية، والوزارات السيادية المؤثرة كالدفاع والداخلية”.

وفيما يتعلق بمصيرالرئيس الأسد، “وافقت الولايات المتحدة الأميركية على أن يبدأ التفاوض دون اشتراط رحيل الأسد وأن يكون ذلك من خلال مؤتمر دولى ينتهى بقرار من مجلس الأمن تحت الفصل السادس، لكن واشنطن رفضت بقاء الأسد فى منصبه إلى نهاية ولايته العام المقبل، “.

http://www.mjhar.com/ar-sy/NewsView/81/58476/%d9%86%d9%87%d8%a7%d9%8a%d8%a9_%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a3%d8%b2%d9%85%d8%a9_%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b3%d9%88%d8%b1%d9%8a%d8%a9_%d9%82%d8%b1%d9%8a%d8%a8%d8%a7_%d8%a3%d8%b3%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%b1_%d9%88%d8%aa%d9%81%d8%a7%d8%b5%d9%8a%d9%84_%d8%b3%d8%ad%d8%a8_%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%b4%d9%86%d8%b7%d9%86_%d9%84%d9%84%d9%85%d9%84%d9%81_%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b3%d9%88%d8%b1%d9%8a_%d9%85%d9%86_%d8%a3%d9%8a%d8%af%d9%8a_%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%82%d8%b7%d8%b1%d9%8a%d9%8a%d9%86_75_%d8%b3%d9%8a%d8%b5%d9%88%d8%aa%d9%88%d9%86_%d9%84%d9%84%d8%a3%d8%b3%d8%af_%d9%81%d9%8a_%d8%ad%d8%a7%d9%84_%d8%a7%d8%ac%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%a1_%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a7%d9%86%d8%aa%d8%ae%d8%a7%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%aa.aspx

May 15th, 2013, 12:19 pm

 

Sami said:

Zoo,

Nothing you posted contradicts what I said, and for your information all those laws were past in a DEMOCRATIC Syria, not your Baathist ideology BS that has done nothing for the resistance other than lose the Jolan… Even your own links show how much of a buffoon you are.

And for your information I don’t lie, that is your specialty. Like your filthy lie that I support Nusra. provide one link where I support armed conflict. The only thing I support is FREEDOM for my country from the clutches of sectarian thugs like you who support killing, maiming, and raping Syria for your own twisted ideology.

Filthy lying baathist, you make other propagandists blush with your inhuman adulation for a mass murderer.

May 15th, 2013, 12:23 pm

 

Syrian Atheist Against Dictatorships said:

Here is a page with a few reminders (and certainly not all) of the handiwork of the Assadist thugs about which the world did not bother to feel outrage or the need to have an avalanche of editorials followed by and vocal protests from governments and politicians.

http://www.therevoltingsyrian.com/post/50495350134/does-this-not-outrage-you

I repeat to all again: stabbing a man repeatedly, while alive, until he falls in a bloody mess then smashing his head with a huge concrete block til he dies is not as outrageous as chopping up a cadaver (= a dead , lifeless body, a stiff) and proceeding to bite a piece of it?

There are plenty of other examples to choose from to see and remember again. But sometimes the problem is not the eyes, it is the blindness of the heart.

May 15th, 2013, 12:37 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

AIG,

I asked the same question to Observer less than a week ago. I told him the ME was too violent for Israel to open her borders to Islamists, head choppers and organ-eaters. All I got from him was the comment that I am “racist”.

Akbar, do not mix the Nekba with what you call the Syrian civil war, which it is not. It is an insurgency against the Assad dictatorship.

Annie,

There are insurgencies all over the ME, and we’re supposed to allow that into Israel? Pul-eeeeze!

The Nekba was perpetrated by people foreign to the region and who have remained so.

Annie,

Jews were not “foreign” to the region. We were a minority, but not foreign. Before any talk of Israel, Jews were being massacred by holy Palestinians. We were a majority in Jerusalem. We had to protect ourselves from arab violence. Ring a bell?

Some things never change.

Being stolen one’s land is worse than losing your life.

Welcome to the war that Israel tried to avoid. You bring war upon us, you may lose land. Dirt and all.

And yet, it could have been different had they not come with their ethnic cleansing plans.

The ethnic cleansing plans would not have come to fruition if arabs accepted partition and if arabs were not killing Jews.

Palestinians thought they were dealing with a new occupation but the occupiers wanted them out.

Palestinians let the arab world speak for them when 5 arab armies invaded. But Palestine was not an independent state.

I am waiting for a serious refutation of Pappe’s writings based on his research in the archives.

I linked to Benny Morris’ refutation. Listening to Pappe’s youtube video, his main trust is that Israel is guilty of something. I disagree with him. Apparently he believes Jews should have refrained from creatng a state of their own. I say, he should give up his Israeli citizenship if he hasn’t already.

May 15th, 2013, 12:45 pm

 

Dolly Buster said:

Israel Hints at New Strikes, Warning Syria Not to Retaliate

Published: May 15, 2013

WASHINGTON – A senior Israeli official signaled on Wednesday that Israel was considering further military strikes on Syria to stop the transfer of advanced weapons to Islamic militants, and he warned the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, that his government would face crippling consequences if it retaliated against Israel.

The Israeli official said: “Israel is determined to continue to prevent the transfer of advanced weapons to Hezbollah. The transfer of such weapons to Hezbollah will destabilize and endanger the entire region.”

“If Syrian President Assad reacts by attacking Israel, or tries to strike Israel through his terrorist proxies,” the official said, “he will risk forfeiting his regime, for Israel will retaliate.”

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
 
Obama has compromised the global order, by being an unresponsive wuss in light of aggressive commies in the Kremlin.

Israel is a positive actor here, because they are the only ones taking a stand, unlike the UN and the 4 Western powers.

May 15th, 2013, 1:08 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

Israel is a positive actor here, because they are the only ones taking a stand, unlike the UN and the 4 Western powers.

q:o)

May 15th, 2013, 1:13 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Annie and juergen, both are admirable,good people,we are lucky to have them in this blog

Akbar Palace
jewish were minorities,why are they majority now?,if palastinians return to their homeland ,jewish will be minority again,there are over 12 million palastinians in diaspora.

I am from Damascus,and I am aware how people from Dimashq think about palastinians, but I am aware how people from Dimashq think about people from Deraa or Hama homs or dair ezzor, all of these ideas are stupid, we all one people and all equal

May 15th, 2013, 1:37 pm

 

Citizen said:

Let а senior Israeli official uses the valerian! it will be much easier!

May 15th, 2013, 1:40 pm

 

Citizen said:

Putin again warns Netanyahu hands off Syria

Before Netanyahu’s arrival for the meeting, Moscow took two preparatory steps:

1. Russian diplomats leaked to the London-based Arab press a report that the S-300 missiles had already arrived in Syria. According to Al-Quds Al-Arabi, Moscow had delivered 200 launchers (probably missiles) and the Syrian missile teams already knew how to use them.
By this leak, the Israeli prime minister was being informed that his journey to Sochi was a waste of time and that the use of S-300 missiles for shooting down Israeli Air Force planes was no longer controlled by Moscow but by Damascus.
2. The prominent strategic analyst, Viktor Kremenyuk of The USA and Canada Institute in Moscow, reported Tuesday that Netanyahu arrived in Sochi to indirectly let Putin know that “Israel would destroy the S-300s when they are delivered and start being assembled.”
The deputy director of an important Russian think tank which advises the Kremlin on North American policy does not tend to make idle comments.
debkafile’s Moscow sources interpreted Kremenyuk’s remark as a means of informing the Israeli leader that Moscow was not impressed by such threats. Instead of pushing Putin to stop the S-300 missiles, Israel would be more advantageously employed urging the Obama administration to adopt a more realistic stand on Syria and Bashar Assad.

May 15th, 2013, 1:41 pm

 

annie said:

Akbar , discussions with zios are a loss of time.

You might not know about another Israeli “black sheep” i.e. Miko Peled and his sister. I recommend the General’s son

May 15th, 2013, 1:52 pm

 

Citizen said:

A Syrian Initiative by Some US Senators
A few days ago, US senators from both parties urged the Obama administration to intervene directly in the war in Syria. They believe Washington should increase the military pressure on President Bashar al-Assad in order to end the so-called “civil” war.
The Western media frequently calls the conflict in Syria a “civil war.” That is a lie. The fighting in Syria is not between government troops and some “opposition,” but between government troops and bands of foreign mercenaries acting under Islamist slogans. The West hires these mercenaries through its henchmen governments in the Middle East. They are quite well equipped. But the Islamists fight poorly, and they are being systematically beaten. Washington therefore is deeply concerned about the way things are going in Syria.

Senator Levin says the United States should work with its allies in the region to “step up to military pressure on the Assad regime.” Senator McCain has noted that the “strategic and humanitarian costs of the Syrian conflict are devastating both the Syrian people and American interests.”

McCain has fallen in love with Syria today just as he “loved” the war-torn country of Vietnam, which he bombed mercilessly when he was a naval aviator. Vietnam’s government showed its appreciation by keeping the future senator in prison for five and one half years, after which he spent a long time recovering on crutches. His limbs healed with time, and he gradually came to love many other countries and peoples, particularly Libya, and he learned to despise Russian President Vladimir Putin. He never forgot that iit was the Russians who supplied the Vietnamese army with air defense weapons.

The “good soldier” McCain believes that the US military should employ its capabilities to destroy Syrian government aircraft: “We have the capacity to significantly weaken… The changes the Assad regime’s airpower…” Of course. The senator from Arizona has already attempted to do something similar to that, and he knows what he is talking about.

Possibly as a mark of good relations with McCain, who once reviled John Kerry for his pacifism after he returned from Vietnam, the current Secretary of State urged Russia not to sell modern air defense systems to Syria. Russian air defense missiles evidently are still harmful to the honorable senator’s psychological health.

Russia’s Embassy in Washington reacted to Kerry’s statement by saying it is not authorized to comment on Russian arms sales to other countries.

Kerry said the sale of air defense systems to Syria could threaten Israel, the United States’ main ally in the region. After all, Israel takes advantage of the weakness of Syria’s military hardware to periodically carry out airstrikes on Syrian targets. The sale of S-300 systems to the Assad government could significantly reduce the fighting spirit of the Israeli Air Force, which is accustomed to acting with impunity.

Israel itself asked Russia not to sell Syria modern air defense systems. Reuters cited official Israeli sources in reporting that on May 9. The sources confirmed that Israeli leaders told Russian and American officials that the deal would be very undesirable, saying that S-300s would create many problems for Israel. “We have raised objections to this (sale) with the Russians…”

Israel’s Air Force fears encountering armed resistance. That is their problem with the deal.

Incidentally, it is worth noting that the the behavior of the United States and its minions today clearly shows signs of cowardice.. For all his fierce aggressiveness, Senator McCain still evokes some respect. He belongs to the generation that was accustomed to fighting the enemy face-to-face. The Americans mixed it up in Korea and Vietnam, although not always with success. Now they prefer acting on the sly, by proxy, using bribery and intrigues.

The initiative of the US Senators, who want to “end the suffering of the Syrian people,” in reality more closely resembles a desire to finish them off. The initiative resembles an attempt to inflict a coup de grace, except that Bashar Assad is not a mortally wounded soldier and is fully capable of fighting.

Kerry visited Moscow after reports of the sale appeared in the foreign press. Talks between Russia and the United States resulted in the announcement of a decision to hold an international conference in the coming weeks with the goal of finding a speedy and peaceful resolution to the Syrian conflict area The New York Times reported that John Kerry and Sergei Lavrov said the two countries want to prevent a dangerous escalation of the conflict. It would be more accurate to say that Washington is greatly concerned about the prospect that Syria’s air defenses would be strengthened……..
http://www.journal-neo.com/node/120848

May 15th, 2013, 1:52 pm

 

Dawoud said:

ماجد:
الفلسطينيون كانوا أغلبيه في فلسطين قبل النكبه, وسيكونوا أغلبيه بعد العوده بأذن الله

http://palestinechronicle.com/palestinians-mark-65th-nakba-anniversary-old-young-cling-to-return/

Palestinians Mark 65th Nakba Anniversary, Old, Young Cling to Return
May 15 2013 / 7:29 am

Palestinians in Palestine and in the Diaspora mark the annual anniversary of the Catastrophe, also known as the Nakba, on May 15th every year as a result of the massive ethnic cleansing carried out by Zionists gangs in 1947-1948 which resulted in the displacement of almost 750,000 Palestinians from their villages and cities.
The plans of the Zionist leaders would not have been successful without the implementation of Plan Dalet (also referred to as Plan D) whose goal was the mass expulsion of Palestinians from wide areas of the historic British Mandate. The Plan was designed in the fall of 1947 and implemented in April 1948, however it was meant to be implemented after the withdrawal of the British forces from Palestine on May 15, 1948. It aimed at destroying and occupying Palestinian villages located along the highway connecting Jerusalem with Tel Alrabee (today’s Tel Aviv).
The plan included many military operations such as Nachshon, Harel, Bi’ur Hametz, Yevusi, Hametz, Yiftach, Matateh, Maccabi, Gideon, Barak, Ben’Ami, Kilshon and Shfifon.
[…]

May 15th, 2013, 1:56 pm

 

SANDRO LOEWE said:

Iran, Rusia, US and Israel ALL agree from DAY ONE in trying to change the popular revolution into a kind of Al Qaeda sponsored crazy terrorist activity (trying to make us believe they all eat hearts) in order to legitimate a new post-Assad pro-Assad dictatorship. At the end it is what they all need: DICTATORSHIP and the syrian people without freedom, dignity nor rights.

The truth is outside.

This excrement regime supported by excrement colonial, neo colonial and post colonial international brokers is going to resist because Obama will allow it to survive. In 10 minutes Obama and Netanyahu could kill Assad easily. We all know that.

I think Obama should be assassinated because he is a very big traitor to the idea of freedom, justice, peace, dignity and human rights.

May 15th, 2013, 2:12 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Asshead is not feeling good about the agreement berween Russia and USA,his people feel a trap, and they may have to refuse to attend, Lavrove will be embarassed since he said Syria delegate are named and ready to go, Asshead detected change in Russia
Asshead is against free monitored election,because he wants to rigg the election in his favor,he wants to be free to do that,we know he and the rats around him will never accept free transparent election,,they have played with election results for four decades.
Also Asshead does not want to see a neutral goverment with full authority,this to him means losing power.
Also Asshead does not want a conference that last only one week, he wants to kill time
The opposition should go,and should accept to meet with the international partners,Asshead will not comply, we need to finish this game and help causing rift between Russia and Asshead,This is the last game they can play, the meeting is doomed to fail because Asshead will not comply.

May 15th, 2013, 2:19 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Mouthpiece Ziad informs us that
٧٥% سيصوتون للأسد في حال اجراء الانتخابات
75% will vote for athad in case an election is held

What a fraud, in dog-poop athad world farm it has to be 99.99% we will not settle for less than that.

May 15th, 2013, 2:23 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

POTUS: PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
POS: PRESIDENT OF SYTRIA (For real presidents like Shukri Quatli), but in lower case
pos: pile of shixt.

No more need for dog-poop athad. It is pos from now on, or should it be poth.

May 15th, 2013, 2:31 pm

 

SANDRO LOEWE said:

Obama, you are the real criminal here. After the mess in Iraq which caused the death of millions of iraquis and thousands of young americans who believed they were fighting for they nation, now that Obama only needs to push the key stone of the mafia-gang style iranian-syrio-russian terrorist dictatorship organization, now that killing Assad could mean the beginning of real changes, so now it comes Israel and Russia to dictate the rules and forbide Obama to do the job.

What a cheat is this Obama ? We are suppossed to cry for the 3or 4 Boston victims while the International Community IGNORES the atrocities of a dictatorship state against their people for two long years… with the active and necessary collaboration of Iran and Russia and the passive responsability of US, EU and ISRAEL?

Î pray for the people of Syria to keep on killing all members of this and next dictatorships until Russia, Iran, US and Israel lose the chessboard in the Middle East.

I know I am dreaming but nobody never ever thought a revoultion could be possible in Syria and it happened.

May 15th, 2013, 2:44 pm

 

habib said:

To Whoeve rposted that “anti-Sunni” Shia video. The guy even insults Hassan Nasrallah, so how mainstream can his views really be?

http://youtu.be/zRbnD-G3uE4

May 15th, 2013, 2:46 pm

 

zoo said:

Qatar has lost 26 countries’ vote in 9 months at the UN assembly from a previous identical resolution it sponsored in August. It got 107 over 178 votes. I doubt they will try a third time.

UN General Assembly approves nonbinding resolution calling for political transition in Syria

http://www.startribune.com/nation/207571951.html

The resolution was adopted Wednesday by a vote of 107 to 12 with 59 abstentions.

The support was far lower than for the assembly’s previous resolution last August denouncing Syria’s crackdown on dissent.

That was approved by an overwhelming vote of 133-12 with 31 abstentions.

May 15th, 2013, 2:48 pm

 

zoo said:

Poor Sandro

After calling for two years for the assassination of Bashar Al Assad, now he calls for the assassination of Obama..

May 15th, 2013, 2:50 pm

 

SANDRO LOEWE said:

ZOO

I should kill them all and eat their hearts with french frites

May 15th, 2013, 2:57 pm

 

zoo said:

#282 Sami

What you wrote is black and white on this blog, you can’t erase it or correct it. You now try to find ridiculous explanations (in bold) to hide you false affirmations.

Insulting me won’t change you blatant dishonesty in misinforming the people who ask a valid question.
No wonder the opposition is failing lamentably, they are all made like you.

May 15th, 2013, 3:03 pm

 

zoo said:

#301 Sandro

Sahteyn… Don’t forget to make a video and post it on Youtube.

May 15th, 2013, 3:05 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

And the guy even insults nus-lira

big deal………, many people have been doing it for months now… including atheists and quite few Shia Muslims.

And since when insulting nus-lira was blasphemous? what is next, حافر will be equated to god.

Will not send a tape, but here is one insult:

Nus-lira is coward pos* a traitor and a seller of his country and a murderer. It is a duty of anyone (including atheists) to insult such a traitor.

Note: Don’t forget nus-lira mini-it Aoun in your daily insults to nus-lira.

*pos: see this comment for definition.

May 15th, 2013, 3:10 pm

 

zoo said:

A third rebuff to Cameron and France about lifting the arms embargo rebels on the 27th may?

http://rinf.com/alt-news/breaking-news/austria-rebuts-uk-push-on-syria/33779/

..the Austrian paper Die Presse reported that lifting the embargo would “constitute a breach of international and EU law” and be contrary to the “principle of non-intervention and non-use of force” laid down in the UN Charter.

If the weapons ended up in the hands of the al-Nusra Front, it would also violate UN Security Council resolutions on al-Qaida, given al-Nusra’s stated affiliation”, the report said.
….
Austrians are believed to be expressing the views of a EU majority that has deep reservations over lifting the embargo and fueling the flames of war in the region.

The present embargo is due to expire on June 1, and the final decision on what to do about will probably taken at an EU foreign ministers meeting on May 27.

May 15th, 2013, 3:10 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Here is one of the billion reasons why d-p pos athad and its goons, including those on this blog deserve to be insulted by every true Syrian.

إسلام أبو شكير

أزعم أنني قارئ جيد. ومع ذلك لا أذكر أنني قرأت عن نظام يمكن أن يقارب هذا النظام في (فجوره) على الأقل.

الوحشية والدموية والإجرام المحترف لها أمثلة كثيرة في الماضي القريب والبعيد.. لكنني أتحدث هنا عن الفجور.. أي عن حالة لا يمكن ضبطها أو تفسيرها بأي معيار من معايير المنطق أو الأخلاق أو حتى السياسة..
أتحدث عن نفسي في حدود ما أعلم على الأقل، وأتمنى أن أجد من يصحح لي إذا كنت مخطئاً: التاريخ لم يعرف نظاماً كهذا النظام يسعى إلى تلويث شعبه بأحط الأساليب وأقذرها ليقنع العالم بضرورة استمراره في الوجود..
السوريون اليوم كما يصورهم النظام مجموعة من الهمج المتحللين أخلاقياً، الذين يبيعون أعراضهم، وذممهم، ويتخلون عن مقدساتهم وتاريخهم.. المهووسين بالجنس والمال.. يقبلون الأقدام من أجل عشر ليرات.. يسلخون جلود ضحاياهم بدم بارد، ويقدمون بناتهم هدايا لأمراء القبائل والمشايخ، وينتظرون على أحر من الجمر سقوط رجل المقاومة والممانعة ليفتحوا حدود بلدهم أمام الإسرائيليين والأمريكان.. شعب لا يؤتمن على شيء، واستعداده للخيانة فطري، ودمويته وتطرفه يدخلان في تكوينه الجيني الموروث..

أعتذر عن هذه الكلمات كلها.. لكن هذه هي صورة السوري بدقة كما أراها في إعلام النظام، وكما يروج لها الناطقون باسمه أصحاب ربطات العنق الأنيقة، والذقون الحليقة، والأحذية الملمعة..

نوع من الفجور غير مسبوق تاريخياً.. وأكاد أشك في إمكانية التغلب عليه بثمن بسيط.. من لديه القدرة على مجاراته في انحداره وتحلله؟.. أيكون أحد أسباب عجزنا حتى الآن عن إسقاط هذا النظام أنه تجاوز حتى الخيال في درجة القذارة والانحطاط وهو يدافع عن نفسه؟..
أظن..

May 15th, 2013, 3:16 pm

 

Dolly Buster said:

298. zoo said:

The resolution was adopted Wednesday by a vote of 107 to 12

 
So, humanity condemns Bashar as a criminal. Interesting, huh?

I wonder who the 12 opposing votes are. Probably beacons of free market such as Venezuela.

May 15th, 2013, 3:22 pm

 

zoo said:

Syria: Civilians (mostly Palestinians) Come Under Fire From Rebels (video)

Sky’s Foreign Affairs Editor Tim Marshall witnesses a crowd of pro-regime demonstrators being shot at by rebels in Damascus.

By Tim Marshall, Foreign Affairs Editor
http://news.sky.com/story/1091428/syria-civilians-come-under-fire-from-rebels

We knew what was coming and so wore flak jackets and helmets. The demonstrators knew what was coming, had no protection, and still walked straight into the line of fire.

The demonstrators were predominantly Syrian Palestinians, many from the Yarmouk district of Damascus who had fled when it was taken over by opposition forces eight months ago.

Some screamed at us: “Please tell the world the truth! We don’t want the fighters here, we want the army to kill them!”

A few carried the portrait of President Assad, others the Syrian or Palestinian flag.

One woman called the Free Syrian Army (FSA) “dogs” and said the men in Yarmouk were not Syrians but from Chechnya and Afghanistan. We could not verify this.

The armed men in Yarmouk had warned the demonstrators not to approach saying they would open fire.

The fact that a few Syrian army soldiers were accompanying the demonstrators made that a certainty.

About 1,000 people were in the demonstration. A few religious leaders and women were in the front rows as they approached where the opposition forces had a clear field of fire.

The shooting began almost immediately. A man went down, followed by others. The army officer who had insisted on escorting us was hit by shrapnel.

May 15th, 2013, 3:35 pm

 

zoo said:

Turkey’s Stubborn Erdogan Is Undone by Obama, Assad

By Fouad Ajami – May 15, 2013

Turkey wanted the Syrian rebellion armed and supported; it wasn’t troubled by the Islamist groups that had taken up arms. Moreover, the Muslim Brotherhood leaders were a known entity — Istanbul is their favored base — and the “Turkish model,” they proclaim, is what they want for Syria after the fall of the dictatorship.

The regime change in Syria that Turkey is committed to is not Washington’s program. Two secretaries of state, first Hillary Clinton, then John Kerry, have petitioned Russia to abandon Assad. At the core of Obama’s Syria policy is an unstated commitment to a negotiated settlement between the Alawite regime and the Sunni rebellion. The Turks know there can be no middle ground between the two.

The Turkish leader who will meet Obama this week is politically weakened; the Arabs he bet on appear in no need of a new Ottoman sultanate. And the American leader he will sit down with has shown a disturbing ability to avert his gaze from the pain and the ordeal of Syria — and from Turkey’s stakes in that conflict.

Read more: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2013/05/15/turkeys_stubborn_erdogan_is_undone_by_obama_assad_118425.html#ixzz2TONg8g52

May 15th, 2013, 3:44 pm

 

Tara said:

Zoo,

If Palestinians truly enjoy similar rights to Syrians, why then most of them live in a refugee camp and have not faired well. Palestinians are smart and cultured in general. Those who immigrated to the US have done well. Why didn’t they do well in Syria. Is it that their rights are only on paper ( like the rest of the Syrian people).

Taking about “paper” rights, an Iranian friend if mine sarcastically told me “and who care about the constitution? It is just a piece of paper.”

May 15th, 2013, 3:46 pm

 

5 dancing shlomos said:

an alawite state is not an idea from the govt of syria.

propagandists in DC fabricate this sort of lunacy for themselves and their lying kind in the media.

michael young?

thought his lungs collapsed under the weight of his propaganda. that he was put into a dumpster to be collected with the other refuse – fouad ajami.

when rats are losing, lying and crying are all they know.

May 15th, 2013, 3:51 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Zoo
107 against 12 ,it means 90% while Asshead got 10%,,you should be ashamed of such result, this infact is the same for syrians, 90% of Syrians will denounce Asshead and he will get 10% only,He would not get 10% if not for his sectarian issue,Jaafery did not say one word about ceasefire, did not mention the real number of Syrians who died at his boss hands, did not mention that he accepts dialogue according to geneva agreement.
Zoo if you are proud of 10% we are proud of 90%

May 15th, 2013, 3:52 pm

 

Sami said:

It is not an insult if what I wrote to describe you is true.

You are such a lying propogandist that really can’t write a single post without twisting and snaking your filth into it.

Prove me wrong liar, show me and everyone else my black and white post that spells out any of your deceitful and lying accusations.

May 15th, 2013, 4:24 pm

 

Wim Roffel said:

I was puzzled by the claim of Joshua that the Alawite population in the Syrian cities is new. What does he want to say with that? That the Alawites have less rights there – as many less informed readers will conclude? Why doesn’t he tell that Alawites weren’t in the cities due to widespread discrimination?

Then there is the claim that Sunni’s would flee too when Assad would win. Here too the article is convoluted and raising strange impressions. The people in the refugee camps in Jordan and Turkey are overwhelmingly Sunni. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t at least as much refugees from other groups. Only – they tend to go to the cities and the coast – and from their point of view Turkey and to a lesser extent Jordan are kind of enemy territory.

In fact there is only one group of Sunni’s that would flee: people who have actively participated in the uprising. That is still a rather large group and it is certainly good to take care of their position in negotiations. But to compare their fate with that of Syria’s minorities who risk being expelled en masse is missing something fundamental.

May 15th, 2013, 5:19 pm

 

zoo said:

#310 Tara

You obviously have never been in a “refugee camp” in Damascus. There are not tents camps or prefab dormitory. There are normal houses mostly inhabited by Palestinians regrouped according to the villages and towns in Palestine they came from. The place appears a normal suburb like many others around Damascus where Syrians live. The name of ‘camp’ stayed from the time they were kicked out by Israel in 1948 and took refuge in Syria.
Next time you go to Damascus, maybe you should visit more places that Mazzeh or Maliki to learn about city that you say you love so much and you know so little.

Palestinians in all the other Arab countries always envied the ones who live in Syria because they were treated respectfully as Arab brothers.
Just check for yourself the way they are treated in Lebanon or Egypt then you can appreciate Syria’s open policy toward Arabs.

May 15th, 2013, 5:34 pm

 

annie said:

Does This Not Outrage You?
Much has been said over the past two days in the world press about a sick video showing an FSA commander tearing the heart out of a dead Hezbullah fighter (sent to murder Syrians) in Qusayr, Homs and then eating it.

The video is vile. The act is vicious. The cannibalism is inexcusable.

However, the ‘outrage’ over this video has been proclaimed by Human Rights Watch to be “the most disgusting atrocity filmed in the Syrian Civil War”. Human Rights Watch is also quoted in dozens of the world’s most widely read newspapers, television programs and news media networks stating the same. The media in general has taken the same attitude, saying that this single video, is the worst thing to have befallen the Syrian Revolution (they incorrectly call it a civil war).

Honestly? This video is the worst you people have seen come out of Syria? If that’s the case, then allow me to educate you for a moment.

Countless keyboard pontificators, armchair generals, faux-leftists and of course, Assad’s supporters have pounced on this video, waved it like a flag in the wind, and declared that every Syrian who is not on Assad’s side of the massacre (again, not civil war) is a ‘dirty cannibal terrorist’. And yes, they apply that label to babies, children, women, the elderly and the 90,000+ martyrs that Assad’s forces have killed since March 2011.

Where was your outrage, dear fellow humans, when all of the videos below were released? I categorized (that’s how many there are now) them for you below. Can you watch them? Can you bear it? Can you stand it? Or will you look away? Toss our martyrs aside and forget us, or even worse, tell us that our 90,000 dead are all the result of ‘terrorists’ and/or the most elaborate ‘hoax’ of all time. Which is what the Assad regime has said since the first protesters took to the streets in Daraa on March 15th, 2011.

The videos below represent a tiny fraction of the entire body of videos released from Syria and represent a much smaller fraction of what actually happens across the country that is not recorded. I can say, with full, and disgusting, confidence that the Syrian Revolution, turned massacre, is the largest ever mass murder of the Information Age, where there is literally hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of videos to attest to that fact, many of them recorded and released in near real-time.

You can continue your outrage over the video of a cannibal ripping the heart out of a terrorist sent to fight on behalf of a sectarian warlord with the sole aim of empowering a dictator so that he may resume his reign of terror on the people of my country. However, you have no right to label it the ‘most disgusting atrocity’. No right whatsoever.

*These videos are by no means all or even the worst to have emerged from Syria. They are a sample that I have been able to find in the last 2 hours.

LEAKED VIDEOS OF ASSAD’S FORCES TORTURING AND EXECUTING CIVILIANS AND FSA: It is worth it to note that of the few videos posted below, Assad’s regime has not even gone as far as to acknowledge their very existence (of the videos), much less hold those in the videos accountable (since the regime is the one ordering such atrocities). It is also worthy to note that most major crimes by the FSA have been acknowledged and admitted. Even though the FSA is not a formal organization, nor does it have any type of structure or tangible line of command. The FSA even published a statement about the cannibal video here(in my next post). Something Assad never has, or ever will do.

Assad’s forces torture and execute a group of men. Very difficult to watch

and there follows a gallery of horrors which you may watch here :
http://www.therevoltingsyrian.com/post/50495350134/does-this-not-outrage-you

May 15th, 2013, 5:48 pm

 

zoo said:

Sami

If you did not realize that you lied about the Palestinians who, according to you, cannot own a house, work or live in a place of their choice, then I won’t waste my time with you. You are hopelessly dishonest.
By the way treating someone of ‘filthy’ is an insult. If you don’t know that then it says a lot about you.

These are the lies you write out of ignorance and intended dishonesty.

“Personally I always found the fact that they had to live in moukhayamat rather than anywhere they wanted as a sign of intolerance.”

“Buying a house where ever you want is not a right a Palestinian could have in Syria, even working where ever they want is not a right they have.”

Go on spit your demeaning insults if it makes you feel good. For me you are nothing worth noticing.

May 15th, 2013, 5:49 pm

 

annie said:

هيئة الأركان العامة للقوى العسكرية والثورية السورية – FSA General Staff

The General Staff of the Free Syrian Army 15 / 05 / 2013

Statement:

recently footage has been relayed over social media networks showing a man who claims that he is a member of the Free Syrian Army during which he commits a monstrous act in cutting a dead soldiers heart out and portraying to eat it. The man in the footage also claims that the dead soldier is in fact a soldier from the Syrian Army forces and that this in particular soldier is responsible for crimes committed against civilians.
The General Staff of the Free Syrian Army Revolutionary and Military forces feel their urge to strongly emphasize and assure all, that we are the holders of a noble cause, a cause that calls for liberty and freedom and the rule of law for all of the people of Syria whoever they maybe and whatever their religious or ethnic description. We hereby state that any act contrary to the values that the Syrian people have paid their blood and lost their homes to will not be tolerated, the abuser will be punished severely even if they are associated with the Free Syrian Army therefore The Leadership of the General Staff of the FSA have sent out instructions to the field commanders to begin a prompt investigation into the matter in which the perpetrator will be brought to justice or will face detention hence a fair trial in which we seek to establish if the accused is in fact a member of the Free Syrian Army or not.

We urge our fellow citizens to forward their complaints of any offense committed by any individuals or groups that claim or appear to be in the Free Syrian Army or the opposition fighting forces, the complaints must be forwarded to the field commanders or to the FSA Leadership.
We also commend the efforts of any citizen journalist who contributes to exposing such acts as this is a contribution to our cause.

May 15th, 2013, 5:50 pm

 

annie said:

هيئة الأركان العامة للقوى العسكرية والثورية السورية – FSA General Staff

The General Staff of the Free Syrian Army 15 / 05 / 2013

Statement:

recently footage has been relayed over social media networks showing a man who claims that he is a member of the Free Syrian Army during which he commits a monstrous act in cutting a dead soldiers heart out and portraying to eat it. The man in the footage also claims that the dead soldier is in fact a soldier from the Syrian Army forces and that this in particular soldier is responsible for crimes committed against civilians.
The General Staff of the Free Syrian Army Revolutionary and Military forces feel their urge to strongly emphasize and assure all, that we are the holders of a noble cause, a cause that calls for liberty and freedom and the rule of law for all of the people of Syria whoever they maybe and whatever their religious or ethnic description. We hereby state that any act contrary to the values that the Syrian people have paid their blood and lost their homes to will not be tolerated, the abuser will be punished severely even if they are associated with the Free Syrian Army therefore The Leadership of the General Staff of the FSA have sent out instructions to the field commanders to begin a prompt investigation into the matter in which the perpetrator will be brought to justice or will face detention hence a fair trial in which we seek to establish if the accused is in fact a member of the Free Syrian Army or not.

We urge our fellow citizens to forward their complaints of any offence committed by any individuals or groups that claim or appear to be in the Free Syrian Army or the opposition fighting forces, the complaints must be forwarded to the field commanders or to the FSA Leadership.
We also commend the efforts of any citizen journalist who contributes to exposing such acts as this is a contribution to our cause.

May 15th, 2013, 5:51 pm

 

zoo said:

#312 Majed

Yes, be proud of Qatar. The draft was designed by Qatar “UN experts” to sneakily bind together in one single resolution some acceptable propositions, like the political transition with unacceptable ones like ‘wide recognition of the SNC’.
This is why there 59 abstentions…
In any case these UN assembly resolution are not binding, they are just some bones for the Qatari dogs to calm their rage of failing to remove Bashar Al Assad after 2 years and billions of dollars.

May 15th, 2013, 6:02 pm

 

zoo said:

UN General Assembly approves Syria resolution

http://news.ca.msn.com/world/un-general-assembly-approves-syria-resolution-1

The U.N. General Assembly approved an Arab-backed resolution Wednesday calling for a political transition in Syria, but more than 70 countries refused to vote “yes” because of its support for the main opposition group and fears the resolution could torpedo a new U.S.-Russia effort to end the escalating conflict.

The United States signed on as a co-sponsor of the resolution, saying it would promote a political solution. But key Syrian ally Russia urged a “no” vote, saying it was “counterproductive and irresponsible” to promote a one-sided resolution when Moscow and Washington are trying to get the Syrian government and opposition to agree to negotiations.

The resolution, which is not legally binding though it can carry moral weight, was approved by a vote of 107-12 with 59 abstentions.

It welcomes the establishment of the Syrian National Coalition, the main opposition group, “as effective interlocutors needed for a political transition” and notes “wide international acknowledgment” that the group is the legitimate representative of the Syrian people. It also strongly condemns President Bashar Assad’s regime for its escalating use of heavy weapons and “gross violations” of human rights.
The Arab group decided to seek approval of a wide-ranging resolution on Syria in the General Assembly, where there are no vetoes, to reflect international dismay at the increasing death toll, now more than 70,000, and the failure to end the more than two-year-old conflict.

Unlike Security Council resolutions, which are legally binding, General Assembly resolutions cannot be enforced.

May 15th, 2013, 6:12 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Zoo you sound extremely mad,think about it, over 150000 dead because of Asshead,then we see Qatar helping us, we should apreciate the good deed of Qatar, and we should be proud of such great Amir,and we should be disgusted with your Idol the murderer , anything that help defeat this monster Asshead is good,you are happy with 10 % we are happier with90%, you are probably tearing your clothes apart, pulling your hair,taking pills and pills of valium,breaking dishes , kicking your coach,pumping your head against the wall.
That is O.K. you are entitled to all of that,you need rest, a good night sleep, when you wake up (if you don’t see nightmares ) remember not to turn on to SC,or read Aljazeera, it is bad for your health.

May 15th, 2013, 6:25 pm

 

Tara said:

Zoo,

You give the regime the credit for hosting Palestinians. Read your own earlier post. The law integrating the Palestinians into Syria pre dated Assads and Ba’ath rule. Did I read the dates wrong?

I left Syria at 21. It was not typical for a 19 yo to walk around different neighborhoods in the city yo get to know them. There was nothing of interest to me at age 19 visiting Zainab’s shrine or the Harami market . Sorry I do not meet your standards..

May 15th, 2013, 6:29 pm

 

revenire said:

Annie there is no “however” about Nusra. You don’t go “yeah. that is bad BUT” with us. You support terrorism. It is that simple.

May 15th, 2013, 6:39 pm

 

revenire said:

Tara are you even aware that is was your Zionist allies that drove the Palestinians off their land? Your obsession – Bashar – was born in 1965. You can hardly blame Assad for the Palestinians being guests in Syria. Or maybe in your twisted mind you can blame him. I don’t know.

May 15th, 2013, 7:01 pm

 

Tara said:

Reve,

The criminality of Assad killing his own people is not matched by any entity in the history of the world including Israel so you know.

May 15th, 2013, 7:12 pm

 

ziad said:

The Most Famous American Journalist Exposes the Zionist Conspiracy

May 15th, 2013, 7:30 pm

 

revenire said:

Really Tara? As usual your obsession gets in the way of rational thought. Here is a list of World War II casualties:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_casualties

China and Russia lost over 50,000,000 people.

I realize no matter the crime you would say “yes BUT Bashar” because he is all you care about except he isn’t going anyplace so save yourself some stress sister and get a new obsession.

Try shoes.

May 15th, 2013, 7:50 pm

 

Dawoud said:

327. MAJEDKHALDOUN

أخ ماجد: متى سمعنا هذا الشكر والمديح

شكرا قطر
شكرا قطر

شكرا قطر
شكرا قطر
شكرا للامير الطيب

May 15th, 2013, 8:26 pm

 

Dawoud said:

Syrian dictator’s military army and prison attacked by FSA, and UN condemns the dictator:

May 15th, 2013, 8:30 pm

 

revenire said:

I bet the rats are running out of men who are willing to eat livers and will find a few in a prison.

May 15th, 2013, 8:33 pm

 

Syrialover said:

TARA, yet again we see REVENIRE doesn’t read what others write before automatically screeching into print to drown out others.

You clearly stated that the Assad regime stands alone for killing its own people. The acts of a state on that scale against its own population has little precedent in history.

But Revenire counters that with stats on people who died on the WWII battlefield at the hands of enemies and civilians who died under enemy bombing or in war-induced catastrophies

He very lazy.

May 15th, 2013, 8:36 pm

 

zoo said:

Tara

If you lived such a short time in Syria and in a protected and ‘connected family, it is clear that you only speak for your class and the expats.

May 15th, 2013, 8:36 pm

 

Dawoud said:

Assad and his RATS tortured the 14-year-old boy/martyr from Der’ah and cut his penis. Why are the pervert al-Assad and his filthy pervert security forces obsessed with torturing a teenager’s penis? Shame on them, and shame on you for defending them!

Free Syria, Free Palestine!

May 15th, 2013, 8:38 pm

 

revenire said:

Tara’s “class” is the one booted out of Syria for treason. Yes, she speaks well for that class. You are correct sir.

May 15th, 2013, 8:38 pm

 

revenire said:

Dave if I remember the father thanked Assad.

Now Dave where is your 95% of Palestinians support the Zionist attack on Syria poll?You sort of went dead silent when I asked but not so fast brother. It is easy to post a link to this poll or doesn’t it exist? Did you lie?

May 15th, 2013, 8:41 pm

 

revenire said:

Syrialover Assad hasn’t killed his own people – that is nonsense. He is protecting his people.

He will easily be reelected.

Cheer up.

May 15th, 2013, 8:42 pm

 

Syrialover said:

The hysterical reaction to the desecration of a combatant corpse is mild and fleeting in my mind compared to the shocking image early on in the conflict of a frail elderly man, a respected village schoolteacher with a large family, on the ground being kicked to death by a group of laughing soldiers proudly wearing the SAA uniform and filming the event.

Incidentally, that was in a documentary back then that Asma Assad’s creepy daddy in the UK was emailing his son in law Bashar to dismiss and deny.

It was before Bashar turned the heavy weaponry and air strikes on the people of Syria, sponsored massacres and started destroying the towns and cities. Kicking old guys to death was just warm-up childs play for a “big man” like Bashar.

May 15th, 2013, 8:47 pm

 

Dawoud said:

الى جنه الخلود للشهيد الطفل حمزه الخطيب. الله يجازي بشار اللي قتله وجرجر والده الى دمشق رغم مصيبته في كبده لمقابله قاتله الملعون بشار

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2011/05/201153185927813389.html
Tortured and killed: Hamza al-Khateeb, age 13
The mutilation and death in custody of a 13-year-old child has sparked further furious protests in Syrian city of Daraa.
Hugh Macleod and Annasofie Flamand Last Modified: 31 May 2011 12:11

[..]
‘A crime against humanity’

Hamza’s father, Ali al-Khateeb, wanted to press charges against the army and security forces, said Hamza’s cousin. Instead, Ali and his wife were visited by the secret police and threatened.

“They said: ‘Enough of what has happened because of you already. You know what would happen if we heard you had spoken to the media,'” said Hamza’s mother, clearly terrified as she spoke to the local activist, refusing to give further details on the circumstances of her son’s arrest or death.
[…]

May 15th, 2013, 8:48 pm

 

revenire said:

Dave here are some Palestinians trying to get back into Yarkmouk the FSA shot at. The Palestinians hate the FSA. This is my answer to your lies about a poll Dave the Zionist supporter.

“FSA does the work of Israel, making Arabs refugees and don’t allow Syrians to go back to their homes. These FSA terrorists are called the “sole representatives of Syrian people” by Western governments, and they are not even Syrian. What more proof does anybody need that these terrorists are not ‘freedom fighters’ or even calling for democracy. They are guns for hire for the Zionist cabal and fat Gulf Arabs.”

May 15th, 2013, 8:48 pm

 

Dawoud said:

شكرا قطر
شكرا قطر

شكرا قطر
شكرا قطر
شكرا للامير الطيب

The non-gracious Hasan Nasrass حسن نصر الشيطان is now dissing Qatar. Qatar should have sent its billions somewhere else:

May 15th, 2013, 8:58 pm

 

Syrialover said:

REVENIRE wrote of Bashar Assad:

“He will easily be reelected.”

Quit your silly giggling, go wash your grimy face, get some sleep and dream up the imaginary time Bashar was ever once elected, let alone reelected.

May 15th, 2013, 8:58 pm

 

Dawoud said:

قطر
شكرا قطر

شكرا قطر
شكرا قطر
شكرا للامير الطيب

“لبنان انتصر, شكرا قطر”

The non-gracious Hasan Nasrass حسن نصر الشيطان is now dissing Qatar. Qatar should have sent its billions somewhere else:

May 15th, 2013, 9:02 pm

 

Syrialover said:

It doesn’t take much to see the opposition as moral GIANTS and models of civilization and dignity compared with the vicious primitivism of the Assad regime.

First, we have the FSA and opposition stating their intention to investigate and punish any in their midst who are committing war crimes (http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/syria-rebels-vow-to-punish-atrocities-after-video-outrage.

The Assad regime in 42 years has never done that. On the contrary, it officially encourages and rewards those willing to do the dirtiest, cruellest and most extreme acts against civilians.

AND

Second, we have opposition fighters seeking to learn the international laws of warfare and how to avoid committing war crimes (code of conduct with prisoners, avoiding harm to civilians etc).

Again, the Syrian regime teaches and orders the complete opposite behaviour. Insisting that all people in Syrian military and security services behave as criminal thugs who would face prosecution in the rest of the world. The Assads only employ killers, not fighters.

Article: “Teaching The Rules Of War In Syria’s Vicious Conflict”

Excerpts:

A Swiss-based group, Geneva Call, is hoping that a course in international humanitarian law can mitigate some of the offenses.

A recent workshop in Gaziantep, in southern Turkey, introduced Syrian opposition fighters to the international laws of warfare.
Osama Abu Zaid, a Syrian activist, organized the workshop on behalf of Geneva Call.

“They are hungry and eager for knowledge,” Zaid says of the rebels, whose ranks include government military officers who defected.

“They now realize they have done some things wrong,” he says.

“Fighters Not Killers” is the name of the two-day course that focuses on 15 principles of the Geneva Conventions that codify the rules of war.

The participants work on case studies that encourage them to link classroom exercise to their experiences in the Syrian civil war.

“They are learning the rules,” Zaid says as small groups go through the exercises. “For example, when the enemy is surrounded, they don’t have the right to shoot him, but must arrest him.”

Zakaria Haj Hussein is a police officer from Latakia who defected and joined the rebels.

“We came here to know international law and not to make the mistake of a war crime,” he says.

Hussein says he never had this training in Syria. As a policeman, he explains, the law says that officers are to protect civilians. But Syrian officials made clear, he says, that “we could do whatever we wanted” when it came to arrests.

The trainer, a specialist in international law has conducted workshops in other conflict zones and says “the knowledge” can make a difference.

“There is an impact on the ground. You see public statements change. You see the types of weapons change,” he says.

He knows the training has changed attitudes on the battlefield when he gets complaints from commanders who say that when the orders come to launch a rocket, “his men want to know, where?”

And when combatants start to carry maps and buy GPS devices to make sure they are hitting enemy soldiers not civilians, he knows the training has taken hold.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/14/183964565/teaching-the-rules-of-war-in-syrias-vicious-conflict

May 15th, 2013, 9:08 pm

 

zoo said:

#328 Tara

There is no point arguing with you. You always come out with far fetched arguments that do not stand scrutinity.
I am not going to waste my time trying to show you the complexity of the reality while you prefer to stay in your fairy tale of ‘evil’ vs ‘good’.

I guess I lost patience.

May 15th, 2013, 9:09 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

I expect that Qatar and KSA(thanks to them) will arm the opposition in Iraq to Maliki,Turkey will do too,The conflict in Iraq will force Obama to interfere

May 15th, 2013, 9:12 pm

 

Dawoud said:

Sister Tara:

Thanks sister Tara for making the pro-dictator folks lose patience and declare their intellectual bankruptcy. Defending a murderous dictator is really a tough job, and I don’t blame them for losing patience. One pro-dictator is still believing that the father of the martyr Hamza al-Khateeb spoke to the media in accordance with his free will!

May 15th, 2013, 9:13 pm

 
 

Dawoud said:

351. MAJEDKHALDOUN

Free Syria will promote freedom in both Iraq and Palestine!

May 15th, 2013, 9:19 pm

 

zoo said:

Opening a front on the Golan will be a magnet for Al Qaeda and all Islamists extremist fighters: The chance of their life to fight against Israel. It sounds like a excellent opportunity to liberate the Golan with the help of Al Qaeda

http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Assad-agreed-Hezbollah-may-fight-Israel-from-Golan-313206

Report: Iran persuaded Syria to open a “new front” in the Golan for all Arabs and Muslims wanting to fight Israel.

Iran persuaded Syrian President Bashar Assad to allow Hezbollah to open a new front from which to attack Israel in the Golan Heights, Israel Radio reported Wednesday citing a report by the pan-Arab newspaper Al-Hayat.

According the report, an Iranian source told the newspaper that Tehran is determined to prevent the fall of Assad’s regime in Damascus, because the Syrian president has been convinced to open the Golan to all Arabs and Muslim wanting to fight Israel.

The report follows similar claims last week that following alleged Israeli air strikes near Damascus, Syrian authorities considered allowing Palestinian armed groups to launch attacks against Israel across the Golan Heights border, as reported by Syrian daily Al Watan.

May 15th, 2013, 9:24 pm

 

Tara said:

Zoo

“If you lived such a short time in Syria and in a protected and ‘connected family, it is clear that you only speak for your class and the expats.”

Knowing how much this Tara abhors the regime, can you even start to imagine how the 90% of the Syrians who lived longer and in a non-protected, non- connected environment feels about the regime?

May 15th, 2013, 9:26 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

The Assadists cut and run from the Golan, knowing that there’s no reason to hold it anymore.

It’s part of their pattern of retreat. What’s the point of calling it a government if it controls less than 1/3 of the country?

May 15th, 2013, 9:31 pm

 

Syrialover said:

Wow. Everything that needs to be said about how the Assads have been running Syria is in this simple statement from an ex-employee of the state, now doing training in normal Geneva convention codes of conduct:

Quote:

Zakaria Haj Hussein is a police officer from Latakia who defected and joined the rebels.

“We came here to know international law and not to make the mistake of a war crime,” he says.

Hussein says he never had this training in Syria. As a policeman, he explains, the law says that officers are to protect civilians. But Syrian officials made clear, he says, that “we could do whatever we wanted” when it came to arrests.

(Source – story I excerpted above: http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/14/183964565/teaching-the-rules-of-war-in-syrias-vicious-conflict)

COMMENT: Hang on to that one for the school textbooks when Syria has a legitimate government

May 15th, 2013, 9:32 pm

 

zoo said:

Shias are more dangerous than naked women: Salafist MPs

By Searher about truth:
Is Sunni Relegion so weak that a visitor whoever they are will change their beliefs? Strange!! Then we should have another thought and reading to see what’s the source of this fear!

http://english.ahram.org.eg/UI/Front/YouSaidInner.aspx

May 15th, 2013, 9:34 pm

 

Tara said:

Zoo,

You lost the argument too. The law in regard to the Palestinians pre-dated the Assads. Sorry but you can’t simply give al Ba’ath any credit.

I have not initiated this conversation. You did. And the feeling is quite mutual.

May 15th, 2013, 9:36 pm

 

revenire said:

Dave the link to the poll doesn’t exist because the poll doesn’t exist.

May 15th, 2013, 9:42 pm

 

revenire said:

Turkish students condemn government’s Syria policy

Hundreds of university students protesting the Turkish government’s stance on the ongoing crisis in Syria have clashed with police in the capital Ankara.

Turkish police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters who were marching towards the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.

The demonstrators censured Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s policies of funding and supporting the foreign-backed militants operating inside the Arab country.

According to human rights advocacy group, Bianet, about 30 students were arrested and at least two students were injured in the clashes.

The protest comes days after two explosions hit the Turkish town of Reyhanli near the border with Syria, killing more than 40 people.

On May 13, protesters took to the streets in the southern city to condemn the violence which they blamed on Erdogan for his support of armed militants in Syria.

A similar demonstration was held in Ankara on May 11, in which dozens of people marched in the streets and chanted slogans criticizing Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Turkey has been one of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s harshest critics and has supported the foreign-backed militants fighting to topple his government.

Turkish opposition parties have censured the Turkish government for its intervention in Syria’s internal affairs.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/05/15/303718/students-slam-turkeys-syria-stance/

May 15th, 2013, 9:47 pm

 

zoo said:

The happy life of the Al Raqqah inhabitants. No wonder Mrs Hitto refused to settle there

May 15th, 2013, 9:49 pm

 

revenire said:

SL that NPR piece is pretty funny. Thanks for the laugh.

May 15th, 2013, 9:50 pm

 

revenire said:

I note the dress of those terrorist swine in Raqqah – that isn’t how Syrian men dress. They are foreigners.

May 15th, 2013, 9:51 pm

 

Tara said:

Reve

The majority of the Turks support Erdogan. The few hundreds students are probably Alawis from Hatay. They are against his policy in Syria for the obvious sectarian kinship, please do not fool yourself.

May 15th, 2013, 9:54 pm

 

revenire said:

Tara Erdogan is hated in Turkey.

May 15th, 2013, 9:58 pm

 

revenire said:

HNN Homs News Network
13 minutes ago
DR ARRESTED IN IDLEB MAKING DEAD TERRORISTS LOOK LIKE “ANGELIC MARTYRS” TO RECRUIT MORE FIGHTERS IN ADVERTISEMENTS !! ..

A Forensic Doctor that was arrested in a Village of Idleb, has confessed to Authorities that his job was to process dead fighters by changing their appearance, making them smile and appear as blessed martyrs, so they can be photographed and the images published online to incite future fighters for recruitment into coming to Syria …

THEY EVEN HAVE TO FAKE THEIR MARTYRS !! A FAKE REVOLUTION CAN ONLY RESULT IN A FAKE EVERYTHING ..

IDIOTS … – J

May 15th, 2013, 10:07 pm

 

mjabali said:

The video of the Nusra executing the three men is disturbing. I also saw today another Nusra video with a man executing around 12 men. It was obvious that he is not a Syrian, as well as most of those is slippers in al-Raqqa video.

They used to call al-Assad Army that Abu Slippers Army, now I see we went from the rule of one slipper to the other.

النصره ابو شحاطة…ههههه شو هالمسخرة ياه…

May 15th, 2013, 10:11 pm

 

zoo said:

India abstains from voting on Syria resolution in UNGA

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-abstains-from-voting-on-Syria-resolution-in-UNGA/articleshow/20079556.cms

“Whether a group, any group, is the legitimate representative of the Syrian people or not can only be determined by the Syrian people, not this assembly,” Mukerji stressed.

“Therefore certain provisions of this resolution can be interpreted as effecting regime change by sleight of hand. This is a dangerous precedent which we cannot acquiesce in.

“We would once again reiterate our position that the leadership of Syria is a matter for Syrians to decide themselves,” said the Indian ambassador.

“Since the beginning of the crisis in Syria, India has consistently called on all parties to abjure violence, dissociate themselves from terrorist groups, and pursue a peaceful and inclusive political process to address the grievances of all sections of Syrian society.

May 15th, 2013, 10:11 pm

 

dawoud said:

Unsurprising!

http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/05/01/widespread-middle-east-fears-that-syrian-violence-will-spread/

Assad Highly Unpopular

There is little public backing for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad from the mostly Sunni Arab publics in the Middle East. Only the Shia in Lebanon (91%) have a favorable view of him. (Assad comes from a family of Alawites, a branch of Shia Islam.)

Roughly nine-in-ten Lebanese Sunnis (92%), Israelis (91%) and Jordanians (90%) have a negative view of the Syrian leader, as do eight-in-ten Egyptians (81%) and Tunisians (81%) and seven-in-ten Turks (72%). Even the Christians in Lebanon (63%) oppose Assad, despite the relative protection the Assad family has given the Christian community in Syria over the years.

The intensification of the conflict in Syria in the last year has not altered regional views of Assad. He was not liked in 2012 and he is not liked today.

May 15th, 2013, 10:12 pm

 

zoo said:

Erdgogan wants to get rid of the Syrian refugees by sending them in foreign countries. Why not ask allies Qatar or KSA to host them?

Turkey looks for international aid, and countries to host refugees, in Syrian crisis

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/turkey-looks-for-international-aid-and-countries-to-host-refugees-in-syrian-crisis/2013/05/15/02c92392-bcb5-11e2-97d4-a479289a31f9_story.html

YAYLADAGI, Turkey — Facing one of the world’s largest refugee crises in decades, Turkish officials are urgently appealing for international financial assistance and calling on wealthy nations, particularly the United States and the countries of Europe, to start accepting large numbers of Syrian refugees.

The stance marks a shift for the Turkish government, which had long insisted that Ankara would manage and pay for the refu­gee crisis on its own as a matter of national pride. But with the cost to Turkey hitting $1.5 billion, an estimated 400,000 refugees in the country and a total of 1 million expected by the end of the year, pressure is building. Turkey is even willing to organize an airlift, Ankara officials said, but no country seems eager to receive the refugees.

“The international community should not only provide assistance to foot the bill, but they need to step up and open their countries to these refugees,” said Levent Gumrukcu, a Foreign Ministry spokesman. “They have utterly failed the test of providing an effective response.”

May 15th, 2013, 10:15 pm

 

dawoud said:

https://www.facebook.com/AtlqwSrahAlswrytAljryytRymaAldaly

شباب فلسطين من اجل سوريا الجريحة

May 15th, 2013, 10:16 pm

 

Tara said:

Reve@ 368

Please inform us how can one process a dead fighter and makes him “smile” and appears blessed?

May 15th, 2013, 10:18 pm

 

Syrialover said:

REVENIRE #364

But you think every single thing about the situation in Syria is hilariously funny!

You sit here around the clock making joke over-the-top comments, posting video nasties and giggling at your own naughtiness.

Obviously you feel extremely safe and remote from it, with no commitments in Syria or fear of being affected by events.

Interesting.

May 15th, 2013, 10:20 pm

 

zoo said:

“Obama spokesman accuses Republicans of leaking falsified Benghazi e-mail…”

Funny, it’s happening also in a “democracy”…

May 15th, 2013, 10:22 pm

 

Observer said:

TARA

There is no such thing as the ” complexity of the reality ” in Syria. There is a butcher mafia rule and the people are revolting against it. The mafia took hostage the sect to protect itself and now he who sows the wind harvests the storm.

Cheers

May 15th, 2013, 10:23 pm

 

zoo said:

Russia, U.S. plot peace talks for Syria

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2013/0515/Russia-U.S.-plot-peace-talks-for-Syria?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+feeds%2Fworld+%28Christian+Science+Monitor+|+World%29

The United States and Russia are ‘finding this common ground’ on the conflict in Syria, said U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. The two countries are now preparing for a peace conference in Geneva in June, which Syria is expected to attend.

May 15th, 2013, 10:31 pm

 

dawoud said:

377. OBSERVER

Excellent comment!

May 15th, 2013, 10:35 pm

 

zoo said:

Puzzling.. What’s happening to the SNC?

Syrian opposition not to attend Friends of Syria meeting in Jordan: minister
(Xinhua)
08:45, May 16, 2013

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90777/8245909.html

AMMAN, May 15 (Xinhua) — Jordan’s Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad al-Momani said Wednesday the Syrian opposition will not take part in the meeting of “Friends of Syria” group in Jordan, slated for next week.

Speaking at a press conference held here in Amman, the minister said “I have information that the Syrian opposition will not send representative to take part in the next week’s meeting.”

Al-Momani also underlined his country’s stance calling for bringing a political solution to the Syrian crisis.

On Tuesday, Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sabah Rafii said the “Friends of Syria” group will hold a meeting in Amman next week.

The meeting is expected to discuss the recent U.S.-Russian efforts to revive political options for solving the Syrian crisis, with the focus on coordinating efforts in light of the latest developments in Syria.

Foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, the United States, Britain, France, Turkey, Germany and Italy are set to attend the meeting, she said.

May 15th, 2013, 10:36 pm

 

dawoud said:

http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/05/01/widespread-middle-east-fears-that-syrian-violence-will-spread/

Assad Highly Unpopular

There is little public backing for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad from the mostly Sunni Arab publics in the Middle East. Only the Shia in Lebanon (91%) have a favorable view of him. (Assad comes from a family of Alawites, a branch of Shia Islam.)
[…]

May 15th, 2013, 10:51 pm

 

dawoud said:

بس شيعه لبنان يؤيدوا مجرم سوريا الاسد
شيعه لبنان نسبتهم فقط
0.05% من سكان العالم العربي
ولكن نسبتهم هون على
“Syria Comment”
60%
امبين انو حسن نصر الشيطان طلب من عبيده ان يؤدوا واجبهم “الجهادي” على هذا الموقع
اي يضرب هو وبشار
🙂

May 15th, 2013, 10:57 pm

 

dawoud said:

I forgot:

Thanks Qatar!

“لبنان انتصر, شكرا قطر”

شكرا قطر

Thanks Qatar!

May 15th, 2013, 11:03 pm

 

Ameera said:

انا عايزة اتكلم مصري يعني معئل كدا مافيش حد من مصر هنا خالص

May 15th, 2013, 11:03 pm

 

Syrialover said:

It’s intriguing to imagine how sleazy Bashar Jaafari, Syria’s non-legitimate representative at the UN, sees himself and his future.

He would be an object of morbid curiosity at the UN. People must stare at the man promoting the regime whose actions have enraged, shocked and sickened the world.

A strong bad smell would surround him.

Everyone questions the sanity of the man playing a bizarre game, with his “employers” no longer recognized by any western or Arab governments. A man without shame or conscience or grip on reality.

Of course Mr Jaafari fancies himself as a very cool, westernized and sophisticated dude, a superior, cultured and highly educated Arab gentleman.

It’s pathetic and actually very funny.

May 15th, 2013, 11:45 pm

 

Sami said:

Zoo,

“If you did not realize that you lied about the Palestinians who, according to you, cannot own a house, work or live in a place of their choice”

Then why are there Moukhayamat that house Palestinians if they can live where ever they want?

Have you ever been to a moukhayam? Yes it is not living in squalor, but it is definitely no Malki or Abu Rummaneh…

How may Palestinians are there in government jobs, and what equal opportunity is there provided in the job market for Palestinians?

And btw as Syrians we can’t live where ever we like nor work where ever we like, so how in hell do Palestinians living in Syria have more rights than we do?

“By the way treating someone of ‘filthy’ is an insult. If you don’t know that then it says a lot about you.”

Then stop adoring the filth that has massacred more Syrians than anyone else in modern History and you won’t be called that. Continue to write your adulation for a mass murderer then a simple adjective as filth is wholly inadequate to describe the bone chilling, unabashed adulation for a genocidal maniac that you keep spewing.

And for your information had I been ignorant about something (which was not the case here) and shared an opinion on it, it does not constitute as a lie. In order to lie you need intent, such as your continuous intent to paint the massacres committed by your god as nothing but “cleanup and disinfection”, or your filthy lie that I support Nusra or that the revolution has displaced Syrians when in fact it is your filthy god that has.

“For me you are nothing worth noticing.”

Then why did you read my post to Tara and felt the urge to post and interact with me?

May 15th, 2013, 11:57 pm

 

sf94123 said:

It will be over soon. Bedouins were told to watch camel racing. Turkey to seal its border with Syria and for Jordan to follow suit. Destroyers, throat-cutters and jihadists were given a taste of their own medicine.

May 16th, 2013, 12:30 am

 

revenire said:

Sami you’re blowing smoke online. The SAA is mopping the floor with the scum who dared to disrespect Assad.

May 16th, 2013, 1:29 am

 

Badr said:

A reminder from a previous post:

Hilleary: What about Russia? Has it expressed any interest in support for a separate Alawite region? I mean, if you look at it geographically, Iran and Russia could certainly access them from the Mediterranean and support them for a while. Could they pull it off?

Landis: Absolutely. But it all depends on continuing support. If Russia and Iran continue to support the Alawites along the coast, and the Arabs remain very divided and perhaps settle into civil war, well then they could pull it off, the same way the Kurds pulled it off in Iraq. Unlike the Kurds, the Alawites would not have oil, which puts them at a grave disadvantage. Also, the Syrian Arabs are not going to let the Alawites take the coast if they can possibly avoid it. The coast is prime real-estate and Latakia is very vulnerable from the north. It is likely to become a battle ground as the war advances.

Hilleary: Well, the survival of an Alawite enclave is another question—

Landis: It will only happen over the dead bodies of the Sunni Arabs. Obviously, it’s not something that any Syrian Sunni Arab is going to want. It’s going to have to be taken from them. And whether the Alawites, in the long run, can manage, that is questionable. But so much of that depends on whether Sunni Arabs can unify. If they can, they will overpower the Alawites, who just don’t have the numbers.

May 16th, 2013, 2:24 am

 

Hanzala said:

A large part of Daraa city is controlled by the FSA, this is Daraa el Balad which is the old city. It is in FSA hands after Assad roaches were driven out.

May 16th, 2013, 3:52 am

 

Hanzala said:

الله اكبر

This is how Nusra deals with Assad animals, I like their style.

ابطال ابطال ابطال ابطال ابطال

May 16th, 2013, 4:07 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

With Friends like that, who needs enemies

pos athad and its sniffers on syria comment should take special pride in their most staunch supporter in Turkey. When Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of Republican People’s Party of Turkey, and the most outspoken supporter (and visitor) of pos athad wanted to take a shot at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, he equated his arch-enemy with pos athad . Way to go cockroaches, your friend is describing his enemy as being as bad as the pos you have been sniffing with addoration.

May 16th, 2013, 6:39 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Mixed Grill

292. majedkhaldoun said:

Annie and juergen, both are admirable,good people,we are lucky to have them in this blog

I agree. There are a lot of good, freedom-loving people on this blog and that is encouraging. Of course, anyone who wants freedom is a ZIONIST, so I’m glad our paltry numbers are increasing!

Akbar Palace
jewish were minorities,why are they majority now?

Jews were the MAJORITY in Jerusalem until they were displaced, very much like the Palestinians. The Jewish/arab population 2 years after statehood was about 50/50 and it remains at about 50/50 today.

if palastinians return to their homeland ,jewish will be minority again,there are over 12 million palastinians in diaspora.

Yes, and if Jews return to our homeland it will be about 13-14 million. So we beat you by 1 million!

Point being, we have to share the land and end the conflict.

I am from Damascus,and I am aware how people from Dimashq think about palastinians…

Well? I’m sure it’s positive.

…but I am aware how people from Dimashq think about people from Deraa or Hama homs or dair ezzor, all of these ideas are stupid, we all one people and all equal

I agree. All people deserve basic human rights. All humans are equal.

The Most Famous American Journalist Exposes the Zionist Conspiracy

Ziad,

Thank you for that enlightened clip of the racist and anti-Jew David Duke. The reasons behind the regime change in IRaq is no “secret” conspiracy. Everything was public, everything went to congress and the UN. Neocons, BTW, are not just jews. Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld and dozens of others are not Jewish. OTOH, since the Syrian opposition are all Zionists and Jews, I’m not going convince you otherwise!

BTW – David Duke is not only a avowed racist, he was also a regular at the now-defunked Zayed Center for Coordination and Follow-Up. A bastion of anti-judaism.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zayed_Center_for_Coordination_and_Follow-Up

295. annie said:

Akbar , discussions with zios are a loss of time.

Annie,

Would you rather discuss things with Regime Idiots™?

Just because the conversations are difficult doesn’t mean we’re bad people.;)

302. SANDRO LOEWE said:

Obama, you are the real criminal here. After the mess in Iraq which caused the death of millions of iraquis and thousands of young americans who believed they were fighting for they nation, now that Obama only needs to push the key stone of the mafia-gang style iranian-syrio-russian terrorist dictatorship organization, now that killing Assad could mean the beginning of real changes, so now it comes Israel and Russia to dictate the rules and forbide Obama to do the job.

Sandro Loewe,

First you’re complaining that the US was involved in Iraq, and now you’re upset the US ISN’T involved in Syria.

Why is that? Thanks.

Dawoud,

Can you explain your hostility toward Hezbollah and Shiism? Is it because they support Assad? Hezbollah is a great supporter of Palestine, no?

May 16th, 2013, 7:25 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Well Hanzala
I don’t and I reject you, Al-Nusra, and their style. Rest assured that we will investigate Al-Nusra war crimes with the same zeal we’ll do for the crimes of pos athad and its hyenas. All perpetrators of war crimes shall and will be pursued.

Al-Nusra is alien to us, alien to our thinking and alien to Syrian society including the most religious among us. and has no legitimacy to execute and murder prisoners of war. You and others seem to have learnt not the lesson from Iraq, when the criminals, supported by pos athad, were routed by the locals. Al-Nusra’s turn is coming soon, not at the hand of the child murderers in pos athad sectarian hoards, but most likely at the hands of true Syrians in the revolution.

The prostitution of Islam has to stop and be exposed, be it from the sectarian thug nus-lira, its masters in Iran, or from al-nusra, its financiers, and its founder pos athad in Damascus.

So join the gang of murder-inc, as you seem to be no better than any of the regime propagandists on this site. You don’t represent me, neither do you represent the majority of Syrians who stood, fought, and lost a lot to depose tyranny.

May 16th, 2013, 7:25 am

 

Syrialover said:

SYRIAN HAMSTER #393

Bravo! Thank you!

Al Nusra is not only alien to normal Syrians, they have no interest in the country and its people.

Its hard core fantasist, power trippers are also people alienated from the normal world. They are avoiding real life by playing games at Syrians’ expense.

They have dirtied the revolution.

But post-Assad Syria shouldn’t have the burden of prosecuting foreigner war criminal al-Nusrans.

The Americans should make a contribution to reconstruction by providing a Syria terrorism section in Guantenamo then sponsoring preparation of evidence against them for war crimes tribunals.

They should also ensure those who face sure prosecution for terrorism by their home governments are delivered back home at lightning speed.

May 16th, 2013, 8:23 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Akbar Palace said
Point being, we have to share the land and end the conflict.

I agree, but not with one group winning and the other losing,it has to be fair.

As for other commentators
In war killing is part of war, but what is immoral is torture till death,or killing civilians who did not participate in the fight
When you try someone and find him guilty and kill him that is not immoral, Kevin McVay was arrested after his crime,he became prisoner, then he was executed, the difference in war or revolution,the try time is very short,and little defence,if any.

If you know of any war there is no killing in it let me know,forgivness is after the war not during the war.

May 16th, 2013, 8:26 am

 

revenire said:

Syria: Civilians Come Under Fire From Rebels
http://news.sky.com/story/1091428/syria-civilians-come-under-fire-from-rebels

The demonstrators were predominantly Syrian Palestinians, many from the Yarmouk district of Damascus who had fled when it was taken over by opposition forces eight months ago.

Some screamed at us: “Please tell the world the truth! We don’t want the fighters here, we want the army to kill them!”

May 16th, 2013, 8:39 am

 

Hanzala said:

#393

I am Syrian, and a very large number of Syrians support al Nusra, especially in places like Deir ez Zor, Daraa, Idlib and the countrysides. Al Nusra is alien Syrians? Speak for yourself. I know for a fact that many people where I am from love al Nusra.

In Iraq, they were not routed by the locals, actually America bribed a few tribes who turned against them. That’s what happened in Iraq.

May I remind you and other secularists, that the protests erupted from the mosques. If removing Assad to put a pro American, pro Israel government in Syria is what you have in mind, than all those people died for nothing, and it would have been better not to have revolted against Assad.

Who prosecutes war crimes? The UN? America should be branded a terrorist nation if these things were fair, but they are not. So please, save me the speech, and speak for yourself, you have no right to speak about the majority of Syrians.

May 16th, 2013, 8:43 am

 

Visitor said:

“Well Hanzala
I don’t and I reject you, Al-Nusra, and their style. Rest assured that we will investigate Al-Nusra war crimes with the same zeal we’ll do for the crimes of pos athad and its hyenas. All perpetrators of war crimes shall and will be pursued.”

And who the f*ck you think you are? And who are ‘we’ that you’re speaking of?

Idiot, I hope you didn’t believe it that you will be next president of Syria. When you read Hamster for President by some commentators, remember this is SC and by no means represents Syrians in general. Avoid delusion. You are NOTHING.

You should start thinking about cutting down on your empty sophistry.

Bravo Hanzala. Bring more of these videos. All Syrians support Nusra. Except of course few SC deluded wannabe Asss*shts

May 16th, 2013, 8:49 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Annie said,

Being stolen one’s land is worse than losing your life.

Annie,

What does that mean? If you go to war over land and lose the land, are you then going to commit suicide? Are you going to continue to fight your whole life? Then you die and you are no longer fighting.

At what point do you move on? People all over the world have lost homes and land in fighting. Not just the Palestinians.

Majedkhaldoun said:

I agree, but not with one group winning and the other losing,it has to be fair.

Majedkhaldoun,

Now we have to ask about “What is fair?”. How do we determine that?

In war killing is part of war, but what is immoral is torture till death,or killing civilians who did not participate in the fight

The rules of war are fairly clear, but rarely enforceable. These tortures and mutilations are primitive. Who are these nut-jobs? Who are their parents?

If you know of any war there is no killing in it let me know,forgivness is after the war not during the war.

Majedkhaldoun,

Hamas and Israel are at war. Does that mean Israel has the right to bomb anything?

May 16th, 2013, 9:14 am

 

revenire said:

Rat on his journey back to Hell

May 16th, 2013, 9:32 am

 

Syrialover said:

HANZALA,

Let’s try to think past the immediate crisis wartime situation.

I agree some in war zones in Syria see Al Nusra currently filling a vacuum. But this vacuum was arguably created by their self-appointed, distracting role in the conflict.

When Assad’s gone, are you happy for some swollen headed armed kids from Libya, Pakistan, Norway and Chechnya etc to decide what happens in Syria? To order Syrians around and decide who gets what?

They are mostly guys who never had jobs themselves back home let alone create a proper functioning economy in Syria.

Is that the best you hope for Syrians?

On another front, a legitimate operating government in Syria in charge of reconstructing the country is not going to be friends with the Syrian regime’s long-term traditional allies Iran or Russia. So who are they going to be friends with?

I hope to live long enough to see Israel dissolve. But in the meantime Syrians should put themselves first and take a break from pouring their energy and sweat into carrying on Assad’s fake vendetta against Israel.

Honestly, operating in a default mode of anti-Americanism is a distractor, blinder and weakener.

Better focus on the real Satan that is active on the ground helping grind Syria and its people to dust, Iran. And the truth and agenda of Hezbollah has been exposed as anti-Syrian people as much as it was ever anti-Israeli.

May 16th, 2013, 9:36 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Hanzala
You are Syrian, you are with the revolution, and your heart is in the right place, and therefore you are my brother and I will respond to you.

The word reject you does not imply rejecting you as a person, but rejecting your attempt to hijack the decision from its true owners, the Syrian people.

It seems to me that like the regime, you don’t trust Syrians, you don’t think they have enough faith, or that they really love god and their religion as much as you do. In that regard, I, the secularist have much more faith in Syrians, in the correctness of their adherence to their true religion and in their right to decide for themselves what shape and form they want for their future state.

What Al-Nusra is doing is a war crime, whether you and all the people who “love” al-Nusra for whatever reason there is agree or not. And if the vision of future Syria for you is to be a back-ward, isolated, culturally deprived and depraved country, i think it is not the vision of most Syrians I have interacted with.

Alraqqa is boiling with anger, the innocent and unarmed residents of the city abohore what Al-Nusra and its satellite groups have been doing. Conducting a war-crime (execution of prisoners of ware) in their name in public square has angered many of them, and I have evidence of that. Now they are unarmed, but there is no guarantee that such situation will remain to the advantage of the collection of cowardly thugs of who remain unconcerned about the military division remaining at close distance and able to lob bombs at the city, while the Nusra and its satellites continue to attempt to hijack, by brute force, as well as by lies and deception, the civil rights of its inhabitants including many refugees, not to mention the wealth of oil fields and grain silos. Qasir is in danger, so why aren’t these brave executioners fighting the regime forces either near Raqqa or near Qasir.

Syria is not a spoil of war or غزوة, and as a Syrian, you better think again about handing your country to another occupier.

May 16th, 2013, 9:37 am

 

revenire said:

Tara get your head out of Asma’s shoe closet and do some reading:

Turkish opposition’s love for Assad
http://www.todayszaman.com/blogNewsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=9A26582C4DB910966974F6FC65E1473F?newsId=315475&columnistId=131

Note the word “love” please.

🙂

May 16th, 2013, 9:38 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Akbar Palace
Fair is equality,you should have known that by now,humans must be equal in rights and duties
please don’t argue just to argue

Hamas and Israel are at war. Does that mean Israel has the right to bomb anything?

And Hamas has the right to get help and bomb Israel,
but the basic thing is that Israel existance is illegitimate,it is hostile and criminal ideology based on God Choose us,that is Evil, I have no problem in peacefully buy the land and create a community, but to kill the inhabitant to replace them this is not right, Joshua after Moses invaded Palastine on this concept, God promised us this land, he was criminal, and the new founders of Israel came by force not by civil way they are criminals.any change must be based on free will,not by force, if you believe in freedom and democracy you should apply it always not choose and pic

May 16th, 2013, 9:42 am

 

ann said:

Syria Says Email Shows Opposition in Qatar Led Kidnapping of Peacekeepers

By Matthew Russell Lee

http://www.innercitypress.com/syria1pkemail051513.html

UNITED NATIONS, May 14 — Just before the Syria session of the UN General Assembly, Syrian Permanent Representative Bashar Ja’afari stopped and told Inner City Press that at end of his speech he would make an unexpected move.

And after Qatar’s ambassador spoke in favor of the resolution his country drafted (and re-drafted several time), Ja’afari did deliver on his pledge.

At the end of his speech he said that there was an e-mail, from the representative of the Syrian opposition given Syria’s embassy in Qatar, showing their involvement in the kidnapping of UN peacekeepers by the Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade. He read out a phone number from the e-mail.

Outside the GA, Inner City Press asked UK Permanent Representative Mark Lyall Grant about Ja’afari on the e-mail. Lyall Grant called it confused.

Another Permanent Representative, from a Troop Contributing Country, said that if true, it’s very problematic.

When Secretary General Ban Ki-moon thanked Qatar for its role in the release of the UN Peacekeepers, is this what he meant?

http://www.innercitypress.com/syria1pkemail051513.html

May 16th, 2013, 9:44 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Revenire
Get pile-of-shxt athma’s shoes from your ars before you little cockroach can talk to humans.

As for the love turkish opposition has for pos athad and its female, yaaaa we felt that love in the word of their leader comparing Erdoghan to pos athad and equating the two as murderrers and criminals.

May 16th, 2013, 9:45 am

 

Visitor said:

O’ what a fiasco this hamster (or is it bumster?) wannabe turned out to be? YES!! Backtrack wannabe idiot SC sophist bumster for president deluded ass*sht.

Hanzala,

Never be discouraged by those who can only arrange words in a long boring composition that is always nothing but an empty piece of sophistry. Nusra is supported by ALL honest Syrians like you. You are on the right track as many Syrians are. The few SC commentators here (like bumster and majnoon souria) are the worst thing a revolution like the Syrian revolution may have.

May 16th, 2013, 9:51 am

 

mjabali said:

It is strange how some call themselves Syrians and stand with the execution style killing of Syrian men on the soil of Syria by foreigners wearing slippers, who did not even know how to use a pistol.

Holly warriors in slippers, Tara should shop for them.

May 16th, 2013, 9:53 am

 

mjabali said:

Thanks Hamster for standing up to the holy warriors in slippers.

Patrolling al-Raqqa in slippers with an AK and a face mask wearing the Pakistani pants and shirt…reciting Quran….Shooting people in public….

May 16th, 2013, 9:59 am

 

ann said:

In UNGA on Syria, 107 Votes Is “Big Loss for Qatar,” Kidnap Email Mystery

By Matthew Russell Lee

http://www.innercitypress.com/syria1qatarlow051513.html

UNITED NATIONS, May 15 — After the Syria resolution drafted by Qatar garnered only 107 “yes” votes on Wednesday, compared to over 130 the past two times, many diplomats described it to Inner City Press as a “big loss” for Qatar, “and for France and the UK, the ‘brains’ behind” the resolution.

French Ambassador Gerard Araud took the floor to try to get a few more votes. Afterward a Latin American Permanent Representative told Inner City Press that the count would have been below 100 if not for some “last minute arm-twisting.”

Even days before the vote, when Inner City Press asked Saudi Arabia’s affable Permanent Representative if he predicted 110 yes votes, he said plus or minus, probably plus. But it was not to be.

The vote Wednesday was 107 yes, 12 against and fully 59 abstentions. By that count, it seems that 15 countries didn’t vote at all — “got coffee,” as one African Permanent Representative put it to Inner City Press before the vote.

Inner City Press is putting the vote list online here.

The African Group met on Tuesday, asking Qatar to defer the vote. But Qatar rejected this. As Tanzania said, while concerned about Syria, it was not convinced that the resolution would help anything.

On the drama of Syrian Permanent Representative Bashar Ja’afari waving at the end of his speech an email he said showed that the opposition’s “ambassador” in Qatar was involved in the kidnapping of four UN peacekeepers by the Yarmouk Martyr’s Brigade, Inner City Press ran to the UN noon briefing to ask.

Ban Ki-moon’s spokesperson Martin Nesirky said he would not disclose any more about the negotiations to free the peacekeepers.

Back in front of the General Assembly after the vote, Ja’afari briefly showed Inner City Press a copy of the e-mail, saying he could not give it out. It had on it among other things a telephone number — presumably the number Ja’afari read out in the GA Hall — and the word “Milad.”

Ja’afari told Inner City Press it was from a UN person in Damascus, telling headquarters of the involvement of the Syrian opposition ambassador in Doha in the kidnapping.

Inner City Press asked, a UN person working for Envoy Brahimi’s office? Ja’afari did not say yes.

There is much more to ask. Inner City Press ran to cover what was called a stakeout by UK prime minister David Cameron, where it turned out the questioner (Reuters, or UNCA) — and the Syria question? — were selected in advance. There are scams everywhere.

http://www.innercitypress.com/syria1qatarlow051513.html

May 16th, 2013, 10:09 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

MJABALI
What angers me the most is Al-Nusra claiming to avenge the victims of Banyas and Baida by conducting a war crime. The memory of the children of Banyas and Baida is sacred, and these thugs tried to soil it with their unholy lust for blood. From where I stand, the only revenge would be to ensure that the barbarism and rule of force does not have a place in future syria, be it the pos athad, which you seem to abhor as much as I do, or Al-Nusra, which I seem to abhor as much as you do.

May 16th, 2013, 10:09 am

 

ann said:

comment 411 is in moderation. Why?

May 16th, 2013, 10:11 am

 

mjabali said:

Hamster:

You are correct in what you said. Those who did al-Bayda massacre should be stopped and brought to justice and not be given a reason to do another massacre. Enough of this senseless violence that is killing, poor Syrians. The killing cycle is not stopping.

May 16th, 2013, 10:19 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

MJABALI
From what I read, Tara’s taste seem to be rather classy, so I guess, we’ll leave shopping for shoes for Al-Nusra to the female of their original founder pos athad (i.e. pos athma), known for a macthing vulgar taste.

May 16th, 2013, 10:25 am

 

Visitor said:

Hanzala,

Just sit down now and enjoy the spectacle of consolations going back and forth here on SC among deluded wannabes.

Zabale consoles bumster and marshals other sophists to the fray.

Good work Hanzala. Keep it up.

May 16th, 2013, 10:28 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Mjabali
I fully agree with you

May 16th, 2013, 10:28 am

 

Sami said:

MJabali,

“wearing the Pakistani pants and shirt”

The attire is called Shalwar and Kameez. Close to the Arabic Sirwal and Qamis.

Just thought you would like to know the actual name of this attire that is not native to Syria nor does it represent Syrians.

Here are some actual Syrians in Raqqa the night of the executions, I am proud to say that those Syrians represent me:

May 16th, 2013, 10:48 am

 

zoo said:

The holy hamsters poops will be soon “starved”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10059587/Jabhat-al-Nusra-faces-al-Qaeda-sanctions-at-UN-under-Anglo-French-proposal.html

Al-Nusra is to be included on the list of al-Qaeda backed terrorist groups that are subject to automatic global sanctions, The Daily Telegraph understands.

Once the move is approved by a committee of the UN Security Council, al-Nusra will be subject to a broad range of sanctions, including an arms embargo, travel ban and assets freeze.

Officials from the leading European nations backing the Syria opposition’s struggle to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad hope the terrorist designation will be agreed within days.

America has already determined that al-Nusra, an Islamic fundamentalist militia that controls a swathe of eastern Syria, is a terrorist group. Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, al-Nusra’s leader has pledged allegiance to Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of al-Qaeda.

Officials hope the global reach of UN sanctions will starve al-Nusra of funding and allow a clear distinction between it and other rebel units that do not share the al-Qaeda ideology.

May 16th, 2013, 10:49 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

404. majedkhaldoun said:

Akbar Palace
Fair is equality,you should have known that by now,humans must be equal in rights and duties please don’t argue just to argue

I thought you were talking about the land (equal areas?). In Israel there already is equality. More can be done, and things have improved a lot over the years. I think if there wasn’t an arab-israeli conflict, things would improve faster. I think that is why Israeli arabs are not demonstrating much. Here are some links to remind you that things are not as bad as you think:

http://www.beyondimages.info/b162.html
http://www.beyondimages.info/
http://www.israellycool.com/2013/03/13/israel-apartheid-photos/
http://www.israellycool.com/2013/05/03/apartheid-and-ethnic-cleansing-fail-of-the-day/
http://www.israellycool.com/2013/03/12/apartheid-video-of-the-day/

But again, as AIG always points out, why not try your “equal rights” ideas in the arab world first before you tell Israel to do so?

Hamas and Israel are at war. Does that mean Israel has the right to bomb anything?

Majedkhaldoun,

There are “rules of war” and “war crimes”. Both Hamas and Israel do not have the right to “bomb anything”.

You said:

In war killing is part of war, but what is immoral is torture till death,or killing civilians who did not participate in the fight.

Does that mean Hamas and Hezbollah are immoral because they fire indiscriminately into and out of population centers? As you know, this is a war crime. Israel has often been cited for “disproportionate” use of force. But you say “killing is part of war”. So when is Hamas guilty and when is Israel?

I am convinced, without a shadow of a doubt, that WW2 would have been lost in today’s environment.

And Hamas has the right to get help and bomb Israel

Every country has the right to defend herself. Which means Hamas can bomb military targets (which is rarely the case) and Israel can respond in kind.

but the basic thing is that Israel existance is illegitimate,it is hostile and criminal ideology based on God Choose us,that is Evil

You just said a few posts ago, ”

[Me] Point being, we have to share the land and end the conflict. [You] I agree, but not with one group winning and the other losing,it has to be fair.

Please make up your mind.

I have no problem in peacefully buy the land and create a community, but to kill the inhabitant to replace them this is not right

The Israelis and Palestinians have to negotiate a settlement. Part of Camp David was a $90 billion investment into Palestine. This was rejected along with the proposed borders.

Joshua after Moses invaded Palastine on this concept, God promised us this land, he was criminal, and the new founders of Israel came by force not by civil way they are criminals.

Not really true. Jews came to Palestine and bought land. Then Palestinians started killing unarmed Jews. Jews came to Palestine with only the shirt on their back. They didn’t have weapons.

any change must be based on free will,not by force, if you believe in freedom and democracy you should apply it always not choose and pic

Jews came exactly on their own free will along with the thousands of Jews who already lived in Palestine. So let’s talk about today, not 1936.

May 16th, 2013, 10:50 am

 

ann said:

UN General Assembly Country Vote On Syria:

http://www.innercitypress.com/syria1gavotes051513.pdf

DOCUMENT VOTE 0500.txt PRINTED AT: 15/05/2013 1:34:36 PM
SER. NO: 500
ITEM: 33
SYMBOL: A/67/L.63
DRAFT RESOLUTION
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
67TH
PLENARY MEETING:80
RECORDED VOTE ….. _ADOPTED
RESOLUTION 67/262
DATE: 15 MAY 13
TIME: 1:34 PM
VOTE: 1
YES: 107
NO: 12
ABSTAIN: 59
SUBJECT: THE SITUATION IN THE SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC

Y AFGHANISTAN
Y ALBANIA
A ALGERIA
Y ANDORRA
A ANGOLA
A ANTIGUA-BARBUDA
A ARGENTINA
A ARMENIA
Y AUSTRALIA
Y AUSTRIA
Y AZERBAIJAN
Y BAHAMAS
Y BAHRAIN
A BANGLADESH
A BARBADOS
N BELARUS
Y BELGIUM
A BELIZE
A BENIN
A BHUTAN
N BOLIVIA
Y BOSNIA/HERZEG
Y BOTSWANA
A BRAZIL
A DOMINICA
Y DOMINICAN REP
N ECUADOR
Y EGYPT
A EL SALVADOR
. EQUAT GUINEA
A ERITREA
Y ESTONIA
A ETHIOPIA
. AIFIJI
Y FINLAND
Y FRANCE
Y GABON
Y GAMBIA
Y GEORGIA
Y GERMANY
A GHANA
Y GREECE
Y GRENADA
Y GUATEMALA
A GUINEA
A GUINEA-BISSAU
A GUYANA
Y HAITI
Y BRUNEI DAR-SALAM Y HONDURAS
Y BULGARIA
Y BURKINA FASO
Y BURUNDI
A CAMBODIA
. CAMEROON
Y CANADA
A CAPE VERDE
Y CENTRAL AFR REP
Y CHAD
Y CHILE
N CHINA
Y COLOMBIA
Y COMOROS
. CONGO
Y COSTA RICA
Y COTE D’IVOIRE
Y CROATIA
N CUBA
Y CYPRUS
Y CZECH REPUBLIC
N DPR OF KOREA
A DEM REP OF CONGO
Y DENMARK
Y DJIBOUTI
Y HUNGARY
Y ICELAND
A INDIA
A INDONESIA
N IRAN (ISL R)
. IRAQ
Y IRELAND
Y ISRAEL
Y ITALY
A JAMAICA
Y JAPAN
Y JORDAN
A KAZAKHSTAN
A KENYA
. KIRIBATI
Y KUWAIT
A KYRGYZSTAN
A LAO PDR
Y LATVIA
A LEBANON
A LESOTHO
Y LIBERIA
Y LIBYA
Y LIECHTENSTEIN
Y LITHUANIA
Y LUXEMBOURG
Y MADAGASCAR
Y MALAWI
Y MALAYSIA
Y MALDIVES
A MALI
Y MALTA
Y MARSHALL ISLANDS
. MAURITANIA
Y MAURITIUS
Y MEXICO
Y MICRONESIA (FS)
Y MONACO
Y MONGOLIA
Y MONTENEGRO
Y MOROCCO
A MOZAMBIQUE
A MYANMAR
A NAMIBIA
Y NAURU
A NEPAL
Y NETHERLANDS
Y NEW ZEALAND
N NICARAGUA
A NIGER
A NIGERIA
Y NORWAY
Y OMAN
Y PAKISTAN
Y PALAU
Y PANAMA
Y PAPUA N GUINEA
A PARAGUAY
Y PERU
. PHILIPPINES
Y POLAND
Y PORTUGAL
Y QATAR
Y REP OF KOREA
Y REP OF MOLDOVA
Y ROMANIA
N RUSSIAN FED
A RWANDA
A ST KITTS-NEVIS
A SAINT LUCIA
A ST VINCENT-GREN
Y SAMOA
Y SAN MARINO
S TOME PRINCIPE
Y SAUDI ARABIA
Y SENEGAL
Y SERBIA
Y SEYCHELLES
. SIERRA LEONE
A SINGAPORE
Y SLOVAKIA
Y SLOVENIA
A SOLOMON ISLANDS
Y SOMALIA
A SOUTH AFRICA
A SOUTH SUDAN
Y SPAIN
A SRI LANKA
A SUDAN
A SURINAME
. SWAZILAND
Y SWEDEN
Y SWITZERLAND
N SYRIAN AR
. TAJIKISTAN
Y THAILAND
Y TFYR MACEDONIA
. TIMOR-LESTE
A TOGO
Y TONGA
A TRINIDAD-TOBAGO
Y TUNISIA
Y TURKEY
. TURKMENISTAN
. TUVALU
A UGANDA
A UKRAINE
Y UA EMIRATES
Y UNITED KINGDOM
A UR TANZANIA
Y UNITED STATES
A URUGUAY
. UZBEKISTAN
Y VANUATU
N VENEZUELA
A VIETNAM
Y YEMEN
A ZAMBIA
N ZIMBABWE

May 16th, 2013, 10:54 am

 

revenire said:

There are already UN resolutions regarding Palestine. Israel ignore them. I didn’t add them all up but it is easily over 100.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_UN_resolutions_concerning_Israel_and_Palestine

Israel has always ignored world opinion to carry out genocide against the Palestinians.

May 16th, 2013, 10:56 am

 

Dolly Buster said:

408. mjabali said:

It is strange how some call themselves Syrians and stand with the execution style killing of Syrian men on the soil of Syria by foreigners wearing slippers

 
Syria belongs to all muslims. The divine Shari’ah will be instituted in every square centimeter of Earth.

Inn il hukmu illa li Llah !!!

May 16th, 2013, 10:57 am

 

zoo said:

Another victory from the heroic Syrian army

Syrian troops repel rebel attack on Aleppo prison
May 16, 2013 02:04 PM

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/May-16/217324-syrian-troops-repel-rebel-attack-on-aleppo-prison.ashx#ixzz2TT4IW6PJ
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)

May 16th, 2013, 10:58 am

 

revenire said:

The anti-Syria resolution had less support this time around than last. Western blackmail doesn’t always work. Most of the world voted against it or abstained (China and India = most of the world).

May 16th, 2013, 11:00 am

 

zoo said:

The rebels are not winning the heart and minds of Syrian, they are devoring them…

May 16th, 2013, 11:01 am

 

revenire said:

Yesterday the terrorist supporters told us the prison had been “liberated” – as if releasing hundreds of criminals was an act of liberation. I wonder how many of the prisoners would be willing to eat your liver?

May 16th, 2013, 11:02 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

ZOO
You don’t read what you cut and paste, no?
you do!?
Damn, i thought pos athad controlled school system in Syria is uniquely screwed up, turned out that Aoun and nus-lira run equally screwed-up schools.

There is a concept called C O N T E X T , ever heard of it?

May 16th, 2013, 11:06 am

 

revenire said:

Sami let me tell you what will happen in Raqqa: the SAA will enter and drive out any armed terrorists in the city and the people will welcome the army.

Men will cry with joy as Assad’s army enters to kill the terrorists.

May 16th, 2013, 11:07 am

 

zoo said:

#421 reve

These UN assembly non-biding that Qatar is hysterically presenting every few months are just little annoyances with zero effect on the course of the events. They are quickly forgotten. Who remembers the previous one?

They are just bones for these Qatari wild dogs to chew their rage of failing.

http://allainjules.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/qatar.jpg?w=348&h=500

May 16th, 2013, 11:07 am

 

revenire said:

Ha ha the PRISONERS in the prison in Aleppo volunteered to fight WITH the army against the scum.

TERRORIST EFFORT TO ENTER CENTRAL PRISON IN ALEPPO FAILS MISERABLY; 38 RATS KILLED, 63 WOUNDED; 19 SURRENDER TO SYRIAN ARMED FORCES, GUARDS AND MILITIA. PRISONERS VOLUNTEERED TO FIGHT RODENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT

ALEPPO: As you must have heard, Syrian government forces annihilated the terrorist rats who were personally commanded by soon-to-be-dead former colonel, ‘Abdul-Jabbar Al-Ukaydi. What a disaster! They tried to shock our shockproof forces with 2 bomb-laden cars which were woefully inadequate for the task. Instead, what they wound up doing was attracting hundreds of security personnel who quickly put the kibosh on their miserable plans. With militia and SAA in place, it was a matter of 3 hours before the entire terrorist operation went into disaster mode.

Our source in Aleppo, Barakaat, finally communicated with us from his home in Al-‘Azeeziyya, and told us by telephone that his brother, who works at the prison as a cook, could hear prisoners demanding to fight the terrorists who had attacked the prison from 3 sides. (See above). The attack started at 5:20 a.m. on Wednesday ,Aleppo time, or 12:20 a.m. NYT, commenced with the explosion of 2 vans, painted up to look like ordinary supply delivery vehicles, loaded with C-4 at the Main Gate. The drivers of the cars were suicide bombers who were killed instantly as the cars exploded. Wael says that Barakaat is wrong because both vans were actually ambulances.

SyrPer Exclusive: We now know that the FSA had insiders within the ranks of the guards at the Central Prison. What the FSA did not know was that the insiders worked for General Security. This is why the plan went awry. The SAA and security knew ahead of time about the attack. What was not known was the exact timing. Also of interest to our readers: The approximately 230 prisoners who were doing time for participating in terrorism were placed (for their own protection) in the “South Wing” which would have made it impossible for the rats to reach them without sustaining massive losses.

Here are some of the names of dead rats collected so far from the carcasses strewn about the area:

‘Abdul-Khaaleq Al-Mu’adhdhin
Rabaah Mansoor
Muhammad Iblibi
Mustafa Kallaas
Jameel Abu-Sanaasel (?)
Muraad Al-Ahaameed
Adeeb Jalaali
Raateb Al-A’war
Mahmoud Khayreddeen
Muhammad Jiniblaad
‘Awn ‘Abdul-Ahad
Thaa’er Al-Tutunn

We have 3 confirmed Turks in the group whose identities have not been ascertained. There are 38 carcasses so far.

Hanaano Residencies: A team of SF from the SAA attacked a den of cockroaches and killed all 7 in a morning raid. Thanks to Prince Fatso of Qatar, our militias have a brand new 23mm AA gun and 14 new AK47 rifles. Thanks so much to the Husband of Madame Banana. The 7 killed are:

“Abu-Al-Naqma” (The Vengeful One; yawn. Id pending. Known from intercepted communications.)
Saaber Nujoom
Muhammad Riyaadhi
Salloom ‘Abdul-Rahmaan
Khudhr Al-Kaamel
CONFIRMED LIBYAN RAT TERRORIST (“Al-Mujaahed Al-Leebi”)
Muhammad Tarshu

May 16th, 2013, 11:08 am

 

revenire said:

Considering Israel has ignored over 100 UN resolutions condemning her genocide these Qatari efforts are laughable.

May 16th, 2013, 11:10 am

 

revenire said:

DER’AH:

Al-Shabraq: What a disaster for the dung beetles of “OPERATION HAWRAAN VOLCANO”:

Khaldoon Al-Bataayina (JORDANIAN INSECT)
Akram Al-Saani’
Mahmoud Al-Taweel (He ain’t tall no more. I understand he was blown in twain)
MUT’IB AL-NU’AYMI (QATARI SPAWN OF INCESTUOUS APES)

Al-Naassiriyya: 2 confirmed dead rodents. 4 taken prisoner. No details.

East Al-Karak: (Don’t confuse this with the Jordanian town. It’s an Arabized word from “Krak”.) An attack on a SAA checkpoint resulted in 3 deaths among the rodents. The other 5 disappeared into the mist. No details.

Tafass: 8 counted carcasses: 5 known foreigners. Here are the only Syrian rodents:

Haaroon Al-Qattaan (He won’t be pickin’ cotton any more though. He’ll be pickin’ his nose in Hell)
Sameer Shamlaani
‘Abbood Ghandoor

Al-Lijaat: 12 rats take the ferry to Old Scratch’s Motel in you know what. No details.

West Al-Maleeha: 2 known rodents down. No other details as operation continues.

DAYR EL-ZOR: What a pretty town. But in a town named for not being so pretty, at the First Girl’s School, 4 rodents opted for the escalator ride to Belial’s gripe:

Mu-Hassan Village:

Yamaan Akram Hiddaawi
Kaadhem Al-Busaalem (IRAQI TRASH-EATER)
Yaaseen Al-‘Ijil

Al-Muree’iyya: Attempt to take over a checkpoint met with disaster:

MUHAMMAD AL-WARFALI (LIBYAN APE EXCREMENT)
Haashem Hassoon (Of the Liwaa’ Al-Athar Battalions, yawn)
Muhamamd Ameen ‘Ajaaj (Of the Ahraar Al-Bu-‘Umar Battalions. Yawn)

Dayr El-Zor City: At the Industrial Zone, 6 rats shimmied down to the Hot Gates. No details.

Nazlat Al-Rudaysaat: Oh, our army just showed no mercy for these J.N. drug addicts:

Muhammad Mustafa Muhyi-Aldeen
Muhammad Jaaber Al-Ta’is

East Al-Huwayqa Quarter: 7 killed. No details. More gifts from Prince Fatso including a lovely mortar.

May 16th, 2013, 11:11 am

 

revenire said:

Ha ha Ziad has a way with words.

May 16th, 2013, 11:13 am

 

revenire said:


RIP Maya Naser

May 16th, 2013, 11:17 am

 

zoo said:

Will Qatar be sidelined by Iran and KSA on Syria?

http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/saudis-faisal-warms-iranconceding-nothing

Lately, some political observers have suggested that Riyadh is gradually taking over the Syria file from the more hawkish Qatar, and is preparing for a settlement. They argue, however, that the Saudi strategy is to escalate on a number of regional fronts in order to improve their chances on the negotiating table.

On a related issue, Tehran has now twice postponed a visit from Qatari foreign minister Hamad Bin Jassim al-Thani. The first delay due to Salehi’s meeting with Faisal, and the second due to “an urgent engagement,” according to Iranian sources.

The same sources suggest that Qatar is uneasy about being left out of the negotiations underway regarding a Syria settlement, fearing that Riyadh and Tehran will have a bigger say in setting the terms of any future resolution to a conflict in which Doha has staked so much.

May 16th, 2013, 11:29 am

 

zoo said:

Will the ‘good’ rebels able to destroy the bad ones with the help of western weapons?

The more decent rebel groups are being squeezed between the regime’s forces and extremists on their own side

http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21578057-more-decent-rebel-groups-are-being-squeezed-between-regimes-forces-and

Though Jabhat al-Nusra says it gets most of its weapons from the spoils of battle, it also enjoys murky sources of private funding, including regular payments from al-Qaeda in Iraq. Since it captured oil wells and grain silos, it has been able—more effectively than other outfits—to set up basic services and a rudimentary administration in the areas it controls, as well as sell off goods and oil for cash. It is probably the most disciplined of all its rivals.

Yet it is not only Jabhat al-Nusra which expresses extreme Islamist views. Though Ahrar al-Sham has more local aims, its comrades are also vehemently Islamist. So are many of the other forces that have gained ground among the rebels, thanks in part to Gulf backing
..
Corruption is rife among the rebels, sighs one of their commanders, berating his peers for shunning battles but wanting to “get a new car and a second wife”. And jealousy between rebel groups over the supply of cash and arms is fomenting strife between them. Earlier this month, two rebel commanders were assassinated in Raqqa alone. Rebels from more secular-minded or more moderately Islamist groups speak openly of a second war to come—against Jabhat al-Nusra.

May 16th, 2013, 11:40 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

If the FSA captured fighters,members of Hizb allat,who are fighting in Syria along Asshead, it is well justified to kill them, the same for persians or iraqis

Releasing political prisoners is liberation,this is for the RAT minded REvenir

Akbar palace
if no one sells you his lands you don’t force the sale and kill the would be sellars,this is criminal mentality

May 16th, 2013, 11:43 am

 

zoo said:

It’s Erdogan turn to be isolated and his country in danger

http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21578046-turkish-government-under-attack-home-its-assertive-policy-towards-syria-explosive

Turkey’s calculation that Mr Assad would fall rapidly and America would intervene militarily proved wrong. Without American backing, Turkey cannot respond to the Reyhanli provocation, just as it could not when Syria shot down a Turkish reconnaissance jet over the Mediterranean last year. For all its economic heft, Turkey’s claims of regional leadership now ring hollow.

An increasingly desperate Mr Erdogan was expected to lobby Barack Obama for a no-fly zone in Washington this week. Yet Mr Obama will say no, seeking help instead for his joint effort with Russia to bring Mr Assad and the opposition to the negotiating table. He will also rebuke Mr Erdogan for his supposed indulgence of the al-Qaeda-linked Jabhat al-Nusra, a faction which America terms “terrorist”, and also ask him to postpone a trip to Gaza.

Hasan Kanbolat of the ORSAM think-tank in Ankara, Turkey’s capital, reckons that the presence of foreign jihadists in Turkey, however tiny, will infect local communities. “They use our mosques and mingle with ordinary people. Turkey could become another Pakistan,” he says
..
A gate at Akcakale, into Syria’s eastern province of Raqqa, has been shut since some Syrians clashed with Turkish border guards in early May, killing a policeman. If all borders were closed, fighters fear they would get weaker. Meanwhile flows of arms to the opposition have stopped; Mr Assad is, in places, gaining the upper hand. “We’re already struggling to get support,” says a rebel commander.

May 16th, 2013, 11:47 am

 

ziad said:

انفجار شحن تركي مليئ بسلاح في باب الهوى تحت اسم اسعاف

May 16th, 2013, 11:53 am

 

ziad said:

بهدوء | سوريا، التسوية المستحيلة

قبول الأميركي بمبادئ جنيف للتسوية في سوريا، يتضمن، في النهاية، ما ينسفها؛ أعني إقصاء الرئيس بشار الأسد ونخبته. وهذا هو الهدف الانقلابي نفسه الذي سعت إليه الحرب الفاشلة على سوريا. الآن، يُراد تنفيذه بـ «وسائل سلمية». والمسألة ليست في شخص الأسد، وإنما في نهجه. والنهج، في التحليل الأخير، بنية… هي المطلوب تفكيكها، ليس فقط من قبل واشنطن وتل أبيب وأنقرة والرياض والدوحة، بل، أيضاً، من قبل أبرز المعارضين الوطنيين، وأكثرهم عقلانية، هيثم منّاع الذي يعتبر أن تفكيك البنية الأمنية للنظام شرط مسبق لأي انتخابات ديموقراطية تجري في البلاد.
لكن الدولة السورية، سواء أكان ذلك جيداً أم سيئاً، تلحمها البنية الأمنية العسكرية المتداخلة. وهي بنية شغّالة على ثلاثة مستويات، أولها مستوى الأمن الإقليمي المتصل بمواجهة إسرائيل والهيمنة الأميركية ـــ الغربية، وثانيها مستوى الأمن الوطني المتصل بمواجهة تحديات عوامل التفكك والقوى الرجعية، وثالثها مستوى الأمن السياسي المتصل بمواجهة المعارضة المدنية وقمع الحريات السياسية. والأخير هو المستوى الذي ينبغي تفكيكه وشطبه من الحياة السورية بالتأكيد، لكن المساس بالمستويين الآخرين، لا يعني سوى تفكيك سوريا الدولة، وشطب فعاليتها الداخلية، ودورها الإقليمي.

http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/183064

May 16th, 2013, 12:18 pm

 

apple_mini said:

One of the most disturbing videos showing a rebel leader committing cannibalism should be analyzed in deeper lever other than just being labeled as brutality and criminality against humanity.

It is a rather strong indication of the raging sectarian zealots among Syrians.

The man behind it carries uncontrollable hatred against Alawite sect. The emotion runs so high and it surpasses the threshold of human behavior of natural repulsion from cannibalism.

The leaked video got smuggled into Lebanon by pure chance. Do we believe there are many other disturbing activities already recorded and unrecorded? Of course we do.

It is definitely a tiny glimpse of what the country is facing. How to contain those very extreme and radical sectarian minds and people will remain a difficult problem for a long time.

The war has bred some many dangerous elements in Syria. The country will be suffering for years to come.

May 16th, 2013, 12:18 pm

 

revenire said:

No Syrian wants people that eat human flesh to be in charge of anything. These animals are all going to die in Syria.

May 16th, 2013, 12:42 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

May Skaf has been arrested by the regime

How could Bashar Jaafary say The opposition can come to Syria,and their safty is guaranteed,yet they are arresting peaceful opponants such as Skaff, and Abdulaziz Khayer?

May 16th, 2013, 12:42 pm

 

Dolly Buster said:

apple_mini said:

uncontrollable hatred against Alawite sect.

 
Alawites started the beef, by engaging in vicious atrocities against Ahl as-Sunnah.

Then the Sunnis became angry in response. So we should blame the initiator of hostilities.

May 16th, 2013, 12:43 pm

 

ziad said:

Nakba survivor: ‘If you wanted to live, you left’

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=595919

May 16th, 2013, 12:45 pm

 

revenire said:


The fate of those who disrespect our president.

TO HELL

May 16th, 2013, 12:46 pm

 

revenire said:

Dolly I know you’re crazy-brainwashed but how do you reconcile the fact that the majority of the SAA is Sunni? That must cause you a little twitching. It doesn’t fit your fairy tale story.

May 16th, 2013, 12:50 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

Surviving the Nakba NewZ

Nakba survivor: ‘If you wanted to live, you left’

Ziad,

And she’s alive to tell her story! We have stories too. 6000 Jews died in that war, and about half as many or about 3,000 Palestinians died.

Do you have any Nakba stories from Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, Algeria and Libya, or are we just focusing on the “Usual Suspect™”?

May 16th, 2013, 1:12 pm

 

ziad said:

der azzor_excution of 13 syrian soldiers by Nusra

May 16th, 2013, 1:17 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

Akbar palace
if no one sells you his lands you don’t force the sale and kill the would be sellars,this is criminal mentality

Majadkhaldoun,

No one forced any sale. Jews bought their land. What jews didn’t buy was the violence, like the Hebron Massacre (see Syria today for a description). You said “War is War”, Israel never asked for war, only whatever small land mass the Partition Plan offered.

Arabs rejected partition then, and still reject Israel today. I’m glad the PA negotiated with Israel in ’93. I think they should finish the job.

The war was preceded by a period of civil war in the territory of the Mandatory Palestine between Jewish Yishuv forces and Palestinian Arab forces in response to the UN Partition Plan. An alliance of Arab states intervened on the Palestinian side, turning the civil war into a war between sovereign states.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948_Arab-Israeli_War

May 16th, 2013, 1:26 pm

 

zoo said:

#448 Ziad

Long live to the heroic soldiers of the Syrian Army. Their murder will not be in vain. The evil sickness of the Sunni Islamist extremists and their supporters will be extirpated from Syria and destroyed.

May 16th, 2013, 1:28 pm

 

Juergen said:

I am not aware that this video was shown here before yet:

public execution of three men

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Y4cNXIfzxMA#!

its an disgusting time to see such evil rise in Syria

May 16th, 2013, 1:30 pm

 

ziad said:

“We have records going from way back, and a rich source of them go back to the Kennedy-Johnson administrations. They had to carry out a terrorist war against Cuba, as they did, and try to strangle Cuba economically, because of Cuba’s — what they called Cuba’s successful defiance of U.S. policies, going back to the Monroe Doctrine. No Russians, but the Monroe Doctrine, 150 years back at that time. And the goal was, as was put very plainly by the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations, to make the people of Cuba suffer. They are responsible for the fact that the government is in place. We therefore have to make them suffer and starve, so that they’ll throw out the government. It’s a policy, which is pretty consistent. It’s being applied right now in Palestine. It’s savage.” Noam Chomsky

May 16th, 2013, 1:37 pm

 

Badr said:

“This report could not have been produced without the help of many sources (jihadists and Islamists, resistance fighters, government officials and experts in recent Iraqi affairs) both inside and outside Syria . . .”

Jabhat al-Nusra: A Strategic Briefing

By Noman Benotman and Roisin Blake
Quilliam Foundation
Jan. 2013

Origins

Many cadres of JN come from the jihadist network of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, which was built during the 2000s and solidified in Hai al-Jami’a, Baghdad, in 2002, following Al-Zarqawi’s arrival from Afghanistan via Iran. Syrians who had been with Al-Zarqawi in Herat, Afghanistan, in 2000 were sent to build branches of his network in Syria and Lebanon, with Al-Zarqawi exercising control from Iraq. These jihadists established ‘guesthouses’ in Syria to channel would-be fighters to Iraq, and the infrastructure flourished. During this period, Syria acted as the main channel for funding for the network, with Saudi and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) jihadists in the Levant securing financial support from sympathisers in their home countries.
. . .
National

JN have overestimated the level of popular support for them in Syria. They see themselves as representatives of Syria’s Sunni population, which is a dangerous falsehood. Even amongst the rebels, only a minority shares their ideology and goals, with many others, tens of thousands of activists, calling for a democratic system of government rather than an Islamist state. JN have not reached the critical mass of support needed for self-sustaining change. This is partly because they lack a political dimension to their actions – not enough work has been done to elicit popular support for the group politically, as they have relied largely on military action and religious preaching.
JN have also overestimated the religious loyalty (wala’) of the Syrian people, just as AQI did in the 2000s. Syrian culture is not naturally conducive to Islamist governance, given its religious pluralism and history of relative religious freedom and tolerance. . .

May 16th, 2013, 1:55 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

The threat

The fate of those who disrespect our president.

The fearful anthwer

I meant no dis respect whatsoever to sewer-pipe’s pos of a prethidient.

May 16th, 2013, 1:57 pm

 

zoo said:

Erdogan got nothing from Obama except condoleances and taps on the back:
Bravo for the peace with Israel
Bravo for the peace with the PKK
Bravo for the education of your daughters.

On Syria
No fly zone; NO
military intervention: NO,
weapons to the rebels :NO

Press conference:

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/646000502?-20865:11558

May 16th, 2013, 2:32 pm

 

zoo said:

Is the USA just bowing in front of Putin, or there is a under the table bargain involving Iran’s nuclear program?

http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/russias-arrest-of-a-us-spy-sends-a-clear-signal-on-syria#page2

Mr Putin seems to have concluded that the US president, Barack Obama, is weak, and that his secretary of state came as a petitioner asking for help to get his administration out of its Syrian impasse. Moscow believes it has a stronger hand than Mr Obama, and is not afraid to exploit its advantage in defence of its ally in Damascus.

That world view seems to reflect the balance of forces during the meeting on May 7 between Mr Kerry and Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, which concluded with an agreement to call a Syrian peace conference.

The Russian position, as far as anyone can tell, is unchanged from the signing of the Geneva peace plan almost a year ago: no transitional government in Syria can be formed without the consent of the current regime. Mr Kerry, while insisting that Syria’s president Bashar Al Assad must go, had to admit that under the terms of the Geneva plan, which calls for “mutual consent”, the Assad regime will have a veto on the formation of any transitional government. This is an uncomfortable position for an administration that has long given the impression the Assad clan is finished.

May 16th, 2013, 2:46 pm

 

zoo said:

If Syria accepts that USA, Turkey, France and the UK participate, why would these countries object to Iran’s participation?

Russia: Iran must participate in proposed Syria conference
Reuters

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Iran must take part in a proposed international conference to end Syria’s civil war, but that Western states wanted to limit the participants and possibly predetermine the outcome of the talks.

“Among some of our Western colleagues, there is a desire to narrow the circle of external participants and begin the process from a very small group of countries in a framework which, in essence, would predetermine the negotiating teams, agenda, and maybe even the outcome of talks,” Lavrov said in an interview posted on the Foreign Ministry website on Thursday.
..
Iran has welcomed the proposal and has voiced hope to be part of the process. Its wish to participate in a June 2012 meeting on Syria hosted by the United Nations in Geneva was a bone of contention between Washington and Moscow.

“One must not exclude a country like Iran from this process because of geopolitical preferences. It is a very important external player. But there is no agreement on this yet,” Lavrov said in the interview given to a Lebanese television station.

The United States is loath to see Iran, a strong supporter of Assad, being at any such talks. No venue has been confirmed but U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has talked of a “Geneva Two” meeting.

May 16th, 2013, 2:51 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

regime propagandists and shbee7a, your family story?

والدة الشبيح ……الشبيح البار بوالدته

عبدالله ونوس

عن أم معروف والمايكروييف …

جميع من في القرية شهدوا لمعروف بأنّه أبرُّ الناس على الإطلاق بوالدته الأرملة .. فمنذ أن تطوّع ضمن صفوف ما يُسمّى باللجان الشعبية .. وحيث استبدل حياة الفقر والبطالة التي كان عليها بحياةٍ شهدت ترفاً متواتراً وبحبوحة ظاهرة ..

عمِل معروف بجد ليعوّض أمّه وأخوته الصغار حياة الفاقة التي لازمتهم منذ توفي معيل أسرتهم قبل عشر سنوات .. فبعد شهر من بدء خدمته كشبيح جوال في أحياء حمص وقراها الحامية .. صار منزلهم يعج بالأثاث الجديد والفخم والذي ربما لم يكن ليتناسب مع غرف بيتهم الريفي والبائس ..
فراش أمّه الصوفي القديم استبدل بسرير كبير من خشب الكرز ذا طابع فيكتوري مزين بتيجان من الأشكال النباتية المحفورة بعناية ..
ولأخوته أسرّة جميلة بألوان سماوية وزهرية عليها رسوم لأبطال قصص الأطفال كالسنافر وبياض الثلج وتوم وجيري ..

التلفزيون القديم بلونيه الأسود والأبيض والذي جمعت أجزاؤه الخارجية بأسلاك معدنية .. حل محله شاشة بلازما أخذت نصف مساحة جدار غرفة جلوسهم .. ومع اتساع نطاق عمل معروف دخلت إلى حياة أمّه الغسالة والجلاية والبراد الذي يتسع لأفراد الأسرة جميعاً .. كميوترات محمولة لأخوته .. وربما قدم لزائريه بعضاً منها كتذكارات ..

كان بعد كل غزوة .. ولربما تستمر لأسبوع أو إسبوعين يعود بسيارة نقل كبيرة خالية من اللوحات ومموهه بالوحل توصله إلى قريته ويُنزِل منها ما قُسِمَ له من الغائم ..

يجتمع الجارات لدى أمّه ليشاهدوا ما حمل لها معروف ويشكوا لها أن أولادهن متطوّعون كذلك كشبيحة ولكنهم ينهبون غنائمهم على المقاصف وبنات الليل ..

ـ (( يا بختك يا أم معروف على هل الإبن )) ..
ـ (( يا هيك الأولاد يا بلا )) ..
ـ (( يحرسوا داحي باب خيبر شو مدبّر .. )) ..

إحداهنَّ .. وكانت الأكثر غيظاً .. قالت لأم معروف ..
ـ (( أنا ابني جبلي مكروييف .. إنت كأنوا ما عندك .. دخيل الله .. الطبخة الي إلها عشر تيام مطبوخة .. بتطلع منّو كأنها تازة !!! ))

لم تنتظر أم معروف قدوم ابنها من غزوته .. لتوصيه على ذاك الشيء الخرافي .. جارهم صاحب السرفيس العامل على خط الضيعة .. حمص .. ذهبت إليه لتتفق وإياه أن يأخذها طلباً إلى حمص .. لتشتري مكروييف ..
ـ خدني يو شادي .. وخود البدك ياه ..
ـ تكرمي أم معروف .. رح آخدك على سوق جديد .. فيه كلشي والغرض فيه اللي حقوا آلالاف بتخاديه بقروش ..
… في ذلك السوق المفروشة بضاعته في العراء على أطراف حمص .. فاوضت أم معروف كتاجرٍ يهودي حاذق حيث أنتقت أكبر قياسٍ وقعلت عليه عينها .. وأنزلت البائع الذي كان يعلق بندقية روسية على كتفه .. أنزلت الثمن من 12000ليرة سورية إلى ألفي ليرة وضعتهم أمامه متذرعةً أنها لا تملك غيرهم وقد حاصرت حامل البندقية بسيل من الأسئلة عن ضيعته وعشيرته وأنهم أقرباء .. لجهة الشيخ !!!

في البيت إستعانت أم معروف بجارهم المدرس في الثانوية الصناعية لتشغيل جهازها الجهنمي .. وضع الأستاذ بثقة صحن من طعام البارحة أعطته إياه أم معروف وسجل خمس دقائق على لوحة العمل .. بعد انقضاء المدة فتحوا الجهاز ليجدوا أن الطعام قد تفحّم والصحن المعدني الذي كان فيه قد انصهر وتلوى كأن قنبلةً قد انفجرت فيه ..

كرر الأستاذ العملية بدقائق أقل ليجدوا نفس النتيجة .. عندها أخبرهم أن للجهاز عيارات خاصة .. يعرفها خبراء الصيانة .. انبرى صاحب السرفيس ليأخذه إلى حمص معه ويعرضه على صاحب خبرة .. رافقت أم معروف جهازها إلى المعاير .. ذي الخبرة .. ولفور وصولها سردت أم معروف له قصة المكروييف … ابتسم الرجل لفوره وبعد أن تفحصه وقرأ بإمعان ما سجل على لوحة معلّقةٍ عليه من الخلف .. نظر إليهم .. وقال .. هذا الجهاز ليس بمكروييف .. إنّه جهاز خاص بالمشافي الكبيرة وغرف العمليات يعمل بالأشعة تحت الحمراء لتعقيم أدوات الجراحة المعدنية وبسرعة قياسية ..

تجهمت أم معروف فور سماعها حديث الرجل الذي ربما عجزت عن فهم نصف ما قاله .. متذكرةً وجه جارتها الشامتة ..

تدخل صاحب محل الصيانة ليخبرها بأن لا تزعل .. إنه ضربة تجارية بامتياز .. هذا الجهاز الذي دفعت ثمنه 2000ليرة سورية يساوي وبوضعه الحالي أكثر من نصف مليون ليرة سورية .. وأردف لها ..
_ (( يا خالتي هي ضربة العمر )) !!!

May 16th, 2013, 3:07 pm

 

Dolly Buster said:

 
The U.S. is 100 times stronger than Russia, but the problem is that Russia is pursuing its goals in Syria with 100% investment, while Obama is invested 0.5%

That’s why the proxy war appears approximately tied.
We have an aggressive bully on one side (commie Putin), and a friendly weakling on the other (BHO).

But one small policy change by D.C., and the dirty Russians will be wiped out.
Remember it only takes a thrust increase from 0.5% to 2.0% for the U.S. to overpower Moscow completely.
 

May 16th, 2013, 3:07 pm

 

Dolly Buster said:

 
After Syria falls, you should expect Iran and Russia to go next.

Afterwards we can say the world has largely been cleansed of evil.

Changes in the Communist Party of China will happen spontaneously due to the rise of Chinese middle class & wealth.
 

May 16th, 2013, 3:30 pm

 

zoo said:

The UN vote shows a very weak support in favor of the UN resolution from Sunnis countries
Out of the largest 12, only 4 voted Yes, 2 voted NO and 6 abstained
In population size, 3 of the 4 largest country abstained

Rank Countries Amount Vote
# 1 Indonesia: 193,319,280 Abstained
# 2 Pakistan: 127,668,738 YES
# 3 India: 123,600,000 Abstained
# 4 Bangladesh: 123,197,434 Abstained
# 5 Egypt: 68,864,400 YES
# 6 Nigeria: 62,462,500 Abstained
# 7 Turkey: 58,200,000 YES
# 8 China: 35,982,120 NO
# 9 Algeria: 31,173,120 Abstained
# 10 Morocco: 29,785,140 YES
# 11 Sudan: 28,759,080 Abstained
# 12 Russia: 25,438,000 NO

“Indonesia, which voted in favour of the August resolution, said it abstained mainly because of the resolution’s implied recognition of the Syrian opposition.”

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/05/15/uk-syria-crisis-un-vote-idUKBRE94E0ZD20130515

May 16th, 2013, 3:45 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

‎مجلة سنديان Sendian‎
Aktham Naisse
____________________
في الثالثة بعد منتصف ليل الاثنين 13.5.2013 قامت قوة عسكرية وامنية مؤلفة من عشرات العناصر من جيش النظام برفقة جرافات وبلدوزرات , بالدخول الى قرية بسنادة المجاورة لمدينة اللاذقية , حيث اقدمت الجرافات والبلدوزرات على هدم حوالي 13 بناية تعود ملكيتها لعائلتي ” عائلة نعيسة ” دون اي سبب قانوني . سوى انتماء غالبية افراد العائلة للمعارضة السورية , كثير من شقق هذه الابنية مباعة للكثير من المهجرين الفقراء وضعوا ما يملكونه في شراء منزل يأويهم , بعد ان دمر النظام منازلهم في جلب او حمص او دمشق

. وردا على هذا الفعل الاجرامي قام عشرات من اصحاب الشقق والعاملين في الابنية بمظاهرة قطعوا فيه الطريق الرئيسي لبسنادة واحرقوا الاطارات وحملوا العصي . وتم تفريق المظاهرة بتدخل الامن العسكري .

هذا العمل الارهابي هو عمل مجرم مخالف لابسط قواعد القانون الذي لم يعرفها النظام السوري المجرم قط, بحق عائلتي اولا وبحق عشرات العائلات الاخرى من مختلف الطوائف والمناحي السورية , واننا نعتبره جريمة قانونية كون الارض تعود ملكيتها الصافية لعائلتي منذ مائة عام وليس كما تشيع اوساط الامن العسكري ومن يواليهم بانها املاك دولة , ولقد تم استخلاص الرخص القانونية للبناء وفقا للاصول المرعية , وهي ايضا جريمة انسانية تضاف الى جرائم النظام البشعة , وهي جريمة سياسية افتعلت بسببب موقف العائلة من النظام المجرم , وهي طائفية ايضا بسبب انتماء عائلتي الى الفئة العلوية التي عانت من النظام الويلات من قمع واضطهاد في زمن السلم وهاهو يحاول زجها في حربه ضد شعبة بالتهديد والترغيب , لتكون ضحية السلم والحرب.

ان الاموال والارواح تهون فداءا لسوريا الحرة الديمقراطية ,,ونحن العلويون الديمقراطيون كنا وسنبقى مع ابناء وشعب سوريا الحرة , وان النصر ات .. وان هذا النظام المجرم لساقط ..حتما .. هو وكل الفاسدين والقتلة والذين اجرموا بحق الشعب والوطن .

May 16th, 2013, 4:08 pm

 
 

Sami said:

Mai Skaf has been arrested my moukhabarati filth in Dummar. Yes this regime is really open to dialogue, and by dialogue they mean torture…

May 16th, 2013, 4:36 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

From the ‘Tweets from a list by AJELive’ section on /a>AJE Syria blog:

Basma Atassi | بسمة @Basma_ 3h
Video of Jabhat al-Nusra executing 11 soldiers seems to be old. The man who carried out executions (a Saudi) was himself killed in March.

May 16th, 2013, 5:14 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

From the ‘Tweets from a list by AJELive’ section on AJE Syria blog:

Basma Atassi | بسمة @Basma_ 3h
Video of Jabhat al-Nusra executing 11 soldiers seems to be old. The man who carried out executions (a Saudi) was himself killed in March.

May 16th, 2013, 5:20 pm

 

Ameera said:

الى الهامستر السوري

ايه نعم كلامك مزبوط الشبيحة حرامية وحديثين نعمة يعني نور وشوايا تبعون جينز الكونز ازا حدا فهمان علي بس كمان لازم تحكي على حرمية الجيش الحر وازا مو مصدق اسأل اي حدا بالشام عن كتيبة ابوهارون تبع صقور الجولان و كتيبة ابابيل حوران يلي سرئوا كل بيوت مخيم اليرموك بعد ما هجروا اهل المخيم وما خلو بيت يعتب عليهم الا سرئوا وازا الك حدا بالشام ابعتن على محطة القدم يوم الجمعة وشوف كيف شاشة البلازما عم تنباع ٥٠٠ ليرة والبراد خلنج ٢٠٠٠ ليرة

انا بعرف انو الجيش الحر عنكم منزل من عند الله و ممنوع حدا يجيب سيرتو بس حط اصبعك بعينك متل ما بتجعك بتجع غيرك

May 16th, 2013, 5:26 pm

 

revenire said:

Sami if she was arrested it was with good reason.

May 16th, 2013, 5:41 pm

 

Ameera said:

سامي
شو يعني مي سكاف على راسها ريشة يعني متلها متايل بفروع المخابرات وسجون النصرة والجيش الحر

على كلا اطمن مي سكاف طلعت بامر من القصر الجمهوري يا حسرتي مو رايحة الا على المعترين و يلي ما عندون لا مصاري ولا واسطة

May 16th, 2013, 5:46 pm

 

ann said:

On Syria, Rose Colored Glasses in Rose Garden Make Del Ponte and UN General Assembly Debacle Invisible

By Matthew Russell Lee

http://www.innercitypress.com/syria1rosegarden051613.html

UNITED NATIONS, May 16 — When Turkey’s prime minister Erdogan and US President Obama took questions Thursday in the Rose Garden, inevitably the Internal Revenue Service and AP phone records scandal were raised. But there was a lot of Syria, too, or one side of the Syria issue.

There were questions about chemical weapons, with Erdogan saying “we all share information,” then naming the UK but notably not France, which also wrote to UN prober Sellstrom.

Not mentioned was UN panelist Carla Del Ponte, who spoke of strong suspicions that the rebels and not the government used chemical weapons. That was quickly countered not only by Obama’s spokesman Jay Carney but by the UN itself.

At the UN, Ban Ki-moon’s spokesperson told Inner City Press it obviously hadn’t read the press release of Del Ponte’s co-panelist Paulo Pinheiro. But can Del Ponte’s statements be erased so quickly?

Obama said one purpose of assembling information about chemical weapons is to show it to the international community to get them to act on Syria.

But yesterday in the UN General Assembly, the “yes” vote count on Qatar’s anti-Assad resolution feel from 133 last time to 107. This was not mentioned in the Rose Garden!

http://www.innercitypress.com/syria1rosegarden051613.html

May 16th, 2013, 6:02 pm

 

ann said:

U.S. slaps sanctions on Syrian ministers, airline – 2013-05-17

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/17/c_132387902.htm

WASHINGTON, May 16 (Xinhua) — The Obama administration on Thursday imposed a fresh round of sanctions on Syria, targeting four ministers, one airline and one TV station, just as a new peace conference is being broached to end the 27-month conflict in the Arab nation.

The Department of Treasury blacklisted the ministers of defense, health, industry and justice, the government-owned Syrian Arab Airlines and Al-Dunya Television, a privately owned 24-hour satellite channel.

The airline was accused of transporting weaponry on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force to the Syrian government in its battle against the opposition forces, which has killed some 80,000 people.

Al-Dunya Television was targeted for providing services to the government, “including the despicable practice of airing forced confessions,” the Treasury said in a statement.

The Treasury’s move bars American citizens from doing business with the individuals and entities, and freezes all of their assets under U.S. jurisdiction.

[…]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/17/c_132387902.htm

May 16th, 2013, 6:34 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

سوريا، قال لافروف إن “حزب الله ليس منتجا مستوردا بل تجسيد للحالة الشيعية في لبنان ولا يملك اهدافا تتعدى الحدود اللبنانية”، مشيرا الى ان “حزب الله يقوم بحماية المقدسات الدينية في سوريا وسط حالة من تعرضها للتدنيس والتخريب بشكل عام”.

What is HA doing in Qusayr? there is no religious mazar(Shrine) there,Lavrov is lying.

Zoo
Ordogan has not finished talking to Obama.there is afternoon meeting.

The informations now that Asshead sent seven trucks loaded with Shabbiha and will attempt to fight Israel,This is how stupid Asshead is,his diabetes and epilepsy must be getting worse.

May 16th, 2013, 6:44 pm

 

ann said:

Six civilians killed in fresh mortar attacks in Syrian capital – 2013-05-17

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/17/c_132387891.htm

DAMASCUS, May 16 (Xinhua) — Six people were killed Thursday when armed groups fired mortar shells at a suburb of the Syrian capital Damascus. Clashes between rebels and government troops in the vicinity of a central prison in the northern city of Aleppo, the state media said.

Mortar shells fired by rebels killed six people and injured 37 others at the suburb of Jaramana, some 10 kilometers southeast of Damascus, local media said.

Jaramana, a suburb dominated by Druze and Christians, has been a target of mortars and explosions that have killed tens of people since last year. It’s also known of being loyal to the current government in Syria.

In the northern city of Aleppo, a military source was cited by the state media as confirming that the government troops repelled on Thursday armed rebels’ attack on the city’s central prison, killing many rebels and destroying their machineries.

The oppositional Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also confirmed the fighting at the central prison of Aleppo, saying that the troops repelled the rebels’ attack.

Separate reports speculated that the rebels were trying to storm the prison in the hope of freeing prisoners whose affiliations are unknown.

Also in Aleppo, the Observatory said that seven rebels were killed and more than 16 injured during violent clashes with government forces around the town of Khan al-Asal.

The Britain-based watchdog also posted a video footage purporting to show members of al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front publicly executing 11 men in a square of the oil-rich city of Deir al-Zour in eastern Syria.

[…]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/17/c_132387891.htm

May 16th, 2013, 6:45 pm

 

ziad said:

[بالصور] مسيرة تضامنية مع سوريا في بيت لحم

http://www.beth-tv.com/ar/?p=8124

May 16th, 2013, 6:45 pm

 

ann said:

Report says Israel ill-prepared for unconventional terror attack – 2013-05-17

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/17/c_132387882.htm

JERUSALEM, May 16 (Xinhua) — Israel is ill-prepared to shield its civilian population from an unconventional terror attack, the Israeli Home Front Defense Ministry said Thursday.

“As of today, the preparedness of government offices and authorities against the threat of unconventional weapons is medium- low,” the Ynet news site quoted an internal report drafted by the ministry as saying.

Citing Syria’s civil war and regional instability, the report determines that the likelihood of a unconventional terror attack scenario unfolding has risen.

The report lists chemical terror in “high probability and medium severity,” biological terror in “medium probability and high severity,” and radiological terror in “medium probability.”

However, Israel is critically short on vital gear to protect its nearly 8 million citizens, pointing to a “low readiness” to distribute gas masks which to date have been handed out to 58 percent of the population and an expected shortage of some 2.5 million gas masks after the current stock is depleted, according to the report.

[…]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/17/c_132387882.htm

May 16th, 2013, 6:50 pm

 

Ameera said:

المندسين بيقولوا الله محيّ الجيش الحر
المؤيدين بيقولوا الجيش الحر حرامي بدنا الجيش النظامي
المجاهدين بيقولوا الجيش الحر حرامي بدنا الجيش الاسلامي

واحنا المعترين بينقول تفو عليكم كلكم اوبة لصوص و اوباش حلو عنا والله فطسنا

May 16th, 2013, 7:03 pm

 

revenire said:

Ann thank you for these important updates.

It seems the rats can’t stop killing civilians.

May 16th, 2013, 7:09 pm

 

ann said:

Unbalanced UN resolution may complicate situation in Syria – 2013-05-16

• A new UN resolution may not help create favorable conditions for a political settlement of Syria crisis.
• China stressed forcibly pushing forward the vote on a resolution cannot address the crisis.
• Russia said the resolution was “very harmful and destructive”.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/16/c_132386254.htm

UNITED NATIONS, May 15 (Xinhua) — A new resolution adopted Wednesday by the UN General Assembly may not help create favorable conditions for a political settlement of the Syria crisis.

The resolution condemned the Syrian government, but backed the role of a Syrian opposition coalition in transition talks.

“The fact that the text lacks an explicit call for no further militarization of the conflict is unjustifiable,” Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, the Brazilian permanent representative to the UN, told the 193-member General Assembly.

It weakened the faith in the resolve of the international community to end the conflict through diplomatic means, she said.

Although Brazil, China and Russia have all voiced their concerns at part of the text during negotiations on the draft resolution, the sponsor countries forcibly pushed forward the vote at the General Assembly.

“Forcibly pushing forward the vote is not conducive to the unity of the member states and the mediation efforts by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon,” Li Baodong, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, told the General Assembly before the vote.

The new resolution, which is not legally binding, received 107 votes in favor, 12 against and 59 abstentions, a drop in support in comparison with a resolution passed in August last year with 133 votes in favor, 12 against and 31 abstentions.

China and Russia were among the 12 countries to vote against the draft resolution, while 59 nations, including Brazil, South Africa and India, abstained.

Alexander Pankin, Russia’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said that the resolution was “very harmful and destructive,” claiming it is aimed at a “regime change” in Syria.

Bashar Ja’afari, Syria’s permanent representative to the United Nations, said that “the draft resolution seeks to escalate the crisis and fuel violence in Syria” through attempting to recognize the opposition Syrian National Coalition and legitimize the provision of weapons to them.

Given the grave reality of armed conflict in Syria, it is high time to create improved conditions for all the relevant parties to stop violence and start negotiations at an early date.

It is incumbent for the international community to make collective efforts to bring about positive atmosphere for planned peace talks in Geneva, which is likely to provide an updated roadmap for a Syrian-led political transition.

The UN General Assembly resolution was passed on the day when Ban left for Moscow in a bid to bring all warring parties in Syria to a proposed international conference in Geneva.

[…]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/16/c_132386254.htm

May 16th, 2013, 7:46 pm

 

revenire said:

Everyone in the world wants Assad to wipe out the rats. Europe saw them eating hearts. The terror supporters here should all be sent to the front. Let them fight the army. God bless President Assad.

Germany fears return of European jihadists in Syria
German interior minister Hans Peter Friedrich wants the EU to temporarily bar Europeans jihadists from returning

“Up to 700 Europeans are fighting the Assad regime in Syria mainly as militant Islamists, the German government has said, warning that the militants could return as ‘homegrown terrorists’ and calling for a controversial new policy that would temporarily bar them from re-entering”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/16/germany-fears-european-jihadists-syria-return

May 16th, 2013, 7:55 pm

 

ann said:

Germany fears return of European jihadists [NATOs Mercenary Terrorists] in Syria – Thursday 16 May 2013

German interior minister Hans Peter Friedrich wants the EU to temporarily bar Europeans jihadists [NATOs Mercenary Terrorists] from returning

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/16/germany-fears-european-jihadists-syria-return

Up to 700 Europeans are fighting the Assad regime in Syria mainly as militant Islamists, the German government hassaid, warning that the militants could return as “homegrown terrorists” and calling for a controversial new policy that would temporarily bar them from re-entering Europe.

In the first disclosures of western intelligence from an EU government about Europeans fighting in Syria, senior officials in Berlin said they knew of up to 40 people who had left Germany for the battlefields since last summer. Most of them had German passports.

While German security services monitor the situation closely – the German interior ministry has banned three Salafist organisations in the past year – the fighters could not be stopped from leaving Germany because it could not be proved that they were going to Syria, the officials said. Their passports could be confiscated, but frequently it was possible to travel to the Syrian border simply using an ID card.

“You can’t mark their ID cards Jihadist or Salafist,” a senior official said.

The interior ministry is worried that the fighters will return to Germany where they could operate as “homegrown terrorists” and is pushing for pan-European action to diminish that risk.

Hans-Peter Friedrich, the German interior minister, will raise the issue at a meeting of EU governments next month, calling for a two-year re-entry ban to the EU for the suspected Islamists. However, it may be difficult legally to keep them out as most of them carry passports from EU countries, many will often have families in the countries concerned and may have had jobs and entitlements in the EU.

Altogether there were 400-700 Europeans fighting in the opposition in Syria, around 10% of up to 6,000 foreign militants apparently fighting the Assad regime.

In addition to the Syrian fighters, up to 60 militants had also left Germany for Egypt, officials said. The fighters had been traced to training camps in Somalia where they were taught to use explosives and car bombs, officials said. “Most have joined the Islamists. The dangers are growing for us,” said the senior government figure.

A year-long survey by King’s College London of more than 200 martyrdom posts on jihadist-linked websites and hundreds of Arab and western press reports found last month that up to 600 individuals from 14 countries including the UK, Austria, Spain, Sweden and Germany had taken part in the conflict since it began more than two years ago.

The largest contingent, the study found, came from the UK, with estimates of fighters running between 28 and 134. Based on their populations, the figures for Belgium, the Netherlands and Ireland –with about 200 fighters between them – made these countries the most significant, said the lead researcher, Professor Peter Neumann from the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation at King’s College.European fighters made up to between 7% and 11% of the foreign contingent in Syria, which ranged between 2,000 and 5,500 people.

[…]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/16/germany-fears-european-jihadists-syria-return

May 16th, 2013, 8:03 pm

 

ghufran said:

محافظة ديرالزور – المرصد السوري لحقوق الانسان ::أكد نشطاء من ريف ديرالزور ان الرجل الذي ظهر في الشريط المصور الذي نشر اليوم وهو ينفذ حكم الاعدام بحق 11 رجلا سوريا قال انهم من ” العسكر المرتدين “هو القيادي السعودي في جبهة النصرة المعروف باسم قسورة الجزراوي الذي لقي مصرعه على يد مسلحين من قرية المسرب في نهاية شهر اذار / مارس 2013

(أشرطة يظهر فيها القيادي السعودي قسورة الجزراوي)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9Ghpa2Bl-E&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j09GIs126pA&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0MkfYCrxm8
التقرير الذي نشره المرصد السوري لحقوق الانسان في الـ20 من الشهر الجاري عن احداث قرية المسرب
علم المرصد السوري لحقوق الانسان ان 37 شخصا سقطوا خلال الاشتباكات التي دارت في قرية المسرب بين مسلحين من القرية ومقاتلين من جبهة النصرة واستمرت لمدة عشرة ايام حيث بدات الاشتباكات في 29 من شهر مارس/اذار الفائت عندما اشتكى رجل صاحب صهريج مازوت الى جبهة النصرة على مسلحين من القرية قام بالاستيلاء على سيارته فذهب ثلاثة عناصر من الجبهة من جنسيات عربية الى القرية من اجل استرجاع الصهريج المسروق فاستبقلهم مختار القرية في مضافته ولدى خروجهم نصب مسلحون من القرية كمينا لهم وقتلوهم فقامت الجبهة باستنفار عناصرهم وحاصرت القرية وطالبت بتسليم 28 مسلحا من اهالي القرية بتهمة قتل العناصر الثلاثة فرض اهالي القرية تسليمهم وهددت الجبهة باقتحام القرية و تفاجئت بقتال شرس من مسلحي القرية قتلوا خلاله 4 من عناصر الجبهة واستمرت الاشتباكات لنحو عشرة ايام قامت خلالها القوات النظامية بانزال اسلحة الى مسلحي القرية وأسفرت الاشتباكات عن مقتل 17 من اهالي القرية واسر13 من القرية لايزال مصيرهم مجهولا كما لقي 20 من جبهة النصرة مصرعهم خلال هذه الاشتباكات بينهم 14 سوريا وستة من جنسيات عربية و حصلت الجبهة على فتوى شرعية بهدم واحراق منازل المسلحين ومختار القرية حيث هدمت عشرات المنازل
As of now, most armed rebels are led by Nusra and other islamist groups that are not interested in seeing a functioning government in Syria, they also consider democracy as a conspiracy against Islam, those of you who think that these animals can deliver freedom are a mix of ignorant and evil people, the typical FSA profile who is not sectarian or who is not a thug or a terrorist only exists on facebook or is now being prepped in Jordan to secure checmical weapons and help establish a puppet government that will be born dead, leave your fantasy land and accept the truth, it will set you free, it is a war not a revolution and in a war there are no good guys, there are bad guys and worse guys, unless this war comes to an end, only armed thugs from both sides will decide how Syrians live and die, there is not a single person in Syria today who is a true patriot who has any influence on events and the course of action, that is what war produces, and until it is over, only thugs will make the headlines.

May 16th, 2013, 8:23 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

The Alawites of Syria are going to be at a permanent state of war for the next 50 years. Exactly what they deserve. Enjoy! If poor people protest, don’t shoot them. It’s a stupid idea.

The country has been partitioned. There will never be reconciliation. The war continues.

May 16th, 2013, 8:35 pm

 

Tara said:

I am not going to rush and condemn the execution of shabeehas.

The killers shall be killed period. But I add only after a due process. Now if proven beyond doubt that those shabeeha took part in killing, torturing, or raping the Syrian people then TO HELL and good riddance. They at least were executed in much humane way than the 80,000 victims of the regime.

I would condemn the act if they were POW or if their criminality has not been established.

And if Al Nusra did it, too bad. The Nusra creation is the handiwork of the rotten regime and it is the regime who should be blamed for it.

May 16th, 2013, 8:39 pm

 

Darryl said:

“422. DOLLY BUSTER said:

Syria belongs to all muslims. The divine Shari’ah will be instituted in every square centimeter of Earth.

Inn il hukmu illa li Llah !!!”

Mr Garbage Bin Duster, can you give us an executive summary of the benefits of living under Sharia and explain to us the reasons you choose to live in the west instead of Arabia enjoying stories of Alf Leila wa Leila?

May 16th, 2013, 8:39 pm

 

Tara said:

I love the Druze and Jounblat.

I am watching an interview were Jounblat said that the Druze sheiks in Swidaa stated that Druze in the rank of the regime who committed crimes against the Syrian people deserve to be killed.

And shame on all others!

May 16th, 2013, 8:56 pm

 

ann said:

Quotable quotes from UN General Assembly meeting on Syria – 2013-05-16

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/16/c_132384963.htm

UNITED NATIONS, May 15 (Xinhua) — The following were quotable quotes from a meeting of the UN General Assembly on the situation of Syria held here Wednesday:

“China is deeply worried about the worsening situation in Syria, which has caused serious casualties and property losses and jeopardized the security and stability of the region. China opposes and condemns all violence against innocent civilians.” — Li Baodong, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations.

“The human tragedy that marks the present situation in Syria is of the utmost concern to Brazil. We reiterated unequivocal condemnation of all violence.” — Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, the Brazilian permanent representative to the United Nations.

“I would like to announce, once again, from this forum, that the Syrian government is totally serious and sincere to achieve a Syrian-led comprehensive national dialogue compassing all components of the Syrian society and political force, including the national internal and external opposition and the militants who are ready to give up their arms for the benefit of a peaceful solution.” — Bashar Ja’afara, the Syrian permanent representative to the United Nations.

“Current crisis in Syria is gaining new dimensions, following further intensification of sectarian violence as well as growth of extremism and illegal acts by terrorist and extremist groups in this country; we have witnessed a new rounds of air strikes by the Israeli regime violating the territorial integrity of Syria. There is a growing concern that the operations of armed groups and spillover of such acts into other areas in the region will pose further threat and danger to the regional security and stability.” — Mohammad Khazaee, the Iranian permanent representative to the United Nations.

“For the Bolivian Republic of Venezuela, … the only possible transition is one that is to be determined by the Syrian people themselves, in a peaceful environment, with an inclusive political dialogue, and without foreign involvement.” — Jorge Valero Briceno, the permanent representative of Venezuela to the United Nations.

[…]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/16/c_132384963.htm

May 16th, 2013, 9:02 pm

 

revenire said:

Every few days Tara goes into full-blown rants. This time it is the Druze who should die. Their crime? The don’t support Nusra’s eating of hearts and livers from SAA soldiers.

May 16th, 2013, 9:31 pm

 

ann said:

CIA chief in Israel to discuss situation in Syria – 2013-05-17

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/17/c_132387895.htm

JERUSALEM, May 16 (Xinhua) — The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency director John O. Brennan arrived in Israel Thursday evening to discuss Syrian crisis with Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’ alon, Israel’s Channel 2 Television reported.

This is Brennan’s first visit to the country since U.S. President Barack Obama appointed him to the post in March. He is scheduled to meet with Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon and receive briefings from defense officials on the Syrian crisis and its ramifications, Channel 2 said.

Ya’alon is expected to reiterate Israel’s policy, which maintains that while it wants no part in Syria’s war, it is determined to prevent arms transfers from that country to Lebanon’ s Hezbollah, according to Channel 2.

The visit of CIA chief to Israel comes a day after the New York Times quoted an unnamed senior Israeli official as saying that his country will continue to take military action to foil attempts to transfer advanced weaponry to Hezbollah.

In an explicit threat to Syrian President Bashar Assad, the official warned that if the latter reacts to recent alleged Israeli air strikes that targeted Iranian shipments of missiles to Hezbollah, he would risk the collapse of his regime.

“If he reacts by attacking Israel, or tries to strike Israel through his terrorist proxies, he will risk forfeiting his regime, for Israel will retaliate,” the official was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to convince Russian President Vladimir Putin not to supply Syria with advanced S-300 anti-aircraft missiles had failed, Channel 2 reported.

The report quoted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as announcing Thursday evening that Moscow remains committed to the deal it signed with Damascus for the sale of the missiles, explaining that “while we have no intention to violate international law, we don’t want to tarnish our good reputation as a credible supplier of arms.”

[…]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/17/c_132387895.htm

May 16th, 2013, 9:33 pm

 

ghufran said:

May 20th is when these people are supposed to be set free:

1. السيدة طل الملوحي، المسجونة 27 ديسمبر 2009
2. السيد محمود الرفاعي، سجن 29 أبريل 2011
3. السيد خالد عقاب الرفاعي، سجن 29 أبريل 2011
4. السيد بسام صهيوني، المسجون 7 مايو 2011
5. السيد أنس الشغري، المسجون 14 مايو 2011
6. السيد محمد سعيد خولاني، المسجون 19 مايو 2011
7. السيد طارق زيادة، سجن 19 مايو 2011
8. السيد محمود محمد سعيد جناح، المسجون 23 مايو 2011
9. السيد شبلي العيسمي، العمر 87، المسجون 24 مايو 2011
10. السيد رياض محمد سعيد جناح، سجن 6 يونيو 2011
11. السيد أنس عليان، المسجون 11 يونيو 2011
12. السيد مصطفى الخطيب، المسجون 11 يونيو 2011
13. السيد خيرو الدباس، المسجون 2 يوليو 2011
14. السيد جهاد نديم عليان، سجن 8 يوليو 2011
15. السيد عبد الكريم سيكا، المسجون 14 يوليو 2011
16. السيد مصطفى حبيب الخولي، المسجون 16 يوليو 2011
17. السيد حسن وليد مبروكة ، المسجون 17 يوليو 2011
18. السيد أمين أنور قريطم، المسجون 18 يوليو 2011
19. السيد عبد الستار خولاني، المسجون 22 يوليو 2011
20. السيد اسلام الدباس، المسجون 22 يوليو 2011
21. السيد مجد خولاني، سجن 8 أغسطس 2011
22. السيد مازن شربجي، المسجون 15 أغسطس 2011
23. السيد حسين عيسو، المسجون 3 سبتمبر 2011
24. السيد محمد تيسير خولاني i، سجن 6 سبتمبر 2011
25. السيد مازن زيادة، سجن 6 سبتمبر 2011
26. السيد يحيى شربجي، سجن 6 سبتمبر 2011
27. السيد معن شربجي، سجن 6 سبتمبر 2011
28. السيد شبل ابراهيم، المسجون 23 سبتمبر 2011
29. السيد نعمان النوفي، المسجون 5 أكتوبر 2011
30. السيد علاء شويطي ، المسجون 16 أكتوبر 2011
31. الدكتور محمد بشير العربي، المسجون 2 نوفمبر 2011
32. السيد محمد غزي، المسجون 10 نوفمبر 2011
33. السيد لؤي عبد العزيز إدريس، سجن 10 يناير 2012
34. السيد عبد الله بات حيش، المسجون 1 فبراير 2012
35. السيد نور حلاق، المسجون 11 فبراير 2012
36. السيد مازن درويش، المسجون 16 فبراير 2012
37. السيد حسين غرير، المسجون 16 فبراير 2012
38. السيد هاني زيتاني، المسجون 16 فبراير 2012
39. الدكتور محمود الرفاعي، المسجون 16 فبراير 2012
40. الدكتور محمد بارودي، المسجون 18 فبراير 2012
41. السيد نبيل شربجي، المسجون 26 فبراير 2012
42. السيد أحمد الملا ، المسجون 3 مارس 2012
43. السيد عمرو خلف، سجن 12 مارس 2012
44. السيد أحمد بقدونس، المسجون 19 مايو 2012
45. السيد كمال أحمد محمد، المسجون 12 أغسطس 2012
46. الدكتور عبد العزيز الخير، الذي سجن 20 سبتمبر 2012
47. السيد خليل معتوق، محامي حقوق الإنسان، سجن 2 أكتوبر 2012
48. طبيب أسنان عمر عرنوس، سجن 6 أكتوبر 2012
49. السيدة فاطمة ياسين، المسجونة 29 أكتوبر 2012
50. السيدة بسمة الخطيب، المسجونة 29 أكتوبر 2012
51. السيدة كوثر أبو بكر، 17 عاما، سجنت 29 أكتوبر 2012
52. السيدة شذى مداد، المسجون 1 نوفمبر 2012
53. السيد مروان العش، سجن 3 نوفمبر 2012
54. د. مي جندلي، المسجونة 7 نوفمبر 2012
55. السيد مأمون نوفل، المسجون 9 نوفمبر 2012
56. السيدة عبير رافع، المسجونة 18 نوفمبر 2012
57. السيد صهيب العمار، المسجون 24 نوفمبر 2012
58. السيد إقبال العمار، المسجون 24 نوفمبر 2012
59. السيد يوسف العمار، المسجون 24 نوفمبر 2012
60. السيد بلال كاشان، المسجون 24 نوفمبر 2012
61. السيدة منى الوادي، المسجون 26 نوفمبر 2012
62. الدكتور هيثم سعد، المسجون 26 نوفمبر 2012
63. السيد صهيب زعبي، المسجون 15 ديسمبر 2012
64. السيدة سلمى عبد الرزاق، المسجون 30 ديسمبر 2012
65. السيدة مجد عزت شوربجي، المسجون 31 ديسمبر 2012
66. السيد ياسر حسين الكرمي، المسجون 31 ديسمبر 2012
67. السيدة هبة يوسف مشهداوي ، العمر 17، المسجون 3 يناير 2013
68. السيدة غادة العبار، سجن 9 يناير 2013
69. السيدة سوسن العبار، سجن 9 يناير 2013
70. السيد هيثم فرحان حسو ، سجن 16 يناير 2013
71. السيدة مجدولين أبو خضر، سجن 19 يناير 2013
72. السيد محمد موفق زريق، سجن 26 يناير
NONE of those deserved to be in prison in the first place

May 16th, 2013, 9:34 pm

 

ghufran said:

Rebels shot at civilians who were trying to enter Al-Yarmouk refugee camps yesterday in observance of Yawm Al-Nakbah. This crime was documented by foreign and Palestinian sources.
Sky posted this report:
http://news.sky.com/story/1091428/syria-civilians-come-under-fire-from-rebels

May 16th, 2013, 9:49 pm

 

Dawoud said:

“Thanks Qatar”
“Thanks Qatar”
شكرا قطر

شكرا قطر
شكرا قطر
شكرا قطر
شكرا للامير الطيب

“لبنان انتصر, شكرا قطر”

🙂

The non-gracious Hasan Nasrass حسن نصر الشيطان is now dissing Qatar. Qatar should have sent its billions somewhere else:

May 16th, 2013, 10:03 pm

 

revenire said:

David the Palestinians the rats shot at didn’t hear the news I guess (still waiting for the poll Dave).

May 16th, 2013, 10:04 pm

 

Observer said:

The war in Syria is now culminating in the death of the Sykes Picot agreements. The country is going to break apart and in this situation, we have now the regime essentially giving up on reclaiming any parts of Syria that it lost.

The defections has left the regime with a core of troops that it is using to secure the Damascus Homs Coast area. Iran is helping to keep supplying HA. HA is also trying to keep the area secure for its supplies.

The US will never put troops on the ground. The Russians supplied newer radar equipment to the anti ship missiles that Syria has making a naval blockade or a no fly zone more difficult.

My reading from this is that both the US and Russia are dancing the dance of talks and are talking political solutions while both are preparing to go the next round of fighting.

The visits to the White House by affected leaders from Erdogan to Hamad to Abdallah to Cameron have all shown that without the US leadership nothing can happen definitively.

There is going to be one of two situations: one the situation will necessitate an intervention or two the place will fall apart fully.

Death to Sykes Picot is happening in front of our eyes.

Look at Iraqi Kurdistan: prosperous and free and moving ahead with independent decisions and with deals galore with Turkey and all around it.

Syrian Kurds have effectively carved out a state up north.

The Alawites will make a huge mistake in trying to hold Damascus. I would move the the coast and declare an autonomous region in the name of minority fear of persecution.

The so called advances by the regime forces are tiny. These are militia like advances here and there for a small Alawistan no more.

Here is some reading for the day.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/17/world/middleeast/pressure-of-war-is-causing-syria-to-break-apart.html?ref=world&_r=0

May 16th, 2013, 10:05 pm

 

revenire said:

Dave do you have mental issues we should know about? I only ask because you tend to repeat yourself a great deal.

Thx.

May 16th, 2013, 10:05 pm

 

revenire said:

God is great!

Syrian Al Qaeda-linked rebel leader added to US terrorist list

The US State Department has put the head of Syria’s Al Qaeda-affiliated Al Nusrah Front onto their terrorist list. The decision will formally be announced on May 17. The US had already dubbed the Al Nusrah Front as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in December 2012, also adding two of its senior leaders to the list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists on the same day. The leaders are both Al Qaeda operatives in Iraq. From that day forth, the US also started referring to Syria’s Al Nusrah Front as the country’s Al Qaeda.

May 16th, 2013, 10:09 pm

 

dawoud said:

Shia Lebanese are only 0.0002 of the population of the Arab World, but they are 60% of “Syria Comments’s” commentators. This explains the pro-Dictator Slant of SC and its comment section.

“Thanks Qatar”
“Thanks Qatar”
شكرا قطر

شكرا قطر
شكرا قطر
شكرا قطر
شكرا للامير الطيب

“لبنان انتصر, شكرا قطر”

“لبنان انتصر, شكرا قطر

“لبنان انتصر, شكرا قطر

The non-gracious Hasan Nasrass حسن نصر الشيطان is now dissing Qatar. Qatar should have sent its billions somewhere else.

May 16th, 2013, 10:10 pm

 

ghufran said:

By MICHAEL R. GORDON and ERIC SCHMITT

WASHINGTON — Russia has shipped an advanced antiship cruise missile to Syria, a move that illustrates the depth of its support for the Syrian government led by President Bashar al-Assad, American officials said on Thursday.
Russia has previously provided Yakhont missiles, as the weapon is known, to Syria. But the missiles that were recently delivered are outfitted with an advanced radar that makes them far more accurate, according to American officials who are familiar with classified intelligence reports.
The new missile “contributes to Syria’s overall military capabilities, but specifically it would tend to push Western or allied naval activity further off the coast,” said Jeffrey White, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and a former senior American intelligence official. He said the delivery was “a signal of the Russian commitment to the Syrian government.”

May 16th, 2013, 10:10 pm

 

zoo said:

Unless the situation in Syria is not solved quickly, Erdogan may say goodbye to his political ambitions. No wonder he is desperate for a USA intervention

Can Obama Save Turkey From a Syrian Quagmire?

Published: May 16, 2013
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/17/opinion/can-obama-save-turkey-from-a-syrian-quagmire.html

This is bad news for Mr. Erdogan’s bid to remake the Turkish political system with a strong French-style presidency. Mr. Erdogan has aligned all the domestic political stars to be elected president in 2014. He has even made peace with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or the P.K.K., a move that would have been an unthinkable taboo just a few years ago. By entering a peace process with the P.K.K.’s reviled leader, the imprisoned Abdullah Ocalan, Mr. Erdogan has effectively ensured the country’s domestic stability in the run-up to 2014 and secured himself at least some Kurdish support. Yet an economic downturn brought on by the war in Syria could upset his plans.

Mr. Erdogan is aware that unless he secures greater American assistance against the Assad regime, Turkey could become the big loser in Syria, and Mr. Erdogan the big loser at the ballot box if he can’t cobble together an absolute majority in 2014. This is also bad news for the United States, which sees Turkey as one of the few stable, strong pillars of Western values in the region.

Turkey’s government believes that unless the balance of power in Syria is tilted in favor of the rebels now, the Syrian conflict will turn into an interminable sectarian civil war that pulls Hatay Province, and with it the rest of Turkey, into turmoil.

May 16th, 2013, 10:12 pm

 

dawoud said:

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-315653-obama-erdogan-reaffirm-assad-must-go.html
Obama, Erdoğan reaffirm Assad must go
16 May 2013 /TODAY’S ZAMAN WITH WIRES, ANKARA
US President Barack Obama said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad needs to leave power for a political solution in Syria after meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Obama made his administration’s stance clear on the position of Assad in a political settlement, underlining that he must depart to pave the way for a solution.

“We’re going to keep increasing the pressure on the Assad regime and working with the Syrian opposition,” Obama said. “We both agree that Assad needs to go.”

Erdoğan says the US and Turkey have overlapping goals when it comes to Syria. Neither leader mentioned that the US and Turkey remain far apart on just how to handle Syria’s bloody civil war. Erdoğan did not directly answer a question about what he asked from Obama on Syria.

Obama said the United States can’t act alone to bring peace to Syria and needs the cooperation of international partners.

“There’s no magic formula for dealing with an extraordinarily violent and difficult situation like Syria,” Obama said.

Erdoğan’s visit to the US came days after twin car bombings in Hatay’s Reyhanlı town along the border with Syria. On Saturday, one of the car bombs exploded outside the city hall while the other went off outside the post office in the town of Reyhanlı, a m
[…]

May 16th, 2013, 10:17 pm

 

dawoud said:

I forgot:

شكرا قطر

May 16th, 2013, 10:18 pm

 

zoo said:

So Germany will ask the Syrian Army to eliminate the German islamists extremists, so they don’t go back to Germany?
I guess Tunisia and France will too.

The Syrian army should not kill them, it should generously send them back to their home country so they can commit their crimes there instead of in Syria.

May 16th, 2013, 10:26 pm

 

dawoud said:

A Devil gives orders to another Devil to help Syria’s Devil kill innocent civilians!

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4380477,00.html

Report: Iran told Nasrallah to prevent Assad downfall ‘at all costs’
Arab official tells Kuwaiti newspaper Supreme Leader Khamenei instructed Shiite group leader to take on larger role in Syria war, block rebel supply routes
Roi Kais
Published: 05.16

ranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei instructed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah to prevent the downfall of Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria “at all costs,” the Kuwaiti newspaper Araa reported Thursday, citing a high-ranking Arab official.

The official said that during a meeting between Khamenei and Nasrallah in Tehran last month, the supreme leader told the secretary general of the Lebanese Shiite group to block all supply routes to the rebels fighting to overthrow the Syrian president.
[…]

May 16th, 2013, 10:33 pm

 

ann said:

Religion Of Peace!

Obama-Backed Rebels Carry Out Public Executions – May 16, 2013

http://www.infowars.com/obama-backed-rebels-carry-out-public-executions/

WARNING: Graphic content. Viewer discretion advised. Aimed only at documenting crimes by FSA terrorists in Syria.

[…]

http://www.infowars.com/obama-backed-rebels-carry-out-public-executions/

May 16th, 2013, 10:37 pm

 

dawoud said:

شكرا قطر

May 16th, 2013, 10:47 pm

 

revenire said:

Brother Majed and Tara bother screeched that Ergodan was going to do something. Well, he did – he went to moan about his problems to Obama.

May 16th, 2013, 10:47 pm

 

dawoud said:

Hasan NasrAs$ killed al-Hariri and Syria’s children:

May 16th, 2013, 10:50 pm

 

ann said:

Why are those cowards hiding their faces?!

May 16th, 2013, 10:51 pm

 

dawoud said:

In addition to the fact that both Hasan NasrAss and Bashar can’t pronounce the Arabic letters س and ش, what else they have in common? They both kill innocent Syrians. Shame on them

May 16th, 2013, 10:53 pm

 
 

revenire said:

Today’s New York Times:

Russia Sends More Advanced Missiles to Aid Assad in Syria
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/17/world/middleeast/russia-provides-syria-with-advanced-missiles.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

Upgrade to the Yakont in addition to the S-300s.

May 16th, 2013, 10:58 pm

 

ann said:

More from the religion of peace!

May 16th, 2013, 11:01 pm

 
 

Ziad said:

Picture taken on May 16, 2013 of Asma Assad taking her two kids Hafez & Zein to school in Damascus

https://twitter.com/zaidbenjamin/status/335074640533790720/photo/1

May 16th, 2013, 11:04 pm

 
 

ann said:

Religion Of Peace!

CIA Cannibal Eats Dead Syrian Soldier’s Heart – May 14, 2013

The CIA’s Islamic mercenaries – supported and funded by the Gulf monarchies – have demonstrated on numerous occasions in Syria and Libya they are not beholden to international standards governing the conduct of war

http://www.infowars.com/cia-cannibal-eats-dead-syrian-soldiers-heart/

The CIA supported Free Syrian Army has produced a video showing Abu Sakkar eating the heart of a dead Syrian soldier.

Sakkar is the commander of the Farouq Brigades, one of the largest units of the Free Syrian Army. In 2012, the unit merged with the Syrian Islamic Liberation Front, a coalition of Muslim Brotherhood and Salafist groups vowing to create an Islamic state in Syria. It is named after Farouq from Omar bin al-Khatab, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, and the second caliphate.

The video was described as authentic by several Abu Sakkar’s fighters and supporters, including his brother.

“I swear to God, soldiers of Bashar, you dogs – we will eat your heart and livers! Takbir! God is Great! Oh my heroes of Baba Amr, you slaughter the Alawites and take their hearts out to eat them!” Sakkar declares in the video.

The NGO Human Rights Watch claims the cannibal Sakkar also participated in the indiscriminate shelling of Shia villages in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley.

The International Committee of the Red Cross and the Geneva Convention prohibit mutilation of the dead. “Mutilation of the dead is actually a fairly rare occurrence in well-disciplined armies. This is probably as much the result of a general revulsion at such conduct as from a fear of criminal punishment,” notes H. Wayne Elliott.

Amnesty International has documented a steep increase in war crimes committed by CIA supported mercenaries in Syria, including hostage taking, torture and summary executions.

In Libya, NATO’s mercenaries tortured and summarily executed thousands, including Muammar Gadhafi and his son, according to Human Rights Watch. Islamic militias are said to have killed U.S. ambassador Stevens and several other Americans in Benghazi.

[…]

http://www.infowars.com/cia-cannibal-eats-dead-syrian-soldiers-heart/

May 16th, 2013, 11:11 pm

 

ann said:

Obama’s finest!

May 16th, 2013, 11:15 pm

 

dawoud said:

Hasan the Devil:

May 16th, 2013, 11:16 pm

 
 

ann said:

White House Benghazi Documents Show CIA, State Dept. Both Wanted Terror References Removed from Talking Points – May 16, 2013

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/wh-benghazi-documents-show-cia-state-both-wanted-terror-references-removed-talking

(CNSNews.com) – After days of media leaks and back-and-forth wrangling about administration officials’ deliberations on talking points about the Benghazi attack, the White House late Wednesday released documents showing that both CIA and State Department officials pressed for the removal of all references to al-Qaeda and previous terror activity in Libya.

Among the 100 pages released is a draft of talking points being prepared for Congress and then public release about the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, with extensive pen alterations by CIA deputy director Michael Morell.

Dated Sept. 14 but not time-stamped, the document shows that Morell wanted to strike sentences including an entire portion reading:

“The Agency has produced numerous pieces on the threat of extremists linked to al-Qaeda in Benghazi and eastern Libya. Since April, there have been at least five other attacks against foreign interests in Benghazi by unidentified assailants, including the June attack against the British Ambassador’s convoy. We cannot rule out that individuals had previously surveilled the U.S. facilities, also contributing to the efficacy of the attacks.”

Morell did not, however, make amendments to the part of the draft that linked the Benghazi attack to a demonstration at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo hours earlier (by Muslims purportedly enraged by an online video clip denigrating Mohammed.)

That sentence – which with minor alterations made it into the final talking points given to U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice ahead of her appearances on Sunday talk shows on Sept. 16 – read:

“The currently available information suggests that the demonstrations in Benghazi were spontaneously inspired by the protests at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo and evolved into a direct assault against the U.S. Consulate [diplomatic post in Benghazi] and subsequently its annex.”

(Armed with those talking points, Rice told ABC’s This Week that “our current best assessment, based on the information that we have at present, is that, in fact, what this began as, it was a spontaneous – not a premeditated – response to what had transpired in Cairo. In Cairo, as you know, a few hours earlier, there was a violent protest that was undertaken in reaction to this very offensive video that was disseminated.”)

U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens, foreign service officer Sean Smith and Navy Seals Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty were killed during the armed attack.

GOP critics have alleged that the administration’s talking points were designed to highlight the “offensive video” angle because focusing on terrorism would clash with the narrative of a diminishing terror threat in the closing stages of the election campaign. Administration officials have consistently denied this.

The documents released on Wednesday show that another sentence Morell wanted removed from draft talking points was one reading:

“On 10 September the Agency notified Embassy Cairo of social media reports calling for a demonstration and encouraging jihadists to break into the Embassy.”

Elsewhere in the package was an email sent by State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland (at 7:39 pm on Sept. 14) to various CIA and White House officials, in which she too raised concern about including in the talking points the references to prior attacks in Libya and previous CIA reports on extremist activity in and around Benghazi.

Nuland warned that that portion “could be abused by Members [of Congress] to beat the State Department for not paying attention to Agency warnings, so why do we want to feed that either? Concerned …”

House Speaker John Boehner’s spokesman, Brendan Buck, said the release of the documents was “long overdue and there are relevant documents the administration has still refused to produce.”

“The seemingly political nature of the State Department’s concerns raises questions about the motivations behind these changes and who at the State Department was seeking them,” he said.

[…]

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/wh-benghazi-documents-show-cia-state-both-wanted-terror-references-removed-talking

May 16th, 2013, 11:25 pm

 
 

Juergen said:

Tara

I believe Djumblatt like Aoun is an dangerous warlord and one with bloody hands too, only because he finally fight against Assad ( he was a loyal Assadist before) doesnt make him a moral person after all.

May 16th, 2013, 11:36 pm

 

ann said:

Israel Helps Terrorists – “They’re Good For Us Now” Says Top Cabinet Member

http://collapsereport.com/2013/05/09/israel-helps-terrorists-theyre-good-for-us-now-says-top-cabinet-member/

The US has ordered Israel to help retrieve it’s Al-Quaeda terrorists who are fighting in Syria. Many of these terrorists launched attacks against the USA in Iraq or against Israel just months earlier.

“It makes sense when you realize that Syria is our enemy” said a senior cabinet member. Some of the newly treated terrorists went directly into Israel to begin terror attacks against the nation that healed them. “That’s always a risk when you deal with these guy” said an Israeli spokesperson.

“Israel has set up a large field hospital near the Tel Hazakah observation and military post on Golan which overlooks southern Syria and northern Jordan. There, incoming Syrian war wounded are vetted and examined by Israeli army medics who decide whether to patch them up and send them back, or judge them badly hurt enough for hospital care. The seriously hurt are moved to one of the nearest Israeli hospitals in Safed or Haifa,” states the report.

By treating and rehabilitating wounded FSA militants and Al-Qaeda terrorists, Israel is aiding the very same rebels who have burned Israeli flags in public and vowed to crush the Zionist regime once they are finished toppling Bashar Al-Assad.

“It’s funny really when you think about it, we are healing the same guys we will be shooting with bullet holes in a few months, but that’s politics”

[…]

http://collapsereport.com/2013/05/09/israel-helps-terrorists-theyre-good-for-us-now-says-top-cabinet-member/

May 16th, 2013, 11:45 pm

 

dawoud said:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/16/us-syria-crisis-offensive-idUSBRE94F0T420130516

Syrian rebels launch offensive in south to reverse losses

Reuters) – Syrian rebels said they attacked an important military base in the south and checkpoints in the city of Deraa on Thursday, trying to regain ground lost to President Bashar al-Assad’s forces near the Jordanian border.

The rebels were thrown onto the defensive last week when Assad’s troops retook the town of Khirbet Ghazaleh on the main north-south highway between Damascus and Jordan.

They said hundreds of fighters with rocket launchers and anti-aircraft guns were brought in on Thursday to lay siege to the fortress-like headquarters of the Syrian army’s 52nd Mechanised Brigade, one of the largest bases in Deraa province.
[…]

Free Syria, Free Palestine!

May 16th, 2013, 11:51 pm

 

dawoud said:

Free Syrian Army FSA arrests Hasan the Devil 🙂

The satirical video includes a nice song about the black towel that Hasan the Devil has around his head:

May 16th, 2013, 11:54 pm

 

ann said:

Obama Tells Wealthy Gathering He Wants To “Institutionalize” Crisis Atmosphere – May 14, 2013

http://www.infowars.com/obama-tells-wealthy-gathering-he-wants-to-institutionalize-crisis-atmosphere/

Complaining about a lack of community spirit in Washington DC, the president said Sunday that he wishes to see institutionalized the kind of atmosphere that emerged in Boston following the recent terrorist bombings, so his administration can get things done.

Obama made the comments while speaking to wealthy millionaires at a fundraiser inside a five-story mansion owned by Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Only 60 guests were present at the event, with names from banking, fashion and entertainment, including singer Justin Timberlake, actress Jessica Biel, and designer Tommy Hilfiger.

“More than anything, what I will be striving for over the next three and a half years is to see if that spirit we saw in Boston and West Texas, to see if we can institutionalize that [and] if we can create a framework where everybody’s working together and moving this country forward,” Obama is quoted as saying in a press pool report highlighted by The Daily Caller.

Obama is clearly referring to the Boston attacks, as well as the explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas last month. In both situations, communities were reduced to states of confusion, panic and fear in the face of crisis.

Obama is said to have noted that such events have a positive impact of rallying Americans together, and that such an impact should be made commonplace.

The comments are reminiscent of those by Obama’s former Chief-of-Staff Rahm Emnauel, who notoriously stated “You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it’s an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.”

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also infamously said, “never waste a good crisis.”

The idea of the permanent crisis is a long standing one. In his book Liberal Fascism: The Secret History of the American Left, which documents the origins and nature of fascist movements, columnist Jonah Goldberg notes that “The utility of terror was multi-faceted, but among its chief benefits was the tendency to maintain a permanent sense of crisis. Crisis is routinely identified as a core mechanism of fascism because it short-circuits debate and democratic deliberation” (42-43).

Indeed, with regards to terror threats, the US is still officially in a state of emergency declared On September 11, 2001 and formally put into writing three days later by George W. Bush. The state of emergency has been extended every year since, and continues to be renewed annually by Obama.

Although it is constantly argued that this action violates the Constitution, it continues to be re-declared, invoking several war-time powers that give the president greater control of the military. Those powers include the ability to suspend retirements and separations of military personnel, recall the Ready Reserve, activate recently-retired Coast Guard officers and personnel, and prohibit or regulate financial transactions with foreign entities involved in terrorism.

There are far too many stipulations of the state of emergency to list here, as it activates some 500 legal provisions, including those allowing the president to effectively impose censorship and martial law.

So not only is the president saying that he wishes to institutionalize a crisis state, he is actively doing so. Of course, Congress has the power to revoke the state of emergency, but that isn’t likely to happen any time soon.

[…]

http://www.infowars.com/obama-tells-wealthy-gathering-he-wants-to-institutionalize-crisis-atmosphere/

May 17th, 2013, 12:03 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

in the next few weeks we are going to hear about a major fight around Deraa,between Deraa and Suwaida,Hizb allah fighters are pouring there, and Nusra front are massing people there

May 17th, 2013, 12:30 am

 

ann said:

Syrian rebel atrocity video: No apology for ‘revenge’, more clips promised – May 15, 2013

http://rt.com/news/syria-rebel-eat-lung-revenge-307/

A chilling tape of a Syrian rebel apparently eating the heart of a slain government soldier has prompted calls on the opposition to prevent such abuses. However the fighter has also reportedly had support from within his ranks for his “act of revenge.”

The video, 27 seconds of footage, was first spotted in April, with the TIME magazine conducting a probe into whether it had been faked for propaganda purposes. On Sunday, the clip emerged on a pro-regime website, triggering a wave of rage online.

Human rights organizations, as well as his fellow rebels, have condemned the rebel.

However, Khalid Hamad, known by his war nickname Abu Sakkar, didn’t seem to regret his behavior much, labeling it as revenge: “an eye for eye, a tooth for tooth.”

In an interview with TIME magazine, he commented on his actions: “We opened his cell phone, and I found a clip of a woman and her two daughters fully naked and he was humiliating them, and poking a stick here and there.”

Hamad says as a Sunni he hates Alawite Muslims, which once again signals of the increasingly sectarian side of the Syrian conflict. UN warned of it as early as in December last year.

“Hopefully we will slaughter all of [the Alawites]. I have another video clip that I will send to them. In the clip, I am sawing another shabiha [pro-government militiaman] with a saw. The saw we use to cut trees. I sawed him into small pieces and large ones,” Hamad said in the interview. The rebel was initially reported to have taken out the liver and heart, but later it was concluded that it was a lung he was holding in his hands.

The Supreme Military Council has already compiled a poster calling for Hamad’s arrest, saying it wants him “dead or alive” on official Damascus’s behalf.

On Monday, Human Rights Watch issued a report on the matter, saying the rebel was also to blame for the cross-border bombing of a Lebanese village that left two killed not long ago.

“It is not enough for Syria’s opposition to condemn such behavior or blame it on violence by the government,” Nadim Houry, the watchdog’s deputy director for the Middle East, told TIME magazine.

“The opposition forces need to act firmly to stop such abuses.” However with recent reports showcasing lack of unity in the opposition ranks, a unified response to such acts may stay only in the form of calls. The Red Cross for instance brings the following report from within Syria.

“Sometimes it can take more than two weeks of negotiations with both sides. With armed groups, maybe half of them will accept and with half we still have to negotiate. Even if you get the green light from both sides, you would have some groups or snipers who would not really follow instructions and would shoot at anyone who is trying to cross,” head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) team Marianne Gasser told Reuters.

But while some of the opposition factions denounce Hamad’s actions, there are supporters who make portraits of him with the inscription “We Love You.”

“These types of atrocities have been happening in Syria since the beginning of the crisis. The international community just didn’t want to admit it,” Ali Haider, Syria’s minister for reconciliation, told the Telegraph.

The minister also pointed out that they had documents that were as “horrific” as the video featuring Hamad.

“We have seen one of our pilot’s heads cut off and cooked on a grill. We have seen rebels toasting their success by drinking the blood of their victims,” he claimed.

All this comes as the UK and France urge for the arms embargo on Syria to be lifted in order to supply the opposition with weapons. This has already drawn criticism from allies, with Austria reportedly circulating a discussion paper among the EU member states on Tuesday pressing that such a move would violate the international law.

Lifting the embargo would “constitute a breach of international and EU law” and be contrary to the “principle of non-intervention and non-use of force” laid down in the UN Charter, Austrian press quoted the document. If the weapons fall with al-Nusra Front opposition group, it would also violate UN Security Council resolutions on Al-Qaeda, given al-Nusra’s recent affiliation claims.

[…]

http://rt.com/news/syria-rebel-eat-lung-revenge-307/

May 17th, 2013, 12:51 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Eating the heart of Syrians, one whip at a time. This is what regime propagandists on Joshua Landis’s blog are defending. This is the farm they want to keep and this is their ethics, and hate for Syrians.
الشــهادة
رضا حداد ===== 22222222 ==========

تجنبت طوال الحديث السابق الكلام عن مرحلة الإعتقال الأولى، و فترة التحقيق لأن ذكراها تؤلمني، تشوشني، تحيي في داخلي كل مشاعر الذل و المهانة و الألم النفسي .. عندما تصبح لا شيء و هم يؤكدون لك بوسائلهم في كل لحظة انك مجرد رقم يمكن أن تمحى ليس من سجلاتهم بل من الوجود متى شاؤوا وببساطة.. رقمي أنا كان ” 61 ” .. هذا ما علمته بعد عودتي من المشفى إلى فرع التحقيق، قضيت في المستشفى سبعة أيام، إثنين منها في غرفة العناية المشددة و أنا بحالة غياب كامل عن الوعي. و السبب ببساطة طلبوا مني بعد اعتقالي بدقائق و أنا معصب العينين و مغلول اليدين و القدمين. طلب مني هشام بختيار ، و هو عميد حالياً كما طلب فيما بعد ” علي دوبا” رئيس شعبة الإستخبارات العسكرية تزويده بمعلومات لا أملك منها شيئاً. قال : ” قل ما نريد و ستعود إلى عملك و بيتك، أنت صحفي و مثقف و نحن لا نريد إيذاءك”. رغم شعوري بالخوف ابتسمت في سري، خمسة عناصر مسلحين بالرشاشات ” الكلاشينكوف” يسوقونني في منتصف الشارع و يخطفوني من الطريق، يعصبون عيني و يكبلون يدي بالأصفاد، و يقول ” لا نريد إصابتك بأي أذى”. أكدت لهما عدة مرات أني لا أملك معاومات عن الموضوع الذي يحققون به .. نعم أنا صديق و مؤيد لخط الحزب الشيوعي السوري ( المكتب السياسي)، لكن هذا لا يعني إمتلاكي المعلومات التي تطلب، أجبت السيد علي دوبا.
و بدأت دورة العذاب الجهنمية التي تركت آثارها في أيامي و طيلة حياتي المتبقية .. آثارها جسدية تمثلت بأعطال شبه دائمة و أخرى مؤقته، و آثار نفسية لن تمحيها السنوات.

——

وقف علي دوبا مغتاظاً من عدم وصوله على أية نتائج مرجوة لمعلومات لا أملك منها شيئاً، و أخذ يركل رأسي بحذائه بقسوة و يدوس على رقبتي و يدخل مقدمة حذائه في حلقي و هو يقول غاضباً : ” بدي موتك يا عرص يا إبن الشرموطة، تريد أن تموت بطلاً سألبي لك رغبتك، موت يا شرموط يا إبن العاهرة “. و سمعت شتائم لم أسمعها طيلة حياتي من بشر . ثم تناول خيزرانة و إخذ يضربني بها على مختلف أنحاء جسدي.. و هشام يشاركه الضرب بكابل نحاسي.. لقد فقد صوابه ، تكسرت عصاه ، تناول الكابل من يد هشام و أخذ يتابع ضربي بشكل هستيري. لم أعد أشعر غبت عن الوعي تماماً

الشــهادة
رضا حداد =====

ضحايا الحرية رموز الوطن ,,,,,,, رضا حداد شهيد موقف وحرية وطن
المرحوم الصحفي رضا حداد الذي أصيب بسرطان الدم . هذا المرض الذي أودى به بعد ثمانية أشهر من خروجه من السجن الذي قضي فيه خمسة عشر عاماً بتهمة مناهضة الثورة . توفي مساء الاثنين 10/ 6/1996، بعد صراع مع السرطان.

Damn you, damn your so called president, its ugly family, its hoards of hyenas including you.

May 17th, 2013, 12:51 am

 

ann said:

`israel wants to get rid of UN Peacekeepers 😉

UN: 3 Peacekeepers Abducted Between Israel-Syria – UNITED NATIONS May 17, 2013 (AP)

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/peacekeepers-abducted-israel-syria-19197687

Armed men broke into a U.N. outpost in a buffer zone separating Israel and Syria and abducted three U.N military observers, the U.N. peacekeeping chief said Thursday.

Herve Ladsous told a group of reporters that the unarmed observers were held by the Syrian men for about five hours and released unharmed Wednesday morning.

It was the third abduction of U.N. peacekeepers in the tense region since March and underlined again their vulnerability in the spillover of the conflict in Syria, which is now in its third year.

Ladsous called the latest abduction “a very serious incident … that illustrates the very difficult conditions that now prevail” in and around the area separating Syrian and Israeli forces which is supposed to be free of armed groups.

The U.N. Security Council strongly condemned the abduction of the three observers by “a group of anti-government armed elements” who also looted the observation post. In a statement Thursday evening, the council called on all Syrian parties to cooperate with U.N. peacekeepers, ensure their security, and enable them to operate freely.

Ladsous said that early Wednesday morning, a group of unknown armed men broke into U.N. Observation Post 52 in the area of separation and abducted three members of Observer Group Golan, which is part of the U.N. Truce Supervision Organization, known as UNTSO.

They were released unharmed about five hours later and returned safely to the observation post, where they were met by the head of the U.N. Disengagement Observer Force, known as UNDOF, Ladsous said.

Ladsous, the undersecretary-general for peacekeeping, did not say where the three military observers were from but the media in New Zealand reported that one was a New Zealander.

Ladsous said it wasn’t known which Syrian group abducted the three UNTSO observers.

Ladsous said the U.N. is trying to keep the remaining troops.

“We are in close contact with the troop contributors with a view to retaining their active support because they are crucial,” he said.

A U.N. official, speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of an announcement, said about 150 troops from Fiji will replace Japanese and Croatian contingents that left.

Ladsous reiterated that his department is doing contingency planning for a possible U.N. peacekeeping operation in Syria after the fighting ends, working in close consultation with Lakhdar Brahimi.

[…]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/peacekeepers-abducted-israel-syria-19197687

May 17th, 2013, 1:20 am

 

ann said:

After Kidnap Allowed by Ladsous Laxity, Belated Half-Answer, UNCA Defense

By Matthew Russell Lee

http://www.innercitypress.com/ladsous3golan051613.html

UNITED NATIONS, May 16 — More than three hours after a Press request, and after Herve Ladsous’ Department of Peacekeeping Operations spoon-fed half answers about another kidnapping of peacekeepers under his watch to friendly scribes, this written response was sent:

Subject: Re: Request for all information DPKO has providing about new detention of UN peacekeepers in the Golan, etc
Date: Thu, May 16, 2013 at 11:14 PM
From: Josephine Guerrero [at] un.org
To: Matthew Russell Lee [at] InnerCityPress.com
Cc’s [many, including]: Kieran Dwyer [at] un.org, Andre-Michel Essoungou [at] un.org, FUNCA

Matthew, On the most recent detention of UN peacekeepers in the Golan:

In the early morning on 15 May, a group of unknown armed men broke into UN Observation Post 52, in the area of separation. Three Observer Group Golan unarmed military observers were taken and held for approximately five hours and were released unharmed. They returned safely to UN Observation Post 52 where they were met by the UNDOF Head of Mission.

It’s appreciated, and Inner City Press immediately publishes it in full – but it doesn’t answer Inner City Press’ question at the May 16 noon briefing, about “the highest levels of DPKO” being aware of the role of Qatari intelligence and the Syrian opposition “ambassador” in Doha in the previous kidnapping of Filipino UN peacekeepers.

Nor does it answer when Inner City Press directly requested, more than three hours earlier, “for an explanation of how this information was disseminated on such a limited basis, including in light of DPKO spokesperson Dwyer’s statements at UN World Press Freedom Day event.” Video here.

Then after yet more peacekeepers were grabbed, rather than even put out an e-mail announcement, Ladsous summoned a group of friendly journalists, who typed up what he said without any context at all.

Reuters’ Michelle Nichols, for example, typed up quotes from Ladsous without any mention of what happened in the GA Hall the day before, and said Fiji would replace the fleeing peacekeepers, according to unnamed diplomats.

With all due respect to Fiji, it was barred by Kofi Annan from contributing troops due to its coup d’etat. The reason it would step in now would be to put that behind. To not include that in a story is just lazy, ignorant, or worse.

But this is what Ladsous, and now apparently the UN he is corrupting, is looking for. It so ill-serves even the troop contributing countries that by them Ladsous is called a loser.

Nevertheless, an anonymous social media account associated with the UN Correspondents Association quickly jumped in, defending Ladsous from the verdict of a Troop Contributing Country, that Ladsous is “a loser.” Perhaps Reuters or UNCA should contributed troops.

[…]

http://www.innercitypress.com/ladsous3golan051613.html

May 17th, 2013, 1:33 am

 

Citizen said:

Five Russian warships entered the Mediterranean Sea on Thursday and are scheduled to dock in Limassol, Cyprus.

Russian news sources reported that the ships would bolster the country’s new regional task force. Russia currently has a naval base in Tartous, Syria.

In March, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that the naval task force was needed in order to protect Russian interests in the region.

“The task force has successfully passed through the Suez Canal and entered the Mediterranean,” Capt. First Rank Roman Martov was quoted as saying in Russian news agency RIA Novosti. “It is the first time in decades that Pacific Fleet warships enter this region.”

The Russian navy maintained a squadron of 30-50 ships in the region from 1967 until 1992 as part of its Cold War with the United States.

According to RIA Novosti, the task force currently includes an anti-submarine ship, a frigate, and rescue tugs. Joining the task force from the Pacific fleet are a destroyer, amphibious warfare ships, and a tanker.

On Sunday, Navy Commander Admiral Viktor Chirkov said that nuclear submarines may be added to the task force in the future.

According to the Russian defense ministry, the command and control agencies for the Mediterranean task force will be based in either Novorossiysk, Russia, or Sevastopol, Ukraine.

May 17th, 2013, 1:34 am

 

ann said:

Here’s an exclusive! Mona Alami declares Aleppo “rebel-held”!!!
Looks like USA TODAY will publish anything without verification!!!

Vice and virtue police rule Syria “rebel-held” region – May 15, 2013

Mona Alami, Special for USA TODAY

Religious police units enforce a strict form of Islamic rule, such banning alcohol sales and requiring conservative dress for women

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/05/16/syria-vice-virtue-police-rebels/2161465/

BEIRUT — Radical Syrian opposition groups [Al-Qaeda?] now in control of Aleppo [?] and much of its surroundings [?] are forming increasing numbers of religious police units to enforce a strict form of Islamic rule, such as banning alcohol sales and making prayer compulsory.

The actions of these groups, many of which comprise foreign fighters [MERCENARIES?] , are gaining in reach in a country that has been largely secular and free of Islamic jihadist radicalism.

“Rebels have brutally imposed a conservative dress code for women and crushed any secular opposition in these areas,” Syrian author Talal al-Atrache says.

Known as vice and virtue police, these squads are enforcing the edicts of courts put in place by rebels [Al-Qaeda?] in the various Syrian regions where the Syrian government has been pushed out.

The main purpose of the courts is to adjudicate criminal allegations and issue rulings against members of regime forces or undisciplined members of the armed factions, says Mourad al Chami, spokesperson for the Syrian Military Council in Damascus.

“However, like in any other war, there have been reports of excessive behavior on the part of these religious courts and police squads,” al Chami admits.

Much of the spread of Islamic courts has been in Aleppo, the largest city in Syria and scene of nearly two years of battles between rebels and government forces. Fighters aligned with radical groups [Al-Qaeda?] in Iraq and elsewhere [MERCENARIES?] have made their way there to fight the regime of Bashar Assad and at the same time have slowly been imposing their laws on villages and neighborhoods they control.

In some towns, Islamist militants [Al-Qaeda?] patrol the streets and warn men to not shave and refrain from alcohol, and tell women to wear the abaya, a long black garment that comes with a veil.

“There have been several reports of liquor stores forced to close down,” says al Chami, who adds that most demands are limited to pockets of terrain and not widespread.

Mouaz al-Khatib, former head of the Syrian National Coalition, which is a group of opposition forces, has said he is aware of cases where women were executed for alleged sexual misbehavior, says Thomas Pierret, a specialist of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

Videos circulating on the Internet depict punishments imposed by vice and virtue squads in Syria, though the footage can not be verified as accurate.

One video shows a demonstrator being arrested because he had thrown away a banner inscribed with the Muslim declaration of faith associated with radical Salafi movements. Author al-Atrache says the demonstrator, identified as Wael Ibrahim Abu Mariam, is punished by 10 strokes of metal pipe by the Sharia Authority in Aleppo.

Another video shows secular activist Abdallah Yassine being charged for inciting unrest by Shariah Tribunals in Saraqeb, in the province of Idlib.

Moaz al Khatib, himself an Islamic scholar, has criticized al-Nusra for enforcing an uncompromising version of Islam. The Syrian National Council announced recently it intended to establish a more moderate version of sharia law, but what that means is not known.

“The reference to sharia ( by the council) means very little without further specification,” Pierret says.

[…]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/05/16/syria-vice-virtue-police-rebels/2161465/

May 17th, 2013, 2:19 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

If Hezbollah or Iran wants to fight in Syria, then they will die in Syria. The Assadists have already been defeated. Now the fight is against the foreign Shiites.

There’s a war. It continues.

May 17th, 2013, 2:38 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

Most of Aleppo city and the province IS in the control of the rebels. If you travel in Aleppo while waving an Assadist flag, you won’t get very far.

On the other hand, if you wave Al Nusra’s flag in Aleppo province, you can travel a lot further. That means Al Nusra controls more of the territory than the Assadists.

May 17th, 2013, 2:42 am

 

Hanzala said:

I like my Assad heart and liver cooked in a pan with onions and a little oil.

May 17th, 2013, 2:47 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

Add some seasoning too.

What comes around, goes around. The war continues.

May 17th, 2013, 2:50 am

 

Hanzala said:

lol

May 17th, 2013, 2:51 am

 

Juergen said:

interesting read in DER SPIEGEL ( I couldnt find yet an english scource for this story)

Russia delivers anti ship missiles to Syria, weakens the possibility of an international sea blockade or air controlled buffer zone

“Jachont” missiles in Syria: Russia delivers modern anti-ship missiles to Assad

“Russia supplies Syria apparently with more modern weapons than previously known. In recent months, the Assad regime have received advanced anti-ship missiles of the type “Jachont” from Moscow. This tells the “New York Times”, citing unnamed U.S. officials.”

http://translate.google.de/translate?sl=de&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=de&ie=UTF-8&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fausland%2Frussland-liefert-moderne-anti-schiff-rakete-jachont-nach-syrien-a-900419.html

May 17th, 2013, 4:43 am

 

Mina said:

Should we believe the Saudis were channelling money to Hizbullah or do we have to read Hamas?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/16/court-papers-saudi-princes-relations

May 17th, 2013, 6:21 am

 

Tara said:

The regime never fail to outdo itself in horror.  Killing prisoners in Aleppo and throwing them out of the windows to deter the rebels attack on the prison.    

• Rebel forces claimed they were forced to call off an assault on the main prison in Aleppo after troops defending it began shooting inmates and throwing them out of the windows, the Telegraph’s Richard Spencer reports from the city. Anas, a soldier speaking after withdrawing from the rebels’ front line, said:”I saw 10 bodies being thrown out today. Yesterday, we attacked at about five o’clock, but when we began they started throwing bodies through the window. The bodies are still there, and we are close enough to smell them. We cannot get them because they are in the line of fire.”

The Guardian 

May 17th, 2013, 7:18 am

 

Dawoud said:

Free Syria, Free Palestine!

May 17th, 2013, 7:56 am

 

Juergen said:

MIna

How dare you ask this question. How can the honorable Sheikh Nasrallah and the defender of arab honor the hisbollah take money from Saudi Arabia, its totally unbelieveable

May 17th, 2013, 8:59 am

 

dawoud said:

I wonder how many of these filthy pro-Bashar Terrorist Hackers are posting here on SC pro-Bashar and pro-Hasan the Devil comments! They are very likely members of the Lebanese Shia or Shiite Terrorist group Hizbas$ of Hasan the Devil حسن نصر الشيطان

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/17/net-us-britain-ft-hacked-idUSBRE94G0DE20130517

Pro-Assad hackers attack UK newspaper FT’s website, Twitter feed

(Reuters) – The website of British newspaper the Financial Times was hacked on Friday, apparently by the “Syrian Electronic Army”, a group of hackers and on-line activists who say they support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
[…]

May 17th, 2013, 9:02 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Hmmmm.

Dawoud,

What if Israel signed an agreement with the opposition, fought along side with the opposition, deposed Assad, and formed an alliance where Israel returns the Golan for a peace treaty??

Maybe this could tip the balance and save lives and create a long-term peace (and take Hezbollah, Iran, and Russia out of the picture)?.

Then we could focus on Freeing Palestine. q:o)

May 17th, 2013, 9:11 am

 

Dawoud said:

543. AKBAR PALACE

Very likely, the opposition would NOT accept your hypothetical offer as long as Israel occupies al-Quds al-Sharif and steals/colonizes Palestinian lands. Those who oppose a murderous dictatorship would be morally-bankrupt if they align themselves with occupiers.

Free Syria, Free Palestine!

May 17th, 2013, 9:31 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Very likely, the opposition would NOT accept your hypothetical offer as long as Israel occupies al-Quds al-Sharif and steals/colonizes Palestinian lands.

Dawoud,

Oh Well. I know it was a stab in the dark. I’m just trying to think “outside the box”.

May 17th, 2013, 9:36 am

 

revenire said:

Tara lol – they’re free now.

May 17th, 2013, 9:37 am

 

revenire said:

“Those who oppose a murderous dictatorship would be morally-bankrupt if they align themselves with occupiers.”

You’re already allied with the Zionists Dave.

May 17th, 2013, 9:39 am

 

dawoudrh said:

يا مو, يا أم الشهداء

May 17th, 2013, 9:49 am

 
 

revenire said:

Dave did you ever find that poll? The one where you said 95% of Palestinians supported the Zionist attack on Syria (like you do)?

Guess you lied to everyone.

No big deal – your entire revolution is based on lies.

PS – Why so sectarian Dave?

PPS – Your friends shot Palestinians in Yarmouk – it is on camera. Guess that Palestinians were not part of the 95% huh?

May 17th, 2013, 10:33 am

 

revenire said:

Dave did you ever find that poll? The one where you said 95% of Palestinians supported the Zionist attack on Syria (like you do)?

Guess you lied to everyone.

No big deal – your entire revolution is based on lies.

PS – Why so sectarian Dave?

PPS – Your friends shot Palestinians in Yarmouk – it is on camera. Guess that Palestinians were not part of the 95% huh?

May 17th, 2013, 10:37 am

 

revenire said:

A little different than the wild BBC story that Tara pasted (remember when the BBC was caught using photos from Iraq and claiming it was Syria?).

TERRORIST EFFORT TO ENTER CENTRAL PRISON IN ALEPPO FAILS MISERABLY; 38 RATS KILLED, 63 WOUNDED; 19 SURRENDER TO SYRIAN ARMED FORCES, GUARDS AND MILITIA. PRISONERS VOLUNTEERED TO FIGHT RODENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT

ALEPPO: As you must have heard, Syrian government forces annihilated the terrorist rats who were personally commanded by soon-to-be-dead former colonel, ‘Abdul-Jabbar Al-Ukaydi. What a disaster! They tried to shock our shockproof forces with 2 bomb-laden cars which were woefully inadequate for the task. Instead, what they wound up doing was attracting hundreds of security personnel who quickly put the kibosh on their miserable plans. With militia and SAA in place, it was a matter of 3 hours before the entire terrorist operation went into disaster mode.

Our source in Aleppo, Barakaat, finally communicated with us from his home in Al-‘Azeeziyya, and told us by telephone that his brother, who works at the prison as a cook, could hear prisoners demanding to fight the terrorists who had attacked the prison from 3 sides. (See above). The attack started at 5:20 a.m. on Wednesday ,Aleppo time, or 12:20 a.m. NYT, commenced with the explosion of 2 vans, painted up to look like ordinary supply delivery vehicles, loaded with C-4 at the Main Gate. The drivers of the cars were suicide bombers who were killed instantly as the cars exploded. Wael says that Barakaat is wrong because both vans were actually ambulances.

SyrPer Exclusive: We now know that the FSA had insiders within the ranks of the guards at the Central Prison. What the FSA did not know was that the insiders worked for General Security. This is why the plan went awry. The SAA and security knew ahead of time about the attack. What was not known was the exact timing. Also of interest to our readers: The approximately 230 prisoners who were doing time for participating in terrorism were placed (for their own protection) in the “South Wing” which would have made it impossible for the rats to reach them without sustaining massive losses.

Here are some of the names of dead rats collected so far from the carcasses strewn about the area:

‘Abdul-Khaaleq Al-Mu’adhdhin
Rabaah Mansoor
Muhammad Iblibi
Mustafa Kallaas
Jameel Abu-Sanaasel (?)
Muraad Al-Ahaameed
Adeeb Jalaali
Raateb Al-A’war
Mahmoud Khayreddeen
Muhammad Jiniblaad
‘Awn ‘Abdul-Ahad
Thaa’er Al-Tutunn

We have 3 confirmed Turks in the group whose identities have not been ascertained. There are 38 carcasses so far.

Hanaano Residencies: A team of SF from the SAA attacked a den of cockroaches and killed all 7 in a morning raid. Thanks to Prince Fatso of Qatar, our militias have a brand new 23mm AA gun and 14 new AK47 rifles. Thanks so much to the Husband of Madame Banana. The 7 killed are:

“Abu-Al-Naqma” (The Vengeful One; yawn. Id pending. Known from intercepted communications.)
Saaber Nujoom
Muhammad Riyaadhi
Salloom ‘Abdul-Rahmaan
Khudhr Al-Kaamel
CONFIRMED LIBYAN RAT TERRORIST (“Al-Mujaahed Al-Leebi”)
Muhammad Tarshu

http://syrianperspective.blogspot.com/2013/05/first-post-may-16-2013-syrian-army.html

May 17th, 2013, 10:44 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Syrian lira is too low,one dollar equal 150 lira.

Akbar Palace
The Rebels will never ally with Israel,
Israel on one side is against HA, on the other side Asshead and his thugs like Rat head Revenir are Israel protectors and ally.

Matthew Barber
I am calling on you to ban Rat head Revenir, he is terrorist and terrorists should not be on this blog, I am sure many of S.C.commentators support this call

May 17th, 2013, 11:06 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Majedkhaldoun,

Each side in this conflict is accused of fighting for Israel.

So, there is a common denominator!

Here’s a good article I found. Quite depressing…

http://news.yahoo.com/insight-syrias-nusra-front-eclipsed-iraq-based-al-135153068.html

May 17th, 2013, 11:11 am

 

Uzair8 said:

So Assad is winning?

Apparently a few foreign officials, media figures and regimists seem to think so.

The opposition shouldn’t care less what anyone says and certainly not let such suggestions demoralise them. God Almighty will decide who wins and who loses. Heaven is with the oppressed. The opposition just need to continue to ensure they are worthy and deserving of Divine support and avoid anything which could risk harming the righteousness and justness of their cause thereby risk losing Heavenly aid.

The opposition will not be demoralised.

The People’s Struggle will continue.

InshaAllah.

May 17th, 2013, 11:17 am

 

revenire said:

Brother Majed it was YOU who supported the Zionist air raid on Syria. It is also YOU who supports Nusra.

Quit your crying and man up “doc” … it is sad to watch.

May 17th, 2013, 11:22 am

 

revenire said:

“The Rebels will never ally with Israel.”

LOL they already are allied with Israel. As Sayyed Nasrallah has ssaid he attack on Syria is a Zionist project.

May 17th, 2013, 11:26 am

 

revenire said:

Uzair8 welcome back brother. Was there ever any doubt that Assad would win? After all, he has the support of the Syrian people and with that how could he lose?

God is great.

May 17th, 2013, 11:29 am

 

Uzair8 said:

557 Revenire.

I don’t believe Assad is winning. My post was about explaining this. Just warning revolutionaries not to be deceived by such suggestions.

Anyway I’ve expected intervention for a while (not that I would necessarily support it, unless it’s by Turkey/Jordan or regional muslim nations).

Another point for regime allies (foreign fighters) to seriously consider. When the intervention does finally arrives, with all the Hezbo, Iraqi fighters and Iranian Revolutionary Guards etc present in Syria, they will also likely get smashed in the process. Big mistake for them to enter Syria.

And no, I’m not back.

May 17th, 2013, 11:41 am

 

dawoud said:

Iran’s and its Iraqi militia’s TERRORISM:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/17/us-iraq-blast-idUSBRE94G0BW20130517

Two blasts at Iraqi Sunni mosque kill 43

(Reuters) – Two bombs exploded outside a Sunni Muslim mosque in the Iraqi city of Baquba as worshippers left after Friday prayers, killing at least 43 people in one of the deadliest attacks in a month-long surge in sectarian violence.

Attacks on Sunni and Shi’ite mosques, security forces and Sunni tribal leaders have spread since troops raided a Sunni protest camp near Kirkuk a month ago, and fears are intensifying of a return to all-out Shi’ite-Sunni conflict.

Increasingly sectarian civil war in neighboring Syria is emboldening Iraqi Sunni insurgents and straining relations between the two Muslim groups in Iraq, where tensions are at their worst since U.S. troops pulled out at the end of 2011.
[…]

May 17th, 2013, 11:53 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

ugly, dumb, and dumber. in the first screen. Then a low-taste, stupid, badly composed, terribly sung, and pathetically produced and choreographed screech. This is the stupidity of the pos athad worship ritualistic crap.

And there is a mistake in the leric (if such blather can be called so) … it should not be Qa’ed, it should be Qaw’wad.

May 17th, 2013, 12:12 pm

 

Ziad said:

[Israeli] Army Kidnapped 28 Children In The first Half Of May, Dozens Injured

293 Palestinian Children Kidnapped In The First Quarter Of 2013

According to reports by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), based in Gaza, and the Wadi Hilweh Information Center, in Silwan in occupied East Jerusalem, Israeli soldiers continued their aggression against the Palestinian children, kidnaped 28 children, dozens of children have been injured by Israeli soldiers and settlers in the first half of this month.

http://imemc.org/article/65498

May 17th, 2013, 12:21 pm

 

Ziad said:

Settlers Attack Schoolchildren Near Nablus

Thursday May 16 2013, a number of extremist Israeli settlers attacked several schoolchildren in Orif village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus.

http://imemc.org/article/65496

May 17th, 2013, 12:26 pm

 

apple_mini said:

Syria conflict or war if fighting being emphasized is probably the most complicated, layered and mosiac one in recent human history.

Proxy war is a term to people with cynic view. But in reality, Syrians are fighting Syrians. It is involved with class conflict, economic injustice, social and political inequality and oppression. Most of all, sectarian mindsets violently collides with ethnic identity demanding for independence.

Many analysis tend to focus on one or some aspects of the conflict. But it risks danger to miss some links to the puzzle for understanding what the true situation is in Syria. Every link is vital and that makes the whole picture extremely dynamic and fluid.

There are three front lines co-evolving: military, political and propaganda.

The regime currently has advantage on those three. Consistency serves well to those decision-makers so they can have clear strategy and plannings.

Of course the regime is fully aware of sectarian fault lines. But if any of its military operation, policy or interpretation puts linchpin on sectarian aspect. Then we would see the whole country spiraling down into fragmentation.

The regime has many ugly sides and still waiting to be dealt with. But the integrity and sovereignty of the nation are the regime’s full responsibility and the regime is the sole figure which can be counted on.

On the contrary, the opposition consist of fractured groups: people demanding democracy and justice, people who have been directly or indirectly prosecuted unjustly by the regime, people who are social or economic marginalized and outcasts, Islamists, Sunni sectarians and even socialists. The rebels are mainly sectarians and Islamists and they are fragmented in more or less warlord fashion.

The stake is extremely high. But problems and issues can only be solved gradually at evolving stages. Some of the pro-regime and the opposition who are so idealistic about their way to change or refuse to change the state are already failing.

May 17th, 2013, 12:27 pm

 

Ziad said:

Mass graves with 1,000 bodies found in Iraq from U.S occupation

Three mass graves with 1,000 corpses found in Iraq

http://uprootedpalestinians.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/mass-graves-with-1000-bodies-found-in.html

May 17th, 2013, 12:28 pm

 
 

Akbar Palace said:

Deflecting Athad’s Atrocities begin in 3…2…1…

Ziad,

Please let imemc.org know that if these “children” throw stones at soldiers, they aren’t children. Especially if they are 18 years old or over.

But you’re right, the IDF is sooooo much more criminal than your hero Athad. Athad just shoots’em dead.

On May 7, the army “invaded” [ran after stone thrower in] the Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem, and kidnapped [arrested] Saleh and Srour, 18.

Ziad,

Here are some mass graves you forgot to count. It beats the “US-created” mass grave (which I SERIOUSLY doubt) by about 300x.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_graves_in_Iraq

May 17th, 2013, 12:32 pm

 

revenire said:

Sometimes I wonder if the “Syrians” here have ever read a book on Syrian history. If I was a betting man I’d say no.

May 17th, 2013, 12:38 pm

 

revenire said:

Austria says arming the Syrian opposition is illegal

The Austrian government has issued an official position paper, now circulating among EU member states, in opposition to the British-French proposal for lifting the arms embargo in Syria. Dated May 13, the document is a cogent summation of the reasons why the lifting of the EU embargo would be politically and legally unacceptable.

First, the political reasons:

1. Lifting the embargo would undermine the U.S.-Russia move for a political settlement
2. The Syrian National Coalition doesn’t control the fighters within Syria.
3. There are more than enough weapons in Syria already.
4. Supplying more weapons would endanger UNDOF peacekeepers (noting the recent kidnappings of same).

Then, the legal ones:

1. Supplying arms would “amount to a breach of the customary principle of non-intervention and the principle of non-use of force under Art. 2 para. 4 of the UN Charter.”
2. It would violate the EU position on arms export control.
3. It would “amount to a violation of Security Council resolutions establishing an arms embargo against individuals and entities associated with Al-Qaeda.”
4. “Member States supplying arms to the Syrian opposition would incur State responsibility for aiding and assisting in the commission of internationally wrongful acts.”

May 17th, 2013, 12:42 pm

 

revenire said:

Uzair foreign fighters are already in Syria by the thousands: from Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Chechnya, Russia, Afghanistan, the United States, Turkey, etc.

Why would you object if Iran sends say 100,000 soldiers? Wouldn’t that only be fair? You seem to want the government to fall and hundreds of thousands of Syrians to die in a NATO/Israeli/US attack that puts the liver-eaters in power.

By the way, Assad is winning and winning big. All in terms of rebel victories we hear about these days is a few mortar shells landing or a suicide bombing somewhere. Oh yeah, Brother Majed announced the prison was taken in Aleppo but he was lying, or fed false intel, because even the prisoners volunteered to kill the attacking rats.

It goes a long way to showing support for Assad when prisoners vow to fight for him.

God is great.

May 17th, 2013, 12:49 pm

 

revenire said:


Mosque Preachers: The Syrians Are Aware of Imperialist Conspiracies Targeting Them

DAMASCUS, (SANA)_Mosque preachers and imams said that the Syrians are aware of the sedition and conspiracies hatched against them by imperialism, Israel and reactionary Arab states.

In their Friday sermons, the preachers said that the Syrian people are more determined than ever to continue the struggle for achieving victory and eliminating the terrorism that is targeting Syria.

Minister of Awkaf (Religious Endowments) Dr. Mohammad Abdul-Sattar al-Sayyed said that the ”popular resistance against the Zionist occupation is the purpose of Jihad,” denouncing the desecration of al-Aqsa Mosque by ”the enemies of God and the prophets’ killers.”

Imam of the Great Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Ahmad al-Bakkar said ”the enemies are hatching conspiracies and plans to propagate a culture of hopelessness and defeat among us,” urging the Arab peoples to cling to the principles of Islam ”that drives away hopelessness and weakness.”

M. Ismael

May 17th, 2013, 12:52 pm

 

Ziad said:

Impressive

It took AP the paid Israeli hasbara watch dog on SC less than a minute to jump to the defense of indefensible Israeli occupier’s brutality.

May 17th, 2013, 12:52 pm

 

revenire said:

The IDF is on the moral level of the Nazis.

When the war starts the rockets of the Resistance will send the occupiers into their holes, cowering in fear.

May 17th, 2013, 12:56 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Rat head Revenir
said
, Brother Majed announced the prison was taken in Aleppo but he was lying, or fed false intel,
You prove that I announce that ,other wise you are dumb lier,and terrorist , stop your silly lies, stop your wicked devil fabrications, you should be banned Abu Shakeeb

May 17th, 2013, 1:08 pm

 

revenire said:

Brother Majed calm yourself – God watches over the president and will not allow any wicked Sunni extremists to hurt him or his family. Bashar’s son is being groomed for the presidency so we need not fear for our homeland.

May 17th, 2013, 1:38 pm

 
 

Ziad said:

Don’t miss out on watching George Galloway’s latest installment of the [Comments] program

May 17th, 2013, 2:00 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

What a parade of clips. pile-of-dog-poop athad, followed by demented war monger khamene’i, and concluded by by georgi galloway.,,,

Must be international JOKERS’ day . Fine, here it is for you. more jokers, but this time, you get two for one…

Disclaimers:
1. you ain’t getting a bargain two for one, them jokers are far cheaper than that… you could get the whole lot for one

2. i don’t give a damn what either of these two jokers is saying. Just completing the zoo collection.

May 17th, 2013, 2:22 pm

 

Citizen said:

Russian warships enter Mediterranean to form permanent task force
http://rt.com/news/russian-pacific-fleet-mediterranean-374/
—–
Morning Brief: Obama rules out unilateral action in Syria as Russia ships advanced missiles to Assad
ForeignPolicy

Top news: U.S. President Barack Obama again ruled out unilateral U.S. military action in Syria at a press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday. “It’s not going to be something that the United States does by itself. And I don’t think anybody in the region would think that U.S. unilateral actions … would bring about a better outcome,” the president said, promising to “keep increasing the pressure on the Assad regime and working with the Syrian opposition.”

Erdogan’s visit is aimed at convincing the U.S. to escalate it’s involvement in toppling Bashar al-Assad’s government. The prime minister favors the creation of a no-fly zone to shield civilians and rebel fighters in Northern Syria.

U.S. officials also said on Thursday that Russia has shipped advanced anti-ship cruise missiles to Assad’s government. The radar-equipped missiles could theoretically be used by the Syrian government to counter an internationally imposed naval embargo or no-fly zone.
——–
Russian FM Lavrov says Russia plans to go ahead with sale of missile defense systems to Syria.

May 17th, 2013, 2:36 pm

 

revenire said:

TITANIC LOSSES FOR QATARI-FUNDED TERRORISTS IN HAMA;

HALFAAYAA: This was a catastrophe for both the FSA and J.N.. Monzer writes that over 77 rat carcasses were counted by militia after the fighting was over. Of the 77, a whopping 49 were determined to be non-Syrians. Monzer says that his sources are not very specific as to the ethnic or geographic origins of the rodents. Here are the names of the known Syrian rats:

Fadhl Yahyaa
Mizyad Al-‘Aql
Taaher ‘Abdul-Kareem
Muneef ‘Izzu
Ghassaan Faarooqi
Hassan Qaysarli
Zaki Mahmoud
Fayssal Tabanyaasi
‘Abdul-Malek Al-Shuwaykaani
“Abu-Saamer” (Id pending)
Radhwaan Sa’adallah

The remaining bodies were identified as Syrian but the details were withheld for reasons unknown to us.

Taftannaaz: The airbase they always seem to be invading and the one they cannot penetrate. Yesterday, in the rural brush around the base, SAA killed a confirmed 17 rodents. The soldiers were not allowed to tag the carcasses for their own safety since snipers are everywhere.

Central Prison in Hama: Those of you who have studied history know why these rats are targeting prisons: they are running out of vermin. This is why Qatar is now offering $50,000.00 for every SAA soldier who deserts. But our soldiers are not buying into this. They know the FSA is in a hopeless situation. At the Central Prison in Hama, SAA put down these identifiable rodents out of 22:

Daawood Hawjaa
Mahmoud Al-Qaadhi
Jihaad Al-Saayegh
Ta’aan Al-Haber
Ma’an Na’eema
Mustafaa Al-Sayyed
‘Aabid-deen Ismaa’eel
Muhammad Hiraati

Bikfaloon: 6 killed. All without papers. 4 AK47s seized and delivered to militia. Thank you, Prince Fatso.

Waadi Al-Mahaameel: Confirmed 2 rats killed. No details.

http://syrianperspective.blogspot.com/2013/05/first-post-may-17-2013-syrian-army.html

May 17th, 2013, 2:41 pm

 

zoo said:

Syria Begins to Break Apart Under Pressure From War

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/17/world/middleeast/pressure-of-war-is-causing-syria-to-break-apart.html?_r=0

“Instead, three Syrias are emerging: one loyal to the government, to Iran and to Hezbollah; one dominated by Kurds with links to Kurdish separatists in Turkey and Iraq; and one with a Sunni majority that is heavily influenced by Islamists and jihadis. ”

CAIRO — The black flag of jihad flies over much of northern Syria. In the center of the country, pro-government militias and Hezbollah fighters battle those who threaten their communities. In the northeast, the Kurds have effectively carved out an autonomous zone.

After more than two years of conflict, Syria is breaking up. A constellation of armed groups battling to advance their own agendas are effectively creating the outlines of separate armed fiefs. As the war expands in scope and brutality, its biggest casualty appears to be the integrity of the Syrian state.

But as evidence of massacres and chemical weapons mounts, experts and Syrians themselves say the American focus on change at the top ignores the deep fractures the war has caused in Syrian society. Increasingly, it appears Syria is so badly shattered that no single authority is likely to be able to pull it back together any time soon.

Instead, three Syrias are emerging: one loyal to the government, to Iran and to Hezbollah; one dominated by Kurds with links to Kurdish separatists in Turkey and Iraq; and one with a Sunni majority that is heavily influenced by Islamists and jihadis.

May 17th, 2013, 2:43 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Fools never learn. Just missed getting impotently angry about a bunch of additional insults to nuslira, aun, and the their packs by prematurely hitting the impotent rage dislike button.

Also, 4 instant dislikes, hizbullah terrorist sleeper cell of NA must be having a meeting. Fools, weren’t you supposed to concentrate on your next terrorist act, drug smuggling operation, or phone card scam, and not on a stupid blog?

Well this way is better. The more you spend on this blog, the less terrorism and crime there is in the real world, with the added bonus of the FBI being able to catch up with you.

May 17th, 2013, 2:44 pm

 

zoo said:

International sanctions have piled up against SyrianAir but the carrier is operating at full capacity

http://my.news.yahoo.com/sanctions-hit-syrianair-booked-war-102225468.html

But its fleet of six Airbus 320s and two ATR 72/500s, still flies to the Gulf, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Sudan and Algeria as well as key Damascus ally Russia.

The services provide a lifeline for the large number of Syrian expatriates around the region who have been left with few other ways of getting home after most Arab and Western airlines halted their flights.

“We operate around 20 domestic and international flights a day which means we are carrying around 3,000 passengers,” ground operations director Tareq Wahiba, told AFP in his office at Damascus airport.

“There is not single empty seat and it’s true that we routinely overbook,” he said.

“Now that the summer has arrived, we going to increase our flights from the Gulf as many Syrians want to come home for the holidays despite the situation.”

May 17th, 2013, 2:47 pm

 

zoo said:

Did Qatar give the order to kidnap the UN peacekeepers, so it can get praises from the UN assembly it will ‘help’ releasing them? It’s quite possible in view of the manipulation Qatar has been doing to get a decent vote for its UN assembly resolution

http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/05/17/un-general-assembly-vote-reflects-shift-in-syrian-public-opinion/

Ja’afari revealed that there existed an e-mail, from the representative of the Syrian opposition given to Syria’s embassy in Qatar, showing Qatar’s involvement in the kidnapping of UN peacekeepers by the Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade. He read out a phone number from the e-mail as several Gulf diplomats grimaced or scowled, and three left the Chamber.

Visibly stunned, the UK Permanent Representative Lyall Grant called the whole matter “deeply confusing”. Another Permanent Representative, from a militia contributing country, said that if true, it’s “very problematic.” The reasons include the fact that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had just thanked Qatar for its roles in the release of the UN Peacekeepers the earlier kidnapping of whom the Qatari government may have planned, paid for and executed.

May 17th, 2013, 2:57 pm

 

Citizen said:

For hot heads and especially stupid criminal nuclear-s ones !
Syria’s war will be 100% with the Russians strategic military headquarters !!
By the Iskanders Israel will lose their nukes,their reactor and most of their military in the first 60 seconds of the war! Those missiles are so accurate they can hit within 2 meters of the aiming point.

May 17th, 2013, 3:06 pm

 

zoo said:

Qatar bankrolls Syrian revolt with cash and arms

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/86e3f28e-be3a-11e2-bb35-00144feab7de.html#ixzz2Ta2G9BRr

The gas-rich state of Qatar has spent as much as $3bn over the past two years supporting the rebellion in Syria, far exceeding any other government, but is now being nudged aside by Saudi Arabia as the prime source of arms to rebels.

The cost of Qatar’s intervention, its latest push to back an Arab revolt, amounts to a fraction of its international investment portfolio. But its financial support for the revolution that has turned into a vicious civil war dramatically overshadows western backing for the opposition.

May 17th, 2013, 3:34 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

in addition Mr. Jolani, head of Al-Nusra terrorist organization, today’s list of shame and terrorism is joined by the four Syrian public serpents

Defense Minister Fahd Jassem Freij,
Health Minister Saad Nayef,
Industry Minister Adnan Sukhni and
Justice Minister Najm Ahmad. 


This is perhaps the first time since Joseph Mengele, the Nazi public health official, when a health official is declared full fledged terrorist. The despicable regime of pile-of-dog-poop (AKA pdp-athad) continues to astonish the world with the capacity of its buffoon to compliment its hoards of terrorist with evermore despicable characters.

Also joining the four terrorist individuals (well in fact five since the first one Jolani is an agent of the regime), were also joined by Syrian Arab Airlines, and the whole bunch of cowardly, brown nose liars correspondents for the TV station, Al Dunya. Being a terrorist TV is an honor a disgrace joined by Al-Manar tv of nus-lira and its sectarian terrorist militia.

May 17th, 2013, 3:40 pm

 

zoo said:

A container of fuel stolen from Syria and smuggled in Hatay, Turkey exploded

10 die as fuel tank from Syria blows up in Turkey

http://news.kuwaittimes.net/2013/05/17/10-die-as-fuel-tank-from-syria-blows-up-in-turkey/

ANKARA: Officials said a container of fuel being smuggled into Turkey from Syria has exploded, killing 10 people. The governor’s office in Hatay province said yesterday’s blast occurred in Tunisma village when the smuggler set the tank on fire after realizing Turkish security forces had rushed to the scene.

May 17th, 2013, 3:42 pm

 

zoo said:

More headache for Erdogan
Armenian ‘genocide’ bill introduced in US Congress

17 May 2013 /TODAY’S ZAMAN, İSTANBUL
Two Republican and two Democratic congressmen have introduced a bill in the US House of Representatives to recognize the mass killings of Armenians at the hands of the Ottomans in 1915 to coincide with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s official visit to Washington for talks with US President Barack Obama over the recent developments in the Middle East.

The “Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Act,” introduced by representatives Michael Grimm, Adam Schiff, David Valadao and Frank Pallone, calls on the US administration to recognize Armenian claims that they were victims of a genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Empire during World War I. President Obama had promised to recognize the Armenian claims during his election campaign but has so far failed to do so, referring to the events in annual presidential statements as “Meds Yeghern,” which means “great tragedy” in Armenian, instead.

May 17th, 2013, 3:58 pm

 

revenire said:

The head of Nusra is an agent of the regime? LOL

May 17th, 2013, 4:09 pm

 

revenire said:

Ha ha Erdogan the Ottoman dog will do NOTHING but bark.

Turkey Fears Russia Too Much to Intervene in Syria
http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/turkey-fears-russia-too-much-to-intervene-in-syria

Historically, the Turks have always feared the Russians. Between 1568, when the Ottomans and Russians first clashed, to the end of the Russian Empire in 1917, the Turks and Russians fought 17 wars. In each encounter, Russia was the instigator and the victor. In these defeats, the Ottomans lost vast, and often solidly Turkish and Muslim, territories spanning from the Crimea to Circassia to the Russians. The Russians killed many inhabitants of these Ottoman lands and expelled the rest to Turkey. So many Turks descend from refugees from Russia that the adage in Turkey is: “If you scratch a Turk, you find a Circassian persecuted by Russians underneath.”

May 17th, 2013, 4:23 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Iran(persia) was not at Geneva meeting in 2012, Persia is not going to be in Geneva 2, Persia is the enemy.
The meeting will fail,for every side will not give concessions.
following its failure the talk will be on arms,Russia seems to change its position as the US too, and both want to reach political sttlement
I hope we will not hear another talk about Geneva 3 and four,all those meetings has been to prolong this war and leads to more death in Syria,
One man death will solve the problem and save Syria, it is Asshead death.

There is only two solutions
1 complete victory by the rebels, which is unlikely due to foreign involvement.
2- major compromise by both sides.
Either way Asshead must go,and transitional goverment must be established
Dividing Syria is not a solution,as the fight will go on.

The US fears changes in the Middle East,that US loses control, or security of Israel may get threatened, but at the end US must accept these changes,

May 17th, 2013, 5:02 pm

 

Visitor said:

It is a great honor for the great mujahed Sheikh Jolani to be labelled by the manipulative evil US administration.

Bumster, the idiot! Well, what else can be said about a bumster? He is an authentic bumster deluded idiot.

You will president your bum bumster. Remember this whenever you fall into your delusional trances.

May 17th, 2013, 5:19 pm

 

revenire said:

Ha ha rats jumping sinking ship!

HNN Homs News Network
TRAITOR COLONEL FLEES TO JORDAN ABANDONS MERCENARIES

The disgraced Traitor and Israeli Spy Colonel “Ahmed Al-Nou’meh”, has added to his list of shame, by abandoning his besieged Mercenaries in “Dar’aa” and fleeing to Jordan ..

This Traitor has committed numerous serious crimes against Syria, including introducing foreign Spies as well as the Israeli enemy’s Mossad Agents, in addition to the transfer of various weapons and missiles into “Dar’aa” and murdering fellow Syrians …

WE GUESS THE REMAINING WILL BEGIN TO SURRENDER AFTER THIS DESERTION BY THEIR LEADER ..

YOU CAN RUN BUT YOU CAN’T HIDE, ALL TRAITORS MEET THEIR FATE EVENTUALLY … – J

May 17th, 2013, 5:23 pm

 

revenire said:

Ha ha rats jumping sinking ship!

HNN Homs News Network
TRAITOR COLONEL FLEES TO JORDAN ABANDONS MERCENARIES

The disgraced Traitor and Israeli Spy Colonel “Ahmed Al-Nou’meh”, has added to his list of shame, by abandoning his besieged Mercenaries in “Dar’aa” and fleeing to Jordan ..

This Traitor has committed numerous serious crimes against Syria, including introducing foreign Spies as well as the Israeli enemy’s Mossad Agents, in addition to the transfer of various weapons and missiles into “Dar’aa” and murdering fellow Syrians …

WE GUESS THE REMAINING WILL BEGIN TO SURRENDER AFTER THIS DESERTION BY THEIR LEADER ..

YOU CAN RUN BUT YOU CAN’T HIDE, ALL TRAITORS MEET THEIR FATE EVENTUALLY … – J

May 17th, 2013, 5:25 pm

 

Syrian said:

منقول
“لواء 52 يحترق بعد ان حرق قلوب الاف الامهات على ابنائهن والاطفال على ابائهم ، يحترق بعد ان حرق الاف المنازل ، اللواء 52 يدك بعد ان دك منازلنا بالاف الاطنان من الحمم ، الان يذوق كأس الردى ، وتفصلنا عن تسويته بالارض ساعات وربما ايام قليلة جدا

انتظر على احر من اللهب الذي يحرق اللواء انتظر الثأر لدماء ابناء عمومتي ، وابناء عماني ، والثأر لمنزلي ومنازل العشرات من اهلي والاف المنازل في الحراك وخربة غزالة والغرايا وصيدا وكحبل والمسيفرة والكرك والطيبة وام ولد والمليحة والصورة وعلما
انه اكبر لواء مساحة في سورية واكثرها حقدا وحقارة

“وهذا فيديو…. طفي نارك برؤية النار التي تشتعل فيه

http://youtu.be/y5xYdisvbHU

http://youtu.be/y5xYdisvbHU

May 17th, 2013, 5:52 pm

 

Ameera said:

الى الهامستر السوري

بسم الله ما شالله على انكليزياتك يعني لازم كل مرة افتح القاموس لافهم البوست تبعك. انت بتحكي لكنة امريكية او بريطانية؟ وين تعلمت اللغة؟ لانو عنجد نيالك

انا تعلمت بالمدرسة وبعدين سجلت بمعهد دار الالسن للغات قريب على سينما السفراء بس الاساتزة كانو شوام وحوارنة يعني لكنة بتهوي بس علمونا قواعد كتير منيح. بعدين سجلت بالمدرسة الاميركية يعني ايه ال سي يلي ورا السفارة الامريكية بالروضة والانسة كانت فظيعة يعني متل الافلام

May 17th, 2013, 5:56 pm

 

Ameera said:

بمعهد دار الالسن مرة جابولنا واحد اسود مشان حصة المحادثة وطار عئلنا فيو لانو فكرناه امريكي بس ما نفهم عليه بنوب لحتى حكا عربي الاخ يلي طلع سوداني

May 17th, 2013, 6:02 pm

 

Ziad said:

شبيحة الهيئة الشرعية يمنعون رفع علم الثورة ويعتقلون الناشطين 175-2013

May 17th, 2013, 6:11 pm

 

Ameera said:

فيزيتر لك ضريب على هيك منطئ
تعال جربلك شي اسبوع بسوريا مع رفقئاتك يلي نازلين أتل و سرقه بالناس
بحجة الحوريات ان شالله ياكلو كم مرتب و يطلعو جنيات مو حوريات

May 17th, 2013, 6:20 pm

 

ann said:

Compliment to the whiny `israelis on this blog 😀

May 17th, 2013, 6:25 pm

 

ann said:

Moody’s playing Ottoman political favoritism!
The last thing they need is to go to war with another country 😉

Moody’s lifts up Turkey’s bond rating to stable investment grade – May 18, 2013

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/business/europe/2013/05/18/378865/Moodys-lifts.htm

PARIS — Moody’s has raised Turkey’s bond rating to investment grade, the rating agency said Thursday, citing improved economic and public finance measures and progress on reforms [?].

The government bond ratings went up a notch to Baa3, the first step into investment grade, from Ba1, with outlook considered stable.

Turkey was granted higher ratings by Standard and Poor’s in March and last November by Fitch.

Praising Turkey’s improved “economic and fiscal metrics,” the rating agency noted: “Since the beginning of 2009, Turkey’s debt burden has fallen by 10 percentage points to a manageable 36 percent of GDP, and Moody’s expects this.

[…]

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/business/europe/2013/05/18/378865/Moodys-lifts.htm

May 17th, 2013, 6:25 pm

 

zoo said:

Bye Bye Hitto, have a nice trip back to Texas, Saudi Arabia doesn’t want you ! No more PM for the ghost ‘interim government of 75% liberated areas’ hastily dictated by Qatar? A new music chair for the 62 mafiosi

Syrian opposition to name new president in Istanbul

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

Syria’s opposition is set to meet in Istanbul next week to select a president for the Syrian National Coalition and review the Cabinet of the interim government.

The coalition is expected to increase the number of its members, particularly by adding groups on the ground fighting, during the meeting in Istanbul in order to become more representative of the Syrian people. The coalition currently has 62 members. Three opposition figures, George Sabra, Burhan Ghalioun and Louay Safi, are said to have high chances of being elected as the new president of the coalition.

Bargain over seats

The fate of interim Prime Minister Ghassam Hitto will also be determined in the meeting, which will run from May 23 to 25, as it is well-known that he is not welcomed by some states, including Saudi Arabia, for having resided for many years outside Syria.

May 17th, 2013, 6:26 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

Ziad,

I’m a bit perplexed. You’re complaing about my zionist “hasbara” because thr IDF arrested stone throwers? You posted 4 articles to explain such a “high” crime. Talk about “hasbara”!

Meanwhile 75+ Sunnis got killed in Iraq just today. Why don’t you whine about real massacres instead of minor disturbances?

Hamster, how do you say “hasbara” in arabic? My father-in-law used to say: “dtowel balak”, but I forgot what that means. Relax??

May 17th, 2013, 6:47 pm

 

revenire said:

Josh Landis and Matt Barber should have a SC beauty contest for all the Syrian National Coalition heads.

The prize could be a stay on Assad’s Russian yacht (the one Josh said he lives on) or a stay in Azaz (not as nice as the yacht but far more exciting dodging SAA artillery and sarin-tipped Scuds).

May 17th, 2013, 6:49 pm

 

revenire said:

Akbar isn’t it happy hour yet? TGIF and drown your sorrows in a vintage Mogen David hasbara and get back to us tomorrow. Thank you.

Any deaths in Syria today are the responsibility of the West and Israel – the architects of the war and the ones arming the terrorists.

May 17th, 2013, 6:53 pm

 

revenire said:

British MP Galloway: FSA Cannibalism is a Turning Point, Cameron Insane for Supporting Savages

British MP George Galloway gave his opinion about the latest incident where Abu Saqqar, a commander in one of the earliest “Free Syrian Army” (FSA) brigades, the al-Farouq Brigade, ate the heart and liver of a dead Syrian soldier (video: http://youtu.be/rLEAebCvFhk), He believes it marks a turning point in Western public opinion regarding the so-called rebels or insurgents in Syria. He also questions PM David Cameron’s mental condition by supporting those militants, whom Galloway refers to as “savages and barbarians”.

May 17th, 2013, 7:37 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

Reverse,

“The West and Israel” are quite familiar with arab despot “hasbara”: arabs and their leaders are never responsible for anything.

Tell me something I don’t know.

May 17th, 2013, 8:10 pm

 

Dawoud said:

Free Syria, Free Palestine!

May 17th, 2013, 8:12 pm

 

dawoud said:

Hasan the Devil!

May 17th, 2013, 8:18 pm

 

dawoud said:

Free Syria, Free Palestine, Free Lebanon, Bahrain is Arab Forever!

May 17th, 2013, 8:20 pm

 

Dawoud said:

More on Hasan the Devil!

May 17th, 2013, 8:23 pm

 

revenire said:

Akbar you know as well as I do that the corrupt Qatari dogs, wicked Sunni extremists (who are not true Muslims), and other insects are allied with the Zionist filth to destroy Syria the last bastion of Arabism.

You are not half as clever as you imagine yourself to be.

May 17th, 2013, 8:26 pm

 

revenire said:

David supports the cannibals! Make sure you still have your liver and heart intact after posting here!

🙂

May 17th, 2013, 8:28 pm

 

Dawoud said:

Iranian Terrorism and Shia Terrorism!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22571895

Iraq violence: Dozens killed in blasts targeting Sunnis

More than 60 people have been killed and dozens hurt in several bomb attacks apparently targeting Sunnis, in Iraq’s worst day of violence for months.

In the first attack, in Baquba, about 50km (30 miles) north of Baghdad, at least 41 people were killed when two bombs detonated outside a Sunni mosque.

Later, police said at least eight died at a Sunni funeral in Madain, and 14 more in two blasts in western Baghdad.

The attacks follows a sharp increase in sectarian violence in recent weeks.

A series of bombings targeted Shia areas across Iraq on Wednesday and Thursday. More than 120 people in total have died over the three days.

Mourners killed
In Friday’s incident in Baquba, the first bomb went off as worshippers were leaving a Sunni mosque after Friday prayers. As people went to aid those injured, a second bomb was remotely detonated, said police.
[…]

May 17th, 2013, 8:32 pm

 

dawoud said:

Free Syria! Free Syria song! Enjoy!

May 17th, 2013, 8:34 pm

 

revenire said:

Cogent observers know it is Anglo-American POLICY to foment sectarian war. The West and the Zionists would be happy if these wars lasted for decades. The people here – the cannibal supporters – are just brainwashed into reacting.

May 17th, 2013, 8:35 pm

 

ann said:

WARNING to miniscule and insignifcant `israel 😉

Russia boosts its naval presence in Syria, sends regime new missiles (+video) – May 17, 2013

Many see Russia’s anti-ship missile sales and increased naval deployment to Syria as intended to deter Western powers from military intervention in the Syrian civil war

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/terrorism-security/2013/0517/Russia-boosts-its-naval-presence-in-Syria-sends-regime-new-missiles-video

Russia has deployed upwards of a dozen ships to its naval base in Syria over the past three months, and recently sent advanced anti-ship missiles to the embattled Syrian government, highlighting the depth of Moscow’s commitment to the Assad regime and the challenges in finding an internationally palatable solution to the crisis.

Some believe Russia’s increased presence is meant to deter Western powers from getting involved militarily with the Syrian conflict.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview posted on a government website yesterday, “Among some of our Western colleagues, there is a desire to narrow the circle of external participants and begin the process from a very small group of countries in a framework which, in essence, would predetermine the negotiating teams, agenda, and maybe even the outcome of talks.”

Russia’s recent delivery of sophisticated anti-ship cruise missiles to Syria also has raised concerns, reports The New York Times. The weapons enable “the regime to deter foreign forces looking to supply the opposition from the sea, or from undertaking a more active role if a no-fly zone or shipping embargo were to be declared at some point,” Nick Brown, editor in chief of IHS Jane’s International Defense Review, told the Times. “It’s a real ship killer.”

Which players will have a role in Syria’s political transition is believed, in part, to be at the crux of the international standstill on Syria. A UN resolution yesterday drew ire from the likes of Russia because it explicitly backed the Syrian National Commission, an opposition group, for future talks on the political transition, reports Agence France-Presse.

“An angry Russia said this would encourage opposition ‘armed actions’ against the Assad government,” AFP reports.

[…]

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/terrorism-security/2013/0517/Russia-boosts-its-naval-presence-in-Syria-sends-regime-new-missiles-video

May 17th, 2013, 8:39 pm

 

dawoud said:

Free Syria Song: “We Don’t Want al-Assad’s Rule, We Want Freedom!” Enjoy the most beautiful music even if you are an American Hizbistan (an American supporter of the Terrorist Shia Lebanese party, Hizbass)!

May 17th, 2013, 8:40 pm

 

revenire said:

The Russians are great friends of Syria.

May 17th, 2013, 8:46 pm

 

dawoud said:

Free Syria! A beautiful Freedom Song about “Returning.”

May 17th, 2013, 8:49 pm

 

dawoud said:

http://www.alarabiya.net/ar/arab-and-world/syria/2013/05/18/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%B2%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%A8-%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D9%85%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D9%84%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A8%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7-.html

الرئيسية
»
سوريا
آخر تحديث: السبت 8 رجب 1434هـ – 18 مايو 2013م KSA 03:02 – GMT 00:02
الأمين: حماية مقام السيدة زينب ليس مبررا للقتال بسوريا
العلامة الشيعي اللبناني قال أن دفاع نصر الله عن المقام استغلال لجانب ديني في مشروع سياسي

أكد العلامة الشيعي اللبناني السيد علي الأمين أن حديث الأمين العام لحزب الله، حسن نصر الله، عن الدفاع عن مقام السيدة زينب في دمشق هو استغلال لجانب ديني في مشروع سياسي”.

وأضاف الأمين خلال حديثه ببرنامج نقطة نظام الذي تبثه قناة “العربية” أن الدفاع عن مقام السيدة زينب ليس مبرراً شرعياً للمشاركة في القتال في سوريا وأن أرض الجهاد للشيعة تكون في الأوطان وليس في سوريا”.

وأضاف الأمين “جهادنا في لبنان هو لبناء وطننا وعيشنا المشترك ووحدتنا الوطنية”.
[…]

May 17th, 2013, 8:56 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Dear Dawoud
Shiaa religion is based on Lies, and 90% of their religion is lying,just like Rat head revenir, he repeat the same names and say they just were killed, how could the same guy dies four five times, Revenir is Affakun Athemu

May 17th, 2013, 9:05 pm

 

revenire said:

Brother Majed you need new glasses. I know just the right eye doctor too.

🙂

May 17th, 2013, 9:15 pm

 

dawoud said:

623. MAJEDKHALDOUN

I may add, Brother Majed, that now-given the fact the sectarian mask has been lifted from حسن نصر الشيطان Hasan the Devil’s face-you have to wonder whether any time a Shia is saying something nice to Sunnis or non-Muslims, he/she are just hiding behind Taqiah التقيه (saying something different from what they truly believe).

Free Syria!

May 17th, 2013, 9:17 pm

 

dawoud said:

Two important Aljazeera documentary about the Palestinian al-Nakbah (the great Catastrophe)-the colonization, ethnic-cleansing, and dispossession of Palestine and the Palestinians.

Free Syria, Free Palestine!

May 17th, 2013, 9:20 pm

 

dawoud said:

al-Nakbah, Episode 2

May 17th, 2013, 9:20 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

For those who want dialogue, dialogue is not the issue, it is the agenda of the dialogue, what are we going to talk about is the important thing,
1-Freedom, actual real freedom.
2- abolish the security centers that are causing fear among people
3- free election,not rigged election, monitored by UN team and free journalists.
4- release of political prisoners immidiately.
5- accountability for the crimes that have been committed,
6-accountability for the money that has been stolen from the syrian people, like income from oil.
7 = who was responsible for using the army to kill Syrian,it is Asshead,he must be punished as he committed treason.
8- new honorable constitution, not one that tailored for Assad.

If Asshead is ready to give those concessions then we will go for dialogue
Dialogue just to sit around the table and promise but no action is waste of time

May 17th, 2013, 9:23 pm

 

revenire said:

Brother Majed has someone invited you to take failure Hitto’s position?

Dialogue is good if you have the right mood.

God is great.

May 17th, 2013, 9:29 pm

 

Ameera said:

شو يا جماعة الخير مواقع المعارضة عم تؤل جماعة النصرة بلشو يئتلو بعض شو الظاهر مستعجلين ليشوفو الحوريات اي روحو ضرب يسد ما يرد وعئبال كل الظالمين وكل مين قتل بريء

May 17th, 2013, 9:39 pm

 

Ameera said:

بس احلا شي انو موقع عكس السير عم يؤل

موقع عكس السير | الصفحة الرسمية‎
تقرير لوكالة رويترز: جبهة النصرة تنقسم على نفسها في سوريا إلى جناحين، الأول يتبع أجندة القاعدة في الجهاد العالمي ضد الغرب، و الثاني يقاتل في سبيل اسقاط نظام الأسد

طيب ليش في غرب بسوريا ليش بعدن أعدين على ألبنا

May 17th, 2013, 9:41 pm

 

Ameera said:

موقع عكس السير | الصفحة الرسمية‎
تقرير لوكالة رويترز: ابو بكر البغدادي انتقل إلى محافظة حلب حيث يقود مقاتلين كانوا تحت أمرة أبو محمد الجولاني تحت مسمى الدولة الاسلامية في العراق و الشام

موقع عكس السير | الصفحة الرسمية‎
مقاتلون من جبهة النصرة لرويترز: وصف ابو بكر البغدادي مقاتلي النصرة الذين تركوه بالكفار ، على الظواهري أن يدعوه إلى الخروج من سوريا قبل أن تتجه الأمور نحو الأسوء

موقع عكس السير | الصفحة الرسمية‎
تقرير لوكالة رويترز: مصدر مقرب من أبو محمد الجولاني يقول أنهم يرفضون وجود ابو بكر البغدادي على الأرض السورية و يكرهون الاسلوب الذي يدير فيه الأمور و أساليبه

يعني ازا بكرهو و بكفروا بعضن احنا كيف بدنا نهضمن

May 17th, 2013, 9:44 pm

 

Ameera said:

موقع عكس السير | الصفحة الرسمية‎
رويترز تنقل عن قائد عسكري من المعارضة السورية : لقد أوقعوا الجولاني في الفخ، كانوا يبحثون عن موطأ قدم لهم في سوريا فقاموا بدعم و تمويل النصرة قبل أن يستولوا على القيادة

شكلو المقوص الجولاني اكل خازوق مبشم يلا الله لا يئيم عن ألبو شدة بلكي بكرة منسمع الامريكان انو دفنوه بالبحر مع معلمو

May 17th, 2013, 9:48 pm

 

Ziad said:

Israeli Businessman Moti Kahana Gathers Money to Support the Wahhabi Syrian

May 17th, 2013, 9:49 pm

 

Ameera said:

الحديث النبوي في صحيح البخاري الذي نص على ما يلي: “عن أنس رضي الله عنه أن ناسا اجتووا في المدينة فأمرهم النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أن يلحقوا براعيه يعني الابل فيشربوا من ألبانها وأبوالها فلحقوا براعيه فشربوا من ألبانها وأبوالها حتى صلحت أبدانهم فقتلوا الراعي وساقوا الإبل فبلغ النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فبعث في طلبهم فجيء بهم فقطع أيديهم وأرجلهم وسمر أعينهم.”

بحياتي ما سمعت هيك سمعه معئول يعني بول الجمل سبحانك يا ربي والله كنا نضحك على ياسر العضمة بمرايا

May 17th, 2013, 10:05 pm

 

revenire said:

“I am screaming with the top of my voice: We stand by the Syrian Army and the people of Syria. We are confident in the people of Syria, who have taken us, Palestinians, under their wings and hosted us on their land for over sixty years. We are confident that they will prevail over this problem.” – Palestinian hero Leila Khaled

May 17th, 2013, 10:09 pm

 

Ameera said:

مين ليلى خالد؟

May 17th, 2013, 10:12 pm

 

Ziad said:

أميرة
لماذا لا تكتب باللغة العربية الفصحى؟

May 17th, 2013, 10:16 pm

 

zoo said:

Majed

As you are our SC expert on religins, please let us know which religion you think is not based on lies or let says, on human inventions.

May 17th, 2013, 10:19 pm

 

Ameera said:

ما خرجي بنوب اكتب بالفصحى اصلا انا سئطت بالبكالوريا بالعربي
وبعدين ما بدي احكي الا مع يلي بفهم حكي سوري

May 17th, 2013, 10:22 pm

 

dawoud said:

Just In: Free Syrian Army has just arrested Hasan the Devil!

May 17th, 2013, 10:24 pm

 

Ziad said:

ZOO #639

Of coarse Majed’s religion. I keep asking myself, what would Majed do if he were born to a Shii, Alawi, or God forbid Yazeedi parents?

May 17th, 2013, 10:28 pm

 

Ameera said:

يلي جاي على بالو اكلة اشة و سجقات او كروش و فوارغ
يبعتلا حمى شو طيبة هالاكلة بس مصيبة للريجيم

http://d7.1b.7aae.static.theplanet.com/showthread.php?s=14b44dfc0ae0d8852d8f6f004258094b&t=41995

http://www.mtbkhna.com/?mod=articles&ID=113

May 17th, 2013, 10:30 pm

 

dawoud said:

640. AMEERA

يا أخ أمير المدعي انه أميره: قلتلك اني فلسطيني بس بعرف أحكي سوري من لهجه جدتي ام أمي-الله يرحمها

May 17th, 2013, 10:32 pm

 

ann said:

Of Kidnapped Peacekeepers, UN Finally Speaks After Ladsous Withheld News

By Matthew Russell Lee

http://www.innercitypress.com/ladsous4golan051713.html

UNITED NATIONS, May 17 — Is Herve Ladsous as head of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations defending or even representing UN peacekeepers? Has Ban Ki-moon given over not only UN Peacekeeping but also the rest of the UN’s credibility and communications strategy to Ladsous? Video here.

When peacekeepers are attacked, Ladsous withholds information, including about his own knowledge of who attacked or kidnapped them.

Ladsous has refused to answer questions about the death of peacekeepers in Abyei and the Congo, and about his knowledge of the role of Qatar and self-declared ambassadors there in the kidnapping of UN peacekeepers in the Golan.

Then when four more peacekeepers were taken hostage on May 15, even this information was not simply announced by the UN, as took place under Ladsous’ predecessors Alain Le Roy and Jean-Marie Guehenno.

Ladsous, either from fear of the press or to try to promote himself, or both, summoned a few friendly scribes and spoon-fed this news to them. Nothing about his knowledge of the role of Qatar and self-declared ambassadors there in the kidnapping of UN peacekeepers in the Golan.

Inner City Press, which closely covers UN Peacekeeping including these Golan kidnappings, wrote to Ladsous’ three – yes, three – spokespeople with a request for the information he had so strangely spoon-fed to scribes and for an explanation of how this information was disseminated on such a limited basis, including in light of DPKO spokesperson Dwyer’s statements at UN World Press Freedom Day event. On deadline.”

A spokesperson for Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (who simply accepted France’s last minute replacement to fill the UN peacekeeping post, Ladsous) referred the question to Ladsous’ three person team.

More than three hours after that, a Ladsous spokesperson — his lead spokesman Dwyer says he is traveling, where is unclear — sent a canned statement, but no “explanation of how this information was disseminated on such a limited basis.” It was requested again, but was not provided.

Rather on Friday morning — long after Ladsous’ strange spoon-feeding of scribes, and his spokesperson’s hours-later e-mail — finally Ban’s UN Spokesperson’s Office sent out the exact same paragraph as a Note to Correspondents.

Is this any way for the UN to distribute or announce news? Particularly about the kidnapping of and threats to peacekeepers? Has Ban Ki-moon given over not only UN Peacekeeping but also the rest of the UN’s credibility and communications strategy to Ladsous?

Footnote: Typically, Ladsous was defended by anonymous — no one would do it on the record — social media posts by accounts associated with the UN Correspondents Association, UNCA, now known as the UN Cowards’ Association.

[…]

http://www.innercitypress.com/ladsous4golan051713.html

May 17th, 2013, 10:40 pm

 

zoo said:

The Reyhanli bombers are 100% Turkish… The District Police chief removed for negligence.

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-315687-prime-suspect-in-reyhanli-bombings-detained-as-police-chief-removed.html

Hatay Governor Mehmet Celalettin Lekesiz told reporters that Mehmet G. is believed to be one of the “main perpetrators” of the Reyhanlı attack. He also said none of the suspects detained so far are Syrian citizens.

In a following development, Reyhanlı District Police Chief Murat Berk was removed from office. Police sources did not comment on the reason for the removal, but it is probably linked to claims that security negligence in the district led to the success of the bombings.

May 17th, 2013, 10:42 pm

 

dawoud said:

Bashar and Qadhafi: Same fate sooner or later!

May 17th, 2013, 10:45 pm

 

Ameera said:

بلشنا اسطوانة التكزيب و ئلة الادب لانو جبنا سيرة النصرة
عنجد انك واحد شاطط ماطط وما عرفان الخمسة من الطمسة بس شو بدي إلك غير لو شاف الجمل حردبتو كان وقع وانكسرت رقبتو

May 17th, 2013, 10:54 pm

 

dawoud said:

A dictator’s speech to the so-called parliament:

May 17th, 2013, 11:02 pm

 
 

ann said:

On Kidnappings, Ja’afari Told Ladsous To Investigate, Secretariat “Is Involved”

By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive

http://www.innercitypress.com/ladsous5golan051713.html

UNITED NATIONS, May 17 — After more peacekeepers were kidnapped in the Golan Heights but before the UN announced it Friday morning, UN official Herve Ladsous on Thursday had a “conversation” not only with hand-picked non-critical journalists, but also with Syrian Permanent Representative Bashar Ja’afari.

Inner City Press spoke with Ja’afari exclusively on Friday morning and got his read-out of his meeting with Ladsous.

But before publishing this story, Inner City Press asked Ladsous’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations twice for its side, and asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s deputy spokesman Eduardo Del Buey, who refused to answer. Video here.

While Ladsous is almost pathologically adverse to answering Press questions — video here — the defensiveness of the UN Secretariat, according to Ja’afari, springs from the fact that in the kidnappings, “some people are involved in the Secretariat… it’s a big scandal.”

Ja’afari told Inner City Press that when he met with Ladsous on May 16, Ladsous “tried not to give the impression he is aware of what I said, but he is.”

What Ja’afari said, in the General Assembly on May 15, was that e-mail shows that the UN was aware of the involvement of Doha, Qatar in the kidnappings, including a planning role of the Syrian opposition “ambassador” to whom Qatar has given Syria’s embassy.

Ja’afari told Inner City Press that this went up to the “high level of DPKO.” Inner City Press asked Ban’s spokesman Del Buey about this at the May 16 noon briefing, but has yet to get an answer.

Inner City Press asked DPKO in writing one last time, after Del Buey refused on camera, here, to provide its own read out of Ladsous’ meeting with Ja’afari. DPKO replied, “Regarding the read-out of USG Ladsous’ meeting with Syria’s Permanent Representative, DPKO does not provide read outs of the USGs meetings.”

Ja’afari told Inner City Press that at his May 16 meeting with Ladsous, “I insisted on him to investigate, I told him, the ball is in your court, go and investigate, otherwise it will keep on going on.”

[…]

http://www.innercitypress.com/ladsous5golan051713.html

May 17th, 2013, 11:11 pm

 

ann said:

CENSORSHIP AT THE UN!!!

As Davutoglu Opens UN Turkish Lounge, Press Squeezed, Attacks by UNCA

By Matthew Russell Lee

http://www.innercitypress.com/unsc1turklounge051713.html

UNITED NATIONS, May 17 — Turkey’s foreign minister [Carpetbagger] Ahmet Davutoglu came to the UN on Friday night, for the ceremonial opening of what’s called the “Turkish Lounge” outside the renovated Security Council. Inner City Press photos here & here.

He spoke about Turkey’s desire to make Istanbul a “UN city,” and to have a big UN building. He did not mention that this hyped up Turkish Lounge is taking over a space the press used to have access to, to actually cover the Security Council.

Inner City Press, which has raised the issue to numerous ambassadors both for itself closely covering the Council and for the new Free UN Coalition for Access, asked UN Capital Master Plan chief Michael Adlerstein about the issue back on April 25, video here, and see below.

At the May 17 reception, Inner City Press raised the issue in detail to the affable Permanent Representative of the UK, Mark Lyall Grant, and to the Deputy Permanent Representative of one of the UK’s largest former colonies. Both indicated that a table for the press to work at should not be impossible. But will it happen?

Meanwhile this month’s UN leader of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation told Inner City Press about a meeting earlier in the day about the Rohingya, predicted there would be more action for them. One can only hope.

A person with close knowledge of the Turkish Mission said it is no longer up to Turkey what happens with their lounge; that the UN Department of Public Information has said it will depend on complaints by Security Council members. But that would be lowest common denominator: the most press unfriendly would win.

Back on April 25, Adlerstein told Inner City Press, “we offered a series of rooms for gifting,” based on a resolution by the General Assembly.”

Of the Security Council stakeout Adlerstein continued, “One of the areas we offered,” which he said “used to be a coffee bar… the Turks asked for that area. They furnished it, their architect came in.”

Inner City Press asked, who decided that the press would not have the same access it had before?

Adlerstein paused; there was laughter. Inner City Press said, “It’s a press conference” — albeit about the re-opening of the Trusteeship Council Chamber.

Adlerstein then told Inner City Press, “this was a discussion which is still ongoing. As the building opens, I think that dialogue with the press will evolve.”

While Inner City Press didn’t say it, the UN’s dialogue on press access, accreditation and other matters can no longer by limited to the old UN Correspondents’ Association.

UNCA has been ineffectual; worse, it has tried to get the UN to throw out media that the wire services that dominate the UNCA Executive Committee don’t like.

That was Margaret Besheer of Voice of America, who wrote that Reuters (Louis Charbonneau) and Agence France Presse (Tim Witcher) supported here. Bloomberg did, but then was ordered off (it didn’t stick). Pam Falk of CBS came in and defended all this, and worse. On the record audio here, and here, and here.

Those individuals were present Friday night, some of them fresh off anonymous social media attacks on smaller media. That is disgusting, and triggers this footnote and soon more. UNCA has become, at least at the level of the Executive Committee, the UN’s Censorship Alliance.

Despite DPI knowing full well of UNCA’s turn into censorship and anonymous attacks, they are given a large prominent space that others cannot use. And, with their increasing and unchecked use of anonymity, the UN Cowardice Association. Even on this issue which they claimed to be working on, they cannot be relied on.

[…]

http://www.innercitypress.com/unsc1turklounge051713.html

May 17th, 2013, 11:11 pm

 

Ameera said:

احلى فرح تسلملي هالطلة يلي كلا انوثة وازا حكيت معك احلام مرة تانية اؤليلا تسد بوزها وتخرس

http://shahid.mbc.net/media/video/39311/Arab_Idol_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A917__%D9%83%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A8_10

May 17th, 2013, 11:13 pm

 

dawoud said:

Free Syrian Army arrests Hasan the Devil:

May 17th, 2013, 11:15 pm

 

dawoud said:

Iranian-sponsored Terrorism

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/bombs-targeting-sunnis-kill-at-least-76-in-iraq/2013/05/17/23657ce0-bf26-11e2-89c9-3be8095fe767_story.html

Bombs targeting Sunnis kill at least 76 in Iraq

BAGHDAD — Bombs struck Sunni districts in Baghdad and surrounding areas Friday, killing at least 76 people in the deadliest day in Iraq in more than eight months, officials said, as a spike in violence has created fears that the country could be on the path to a new round of sectarian bloodshed.

The attacks in Baghdad and surrounding areas pushed the three-day Iraqi death toll to 130. The dead included Shiites killed at bus stops and outdoor markets in scenes reminiscent of the retaliatory attacks between the Islamic sects that pushed Iraq close to civil war in 2006-2007.
[…]

May 17th, 2013, 11:18 pm

 

dawoud said:

Free Syria Song:

May 17th, 2013, 11:20 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Zoo said
which religion you think is not based on lies or let says, on human inventions.

Zoo this is admition, by you that Shiite religion is based on lies,which means that Faqeeh is the head lier.

Ziad
Thanks God for being Muslem,Sunnatu Allah, He wanted me to be true moslem,and I am so glad that he did not want me to be misguided

Ziad and Zoo
This revolution is not about religion, it is about freedom and dignity,joining and supporting this revolution has little to do with my religion, but we should always expose liers ,Shiaa or other sects

May 17th, 2013, 11:22 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Zoo
Shiaa has similarity to christians ,by that some christians believe Jesus is son of God, Shiaa believe Ali wali, however christians are by far much better than Shiaa as they don’t lie, they don’t believe in Mutaa marriage. most of my christian friends have difficult time explaining that God has human son,Shiaa considering Ali as Wali, is confusing since the definition of Wali is not clear

May 17th, 2013, 11:29 pm

 

ann said:

No sensation, only standing contracts – Lavrov on Russia’s weapons supplies to Syria – May 18, 2013

http://rt.com/news/syria-lavrov-un-talks-404/

Russia’s weapons supplies to Syria are fully in compliance with the law and do not give the government troops any advantage over the rebels, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said commenting on the hype in Western media.

“I don’t understand why mass media are trying to make a sensation out of the fact. We do not conceal it that we supply weapons to Syria according to signed contracts, violating neither any international agreements, nor our own weapon export control legislation, one of the strictest in the world,” Lavrov said at a press conference on Friday.

He stressed all of the weapons supplied are in fact air defense systems, and thus cannot impact the existing power balance between the Assad forces and the rebels.

Lavrov’s remark comes in response to the recent uproar in the media, concerning Russia’s allegedly sending Yakhont anti-ship cruise missiles to Syria and earlier reports on supplies of S-300 anti-missile systems, which are capable of intercepting ballistic targets.

Later in the day US State Department spokesperson Jennifer Psaki also stated that Washington has no information regarding the reported supplies of anti-ship cruise missiles.
.

Lavrov and Ban talk Syrian deadlock as more evidence of rebels atrocities emerge

The Russian FM commented on Russia’s weapons supplies at a press-conference following his talks with the UN chief. The Syrian crisis dominated the agenda of the meeting, which is part of a recent flurry of diplomatic efforts to end the violence in the country, preceded by Vladimir Putin holding similar talks with worlds’ top officials, including the US secretary of state and the British and Israeli leaders.

Eventually, a joint initiative was authored by Moscow and Washington to hold peace conference on Syria, planned for June.

Before the conference happens though, both the US and Russia have several stumbling blocks to overcome, such as divisions inside the Syrian opposition, making it unclear who exactly can represent it at the conference, and harsh preconditions set by the rebels.

“In contrast to the Syrian government, which has responded quite positively to the Russian-American initiative, the opposition’s answer was quite vague. They said that they welcome any initiatives that will help to stop the violence, but before that Assad must go – reiterating their stance, which has been the cause of the deadlock for many months, ” said Lavrov on Thursday in an interview to Al Mayadeen.

As for the US it is expected to object to Iran’s participation, on which Moscow insists.

Another thing is that when Western leaders are talking to Russia they seem to be on the same page with Moscow’s position, agreeing on the need for negotiating peace, but as soon as they leave, they are once again calling for Assad to step down and promise increasing support to the rebels.

The UK and France have become increasingly vocal in their calls to supply the insurgent groups with arms. British and French efforts at lifting the EU embargo on Syria are however strongly opposed by Austria, showing a divide on the issue in Europe.

Meanwhile, the situation in Syria aggravates with more reports of atrocities on both sides of the conflict.

Human Rights Watch has issued a report providing evidence of torture used in a government prison in the city of Raqqa, in eastern Syria. Human rights activists were allowed by opposition forces who gained control of the city to examine the facility.

A shocking video from the same city, released this week shows three men from the government troops being publicly executed by rebels in the city square. The killings have been confirmed by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

And the episode added up to a series of reports on atrocities performed by the rebels, which emerged this week.

Earlier, another YouTube video was posted showing fighters of the Al Qaeda-linked Al-Nusra Front in Syria executing 11 government soldiers. Still earlier this week another shocking video was released featuring a Syrian rebel eating a lung of a slain government soldier in what the insurgent described as an act of revenge.

Growing evidence of atrocities committed by rebel groups, however did not prevent the UN from voting for a resolution condemning Assad and praising the opposition. Russia voted against the document, describing it as one-sided.

[…]

http://rt.com/news/syria-lavrov-un-talks-404/

May 17th, 2013, 11:30 pm

 

revenire said:

Syrian Air Force

The Syrian Air Force carried out an air strike on several terrorist checkpoints on the town of Yabroud that lies between Homs and Damascus. This town has seen intense fire fights in the past and the terrorists have been collaborating with the israeli enemy on many occasions.

Contrary to terrorist reports, the submunitions used by the MiG-23 are not cluster bombs but a precision guided missile that uses gravity bomb submunitions. Each bomb carries a large payload and detonates above the intended target, unlike cluster bombs that do not use a quality fuse and may remain as a hazard in the future.

The air strike was considered successful and after more intelligence is collected, further air strikes will commence on terrorist infrastructure in Yabroud.

God is great.

May 17th, 2013, 11:31 pm

 

Dawoud said:

More on Hasan the Devil:

May 17th, 2013, 11:31 pm

 

Dawoud said:

أغلب المعلقين هنا المؤيدين للكلب بشار هم من جماعه حسن نصر الشيطان. لذلك بدي اعرفهم حقيقه هذا الشيطان وأجرح مشاعرهم

🙂

May 17th, 2013, 11:35 pm

 

ann said:

Are We in The Business Of Defending Al-Qaeda?!

Bob Woodward: Don’t Let Government Dismiss Benghazi – May 17, 2013

http://www.infowars.com/woodward-dont-let-government-dismiss-benghazi/

During an appearance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe today, Bob Woodward said the corporate media should not allow the government to underplay and divert attention away from the Benghazi terror attack.

“If you read through all these e-mails, you see that everyone in the government is saying, ‘Oh, let’s not tell the public that terrorists were involved, people connected to al-Qaeda. Let’s not tell the public that there were warnings,” Woodward said.

He then compared the situation to Watergate 40 years ago. “I have to go back 40 years to Watergate when Nixon put out his edited transcripts to the conversations, and he personally went through them and said, ‘Oh, let’s not tell this, let’s not show this.’ I would not dismiss Benghazi. It’s a very serious issue. As people keep saying, four people were killed.”

[…]

May 17th, 2013, 11:37 pm

 

Dawoud said:

More on Hasan the Devil

May 17th, 2013, 11:38 pm

 

Dawoud said:

Iran’s “Green Movement” and resisting the tyranny of Ali Khameini’s undemocratic Wilayat al-faqih [the idiot]:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/17/green-movement-activists-iran-repression

Green Movement activists live in fear as Iran’s presidential election nears

A journalist and an activist tell of four years of struggle under the shadow of arrests, beatings and torture
Nearly four years have passed since the birth of Iran’s green movement. Arising from the massive street protests against the official results of the 2009 presidential election, it endured brutal repression and finally receded in the face of arrests, beatings, and torture. Three of its most prominent figures – Mir-Hossein Mousavi, his wife, Zahra Rahnavard, and Mehdi Karroubi – have been under house arrest for more than two years. Other movement leaders are in prison or exile.

According to a recent report by the Committee to Protect Journalists, Iranian authorities are holding at least 40 journalists in prison as the June presidential election approaches, the second-highest total in the world. But what has become of others in the movement’s middle ranks inside the country, the political activists and journalists who stayed back?

I meet up with Arash – not his real name – by a newsstand on Tehran’s Enghelab Avenue. He has written for several of the newspapers that passersby are perusing on their way to work. As we walk to a nearby cafe, I ask what drew him to journalism. “Actually, I wanted to be a lawyer,” he replies. “But I was looking for an identity, I wanted to be a part of what the majority of Iranians were experiencing. I saw that in journalism.”

After the 1997 election, which swept the reformist Mohammad Khatami to the presidency, many young Iranians began to define their identities through social action. “Some joined political parties,” Arash explains, “others became involved in university associations. I started working as a journalist in the spring of 2000.”

Early that May, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vexed by the Khatami administration’s relaxation of state media control and censorship, ordered the judiciary to shut dozens of reformist papers in a single day; scores of prominent journalists were arrested in the raids. It was not a good time to set out in the field. Was he afraid?

Reformist journalists

“I wasn’t really afraid, at least not as much as I am today. We made up the second generation of reformist journalists. There was a strong sense of camaraderie and
[…]

May 17th, 2013, 11:46 pm

 

ann said:

Israeli death squads filmed inside Syria!

No wonder they want the UN Peacekeepers out of the way!

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=50e_1368844545

May 17th, 2013, 11:54 pm

 

dawoud said:

Anybody who defends and supports al-Assad’s murderous and terrorist regime is either an intellectual terrorist or an actual terrorist! Shame on both!

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/18/world/middleeast/rights-group-says-it-finds-proof-of-torture-in-syria.html?ref=world&_r=0

Rights Group Says It Finds Proof of Torture in Syria
By BEN HUBBARD
Published: May 17, 2013

AIRO — An international human rights group said Friday that visits to two Syrian security centers recently captured by rebel fighters contained proof of widespread, arbitrary detentions and torture by the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

The group, Human Rights Watch, said the centers provided a rare glimpse into the extensive security and intelligence apparatus that the Assad government has mobilized to try to quash the uprising against his rule.

Among its findings were the use of solitary confinement cells and a cross-shaped device known as the “the flying carpet” to which detainees were tied so they could be beaten and bent into painful, sometimes harmful positions. The group also found lists of university graduates.
[…]

May 17th, 2013, 11:56 pm

 

ann said:

ALLAHU AKBAR AL-HAM-DOOLI-LA

Putin feeding paper tiger bibi natanyahu a large serving of humble pie 🙂

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=06e_1368784555

President Putin Backs Syria’s New Front to Liberate Golan, CIA Chief Makes Emergency Visit to Israel

Events of the Last 48 hours:

– Russia’s Pacific Fleet Enters The Mediterranean For First Time Since The Cold War
– CIA chief John Brennan met Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon in an emergency unplanned meeting
– USS Kearsarge, carrying 1,800 marines and a consignment of 20 V-22 Osprey helicopters, docks at the Israel’s red sea port of Eilat
– Rocket and mortar attack from Syria on Israeli positions in the Golan
– Transfer of game changing weapons to Hezbollah from Syria
– Eminent defeat of Israeli and NATO backed terrorists in Homs
– Buk, Pantsir and S-300 systems are now fully operational and online in Syria
– Israel tries to bribe and appease China by lending them their new US delivered F35 jet fighters
– Russian Mig 35 stationed in Cyprus

On Tuesday, President Bashar Assad was quoted as saying the Golan will be the “front line of resistance” after giving radical Palestinians under his wing permission to install missiles there against Israel. Unidentified Syria military sources vowed to attack the Israeli army vehicles crossing the line to evacuate wounded terrorists in need of medical care.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Netanyahu ended
their three-hour meeting in Sochi Tuesday, May 14, at loggerheads on Syria. In fact, Putin warned his guest that Israel and its army, the IDF, were heading for war with Syria in which Russia might well be involved – and not just through the advanced S-300 anti-air missiles supplied to the Assad government. The case Netanyahu and Military Intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi put before Putin and Russian foreign intelligence chief, SVR Director Mikhail Fradkov, fell on deaf ears.

The Israeli prime minister countered with a warning that Israel would continue to strike advanced weapons in Syria that were destined for Hizballah. And if President Bashar Assad hit back for Israel’s May 5 bombardment of weapons stores on Mount Qassioun near Damascus, Israel would intensify its bombardments of Syrian military targets and weapons until Assad was left to fight off rebel assaults empty-handed.

Putin rejected this threat as implausible.

Neither Putin nor Netanyahu put all their cards on the table, but the conversation ended with the Russian leader fully confident that his capabilities for safeguarding Assad were greater than Israel’s ability to destroy him.

In the end, Netanyahu and his party arrived home Tuesday evening with a bad feeling. They were certain that Moscow had given Assad the green light to go through with his threat to make the Syrian Golan and the Horan of southern Syria “a front for resistance” – i.e. the platforms for embarking on a war of attrition against northern Israel with the help of a flow of advanced weapons to Hizballah.

The Syrian ruler is strongly encouraged to adopt this path by Tehran. Hizballah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah has embraced it. And the radical Palestinian leader, Ahmed Jibril, head of the Assad-satellite Popular Front-General Command, has eagerly offered his services.And indeed, Wednesday, the day after Netanyahu’s trip to Sochi, Jibril’s group let loose with mortar fire on the Israeli Mt. Hermon ski site, firing from a Syrian army position.

Israeli military sources confirmed later that these were no stray
shells from a Syrian-army-rebel battle as in former cases, but a
deliberate attack. In Jerusalem, it was taken as a direct consequence of Moscow’s account to Assad of the conversation between the Russian and Israeli leaders. They concluded that Assad took it for granted that he was now at liberty to go on the offensive against Israel.

Wednesday night, Netanyahu’s office reacted to this deterioration with a swift and strong warning.

Israeli media were informed bluntly that if the Assad chose to retaliate for Israel’s air strikes, he would be removed from power.

That same night, “a senior Israeli official” contacted The New York Times with a more detailed warning quoted by the paper: “If Syrian President Assad reacts by attacking Israel, or tries to strike Israel through his terrorist proxies, he will risk forfeiting his regime, for Israel will retaliate.”

Within hours, early Thursday morning, May 16, Jerusalem had its answer from Damascus. A Palestinian group calling itself “Martyrs of the Abdel Qader al-Husseini Brigades” (named for the commander of a Palestinian force fighting Israel in its 1948 War of Independence) claimed responsibility for the “rockets” aimed at an Israeli military observation post in the Golan Heights. They were fired in honor of Nakba Day, said the statement released in Damascus “We are not celebrating but avenging the blood of
our martyrs.”

Palestinian groups habitually use made-up names when claiming
attacks, a practice often followed by al Qaeda, but this one was easily identified by Israel and taken to mean that Assad had begun.

Depending on the next move decided on by Prime Minister Netanyahu,
Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon and Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, this incident could mark the tipping-point of a slide towards a war confrontation against Israel by Syria, Hizballah and Palestinian groups

[…]

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=06e_1368784555

May 18th, 2013, 12:34 am

 
 

Juergen said:

New York Times:

Syria Begins to Break Apart Under Pressure From War

“After more than two years of conflict, Syria is breaking up. A constellation of armed groups battling to advance their own agendas are effectively creating the outlines of separate armed fiefs. As the war expands in scope and brutality, its biggest casualty appears to be the integrity of the Syrian state.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/17/world/middleeast/pressure-of-war-is-causing-syria-to-break-apart.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&

May 18th, 2013, 12:40 am

 

revenire said:

Juergen you have to admit they had it coming.

On another subject, have you ever tore the heart (or any other organ) out of a soldier and ate it?

May 18th, 2013, 12:42 am

 

Mick said:

The HRW has said that taking taking people into the middle of the downtown square, calling them shabihah, is enough justification to shoot them, then leave the bodies on the street.

The HRW has said that as long one is not a vegetarian, eating human organs is acceptable.

The HRW has no problems with the kidnapping of Christian priests.

The HRW, like western media, has no objection to the near daily car bombs against Shi’ites in Iraq. However, Sunni’s were targeted today, and that is a crime against humanity.

Because we know in the levels of human life, it goes thusly:

Israeli: If killed, cities can be leveled.
Americans: If killed, cities can be destroyed.
Sunnis: If killed, let’s car bomb a few Shi’ites, eat a few ‘Alewites.
Shi’ites/Alewites: They deserved it.
Palestinians: No one has cared for decades.

May 18th, 2013, 12:44 am

 

ann said:

Syria-Air strike on FSA mercenary terrorists positions near Aleppo Prison Center + slow motion

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=3fa_1368815016

May 18th, 2013, 12:56 am

 

ann said:

VERY GRAPHIC – Syria – SyAF air strikes in Yabrud 17/05

SyAF Al Quwwat al-Jawwiyah al Arabiya as-Souriya airstrikes over Yabrud 17/05

3rd VIDEO JUST SCARY AIRSTRIKE!!!

5th VIDEO EXTREME GRAPHYC!!!

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e66_1368819972

May 18th, 2013, 1:04 am

 

ann said:

Syria – FSA mercenary terrorists learning how fast they can run a quarter mile under SAA heavy fire 17/05

FSA mercenary terrorists attacking the fortified base of the 52nd Mechanized Brigade, on the outskirts of the town of Herak. 17/05

They drop their guns and run run run …

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=350_1368823893

May 18th, 2013, 1:20 am

 

ann said:

Syria – SyAF air strike 17/05

SyAF airstrike near communication tower – Yabrud 17/05

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=072_1368825419

May 18th, 2013, 1:27 am

 

Juergen said:

Reve

Needless to speak to you about war crimes, you seem to be immune for sanity.

Here is something for lighten up your morning:

https://video.foxnews.com/v/video-embed.html?video_id=2387678544001

Israeli soldiers enter Syria for the first time for operations within Syria

May 18th, 2013, 1:51 am

 

Juergen said:

Kafranbel

May 18th, 2013, 1:55 am

 

ann said:

Vote Reflects Shift in Syrian Public Opinion – Saturday, 18 May 2013

UN General Assembly Vote Reflects Shift in Syrian Public Opinion

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1305/S00435/vote-reflects-shift-in-syrian-public-opinion.htm

Homs, Syria

It’s not hard to find critics of the Assad government in the Governorate (Muhafazat) of Homs or for that matter, to varying degrees in Syria’s other thirteen Governorates according to Syrian analysts interviewed by this observer and reports from human rights groups including lawyers representing dissidents in Syria. However, after nearly 27 months of turmoil, the public opinion pendulum is markedly shifting back in support of the current regime.

One international political result was registered at the United Nations this past week when a US-Qatari-Saudi drafted General Assembly Resolution that was designed to increase pressure on the Assad government stumbled badly and fell far short of what the Saudi Ambassador to the UN and other US allies predicted would be an overwhelming vote in favor.

Effect of shift in popular opinion in Syria

Over the past four or five months it has become increasingly clear that public opinion in Syria is shifting for reasons that include, but are not limited to the following:

While inflation at the grocery stores in probably the most common complaint heard from a cross-section of society here, the population is adapting somewhat to higher prices and it appears to credit the government for efforts, some successful, to soften the impact of the illegal US-led sanctions that target this same Syrian population for purely political reasons to achieve regime change.

While Syrians demand dignity and freedom from oppressive security forces and an end to corruption, as all people do in this region and beyond, they are witnessing a return to near normalcy with respect to supplies of electricity, benzene, mazout fuel oil, bus schedules, schools, and a host of public services such as garbage collection, street sweeping, park maintenance, and sympathetic traffic cops who are rather understanding of short-cuts taken by drivers and pedestrians due to “the situation”.

In addition, public service announcement and even text messages demonstrate that the government is aware of the degree of suffering among the population, accept partial blame, and are focusing on remedial measure and crucially, ending the crisis with its horrific bloodshed. One observes here a definite trend of the pulling together of a high percentage of Syrians who share a very unique history and culture and who are deeply connected to their country and who are increasingly repelled by the continuing killing from all sides including the recent barbarisms of body mutilations and summary executions videotaped and broadcast on Utube by jihadist elements. The latter who these days come from nearly three dozen countries, paid for and indoctrinated by enemies of Syria’s Arab nationalism and deep rooted pillar of resistance to the occupation of Palestine.

In addition, many among Syria’s 23 million citizens, who initially supported the uprising following government reaction to event in Deraa in March 2011, now have serious second thoughts about who exactly would replace the current government. Events in Syria are also making plain that the army is still loyal to the Assad government, and according to Jane’s Defense Weekly, is actually gaining experience and strength as well as the well-known fact that as western diplomats are admitting, the “opposition militias” are hopelessly fractured, turning one another, many essential mafia outfits, and beginning to resemble their fellow jihadists from Libya, Chechnya and in between.

Opinion in Damascus and surrounding areas visited this past week, confirms this observers experience the past five months of a sharp and fairly rapid shift in opinion that now strongly favors letting the Syrian people themselves decide, without outside interference, whether the Assad regime will stay, and indeed, whether, the Baathist party will continue to represent majority opinion, not through wanton violence but rather via next June’s election. Many express confidence in the run up to this critical vote, noting that the election will be closely monitored by the international community to assure fairness.

Perhaps aided by the current glorious May weather, a certain optimism, that was more scarce in the past, pervades many neighborhoods.

For different reasons, foreign powers, including the USA, Turkey, European Union, the UK Jordan and even the majority population of the six Gulf Cooperation Council family run countries, according to Pew Research, are shifting their earlier positions which were based in part of the US administration, NATO, and Israeli assurances that the Assad government would surely fall quickly, “A matter of days, not weeks” US President Obama promised. That was two years ago.

As noted above, this trend has accelerated since the UN General Assembly vote with last weeks which did not go as planned on the biased and politicized non-binding draft resolution on Syria.

The public reaction in Syria and across the Middle East is substantially that the “Friends of Syria” non-binding GA resolution contradicts the reality on the ground, backs terrorism in Syria and hinders the international efforts to help achieve a political solution to the crisis in this country. Only 107 states voted in favor of the resolution, 12 against while 59 countries, mostly from Africa and Latin America, abstained from voting.

One reason the vote fell short of the 130 favorable votes that the basically same resolution garnered the past two times is that it is widely viewed as ignoring the crimes and atrocities committed by the armed jihadist groups in Syria and the flow of thousands of international terrorists backed by the West, the Gulf states and Turkey who provide them with weapons and money. According to the Russian delegate, backed by several other speakers, “the resolutions ignores all the terrorists’ heinous crimes and denounces what it called the escalation of the attacks by the Syrian government”. Afterward one Latin American Permanent Representative told Inner City Press that the count would have been below 100 if not for some “last minute arm-twisting.” As it turned out, 15 countries didn’t vote at all, opting to “get coffee,” as one African Permanent Representative put it before the vote.

Syria’s Ambassador al-Jaafari exposes a hoax in the Gulf

Syria’s permanent Envoy to the UN Bashar al-Jaafari said his country regretted the adoption of a biased and unbalanced UN resolution, thanking the countries that rejected the resolution “for their responsible positions which support the UN principles and the international law articles”. He noted that the decrease in the number of countries that voted in favor and the increase of numbers of those who abstained from voting indicates the growing international understanding of the reality of what is happening in Syria due to the foreign interference, support of terrorism, the spread of extremism and incitement besides the refusal of dialogue.

“We rely on the UN and its member states to support Syria and its people against the culture of extremism and terrorism, and to encourage the comprehensive national dialogue to peacefully resolve the Syrian crisis.” he said. In a statement released after the vote on the UN draft resolution on Syria, al-Jaafari He said that the French delegation had foiled the issuance of a number of UN press releases to condemn the terrorist acts committed by al-Qaeda-linked armed groups in Syria which claimed the lives of thousands of Syrians as it foiled a UN release to condemn the attempt of assassination of the Syrian Premier.

After Qatar’s ambassador spoke in favor of the resolution his country drafted (and re-drafted several time), Ja’afari revealed that there existed an e-mail, from the representative of the Syrian opposition given to Syria’s embassy in Qatar, showing Qatar’s involvement in the kidnapping of UN peacekeepers by the Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade. He read out a phone number from the e-mail as several Gulf diplomats grimaced or scowled, and three left the Chamber.

Visibly stunned, the UK Permanent Representative Lyall Grant called the whole matter “deeply confusing”. Another Permanent Representative, from a militia contributing country, said that if true, it’s “very problematic.” The reasons include the fact that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had just thanked Qatar for its roles in the release of the UN Peacekeepers the earlier kidnapping of whom the Qatari government may have planned, paid for and executed.

Meanwhile, Ban Ki-moon’s spokesperson Martin Nesirky said he would not disclose any more about the “negotiations to free the peacekeepers or who was behind the crime.”

Score a major diplomatic victory for Syria’s UN Ambassador al-Jaafari as public opinion shifts in favor of the Assad government and both pressure as well as optimism build in the run-up to Geneva II.

[…]

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1305/S00435/vote-reflects-shift-in-syrian-public-opinion.htm

May 18th, 2013, 2:06 am

 

Juergen said:

There are images, one will never forget, this is one of them.

https://twitter.com/eman_cipation_/status/335612289635999746/photo/1

May 18th, 2013, 2:15 am

 

Badr said:

Syrian ex-minister leads team planning for reconstruction of war ravaged country

“Al-Dardari estimates the overall damage to Syria’s economy three years into the conflict at $60-$80 billion.”

“However, I think the human losses and the catastrophic destruction should create sufficient moral pressure on the parties of this conflict — internal and external, since this has become a proxy war — to think seriously of a political compromise.”

The obvious question here is what political compromise?

“The fighting needs to stop soon, very soon, and it needs to end with a political solution that will preserve national sovereignty and territorial integrity, or there will be no economic reconstruction, and we’ll lose Syria as a country altogether,”

I doubt the concerned parties have reached that conclusion.

May 18th, 2013, 2:21 am

 

Ameera said:

والله اهل يبرود مافي اطيب واكرم منن حرام يلي عم بيصير فيهم
الحمدلله بالشام بس قذف مدفعي بدون طيارات

May 18th, 2013, 2:28 am

 

Ameera said:

يورغين او جورج

حرام عليك تحط هيك صور و الله الميتين الن احترام مو انو فوق ما انئتلو نيجي نحط صورهم

والله صورة البنت يلي عم تتطلع على ابوها الميت أطعت صماصيم ألبي من جوا لك الله ينتقم من الظالمين لك يا ريتا ما كانت لا ثورة ولا زفت لك خربت البلد وتيتمو الاطفال لك ادمرت حياتن ومستئبلن
لك اخ يا ميمة اخ يا ريتني ماشفت هالبنت يلي بالصورة لك تفو عليكم كلكم يا ويلكم من الله

May 18th, 2013, 2:39 am

 

Visitor said:

“The use of chemical weapons and Obama’s fudged “red line” has given way to gruesome footage of a schismatic Syrian rebel commander biting into the lung of a slain Hezbollah fighter and vowing revenge against Assadist soldiers. Such is the international press’ attention span that the far more significant development in Syria has gone almost entirely unnoticed. The al-Bayda and Baniyas massacres that occurred earlier this month were not just crimes against humanity; they signaled the clearest evidence to date of the regime’s transformation from a conventional military force into a consortium of sectarian Alawite-Shiite militias, which have been trained and financed by Iran, or reactivated after years of desuetude. Unlike the Syrian Army, which has claimed to be fighting a nationalist battle against foreign-backed interests, these armed proxies make no pretense about their true objective: to ethnically cleanse Syria’s Sunni population in the strategically vital western corridor of the country.

On May 2, around 400 people were slaughtered, and possibly as many as 800 disappeared, in the Syrian coastal hamlet of al-Bayda. Of those killed, 200 were buried in a mass grave in which only 150 bodies were identifiable, the rest having been mutilated beyond all recognition. According to The New York Times, which interviewed eyewitnesses and survivors of the massacre, pro-regime forces clad or semi-clad in military fatigues went house to house, separating men and boys above the age of 10 from women and younger children. Whole families were executed and images have since emerged showing children piled atop each other, some with half their faces blown off. Corpses later recovered in al-Bayda were said to include “the burned body of a baby just a few months old” and “a fetus ripped from a woman’s belly.” Two days later, on May 4, a similar massacre was repeated in Ras al-Nabeh, a district near the city of Baniyas.

In contrast to previous atrocities, the regime neither denied that these massacres had taken place nor tried to blame it on the opposition. Rather, it boasted of its success. State television claimed that the army had “crushed a number of terrorists,” while pro-regime Facebook pages displayed those grisly photographs of butchered children, categorizing them as militants. Moreover, the National Defense Forces were evidently involved in the assault on al-Bayda and assumed the most barbaric role of beating, shooting, or stabbing families to death, then burning down their houses. This new-minted guerrilla army is actually a professionalized reinvention of the pro-regime Popular Committees, which were, prior to 2013, locally armed Alawite militias that coordinated closely with the Syrian security services, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah. Now the Committees are being trained up, along with Jaysh al-Sha’bi, the Syrian “Basiji,” as the primary purveyors of state violence.

“The Syrian military doesn’t know how to fight an urban insurgency,” Elizabeth O’Bagy of the Institute for the Study of War told me. “The regime would have lost significant territory in Homs had it not been for Hezbollah moving in from Lebanon,” a relocation that Hassan Nasrallah was reluctant to order. In a valuable briefing she published, O’Bagy observes that the regime’s strategy isn’t to carve out an Alawite rump state on the Mediterranean but to retain a necessary arms and personnel resupply line from Damascus to Latakia. That’s because the regime’s greatest security threat is not a Sunni-on-Alawite conflict, but rather an intra-Alawite one.

A recent example O’Bagy cites is the death of close relative of exiled Rifaat al-Assad, the brother of Hafez al-Assad best known for masterminding the 1982 Hama massacre and attempting a failed coup in the early 1980s. The relative has been dead for roughly two and a half weeks but lies unburied because Rifaat, who has postured as an “opposition” figure for years, has not gained permission from Damascus to return to Qardaha, the Assads’ ancestral home, to attend her funeral. As a result, a lot of latent or dormant clan tensions have flared up again, tensions not made easier by the dwindling Alawite demography along the coast. Sunnis are now said to comprise 45 percent of the population of Tartous, half the population of Latakia, and 70 percent of the population of the Latakia outskirts, which only means that they have been tolerated by Alawites in these areas – a phenomenon that is retrograde to the divide-and-rule strategy that Assad has pursued from the start of the uprising. The wholesale slaughter of Sunni communities in Houla, Quebair, Tremseh, al-Bayda, and Banias is therefore meant to dial up inter-tribal hatred and precipitate Sunni reprisal attacks.

The messaging in this regard has been unmistakable. The savagery in Banias occurred almost simultaneously with the leaking of an undated YouTube video showing a Turkish Alawite commander from Hatay province called Mihrac Ural discussing the need to “cleanse and liberate” the Alawite strongholds of the Syrian coast. Presented next to Sheikh Mouaffac Ghazal, an Alawite cleric (a rare sight in pro-regime propaganda), Ural is in fact a secular communist, whose curriculum vitae is is reminiscent of an Anatolian Carlos the Jackal. He was imprisoned in Turkey briefly after his participation in the 1970s in the Marxist-Leninist People’s Liberation Party/Front, as well as its splinter faction Acilciler (the “Hasty Ones”), which is widely believed to have been the creation of Syrian intelligence. Released in 1980, Ural relocated to Syria and gained citizenship there. He’s rumored to have been the man who first introduced Abdullah Ocalan, the now-imprisoned head of the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK), to Hafez al-Assad.

Former CIA officer and counter-terrorism expert Edward Mickolus believes that Ural married Rifaat al-Assad’s secretary, which would have made him extremely close to the fiefdom in Damascus that was in charge of the Defense Companies, one of the most elite (and overwhelmingly Alawite) regime protection forces until the early 1980s. Ural now heads the Syrian Resistance, an Alawite super-militia, that is suspected as the main perpetrator behind the Ras al-Nabeh massacre.

Following the Al Bayda attack, Ural spoke a funeral for a local militiaman, vowing to wage war against Saudi Arabian-supported rebels, and pledging fealty to Assad. Ural has also been implicated as the mastermind behind the car bombings in Reyhanli last week, which killed 51 people and were clearly designed to exacerbate both Turkish-Syrian and Alawite-Sunni animosities in that restive city.

That a thirty-year Red conscript of the mukhabarat is resurfacing just as the regime relies more and more on Khomeinist proxies is hardly a coincidence. It should also give the United States pause in its already ridiculous pursuit of further diplomatic efforts with Damascus. It’s not entirely clear that a regime per se still exists, much less controls the loyalist swaths of Syria any more. Agents more akin to the Sudanese janjaweed or Rwandan impuzamugambi now appear to be the ones in charge.”

Read Rise of the Militias here,

https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/commentaryanalysis/rise-of-the-militias

May 18th, 2013, 2:59 am

 

annie said:

681 Juergen

La petite fille et la mort; indeed, unforgettable.
and
this, the total horror
“Israeli soldiers enter Syria for the first time for operations within Syria”
as bad as hezbollah and the Iranians

May 18th, 2013, 5:32 am

 

Juergen said:

The tough dictator

“The Syrian president is supposed to be in high spirits. And why not? Bashar al-Assad currently has no fear U.S. attack. Because the rebels horror video publish the moral distance is smaller. Although military and Assad has no control over the entire country. But that does not seem to bother him.

A Lebanese guest enjoyed it a month ago in high spirits: The Syrian president was “telling jokes, he was very funny,” the politician Abdul Rahim Murad American media reported. Since then, it is still better for Bashar al-Assad.”

http://translate.google.de/translate?sl=de&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=de&ie=UTF-8&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sueddeutsche.de%2Fpolitik%2Fassad-regime-in-syrien-der-zaehe-diktator-1.1675750

May 18th, 2013, 5:52 am

 

Dawoud said:

Another usage of chemical weapons by the Syrian murderous regime and its Lebanese Shia Iranian puppet, Hizbass, in Damscus. AND 7 terrorist from Lebanon’s Shia Hizbass are killed in Syria today. Good Riddance!

http://www.aljazeera.net/news/pages/c96fb84c-6eaf-44e5-ad15-7220c1d5827f

قصف على حمص وريفها وحالات اختناق بدمشق

قال المركز الإعلامي السوري إن العشرات أصيبوا بالاختناق جراء قصف على حي العسالي بدمشق، كما سقط قتلى في قصف للجيش السوري النظامي على بساتين الوعر، بحسب الهيئة العامة للثورة السورية.

وقد كثفت قوات النظام السوري قصفها على الأحياء الجنوبية في العاصمة السورية دمشق. كما تركز أيضا القصف على بلدة ناحتة بريف درعا وناحية ربيعة بريف اللاذقية. وقتل وجرح العشرات في قصف استهدف مدينة يبرود بريف دمشق، ومدينة سلقين بريف إدلب.
ففي مدينة يبرود بريف دمشق -التي تتعرض لحملة عسكرية منذ أيام- قتل عشرة أشخاص على الأقل وأصيب عشرات آخرون في قصف نفذته قوات النظام، كما سقط قتلى وجرحى في قصف استهدف بلدتي السبينة والمليحة.

وأفادت شبكة شام بتعرض حي برزة لغارات بالطيران الحربي خلف دمارا كبيرا في الحي. وقصف الجيش النظامي أيضا المنطقة الصناعية وحيي جوبر والقابون، بحسب ما ذكر ناشطون.

وأفاد ناشطون بأن القصف طال أيضا كلا من الزبداني وداريا والمعضمية وزملكا وعربين في ريف دمشق، وأسفر عن جرحى ودمار كبير في المباني السكنية.

صور من استهداف مقاتلات سورية منازل بحمص في وقت سابق هذه السنة (الجزيرة)
وفي محافظة حمص، سقط قتلى في قصف للجيش السوري النظامي على بساتين الوعر، بحسب الهيئة العامة للثورة السورية.

وقالت لجان التنسيق المحلية إن مدينة الرستن في ريف حمص تعرضت للقصف بالمدفعية وراجمات الصواريخ، بينما استهدفت فوات النظام بلدة الغنطو بالرشاشات الثقيلة وقذائف الهاون.

وقالت شبكة شام إن الجيش الحر قتل عددا من جنود النظام في حي العقبة بمدينة حلب خلال تصديه لمحاولة تسللهم، وذلك في سياق محاولات قوات النظام السوري فك الحصار الذي تفرضه قوات المعارضة على سجن المحافظة المركزي، حيث حشدت عددا كبيرا من الدبابات قرب مبنى المخابرات الجوية في المدينة في محاولة لاقتحام الأحياء الشمالية لحلب للوصول إلى السجن المحاصر.

وفي ريف حماة، قالت الهيئة العامة للثورة إن الأهالي عثروا على مقبرة فيها تسعة جثث. وقد قتل أمس 109 أشخاص معظمهم في دمشق وريفها وإدلب بحسب الهيئة العامة للثورة.

اشتباكات اللواء 52
وأفاد ناشطون بأن الاشتباكات بين الجيش الحر وقوات النظام ما زالت مستمرة في محيط اللواء 52 بمدينة الحراك شمالي درعا، وهو أحد أكبر قواعد الجيش السوري في محافظة درعا.

وذكر المركز الإعلامي السوري في وقت سابق الجمعة أن وحدات من الجيش
[…]

May 18th, 2013, 7:29 am

 

DAWOUD said:

Another usage of chemical weapons by the Syrian murderous regime and its Lebanese Shia Iranian puppet, Hizbass, in Damscus. AND 7 terrorist from Lebanon’s Shia Hizbass are killed in Syria today. Good Riddance! AND 4 IRANIAN TERRORISTS ARE KILLED IN SYRIA!

http://www.alarabiya.net/ar/arab-and-world/syria/2013/05/18/%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%B7%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D9%87%D9%85%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%8A-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%B4%D9%82.html

ناشطون يتهمون نظام الأسد باستخدام “الكيماوي” في دمشق
لجان التنسيق المحلية تؤكد مقتل 7 عناصر من حزب الله و4 إيرانيين

اتهم ناشطون النظام السوري باستخدام الأسلحة الكيماوية مجددا في كل من حي العسالي بدمشق وفي سراقب بإدلب، مؤكدين وقوع إصابات بسبب هذه الأسلحة، بحسب ما ذكرت قناة “العربية”، السبت 18 مايو/أيار.
وأفاد المركز الإعلامي السوري أن العشرات أصيبوا بحالة اختناق جراء قصف قوات النظام لحي العسالي في دمشق بقذائف يُعتقد أنها تحتوي على مواد كيماوية.
وأكدت لجان التنسيق المحلية، من جانبها، مقتل 7 عناصر من حزب الله اللبناني على يد الجيش الحر أثناء تسللهم لمنطقة البساتين في مدينة القصير في ريف حمص، بالإضافة إلى مقتل 4 إيرانيين خلال استهداف الجيش الحر لسيارتين تابعتين لعناصر النظام.
[…]

May 18th, 2013, 7:32 am

 

dawoud said:

The courageous Syrian opposition coalition to the Syrian murderous dictatorship sets 5 preconditions to the “Geneva2” peace conference.

http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=4&article=729067&issueno=12590

الائتلاف يضع 5 شروط للجلوس على طاولة مفاوضات «جنيف2»

أصدر ورقة «تقدير الموقف» لمناقشة التطورات السياسية والعسكرية

بيروت – لندن: «الشرق الأوسط»
أصدر الائتلاف الوطني لقوى الثورة والمعارضة السورية ليلة أول من أمس ورقة تتعلق بآخر المستجدات على الساحة السورية خلال الأسبوع الفائت جاءت تحت عنوان «استحقاق جنيف2: تقدير موقف». وانقسمت الورقة إلى قسمين؛ تعلق الأول بآخر المستجدات السياسية على الساحة السورية والإقليمية والدولية، إضافة إلى آخر التطورات العسكرية، وخصص القسم الثاني من الورقة إلى الانطلاق من الواقع إلى موقف الائتلاف من مؤتمر «جنيف2» والذي رأى فيه الائتلاف «فرصة قد تكون الأخيرة بالفعل لحل سياسي يجنب السوريين مزيدا من الدماء».
ورغم الإقرار بأن الذهاب للمؤتمر سيضع مصداقية المعارضة على المحك، خصوصا في ظل غياب الضمانات في ألا «يكون للأسد دور ولا رموز نظامه وقيادته المتورطة في الدماء» في المرحلة الانتقالية، فإن الورقة أقرت أن المعارضة لا تملك «الفرصة الكبيرة» لرفض المشاركة في «جنيف2»، لكنها اشترطت للجلوس على طاولة الحوار الضمانات التالية: أولا، تأكيد واضح وثابت عدم وجود أي دور للأسد ورموز نظامه ولا مشاركة الحلقة الضيقة حوله أو المسؤولين عن المجازر والجرائم في العملية الانتقالية. ثانيا، ضمان أن المفاوضين من طرف النظام مفوضون تفويضا كاملا وملزما. ثالثا، التأكيد بوضوح على أن الحكومة الانتقالية المشكلة حكومة كاملة الصلاحيات. رابعا، أن تكون المعارضة هي الطرف النهائي الذي يوافق على أسماء المشاركين من طرف النظام وليس الأطراف الدولية الراعية وحدها. خامسا، وضع مذكرة اتفاق تقنية تُحدد آلية التفاوض يتم التوافق فيها مع الأميركيين بالتشاور الحلفاء.

وابتدأت الورقة، بقسمها الأول، من الحدث الأبرز، وهو التوافق الروسي الأميركي حول العودة إلى توصيات «جنيف1» وما يواكبه من حراك على المستوى الإقليمي والدولي. ثم انتقلت الورقة للحديث عن الوضع العسكري، مقرة بتمكن الجيش النظامي من إحراز تقدم وصفته بـ«المحدود» في مناطق استراتيجية بدمشق وجنوب درعا والقنيطرة، ومنطقة القصير في ريف حمص، وذلك بفضل «العناصر الأجنبية الموجودة في صفوف الجيش النظامي». وانتهى القسم الأول بالحديث عما يقال عن انقسام المعارضة، ومحاولة إضعاف الائتلاف: «الأمر الذي شجع على تحرك لأطراف المعارضة خارج الائتلاف لتشكيل تنظيمات سياسية تطمح لأن تكون منافسة للائتلاف». وأشار عضو الائتلاف المعارض وممثله في الولايات المتحدة، نجيب الغضبان لـ«الشرق الأوسط «إلى أن «تقدم القوات النظامية هو أمر واقع علينا الاعتراف به وهناك مؤشرات واضحة على الأرض تثبت ذلك». وقال الغضبان إن وضع هذه المعلومات في ورقة صادرة عن الائتلاف هدفه حث الدول الداعمة للثورة السورية على تسليح أكبر للجيش الحر لأن ذخيرته بدأت تنفد، فيما النظام يتلقى الدعم العسكري بكميات كبيرة من روسيا وإيران.

[…]

May 18th, 2013, 7:42 am

 
 

dawoud said:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4381068,00.html

Rebels: Dozens wounded in Damascus chemical attack

Al Arabyia reports rebel claims that Assad’s army has fired chemical laced mortars into a residential neighborhood in Damascus, causing many to suffer breathing issues. In additional incident, rebels claimed were attacked with phosphorous; kill Hezbollah men

[…]

May 18th, 2013, 7:53 am

 

dawoud said:

ATTN: PROFESSOR LANDIS

Very Important: Israel takes side in the Syrian Conflict favoring Bashar!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Report-Israel-prefers-Assad-survive-Syria-conflict-313528

Report: Israel prefers Assad survive Syria conflict

Israeli officer says Israel prefers “devil it knows.”

The scenario that Syrian President Bashar Assad would survive his country’s bloody conflict, yet would hold a lesser role, would be preferred by Israel in contrast to a takeover by rebel factions with Islamic extremist inklings, The Times of London cited an Israeli official as saying Friday.

“Better the devil we know than the demons we can only imagine if Syria falls into chaos and the extremists from across the Arab world gain a foothold there,” one senior Israeli intelligence officer was quoted as saying.

Related:
Is Assad winning in Syria?
Israeli official: We underestimated Assad
A weakened, but intact Assad regime would be preferable for Syria and the Middle East, the Times reported intelligence sources as saying.

The report quoted another defense official who told the Times that Assad’s tenacity had been underestimated.

“We originally underestimated Assad’s staying power and overestimated the rebels’ fighting power,” the source said.

The situation that Assad survives, maintaining power in Damascus and in the corridors to the large coastal cities, would entail the breaking up of Syria into three separate states.

The remarks come amid current differing opinions within the defense establishment about what to expect in Syria and what outcome for its northern neighbor would benefit Israel.
[…]

May 18th, 2013, 9:17 am

 

dawoud said:

http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-prefers-assad-to-islamist-rebels/#

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‘Israel prefers Bashar Assad to Islamist rebels’Israeli officials reportedly tell the London Times: Better the devil we know than the demons we can only imagineBy TIMES OF ISRAEL STAFF May 18, 2013, 8:23 am

weakened Bashar Assad is preferable for Syria and the whole region to a takeover by rebel forces increasingly ruled by Islamic extremists, Israeli officials reportedly said overnight Friday-Saturday.

“Better the devil we know than the demons we can only imagine if Syria falls into chaos and the extremists from across the Arab world gain a foothold there,” one senior intelligence officer told the London-based Times.

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A defense official said Israel had originally thought too little of Assad’s ability to maintain control of his country despite an increasingly bloody and gruesome two-year war. “We originally underestimated Assad’s staying power and overestimated the rebels’ fighting power,” he told the Times.

Suspicions of increasing Islamic influence over rebels forces have been growing for some time, with evidence mounting that al-Qaida- and Salafi-linked groups are gaining power among the forces.

On Wednesday, a gruesome video posted online showed Syrian rebels from al-Nusra Front (Jabhat al-Nusra), the Syrian rebel cell associated with al-Qaeda, invoking sharia law as they sentenced soldiers loyal to Bashar Assad to death, shooting 11 of them in the back of the head.

A similar video circled the web on Tuesday, showing rebels from the Raqqa province publicly executing three men purported to be military officers. The stark horror of the struggle was also underlined early this week with the widespread circulation of a graphic video apparently documenting a Syrian rebel cutting an organ out of the corpse of a slain regime soldier and taking a bite out of it.

On Friday, senior Defense Ministry official Maj.-Gen. (Res) Amos Gilad said in an interview with Israel Radio that Assad is in total control of his country’s weapons systems and is acting sensibly with regard to Israel, in comments apparently intended to calm escalating tensions between Jerusalem and Damascus following reported Israeli airstrikes earlier this month.

Gilad stressed that Israel is not striving to topple Assad’s regime, and that reported recent IAF attacks on Iranian weapons shipments in Syria en route to Hezbollah are motivated by a desire and an obligation to defend Israel.

Brigadier-General Tamir Hyman, the commander of the IDF division responsible for the Israeli-Syrian border on the Golan Heights, said that Assad’s army “has not fallen apart” despite the two years of fighting, and that its command structure was intact, adding that Israel had “no interest” in one side prevailing over the other in the civil war.
[…]

May 18th, 2013, 9:23 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

GUERGEN

Thank you for linking to the story on yet another despicable Lebanese character with the name Abdul Rahim Murad. A typical follower of assad treasonous political style, this cockroach stole money even from Qaddafi and liquidated, with the help from the Syrian occupiers of Lebanon then, all of his comrades, who could threaten the thug’s treasonous theft of the political party they built. Personally, I don’t care for the party and its dogma, but some really honest and wonderful Lebanese intellectuals suffered and continue to suffer a great deal because of this cockroach and its allies in nus-lira’s mafia and in the assad mafia.

Murad is one of the most despised characters in Lebanese politics so you can imagine the type of a character this common thief mafioso is. It is natural for a cockroach like that to be a lapdog for pile-of-dog-poop athad.

May 18th, 2013, 9:26 am

 

Dawoud said:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4381028,00.html

Israeli intelligence official: Assad preferable to rebels
Senior Israeli official speaks to London-based Times, says Israel prefers weak Assad to terrorist takeover: ‘Better the devil we know than demons we imagine’
Ynet
Published: 05.18.13, 09:31 / Israel News

ntelligence sources in Israel spoke to the London-based “The Times” and said that an intact, but weakened, Assad regime would be preferable for Israel and the entire region.

“Better the devil we know than the demons we can only imagine if Syria falls into chaos and the extremists from across the Arab world gain a foothold there,” a senior Israeli intelligence officer in the north of the country was quoted ny the paper as saying.

An additional defense official, who also remained unnamed in The Times’ report, said that at first Israel had assessed that Assad’s regime would fall sooner.

“We originally underestimated Assad’s staying power and overestimated the rebels’ fighting power,” the official said, adding that in any case, it was preferable for Israel that the two sides fight each other instead of joining forces against Israel.

The comments came in wake of comments made in the New York Times Wednesday in which a senior Israeli official signaled that Israel was considering further military strikes on Syria to stop the transfer of advanced weapons to Islamic militants.
[…]

May 18th, 2013, 9:30 am

 

Dawoud said:

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israeli-official-assad-preferable-to-extremist-rebels-the-times-of-london-reports-1.524605

Israeli official: Assad preferable to extremist rebels, The Times of London reports
According to Israeli intelligence officer quoted in report, weakened but intact Syria under President Bashar Assad is better for Israel and region than takeover by Islamist rebels.
[…]

May 18th, 2013, 9:31 am

 

Citizen said:

Obama met with the Turkish sultan Erdogan. There seems to be no agreement between them on how to continue their onslaught on Syria. The only point they agree on is a meaningless “Assad has to go” which would then be a starting point for “something”. Zionist lobby “experts” urge the U.S. to further intervene with a no fly zone to save Erdogan’s endangered political position and U.S. “credibility”. In the run up to World War I it was Germany’s “credibility” towards a misbehaving ally that had to be saved. That did not end well.
Every day President Bashar al-Assad stays in power and the SAA advances, and more so with that 75% popular support he enjoys, is two day less for Turkey the neo-Ottoman-Muslim broderhood regime and the cheap clown Erdogan.

May 18th, 2013, 9:39 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

المخبر عبد الرحيم مراد

ويروي الوزير والنائب السابق اللواء سامي الخطيب، ما يفضح دور عبد الرحيم مراد في منـزل الرئيس المظلوم رفيق الحريري، فيقول:
ان اللواء الراحل غازي كنعان كان يدلع عبد الرحيم مراد ويغازله امام نواب البقاع وشخصياته فيقول له في احدى الجلسات في مكتبه الشهير في عنجر (والله يا ابو حسين بتلبقلك رئاسة الحكومة (تليق بك) انت يا بو حسين من شو بتشكي، شبوبية وبتلبس مليح).. وظل يمتدحه ويبالغ حتى اغاظ كل الحضور الذي كان يهم بالانصراف.. وبعد مغادرة الجميع استوقف اللواء الخطيب اللواء كنعان ليقول له ببعض العتب: ((دخيلك يا ابو يعرب.. نحنا بالوزارة ومش مخلصين مع عب دالرحيم، فإذا ركب رئاسة الحكومة.. ما بيعود احد يهديه..)).

فرد كنعان بحزم: ((ابو بديع.. نحنا زارعين عبد الرحيم مخبراً عند رفيق الحريري.. ومستعد ان اريك التقارير اللي بيكتبها عن ابي بهاء.. ولو يا ابو بديع كبّر عقلك.. عبدالرحيم كثير عليه مخبر بدك يصير رئيس وزارة!)).

For more on اللص عبد الرحيم مراد (common thief Abdul Rahim Murad read what his ex-comrades say about him. As a reminder, the witer, Mr. Sabra is not related to George Sabra, and he is the journalist who was first to brake out the Iran Contra affair.

May 18th, 2013, 9:46 am

 

Visitor said:

All Praise be to The Al-Mighty Allah.

It was a good day for our holy warriors in the Qusayr who continue to pund the scourges of debauchery and rejects of the human kind. Ten criminal coackroaches of the Hizbass of mullah-stan were securely and speedily transported to the lowest depth of the fires of Jahannam at the hands of our holy warriors of the Nusra Front and associates in the Qusayr today, good riddance

http://www.aljazeera.net/news/pages/e94ca06f-b426-4887-a4d4-229c63dde534

While in Deraa, the holy warriors continue to inflict heavy blows on the evil criminals of the regime of abomination . More than five hundred holy wariors have joined the Nusra Front from Jordan in this holy war of liberation of the Syrian homeland. Our Jordanian brothers just like our Iraqi brothers now realize that this Syrian revolution is their revolution as well and together will bring an end to the abomination of hereticism in our homeland.

May 18th, 2013, 10:17 am

 

zoo said:

Syria : One Year After the Houla Massacre. New Report on Official vs. Real Truth

http://www.globalresearch.ca/syria-one-year-after-the-houla-massacre-new-report-on-official-vs-real-truth

Official Truth, Real Truth, and Impunity for the Syrian Houla Massacre of May 2012 Authors : Marinella Correggia, Alfredo Embid, Ronda Hauben, Adam Larson

Full report:

http://ciwclibya.org/reports/realtruthhoula.html

May 18th, 2013, 10:19 am

 

Dawoud said:

ATTN: PROFESSOR LANDIS

Very Important: Israel takes side in the Syrian Conflict favoring Bashar!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Report-Israel-prefers-Assad-survive-Syria-conflict-313528

Report: Israel prefers Assad survive Syria conflict

Israeli officer says Israel prefers “devil it knows.”

The scenario that Syrian President Bashar Assad would survive his country’s bloody conflict, yet would hold a lesser role, would be preferred by Israel in contrast to a takeover by rebel factions with Islamic extremist inklings, The Times of London cited an Israeli official as saying Friday.

“Better the devil we know than the demons we can only imagine if Syria falls into chaos and the extremists from across the Arab world gain a foothold there,” one senior Israeli intelligence officer was quoted as saying.

Related:
Is Assad winning in Syria?
Israeli official: We underestimated Assad
A weakened, but intact Assad regime would be preferable for Syria and the Middle East, the Times reported intelligence sources as saying.

The report quoted another defense official who told the Times that Assad’s tenacity had been underestimated.

“We originally underestimated Assad’s staying power and overestimated the rebels’ fighting power,” the source said.

The situation that Assad survives, maintaining power in Damascus and in the corridors to the large coastal cities, would entail the breaking up of Syria into three separate states.

The remarks come amid current differing opinions within the defense establishment about what to expect in Syria and what outcome for its northern neighbor would benefit Israel.
[…]

May 18th, 2013, 10:24 am

 

Dawoud said:

Now I know that ZOO, REV, ANN, Ziad, …. are all on Israel’s side!

Akbar Palace, now maybe you should change sides now that your favorite state, Israel, has clearly expressed its preference for Bashar! Nice to see Israel and Hasan the Devil on the same side 🙂

Free Syria, Free Palestine!

May 18th, 2013, 10:27 am

 

zoo said:

More signs of decay and disunity: The rebels kidnap a 80 years old. They fight against each others over any pretext

Gunmen seize elderly father of Syria’s deputy FM

http://www.chron.com/news/world/article/Activists-Rebel-groups-clash-in-northern-Syria-4527661.php

Activists on Saturday reported a wave of tit-for-tat kidnappings between rival Islamic militant groups in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, after clashes killed at least four militants.

The director of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdul-Rahman, said a coalition of rebel groups known as the Judicial Council had accused another armed opposition faction, the Ghurabaa al-Sham, of plundering factories in Aleppo’s industrial neighborhood. Aleppo, Syria’s largest city and a former commercial center, is split between rebel and government control.

Any internal fighting between rebels in the city would play into the hands of the regime, which is trying to tarnish the image of the opposition by saying it is dominated by extremists linked to al-Qaida network.

May 18th, 2013, 10:28 am

 

zoo said:

Is Erdogan left with any other choice?
Obama made it clear that he has to force the SNC to participate without asking Bashar Al Assad to ‘step aside. Cornered Erdogan will just do that before the SNC meet in Turkey to make the decision. Qatar and KSA will reluctantly follow while sending more weapons with the hope of a turnaround of their successive Islamist fighters defeats.

Turkey ‘softens opposition’ to Syria conference

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/turkey-softens-opposition-syria-conference-103636458.html#CvM5SFn

Turkey has softened its opposition toward a Russia-US brokered international conference on Syria following Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s trip to the United States, local media said Saturday.

“Erdogan has appeared to soften his stance about Geneva after meeting with President Obama,” commentator Asli Aydintasbas wrote in the liberal Milliyet newspaper.

Ankara agreed to an international gathering “in return for some guarantees” from Washington including an assurance that the process would not be “open-ended” and the parties would not allow months-long delaying tactics in the name of “diplomacy,” according to the columnist.

Ankara has so far opposed such an international gathering, arguing that it would buy Syrian President Bashar al-Assad time.

Erdogan, who spoke to Turkish reporters in Washington Friday, said he would visit Russia for further talks on a solution to the Syrian crisis.

May 18th, 2013, 10:36 am

 

zoo said:

The “Holy Hamsters Poops”(HAP) are getting beatings one after the other

Syrian Army Regains Control over Key Town in Reef Idlib

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian army continued its military advances and took control of several key areas in Reef (outskirts of) Idlib in Northern Syria on Saturday.

The army regained control of Tal Salmo town in Reef Idlib after heavy clashes with the terrorists and purging them from the area.

Meantime, the Syrian army killed several foreign terrorists in Reef Latakia today.

In al-Marij town in Reef Latakia, the army killed an Egyptian terrorist from the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front.

In Borj al-Zahiya and al-Doreh towns in Latakia, the Syrian army also killed several Libyan, Egyptian and Tunisian terrorists.

May 18th, 2013, 10:42 am

 

Citizen said:

‘Video shows Israeli special forces in Syria’
Fox News has published a video allegedly showing Israeli special forces on a mission inside the Syrian soil.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/05/18/304101/video-shows-israeli-commandoes-in-syria/

May 18th, 2013, 10:42 am

 

zoo said:

Teargas v stones, bottles: Hundreds of protesters clash with Turkish police near Syrian border ( video)

RT Published time: May 18, 2013 14:23
http://rt.com/news/turkey-tear-gas-reyhanli-473/

Large doses of teargas, paintballs, and water cannon were fired as protesters clashed with police in the Turkish-Syrian border town of Reyhanli. The mass demonstration comes a week after twin car bomb explosions a week ago, which killed 46 people.

Protesters waved red banners, and lobbed stones and bottles at the officers as the intensity of Saturday’s clashes escalated.
..
The parade began with more than 1,000 participants. Local reports stated that the count could have even stood at over 10,000. However, it quickly fragmented, with the number of attendees dwindling to the hundreds. The clashes calmed down after approximately an hour.
..
Residents of the town harbored frustration at the government’s immediate response, also saying that the country shouldn’t be accommodating refugees from Syria.

May 18th, 2013, 10:46 am

 

zoo said:

Bellicose Georges Sabra appears to be hoping for an escalation of violence and the engulfment of neighboring countries in the conflict so the USA would feel obliged to intervene.
He shows disdain for Al Khateeb political abilities.
Sabra appears to be a dangerous egomaniac

Syrian rebel leader: U.S. will act if conflict widens

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/05/18/syria-opposition-george-sabra/2267859/

In his first sit-down interview since being named interim president of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (SNC) last month, George Sabra said only when the wider region is pulled into the war will the U.S. government change its stance on arming rebels and establishing a “no fly” zone.
And, he says, it’s looking increasingly likely that the conflict will widen.

Sabra said he doesn’t see al-Khateeb — a charismatic figure popular among many Syrians — returning to the SNC.

“Sheikh al-Khateeb didn’t come from politics — he thinks with his heart and has little time for politics.”
..
Sabra said opposition figures won’t attend a U.N. meeting in Geneva in June, where the initiative is expected to be set in place, without first seeing an agenda and the names of those invited.

David Butter, analyst and former fellow at the London-based think tank Chatham House, said

“(Sabra’s) advantage internally for opposition figures is that he’s much more reliable — al-Khateeb went off message,” Butter said. “But whoever’s going to lead the opposition is always going to be just a front man.”

May 18th, 2013, 11:00 am

 

revenire said:

Sabra wants to see hundreds of thousands of dead. Maybe he sees dinner in every dead soldier?

May 18th, 2013, 11:13 am

 

zoo said:

Syrian actress May Skaf released after several hours : Lawyer

AFP , Saturday 18 May 2013

A prominent Syrian actress and activist who was detained by regime forces earlier this week was released after several hours, a human rights lawyer said on Saturday.

“The security forces released the actress May Skaf around 10:30 pm (1930 GMT) on Thursday,” Anwar al-Bunni told AFP.

Skaf was arrested on Thursday afternoon, on her way home in Damascus, Bunni said.

May 18th, 2013, 11:14 am

 

Ziad said:

EU to block arming of Syrian rebels

British attempts to lift the European Union ban on arming Syrian rebels are expected to fail as member states prepare to extend the embargo to give a US-Russian peace initiative time to work.

European countries, led by Germany and Italy, are against arming the rebels and regard the peace talks as an opportunity to resolve the civil war in Syria without any form of Western military intervention.

“The consensus is, as the song goes, ‘give peace a chance’,” said an EU diplomat. “That makes sense for most countries particularly when most of them are against the idea of arming rebels.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10062060/EU-to-block-arming-of-Syrian-rebels.html

May 18th, 2013, 11:15 am

 

revenire said:

Tara maybe those Turks protesting Erdogan are all Syrian intelligence agents. LOL

May 18th, 2013, 11:15 am

 

zoo said:

#716 Revenire

The guy is a embryonic ruthless dictator… I hope he’ll be aborted soon.

May 18th, 2013, 11:17 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZLTPhp0z1k
Victory is for those who has better morality

May 18th, 2013, 11:18 am

 

zoo said:

#718 Ziad

Another slap on UK and France? They have not yet understood that they are isolated in the EU and the world.
They are the only EU countries who host a homeless ‘Ambassador’ to the ghost interim government. They have covered themselves with ridicule. I am sure Qatar’s investment in UK and France is not estranged to their foreign policy in the Middle east.
The trouble is that is failing lamentably.

May 18th, 2013, 11:23 am

 

Ziad said:

majedkhaldoun #721

Great message

May 18th, 2013, 11:28 am

 

revenire said:

Ha ha “most of them are against arming the” rats. Beautiful. Viva la France baby!!

Choke the rats off!

May 18th, 2013, 11:29 am

 

revenire said:

Brother Majed those men look like animals! Do they eat liver?

May 18th, 2013, 11:33 am

 

zoo said:

Another ‘rare’ interview of Bashar Al Assad: Clear, cool-headed and informative. Just compare this interview with Sabra’s rants

Bashar al-Assad: ‘We can’t negotiate with fragmented rebels’

The Syrian president says that the opposition could not uphold any peace deal, and blames the west for supporting them

The Observer, Saturday 18 May 2013 16.08 BST
In an exclusive interview for the Argentine newspaper Clarin, shared with the Observer, Assad says he welcomes attempts at dialogue, but believes that western states are looking for ways to fuel the violence, rather than stop it, and are seeking to topple his regime regardless of the toll.

Assad, speaking to Clarin’s reporter Marcelo Cantelmi from the library of his palace, said that a continuing lack of unity between the myriad rebel groups meant that opposition leaders would be unable to implement any ceasefire measures agreed at a summit, such as surrendering arms. “They are not a single entity,” he said. “They are different groups and bands, not dozens but hundreds. They are a mixture and each group has its local leader. And who can unify thousands of people? We can’t discuss a timetable with a party if we don’t know who they are.”
..
“Believing that a political conference will stop terrorism on the ground is unreal.”

He suggested that the use of such weapons could be used as a pretext to directly intervene in the crisis.

“It is probable that the issue would be used,” he said. “The west lies and falsifies evidence to engineer wars, it is a habit of theirs. Of course any war against Syria would not be easy, it wouldn’t be a simple excursion.

“[Intervention] is a clear probability, especially after we have managed to beat back armed groups in many areas of Syria. Then these countries sent Israel to do this to raise the morale of the terrorist groups. We expect that an intervention will occur at some point although it may be limited in nature.”

He also rejected claims that his troops had used excessive force. “How does one define excessive force? How can one decide whether excessive force has been used or not? What is the formula to be applied?

“The debate is not about the extent of the force used or the type of weapon… the issue really centres on the nature and extent of the terrorism we have suffered, and thus, what is a proper response.
..
“Israel is directly supporting the terrorist groups in two ways, firstly it gives them logistical support and it also tells them what sites to attack and how to attack them. For example, they attacked a radar station that is part of our anti-aircraft defenses, which can detect any plane coming from overseas, especially from Israel.”

May 18th, 2013, 11:36 am

 

zoo said:

Majed #721

Thanks for having the courage to post it. This video confirm what we have been saying for months, the revolution has polluted itself and has failed.
Do you still have hopes there is something called a “moral’ Syrian revolution?

May 18th, 2013, 11:45 am

 

Citizen said:

American people are some of the truly most genuine and honest nations, led by some of the most blood-thirsty.

http://youtu.be/6SGq8XCMq4M?t=6m51s

May 18th, 2013, 11:46 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Zoo
George Sabra is a dictator? Wow is he president of Syria and we missed that, you must be idiot to say that, Sabra has not had State job,why do you call him dictator ,only stupid guy agrees with you is Rat head embecile Revenir, Abu Shakeeb,the lier, Mr. Sabra is a democratic person, was elected to the SNC democratically and call for democratic process.

Erdogan holds major cards, and his words are more important than any Arabic leader.
Israel can not harm Persia without Turkey support
Turkey has over 900 Km border with Syria.through which Turkey can supply weapons to the rebels anytime and no Us or Europe can tell turkey not to.
Turkey has a major american base in Incirlik,close to Adana
The cooperation between Turkey and Qatar is a major force against Asshead,This help to the rebels is why the revolution continued till now, and will continue

The opposition must go to the conference US and Russia agreed to, Ceasefire must be the first on the agenda, it has to be seperate agreement and must be applied immidiately

May 18th, 2013, 11:48 am

 

Dolly Buster said:

Yes Bashar is calm, but that is not a virtue — it shows he is a psycho. A normal person is visibly upset during distressing times. That includes men of courage. An example of this is Saddam Hussein as he was being led to execution by the Shiites.

He was a brave man, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t show any discomfort.

As for Assad, he is a lunatic whose fearlessness is psychopathy-based only.

May 18th, 2013, 11:55 am

 

Ziad said:

Israel is paying internet workers to manipulate online content

As many of you may have suspected, Israel is paying and training internet bloggers to delete, rewrite, and revise internet content to shape public opinion to Israel’s benefit. Video of the Israeli-sponsored training programs have been leaked to the web (like the video here).

http://xrepublic.tv/node/3339

May 18th, 2013, 12:13 pm

 

Ziad said:

25 Palestinians Injured Near Ramallah

The soldiers also kidnapped one Palestinian after ambushing him in the town, local sources reported.
Furthermore, the army attacked several Palestinian reporters wounding one identified as Moath Mashal, a cameraman working for the Anadolu Turkish news agency.

In related news, hundreds of Palestinians held Friday prayers in lands Israel intends to illegally confiscate for its illegal settlement activities, in Deir Jarir village, east of Ramallah. Israeli soldiers attacked the residents, fired gas bombs, and rubber-coated metal bullets.

http://imemc.org/article/65502

May 18th, 2013, 12:20 pm

 

Visitor said:

A few rogue elements in south west Turkey were dealt with effectively by the Turkish peace officers when the rogue elements attempted to create more terrorism in that part of Turkey at the behest of their terrorist handlers in the criminal regime of alawite abomination,

http://www.aljazeera.net/news/pages/1e7fe6b0-6f19-4659-b472-eaa5f0306861

Thank you Erdogan. Keep up the good work Recep. Destroy all the traitors.

May 18th, 2013, 12:33 pm

 

Ziad said:

“I don’t think the US has a vision of security. It has a vision of dominance.”

Noam Chomsky‏

May 18th, 2013, 12:39 pm

 

revenire said:

Assad is one of the smartest men alive. This is why he hasn’t been beaten.

May 18th, 2013, 1:11 pm

 

Dawoud said:

728. ZIAD

from age 4-18, there wasn’t a week my family didn’t take me with them shopping in occupied Ramallah, I grew up in occupied Jerusalem. As a Palestinian, I can’t support occupiers and undemocratic regimes that deny freedom to their people. I can’t understand you support for Bashar. In fact, Israeli is now clearly rooting for Bashar’s survival:

“Israel takes side in the Syrian Conflict favoring,” Jerusalem Post

http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Report-Israel-prefers-Assad-survive-Syria-conflict-313528

May 18th, 2013, 1:13 pm

 
 

revenire said:

The man is over 80 years old. I wonder if they will try to eat his liver?

Gunmen kidnap Syrian politician’s fatherDeputy FM Faisal Mekdad’s elderly dad abducted from his home in southern province of Daraa
http://www.timesofisrael.com/gunmen-kidnap-syrian-diplomats-father/

Gunmen seize elderly father of Syria’s deputy FM
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/May-18/217573-gunmen-seize-elderly-father-of-syrias-deputy-fm.ashx#axzz2TfKA5R47

May 18th, 2013, 1:15 pm

 

zoo said:

#725 Majed

I said Sabra is an embryo of a dictator. Elected? By who, 62 Qatar and KSA employees?

“The opposition must go to the conference US and Russia agreed to,”

Really? and what about the pre-condition they’ve been hammering us for months: that Bashar al Assad should go before they accept to participate at the conference ?

Because the SNC has been rejecting the dialog proposed by Russia and Syria for more than a year and now accepts it under pressure from the usa, it bears all the responsibility for the violence and deaths that have occurred.

Erdogan has zero power in the middle east. He is terrified to loose his chance of becoming president and also to loose the business and tourism with the Arabs once he become again an open friend of Israel. If Turkey economy fails, he fails.
I think he will obey Obama and will postpone his travel to Gaza. He looked like a poddle in front of Obama..

May 18th, 2013, 1:16 pm

 

revenire said:

“I can’t support occupiers and undemocratic regimes that deny freedom to their people.”

You support Qatar and Saudi Arabia don’t you?

You poor man – a walking contradiction who is too afraid to fight to regain his lost homeland.

When you did your family flee to the US Dave?

May 18th, 2013, 1:21 pm

 

revenire said:

Sabra is nothing but a low-life snake who would be shot if he dared to show his face in public in Syria. He’s an animal.

May 18th, 2013, 1:23 pm

 

Citizen said:

737. REVENIRE
الوجه العبوس؟ بدو تدخل عسكري أجنبي ؟

Russian security services name CIA Moscow chief
http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-101383-Russian-security-services-name-CIA-Moscow-chief
MOSCOW: The Russia’s security services openly named the United States (US) intelligence agency’s station chief in Moscow to media on Friday in a rare breach of protocol that followed their capture of an alleged CIA agent who was working undercover at the US embassy.

The Russia announced this week that it had caught alleged agent Ryan Fogle as he prepared to recruit a member of the Russian security forces. Footage was aired showing him wearing a blond wig and his array of spying equipment including a compass and an old-fashioned mobile phone.

An unnamed representative of the Federal Security Bureau (FSB) security services told the Interfax news agency that back in 2011 the agency had “officially warned the CIA station chief in Moscow” over what it called “provocative recruiting moves towards Russian security services officers”, and threatened “reciprocal measures towards CIA officers.”

The report gave the full name of the alleged CIA chief of station in Moscow.

It also named another alleged CIA agent who had worked at the US embassy in Moscow, saying that he was declared persona non grata and left in January after he “carried out a similar action to Fogle.”

Kremlin-funded television channel RT on its website Friday cited an FSB operative as saying that “in the case with Fogle, the CIA crossed a red line and we had no choice but to react observing official procedures.”

The FSB agent told RT that the Russian security agency held a 2011 meeting with the CIA chief of station in Moscow….

May 18th, 2013, 1:27 pm

 

zoo said:

Al Arabiya publishes that? Al Jazeera did not dare yet. Something is changing. Has the war of influence between KSA and Qatar over Syria has started.
As predicted the armed rebels are starting to fight each other in Aleppo and will hopefully destroy each other. Where is Gnl Selim Idriss to save the unity of the FSA?

Activists: Rival Islamist rebel groups clash in northern Syria
Saturday, 18 May 2013

The Associated Press, Beirut –

A wave of tit-for-tat kidnappings between rival Islamic militant groups in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo risks sparking large-scale internal fighting between rebels after clashes killed at least four militants earlier this week, activists said Saturday.

The two groups, the Judicial Council( Al Nusra) and the Ghurabaa al-Sham, clashed on Tuesday near Aleppo in fighting that left four members of the Judicial Council dead, Abldul-Rahman said. He added that the Judicial Council is now holding dozens of members of Ghurabaa al-Sham captive.

May 18th, 2013, 1:30 pm

 

zoo said:

In Egypt Morsi and his MB gang is under siege for been not Islamic enough. It is visible that KSA’s influence is growing in the region while Turkey and Qatar’s are on the decline

Salafists launch another attack on Egypt’s ‘ruling’ Muslim Brotherhood

Leading Salafist Yasser Borhami has launched a fresh scathing attack on Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, accusing the movement of selling out Islam in order to reach power
Ahram Online, Saturday 18 May 2013

Prominent preachers from Egypt’s ultra-conservative Salafist Call have again lambasted the “ruling” Muslim Brotherhood for their policies that they say contradict with Islamic teachings.

Speaking at a news conference held in the coastal city of Alexandria Saturday, Yasser Borhami — vice president of the Salafist Call — stated that “the Brotherhood does not represent Islam in any way,” citing the performance of the government.

The incumbent Cabinet is under the management of premier Hisham Qandil, who — despite his constant denials — is believed to be loyal to the Brotherhood, having being appointed by President Mohamed Morsi who hails from the powerful group.

Borhami referred to the fact that the tourism ministry had recently extended the licence of cabarets for three years amid a notable deterioration in the hospitality industry since the 2011 revolution.

Borhami believes that such a move starkly contradicts with the ostensible goal of “freeing Jerusalem from Israeli occupation,” which the Brotherhood and its supporters have been recurrently calling for.

May 18th, 2013, 1:38 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Rat head Revenir
You are an idiot terrorist, why do you hate George Sabra? what did he do to call for his assasination, he is political opposition, he never hurt anyone in his life, you hate him because he is an opposition, he never hurt anyone yet you call for his death, you are a murderer, a criminal filth rat , you can not tolerate a political opposition, You should be banned from commenting here on SC, and the FBI should look for you , people terrorist as you should not live in this country,Is their any more stupid than you/

May 18th, 2013, 3:03 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Zoo
What precondition? nothing officially yet

Also you say the violence is SNC fault, While the violence is committed by Asshead ,he is the one who must bear full responsibilty for it , HE did all the killing of many massacres, he is the one who is bombing cities and launching artillaries on Syrian, he is the one who bear the responsibilty for all the crimes.

Erdogan is in secure position Turkish people by large percentage support his stands against Asshead, I wish him great success,he is a hero.
Obama will be under pressure to intervene as the revolution spread to Iraq,freedom is higher morality, Maliki is behaving as a dictator, he sure to lose.

May 18th, 2013, 3:14 pm

 

Dawoud said:

740. ZOO

You don’t call an elected president and party a “gang!” A gang is a brutal dictator (Bashar al-Assad), who rules his people against their will and has so far killed 80,00 of them and exiled 1.5 million.

May 18th, 2013, 3:34 pm

 

Matthew Barber said:

Dear Valued Writers of Comments,

I’ve been meaning to make an announcement about commenting and moderation for some while, but projects and time constraints have prevented it.

I engaged in some occasional moderation prior to making this announcement, thinking that the announcement would have followed shortly. It would have been preferable to have posted this first, and moderated afterwards. I acted on a few cases where I though moderation was immediately needed. Other instances of moderation have been needed but to which I’ve been unable to attend. Censure of a user’s inappropriate comments and the lack thereof of another’s content does not equate favoritism or selective moderation according to some kind of preference, something that will be discussed below.

The general purpose of moderation is not to restrain your voices or stifle dialogue, but to promote it. The level of discourse here in the comments section is occasionally thoughtful, stimulating, and informative; more often than not, however, it is embarrassingly juvenile, hostile, and violent. We want to foster more of the former and eliminate the latter.

I believe it was Observer who observed (no pun intended) that the comments section has been a great window into the mentality of both sides of the uprising. I agree that insight can be drawn from the verbal violence of those commenting, but I think that after more than two years of it, we’ve had enough such insight. I’d like to see healthy, thoughtful conversation taking place here.

I want to emphasize an important point and I want you all to consider it: this blog is a place to observe the Syrian conflict, not to participate in it. I recognize that many of you are firmly positioned within one of the camps in this civil conflict, and you find the views of opposing camps offensive. You see friends and loved ones attacked and harmed, and you are angry. I recognize your anger, and your right to express it. And the fact that there is a war happening, and many of you are vested in the outcome, makes it challenging to know how to moderate certain expressions of frustration. Part of me understands those emotions, prompting me to be lenient regarding certain kinds of outbursts. But I think that if you’re going to meet here and sit across from your enemy and engage in communication with him/her, then you need to follow the appropriate customs for doing so. You need to bring your white flag and prepare yourself internally to use it.

Here are some important items related to commenting and moderation:

1) Moderation will not be perfect. I may not censure comments (or those who post them) who you believe I should. I’ll do my best. There will be mistakes, or periods of less-than-perfect attention to certain issues. That’s life.

2) Moderation will resemble quality-control “spot checking.” I do not and will not read every comment, or even most of the comments. I already have a full-time life (and then some), and have little interest in following each he-said she-said argument. Sometimes an entire thread comes and goes that I hardly glance at. Everyone involved with Syria Comment travels frequently. It is your forum and I intend to leave it to you, while hoping to call you up to higher level of respectful debate, and I will take action when I notice inappropriate content. You are also always free to draw my attention to abuse that I may not be aware of by writing to the moderation address; but don’t expect me to see your email immediately.

3) Sometimes a perfectly normal comment (even from a regular user) is occasionally quarantined for moderation for unknown reasons; I always do approve these, but sometimes by the time I see them, a new post has been created and discussion is no longer taking place on that thread. This means that a comment, relevant in the moment, enters the conversation after everyone has moved on. There is no way around this. I’m sorry that it can be inconvenient, but there’s nothing that can be done about it. Bottom line, it’s never a conspiracy against you: I have never deleted a comment for disagreeing with its viewpoint; I have only ever deleted comments that were inappropriate in some way. I receive the most absurd messages from people on both sides of this conflict in my inbox, thinking that I have targeted them in order to silence their voices. Ultimately, there’s no way I can convince you that I really don’t care and you can say whatever you want—as long as you do not attack others, but I’m telling you now that it’s the case. Sometimes a comment bypasses moderation and goes straight to spam (even from a regular user), and I don’t know why. Even the accusatory comments directed at me in these cases, from those assuming I’ve censored them, I have left alone, and I go and dig your original out of the trash for you if I can.

4) Requests for comment deletion will usually be honored, but not necessarily in a timely fashion. Please recognize that comment deletion means a lot of time wasted on my part—I’d prefer to have you just post your comments rather than dozens of test messages containing “….” that you then request that I delete.

5) Previous moderators have tried to establish some kind of standard against which to measure the appropriateness of comments. I believe that this is impossible. People will simply argue about whether or not a particular comment violated the criteria. I’m not going to engage in lengthy discussions about instances of moderation, either in the comments or via email. My moderation will be based on one thing: my own judgment. Rather than nitpick about specific uses of language, offensive words, kinds of communication toward others, I’m to going to be guided by the following question: Is this person’s content adding to the conversation?

6) Nevertheless, there are obvious violations for which I will ban. (Again, these categories are not intended to be construed as a “law” or rigid criteria that we can somehow measure the appropriateness of comments against, but as general examples of what will trigger a censuring reaction on my part). Consider a few of your greatest hits within a lovely little gallery, exemplifying the kind of offensive material I will not tolerate:

Profanity/Sexual Insults

— No examples needed

Generally insulting language/statements/tone:

• Revenire
Marigoldran what about the Iranian plane you, and your twin ape brother Juergen, claimed was downed? Never happened clown.
Is there anyone more stupid than Marigoldran? No. He is on the bottom of the evolutionary chain.

• Revenire
Visitor sorry we voted and you’re out > there is the door >>
Adios rat! To Hell

• Visitor
Zoo is a dog.

• Visitor
AIG is in fact a dimwit…

• Visitor
Darryl,
Did I not tell you last time to STFU? You are just as ignorant as AIG. This has been proven time and again. So you keep poking with your ignorance?

• AIG
Zoo, You are a vile hypocrite and a liar.

• AIG
Regime idiot, Why are you still not answering the questions, coward?

• Syrian Hamster
The Retard sewer-pipe REVENIRE keeps bringing a video that was rebuffed

• 43. MarigoldRan said:
1. You’re not a girl.
2. You have no life. This is not an insult. It is a statement of fact.

• 80. revenire said:
Syrialover no one really cares what you think about Assad or much of anything do they? Are you married? I can imagine a wife paying very little attention to you.

• 85. revenire said:
Tara in a war journos are often spies. Al Jazeera is a Qatari rag. You said nothing when Maya Naser was murdered. In fact I bet you applauded it. You are a sick woman.

• 286. Akbar Palace said:
… Your hero Betho is the King of atrocities, you dumb schmuck.

Expressing glee at the deaths of others:

• Revenire
210 FSA RODENTS RUSHED TO HOSPITAL AFTER DEVASTATION IN DAAE’L – DER’AH
Yesterday, Jordanian hospitals in Al-Ramtha were flooded with injured rodents after the Syrian Air Force put them to death in Daa’el.

• 456. revenire said:
Hope the air force killed them all. Prisoners are a waste of resources.

• Revenire:
This guy is not going to be around to see the SAA crush his rat friends is he? Cheers.

• 256. Dolly Buster said:
I really applaud this guy who sawed Putin’s soldiers with a saw.
He truly understands that you must communicate with Russo-Shiites in their own language.

• Revenire
The actual number killed is unknown but Wael predicts it will exceed 50! No survivors mentioned. Boo hoo hoo.

• 131. revenire said:
LOL are you the clowns that are going to liberate Syria? Our boys are laughing as our MiGs cut your rats to pieces.

Racism / anti-Semitism

• 171. 5 DANCING SHLOMOS SAID:
the american 9-11 event was an israeli operation with inside collaboration.
any alq declarations of responsibility would be u.s. state dept scripted. some minor goy. ask juergen. maybe scripted by one of the small jews occupying a broom closet cubicle.
the u.n. does as jewish america decides.
rats, big and small, be proud. you are dying for jews. there is no better fate for a rat goy than to sacrifice for jewry.
your name will go into the righteous rat sewer.
plitnick, what horrific crimes (by president assad)? what civil war? there is a war against syria but no civil war.
why is memri used for anything except as an example of how jewish lying BS looks? ok, toilet paper.
aron lund?

• 125. Dolly Buster said:
Starbucks kinda blows, I have my own espresso machine so I pull 2 shots in the morning. Starbucks charges you €3 a cup but you can buy 250 grams of beans for €5. Do you trust some immigrant barista for your hard earned qahwa?

• 327. revenire said:
Putin knows how to deal with these Chechen rats.

• 17. ann said:
… Even a cheap, filthy and smelly north African animal killer costs $80,000.00 a year in pay, and that’s not including flying him to Turkey, training, equipments, armaments, food, shelter and transportation in and out of Syria.

• 118. ann said:
… Filthy Tunisian animals don’t need a visa to go to terrorist paradise!

• 294. ann said:
NATOs Mercenary Filthy Smelly Dagestani Animals Shot and Killed by The Syrian Military

Insults in Arabic

• 82. mjabali said:
Visitor: النتن
6- I hope you are taking notes Visitor: your education is limited as I see.
7- طز فيك وفي اللي رباك شو حوبة

• SANDRO LOEWE
Revenire, It is all about refomrming your empty minds…..
Hama was a warm up. Tell this to sons of victims, ya lab ibn kalb ibn hafiane pfuu aleik

Derogatory References to People with Disabilities

• Dolly Buster
Hawking can’t even walk, he is a retard.

[Wow, seriously Dolly?]

• Tara
Retard, When I was referring to regime supporters, you were excluded. You carry no weight . Sorry.

• Tara
Retard,
Liar and retard too!?

• MarigoldRan
You’re retarded. You have no life. And you’re a loser.
… Once again, I’m glad to see I’ve had an effect. As I’ve said before, the most effective method against a retard like you is to insult you personally.
… Then cry some more retard. You deserve it.

• 124. MarigoldRan said:
Hey look, it’s the retard being retarded again. How does it feel to be an unemployed, parasitic loser, retard?

• SYRIAN HAMSTER
So the two, in addition to being retards, are also infested

Proselytism/Attempts to Convert

• 114. Visitor said:
Thank you Georges for recognizing what pure Islam is as you said @9:27PM.
I am praying to Allah the Al-Mighty to give you more knowledge of Islam, because you seem to put it to good use, and also to make you accept Islam and become a good Muslim.

Gloating at the pain of others:

• Revenire
I enjoy seeing Riad in his diaper with the catheter hanging out of him. Catheters are not really a lot of fun to have inserted but I guess when your leg has been blown off and looks like JAWS bit it off there are bigger “fish to fry” so to speak. Ha ha I am so funny sometimes.
I am glad he’s alive too. It is better if he is captured and paraded down the streets before we hang him for treason.
Come on. To see that worm begging to die makes anyone break out laughing. God punished him and isn’t done yet.

• Dolly Buster said:

I am very pleased to see the explosion of violence in Iraq.
The disgusting Shiite pigs thought their grip on Iraq was iron-clad.
But now they are going to see 2006 civil war with 2013 war technology.

Dehumanization / cursing of political rivals:

• 154. revenire said:
Marigoldran is proud of being stupid. … He automatically assumes, because he is a rat himself, that his rat friends tell the truth about “victories” when the reality is the rats hold nothing after two years. It’s funny.

• 190. DOLLY BUSTER SAID:
I was annoyed by this disgusting pig Brahimi, because he pretended that a diplomatic solution was possible.

• 195. DOLLY BUSTER SAID:
Hey swine, instead of reposting articles and leaving it at insinuations, come out and state what you really think.

• Annie
Damn him, his family, his ancestors and all his descendants

• SANDRO LOEWE
Rats should have been exterminated the day they sweared alliance to the House of Assad.

Calling for sectarian violence/genocide:

• 83. DOLLY BUSTER SAID:
This blazing civil war between Sunnis and Shiites in Syria should be expanded into Iraq.
Ignite the region into a huge hell on earth for the Shia.

Crude, juvenile talk (also insulting):

• SL
Nonsense about the character you have been talking about. He is a coward made from the same excrement that makes reverse and co including the entire athad family…and for bonus the cut and paste diarrhea queen.

Comments that may not contain obvious insults, but somehow just don’t add to conversation:

• Revenire:
AIG despite your self-appointed role as the chosen people you can’t possibly be delusional enough to believe you speak for Palestinians. You don’t even speak for Israelis. You speak for yourself and are here to gloat over dead Arabs – your enemies.

7) I hope that the above adequately demonstrates the need for moderation. Some of the above is not so serious, but much of it is downright unconscionable. I’m adamant when I say I will not tolerate glee/gloating about others’ pain and dying. It’s time to do away with this kind of talk which is not beneficial to anyone. Again, it’s not about stifling anyone’s voice, but about elevating the discourse. If the problem can’t be solved, other options we’ve been considering would be required accounts for all commenters; putting every comment through moderation (though this would eliminate the possibility for constant real-time conversation; or the creation of a separate forum for everyone who wants to participate in free conversation about Syria, and then keeping the comments section but moderating every comment of each post, only allowing comments dealing directly with that post to come through.

8) Regarding re-posting articles: I request that you keep it within reason. This is being said primarily with Ann in mind. Ann, I don’t have a problem with you posting articles and you provide many useful and worthwhile contributions for our attention. But perhaps you could limit the length of content you post from each one? Just quote a couple paragraphs rather than the whole article. Tone down the frequency a bit? I personally find it irritating when you post the entire text of a news article that has already been featured in the current post that you’re commenting in. To all of you, it’s actually a good resource when you post content; I find many useful articles from all of you. Ann’s articles are often helpful, though they are all one-sided; others need to feel free to post articles and links that they consider useful, as well. No one user should dominate in this regard. Again, there’s no standard for this, please just keep it within reason.

9) I will not tolerate the kind of dehumanizing language that accompanies genocide, including the use of “rat.” Revenire, you continually play the role of an antagonist here, constantly provoking other members. I’m tired of this. Dolly Buster, you make shocking comments. The only reason I haven’t banned you already was the desire to give you a single warning, in the form of this message.

10) This forum should be friendly for new users. You all have a responsibility to welcome those who post comments for the first time and encourage their participation. Part of my moderation is motivated by a desire to see more thoughtful voices feeling comfortable to participate, rather than drowned out and chased off by attacks and abuse.

11) I’ve witnessed instances when long-time enemies on this blog have come together and mutually acknowledged agreement on certain areas. It’s wonderful to see respectful discussion taking place between parties who disagree, but who recognize each other’s humanity.

12) Sometimes it is a challenge to know where to draw the line between a legitimate expression of anger and an inappropriate personal attack on another. I recognize that people are angry, and that expression of anger and outrage against injustice and violence is legitimate. But this is the most difficult part of moderation, since there is no consensus among you regarding the sources of the atrocities, and you both perceive the other side to be responsible for the destruction of the country. I would encourage you to consider the approach of a Palestinian priest, Elias Chacour, who has worked for years for peace between bitter enemies in his conflict. He stated in one of his books (either Blood Brothers or We Belong to the Land) that behind the uniform of every soldier committing violence and oppression, from the Nazi killing Jews to the IDF killing Chacour’s neighbors (and, we could now add, the Syrian mukhabaraat agent or the al-Nusra extremist both killing Syrian people), is a human being. If you can reach the human behind the monster, rather than dehumanizing your enemy, you will be taking steps towards peace, steps that are always necessary at some point following a conflict. Forgiveness is often impossible until after oppression ceases, but I encourage you to consider Chacour’s approach and let it inform your communication here.

I plan to post this again in the next thread to make sure everyone who comments can see it.

May 18th, 2013, 3:35 pm

 

ghufran said:

Mr Barber and fellow posters who maintained a “clean tongue”:
I agree with you, this site is still being read by many outsiders and people who seek information and insight about Syria and the Syrian war, therefore, certain standards have to be kept to meet the expectations of readers and authors alike.
Violence in Syria made many Syrians forget that their opponents are human, also a country like Syria that was under decades of oppression and one party rule has suddenly become a playground for various political ideologies and armed fighters, there is clearly an attempt to force Syrians to accept chaos and lawlessness as a way of life instead of establishing a plural democracy that respects the rights of all including women and minorities. The revolution, if there was one, has ended a long time ago, I realized that when I watched Syrian jets throwing barrel bombs on Syrian cities and saw rebels performing street executions, engaging in war crimes and beheading their captured “enemy” soldiers, this took away a valuable political weapon from the rebels: the moral higher grounds, the regime certainly deserves most of the blame but moving the opposition to Assad to a violent phase and accepting terrorists as freedom fighters was a choice made by anti regime forces, that choice ended the revolution and took away most of the support rebels once had, I am confident that there will not be an end to this war unless the Syrian army is preserved and Assad and his close associates are forced out.

May 18th, 2013, 3:41 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Matthew Barber
The one who starts the insult is the wrong one, responding to insults is self defence.
I really hope that you enforce this moderation
thanks

May 18th, 2013, 3:52 pm

 

Dawoud said:

736. REVENIRE

No, As soon a popular uprising starts in Saudi Arabia or Qatar and the leader so both countries begin to kill peaceful demonstrators and mutilate boys’ penises (which was what Bashar’s security did to Hamza al-Khateeb), I will wholeheartedly be against them. In fact, I am already hoping that the majority of people in Saudi Arabic would overthrow the corrupt royal family. I don’t like “kings,” regardless of whether they call themselves “kings” or “presidents” (like Bashar).

As to Qatar, it is probably more like a huge gas corporation and the Khalifa family is like the CEO and the board of directors. As long as they keep Qataris happy, I support them-particularly given their support for the poorer Arabs (Lebanese Shias in 2006, Palestinians now, Syrians now, etc.). When there is an uprising in Qatar calling for free elections and non-monarchical rule, I will support it.

May 18th, 2013, 4:29 pm

 

Dawoud said:

747. DAWOUD

I meant al-Thani family in Qatar. As to Khalifa family in Bahrain, I hope they are overthrown and be replaced by representative government. However, I don’t support the current al-Wifaq (Iran’s and Hizballah’s puppet party), until the majority of non-citizens in Bahrain (who outnumber Bahraini citizesn and most of them were born in Bahrian) are granted citizenship. Iran’s and the Hizb… support for Bahrain while opposing Syria’s revolution has hurt the Bahraini cause and increased Shia-Sunni sectrianism.

May 18th, 2013, 4:33 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Zoo said
Elected? By who, 62 Qatar and KSA employees?

Zoo those 62 people are now recognized by the UN as the representative of Syrian people

Ghufran you opposed arming the opposition, but you never explained how peaceful demonstration confronted by Assad by snipers,shabbiha, security forces and finally the army, how can you change the regime that you say it is bad? You don’t come with a solution,and you oppose for the syrians to defend themselves, this is not reasonable

May 18th, 2013, 4:38 pm

 

zoo said:

Despite violent threats and intimidation coming from some of the richest and most powerful countries in the world, Bashar al Assad shows a courage and a determination that no Arab leader would have had it such circumstances.
Why? Because despite the negative foreign propaganda and the expats theatrical gimmicks, Bashar al Assad (and the CIA) knows that he has 75% of the population on his side.

Assad to the world: I’m not stepping down

BEIRUT — Syrian President Bashar Assad said in a newspaper interview Saturday he won’t step down and will instead “face the storm,” raising new doubts about a U.S-Russian effort to get Assad and his opponents to negotiate an end to the country’s civil war.

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/may/18/assad-world-im-not-stepping-down/#ixzz2TgA8ZPxe
Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter

CIA: Assad to Get 75% of Votes in Next Term, Syrian Gov’t in Advance

http://www.almanar.com.lb/english/adetails.php?eid=93509&frid=18&cid=18&fromval=1&seccatid=56

US Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, believes that President Bashar al-Assad is to gain 75% of the Syrian people’s votes if he runs for presidency in the year of 2014.Bashar Assad

According to Western reports, the CIA said that Assad is to remain as a president of Syria till the year of 2020.

The intelligence agency also said it has built its information according to reports from inside Syria, in addition to opinion polls. These reports and polls show that Assad is to impartially get 75% of the votes as there is no other worth mentioning candidate that can stand against him for presidency.

The developments on the battlefield give superiority to the Syrian government which has been bolstering its popularity, CIA reported, noting that it believes that this situation will last to the next year when the presidential election will take place.

May 18th, 2013, 4:54 pm

 

Dawoud said:

744. MATTHEW BARBER

I generally agree with your approach. I just want to add that criticizing political leaders should always be allowed even if their supporters think that they are also religious leaders. For example, some people think that Lebanon’s Shia Hasan Nasr*** is a just a holy religious leader, which is preposterous given his repeated cult-of-personality political speeches and propaganda. Thus, I am not criticizing his sect by calling him حسن نصر الشيطان or Hasan the Devil. Furthermore, When a religious leader makes political statements, he can be criticized (without insulting his religion). For example, you can disagree with the Sunni al-Qaradawi (who supports the reolution), or the Maronite Patriarch in Lebanon (who seems to be against it). I may add that Ann, of all the commentators, stand out for hate against Sunnis. Her “Religion of Peace” comment above her comments are meant to include ALL Sunnis in her terrorism accusations, and not just al-Nusra or al-Qaida. Her hate is in league by itself, only comparable to the most vicious right-wing Islamophobes in the United States or anywhere. Good for you for including some of her hateful semantics and comments as objectionable. Finally, I seem tough on Ali Khameini-whom some Iranians see as a religious leader. I clearly consider him also a political leader in a theocratic system, and he is a fair game.

May 18th, 2013, 4:57 pm

 

revenire said:

I have to agree with the American CIA but feel they are off by a few points. My sources indicate Assad would get at least 79% of the popular vote in Syria if an election were held today. A few sources go as high as 87% and one poll has the figure of 96% but those are on the edge so we won’t include them.

God is great.

May 18th, 2013, 5:07 pm

 

Dawoud said:

750. ZOO

If Israel wants him (http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Report-Israel-prefers-Assad-survive-Syria-conflict-3135280) and Iran wants him and Russia wants him and Obama only gives non-lethal aid to the opposition, Bashar al-Assad knows that he is in a good shape and doesn’t need to compromise!

May 18th, 2013, 5:07 pm

 

ann said:

744. Matthew Barber

Would you please make public the country posters are posting from the same way many blogs do?

Just the country next to the name nothing more.

Thank You

May 18th, 2013, 5:08 pm

 

Dawoud said:

This is the right link about Israeli preference for Bashar’s survival:

http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Report-Israel-prefers-Assad-survive-Syria-conflict-313528

May 18th, 2013, 5:10 pm

 

revenire said:

HOMS:

Watch this wonderful video about how the SAA liberated Homs and Al-Qusayr. It’s only in Arabic but you get to see Erdoghan, Hague, Clinton and Fabius telling the world how the SAA would not be allowed to enter this city, the Bastion of Resistance. A laugh-riot from Juhayna Ne:ws

http://www.jpnews-sy.com/ar/news.php?id=56970

http://syrianperspective.blogspot.com/2013/05/second-post-may-18-2013-nato-throws-in.html

May 18th, 2013, 5:15 pm

 

revenire said:

Dave the terrorists killing Syrians never had a chance against Assad. All they could ever hope for was to murder innocent Syrians. The army is too strong.

It never was a sectarian war. It never will be.

Sayyed Nasrallah and the Supreme Leader are religious figures. Remember that.

May 18th, 2013, 5:17 pm

 

revenire said:

Israeli strategy is to keep this going as long as they can to weaken Syria and the resistance. That was always their game. They are fighting Iran, Syria and Hezbollah and everyone knows it. To assert Israel wants Assad to remain in power is to talk like a lunatic.

May 18th, 2013, 5:19 pm

 

ann said:

They say “A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words” 😉

http://images.forbes.com/media/2008/08/20/royal_07.jpg

I hope I’m not offending anyone.

May 18th, 2013, 5:23 pm

 

Dawoud said:

757. REVENIRE

If MATTHEW BARBER agrees with you rather than me (that Hasan the Devil and Ali Khameini are only religious leaders who shouldn’t be criticized), then he should ban me forever because I call the first حسن نصر الشيطان Hasan the Devil, and I am very critical of the second! Are you going to issue a fatwa against me because I clearly will disregard your orders to “remember that” 🙂 🙂

May 18th, 2013, 5:25 pm

 

ghufran said:

Arming rebels and opening borders to terrorists did not change the regime or bring freedom, it only increased death toll by 10 folds and caused massive destruction in many parts of Syria, we all knew how brutal the regime and its security forces were before March,18,2011 and we also knew that it will respond to a bullet with ten bullets, the blood shed also increased divisions inside Syria and poisoned the relations between Syrians inside and outside Syria for years to come,that will make it very hard for Syrians to live together peacefully in one state ruled by one government. Every time I bring this simple argument on I get reminded that it was the regime’s fault and that self defense is a god-given right, well ,ask the people of Aleppo what they think of this “revolution” 10 months after their city was invaded by islamist rebel froups and Nusra, I yet have to read a single intelligent argument that makes sense of the strategic and political fatal mistake of arming the rebels, most of the replies I received were not worth reposnding to, I know very well how corrput and brutal the regime is, especially its mukhabarat, and how difficult a regime change would be,but I did not expect educated Syrians to support violence, Nusra and islamist groups especially after what we saw in Liby and Iraq, if the regime is emerging as a winner today that is because of the mistakes of the opposition not because of Assad’s brilliance. This is now a war to defeat Iran and help Israel and the GCC, freedom and democracy are not on the minds of the likes of HBJ , Mossad and NATO,look at the anxiety and the uproar over the shipment of SAMs and anti ship weapons to Syria as demonstrated by Israel and the West and compare that to their relative indifference the death of 90,000 Syrians.
Syrians are simply the fuel of a regional war, and when it is time to rebuild Syria NOBODY will give us free money, be ready for a long and painful period of unrest, crime and poverty in Syria, none of that was a destiney,it was the result of wrong choices by Syrians and their backers, send your “thank you cards” to those who made this possible: Assad, Erdo, HBJ and the Mullahs of Iran.
The opposition did not have good choices, it only had bad choices and worse choices, what they did is pick the worst choice, they will be remembered as partners in this crime with the regime and the GCC but not as heros of freedom.
Syria is the victim,Syrians did not deserve all of that suffering, destruction and misery.
what was the solution on March,18,2011?
country-wide protests, boycott of regime functions, world-wide exposure of regime’s crimes, dimplomatic sanctions, and even targeted ,limited clean and real self defense when innocent Syrians were attacked by security forces, what the rebels have done ws entirely different, unfortunately, a white revolution is not what many of you had in mind, what many wanted from day one was revenge and replacing one dictatorship with another !!

May 18th, 2013, 5:26 pm

 

revenire said:

I am offended but also amused.

May 18th, 2013, 5:28 pm

 

revenire said:

Ghufran Nusra was there shooting civilians and soldiers from the start.

May 18th, 2013, 5:29 pm

 

revenire said:

Dave it doesn’t matter to me what you say about them. I just reminded you they are religious leaders and not political leaders except in the sense their moral authority guides men.

It isn’t like they will be affected by words on SC will they? Of course not. That would be silly.

I am happy that Hezbollah has helped clean things up. I hope to see them involve themselves deeper too. I pray for it each night before I go to sleep.

May 18th, 2013, 5:36 pm

 

zoo said:

Majed ,
“Zoo those 62 people are now recognized by the UN as the representative of Syrian people”

The only people who can give them a real legitimacy are the Syrians.
These 62 SNC ( mostly expats) people are not elected, they are nominated by Qatar and KSA and the SNC is not recognized by the UN as the sole representative of the Syrian people. Only 10 countries do. At the UN assembly, it was recognized as a valid (because of its financials backers, not their number) group of people opposed to the regime. Yet they have zero credibility in Syria, despite nominating a french-syria intellectual, then a Kurd, then a Sunni preacher, then a christian. They all failed to get the Syrian to recognize them as a possible alternative.

Qatar, with all the funds they dispose of has never financed a poll to check the legitimacy of the SNC among Syrians. The reason is clear, the polls will prove that the SNC is not recognized by even a minority of Syrians.

May 18th, 2013, 5:40 pm

 

zoo said:

#762 Reve

Don’t be offended, I appreciated your dry, outrageous and black humor a lot.
I’ll miss it!

May 18th, 2013, 5:43 pm

 

revenire said:

Brother Majed I am sorry to tell you that the UN does not recognize this band of puppets as representative of the Syrian people. That is silly. Where, in God’s name, did you hear such a thing?

The SNC is a tool of the West and about as Syrian as Netanyahu is. No one recognizes them except maybe some five star hotels.

These puppets live in luxury as the Syrian people are forced into conditions unfit for animals in squalid refugee camps.

I am offended to hear anyone suggest the SNC is representative of the Syrian people.

May 18th, 2013, 5:49 pm

 

Dolly Buster said:

757. revenire said:

It never was a sectarian war.

 
So, it’s just an incredible coincidence that every Shiite in the world is on the side of Shiite tyrant Assad?

This is a purely sectarian war. That’s why Iraq is igniting as well.

The Wahhabis are on the side of truth — as Allahu taala says in the Quran about himself: “Innaka anta al Wahhab.” “Verily, you are Wahhab.”

May 18th, 2013, 5:52 pm

 

revenire said:

Asma al-Assad is Sunni. The army is 80% Sunni. The leadership of the army is Sunni.

It has nothing to do with sectarian war.

PS – Bashar is Alawite not Shia.

May 18th, 2013, 5:57 pm

 

zoo said:

Ghufran

The opposition did not give a priority to the preservation of people’s lives. Their priority was to win at any cost as in their eyes, the dead civilians will be just ‘martyrs’ to the ‘noble’ cause.
Once they realized that they had to take arms and call foreigners to succeed in their ‘revolution’, they should have stopped and wait for another opportunity. Instead they brought in foreigners with suspicious agendas and brought the country to a disaster.

Either people do a revolution on their own and not with help of foreigners with their own agenda, or they don’t.

Tunisia and Egypt did it without foreign help and may succeed. Libya and Yemen called for foreign intervention and they are failing.
Iraq’s regime change was imposed by foreign powers and got out broken for generations.
Bahrain did not call for foreign intervention and are still struggling.
In Iran’s recent uprising the ‘revolutionists’ chose to stop the protests when they realize it was going to cost civilian lives. They preferred to wait for the next opportunity.

The Syrian opposition naively or intentionally decided to call for foreign political and military help instead of calling it off. Therefore I consider them largely responsible for the deaths, destruction and the sectarian poison that this conflict generated.

May 18th, 2013, 6:04 pm

 

Dolly Buster said:

770. zoo said:

Bahrain did not call for foreign intervention and are still struggling.

 
Yeah but there have been only like 6 deaths in Bahrayn,
versus 80,000 killed by the rafidhi government in Syria.

May 18th, 2013, 6:29 pm

 

revenire said:

Sorry Dolly but out of 80000 dead almost half are soldiers and the rest of fighting age males i.e. terrorists.

Stop the sectarian bashing.

And, a life is a life – whether 8 or 80000. It does not matter to God.

May 18th, 2013, 6:36 pm

 

Dolly Buster said:

770. zoo said:

Either people do a revolution on their own and not with help of foreigners with their own agenda, or they don’t.

 
Oh. So, if the Shiite government of Syria decides to use Russian planes to kill everyone in the country, we should just sit back and call it an internal matter of a sovereign state?

I say no. We must have a global intervention force, tasked with shutting down evildoers such as Lavrov and his army the SAA.

May 18th, 2013, 6:38 pm

 

revenire said:

HNN Homs News Network
ALEPPO – TERRORIST DISTRESS CALLS AS ARMY PROGRESS !!

Reports of distress calls are going out from Terrorists in the areas of “Kafr Al-Hamra”, “Andan” and “Hallat Nazouh, with the Syrian Arab Army hurling Terrorists from “Kafr Al-Hamra” and “Hraytan” into chaos, following their control over the “Abed Rabbo”, close to the “Allermoun” neighbourhood in Aleppo, which resulted in a large number of Terrorists eliminated and those supply routes closing on the remaining Mercenaries, also the northern Countryside of Aleppo is reporting good news from our Military …

EXCELLENT NEWS FROM ALEPPO, KEEP GOING OUR BRAVE ARMY, MAY GOD BLESS AND PROTECT YOU … – J

C.R.N.N.

May 18th, 2013, 6:42 pm

 

revenire said:

Dolly Syria does not have a Shia government. Syria’s air force is not killing civilians. It is killing terrorists.

You will not see a foreign attack like you want. Syria is too strong.

May 18th, 2013, 6:44 pm

 

Tara said:

Mat,

You are in for a difficult job. Good luck. This is a thankless job. I am for one unhappy with JL when he decided to stop moderating and unhappy with him when he decided to resume moderation (sorry Joshua..)

What about Reve’s use of “rats” to dehumanize everyone who opposes Batta? Is that allowed or the call to cleanse, carpet bomb, and gas rebels-held towns allowed? Where are you going to draw the line there? I hope that you realize that this is more profoundly offensive than being personally insulted with any name calling whatever that name might be. Those “rats” are our family, fellows, children, and neighbors. Does it bother you at all? Any guidelines for that?

Let me help you answering: Imagine al Qaeda affiliate hoping on SC and calling Americans “rats” and urging their cleansing.. Would you have been able to tolerate such a discussion?

As a matter of fact, I am torn asking for such phrases to be moderated or to let as is in order to expose the hyenas behind them..

May 18th, 2013, 6:46 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Ghufran
You complain but again NO SOLUTION, specially the regime resorted to brutal violence against peaceful demonstrators yet you suggest the Syrian should accept to die but no defence.this is not reasonable and not practical.
If a woman complain to you in your doctor office that her husband is beating her, you just listen and tell her go home to your husband who beats you ,don’t defend yourself, the right thing to do is to call the police(outsider) to arrest her husband and force divorce, accepting husband beating is not a solution.

Zoo all what you said is your opinion which is not reality,Tell me how would you get a poll in Syria,that is free and honest with a tyrant there who blocked the journalists to report and imprisoned the opposition? Assad will not get 20% in my opinion, in your opinion he will get 75%, it is opinion not fact.

Hassan Nasrallah is political leader taking advantage of religion,I never heared him discussing Quraan or Hadith all his talk is political

It is Assad who turn this fight to sectarian one, How else can any reasonable person explain Iran slodiers, Lebanese Shiite soldiers and Iraqi shiite soldiers are fighting inside Syria, they are not there for anything except they are Shiite, and yes Hassan nasralla is the head of those who are killing Syrian and they are from Lebanon so these people are terrorist and criminal,,they are mercenaries and they are to be condemned.

May 18th, 2013, 6:54 pm

 

Citizen said:

744.
does not too late to woke up? Why do not call all violations? honestly tell you, horrible and disgusting to read in the last period, particular from revolutioners as a pathological repeats the abuses that excites disgust!

May 18th, 2013, 6:55 pm

 

Tara said:

Georges,

I have been reading your last post to excess..

May 18th, 2013, 7:06 pm

 

revenire said:

Tara you need to look in the mirror: you have called for soldiers to die. They are members of the Syrian family.

You don’t even live in Syria.

May 18th, 2013, 7:25 pm

 

revenire said:

Nasrallah is to be applauded for his moral vision and help for the Syrian people.

Syrians love him.

May 18th, 2013, 7:26 pm

 

Tara said:

Reve,

Stop lying. I only want Bashar and his inner circle and the shabeehas who committed crimes and the officers who bombarded the cities and towns, and the Lebanese HA mercenaries dead. The average Syrian soldiers are poor conscripts forced to die for evil and their mothers forced to celebrate their death with Asma.

Stop making things up.

I look in the mirror everyday. It is you and your admirers who don’t. Come on, take a look, see how creepy the image has been. May be that would be your first step to redemption.

May 18th, 2013, 7:33 pm

 

revenire said:

Tara your words go back over one year.

Syrian soldiers don’t kill Syrians. That is a lie.

You are an American not a Syrian.

May 18th, 2013, 7:35 pm

 

revenire said:

The men of Hezbollah live inside Syria, as anyone who is from Lebanon or Syria would know. They defend their towns from terrorists. There are very few of them so far but if need be Nasrallah has promised 1000s of fighters to protect the shrines from cannibals.

May 18th, 2013, 7:42 pm

 

revenire said:

New interview with Assad:

Interview: Bashar al-Assad on Syria and the international community – video
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2013/may/18/interview-bashar-al-assad-syria-international-community-video?CMP=twt_gu

My feeling is he will be reelected easily and be president at least until 2020.

May 18th, 2013, 7:44 pm

 

Tara said:

Reve ran out of argument and run away.

Heroism is not demonstration of power over those who are powerless . Heroism facing your most intimate fear. Come on Reve, be a hero, face yourself, face the fact you cheered for killing Syrians under the pretext of this and the pretext for that. It is an opportunity knocking on your door in your little own world. Do not miss it. It is a heroic act. Come out of yourself and ask your soul whether killing 80,000 and displacing 1.5 mil and counting is worth Batta keeping the chair and worth you like many other losing their humanity.

May 18th, 2013, 7:54 pm

 

dawoud said:

JUST A USEFUL REMINDER: I know that humans often have short memories, particularly when memories contradict their ideology and sectarian beliefs. I posting Robert Fisk’s articles from April of 2011 to remind you that the Revolution began as a PEACEFUL movement. It took so many weeks of regime terror and torture before the Syrian Revolutionaries carried arms. There were no terrorists and no foreign fighters. It was the regime who began corrupting and bloodying the entire Syrian society.

Read on……..

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-out-of-syrias-darkness-come-tales-of-terror-2276392.html
Friday 29 April 2011
Robert Fisk: Out of Syria’s darkness come tales of terror
Witnesses who fled across the Lebanon border tell our writer what they saw

In Damascus, the posters – in their tens of thousands around the streets – read: “Anxious or calm, you must obey the law.” But pictures of President Bashar al-Assad and his father Hafez have been taken down, by the security police no less, in case they inflame Syrians.
There are thieves with steel-tipped rubber coshes on the Damascus airport road at night, and in the terminal the cops ask arriving passengers to declare iPods and laptops. In the village of Hala outside Deraa, Muslim inhabitants told their Christian neighbours to join the demonstrations against the regime – or leave.

Out of the darkness of Syria come such tales.

And they are true. Syrians arriving in Lebanon are bringing the most specific details of what is going on inside their country, of Fifth Brigade soldiers fighting the armed units of Maher Assad’s Fourth Brigade outside Deraa, of random killings around Damascus by the ever-growing armed bands of Shabiha (“the mafia”) from the Alawite mountains, of massive stocking up of food. One woman has just left her mother in the capital with 10 kilos of pasta, 10 kilos of rice, five kilos of sugar, box after box of drinking water.

In Deraa – surrounded, without electricity or water or supplies – the price of bread has risen 500 per cent and men are smuggling food into the city over the fields at night.

But it is the killings which terrify the people. Are they committed by the Shabiha from the port city of Lattakia – created by the Assad family in the 70s to control smuggling and protection rackets – or by the secret police to sow a fear that might break the uprising against Assad? Or by the murderers who thrive amid anarchy and lawlessness? Three men carrying sacks of vegetables outside Damascus at night were confronted by armed men last week. They refused to stop. So they were executed.

The Syrian government is appealing to the minorities – to the Christians and the Kurds – to stay loyal to the authorities; minorities have always been safe in Syria, and many have stayed away from protests against the regime. But in the village of Hala, Christian shops are shut as their owners contemplate what are clearly sectarian demands to join in the uprising against Assad. In an attempt to rid Syria of “foreign” influence, the ministry of education has ordered a number of schools to end all English teaching – even banning the names of schools in French and English from school uniforms. Even the kindergarten where the President’s two young children are educated has been subject to the prohibitions.

There are bright lights, of course, not least among the brave men and women who are using the internet and Facebook to keep open the flow of information from Syria. The Independent can reveal that a system of committees has been set up across the cities of Syria, usually comprising only 10 or 12 friends who have known and trusted each other for years. Each of them enlists 10 of their own friends – and they persuade 10 more each – to furnish information and pictures. Many were put in touch with each other via the cyber kings of Beirut – many of them also Syrian – and thus “circles of trust” have spread at the cost of the secret police snooping that has been part of Syrian life for four decades.
[…]

May 18th, 2013, 7:59 pm

 

Matthew Barber said:

Dawoud,

Not only do I agree with you that political leaders should always be open to criticism, I also believe that people should be free to criticize religious leaders. Disagreeing with the positions of a leadership figure is not the same as attacking an entire community, and drawing clear lines between political and religious power is impossible, especially in the region with which we are concerned.

Ann, I think all users have a right to their privacy. Many people seem quite curious about you, for example, but you’d probably maintain that it’s none of their business.

Tara, I’d like to see the use of “rat” stopped altogether, and I said so in my message. Please read it and understand the position I took.

May 18th, 2013, 8:28 pm

 

Tara said:

Matt,

Sorry I retract. I don’t know how I missed that paragraph where you stated your position about the use of “rat” clearly and jumped to the rest of it. I will blame it on the red light turning green.

Tara has to find herself age-appropriate punctuation and comprehension class 😉

May 18th, 2013, 8:45 pm

 

Dawoud said:

788. MATTHEW BARBER

I agree with you and, actually, I said that the Sunni Yousef al-Qaradawi and the Lebanese Maoronite Patriarch could be criticized for their outspoken positions on Syria.

Although I am not very religious and I refuse to take religious orders/advice-particularly those pertaining to my personal life and political perspectives-from any Sunni imam or scholar, I grew up on in occupied east Jerusalem where the funniest jokes I heard usually were about Jerusalem’s Muslim Mufti and other imams. However, I reject Ann’s headline comment “Religion of Peace” whenever she posts a comment about some crazy or terrorist action taken by al-Nasru or al-Qaida. The overwhelming majority of Sunni Muslims (who are about 90% of all Muslims) reject terror and the indiscriminate targeting of civilians. If you hate 90% of your girlfriend, then you don’t love her and you should be 100 miles away from her! “Religion of Peace” Islamophobic comment is usually uttered from extreme right-wing Islamophobes (Islamophobic commentators and “analysts”) on Fox News, Glenn Beck show, and other well-known Islamophobic outlets.

Peace, and Free Syria & Palestine!

May 18th, 2013, 8:46 pm

 

revenire said:

What religion are the men who eat hearts?

May 18th, 2013, 8:47 pm

 

revenire said:

I’ve always admired the Grand Mufti. He is a strong man and a true Syrian. He speaks for all of us.

Grand Mufti: Who Seek Fall of Syria Seek Fall of Resistance

BEIRUT, (SANA) – Grand Mufti of the Syrian Arab Republic, Dr. Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, stressed on Saturday that those who endeavor to make Syria fall are indeed seeking the fall of resistance.

In a speech at the Jihadist tourism landmark of Mleeta in southern Lebanon in response to an invitation from Hezbollah, the Grand Mufti stressed that Syria will not fall because it is blessed from heaven, adding, “Syria will not kneel and what was achieved by our sons in southern Lebanon will be registered in history as a chapter of glory just as the Syrian people are standing steadfast in face of those who want to destroy and defragment their homeland and ignite sectarianism among them.

http://sana.sy/eng/22/2013/05/18/482892.htm

May 18th, 2013, 8:52 pm

 

dawoud said:

791. REVENIRE

…There are evil people in every religion and sect. For example, what was the religion/sect of those who torture the Dera’ah teenage boy, Hamza al-Khateeb, and mutilated his penis?! What was the sect of the Shabih Ali Kyali (Alawi) who lead the death squads on their ethnic-cleansing campaign in Banias (see the current post by Joshua Landis)? Raping women and killing innocent children, women, and men-and dispossessing those who escape death from their villages-is worse than anything?

May 18th, 2013, 8:56 pm

 

revenire said:

The boy’s father tells a different story than yours doesn’t he?

As far as raping women we all have seen the stories of Syrian women sold into slavery and prostitution by Saudis, Qataris and Turks.

The only ethnic cleansing going on is that of the terrorists killing anyone who will not follow them: Sunni, Shia, Chrisitan, Druze, etc.

May 18th, 2013, 9:01 pm

 

Ghufran said:

Using the same logic some of you have, every nation must carry arms and shoot at their government’s troops if they feel like they were the victims of government brutality and injustice. No government, good or bad, democratic or autocratic will allow people, domestic or foreign, to carry arms in the streets and shoot at will, in that sense those who choose violence should not complain if violence is used against them.
Surgery is not always the cure for medical problems, indeed there are many instances where the treatment was worse than the disease, furthermore, many nations forced a political change without violence, Syrians failed to do that for a number of reasons:
– the army and security forces are firmly supportive of the regime in power
– many foreign nations are meddling in syria’s affairs and have no real interest in seeing a free and democratic Syria.
– many Arabs and Muslims have that malicious violent trait in their genes, religion is often used to justify violence and oppression, there is hardly a week without a fatwa or two inciting hatred and aggression, too much for a ” religion of peace”.

May 18th, 2013, 9:01 pm

 

revenire said:

Hamza’s father thanked Dr. Assad for his kindness. It is obvious the terrorists killed and mutilated the boy and tried to blame the government but no one buys that.

State TV said the teenager’s father and family had been invited to meet President Assad, and they were quoted as saying he “engulfed us with his kindness and graciousness”.

A man who identified himself as Hamza’s father said: “The president considered Hamza his own son and was deeply affected.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13622959

May 18th, 2013, 9:04 pm

 

revenire said:

They praise President Bashar al-Asad as “the greatest President there is” and say “he has overwhelmed us with his kindness.”

May 18th, 2013, 9:06 pm

 

revenire said:

You know, it isn’t very honorable to use a murdered child to spread lies about a fake revolution that champions cannibals.

It is ugly.

May 18th, 2013, 9:14 pm

 
 

dawoud said:

797. REVENIRE

Funny! Andersen Cooper on CNN showed this video and made fun of the Syrian regime for terrorizing the father and bring him (a few days after losing his son) to meet his killers and praise them. Shame on you for even posting this video, which I had seen and felt disgusted by it. This is the last time I reply to any of your comments. In fact, I will not even read any of your comments. Loving murderous dictators makes you morally like them. Shame on you!

May 18th, 2013, 9:17 pm

 

Tara said:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22582583

Father of Assad spokesman Mekdad kidnapped in Syria

Gunmen in Syria have abducted the elderly father of Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, one of the most powerful voices in the government.  The man was seized in the southern province of Daraa, government and opposition sources said.  No group said they had carried out the abduction but rebels have targeted the families of officials in the past.

May 18th, 2013, 9:17 pm

 

Tara said:

Dawoud,

Yes. Same like when they terrorized the mothers of dead Syrian conscripts forced to die for Batra and brought them to meet the Batta’s wife and priase her. Depravity at its glory!

May 18th, 2013, 9:24 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Bashar,said he agrees for dialogue without condition, yet he put condition that he will not talk to FSA, even that they are the real opposition, even that his concilliation minister said in February that they are ready to talk and dialogue with armed opposition, Assad words today sound very contradictory, and unreliable and he changes his words all the time, so how can we trust him to comply with his words.
Assad did not say anything about the Israeli attack and when and how he will respond.
Assad will not accept UN monitors to oversee the election, he only accept monitors from ,let us say Russia and China, China never had free election, how could china monitor the election and make sure it is free?,what a crazy statement.
Assad wants to know who will come from the opposition, Salim Idris and Abdulhamid Zakareyya will be there,Assad will not go.
Assad claimed that he did reform, No reform was done , do we call his removal of emergency rule and substituting it with more kidnaping, more arrest with no court order, more killing more massacres do we call all of these reform, who is he kidding.

Ghufran
in the USA we are allowed to carry weapons, and if the president of USA start killing american all american will go to the street and fight the goverment.

May 18th, 2013, 9:26 pm

 

revenire said:

There is no FSA. There is only Nusra.

May 18th, 2013, 9:32 pm

 

dawoud said:

802. TARA

Posting the father’s video on Batta’s TV actually insults not only the victims, but also our intelligence. Whom he thinks he is fooling? The father seemed in shock and terrorized and his relatives said that he was to make these statements. Had he refused to do so and to meet Batta, they would have killed him. I found a YouTube video on how the father was forced to do so, but I have chosen not to post it because the images are extremely disturbing.

May 18th, 2013, 9:34 pm

 

revenire said:

Dave Anderson Cooper used to have a fellow by the name of “Syrian Danny” on his show. it turned out Danny was a complete fraud.

I have the father as my proof and stand by it. You seem to have Anderson Cooper. Do you have any proof?

I mean you are free to believe that monkeys can fly but we need proof.

The father is mine.

As far as I am concerned using a child to promote terrorism is sick and this is what anyone using Hamza has done.

May 18th, 2013, 9:36 pm

 

dawoud said:

788. MATTHEW BARBER

I agree with you and, actually, I said that the Sunni Yousef al-Qaradawi and the Lebanese Maoronite Patriarch could be criticized for their outspoken positions on Syria.

Although I am not very religious and I refuse to take religious orders/advice-particularly those pertaining to my personal life and political perspectives-from any Sunni imam or scholar, I grew up on in occupied east Jerusalem where the funniest jokes I heard usually were about Jerusalem’s Muslim Mufti and other imams. However, I reject Ann’s headline comment “Religion of Peace” whenever she posts a comment about some crazy or terrorist action taken by al-Nasru or al-Qaida. The overwhelming majority of Sunni Muslims (who are about 90% of all Muslims) reject terror and the indiscriminate targeting of civilians. If you hate 90% of your girlfriend, then you don’t love her and you should be 100 miles away from her! “Religion of Peace” Islamophobic comment is usually uttered from extreme right-wing Islamophobes (Islamophobic commentators and “analysts”) on Fox News, Glenn Beck show, and other well-known Islamophobic outlets.

P.S., whether we like it or not, Bashar’s regime has not only succeeded in militarizing what originally began as a peaceful movement for reform, but it has also turned it into a sectarian conflict (See this latest post by Mr. Landis on the Banias’ ethnic-cleansing). You can’t discuss Syria now without discussing religion and criticizing religious leaders. What do you think the real reason, if not sectrianism, that makes Hasan the Devil and Ali Khameini support Bahrain’s uprising (where the 300,000 Bahraini citizens are outnumbered by 400,000 non-citizens) and oppose Syria’s?

Peace, and Free Syria & Palestine!

May 18th, 2013, 9:41 pm

 

revenire said:

HNN Homs News Network shared For Mother Russia’s status.
3 minutes ago
Fundamentalist Jihadists unleashed by US imperialism and its junior partners, notably Britain and France, as well as their Turkish and Gulf Arab stooges, to topple the secular and popular Syrian regime headed by President Bashar al-Assad, have been wreaking havoc and committing one outrage after another for two years now. In the process, they have committed countless massacres of innocent people, destroyed city centres, attacked places of worship, educational institutions (1,500 schools have been destroyed) and hospitals, and murdered Syrian army personnel, of whom 15,000 have perished at the hands of these blood thirsty mercenary agents of imperialism. Here are just few examples of the latest outrages perpetrated by these beasts in human frame:

_Few days ago, a Syrian rebel ‘cuts out soldier’s heart and EATS it’ in horrific propaganda video.
The rebel is believed to be Abu Sakkar, a founder of the rebel Farouq Brigade (founded by USA).
Sakkar rants: ‘I swear we’ll eat from your hearts and livers, you dogs’
He then raises one of the organs (a heart) to his mouth and takes a bite!

_A Syrian rebel Posted a Photo Holding Pilot’s Decapitated Head On A Barbecue.

_According to western newspapers, Syrian rebels (free army) commit more mass murder than the regime does.

*The US has already sent communications equipment and night-vision goggles to its obscurantist hod-carriers busy attempting to topple Bashar al-Assad’s government.
Besides, the US has had more than 150 military planners along the Jordanian-Syrian border since the summer of 2012. Simultaneously, the CIA is overseeing the transfer of weapons to the Syrian rebels from within Turkey.
Since the start of this imperialist-inspired and imperialist-organised strife in Syria, the US has channelled at least $365million to the opposition.*

I didn’t include any photos in this post because they’re not for weak hearted people, but here are some links to them:

(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2323858/Syrian-rebel-cuts-soldiers-heart-EATS-horrific-propaganda-video.html
Death to imperialism!)
(http://static.prisonplanet.com/p/images/april2013/150413head1.jpg)
(http://rt.com/files/news/syria-rebel-massacre-aleppo-627/army-aleppo-police-capital.jpg)
(http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1059773/thumbs/o-SYRIAN-REBEL-FIGHTER-SON-AHMED-570.jpg?2)

Victory to the Syrian people, headed by President Assad!
… For Mother Russia’s admin.

May 18th, 2013, 9:43 pm

 

revenire said:

Dave Anderson Cooper used to have a fellow by the name of “Syrian Danny” on his show. it turned out Danny was a complete fraud.

I have the father as my proof and stand by it. You seem to have Anderson Cooper. Do you have any proof?

I mean you are free to believe that monkeys can fly but we need proof.

The father is mine.

As far as I am concerned using a child to promote terrorism is sick and this is what anyone using Hamza has done.

May 18th, 2013, 9:44 pm

 

revenire said:

Ann saying the Religion of Peace is not directed at Sunnis – that is a paranoid assertion.

Is someone feeling guilty and ashamed?

May 18th, 2013, 9:47 pm

 

revenire said:

I don’t find Ann’s posts to be one sided. I do find Syria Comment to one-sided though. I find them to be anti-Syrian government to the extreme.

I’ve asked Matt before if Assad should surrender to Nusra. No answer. Why? Because the answer is obvious: any government attacked by terrorists would do exactly what Syria is doing.

As far as the word “rat” goes – how should we describe cannibals? Should we call them “freedom fighters”? People that decapitate civilians and soldiers? Rape women?

It seems rather insane to take into consideration the feelings of those who support cannibalism.

May 18th, 2013, 9:51 pm

 

revenire said:

I don’t find Ann’s posts to be one sided. I do find Syria Comment to one-sided though. I find them to be anti-Syrian government to the extreme.

I’ve asked Matt before if Assad should surrender to Nusra. No answer. Why? Because the answer is obvious: any government attacked by terrorists would do exactly what Syria is doing.

As far as the word “rat” goes – how should we describe cannibals? Should we call them “freedom fighters”? People that decapitate civilians and soldiers? Rape women?

It seems rather insane to take into consideration the feelings of those who support cannibalism.

May 18th, 2013, 9:52 pm

 

zoo said:

795. Ghufran

You forgot that the opposition was unable to get the Syrians to go on massive strike or any Syrian to immolate himself by fire, as in Tunisia or to go on civil disobedience or hunger strike.
Using the pretext that fear of reprisals stopped them means that most Syrians were not convinced enough to become martyrs to the cause.

Besides unimaginative friday protests that were quickly infiltrated by provocators, the opposition had no peaceful strategy. It was turning into a unproductive cycle.
That’s why they quickly jumped to armed opposition and fell into the trap of escalating violence. Foreign countries played a vicious role by encouraging them promising them victory but never delivered the means to get to that victory.
Ultimately this revolution turned out to be a tragic fiasco with only Syrians been the losers.

May 18th, 2013, 9:59 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Dear Dawoud
The Imam of Deraa mosque was forced to condemn the rebels,on recorded U-Tube, later on he mentioned that his other children were in front of him as he spoke, with security forces pointing guns at his family head, while they were recording his statement, he already lost one son murdered by Assad thugs,
Hamza Khatib father made his statement of thanking the president while his family were threatened to be killed if he says otherwise.
Husein Harmoosh,was shown on recorded U-Tube video and was told if he does not say what they told him they will kill him and some of his family that they kidnapped, Husein Harmoush did not follow their order , so they killed him.
Making statement under threat is what Assad thugs do all the time.

May 18th, 2013, 10:00 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

There’s a war. It continues.

Talk of Syria at this point is… pointless. Syria does not exist anymore.

Syrians (or what was formerly known as Syrians) have lost two generations because of the Assadists. The Assadists are like the Serbians: an evil minority.

May 18th, 2013, 10:11 pm

 

revenire said:

Frankly, those who support cannibalism dehumanized themselves not by someone naming them as “rats” and I object to anyone saying so.

Human beings don’t support decapitations and cannibalism.

May 18th, 2013, 10:18 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

Ah, the carpet bomber talks about dehumanization.

LOSER.

May 18th, 2013, 10:19 pm

 

revenire said:

Brother Majed that is a lie. Hamza’s family could easily get out of Syria and repeat that story if they wanted to.

They haven’t.

Hamza’s father is an Assad supporter – even after his son died.

May 18th, 2013, 10:20 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

You know what’s pathetic about you, retard?

You’re a loser and yet you try to pretend to be NOT a loser.

And you fail.

That’s sad. Real sad. I’m glad you came on this blog. Your negative example is an inspiration to us all. The key to success in life is to be not like you!

May 18th, 2013, 10:23 pm

 

ann said:

788. Matthew Barber said:

“”” Ann, I think all users have a right to their privacy. Many people seem quite curious about you, for example, but you’d probably maintain that it’s none of their business. “””

I’m not excluding myself. I don’t mind the blog showing what country I’m posting from. As a matter of fact, most respectable blogs and on-line comments section of some major publishers display similar information and require you to register and login first.

I say we put my suggestion to a democratic vote.

One other issue is posters with multiple IDs on the blog!

I don’t think Prof. Landis would approve of posters with multiple IDs tapping themselves on the shoulder!

Thank you

May 18th, 2013, 10:25 pm

 

revenire said:

Matthew Barber are there multiple IDs on this site?

I’d like to know who is sharing IPs.

May 18th, 2013, 10:27 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

LOL.

Most blogs have censors to stop trolls or flame wars. Otherwise most of the “debate” becomes a spamming/trolling/flame war.

I don’t mind either way. Flaming a loser is always fun. And since they’re losers, they get no sympathy!

May 18th, 2013, 10:30 pm

 

ann said:

821. revenire said:

Matthew Barber are there multiple IDs on this site?

I’d like to know who is sharing IPs.

I say boiler rooms in Tel Aviv maybe.

May 18th, 2013, 10:35 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Revenir
What I said is not a lie it is the truth,one other thing the Husni girl her mother received her body, and was forced to talk with a girl on phone and under threat she was forced to say the girl on the phone was her daughter.
Revenir You must be banned, because it is you who lies not me.

May 18th, 2013, 10:37 pm

 

revenire said:

Brother Majed Hamza’s father told the truth. These are more anti-Syrian lies you’re telling.

May 18th, 2013, 10:46 pm

 

revenire said:

Even more shocking truth revealed:

May 18th, 2013, 10:47 pm

 

dawoud said:

814. MAJEDKHALDOUN

Thanks Majed. Only regime supporters, who are either in denial or just propagating falsehoods, believe in other that what you have described. Now, the regime supporters have to realize that they are on the same side as Israel’s. Iran and Israel are BOTH on al-Assad’s side!

http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=313528&R=R3

‘Times of London’ quotes Israeli officer as saying Israel prefers “the devil it knows.”

The scenario that Syrian President Bashar Assad would survive his country’s bloody conflict, yet would hold a lesser role, would be preferred by Israel in contrast to a takeover by rebel factions with Islamic extremist inklings, The Times of London cited an Israeli official as saying Friday.

“Better the devil we know than the demons we can only imagine if Syria falls into chaos and the extremists from across the Arab world gain a foothold there,” one senior Israeli intelligence officer was quoted as saying.
[…]

May 18th, 2013, 11:16 pm

 

dawoud said:

http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/139373/efraim-halevy/israels-man-in-damascus

Israel’s Man in Damascus
Why Jerusalem Doesn’t Want the Assad Regime to Fall
Efraim Halevy
May 10, 2013

In October 1995, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin telephoned Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to inform him that peace was at hand between Israel and Syria. Two weeks later, Rabin was dead, killed by a reactionary Jewish Israeli fanatic; the peace agreement that Rabin referenced died not long thereafter. But Israeli hopes for an eventual agreement with the Assad regime managed to survive. There have been four subsequent attempts by Israeli prime ministers — one by Ehud Barak, one by Ehud Olmert, and two by Benjamin Netanyahu — to forge a peace with Syria.

This shared history with the Assad regime is relevant when considering Israel’s strategy toward the ongoing civil war in Syria. Israel’s most significant strategic goal with respect to Syria has always been a stable peace, and that is not something that the current civil war has changed. Israel will intervene in Syria when it deems it necessary; last week’s attacks testify to that resolve. But it is no accident that those strikes were focused solely on the destruction of weapons depots, and that Israel has given no indication of wanting to intervene any further. Jerusalem, ultimately, has little interest in actively hastening the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

Israel knows one important thing about the Assads: for the past 40 years, they have managed to preserve some form of calm along the border. Technically, the two countries have always been at war — Syria has yet to officially recognize Israel — but Israel has been able to count on the governments of Hafez and Bashar Assad to enforce the Separation of Forces Agreement from 1974, in which both sides agreed to a cease-fire in the Golan Heights, the disput
[…]

May 18th, 2013, 11:19 pm

 

revenire said:

It is beyond absurd to suggest Israel supports Assad. Note the source: the British allies of the Zionists.

This is laughable.

May 18th, 2013, 11:19 pm

 

dawoud said:

No better way to say “Good Night” to all of you other than leaving you with the familiar free Syria song: “Salute al-Sham and Its Revolutionaries!”

May 18th, 2013, 11:28 pm

 

dawoud said:

http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/139373/efraim-halevy/israels-man-in-damascus

Israel’s Man in Damascus
Why Jerusalem Doesn’t Want the Assad Regime to Fall
Efraim Halevy
May 10, 2013

May 18th, 2013, 11:43 pm

 

Ziad said:

MATTHEW BARBER

I suggest you add a rule against the multiple posting of identical messages as in messages numbers:
2,3,55,96,205,506,511,519,526,551,552,613,619,622,644,657,659,664,830.

May 19th, 2013, 12:09 am

 

ann said:

Great news for the start of the Turkish tourist season 2013!

‘Turkey to see more bombings as Erdogan’s support for Syrian rebels backfires’ – May 18, 2013

http://rt.com/op-edge/turkey-syria-erdongan-clark-477/

Terrorist attacks on Turkish soil won’t stop until the country’s Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan, gives up on his support of rebel forces in Syria, British broadcaster, Neil Clark, told RT.

Turkish police have fired tear gas at protesters in a town near the Syrian border, which was the scene of a deadly double car bombing a week ago.
Demonstrators are angry over Ankara’s support for the Syrian rebels, which they say is putting Turkey in the firing line.

World affairs journalist and broadcaster, Neil Clark, believes Erdogan must reconsider his policies and stop accusing the Syrian government of targeting the Hatay province, as it would’ve been an “absolutely absurd” move from Damascus.

RT: Tension and discontent on the Turkish-Syrian border is now escalating – what ramifications could this have?

Neil Clark: I think if I were Turkish I would be protesting too, because Mr Erdogan has made colossal blunder here because in August 2011 he took the line he’s going to play a leading role in trying to topple the Syrian government. He allowed rebels to be based in the country. His government gave arms to them and equipment. And now it’s sort of a blowback time. We had some terrible bombings in Turkey this week and this will only continue, until Turkey changes course in relation to Syria.

RT: Turkey maintains Syria was responsible for last weekend’s bombing of a Turkish town that left more than 50 dead, but why would Damascus orchestrate a cross-border attack?

NC: It’ll be absolutely suicidal for Syrian president [Bashar] Assad to order an attack on Turkey, knowing that very powerful countries in the West are just itching for an excuse to militarily attack the country, to bomb the country. So the last thing would be doing is trying to bomb Turkey. It’s absolutely absurd. I don’t know who was responsible for these bombings, but it’s clear that what Erdogan has done has actually involved Turkey in this war. He’s brought the war to Turkey. And understandable the Turkish citizens – not just those on the border with Syria, but throughout the country – are getting increasingly angry and they demand that he changes his course.

RT: Turkey has made it clear it doesn’t want to get directly involved in Syria, but has pledged to respond to the bombings. What action could we see?

NC: We haven’t got any evidence as to who’s responsible for these bombings. And I think Erdogan has to seriously reconsider his entire policies, because all he’s doing is increasing the tension here by backing the rebels. He took a gamble in August 2011 believing that the Syrian government would fall very shortly and that there’ll be a very nice Islamist government in power in Damascus that’ll be very friendly to Turkey. It backfired. It hasn’t happened. And I think that the position, Turkey is in, is getting worse and worse. I hope I’m wrong, but we’re going to see more bombings, I’m afraid. Because the war has been brought to Turkey and, of course, the rebels themselves are fighting among themselves – the radical Islamists, the not so radical Islamists. It’s all happening in Turkey.

[…]

http://rt.com/op-edge/turkey-syria-erdongan-clark-477/

May 19th, 2013, 12:13 am

 

Juergen said:

Telegraph reporter visits oil refinery (selfbuildstyle) near Ar Raqua

Needless to say such work will shorten your life, but a long healthy life is not what Syrians have these days in Assad-Syria.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10051953/The-Telegraph-visits-the-oil-fields-of-Syria.html

May 19th, 2013, 12:18 am

 

dawoud said:

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/israel-s-favorite-arab-dictator-of-all-is-assad-1.352468

Israel’s favorite Arab dictator of all is Assad
Both Assad senior and Assad junior advocated resistance against Israel. This slogan was hollow, serving the regime merely as an insurance policy against any demand for freedom and democracy.
By Salman Masalha Mar.29, 2011 | 2:30 AM | 27

As strange as it sounds, everyone in Israel loves Arab dictators. When I say everyone I mean both Jews and Arabs. The favorite dictator of all is president Assad. As Assad junior inherited the oppressive regime in Syria, so did both Jews and Arabs transfer their affection for the dictator from Damascus from Assad senior to his son.

Following the intifada in the Arab states, Bashar al-Assad maintained in an interview to the Wall Street Journal that the situation in Syria is different, adding that Syria is not like Egypt. He also emphasized that Syria was not susceptible to sliding into a similar situation, because it was in the “resistance” front and belongs to the anti-American, anti-Israeli axis.

Well, Assad is right. The situation in Syria is indeed different. The Syrian regime is more like Saddam’s defunct regime. The Ba’ath Party that ruled Iraq and the one still ruling Syria both held aloft flags of pan-Arab national ideology. But slogans are one thing and reality is another. All the ideological sweet talk was only talk. For the Ba’ath Party, both in Iraq and in Syria, constituted a political platform to perpetuate tribal, ethnic oppression.
[…]

May 19th, 2013, 12:20 am

 

Ghufran said:

Russian sources are saying that 4 units of S300 are already in Syria along with new anti ship missiles, if Israel thinks that this is true and not just PR talk it will bomb Syria again, that may indeed ignite a wider conflict despite the fact that Assad has not directly responded in the past, Assad supporters and most Syrians are furious that Israel can hit Syria without a response, many believe that regime survival is more important to Assad than defending Syria against Israel , however, the rhetoric that came out of Damascus few weeks ago will make it harder for Assad not to respond if Israel attacks again.
On the issue of justifying violence against governments, most Americans will have little sympathy for those who attack government troops indiscriminately if the government responds with overwhelming force, the issue is even easier to judge when the subject is a third world country like Syria with major social and demographic problems, those who supported violence,even if they use religious slogans as a cover, did not help Syrians,they helped the regime.

May 19th, 2013, 12:29 am

 

Juergen said:

Dawoud

They should make an pro Assad demonstration in Tel Aviv, that would end the mockery resistance show of this regime.

May 19th, 2013, 12:31 am

 

Ziad said:

Israeli authorities accompanied by 500 policemen demolish 18 Palestinian houses in the Negev making 40 homeless

The Israeli authorities’ bulldozers accompanied by a large police force and special units demolished on Thursday morning 18 Palestinian houses in the village of Atir in the Negev, in southern 1948-occupied Palestine

Arab MK Taleb Abu Arar said in remarks to Quds Press that nearly 500 policemen from special units stormed the area to protect the bulldozers while demolishing the houses belonging to the family of Abu al-Ki’an.

http://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com/2013/05/18/israeli-authorities-accompanied-by-500-policemen-demolish-18-palestinian-houses-in-the-negev-making-40-homeless/

May 19th, 2013, 12:37 am

 

Syrialover said:

“ANN” (Assad News Network) is making a fake fuss about people posting here under multiple names.

But what about this – there’s plenty of evidence that “ANN” is multiple people posting under the one name.

May 19th, 2013, 12:42 am

 

Ziad said:

الضفة الغربية تضامن شعبي مع سورية

May 19th, 2013, 12:48 am

 

ann said:

Robert Fisk: ‘Syrian war could go on for two, three years’ – 19.05.2013

President Bashar al-Assad’s troops in Syria are gaining ground. British Middle East reporter Robert Fisk met some of them when he visited the front lines earlier this month, and told DW about he saw

http://www.dw.de/robert-fisk-syrian-war-could-go-on-for-two-three-years/a-16823404

DW: Mr. Fisk, you’ve just returned from Syria. What were your impressions?

Robert Fisk: What you find is that there are large areas which have been destroyed, large areas which are largely depopulated, and large areas which are not only undamaged, but in which life more or less continues. This applies not only to the center of Damascus, it applies mostly to the city of Latakia, where there’s a large Alawite community, and the same applies to Tartus. So you do find certain areas of Syria where the government is still firmly in control and where some semblance of life goes on. You can go out to lunch; you can shop; you can go to your office.

How freely can you travel around Syria as a western reporter?

I drove from Beirut to Damascus. During the day there are Syrian Army checkpoints, and the road is pretty clear. When you get into Damascus, you hear shellfire from the suburb of Daraya, which is less than a mile away from the main highway leading between Beirut and Damascus. When I came in, there was an aircraft literally dropping a bomb in the suburb of Daraya, which is held by rebels. At one point I flew to Latakia, on the coast, and from Latakia I drove north right up to the Syrian government army’s front line. The Syrian government army allowed me to go into their frontline positions.

What impression did you get from the Syrian government soldiers?

I found them a very ruthless, tough, but apparently pretty determined army. They clearly took no prisoners. They talked at one point about killing up to 700 terrorists, as they call the rebels. A general showed me a video on his phone of dead rebels with beards, and twice in the video a military boot appears and crushes the faces of the dead men.

Many of the soldiers I spoke to had been wounded. So they are tough, ruthless men on the government side, and we know the same applies to the rebels. And both sides, as we are well aware, have committed human rights abuses and war crimes. At the moment – but this does not necessarily mean it will last – the government forces in Syria are clearly taking territory from the rebels.

There are continual discussions about whether chemical weapons are being used in Syria.

We know that chemical weapons exist in Syria in the hands of the government, but there is no actual 100-percent proof that they have been used. The rebels say they have been used against civilians by Assad’s forces, the Assad government says the rebels have used them. The United Nations has one report saying that rebels have used them, but there is no proof that Assad did. I put this to a senior military officer in Damascus, and he said, ‘Why would we use chemical weapons? We’ve got MIG-29s that drop bombs and cause far more damage.’

In Washington, there is talk about arming the rebels and imposing a no-fly zone. What do you make of such ideas?

This has been going for two and a half years. I think the Americans think that as long as they keep talking, no one will point out that they’re not actually doing anything. The problem now for the West is that the rebels they want to support are the Free Syrian Army, allegedly all defectors from the Syrian government army. They do not want to support the Islamist rebels with links to al Qaeda. But once the weapons cross the border, I don’t think you can be pick-and-choosy about where they go. So you’ve got this rather odd situation where we in the West are funneling money, support and weapons to rebels who include al Qaeda, whereas in Mali, we’re trying to kill all the al Qaeda people.

What role is Iran playing in this conflict?

The war is not about Syria, it’s about Iran. And the intention of the West is to effectively destroy Iran’s only Arab ally. And for the Iranians it’s about keeping their only Arab ally. We know that the Iranian government has given advice, but these are very, very small token forces, compared to the propaganda, which is that thousands and thousands of Iranians are arriving en masse. I did not see any Iranian soldiers on any front line.

Media reports say that Russia intends to supply weapons to the Syrian government.

Ever since the Israeli raid on military installations north of Damascus two weeks ago the Syrians have been very concerned that they may find themselves under attack again by the Israelis. They want to be able to prevent this, and I think the Russians are quite keen to give them the weapons to do that.

Is there a danger that the conflict could spread to Israel?

Israelis America’s greatest ally in the Middle East. If it bombs government forces, it’s supporting the rebels. So in a sense, we in the West are now involved militarily, by allowing the Israelis as proxies to bomb Syria. But at the moment, I can see every reason why the Israelis would want to stay out of Syria, because the Syrian army in the last two years has broken free of the corruption, and it’s become quite experienced in fighting. So if the Israelis did want to get involved on the ground in Syria, they’d find themselves fighting some very determined forces.

Would it be helpful for the international community to intervene in Syria?

Militarily, no. Politically, of course.

[…]

http://www.dw.de/robert-fisk-syrian-war-could-go-on-for-two-three-years/a-16823404

May 19th, 2013, 12:59 am

 

ann said:

Saudi Arabia Vies to Avoid Afghan-Style Blowback From Syria – May 19, 2013 – AFP

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/international/saudi-arabia-vies-to-avoid-afghan-style-blowback-from-syria/

Riyadh. Chastened by the experience of Afghanistan, where hundreds of Saudis fought before returning to sow terror at home, the kingdom is battling to avoid similar blowback from the conflict in Syria, analysts say.

In recent months, Saudi officials have issued increasingly stern warnings against volunteers from the conservative Sunni Muslim kingdom heading off to fight alongside the mainly Sunni rebels trying to oust the Damascus regime.

But diplomats say hundreds of Saudis, perhaps even several thousand, have gone regardless, and judging by death notices and other postings on social networks, their numbers show no sign of abating.

Earlier this month, an Islamist website announced the death of Rashid al-Shelwi, an engineer from the Saudi city of Taif, while fighting alongside the mainstream rebel Free Syrian Army.

On Thursday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a rebel fighter who appeared in a recent video posting executing captured government forces was a Saudi using the nom de guerre Qaswara al-Jazrawi.

Like a significant number of Saudi volunteers, Jazrawi fights in the ranks of the Al-Nusra Front, a US-blacklisted rebel group which has pledged its loyalty to Al-Qaeda, the Britain-based watchdog said.

The involvement of Saudis in jihadist groups has stoked concerns in Riyadh of a resurgence of the deadly Al-Qaeda attacks that rocked the kingdom between 2003 and 2006, and sparked a rare public intervention by King Abdullah.

Without specially referring to the conflict in Syria, the king warned against “those who deceive our children, some of whom have been killed and others imprisoned.”

Saudi Arabia’s highest religious official, grand mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Shaikh, chimed in last month with a warning that there was no religious justification for a jihad, or holy war, in Syria.

“The situation in Syria is chaotic due to the proliferation of armed groups that do not fight under a unified banner,” the cleric said.

“This is not considered jihad … which must be approved by rulers.”

Last June, Saudi Arabia’s Council of Senior Ulema, which is headed by Shaikh, already issued a fatwa, or religious edict, prohibiting jihad in Syria without permission from the authorities.

General Saeed al-Bishi, head of Prince Mohammed bin Nayef Centre for Counselling and Care, set up to rehabilitate jailed extremists, said his organization was helping to dissuade young Saudis from fighting in Syria.

“Sometimes parents call to tell us their sons want to go to Syria and we advise them against it,” he said.

Authorities are also trying to control the flow of donations from wealthy Saudis to Syrian rebel groups.

Last month, the interior ministry warned against donations to “groups not authorised officially”, insisting that all aid must be chaneled through the Saudi Red Crescent and other official bodies.

But Lacroix believes that “in reality, authorities are not capable of monitoring funds that go to jihadist groups fighting in Syria.”

[…]

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/international/saudi-arabia-vies-to-avoid-afghan-style-blowback-from-syria/

May 19th, 2013, 1:21 am

 

Juergen said:

The hard men on both sides prevail

The more decent rebel groups are being squeezed between the regime’s forces and extremists on their own side

“A BLACK flag flies over the governor’s headquarters in Raqqa, a city of 250,000 people in Syria’s north-east which is the biggest so far that the rebels have captured wholesale from President Bashar Assad’s regime. It is also a base for Jabhat al-Nusra (Victory Front), an extreme armed opposition group in Syria with which al-Qaeda in Iraq recently claimed to have merged. But the group does not dominate Raqqa. At least four other rebel outfits, mainly Salafist ones whose members say they want to emulate the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, vie with a bunch of civilian councils for power over this tribal Sunni city, plastering its walls with rival graffiti. Yet in the eastern provinces as a whole, Jabhat al-Nusra has emerged as a hugely powerful presence. Among rebel fighters across the country it is probably the most effective single group.”

http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21578057-more-decent-rebel-groups-are-being-squeezed-between-regimes-forces-and

May 19th, 2013, 1:25 am

 

ann said:

Assad: Syria transition talks are internal matter, U.S. has no right to interfere – May 18 2013

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765629990/Assad-Syria-transition-talks-are-internal-matter.html

BEIRUT — Syrian President Bashar Assad said in a newspaper interview Saturday he won’t step down before elections and that the United States has no right to interfere in his country’s politics.

“We said from the beginning that any decisions having to do with reform in Syria or any political doing is a local Syrian decision,” he said. “Neither the U.S nor any other state is allowed to intervene in it. This issue is dealt with in Syria.”

“That’s why this possibility is determined by the Syrian people themselves; you go to the elections, you nominate yourself, there’s a possibility you win and a possibility you don’t,” Assad added, hinting he might seek another term.

Assad has dismissed those trying to topple him as foreign-backed terrorists.

In the interview, Assad compared himself to the skipper of a ship riding Syria’s turbulent seas, saying “the country is in a crisis and when a ship faces a storm, the captain does not flee.”

“The first thing he does is face the storm and guide the ship back to safety,” Assad said. “I am not someone who flees from my responsibilities.”

Meanwhile, divisions among rebel groups were on display in the country’s largest city, Aleppo, where two Islamic militant groups engaged in tit-for–tat kidnappings of each other’s fighters.

[…]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765629990/Assad-Syria-transition-talks-are-internal-matter.html

May 19th, 2013, 1:39 am

 

ann said:

Assad accuses Israel of giving intel to Syrian rebel groups – May.19, 2013

Syria’s President Assad said that Israel tells Syrian ‘terrorist groups’ which sites to attack and how to attack them, according to an exclusive interview with Argentine newspaper Clarin

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/assad-accuses-israel-of-giving-intel-to-syrian-rebel-groups.premium-1.524682

Syrian President Bashar Assad yesterday accused Israel of aiding Syrian rebel groups by giving them logistical support and intelligence on Syrian sites.

In an exclusive interview with the Argentine newspaper Clarin, Assad said that Israel tells Syrian “terrorist groups” which sites to attack and how to attack them.

“For example,” he said, “they attacked a radar station that is part of our antiaircraft defenses, which can detect any plane coming from overseas, especially from Israel,” Assad said.

Assad also said the efforts by the United States and Russia to bring about talks with the Syrian opposition will prove fruitless and only further fuel the violence.

“Believing that a political conference will stop terrorism on the ground is unreal,” Assad said. He added that while he welcomes attempts at dialogue, he believes Western states are looking for ways to bring down his regime rather than to stop the violence.

The rebels “are not a single entity,” Assad said, adding, “They are different groups and bands, not dozens but hundreds. They are a mixture, and each group has its local leader. And who can unify thousands of people? We can’t discuss a timetable with a party if we don’t know who they are.”

Assad blamed Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey for encouraging the violence in Syria, and insisted that foreign support for the opposition must end before a mooted peace summit is held in Geneva.

[…]

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/assad-accuses-israel-of-giving-intel-to-syrian-rebel-groups.premium-1.524682

May 19th, 2013, 1:46 am

 

ghufran said:

I read Assad’s interview with the Argentinian press, I hope none of you does that thinking that it will add anything to his knowledge of the present or the future, the only thing worth mentioning is that Assad is hinting that he will run in 2014 !!

May 19th, 2013, 1:51 am

 

Juergen said:

Hezbollahs fatal mistake in Syria

“If I can describe Hezbollah’s decision to enter Syria in one or two words it would be reckless and stupid. Hezbollah fighters are dying for literally no good reason. You are NOT a martyr when the reason you die fighting is because you helped a regime who has the blood of over 80,000 Syrians. My message to Hezbollah is, you were once looked at as rebels, freedom fighters, resistance to evil; now you are looked at as oppressors and accomplices to bloody dictatorships. Is that how you want to go down in history as? Your grandchildren will read about you in disgust, like I hope my grandchildren read in disgust of our imperialism in Iraq in 2003. Hezbollah does not represent Shiites as Iranian regime does not represent Shiites either. Nevertheless, I urge more Shiites to speak up against the crimes committed by Hezbollah and Iranian regime. These thugs are claiming to represent you and acting on your behalf, just like the way Al-Qaeda claimed to act on the behalf of Sunni Muslims.”

http://radicalarab.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/hezbollahs-fatal-mistake-in-syria/

May 19th, 2013, 3:14 am

 

Juergen said:

The blackmarket rate of the Syrian Pound is 150 for 1 Dollar, and 175 for 1 Euro.

May 19th, 2013, 3:26 am

 

Dolly Buster said:

Hezbollah had a certain romantic vibe about them, like they are a non-sectarian resistance against Dhulm (ZOG oppression).

But now they have totally squandered this aura, because they

a) entered the war for self-preservation reasons. They can’t afford to lose their sponsor Damascus, so they go all in. Selfish and unromantic.

b) entered a sectarian war. They chose sides based on “What would Bibi Zaynab do?”

May 19th, 2013, 4:56 am

 

Dolly Buster said:

836. Ghufran said: most Americans will have little sympathy for those who attack government troops

 
Nobody cares about Americans, we are trying to establish universal principles of global governance. Are people equal? Or are they being tyrannized by Putin. This is the question that needs to be cleared up before humanity can move on to a brighter future.

May 19th, 2013, 5:13 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Ghufran said
Russian sources are saying that 4 units of S300 are already in Syria along with new anti ship missiles,
Yet Assad, in the interview, denied that he is receiving weapons from Russia, he is lying,Assad should never be trusted

Ziad
the demonstrations you showed there are only 8 adults the rest are kids

Ann you quoted Robert Fisk saying the war in Syria could take 3 years, It may well be till Obama leaves office

May 19th, 2013, 5:26 am

 

SANDRO LOEWE said:

Assad will kill all FSA fighters with the logistic help of Russia and Iran and with the political help of US and Israel.

After some months Syria will be a Chia fiefdom ruled from Tehran and Moscow as Iraq actually is. The Bush´s Axis of Evil will have become a reality. Selfaccomplished prophecy.

Peace and progress will be no longer possible in this dead land from Tehran to Beirut for long decades thanks to the criminal politics of US, Israel, Russia and Iran. Also China.

Thanks to all of you for destrying this country. The fucxxx decaying morals of Syria regime today is a sign of the decaying system in the international power spheres. Just wait and see how it tumbles down alone.

One day maybe me maybe another syrian anonymous will kill Assad and other of the regime. One by one. Or not.

May 19th, 2013, 6:18 am

 

Mina said:

The “activists” busy defending the killing of civilians, as usual

ارتفع عدد ضحايا انفجار السيارة المفخخة في حي ركن الدين في مدينة دمشق إلى 8 قتلى و 10 جرحى. ونقلت وكالة الصحافة الفرنسية عن ناشطين، أن التفجير استهدف عددا من السيارات التابعة للقوات النظامية في المنطقة، وأدى إلى سقوط 4 مدنيين و4 جنود من القوات النظامية. وأضافت أن التفجير ألحق بمنطقة الانفجار أضرار مادية كبيرة. المصدر: ا ف ب

http://arabic.rt.com/news/615938/ :روسيا اليوم

May 19th, 2013, 6:22 am

 

SANDRO LOEWE said:

Mina,

Be sure that many activists are ready to kill civilians like you who defend the syrian fascists dictatorship regime crimes against Humanity.

Assad cancelled any diallogue way with the peacefull activist political opposition by shotting at peacefull demostrations. It was not a mistaken calculation. This is what Assad and mafia system wanted to do. And they did it forcing the opposition to chose between two choices: to die like dogs or defend themselves.

The result is the destruction of the country and one day it will be too the dead of Assad like a rat.

May 19th, 2013, 6:52 am

 
 

SANDRO LOEWE said:

OBAMA has become also a despicable rat by letting Russia, Iran and Israel rule the Orient after the sacrifice of thousands of amierican soldiers in Mesopotamia lands.

May 19th, 2013, 6:58 am

 

SANDRO LOEWE said:

Fact 1
Israel declared they bombed Assad arsenals because they were afraid of missiles being transfered to Hezballah or the FSA.

Fact 2
Israel declares too they are afraid of hands that can control the large chemical arms arsenal in Damascus.

Fact 3
We know and we have been posting that huge amounts of missiles have been being transfered to Bekaa Valley from last July 2012 via Serghaya non official border with Lebanon.

Conclusions:

1) Israel is not afraid of Assad owning a huge chemical arsenal, one of the largest in the world as long as it is not transfered to other hands, so Assad is considered a very stable and secure friend of Israel

2) Israel is not afraid of Hezballah and lies when they say they are afraid of these arms can go to HA hands. So Assad and HA too are secure friends of Israel.

3) Israel hit Assad arsenals for 2 main reasons:

a) Reinforce the political position of Assad inside Syria
b) Destroy arsenals that could fall in the hands of FSA and put in danger the position of Assad centers of power in Damascus

May 19th, 2013, 7:06 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

I believe it was Observer who observed (no pun intended) that the comments section has been a great window into the mentality of both sides of the uprising. I agree that insight can be drawn from the verbal violence of those commenting, but I think that after more than two years of it, we’ve had enough such insight. I’d like to see healthy, thoughtful conversation taking place here

Have fun “observing” the non-native natives.

For example

May 19th, 2013, 8:00 am

 

revenire said:

Qusayr infestation is almost over.

God is great.

May 19th, 2013, 8:41 am

 

revenire said:

Sandro there was never any doubt Assad would win.

The glorious heroes of the SAA have beaten back the Zionist assault.

May 19th, 2013, 8:43 am

 

revenire said:

“The assault on Qusayr has started. There is fierce fighting between rebels and the army around the entrances to the town,” said Rami Abdel Rahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

This is it for the terrorists. SAA moving in.

May 19th, 2013, 8:45 am

 
 

revenire said:

Syrian Air Force

Families of Lebanese terrorist organisations that are clustered around Qusayr in Homs are advised to flee within the next 12 hours before the window of attack closes. The Syrian air force and missile forces along with heavy artillery is prepared to destroy most of the area of the city.

The town has been leafleted several times and though there has been some exodus, some Lebanese terrorists remain adamant not to allow their families to leave.

Syria has made a very hard choice, in light of the unforgivable acts of savagery in Homs, including cannibalism. It was clear to the leadership that the fighters there will not surrender and cannot reform. Therefor it was decided to burn the ground beneath their feet with the army’s ultimate conventional weapon capacity.

The Syrian Air Force page will keep readers up to date on hourly developments as this battle begins.

May 19th, 2013, 8:54 am

 

revenire said:

Qusayr bombings witnessed by terrorists away from the outskirts. Syrian Arab Army officials have reported that Qusayr HQ has been captured and the terrorists are routing. The situation is developing by the hour. The bombing campaign continues to this very minute and will not end even if the rubble must be turned to dust in order for Qusayr to be a secure area.

May 19th, 2013, 8:55 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

OBAMA has become also a despicable rat by letting Russia, Iran and Israel rule the Orient after the sacrifice of thousands of amierican soldiers in Mesopotamia lands.

Sandro Loewe,

As usual, the USA is guilty of everything. But why can’t you call Russia, Iran and Israel “despicable rats”, if that is who you’re calling out?

The USA has very little control these countries. I sometimes scratch my head as to how some think the USA has so much control – like pushing a button…

May 19th, 2013, 10:08 am

 

zoo said:

SNC calls for a AL “panic” meeting a few days before their decisive meeting in Turkey

Assad, Hezbollah forces enter Syria rebel town
AFP Updated May 20, 2013, 1:29 am

DAMASCUS (AFP) – Syrian troops backed by fighters from Lebanon’s Hezbollah attacked and entered the strategic rebel stronghold of Qusayr on Sunday, a day after President Bashar al-Assad insisted he would not quit.

The advance came as opponents warned the Assad regime’s “barbaric and destructive” assault on Qusayr could render “meaningless” US-Russian attempts to organise a conference on ending two years of bloodshed in the country.

The Arab League called an emergency meeting for Thursday, ahead of the conference, following demands from the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) for it to meet and “stop the massacre in Qusayr”.

May 19th, 2013, 10:09 am

 

Dawoud said:

A collection of articles on Israel’s love for the Syrian murderous dictator, who so far has killed over 80,000 Syrians and dispossessed over 1.5 million!

Free Syria, Free Palestine!

1) http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/139373/efraim-halevy/israels-man-in-damascus

Israel’s Man in Damascus

Why Jerusalem Doesn’t Want the Assad Regime to Fall

Efraim Halevy
May 10, 2013
In October 1995, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin telephoned Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to inform him that peace was at hand between Israel and Syria. Two weeks later, Rabin was dead, killed by a reactionary Jewish Israeli fanatic; the peace agreement that Rabin referenced died not long thereafter. But Israeli hopes for an eventual agreement with the Assad regime managed to survive. There have been four subsequent attempts by Israeli prime ministers — one by Ehud Barak, one by Ehud Olmert, and two by Benjamin Netanyahu — to forge a peace with Syria.

This shared history with the Assad regime is relevant when considering Israel’s strategy toward the ongoing civil war in Syria. Israel’s most significant strategic goal with respect to Syria has always been a stable peace, and that is not something that the current civil war has changed. Israel will intervene in Syria when it deems it necessary; last week’s attacks testify to that resolve. But it is no accident that those strikes were focused solely on the destruction of weapons depots, and that Israel has given no indication of wanting to intervene any further. Jerusalem, ultimately, has little interest in actively hastening the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

Israel knows one important thing about the Assads: for the past 40 years, they have managed to preserve some form of calm along the border. Technically, the two countries have always been at war — Syria has yet to officially recognize Israel — but Israel has been able to count on the governments of Hafez and Bashar Assad to enforce the Separation of Forces Agreement from 1974, in which both sides agreed to a cease-fire in the Golan Heights, the disput
[…]

2) http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/israel-s-favorite-arab-dictator-of-all-is-assad-1.352468

Israel’s favorite Arab dictator of all is Assad

Both Assad senior and Assad junior advocated resistance against Israel. This slogan was hollow, serving the regime merely as an insurance policy against any demand for freedom and democracy.
By Salman Masalha Mar.29, 2011 | 2:30 AM | 27

As strange as it sounds, everyone in Israel loves Arab dictators. When I say everyone I mean both Jews and Arabs. The favorite dictator of all is president Assad. As Assad junior inherited the oppressive regime in Syria, so did both Jews and Arabs transfer their affection for the dictator from Damascus from Assad senior to his son.

Following the intifada in the Arab states, Bashar al-Assad maintained in an interview to the Wall Street Journal that the situation in Syria is different, adding that Syria is not like Egypt. He also emphasized that Syria was not susceptible to sliding into a similar situation, because it was in the “resistance” front and belongs to the anti-American, anti-Israeli axis.

Well, Assad is right. The situation in Syria is indeed different. The Syrian regime is more like Saddam’s defunct regime. The Ba’ath Party that ruled Iraq and the one still ruling Syria both held aloft flags of pan-Arab national ideology. But slogans are one thing and reality is another. All the ideological sweet talk was only talk. For the Ba’ath Party, both in Iraq and in Syria, constituted a political platform to perpetuate tribal, ethnic oppression.
[…]

3) http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Report-Israel-prefers-Assad-survive-Syria-conflict-313528

Report: Israel prefers Assad survive Syria conflict

Israeli officer says Israel prefers “devil it knows.”

The scenario that Syrian President Bashar Assad would survive his country’s bloody conflict, yet would hold a lesser role, would be preferred by Israel in contrast to a takeover by rebel factions with Islamic extremist inklings, The Times of London cited an Israeli official as saying Friday.

“Better the devil we know than the demons we can only imagine if Syria falls into chaos and the extremists from across the Arab world gain a foothold there,” one senior Israeli intelligence officer was quoted as saying.

Israeli official: We underestimated Assad
A weakened, but intact Assad regime would be preferable for Syria and the Middle East, the Times reported intelligence sources as saying.

The report quoted another defense official who told the Times that Assad’s tenacity had been underestimated.

“We originally underestimated Assad’s staying power and overestimated the rebels’ fighting power,” the source said.

The situation that Assad survives, maintaining power in Damascus and in the corridors to the large coastal cities, would entail the breaking up of Syria into three separate states.

The remarks come amid current differing opinions within the defense establishment about what to expect in Syria and what outcome for its northern neighbor would benefit Israel.
[…]

May 19th, 2013, 10:12 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Reverse,

Since you have the highest percentage of posts in support of the Syrian regime, I would like to award you the weekly “Syrian Hasbara Medal”.

Congratulations!
_____________________

Dawoud,

The regime supporters like Reverse think Israel is helping the opposition and that both are allies.

We jews are popular!

May 19th, 2013, 10:16 am

 

Juergen said:

Akbar

Dont forget the moderation acknowledgement medal, he got more entries than anyone else.

May 19th, 2013, 10:23 am

 

Dawoud said:

No, these articles on Israel’s preference for al-Assad’s dictatorship are based on actual policy positions taken within the Israeli government. They are not based on the “analyses” of some pro-murderous dictator commentators on “Syria Comment!”

Now, it’s unsurprising that the Syrian dictator was so confident yesterday in his interview, in which he downplayed the chances for a peace conference success. Why? Well, he knows that Israe wants him to prevail (because of decades of Golan quietness) AND Iran wants him AND Obama only gives useless “non-lethal” aid to the opposition AND Russia wants him, etc. ……….He doesn’t need to compromise! I wasn’t surprised to see Netanyahu and Putin smile with each other last week, particularly given the fact that they both want the dictator to survive.

Now, regarding Israel’s request that Russia not sell advanced weapons to Syria, this has been a long standing Israeli “strategic” policy. It doesn’t when the United States wants to sell weapons to Jordan and Saudi Arabic (whose regimes are in secret harmony and friendliness with the Israeli occupation regime)………….Israel doesn’t want any weapons that can threaten its U.S.-supplied/paid air supremacy. Last year, I read that even the F-16 airplanes sold to Turkey came with codes identifying Israeli planes as friendly, which means that Turkish F-16s wouldn’t be able to engage Israeli planes. However, a Turkish company was able to produce a different computer coding system over-ruling the pr- installed codes!!!!!!!!!!

See this article:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4121642,00.html

Report: Turkish warplanes now able to fire at Israeli targets

Ankara’s Star Gazete says country’s new F-16 radar system modified to recategorize Israeli targets as hostile. Order said to come directly from PM Erdogan’s office; naval, submarine radar systems to be changed next
Aviel Magnezi
Published: 09.13.11, 11:46 / Israel News

urkey has developed a new radar system for its US-made F-16 fighter jets that will allow them to fire at Israeli targets, Ankara’s Star Gazete reported on Tuesday. The orders to modify the system reportedly came directly from Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s office.

The new radar system – Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) – is a defensive command and control system developed by Turkey’s Military Electronics Industry (ASELSAN) for the nation’s air force and navy. It is slated to replace a similar US version which is in use today.
[…]

May 19th, 2013, 10:26 am

 

zoo said:

Erdogan has renounced to a forced regime change in Syria.

http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-315891-syria-is-a-transitional-government-possible.html

Syria: Is a transitional government possible?

How was Turkey convinced? Ankara realized that its allies, i.e., the anti-Syrian President Bashar al-Assad camp, are not interested in bold action. Plus, after almost two years, it has become obvious that Turkey does not have the necessary power to effect a major change in Syria

In short, even if it succeeds, a transition model, in light of what we have heard so far, is likely to generate a “mild” change in Syria that will keep the major elements of the Syrian regime in power. In practice, what is called the Russian interest in Syria, or the Iranian interest in Syria, refers to the continuity of the elements of the Assad regime in the country. With Assad or without him, a transition endorsed by Russia and Iran is not likely to produce a radical change in Syria.

May 19th, 2013, 10:33 am

 

revenire said:

Dave posting that Zionist nonsense 100 times doesn’t make it true.

You’re honestly arguing that Israel WANTS Assad to stay in power? Israel wants her enemies – Iran / Hezbollah / Syria – to remain in power?

Only a madman would buy that.

But if Netanyahu is helping Assad I want the first to congratulate Bibi on backing the winning horse.

Hava nagila!

May 19th, 2013, 10:41 am

 

revenire said:

Juergen we are not at school and teacher isn’t making the “bad boys” stand in a corner. This is a forum.

My father learned an old saying in visiting relatives in San Francisco : if you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen.

May 19th, 2013, 10:43 am

 

revenire said:

HNN Homs News Network
IT’S ALL HAPPENING IN SYRIA EVERYONE !!!

Iranian Drones flying over Damascus a short while ago …

Many thanks to our friend Seif for sharing this video … – J


https://www.facebook.com/homs.news.network.english

May 19th, 2013, 10:49 am

 

revenire said:

“869. JUERGEN said:
Akbar
Dont forget the moderation acknowledgement medal, he got more entries than anyone else.”

Believe me, it is an honor to support Syria and President Assad, Nasrallah and the Supreme Leader.

I accept this award.

May 19th, 2013, 10:51 am

 

revenire said:

Dave had better recheck his propaganda sources:

Netanyahu: Not true that Israel prefers Assad to rebels
Times of London report quotes senior Israeli intelligence officer who ‘does not represent the government’s position,’ prime minister states.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu-not-true-that-israel-prefers-assad-to-rebels-1.524764

A Friday report in the Times of London, according to which Israel prefers the regime of Bashar Assad than see a takeover of the country by rebel Islamist militants, is untrue, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a meeting of Likud ministers on Sunday.

May 19th, 2013, 10:56 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

THe Geneva 2 meeting, How long it will last, is it going to be interrupted by going home for consultations and thus it lasts for months and months, John Kerry must be aware that such long time , means more death in Syria at the hands of Asshead
If Kerry thinks that Putin will change his mind and gets against Asshead, Kerry will find out the truth and this will not happen, but then Kerry will look fool,and discredit himself.
This meeting must start with ceasefire, if violence does not stop, then the meeting will be considered failure,and must be abandoned.

SNC must send Salim Idris, and several members of the FSA to the meeting

May 19th, 2013, 11:00 am

 

revenire said:

Brother Majed we have good news to celebrate:

معركة القصير وضحت للعالم أن الجيش السوري يستطيع الدخول إلى أي مكان عندما يقرر أن هذا المكان ذات أهمية استراتيجية. لقد بدأ الجيش السوري باستخدام السلوك الحربية الغير تقليدية ما أدى إلى تغيير موازين القوة على الأرض. بعد القصير المعارضة المسلحة لم تعد قادرة على حماية أي مكان تتواجد فيه, معركة القصير ستفتح الباب لتحرير أماكن كبيرة و حساسة و استراتيجية في سورية.
الكرة أصبحت بملعب الدولة…

God bless the heroes of the Syrian Arab Army.

May 19th, 2013, 11:35 am

 

SANDRO LOEWE said:

REVENIRE,

You shut up your dirty mouth dirty zionist. The country Assadist will get a as living space will be not acceptable even for rats.

May 19th, 2013, 11:50 am

 

SANDRO LOEWE said:

Now everything is clear how for 40 years Assad system has been serving the Israel state and undermining the Palestinian and the Arab Cause. How Lebanon was destroyed by Assad to the beneffit of Israel, and so on…

May 19th, 2013, 11:52 am

 

revenire said:

Perhaps Assad is really a Mossad agent?

May 19th, 2013, 11:58 am

 

Ghufran said:

For once I have to disagree with some rebel supporters who say a cease fire has to be put in effect for the meeting in Geneva to have a chance but tell that to the 400 militias who do not have a unified command structure and will only listen to their local chiefs.
Nusra and islamis groups made it clear that they will not abide by any cease fire until they topple the regime and establish an Islamic emirate in Syria,only fools believe that you can negotiate with groups like the Talibans, that is why it was a fatal mistake to allow those terrorists in, I am not even sure that was a ” mistake” now. However, the bombing of cities need to stop, random arrests should be declared illegal by all, and political prisoners need to be released, we are waiting to see AK alkgayyer, Matouk, Malouhi and others be freed in the very near future if the regime wants any meaningful participation by the opposition, I think the MB will eventually attend and they will drop their condition that Assad resigns prior to the conference,if they insist on their unattainable demand it means that they are not interested in a settlement, for the islamists to take over the government they have to neutralize the army, that can take years and I do not see it happening and I strongly believe that dissolving or destroying the army is not in syria’s long term interest.
Assad is likely to push hard in the next few weeks ahead of any meeting with the opposition, he wants to capture qsair Homs and make more advances in reef dinashq to preempt any attempt to pressure the government to make big concessions, Russia may not want him to run in 2014 but they are unwilling to see any foreign military campaign against Syria for the time being, that is why they are sending missiles and navy ships to Syria.

May 19th, 2013, 12:00 pm

 

SANDRO LOEWE said:

REVENIRE,

Not perhaps, Assad is serving Israel from Day 1. And you know it perfectly. Everything is being exposed now.

May 19th, 2013, 12:06 pm

 

revenire said:

Sandro Bashar and Bibi go drinking together.

May 19th, 2013, 12:10 pm

 

Ghufran said:

 قال عضو الإئتلاف السوري المعارض عبد الباسط سيدا إن لدى المعارضة مجموعة من الملاحظات حول بيان جنيف1، وأنه كان هناك خلاف حول موقع الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد في العملية الإنتقالية.
وأوضح سيدا أن المعارضة تدرس المبادرة الجديدة، ولكن لا يمكن اتخاذ موقف حيالها، طالما أن هناك أمور غير واضحة مثل الضمانات الدولية وخارطة الحل، موضحاً أنه في الإجتماع القادم للإئتلاف المعارض سيتم تحديد الموقف حيال المشاركة في مؤتمر جنيف2، مشدداً على أن الإئتلاف لم يتخذ قرار بعد بشأن المشاركة في المؤتمر الدولي.
وقال سيدا إن المعارضة تؤمن بأن نهاية كل نزاع لا بد أن يكون الحل سياسياً، لكن السؤال حول طبيعة هذا الحل السياسي، واعتبر أن سلبية المجتمع الدولي أدت إلى التطرف في المجتمع السوري.
كما أكد سيدا أن سورية اليوم تواجه التطرف بأشكاله المختلفة، مستدركاً “لكن المجتمع السوري يرفض التطرف”.
Notice the change in Sayda’s tone, the SNC has been playing catch up since its inception.

May 19th, 2013, 12:27 pm

 

Tara said:

A new era on SC has just started. Reve and admirers can not celebrate death, call for carpet bombing, unleashing chemical weapons, and disinfecting the populace. Rebels and their communities will not be called rats or hamster’s poop yet one ‘s right to call religious and political leaders names is preserved

Hehe and Allahu Akbar!

May 19th, 2013, 12:27 pm

 

ann said:

Syria: Infighting erupts between rebel factions in Aleppo – 05.19.13

Rival groups clash in divided city, abduct each other’s fighters; ‘Situation is very tense,’ says activist; unknowns kidnap deputy FM’s father

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4381219,00.html

Syrian activists on Saturday reported a wave of mutual kidnappings between rival Islamic rebel groups in the northern city of Aleppo after clashes killed at least four rebel fighters.

Lack of unity characterized the armed conflict from its 2011 start, and plays into the hands of the regime, which is trying to tarnish the image of the opposition by saying it is dominated by extremists linked to al-Qaeda network.

The director of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdul-Rahman, said a coalition of rebel groups known as the Judicial Council had accused another armed opposition faction, the Ghurabaa al-Sham, of plundering factories in Aleppo’s industrial neighborhood.

Aleppo, Syria’s largest city and a former commercial center, is split between rebel and government control.

Abdul-Rahman said tensions among rebel factions have been rising in opposition-held areas, mostly on the eastern side of the city.

The two groups, the Judicial Council and the Ghurabaa al-Sham, clashed on Tuesday near Aleppo in fighting that left four members of the Judicial Council dead, Abldul-Rahman said.

He added that the Judicial Council is now holding dozens of members of Ghurabaa al-Sham captive.

Aleppo-based activist Mohammed Saeed said Ghurabaa al-Sham withdrew its fighters from several neighborhoods, including the industrial area.

Saeed said Ghurabaa al-Sham released all Judicial Council members it was holding while the other group refused to set free Ghuarbaa al-Sham members and is still holding them.

“The situation is very tense in Aleppo,” said Abdul-Rahman, who relies on a network of activists around the country.

He said that Ghurabaa al-Sham has warned it will bring some of its members from outside the city to fight against the Judicial Council if its members are not freed.

The Judicial Council is an umbrella organization that includes the Tawheed Brigade, Ahrar al-Sham and the al Qaeda-affiliated Jabhat al-Nusra – one of the most effective forces among the mosaic of rebel brigades fighting to topple Assad in Syria’s civil war.

[…]

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4381219,00.html

May 19th, 2013, 1:15 pm

 

ghufran said:


This is why Syria needs one uniformed army and security force, I am not defending what the father did, assuming that he was guilty of the crime, but I do not want a bunch of thugs imposing ” the law of God” on Syrian citizens, those Talibans are wose than almukhabarat.
(not that It matters but there was an error in my post 882, it should have read “I agree” not disagree, I guess I am just used to disagreeing like most of you)
this is how one reader responded:
الاسم : واحد من الناس
العنوان : غباااااااء
يا عالم يا ناس يا هوووووو , وين رايحين , على عيني و راسي الدين , بس هذا اسمو تفاهه ’, العالم وصلوا على القمر ’, وعالم عم تموت من الجوع و حرق و عالم تموت قنص ومن دون ذنب ,,,,, كرمال الله كبروا هالعقل ,,,,, شو بدكون فيهون اذا جوز بنتو ولا لاء
,,,,,, في الله يحاسب , مين انت حتى تحاسب بدال الله ,,,,,
مثلما قال محمد الماغوط : عمرها ما كانت مشكلتنا مع الله ,مشكلتنا مع الذين يعتبرون نفسهم بعد الله ,,,,,,,,,

May 19th, 2013, 1:28 pm

 

Mina said:

Sandro
You probably missed a few episodes. There is a EU-Nusra-Regime joint venture
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/19/eu-syria-oil-jihadist-al-qaida

May 19th, 2013, 1:29 pm

 

Badr said:

How profound is the US-Russia accord, and could a deal be enforced in Syria? This writer seems to think so:

شيفرة الحل السوري

May 19th, 2013, 1:37 pm

 

revenire said:

AL-QUSAYR: The following map shows militant supply lines centered on Al-Qusayr. Syrian troops stormed the town today and are reportedly clearing bobby-trap devices while most of the towns embedded militants have fled.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/945608_334376830021210_466978850_n.jpg

Syria Report
https://www.facebook.com/syriareport

May 19th, 2013, 1:37 pm

 

Ziad said:

الجيش السوري “يحسم” في مدينة القصير

http://www.almayadeen.net/ar/news/syria-Ag_6zPn5pkWE96HDAHfvAg/

May 19th, 2013, 1:55 pm

 

Visitor said:

The following field report shows that our holy warriors are in control of Qusayr. The thugs of Hizbass are caught on tape clearly shown in a desperate state of disarray,

http://www.alarabiya.net/mob/ar/articles/16610

May 19th, 2013, 2:02 pm

 

Visitor said:

Re: the video in comment 888,

I am shocked that there are Syrians who are so ignorant of the rules of marriage. How can an idiot like this man marry his daughter during the period of عدة?

I thank those who carried out the punishment for the violation of this sacred rule.

It is obvious that over the last 40-50 years of abominable Baath/alawi rule of thuggery, many Syrians have become ignorant of their Religion.

Nusra must lead the revolution and cleanse Syria and Syrians of the this alawi/Baath abomination.

May 19th, 2013, 2:09 pm

 
 

revenire said:

Syrian Army Advances in Al-Qusayr, Kill Large Number of Militants

The Syrian Army advanced in Al-Qusayr on Sunday, killing and wounding a large number of militants, while the others escaped, Al-Manar correspondent reported, adding that the Syrian Army took control over most of the area, reaching the municipal building in the center of the city.

The Syrian Army’s operations in Al-Qusayr city in Homs started after it waged air raids and shells at militants’ bases in the area late Saturday.

In this context, sources had stated earlier this week that the Syrian Air Forces had dropped leaflets over the city, demanding civilians to evacuate the area and militants to drop their arms and surrender, indicating that a large number did actually surrender while others escaped into deeper areas in Homs.

On another hand, Al-Mayadeen reported that the Syrian Army had taken control over Barza in Damascus, and succeeded in killing militia field commanders “Abu Sufian” and “Abu Musab”.

In parallel, Syrian news agency SANA reported that the Army had confiscated an Israeli manufactured missile, and large numbers of machine guns and ammunitions in the hands of an armed group that was terrorizing and cutting the road of Homs-Tadmor.

http://www.almanar.com.lb/english/adetails.php?eid=94119&cid=23&fromval=1&frid=23&seccatid=20&s1=1

May 19th, 2013, 2:22 pm

 

Ziad said:

رسالة شخصية ورد علني:

XXX
ولك يا عرصا فرحان بالللي عمتعملوا العصابات الاسدية باهلك بالقصير؟؟؟!

الرد:
في الحقيقة نعم، فرحان جدا، بل أرقص طربا.

أولا:
لأنهم ليسوا أهلي. فكل إرهابي في سورية هو مسخ ضبع خائن، وهو عدوي ما لم يسلم نفسه وسلاحه، وسحقه هو أقصى فرحتي،

وثانيا:
لأن أهلي في القصير، مثلما أهلي في الرقة وحرستا، في درعا ودير الزور، وفي كل منطقة سورية، رفضوكم جملة وتفصيلا، فأيا كانت مآخذهم هنا وهناك فإن مآخذهم كانت من أجل سورية أفضل، وليس من أجل حفنة من الخونة المجرمين الذين يغتصبون الطفلات ويسحلون الرجال ويأكلون القلوب البشرية النيئة، ويتناكحون مجاهدة..

وثالثا:
لأن جيشي البطل العظيم، الجيش العربي السوري، هو من حمى ويحمي أهلي في القصير وكل شبر في سورية من همجيتكم الشيطانية،

وأخيرا:
لأن مصيركم الذي لقيتموه حتى اليوم، هو مصيركم نفسه الذي ستلاقونه غدا وبعد غد حتى لا يبقى منكم أثرا في أرض سورية الطاهرة.

فالمجد للجندي السوري الشريف العظيم، صانع مجد سورية اليوم، وفاتح أبواب مستقبلها غدا،

والموت والعار والهزيمة لكم أيها الخونة الجبناء، أينما كنتم، وأيا كانت ألوان راياتكم العفنة.

(ملاحظة:
ستكتمل فرحتي حين يشارككم مصيركم كل خائن ومجرم وفاسد ومستغل ومبتز في كل مكان من الدولة السورية، مها كان اسمه ومنصبه، وكيفما كان ادعاؤه واحتياله).

Bassam AlKAdi

May 19th, 2013, 2:37 pm

 

Visitor said:

This is just in.

فادي الجزار criminal chief of thugs of Hizbass has just been eliminated at the hands of our holy warriors of the Nusra Front in Qusayr. The thug was most recently reported to be in the lowest depth of the fires of Jahanbam.

Also, contact has been lost with all the thugs that were in company with the eliminated thug. It is not yet confirmed, but they could be on their way to the same level in Jahannam as the terrorist.

Also, the nephew of فايز شكر the so-called regional head of Baath thuggery has been killed in the Qusayr.

May 19th, 2013, 2:38 pm

 
 
 

ann said:

Report: Syria prepared to fire missiles at Tel Aviv – 05.19.13

Sunday Times says Assad regime puts advanced surface-to-surface Tishreen missiles on standby with orders to hit Tel Aviv should Israel launch another air strike. Expert: Missiles ‘extremely accurate’ and can cause ‘serious harm’

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4381218,00.html

Syria has put its most advanced missiles on standby with orders to hit Tel Aviv if Israel launches another strike on its territory, The Sunday Times reported overnight Sunday.

According to the British newspaper, reconnaissance satellites have been monitoring preparations by the Syrian army to deploy surface-to-surface Tishreen missiles.

An Israeli official told The New York Times that Israel, which has launched three recent attacks on Syria, was considering further strikes and warned President Bashar Assad that his government would face “crippling consequences” if he hit back at Israel.

The Sunday Times said the deployment of the Syrian-made Tishreen missiles, each of which can carry a half-ton payload, marks a significant escalation of tension “in a region in which the United States and Russia appear to be preparing for a Cold War-style stand-off.”

Uzi Rubin, Israel’s leading missile expert, told the newspaper that the Tishreen missiles are “extremely accurate and can cause serious harm.

“Even if they don’t hit Ben-Gurion (Airport) directly, they would halt all commercial flights out of the country,” he said.

In a rare interview on Saturday, Assad told Argentine newspaper Clarin that Israel was supporting the Syrian opposition, which he dubbed terrorists.

“Israel is directly supporting the terrorist groups in two ways, firstly it gives them logistical support and it also tells them what sites to attack and how to attack them. For example, they attacked a radar station that is part of our anti-aircraft defenses, which can detect any plane coming from overseas, especially from Israel,” the Syrian president said.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that Russia is continuing to arm Assad’s regime and has sent a dozen or more warships to patrol waters near its naval base in Syria, a move that American and European officials have called aggressive, saying it was designed to warn the West and Israel not to intervene in the country’s civil war.

Also on Friday, the New York Times reported that Russia has transferred to Syria advanced anti-ship cruise missiles, which threaten Israeli Navy vessels and the Jewish states gas fields located up to 300 kilometers (186 miles) from the coast.

According to the report, Russia has previously provided a version of the missiles, called Yakhonts, to Syria. But those delivered recently are outfitted with an advanced radar that makes them more effective.

[…]

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4381218,00.html

May 19th, 2013, 3:35 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Ann
These missle pose extreme threat to Israel,I dont think they can carry nuclear bomb, but may carry chemical weapons,,they can be detected from the sky,so Israel may look for a way to eliminate them.
If Israel finds a way to get rid of these missiles, Russia will be embarassed, since they have not been tried before in a war,
If on the other side those missiles were successful US and Israel will be embarassed.
Tensions must get high,in Syria and Israel, a very destructive war may erupt unexpectably, that is why John Brennen was in Israel to study the situation.

I asked Akbar Palace after the Israeli strike if he is nervous, he said no, but I think he must be nervous

I will tell you the truth, IF Assad defeated Israel many will switch side, Temporarily, and if Assad is to be defeated many pro Assad will switch side permanently, including you

May 19th, 2013, 4:29 pm

 

revenire said:

We’re close to World War III and I think Russia probably prevented it by putting a leash on Netanyahu and sending the S-300s to Syria.

May 19th, 2013, 4:43 pm

 

revenire said:

S-300s can shoot down Israeli fighters over Israeli airspace.

🙂

May 19th, 2013, 5:01 pm

 

ann said:

`israel to the rescue of Quseir

Netanyahu warns of more Israeli strikes on Syria – May 20, 2013

http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/netanyahu-warns-of-more-israeli-strikes-on-syria

JERUSALEM // Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu held out the prospect yesterday of further Israeli strikes inside Syria, pledging to act to prevent advanced weapons from reaching Hizbollah and other militant groups.

Although Israel has not publicly taken sides in the civil war between Syrian president Bashar Al Assad and rebels trying to topple him, western and Israeli sources say it has launched air strikes in Syria to destroy weapons it believed were destined for Lebanon’s Hizbollah.

In public remarks at the weekly meeting of his cabinet, Mr Netanyahu made no direct mention of those attacks, but said Israel was prepared to take action in the future and was “preparing for every scenario” in the Syrian conflict.

Israel had a policy “to prevent, as much as possible, the leakage of advanced weapons to Hizbollah and terror elements”, he said.

“We will act to ensure the security interest of Israel’s citizens in the future as well.”

Tzipi Livni, a member of Mr Netanyahu’s security cabinet and a former foreign minister, said: “I don’t think there is anyone in Israel eager to take action” in Syria, hinting at concerns that any strike could provoke a wider conflict.

In an interview with Israel’s Army Radio, Ms Livni also said Israeli politicians ought to avoid taking sides.

“Israel isn’t popular in Syria. Therefore any such statement could only be used as ammunition by one of the sides to try to divert the debate or the violence toward Israel and that’s the last thing we need,” Ms Livni said.

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied reports that it attacked Iranian-supplied missiles stored near Damascus this month that it believed were awaiting delivery to Hizbollah, which fought a war with Israel in 2006 and is allied with Mr Al Assad’s regime.

A Russian shipment of Yakhont anti-ship missiles to Syria was condemned by the United States on Friday, and Israel is also alarmed by the prospect of Moscow supplying S-300 advanced air defence missile systems to Damascus.

Mr Netanyahu held talks in Russia on Tuesday with president Vladimir Putin on the Syrian crisis but gave no public indication whether Israel’s concerns over the Russian weaponry had been eased.

Amos Gilad, a senior Israeli defence ministry official, said on Saturday that the S-300 and the Yakhont, weapons that could complicate any plans for foreign military intervention in Syria, would likely end up with Hizbollah and threaten both Israel and US forces in the Gulf.

“Yakhont is a cruise missile that can hit targets at sea and strategic targets. (It is) a supersonic missile, (with) a range of 300km, very sophisticated,” Mr Gilad said on Israel’s Channel Two television on Saturday.

“The Russians sent it to Syria, beside the strategic defence system called the S-300. There are a number of versions, and they are sending them one of the good versions,” he said.

[…]

http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/netanyahu-warns-of-more-israeli-strikes-on-syria

May 19th, 2013, 5:15 pm

 

Dolly Buster said:

Russia threatens Israel, but Israel is much stronger than Russia.
Right now Israel is the ONLY country showing backbone to the Russian aggressor.

American Jews have the highest IQ in the world 115.
So I have no doubt they will soon outwit the Russians.

May 19th, 2013, 5:21 pm

 

ann said:

Syria army regains large part of strategic al-Qussair city – 2013-05-20

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/20/c_124732727.htm

DAMASCUS, May 19 (Xinhua) — The Syrian army on Sunday launched a wide-scale operation to recapture the border city of al-Qussair near Lebanon, and has regained large swathes of the strategic city, local media reported.

The offensive aims to cut the rebels’ main supply line in the central region of the country, analysts said.

Earlier, the official Sham FM radio said the troops have reached the center of al-Qussair, which has largely been out of the government control since last year, and the Syrian flag was hoisted once again on the municipal building.

Tens of rebels were killed while others dropped their weapons and surrendered themselves to the army.

Last month, Syrian army waged a large scale operation and regained all of the towns surrounding al-Qussair to cut the supply lines of the rebels entrenching inside the city.

Last week, Syria’s air forces dropped leaflets urging people in al-Qussair to leave their homes in anticipation of furious battles in the city. Sources said that more than 400 families have fled the city since last week.

Elsewhere in Homs, twin blasts targeting checkpoints killed at least two people, which apparently came to ease pressure on the besieged rebels in al-Qussair.

Taleb Ibrahim, a political expert, told Xinhua that al-Qussair is about 35 km south of Homs province and located in a mountainous area overlooking Syria’s border with Lebanon.

The city’s proximity to the Lebanese town of Ersal has made it a main smuggling route of weapons and armed men into Homs, Ibrahim said, adding that regaining control over the strategic city would deprive the armed rebels’ main supply line and would deal a heavy blow to their very existence in Homs and central Syria as a whole.

He said that the weapons that are being funneled to the suburbs of the capital Damascus are coming from al-Qussair.

Aside from al-Qussair, the Syrian troops have also advanced in the Halfaya town in the central province of Hama, which is connected with al-Qussair.

In Damascus, the troops regained control over the northeastern district of Barzeh and killed tens of armed rebels, according to local media.

[…]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/20/c_124732727.htm

May 19th, 2013, 5:26 pm

 

Citizen said:

903. REVENIRE
Do not worry! Assad staying till the constitutional election date in 2014! Will convene an international conference on Syria!
after it Israel will start the aggression on Syria! Then war will break out will lead to a deterministic end to the Zionist entity without a doubt!And S-300 missiles will remain only the upper part of the iceberg!
Will be the end of the state of Zion!

May 19th, 2013, 5:29 pm

 

zoo said:

The armed rebels in a state of confusion: Who to join? Al Nusra, the FSA ? More splitting is expected, while the Syrian army remain united

Syria: Jabhat al-Nusra split after leader’s pledge of support for al-Qaeda

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10067318/Syria-Jabhat-al-Nusra-split-after-leaders-pledge-of-support-for-al-Qaeda.html

Jabhat al-Nusra, the much-feared militant jihadist group that has taken control of large rebel-held areas of northern Syria, has split in two following its leadership’s public declaration of allegiance to al-Qaeda.

Jabhat fighters in the east of the country had started calling themselves the “Islamic State of Iraq and Syria” on videos posted online – the name preferred by the international al-Qaeda leadership. They include a group that carried out a public execution of three regime officers in the town square in Raqqa last week.
..
Abdulaziz “Abu Jumaa” al-Salameh, political leader of the biggest brigade in Aleppo, Liwa Tawhid, said that after months in which men had defected to Jabhat al-Nusra, the tide had begun to turn in the opposite direction. He said in recent days an entire unit of 120 men had left Jabhat al-Nusra to rejoin Tawhid.

May 19th, 2013, 5:30 pm

 

Citizen said:

I advise some BUSTERs here affiliation to the literacy course!
Soon will come a long silence!

May 19th, 2013, 5:36 pm

 

zoo said:

#898 Visitor

The HHPs (holy hamster poops) in Al Qusayr badly need your extra prayers.

May 19th, 2013, 5:42 pm

 

Citizen said:

أي حرب ستشن على سورية ستغير معالم منطقة الشرق الأوسط و يمكن العالم أيضا !!!

May 19th, 2013, 5:42 pm

 

zoo said:

“Turkey played a negative role in the Syrian conflict.”

The need for a revision of foreign policy

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/the-need-for-a-revision-of-foreign-policy.aspx?pageID=238&nid=47168&NewsCatID=406v

Turkey needs a serious debate on its foreign policy, especially concerning the Syrian crisis. The debate should start from the recognition of the fact that Turkey played a negative role in the Syrian conflict.

Even after its allies changed their policy priorities from removing Bashar al-Assad by all means to engaging more in considering sustainable governance after al-Assad, Turkey insisted in getting involved in the anti-al-Assad fight and became an engaged party in the Syrian civil war. Even after some factions of the Syrian opposition were proven to be reckless sectarians, Turkey turned a blind eye to this grave problem. Even after it became clear that military options increased the risk of an escalation of the violence by both sides and that the Syrian conflict needed more diplomacy, Turkey insisted in promoting the military options.

I hope Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to the U.S. helped Turkey’s government recognize the international and regional political facts of life. Turkey could have been in a position of mediating in such time of crisis if it hadn’t burned many bridges with regional actors in the Middle East.

May 19th, 2013, 5:48 pm

 

zoo said:

Israel, Turkey and gas
By JPOST EDITORIAL
05/18/2013 23:09

It is becoming evident that a veiled agenda underpinned the recent Turkish willingness to consider a rapprochement with Israel.

Word is that both Israel and Turkey are seriously entertaining the notion of constructing an undersea pipeline to deliver Israeli natural gas to Turkey and, perhaps, hence to Europe.

The Turks reportedly have expressed willingness to foot part of the estimated $2 billion bill. Such pipelines exist elsewhere in the world, most notably from Russia and from Norway.

It is becoming evident that a veiled agenda underpinned the recent Turkish willingness to consider a rapprochement with Israel. Turkey, it appears, hankers after Israeli gas. The perceived Turkish softening was fueled by Israel’s offshore gas discoveries, a fact which nevertheless did not impel Ankara to forgo humiliating Israel.

Turkey grows increasingly dependent on Russia for its gas supplies. This hardly instills joy in Turkish hearts, especially considering the fact that Moscow and Ankara are at direct loggerheads over Syria. Israel, having repeatedly proven itself both reliable and exceedingly pliable, is now regarded as a safer bet for Turkish gas supplies – certainly safer than such alternatives to Russia as Iran. Moreover, Israeli gas could be had at a significantly lower cost

May 19th, 2013, 5:51 pm

 

zoo said:

One more brilliant EU decision..

EU decision to lift Syrian oil sanctions boosts jihadist groups

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/19/eu-syria-oil-jihadist-al-qaida

Jabhat al-Nusra, an al-Qaida affiliate, consolidates position as scramble for control of wells accelerates

The EU decision to lift Syrian oil sanctions to aid the opposition has accelerated a scramble for control over wells and pipelines in rebel-held areas and helped consolidate the grip of jihadist groups over the country’s key resources.

Jabhat al-Nusra, affiliated with al-Qaida and other extreme Islamist groups, control the majority of the oil wells in Deir Ezzor province, displacing local Sunni tribes, sometimes by force. They have also seized control of other fields from Kurdish groups further to the north-east, in al-Hasakah governorate.

As opposition groups have turned their guns on each other in the battle over oil, water and agricultural land, military pressure on Bashar al-Assad’s government from the north and east has eased off. In some areas, al-Nusra has struck deals with government forces to allow the transfer of crude across the front lines to the Mediterranean coast.

May 19th, 2013, 5:56 pm

 

Citizen said:

Qatar and Syria
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/56880aa2-bef4-11e2-a9d4-00144feab7de.html#axzz2TmGqbvp5
What exactly do the Qatari royals want to achieve with their activist foreign policy? The question has been asked time and again by diplomats studying the hyperactive gas-rich emirate. Qatar was once a shy, backwater Gulf state living in the shadow of regional giant Saudi Arabia. But today Qatar’s wealth, underpinned by the world’s third largest natural gas reserves, is a potent weapon in its quest for political influence in a Middle East undergoing transition.
Nowhere is this influence more clear than in Libya and Syria. In 2011, Qatar helped to boost the rebels who toppled Libyan leader Muammer Gaddafi. Today, Qatar is a leading backer of the forces trying to topple the Assad regime in Syria. As an FT investigation has shown, its effort on armament in Syria is now beginning to be overtaken by Saudi Arabia. Still, the emirate has spent $3bn over the past two years supporting the rebels, far exceeding the contribution made by any other government.
Observers of Qatar’s actions in Syria cannot agree on what motivates them. Some say Qatar’s Emir, Hamad Bin Khalifa, has ambitions to be the leading figure in the Islamic world. Others argue that it suits the Qatari royal family, the al-Thanis, to promote revolution in other states to avoid the Arab uprisings hitting their own.
However, the Qataris’ intervention in Syria, while boosting the revolt against Assad, has also created confusion. The Saudis support the handful of secular rebel factions and Salafi groups fighting the Syrian regime. The Qataris, by contrast, are less discriminating over who they support, and work through the Muslim Brotherhood, which is anathema to Riyadh. As a result the Qataris and Saudis last year created separate and competing military alliances, a rivalry that has undermined the rebellion against Assad – and may have led to weapons ending up in the hands of jihadi militants………..

May 19th, 2013, 6:01 pm

 

Tara said:

I say Zainab’ s shrine should come down after evacuating the people. Let the fat boy with head piece and “jelbab” shows us his muscles. Let the people of Syria teach him a lesson.

Hezbollah steps up Syria battle, Israel threatens more strikes
Reuters – 3 hrs ago

http://news.yahoo.com/hezbollah-steps-syria-battle-israel-threatens-more-strikes-173440000.html

May 19th, 2013, 6:02 pm

 

zoo said:

“The end of the revolution in Homs” ?

Assad, Hezbollah Retake Rebel City

Hezbollah fighters joined with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces on Sunday to take back large swaths of Qusayr, a border city in Homs Province controlled by rebel fighters
….
By day’s end about 60 percent of the city ( al Qusayr), including the municipal office building, was in army control for the first time in months, activists said.
….
The fight is viewed by both loyalists and government opponents as a turning point that could, in the words of one activist in Qusayr, “decide the fate of the regime and the revolution.”

“It is one of the hardest days all over Syria,” said Tarek, the activist, who would give only his first name because of security concerns. “If Qusayr is finished, it will be the end of the revolution in Homs.”

Mr. Assad, according to people who have spoken with him, believes that reasserting control in Homs Province is crucial to maintaining control of the string of population centers in western Syria and eventually to military campaigns to retake rebel-held territory in the north and east. Many analysts say it is unlikely that the government will be able to regain control of those areas, but that it could consolidate its hold on the west, leading to a de facto division of the country.

May 19th, 2013, 6:03 pm

 

Visitor said:

….

May 19th, 2013, 6:05 pm

 

Visitor said:

More of the Hizba*s جيف get transferred to lowest depth of the fire of Jahannam, while Jahannam keeps calling هل من مزيد. At the same time our holy warriors of the noble Nusra Front and associates continue to control Qusayr,

http://www.alarabiya.net/ar/arab-and-world/syria/2013/05/18/الجيش-الحر-يقتل-10-من-حزب-الله-بكمين-في-القصير.html

May 19th, 2013, 6:08 pm

 

zoo said:

Citizen

Qatar is a horrible country, their population is obese and diabetics. They have no mountain, no landscapes, they have humidity and desert, malls and mosques.
It is a golden prison.
They want Syria as their own territory where they can build more malls and towers and have their youth bring new blood to replace their polluted one by centuries of marrying among them. They bough a greek Island, now they want to buy out Syria as the extension to their horrible country.

They have failed to buy Tunisia. They have failed to buy South of Lebanon. There, as well as in Libya they are hated. Syria is the last Arab country left they could own once they put in power their allies who will give them 100% of the business of reconstruction and lots of lands to build their ugly palaces.

Qatar is a business predator country, nothing else.

May 19th, 2013, 6:15 pm

 

Tara said:

Al Nusra’ s leader statement in regard to its affiliation with Qaeda was a lesson in stupidity in my opinion. Can anyone get more stupider?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10067318/Syria-Jabhat-al-Nusra-split-after-leaders-pledge-of-support-for-al-Qaeda.html

Syria: Jabhat al-Nusra split after leader’s pledge of support for al-Qaeda

“The group has split,” Mohammed Najib Bannan, the head of the Aleppo Judicial Committee’s military arm, said. The committee is backed by the major rebel brigades and runs civil and criminal courts in Aleppo alongside the city’s Sharia court.

Jabhat al-Nusra is also said to have withdrawn from the court system. Mr Bannan said this appeared to be the case, although Jabhat al-Nusra had made no statement on the subject. “Some of Jabhat al-Nusra supported al-Jolani’s statement, and some disagreed,” he said.
,,,

May 19th, 2013, 6:27 pm

 

Ameera said:

يعني هيك بدو يصير بالشام لما تسقطوا النظام
ولا صرنا نخاف من الدين واهل الله بعدي اسمو
ممكن حدا يئلي كيف هيك ببساطة بطبئوا الشريعة والله العظيم انا خايفة نفس الخوف لما شوف شابيحة واكتر

May 19th, 2013, 6:29 pm

 

Ameera said:

تارا حبيبتي كيف بدك تنزلي على الشام انت و بنتك ازا حكمو جماعة النصرة؟ برضاي عليكي لا تحطي بنتك بخطر و خليكي بعيدة والك العوض بسوريا

May 19th, 2013, 6:32 pm

 

Ameera said:

الله معكم يا اهل القصير هادا ازا لسه فيا حدا منكم بعدو عايش

May 19th, 2013, 6:34 pm

 

Ameera said:

بدي اسأل المتدينين هون بالمنتدى ويا ريت تطولو بالكم ولا تنبحتو متل الابوات

اول شي ليش الجهاديين بكرهو اوروبا و امريكا وما بكرهو اسرئيل
و ازا حكمو البلد بعد النظام صحيح رح نصير متل افاغانيستان او الصومال ولا السعودية

May 19th, 2013, 6:40 pm

 

Ameera said:

وهي من صفحة النصرة علا الفيسبوك يعني نسيو النظام و بلشو يئتلو بعض طيب انا ما عم افهم مشان شو؟

بو عبدالرحمن التركاوي
أقسم بالله العظيم أقسم بالله العظيم أقسم بالله العظيم
إن لم تقضوا على كتائب الإخوان الشياطين في بلاد الشام وتجعلوا منهم عبرة لكل الخونة والمجرمين لتروهم في القريب العاجل يقاتلوا مع حزب الشيطان ضدكم أيها المجاهدين وهذه دعوة مني شخصياً لقتالهم ودمهم في رقبتي إخواني في الله عليكم بالإخوان الشياطين فهم خونة منافقين وهم سيف مسلط على ظهوركم فطهروا ظهوركم منهم والله لقد باعوا الإسلام والمسلمين لكل أعداء الدين من يهود ومجوس ونصارى دعوة لتطهير الخونة ياأهل بلاد الشام عليكم بالإخوان الشياطين لا تصبروا عليهم ما بالكم ماذا جرى لكم من سنتين وأكثر وهم يطعنون المجاهدين والله إني أرى في قتالهم مصلحة للأمة الإسلامية ولا تخافوا على شق الصف فتركهم هو سبب شق الصفوف. أقتلوهم أقتلوهم أقتلوهم

May 19th, 2013, 6:44 pm

 

zoo said:

Citizen

“Some 73 per cent of Qatari men and 70 per cent of Qatari woman are overweight, according to the World Health Organisation’s latest statistics,”
http://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/obesity-big-problem-fast-growing-qatar-152238005.html

May 19th, 2013, 6:54 pm

 

Dawoud said:

922. Tara

Excellent comment Tara! Yes, this terrorist idiot who pledged to the terrorist al-Qaida has not only tarnished the image of the legitimate Syrian revolt, but he has hurt it because the West stopped its plan supply of arms and discouraged Qatar from helping the rebels. This idiot al-Nusru terrorist should be brought to justice. He has given Bashar al-Assad his best card in 2 years. He is now using them in al-Qasir along with the terrorist Hizbal-Devil to kill innocent Syrians and end any possibility of a Shia-Sunni reconciliation. See:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/19/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE94I0AJ20130519

Hezbollah steps up Syria battle, Israel threatens more strikes

(Reuters) – Lebanese Hezbollah militants attacked a Syrian rebel-held town alongside Syrian troops on Sunday and Israel threatened more attacks on Syria to rein the militia in, highlighting the risks of a wider regional conflict if planned peace talks fail.

Activists said it was the fiercest fighting in Syria’s two year-old civil war involving Hezbollah, a Shi’ite group backed by Iran which they said
[…]

May 19th, 2013, 6:55 pm

 

Visitor said:

الله اكبر والعزة لله ولرسوله وللمؤمنين

The heads of hereticism and devil worshipers are falling one after the next in Qusayr.

Ali Hussein Al-Masri, the so-called son in law of Hassan NasrAss, has just been eliminated.

عئبال عندك يا حسن

————-

Dawood,

You are a real idiot.

May 19th, 2013, 6:57 pm

 

dawoud said:

The terrorist Lebanese Shia Hizbass announces the death of 120 of its terrorists, who died in Syria while supporting the regime of the murderous Bashar al-Assad. One of the terrorists killed is the brother-in-law of Hizbass’ leader and chief terrorist Hasan the Devil

http://www.elyaom.com/2013/05/20/arab-news/13824.html

مقتل علي حسين المصري صهر حسن نصر الله و120 من جنود حزب الله في معركة القصير بسوريا

أعلن حزب الله عن إقامة عزاء لجنوده الذين قتلوا في معركة القصير بسوريا ويقدر عددهم ١٢٠ شخص في النبطية غداً الاثنين ومن ضمنهم صهر حسن نصر الله الأمين العام للحزب .
ويناشد الحزب كافة أعضاء الحزب الشرفاء للمضي قدماً للدفاع عن أهل سوريا في القصير وتسجيل أسماءهم بالمراكز بعد استشهاد ١٢٠ شهيدا عصر امس الأحد.
كما توجهت إدارة قناة المنار التابعة لحزب الله عبر حسابها على موقع التواصل الإجتماعي “تويتر”بأحر التعازي لنصر الله إثر استشهاد صهره علي حسين المصري في واجب حماية اللبنانيين في قرى القصير
وقام الشيخ نعيم قاسم نائب أمين حزب الله بالدخول لمنطقة القصير السورية لرفع معنويات جنود حزب الله .
كما أكدت مصادر لقناة “العربية” وصول جثث 20 مقاتلاً تابعين لحزب الله قضوا في القصير (ريف حمص) بسوريا إلى مستشفيات بيروت.
وعرف من القتلى فادي الجزار عباس محمد عثمان، ومحمد فؤاد رباح، وأحمد وائل رعد، ومحمد قاسم عبدالساتر، ورضوان قاسم العطار، وحاتم حسين، وحسن فيصل شكر، وهذا الأخير هو ابن شقيقة فايز شكر، مسؤول حزب البعث السوري في لبنان.
كما تم نقل 62 جريحاً اصيبوا في معارك القصير إلى مستشفيات في لبنان. وطلب مستشفى الرسول الأعظم في الضاحية الجنوبية لبيروت التبرع بالدم بسبب اكتظاظه بالجرحى.

May 19th, 2013, 7:06 pm

 

Visitor said:

Dawood,

Here’s why you are a real idiot,

“President Obama is on a collision course with his allies on Syria. As Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, France, and Britain call for more aggressive steps to topple Bashar al-Assad, the US president throws the Syrian dictator a lifeline. Obama’s policy is now clear: to use the peace process with the Russians to brush aside all calls for military involvement in Syria. This policy places US allies, eager to avoid a head-on collision with the US, in an increasingly difficult position. What is clear, however, is that the differences are gaping and obvious.

Nowhere was this more evident than during Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan’s trip to Washington. At a joint press conference with Erdogan, President Obama dispelled whatever ambiguity there might have remained about whether or not he intends to arm the Syrian opposition. The US president pointedly avoided mention of the matter. Instead, he emphasized that “the only way” to resolve the Syrian crisis is to go through the agreed framework with Moscow of a negotiated settlement with the Assad regime.

Before Erdogan arrived in Washington, the Turks made it known that the prime minister intended to urge the US to take more assertive action. Ankara also kept highlighting the Syrian regime’s use of chemical weapons, conducting tests and gathering evidence to bring to Obama, in the hope that he would act on his professed ‘red line’. Unsurprisingly, Erdogan got nothing from the US president.

The divergence in the Turkish and US positions was obvious at the Rose Garden. “We have views that overlap,” Erdogan said. It was a polite way of voicing that significant and disappointing differences remained on the issues that mattered to Turkey, such as arming the Syrian opposition. Obama spoke only of “humanitarian efforts” and steps being taken to strengthen the opposition “politically.” In addition, the president made clear that his ‘red line’ bluff was just that. The US will not take action in response to the regime’s use of chemical weapons. Instead, Obama reiterated that he required “specific information about what exactly is happening there.”

In other words, having shot down his Turkish ally’s appeals – much as he has done with all other US allies from France to Saudi Arabia – Obama presented his guest with “the only way” forward: a negotiated settlement with the regime. The only consolation for the Turkish Prime Minister was Obama’s statement that this process should somehow magically lead to Assad’s departure – not that he has bothered to spell out how that would come to pass.

None of this should come as a surprise. Over the last two years, Obama has used Russia to buy time and use Moscow’s veto by proxy to shoot down any call for intervention in Syria. The new US initiative with Russia is another such deflection. The present move toward the Kremlin came on the heels of Obama’s ‘red line’ fiasco. In late April, as pressure was mounting on the president to back up his ‘red line’, the administration once again resorted to leaking to the media that it was “considering” arming the rebels. But Obama, we were told, hadn’t yet decided. First, he wanted to send Secretary of State John Kerry to Moscow.

That trip was presented to the media as a last warning to the Russians: either reconsider your support for Assad, or we’ll consider providing lethal support to the opposition. Perhaps. Or it could be that Obama, in keeping with his established pattern, rightly reasoned that by resurrecting the Geneva communiqué with the Russians, he would kick start a process, which he could then use to put the breaks on all movement toward military involvement. It’s been a year since Geneva. Why not buy another year?

But it’s not just calls for US involvement that Obama has stunted with this move. Take for instance how his decision has tripped up French and British efforts to amend the European arms embargo on Syria in order to supply the rebels. The French have now signaled that they will continue to float the proposal but would delay allowing for it to take effect unless the proposed peace conference in Geneva next month fails. The French, looking at least to maintain some leverage, are trying to keep this prospect alive as a means to pressure Assad. Meanwhile the British are arguing that lifting the embargo would incentivize the Syrian opposition to buy into the process. But Paris is worried about the unclear time frame of Obama’s new process. And it has every reason to be. The head of the Syria team at the British Foreign Office, for instance, has said the process is going to be “long” and “difficult.”

That suits Obama’s purposes fine. And as the US invests more in this process, it is likely to press its allies to scale down their weapons supplies to the rebels, especially Islamist formations, so as not to compromise the peace process. It wouldn’t be surprising if Secretary Kerry relayed such a request to the Friends of Syria at the meeting in Jordan next week. Needless to say, the Russians have long maintained that requirement prior to any negotiation.

The US is already urging the Qataris to get in line and channel support exclusively through the National Coalition’s General Command, led by General Salim Idriss, with whom Washington is working to distribute its non-lethal aid. Both Kerry and Ambassador Robert Ford have been working hard to convince Idriss to send representatives of the rebels to the upcoming conference. Idriss and his colleagues will try to condition attendance on receiving military support. However, they’re likely to be given promises of such aid only in the event the peace initiative fails.

Whether the administration actually believes that the Russians will, or can, compel Assad to negotiate his own departure is unclear. Certainly, nothing the Kremlin has done since Kerry’s trip to Moscow indicates any interest in abandoning Assad, or in helping the US “change his calculation.” Rather, it has signaled it will send more advanced weapons systems to the embattled dictator. Russia’s objective is to allow Assad to consolidate his position in Damascus, Homs, and the coastal mountains, with massive help from Iran and Hezbollah, and negotiate from a position of strength. Ultimately, the Russians probably feel Obama might yet come around on Assad. Or, at the very least, he’d be forced to accept a fait accompli in order to restore stability and avoid an escalation of the Syrian conflict that engulfs Washington’s regional allies.

By now it should be clear that president Obama’s foremost interest is to avoid involvement in Syria. Frustrated with this policy, the influential Saudi columnist, Tariq al-Homayed, wrote several months ago advising concerned parties to “act as though the US was not present.” The question is whether anxious allies will continue to accommodate the US president’s preference for disengagement, to the detriment of their security and national interests.

Tony Badran is a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. He tweets @AcrossTheBay.”

Read Collision course here,

https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/commentaryanalysis/collision-course

May 19th, 2013, 7:07 pm

 

Dawoud said:

The terrorist Lebanese Shia Hizbass announces the death of 120 of its terrorists, who died in Syria while supporting the regime of the murderous Bashar al-Assad. One of the terrorists killed is the brother-in-law of Hizbass’ leader and chief terrorist Hasan the Devil.

Good Riddance to these Lebanese TERRORISTS from the Shia Hizbass!!!!

http://www.elyaom.com/2013/05/20/arab-news/13824.html

مقتل علي حسين المصري صهر حسن نصر الله و120 من جنود حزب الله في معركة القصير بسوريا

أعلن حزب الله عن إقامة عزاء لجنوده الذين قتلوا في معركة القصير بسوريا ويقدر عددهم ١٢٠ شخص في النبطية غداً الاثنين ومن ضمنهم صهر حسن نصر الله الأمين العام للحزب .
ويناشد الحزب كافة أعضاء الحزب الشرفاء للمضي قدماً للدفاع عن أهل سوريا في القصير وتسجيل أسماءهم بالمراكز بعد استشهاد ١٢٠ شهيدا عصر امس الأحد.
كما توجهت إدارة قناة المنار التابعة لحزب الله عبر حسابها على موقع التواصل الإجتماعي “تويتر”بأحر التعازي لنصر الله إثر استشهاد صهره علي حسين المصري في واجب حماية اللبنانيين في قرى القصير
وقام الشيخ نعيم قاسم نائب أمين حزب الله بالدخول لمنطقة القصير السورية لرفع معنويات جنود حزب الله .
كما أكدت مصادر لقناة “العربية” وصول جثث 20 مقاتلاً تابعين لحزب الله قضوا في القصير (ريف حمص) بسوريا إلى مستشفيات بيروت.
وعرف من القتلى فادي الجزار عباس محمد عثمان، ومحمد فؤاد رباح، وأحمد وائل رعد، ومحمد قاسم عبدالساتر، ورضوان قاسم العطار، وحاتم حسين، وحسن فيصل شكر، وهذا الأخير هو ابن شقيقة فايز شكر، مسؤول حزب البعث السوري في لبنان.
كما تم نقل 62 جريحاً اصيبوا في معارك القصير إلى مستشفيات في لبنان. وطلب مستشفى الرسول الأعظم في الضاحية الجنوبية لبيروت التبرع بالدم بسبب اكتظاظه بالجرحى.
[…]

May 19th, 2013, 7:08 pm

 

Tara said:

Ameera,

They taught us that Damascus is always protected by God. They lied.! From one peasant to another peasant. Watching your link is painful. Who are these peasants and when did Syrians start growing those fuzzy ugly beards?

Yet, on scale of evilness and depravity, I find no one can top the regime and if I am forced to choose, I would definitely not choose the regime no matter what the alternative is. If al Nusra is part of our emancipation then let it be. We will eventually get our freedom. So if I have to wear a Niqab for a while, I would definitely still kill myself in the gym and still wear the same cloths underneath waiting for those idiots to be forced out. It is going to be only a phase and a short phase too.

Having said that, I am against literal interpretation of Shariaa and I believe the vast majority of Syrians are against it too. Fanaticism is not native to Syrians. We are pedigrees of the first civilization in history and many other civilizations afterwards. Fanatic ideology will not thrive on Syrian soil. I do not see a room for Nusra-like in Syria future. When the regime is toppled, Nusra will be forced out.

May 19th, 2013, 7:20 pm

 

dawoud said:

Beirut hospitals are full of Lebanese Shia Terrirists dead/injured from their fight in Syria against the Syrian people. Good Riddance to the Lebanese terrorists!

http://www.alarabiya.net/ar/arab-and-world/syria/2013/05/18/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1-%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84-10-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AD%D8%B2%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%83%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B5%D9%8A%D8%B1.html

آخر تحديث: الاثنين 10 رجب 1434هـ – 20 مايو 2013م KSA 23:37 – GMT 20:37
جثث قتلى حزب الله وجرحاه في القصير تملأ مستشفيات بيروت
حزب الله ضاعف قواته في هذه المنطقة من ريف حمص والجيش الحر لا يزال يسيطر عليها

العربية.نت –

أكدت مصادر لقناة “العربية” وصول جثث 20 مقاتلاً تابعين لحزب الله قضوا في القصير (ريف حمص) بسوريا إلى مستشفيات بيروت.

وعرف من القتلى فادي الجزار عباس محمد عثمان، ومحمد فؤاد رباح، وأحمد وائل رعد، ومحمد قاسم عبدالساتر، ورضوان قاسم العطار، وحاتم حسين، وحسن فيصل شكر، وهذا الأخير هو ابن شقيقة فايز شكر، مسؤول حزب البعث السوري في لبنان.

كما تم نقل 62 جريحاً اصيبوا في معارك القصير إلى مستشفيات في لبنان. وطلب مستشفى الرسول الأعظم في الضاحية الجنوبية لبيروت التبرع بالدم بسبب اكتظاظه بالجرحى.

وفي سياق متصل، قتل أكثر من 40 شخصاً اليوم في معارك القصير في أعنف حملة عسكرية تشنها قوات النظام السوري وقوات حزب الله، وتتوغل قوات حزب الله في اتجاه القصير في ظل غطاء جوي يؤمنه لها النظام.

وأعلن الجيش السوري الحر أنه يسيطر على القصير حتى الآن رغم أن جنود الأسد أطبقت على أطرافها مع عناصر حزب الله الذي دفع بأعداد كبيرة منها للقتال مع الجيش الحر.

ودعا الائتلاف الوطني السوري من جانبه العرب إلى التحرك لوقف غزو حزب الله وإيران على الأراضي السورية، فيما أكد ناشطون عدم صحة الأنباء التي نقلها التلفزيوني السوري وتفيد بدخول قوات الاسد إلى المدينة.

وكان مدير المرصد السوري لحقوق الانسان أفاد صباح الأحد بقيام الطيران بقصف عنيف لمدينة القصير منذ ساعات الصباح الأولى بعد أن سادها الهدوء ليومين متتاليين، محذراً من أن يكون ذلك “تمهيداً لعملية واسعة النطاق”.

كما ذكرت الهيئة العامة للثورة السورية، من جهتها، أن “الطيران الحربي يمطر المدينة بوابل من الصواريخ والقذائف بالتزامن مع قصف شديد جداً بالمدفعية الثقيلة والهاون منذ بزوغ فجر الأحد”. وأشارت الهيئة إلى أن “المنازل تتهدم وتحترق مع المدينة”.
[…]

May 19th, 2013, 7:24 pm

 

ann said:

Al-Qaeda’s Syrian wing takes over the oilfields once belonging to Syria – 18 May 2013

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10065802/Al-Qaedas-Syrian-wing-takes-over-the-oilfields-once-belonging-to-Assad.html

Raqqa Province, Syria – Up to 380,000 barrels of crude oil were previously produced by wells around the city of Raqqa and in the desert region to its east that are now in rebel hands – in particular Jabhat al-Nusra, the al-Qaeda off-shoot which is the strongest faction in this part of the country.

Now the violently anti-Western jihadist group, which has been steadily extending its control in the region, is selling the crude oil to local entrepreneurs, who use home-made refineries to produce low-grade petrol and other fuels for Syrians facing acute shortages.

The ability of Jabhat al-Nusra to profit from the oil locally, despite international sanctions which have hindered its sale abroad, will be particularly worrying to the European Union, which has voted to ease the embargo but at the same time wants to marginalise the extremist group within the opposition.

In the battle for the future of the rebel cause, the oil-fields may begin to play an increasingly strategic role. All are in the three provinces closest to Iraq – Hasakeh, Deir al-Zour, and Raqqa, while the Iraqi border regions are the homeland of the Islamic State of Iraq, as al-Qaeda’s branch in the country calls itself.

Because of sanctions, Jabhat’s oil is largely shipped to thousands of home-built mini-refineries that have sprung up across the north of the country. The crude is distilled in hand-welded vats dug into the ground and heated with burning oil residue.

The Jabhat Al Nusra, a proscribed islamic militant group control the oil fields and cannot export due to sanctions, so this provides some cash flow to the rebel cause as well as much needed fuel for Northern Syria

It is not clear how much money is being channelled back to the group. But all those buying the raw product were aware that Jabhat was profiting.

Their product might not meet the quality, and certainly the health and safety standards, demanded by Shell or ExxonMobil, but it provides a living to thousands of blackened figures willing to risk the business’s inherent dangers.

In parts of north-east Syria, the stills are set up by every road-side, the produce sold like fruit from lay-bys to drivers as they pass. But the unquestioned centre of the industry is the desert outside the small town of Mansoura, a few miles west of Raqqa city and on the other side of the Euphrates River.

Here, the entire horizon is a blighted scene of billowing clouds out of which dark figures occasionally emerge on foot or roaring motor-bikes. Near the road sit oil tankers carrying the raw product.

“I make 3000 Syrian pounds (about £15) a day,” said Adel Hantoush, 19, his legs dripping with crude, a filthy headscarf wrapped around his face. A building site casual labourer in better times, he helps support his father, mother and nine brothers and sisters.

Black smoke blew past his head as colleagues poured fuel into the burning pit under their tank. “The last thing I think about is my health,” he said. “If I don’t do this, my family will die.”

The amateur production process is quite simple, and easily explained in school text books.

The oil is heated slowly, with the different grades of product evaporating at different temperatures. The vapour is fed through pipes channelled through pits filled with water to recondense it as a liquid, which runs out into containers at the other end.

Near Raqqa, they pay 4000 Syrian pounds (£20) a barrel, with the price rising for smaller quantities and as the distance increases. A single refining vat can take six barrels at a time, producing maybe 30 litres of petrol, similar quantities of cooking fuel and higher amounts of diesel.

Abdulwahad Abdullah, a wheat farmer from north of Raqqa who runs a single still through two five-hour cycles a day, says he can make 20,000 pound profit (£100) on a good day.

It is a Mad Max scene, indicative of the chaos the war has unleashed in Syria, creating a landscape ideal for the methods of dominance al-Qaeda learned in post-war Iraq.

General Selim Idriss, the head of the western-backed opposition Military Council, has appealed for Western help specifically to seize the fields from Jabhat, but the forces required – he put it at 30,000 men – make that a pipe dream. Even pro-Western rebel militias in the area admit that the level of support received from the council is at present minimal.

They have promised to take on Jabhat al-Nusra once the fighting is over, but they are split and fighting among themselves, with their lack of money forcing some to turn to looting and extortion to fund themselves, further alienating the local population.

In Raqqa, they also control flour production, earning money from selling to bakeries, some of which they own as well. “Jabhat now own everything here,” one disillusioned secular activist said.

In other places they sell the flour at a loss, further endearing them to the local population.

Until now it has been a virtuous circle. Well-funded anyway from foreign contributions, they are able to avoid levying the fees – some say bribes – to pay their men and for supplies that have made other brigades increasingly unpopular. That in turn has been a major boon to recruitment, with thousands defecting to them.

Jabhat al-Nusra’s rule has not been easy. It has had to fight opposed local brigades, and has begun to face protests over its hardline policies – most recently last week after their public execution of three captured soldiers in Raqqa’s town square. The group said this was revenge for a massacre of civilians by pro-Assad forces in the coastal town of Baniyas.

Ominously, this was done in the name of “Islamic State of Iraq and Syria”, suggesting that Jabhat al-Nusra at least in the east is now fully under the control of the murderous Iraqi mother group.

Few are concerned about the downsides, though one man showed huge weals that had grown under his arm which he blamed on his days inhaling the dense black smoke.

One Mansoura man, Mahmoud Ismail, a computer technician who had come to the desert site to visit friends and was watching them pour petrol into barrels to take away, said he had tried the work for a single day. But he then gave it up when he thought about what he was inhaling.

“I came, did it, and then packed up and stopped,” he said. “It just wasn’t worth it.”

[…]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10065802/Al-Qaedas-Syrian-wing-takes-over-the-oilfields-once-belonging-to-Assad.html

May 19th, 2013, 7:24 pm

 

dawoud said:

Syria actress, May Skaff, explains that she told the Syrian regime’s detective who interrogated her during her detention that she “Didn’t want want her son to be ruled by Bashar!” She also said that “any intellectual who turns his back to the Syrian Revolution is a partner in [the regime] murder.”

Good for May Skaff! I wonder how many Ph.D. intellectuals are posting her on “Syria Comment” pro-dictator comments! Shame on them!

http://www.alquds.co.uk/?p=45535

مي سكاف: قلت للمحقق: لا أريد لإبني أن يرأسه حافظ بشار الأسد

تقول ان المثقف الذي يدير ظهره للثورة مشارك في القتل
May 19, 2013

لندن ـ ‘القدس العربي’: ‘مي سكاف يا صوت الحق، سكَّتوها قالت، لأ، ويلا ارحل يا بشار…’ بهذه الكلمات ردد الفنان الشعبي الشهيد ابراهيم القاشوش اسم مي سكاف الفنانة السورية في ليالي المليونية الشهيرة في ساحة العاصي في حماه، قبل أن ينهمر الرصاص ليقتل من يقتل من المتظاهرين السلميين.
وقبل ذلك كانت مي سكاف الفنانة اليسارية قد اعتقلت في مظاهرة الفنانين السوريين في دمشق في 13-7-2011 إلى جانب عدد آخر من المشاركين في التظاهرة بينهم الناشطة الحقوقية ريما فليحان، يم مشهدي، فادي زيدان، نضال حسن، سارة الطويل. وكان من بين أبرز الفنانين المشاركين في التظاهرة الفنان الراحل خالد تاجا. ومنذ ذلك التاريخ وحتى الآن، جرت دماء كثيرة في سوريا وامتلأت المعتقلات، عذب من عذب وقتل من قتل وفر من فر خارج سوريا وتوارى عن الأنظار من توارى، وجرى تفريغ الحياة الفنية والأدبية والفكرية في سوريا وشلها تماما في حملة دموية همجية قصدت إسكات الاصوات الحرة المعبرة عن ضمير الشعب السوري. وفي الوقت الذي تحولت فيه دمشق إلى معتقل كبير يمزق أوصاله 380 حاجزا للامن والشبيحة، وانعدمت كل مظاهر الحياة السلمية، ظلت الفنانة مي سكاف صامدة في بيتها في سفح جبل قاسيون بدمشق، في ظل أجواء من الإرهاب والمضايقات اليومية، لكن صوتها المجاهر بمساندة الثورة السورية لم يسكت، وعزيمتها لم تلن، وروحها الثائرة لم تهدأ. في هذا الحوار النادر معها، تقول: ‘لا أعرف شيئا عن نشاطات الثوار على الأرض لكنني أشعر أنني واحدة منهم’، و’في هذه الثورة نحن السوريين صرنا جسدا واحدا وروحا واحدة’. وتقول مسلحة بشعور عميق بالكرامة: عندي إحساس جميل أنني لو في لحظة من اللحظات استشهدت ستكون تلك اللحظة الأسعد في حياتي’. وتختم حديثها هذا بجملة واحدة: ‘سأظل لا أعرف إلا معنى واحد ووحيداً: يسقط الاستبداد’.
هنا حوار شامل مع مي سكاف أيقونة الثورة السورية الصامدة في دمشق.
*لماذا لم تخرجي من سوريا رغم المضايقات اليومية التي تتعرضين لها من قبل الأمن والشبيحة الذين يحتلون دمشق ويقطعون أوصالها بواسطة 380 حاجزا عسكريا وأمنيا كما تقول مختلف التقارير؟
*كيف أقول لك؟ بعضنا خرج بفعل الخوف، لكن الخوف ينبع من داخلنا، وعندما نقهره فينا لايعود هناك شيء يخيفنا، خصوصا عندما يصرخ فينا نداء الكرامة وتتساوى أسباب الحياة مع أسباب الموت، وهو ما حصل للشباب السوري الثائر على الطغيان. وجدت نفسي خجولة من شجاعتهم وفخورة بهم، فبقيت. تولدت لدي قناعة منذ الايام الأولى أن ما يجري في وطننا سوريا هو شيء تاريخي، وان الإنسان السوري استقظ. والذي صار معي انني رفضت الخروج وقت كان هناك مجال مع مجموعة الفنانين والمثقفين الذين خرجوا وبدا خروجهم مقنعا في ظل حملة الدهم والاعتقال والإرهاب والشلل اليومي. خياري الشخصي يومها أنني رفضت رفضا قاطعا الخروج.. هذا الرفض ليس لأنني اقوم بعمل استثنائي في أنشطة الثورة، ولكن لمجرد انني سأبقى هنا رغم هذا الداهم الصعب والمنتظر والعامر بالآمال. سبق لي أن سافرت خارج سوريا ولم أحب البلاد الباردة، لم أحب غيابي عن الشام. هنا في كل هذه الجلبة الدامية أشعر بكياني وباكتمالي.
أريد أن أستمر في سماع هذا القصف المدفعي مع الباقين هنا في دمشق. بالنسبة للذين يعملون على الأرض لا أعرف أي شيء عن عملهم… لكنني أشعر أنني واحدة منهم. وعندي إحساس جميل أنني لو في لحظة من اللحطات استشهدت ستكون تلك اللحظة الأسعد في حياتي. مت ولم أخرج مكرهة، وأنني لم أنصاع. المشكلة أن الشباب المناضلين داخل سوريا يشعرون أن لا دور لي الآن في ظل التحولات العاصفة التي غلبت عمل السلاح على العمل المدني. ولذلك يقولون لي يجب أن تخرجي. اخرجي واعملي شيئا في الخارج لأجل الثورة، لم يعد مفيدا وجودك هنا. وهم يرون دوري رمزيا وعاطفيا، أكثر منه عمليا.
أحسست أنني تراجعت لأسباب عاطفية وأمنية، بعض الأصدقاء كانوا يرون أن أبقى في التظاهر وفي أعمال الإغاثة. القرار الوحيد الذي أخذته تحت ضغط من أمي أن لا أخرج إلى الإعلام، ولا أتكلم في الفضائيات. كان هذا الطلب من أمي عندما خرجت من المعتقل، وافقت أن لا أتكلم ورفضت التصريح على القنوات، لا سيما انني على قناعة بأن لكل قناة أجندة خاصة بها. ‘الجزيرة’ صار بيني وبينها تجربة سيئة. وانا متأكدة بالنسبة إلى هذه القناة أنها عملت عن سابق تصور وتصميم على تهميش الحراك السلمي والثوري في المناطق التي فيها أقليات حدث هذا في فترة من الفترات.
كان هناك نشاط سلمي للثورة السورية في ثلاث قرى علوية وأخبرني الشباب أن قناة ‘الجزيرة’ ترفض عرض ما يرسلون لها عن نشاطهم. لا يبتهجون كثيرا لفكرة أن في تلك المناطق هناك حراك مصرون على أن المناطق االعلوية ليس فيها حراك. هذا كان قديما. الآن تغيرت الأمور. لكن ظلت نسبية التغير تشبه نسبة الحراك نفسه.

الغوطة دمرت
*تتابعين ما يجري في الغوطة الشرقية، قراها وبساتينها ومناطقها المأهولة.. ما الذي يجري هناك؟ ما هي معلوماتك اليومية عما يجري في الغوطة؟
*الغوطة الشرقية؟ لم يعد هناك غوطة. الغوطة لم تعد موجودة، لاعربين ولازملكا، ولا غيرها.. المناطق كلها دمرت نهائيا، عندي فيديوهات يمكنك معها أن ترى كيف أنها كلها صارت على الأرض.
كل أنواع القذائف ضربت على تلك الغوطة. وبسبب البطولات الاسطورية للجيش الحر هي صامدة. هناك جيل كامل استشهد، قادة الكتائب الثوار على الأرض قدموا أنفسهم شهداء على مذبح الحرية، أجيال كاملة انتهت وأجيال جديدة من القادة ولدت في الواقع وعلى الأرض.

المثقفون والثورة
*المثقفون السوريون أخذوا مواقف مختلفة منهم من وقف مع الثورة ومنهم من وضع قدما هنا وقدما هناك. منهم من صمت، ولم يتكلم، وصار معتكفا، ومنهم من عادى الثورة بوضوح، أو عاداها بخبث المرواغ. كيف كانت توقعاتك لمواقف المثقفين؟
* رأيي أن هناك ثلاثة أسباب، لو شئت أن تنظر معي من زاوية تحليل ماركسية. المثقفون غالبا ما ينتمون إلى الطبقة الوسطى أو هم يرتقون إليها. هذه الطبقة الانتهازية في الأخير هي عندي كما تبدت في سوريا كانت أقرب إلى مهرجي القصور في الدراما القديمة. هناك قسم من المثقفين ظهر مرتبكا لم يعرف كيف يتصرف ولا أين يذهب. وكان صادقا في ارتباكه، ولأنه لم يوقع ‘بيان الحليب’ لأجل أطفال درعا، ولم ير البذاءة التي تعرضنا لها ولا تعرض للتشبيح، ولكونه طوال حياته كان يسمع عن الممانعة والنظام الممانع وأساطيره الكاذبة ويصدق ما يسمع، صدق حكاية العصابات المسلحة. لم يكن لديه حظ أن يتعرف إلى مثقفين من أمثال فواز الساجر وسعد الله ونوس وممدوح عدوان ومحمد الماغوط ومنى واصف ليتعرف من خلالهم وبواسطة وعي مختلف متقدم على حقيقة النظام. لم يقل له أحد كيف هي الحقيقة.
بالنسبة لي ومع أنني سمعت هؤلاء الناس وربيت في بيئتهم ونقاشاتهم وخلافاتهم…مع ذلك لو أن عاطف نجيب حاكم درعا لم يتصرف بالطريقة التي تصرف بها مع اطفال درعا ومع رجالاتها ما كنت أخذت الموقف الذي أنا عليه اليوم.
إذن لو أنني لم أكن شاركت بالتوقيع على ‘بيان الحليب’ الخاص بدرعا وأخذت موقفا وشاركت في التظاهرات وفي البيانات اللاحقة وفي التعبير عن سخطي ومشاركتي في ما شاركت فيه لأجل التغيير الديمقراطي. لكنت ربما مثلهم لا أفقه شيئا من حقيقة هذا النظام الدموي.

بدك حرية؟!
*لكن موقفك المعارض أسبق على ‘بيان الحليب’، فأنت من المثقفات السوريات اللواتي وقعن على إعلان دمشق للتغير الديمقراطي، اليس كذلك؟
* عندك حق، كنت صغيرة عندما وقعت على ‘إعلان دمشق’ يومها جرى التشبيح علي من قبل زعران السلطة وجاءني تلفون من مكتب عقاري بمشروع دمر وإذا بالمتكلم هو أمين الفرع الفلاني، قال: لسانك أقصه لك. وقتها كنت في الجامعة. لذلك قلت إن بعض أبناء المثقفين من الطبقة الوسطى لم يختبروا قذارة النظام. إنهم لم يلمسوا بايديهم الجمر، ولا يعرفون النظام وتاريخه الأسود. سمعوا من حماه كلمتين فقط ‘أحداث حماه’ لم يقرأوا عما فعله حافظ الاسد بتلك المدينة السورية الشهيدة.
يقولون في سوريا حرية. ما هي الحرية يا سيدي؟ إنها حرية الخروج في الليل، حرية السهر، حرية الأكل والشرب واللبس. هل هذه هي الحرية؟ وماذا عن الأفواه المكممة؟ ماذا عن الكرامة المهدورة؟ ماذا عن الفقر والألم والمرض؟ ماذا عن التهميش؟ ماذا عن الإذلال اليومي والاستعباد اليومي للبشر؟ ماذا عن ضياع الآمال؟ ماذا عن مشكلات الشباب وانعدام الفرص؟ ماذا عن الفساد الإداري، كل شيء برشوة والناس في ضيق ذات اليد؟، والسوريون ينحدرون من سيء أسوأ؟

أكتب أم أضرب؟
*يعني حرية أن تفعل بنفسك ما تشاء ولكن بعيدا عنهم، بعيدا عن الثروة التي نهبوها من الناس، وعن الدولة التي استملكوها واستحكموا بها وصارت مملكتهم وصار السوريون عبيدهم؟
* نعم أن تفعل بنفسك ما تشاء ولكن بعيدا عنهم. في فرع الأمن الجنائي أثناء التوقيف عند المخابرات سألني مدون التحقيق: شوبدك إنت، بدك حرية؟ كان الضابط يسأل والمدون يسجل أقوالي في دفتره، وكان الضابط جادا في سؤاله فهو يريد حقا أن يعرف جوابا حقيقيا مني. قلت: ‘ما بدي إبني أنو يكون رئيسه حافظ بشار الأسد’. توقف المدون عن التدوين ونظر في وجه المحقق خائفا من تلك الجملة. وفي نظرته سؤال حائر معناه: هل أكتب هذا؟
إذ ذاك أعدت عليه الجملة باللغة الفصحى ورجوته أن يكتبها في التحقيق باللغة الفصحى حرفيا: لا أريد لأبني أن يرأسه ابن بشار الأسد’. نظر مرة أخرى نحو معلمه فقال له الضابط: اكتبها.
تخيل لم يجرؤ على كتابة ما قلت، صار يرجف ونظر في وفي المحقق وكأن نظرته كانت تقول: أكتب أم أضرب؟
*أعود إلى الطبقة الوسطى السورية التي تنتمي إليها غالبية المثقفين، الواقع أن أكثر أبناء هذه الطبقة في سوريا خائف من الإسلاميين، والإسلاميون في الواقع يتزايدون في الحراك الثوري لا نستطيع أبدا أن ننكر وجودهم. وهناك بينهم من يقول لك ‘نصراني ونصيري’… إلخ.
[…]

May 19th, 2013, 7:34 pm

 

ghufran said:

May Skaff:
في فرع الأمن الجنائي أثناء التوقيف عند المخابرات سألني مدون التحقيق: شوبدك إنت، بدك حرية؟ كان الضابط يسأل والمدون يسجل أقوالي في دفتره، وكان الضابط جادا في سؤاله فهو يريد حقا أن يعرف جوابا حقيقيا مني. قلت: ‘ما بدي إبني أنو يكون رئيسه حافظ بشار الأسد’. توقف المدون عن التدوين ونظر في وجه المحقق خائفا من تلك الجملة. وفي نظرته سؤال حائر معناه: هل أكتب هذا؟
إذ ذاك أعدت عليه الجملة باللغة الفصحى ورجوته أن يكتبها في التحقيق باللغة الفصحى حرفيا: لا أريد لأبني أن يرأسه ابن بشار الأسد’. نظر مرة أخرى نحو معلمه فقال له الضابط: اكتبها.
تخيل لم يجرؤ على كتابة ما قلت، صار يرجف ونظر في وفي المحقق وكأن نظرته كانت تقول: أكتب أم أضرب؟
That is something most Syrians can agree on.
Here is a blast from the past:
عاد عبد الله الدردري إلى دمشق بعد غياب طويل في زيارة رسمية هذه المرة بصفته كبير الاقتصاديين في الأمم المتحدة، حاملاً مشروعاً لإعادة اعمار سوريا.
و كان الدردري شغل لسنوات، منصب نائب رئيس مجلس الوزراء للشؤون الاقتصادية، و ينقم الكثير من السوريين عليه لسياساته الاقتصادية، محملين اياه مسؤولية تردي الاوضاع الاقتصادية في البلاد.
و يشغل الدردري منصب مدير إدارة التنمية الاقتصادية والعولمة في اللجنة الاقتصادية والاجتماعية لغرب آسيا(الاسكوا) التابعة للأمم المتحدة.
ووفقاً لوكالة الأنباء السورية، فإن الدردري حظي باستقبال رسمي كبير من دخوله إلى البلاد من الحدود اللبنانية .
وعقد الدردري اجتماعين مع فيصل المقداد والدكتور محمد غسان الحبش وفريق هيئة التخطيط والتعاون الدولي..
وحسب “سانا” فقد استعرض نائب وزير خارجية النظام مع الدردري المشروع الذي تعمل عليه الاسكوا لإعادة تأهيل البنى التحتية في سورية بمختلف القطاعات.
ومن المقرر أن يواصل الدردري لقاءاته غداً الاثنين ومن أبرزها لقاء وائل الحلقي رئيس مجلس الوزراء.

May 19th, 2013, 7:34 pm

 

Ameera said:

تارا شو بدي أول غير الله يكتب الخير ومن تمك لباب السما بس الواقع غير هيك بنوب

هلأ انتي مافي داعي لا تتغطي ولا تلبسي منديل بس طولي بالك شي سنتين لحتا الناس تئتل بعضها على المزبوط و بعدين انزلي و لا تنسي تترحمي علينا حبيبتي

May 19th, 2013, 8:01 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Ameera
7Hasni neetek wa ed3i la rabbek, barki allah ba3di esmo biyeb3atlek 3arees, malo zep

May 19th, 2013, 8:02 pm

 

Ameera said:

هلأ المسيحية الكاتوليك بيئولو انو البابا خليفة الله في الارض
والشيعة بيئولو انو الخميني ظل الله في الارض
دخلكم هدول جماعة النصرة و الجهاد شو بيئولو عن حالون؟ بس دخيلكم ما يكونو الملائكة اندر كفر يعني

May 19th, 2013, 8:06 pm

 

Ameera said:

يو يبعتلك لك اخي ماجد خلدون ولك من تمك لباب السما ان شالله
بس لو بدا تشتي كانت غيمت ومافي يا حسره بنوب اي ازا ايام الهنا ما تزوزت هلأ بدك يجي عريس الغفلة

May 19th, 2013, 8:10 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Ameera
Allah karim, mbare7 sme2t wahdeh tzawwajet, hay rabe3 marra, al zwaj sahl kteer

May 19th, 2013, 8:18 pm

 

Ameera said:

يلا يا رب حواليك عريس وهلأ ببعتلك صورتي واذا في نية ببعتلك العنوان مشان تبعتو النسوان علا فنجان قهوه

May 19th, 2013, 8:24 pm

 

Dawoud said:

938. MAJEDKHALDOUN

عيب يا اخ ماجد. وبعدين ليش بصيع في وقتك والارهابيون من حزب الشيطان والحرس الثوري الايراني المحتل بقتل في السوريين في القصير؟ !!

May 19th, 2013, 8:26 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Yalli tzawwajoto huweh asghar minha b 12 seneh, phalastini, sahih biqolo khod menun w la ta3teehom, bas al falastineyyeh s7habeen 3eshra, aleel ma y talqo wo mna7 la deenon

May 19th, 2013, 8:28 pm

 

Tara said:

No Ameera,

Do not marry the traditional way. You must fall in love first.

May 19th, 2013, 8:29 pm

 

Dawoud said:

945. TARA

There things are more important than wasting your time with him or her! Do you think that the courageous people in al-Qasir will be able to stop the forces of the murderous al-Assad and the Lebanese Terrorists from the Shia Hizbass?

See:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/20/world/middleeast/syrian-army-moves-to-rebel-held-qusayr.html?hp&_r=0
Syrian Army and Hezbollah Advance Into Key Rebel City
By ANNE BARNARD and HALA DROUBI
Published: May 19, 2013

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Syrian government forces backed by Lebanese fighters from the militant group Hezbollah pushed Sunday into parts of a strategic city long held by rebels, according to both an antigovernment activist and pro-government news channels. If the advance holds, it would be a serious setback for opponents of President Bashar al-Assad and further inflame regional tensions

May 19th, 2013, 8:33 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

SorryDawoud
Qusayr is most likely will put up a strong fight, Hizb Allah and Assad thugs will lose thousand soldier,it will be another stalingrad,but in reality, they are surrounded and overwhelmed, they need help from Qalamoon fighters, God be with them

May 19th, 2013, 8:35 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Tara
Love is important,but the parent approval is always a blessing otherwise there will be hard marriage with problem

Dawoud
Qusayr importance is the population is 40,000, it is not good for HA to go there, they will never be trusted anymore,they emptied their forces from southern Lebanon, leaving the front open to Israeli army, they will regret their action

May 19th, 2013, 8:44 pm

 

Tara said:

Dear Dawoud,

It is ok to be silly. It is self defense against all this ugliness and it is rather benign. I used to love Bronco, an avid regime supporter who suddenly disappeared, because I was able to say to him the most silliest thing in the world yet he always maintained a funny non-judgmental politeness.

Or, we can all take a cocktail of SSRI.

May 19th, 2013, 8:44 pm

 

dawoud said:

949. Tara

…yes, I am not upset. But, I really want to ask those who know al-Qasir area-which could be a turning point, especially if Hizbass and the regime lose! Majed says that the Qasir area is 40,000 and would be difficult for HA to control! Good! Anything more assuring to add?

May 19th, 2013, 8:50 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Dear Dawoud
No Qusayr is not a turning point,by that you mean the rebels will start losing, infact it will be a point to argue with Europe and USA to start supplying the rebels with weapons, Qusayr will be taken again by the rebels , Assad can not maintain forces there,meanwhile several towns belong to Assad sect has been taken by forces belong to Qassem Saad eddin.lose some , gain some

May 19th, 2013, 8:59 pm

 

Ameera said:

عن جد اخي ماجد لك شو قصة الفلاسطينية وين ما بدير وجي بلاقي فلاسطينية

يا ريت يا تارا يا ريت حب و انحب متل ايام زمان بس خلص اللي راح راح وانا راحت علي الظاهر

انا كنت مخطوبة لفلاسطيني هيك طويل اسمراني كتافو عراض و عيونو شهل و يا حبيبتي ما الك بطولة السيرة حبينا بعض احلى قصة حب يعني ولا روميو و جولييت يا ستي شفنا بعض اول مرة بمظاهرة مشان غزة وانا كنت لابسة الكوفية الفلاسطينة على كتافي و وائفة على باب صالون الشعر يلي بيشتغل فيه المهم اجى العينتين بدو كاسة مي وألي بالفلسطيني خيتا ممكن شربة مي وبعد ما شرب ألي مياتكم اطيب واحلى من مية زمزم فرديت عليه يوه ليش بئا فرد علي لانو من ايديكي الحلوين وانا ما عاد فيني وركض على جوات المحل. حاصلو بعد اسبوع بتيجي زبونة بطير ضبانات العئل و انا عم سشور شعرا بتئلي انا مبعوتة لعندك لانو زميلي بعدو عطشان من بعد شربة المي من ايدك

لك اه عدي فنا شو كان لسانو حلو وبدوب

May 19th, 2013, 9:08 pm

 

Ameera said:

اوعى يطئلق عرء اخي روح اتوضى وصليلك ركعتين بركي رب العباد بحللك مشكلتك

May 19th, 2013, 9:11 pm

 

Dawoud said:

951. majedkhaldoun

I do agree with you that the dictator’s forces wouldn’t be able to stay and the rebels could take it back. How many times the regime has had to conquer Homs? I say the rebels “could,” not “will” because, unlike Homs, the Shia fighters/terrorists from Lebanon’s HA could stay in al-Qasir as an occupation force and keep it in the dictator’s column for some time. قوات الاحتلال الارهابيه من حزب الشيطان الشيعي اللبناني

P.S., thanks Majed for ignoring the intentional pro-dictator distraction attempts-which are intended to prevent you and TARA from posting anti-dictator comments. Don’t fall into the trap!

May 19th, 2013, 9:19 pm

 

Ameera said:

الحديث رواه الإمام مسلم في الصحيح أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم قال “من دعا رجلا بالكفر أو قال عدو الله وليس كذلك إلا صار عليه”

والمعنى أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم حذرنا أن نقول لمسلم يا كافر أو يا عدو الله وبين لنا أن من قال ذلك لمسلم يعود عليه وبال هذه الكلمة

May 19th, 2013, 9:23 pm

 

Dawoud said:

http://www.aljazeera.net/news/pages/2c960365-1bab-4655-ad25-332a5df8dd99

معارك عنيفة بالقصير والثوار يؤكدون سيطرتهم

نفى ناشطون سوريون ما نقله التلفزيون الرسمي عن مصدر عسكري من أن قوات النظام دخلت إلى وسط مدينة القصير بريف حمص. وتسبب القصف العنيف على القصير بمقتل 48 شخصا، في حين ارتفع عدد ضحايا رصاص قوات النظام اليوم إلى 82 قتيلا في عموم البلاد.

وقال ناشطون في مدينة القصير إن الجيش الحر ما زال يسيطر على وسط المدينة بالرغم من القصف العنيف، ونفوا ما ذكره التلفزيون الرسمي عن سقوط خطي دفاع المعارضة المسلحة الشرقي والجنوبي بالمدينة ودخول القوات النظامية إلى الأحياء الشرقية والجنوبية وصولا إلى مركز المدينة.

جبهة القصير
ومن جهته، قال ائتلاف مدينة القصير إن القوات النظامية المدعمة بعناصر من حزب الله اللبناني شنت منذ الليلة الماضية هجمة عنيفة على المدينة، مؤكدا وصول معدل القصف إلى خمسين قذيفة في الدقيقة الواحدة مع شروق الشمس.

وأضاف أن القصف يشمل كافة أنواع الأسلحة الثقيلة، من البراميل المتفجرة، والمدفعية، و راجمات الصواريخ، و قذائف الهاون، وأن سلاح الجو شن ثلاث غارات خلال ساعة واحدة.

وتحدث ائتلاف مدينة القصير عن اشتباكات ما زالت قائمة في المنطقة، مؤكدا اشتراك مقاتلين من مدينتي طرابلس وصيدا في لبنان إلى جانب الثوار السوريين، حيث تمكنوا من تدمير ست ﺩبابات أثناء محاولتها اقتحام المدينة.

وقالت الشبكة السورية لحقوق الإنسان إن 48 شخصاً قتلوا وأصيب العشرات جراء القصف، ووصف المتحدث باسم الهيئة العامة للثورة ال

May 19th, 2013, 9:26 pm

 

revenire said:

The Army Restores Security and Stability to Most of al-Qseir in Homs

HOMS, (SANA) – The Army units restored security and stability to most of al-Qseir city neighborhoods in Homs countryside and eliminated large numbers of terrorists, most of them non-Syrians.

A military source told SANA reporter that dozens of terrorists laid down their weapons and surrendered to the army, adding that scores of terrorists were arrested in cooperation with the locals.

Among the killed terrorists were Nawaf Alwani, leader of a terrorist group affiliated to Jabhet al-Nusra terrorist organization, Alaa Amer, Jamal Khankan, Mohammad Jamal al-Mashhadani, Mohammad Bakr, Mohammad al-Abdullah, Ahmad Sahms Eddin, Abdul-Aziz al-Itr, Khedr Sabra, Basel Mohammad Turkmani, Maher Sukkar and Khaled Rahal.

The army is currently pursuing the armed terrorist groups in some areas in the city.

The Armed Forces destroyed large numbers of tunnels used by the terrorists to carry out their terrorist acts and hide their weaponry and equipment in them.

The army also seized huge amounts of weapons and ammunition and dismantled dozens of explosive devices planted by the terrorists on the roads and in the buildings.

M. Nassr/ Mazen

http://sana.sy/eng/337/2013/05/19/483078.htm

May 19th, 2013, 9:30 pm

 

revenire said:

Dave it is good to see you’re a military strategist. We need more of them here. I shall relay your orders to the SAA High Command.

May 19th, 2013, 9:31 pm

 

dawoud said:

Arresting Lebanon’s chief terrorist Nasrass of Hizbass has become a humanitarian necessity given his ongoing crimes in al-Qasir!

May 19th, 2013, 9:34 pm

 
 

revenire said:

FIELD REPORT AND MAP FOR AL-QASEIR !! ..

– Syrian Army Troops began to enter the City of Al-Qaseir at approximately five o’clock in the morning from several axes, namely from the southern and south-eastern and south-western regions, amid violent clashes with Armed Terrorists ..

– Syrian Army Troops captured in the last few hours the south and south-eastern regions of the city, down to the Garage area which is a current Combat zone, and is under the control of the Army.

– Syrian Army Troops have also taken control of the Town Hall and the Educational Complex, the “Kneseh” neighbourhood and the Cemetery, with the north and north-western part of the city remaining as the most prominent and the most important point, as the Headquarters for Armed Terrorists, including the National Hospital and the Agricultural Bank.

– Syrian Army Troops engaged in violent clashes with Armed Terrorists in the “Al-Hamidiya” village north of Al-Qaseir City, when Terrorists were attempting to escape from the City, resulting in a large number of Armed Mercenaries eliminated ..

– Syrian Army Troops destroyed the Headquarters for Armed Terrorists which was regarded as the main Center of Operations and Communications for the City ..

– Syrian Army Troops opened an outlet for civilians to exit the city, with large numbers reportedly have now left and are outside the City of Al-Qaseir ..

– The Surrender of a large numbers of Mercenaries in the City and others arrested ..

– Syrian Army force bombed the Headquarters of Armed Terrorists in the eastern “Al-Bouaydah district, resulting in large numbers of deaths among Mercenaries …

http://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/481737_456821971075991_842015084_n.jpg

MAP LEGEND:
=============================
Red Arrow: – Entry points to Al-Qaseir City by the Syrian Army.

Syrian Arab Flags: – Concentration points and Army control

Blue Flag: – The proliferation of Armed Terrorist positions.

Blue Arrows: – The movements of Armed Terrorists.

Red circle: – Areas of clashes

Green Line: The line of contact between the Syrian Arab Army and Armed Terrorists ..
=============================

LOOKING GREAT AND GOD IS PROTECTING OUR ARMY … – J

Haider Razouk Media

May 19th, 2013, 9:37 pm

 

revenire said:

Brother Majed that’s nonsense. Syria doesn’t use chemical weapons and never will. It is only desperation to try to get NATO to attack and NATO doesn’t have the belly for it.

Assad will declare victory in 2013.

Our army is strong.

May 19th, 2013, 9:39 pm

 

dawoud said:

This video is about the Syrian/HA terrorist assault on al-Qasir despite the Arabic headline about Tunisia

May 19th, 2013, 9:47 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Revinir
how do you define victory?

May 19th, 2013, 9:48 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

*Your comment is awaiting moderation.*

Revinir
how do you define victory?

May 19th, 2013, 9:49 pm

 

revenire said:

Brother you know.

May 19th, 2013, 9:51 pm

 

dawoud said:

http://newspaper.annahar.com/article.php?t=main&p=1&d=25080

القوات السورية تقتحم القصير ومخاوف من مجزرة
المعارضة تدعو إلى التنديد بعدوان “حزب الله”

اجتماع عاجل للجنة الوزارية العربية المعنية بالأزمة السورية الخميس في القاهرة
بان يعبر عن ثقته بإمكان عقد مؤتمر “جنيف – 2” مطلع حزيران

بعد ساعات من تأكيد الرئيس السوري بشار الاسد تمسكه بالسلطة حتى موعد الانتخابات الرئاسية المقررة سنة 2014، قاطعا الطريق عملياً على أي مفاوضات في شأن مرحلة انتقالية تؤدي الى ازاحته، حاول تغيير الخريطة العسكرية للمعارك على الارض، دافعاً بقواته تحت غطاء من الغارات الجوية والقصف المدفعي، في اتجاه مدينة القصير على الحدود مع لبنان،والتي يسيطر عليها الثوار منذ نحو سنة، في مسعى لتشديد قبضة النظام على شريط استراتيجي يمتد من العاصمة دمشق الى المتوسط. وتشكل هذه التطورات الميدانية انتكاسة للمعارضة السورية وقد تزيد التوتر في المنطقة وسط تقارير عن “دور مركزي” لـ”حزب الله” في المعارك، كما تعقد جهود واشنطن لعقد مؤتمر”جنيف-2″ للبحث في حل سلمي للأزمة السورية. (راجع العرب والعالم)
وفي ظل هذه الاجواء، دعت جامعة الدول العربية الى اجتماع عاجل للجنة الوزارية العربية المعنية بالأزمة السورية على مستوى وزراء الخارجية الخميس المقبل في مقر الأمانة العامة للجامعة بالقاهرة، وناشد “الائتلاف الوطني لقوى الثورة والمعارضة السورية” “مجلس الامن “التنديد بعدوان حزب الله”.

القصير
وتمكنت القوات النظامية السورية من دخول مدينة القصير التابعة لمحافظة حمص، ولكن المقاتلين المعارضين قللوا اهمية مكتسبات الجيش، قائلين انهم يبدون مقاومة شديدة في المدينة.
وافاد مصدر عسكري ان القوات السورية “تمكنت من دخول مدينة القصير وبسطت سيطرتها على الساحة الرئيسية وسط المدينة ورفعت العلم السوري على مبنى البلدية”.
وقال جندي نظامي عبر التلفزيون السوري ان الجيش تخلى عن الجبهة الشمالية الغربية للسماح للسكان بالخروج، الامر الذي نفاه معارضون، منددين بـ”حصار خانق يفرضه النظام وحزب الله”.
وحذر مدير “المرصد السوري لحقوق الانسان” الذي يتخذ لندن مقراً له رامي عبد الرحمن من انه “اذا تمكن الجيش من السيطرة على القصير، فان كل محافظة حمص ستسقط” في أيدي النظام. وتخوّف من حصول “مجزرة” اذا سيطرت القوات النظامية على المدينة. ولفت الى ان أفراد “حزب الله” “يضطلعون “بدور مركزي في هذه المعركة”.
ومساء، قال المرصد ان عدد الضحايا في مدينة القصير ارتفع الى 52 قتيلا، هم ثلاث نساء ورجل قتلوا نتيجة القصف، الى 48 قتيلا في صفوف المقاتلين المعارضين واولئك الموالين
[…]

May 19th, 2013, 9:59 pm

 

Visitor said:

Fifty lashes for each of those two criminals in Saraqeb are not enough.

This is a joke. Besides, the lashes were not applied with enough force!!

May 19th, 2013, 10:00 pm

 

revenire said:

I’m crying as I read that Nusra is falling apart.

Jabhat Al-Nusra Shows Its Cracks
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/05/al-nusra-syria-jihadists-divisions.html

May 19th, 2013, 10:02 pm

 

revenire said:

We are a few months away from the 2 year anniversary of Obama (the real head of Al-Qaeda) insisting Assad must go. Now Obama insists Assad must take part in a conference.

Assad has beaten the United States.

God is great.

May 19th, 2013, 10:04 pm

 

revenire said:

“Video was filmed early in the day from the Lebanese border. The shots can be heard from Al-Qusayr.”

May 19th, 2013, 10:34 pm

 

Ameera said:

منئول

قصة من السجن بتحرء القلب

شهادة من احد المعتقلين المفرج عنهم :

المكان فرع أمن الدولة 251 (فرع الخطيب) :

بينما كنا جالسين دخل وهو يمسك بطفله بيده … كان عمر الطفل لا يتجاوز الثماني سنوات .. هو من الشاغور ويلبس الكلابية وملتح لكنه ليس بسلفي … كلنا استغرب وجود طفل في الثامنة من عمره في هكذا مكان مقيت … استلمه بعض الشبان بالاسئلة التي كانت في هذه المرة مختلفة عن الاسئلة المعتادة … ما هو الوضع في الخارج ولمن السيطرة … وهل من رائحة عفو سيصدر قريبا …
لا لم تكن هذه هي الاسئلة … بل كان السؤال عن سبب مجيء الطفل …
صدمنا عندما عرفنا انه كان يشتري لابنه ثيابا عندما لم يعجبهم منظر لحيته وهي يمشي في الشارع فاعتقلوه وابنه …
دخل علينا وفي المهجع الذي كان يحوي 400 معتقل … وبقي وطفله بلا نوم
وعندما نادوه الى التحقيق طلبوا منه الاعتراف بانه مسلح وقد ضرب العديد من الحواجز مع ارهابيي جبهة النصرة و عصابات الجيش الحر على حد وصفهم
وقد تعرض للتعذيب بالدولاب والكرابيج مما أدى الى جرح قدمه , وسرعان ما اتهب هذا الجرح … وانتفخت ساقه … وبعد ايام قلائل كان الموت … نعم لقد مات بصمت … وترك طفله عهدة عندنا … مات واحترقت قلوبنا على هذا الطفل … كان يكلم اباه ولا يجيب …
حاولنا ان نهدأ من روع الطفل … فكذبنا عليه واخبرناه ان اباه مرض وقد اخذوه الى المشفى وانه سيعود بين اللحظة والاخرى … وفعلا لم يكذب الابن ما قلناه رابط عند الباب ليستقبل اباه عندما يعود من المشفى .
وفي اليوم التالي وعندما لم يعد اباه من المشفى …
اقترب الطفل مني وقال ابي عند الملائكة اليس كذلك ؟؟؟؟
لم اعرف ماذا اجيبه بغير دمعة وصوت محروق انه في المشفى وسيعود قريبا
وبعد وفاة الاب ب5 ايام اطلق سراح الطفل عند الساعة ال 3 صباحا ولكن هل نجى الطفل الذي عاد لمنزله لوحده بعد منتصف الليل

May 19th, 2013, 11:00 pm

 

revenire said:

The powerful Yakhonts anti-ship cruise missiles have advanced terminal guidance and can sink aircraft carriers.

Putin was kind enough to send more of these recently.

May 19th, 2013, 11:13 pm

 

Ameera said:

ريفرين

أديش بدا قولتك لتخلص هالأزمة؟ معئول ان شالله يرجع الامان من هون لآخر السنة؟

May 19th, 2013, 11:30 pm

 

Ghufran said:

If I was a rebel supporter I would start to plan for the post Q’sair period , half of the city is now rebels-free but the battle is not over, regime forces will certainly face stiff resistance but not for long, it it a matter of days, if the rebels do not receive quick assistance , before Q’sair will be won by regime forces, however, that does not mean the war is over or that the regime has won, large parts of Syria are still in rebel hands but I am not sure for how long, the rebels made a number of political and military mistakes, at the top is their failure to unify and their acceptance of nusra and Islamist groups that do not have a Syrian agenda and that cost the opposition valuable domestic and international support. The longer the opposition wait to accept a cease fire the harder it will be to win concessions from the regime who has managed to paint the rebels with the ugly color of alqaida .
Parties and countries who support rebels will now try to make advances in other parts of Syria after losing in reef Dimashq and Homs.
As for Assad , he will not be able to win another term for a number of reasons but he is counting on an opposition that is divided and ineffective and is now dominated by people who are not liked by Syrians and absolutely hated by the West who is attempting to create a new version of the NC and the FSA that is more palatable but that can take years, Syria can not wait for this miracle to happen,people have had enough.

May 19th, 2013, 11:43 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

The only thing the Assadists can successfully fight against are women and children. Against anyone with an ounce of fighting power, they lose.

The war continues. The Assadists have lost two-thirds of the country. They STILL can’t re-capture Homs. They’ve lost Raqqa and Daraa recently. They got shat upon by Israel. And they’re celebrating?

What losers.

May 19th, 2013, 11:43 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

Assadists (for 40 years): “We can beat Israel anytime!!”

(Israel bombs them. Repeatedly.)

Assadists: “Next time we’ll get you back for it!!!”

LOSERS. The Assadists and their moronic supporters are all talk, and no walk.

The Assadists and Hezbollah cant’ do squat militarily except massacre women and children.

May 19th, 2013, 11:45 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

@ Ghufran

Pffft. Any Sunni village that has been bombed by the Assadists will NEVER accept their rule again.

The Assadists have spent a MONTH trying to recapture a single measly village in Homs. They evacuated and consolidated their forces from Daraa and Raqqa for the SOLE PURPOSE of re-capturing the villages around Homs. They STILL have no succeeded.

The tribes and the Kurds and the refugees will NEVER accept their rule again. Their rule is already over for most of the country. And while the rebels are not perfect, they’re considered better than the moronic and brutal Assadists, whose army at this point consists almost ENTIRELY of Shiites and who have made MANY more mistakes than the rebels.

The war continues.

May 19th, 2013, 11:54 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

@ Ghufran

You think any Sunni is going to accept Hezbollah/Iranian rule over Syria?

You’re a total idiot if you think that. The Assadists at this point are little more than an Iranian puppet, and EVERYONE knows that.

The war continues.

May 19th, 2013, 11:57 pm

 

Ghufran said:

Thanks god that the future of Syria will not be decided by kids with an Internet connection, AIRs do not bother me, expect those fools to get angry every time a solution to this conflict starts to emerge, Syria must be for all Syrians, foreigners are after their own interests, Syrians need to do the same, I knew from the first day I started posting here that I will upset Islamists and Israelis in disguise,that actually make me more determined to write on this blog, I have no intention to dignify little minds with a response, Israel, Turkey and the GCC are the only parties who now support this war, Syrians do not.
I ,like most Syrians , will support any initiative that stops this war, keeping this conflict alive will only help Israel and divide Syria along sectarian lines, most Syrians do not want that, AIRs and Israeloids do.

May 20th, 2013, 12:27 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

Actually, most Syrians are firmly against the Assadists. You’re a deluded fool who has been out of the country for too long.

Syria HAS already been divided over sectarian lines. The fighting is over the future boundaries of an Alawite “state.” Even the Assadists have conceded as much, with their withdrawl from Raqqa and Darra, and their extensive use of Alawite and Hezbollan militias. You think any Sunni in Syria who had his village bombed will accept an Iranian puppet?

You’re behind the times. There is no such thing as Syria anymore, and there never will be again. All the better. Put an Alawite village next to a Sunni village, and they massacre one another. Best for everyone to live separately. Talk of “Syria” today is about as anachronistic and accurate as talk of “Yugoslavia.”

May 20th, 2013, 12:40 am

 

ann said:

979. Ghufran

Thank you Ghufran! Couldn’t have said it better myself 😉

All they do is repeat their mediocre childish propaganda like a broken record 😀

May 20th, 2013, 12:51 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

LOL. Ghufran, the retard supports you. I win. The retard’s support is the kiss of death. Whichever side the retard supports, it means the other side is the correct one.

ANN, you make multiple accounts, and yet you still get your ASS owned. What a loser.

May 20th, 2013, 12:52 am

 

GEORGES said:

GHUFRAN

I think every sane person in the opposition agrees that the war must stop but the reason there is a war in the first place must be dealt with. Otherwise it’s just empty talk and the war will continue. There wasn’t any war when syrians decided it was enough.

Knowing the criminal gang that has been raping Syria and syrians for the last decades, their mentality and what they are after, I am not convinced the war can be stopped unless they are forced out by their allies which I don’t think will happen.

Just as you cannot ask a mafia to stop its criminal activities (which is the whole point of being a mafia), the criminals occupying Syria will never let syrians live in freedom and dignity since this is exactly what keeps them in power.

I have never believed the regime when it says it wants to negotiate and have dialogue. It’s all a game for them and a way of buying time.

May 20th, 2013, 12:53 am

 

ann said:

Tiny Whiny 😀

I want my mommy boo hoo!

I have a job boo hoo!

The war continue boo hoo!

😀 😀 😀

May 20th, 2013, 1:04 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

The retard is talking about his mommy again.

Retard, if you want to insult someone, you talk about THEIR mommies. Not your own.

You’re like the Assadists. All talk. NO WALK.

No wonder you support them.

May 20th, 2013, 1:06 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

What? No comeback? You spend half your life “trolling” and you can’t even come up with a decent comeback?

You’re so stupid you can’t even troll a brick wall.

I’m done tonight. Have fun.

May 20th, 2013, 1:11 am

 

ann said:

But I have a job BOO HOO!

I really do BOOO HOOO!

The war continues BOO HOO!

May 20th, 2013, 1:13 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

P.S. I’ll see your sorry ass tomorrow, and beat the stuffing out of you again. You’re so easy, sweety-pie.

May 20th, 2013, 1:14 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

P.S. I’ll see your sorry ass tomorrow, and beat the stuffing out of you again. You’re so easy, sweety–pie.

May 20th, 2013, 1:17 am

 

ann said:

European powers fund Al Qaeda looting of Syrian oil – Johannes Stern – 20 May 2013

http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/05/20/syr-m20.html

According to a report yesterday in Britain’s Guardian newspaper, the European Union (EU) is directly funding US-backed Sunni Islamist terrorist groups fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. These groups are looting oil in parts of eastern Syria that they control and then re-selling it to EU countries at rock-bottom prices.

The Guardian writes: “The EU decision to lift Syrian oil sanctions to aid the opposition has accelerated a scramble for control over wells and pipelines in rebel-held areas and helped consolidate the grip of jihadist groups over the country’s key resources.”

According to the Guardian, the main beneficiaries of the EU’s lifting of sanctions are the Al Nusra Front and similar Islamist terrorist groups. “Jabhat al-Nusra, affiliated with Al Qaeda and other extreme Islamist groups, control the majority of the oil wells in Deir Ezzor province, displacing local Sunni tribes, sometimes by force. They have also seized control of other fields from Kurdish groups further to the north-east, in al-Hasakah governorate.”

The EU’s decision to resume trade with oil fields held by Al Nusra explodes the lie that the imperialist powers are waging war in Syria to change the repressive character of the Syrian regime. In fact, they are building up and backing deeply reactionary and oppressive forces.

These events also expose the so-called “war on terror”—the claim that Washington and the EU are fighting Al Qaeda, which served as the justification for US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan—as a lie. Imperialism is arming and financing Al Qaeda-linked terrorist groups that commit terrible crimes against the Syrian population, handing over its wealth to the EU and Washington.

Germany’s Spiegel Online magazine recently reported how the Islamists dump Syrian oil on world markets at ultra-low prices: “Since February the Islamist rebel group Liwa al-Islam has controlled the al-Thaura oil-field in the ar-Raqqah governorate… The rebels in al-Thaura sell ten fuel truck cargos each day. They make good money and charge around $13 US for a barrel. On the world market, however, a barrel is traded for $100 US, but this is not of particular interest here.”

Abu Saif, an Islamist fighter of the Muslim Brotherhood-linked Ahrar Brigade, gives another account of how Islamists militias loot Syria: “Jabhat al-Nusra is investing in the Syrian economy to reinforce its position in Syria and Iraq. Al-Nusra fighters are selling everything that falls into their hands from wheat, archaeological relics, factory eq uipment, oil drilling and imaging machines, cars, spare parts and crude oil.”

To secure the oil, the terrorists murder everyone who gets in their way. In one widely reported case, Al Nusra fighters levelled the village of al-Musareb near Deir Ezzor, murdering 50 of its residents after a conflict with local tribesmen over an oil tanker. The mass killings through which terrorist groups control the territory needed to supply oil to European imperialism are documented in videos posted on YouTube.

The imperialist powers rely on terrorist groups as part of their strategy to control the vast energy resources of the Middle East and Central Asia. This fundamental interest underlies the wars against Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya, and on-going war preparations against Shiite Iran—to which the Alawite-dominated Assad regime has close ties. Like Syria, Iran has long been on imperialism’s hit list,” since Washington and its European and Middle Eastern allies see it as one of the main obstacles to controlling the oil trade of the Persian Gulf, and thus of the entire world.

This rape of Syria exposes the cynical decision by middle class pseudo-left organizations—such as the International Socialist Organization (ISO), the German Left Party, the New Anti-Capitalist Party (NPA) in France, and the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) in Britain—to package the Syrian war as a “revolution.” Their class position emerges clearly in this point: they hail the looting of Syrian oil to boost the oil corporations’ profit margins as a “revolution,” and the looters as “revolutionaries.”

Increasing foreign support for the Sunni Islamist forces is accompanied by new threats by US imperialism and its allies to oust Assad, and increasing preparations for direct military intervention.

At a press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Reccep Tayyip Erdogan last Thursday in Washington, US President Barack Obama promised “to keep increasing the pressure on the Assad regime and working with the Syrian opposition. We both agree that Assad needs to go.”

On Friday, CIA chief John Brennan met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon, Israel Defence Forces Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, and Mossad head Tamir Pardo to discuss Syria. In a cabinet meeting the next day, Netanyahu threatened more Israeli air strikes against Syria, saying Israel would act “with determination… to ensure the supreme interest of the State of Israel [and] prevent the transfer of advanced weapons to Hezbollah and to [other] terrorist elements”.

Israel has already bombed Damascus two weeks ago, ostensibly to prevent arms being transferred from Syria to Hezbollah. The Lebanese Shia militia is a close ally of Syria and Iran and regarded as a main obstacle to Israeli military dominance in the Near East.

On Saturday Syrian president Bashar al-Assad gave an interview to the Argentine newspaper Clarin and the Argentine state news agency Telam, from his palace in the Syrian capital, Damascus. He vowed to keep power, accusing Israel and other “foreign powers” of supporting the Islamist opposition. “Israel is directly supporting the terrorist groups in two ways, firstly it gives them logistical support, and it also tells them what sites to attack and how to attack them,” he said.

He denied that his government had used chemical weapons, saying that “the West” might orchestrate an intervention based on false accusations: “The West lies and falsifies evidence to engineer wars; it is a habit of theirs.”

He called intervention “a clear probability, especially after we’ve managed to beat back armed groups in many areas of Syria.” However, he added that “we are willing to talk to anyone who wants to talk, without exception.”

Assad made clear that he hopes to keep power by convincing Washington that he is a stronger and more reliable custodian of US interests in the region than Al Qaeda: “America is pragmatic. If they found out they were defeated and the regime is the winner, the Americans will deal with the facts.”

This subservience to Washington exposes the bankruptcy of Arab nationalism. In fact, as the Guardian report makes clear, Washington and its European imperialist allies are funding and backing the Islamist opposition to break up the Syrian regime.

The Obama administration is also increasing its efforts to reach an agreement with Moscow, Syria’s main ally. Last weekend, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agreed with his American counterpart John Kerry to set up a so-called “peace conference” in June, supposedly to negotiate an end to the Syrian war. During such a conference, Washington would press for a “negotiated” ouster of Assad and his replacement with a more pliable stooge regime approved by Moscow.

Lavrov is also trying to calm US and Israeli concerns about potential Russian missile sales to Syria. He stressed that these weapons would “not in any way alter the balance of forces in this region or give any advantage in the fight against the opposition.”

Russia is reportedly only supplying SS-N-26 coastal defense but not SA-21 air defense missiles.

[…]

http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/05/20/syr-m20.html

May 20th, 2013, 1:31 am

 

Visitor said:

The funny thing about Ghufran, Marigoldran, is that he tries so hard to put on sheep’s clothing but his skin is so thin you cannot mistake him for a pathetic Assadist wolf.

Of course, the war goes on!!

May 20th, 2013, 1:55 am

 

ghufran said:

Syrians are united in death and misery, SOHR (opposition site)said this:
يشير مدير المرصد رامي عبد الرحمن لـ«الشرق الأوسط» إلى «وجود قرى علوية في الساحل السوري لا يتجاوز عدد سكانها الـ1000 نسمة قتل منها 40 شخصا خلال الأحداث الأخيرة». ويوضح عبد الرحمن أن «الأرقام التي نشرها المرصد استندت إلى تقاطع معلومات من ناشطين علويين من مناطق مختلفة في سوريا»، مؤكدا «امتلاكه الأسماء الثلاثية لأكثر من 35 ألفا من القتلى العلويين فيما بقية الضحايا لا نملك إلا أسماءهم الأولى».
anybody who claims that this war is about alawites killing sunnis is a total fool or a liar, it is a war where Syrians are killing Syrians, even if you use statistics ,percentage of population, you have to conclude that alawites in Syria are dying at a higher rate than their sunni brothers, any way you look at it, this war must stop and the person who led Syria through this needs to step aside then step out unless the objective is to keep this war raging and divide Syria into 3 or 4 small states.

May 20th, 2013, 1:58 am

 

Juergen said:

Ziad

Its a waste of time to read statements from Bassam, I have stopped doing so a long time a ago, his words, his vision differ not an inch from the words and the visions of this regime. Its a shame.

May 20th, 2013, 2:46 am

 

Juergen said:

Canadian tv report

Syria: Behind rebel lines

http://www.cbc.ca/doczone/episode/syria-behind-rebel-lines.html

May 20th, 2013, 2:48 am

 

Juergen said:

heartbraking farewell of a small girl from her dead father

May 20th, 2013, 2:51 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

If I was a rebel supporter I would…

I am reminded of the wonderful song…

I’d rather be a sparrow than a snail
yes I would
If I could

I’d rather be a hammer than a nail
yes I would
If I could

but some don’t even dare dreaming… snails they will remain even in their desires…

——————————–
Disclaimer: this rodent frequently enjoys Escargot served with a decent wine.

May 20th, 2013, 2:52 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Ghufran
No Syria will not be divided to 4 countries, if divided it will be two parts only.
Ghufran you hate Islam too much why don’t you declare it that you are not muslem?
Ghufran you you are quick to announce the rebels losing ,even sometimes you are quick to spread fabricated news to gloat that the rebels are losing, and you never admitted that the regime committed massacres,and accuse the rebels of committing crimes always
Ghufran you keep saying we want to end this revolution,but you have NO solution how to end it,all what we hear from you is nonesense.
When faced with a crisis, the solution is not by ignoring it, you need to look for its causes and correct things

May 20th, 2013, 5:37 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

902. majedkhaldoun said:

Ann
These missle pose extreme threat to Israel,I dont think they can carry nuclear bomb, but may carry chemical weapons,,they can be detected from the sky,so Israel may look for a way to eliminate them.

I hope so.

If Israel finds a way to get rid of these missiles, Russia will be embarassed, since they have not been tried before in a war,
If on the other side those missiles were successful US and Israel will be embarassed.

It’s just MHO, but I think Russia and the USA uses the ME to test out their latest weaponry. Drones, missile and anti-missile systems, radar, early-warning, etc are all tested out here. Fortunately, western, Israel and American technology seems to consistently work better.

It would be best if there was a comprehensive peace treaty in the region so Middle Easterners weren’t always used as cannon fodder in this “test” of weaponry, but, of course, we’re not there yet.

Tensions must get high,in Syria and Israel, a very destructive war may erupt unexpectably, that is why John Brennen was in Israel to study the situation.

I asked Akbar Palace after the Israeli strike if he is nervous, he said no, but I think he must be nervous.

Majedkhaldoun,

I don’t know what post you are referring to, but I am always concerned about the start of another war.

I will tell you the truth, IF Assad defeated Israel many will switch side, Temporarily, and if Assad is to be defeated many pro Assad will switch side permanently, including you

Assad will not defeat Israel, but he’s doing a great job at defeating his own country. Which is why the regime supporters should seek mental health help.

May 20th, 2013, 7:12 am

 

Syrialover said:

What a disgusting spectacle. Hizbollah forced to sink to paying its debts to Iran by providing cannon fodder in Syria.

This is Hizbollah’s real purpose which will identify it from now on. Prostitutes for a remote totalitarian regime in Iran who ordered them to go into Syria to kill ordinary citizens and destroy their homes and infrastructure.

The poor fools packed off to Syria should ask Nasrullah: For what aim? How does the situation in Syria concern us? Why are we interfering in others affairs? What future benefit could we possiblly be hoping for?

Hizbollah: no integrity, no dignity, no independence, just ignorant junk thugs who are now war criminals in the eyes of the Arab world.

May 20th, 2013, 7:40 am

 

Tara said:

Rebels should open a Zainab front to Release pressure from Qusair. Offense is best defense. Play on their weakness. It is just a building that harbors terrorists. Take down the shrine and let them weep. May be they will commit massive suicide for their failure to protect their items of worship?

Around 30 Hezbollah fighters and 20 Syrian soldiers have been killed in Qusair, according to Reuters amid conflicting accounts of who now controls the town.

The assault on Qusair appeared to be part of a campaign by Assad’s forces to consolidate their grip on Damascus and secure links between the capital and the government strongholds on the coast via the contested central city of Homs. State news agency Sana said the army had “restored security and stability to most Qusair neighbourhoods” and was “chasing the remnants of the terrorists in the northern district”.

However, opposition activists said rebels in Qusair, about 10 km (six miles) from the Lebanese border, had pushed back most of the attacking forces to their original positions in the east of the town and to the south on Sunday, destroying at least four Syrian army tanks and five light Hezbollah vehicles. The activists did not give a figure for the number of rebel fighters and civilians killed in the clashes …

Tareq Murei, a local activist, said troops backed by Hezbollah had “made incursions into Qusair but they are now basically back to where they started at the security compounds in east Qusair and at a … roadblock to the south.”

May 20th, 2013, 7:48 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Anbar Palace
Assad will not defeat Israel
We know that, but the pro Assad in their bombastic attitude they claim that, like c-tizen,and revenir ,they believe what Assad tells them, you have to treat them like children,they have bigger ego than their brain

May 20th, 2013, 7:49 am

 

Dawoud said:

The Lebanese Shia terrorist Party of the Devil will be held accountable for its ongoing war crimes and terrorism in Syria!

http://www.alarabiya.net/ar/arab-and-world/syria/2013/05/20/%D8%A3%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B5%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%81%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%87%D9%85-%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%B7-%D8%AD%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%88%D8%AD%D8%B2%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87.html

الرئيسية
»
سوريا

آخر تحديث: الاثنين 10 رجب 1434هـ – 20 مايو 2013م KSA 14:25 – GMT 11:25
أهالي القصير يدفنون قتلاهم وسط حصار ميليشيات حزب الله
قوات الأسد تحاول بسط سيطرتها على المدينة التي تحاصرها منذ عدة أسابيع

على وقع طلقات الرصاص وروائح البارود المنبعثة من بقايا الانفجارات، قام أهالي مدينة القصير السورية بدفن قتلاهم الذين سقطوا بنيران الأسد، جراء اشتباكات عنيفة وقعت بين جيش النظام السوري ومقاتلي الجيش الحر ولاتزال تدور رحاها، حتى اللحظة.

ويأتي ذلك في الوقت الذي ينتاب المجتمع الدولي قلق بالغ من ارتكاب مجازر في مدينة القصير.

وتحاصر القوات النظامية المدعمة بعناصر من حزب الله اللبناني الشيعي الموالي للنظام السوري مدينة القصير منذ أسابيع، من أجل السيطرة على هذه المدينة الخارجة عن سيطرة النظام منذ أكثر من عام.

وفي ذات السياق، أفادت الهيئة العامة للثورة السورية بأن
[…]

May 20th, 2013, 8:02 am

 

Dawoud said:

1001. TARA

Lebanan’s Shia party and Iran’s puppet (Hizbas$) is admitting the death of only 16 of its terrorists in Lebanon, but you know that they are many more than that. Good Riddance to these sectarian terrorists!

http://www.aljazeera.net/news/pages/7f3304db-3ce2-479d-b2d0-061c81363bb5

حزب الله يعترف بمقتل 16 من عناصره

عشرات القتلى وتحذير من مجزرة بالقصير

نفى ناشطون سوريون ما نقله التلفزيون السوري الرسمي عن مصدر عسكري بأن الجيش النظامي دخل وسط مدينة القصير في ريف حمص والتي أكدت مصادر الثوار أن مجزرة وقعت فيها وأن عشرات القتلى والجرحى سقطوا أمس. في حين أقرت مصادر مقربة من حزب الله اللبناني بمقتل ستة عشر من عناصره وجرح ستين آخرين في نفس المعارك.

يأتي ذلك بينما أعلنت فرنسا أنها “قلقة جدا” من الأوضاع في مدينة القصير عقب الحملة التي شنتها قوات الجيش النظامي مدعومة بعناصر حزب الله.

وقلل الثوار من أهمية ما أورده التلفزيون الرسمي، وأكدوا أنهم يبدون مقاومة شديدة في القصير التي أعلن المتحدث باسم الهيئة العامة للثورة في حمص أن مجزرة وقعت في هذه المدينة نتيجة القصف المدفعي المتواصل لقوات النظام المدعومة بعناصر حزب الله.

وقال التلفزيون الرسمي أمس إن قوات الجيش النظامي وصلت إلى وسط مدينة القصير، حيث دارت اشتباكات بينها وبين الثوار، مما أدى إلى “مقتل سبعين مسلحاً على الأقل وتسليم عدد آخر أنفسهم”.

وكشف نشطاء أن الاشتباكات في القصير كانت أشرس قتال يشارك فيه حزب الله طوال الصراع المستمر في سوريا منذ أكثر من عامين، وأضافوا أن حزب الله يساعد الرئيس بشار الأسد فيما يبدو على تأمين ممر حيوي في حال كان ذلك مطلوبا مع التطورات الميدانية.

ونقلت وكالة رويترز عن الناشط هادي عبد الله متحدثا من القصير قوله إن الطائرات الحربية قصفت القصير في الصباح وإن قذائف سقطت على البلدة بمعدل يصل إلى خمسين قذيفة بالدقيقة وقتل 52 شخصا على الأقل.

وأضاف هذا الناشط أن الجيش النظامي يقصف القصير بالدبابات والمدفعية من الشمال والشرق، بينما يطلق حزب الله قذائف هاون ويطلق صواريخ من منصات متعددة الفوهات من الجنوب والغرب.

وتحاصر القوات النظامية مدعومة بعناصر من حزب الله القصير منذ أسابيع من أجل استعادة السيطرة على هذه المدينة الإستراتيجية التي تقع على الطريق بين دمشق والساحل السوري.

ووفق الشبكة السورية لحقوق الإنسان، فقد سقط 126 قتيلا أمس نصفهم في القصير وحدها.
معركة اقتحام سجن حلب المركزي في وقت سابق (الجزيرة)

قتلى بحلب

[…]

May 20th, 2013, 8:08 am

 

Dawoud said:

Live updates:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2013/may/20/syria-crisis-battle-for-qusair

Control of Qusair

Syrian state media is backing away from its earlier claims that the army has retaken control of the whole of Qusair. It now claims that the army has “restored stability” in the east of the town, but that it continues to “hunt the remnants of terrorists” in some northern and eastern areas.

It listed Sunday’s gains by the army as: “The local stadium area; some parts of the western area, municipality HQ, the cultural centre, the Church, al-Baladyeh roundabout and al-Ghytta area.”
[…]

May 20th, 2013, 8:20 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Our revolution is about freedom and dignity, it is not about Shiaa versus Sunni, Iran is trying hard to make sectarian war, using HA as fodders, we have the higher moral ground they have no morality,yes we have some stupid guys here and there but in general we should stick to higher morality, we are much better than them, destroying Zainab shrine is not our ethics,even that I don’t believe Zainab was buried there,Mawlana is God, their mawla is tombs
HA was resistant party, but under Hassan nasrallah he turned it to terrorist party,to mercenaries, they will be losers
We need to divert Qalamoon brigades to Qusayr area

May 20th, 2013, 8:22 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Majedkhaldoun,

Anbar Palace

Why are you changing my name to Anbar Provence?;)

…but the pro Assad in their bombastic attitude they claim that, like c-tizen,and revenir ,they believe what Assad tells them, you have to treat them like children,they have bigger ego than their brain

I can’t believe it. I can’t believe Hezbollah has turned from #1 hero to #1 villain. I can’t believe Assad has unleashed a Sunni-Shia war that was really only confined to small areas of Iraq and Pakistan.

You said previously that because Hezbollah is fighting in Syria, they are leaving Lebanon weaker. I didn’t know that. In fact I have no idea how this whole war will come to an end and whether or not it will suck in further outside forces. Russia and the USA seem to be the overlords just like in the 60s and 70s.

Some things never change.

May 20th, 2013, 8:23 am

 

Tara said:

Dawoud,

I wish all those mercenaries go to Hell. . I am not sectarian. I don’t care who worship what. I care to know what the last trend in shoes fashion than to discuss theology. And yes, I am that superficial. These mercenaries are coming to Syria to kill Syrians under the name of Zainab. If we open a front at Zainab, that may lessen pressure on Qusair. After all, there are limited number of HA mercenaries. They should be occupied defending the building than to kill Syrians.

May 20th, 2013, 8:40 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Akbar Palace
Sorry, it was typing error
You said
I can’t believe Assad has unleashed a Sunni-Shia war
Can’t you see it?it is obvious
You say you don’t know how this war will end,To me Assad will die

May 20th, 2013, 8:42 am

 

Visitor said:

The so-called Zainab shrine must be destroyed immediately and levelled with the ground. This is the best way to uncover Hassan’s lies.

May 20th, 2013, 9:16 am

 

Visitor said:

On the other hand, the forces of evil, the thugs of Assadistan and the mercenaries of Hizbass, have not advanced a single inch into Qusayr over the last few days despite relentless bombardment, instead heavy losses were inflicted upon the duo. Thirty additional mercenary carcassees and twenty three Assadist ones were made lifless and sent speedily to the lowest depths of the fires of Jahannam.

May 20th, 2013, 9:30 am

 

zoo said:

#959 Reve

It’s amazing how many military strategists have popped up on SC.

They keep giving advices to the Al Nusra HHP as if these criminals have time to consult SC to decide what to do next.
Maybe they should get their cell phone numbers and call them directly, instead of cluttering this blog with brilliant but useless recommendations.

I guess that impotence and frustration are the parents of hysteria and stupidity.

May 20th, 2013, 9:51 am

 

revenire said:

Brother Majed is confused. Cannibals can’t have the moral ground.

May 20th, 2013, 10:10 am

 

revenire said:

Email to the BBC on Syria coverage
Posted by The Editors on May 17, 2013, 7:16 pm

Dear BBC News

Your coverage of the alleged poison gas incident, which has led your news bulletins today, is a complete disgrace.

You, at the start, concede that the video footage cannot be verified but by the end of the report you are assuming, with NO evidence, that it was most likely the Syrian Government. Pictures are shown of a helicopter dropping something. No questions are asked about where the helicopter came from or whether it had Syrian air force markings. No mention of the recent UN investigator that who had said that the earlier incidents were more likely to be the responsibility of Free Syrian Army or its Al Qaeda allies, the Al Nusra brigades – surely in this context a very relevant piece of information.

You then interviewed someone who had been head of chemical warfare unit of the British army. You did not tell us for whom he was now working, or comment on the fact that it was very convenient to have such an expert on hand to generally support the view that it was nerve gas attack although, also as an aside and sotto voce, briefly saying it could also be due to CS gas. The latter comment was ignored.

Your studio commentators seemed extraordinarily keen to establish that ‘a red line had been crossed’. In other words you were helping to give the war-mongers a reason to start a large scale bombing campaign or whatever they are planning. In my view that will make your organisation complicit in war crimes if and when they occur, as you were when you failed to critically examine the case for WMD in Iraq and thus helped Blair to commit war crimes.

You have NEVER pointed out that the Syrian Government has agreed to negotiate with the rebels under the terms of the UN (Kofi Annan) and Russian plan of nearly a year ago and agreed to the recent Russian/US proposals for negotiations but it is the FSA et al who have refused to negotiate. You have NEVER pointed out that their position is completely absurd and unrealistic, that is, to expect ASSAD to step down as a PRE-condition for negotiations.

You have NEVER pointed out that it is illegal in international law to arm external insurgents against a UN-recognised Govt.

You NEVER point out that the so-called FREE Syrian Army is supplied with arms by the dictatorships of Saudi Arabia and Qatar as proxies for US, and so is unlikely to be truly interested in democratic freedoms.

In short, you seem to have appointed yourself chief propagandist for the war party (Obama, Cameron, Hollande et al).

You are a publically-funded institution and thus obliged to represent the public interest NOT the interest of governments and war profiteers.

Yours sincerely

Dr David Hookes
Honorary Senior Research Fellow
Liverpool University

http://members5.boardhost.com/medialens/msg/1368814564.html

May 20th, 2013, 10:13 am

 

revenire said:

Visitor you know very well the SAA could level Qusayr easily. There is no escape for the filth trapped inside. Each one must now face his maker and the justice of God.

We salute the heroes of the SAA.

May 20th, 2013, 10:16 am

 

zoo said:

The rebels and the media keep emphasizing the death of 30 Hezbollah fighters to hide that the rebels not only lost more than 50 fighters, that many fighters surrendered and that they lost 60% of the town.

The soon to come total fall of Al Qusayr will be the end of the presence of Al Nusra terrrorists and their accomplices in the area.

May 20th, 2013, 10:17 am

 

revenire said:

Battlefront news:

Amal Saad-Ghorayeb

Al-Mayadeen just aired footage from the Syrian town of Qusayr, showing an Israeli- made armored vehicle belonging to the Syrian/foreign rebels, with Hebrew writing inscribed on the exterior and interior. The Syrian Army spokesman in the video revealed that the jeep contained either communications’ jamming devices or communications’ interception devices which were on full display for the camera. He said it was not by coincidence that the army’s communications would always be disrupted whenever its forces entered Qusayr. Over and above these latest findings (we can’t even call it a scandal any more because opposition supporters could care less), the spokesman claimed that the rebels had raised the Israeli flag at the town center.

Not that we needed evidence like this to underline how this battle is one between forces resisting Israel, the US et al, and those collaborating with them and serving an imperialist-Zionist agenda.

Syrian Air Force

The battle in Qusayr continues into its second day with the front line shifted significantly. Under the relentless shelling of Syrian Arab Army sacred artillery and pin-point air strikes on field command centers of the terrorists, as reported yesterday, they had routed from the southern section of Qusayr past the highway which now forms the front line of the city.

The army is fortifying its control over the important buildings that remain in the Southern parts of Qusayr. Meanwhile, the Northern part faces the force of Syria.

Syrian Perspective

GREAT NEWS! OUR ARMY HAS DEFEATED THE FSA AT THE INTERNATIONAL MOTORWAY! THIS WAS A CRUCIAL BATTLE DUE TO THE STRATEGIC STANDPOINT OF THIS AREA. THE FSA NEEDED THE MOTORWAY TO KEEP UP THE RESISTANCE. THE SAA IS ON THE VERGE OF VICTORY! ABOUT 75 PERCENT OF THE CITY BELONGS TO THE SYRIAN ARAB ARMY! THE REBELS HAVE FAILED TO CUTOFF SAA SUPPLY ROUTES. VICTORY IS IMMINENT!

May 20th, 2013, 10:19 am

 

Visitor said:

Levelling the sh*thole of Dha7hiya to the ground should be the next objective of the revolution after the so-called Zainab shrine is levelled.

May 20th, 2013, 10:24 am

 

Citizen said:

1006 Asghar Palace !
If Israel repeated the same mistake and attacked Syria ones again, then will open the gates of hell! Is that clear? Then the curse of the devil will have descended on Israel!

May 20th, 2013, 10:26 am

 

zoo said:

UN-AL envoy Mokhtar Lamani returns to Damascus: Syria conference should be based on Geneva meeting

http://www.inform.kz/eng/article/2559393

As Lakhdar Ibrahimi is not welcomed in Syria after his blunders a few weeks ago, the UN has discreetly send back the UN envoy , the Canadian-Moroccan Mokhar Lamani to discuss the conference planned for June

Mokhtar Lamani, the Damascus representative of the UN-Arab League peace envoy to Syria, said Monday that his efforts will be focused on the planned international conference on Syria slated for June.

Lamani made the remarks upon his arrival to the capital Damascus with his team members who left Syria two months ago after mortar shells slammed their hotel in the heart of the capital.

May 20th, 2013, 10:38 am

 

Visitor said:

Many analyst voiced their opinions over the last two years calling for coordinated regional efforts, both militarily and politically, in order to resolve the Syrian crisis in order to achieve decisive victory for the revolution, and at the same time to disregard any role or input from the US and other EU countries that have proven to be evil manipulators of the Syrian revolution. I recently linked under this thread a well written analysis written by Tony Badran addressing this same issue.

Did the Qusayr attack convince the regional decision makers that this is something that they must do and that the time has come?

http://www.alarabiya.net/ar/saudi-today/2013/05/20/ولي-العهد-السعودي-إلى-تركيا-وأزمة-سوريا-على-رأس-المباحثات.html

May 20th, 2013, 10:40 am

 

zoo said:

Turkey’s green light to Iran role in Syria talks a welcome step

20 May 2013 /AYDIN ALBAYRAK, ANKARA

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-316025-turkeys-green-light-to-iran-role-in-syria-talks-a-welcome-step.html

Turkey’s decision to give the go-ahead for Iran’s participation in planned international talks on Syria is a welcome development, given that that Iran is a major actor in the civil war in Syria, say analysts.

“This is the right decision,” said Yaşar Yakış, who is a former minister of foreign affairs and current president of the Ankara-based Center for Strategic Communication (STRATİM).

May 20th, 2013, 10:40 am

 

Citizen said:

Cup reader says: that a war with Israel has become a matter of time!

May 20th, 2013, 10:45 am

 

zoo said:

Visitor

“Did the Qusayr attack convince the regional decision makers that this is something that they must do and that the time has come?”

Yes, that they must lower their expectation for a ‘victory of the opposition’, stop asking Bashar al Assad to resign and push their proteges to accept without any condition to negotiate with the regime.
They are getting to that with one year delay that has costed thousands of death….

May 20th, 2013, 10:45 am

 

revenire said:

Assad will be president until at least 2020.

May 20th, 2013, 10:48 am

 

Citizen said:

Situation in Syria against U.S., Israel: Hezbollah
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2013/May-20/217727-situation-in-syria-against-us-israel-hezbollah.ashx#axzz2TmxSZPcw

BEIRUT: Hezbollah MP Nawaf Musawi said Monday the battle situation in war-torn Syria is not turning in America and Israel’s favor amid reports of almost 30 Hezbollah’s fighters being killed in clashes with rebels in the Syrian town of Qusair.

Musawi also warned both the U.S. and Israel against toppling Syrian President Bashar Assad.

“If some were betting on weakening our ally in Syria [Assad] and toppling him [Assad], he should keep in mind that two years into the [conflict] have passed while betting on delusions,” Musawi said.

“Those who were banking on U.S. power and Israeli threats of war and victory of the U.S.-Israeli attack on Syria are mistaken,” he said.

Musawi’s remarks come as media reported that scores of Hezbollah’s fighters were killed while fighting alongside troops loyal to Assad in the Syrian town of Qusair.

Some 30 Hezbollah fighters and 20 Syrian soldiers and militiamen loyal to Assad were killed in heavy fighting with rebels in the town of Qusair, Syrian activists said Monday, reported Reuters news agency.

Hezbollah has admitted some of its fighters are in a number of Syrian border towns. However, the resistance group denies fighting alongside Assad, insisting that it is training Lebanese living in the border villages to defend themselves against rebel assaults…………….

May 20th, 2013, 10:48 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Mapquest: “Gates of Hell”, Location: Syria

If Israel repeated the same mistake and attacked Syria ones again, then will open the gates of hell! Is that clear? Then the curse of the devil will have descended on Israel!

Citizen,

This may be an opportunity for a “gentlemens bet”. Care to wager some baksheesh on that? How many Nus-Lira’s would you like to wager? You may be right. Who do you want to hold the wager in escrow? Dr. Barber?

May 20th, 2013, 10:50 am

 

Juergen said:

Tara

Someone lately suggested quite well that Syrians never have been radical in religion, nor has Islamists an defining role in the country. Once the Assad show is over they will be degraded to what they have always been: an small minority with no basis in Syria.
When I see that many Syrians join local islamists group they often do so out of opportunistic reasons, they are better staffed, better diciplined and way better equipt with modern weaponry. Kurt Pelda showed an young teacher who joined an islamist group, his mother rightly asserts that his newly grown beard is rather a fashion, and that he can hardly read the Quran.

I have honestly a problem for your repeated call for an attack on the Zainab mosque. Destroying what many Muslims regard as an important landmark and overall an place where people worship is not only an crime, but also an desaster for the whole Muslim community. I have a hard time to imagine where such attacks would end, surely the grave of St. John in the Omayad mosque is something many salafi supporters would call an bidaa. Sama applies to the famous Bab as Saghir cemetary just outside of Souq al Hamidieh.

Among the many whose grave can be still visited there are:

Umm Kulthum, daughter of Ali and Fatimah
Bilal al-Habashi, the Mu’adh-dhin of Muhammad
Sukaynah, daughter of the Imam, Husayn ibn Ali (different from the daughter buried in Sayyidah Ruqayya Mosque)
Fidha, the maid of Fatimah (Muhammad’s daughter)
Abdullah, son of the Fourth Imām, Ali Zaynul ‘Aabideen
Maymuunah, daughter of the Second Imām, Hasan al-Mujtaba
Asma, wife of Ja’far at-Tayyaar
Hameedah, daughter of Muslim ibn Aqeel
Kamaid bin Aswad al-Kindi, companion of Ali
Obay ibn Ka’b, husband of Halima, wet nurse of Muhammad
Abdullah bin Umm Maktoum, Mu’adh-dhin

Damascus is one of the few places where such graves of the early companions of the Prophet could be visited, the majority of the graves were lost or destroyed in Saudi Arabia by the wahabi movement.

I believe that if the regime side is destroying historical and religious landmarks thats shamefull, the opposition should refrain from acting in the same way, that does not serve anyone, overall all Syrians loose in this.

May 20th, 2013, 10:50 am

 

Visitor said:

Zoo the ultimate idiot on this board,

Bashar has no place in Syria. He must be executed with all his family members and all his henchemen

So-called Geneva conference will not take place and everyone knows it is a waste of time.

The Revolution will triumph.

Now that it has become a Sunni-Shiite war in the open, it will not end until Shiism and Alawism are annihilated and made illegal to practice these heresies anywhere in the Arab world.

May 20th, 2013, 10:53 am

 

Juergen said:

There can be no deal for Assad to keep power

“Locked in his presidential palace, Bashar Al Assad is less and less able to understand what is happening in the country he used to rule. In a defiant weekend interview, he refused to step down, implied that he would contest the presidential elections long scheduled for next year and poured cold water on the idea that a conference this month, organised by the United States and Russia, could end the conflict.”

http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/editorial/there-can-be-no-deal-for-assad-to-keep-power

May 20th, 2013, 11:03 am

 

Juergen said:

The National

There can be no deal for Assad to keep power

“Locked in his presidential palace, Bashar Al Assad is less and less able to understand what is happening in the country he used to rule. In a defiant weekend interview, he refused to step down, implied that he would contest the presidential elections long scheduled for next year and poured cold water on the idea that a conference this month, organised by the United States and Russia, could end the conflict.”

http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/editorial/there-can-be-no-deal-for-assad-to-keep-power

May 20th, 2013, 11:05 am

 

Juergen said:

Here is an example how similar dictatorships work, the Chavez controlled Guardia Nacional torturing an prisoner:

May 20th, 2013, 11:08 am

 

Visitor said:

Jeurgen,

I believe you are at your best when you are dancing.

Go do some dancing man.

May 20th, 2013, 11:09 am

 

Juergen said:

Obviously you seem to have the holy ghost visiting you everyday. I find it extremly difficult to take sides in an conflict which is almost as old as Islam. Surely you do understand why Aisha fought against Ali, why 3 of the four rightious Caliphs werer slaughtered. But I assume, thats still an admirable period of time for you.

May 20th, 2013, 11:20 am

 

Juergen said:

Every time I see Sheikh Hassoun I find the evoluion theory more and more appealing…

He had the guts to thank Hisbollah today for their support.

May 20th, 2013, 11:22 am

 

Visitor said:

Juergen,

As I said go do some dancing.

May 20th, 2013, 11:26 am

 

Tara said:

Jeurgen

Here is my 2 cents:

I want it attacked to distract HA mercenaries from killing Syrians not to offend Shiaa. I too have a problem with destroying tombs out of fanatic ideology. There is no “Islamist” reason for my call. I wouldn’t care less of who worship what. Really! It is pure tactical from my point if view. HA mercenaries are in Syria. This is a fact. Occupy them defending a building rather than killing people.

The rebels should launch a PR campaign simultaneously and make it clear that attacking it is to recruit those Lebanese mercenaries out of killing Syrians. The pressure may mount within the Shiaa community to stop killing Syrians.

I hate to offend anyone and forgive me GOD but I believe if bringing down al Kaaba would save the life of a child then be it.

May 20th, 2013, 11:27 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Asshead prediction that the Geneva 2 meeting will not succeed,means he will refuse to sign an agreement consistant with what USA and Russia decided,
Would Russia go for failure or would they force Asshead to agree?
Would Russia risk international defeat?

Zoo Assad has no role in Syria anymore after killing 200,000,his place is underground

May 20th, 2013, 11:32 am

 

revenire said:

200,000? LOL

May 20th, 2013, 11:41 am

 

Dolly Buster said:

Tara said: I hate to offend anyone and forgive me GOD but I believe if bringing down al Kaaba would save the life of a child then be it.

 
Yes, I think there is even an islamic text which says that 1 muslim is more beloved to Allah than the Kaaba.

May 20th, 2013, 11:48 am

 

zoo said:

Russia is clearer than ever

Russia: Assad foes must come to Syria meeting without conditions

11:37 a.m. EDT, May 20, 2013

SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday that it is crucial for Syrian opposition representatives to take part in a peace conference without setting any preconditions, apparently referring to demands for President Bashar al-Assad’s exit.

Lavrov also reiterated that Iran must be among nations invited to the conference that Russia and the United States are trying to organize to seek a resolution to the more than two-year-old conflict that has killed at least 80,000 people.

May 20th, 2013, 11:53 am

 

Citizen said:

This al-Mayadeen TV exclusive footage shows a Jeep armored vehicle (armored version of AIL M240 Storm used by the IDF) that was used by the “Free Syrian Army” (FSA) in the Qusayr city that is currently being liberated by the Syrian Army. Writings in Hebrew can be seen on the vehicle, as shown in the footage. This is yet another example demonstrating the ties that bind the so-called “Free Syrian Army” to their American-Israeli backers.

http://youtu.be/VnUQGJxA5Cg?t=15s

May 20th, 2013, 11:53 am

 

Juergen said:

Hisbollah fighters on their way to Matyrdom

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=495253577213095&set=vb.411942122199358&type=2&theater

In the Hills of Alawistan
In Syria’s beautiful northwest, all is peaceful. But death is never far away.

“A photo of President Bashar al-Assad, sporting sunglasses and military fatigues, often hovered above their images, assuming a posture of determination and leadership — his finger pointing to something in the horizon that we cannot see. Is it a goal, a future, a death?”

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/05/15/in_the_hills_of_alawistan

May 20th, 2013, 11:55 am

 

Tara said:

Dolly

Thank you. I was bracing myself to fierce attack.

I must add though “any life” not only Muslim life.

May 20th, 2013, 12:09 pm

 

Citizen said:

While attention is focused on Syria, a similar process began in Iraq. The fighters there already in action. They said: “At first, Damascus, Baghdad, then!” Began.

May 20th, 2013, 12:13 pm

 

AKbar Palace said:

The Case of the Killer Hebrew Lettering

Citizen,

a.) How do we know this jeep wasn’t in storage from another time?

b.) Does this evil hebrew jeep look threatening in any way? I mean a bullet would go through the flimsy doors and kill whatever people are sitting in it. “Armoured”? Shirley you gest.

Couldn’t you come up with something a little more substantial like S-300 missiles, a Merkava tank or IDF drones?

May 20th, 2013, 12:22 pm

 
 

majedkhaldoun said:

http://www.almanar.com.lb/english/adetails.php?eid=77466&cid=71&fromval=1
This is a picture from AlManar a year ago, they reposted today claiming it is from Qusayr today

May 20th, 2013, 12:44 pm

 

revenire said:

“It is one of the hardest days all over Syria,” said the activist, Tarek, who would give only his first name because he was concerned for his safety. “If Qusayr is finished, it will be the end of the revolution in Homs.”

Reports have come in of terrorist commanders fleeing to their Israeli masters. True or not, hundreds have surrendered, been ground into fertilizer by the heroes of the SAA or fled.

The army reports many have attempted to escape dressed as women.

May 20th, 2013, 12:46 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

Citizen,

Moti Kahana and the synogogues are supplying aid in the form of loans, medical supplies, food and clothing to refugees. He is showing jewish good will, which we know, will never be reciprocated.

He isn’t supplying weapons.

You need to widen your FAVORITES to include anti-Assad websites!

What has Assad done to help Syrians?, except destroy cities and kill Syrian CITIZENS.

http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/print.php?ARTICLE_ID=37831

May 20th, 2013, 12:53 pm

 

apple_mini said:

I’d like to point out two episodes of this war.

Back in November, 2012, the young Syrian actor Mohammed Rafeh was murdered by the opposition after he openly denounced the rebels and the opposition and supported the regime. I passed by his funeral two days later seeing many people men and women with hijabs or without wrapping themselves in Syrian national flags.

Mohammed Rafeh was a Sunni if that info is important to you. The opposition and the rebels would permanently silence any dissent voice and they are continuing doing that.

Several days ago, Syrian actress May Skaf as was released several hours later by the regime. May Skaf has openly denounced the regime and supported the opposition.

The regime is no saint. But people might be able to get the conclusion who is worse.

May 20th, 2013, 1:08 pm

 

revenire said:

The Zionist is on a fundraising drive for the cannibals.

May 20th, 2013, 1:12 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

The Zionist is on a fundraising drive for the cannibals.

Reverse,

I’m guessing the Zionist™ disagrees with you and probably doesn’t consider Syrian refugees to be cannibals.

BTW, I like the way how you paint everyone as “terrorists”, “cannibals”, and “Zionists”. It is a great way to dehumanize all the people Assad and his allies have killed.

May 20th, 2013, 1:23 pm

 

Visitor said:

A new video emerges from the war front showing clearly the state of disarray and confusion of the forces of evil and the rejects of the human kind, the merecenaries of Hizbass and the criminals of Assadistan, while our heroes of the holy warriors steadfastly inflict heavy blows on the thugs causing them to descend uncontrollably to the lowest depths of the fires of Jahannam,

https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/nownews/video-shows-syria-clashes-engaging-hezbollah

May 20th, 2013, 1:27 pm

 

revenire said:

Ha ha Visitor if wishes were horses. You’d have us believe Hezbollah – who beat Israel – is confused by terrorist rabble and cannibals?

May 20th, 2013, 1:34 pm

 

zoo said:

Yes, the proud Erdogan got a lesson from Obama: you’re isolated, stop dreaming and get back to earth .

Turkish PM couldn’t get what he expected on Syria from US visit: NGO head.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-pm-couldnt-get-what-he-expected-on-syria-from-us-visit-ngo-head.aspx?pageID=238&nID=47263&NewsCatID=338

“The most significant message is this: The United States has no intention of any military operation to topple the al-Assad regime. If Erdoğan was expecting that, then he should have been disappointed, because for one and a half years he has become quite isolated over his policy demanding al-Assad to go,” Pope said. A recent report by the group said Turkey has struggled to find the right response to the Syrian civil war and must stop betting its reputation on a quick resolution to the crisis.

May 20th, 2013, 1:37 pm

 

revenire said:

Akbar people that eat human hearts, and other body organs, and are filmed doing, thereby proving it, are indeed cannibals.

Khaled al-Hamad, one of al-Farouq Battalion leaders, known as Abu Saqqar, ate human flesh as his comrades chanted “Allahu Akbar”.

The cannibal further threatened: “I swear to God we will eat your hearts Alawite soldiers of Bashar the dog.”

Most international media – including all Israeli media – covered the story of the cannibal(s).

These cannibals are terrorizing the people of Homs (and that is according to the opposition in Homs not me) and the army is going to send them all straight to Hell.

You can’t deny they are cannibals. It is they who said so not me.

As far as names like Zionists, cannibals, terrorists etc. that is what they are. It is like going to the store for milk. You ask for milk – it’s proper name – not something else. People that blow up 80+ year old Sunni clerics and murder women and children via car bombs are terrorists. People interested in human rights and freedom do not kidnap and murder people. Terrorists do.

Even the US government has admitted Syria is fighting Al-Qaeda.

May 20th, 2013, 1:40 pm

 

Visitor said:

Reverse,

Last time I checked Hizbass was beaten by Israel all the way to North of Litani, while all the villages were emptied of their shiite heretics and had to find refuge in Syria and elsewhere. Also, while checking I found out over two thousand carcasses of shiite heretice from those villages were made lifeless and sent straignt to the lowest depth of the fires of Jahannam, where they are now being joined by the Hizbass mercenaries that are getting eliminated in Qusair as we speak. Care to join them, monkey-ape?

May 20th, 2013, 1:41 pm

 

revenire said:

Homs Opposition: Al Farouq Battalion is Killing Us

By Sharmine Narwani – Sun, 2012-05-13 19:17
http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/7297

It is extremely rare to have a direct peephole into events on the ground in Syria. The hard-fought battle over narratives often leaves truth in the dust. But among the cache of recently leaked emails (exclusive to Al Akhbar) from Syrian National Council (SNC) President Burhan Ghalioun’s inbox, comes this gem – important information that further highlights the glaring loophole in UN Envoy Kofi Annan’s demilitarization plans for Syria: rogue fighters.

The email sent to Ghalioun on March 25 summarizes a meeting held by members of various armed opposition groups operating in Homs – chiefly to address the pressing problem of the rogue al-Farouq Battalion.

The email’s author “Abu Majd” claims that 24 different armed groups in Homs started to work together in part because of the behavior of the Farouq Battalion, some of whose members are shown in this video from a few days ago. The problem with al-Farouq, says the email, is:

“Its monopoly over decision-making in its areas, its attempts to subjugate whoever is outside its command by force, and adopting what they call a “big stick policy” in dealing with other fighters.”

Confirming occasional Arab media accounts of fighters turning on each other inside opposition-dominated neighborhoods, Abu Majd accuses the Farouq Battalion of:

Unjustified violence against their adversaries and other anti-regime groups that are not subsumed under the rubric of al-Farouq Battalion resulting in a heavy human toll. For example, al-Farouq’s mild punishment/warning to fighters in Bab al-Sibaa led to the death of five martyrs.

One wonders how these deaths were characterized in the daily “casualty counts” disseminated by Homs activists and reported widely by foreign media.

Painting a picture of a Homs opposition fraught with disputes that have “plagued the revolutionary movement there,” the email illustrates some fundamental differences in the armed groups. On one hand, you have the participants of the meeting recapped in this email, who clearly view themselves as sharing a distinct outlook, and who insist that:

Certain groups within the Syrian opposition and external/regional forces have pushed fighters in Homs to this divided state of affairs…they are aware of the difference between civilian regime loyalists and armed killers…they condemn the few armed men in Homs who have committed violence against civilians in neighborhoods loyal to the regime.

Instead, they pin these crimes on “younger men making decisions on their own in line with the language of violence popularized by al-Farouq Battalion and made possible through generous external financial support.”

On the other hand, the email acknowledges another kind of armed opposition on the ground in Homs, which it accuses of fomenting violence against civilians and other fighters, provoking the Syrian regular army, and marching to the tune of foreign donors. On regime provocations, it references the Homs neighborhood of al-Khaldiyieh – scene of some of the worst violence seen in Syria to date:

Al-Farouq’s monopoly over decision-making in Al-Khalidiyeh, which resulted in the neighborhood being targeted with strong artillery strikes due to what some saw as recklessness in attacking Al-Matahen checkpoint (which has continued for days along with shelling Al-Khalidiyeh).
This has resulted in the shelling of Al-Khalidiyeh and the displacement of hundreds of its residents because certain people, exercising exclusive control over decision-making, made an irresponsible decision.

Al-Farouq appears to have taken offensive positions against the Syrian Army well in advance of the March 25 email. This video allegedly shows the militant group claiming responsibility for destroying an army tank in Baba Amr on December 22, 2011.

Baba Amr, of course, was the Homs neighborhood that came under severe government shelling in February, lasting for several weeks and drawing global censure for the alleged massacre of civilians. While the dominant narrative in the international media assumed an unprovoked army attack on a civilian population, there remains little evidence to back this scenario, particularly after information emerged that the neighborhood was an armed opposition stronghold, most of the population had vacated the neighborhood in advance, and reports of activists exaggerating violence trickled out.

The email’s accusation that al-Farouq’s “recklessness in attacking Al-Matahen checkpoint” was responsible for the Syrian Army’s shelling of al-Khalidiyeh, is reminiscent of events leading to the shelling of Baba Amr. According to American journalist Nir Rosen, similar armed opposition provocations preceded the destructive artillery attacks on Baba Amr. On February 4, Rosen wrote:

“Yesterday opposition fighters defeated the regime checkpoint at the Qahira roundabout and they seized a tank or armored personnel carrier. This followed similar successes against the Bab Dreib checkpoint and the Bustan al Diwan checkpoint. In response to this last provocation yesterday the regime started shelling with mortars from the Qalaa on the high ground and the State Security headquarters in Ghota.”

Narratives about these battles in Syria almost always assume that armed groups are taking defensive positions, chiefly to protect civilian populations. So why then, these repeated provocations of the Syrian regular army, other fighters, and civilian populations?

The March 25 email suggests that the Farouq Battalion’s behaviors are led by its financial backers – specifically, the Saudis:

The basis of the crisis in the city today is groups receiving uneven amounts of money from direct sources in Saudi Arabia some of whom are urging the targeting of loyalist neighborhoods and sectarian escalation while others are inciting against the SNC.
They are not national, unifying sources of support. On the contrary, mature field leaders have noted that receiving aid from them [Saudi Arabia] entails implicit conditions like working in ways other than the desired direction.

While the email provides valuable first-hand accounts of events on the ground inside one of Syria’s most embattled cities, it raises the important question of how to tackle armed groups – increasingly of the Islamic militant variety – who operate outside local or national opposition frameworks.

For one, these groups and individuals make the task of achieving compliance on any demilitarization plan difficult, if not impossible. If these groups continue violent attacks against security forces and civilians, it is unlikely that the Syrian government would pull back its troops from these areas.

For the Annan Plan to move forward and the UN observers to achieve demilitarization, two things must happen: 1) there must be specific, agreed-upon, detailed provisions for the Syrian army to deal with provocations from groups outside of the UN’s reach, and 2) the UN Protocol must hold external groups and nations who fund these rogue militants responsible for their material support of violence inside Syria.

It is worth mentioning that the Saudis have refused to meet Annan, and along with Qatar, have continued to offer financial assistance to armed Syrian opposition groups – officially, in the form of salaries. Ironically, both nations have been among the quickest to accuse the Syrian government of violating its commitment to the Annan Plan.

Little is known about the Farouq Battalion, but one of the few journalists – who must remain unnamed – to have dealt with them directly tells me that they are the largest armed opposition group operating inside Homs today with around 4,000 to 5,000 militia men. The group’s roots are militantly Islamist – the moniker Al Farouq is a reference to the Caliph Umar bin al-Khattab, the second successor to the Prophet Mohammad. Some reports claim that the group plans to declare an Islamic Caliphate in Syria, but holds off on any rhetoric that will strengthen the Syrian government’s hand.

Al-Farouq’s stronghold today is in the Khalidiyeh neighborhood of Homs, but its center is in al-Qusayr from which its leader Abu Ali Hardi, a former Syrian intelligence officer in Homs, hails. The militia’s public frontman is Abdul Razak Tlass, a symbolic figure because his uncle is a general in the Syrian Army. From their base in Homs near the Lebanese border, al-Farouq is well positioned to receive heavy weapons from al Qaa and Irsal via Salafist centers in the north of Lebanon. The group is currently trying to organize their fast-growing ranks into a central command structure – to date, fighters under the al-Farouq banner have mostly been running themselves independently in Homs’ various neighborhoods.

While the March 25 email sheds much-needed light on one small part of the Syrian armed opposition, it also illustrates just how egregiously misleading existing narratives are on the situation inside the country.

I reference, by example, possibly the only report on opposition group violence assembled by a major international human rights organization. A Human Rights Watch (HRW) press release from March 20 – five days before the email was sent to Burhan Ghalioun – details opposition “abuses” inside Syria, including kidnappings, torture and executions.

Not only does HRW repeat many of the dominant narratives that have falsely defined the Syrian crisis from its inception, but it does so quoting liberally from – wait for it – the Farouq Battalion. The “media coordinator” from al-Farouq tells HRW:

We are not kidnapping soldiers. During an armed confrontation, soldiers surrounded by the FSA are surrendering themselves to the Al-Farouq battalion so we are capturing and not kidnapping the soldiers. After capturing the soldiers, the FSA calls the government to negotiate the terms of their release, but they refuse to negotiate simply because they don’t care about the captured soldiers. The captives are placed in a room, not a prison. The room has one door with a lock but no windows. Al-Farouq battalion is treating them very well.

We know better now.

Sharmine Narwani is a commentary writer and political analyst covering the Middle East. You can follow Sharmine on twitter @snarwani.

May 20th, 2013, 1:49 pm

 

revenire said:

Visitor the Israelis admitted Hezbollah defeated them. It is not me who is saying this but the Israeli military. They are still in shock at the defeat the Hezbollah fighters handed them.

I know it hurts to say it but Hezbollah could destroy Nursa in one afternoon without breaking a sweat.

May 20th, 2013, 1:52 pm

 

zoo said:

Apple_mini

The regime has learned a lot from this crisis. They know they are under scrutinity from the Western countries and they try as much as they can to change their image.
In the contrary the opposition has lost his candor, it has resorted to excesses that have discredited them and split them.

Is the Syrian government actually changed from inside? I think it has. They all know they cannot impose a unilateral power on the country anymore. They know they have to move to more democratic government, they know that they will have to share the power but the opposition’s weakness has been so obvious that they are still confident that they can retain the majority of the Syrians on their side.
Yet, for now on they’ll be watched and cannot restore the kind of corruption and monopolization that always develops in a single party country.
These tragic events have been an ‘electroshock’ to the Baath party and to most of Syrians. I just hope it is to the better.

May 20th, 2013, 1:54 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

You can’t deny they are cannibals. It is they who said so not me.

Reverse,

We were discussing refugees. There are over 1 million refugees. The group of cannibals you keep mentioning are not refugees they are armed cavemen and represent a handful of individuals.

People that blow up 80+ year old Sunni clerics and murder women and children via car bombs are terrorists.

From what I have heard, this is what Assad and his supporters are doing. They are using Scuds against population centers and firing live ammunition into crowds of unarmed people.

I don’t think Assad and the SAA are as “clean” as you make them out to be.

People interested in human rights and freedom do not kidnap and murder people. Terrorists do.

Exactly. Since Assad has been prethident, there has not been ONE OUNCE of “human rights and freedom”. Now there’s the pot calling the kettle black. You seem to be good at that.

Even the US government has admitted Syria is fighting Al-Qaeda.

After 2 years. Yes. It’s a total cluster-you-know-what. But the first 6 months, it was all crimes committed by a selfish, self-appointed family: the Assads.

May 20th, 2013, 2:07 pm

 

annie said:

sorry, could not find the English version

May 20th, 2013, 2:10 pm

 

revenire said:

Akbar you’re discussing refugees that were driven out of Syria by terrorists – as Sharmine Narwani pointed out. I am discussing cannibals.

I don’t agree with your analysis at all.

You have no idea as to how many cannibals there are. The man filmed is a leader of one of the most popular battalions.

“The Farouq Brigades (Arabic: كتائب الفاروق‎), also spelt Farooq and Farook, are one of the largest and well-known units of the Free Syrian Army which is involved in the Syrian Civil War.”

His comrades cheered him on. That would indicate to me there is more than one cannibal.

Thus far we have seen them behead people and now eat human flesh. For all I know they’re all cannibals.

May 20th, 2013, 2:16 pm

 

Visitor said:

Reverse,

Last time I checked, I didn’t come across any Israeli admission of defeat.

But 2000 lifeless carcasses of heretics WAS very real.

Hizbass kicked out to north of Litani WAS and IS very real.

Your claims however are delusional.

Da7hye will be levelled on top of HassanAss head by none other than Nusra holy warriors. HassanAss will be burried in the sewer where he currently lives. I am sure he’ll find no difference since he’s already a permenant resisdence. Care to join him monkey-ape?

May 20th, 2013, 2:18 pm

 

dawoud said:

ATTN: Matthew Barber

Mr. Barber:

Do you allow the pasting/posting of full texts as is the case in comment 1058 by one of the regime commentators from the pro-regime/Hizbass al-Akhbar?

Speaking of al-Akhbar, its disturbing bias in favor of the Syrian murderous regime caused Max Blumenthal to stop its association with it:

http://maxblumenthal.com/2012/06/the-right-to-resist-is-universal-a-farewell-to-al-akhbar-and-assads-apologists/

The right to resist is universal: A farewell to Al Akhbar and Assad’s apologists
On 06.20.12, By Max

“Syrian weapons are being used – most unfortunately – against our camp, while the rulers of Damascus continue to repeat that they are here in Lebanon in order to defend our camp. This is a murderous lie, a lie which pains us more than anyone else… But we wish to inform you that we will fight in defense of this camp with our bare hands if all our ammunition is spent and all our weapons are gone, and that we will tighten our belts so that hunger will not kill us. For we have taken a decision not to surrender and we shall not surrender…”

–open letter from the residents of Tal al Zataar refugee camp to the world, July 13, 1976

I recently learned of a major exodus of key staffers at Al Akhbar caused at least in part by disagreements with the newspaper leadership’s pro-Assad tendency. The revelation helps explain why Al Akhbar English now prominently features the malevolent propaganda of Amal Saad Ghorayeb and the dillentantish quasi-analysis of Sharmine Narwani alongside editor-in-chief Ibrahim al-Amin’s friendly advice for Bashar Assad, whom he attempts to depict as an earnest reformer overwhelmed by events.

When I joined the fledgling Al Akhbar English website last fall, I was excited to contribute my writing on the Israel-Palestine situation and US foreign policy to a paper that I considered one of the most courageous publications in the Arab world. At the time, the Syrian uprising had just begun, and apparently, so had the debates inside Al Akhbar, which reflected the discussions within the wider Lebanese Left. Almost a year later, the results of the debate have become clear on the pages of the paper, where despite the presence of a few dissident voices, the apologia for Assad and his crimes has reached unbearable levels.

I considered responding on my blog to some of the more outlandish ravings published at Al Akhbar, but eventually decided my energy would be better spent on covering the topics I knew best — and which I could discuss with the authority of journalistic experience. Meanwhile, my frustration and embarrassment mounted as one Ghorayeb screed after another appeared on the site, each one more risible than the next.

Following her vehement defense of the Syrian dictator’s use of surgery metaphors to refer to his security forces’ brutal crackdowns, Al Akhbar English featured Ghorayeb’s daftest work to date: an attack on Arab Third Wayers (supporters of the anti-imperialist, anti-authoritarian political tendency) in which she asserted that “the real litmus of Arab intellectuals’ and activists’ commitment to the Palestinian cause is no longer their support for Palestinian rights, but rather, their support for the Assad leadership’s struggle against the imperialist-Zionist-Arab moderate axis’ onslaught against it.”

Ghorayeb’s rant, rightly condemned by As’ad Abu Khalil as an “outrage,” was of a piece with the Syrian regime’s long record of exploiting the Palestinian struggle to advance its narrow self-interests. For me, it was the final straw. Had Al Akhbar’s editorial leadership provided a platform to Ghorayeb and other apologists because of the quality of their writing or because of their willingness to defend the regime behind the cover of leftist ideology? This had become a salient question.

I was forced to conclude that unless I was prepared to spend endless stores of energy jousting with Assad apologists, I was merely providing them cover by keeping my name and reputation associated with Al Akhbar. More importantly, I decided that if I kept quiet any longer, I would be betraying my principles and those of the people who have encouraged and inspired me over the years. There is simply no excuse for me to remain involved for another day with such a morally compromised outlet. And so, instead of preparing to throw up in my own mouth each time I click on one of the pro-regime op-eds appearing with regularity on Al Akhbar English’s home page, I am washing my hands of the whole operation.

I can not disagree with anyone who claims that the United States and the Saudi royals aim to ratchet up their regional influence on the backs of the shabby Syrian National Council while Israel cheers on the sidelines. Though it is far from certain whether these forces will realize a fraction of their goals, it is imperative to reject the foreign designs on Syria and Lebanon, just as authentic Syrian dissidents like Michel Kilo have done. Yet the mere existence of Western meddling does not automatically make Assad a subaltern anti-imperial hero at the helm of a “frontline resisting state,” as Ghorayeb has sought to paint him. Nor does it offer any legitimate grounds for nickel-and-diming civilian casualty counts, blaming the victims of his regime, or hyping the Muslim Threat Factor to delegitimize the internal opposition.

In the end, Assad will be remembered as an authoritarian tyrant whose regime represented little more than the interests of a rich neoliberal business class and a fascistic security apparatus. Those who have thrown their intellectual weight behind his campaign of brutality have cast the sincerity of their commitment to popular struggle and anti-imperial resistance into serious doubt. By denying the Syrian people the right to revolution while supporting the Palestinian struggle, they are no less hypocritical than the Zionists who cynically celebrate the Syrian uprising while seeking to crush any iteration of Palestinian resistance. In my opinion, the right to resist tyranny is indivisible and universal. It can be denied to no one.

Throughout the past weeks, as my sense of anguish mounted, I have thought about the bravery of the Lebanese leftists who fought beside the Palestinian fedayeen at Sidon, halting the US-approved Syrian invasion of Lebanon, which Hafez al-Assad had designed in part to break the back of the Palestinian national cause. And I recalled stories of the Lebanese activists who broke through the Syrian army’s blockade of Tal al Zataar to provide food and supplies to the Palestinian refugees defending their camp against imminent destruction. The long history of sacrifice and courage by the Lebanese and Syrian people in support of the Palestinian struggle — and in defiance of self-interested autocrats — crystallizes an important fact that should not have to be repeated: Palestine will never be free as long as the Arab world lives under the control of dictators.

At Al Akhbar English, Ghorayeb has attempted to advance the opposite argument: that supporting Assad regime is synonymous with support for the Palestinian struggle, and possibly more important. This is what prompted her to falsely claim that “Syrian officials do not meet with their Israeli counterparts,” ignoring the fact that Syrian and Israeli officials dined together at a 2007 commemoration for the Madrid peace talks, and that the Syrians offered the Israelis negotiations over the Golan Heights “without preconditions,” a position the regime maintained until as late as December 2009. Outside of negotiations with Israel, it is unclear what concrete steps Syria’s government was willing to take to regain the Golan.
[…]

May 20th, 2013, 2:27 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Matthew Barber
Reverin is back to his silly words
He must be banned or we will respond in the same manners

May 20th, 2013, 2:43 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Matthew Barber
REvenir must be banned or we will use similar words as his

May 20th, 2013, 2:44 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Mattew barber
REvenir is using language filthy ,he must be banned or we should be able to use similar language and sure we can do that, this is the third time I send you this message

May 20th, 2013, 2:47 pm

 

Dawoud said:

Attn: Mathew Barber

The Full article post/paste is from 1059. revenire

Thanks

May 20th, 2013, 2:48 pm

 

Tara said:

Reve,

Brace yourself to be banned. You violated the guidelines and you deserve it. You were told not to dehumanize people and not to celebrate death. You did not comply. I hope you get banned to to be taught a lesson that your behavior is not acceptable. Someone should email Matt in case he is not reading.

Zoo will sure miss you. He said so. See you in how long?

May 20th, 2013, 2:52 pm

 

Citizen said:

AP !
Smiling Arab allies today are a thousand times more dangerous enemies than tradicional Arab enemies! This reinforced concrete base.
Today, the Arabs going to be Jews by demonstrating loyalty to the Jewish more than the Jews themselves! it iis alarming !!!!

May 20th, 2013, 2:57 pm

 

revenire said:

Tara of course the death of any terrorist is welcomed. People that eat other human beings are animals and should be put down as animals.

May 20th, 2013, 2:59 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Revenir
using your logic, stupid comments we should call the one who writes it and all the others we should call them stupid, and the same logic for one pro assad who is son of Sharmoota, then all of you who who are pro Assad will be named sons of Sharmoota, and I can go on more and more, this will reduce this forum to insults and disgusting, there is a lot of words I can use.
So you either behave or we will flood this forum with similar words

May 20th, 2013, 3:14 pm

 

revenire said:

I am for Assad and you are against Assad.

There are calls for death of Syrian army soldiers, and their allies, every single day on this forum.

You do what you want. You won’t affect me either way.

May 20th, 2013, 3:36 pm

 

Tara said:

Reve,

You call a “terrorist” anyone and everyone who opposes Batta. Then you call them apes and swines and the next step you call for their ethnic genocide and next you cheer their killing. Who do you thin you are fooling? The only one you are fooling is yourself and your admirers.

May 20th, 2013, 3:38 pm

 

Citizen said:

1026. AP
Do you want from us to smile to you and enter the knife in the back as did Erdogan or Hamad bin Jassim?This is not our nature we say: if you assaulted We will fight face to face and not stabbed in the back
We do not bet!We are honest! You can lack of attention to this!

May 20th, 2013, 3:43 pm

 

zoo said:

majed

just email to Matt instead of childishly blackmailing him and flooding the blog with angry vulgarity and insults.

May 20th, 2013, 3:45 pm

 

revenire said:

HNN Homs News Network
TERRORISTS CLASH AS ACCUSATIONS OF TREASON FLY IN AL-QASEIR !! ..

An escalation of fighting occurred between Armed Battalions in Al-Qaseir, when accusations of treason began following the loss of the Garage area in clashes to the Syrian Arab Army, with Terrorists accusing each other of working with the Army leading to clashes that resulted in 5 dead …

NOT KNOWING WHO YOU CAN TRUST IN THE MIDDLE OF A COMBAT ZONE,, GOTTA WATCH YOUR BACK !! … – J

Republican Guard

May 20th, 2013, 3:50 pm

 

zoo said:

I wonder why when Sunni islamists terrorists are killed in Afghanistan or Mali, the west call it a victory and when the same brand of people are killed in Syria, it is called a massacre and they call for a UNSC urgent meeting

May 20th, 2013, 3:53 pm

 

zoo said:

Another successful army in action

Syrian Hackers Take Over Daily Telegraph Twitter Accounts
Adam Taylor | 22 minutes ago | 55 |

Twitter accounts linked to the British newspaper the Daily Telegraph appear to have been taken over by Syrian hackers who call themselves the Syrian Electronic Army.

A number of Twitter accounts have begun tweeting the pro-regime messages that have become an all-too-familiar sight over the last few weeks:

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/telegraph-twitter-hacked-by-sea-2013-5#ixzz2TrgBCfQK

May 20th, 2013, 4:01 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Zoo
That is not blackmailing that is trying to correct his behaviour convincingly ,it is childish for you to to say what you said

May 20th, 2013, 4:01 pm

 

revenire said:

Majed tell you what: when the calls to murder Assad stop I will start calling the cannibals “Mr. Cannibal”.

You yourself have called for the death of SAA and Hezbollah soldiers.

What you want is the freedom to carry out pro-terrorist propaganda without any balance or check.

May 20th, 2013, 4:04 pm

 

Tara said:

#

Simple.

Because the west does not submit to what Assad and his supporters would like them to believe, that anyone who oppose Batta is a terrorist. The west knows it is the people against the dictator.

May 20th, 2013, 4:04 pm

 

zoo said:

“US strongly condemns Syrian strike against Qusayr, Hezbollah”s intervention”

Who cares?

May 20th, 2013, 4:05 pm

 

zoo said:

majed

who do you think you are to publicly order and blackmail Matt to ban anyone?

May 20th, 2013, 4:10 pm

 

Visitor said:

Ignorance is a bliss,

http://www.alarabiya.net/ar/iran/2013/05/20/وزير-إيراني-يعد-ببث-صوت-وصورة-المهدي-المنتظر-.html

Utter ignorance is like reincarnating monkeys in space only paralleled by so-called ‘divine victories’ while heading north of Litani leaving behind more than 2000 lifeless carcasses.

Delusion is the name of the game. The more delusional the more ‘divinely’ victorious’.

May 20th, 2013, 4:15 pm

 

revenire said:

Tara no, the West does not know that at all. You say it but you are biased. You have called for the MURDER of Assad and his entire family many, many times on this forum.

Some forces in the West backs the ouster of Assad but the majority leave it to Syria and Syrians and you are not Syrian. You live in the US and you do not have any say what goes on inside Syria.

If you cared you would return to Syria and help her people.

I don’t care what you say or how many times you say you want SAA soldiers to die and want Hezbollah soldiers to die. That is called FREE SPEECH but it works both ways.

May 20th, 2013, 4:16 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

REvenir
You either stop, this silly behaviour,or we will keep calling the moderator to ban you till you are banned

Zoo you know who I am so stop this nonsense

May 20th, 2013, 4:18 pm

 

zoo said:

Troubles in Al Raqqa as islamist groups fight against each other for exclusive domination.

Syrian opposition chief kidnapped
http://en.trend.az/regions/met/arabicr/2152510.html

“An activist in Raqa blamed radical Islamists who refused to withdraw from the city’s residential areas for Khalil’s kidnapping.”

Khalil, also known as Abu Sara, “has been kidnapped just days before new local council elections. I think the only way he will get released is if some kind of deal is struck”, said the activist who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity.

“People used to like Ahrar al-Sham and Al-Nusra Front (powerful rebel groups). Now they’re just stealing the country from us,” said the activist, adding that several other local personalities and non-jihadist rebel leaders had been kidnapped or killed in the area in recent weeks.

The activist said that in Raqa, even within jihadists’ ranks there is division.

“The Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria is becoming more powerful than al-Nusra Front in some areas,” he said.

He said the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria had tried to bring the jihadist al-Nusra Front under its full control, but could not.

“Now they are two groups, competing against each other for influence,” said the activist, who is well-informed on political developments in rebel-held areas.

Syrian opposition chief kidnapped

An opposition leader, rights activist and long-time dissident in Syria’s rebel-held city of Raqa has been abducted, a watchdog said on Monday, Alarabiya reported.

“The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has learnt of the abduction by an armed group of lawyer, human rights activist and head of Raqa city’s (opposition) local council Abdullah al-Khalil,” the Britain-based group said.

It condemned the kidnapping and demanded “his immediate release”.

….An activist in Raqa blamed radical Islamists who refused to withdraw from the city’s residential areas for Khalil’s kidnapping.

Khalil, also known as Abu Sara, “has been kidnapped just days before new local council elections. I think the only way he will get released is if some kind of deal is struck”, said the activist who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity.

“People used to like Ahrar al-Sham and Al-Nusra Front (powerful rebel groups). Now they’re just stealing the country from us,” said the activist, adding that several other local personalities and non-jihadist rebel leaders had been kidnapped or killed in the area in recent weeks.

The activist said that in Raqa, even within jihadists’ ranks there is division.

“The Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria is becoming more powerful than al-Nusra Front in some areas,” he said.

He said the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria had tried to bring the jihadist al-Nusra Front under its full control, but could not.

“Now they are two groups, competing against each other for influence,” said the activist, who is well-informed on political developments in rebel-held areas.

Khalil, also known as Abu Sara, “has been kidnapped just days before new local council elections. I think the only way he will get released is if some kind of deal is struck”, said the activist who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity.

“People used to like Ahrar al-Sham and Al-Nusra Front (powerful rebel groups). Now they’re just stealing the country from us,” said the activist, adding that several other local personalities and non-jihadist rebel leaders had been kidnapped or killed in the area in recent weeks.

The activist said that in Raqa, even within jihadists’ ranks there is division.

“The Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria is becoming more powerful than al-Nusra Front in some areas,” he said.

He said the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria had tried to bring the jihadist al-Nusra Front under its full control, but could not.

“Now they are two groups, competing against each other for influence,” said the activist, who is well-informed on political developments in rebel-held areas.

May 20th, 2013, 4:24 pm

 

Tara said:

Reve,

The guidelines to have a civil discussion is outlined by MATT. It is one thing to attack a political or religious leaders and whole different thing to attack communities, dehumanized them and incite their genocide. Please do not pretend you do not know the difference.

May 20th, 2013, 4:24 pm

 

revenire said:

Tara when you stop begging for Assad to be murdered we can talk but until then I stand by, and will repeat, every single thing I have said.

I repeat: the army must hunt down and kill every single terrorist in Syria. Then there will be peace. And when they do that I will toss a party.

Terrorists are not a community. There is no revolution in Syria. There are terrorists.

I do not accept your narrative.

May 20th, 2013, 4:32 pm

 

Matthew Barber said:

MarigoldRan, Visitor, and Sandro L are banned for ignoring my recently-posted message on moderation, continuing to use: profanity, insults, and dehumanizing references to people with disabilities, all of which also smack of adolescent immaturity.

For those demanding that he be banned, Revenire is clearly testing the boundaries, but trying not to cross them. Since my message, he’s not offering directing insults, but he’s just cleverly taunting you. Why do you give him the satisfaction of your reactions? Not my problem.

Dawoud, do you realize that in the same message in which you asked me if it is allowed to post a full-text article, you posted a full-text article?

May 20th, 2013, 4:33 pm

 

Tara said:

Reve

I do not care if you accept my narrative or not.

The site is moderated now. Universal guidelines are established. You should abide by them or you are risking being banned. That is if MATT’s post was not just hot air. If you don’t like those guidelines, you should leave.

May 20th, 2013, 4:37 pm

 

revenire said:

Tara I’ve called for the army to WIN. I have not called for anything else.

This is the site of Josh Landis and he sets the rules. I read them and haven’t violated them.

If I support the army maybe you’d like me to say I support them by handing out flowers but this is war. I celebrate army victories.

May 20th, 2013, 4:53 pm

 

revenire said:

Frankly, I feel my use of “rat” to describe cannibals and people that chop heads off is rather tame but if they don’t want the word used that’s their call not mine and I will respect it.

Many of us who are pro-Syria have relatives who were murdered at the hands of the so-called FSA. I don’t think it is funny. I don’t think it is funny for people here to call for soldiers to be murdered just because they support their government.

If they were US soldiers and people were calling for their death how would the Americans feel?

I think I have made my point.

May 20th, 2013, 4:56 pm

 

Dolly Buster said:

Tara when you stop begging for Assad to be murdered

 
He is the military commander. This is war.
“Murder” isn’t appropriate battlefield terminology.

Bashar had ample opportunity to retire and spend his pension years on Grand Cayman. But he *chose* to tyrannize the people of Sunnah for the sake of his fake god Ali ibn Abi Talib.

We are going to take back Damascus for the Umayyads.

May 20th, 2013, 4:59 pm

 

annie said:

A viewpoint from a rajul addin

May 20th, 2013, 4:59 pm

 

revenire said:

From the London Telegraph:

Syrian ‘cannibal’ rebel explains his actions
Rebel commander Abu Sakkar, who was filmed cutting out and eating the organs of a pro-regime fighter, warns that if the bloodshed continues “all Syrian people” will be like him.

May 20th, 2013, 5:00 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Matthew
Generalizing, is a crime, no one is responsible for some one else behaviour, If someone says all american are murderous people,,,because of Kevin McVay murder it is disgusting statement,if someone isperverted that does not mean all are perverted.
in doing so, it is insulting ,if someone commit sin that doesnot make us all sinners
You are encouraging crimes, by keeping Revenir here

May 20th, 2013, 5:02 pm

 

zoo said:

1090 Majed

I don’t know who you are and I certainly don’t want to know.

What I know is that you don’t own this blog, you are just a guest therefore you have no right to blackmail or criticize the moderator if he does not ban people you don’t like..
You may end up being banned yourself

May 20th, 2013, 5:06 pm

 

revenire said:

Dolly Assad could have fled to the Cayman Islands and it would have changed nothing.

I feel that if Assad was assassinated tomorrow the war would not stop. If a pro-Western government was installed in Damascus the pro-government forces would continue to fight.

It isn’t about Assad. It is about changing the geopolitical map of the region. It is about Iran. It is about Hezbollah. It is about Russia. It is about China.

Certain forces have fomented sectarian war using an old divide and conquer strategy empires have used for 1000s of years. I reject that this is a war between Sunni and Shia. I reject it with everything I have.

May 20th, 2013, 5:08 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Matthew
All those you banned should not be banned if you want to keep revenir

May 20th, 2013, 5:09 pm

 

zoo said:

Hezbollah’s heading for sectarian (jihadists) showdown

Hezbollah has taken heavy losses while backing regime forces in Syria, heightening concerns the Shiite movement’s heading for a showdown with Sunni jihadists.


The Shiites’ main enemy will be the Sunni jihadists who have exploited the struggle to topple Assad and turned it into a sectarian conflict.

The rebels are backed by Saudi Arabia which is locked in a confrontation with its regional archrival, Shiite Iran, for mastery of the oil-rich Persian Gulf and the Muslim world.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/05/20/Hezbollahs-heading-for-sectarian-showdown/UPI-50401369082790/#ixzz2Ts0WKnsZ

May 20th, 2013, 5:22 pm

 

Tara said:

Pro revolution guys and gals:

Matt is right! Pro-revolution should not give Reve the satisfaction he is thriving for and should completely and utterly ignore his presence. We should not respond to his posts and not have a conversation with him. He needs to be taught a lesson loud and clear. No dialogue with murderers and with genocide enthusiasts! Let him play Salwa ya Salwa with Ann and co. We should simply not interact with him.

What do you all say about ignoring him especially you Dolly?

May 20th, 2013, 5:26 pm

 

Dawoud said:

1094. MATTHEW BARBER said:

“Dawoud, do you realize that in the same message in which you asked me if it is allowed to post a full-text article, you posted a full-text article?”

No, Mr. Barber, I was afraid you would say so because I posted exactly 1/2 of the text, NOT ALL of IT! Please click on the link and verify what I am saying. If you find me misleading you, please BAN ME Forever! 🙂

May 20th, 2013, 5:28 pm

 

zoo said:

majed

Don’t cry, some of your buddies are still around.

May 20th, 2013, 5:29 pm

 

zoo said:

Erdogan is facing opposition on the ‘compensation’ agreement of the Mavi Marmara killing. When is Erdogan going to the promised visit to Gaza? I think he will obey Obama and postpone it.

İHH president vows to pursue charges against Israeli military members
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-315954-ihh-president-vows-to-pursue-charges-against-israeli-military-members.html

Yıldırım, however, said no one has the right to drop the charges against Israeli soldiers. “Bilateral agreements are being made,” he said in reference to the Turkish-Israeli talks.

No one has the right to do so. The people of Turkey, of the world will not let this happen. We will not let this happen,” he said.

Gülden Sönmez, a lawyer from the İHH who was on the Mavi Marmara during the Israeli raid, said they expected the Israeli soldiers to be arrested. “Everyone is disturbed that the case is being reduced to compensation. People do not want compensation to be discussed before the blockade is lifted and soldiers are punished,” she added.

May 20th, 2013, 5:44 pm

 

revenire said:

Dave I apologize for posting the entire Sharmine Narwani article. I had no idea it would upset you as we often see you posting lengthy articles here. In the future I will edit things or just post links.

I am sorry.

Shake?

🙂

PS – In the spirit of the new SC perhaps you could humor me and post the link to that Palestinian poll where 95% of Palestinians supported the Zionist attack on Syria. I posted a video of Palestinians being shot by the FSA a few days ago. Did you get a chance to watch it? I won’t post it again – as posting the same video dozens of times would be considered spam.

May 20th, 2013, 5:51 pm

 

Matthew Barber said:

Don’t worry, Dawoud; you can post whatever you like. 😉

May 20th, 2013, 5:56 pm

 

zoo said:

“The Sunni regimes of the Gulf are undermining each other foreign policy”

Syria: no place for back-seat drivers

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/20/syria-back-seat-drivers-us-uk

Having rejected the diplomatic option of talking to Assad, neither the US nor Britain can lead from behind

The dominant, or at least most cohesive, fighting group on the rebel side, Jabhat al-Nusra, is funded and armed by non-state actors, as is al-Qaida, to which the Sunni jihadi group has vowed its allegiance

There are splits between rebel units on the ground and the Syrian opposition in Turkey and Doha. A further cleavage has opened between Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Jordan, on the one side – all determined not to let the Islamists of the Muslim Brotherhood gain control of Syria – and Qatar and Turkey on the other, which back other brotherhood-dominated regimes in Egypt and Tunisia. If Sunni al-Qaida is fighting Shia Hezbollah in Qusair, the Sunni regimes of the Gulf are doing a good job undermining each other’s foreign policy as well…

We have lost leverage over rebel groups. Having rejected the diplomatic option of talking to Assad for so long, neither US nor Britain — nor Russia on its side — can “lead from behind” in Syria. A military conflict is no place for back-seat drivers.

May 20th, 2013, 5:56 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Insolence of lie is a profanity that kills. Sharmine Narwani thus qualifies as one of the most intellectually profane one could ever encounter.

In the meantime, the light skinned anthropologist, puts on the safari, and starts disciplining and civilizing the non-native natives.

May 20th, 2013, 6:01 pm

 

Tara said:

Hamster@ 1113

Very profound if I understood you correctly. It made me pause. The light skinned putting on his safari suite, teaching civility, and posing discipline? That is what you meant?

Sandro is native-native

May 20th, 2013, 6:13 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Brave are those rare academics who realize when pretentious neutrality becomes a moral failure.

May 20th, 2013, 6:15 pm

 

revenire said:

Wise words from a wise man:

“They call it a revolution, but in fact it has nothing to do with revolutions. A revolution needs thinkers. A revolution is built on thought. Where are their thinkers? A revolution needs leaders. Who is its leader? Revolutions are built on science and thought not on ignorance, on pushing the country ahead not taking it centuries back, on spreading light not cutting power lines. A revolution is usually done by the people not by importing foreigners to rebel against the people.” – Bashar al-Assad

May 20th, 2013, 6:15 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

TARA
The real natives are either refugees escaping the murderous regime,or are being murdered by that regime as we write. But they have far more dignity than allowing the light skinned anthropologist to teach them civility. What the light-skinned anthropologist doesn’t realize is the profanity of the existence of such regime, or the profanity of the act of defending it. It is simply a matter of values and a disconnect between science and ethics. The strange thing is that such disconnect is more prevalent in the humanities than in physical sciences.

Didn’t even finish. Read what revenire pasted and tell me if it is not an act of murderous profanity.

May 20th, 2013, 6:24 pm

 

Ameera said:

شو الظاهر في كتير ناس صارت ممنوعة من التعليق والله شي بيضحك كيف عم تتآتلو مع بعض على كلام فاضي مالو طعمة

من وجهت نظري يلي عم يصير بالهمنتدى بشبه يلي عم يصير بسوريا يعني انا يلي شايفتو الاتي

١. ماثيو باربير بمثل امريكا و الغرب
٢. ريفرين و جماعتو بمثلو النظام وايران وحزب الله
٣. درفسور لاندز و جماعتو بمثلو روسيا ودول البركس يلي بدعوا الحيادية بس هني مع النظام بتصرفاتن
٤. تارا ماجد هامستر ماري داوود ساندرو و جماعتون بمثلو تركيا قطر السعودية الاخوان المسلمين ١٤ اذار والجيش الحر
٥. فيزيتر و جماعتو بمثل جماعة النصرة والجهاديين
٦. اميرة و يلي متلها جماعة ما خصنا بس رجعونا الامن و الامان و طلعات السيران
٧. آنني و جيركون و البقية جماعة السلمية و الحراك الثوري
٨. غفران و جماعتو بمثلو الاردن و لبنان يلي نفسي فيه بس بعرف انو مو طالع بالايد مشان هيك حسب السوق منسوق

ملاحظاتي

١. ماثيو باربير هو الاقوى وهو الوحيد يلي بيئدر يطرد ريفرين و جماعتو
٢. كل الاطراف بدا رضا ماثيو باربير و الشاطر يلي بيمسحلوا جوخ وكل ما صار شي الكل بروح ببكي لعندو على قولة هدا ساوى هيك وهديك حكت هيك
٣. كل الاطراف ضد ريفرين بس بنفس الوقت نازلين سلخ و بهدلة ببعض و ريفرين مبسوط
٤. ريفرين نازل تشبيح و بهدلة بالكل وما حدا قادر يضبوا ويطردوا
٥. ماثيو كل مرة بحط خطوط حمراء و قوانين فبروح ريفرين بتحداه و بنكشوا
٦. ماثيو بطنش ريفرين و بيئول انو ما تجاوز الخطوط و بفش خلئوا بجماعة الثورة و الجهاديين
٧. الجهاديين و الجيش الحر بطوش حجرهم ولازم ينتئمو بس مو طالع بايدون شي فبروحو يتفششوا بجماعة ما خصنا و بتهموهم بالعمالة للنظام و بترازلو عليهم

ومتل مو شايفين فينا نضلنا نحكي اسقاطات بين سوريا و المنتدى لبكره يعني بالنهاية ما بيصير الا يلي الله كاتبو والله يحسن الخاتمة

May 20th, 2013, 6:35 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

And Tara,
You are not pro revolution, you represent humanity and civilization. So words like pro revolution and pro regime only serve to emphasize a fraudulent equivalence anthropologists are so fund of. Naturally the savage regime would be extremely happy with that equivalence and would appreciate, very much, some useful “idio” ts

May 20th, 2013, 6:37 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

أميرة خانم
البكالوريا تبعك من أي جامعة ؟

You just finished off quite few careers, and the lab-rat experiment is from now on useless. No more priority to publication.

May 20th, 2013, 6:40 pm

 
 

Ameera said:

البيك الهامستر السوري

انا سائطة بكالوريا ادبي بثانوية بهجت البيطار
خير ان شالله؟

May 20th, 2013, 6:44 pm

 

revenire said:

Syria: Turning Point in the Battle of Qusayr

After weeks of reinforcing their positions around Qusayr near the Lebanese border, Syrian government forces stormed the strategic town early on Sunday. Many opposition fighters fled, accusing their commanders of betrayal.

Both opposition and army sources on the ground in Qusayr agree that the town – taken by opposition fighters early on in the Syrian crisis – will be in the hands of the regime in a matter of days.

For weeks now, government forces have been conducting military operations around the strategic town, which is located to the southwest of Homs, a few kilometers from the northern tip of Lebanon.

After securing nearly all the villages in the surrounding area, the Syrian army entered Qusayr Sunday morning under heavy fire power, killing 90 opposition fighters and injuring hundreds, according to opposition sources inside the the besieged town.

Regime forces used heavy fire power, including air strikes, in addition to the element of surprise to break through opposition defenses in the city. “We mobilized our forces to the north to repel an expected attack by the Syrian army and Hezbollah,” a local commander told Al-Akhbar, “but we were surprised when they entered from the south, east, and west.”

(This is just part of the important article but for Dave, and the sake of brevity, we produce only this. Follow the link for more. Thank you.)

May 20th, 2013, 6:48 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

لازم تكملي دراسة

في كم غلطة صغار بتحليلك، بس في مستوى تحليل أعلي من كتير ناس معهون دكتوراه … وعم بحكي جد . مو مسخره

بعدين أنا بيك ما خرجي …. ما بتلبقلي ..أفندي يمكن

May 20th, 2013, 6:49 pm

 

zoo said:

Syria crisis: ‘Iraqi Shia fighters’ join regime in battle

This seems like the beginning of a full Shia vs Sunni Islamist Jihadists war. It was predictable when the West called for Bashar al Assad go without imagining the consequences.
The next step is Iran’s military intervention after the election is over. This possible escalation is sending shock waves in Kuwait, Saudi and Qatar as they have no power or desire to intervene openly. They proxies on the ground will be eliminated. The USA will not intervene in Syria.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22594072

The BBC has seen evidence that the Syrian regime is getting support from Shia fighters crossing into the country from Iraq.

In an interview with the BBC’s Aleem Maqbool, one man claimed to have recruited and prepared some of the “thousands” of Iraqi Shia fighters travelling across the border.

Meanwhile the tension is said to be contributing to increasing violence in Iraq, with fears the country could return to the worst of the sectarian conflict seen in 2006 and 2007.

Aleem Maqbool reports from Baghdad.

May 20th, 2013, 6:51 pm

 

Darryl said:

What!, my dear friend Visitor is banned! come on I can understand imposing a ban on BamBamBOORAAN but not Visitor. Please bring him back, he is the one person I would love to have a toast with in this life.

My friend Visitor, if you are reading this post; I have found a way to justify having a drink with me without disobeying Allah Almighty. Here is the logic behind it:

Allah in Surat Al-Maidah verse 3 says (glory be to Him) …this day I have completed your religion. This means all verses after 5:3 are not needed as the Quraan should be complete at this verse. Banning alcohol comes in verse 90. Hence, you can drink as Allah (Glory be to Him) did not ban alcohol when His religion was completed in verse 3. When you are in front of Allah and the Quraan is bearing witness against you you can say this to Him.

As a matter of fact, there is no need for surat Al-towbah as it was revealed after surat al-maidah.

Please Mr barber, allow Visitor back in! ( I hope I do not get banned for this post)

May 20th, 2013, 6:54 pm

 

Ameera said:

تسلم يا هامستر افندي كلك زوء والله مبين على منطئك انك ابن عالم و ناس

لك اه شو بيدي احكيلك انسة العربي اتصلت بابي بعد ما رسبت بالبكالوريا و قالتلو هاي بنتك مخا سميك ومو نافعى بنوب و بلا ما تضيع مصرياتك عليها. بعدين ابي ضربني أتله مرتبه و حرق كل كتبي و حطني عند كوفيرة لاتعلم قص الشعر

والله قلبي ببكي من جوا بس اتذكر هداك اليوم

May 20th, 2013, 7:03 pm

 

Ameera said:

نرجع على تحليل الشخصيات بالموقع انت شو ملاحظاتك؟
على فكرة انا نسيت اليهود والصهااينة بالمندى يلي بلعبو على كل الاوتار وهمن يشعلوها كل ما بردت

May 20th, 2013, 7:07 pm

 

Tara said:

Hamster,

CC: Matt
Cc: JL

The mere thought of the pretentious neutrality is painful.  I always viewed the responsibility to protect as a universal value.  I always viewed condemning inhumanity and thus not staying neutral to be the founding stone of morality.  This netrality would not have been the case had atrocities hit home and became up close and personal.   It can only happen watching and observing.   It is to this academics like a science lab where we are all the experiment subjects and there is 2 sides to this experiment.   No emotion involved.  Hence, the profanity of the existence of such regime is not perceived as such.   The academics observing the experiment rush to report not the massacres, not the depravity, and are certainly would never been bothered by those  defending the profanity.  The crimes and brutality are expected and not worth mentioning.  Rather, they just rush to report the unexpected and hence Aaron Lund and the rest obsession with 3 people making up an Islamist faction name and joining in, the expansion or the division of the opposition, the opposition behavior, etc   The claim that this is a place to observe the war and not the place to participate in it is very easy when it is not their people.  The conscience can be easily suspended in this case and learned emotions prompted by stereotyping can simply dominate.

It is my opinion that a non-Syrian moderator should not use his judgement in moderating us the people affected by the war and just stick to general guidelines of banning the obvious: profanity, sexual harassment, and personal insult.  It is insulting to ban say SL for using profanity when the real profanity of defending the regime, inciting genocide, and celebrating death is let go roaming free under this pretentious neutrality.      

May 20th, 2013, 7:16 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

أي هي انسة العربي، عدم المؤاخذه حمارة وما بتفهم … وما لازم تقرب عالعملية التربويه
الظاهر معينة بالواسطه

مو المهم شو رأيي أبدا .. المهم أنو عملتي إسقاط كتير حلو ..
والمهم أكتر من مين بيمثل شو أنو الإسقاط فيه فهم للوضع العام بيستاهل التفكير

May 20th, 2013, 7:18 pm

 

revenire said:

Tara millions of Syrians love Assad. Our people are victims of terrorism and we stand by our president and our army. That is patriotism. We look with disgust at those outside of Syria who cheer when the Zionists attack our nation. We hate war but if forced to fight it we will and we will win. Our cause is that of justice and honor. Our soldiers are heroes. Our mothers offer their sons as martyrs for Syria. We celebrate our victories. We reject sectarianism.

What, in God’s name, is wrong with that?

May 20th, 2013, 7:20 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

TARA
Outstanding.
I think they rush to report what they want to report. I honestly believe they are even fudging the results.

May 20th, 2013, 7:33 pm

 

Ameera said:

شكرا الك كتير والله يجبر بخاطرك جبرت بخاطري يا هامستر

لك مشان الله قلي كيف تعلمت انكليزي والله مشتهية اكتب واحكي متلكون. انا كنت مسجلة بالمدرسة الاميركية للغات بس لسه بدا القصة فت خبز

تارا تسلم ايديكي الحلوين على عالتعليق ايه هيك ورجيهم لهدول البيض أديش انو كزابين و منافقين كمان

May 20th, 2013, 7:36 pm

 

Tara said:

Habibti Ameera,

I too enjoyed your analysis very much. You are very smart girl.

I will have a big party after the fall of Batta in my parents house in Halaya if it still exists. It has breathtaking view over the Zabadani valley. You will be my guest of honor. I am thinking of a pool party with catered food. Would you come?

May 20th, 2013, 7:47 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

أميره

بدك تقري كتير … لاقي شي روايات تكوني تحبيها
وبدك تحكي قد ما بتقدري
وتحاولي تكتبي كمان
وما تخجلي من الغلط
وكمان بينفع كتير أنو تتفرجي على أفلام ومسلسلات إنكليزي بدون ترجمه …

والدروس مهمة كمان

May 20th, 2013, 7:52 pm

 

Ameera said:

والله يا تارا مافي منك وازا انا زكية شو انتي لكن شو لك ضرسانة هيهي

حفلة على المسبح بفيلا على الزبداني طبعاً بدي اجي ورح ساويلك شعرك كمان و برضاي عليكي عزمي بس الشباب الحلوين فهمانه

بس أولي ان شالله الزبداني ما تكون تحت حكم المجاهدين لانو وقتا اللباس موحد منديل و عباية هيهي

May 20th, 2013, 8:09 pm

 

Ameera said:

حاضر هامستر افندي وشكرا عالنصيحة

انا عم اتفرج على broke girls وكمان new girl والمسلسلين بطيرو العئل

وعلى فكرة بتفرج بدون ترجمة و بفهم اكتر من ٦٠ بالمية

May 20th, 2013, 8:15 pm

 

ghufran said:

Mr Barber did the right thing by enforcing the rules of this widely read blog, I actually think he was not forceful enough but I am not the owner or the moderator of this site.
Educated and civilized Posters can express their views without calling fellow commentators names or insulting a large group of people just because those people belong to a different sect or have a different opinion, another problem was giving an open Nusra supporter a free stage to spread hate messages and glamorize a terrorist organization, I still believe the site is infested with people who lied about their backgrounds and their motives but I support their right to speak as long as they follow the rules stated by Dr Landis and executed by Mr Barber.
(Ameera, we both know that you are more than what you said, you are not as simple as some “sophisticated” posters think, thank you for adding a flavor to this often dry blog).

May 20th, 2013, 8:18 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

It is not worth it…..

May 20th, 2013, 8:34 pm

 

Tara said:

لأى شو لبس موحد لكن ليش الواحدة منا عم تقتل حالها بهالجيم عالفاضي ؟
😉
ايه انشاالله مابتكون تحت حكم الجهاديين.
خلص اتفأنا وشعري مابعملوا إلا عندك بس عملي حسابك هو طويل شوي

May 20th, 2013, 8:35 pm

 

Dawoud said:

1140. TARA

أول مره بقرألك تكيني عربي. كيوت cute 🙂

The Lebanese Terrorist Shia party, Hizbass, has sent an occupation terrorists to Syria-which means that FREE SYRIA would have the right to send troops to Beirut and the sourthern Dhahiya to seek justice and arrest the Lebanese terrorists.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/21/world/middleeast/syria-developments.html?ref=world&_r=0

Battle in Syria Pulls Hezbollah Further Into Assad’s War

[…]The toll of dead and wounded continued to rise for Hezbollah, which is fighting its biggest battle yet on the side of President Bashar al-Assad. Both sides have depicted the fighting in Qusayr as a turning point in the war that is raising regional tensions as Hezbollah plunges more deeply into the conflict.
[…]

May 20th, 2013, 8:40 pm

 

Dawoud said:

1111. MATTHEW BARBER

Thanks! But I didn’t post an entire article. I never do, even if the comment is very big!

P.S., thanks for giving a poor Palestinian a break! Although I am an American citizen (which makes me more fortunate than many of my dispossessed people), my people and I need all the break that we can get 🙂

May 20th, 2013, 8:45 pm

 

Dolly Buster said:

The Shiites are in total disarray right now. Only 7 years ago they were having a ball by hanging thousands of Sunnis in Iraq.

They thought they were creating some enormous Shia empire of evil. But today, their Crescent is being demolished by the lions of Tawheed and Sunnah in Iraq and Sham.

May 20th, 2013, 8:48 pm

 
 

Tara said:

Dawoud,

Thanks. 🙂

May 20th, 2013, 9:04 pm

 

ghufran said:

قائمة غير نهائية لأسماء مقترحة لعضوية \”الائتلاف الوطني\”،
ومن المنتظر طرح القائمةفي اجتماع الائتلاف الوطني 28 الشهر الجاري..

قائمة رياض سيف
1-….. …..، حذف الأسم لتوقعنا أنه مازال في العاصمة دمشق
2- مالك أسعد
3- حركة معا – بسام يوسف
4- وليد الزعبي
5- ميشيل كيلو
6- جمال سليمان
7- فايز سارة
8- هنادي زحلوط
9- هند قبوات
10- ندى الخش
11- نبراس الفاضل
12 – فرح اتاسي
13- المنبر الديمقراطي
14- عالية منصور
15- خالد المحاميد
16- ايمن الاسود
17- بسام جعارة
18- رابطة علماء الشام
19- حنان البلخي

المجلس الوطني
1- أنس العبدة

الحراك الثوري
1- صالح الحموي
2- أنس عيروط
3- محمد الدغيم
4- سعيد سلام
5- الجبهة الاسلامية – مقعدان –
6- جبهة التحرير – مقعدان –

قائمة الأكراد
3 مقاعد لأفراد أو كيانات…
I seriously doubt that Jamal Slaiman was asked before his name was inserted here to make the list “sexier”.

May 20th, 2013, 9:21 pm

 

dawoud said:

Hizbass terrorist intervention in Syria is different from any other non-Syrian Sunni or Shia presence in Syria. Why? It is NOT and individual act, but a state action. Iran’s, Syria’s, and Hizbistan’s governments are implicated and complicit in this illegal Shia Lebanese invasion of Free Syrian territories. Syrian will neither forget nor forgive this terrorism by Hizbass!

May 20th, 2013, 9:32 pm

 

Dolly Buster said:

1103. revenire said: It isn’t about Assad. It is about changing the geopolitical map of the region. It is about Iran. It is about Hezbollah. It is about Russia. It is about China.

 
Change is not necessarily a bad thing, especially the so-called “change for the better.”

That’s why we have to specify: in which way this is about Russia. Is the West trying to stop the flourishing human rights in Russia?

I don’t consider Russia a good model for the rest of the world. So I don’t shun change over there.
If Obama is truly plotting to overthrow the KGB and put Navalny in charge of Russia, I am all for it. Unfortunately my suspicion is that Washington is planning nothing against Russia.

May 20th, 2013, 9:36 pm

 

Ilya said:

Dawoud
So its ok for Iraki Al Qaeda to participate in war on Syrian soil,and announce Islamic state of Iraq there? Its not an occupation of sovereign country.
But if Shia party participate in fight then its major sin? also its on Lebanese border there some Lebanese are living there on Syrian territory.

May 20th, 2013, 9:44 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

Tara millions of Syrians love Assad.

Reverse,

Then why hasn’t Assad ever called for free, multiparty elections?

We hate war but if forced to fight it we will and we will win.

Killing unarmed demonstrators (which started this conflict) is not a war. It was cowardice. Calling unarmed demonstrators “terrorists”, “rats” and “Zionists” while shooting them is cowardice.

It is insulting to ban say SL for using profanity when the real profanity of defending the regime, inciting genocide, and celebrating death is let go roaming free under this pretentious neutrality.

Tara is spot on as usual.

What the light-skinned anthropologist doesn’t realize is the profanity of the existence of such regime, or the profanity of the act of defending it.

Syrian Hamster,

Hey what’s this “light-skinned” BS all about?;) BTW – I’m willing to bet there were a LOT more Syrians who were OK with Bashar Assad before the demonstrations and the revolution. Like Professor Josh and his side kick Alex.

So yes, any decent human being would NEVER have “put up” with a regime who could not provide BASIC HUMAN rights. As Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”.

“They call it a revolution, but in fact it has nothing to do with revolutions. A revolution needs thinkers. A revolution is built on thought. Where are their thinkers? A revolution needs leaders. Who is its leader?

Reverse,

Thanks for the lesson in “civility” and “revolution”, but your hero Assad put all these “thinkers” and “leaders” in jail to rot. They’re probably now dead, because Assad is one of the most autocratic, undemocratic thugs the world has ever known.

May 20th, 2013, 10:09 pm

 

revenire said:

Dave ever since you arrived here you have done your best to make this a sectarian Sunni vs Shia war. It isn’t.

You always dodge the fact most of the SAA is Sunni.

Or the fact that Aleppo never rose up against the government. It had to be invaded by thugs who didn’t even live there. Talk to activists from the city.

I believe you know all of this but for some reason you insist on Sunni vs Shia.

May 20th, 2013, 10:09 pm

 

revenire said:

Akbar doesn’t it bore you asking the same thing over and over? I don’t accept your narrative. You don’t accept mine.

Shooting unarmed demonstrators didn’t start the war on Syria.

Etc.

Honestly Akbar I know you enjoy me but I wish you would play fair and actually argue a point rather than repeat tired slogans.

May 20th, 2013, 10:14 pm

 

Ameera said:

لك يوه ريتو ما يبلى هالكسم المرسوم رسم وانا شعري طويل كمان والك
مني لساويلك ياه احلى من اليسا. بتعرفي انك شجعتيني على الريجيم خلص بدي وقف الاشاطي والدسم وزبط هالخصرايه لكن مارح خليكي تاخدي العيون كلا لك ضرسانة هيهي

على فكرة حكي نسوان بيني وبينك يعني شكلو داوود عندو كراش عليكي

May 20th, 2013, 10:27 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

I don’t accept your narrative.

Reverse,

It is not a “narrative” to say that the Assads couldn’t provide basic human rights to the slave they claimed to “lead”. It’s just a fact. That is why the Assads never called for free, multiparty elections.

And that is why all your whining about “freedom” and “democracy” falls on deaf ears.

May 20th, 2013, 10:39 pm

 

Syrian said:

Welcome to Syria,the terrorist Shia party Hizb Alshytan meets real fighters,who are defending thier homes and lives
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/21/world/middleeast/syria-developments.html?hpw

“Ali, a Lebanese Shiite with ties to Hezbollah, said that a relative and other fighters, updating him by text message from the battlefield, were struck by the rebels’ tenacity. One Hezbollah fighter, he said, told him that even after being shot, rebels “got up and attacked in a brutal way.”

“At least 14 Hezbollah fighters were killed over the weekend, according to Hezbollah Web sites and relatives of fighters. Phillip C. Smyth, a University of Maryland researcher who studies Hezbollah, listed on the Jihadology Web site 20 fighters whose deaths were announced by official and unofficial Hezbollah sites, a number he said could grow. Syrian opposition activists, eager to claim an underdog victory, say more than 40 have died.

Either way, the numbers stand out. In its 34-day war with a stronger foe, Israel, in 2006, Hezbollah acknowledged losing 250 fighters, about 8 a day. (Outside estimates hover around 500 total.) Hezbollah supporters explain the toll in Syria by noting that Hezbollah trains to defend its own territory, not to attack opponents who are defending their own turf.”

May 20th, 2013, 10:43 pm

 

revenire said:

Akbar no, no it isn’t a fact. It is your opinion. I know for a certain fact you have only read about Syria and were not in Hama or Damascus or anywhere else in the nation in 2011. You read Western stories – since proven to be lies. You listened to CNN and the rest of the corporate media and, because of your bias, believed them. That isn’t my problem. Believe what you like.

When you ask me about Assad and elections you’re asking the wrong question and have made what is called a fallacy of composition.

As far as slavery goes, many in the USA would argue its citizens are slaves of Wall St. Many in Europe feel they are slaves of the EU. Others would make the claim austerity enforced by Western governments at the behest of a financial oligarchy is not freedom at all.

Elections in the West are not as free as people are brainwashed into believing are they? Money dominates the elections. Money and corruption. Syria is better off without the taint of that.

May 20th, 2013, 10:52 pm

 

Syrian said:

A video message to the families of the terrorist Shia Hizb Alshytan fighters from the heroic FSA fighters, with the corpse of one their terrorist fighter included in the video
http://youtu.be/XtxH0Ql2nc4

May 20th, 2013, 11:04 pm

 

AKbar Palace said:

You can’t make Hara smell good NewZ

Reverse,

Unless you can show otherwise, I will believe objective, western sources over and above your “hasbara” and SANA.

Syria is a one-party state without free elections.[2] The authorities harass and imprison human rights activists and other critics of the government.[3] Freedom of expression, association, and assembly are strictly controlled.[2][3] Women and ethnic minorities face discrimination.[2][3] According to Human Rights Watch, President Bashar al-Assad failed to improve Syria’s human rights record in the first 10 years of his rule,[4] and Syria’s human rights situation remained among the worst in the world.[5] According to Amnesty International, the government may be guilty of crimes against humanity based on “witness accounts of deaths in custody, torture and arbitrary detention,” during the crackdown against the 2011 uprising.[6]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Syria

May 20th, 2013, 11:05 pm

 
 

revenire said:

Akbar I am not interested in playing dueling copy and paste. Your sources are hopelessly tainted.

The arrogance of the West never ceases to amaze me – especially of Americans (who really have nothing to be arrogant about). Set your own house straight before lecturing other nations on freedom.

If I may, can I suggest you read a good book on Syrian history during the 20th century – take your pick. On the Assad family, Patrick Seale wrote a decent enough one on Hafez al-Assad.

May 20th, 2013, 11:34 pm

 

revenire said:

HNN Homs News Network
DAUGHTER OF EMIR OF QATAR MAKES EXPLOSIVE STATEMENT AGAINST HER FATHER AND QATAR’S INTERVENTION IN SYRIA !!

Hind, the daughter of the Emir of Qatar Hamad Al-Thani, has made sharp criticisms describing on her personal Twitter account the intervention of the State of Qatar in Syrian affairs, as scandalous to the History of the State of Qatar ..

Stating, “My father supports the Syrian Revolution with the belief that what is happening there are the demands of the people, but what we see today is otherwise terrorism, and I have watched a video clip showing fighters eating the hearts of compatriots, these scenes are not for demanding freedom but are crimes against the Syrian people.”

She added, “I criticize the intervention of Saudi fighters there that were given permission, for them to kill and commit the execution of Syrian citizens, I have also received a video clip which shows a Saudi citizen performing the execution of 21 Syrian citizens saying they were soldiers, and in my view, this is what transforms the revolution, from the revolution the people, to the revolution of Terrorists.” … – J

http://alkhabarpress.com/

May 20th, 2013, 11:38 pm

 

Dawoud said:

38 occupying terrorists from Lebanon’s Shia Hizbass killed today on Monday in Syria. Good Riddance to the terrorist sectarian occupiers!

http://newspaper.annahar.com/article.php?t=main&p=2&d=25081

احتدام المعارك في القصير ومقتل 38 عنصراً من “حزب الله”
“الجيش السوري الحر” ينفي سقوط المدينة ويعد بـ”مفاجآت”

تحتدم المعارك في مدينة القصير بريف حمص بين الجيش السوري النظامي مدعوماً من “حزب الله” اللبناني من جهة ومقاتلي المعارضة السورية من جهة أخرى. واعلن “المرصد السوري لحقوق الانسان” الذي يتخذ لندن مقراً له مقتل 28 عنصراً من قوات النخبة في “حزب الله” خلال المعارك، بينما أكد ناشطون مقتل 38 عنصراً، وتحدثت دمشق عن سيطرة القوات النظامية على جنوب المدينة وشرقها ووسطها وتتابع تقدمها الى شمالها، الامر الذي نفاه “الجيش السوري الحر”. (راجع العرب والعالم)
وفي موازاة التصعيد العسكري تتواصل الجهود الديبلوماسية وخصوصاً مع عودة وزير الخارجية الاميركي جون كيري الى المنطقة الاربعاء لحضور مؤتمر “اصدقاء الشعب السوري” المقرر عقده في عمان من اجل اتخاذ موقف من الدعوة الاميركية – الروسية الى عقد مؤتمر جنيف – 2 في مسعى لايجاد حل سياسي للأزمة التي مضى عليها اكثر من 26 شهراً.
وأعلنت القيادة المشتركة لـ”الجيش السوري الحر” في بيان استمرار عملياته ضد قوات النظام السوري و”حزب الله” وتكبيد الحزب أكثر من 50 قتيلا و100 جريح والتصدي لجميع الهجمات على مدينة القصير.
ونقلت قناة “الجزيرة” الفضائية القطرية عن بيان للقيادة المشتركة أن عشرات القتلى والجرحى الذين سقطوا من “حزب الله” في معارك القصير، التي أطلقت عليها اسم “جدران الموت”، نقلوا إلى مستشفيات في بعلبك والهرمل ومستشفى الرسول الأعظم في الضاحية الجنوبية لبيروت بعشرات سيارات الإسعاف.
واتهم الثوار عناصر “حزب الله” بإعدام 23 طفلا وإمرأة في مجزرة جماعية قرب بلدة ربلة بريف القصير. كما نفى “الجيش السوري الحر” وصول قوات النظام الى وسط المدينة، مؤكدا أن الاشتباكات تدور على أطرافها، وتوعد قوات النظام وعناصر “حزب الله” بمفاجآت.
[…]

May 20th, 2013, 11:57 pm

 

Dawoud said:

More on the Hizbass’ occupying terrorists (P.S., I am proud to have invented the name “Hizbass” on SC to describe this Lebanese Shia terrorist party):

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/21/world/middleeast/syria-developments.html?ref=world&_r=0

Hezbollah’s Role in Syria War Shakes the Lebanese

NABI CHIT, Lebanon — At the entrance to this village in Hezbollah’s Bekaa Valley heartland, under a sign welcoming visitors to “The Citadel of Resistance,” workers on Monday hoisted a freshly printed banner honoring a young man described as one of Hezbollah’s latest martyrs — killed in battle not with Israel, the foe the group’s guerrillas train to fight, but with Syrian rebels.

Down the road, another dead fighter’s uncle, Fayez Shukor, welcomed mourners under a tent overlooking the valley as the sun set on a day that had seen Hezbollah’s death toll rise to unexpected heights as the group joined Syrian forces trying to storm the rebel-held Syrian city of Qusayr. His nephew, he had said earlier, died on Sunday alongside 11 other Hezbollah fighters killed in a single rebel attack.
[…]

May 21st, 2013, 12:02 am

 

ann said:

A Subservient UN For `israel!

UN Blames “Clerical Error” For Cutting Off UNTV of Palestine’s Erakat Speech

By Matthew Russell Lee

http://www.innercitypress.com/funca2untvpal052013.html

UNITED NATIONS, May 20 — On what basis does the UN decide to cut off the UN Television broadcast of a speech by Palestine’s negotiator Saeb Erakat, as happened on May 20?

Inner City Press asked the question right after the cut-off, wrote about it, and six and a half hour later was told by the chief of UNTV Stephane Dujarric, “On the video coverage of the Palestinian meeting, we were advised by the conference officer that the meeting would now be closed.

For further information, I would ask you to speak to the organisers of the event.”

But the day’s UN Journal clearly said that the session would be webcast, that is, televised:

Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People

10:30 to 13:00 352nd meeting [webcast] Economic and Social Council Chamber (CB)

Briefing by Mr. Saëb Erakat, Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Chief Palestinian Negotiator

The UN having announced in advance that something would be televised would seem to trump whatever an unnamed conference officer said, no? So Inner City Press again asked Dujarric:

“Once UNTV cut off, I went to the balcony and [the meeting was not closed.] And later, at least after the noon briefing, the UNTV broadcast was back on. Not sure how to square any of this with the answer you’ve sent, now at 6 pm. Who is the conference officer you are referring to? I’m writing on this.”

Dujarric responded: “As for the Palestinian meeting, that’s the info I have now. When I get something more, I will share.” Inner City Press continued to wait before publishing this article. Then, past 7:15 pm, this from the UN’s Dujarric:

From: Stephane Dujarric [at] un.org
Date: Mon, May 20, 2013 at 7:18 PM
Subject: Re: Pressing Q: why did UNTV cut off while Saeb Erakat spoke on Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People? & bulletin board, etc
To: Matthew Russell Lee [at] InnerCityPress.com
Cc: funca [at] FUNCA.info, Maher Nasser [at] un.org

Dear Matthew, Due to a clerical error the meeting was listed as closed and notate available to UNTV. However, we will have a recording made available to us tomorrow. It will then be posted on the UN webcast page.

Best

Stephane Dujarric (Mr.)
Director, News & Media Division | Department of Public Information
United Nations Headquarters | Room: S-1056 New York, NY, 10017

It’s still hard to understand what “clerical error” could have been deemed to trump the day’s UN Journal, which plainly listed the session as open and webcast.

Getting these procedures right is important. Why would UNTV rely more on an unnamed conference officer and unspecific clerical error than on the UN Journal and UN Department of Public Information’s Media Alert, which listed the session as open?

And if a recording exists, the session was video-taped. Does this mean that other meetings that UNTV thinks, rightly or wrongly, are closed are video-taped?

[…]

http://www.innercitypress.com/funca2untvpal052013.html

May 21st, 2013, 12:20 am

 

Juergen said:

Assad soldiers have a hard life, Damascenes I know just experienced how much of a tough job they do. A bomb was placed on a bike near an street checkpoint of them. It killed 4 people, among them a 14 year old. The soldiers were gone to eat Faroudj when the bomb detonated. A friend commented: Thats all they do these days, watching the girls pass by and eat chicken, instead of protecting us.

Here is an example of Assad soldiers having fun on Mt. Qassioun:

watch from minute 1:25

May 21st, 2013, 12:26 am

 

Juergen said:

I happen to find this video, I find it hilarious, looks almost like Colonel Ghadaffi made some Damwa here… This group among Harun Yahya are known antisemites, and the leader just ordered his followers to pray just 3 times a day instead of 5 times.

May 21st, 2013, 12:31 am

 

dawoud said:

Saeb Erekat صائب عريقات was the star of the troubling leaked “Palestinian Papers” (http://www.aljazeera.com/palestinepapers/), which basically gave Israel more Palestinian rights/concessions-including what Erekat disturbingly described as “the biggest Jewish Jerusalem” in history-still WITHOUT satisfying Zionists’ colonial aspirations!!!

In any case, never too late to repent; although Erekat had known what he is saying now about Israeli apartheid before providing Israel with the concessions that made him the star of “the Palestinian Papers.”

Free Syria, Free Palestine! Stop Hizbass’ occupying terrorists in al-Qasir!

May 21st, 2013, 12:39 am

 
 

Juergen said:

Maher Zain for Syria

May 21st, 2013, 12:52 am

 

Juergen said:

If we take for granted that about 20 Hisbollah fighters ( rebel sources claim that more than 40 fighters have died) lost their lifes over the weekend, then it its quite interesting to compare that number to the 34 day war with Israel in which Hisbollah lost 250 fighters ( at least that is waht they admitted, losing 8 soldiers a day, the death toll therefore is much higher in Syria for them. And we should note, they are fighting against rebels not the highly sophiticated IDF.

Hezbollah’s Role in Syria War Shakes the Lebanese

“I wish all this blood had been shed in the south, fighting Israel,” Mr. Shukor said, but added that the rebels battling Hezbollah’s ally, President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, were “infidels and garbage” serving Israel; the West, he said, should recognize that they are Al Qaeda-linked extremists and help wipe them out.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/21/world/middleeast/syria-developments.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0

May 21st, 2013, 1:24 am

 
 

revenire said:

Juergen have you read what Hezbollah said? They say they’re the Zionist enemy. You can disagree but I am sure you understand why they will fight.

Have you considered if Assad really got into dire straights how many Iranian troops would enter the war? They do have a mutual defense pact you know.

May 21st, 2013, 2:35 am

 

Citizen said:

‘US, Turkey, Israel made strategic errors on assessments of Syria situation’
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/05/21/304603/us-turkey-israel-were-wrong-about-syria/
An Israeli website has said in an article that the US, Turkey, and Israel had made “strategic errors” on their assessments of the situation in Syria.

Mossad-connected DEBKAfile wrote that “Strategic errors, which may turn out to be irreversible, because they emanated from faulty assessments shared by Israel and the Obama administration of the strengths on the Syrian battlefield.”

“To this day, the US, Israel and Turkey cling to the belief that Assad’s days are numbered and refuse to recognize the steady advances made by the Syrian army in its counter-offensive for dislodging the rebels from land they captured in more than two years of combat,” the article said.

DEBKAfile added that “the next stage of the Syrian war” would “evolve into a war of attrition against Israel waged from the Syrian Golan.”

“At all events, the Syrian civil conflict appears poised ready to spill over to one or more of its neighbors, starting with Israel,” it warned.

The article also acknowledged that the US and Israel had failed “to break up the Tehran-Damascus-Hezbollah alliance.”

The report came as Tel Aviv has recently boosted military activities in the occupied Golan Heights, where clashes between Syrian forces and foreign-sponsored militants have spiked dramatically in recent weeks.

The Israeli military also has carried out three airstrikes against Syria so far this year.

This is while, the Syrian army is advancing on the foreign-militants in several battlefields across Syria. …….

May 21st, 2013, 3:44 am

 
 

Ziad said:

The Golden Era of Arab Atheism?

[T]he rule of the Islamists seems to guarantee turning whole Arab populations towards atheism, and an Egyptian activist responded by saying that: “There is widespread popular disgust with religious people and even bearded people. There is also a rise in the demand for secular and communist books by young people. And it is noteworthy that peasants in my village all categorically agree to not vote for any bearded man or any religious man, and say that their roles should be confined to the mosques…And an Internet site for Arab atheists announced that some 347 Egyptians have joined the group in one week only of last month.” There are similar reports in Iran that atheism is a form of protest.

This could be a turning point in the intellectual and political history of the region. It, however, has to contend with the culture of religion imposed on it by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which insists on the exclusive domination of a very strict brand of religion over people’s political and social lives. The battle by Arab atheists won’t be easy, but it has just begun. The corruption, repression, and hypocrisy of the rule of Islamists seem to strengthen Arab atheism more than any other factor.

http://english.al-akhbar.com/blogs/angry-corner/golden-era-arab-atheism

May 21st, 2013, 12:57 pm

 

Ziad said:

Great lecture about BDS

Palästina-Solidaritätskonferenz in Stuttgart 2013 4. Panel Asaad Abu Khalil [publicsolidarity]

Vortrag von Asaad Abu Khalil (Professor für Politikwissenschaft, California State University, Stanislaus, USA):
Widerstand und Befreiung von Diktatur und Siedlerkolonialismus in der Ära des politischen Islam

May 21st, 2013, 1:13 pm

 

revenire said:

Ibrahim al-Amine: “Those who oppose Hezbollah’s political and military support for the Syrian regime are the very same people who reject any role for the Resistance in Lebanon. They dream of turning the party into a charitable organization, never once having stood by its side when it battled Israel for years to liberate the South. In fact, their history is full of betrayal of country and cooperation with the enemy – from the failed May 1983 peace accords between Lebanon and Israel, to openly justifying Israel’s assault on Lebanon in 2006. They would gladly fight Hezbollah themselves if they could. Instead, all they have left to hope for is to see the takfiris bring their crusade to Lebanon, so that they can blame it on Hezbollah…..And to spare us a long debate on this matter: What Hezbollah is doing in Syria is part of a wider struggle by the forces of resistance against a murderous front of reactionary forces…at the heart of which stands Israel.”

May 21st, 2013, 1:23 pm

 

revenire said:

News from the battlefront: the SAA and Hezbollah are in full control of Arjoun and on their way to Dab’aa (courtesy of Leith).

I pray for our heroes in the army. Let this be done with as little lose of life as possible.

May 21st, 2013, 1:31 pm

 

revenire said:

Main al-Nusra Front commander killed in Qusayr clashes

The main commander of the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front has been reportedly killed in clashes with the Syrian army in the western city of al-Qusayr.

According to Syria’s national television, top al-Nusra Front commander identified as Abu Omar was killed in al-Qusayr on Tuesday as clashes between Syrian troops and foreign-backed militants in the border town entered their third day.

The Syrian army says it is now in control of more than 70 percent of the strategic city, which connects the capital city of Damascus to the Mediterranean port of Tartous.

Intense fighting is reported to be still under way in some parts of al-Qusayr, about 30 km southwest of Homs, with the Syrian army making advances on terrorist groups fighting against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

According to Syria’s official news agency, SANA, scores of militants were killed in clashes with government forces on Tuesday. Syrian troops also defused several explosive devices in the city.

Syrian troops entered al-Qusayr from several directions on May 19 after weeks of clashes with militants. Syrian sources say over 100 militants have been killed in the military operation to clear al-Qusayr of militants.

On Monday, Syrian army confiscated an Israeli military vehicle used by foreign-backed militants in al-Qusayr. A number of military uniforms as well as wiretapping and jamming equipment were found in the vehicle.

HM/PR/SS
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/05/21/304682/alnusra-front-cmdr-killed-in-qusayr/

May 21st, 2013, 1:34 pm

 

zoo said:

Britain conspiring to kill any hopes of breakthrough in future Syria talks

http://en.apa.az/news/193276
[ 21 May 2013 22:11 ]

Baku-APA. British Foreign Secretary William Hague, whose country has a long hand in interfering in other countries’ internal affairs, is seeking to kill any hope of possible talks between Syrians even before they start, APA reports quoting Press TV.

In a statement to parliament, Hague exposed a conspiracy in-the-making by telling MPs “there is a real risk that the Assad regime [the government of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad] will not negotiate seriously.

The Foreign Secretary also threatened the Syrian government by moaning that “no option is off the table”, and that the UK government would keep mounting pressure on the European Union to lift an arms embargo against foreign-backed terrorists fighting the Syrian government forces.

“We must make clear that if the regime does not negotiate seriously at the Geneva conference, no option is off the table, Hague said. “There remains a serious risk that the Assad regime will not negotiate seriously.”

May 21st, 2013, 1:38 pm

 

zoo said:

Comment Bachar Al-Assad reprend la main en Syrie

http://www.lemonde.fr/proche-orient/article/2013/05/20/syrie-bachar-al-assad-reprend-la-main_3379005_3218.html


Il faut se rendre à l’évidence : il n’y a pas de solution militaire, le régime syrien ne s’est pas effrité et ses alliés défendent ses intérêts pied à pied. L’isolement international de Damas semble même reculer : la dernière résolution – non contraignante – de l’Assemblée générale de l’ONU condamnant le régime a été adoptée avec nettement moins de voix que celle en 2012. La dynamique n’est plus du côté des rebelles.

May 21st, 2013, 1:42 pm

 

revenire said:

This is it friends. God is great!

Syrian Air Force

Leaflets are being dropped on Homs in anticipation of follow on operations in the city and northern towns. Rastan, Hula and Tabliseh all face the same fate as Qusayr unless terrorists decide to hand themselves in. There will be no negotiations, there will be no mercy. The army is making preparations under the assumption that the battle along the Lebanese border will end soon, delays cannot be afforded and heavy weapons are ready to fill any gaps left by surprising battlefield outcomes.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/943105_368570969930672_1637350253_n.jpg

May 21st, 2013, 1:45 pm

 

zoo said:

“The SNC, France and UK are the obstacles”
This is Syria’s great chance for change

It is crucial that all sides approach June’s international conference with hope as well as caution

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/20/this-syrias-great-chance-change

….
A year has gone by since Russia and the United States approved guidelines for a transition to a more democratic and pluralistic Syria and it is a tragedy that so many lives have been wasted without any effort to implement the guidelines.

It has required several U-turns to bring about a new conference to discuss the issue. The US has dropped its precondition that Bashar al-Assad step down in advance of talks. Unlike Hillary Clinton, John Kerry seems to realise that Assad’s forces cannot be defeated without full-scale US intervention – a prospect that Barack Obama will not permit – and that prolonged conflict only strengthens al-Qaida and the other jihadis who have swarmed into Syria. For his part, Assad has dropped his demand that the armed opposition lay down its guns before he sends his people to meet them. His prime minister and several other ministers are expected in Geneva.

The Syrian opposition is the obstacle, or at least some of them. The secular nationalists in the National Co-ordination Body for Democratic Change promoted the Geneva idea and will attend keenly. The Syrian National Coalition, which is backed by western governments as well as Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, is still reluctant to turn up without a commitment that Assad’s departure is assured. To their credit, British and other western diplomats are urging them not to boycott and thereby hand Assad a propaganda victory.

May 21st, 2013, 1:47 pm

 

revenire said:

More battlefront news from Syrian Perspective army sources:

We can confirm that the following areas of Al-Qusayr cleansed of the ___* population:

All East Al-Qusayr, the area of the Township Arena, Western Neighborhoods, area around the Municipal Offices, Cultural Center, Al-Kaneesa (Church), parts of the North Neighborhood and Central Neighborhood and the Roundabout at Al-Ghaita have been decontaminated. More areas are being pest-controlled as we write. The SAA has found many tunnels and numerous IEDs in residents’ homes.

* Edited to remove offensive noun.

May 21st, 2013, 1:49 pm

 

Dawoud said:

1175. ZIAD

Professor Hizbistan!

May 21st, 2013, 2:01 pm

 

zoo said:

1181 Reve

The SNC is in total disarray. Turkey and the USA are telling them to drop their demands for Bashar Al Assad to resign and to participate quietly in the conference. Qatar and KSA are telling them to play hard to to get. But in view of the debacle of the terrorists financed by Qatar and KSA, I believe the SNC has not much choice. They are humiliated but it can become worse if they are bypassed in the conference by other opposition groups.

They must attend to remain relevant but in doing so they’ll show to all Syrians that they don’t stand to their words and are totally unreliable. They are trapped.

This conference could be the funerals of the SNC.

May 21st, 2013, 2:02 pm

 

Dawoud said:

Even if the occupying terrorists from Lebanon’s Shia Hizbass manage to occupy al-Qasir, they will have to keep defending it at huge loss of life among its terrorist ranks. Freeing al-Qasir will from this terrorist occupation not only will be a top priority to the free Syrians, but it will also force them to move to Beirut to seek justice from Hizbistan’s chief terrorist Hasan the Devil حسن نصر الشيطان

May 21st, 2013, 2:08 pm

 

zoo said:

The SNC meeting in Madrid ends with no official declaration but Al Khatib’s reported demands, obviously dictated by Qatar, sound so absurd and unrealistic that either the conference is cancelled or the SNC is bypassed. Beggars can’t be chosers

L’Orient-Le Jour
The Syrian opposition demand guarantees on Assad departure

AFP | 21/05/2013 | 8:19 p.m.

Representatives of the Syrian opposition have demanded international guarantees of a departure of President Bashar al-Assad as part of any peace deal, said Tuesday the former president of the National Coalition of the Syrian opposition, Ahmed al Moaz -Khatib.

This announcement comes as intense diplomatic efforts are underway to organize an international conference in June on Syria, together at the same table representatives of the regime in Damascus and the Syrian opposition under the auspices of the great powers.

The opposition demand for Assad’s departure is one of the eight points of the roadmap developed by the participants of various currents, the “Syrian national consultation meeting” held for two days in Madrid, said M . Khatib on his Facebook page.

Delegates state that “any participation in a political process on Syria will be linked to a return of the army to its barracks, release all detainees, and access to humanitarian assistance in the country” .

“Bashar al-Assad regime and its security will not be part of the transition, and have no role in the future of Syria,” says the document, stressing the need for “international guarantees” for his departure.

He suggested that Syria is led by a transitional government “until the foundations of a new political system be put on the basis of democracy, pluralism, justice, equality and the rule of law. ”

The text adds that the National Coalition of the opposition will be “the legitimate representative” of dissident forces in any political negotiation.

May 21st, 2013, 2:28 pm

 

zoo said:

Jordan closes its borders to Syrian refugees: activists
http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/jordan-closes-its-borders-syrian-refugees-activists

Jordan has turned away thousands of Syrian refugees in the past week in the first such clampdown since the crisis in Syria began more than two years ago, diplomats, activists and aid workers said on Tuesday.

“The Jordanian authorities have stopped receiving refugees whatever their circumstance, except the wounded,” Abu Hussein al-Zubi, a Syrian aid worker contacted by phone from Nasib, where he said at least 1,000 refugees were stranded, told Reuters.

“There are now many refugees gathering on the border trying to enter Jordan and waiting for the border to open,” he added.

All four unofficial crossing points used by refugees trying to escape bombardments in the southern province of Daraa have been closed for the past six days, refugees and aid workers said, although the official frontier post at Jaber remained open.

Activists said Syrian families trying to pass into Jordan from the rebel-held border villages of Nasib and Tel Shehab had been turned away with no reason given by the Jordanians.

May 21st, 2013, 2:41 pm

 

zoo said:

Friends of Syria meeting is on Wednesday in Amman, not Istanbul are originally planned
Erdogan probably refused to hold a conference that will confirm his failure in forcing Bashar Al Assad to resign before the negotiations conference. He preferred to give this pleasure to the King of Jordan who has not been as adamant in toppling Bashar al Assad.

It is also for Erdogan after his visit to Obama where he was scolded, a way to take a distance from the hardline SNC opposition that is in a free fall.

May 21st, 2013, 2:49 pm

 

Citizen said:

Britain conspiring to kill Syria talks

http://rinf.com/alt-news/breaking-news/britain-conspiring-to-kill-syria-talks/35052/

British Foreign Secretary William Hague, whose country has a long hand in interfering in other countries™ internal affairs, is seeking to kill any hope of possible talks between Syrians even before they start.
In a statement to parliament, Hague exposed a conspiracy in-the-making by telling MPs œthere is a real risk that the Assad regime [the government of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad] will not negotiate seriously.
The Foreign Secretary also threatened the Syrian government by moaning that “no option is off the table”, and that the UK government would keep mounting pressure on the European Union to lift an arms embargo against foreign-backed terrorists fighting the Syrian government forces.
“We must make clear that if the regime does not negotiate seriously at the Geneva conference, no option is off the table, Hague said. “There remains a serious risk that the Assad regime will not negotiate seriously.”
Hague has resorted to the old threatening tone, even when the Syrian government and true opposition forces in the country are unanimous in calls for finding a diplomatic Syria-Syria solution to the conflict………….

May 21st, 2013, 2:51 pm

 

revenire said:

Dave you know as well as I do that isn’t going to happen. It is almost over. Assad has won.

The number of Hezbollah soldiers in Syria is very small – the media exaggerates their numbers. The SAA has plenty of men to finish the job and fight Israel at the same time (although the front for that war would be in Lebanon, Syria and Israel).

The army has announced Al-Qusayr will be leveled if need be.

May 21st, 2013, 2:51 pm

 

zoo said:

Inside Al Qusayr, the fighters want to keep some civilians as human shields.

Syria: The Man Behind Qusayr’s Mediation Efforts
http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syria-man-behind-qusayr%E2%80%99s-mediation-efforts

But on Sunday, Zaayter seemed reassured on the fate of the civilians. He reckoned that no more than 20 percent of the total number of children and women were still trapped in the city, and said that they were allowed to leave without any problems through regular army checkpoints.

By today or tomorrow, the Syrian government is expected to have retaken the entire town of Qusayr, unless something unexpected happens, given the presence of nearly “a thousand foreign fighters” there, according to informed sources.

But what about other civilians who are not women or children? Zaayter replied, “Well, on Saturday, May 11, there was an attempt to evacuate civilians who wanted to leave Qusayr, and the government gave them safe passage. But at the last moment, that effort collapsed. The fighters in Qusayr felt that if they let all the civilians go, then this might encourage the government to kill them.”

But didn’t they know that before agreeing to negotiate in the first place? Zaayter said, “Yes, but they did not realize that everyone wanted to leave. So the opposition fighters refused to let them leave, fearing this would turn them into ‘clean’

May 21st, 2013, 2:54 pm

 

Citizen said:

About Al-Qusayr:

“Besides reams of incriminating documents conclusively demonstrating the connivance of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Lebanese Forces, the Mustaqbal Movement, Turkey, France, the United States and Britain, 76 foreign officers were apprehended in several tunnels” “French intelligence officers who spoke North African Arabic; “Israeli” agents (“katsas”), operatives from Sameer Ja’ja’s Lebanese Forces who were trained in the Zionist Entity and who spoke Modern European Settler Hebrew, Turkish agents working for the MIT, spies and gun-smugglers who were paid by Sa’ad Hariri, were all CAPTURED ALIVE. In addition to this, our readers will be delighted to know that several agents from Saudi Arabia and Qatar were also found and are warbling as we write.”

“The big issue today is not so much the defeat of the rats in Al-Qusayr, but the participation of Hizbollah in the fighting. Some reports give the number of dead Hizbollah fighters at17 and some at 28. The real fact is that the “Rat Opposition” view any Southern Lebanese-accented person as a member of Hizbollah. We must remember that our National Defense Forces were cobbled together from Syrian, Lebanese, Iraqi and Palestinian volunteers. Many of the fighters inside Al-Qusayr are of Lebanese stock: some are members of the NDF, some members of the Ba’ath Party and some who are long-time residents in Syria who belong to a militia sanctioned by the government. Don’t believe all the nonsense about Hizbollah.”

“We can confirm that the following areas of Al-Qusayr cleansed of the rat population:

All East Al-Qusayr, the area of the Township Arena, Western Neighborhoods, area around the Municipal Offices, Cultural Center, Al-Kaneesa (Church), parts of the North Neighborhood and Central Neighborhood and the Roundabout at Al-Ghaita have been decontaminated. More areas are being pest-controlled as we write. The SAA has found many tunnels and numerous IEDs in residents’ homes.”

—–

SYRIAN PERSPECTIVE AFFIRMS THE CAPTURE OF OVER 76 FOREIGN TERRORIST AGENTS FROM TURKEY, FRANCE, LEBANON AND THE ZIONIST ABOMINATION. DOCUMENTS SEIZED AT AL-QUSAYR WILL BLOW THE LID OFF PRINCE PORKY OF QATAR AND HIS SENILE UNCLE, KING ABDULLAH OF S.A, SAMIR JA’JA’ AND SA’AD HARIRI IN THE CROSS-HAIRS AND CONDEMNED TO DEATH!!!!
http://syrianperspective.blogspot.com/2013/05/first-post-may-21-2013-syrian-army.html

May 21st, 2013, 3:19 pm

 

Dawoud said:

Lebanon’s Shia Terrist Hizbass is sending more of its terrorists to Syria. So far about 65 of its terrorists have died in al-Qasir. Good Riddance to these murderous terrorists and their boss Hasan the Devil, حسن نصر الشيطان

Free Syria, Free Palestine!

May 21st, 2013, 3:19 pm

 

Citizen said:

About Al-Qusayr:

“Besides reams of incriminating documents conclusively demonstrating the connivance of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Lebanese Forces, the Mustaqbal Movement, Turkey, France, the United States and Britain, 76 foreign officers were apprehended in several tunnels” “French intelligence officers who spoke North African Arabic; “Israeli” agents (“katsas”), operatives from Sameer Ja’ja’s Lebanese Forces who were trained in the Zionist Entity and who spoke Modern European Settler Hebrew, Turkish agents working for the MIT, spies and gun-smugglers who were paid by Sa’ad Hariri, were all CAPTURED ALIVE. In addition to this, our readers will be delighted to know that several agents from Saudi Arabia and Qatar were also found and are warbling as we write.”

“The big issue today is not so much the defeat of the rats in Al-Qusayr, but the participation of Hizbollah in the fighting. Some reports give the number of dead Hizbollah fighters at17 and some at 28. The real fact is that the “Rat Opposition” view any Southern Lebanese-accented person as a member of Hizbollah. We must remember that our National Defense Forces were cobbled together from Syrian, Lebanese, Iraqi and Palestinian volunteers. Many of the fighters inside Al-Qusayr are of Lebanese stock: some are members of the NDF, some members of the Ba’ath Party and some who are long-time residents in Syria who belong to a militia sanctioned by the government. Don’t believe all the nonsense about Hizbollah.”

“We can confirm that the following areas of Al-Qusayr cleansed of the rat population:

All East Al-Qusayr, the area of the Township Arena, Western Neighborhoods, area around the Municipal Offices, Cultural Center, Al-Kaneesa (Church), parts of the North Neighborhood and Central Neighborhood and the Roundabout at Al-Ghaita have been decontaminated. More areas are being pest-controlled as we write. The SAA has found many tunnels and numerous IEDs in residents’ homes.”

—–

SYRIAN PERSPECTIVE AFFIRMS THE CAPTURE OF OVER 76 FOREIGN TERRORIST AGENTS FROM TURKEY, FRANCE, LEBANON AND THE ZIONIST ABOMINATION. DOCUMENTS SEIZED AT AL-QUSAYR WILL BLOW THE LID OFF PRINCE PORKY OF QATAR AND HIS SENILE UNCLE, KING ABDULLAH OF S.A, SAMIR JA’JA’ AND SA’AD HARIRI IN THE CROSS-HAIRS AND CONDEMNED TO DEATH!!!!
http://syrianperspective.blogspot.com/2013/05/first-post-may-21-2013-syrian-army.html

May 21st, 2013, 3:22 pm

 
 

Dawoud said:

al-Qasir has NOT fallen despite what SANA and the media of the Lebanese Shia Terrorist party Hizbass Say!

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/22/world/middleeast/syria-developments.html?ref=world&_r=0

Syrian Forces and Hezbollah Fighters Press Assault in Key Town
By HANIA MOURTADA and ANNE BARNARD

[…]
But the rebels said they were holding their ground in the town against the better-armed onslaught, had destroyed several armored vehicles and inflicted heavy casualties on the army, and would fight on in Qusayr. “The men are still standing strong on all fronts,” said Ammar, an activist in Qusayr reached through Skype. “Their morale is very high and, God willing, military reinforcements from the Free Army should arrive soon.”

Ammar was dismissive of the Syrian government’s claims that its troops were gaining ground. “Yes, they’ve been holding large swaths of Homs for a while now,” he said. “They are in control there, but they haven’t made any real advances in Qusayr.”
[…]

May 21st, 2013, 3:55 pm

 

revenire said:

Dave by and large it has fallen. The various terrorist groups inside have accused each other of betrayal. Some snipers remain and the army said it will take a few days to clean out those hiding and/or using civilians as human shields out of fear of death .

Anne Barnard is not a reliable source and neither is the New York Times. You should know that.

It is a “done deal” Dave.

Thanks.

May 21st, 2013, 4:04 pm

 

dawoud said:

http://www.annahar.com/article/35273-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B6%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B9-%D9%82%D8%B5%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%A1!
Courageous Lebanese gathered today in Beirut’s “Martyr’s Square” to express their solidarity with the besieged/terrorized people of Syria’s al-Qasir. They also condemned the terrorist involvement of the Lebanese Shia terrorist party Hizbass in the massacres in Syria. Hizbass is a stupid As$!

“أنا متضامن مع القصير” في ساحة الشهداء!

21 ايار 2013 الساعة 22:35

بعنوان “أنا متضامن مع القصير” نظم عدد من الشبان اللبنانيين والسوريين اعتصاماً، مساء اليوم في ساحة الشهداء وسط بيروت، وذلك “لإدانة مشاركة “حزب الله” النظام السوري في عمليات القتل الطائفي ضد السوريين”. وتمت الدعوة إلى الاعتصام بطريقة عفوية عبر موقع التواصل الاجتماعي “فايسبوك”.
[…]

May 21st, 2013, 4:05 pm

 

Citizen said:

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan did not get what he was hoping for on the Syria issue from his U.S. visit, according to the head of the International Crisis Group.

“Regarding the Syrian issue, I think he [Erdoğan] couldn’t get what he expected,” Hugh Pope told daily Hürriyet, adding that the most significant message from Erdoğan’s visit was that the U.S. did not have any intention of conducting a military operation in Syria to topple the Bashar al-Assad regime.

“The most significant message is this: The United States has no intention of any military operation to topple the al-Assad regime. If Erdoğan was expecting that, then he should have been disappointed, because for one and a half years he has become quite isolated over his policy demanding al-Assad to go,” Pope said. A recent report by the group said Turkey has struggled to find the right response to the Syrian civil war and must stop betting its reputation on a quick resolution to the crisis……………
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-pm-couldnt-get-what-he-expected-on-syria-from-us-visit-ngo-head.aspx?pageID=238&nID=47263&NewsCatID=338

May 21st, 2013, 4:13 pm

 

annie said:

This chapter is getting clogged.

I see that Matthew Barber @744, who did an impressive, exhaustive work at listing the offenders, put me on the list for
Dehumanization / cursing of political rivals:

• Annie
Damn him, his family, his ancestors and all his descendants

Sorry, Matthew, Mihrac Ural, the butcher is no political rival. May be it is wrong to include his family in my curse; they might not even agree with him but my aim was him.

As for Tara boycotting Reve, I have been doing this consistently. So, I totally agree : let’s BDS him. If Monsieur Barber allows that tactic.

May 21st, 2013, 4:40 pm

 

revenire said:

I am hearing Erdogan is clinically depressed, is on antidepressants and being watched closely. There are rumors of uncontrollable crying. It reminds me a bit of when Egypt’s Sadat betrayed Hafez in 1973 and Egyptian military men wept openly as Israel ground up their tanks.

Erdogan’s failure in Syria is eating him up alive!

All we can do is pray Erdogan will atone and somehow redeem himself in the eyes of the people. He owes Syrians and Turks an apology. I’d like to see Erdogan serve prison time for his crimes but that might be too ambitious. Stranger things have happened.

May 21st, 2013, 4:44 pm

 

Tara said:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/21/opinion/sutter-syrian-cartoonist-ferzat/index.html

Sutter: Cartoons scare Syria’s leader
By John D. Sutter, CNN

Before I’d heard these and the other horrifying details of this attack against one of the Arab world’s most notable artists, I asked Ferzat — an Arab-Santa-looking character with a smile that could cheer up Tilda Swinton — if he was sure his hands were broken to stop him from drawing cartoons critical of Syria’s leader, Bashar al-Assad.

His answer made me laugh.

“Obviously,” he said. “What do I look like to you, a chef?”

May 21st, 2013, 5:23 pm

 

Ziad said:

Dawoud #1184

I am proud of Hizbullah and the resistance.

Since you started commenting on SC, you have been a single issue man, bad mouthing Shi’a and Hizbullah and calling them cheap derogatory names.

There are only two explanations to your pathological hatred towards Hiszbullah. Either you are a Zionist or you are a takfiri salafist. In either case I do not consider you a friend of Syria.

May 21st, 2013, 5:27 pm

 

ann said:

What would George Washington do with Syria? – May 21, 2013

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/05/21/what-would-george-washington-do-with-syria/

As we debate the current administration’s military policies, we might do well to ask ourselves “What Would George Do?”

He would steer clear of Syria.

Washington was highly reluctant to entangle the United States in the affairs of other nations, even ignoring allies’ pleas for help securing liberty.

For example, when the French overthrew the chains of monarchy in their quest for democracy, Washington refused to help. And when Britain subsequently declared war on France, Washington again stayed away.

Washington’s decision was motivated by his unashamed desire to protect America’s self-interest—another war with Great Britain would be too costly and was unlikely result in a clean American victory. Washington famously asked in his farewell address, “Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any [other nation], entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of … ambition, rivalship, interest, humor or caprice?”

When Washington did involve the United States in conflict, he made sure it was of direct benefit to the nation. When Haitian slaves revolted in the French colony of Saint-Domingue, Washington lent aid to the French.

His decision was motivated by his desire to serve American interests: he used the aid to repay the U.S.’s debt owed to France, and also sought (less admirably) to preserve Southern economic interests by dissuading American slaves from following suit.

It is worth also noting that in the rare instances in which Washington determined that the direct benefits outweighed the costs of committing U.S. lives and resources abroad, he made sure to first obtain congressional approval for his actions.

Modern presidents, including President Obama, have not necessarily followed Washington’s lead in conflicts such as Libya.

Regarding the current conflict in Syria, what is the benefit for the United States? Until that is clearly established, Washington’s precedent suggests caution.

Such blatant self interest has become not politically correct in the modern age, but when American lives and dollars are at stake, we cannot afford to neglect such questions.

At our nation’s founding, military action was a last resort—one only utilized to advance American interests or defend against attack.

[…]

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/05/21/what-would-george-washington-do-with-syria/

May 21st, 2013, 5:33 pm

 
 

Tara said:

Syria opposition signals tough line on peace talks
Associated Press – 3 hrs ago

BEIRUT (AP) — Despite recent rebel setbacks in Syria’s civil war, the main opposition bloc signaled a tough line Tuesday on attending possible peace talks with President Bashar Assad’s regime.

Two senior members of the Syrian National Coalition said the group first wants ironclad guarantees of Assad’s departure as part of any transition deal and more weapons for rebel fighters. The group’s final position is to be hashed out in a three-day meeting of its General Assembly in Istanbul, Turkey, later this week.

,,,
http://news.yahoo.com/syria-opposition-signals-tough-line-peace-talks-182027278.html

May 21st, 2013, 5:46 pm

 

Ameera said:

ما عرفانة عن شو بدنا نحكي الليلة

May 21st, 2013, 5:47 pm

 

ann said:

Well DUUHHH! It’s called the restoration of LAW and ORDER!

UN: Drop in Syrians reaching Jordan, unclear why – May 21, 2013

http://www.kwqc.com/story/22311479/un-drop-in-syrians-reaching-jordan-unclear-why

GENEVA (AP) – U.N. officials said Tuesday that the number of Syrian refugees arriving in Jordan has suddenly fallen from an average of 2,500 a day to fewer than 20, and they are trying to quickly figure out why.

U.N. officials said they are unsure what has led to the drop in the flow of refugees to Jordan this week, and because they lack staff on the Syrian side of the border they cannot observe the situation there.

“We believe there’s something happening on the other side of the border, and we need to know what is going on very quickly,” said Andrew Harper, the U.N. refugee agency’s representative to Jordan. “It is not clear what is happening. But we think that the refugees are having trouble accessing the border area from the Syrian side of the border.”

Panos Moumtzis, another top U.N. refugee official, said the agency is checking with authorities to see if “people are not being allowed to move, is it security or something else?”

A Jordanian border official said the two border posts with Syria “are open from the Jordanian side.”

[…]

http://www.kwqc.com/story/22311479/un-drop-in-syrians-reaching-jordan-unclear-why

May 21st, 2013, 5:49 pm

 

revenire said:

Ann 🙂

May 21st, 2013, 5:53 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Annie
Political Rival, a masterful hit job of fraudulent equivalence.

May 21st, 2013, 6:02 pm

 

ann said:

Senate panel approves weapons for Syrian rebels

Tuesday – 5/21/2013, 4:59pm EDT

http://www.federalnewsradio.com/316/2377366/Senate-panel-approves-weapons-for-Syrian-rebels-

WASHINGTON (AP) – A Senate panel voted on Tuesday to provide weapons to rebels battling the forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad, the first time lawmakers have endorsed the aggressive U.S. military step of arming the opposition in the 2-year-old civil war.

With a degree of trepidation, the Foreign Relations Committee voted 15-3 for a bill that would provide lethal assistance and military training to vetted rebel groups, and would slap sanctions on anyone who sells oil or transfers arms to the Assad regime such as Iran and Russia. The measure also establishes a $250 million fund to aid in the transition if and when Assad falls.

An intense committee debate over the bill underscored congressional fears about greater U.S. military involvement in a Mideast war after more than a decade of American combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also exposed divisions within the Republican Party about U.S. foreign policy that will remain well into the 2016 GOP presidential nomination fight.

The fate of the bill is uncertain, with opposition among several senators and far less enthusiasm in the House for stepped-up U.S. military action. The legislation does send a strong message as the Obama administration mulls its next step.

After some 90 minutes of discussion _ and rejection of several amendments to undercut the measure, a bipartisan argument for increased U.S. action in Syria swayed lawmakers.

“The greatest humanitarian crisis in the world is unfolding in and around Syria,” said Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., the committee chairman. “Vital U.S. interests are at stake including the stability of the Middle East, loose chemical weapons, and the danger that Syria becomes a safe haven for extremists. The United States must play a role in tipping the scales toward opposition groups and working to build a free and democratic Syria.”

Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, the panel’s top Republican, implicitly criticized the Obama administration as he joined Menendez in embracing the measure.

“Much of the policy on Syria has been done on an ad hoc basis,” Corker said. “This bill lays out a strategy.”

Opposing the legislation were Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., a potential presidential candidate in 2016, and Democratic Sens. Tom Udall of New Mexico and Chris Murphy of Connecticut.

Udall questioned whether the United States would know what rebel groups it was arming as it introduced more lethal weapons into a chaotic situation while Murphy argued that the U.S. hasn’t learned from history.

“We have failed over and over again in our attempts to pull the strings of Middle Eastern politics,” he said.

Paul said the U.S. is war weary and reluctant to get involved in a murky conflict with so many factions. He said there is no assurance that the weapons would end up in the hands of “liberty-loving, Jeffersonian-type of democrats.”

“It’s impossible to know who our friends are,” he said.

The committee turned back two amendments sponsored by Paul, one saying the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force does not allow intervention in Syria and another that barred weapons to Syria.

Paul pointed out the irony that one of the most effective rebel groups fighting Assad is Jabhat al-Nusra, an al-Qaida-affiliated group. The goal of the legislation is to ensure that the rebel groups meet a certain criteria with no links to terrorism.

The panel also rejected a Udall amendment that would have limited the weapons to .50-caliber arms and smaller. The senator warned that heavier weapons could end up in the hands of U.S. enemies.

Udall said Saudi Arabia and Qatar are providing weapons to the opposition forces. The United States, he said, “could turn over the weapons we’re talking about and next day they end up in the hands of al-Qaida.”

[…]

http://www.federalnewsradio.com/316/2377366/Senate-panel-approves-weapons-for-Syrian-rebels-

May 21st, 2013, 6:04 pm

 

dawoud said:

1204. ZIAD

I am non-these two descriptions. In fact, I am not religious at all. However, I had the vision for the last two years to see the covert/overt murderous intervention of the Lebanese Shia terrorist party Hizbass in Syria. We are all now seeing their terrorist activities in al-Qasir. Does Hizbass’ “resistance” mean that it occupies free Syrian territories and kill innocent Syrians? NO, it’s a terrorist party!

May 21st, 2013, 6:12 pm

 

dawoud said:

1204. ZIAD

I am non of these two descriptions. In fact, I am not religious at all. However, I had the vision for the last two years to see the covert/overt murderous intervention of the Lebanese Shia terrorist party Hizbass in Syria. We are all now seeing their terrorist activities in al-Qasir. Does Hizbass’ “resistance” mean that it occupies free Syrian territories and kill innocent Syrians? NO, it’s a terrorist party!

May 21st, 2013, 6:13 pm

 

ann said:

Syrian PM confident of army’s victory – 2013-05-22

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/22/c_124744777.htm

DAMASCUS, May 21 (Xinhua) — Syrian Prime Minister Wael al- Halqi hailed on Tuesday the army’s “big achievements” and stressed that the “victory is nearing,” the state-run SANA news agency reported.

Al-Halqi’s remarks were made during a regular session of the Syrian cabinet when the Syrian forces were still advancing in their decisive battle to dislodge the rebels from the strategic central town of al-Qussair near the Lebanese border.

While lauding the “army’s victories,” al-Halqi said such victories have positively rebounded on the internal situation in Syria in tandem with the government’s plans that aim to improve the citizens’ living conditions.

The Syrian troops on Tuesday pushed further in their operation to regain al-Qussair, local media said, adding that the operations focused on the northern part of the town.

SANA said units of the Syrian forces continued pursuing ” terrorists” in the northern and southern areas of al-Qussair after regaining full control over its eastern part, the stadium, parts of the western area and the area surrounding the cultural center, a church and the municipality roundabout to al-Ghaita area.

The army destroyed many tunnels used by the rebels in the central and northern area of the town, killing scores of rebels and destroying their weaponry and equipment, SANA said.

Among those killed was Abu Omar, leader of the al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front in al-Qussair, local media said.

Omar was killed alongside 10 of his fighters Tuesday as the Syrian army kept advancing for the third consecutive day to regain the strategic town.

[…]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/22/c_124744777.htm

May 21st, 2013, 6:26 pm

 
 

Ameera said:

مين شافها ,Game of Throne, هادا الاسبوع؟ مبارح شفت الحلقة و كانت بتجنن يعني ايبك متل ما بيقولوا وهادا الملخص

سنسا بتتجوز الزمك تيرون بس مو بيساو شي
جفري بترازل على سنسا
الساحرة ام الشعر الاحمر كاتيلن بتاخد ابن الملك روبرت بالحرام جيندري مشان تئتلو
كاليسي ام التنين بتكون بخطر بس بتزبط معها
ايدارد بيدو يوصل آريا لعند امها واخوا الملك روب

بس ديرو بالكم لا تشوفوها مع العيلة يعني والله فضيحة

May 21st, 2013, 6:29 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Hearts and thoughts are also with the residents of Moore, Oklahoma.

May 21st, 2013, 6:29 pm

 

revenire said:

What the “revolution” did to the Alawi.

Stories from Homs:

I spoke to someone I have not spoken to in a while on the phone. After the usual jokes, I asked what Syria was like to them. The usual “Latakia and Tartous are very safe” was no surprise. Then I made the mistake of asking about Homs; this is where I regret asking the question. The response was chilling (response was in Arabic): “The first year of the violence was horrible. I feel so bad for the Alawi.” I stopped them right away and asked ‘why?’ They responded, “you should have seen what these animals did to them. They would kill the men and they would rape the women. A 7 month pregnant Alawi woman was raped and then mutilated after. I know too many people who have died. Your news lies all the time. They do not report the truth. Many Alawi have been slaughtered in Homs. It is not just them; the terrorist have killed anyone and everyone – they don’t care if you are Sunni either.”

I am not Alawi and the person I spoke to was not Alawi. I know non-Alawi people who have been killed; but I was shocked. Am I really this misinformed about the situation there? The Alawi were being slaughtered in Homs? This person does not lie and they have no bias for Alawis, by-the-way. Food for though.

-Leith
Syrian Perspective

May 21st, 2013, 6:29 pm

 

zoo said:

Amir Taheri is furious at Obama and Kerry but his future vision of Syria is blurred by his hatred for Russia, Iran and any of Iran’s allies and his suspicious sympathy for Saudi Arabia

Falling for Moscow’s Syria trickery

By AMIR TAHERI
Last Updated: 12:25 AM, May 21, 2013
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/falling_for_moscow_syria_trickery_pmcRvTdi7LcQdeqBYEnRZL

While some commentators are urging President Obama to arm the Syrian rebels, he may be doing the opposite — by trying to stop the flow of arms to them.

Sources in the Syrian opposition tell me that the message from Washington to countries that help arm the rebels is to slow down shipments as a part of “confidence-building measures” with Russia. Secretary of State John Kerry transmitted the message to Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Jordan in his recent visits.

The capture of Qusair would enable Assad to carry out his Plan B, aimed at carving out a mini-state for his sect between the mountains west of Damascus and the Mediterranean. Such a mini-state, covering some 7,000 square miles, would also enable Russia and Iran to maintain their naval presence in the Mediterranean while using Hezbollah to turn Lebanon into a satellite state.

Assad’s Plan B would mean the dismantling of Syria as a nation-state and the emergence of large chunks of“non-governed” areas that could become safe havens for terrorists.

Kerry has also removed the veto on Assad’s participation in putative talks about a transition scheme. And the talk is that Kerry will allow Iran, Assad’s staunchest ally, to participate in the conference.

Sources in Turkey and Arab states tell me that they have agreed to a reduction in arms deliveries in the hope that the US could persuade Russia to also scale down its support for Assad. However, there are signs that Russia is doing the opposite by providing Assad with additional arms, including advanced rockets and missiles.

The consensus in Middle Eastern political circles is that the Russians have led Kerry down the garden path. The “international conference” is unlikely to produce better results than the previous one held in Geneva a year ago. It is also possible that the proposed conference will never take place.

Even if the conference does take place, Iran and Russia could use it as a delaying mechanism to keep Assad in power at least until the end of his mandate next year. Assad and his allies want to buy time, hoping to starve the rebels of weapons and ultimately crush them with superior weapons. Knowingly or not, Kerry is giving that deadly scenario a helping hand.

May 21st, 2013, 6:33 pm

 

revenire said:

Dave that’s very odd – you’re quite heavy with the religious overtones in your posts. You bandy about numbers (the infamous “95% of Palestinians support the Zionist attack on Syria” claim you have never been able to back up). You often cite extremist religious zealots in posts and links.

Hmmm. Something is rotten in Denmark.

Do you have any proof of Hezbollah’s “murderous” intentions? Other than a “vision” you had? I’d love to read something they said where they declared war on Syrians or Sunnis or whatever it is you’re trying to allege they are doing.

Seems to me they are fighting Zionist mercenaries. Most Syrians would agree with that characterization Dave.

Perhaps 95% would.

😉

May 21st, 2013, 6:35 pm

 

ann said:

Mortar attack kills 3 workers near Syrian capital – 2013-05-21

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/21/c_132398309.htm

DAMASCUS, May 21 (Xinhua) — Three workers were killed and 23 others wounded Tuesday when armed men fired mortar shells that slammed a clothing factory in a Damascus suburb, the pro- government Sham FM radio reported.

Most of those injured are in critical conditions, the report said, adding that a huge material loss has been caused to the al- Wasim factory in the eastern suburb of al-Mlaiha.

[…]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/21/c_132398309.htm

May 21st, 2013, 6:39 pm

 

Syrian said:

The terrorist sectarian Hasan Nes-lira uses 1400 years old grievances in a speech to his terrorist fighters in Homes
http://www.alquds.co.uk/?p=46424

وقال الموقع ان ‘الهرمل التي تعرضت لـ 8 صواريخ ‘غراد’ شهدت في الليل السابق تجمعاً كبيراً لمقاتلين من ‘حزب الله’ والحرس الثوري الايراني، وان نصرالله حضر الى المدينة وخاطب هؤلاء المقاتلين قبل توجههم الى القصير، كما ارسل رسالة تم التقاطها عبر جهاز اللاسلكي للمقاتلين المنتشرين على جبهات البلدة ليشحذ هممهم ويرفدهم بالمعنويات’.وافاد الموقع ان ‘نصرالله وجه نداء ‘لبيك يا صاحب الزمان وادركنا يا صاحب الزمان’ الى مقاتلي القصير بعد ان خاطبهم قائلاً: ‘الى رجال الله كفاهم فخراً، بوركت سواعدكم السمراء، رجال الله في القصير لكم منا كل التحايا انتم ايها الحسينيون، يا ابناء محمد، وعلي، وفاطمة، والحسن، والحسين، انتم شجاعة العباس، واصحاب الحسين بكربلاء، يا صرخة زينب عبر التاريخ تلك التي هزت عرش يزيد واليزيديين’.
تابع نصرالله: ‘نعم انتم في القصير تقولون لن تسبى زينب مرتين، ليتني كنت معكم، ليتني رصاصكم، ليتني مع وسداتكم في سوح الكرامة والعنفوان، ليتني زغردة حناجركم، حياكم الله ونصركم على الضلال كله والكفر كله

May 21st, 2013, 6:50 pm

 

ann said:

Syrian missiles in Israeli cities “a matter of time”: Israeli minister – 2013-05-22

Erdan said the Iron Dome missile defense system would not be able to intercept all the projectiles that would be fired toward Israel in the event of a war with Syria and Lebanon’s Hezbollah

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/22/c_124744752.htm

JERUSALEM, May 21 (Xinhua) — Syrian missile strikes on major urban centers in Israel are “just a matter of time,” Israel’s Home Front Defense Minister Gilad Erdan said Tuesday ahead of a national civil defense drill scheduled for next week.

“It is no longer a question of whether missiles will be fired toward dense population centers, but when. My answer is that it doesn’t really matter. It can happen tonight or next week. The flare-ups along our borders do not solely depend on the Israeli army or its wishes,” Erdan told reporters hours after Israeli and Syrian forces exchanged fire in the central Israeli occupied Golan Heights overnight Monday.

In an interview later in the day with Army Radio, Erdan said the Iron Dome missile defense system would not be able to intercept all the projectiles that would be fired toward Israel in the event of a war with Syria and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

“It’s obvious that central Israel will also be hit in the next conflict,” Erdan said.

Last week, local media outlets widely cited a recent report drafted by the Home Front Defense Ministry, which determines that Israel is ill-prepared to shield its civilian population from an unconventional terror attack.

“As of today, the preparedness of government offices and authorities against the threat of unconventional weapons is medium- low … while the threat of an unconventional terror attack unfolding has also risen,” said the report.

“… The main concern focuses on chemical and biological weapons reservoirs in Syria. Loss of control of the regime would bring these materials to a variety of terrorist groups already active in the region,” the report said. It underscored that Israel is critically short on gas masks after all of the current stockpile is distributed.

[…]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/22/c_124744752.htm

May 21st, 2013, 6:50 pm

 

zoo said:

The opposition in Amman have expressed a hardline approach to the conference. Yet the fact they did not publish a declaration and that they have left Al Khatib who is no more the chief of the SNC to express these hardline demands without any official confirmation from Sabra show that it is just a cheap bargaining trick.

Next week in Istanbul, the SNC either will accept to forget their laughable demands and sit at the negotiation table with the Syrian governement or they will bear the responsibility of the conference cancellation or they will be just bypassed.
They should know by now that Bashar will remain Syria’s president in 2013 and will, if he desires, present himself for election in 2014. That is not negotiable.

The failed opposition has to finally accept that beggars can’t be choosers.

May 21st, 2013, 6:50 pm

 

ann said:

Mortar attack kills 3 workers near Syrian capital – 2013-05-21

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/21/c_132398309.htm

DAMASCUS, May 21 — Three workers were killed and 23 others wounded Tuesday when armed men fired mortar shells that slammed a clothing factory in a Damascus suburb, the pro- government Sham FM radio reported.

Most of those injured are in critical conditions, the report said, adding that a huge material loss has been caused to the al- Wasim factory in the eastern suburb of al-Mlaiha.

[…]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/21/c_132398309.htm

May 21st, 2013, 6:54 pm

 

Syrian said:

The residences of southern Lebanon who came and lived with Syrian in 2006 are now attacking Syrians in south Lebanon

اهالي قتلى حزب الله في القصير يطردون السوريين من الجنوب
“توجه عند الحادية عشرة الا ربعاً من ليل الإثنين، عدد من اقرباء وذوي القتيل، الى المنازل التي يقطنها عدد من النازحين والعمال السوريين واعتدوا عليهم بالضرب بالعصي والسكاكين ما ادى الى إصابة النازح السوري حميدي عدنان الخليفة بكسر بقدمه، نقل اثره الى مستشفى صلاح غندور في بنت جبيل، فيما فرّ عدد من السوريين من البلدة في اتجاه القرى المحيطة في بنت جبيل”
http://www.alquds.co.uk/?p=46424

May 21st, 2013, 6:57 pm

 

zoo said:

Ann

It looks like Israel is a state of panic and now wants the desescalation of the conflict in Syria for fear they’ll pay a heavy price.
After seeing the SNC puppets or the Islamist extremists that may replace the current Syrian government, Israel now loves Bashar al Assad and want him to stay forever.
The trouble is they may have opened a door that cannot be closed anymore.

May 21st, 2013, 6:59 pm

 

Tara said:

If no ironclad guarantee that Batta will resign, the war continues.

And with or without the US, the status quo of brutality and oppression will simply not prevail. It is against God.

May 21st, 2013, 7:02 pm

 

Syrian said:

Looks like the Sunnis governments are finally putting their act together against the unified Shia powers in the ME

Top Saudis officials in Turkey to form a united front against Iran

انباء عن حلف سعودي ـ تركي لمواجهة النفوذ الايراني بالمنطقة

“ويرى مراقبون ان التقارب السعودي ـ التركي يأتي للتصدي لتزايد النفوذ الايراني في المنطقة وخاصة في سورية، عقب ورود انباء عن مشاركة مقاتلين من حزب الله والحرس الثوري الايراني الى جانب القوات النظامية بالمعارك ضد مسلحي المعارضة بعدة مناطق في سورية.”
http://www.alquds.co.uk/?p=46351

May 21st, 2013, 7:04 pm

 

zoo said:

In Jordan, Kerry Seeks Backing for Syria Peace Talks from the Arab and Western nations supporting the opposition

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-21/kerry-seeks-backing-in-jordan-for-syria-peace-talks.html

By Indira A.R. Lakshmanan – May 21, 2013 5:15 PM ET

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry heads to Jordan today for talks with Mideast and European allies to promote a negotiated end to the crisis in Syria, as government and rebel forces battle for control of the strategic city of Al-Qusair.

Kerry will press leaders from 10 other nations providing humanitarian or military support to the Syrian opposition — including the U.K., France, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar — to back a U.S.-Russian effort to persuade Syria’s government and rebels to come together for negotiations next month toward a cease-fire and establishing a transitional government.

The meeting in Amman will include consultations about aid provided by various countries to opposition forces and the humanitarian crisis in Syria that has spread to neighboring nations, according to a State Department official who briefed reporters traveling with Kerry on condition of not being named.

May 21st, 2013, 7:05 pm

 

Syrian said:

Testing time for Syria’s rebels
By David Ignatius, Published: TUESDAY, MAY 21, 3:11 PM ET

A good summary of the rebels’ conditions for Geneva came in a telephone interview Monday with Gen. Salim Idriss, the commander of the rebels’ Supreme Military Council. He spoke from Jordan, where his forces had just received a new shipment of 35 tons of weapons from Saudi Arabia; Idriss said these weapons will help, but they aren’t advanced enough to combat Assad’s tanks and planes in Qusair.

Idriss said he would not attend the Geneva talks unless the United States and its allies establish “military balance” by giving him modern anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons. “It’s not valuable to go to negotiations when we are weak on the ground,” he said.
http://m.washingtonpost.com/opinions/david-ignatius-testing-time-for-syrias-rebels-ahead-of-geneva-talks/2013/05/21/48080b28-c244-11e2-8c3b-0b5e9247e8ca_story.html

May 21st, 2013, 7:16 pm

 

Tara said:

Syrian

Those Shiaa Lebanese who are abusing the Syrian workers مافيهم أصل

Any adjective in English one can use to describe them?

If you treat an animal in a nice way, it will never betray you.. They do.

May 21st, 2013, 7:21 pm

 

Syrian said:

منقول
“مقتطفات مما قاله عزمي بشارة البارحة على الجزيرة في برنامج في العمق:

*لا حوار مع النظام بل تفاوض على نقل السلطة!!!

*لا يثير الاعجاب أن يكون النظام قوي. بل الشعـب الـسـوري الذي صمد حتى الآن هو ما يسـتحق الإعجاب.

*أكبر حلفاء النظام السوري هو الـــخـــطــــاب الـــطـــائـــفـــي

*النظام نظام طــائــفــــي ببنيته وخطابه الإعلامي وتحالفاته.

*ورغم ذلك ما يخيفه هو الخطاب الوطني المدني للثورة

*لم يحصل في التاريخ أن صمدت ثورة رغم كل هذا العنف !!!

*الثورة السورية ثورة شـريفة يتيمة. تواجه نظام مجرم قاتل وعيب عالدول العربية التي لا تدعمها.

*بشار مجرم ضد الإنسانية…

*يجب إعلان من بشار بقبوله التنحي وإعطاء صلاحياته للحكومة الانتقالية.

*المعارضة كلها يجب أن تمر بالائتلاف. وليس معارضة لطهران.

*لافروف شخص عنصري كاره للعرب والاسلام.

May 21st, 2013, 7:23 pm

 

Ziad said:

نجح الغرب بقيادة امريكا وإسرائيل ان يجعل قضية العرب والمسلمين الأولي هي الصراع بين السنة والشيعة
اصبح احمدي نجاد هو عدو المسلمين والعرب وليس نيتنياهو أو بيريز
..

فاروق جويدة

May 21st, 2013, 7:28 pm

 

Syrian said:

Tara
I cannot really find one word to discribe those ungrateful beasts

But what goes around will come around.
We will not forget nor forgive.

May 21st, 2013, 7:35 pm

 

revenire said:

Isn’t it funny that the terrorist supporters here have never uttered a peep about all the foreign fighters sent by Qatar and Saudi Arabia to murder Syrians are now screaming bloody murder about Hezbollah defending Syrians?

I think it is disgusting.

May 21st, 2013, 7:42 pm

 

revenire said:

76 foreign officers apprehended in Al-Qusayr – not a peep of objection from any of the regulars at SC. They just want to cry about Hezbollah.

URGENT: Syrian Army officers, fumigators and MI agents have now taken control of several command-and-control centers in the central zone of the city. What they found was unbelievable. Besides reams of incriminating documents conclusively demonstrating the connivance of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Lebanese Forces, the Mustaqbal Movement, Turkey, France, the United States and Britain, 76 foreign officers were apprehended in several tunnels as they cowered like frightened moles awaiting the inevitable claws of the vengeful wolf. The nationalities told the whole story. SyrPer has confirmed that the Al-Manaar report, published today in Lebanon is accurate but not exhaustive. Wael has received information that French intelligence officers who spoke North African Arabic; “Israeli” agents (“katsas”), operatives from Sameer Ja’ja’s Lebanese Forces who were trained in the Zionist Entity and who spoke Modern European Settler Hebrew, Turkish agents working for the MIT, spies and gun-smugglers who were paid by Sa’ad Hariri, were all CAPTURED ALIVE. In addition to this, our readers will be delighted to know that several agents from Saudi Arabia and Qatar were also found and are warbling as we write.

Wael can only speculate as to why these agents were found. But SyrPer believes that the “concept” which explained the ___* belief in the Syrian Army’s planned delay of the invasion of Al-Qusayr must have played a role. Again, we must also remember that the SAA closed off entry and exit routes in and out of Lebanon. It may be that these foreign terrorists and spies were simply unable to get out.

Found among the foreign agents and terrorists were “very advanced satellite communication devices with ultra- sophisticated encoding mechanisms”; SAA sappers found stores of C-4 explosives; millions of Saudi and Qatari riyaals, and American dollars.

THIS IS AN UNFOLDING STORY THAT MIGHT BE KEPT UNDER WRAPS BY MOD AND MI. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO GET MORE INTEL ABOUT THIS. ZAF
http://syrianperspective.blogspot.com/2013/05/first-post-may-21-2013-syrian-army.html

*offending noun removed.

May 21st, 2013, 7:49 pm

 

revenire said:

Ziad I believe that is correct and was their strategy all along.

May 21st, 2013, 7:51 pm

 

Tara said:

Iranian soldiers fighting for Assad in Syria, says State Department official

http://m.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/state-dept-official-iranian-soldiers-are-fighting-for-assad-in-syria/2013/05/21/a7c3f4ce-c23e-11e2-914f-a7aba60512a7_story.html

..
MUSCAT, Oman — Iran has sent soldiers to Syria to fight alongside forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and those of the Lebanon-based Hezbollah militia, a senior State Department official said Tuesday.

An unknown number of Iranians are fighting in Syria, the official said, citing accounts from members of the opposition Free Syrian Army, which is backed by the United States. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to preview a strategy session that Secretary of State John F. Kerry is to hold Wednesday with key supporters of the Syrian opposition.

….

The State Department official said the Syrian opposition, which is badly split, has not finalized its representative to the talks in Amman, Jordan, on Wednesday. The Amman session is intended to align strategies ahead of a larger conference in Switzerland that would bring together the Russian- and Iranian-backed Assad regime and the Western-backed rebels.

Russia appears to be hedging its bets, as the U.S. official acknowledged Tuesday. Assad’s forces are being resupplied from somewhere, the official said, and not all of the armaments can be explained away as part of a continuation of weapons contracts that predate the conflict.

In Washington on Tuesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed legislation authorizing President Obama to send weapons to vetted Syrian opposition groups. Although the administration has not decided whether to provide lethal aid and does not need congressional approval to do so, the measure would strengthen Obama’s case against those lawmakers who disapprove of stepped-up U.S. involvement in Syria.

May 21st, 2013, 8:00 pm

 

Ameera said:

منئول

اذا سقطت القصير .. كما باب عمرو ..
من اكبر الأدلة على ان اله العلويين اقوى

May 21st, 2013, 8:05 pm

 

Syrian said:

أميره مين قصدك حافظ ولا بشار؟
أيام المسيرات القديمه كانو العلويه يصيحو
ياالله حلاك حلاك تنزل
ويئعد حافظ محالك

May 21st, 2013, 8:14 pm

 

Ameera said:

يو دخيلك انا ما أصدي شي لا تعلئني معون بنوب

بس كيف هيك السوريين طول عمرن بكبرو بالشغلة و بيساولها ايدين و رجلين. يعني عم يتحاربو على مدينة فشو خص صراع الآلهة بالموضوع فهمني

May 21st, 2013, 8:39 pm

 

Syrian said:

شو بعرفني شو الدين تبعن
بس شكلك متل ما ئال غفران عنك
انو انتي أغمق بكتير من عم تحاولي تبيني حالك
بصراحه انت شكلك من الجماعه

May 21st, 2013, 9:01 pm

 

dawoud said:

While destroying what’s left of Syria, the Lebanese Shia Terrorist Party Hizbass of Hasan Nasrass حسن نصر الشيطان is destroying whatever social harmony is left in Lebanon! Does its Iranian masters in Tehran care about Lebanon? NO!

Free Syria, Free Palestine, Free Lebanon! Bahrain is Arab Forever!

http://newspaper.annahar.com/article.php?t=main&p=1&d=25082

الاولى
تداعيات تورّط “حزب الله” في سوريا:
لا انتخابات ولا حكومة ولا مصطافون

ستة قتلى وعشرات الجرحى في طرابلس ومطالبة النيابة العامة بتوقيف عيد
إدراج الحزب على لائحة الإرهاب الأوروبية سيضيّق الخناق على الوضع الاقتصادي

سقطت حكومة الرئيس نجيب ميقاتي، وذهبت معها الى غير رجعة سياسة النأي بالنفس وبالبلاد عن تداعيات الازمة السورية، فتوافرت لـ”حزب الله” حرية الحراك السوري من دون مسؤولية، وأوعز امس وزير الخارجية في الحكومة المستقيلة عدنان منصور الى السفير لدى جامعة الدول العربية خالد زيادة بالدفاع عن خيار الحزب القتال في سوريا وتبريره.
وامس سقط امكان قيام حكومة جديدة وفق رؤية رئيس الوزراء المكلف تمام سلام لها، بعدما قضت عليها التطورات والتورط الفاضح في مسار المعارك السورية، والتشدد المتوقع تصاعده من فريق 8 آذار، رفضا لصيغة الثمانات الثلاث، ولاعطاء الوسطيين اي حصة. وقد تكون التطورات الامنية في طرابلس امس قضت نهائيا على استحقاق الانتخابات على رغم الملهاة النيابية التي يتحرك “ابطالها” في لقطات دراماتيكية من دون رؤية واضحة لمسار الامور.
تأكيد “حزب الله” مشاركته في مسار المعارك السورية الداخلية وتشييعه يوميا عددا من قتلاه، والتنديد الدولي المتصاعد بهذا التورط، تجعل لبنان في قلب المعركة، وتضعه امام المجهول، وخصوصا اذا تأكدت المعلومات التي اشارت اليها “النهار” امس عن اسر الحزب عددا من الرعايا العرب في سوريا لمبادلتهم بالمخطوفين اللبنانيين التسعة في اعزاز، مما يعني حكما منع كل الرعايا العرب، وحتى الاجانب، من السفر الى لبنان في مطلع الصيف، وتفعيل الحركة الاوروبية لادراج الحزب على لائحة الارهاب الاوروبية، وممارسة التضييق عليه، مع ما يعني ذلك من خناق سياسي وضيق اقتصادي قد يعانيه لبنان، كما قال مصدر نيابي لـ”النهار”.
وامس طغى الوضع الامني على مما عداه، اذ تفجر الوضع في محور التبانة – جبل محسن، مما استدعى نداء عاجلا من قيادات طرابلسية اجتمعت في دارة النائب محمد كبارة طالبت فيه “النيابة العامة التمييزية بالتحرك ضد ثكنة بشار الاسد التي تعتدي على طرابلس وحرمة بيوتها وأهلها”. ودعت الى توقيف رفعت عيد والمتورطين معه من “شبيحة الاسد وحسن نصرالله”.
وكان “الحزب العربي الديموقراطي” عبر امينه العام رفعت عيد اعلن في وقت سابق بدء معركة الدفاع عن النفس. وصرحت مصادر الحزب لـ”النهار” بأن “الاعلان جاء بعد معلومات مؤكدة عن توافد مئات المسلحين من عكار والضنية الى طرابلس ضمن خطة لاقتحام جبل محسن”، مضيفة “اننا سنسقط خطتهم بوضع جبل محسن في مقابل القصير”.
وقال مصدر أمني إن الاشتباكات في طرابلس أمس أدت الى سقوط ستة قتلى على الاقل بينهم عسكري، مما رفع عدد القتلى منذ بدء الاشتباكات قبل ثلاثة أيام الى 11 على الاقل والجرحى إلى أكثر من 50 .
[…]

May 21st, 2013, 9:07 pm

 

dawoud said:

1239. TARA

With Hizbass and now the Persian non-Arab Iran (I don’t mean to disrespect all of the Iranian people, but Iran is NOT an Arab coutnry) sending their fighters/terrorists to Syria, we are talking about a foreign invasion! The regime can’t win only with Syrians because the majority of them are with the revolution for freedom. Shame on Bashar, and shame on the world (particularly all of the Arab countries) for allowing this foreign intervention in Syria!

May 21st, 2013, 9:13 pm

 

ann said:

Syria finds Israeli military vehicle in opposition-held town – 2013-05-21

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/video/2013-05/21/c_132397358.htm

BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhuanet) — The Syrian army has said it found an Israeli military vehicle during its wide-scale attack in Qussair, a strategic opposition-held town near the Lebanese border.

Syria’s state media says the discovery proves that the Free Army and the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front are “just titles for an entity that is being led by Israel, Turkey and Qatar”. It reiterated the government’s accusation concerning the latest Israeli raid against Damascus, saying Israel is giving a hand to rebels in Qussair and elsewhere in the country.

[…]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/video/2013-05/21/c_132397358.htm

May 21st, 2013, 9:17 pm

 

dawoud said:

I am not a fan of the Zionists who occupied my people’s homeland, and I condemn their continued colonization and occupation, but I also understand that the terrorist Hizbass and Bashar are over-using Israel in order to justify their ongoing war crimes against free Syrians. There was NO Israeli military vehicle in al-Qasir. Hizbass might have brought or photographed and old one from S. Lebanon in order to justify its indecent and war criminal terrorist intervention in al-Qasir. Nobody knows how to use Israel legitimately or illegitimately as a mean to justify its ends better than the terrorist Hizbass! Read on (sorry, your may need Arabic translation from Hasan the Devil حسن نصر الشيطان).

http://www.al-seyassah.com/AtricleView/tabid/59/smid/438/ArticleID/245251/reftab/76/Default.aspx

غالبيتهم من قوات النخبة
21/05/2013
مقتل العشرات من “حزب الله” في معارك القصير السورية

دمشق, بيروت – وكالات: قتل العشرات من “حزب الله” اللبناني غالبيتهم من قوات النخبة في المعارك التي يخوضها إلى جانب القوات النظامية السورية, منذ أول من أمس, ضد مقاتلين معارضين في مدينة القصير الستراتيجية وسط سورية.(راجع ص 44 و45)
ومع تواصل المعارك أمس لليوم الثاني على التوالي بعد الهجوم الجوي والبري للجيش النظامي المدعوم من الحزب, تضاربت المعلومات بشأن أعداد القتلى, رغم الإجماع في سورية ولبنان على تكبد “حزب الله” خسائر فادحة.
وفي هذا السياق, أعلنت القيادة المشتركة لـ”الجيش الحر” عن سقوط نحو 50 قتيلاً من “حزب الله” وإصابة نحو 100 آخرين, حيث تم رصد عشرات سيارات الاسعاف تنقل القتلى والجرحى إلى بعلبك – الهرمل في الجانب الآخر من الحدود داخل لبنان.
وفي حين أفاد ناشطون عن سقوط 30 قتيلاً من الحزب, أورد المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان, الذي يوثق أسماء القتلى, حصيلة من 28 قتيلاً, مؤكداً أن غالبيتهم من قوات النخبة في الحزب.
[…]

May 21st, 2013, 9:27 pm

 

Ziad said:

Sheikh Adnan busts his A’r’oor in sectarian rant:

Hezbollah Kills 500 FSA Rebels in 3 Hours” – Adnan Aroor Goes Crazy

May 21st, 2013, 9:30 pm

 

dawoud said:

More on the Lebanese Shia terrorist Hasan the Devil, leader of the Lebanese Iranian-puppet Hizbass:

May 21st, 2013, 9:35 pm

 

dawoud said:

Free Syria song: “We Don’t Want al-Assad’s Rule, We Want Freedom!”
[…]
“Hama: the Land of Dignity”
[…]
“Banias: they hit its men and women with bullets”
“Homs: the Land of bravery!”
[…]
“Idlib: we love nothing other than freedom!”
[…]

May 21st, 2013, 9:42 pm

 

ghufran said:

Syrians do not want Nusra et al to control their lives but they certainly do not want Assad and his team of thieves either, I am afraid that by allowing terrorists in ,the rebels shot themselves in the foot and gave Assad and others an easy target. Israel has emerged as the biggest winner of this tragedy, one Jewish coworker told me that whether this war was planned or not, Israel will have no reason to make any concessions to Syria, Lebanon or the Palestine for the foreseeable future, Syrians will spend the next 20 years trying to rebuild their homes and feed their kids while Israel and Turkey will be busy growing their economy and expanding their influence.
I do not know how anybody could ,with a straight face, pretend that it is OK for Assad and the security chiefs to stay in power after transforming Syria into a big prison and silencing any opposition and smashing the middle class which is crucial to building any democracy. Syria will have to be under military rule for years to come, and politicians who may still have titles will only serve as “Yay Sayers” and help to legitimize the army rule.
This new class is likely to face islamist insurgents, like Algeria, who if left unchallenged can use car bombs and random assassinations for years to come.
The war added more than 1 million unemployed Syrians to an already large pool of jobless youth, those people need to eat even if they have to steal or kill for it. The scope of Syria’s existing and future problems is enough to make many people lose hope but hopeless Syrians may still attack other Syrians who are as impoverished and unfortunate as they are. When the regime thieves send their families to other countries with all the money they stole from Syria, your relatives and your extended families will be living in poverty and fear from other equally poor and fearful Syrians.
This is a war where the little puppies are killed while the big dogs get to protect their testicles away from the home they help destroy.

May 21st, 2013, 9:44 pm

 

dawoud said:

Free Syria Song: “Salute Syria and its Revolutionaries” […] “They [freeodm] revolutionaries opened freedom’s doors!”

May 21st, 2013, 9:48 pm

 

dawoud said:

I am disappointed that Aljazeera English has to delete any commentary and engage in censorship so that it becomes “accepted” and “main stream” to the Zionist American media elite! Shame on Aljazeera English!

Free Syria, Free Palestine, Stop Hizbass’ terrorism in al-Qasir!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/21/al-jazeera-joseph-massad-retraction

Al Jazeera deletes its own controversial Op-Ed, then refuses to comment
The bizarre behavior by the media giant reflects brewing tensions as it seeks to enter the US television market

Glenn Greenwald
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 21 May 2013 10.04 EDT

(updated below)

Last Tuesday, Al Jazeera English published a lengthy Op-Ed by Columbia professor and Middle East scholar Joseph Massad entitled “The Last of the Semites”. Massad’s argument was obviously controversial: he highlighted the shared goal between the early Zionist movement and Europe’s anti-Jewish bigots (namely, the removal of Jews from the continent), detailed the cooperation between German Nazis and Zionists to facilitate the departure of Jews out of Europe (the existence of that cooperation is not in dispute, though the extent of it very much is), and highlighted the extensive disagreements among Jews themselves over the wisdom and justness of Zionism (large numbers of European Jews were insistent that they did not want to, and should not have to, leave their homelands for a distant land that was not theirs).

Predictably, numerous commentators – largely the ones who have spent years casually smearing as anti-semites those who criticize Israel – instantly and vehemently denounced Massad’s arguments. The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg sarcastically tweeted: “Congratulations, al Jazeera: You’ve just posted one of the most anti-Jewish screeds in recent memory,” while the editor of the neocon journal Commentary, John Podhoretz, wrote: “Congratulations, donors to Columbia University, for paying this monstrous []head’s salary!” A blogger for the Jerusalem Post claimed that “Massad’s writings on Israel can easily be confused with material from the neo-Nazi ‘White Pride World Wide’ hate site Stormfront.”

All of that is par for the course when it comes to debates over Israel and Palestine: as any writer who ever ventures into that topic well knows, nothing triggers greater venom and personalized attacks (and a greater risk of losing one’s job) than opining on any of these matters. And the critics of Massad’s Op-Ed were doing nothing wrong per se: it’s perfectly appropriate to harshly criticize controversial arguments that are published in a major media outlet. An intense debate was triggered about Massad’s thesis, just as Massad and his Al Jazeera editors undoubtedly anticipated, and that is what opinion journalism often does and should do.

But all of that changed on Saturday. Without issuing any comment or explanation of any kind, unknown officials at Al Jazeera ordered Massad’s Op-Ed to be deleted – in essence, silently retracted. I actually discovered this deletion because, aware of the controversy that had erupted, I attempted on Saturday to read Massad’s Op-Ed. But none of the specific Al Jazeera links I found would work: they all went to Al Jazeera’s home page, which said nothing about Massad’s Op-Ed. I finally was able to read the Op-Ed only by finding it on blogs which had re-printed the Op-Ed in full (a .pdf version of how it appeared on Al Jazeera’s site can be found here).

As a result, on Saturday morning I asked on Twitter whether Massad’s Op-Ed had been de
[…]

May 21st, 2013, 9:52 pm

 

Dolly Buster said:

Wa la udhra li ahad. Kama qala Abu Talha radiallahu anh: Ma sami3 Allah udhran li ahad.

May 21st, 2013, 9:54 pm

 

ann said:

Thread is too large and unstable. I’m getting different kinds of errors. Here’s the latest one I got:

Error establishing a database connection

May 21st, 2013, 10:10 pm

 

dawoud said:

I am not a fan of the Zionists who occupied my people’s homeland, and I condemn their continued colonization and occupation, but I also understand that the terrorist Hizbass and Bashar are over-using Israel in order to justify their ongoing war crimes against free Syrians. There was NO Israeli military vehicle in al-Qasir. Hizbass might have brought or photographed an old one from S. Lebanon in order to justify its indecent and war criminal terrorist intervention in al-Qasir. Nobody knows how to use Israel legitimately or illegitimately as a mean to justify its ends better than the terrorist Hizbass! Read on (sorry, you may need Arabic translation from Hasan the Devil حسن نصر الشيطان).

About this lie about an Israeli military vehicle in al-Qasir:

http://syrianchange.com/2013/05/21/%D8%AD%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B0%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%AC%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84/

حول الكذبة الفجة عن السيارة الاسرائيلية في القصير

May 21st, 2013, 10:16 pm

 

dawoud said:

P.S., Just a Reminder:

“Israel’s Man [Bashar al-Assad] in Damascus”

http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/139373/efraim-halevy/israels-man-in-damascus

Israel’s Man in Damascus
Why Jerusalem Doesn’t Want the Assad Regime to Fall
Efraim Halevy

In October 1995, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin telephoned Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to inform him that peace was at hand between Israel and Syria. Two weeks later, Rabin was dead, killed by a reactionary Jewish Israeli fanatic; the peace agreement that Rabin referenced died not long thereafter. But Israeli hopes for an eventual agreement with the Assad regime managed to survive. There have been four subsequent attempts by Israeli prime ministers — one by Ehud Barak, one by Ehud Olmert, and two by Benjamin Netanyahu — to forge a peace with Syria.

This shared history with the Assad regime is relevant when considering Israel’s strategy toward the ongoing civil war in Syria. Israel’s most significant strategic goal with respect to Syria has always been a stable peace, and that is not something that the current civil war has changed. Israel will intervene in Syria when it deems it necessary; last week’s attacks testify to that resolve. But it is no accident that those strikes were focused solely on the destruction of weapons depots, and that Israel has given no indication of wanting to intervene any further. Jerusalem, ultimately, has little interest in actively hastening the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

Israel knows one important thing about the Assads: for the past 40 years, they have managed to preserve some form of calm along the border. Technically, the two countries have always been at war — Syria has yet to officially recognize Israel — but Israel has been able to count on the governments of Hafez and Bashar Assad to enforce the Separation of Forces Agreement from 1974, in which both sides agreed to a cease-fire in the Golan Heights, the disputed vantage point along their shared border. Indeed, even when Israeli and Syrian forces were briefly locked in fierce fighting in 1982 during Lebanon’s civil war, the border remained quiet…
[…]

http://syrianchange.com/2013/05/21/%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84-%D9%84%D8%A7-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D9%88%D8%A5%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%87%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A3%D8%A8%D9%82%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D8%B4%D8%A7-2/

إسرائيل لا روسيا وإيران هي من أبقت بشار . . بقلم: ياسر أبو هلالة

منذ انهيار الاتحاد السوفيتي لم تستقر العلاقات الدولية باتجاه التوازن مع الولايات المتحدة الأميركية، وفي ما خص قضايانا في الصراع العربي الإسرائيلي والحصار على العراق وحربه وغيرها لم تظهر روسيا مواقف فارقة. ولكن بنفسية المهزوم ظل كثيرون يتوهمون موقفا روسيا يحيي رميم عظام الاتحاد السوفيتي. مع أن القيصر الصغير بوتين ظل ضيفا دائماً على الإسرائيليين وهم بادلوه الود وظلت روسيا بلدا صديقا وحليفا، مع هامش مناورة لفظي يرطن بلغة تداعب عواطفنا. روسيا الإمبراطورية العجوز المتصابية تستخدم هي والإمبراطورية المراهقة إيران سورية لتحقيق طموحاتهما في المنطقة والعالم. لكن هذا الطموح الإمبراطوري ما كان ليبقي بشار لو أن الغرب قرر التدخل كالبوسنة أو ليبيا، أو سمح بالحد الأدنى بدخول السلاح النوعي، وهذا ما لم يتم بسبب أن العامل الإسرائيلي يريد بقاء بشار.

لا نحتاج لشواهد لشرح وجهة النظر الإسرائيلية، وفي عالم تحكمه الشفافية قدم هاليفي مدير الموساد الأسبق مرافعة في أهم مجلة فكرية تؤثر في السياسة الخارجية الفورن أفيرز تثبت أن بشار هو رجل إسرائيل في دمشق. لم يكن يقصد التشهير به، لكنه يريد أن يحسم النقاش أميركيا وغربيا باتجاه عدم التدخل، والجمعة الماضية عنونت التايمز اللندنية نقلا عن مسؤول أمني إسرائيلي رفيع “إسرائيل تريد بقاء بشار”.

هذه الفزعة الإسرائيلية ليست بريئة، خصوصا أنها جاءت بعد قصف سلاح لحزب الله في دمشق. ولم تخجل إسرائيل من القول إنها أرسلت رسالة لبشار بأن المقصود حزب الله. وقد رد بشار التحية بمثلها في كلمة مندوبه في الأمم المتحدة الجعفري حين نافق للإسرائيليين والأميركان باعتبار أنه شريكهم في الحرب على الإرهاب.

يفزع الإسرائيليون لأن الأميركان ومن حالفهم قرروا بأن العام 2013 سيشهد نهاية بشار، إما أن يخرج بحل سياسي أو يخرج بحل عسكري. ويدرك الإسرائيليون أن طبيعة النظام ترفض أي حل سياسي، فإن الحل العسكري آت لا محالة. سواء بتزويد الثوار بالسلاح النوعي الذي حرموا منه خلال عامين أو بعمليات جراحية للنظام من خلال ضربات جوية، أو بالأمرين معا.
[…]

May 21st, 2013, 10:27 pm

 

dawoud said:

P.S., Efraim Halevy, the writer of the above article, “Israel’s Man [Bashar al-Assad] in Damascus” was the Director of the Israeli Mossad (the Israeli intelligence/spy agency): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efraim_Halevy

May 21st, 2013, 10:33 pm

 

dawoud said:

“Error establishing a database connection”

Hizbistan’s internet connection is notorious for its unreliability and low speed 🙂

May 21st, 2013, 10:45 pm

 

ann said:

1259. dawoud

Lonely?

May 21st, 2013, 10:47 pm

 

dawoud said:

No, actually, I am too busy putting together a database about Lebanon’s terrorist Shia party Hizbass and its ongoing war crimes in Syria. My intention is to send it to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague! I have put a similar database regarding Israeli war crimes, and I hope that Hizbass’ and Israeli leaders could be prosecuted at the same time!

May 21st, 2013, 10:53 pm

 

ann said:

1261. dawoud

Bravo!

May 21st, 2013, 11:13 pm

 

ann said:

Israel, Syria show teeth: Third cross-border shootout in week – May 21, 2013

http://rt.com/news/israel-fires-shots-syria-560/

Israeli troops opened “retaliating” fire at targets across the Syrian border with Syria later claiming it destroyed an Israeli military vehicle stationed in Golan Heights. This is a third consecutive cross-border shooting in a week, Israeli media say.

The footage the Israeli army shared with RT shows the Syrian side firing first followed by return fire from the Israelis.

The Israeli military said their troops had “returned precise fire” after a Syrian soldier allegedly caused damage to a military vehicle stationed in Golan Heights, near the border.

The shots “most likely were stray bullets, we don’t know if it was intentional,” an Israeli spokesperson told AFP. There were no injuries following the initial shots.

Soon after that the Syrian military declared in a televised statement that in response they had successfully targeted a further Israeli vehicle:

“Our armed forces have destroyed an Israeli vehicle with everything that it had in it… The vehicle had crossed the ceasefire line and was moving towards the village of Bir Ajam, situated in the liberated Syrian zone [of the Golan].”

This is the first time the Syrian government claimed responsibility for firing into the Israeli territory.

Tel-Aviv denied the claims. Israel’s Army Radio however said the Tuesday incident was the third consecutive cross-border shooting this week and the military considers the incident to be concerning.

[…]

http://rt.com/news/israel-fires-shots-syria-560/

May 21st, 2013, 11:24 pm

 

dawoud said:

1262. ann

Although you and I are on different sides (you support the dictator and I oppose him), I actually admire your intellectual “zeal.” If it takes a little “correction,” you would be able to see beyond the scope of Hizbistan’s perspective and realize that no nation should be ruled for 42 or 43 years by a bloody dictator and his murderous son!
I will throw a penny in the mall’s wishing well for you so that you open your eyes and see the whole picture 🙂 Heck, I may even throw a $100 bill 🙂 you seem to deserve it! Good Night, and Good Luck!

May 21st, 2013, 11:25 pm

 

ann said:

UN Said It Would Put Palestine’s Erakat Speech Online May 21, But Didn’t

By Matthew Russell Lee

http://www.innercitypress.com/funca3untvpal052113.html

UNITED NATIONS, May 21 — On what basis does the UN, after cutting off the UN Television broadcast of a speech by Palestine’s negotiator Saeb Erakat but saying the video would be put online the next day, not follow through or explain?

Inner City Press asked the first question on May 20 right after the cut-off, and seven and a half hour later was told by the chief of UNTV Stephane Dujarric, “Due to a clerical error the meeting was listed as closed and not available to UNTV. However, we will have a recording made available to us tomorrow. It will then be posted on the UN webcast page.”

In its second story on the UN black-out of Erakat, Inner City Press published that response and concluded, “We’ll have more on this tomorrow.” That was supposed to mean, about the substance of what Erakat said.

But 24 hours later, the Erakat video was still not on the UN’s website. At a Tuesday evening event of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in the General Assembly lobby, another delegation — not Palestine — expressed outrage at the blackout, saying “you know who’s behind it.”

Actually, we don’t. But the UN should take this more seriously. If no video exists, it should say so publicly and give a full accounting. If the video does exist, it should post it online. From both sides of the issue there is interest in what Erakat said.

[…]

http://www.innercitypress.com/funca3untvpal052113.html

May 21st, 2013, 11:35 pm

 

Ghufran said:

Ending months of hesitation, the European Union opened the door Tuesday to adding the military wing of Lebanon’s Hezbollah to its list of international terrorist groups, EU diplomats told AFP.
A formal request to blacklist Lebanon’s most powerful political and military group was filed by Britain and is to be discussed at closed-door talks June 4 of a committee overseeing the EU list of people and groups subject to its asset freezing regime.

May 21st, 2013, 11:43 pm

 

dawoud said:

1265. ann

P.s., thanks for supporting the cause of my Palestinian people. I hope you do the same to the Syrian people, not their dictator!

May 21st, 2013, 11:45 pm

 

Juergen said:

Reve

Hisbollah party propagandists will surely state that their fighters are in a battle against zionist supporters or backed militias. On the ground its an other picture, they will find many Syrians fighting against their government. I would have second thoughts as an HB fighter to meet my Lord under such circumstances.

May 22nd, 2013, 12:21 am

 

revenire said:

That isn’t what they found in Al-Qusayr Juergen. They found foreigners, many foreigners (lots of Chechens).

Juergen talk to certain American activists who went to Aleppo to provide relief supplies like blankets etc. to the children there. They were quite surprised to find Somalis manning rebel checkpoints.

You’re misinformed.

May 22nd, 2013, 12:42 am

 

Syrian said:

OP-ED COLUMNIST
Without Water, Revolution
Thomas L. Friedman
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/19/opinion/sunday/friedman-without-water-revolution.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

“The best jobs in Hasakah Province, Syria’s oil-producing region, were with the oil companies. But drought refugees, virtually all of whom were Sunni Muslims, could only dream of getting hired there. “Most of those jobs went to Alawites from Tartous and Latakia,” said Zakaria, referring to the minority sect to which President Assad belongs and which is concentrated in these coastal cities. “It made people even more angry. The best jobs on our lands in our province were not for us, but for people who come from outside”

““We could accept the drought because it was from Allah,” said Abu Khalil, “but we could not accept that the government would do nothing.” Before we parted, he pulled me aside to say that all that his men needed were anti-tank and antiaircraft weapons and they could finish Assad off. “Couldn’t Obama just let the Mafia send them to us?” he asked. “Don’t worry, we won’t use them against Israel.”

May 22nd, 2013, 12:48 am

 

ann said:

Here’s another error from the blog:

Service Temporarily Unavailable

The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to maintenance downtime or capacity problems. Please try again later.

Capacity problems is most plausible

May 22nd, 2013, 1:22 am

 

ann said:

Obama-Backed FSA Rebels Name Their Brigade “Osama Bin Laden” – May 20, 2013

White House openly seeking to arm terrorists in Syria

http://www.infowars.com/obama-backed-fsa-rebels-name-their-brigade-osama-bin-laden/

Underlining once again how the White House is openly seeking to arm terrorists in Syria, video has emerged of one of the FSA rebel groups referring to their unit as the “Osama Bin Laden” brigade.

The clip shows one of the militants proclaim how he is part of “The Osama bin Laden brigade of the Souqour Dimashq (Hawks of Damascus) Battalion…..Allahu Akbar!” as the insurgents prepare to attack a Syrian Army checkpoint.

“Western countries have been claiming that the FSA is comprised of somewhat “secular” people and that jihadists have only joined the fight but they are not part of the FSA. Well, you cannot get more al-Qaeda’ish than calling a brigade “Osama bin Laden,” states the description accompanying the video.

Indeed, while the media narrative has attempted to frame the presence of Al-Qaeda terrorists in Syria under the banner of Jabhat Al-Nusra as a separate entity to FSA fighters, whom the White House is now preparing to arm with heavy weaponry, 29 FSA groups pledged allegiance to Al-Nusra, which was responsible for killing U.S. troops in Iraq, immediately after the group was declared a terrorist organization by the State Department back in December.

A May 8 London Guardian report noted how Jabhat al-Nusra is “emerging as the best-equipped, financed and motivated force fighting Bashar al-Assad’s regime,” and how droves of FSA fighters are now joining its ranks.

This is by no means the first time western-backed FSA rebels have proudly proclaimed their affinity with Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda.

As we reported earlier this year, video footage emerged showing Syrian rebels singing songs in praise of Osama Bin Laden while celebrating the “sweet memory” of the attack on the World Trade Center on 9/11.

“They (Twin Towers) have gone with the blink of an eye, oh how sweet is the memory,” the crowd sings in Arabic. “Our leader Osama Bin Laden, America’s worst nightmare,” the song continues as the crowd cheers, “If they call me a terrorist I will consider it an honor, our terror is blessed, a divine call, Allah is our goal we strive to reach him.”

FSA fighters have also displayed the black Al-Qaeda flag on innumerable occasions, including recently during a series of grisly public executions.

A Syrian rebel quoted by McClatchy Newspapers last year was overheard to remark, “When we finish with Assad, we will fight the U.S.!” Other militants have appeared in You Tube videos speaking of their desire to see the Al-Qaeda flag fly over the White House and impose Sharia law once the rebels are victorious across the region.

Rebels have also been caught on camera burning U.S. flags and chanting anti-American slogans.

The fact that Syrian opposition fighters are increasingly being exposed as sectarian jihadists loyal to Al-Qaeda, in addition to their innumerable atrocities, has derailed the now flimsy narrative that the FSA is comprised of freedom fighters who merely want to topple the dictatorship of Bashar Al-Assad to restore liberty in Syria.

With the Syrian Army winning major battles and reclaiming key areas of the country, the White House and other NATO powers are rapidly running out of time in their bid to oversee a repeat of what happened in Libya, where Al-Qaeda insurgents were also armed as part of the effort to depose Colonel Gaddafi, a process that led to the country being overtaken by brutal warlords and terrorist gangs who later took part in the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi last September.

Despite the fact that FSA rebels are being led and taught how to build bombs by Al-Qaeda militants, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs panel Rep. Eliot Engel has introduced legislation urging the Obama administration to send $150 million in “lethal and non-lethal security assistance” to the insurgents. Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said that the Obama administration was “rethinking” its opposition to arming the rebels.

However, as the New York Times reported, the CIA has already been involved in “a secret airlift of arms and equipment for the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad” since early 2012.

[…]

http://www.infowars.com/obama-backed-fsa-rebels-name-their-brigade-osama-bin-laden/

May 22nd, 2013, 1:33 am

 

ann said:

Published on May 18, 2013

This video footage from Damascus shows a brigade calling itself “Osama bin Laden”, the al-Qaeda chief and founder. This brigade belongs to the Souqour Dimashq (Hawks of Damascus) Battalion of the “Free Syrian Army” (FSA).

Western countries have been claiming that the FSA is comprised of somewhat “secular” people and that jihadists have only joined the fight but they are not part of the FSA. Well, you cannot get more al-Qaeda’ish than calling a brigade “Osama bin Laden”.

May 22nd, 2013, 1:39 am

 

ann said:

Syrian Rebels Praise Bin Laden, Celebrate 9/11 Attacks

May 22nd, 2013, 1:42 am

 

ann said:

Russian confidence growing in its vision for ending Syrian war – May 21, 2013

Russia’s new tone of leadership on Syria is driven by momentum on the battlefield for Bashir al-Assad’s forces

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2013/0521/Russian-confidence-growing-in-its-vision-for-ending-Syrian-war

Russia believes that its long-held vision of how to achieve peace in civil war-torn Syria has at last become possible due to a shifting balance of forces in the war and changing perceptions in the West, experts say.

In Russia’s view, peace would come through a negotiated settlement between the Bashar al-Assad regime and at least major elements of the anti-Assad rebels.

Newly assertive in advance of an upcoming peace conference to be jointly sponsored by the US and Russia, Moscow is insisting that rebel factions who come to the meeting must do so “without preconditions,” meaning no demands for Mr. Assad’s removal. It is also advocating that Syria’s main regional ally, Iran, should be included in the talks along with other players like Saudi Arabia.

“It’s important to put the main things first, and in this sense I am convinced that timing is the last thing that should be decided, when the most important things are agreed,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday in Sochi, answering a journalist’s question about when the conference will take place.

“The main thing is to ensure the agreement of opposition groups to participate in the conference without preliminary conditions,” and not attempt to set “unrealistic” conditions, he said. “There is no doubt that it is obligatory to invite all neighbors of Syria without exception. Iran, as you know, is a neighbor of Syria.”

“The West seems to have thought that they could get [President Vladimir] Putin to pressure Assad into leaving, and all would be well,” says Georgy Mirsky, an expert with the official Institute of World Economy and International Relations in Moscow.

“That’s complete nonsense. Assad will stay till the very end, and he has many resources to do so. Meanwhile, the opposition is increasingly being taken over by radical Islamists, who look like the only people capable of defeating Assad. But these are the followers of bin Laden. Are the Americans really ready to go on supporting them?” he asks.

In another newly self-confident message, clearly aimed at the West, Moscow has let it be known that it will complete deliveries of advanced weapons systems to Assad’s forces. They include the hypersonic Yakhont anti-shipping missile – some of which have reportedly been delivered – which could threaten warships up to 200 miles off Syria’s coast. Moscow has also indicated that it will complete a contract to supply sophisticated S-300 anti-aircraft systems, which are capable of shooting down modern fighter aircraft at great distances and altitudes. In combination, the two weapons could deeply complicate any Western effort to repeat NATO’s limited intervention in Libya, which led to the downfall of dictator Muammar Qaddafi.

“Contracts have to be fulfilled. Lavrov said these are not new deals, they were signed in the past,” says Vladimir Sotnikov, an expert with the Center for International Security at the official Institute of World Economy and International Relations.

“Other countries are supplying weapons [to both sides] in Syria. Why is Russia singled out? The Assad regime is the legitimate government of Syria, there is no other. And Syria has a right to defend itself, especially since there have already been Israeli air raids against it,” he says.

“By publicly revealing these missile deliveries, Russia is saying to the West that this peace conference is the last chance to attain a negotiated settlement. If the conference fails, which seems quite possible, then the Russian message to the West is that if you step up arms deliveries to the rebels, our aid to Assad will be increased too,” says Fyodor Lukyanov, editor of Russia in Global Affairs, a leading Moscow foreign policy journal.

“In cold war times it was clear why these superpower standoffs took place. But we no longer live in a bipolar world, and Russia does not seek these days to challenge US hegemony in any systematic way,” he says.

“For Russia, at this point, the key is to try to reverse that post-cold war trend which aims to legitimize Western interventions to settle local conflicts. There are a lot of reasons why Russia feels this way; perhaps our leaders fear that, eventually, such precedents might even be used against us. But non-intervention is now a basic Russian principle…

“So Russia’s actions around Syria today can best be understood as Moscow’s way of saying ‘No’. International action to remove Assad is not going to happen. It’s not the way forward.”

[…]

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2013/0521/Russian-confidence-growing-in-its-vision-for-ending-Syrian-war

May 22nd, 2013, 2:09 am

 

Juergen said:

REVE

If you radicalize the revolution by attacking unarmed civilians, you let corrupt military personal sell weapons to the rebels then it should not wonder you that after 1 year the first jihadists arrived in Syria. By the way, many islamists in the dungeons of Assad were freed at that time too. If 2000-5000 foreign fighters are in Syria as the US government assumes, then thats just a fragment of the armed opposition which totals around 150.000.

See i recall that Bosnians faced the same dilemma, there were sanctions upon them to buy weapons to defend themselves, the Serbs were given arms by the Russians and only radical islamists were able to provide much needed arms and fighters. The results today are much less grim as some would have estimated, very few of those foreign jihadists still live in Bosnia, and Bosnia hasnt become the beacon of Islamism in Europe.

May 22nd, 2013, 3:24 am

 

Citizen said:

Tunisian humanitarian society engaged in assistance to Tunisian citizens abroad, confirmed the death of 21 Tunisian citizen in Syria.
According to some reports, these people arrived in the SAR to participate in “jihad” on the side of the so-called Free Syrian Army, but the troops “Dzhebhat An-Nusra” claimed the right to new-comers militants who, in their opinion, had to fight against government troops under the banner of ” Dzhebhat An-Nusra.” After that, the Tunisian militants have refused to join the members of the organization, they have betrayed penalty, and the corpses were buried in a mass grave in the Syrian province of Aleppo.

May 22nd, 2013, 6:01 am

 

Citizen said:

Saudi Arabia asked Saddam Hussein to open a war with Iran!!
Now the same thing happens! Saudi Arabia and Qatar are asked Israel to military attack in Syria! Israel ! be prepared for a disaster!!

May 22nd, 2013, 6:41 am

 

Tara said:

Why the mixed massages ? It is tiring..

Are they forcing the Syrian people to dialogue with their killer or are they arming the rebels?

Wednesday’s Friends of Syria meeting in Jordan would discuss arming the rebels. The official said: “It is important to change Bashar al-Assad’s calculations in order to get to a political settlement and that the balance on the ground – the military balance on the ground is a huge factor in those calculations, and we understand that. And so one of the things we’ll be talking about here in Amman tomorrow is what else needs to be done with respect to the military balance on the ground

The Guardian

May 22nd, 2013, 7:52 am

 

Dawoud said:

The terrorist Lebanese Shia Party of the Devil حزب الشيطان to be FINALLY designated as a terrorist organization by Europe! Why only the “military wing?” There is no damn difference! The whole party is terrorist! Just ask those who were killed/terrorized by this terrorist entity: Rafiq al-Hariri, Sami Qasir, George Hawi, thousands of Syrians in al-Qusir and allover Syria, etc.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/germany-backs-terror-label-hezbollah-militants-19231200

Germany Backs Terror Label for Hezbollah Militants

Germany says it supports adding the military wing of the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah to the European Union’s list of terrorist groups.
[…]

May 22nd, 2013, 7:58 am

 

Dawoud said:

Video after the link: Another Hizbass terrorist commander is killed in Damascus (That’s Damascus!):

http://www.annahar.com/article/35454-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84-%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D8%AD%D8%B2%D8%A8-%D9%84%D9%87-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%B4%D9%82

مقتل أحد عناصر “حزب الله” في القيسا بريف دمشق

نشر “لواء الشباب الصادقين” أحد ألوية المعارضة المسلحة في سوريا، فيديو في صفحتهم على “اليوتيوب” يظهر فيه جثة، قالوا إنها لأحد مقاتلي “حزب الله”، وبحسب المقاتلين عثر مع صاحب الجثة على “قرص للصلاة، و”فلاشة” فيها مجموعة من الأناشيد واللطميات الشيعية” وبعض الصور للأمين العام لـ”حزب السيد حسن نصر الله وغيره من قيادات الحزب.

[…]

May 22nd, 2013, 8:05 am

 

Dawoud said:

Al-Nahar publishes the names, pictures, and hometowns of the latest Hizbass’ terrorists who were (good riddance) killed in al-Qusir while terrorizing/killing innocent/freedom-seeking Syrians:

http://www.annahar.com/article/34788-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AD%D8%B2%D8%A8-%D9%84%D9%87-%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%83-%D9%82%D8%B5%D9%8A%D8%B1

May 22nd, 2013, 8:09 am

 

Hanzala said:

#1273

we are all Bin Laden, he’s going to be the national hero of Syria, we will InshaAllah build a monument for him in Qurdaha

May 22nd, 2013, 8:32 am

 
 

zoo said:

British Foreign Secretary William Hague says that he is worried that as the Syrian Army is winning over the rebels, Bashar Al Assad may just skip the conference.

In fact, it is a message addressed to the opposition that if they still object to the conference while Assad is in power, Bashar may just use this to withdraw his willingness to participate to the conference and win militarily.
It means the opposition will be totally defeated militarily and politically.
The UK message to the opposition is clear: You have no choice than to accept without pre-conditions

British Top Diplomat Stresses Need for Syria Conference

http://www.voanews.com/content/british-top-diplomat-stresses-need-for-syria-confence/1665888.html

He said that unless the Syrian government is ready to take part in negotiations, it will end up presiding over the “complete collapse of their country.”

“If the regime were to think they can just win a military victory and somehow go back to whatever was normal before, I think they will be making a terrible error, a catastrophic error. They need a political solution, whatever the circumstances on the ground at the time,” he said.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday will address the meeting, which brings together a group of nations that back the Syrian opposition.

May 22nd, 2013, 8:35 am

 

zoo said:

#1251 Ghufran

In summary, it was a very bad idea to start a ‘revolution’ in Syria calling for ‘reforms’ hoping it will be straight forward like Tunisia or Egypt.
The people should have suspected that they will get engulfed in a bloody and destructive disaster in view of the sensitive geopolitical situation of the country.
Short-sight or infantile naivety?

May 22nd, 2013, 8:48 am

 

zoo said:

Turkey’s Syria Dilemma Grows

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=58910

Two years after explicitly calling for regime change in neighboring Syria, the Turkish leaders find themselves in the unsavory position of dealing with spillover conflict, growing internal opposition, policy disagreements with Washington and, above all, the prospect of Bashar al-Assad’s survival despite all the external efforts to topple him, writes Kaveh L. Afrasiabi.

In terms of pre-conference diplomacy, Turkey is sparing no efforts to position itself for high input on the agenda and outcome of the upcoming conference on Syria, jointly sponsored by US and Russsia. This is reflected in the recent White House visit of the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as this week’s high-level Ankara visit by Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, focusing on the crisis in Syria.

The “Geneva II” conference is supposed to attract representatives from both the Syrian regime and the rebels, who are nowadays on the defensive in many parts of Syria, including the important Homs province. Backed by Russia, Iran, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, the government forces have made impressive gains over the rebels recently, grudgingly admitted in the Western media, and this simply means that President Bashar al-Assad’s hands have been strengthened and his representatives will exude confidence at the summit.

Turkey, on the other hand, will find itself on the defensive, hoping to chart a middle approach that features continuity with the past, e.g., concert with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the principal financial backers of the rebels, while gradually accommodating itself to the uncomfortable, and somewhat embarrassing, alternative of ‘living with the Assad regime’, albeit in a revised and reconstructed format, in the future.

But, by all indications, Ankara is not quite there yet and that is why after failing to convince President Obama for a more interventionist US course on Syria, Mr. Erdogan has now fixed his gaze on Saudi Arabia and the (increasingly unpopular and unrealistic) “no-fly” zone in parts of Syria. Yet, with Russia and Iran reportedly providing critical military equipment to Syria and thus bolstering the military’s position, the “no-fly” idea is a bad idea that no one in NATO favors, given the prohibitive costs, and the sooner Erdogan drops it, the better.

Indeed, the crux of dilemma for Turkey is that it officially adheres to a “regime change” policy toward Syria that is bankrolled by the Gulf Cooperation Council states led by the Saudis, which has so far yielded no positive result, save throwing Syria into the bosom of a monumental chaos threatening its break-up. Unable to jettison the rhetoric behind this failed policy, Turkey is nowadays exhibiting the symptoms of a cognitive dissonance, whereby the force of reality on the ground in Syria indicating regime survival is not felt on the policy level in Ankara.

What then is Turkey’s exact approach toward the forthcoming conference? Turkey has been quiet on Russia’s insistence on Iran’s inclusion, principally because that would mean adding to Damascus’s regional bona fide, irrespective of Arab League’s overt hostility to Bashar’s presidency. Nor is it entirely clear what influence Turkey wields on the rebel groups, whose political and military wings do not necessarily meet eye to eye. Therefore, the net impact of Turkey on the coming conference and its results and prospects is under a thick cloud of question marks, partly because Ankara’s own attitude is likely experiencing the tumults of slow re-adjustments in light of the staying power of Assad’s regime. With the rapidly diminishing chances of Ankara playing ‘kingmaker’ in Damascus, Turkey’s leaders have to make tough choices in the near future and they are indeed apt to make the wrong ones, that is, sticking to their hard-line anti-Assad approach bent on political transition to a post-Assad regime in Syria. That would mean risking a lengthy civil war in Syria, growing mass refugees, spillover conflict, and internal political polarization over the appropriate Syria policy. Avoiding these risks means, on the other hand, a candidate admission by Mr. Erdogan and his foreign policy team that their Syria policy has proved a failure and their stubborn continuation of that policy, in cohorts with the Saudis, may be a recipe for disaster, warranting a policy U-turn of sorts.

Certainly, US can play a big role in instigating such a necessary shift in Ankara’s hitherto unsuccessful “regime change” approach vis-a-vis Damascus. In the coming days and weeks, much depends on the diplomatic savy of US Secretary of State John Kerry to lead the pack, instead of letting crucial regional players like Turkey and Saudi Arabia play the spoiler role
…..

May 22nd, 2013, 8:50 am

 

zoo said:

Syria has hosted without fussing 5000 Somalis refugees fleeing the war in their country. They were welcomed without visa, now they have to leave.
Who will take them? Qatar? KSA? Turkey?

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/05/2013514115836301175.html

Many are being forced to flee conflict again, years after having sought refuge in Syria from civil war back home.

“We were welcomed in Syria. It was a great place for the Somali people,” Jama said, recalling a time of peace and stability. “The kids were enrolled in school and there were no problems. Life was normal.”

Jama said she and her family were relocated to Syria, where visas were not required for citizens from Arab League nations. However, one drawback was that the Syrian government did not grant work permits to the refugees.

In recent reports, the UNHCR documented 3,000 registered Somalis living in Syria – a decline from the previous 5,000 registered before the onset of the armed conflict.

“The Somali community in Syria consists mostly of women and children. Although some are fortunate enough to receive remittances from their families living abroad, the rest of us rely on aid from the UN,” explained Jama, who now lives in San Diego, California.

May 22nd, 2013, 8:59 am

 

zoo said:

Germany makes a U-Turn on Syria, who is next?

Syrian Rebels in Trouble: German Intelligence Sees Assad Regaining Hold

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-intelligence-believes-assad-regime-regaining-lost-power-a-901188.html#ref=rss

Not even a year ago, German intelligence predicted Syrian autocrat Bashar Assad’s regime would soon collapse. Now, the agency instead believes the rebels are in trouble. Government troops are set to make significant advances, it predicts.

Germany’s foreign intelligence agency, the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), has fundamentally changed its view of the ongoing civil war in Syria. SPIEGEL ONLINE has learned that the BND now believes the Syrian military of autocrat Bashar Assad is more stable than it has been in a long time and is capable of undertaking successful operations against rebel units at will. BND head Gerhard Schindler informed select politicians of the agency’s new assessment in a secret meeting.

It is a notable about-face. As recently as last summer, Schindler reported to government officials and parliamentarians that he felt the Assad regime would collapse early in 2013. He repeated the view in interviews with the media.

May 22nd, 2013, 9:04 am

 

Tara said:

Universal call for the real jihad (as i understand it (not as understood by the west) to defend the country against the foreign forces from Lebanon and Iran is now due.

Syria opposition calls for reinforcements in embattled Qusair
Reuters – 1 hr ago

BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syria’s leading opposition group called on Wednesday for rebels across the country to send reinforcements to the strategic border town Qusair, where heavy fighting has drawn in fighters from Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah movement.

George Sabra, acting head of the opposition National Coalition, called on fighters to send arms and men to the area, citing concern over sectarian violence and “foreign invaders” from Hezbollah and Iran, the group’s main patron.

“O sons of the Syrian revolution, foreign forces are invading your country … They aim to destroy your lives, so rush to defend your nation,” Sabra said in a written statement.

“Everyone who has weapons or ammunition should send them to Qusair and Homs to strengthen its resistance. Every bullet sent to Qusair and Homs will block the invasion that is trying to drag Syria back to the era of fear.”
……

May 22nd, 2013, 9:09 am

 

zoo said:

Georges Sabra is in a state of panic as the terrorists-rebels are facing a major defeat in Al Qusayr. He suddenly brings up the threat of sectarism and Israel.
Qatar scrambles to find new ways to send weapons while Islamists terrorists rebels in Aleppo have decided to come to rescue their friends in Al Qusayr

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/syria-opposition-calls-reinforcements-embattled-qusair-110700196.html#KevmqJF

George Sabra, acting head of the opposition National Coalition, called on fighters to send arms and men to the area, citing concern over sectarian violence and “foreign invaders” from Hezbollah and Iran, the group’s main patron.

“O sons of the Syrian revolution, foreign forces are invading your country … They aim to destroy your lives, so rush to defend your nation,” Sabra said in a written statement.

“Everyone who has weapons or ammunition should send them to Qusair and Homs to strengthen its resistance. Every bullet sent to Qusair and Homs will block the invasion that is trying to drag Syria back to the era of fear.”

Sabra warned that Hezbollah forces in Qusair could regionalise Sunni-Shi’ite tensions across the Middle East.

“The invasion will light a sectarian fire that will destroy relationships between countries in the region and their people. No one will benefit other than Israel.”

An analyst close to Qatari officials said the Sunni Gulf state, which has funnelled money and weapons to the opposition, was looking for new routes to send in supplies to Qusair.

Rebel forces from other parts of Syria appear to have taken seriously the call for support seriously.

The large Islamist Tawheed Brigade in the northern province of Aleppo published a video of a 30-car convoy it said was heading to Qusair.

Sedans and pickup trucks loaded with artillery and fighters sped down the highway, with rebels waving black Islamist banners shouting “God is Great.”

May 22nd, 2013, 9:20 am

 

Tara said:

Zoo,

Look at #1290 and #1291.

You like to copy me? It is ok. I like to copy you too..

May 22nd, 2013, 9:28 am

 

zoo said:

France pushes for the conference, does not ask anymore as a precondition that Bashar Al Assad resign but opposes Bashar al Assad or Iran participation in the conference

Fabius supporting push for Geneva II meeting at Amman talks
22/05/2013

PARIS, May 22 (KUNA) — French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius is pushing Wednesday for the holding of a Geneva II conference on the Syrian conflict as he attends talks in Amman by the “Friends of Syria” group, his press office said here.
“This meeting (in Amman), in a context of increasing violence on the part of the regime and its allies, is an opportunity to insist on the need for a political exit from the crisis,” the Foreign Ministry said here.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and other senior officials here say that any members of the Al-Assad regime who have “blood on their hands” and systematically organised and took part in repression cannot take part in the talks in Geneva.
Bashar Al-Assad, himself, is naturally excluded from the process, in the French view.
Additionally, France strongly opposes any role for Iran at the negotiating table.

May 22nd, 2013, 9:29 am

 

zoo said:

#1292 Tara

Coincidence…

May 22nd, 2013, 9:31 am

 

zoo said:

Qatar PM says Assad departure a must for Syria peace

http://www.zawya.com/story/Qatar_PM_says_Assad_departure_a_must_for_Syria_peace-ZW20130522000095/
Wednesday, May 22, 2013

DOHA, Qatar (AFP)–Qatar’s prime minister said on Wednesday that President Bashar al-Assad’s must step down if a political end to Syria’s civil war is to be achieved, echoing similar remarks from Britain.

“A political solution must be reached to end the conflict and meet the aspirations of the Syrian people who, as we know, demand changing the regime and changing President Bashar al-Assad, who insists on killing his people,” Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani told a conference in Doha.

“Any solution must be within this framework,” he said, speaking hours ahead of a meeting in Amman of the Friends of Syria to discuss a U.S.-Russian proposal for peace talks.

Earlier on Wednesday, British Foreign Secretary William Hague made similar remarks.

“It is the longstanding view of the U.K. that Assad needs to go, and we have never been able to see any solution which involves him staying,” Hague said in Amman.

May 22nd, 2013, 9:35 am

 

revenire said:

Wonderful news from Syrian Perspective per our friends, Hussein and Ziad:

Sources in the Qusayr Province have confirmed Hezbollah flags placed on every Mosque in Qusayr.

There have been over 500+ Jabhat al-Nusra killed and 200+ have surrendered yesterday.

The Qusayr Province has been returned to its rightful owners – the Syrian people! The forces of the Syrian Arab Army, National Defense Forces, The National Islamic Lebanese Resistance of Lebanon, and Hezbollah were victorious!

-Leith
https://www.facebook.com/SyrianPerspective

May 22nd, 2013, 9:37 am

 

GEORGES said:

1286 ZOO said:
In summary, it was a very bad idea to start a ‘revolution’ in Syria calling for ‘reforms’ hoping it will be straight forward like Tunisia or Egypt.
The people should have suspected that they will get engulfed in a bloody and destructive disaster in view of the sensitive geopolitical situation of the country.
Short-sight or infantile naivety?

ZOO, are you blaming the people…? OK… I think I’ve seen it all now. I’ve never taken you seriously but now that you’re blaming the people and not the government who is supposed to serve them, it’s pretty clear what kind of person you are. This should tell anyone enough about you. I’m in disgust. I would never want anything to do with you or with people like you.

May 22nd, 2013, 9:40 am

 

zoo said:

FSA: “It’s going to be an open, sectarian, bloody war.”

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-22/hezbollah-role-in-syria-highlights-widening-of-conflict.html

A collapse of Syria would play into the hands of Sunni extremists whose goal is creating an Islamic caliphate extending across Syria, Lebanon, and beyond, said Serwer, who also is a scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington.

Even what amounts to a “soft partition” among factions could destabilize Syria’s neighbors, said Serwer. “When the Sunnis in Iraq look at that, they’re going to say, ‘Why can’t we have that?’” he said.

The level of sectarian hostility was highlighted by a threat by rebel forces that communities inhabited by Shiites and Assad’s Alawite minority will be “wiped off the map” if the strategic city of Al-Qusair falls to government troops.

“We don’t want this to happen, but it will be a reality imposed on everyone,” Colonel Abdel-Hamid Zakaria, a spokesman for the Free Syrian Army in Turkey, told Al-Arabiya television yesterday. “It’s going to be an open, sectarian, bloody war.”

May 22nd, 2013, 9:46 am

 

revenire said:

Juergen I say foreign fighters and Al-Qaeda/Nusra were there at the start shooting soldiers and civilians. You say they came later

The rest from you I’ve heard before.

I won’t be convinced of the fairy tale that innocent Syrians just wanted freedom and were forced to fight a cruel regime. It simply isn’t true.

You didn’t condemn foreign jihadis Juergen but are upset about a few Hezbollah fighters? Please.

May 22nd, 2013, 9:46 am

 

revenire said:

Georges, brother, everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Some of us don’t believe there ever was a Syrian revolution. We believe there is a Zionist conspiracy to shatter Syria using fools and traitors.

We don’t need to apologize for believing that.

God is great.

May 22nd, 2013, 9:52 am

 

zoo said:

Erdogan’s accusations of Syria for the Reyhanli bombings are shaking.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-hacker-group-redhack-reveals-gendarmeries-reyhanli-attack-document-claim.aspx?pageID=238&nID=47398&NewsCatID=341

Meanwhile, Turkish hacker group RedHack has leaked some documents reportedly belonging to the Gendarmerie Intelligence Department that claimed that an anti-regime group in Syria with links to al-Qaeda was planning a car bomb attack and this might take place in Turkey.

The hacker group released the documents after announcing on Twitter that they had seized secret documents belonging to the Gendarmerie Intelligence Department.

No official response from the Gendarmerie was made before the Hürriyet Daily News went to print yesterday evening.

Turkish officials have announced that the Reyhanlı attack was linked to Syrian intelligence.

May 22nd, 2013, 10:19 am

 

zoo said:

#1297 Geoirge

“I would never want anything to do with you or with people like you.”

Don’t worry, it is reciprocal.

May 22nd, 2013, 10:22 am

 

Hopeful said:

Another cold-blooded murder by the Assadist forces. Let’s hear how the loyalists would defend such crimes.

http://youtu.be/GXzsKx36TpY

May 22nd, 2013, 10:24 am

 

annie said:

DAWOUD Thank you for the songs by Wasfi Massarani , really beautiful

May 22nd, 2013, 10:41 am

 

Citizen said:

Take it democraticly ! 🙂
In Jordan, an attack on members of the Jordanian Popular Committee for Solidarity with Syria

Dozens of takfiri extremists attacked members of the Jordanian Popular Committee for Solidarity with Syria during the event, held by the organization in the city of Irbid in Jordan.
Salafi extremists of the party gathered in front of the Headquarters of the Association of Trade Unions, which was expected to meet members and activists of the Committee, with the flags of Al-Qaeda and Dzhebat An-Nusra, armed with machetes.( take care boys ! 🙂 )

The attack on extremists members of the committee and Jordanian activists injured three people, one of them came to the hospital bed.

Despite the incident, the committee held a meeting in which speakers expressed their solidarity with Syria and its people in their opposition to aggression.

They were against the U.S. presence in Jordan, in protest against the holding of the Amman conference of “friends of terrorism in Syria,” the so-called conference of “friends” of Syria.

They also called on the Jordanian government to withdraw from the conspiracy against Syria.

May 22nd, 2013, 10:47 am

 

zoo said:

Reve

It has never been a revolution. There were improvised, disorganized and reckless protests, triggered by the apparently quick success in the regime change in Tunisia and Egypt.

Some Syrians were calling for political reforms, some were calling for revenge for the repression of the Moslem Brotherhood in Hama, some were calling for more social justice, some for a regime change, some for a Sunni islamic caliphate etc…
There has never been any common goal or vision of what the country should become.

The enemies of Syria thought it was the best time to jump in and weaken the arrogant anti-West Bashar Al Assad for good. They encouraged provocation and violent confrontation, started the usual propaganda of the “evil dictator” against the ‘innocent citizens’, offered arms to the protesters to ‘protect’ the civilians and the whole thing escalated to where we are now with 90,000 dead, half of them army soldiers and millions of refugees and the country infrastructure destroyed.

That’s not a revolution, that is a clever manipulation of people’s naive demands to bring them into a civil war and to the destruction of their country with their own hand.

Israel and the USA has thus saved their efforts to destroy defiant Syria, the Syrians destroyed it themselves.

May 22nd, 2013, 10:50 am

 

revenire said:

Isn’t it amazing that these “freedom lovers” attack people with machetes, eat their body organs and behead them? Can you imagine anyone wanting these people to take over Syria? It says a lot about them doesn’t it?

May 22nd, 2013, 10:51 am

 

revenire said:

Zoo I think you’re right.

It is easy to get a mob of rabble to wave a few signs if you give them enough money. I read the other day that the mercenaries gets 50k a year (American dollars). That is a fair amount of money.

May 22nd, 2013, 10:54 am

 

Citizen said:

Syria is Washington’s war. It was planned years ago. It began in early 2011. No end of conflict looks near. Escalating it appears likely.

Israel’s very much involved. It abhors peace and stability. Its history reflects belligerence. It’s a direct threat. It borders Syria.

Both countries are longstanding imperial partners. The Israeli Lobby plays a key role. So do major media scoundrels. More on Israel below.

Orwell once said “(w)ho controls the past, controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.”

Saving the future requires understanding both past and present. Preventing imperial annihilation depends on it.

http://www.activistpost.com/2013/05/israel-heads-closer-to-war-on-syria.html

May 22nd, 2013, 11:02 am

 

Dolly Buster said:

There is a lot of anger at the Shia, and hence the mutilation of bodies. I don’t condemn it in the least.
It is important to show brutality to the likes of Putin and Zoo. These people have no scruples, and will not pay any attention to well-intentioned speech.

May 22nd, 2013, 11:03 am

 

ann said:

1306. revenire said:

Isn’t it amazing that these “freedom lovers” attack people with machetes, eat their body organs and behead them?

Can you imagine anyone wanting these people to take over Syria?
.
.
These people do!

Senate panel approves weapons for Syrian “rebels”

http://www.federalnewsradio.com/316/2377366/Senate-panel-approves-weapons-for-Syrian-rebels-

May 22nd, 2013, 11:10 am

 

revenire said:

Dolly you don’t condemn the mutilation of bodies? Of religious war? Of minorities being targeted by foreign terrorists? Interesting.

May 22nd, 2013, 11:22 am

 

Citizen said:

IAF Commander Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel addressed a national security conference today, (Wednesday, May 22), discussing Syria’s aerial defense capabilities.

“The Assad regime invested heavily so as to achieve the best possible aerial defense capabilities money can buy,” he said. Such capabilities are not only an operative threat – they also create a sense that can lead states to do things that they wouldn’t otherwise do. These are weapons of another generation entirely, which are not similar to those of the past. But there is no system for which we don’t have a solution – the question is just the price.”

The Air Force Commander added that “Syria is changing before our eyes. If tomorrow it collapses, we could very quickly find that great arsenal dispersed and directed at us.”

Maj. Gen. Eshel also discussed the conclusions drawn from the 1973 Yom Kippur War, saying that preparation for a surprise war is far more relevant now. “A surprise war could take shape today in many configurations,” he said. “Isolated incidents can escalate very quickly and require us to be prepared in a matter of hours to operate throughout the entire spetrum – and when I say the entire spectrum, I mean to utilize all the capabilities of the Air Force.”

http://www.idf.il/1283-19023-EN/Dover.aspx

May 22nd, 2013, 11:24 am

 

Citizen said:

Netanyahu Threatens More Attacks on Syria
Denies Preferring Assad to Syria’s Rebels
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated threats to launch more attacks against Syria, saying Israel remains prepared to “take action” against Syria for the sake of Israeli security.

Netanyahu warned of the “leakage” of weapons from Syria into neighboring Lebanon as a primary reason for such moves, though officially the Israeli government hasn’t admitted its past attacks and has only vaguely referenced them.

Netanyahu also denied previous reports, attributed to Israeli intelligence agencies, saying his government preferred Syrian President Bashar Assad to the rebels. Netanyahu insisted it was “untrue” but didn’t say if he preferred one side or the other………..
http://news.antiwar.com/2013/05/19/netanyahu-threatens-more-attacks-on-syria/

May 22nd, 2013, 11:42 am

 

zoo said:

As the UK and France are pushing again for not renewing the arms embargo for the rebels, Austria objects

Austria warns against arms shipments to Syrian rebels

By davidswanson – Posted on 22 May 2013
http://warisacrime.org/content/austria-warns-against-arms-shipments-syrian-rebels

(VIENNA) – Austria has warned its 26 European Union partners in a letter against providing weapons for rebel movements in the Syrian conflict, said a press report to be published Tuesday.

The foreign ministry in Vienna confirmed late Monday that a document had been handed over to the European Union in Brussels, but did not give details.

Die Presse newspaper said that Austria believes arms shipments to the rebels fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would be “a violation of international law, the basic laws of the European Union” and “of the principles of the United Nations charter concerning non-intervention and the use of force”.

They would also violate UN Security Council resolutions concerning Al-Qaeda, it said.

In the letter Austria warned that groups like the Al-Nusra Front, which is “close to the terror network”, were acting among the rebels, Die Presse said.

May 22nd, 2013, 11:44 am

 

zoo said:

Syria after Erdoğan’s Washington trip

http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-316244-syria-after-erdogans-washington-trip.html

The new driver of events in Syria is Moscow. This is a rather inconvenient position, but to be fair to our readers — this is the case.
Given the Russian approach to the crisis in its early stages, I have been very critical of the Russian position. Yet, Moscow is now the place to go for influencing events in Syria. The meeting of US Secretary of State Kerry and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hastily arranged visit to Moscow, attested to that fact.

Obama wants to strike a bargain with the Russians and, although some skepticism in major European capitals persists, everyone seems to be ready to go for another conference. There are all sorts of calculations behind a new conference, but many international observers recognize the dismal state of the opposition, the increasing dominance of radical groups within the opposition as well as the resolve of the regime to fight this out. The regime’s strategy to prolong the conflict over time and exhaust the patience and tolerance of opposition backers seems to be working.

May 22nd, 2013, 11:48 am

 

Ilya said:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-21/syria-rebels-threaten-to-wipe-out-shiite-alawite-towns.html

Communities inhabited by Shiite Muslims and President Bashar al-Assad’s Alawite minority will be “wiped off the map” if the strategic city of Al-Qusair in central Syria falls to government troops, rebel forces said.
“We don’t want this to happen, but it will be a reality imposed on everyone,” Colonel Abdel-Hamid Zakaria, a spokesman for the Free Syrian Army in Turkey, told Al-Arabiya television yesterday. “It’s going to be an open, sectarian, bloody war to the end.”

This true face of FSA/AlQaeda terorists backed by cia.
So this scums threaten to wipe Syrians if they,lose this strategic town, you want these thugs to win?
Everyone is crying about few hundreds Hezbollah fighters fighting here …

May 22nd, 2013, 11:48 am

 

Citizen said:

So let’s see if have this right. Israel repeatedly bombs Syria, sends troops and hardware into Syria across the Golan, provoking a firefight with Syrian troops, and Israel says Assad is escalating the situation????

May 22nd, 2013, 11:54 am

 

dawoud said:

1303. ANNIE

Your Welcome, Annie! You appreciate it because you also know Arabic very well, unlike the other lady with a name similar to yours WITHOUT the letters “i” and “e” at the end 🙂

Free Syria, Free Palestine!

May 22nd, 2013, 11:57 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

In the Nile once Again

So let’s see if have this right. Israel repeatedly bombs Syria, sends troops and hardware into Syria across the Golan, provoking a firefight with Syrian troops, and Israel says Assad is escalating the situation????

Citizen,

No, you don’t have it right. Your thesis is wrong. Just ask any of the academics and professors that monitor this website.

Let me help you understand why your thesis is wrong. Most news agencies are saying the Syrian civil war has caused over 82,000 deaths these past 2 years. How many of these 82,000 deaths were caused by an Israeli and how many were caused by muslims or Syrians?

Posters here like Tara, Hamster, Visitor, Majedkhaldoun, Dawoud, Syrialover, etc know exactly who “is escalating the situation” since Day 1 of the revolution. Why don’t you?

May 22nd, 2013, 12:06 pm

 

zoo said:

What is going on in the background of the conference?

It is quite possible that the bargain between USA , Russia and Israel has to do with offers made to Bashar al Assad to restart the peace negotiations with Israel brokered by Turkey and interrupted by the Israel’s attack on Gaza.

Now that Hamas and al Fatah have openly shown their disloyalty and ingratitude to Syria by siding with the rebels, there are less reasons for Bashar al Assad to be concerned by the fate of the Palestinians living outside Syria.
In addition Arab solidarity has been crushed by the Arab countries who have thrown Syria out of the AL and mounted a campaign of hostility with the active help of a non-arab country, Turkey, France and the UK.
Therefore Syria owes nothing to “Arab nationalism” anymore.

Qatar, Egypt and Turkey have moved closer to the Palestinians, now it’s their turn to take over the cause and fight for their rights the way they wish.
Syria has done this hard work for years and has been rewarded by ingratitude and hostility. It is time Syria focus on its own citizens and let the AL with each its rich and loud voice GCC backers take care of the Palestinian cause and the ‘Sunni’ nationalism they have been promoting.

For two years , the West had encouraged the revolt and killings in Syria in order to achieve a regime change that will be dominated by pro-West elements. Now they realize that the eventual replacement will be dominated by Islamists terrorists and allies who want the destruction of Israel. That is not what the West expected and it is not an encouraging perspective.

Therefore I believe that the USA and Russia have agreed to keep Bashar in power after Russia ensured it will use its influence to have Bashar Al Assad cooperates positively with the West toward peace with Israel. Bashar may have accepted.

May 22nd, 2013, 12:26 pm

 

Sami said:

It really is something else to read some of the filth that is being propagated here. I felt my skin crawl in disgust reading the denial of the legitimate demands of the Syrian people and the subsequent brutality blamed on the victims. Is there anything more perverse and repulsive than blaming the victim?

To these callous persons the brutality, savagery and cruelty inflicted on the Syrian people is completely justifiable. To them we are mere serfs put on this earth to serve their master, any deviation from that is an infantile naivety that deserves to be tortured and raped to death. After all it is Thouria Al-Athad…

Utterly and downright criminal is what it is.

There is not justification for this mentality, it is as perverse and deadly as Nazism was. Assadists should be persecuted in a court of law for their breeding of hate and cheerleading of death.

Calling the massacres and evilly that is being committed as heroic is nothing but filth uttered by grimy individuals that find eroticism in death and destruction.

Go cheerlead your “cleanup and disinfection” of Syrians, go blame the victims of torture and rape, the countless dead and the ever growing missing people that disappeared under the hands of Assadists.

May 22nd, 2013, 12:43 pm

 

zoo said:

Funny that Kerry asks this from Bashar Al Assad! Has the opposition showed any sign of a commitment to peace ahead of talks? Maybe Kerry should worry about them instead

“Kerry urges Assad to commit to peace ahead of talks”
Sapa-AFP | 22 May, 2013 19:11

http://www.timeslive.co.za/world/2013/05/22/kerry-urges-assad-to-commit-to-peace-ahead-of-talks

May 22nd, 2013, 3:40 pm

 

zoo said:

Al Khatib repeats what Bashar al Assad said: “There is no political brain in this revolution”

Madrid meeting exposes divisions in Syrian opposition

Opposition can only agree on refusal to negotiate with Assad
http://www.aawsat.net/2013/05/article55302831

Madrid, Asharq Al-Awsat—A two-day meeting of the Syrian opposition in Madrid ended yesterday, with agreement on few issues except the refusal to negotiate with a Syrian government led by Bashar Al-Assad.

The conference’s final resolution called on the international community to ensure that Assad has “no role in the decisions taken regarding Syria’s transition period or the future of the country.”

The divisions within the fractious opposition movement were obvious to observers at the conference, prompting Syrian National Coalition (SNC) interim president Moaz Al-Khatib to admit that the opposition’s biggest challenge is its lack of unity.

“The revolution’s weakness is that it lacks a political brain,” said Khatib, a former moderate imam of the Damascus’ Umayyad Mosque.

The SNC will meet again in Turkey this week, and decide within the next two weeks whether they will participate in proposed US-Russian brokered talks that would include representatives of Assad’s regime.

However, if they continue to insist that Assad steps down as a precondition for talks, it is unclear if the Syrian government will be willing to negotiate in earnest

May 22nd, 2013, 3:44 pm

 

zoo said:

Give Peace Talks a Chance
Kerry’s Plan to End the War in Syria
J. Michael Quinn and Madhav Joshi

http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/139395/j-michael-quinn-and-madhav-joshi/give-peace-talks-a-chance?page=2

In Syria, if negotiations did begin between the Syrian government and any of the three main opposition groups — the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, the Syrian National Council (SNC), and the National Coordination Committee (NCC) — it is likely that the other two groups would eventually join in.
The reasoning is simple: the principal policy difference among the groups is their willingness to negotiate. The SNC and NCC have stated that they want talks. Despite the meeting in Turkey, the National Coalition still officially maintains that it does not. Otherwise, there is little disagreement among the three about Syria’s — and Assad’s — future.
If the National Coalition, which seems to be the one holdout, came around before talks began, the primary policy difference among the three groups would immediately dissolve. If the SNC, the NCC, or (more likely) both agreed to negotiate while the National Coalition declined, a peace process would still be underway. As the recalcitrant groups see that they are being left out of a political process that very well could shape the future of Syria, they would likely join in.
….
In light of the challenges, it should be noted that not all negotiations produce an agreement, not all agreements immediately end armed conflict, and negotiations at the beginning of a peace process are generally less successful than later rounds of negotiations. But, even if negotiations fail to stop the violence in Syria immediately and the parties end up returning to war for a period of time, failed negotiations and failed agreements impose costs on the players involved and provide learning opportunities that help pave the way for successful negotiations in the future.

The Kerry-Lavrov plan puts far too much on the agenda, and the venue is far too public for the actors to be able to reach some common understanding of the barriers to peace. At best, the conference could lead to more discreet talks on more manageable issues sometime down the road.

If things do break down, it will be up to Assad and representatives of the three main opposition groups to put forth a short list of requests that the other side could reciprocate as preconditions for reentering into negotiations. These items could be as simple as a request that Assad refrain from calling opposition members terrorists in the press.

As soon as one party reciprocates, a peace process is underway. And with each successful round, just enough trust and good will may be generated to move on to the next item.

May 22nd, 2013, 4:15 pm

 

revenire said:

Sami millions of brave Syrians are standing by their government and their president.

All you say can be turned on your fake revolution’s brutality and crimes.

Our army protects us.

May 22nd, 2013, 4:23 pm

 

zoo said:

Obama has asked Erdogan to pressure the NCROF to participate in the conference without any pre-conditions.
If Qatar and KSA objects and support the NCROF refusal, the conference will probably go ahead without the Coalition

Syrian Opposition Ponders Peace Meeting

http://www.voanews.com/content/syria-opposition-talks/1666420.html

Washington appears to be looking to the Turkish government to use its influence on the Syrian opposition, as U.S. President Barack Obama indicated after his meeting in Washington with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier this month.

“The prime minister has been in the forefront of the international effort to push to a democratic Syria without Bashar Assad. And Turkey is going to play an important role as we bring representatives of the regime and opposition together in the coming weeks,” Obama said.

The Turkish prime minister is one of the strongest supporters of the Syrian opposition, allowing both the political and military wings to use Turkish territory. But until recently, Ankara has voiced strong reservations about dealing with Damascus. Semih Idiz, diplomatic columnist for the Turkish newspaper Taraf, says Ankara has now changed its stance.

“Previously Turkey’s position was indexed on the idea that Assad [be removed] by military force, by means of arming the opposition and all that. But Turkey has not really mustered sufficient international support for that idea. So there is really one option left, which is a political settlement option now. Turkey is not in a position to go against that international trend at the momen,” Idiz said.

May 22nd, 2013, 4:26 pm

 

Tara said:

Tea time in Syria

Look at the one picture before the last.  The facial expression of the handsome FSA hero at the extreme left is uplifting.  Contrast the image with one of the shabeeha or Assad militia.  We will never lose this war.

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/arts-and-lifestyle/2013/05/tea-time-syria/5681/

….. 

May 22nd, 2013, 4:48 pm

 

Wim Roffel said:

There are reports about FSA fighters claiming that they want to bring the fight to the coastal areas. So it looks like the FSA and not the government is the one trying to change the status quo here.

It is also by now known that many of those killed were government supporters. So it looks like at least part of the killing was done by the rebels.

http://acloserlookonsyria.shoutwiki.com/wiki/Al-Bayda_Massacre

July 24th, 2013, 4:22 am

 

Seven Scenarios for the Future of Syria | Fragile States Resource Center said:

[…] has. The existing regime, backed by Alawites, many Christians, and some of the old Sunni elite, would retain control over a strip of land that included Damascus and much of the coast. It would be supported by Russia and Iran. Sunnis would control an equivalent amount of land, […]

August 26th, 2013, 9:02 pm

 

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