Regime Gains Ground—For Now

Posted by Matthew Barber on Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

From al-Akhbar article, below: A young Syrian boy holds a bag as he collects plastic and metal items in a garbage dump in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on 17 April 2013. (Photo: AFP -Dimitar Dolkoff)

The State of the Regime

 

Some believe that the clearer identification of Jabhat al-Nusra as al-Qaida will benefit the Syrian regime by drawing sentiment away from the rebels. Others, however, see the possible stepping-up of an effort to back nationalist rebels who offer an alternative to Islamists as a death knell for the regime, as it would be opposed by both battle-hardened mujahideen and Western-trained forces. Regardless of the ultimate outcome, observers believe the regime has had a good week:

Assad’s Forces Break Rebel Blockade in North Syria – Reuters – by Erika Solomon

Syrian government troops have broken through a six-month rebel blockade in northern Syria and are now fighting to recapture a vital highway, opposition and state media said on Monday. Rebels had kept the army bottled up in the Wadi al-Deif and Hamidiya military bases in Idlib province. But on Sunday, President Bashar al-Assad’s forces outflanked the rebels and broke through, the pro-government al-Baath newspaper said. The insurgents counter-attacked on Monday but their front has been weakened in recent weeks due to infighting and the deployment of forces to other battles, activists said. The break-out from the bases, located outside Maarat al-Nuaman town, may enable the army to recapture the main route into Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, and bolster their fragile supply lines in the heart of the rebel-held north.

… Activists in Maarat al-Nuaman, which has faced daily air strikes due to the blockade, accused rebels of causing their own defeat by depleting their forces in the area. Islamist units that moved in over the weekend accused forces on the ground, lead by the Martyrs of Syria brigade, of failing to secure the base and sending away too many fighters. The Martyrs of Syria brigade said they were pushing their campaign and the Islamist groups had hurt their blockade by interfering.

According to Abdelrahamn, many of the main fighting units previously based in the area had moved to Raqqa, Ras al-Ain, and Hassakah, towns in the northeast which rebels recently seized.

Assad forces try to consolidate gains in Maaret al-Numan – Daily Star

… the “tactical gains could increase the regime’s chances of retaking the north-south highway”…

Battle for Damascus: Regime Fights on Four Fronts – al-Akhbar

Are we Seeing Bashar al-Assad’s Second Wind? by Stephen Starr

Talks of tipping points, battles for Damascus and a regime on its last legs have all proved to be false dawns over the past number of months. So just how badly off is President Bashar al-Assad’s government?

On the battlefield, the regime has proved stubbornly resistant. In the north, government forces on Sunday broke out of their Wadi al-Deif and Hamidiya military bases and outflanked rebels that had been besieging them for months, according to both activists and pro-government media. Districts of central Homs have been retaken by the government in recent weeks and rebels have been successfully fought off in Quneitra, along the Syrian-Israeli demilitarized zone.

Aleppo International Airport, a strategic asset for the regime in the north, was thought to have been close to falling into rebel hands in February. It hasn’t happened. Baba Amr, a symbol of resistance in Homs, was retaken by government forces last month.

… Furthermore, Syria’s Western-backed political opposition has clearly been caught out in its own backing of Jabhat al-Nusra – an Islamist fighting force now openly aligned with Al-Qaeda.

To state the obvious, Western capitals cannot support elements of the Syrian opposition that may have Al-Qaeda ties. France, Britain and others pushing for the arming of rebels certainly won’t be able to sell this to their respective populations with al-Qaeda in the mix. The ties between Syria’s opposition and its international sponsors may well be torn over the status of Jabhat al-Nusra, today the most successful fighting force taking on Mr. Assad.

Mr. Assad has mostly delivered on the promises and threats he has made over the duration of the uprising. Early on he spoke of “ten Afghanistans” in Syria should outside forces intervene, or fundamentalist takfiris and Islamic extremists dominating the opposition. Though clearly propaganda at the time, today it is difficult to dismiss his argument, a perspective that resonates with the millions of Syrians exhausted by two years of conflict and instability.

… The declaration of an al-Qaeda presence in Syria in the form of Nusra complicates the conflict even further: the Assad regime will say it has been proven right, as will Russia, China and Hezbollah. For Western observers, the presence of such a foe means that no one can entertain the notion of giving weapons to forces that may sympathize with an al-Qaeda ideology.

In addition, it divides Syria’s political opposition even more. And al-Qaeda on the battlefield creates a quandary for other rebel groups: Do they bed down with these well-organized crazies or continue the lonely fight?

Amidst the discussion of military advances for the regime, Robert Fisk discusses another important development also related to the military, namely that the former power of mukhabaraat entities is being replaced by the more visible power of the military. Previously I discussed how “the Ba’athist cult of unreality” prevents an open discussion (even of something as important as territorial losses in the conflict) from taking place in the Syrian parliament. Fisk’s article, “President Assad’s army is starting to call the shots in Syria,” underscores this ever-paradoxical dilemma before discussing the changing power dynamics he observes:

Old Mohamed Said al-Sauda from Deraa, in his tawny gown and kuffiah headscarf, sat at the end of a conclave of tribal elders, all newly arrived in Damascus for an audience with no less than the President himself. They sat – only one woman in a blue dress among them – round a long table in the Damas Rose Hotel drinking water and coffee, rehearsing their anxieties. How should they talk to the young armed men who came into their villages? How should they persuade the rebels not to damage their land and take over their villages? “We try to talk to the saboteurs and to get them to go back to rebuilding the country,” al-Sauda told me. “We try to persuade them to put aside their arms, to stop the violence. We used to have such a safe country to live in.”

These men, middle-aged for the most part with tough, lined, dark faces, are the first line of defence of the Assad regime, the landowners and propertied classes of the peasants who benefited most from the original Baathist revolution and whose prosperity has been threatened by the mass uprising against the regime. They come from Tartus, Deraa, the Damascus countryside, from Hama and Latakia, and they speak the language of the Assad government – up to a point. “Syria is a mosaic unlike any other in the world,” says Salman Hamdan. “The sectarian divide does not exist in our country. Muslims, Christians, they are the same…”

But the woman in blue hands me a printed sheet of paper with a list of demands. “We come from all walks of political life,” it begins. “We reject violence and we reject repression, sectarian massacres and the destruction of the cultural heritage of Syria.” And there it was. That word. Repression. For these men and this lonely woman know what helped to set fire to Syria. “Every government makes mistakes,” one of the men says – but we know what he means. He is talking about the mukhabarat intelligence service which lit the fire two years ago by its brutality towards the children of Deraa. The system of torture and fear that the secret police services of the regime imposed for decades upon Syria – the “repression” mentioned so obliquely in the lady’s demands – still lies like a blanket over those areas of the country that the government still controls.

How does a Syrian loyal to the regime tell its leader that his own security agencies helped to bring down this catastrophe upon their country? For these agencies have contaminated not just the Baath and the President but even the government army – the Syrian Arab Army – which is now trying to shrug off the awful carapace of legimitised violence that the plain-clothes men, in their tens of thousands, have used as a tool for more than 30 years. Even in the cities that the government still controls they have still not learned their lesson.

The country’s brutal secret services are no longer the power they once were. Other forces are at work

… There are also some intriguing signs that the government army, so keen to appear as the foundation stone of the state – which it is – without the dark stain of fear left by the mukhabarat, is taking its own steps to push back the “terror” men. The military security forces, now that they have – for the first time – to deal directly with their own civilians, are giving orders over the heads of the intelligence agencies. In 2010, Assad himself took a decision to ban security agents from carrying weapons covertly – a highly contentious rule for the secret police – and the army has now followed on from this.

The army, for example, is today in command of security in battle. In the past, military intelligence men would give instructions to the army. But the Syrian army is now in charge. Field commanders – not cops – make decisions. There have been many cases, according to those involved with the military, where plain-clothes security agents witnessed brutalising civilians have been arrested and – incredibly – put before military courts. The generals and the colonels, in other words, are no longer prepared to play patsy to the regime’s thugs.

But romantics beware. The army is a ruthless machine and its commander-in-chief remains Bashar al-Assad. Its loyalty is still without question. The UN maintains voluminous files of war crimes that they say were committed by regular soldiers in the Syrian army. And the idea that the presidency itself may abandon its own security agents is a myth. A militarised state will always need a bodyguard of secret policemen. Nor will Assad’s enemies ever accept an army takeover – with or without an Assad leadership – as a compromise for a truce. For them – correctly – the army remains more dangerous than Assad himself. The mukhabarat may come and go, but the army remains.

… It is an irony of Syrian history that hitherto most threats to the regime have come from within the cities. The Muslim Brotherhood, still officially illegal in Syria, was an urban institution and it was the Brotherhood that threatened Damascus and the central cities of Homs and Hama in the 1980s. The great uprising of 1982 emanated from the centre of Hama, from the city’s mosques and underground tunnels; and thus the cruellest of the nation’s security forces, the Special Forces of Rifaat al-Assad – led by the president’s now-disgraced uncle – was sent in to liquidate the Brotherhood and up to 20,000 of Hama’s residents. But now the uprising comes from the countryside

That a regime originally founded on peasant reform should discover that its enemies now live among that same peasantry is a terrible stroke of history for Baathism. That a nation with a non-sectarian constitution – needless to say, we all know what is wrong with it – should find itself consumed by the very sectarian conflict that it was designed to prevent is a tragedy. No wonder the new 60-man special units of the government army being trained for operations across Syria are a careful mixture of all sects – Sunnis, Christians, Alawis, Druze and others – and are openly referred to as the most “colourful” of all military battalions. …

For the message – if there is one in the coming weeks and months – is that the most important institution to watch in Syria is not the regime. Nor is it Bashar al-Assad. Nor is it the secret police. Nor is it the Free Syrian Army, nor al-Nusrah. Nor the platitudes of the White House or Downing Street. It is the government Syrian Arab Army. Watch, as they say, this space.

 

Raqqa

 

Interesting article by Martin Kramer about Iranian influence and symbolism in Raqqa: The Shiite Crescent Eclipsed

… The upper inscription identifies this site as the shrine of two figures from seventh-century Islamic history, Ammar ibn Yasir and Uways al-Qarani. The façade is striking, but just what is the connection of this shrine in Raqqa to Ayatollahs Khomeini and Khameneh’i, and why is their portrait being defaced at its entrance?

As we shall see, the answer to that question establishes the short video clip as one of the most significant images to emerge from Syria’s civil war. It proclaims that the so-called “Shiite crescent” is now eclipsed.

… Raqqa is surrounded by semi-settled tribes, some branches of which believe they are descended from Husayn, the son of Ali and grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who is the central figure of Shiite martyrology. They sometimes belong to Sufi orders that venerate Ali and Husayn. Unlike the city dwellers, who regarded the shrine project with surly resentment, they welcomed it as a kind of beautification project. They are Sunnis, not Shiites, but they seemed like promising targets for Iranian proselytization. Visiting Iraqi or Iranian preachers would bring them together at the shrine for sessions commemorating their supposed forebears (majalis husayniyya).

… After the fall of Saddam Hussein, Iranian planners conceived an ambitious plan for a kind of pilgrimage trail, consisting of a chain of shrines from Karbala to Damascus. Following the battle of Karbala in 687, the Umayyad caliph Yazid ordered that the head of the defeated Husayn be brought to him in Damascus. The idea was to create a route of pilgrimage following the stations of the head’s journey, anchored at the midway point by the already existing shrine to Husayn in Aleppo. To this end, Iran began to invest in the renovation and expansion of other sites in Syria.

Still, a scholar who has studied the entire range of Iranian shrine projects in Syria has written that, more than any other such effort, the Raqqa shrine “best represents the extent of Shiite triumphalism and state support in Syria.”

What will become of the shrine itself is uncertain. A false Iranian report claimed it had been destroyed by Sunni extremists, but that didn’t happen and it is unlikely to happen, since veneration of the tombs was a local tradition even before the Iranians arrived. The site is likely to be purged of its explicitly Iranian and Shiite references, but it is impossible to know which symbols will replace them.

It could be any one of the flags now sold in Raqqa, as shown in this photo. From right to left are the flags of the Free Syrian Army (minimally present in Raqqa), Ahrar al-Sham (dominant), and the black-and-white variations of the jihadist flag flown by Jabhat al-Nusra (also a major force). The struggle that will elevate one of these symbols over the others has only just begun.

 Miscellaneous

 

Belgium asks Turkey to watch for Belgians crossing into Syria

Belgium has asked Turkey to help in its efforts to prevent Belgian nationals from illegally crossing into Syria to fight alongside opposition forces trying to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Belgian Raids Target Support for Syrian Rebels

Belgian police raided four dozen homes on Tuesday looking for potential extremists who lure youngsters into traveling to Syria to join rebels trying to overthrow the government there.

Officials say dozens of Belgian teenagers already have left for the Syrian front, willing to fight but ill-prepared to survive the Arab country’s brutal civil war. Belgian leaders worry that the young fighters could return from Syria radicalized and willing to stage terrorist attacks at home.

… The mayor of Mechelen, whose city saw some homes raided, said the police action was linked to the disbanded Islamic group Sharia4Belgium.

Authorities are trying to determine if the group is a terrorist outfit, and prosecutors allege that Sharia4Belgium members who had traveled to Syria linked up with “al-Qaida-inspired combatants.” Videos showed its former leader Fouad Belkacem being taken from his home in the pre-dawn sweep.

Robert Fisk: At a checkpoint, watching for bombs, the talk turned to religion

The UN is amassing war crimes indictments against all kinds of armed groups in Syria – the government army very much among them – but the fact remains that this conversation would have been impossible – unthinkable – before the uprising. The war has given a freedom of speech even to soldiers to debate among themselves, as they do, about the war.

Famed Turkish Pianist Fazıl Say Sentenced for Blasphemy

World-renowned Turkish pianist Fazıl Say was handed a suspended 10-month prison sentence today for “insulting religious beliefs held by a section of the society,” bringing to a close a controversial case while sparking fiery reaction in Turkey and abroad.

 

Egypt Update

 

After last week’s sectarian problems in Egypt, Islamopedia provides a number of useful stories:

Egyptians march against sectarianism

Hundreds of people marched in the Egyptian capital on Tuesday to condemn sectarianism and call for unity between Muslims and Christians.

Coptic Church submits demands to Morsy

The Coptic Orthodox Church has identified five demands for President Mohamed Morsy to resolve the sectarian crises that have erupted in various parts of the country.

“We demand the president to apply the law to everyone, ensure safety and security in the entire country, activate fully the principle of citizenship, amend religious discourse, and teach Coptic history in schools,” Father Makary Habib, the personal secretary to Pope Tawadros II, told the Turkish Anadolu News on Wednesday.

Bishop thanks Muslims for protecting Christians in Egypt’s Al-Khosous

A senior Coptic bishop has praised Muslims in Al-Khosous who attempted to protect Christians during a recent bout of sectarian violence that left five people dead.

“The loving Muslims who protected Christians and the church during the deadly clashes in Al-Khosous highlighted the mistakes of the fanatics and showed the true meaning of religion and love,” Bishop Moussa, who is in charge of youth affairs at the Coptic Orthodox Church, said in a statement on Wednesday.

Egyptian Endowments Ministry bans political sermons, suspends popular sheikh

“Because of my position against ‘Brotherhoodizing’ Al-Azhar and the state, and my defense of Al-Azhar and its [grand] sheikh, the minister of endowments issued a decision to suspend me before any interrogations were carried out. He assigned in my place one of the pro-Muslim Brotherhood group imams, without prior warning or interrogation, in violation of the law,” Shaheen said.

Permalink | Print | 578 comments
Categories: Uncategorized
«   »

Comments (578)


ann said:

Pentagon Chief Warns That War in Syria Could Be ‘Lengthy and Uncertain’ – April 17, 2013

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2013/04/syria-hagel/

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warned a Senate panel that intervening in Syria’s grinding, brutal civil war risked plunging the U.S. into another bloody conflict.

“We have an obligation and responsibility to think through the consequences of any direct U.S. military action in Syria,” Hagel told the Senate Armed Services Committee this afternoon. “A military intervention could have the unintended consequence of bringing the United States into a broader regional conflict or proxy war.”

Yet Hagel said that to prevent spillover violence, last week he ordered an “Army headquarters element” to go to Jordan to help coordinate contingency planning, particularly over a potential chemical-weapons attack.

Hagel didn’t rule out intervention. But he said it was an “option of last resort.” Rather than alleviate the slaughter of Syrian civilians, it could “hinder humanitarian relief operations” and “strain other key international partnerships,” likely a reference to Russia, an Assad ally. The Syrian opposition is fragmentary and unreliable. And Hagel reminded senators that getting into a Syrian war is easier than getting out of what could be “a significant, lengthy, and uncertain military commitment.”

With the departure of Marine Gen. James Mattis, the former top U.S. military commander in the Middle East, there is little appetite among top defense officials to take direct action in Syria. Before his recent retirement, Mattis told the same Senate panel he had a plan to “disrupt” Syrian chemical weapons. But Pentagon officers cite the need for a massive ground force to provide an assurance that Assad’s chemical arsenal is secure, which is frequently interpreted as a signal of reluctance.

A Vietnam veteran infantryman, Hagel’s Pentagon speeches often include a line about military interventions being “worthy of the service, sacrifice and loyalty” of U.S. troops.

[…]

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2013/04/syria-hagel/

April 17th, 2013, 6:16 pm

 

zoo said:

Ahead of the ‘mini’ FOS meeting in Istanbul on Saturday, Lavrov hopes that pragmatism will prevail toward a dialog rather than military escalation

Lavrov said pressing for the government’s removal would increase the threats posed by militant Islamist groups such as the rebel al-Nusra Front, which formally pledged allegiance last week to al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri.

“One must understand that the more one bets on the isolation of the regime of Bashar al-Assad and a military solution, the more these threats will be felt,” Lavrov said at a news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

“If a mechanism is created that isolates one side in the conflict or is aimed at isolating one side in the conflict, then we simply lose the opportunity for dialogue and a search for paths to a resolution,” Lavrov said.

He said he hoped the weekend meeting would be “pragmatic” and help to set up a dialogue between the different parties.

“Some key participants … have assured me that they will seek a way to try to get a dialogue started. . I very much hope that this is done and, second, that it is successful,” he said.

April 17th, 2013, 6:37 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

من البديهي أن يربط عيد الجلاء بانسحاب القوات الأجنبية من أي وطن

And this piece of dog poop wants to continue ruling Syrian.

April 17th, 2013, 6:41 pm

 

zoo said:

Bashar al Assad full interview

April 17th, 2013, 7:01 pm

 

revenire said:

Hamster please control yourself. Silentio was banned today. You could be next.

Show some respect for Dr. Assad – if you’re Syrian he is your president. In 2014 you will be allowed to vote for a new man. Perhaps some Nusra Front character will toss his hat into the ring.

We want dialogue not insults. Let’s not get into the gutter.

April 17th, 2013, 7:18 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

funny, a sewer pipe doesn’t want to get in the gutter…I understand. too clean for you and your beloved dog poop.

April 17th, 2013, 7:37 pm

 

Syrian said:

392. AMEERA said:
“مين على بالو بوري ايمة او زبدية محلاية من بكداش”
تارا؟

April 17th, 2013, 8:38 pm

 

Matthew Barber said:

Hamster,

Your presence here and contributions are valued. You are welcome to engage, but not to spam the thread.

MTB

April 17th, 2013, 8:38 pm

 

Roland said:

1. Barber dismisses Assad’s denunciation of the rebels as “propaganda at the time,” even as Barber himself admits that Assad’s remarks are being vindicated in real time. Is it not at least possible that the Syrian president might have actually known what he was talking about?

n.b. I myself thought Assad’s remarks in the past, about his opponents being extremists, were “obviously propaganda” too, but when the most effective offensive fighting force on the rebel side openly aligns with Al-Qaeda, one must admit that in this particular Bashar might well have been correct all along, and many Western observers mistaken all along.

2. I think we can now conclude that the US invasion of Iraq was ineffective in terms of fighting Al-Qaeda. Al-Qaeda is alive and well and living in Anbar. Even though the Islamic extremists took heavy losses in years of battle in Iraq, nevertheless their morale and recruitment seem unaffected. Meanwhile, they gained valuable experience and prestige while warring against the most powerful empire of all time.

3. On a trivial note, I wonder how many people, particularly Anglo Westerners, have made the mistake of underestimating Bashar simply on account of his weak chin and pencil neck. While few Occidentals would ever care to admit it, the defunct art of physiognomy still plays a role in our political thinking. WRT physiognomy, a study of Bashar’s forehead and brow suggest a man of considerable determination–borne out by his conduct in several crises, and never more than in this civil war.

April 17th, 2013, 8:43 pm

 

apple_mini said:

In psychology, public display of uncontrollable anger and personal insults is an indication of overwhelming frustration and defeat.

Let us see the facts. After more than two years emotional roller coaster from euphoria to sense of loss, the opposition is facing the most painful question “Quo Vadis” or “we” in this case.

Assad appears more on victory track. On military front, the opposition are burying their heads in sand: they know they are losing supports among Syrians and the most capable rebel fighters are extremists. Syria is slowly being destroyed, but even the Syria in ruin has no place for the opposition.

To forget about military victory is not acceptable for the opposition. But it is the only way the opposition can be a constructive part in ending the violence in Syria and rebuilding her after.

I feel we are still looking hopefully at those moderates in the opposition.

April 17th, 2013, 8:58 pm

 

Tara said:

Mathew Barber,

Kindly define what spamming the thread mean?

Hamster was showing contempt and disgust towards Bashar’s lovers. Is this not allowed? I am sorry but there is not enough posts one can express such contempt and disgust we, the Syrian people feel about those murderers.

Reve and Ann spam the thread day in and day out. That doesn’t bother you?

April 17th, 2013, 9:02 pm

 

Ghufran said:

A national army being in control,not full control, of security and few other critical state functions was discussed on this board by more than one poster when this blog was more engaging and rich, however, the existing army with hard-core Assadists sucking the life out of every major military unit will not be a uniting force, millions of Syrians today associate the army with atrocities and the brutal destruction in many rebels-held areas. Even a military victory by the army will not the end the war and bring peace to Syria.
Security arrangements will fail as long as Assad stays as president and his boys continue to treat Syria as a family-owned farm. Moaz was right when he said that no dialogue can take place until political prisoners are released, I also believe that opposition figures must share power with the regime until credible elections are held. Most of us do not trust the regime and argue that the regime has no intention to facilitate a national dialogue and true reconciliation, as you can see, Arabs are not yet able to take the path that leads to a pleural government, most Arabs are stuck in the winner takes all mentality, and once they win they try to humiliate and sideline their opponents. Assad’s interview is a clear display on this backward mentality that has a lot in common with the Islamists.

April 17th, 2013, 9:09 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

Mathew Barber,

How many anti-jewish comments are permitted here on a daily basis? Is there a limit?

Glad to know the SC police are back in action.

April 17th, 2013, 9:10 pm

 

Tara said:

Syrian,

Hi. If you are asking me if I feel like eating at Bakdash, the answer is not really. For vanity purpose. 😉

And no I am not the new girl on the block. If I to get reincarnated, I will be reincarnated under my real name.

April 17th, 2013, 9:12 pm

 

ann said:

A Documented Fact

Tensions build on Israel-Syria border | By John Reed | Financial Times | Apr 17, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/tensions-build-on-israel-syria-border/2013/04/17/9bcca7fe-a77e-11e2-b029-8fb7e977ef71_story.html

The Israeli army also says it has offered medical treatment to about a dozen “rebels” who made it across the border.

[…]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/tensions-build-on-israel-syria-border/2013/04/17/9bcca7fe-a77e-11e2-b029-8fb7e977ef71_story.html

April 17th, 2013, 9:29 pm

 

Darr said:

Akbar Palace,

How many MajeKhaldouns’ are you interested in? do you want the 5 Million or maybe a bit more? And how many Visitors will you take as we might be able to offer a package deal?

April 17th, 2013, 9:53 pm

 

Ghufran said:

I was British ambassador to Syria from 1976 to 1979. I intensely disliked the Ba’ath party and most of the ministers who formed the government then. So I have no bias towards the Ba’ath and the president who took over from his father. The trouble is that most of the reporting from Syria comes from sources stationed among the insurgents, who include, for example, the Jabhat al-Nusra, which has just declared its loyalty to al-Qaida, and extremist Sunnis opposed to the Alawites, the president’s sect, and have anti-democratic and anti-western views. They don’t enjoy support from minorities like the Christians and the Ismailis.
At last the Guardian has a man in Damascus and can report the regime’s version. Ian Black (15 April) is sensibly cautious. His account of the bombing which damaged the central bank clearly suggests that the bomb came from the insurgents; and more frankly he says that another bomb, killing 80 people, exploded near a Ba’ath headquarters and was blamed on Jabhat al-Nusra. Why our government can help the French to fight al-Qaida in Mali and simultaneously send assistance to its supporters in Syria is difficult to understand. We should be neutral and keep far away from the Syrian struggle.
James Craig
Standlake, Oxfordshire

April 17th, 2013, 10:13 pm

 

Matthew Barber said:

AP,

I’ll be making an announcement about moderation soon. It doesn’t all happen at once. I sent 5 Dancing a warning today.

Tara,

Posting 10 comments in a row about dog poop and dung beetles with bad capitalization/punctuation that don’t add to conversation is spam. You didn’t see all of the messages, because I deleted them, and you’ll notice that I left some. It’s not all a political conspiracy.

Expressing disgust for evil actions is of course allowed, but insulting members of the discussion here is not, whether they love Bashar, Khatib, or Jabhat al-Nusra.

April 17th, 2013, 10:21 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

The Assadists control less than half the country. Their motto is “we take one step forward for every 3 steps backwards!”

The war continues.

April 17th, 2013, 10:22 pm

 

Ghufran said:

• Much of your reporting on Syria could have been written by GW Bush: the same old rebels are good, the Syrian government is bad recipe. The Syrian reality seems a little simpler. Syria is crawling with foreign jihadists and it would be exceedingly naive to assume that the special forces of the countries supplying the weapons are not there also – France, the US, UK, various Arab despots?
Meanwhile, most Syrians in Syria want the killing to stop so they can live their lives without fear. They wanted a negotiated settlement from the Kofi Annan plan, but this was flagrantly obstructed and torpedoed by the west. For Syria read Libya.
Khalid Mahmood-Chohan
Watford, Hertfordshire

April 17th, 2013, 10:29 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Akbar Palace said
“How many anti-jewish comments are permitted here on a daily basis? Is there a limit?”

None should be allowed, and none should be allowed against christians, or Moslems,but we should be able to point to the differences between one religion and the other,and we should be able to point to what is rational,or logical,and dispute what sounds irrational and not logical

April 17th, 2013, 10:31 pm

 

revenire said:

Important for anyone to understand what is happening in Syria:

Why Margaret Thatcher Loved Islamists
http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/why-margaret-thatcher-loved-islamists

April 17th, 2013, 10:33 pm

 

ann said:

I want to go on the record.

I’m against all censorship on this blog. I’m against deleting past, current or future contributions. I do not approve of everything people write here. But I find the policy of selectively deleting/censoring contributions is a lot more dangerous than being offended by it’s content.

April 17th, 2013, 10:36 pm

 

Visitor said:

I wouldn’t mind moderation on SC provided it results in banning all spammers who bad mouth the holy warriors of the Nusra Front and its associates. Anyone who fails to address the Nusra and sister fighters as holy warriors must be banned. Also anyone who does not describe Bashar and his henchemen as terrorist criminal thugs must be banned.

April 17th, 2013, 10:42 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

The Assadists wanted war so war it will be. If the Iranians and Russians support the Assadists, then the Arabs and the West will support the rebels.

What comes around, goes around.

April 17th, 2013, 10:45 pm

 

Matthew Barber said:

Ann,

Interesting to actually hear you speak.

I banned a user today for targeting you with a sexual insult, and deleted his offensive comment. Would you prefer that such harassment be permitted?

April 17th, 2013, 10:53 pm

 

Ziad said:

Reporter Asks White House if U.S. Airstrikes That Kill Afghan Civilians Qualify as ‘Terrorism’

http://raniakhalek.com/2013/04/17/reporter-asks-white-house-if-u-s-airstrikes-that-kill-afghan-civilians-qualify-as-terrorism/

April 17th, 2013, 10:57 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

Majedkhaldoun,

I agree. I’m still trying to understand why Reverse is so appalled by Israel’s response in Gaza. Coming from an Assad supporter one would think he’d be less vocal, perhaps hiding in a spider hole or the like.

M. Barber, thanks. 5 Dancing is our joo expert. He often gets carried away.

April 17th, 2013, 11:08 pm

 

majwdkhaldoun said:

Ghufran said
Syrians..”They wanted a negotiated settlement from the Kofi Annan plan, but this was flagrantly obstructed and torpedoed by the west.”
Kofi Anan plan was not opposed by the west, it ws Russia who torpedoed it, and it was Assad who worked against it, he would not stop the military murdering and fight against Syrians.
Further, Syrians said it Loud and Clear , no more Assad family and one sect rule,they want freedom and democracy, but Assad and those who support him are ruthlessly and brutally killing Syrians and massacres are committed weekly against innocent children and even killing Bouti and arresting hia opponents from his own sect if they began to oppose him or if he sense possible dissention
Syrians want justice for whoever committd such crime,no matter how many are they.

Mathew Barber
I think insults in Arabic is as bad as insults in English and I will be pointing to you such insults to warn the one who uses them.

April 17th, 2013, 11:09 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

*Your comment is awaiting moderation.*

Ghufran said
Syrians..”They wanted a negotiated settlement from the Kofi Annan plan, but this was flagrantly obstructed and torpedoed by the west.”
Kofi Anan plan was not opposed by the west, it ws Russia who torpedoed it, and it was Assad who worked against it, he would not stop the military murdering and fight against Syrians.
Further, Syrians said it Loud and Clear , no more Assad family and one sect rule,they want freedom and democracy, but Assad and those who support him are ruthlessly and brutally killing Syrians and massacres are committed weekly against innocent children and even killing Bouti and arresting hia opponents from his own sect if they began to oppose him or if he sense possible dissention
Syrians want justice for whoever committd such crime,no matter how many are they.

Mathew Barber
I think insults in Arabic is as bad as insults in English and I will be pointing to you such insults to warn the one who uses them.

April 17th, 2013, 11:18 pm

 

ann said:

26. Matthew Barber said:

Ann,

Interesting to actually hear you speak.

I banned a user today for targeting you with a sexual insult, and deleted his offensive comment. Would you prefer that such harassment be permitted?

He’s not the first or the last one to insult me on this board. I’m a big girl, I can take it. I understand insults are a slip of the tongue. What I’m concerned about Matthew is when we start by deleting sexual insults, what are we going to delete next?

Thanks

April 17th, 2013, 11:56 pm

 

revenire said:

Yes – that is a concern Ann. Hardly the sort of “New Syria” we want to build. I could see banning any Nusra supporters because that is Al-Qaeda (even Matt said so). That’s terrorism per the US government.

April 18th, 2013, 12:36 am

 

Juergen said:

“Id al-Dschalaa / عيد الجلاء”
Syrian Independence day.

was celebrated yesterday, and one thought about it. In 26 years of french occupation we have seen that 800 people have been killed for their fight for independence. In 2 years of struggle the Assad regime has brutally killed app. 100.000 people.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=446903655397496&set=a.328287843925745.81285.328254907262372&type=1&theater

April 18th, 2013, 12:59 am

 

Juergen said:

Farah, Haji & Omran
Voices from Syria

“Artists in Syria, they have a weapon – their creativity!” Meet three Syrian artists – Rami Farah, Golan Haji and Mohamad Omran – for a conversation about the role of culture in the uprising against the Syrian regime.

http://channel.louisiana.dk/video/farah-haji-omran-voices-syria

April 18th, 2013, 1:16 am

 

Observer said:

Why the moderation?

Let each spell his thinking out loud. From someone saying Syria belongs to us, to we will gas the rats, to unleash the Chemical Weapons, to animal calling.

I do not understand this moderation at all. It was a great window into the mind set of the protagonists

What a shame, the blog was not very good to start with with always a mish mash of news and insertions of irrelevance and too much punditry but without moderation it is just stale as the bread being air dropped on the besieged forces of the Athad regime forces.

I watched the interview and it was a great show

Who has a long neck but is not a giraffe

Who is the Commander in Chief but he did not serve his military service

Who is a Doctor but has never practiced

Al Ikhbariah is a great testimony to the huge inferiority complex that the regime has towards every body.

Grises par le pouvoir jusqu’a l’intoxication

Pfffft

Slippers and sneakers of an army

April 18th, 2013, 1:35 am

 

Citizen said:

1- ANN
It’s a great discovery by Chuck Hage deserves the upgrade!!!! After more than two years of rabbles supporting Badri Hage pronounce!!!!

April 18th, 2013, 2:01 am

 

Hopeful said:

Well said Ghufran #12

Egypt, Tunisia, Iraq, Yemen and Libya are all now countries in transition. It will take a while. They may or may not succeed, but at least they have each created a chance and an opening. They had no chances under their previous dictatorial regimes.

Unfortunately Syria is still looking for the “transition”. Assad proved to be the most stubborn and brutal of all dictators.

April 18th, 2013, 2:04 am

 

Juergen said:

Who was the first president of Syria after the independence?

Adib Asch`schi`schakli or Hussni Az`za`im?

Bashar Al Assad?
Hafiz al Assad?

BTW the first president was Shukri al-Quwatli.

April 18th, 2013, 2:09 am

 

Citizen said:

WASHINGTON, April 17 (Itar-Tass) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said he would visit Russia before the G8 summit.
Kerry made the announcement in Congress on Wednesday, April 17.
Kerry said he had had a “good meeting” with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in London last week and he had invited him to visit Russia.
The Kremlin said earlier that President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama should have full-format talks during the G8 summit to be held in Northern Ireland in late June.

April 18th, 2013, 2:11 am

 

Ameera said:

ماثيو بربير

يبعتلك حمى شو سئيل عامل زلمة و نازل مراقبة متل فروعة المخابرات
وبعدين انت مين دايس على دنبك وحشرك بين السوريين يعني يا داخل بين البصلة و قشرتها ما بنوبك غير ريحتا والا الشغلة وما فيها مشان تحمي ولاد عمك اليهود و الصهاينة بالهمنتدى اي دادا روح خيط بغير هالمسلة

تضرب منك لهيك منتدى معفن متل نهر إليط

April 18th, 2013, 3:03 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Matthew
My presence here has become rarer than thoughtful analysis in posts , or rationality in the comment section . So keep ego massaging away for I no longer value this blog to even attempt making a contribution and there is little worthy value in this blog other than increasing the maddening confusion and the un-ethical normalization of the regime crimes by the so-called analysts or mindless fans of the regime.

In the end, fools will remain fools, criminals are criminals, and those supporting the murderous regime will continue to lack any shred of ethics or human values whether or not a moderator deletes a short comment calling them for what they are in favor of giving space to spams from racist and conspiracy theory sites.
So no thanks for the “civilizing” attempt of the the barbaric Syrians.

As for the psychologist wannabe

Failing psychology 10 (not even 101). A 6 years old child would be able to distinguish anger from disgust and contempt, the dog-poop prethident and its fans are only a source for disgust and contempt and an attempt to normalize them into a source of anger is as meaningless and as laughable as the sophistry blather from the dog-poop character itself.

April 18th, 2013, 3:47 am

 

Citizen said:

13. AP
Do not care! Mr.Joshua will collect the largest number of pro-Zionists
to put flowers under your feet in the Syria Comment forum !Of course! You are chosen by God!

April 18th, 2013, 4:42 am

 

Badr said:

The Syrian Heartbreak

by Peter Harling, Sarah Birke

This is an excellent article in my view. I opted not to take a long space here in order to highlight its many outstanding points.

April 18th, 2013, 5:01 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

1. You’re not a girl.
2. You have no life. This is not an insult. It is a statement of fact.

‘Nuff said.

April 18th, 2013, 5:25 am

 

apple_mini said:

It is sad to see some of the opposition people are still hopeful to anticipate an open and democratic Syria if the rebels wind up taking over the country.

It was a beautiful dream. Unfortunately it already died after spontaneous and genuine aspiration was hijacked and replaced by big players’ agenda.

The current situation being so brutal and unprecedented unlike Libya, Egypt or other countries tells us something has terribly gone wrong in this revolution. Different people from different sides might have different opinions or explanations.

But important thing is that we have to acknowledge it and proceed with extreme caution to project our own prospective.

After all, our choices and decisions come with the price of many Syrians’ live and death.

April 18th, 2013, 6:22 am

 

Hopeful said:

#42 BADR

I agree. Thank you for sharing.

April 18th, 2013, 6:26 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Choose another Prethident

You are chosen by God!

Citizen,

When did I say I was “chosen by God”?

Jews, Muslims, Christians are all equal and every person has the right to be free. Don’t you agree?

April 18th, 2013, 6:48 am

 

Tara said:

Mathew Barber @18

” It’s not all a political conspiracy”

Sorry, I was not accusing you of taking part in a political conspiracy. I was accusing you of being biased.

Dog poop and dung beetle is much less harmful and insulting than carpet bombing, gazing the rats, and unleashing chemical weapons. And while Hamster addressed his posts to no one specifically, Reve never failed to feel free calling posters animal names, calling for their imprisonment and execution at home. Would you like examples?

You either moderate everyone or moderate none. And if SC is going to be biased with a sole purpose of normalizing the regime crimes, you certainly can enjoy it alone.

April 18th, 2013, 6:50 am

 

Tara said:

Mathew,

I am against questioning a moderator personal judgement. It is not easy. I agree with banning sexual insults. What was told to Ann is simply unacceptable. I just wanted to point out that moderating angry people expressing contempt and disgust in the face of savage and barbaric crimes can certainly be perceived as biased. Calling one a dog poop when he makes little girls headless is not a crime, normalizing the regime crimes and calling for more is.

April 18th, 2013, 7:02 am

 

Hopeful said:

#42 BADR

Assad is viewed as a “ruthless criminal who must be brought to justice” by a large segment of Syrians, but he is also viewed as “the man without whom Syria will be lost” by many of his supporters (and by himself as he said in the interview yesterday)…

But one thing everyone must undoubtedly agree on at this point: today, Assad is a very divisive figure. If Syria has any chance to recover as a society and a country, it has to be ruled by unifying figures – people who can take it through the very tough transition facing it. Everyone, including Russia and undoubtedly many regime supporters, must recognize that Assad cannot be the person to bring Syrians together again. If that recognition is translated into some tangible steps, it could lead to a solution.

Many regime supporters on this forum have consistently attacked all opposition figures and never accepted that any of them could be a “better” choice to lead the transition. They have consistently claimed that there is simply “no credible alternative”. This may or may not be true, but I do not think the question should be “is this person better than Assad?”; rather, it should be this: “Do you agree that it is time for Syrians to look for a unifying figure, someone who is accepted by all sides, to lead the transition?” If yes, then “Wouldn’t you agree that this person is NOT Assad”?

Frankly, I feel sympathy for Mr. Assad. He stood no chance. He lived in his father’s shadow. He had no real advisers, only yes men and women who massaged his ego day and night. He did not live abroad long enough to learn how the outside world really worked (which enforced his paranoia). He was never taken seriously by Syria’s neighboring leaders (Arabs and non-Arabs) – in part because of his lecturing speeches and obvious lack of confidence. He inherited a fragmented society with deep wounds, a bankrupt economy and a corrupt regime. And when he was “trained” in leadership, it was done superficially and with yesterday’s archaic tools and methods. In short, he was never equipped to lead a country like Syria in this point of time, let alone help transition it to the modern world, economically and politically. Many people wanted him to succeed (myself included before the revolution), but we were all deceiving ourselves with wishful thinking.

April 18th, 2013, 7:09 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Hopeful
Assad blew it, to be a leader you need to overcome obstacles,ascending in power, during that period you gain respect and admiration gradually till people love you,and you become the solution the people are looking for,Assad mismanaged what was fair demands , responding by excessive brutality,he lost the respect and admirations of Syrian,he became a problem not the solution,
Assad depended on sectarian factor, he depended on a minority sect represent 6-10% of Syrian, he is deeply sectarian, and thus he was divisive.
Assad in his condescending personality,and inflated megalomania,lost contact with reality,time has changed freedom justice and equality were all discarded by him he lives in past generation, not in the 21 century,he is destined to fail

Syrian Hamster
We love you and always looking forward to your comments, and I agree with Tara, the one who should be banned is Revenir who always call for carpet bombing of Syria, use of chemical weapons against Syrian and always call for exterminating people,calling them rats, what Revenir is saying is criminal and deserve to be called boops.

April 18th, 2013, 8:02 am

 

Citizen said:

what is happened in Texas?http://youtu.be/o8iDD4nabp0?t=3s

April 18th, 2013, 8:05 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

HOPEFUL
Sympathy?….
Even if trained with the most modern approaches, the thing does not have the intellectual capacity to babysit a cat, let alone a country.

The lecturing style and sophistry are indications of severe inferiority complex compounded with high megalomania with no foundation of any exceptional element in the character but a wrongly wired brain cells (the little that is there). Dog-poop is really deficient not only on ethical, moral, but also on intellectual traits.

Yet, even someone suffering significant intelligence handicap can still recognize right from wrong, and have some cognition of realty around them. The (dog-poop) prethident continues to dig deeper into its illusion dragging behind it many of its blonde, thoughtless and equally challenged morally, ethically, and intellectually. No sympathy from me. Only disgust and contempt. Negative feelings!, who cares? any one expecting positive hunky dory “Otrakjian” equivocation of the regime and its fans would be fooling themselves into thinking they can fool others with their crocodile tears. Seriousness demand unqualified condemnation of the regime and not normalizing its crimes against humanity.

April 18th, 2013, 8:24 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

… any one expecting positive hunky dory “Otrakjian” equivocation of the regime …

LOL!

We love you and always looking forward to your comments…

I second that.

April 18th, 2013, 8:37 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

TARA, MAJED, SL, SYRIAN, AP and few others, you guys are the rare events of thoughtfulness i have mentioned in my reply to Matthew…why do you think I even visit this place.

Thanks.

April 18th, 2013, 9:12 am

 

zoo said:

Confusion and contradiction in the USA about the reliability of the armeed opposition

Top Obama Officials Differ on Syrian Rebels in Testimony to Congress

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/18/world/middleeast/key-obama-officials-differ-on-syria-in-testimony.html?_r=0

Kerry:
“There is a very clear ability now in the Syrian opposition to make certain that what goes to the moderate, legitimate opposition is, in fact, getting to them,” Mr. Kerry said at the time.

General Dempsey :
But he said he had rethought that position since then and was no longer sure the United States “could clearly identify the right people” to equip within the ranks of the armed opposition.

“It’s actually more confusing on the opposition side today than it was six months ago,” General Dempsey said.

While Mr. Kerry said the rebels were making headway, General Dempsey said, “There’s a risk that this conflict has become stalemated.”

April 18th, 2013, 9:16 am

 

apple_mini said:

The ongoing episode of deleting posts and banning members is a good window to help us know more about the opposition and provoke some thoughts.

The most glorified idea, demand, slogan and propaganda from the opposition is calling for a democratic Syria.

Who would not like that especially for ordinary and powerless people? But we know democracy is an empty word if there is no law and order to back it up.

Forget about moral high ground since the rebels are constantly contradicting what the opposition have been claiming.

Just look at some opposition members/supporters’ reaction. They do not like the idea obeying the policy or rules here because their emotional tide is so high. It should not be curbed otherwise the tide can sweep anything against it.

Well, if they do get a chance to call the shots in Syria, what can you expect their “tide” would do to people who are not with them? What will Syria become then?

April 18th, 2013, 10:05 am

 

zoo said:

Moroccon diplomant (sic) to succeed Brahimi as Syria envoy
Wednesday, 17 April 2013
Al Arabiya –
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/04/17/Moroccon-diplomant-to-succeed-Brahimi-as-Syria-envoy.html

A Canadian national of Moroccan origin, Mokhtar Lamani, will succeed Lakhdar Brahimi as the Arab League Syria envoy, according to Al Arabiya’s correspondent in New York.

Lamani was heading Brahimi’s Damascus office as he served as the UN-Arab League representative in the country.

Lamani has also served as a special Arab League envoy to Iraq and was the Organization of the Islamic Conference’s ambassador to the U.N. in New York from 1998 to 2002.

Earlier today, diplomatic sources told Al Arabiya that Brahimi intentioned to resign.

Brahimi informed U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Arab League head Nabil al-Arabi, according to those sources.

This development comes during a week full of developments at the United Nations on the Syrian conflict.

Brahimi will not announce his resignation until Arabi arrives in New York next Monday.

Then, Brahimi, Arabi and Ban Ki-moon will hold a tripartite meeting to specify how to deal with this resignation.

April 18th, 2013, 10:10 am

 

SANDRO LOEWE said:

Hi all,

For me regime gains ground not because of al Nusra but because the International Community is allowing Hezballah and Iran to feed with arms, money and mercenaries the Assad mafia regime.

Now I am sure that US and Israel, as well as Germany and the core of the EU are supporting the stability of Assad.

April 18th, 2013, 10:20 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Law & Order w/o Freedom doesn’t Cut it

Who would not like that especially for ordinary and powerless people?

Apparently Assad and his extended family.

But we know democracy is an empty word if there is no law and order to back it up.

True. Why not have it all? Assad and his family had over 40 years to provide basic freedoms along with the “law & order” (aka military state), but they never bothered to free the slaves.

Oh well. They had their chance.

April 18th, 2013, 10:27 am

 

zoo said:

Matthew

I fully support moderation on personal insults such as the obsessive use of “idiots” from AIG and Visitor, the non-stop ‘retard’ of Mari and many others expression of vulgar disdain.

Insulting either sides of the conflict is a primitive expression of hatred and frustration and does not have any place either in a exchange of ideas.

We are all witnesses to events that we interpret according to our own life experience. Exposing this interpretation to be scrutinized by others and supported by valid information is what makes that blog interesting.
Using it as a catharsis for emotional resentments just dilutes it.

Thanks for moderating it as Syria Comment, not as Syria Catharsis.

April 18th, 2013, 10:40 am

 

zoo said:

#58 Sandro Loewee

“Hezballah and Iran to feed with arms, money and mercenaries the Assad mafia regime.”

If this is true, it is high time they do it…

April 18th, 2013, 10:43 am

 

zoo said:

Dempsey shifts on arming the rebels

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luPMKvLDmUE&feature=player_embedded

DEMPSEY: Well, at the time the … we felt like we had a clear enough understanding of the moderate opposition. And we felt as though it was in the long-term interest of Syria as a nation-state that the institutions wouldn’t fail and that the time was proper at that moment to intervene that way. … My military judgment is that now that we have seen the emergence of Al-Nusra and Ahrar al-Sham notably, and now that we have seen photographs of some of the weapons that is have been flowing into Syria in the hands of those groups, now I am more concerned than I was before.

April 18th, 2013, 10:48 am

 

zoo said:

Despite preaching the distancing from al Nusra, Al Khatib and the SNC still wants to protect the terrorists fighters from Western anti-terror intervention. Obviously they are worried that the elimination of the Al Nusra fighters will cause the collapse of the FSA armed opposition

Al-Khatib rejects possible anti-terror attacks in Syria

18 April 2013 /TODAY’S ZAMAN, İSTANBUL
The Syrian opposition will not accept any military attack by Western countries inside Syria in the name of fighting terrorism, the head of the main anti-regime coalition said in İstanbul on Thursday.

Moaz al-Khatib, the leader of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, said there have been threats of military intervention in Syria on the grounds of fighting terrorism. Speaking at a conference, al-Khatib explained that such threats from Western countries come in the aftermath of a statement by the al-Nusra Front last week declaring allegiance to al-Qaeda.

April 18th, 2013, 10:57 am

 

zoo said:

Syria troops seize strategic Homs village

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130418/syria-troops-seize-strategic-homs-village

Syrian troops captured a strategic village in central Homs province on Wednesday, putting pressure on rebel forces in the area, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights watchdog said.

The army seized Abel, on the main route between the city of Homs and Qusayr, a rebel stronghold near the border with Lebanon, the Observatory said.

The village is also just four kilometres (2.5 miles) from the main route that runs between Homs, Damascus and the northern province of Aleppo.

“This will hamper the movement of rebels between Qusayr and the city of Homs,” Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said.

Meanwhile, rebels in the area captured the abandoned Dabaa military airport, seizing munitions left behind by the retreating regime forces, the group said.

“This airport should have allowed the rebels to ease the pressure on them in the area, but with the capture of Abel by the army, it has become more complicated,” Abdel Rahman said.

In recent days, troops have concentrated their efforts on Qusayr and the surrounding villages, with the Observatory saying soldiers have been aided by fighters loyal to Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah.

Homs province as a whole is considered a strategic prize because of its location, connecting Damascus to the coast.

April 18th, 2013, 11:29 am

 

revenire said:

Britain’s former ambassador to Syria stated the following:

“Why our government can help the French to fight al-Qaida in Mali and simultaneously send assistance to its supporters in Syria is difficult to understand. We should be neutral and keep far away from the Syrian struggle”

Because its called double standards, and there is no Al-Qaida in Syria, just peaceful democratic secular olive branch holding freedom fighters battling for western style liberal democracy.

Sarcasm of course.

https://www.facebook.com/danny.makki
from Danny Makki

April 18th, 2013, 11:38 am

 

zoo said:

Sunni and Shia divided in Iraq, the land of Cain and Abel

How the US invasion of Iraq unleashed a chain reaction of sectarian violence.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/iraq/130315/cain-abel-iraq-sunni-shia-rift

As al-Qaeda and its allies re-emerge in Iraq, attacks against Shia are increasing. Officials say Sunni extremists are emboldened by the Syrian conflict just across the border, which threatens to spill across the region.

“This is what we have been warning,” said a senior Iraqi official. “That the Syrian crisis will end up in a sharp sectarian division in the region….The crisis is reaching us and the effects are getting here much sooner than we expected.”

The official, who asked to remain anonymous to be able to speak more candidly, said the fall of some Syrian towns along with border to opposition fighters was fueling a three-month-old protest movement in Iraq’s Sunni provinces.

He said Iraq’s Shia leaders fear that if Bashar al-Assad falls to Sunni-led forces, they could be next.

“The government is worried about the possibility of a Sunni -Shia confrontation because after Syria is done there are those within the Shia political elite in this country who think they will try to unseat the Shia government here.,” the official said. “That is why there is hyper-tension here. Everything is interpreted in these sectarian terms.”

April 18th, 2013, 11:49 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Responsibility is always someones else’s Problem

How the US invasion of Iraq unleashed a chain reaction of sectarian violence.

Of course! The US is responsible for everything that goes wrong in the ME.

Boy, a whole region where no one is guilty of anything! Sounds like Paradise!

April 18th, 2013, 11:55 am

 

Dawoud said:

Well, first let’s pray for the victims of the Boston terrorist bombing. I wish that they find who so ever did it (foreign or domestic) and try him/her/them to the fullest extend of the law (the death penality would be appropriate). I also hope that they try Bashar al-Assad, who has so far killed more innocents than ALL the terorists of the world. I agree with TARA that the FBI should look into Bashar and his Mufti, Hassoun, because they threatened the West a few months ago. They should also look at ANN’s shia Lebanese and Iranian favorite poeple. Hizbistan or Hizba@S has so many shia sympathizers in North Amrica, and its global terrorist reach is well-known. Now, it looks more likely, as experts on CNN and other media sometimes points out, that some crazy white supremicists/anti-government could have done the Boston terror. If that’s the case, Ann (the American Hizbistan, who posted earlier blaming Sunnis) and Fox News should be disappointed that Sunni Muslims could not be blamed. Peace!

April 18th, 2013, 12:01 pm

 

Citizen said:

“مين على بالو هيطلية او حلاوة الجبن من سلورة” أبو حلب ؟

April 18th, 2013, 12:01 pm

 

zoo said:

Is the analyst implying that rich Gulf countries have forced Jordan into the conflict by promising economical rewards in exchange for facilitating the passage of weapons through its borders with Syria?

Analysts say Jordan ‘forced’ into Syria conflict

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/04/18/Analysts-says-Jordan-forced-into-Syria-conflict.html

“The escalation has become public. At the beginning of the crisis Jordan was trying to deal with it calmly, but now things are heading towards confrontation,” Labib Kamhawi, a writer and political analyst told AFP.

“We have been forced into the conflict,” he said, amid reports that rebels fighting Assad’s regime are being allowed to use Jordanian soil as a springboard for attacks on his troops.

Kamhawi said Jordan’s deteriorating economic conditions “have been used to pressure the kingdom to play a more active role in the conflict.” The kingdom is a major beneficiary of U.S. military and economic aid.

April 18th, 2013, 12:02 pm

 

AIG said:

I never imagined Hezbollah and Iran would become so hated in the Arab world. What a quick turn of events. Assad is certainly Zionist of the decade.

April 18th, 2013, 12:03 pm

 

revenire said:

I believe the stories of Hezbollah and Iranian soldiers fighting are exaggeration. Certainly there are some protecting shrines and along the Lebanese border but not to the level reported in the Western press. I think this is reported to 1.) try to get Western intervention 2.) weaken morale.

The Syrian Arab Army has more than enough soldiers to do the job.

======

Dr. Assad sat for an interview yesterday on Syrian television and made it clear that the army was going to finish the job completely. We support him. A major push has started as of Tuesday and the intensity of the fighting is unprecedented. The 100,000 or more volunteers for the National Defense Force along with the militias and paramilitary units have the effect of a “surge” releasing combat forces to take care of the rats once and for all.

F`

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

April 18th, 2013, 12:03 pm

 
 

zoo said:

AP

The blame for triggering sectarian wars in the Middle goes primarily to the USA intervention in the region, the same way the blame for the Holocaust goes primarily to Germany and Europe.

April 18th, 2013, 12:09 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

Posted on Yalla Souriya about 20 minutes ago:

This Friday’s name: Iran and Hezbollah you will be defeated with Assad

Promo:

April 18th, 2013, 12:11 pm

 

revenire said:

My peace plan is simple: unrelenting no-mercy bombing campaigns followed up by overwhelming armor and infantry attacks. If we can confirm civilians have fled, or been evacuated, start carpet bombing the rats and don’t stop until they’re all dead and their nests are flattened.

This would save lives of civilians and soldiers. I don’t care about anyone who is fighting in any way shape or form against the Syrian government.

They should get the same treatment the United States would give to the people who attacked Boston: no mercy and the full force of the power of the government brought to bear on them.

It is well known that the so-called opposition is composed of the Muslim Brotherhood and Al-Qaeda (Nusra Front/FSA). Syria lists them as terrorists. The US lists them as terrorists. Russia lists them as terrorists. China lists them as terrorists. India lists them as terrorists. I don’t know of a nation who doesn’t list them as terrorists.

What do we do with terrorists? We destroy them.

The West could keep its myth of “secular opposition” up for only so long. By and large the mask has dropped off and we see a toothless animal who beheads Christians and murders Sunni clerics standing there armed by the West and their puppets in the Middle East.

Dr. Assad was right all along.

April 18th, 2013, 12:13 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

Middle East Rule #1: I’m never to Blame HaBB

The blame for triggering sectarian wars in the Middle goes primarily to the USA intervention in the region, the same way the blame for the Holocaust goes primarily to Germany and Europe.

Zoo,

I know. Saddam wasn’t to blame for anything. Neither was Arafat, neither was Qaddafi, or Ahmadinejad, or our friend Assad or Hezbollah or Hamas.

It’s all making sense now.;)

April 18th, 2013, 12:17 pm

 

AIG said:

Assad is a dead man walking. His army cannot hold ground. He has made quite a few “strategic” retreats. He is playing his last card to attempt to bring the opposition to negotiations. He will of course lose while continuing to wreck Syria. What else would you expect from the Zionist of the decade?

April 18th, 2013, 12:17 pm

 

AIG said:

AP,

Actually, the some people that are actually fighting the sectarian wars, blame the US while shooting one another. Pretty ironic. The US is making them pick up a gun and fight their fellow countrymen…

April 18th, 2013, 12:19 pm

 

zoo said:

#72 Reve

The new element that Bashar Al Assad has introduced in his interview is that the offer of negotiations he made a month ago and that was bluntly rejected by the opposition is now off the table.

The Syrian armed rebels have been officially phagocytosed by the Al Qaeda and they are now an integral part of terrorist groups.
No country in the world would negotiate with Al Qaeda and its allies.

Only a full victory of the heroic Syrian army against terrorists is the only chance to save Syria from becoming another Afghanistan

April 18th, 2013, 12:21 pm

 

AIG said:

The regime peace plan is right from the “Zionist Handbook”, flatten Syria in order to save it. I never thought of regime supporters as Zionists, but there you go. The Assad “genius” at work: I will wreck Syria before you have a chance to, therefore I win.

April 18th, 2013, 12:22 pm

 

Juergen said:

Kurt Pelda, the freelance swiss reporter has made this report of his last trip to Syria.

some highlights:

05:08 see how vain this fighter is about his beard…

10:58 huge kurdish demonstration in Afrin ( near Aleppo)

12:25 heartbreaking scene in which the destroyed Omayad moque in Aleppo is shown

http://www.srf.ch/player/tv/rundschau/video/zerreissprobe-im-syrien-konflikt?id=c855945f-43a0-4fb7-86e5-6727cce2439c

April 18th, 2013, 12:31 pm

 

Juergen said:

the best which comes out of Syria these days, Farah Yousef the new Asmahan

April 18th, 2013, 12:44 pm

 

ann said:

Another Filthy Mercenary Animal is “sitting in the front row” in Terrorist Paradise

Fourth Australian killed in Syria – April 19, 2013

A MELBOURNE man killed in Syria this week told his family he was traveling to Saudi Arabia for a “pilgrimage”

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/fourth-australian-killed-in-syria/story-e6frg6nf-1226623853787

Sammy Salma, 21, reportedly died in an explosion in Aleppo, the scene of fighting between government and “rebel” forces.

His death brings the number of Australians killed in the Syrian conflict to four.

Mr Salma’s cousin Ali Salma yesterday said the young man had kept the purpose of his overseas travel secret from his family until he arrived in Syria about September last year.

“He said he was going overseas but we didn’t know where,” Mr Salma told The Australian. [DUUUHH!]

On Mr Salma’s Facebook page is a post from last week saying Muslims were now “sitting in the front row” of history.

[…]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/fourth-australian-killed-in-syria/story-e6frg6nf-1226623853787

April 18th, 2013, 1:01 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

AIG,

Quite depressing. Fanatics on both sides and the minority of moderates sandwiched in-between. Like an Oreo cookie. Like Iraq and a hard place.

It is the moderates I’m rooting for, but they apparently have no power. Can someone out there explain how arab moderates plan to prevail?

Welcome to the Middle East.

April 18th, 2013, 1:04 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

The regime will not win – Part 1

They will not be allowed to win. For this there are many reasons, some of which I’ll mention:

– God is with the oppressed and victory is with the people.

– Giving up the struggle would mean living under the Assad’s (and security beasts) once again thus the people will continue to struggle and sacrifice come what may.

– The people will never betray the sacrifices of the martyrs or allow their sacrifices to go in vain.

– Any temporary regime bursts of activity are just that. Everyone knows the regime cannot sustain such activity and hold on to any gains without losses.

There are more reasons but I will share one more in Part 2.

April 18th, 2013, 1:13 pm

 

ann said:

France’s Hollande says terror threats exist, security guaranteed – 2013-04-18

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-04/18/c_132320582.htm

“There are threats that are particularly targeting France, since we have been committed in Mali. There are (menaces) due to our position on Syria and the struggle we engaged against terrorism,” the French president pointed out during a sudden visit to Charles de Gaulle airport on Thursday morning.

“Everything was in place so that the safety of French is guaranteed, and it is,” assured the president.

Asking not to exaggerate the terrorism threats, Hollande noted that “there is no comparison to be made, no link to be made, particularly in relation to the United States (blast).”

Earlier this week, Interior Minister Manuel Valls confirmed to keep the “Vigipirate” alert at “reinforced red,” a relatively high security alert to face eventual terror attack after Boston explosions.

France has been the target of terrorist groups’ attack following its military commitment mainly in Afghanistan and in Mali. A total of 14 French nationals are now in hands of al Qaeda-linked groups in the Sahel region.

The calm in Paris was broken in 1995 with a major bomb in the capital subway that killed eight people and injured 117.

[…]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-04/18/c_132320582.htm

April 18th, 2013, 1:13 pm

 

Juergen said:

Robert Fisk: Beware wishful thinking. Assad isn’t going soon

The West has an odd habit of assuming dictators we don’t like will simply disappear
“We have, in London, Paris and Washington, an odd habit. We believe that those dictators we don’t like will actually go – “step down”, “step aside”, lose the war, whatever phrase we like to use – because we want them to go. Wasn’t Saddam destroyed? Wasn’t Gaddafi liquidated? Didn’t Milosevic go to the Hague? All true. But Stalin survived. Kim Jong-un isn’t doing too badly, either – though that’s probably because he actually has nuclear weapons, as opposed to Iran which might or might not be trying to acquire them and thus remains on the Israeli-American target list.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/robert-fisk-beware-wishful-thinking-assad-isnt-going-soon-8578513.html

April 18th, 2013, 1:15 pm

 

ann said:

Assad says West will pay for backing al-Qaeda in Syria – 2013-04-18

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/video/2013-04/18/c_132319524.htm

BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhuanet) — Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has accused Western nations of supporting al-Qaeda militants in Syria’s civil war.

In an interview with Syrian state television, he says the west will pay a price “in the heart” of Europe and the United States as the terror network becomes emboldened. He also says the country is now facing a war started by others, and Syria must fight to the end, or the country will fall apart.

Assad also says the Syrian government is still in charge of the country, and out of humanitarian concerns it has chosen not to enter some of the areas controlled by the opposition. He’s called on all opposition parties at home and abroad to engage in political dialogue.

[…]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/video/2013-04/18/c_132319524.htm

April 18th, 2013, 1:19 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

The regime will not win – part 2

One reason why, which people may have overlooked, is the following.

If the regime was to win, after all that has happened, what a blow and loss of face that would be for Saudi and Qatar? How humiliating would that be, with Iran coming out on top and snatching victory from the jaws of defeat? Such surprising success for Iran will only lift it’s spirit further and propel it’s interests and activity around the region. For Saudi and Qatar the embarrassment would cause them to shrink within themselves and see their role in the region shrink too. It may even lead to domestic issues (unrest) becoming more prominent.

This is why Saudi and Qatar will not allow the regime to win. No chance. They will step up their activity and go to any length to prevent regime victory.

In fact Abdel Bari Atwan (16 Apr) quoted a Guardian claim that Jordan had opened up it’s border not long after recieving $1 billion from Saudi:

We make these comments in the light of yesterday’s report in the Guardian newspaper that Jordan has agreed to open its borders to a campaign led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to arm the opposition in southern Syria. This co-operation comes fast on the heels of Jordan’s coffers being in receipt of more than $1 billion from Riyadh.

So, dear Saudi and Qatar, you know what to do.

So there you have it, the regime will not win. InshaAllah.

April 18th, 2013, 1:33 pm

 

ann said:

Syria’s Christian refugees seeking European future – April 18th, 2013

“I believe that I will get the visa since my sister did. I now have a bigger chance to realize my dream and get out of the nightmare of the Middle East and the Arab Spring”

http://www.albawaba.com/editorchoice/syria-christian-refugees-485639

Christian refugees from Syria have not been in Lebanon for very long. Or at least, you don’t hear much from them, as many are averse to reporters. Off the record, one refugee explained that Syrian Christians are often accused of bias in favor of President Bashar al-Assad.

Walid Hasbani, one such refugee, said that he had been reluctant to leave home and move to Lebanon, “but life in Syria became impossible.” Hasbani said, “I lived in a suburb of Damascus. Because my family and I are Christians, we started feeling afraid at checkpoints or even walking in the street.”

Life in Lebanon has not been easy for Hasbani. He resides in a Christian region “because it is safer and calmer, and the traditions and customs are similar.”

The exact number of Syrian Christians who have settled in Lebanon is unknown, as many do not register with NGOs.

Many of the younger Syrians see Lebanon as just a stopping point on their way to other countries, where they can finish their university education or find jobs. These youths now know the locations of foreign embassies by heart given their frequent visits to complete visa application processes. Rami is one such young Syrian.

Rami, which is not his real name, began travelling between Damascus and Beirut more than five months ago. Before the conflict in Syria escalated dramatically, he was able to travel freely between the two capitals to follow up on his application at the French embassy in Beirut.

Nearly two months ago, Rami, who has a degree in business administration, relocated to Beirut to find a job. “I try not to get involved in any protests, with or against the regime in Syria, and I do not state my political opinions explicitly to anyone. I am determined to go to France. I want to complete my studies and I believe in my future.”

Rami chose France “because I’m Christian. This makes the whole process easier.” When he was asked why was that so, he answered, “Because Syrian Christians are peaceful and are not involved with the parties or in terrorism.”

Many obstacles stand between young Syrians and European capitals, despite continuous appeals by the Syrian opposition to help these youths. For one thing, the visa procedures are very complicated.

Hiba was able to get a British visa, but her sister Zeina remains in Beirut. “I believe that I will get the visa since my sister did. I now have a bigger chance to realize my dream and get out of the nightmare of the Middle East and the Arab Spring. But the paperwork takes a long time,” she said.

[…]

http://www.albawaba.com/editorchoice/syria-christian-refugees-485639

April 18th, 2013, 1:52 pm

 
 

ann said:

`israel is being drawn in 😉

We can block arms to Syrian rebels: Israeli PM – AFP | Apr 18, 2013

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/We-can-block-arms-to-Syrian-rebels-Israeli-PM/articleshow/19616290.cms

JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged caution over international calls to arm “Syrian rebels” and reserved the right for Israel to block the supply of weapons that could be turned against it.

In an interview with the BBC broadcast on Thursday, the Israeli prime minister said if advanced arms fell into the hands of Islamist militants it could redefine regional security threats.

“We’re concerned that weapons which are groundbreaking, which could change the balance of power in the Middle East, could fall into the hands of these terrorists and we always reserve the right to act to prevent that from happening,” he said.

“The arming of “rebels” presents the question of which “rebels” and which weapons? ”

“The main arms of concern to us are the arms that are already in Syria — these are anti-aircraft weapons, these are chemical weapons and other very, very dangerous weapons that could be game changers,” Netanyahu said.

“They will change the conditions, the balance of power in the Middle East. They could present a terrorist threat on a worldwide scale. It is definitely our interest to defend ourselves, but we also think it is in the interest of other countries.”

[…]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/We-can-block-arms-to-Syrian-rebels-Israeli-PM/articleshow/19616290.cms

April 18th, 2013, 2:35 pm

 

zoo said:

Haytham Manna pragmatic assessment of the situation echoing Lavrov and Kerry

Syrians can be reconciled through negotiation, not violence

Regional interventions have failed, and the opposition SNC is in turmoil. But the solution still lies in a political settlement

Haytham Manna
The Guardian, Thursday 18 April 2013 17.36 BST
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/apr/18/syrians-reconciled-negotiation-violence

The situation in Syria is the gravest it has been since peaceful protests began in March 2011. Civil resistance has been reduced to relief operations and humanitarian assistance, and the efforts of Syria’s democratic forces are now scattered and fragmented. Foreign support for the Syrian National Coalition and superimpose it as the legitimate representative of the people has weakened democratic civilian organisations’ relationships with a number of western countries. Meanwhile, the military capacity of jihadi groups has increased.

The SNC is fragile, and more likely to implode than become institutionalised. This is highlighted by three issues: the political initiative of its then president, Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, in proposing talks with the regime; the decision in Istanbul to form a Syrian government in exile; and the fact that Syria’s seat in the Arab League was handed over to the SNC at the recent meeting in Doha.

These three events revealed an alliance between hardline Islamists and Qatar, and demonstrated that the SNC has no ideology, no common vision and no real independence. However, the governments who make up the Friends of Syria are now trying to reform the SNC by giving seats to sectarian groups (Christian, Alawite, and so on) and some secular democratic groups, in order to reduce the Islamists’ influence.

In this critical situation, it is clear the dictatorship is not serious in calling for a negotiated political solution. Bashar al-Assad is confident that the opposition’s political forces no longer represent real power, neither in the arena of military confrontation nor in the eyes of most Syrians. All regional and international attempts to unify the military factions have failed to create a command with a defined political programme. Qatari and Turkish actions – in forming an interim government and giving Syria’s Arab League seat to the SNC – have produced a major rift between the Saudi and Qatari positions, and this is reflected in the military field. The Saudis, ironically, support the more secular forces, while the Qataris support the Islamists.

April 18th, 2013, 2:37 pm

 
 

zoo said:

How ironical that once Bashar al Assad has announced the withdrawal of his offer for negotiations, the opposition suddenly show some interest.
Is it under that USA pressure or the fear that the armed rebels are being destroyed from lack of fresh arrival of weapons?

The opposition is in such a weak position now, that they should be urged to setup a negotiation team very soon otherwise they may be in an even weaker position if Bashar al Assad wins the military confrontation as it appears he is.

Time is running out for the SNC. Maybe the meeting in Istanbul on Saturday with Kerry will open their eyes.

April 18th, 2013, 2:51 pm

 

zoo said:

Assad supporter

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2013/apr/17/syria-crisis-aleppo-truce-live

An Assad supporter, who claims to have survived being kidnapped by rebels, says he will fight to the death to save Damascus from the opposition.

Maher Yarab, gave this account to Mona Mahmood:

I was against the so-called revolution from the beginning. While some people were protesting against the regime, I was demonstrating my support.

Some opposition groups featured my picture on their websites, and called for my killing as a supporter of Assad. So I decided to stay silent. But Iast March I was kidnapped by a group of militants who demanded my family pay a ransom of 2 million Syrian pounds (£18,600)

I was pushed into a car with a gun to my head. And they put a hood on my face and started kicking me in the car. I was taking to a basement by four men.

I was kept in a room by a man who kept asking me to reveal names of Syrian officers in the army. He didn’t like my answers, so I was beaten for hours.

Another man came and told me to call my family and demand they pay a ransom. They did, and I was released after being held for three days. The experience has strengthened my adherence to Bashar al-Assad.

If they come to Damascus, I will take my gun and fight to death rather than live under their rule.

Damascus is a red line. They won’t be allowed to enter. If they chose to they will be committing suicide. They have tried to four times now, but each time they withdrew, claiming tactical reasons.

Syrian refugees who are fleeing their homes to neighbouring states are running away from the opposition not the Syrian army. Just look at Raqqah city, after it was taken by the jihadis. Most of the people deserted the city for fear of being slaughtered or kidnapped. These people are killers, and they won’t leave anyone who dares to tell them they are wrong.

The Syrian government has been calling for dialogue from the beginning, but the opposition doesn’t want it. The president issued an amnesty on Tuesday and they did not respond. They simply want to destroy Syria.

The crisis will only be solved if foreign countries stop supporting terrorists.
If this happens, Syria will restore security in record time and all these militants will be defeated. The opposition should lay down their weapons down and accept defeat.

April 18th, 2013, 3:17 pm

 

Sami said:

What is your definition of winning exactly?

Bashar is “winning” as much as Charlie Sheen was “winning” on his coke fuelled interview. Only fools, idiots, and vile hypocrites would see these two pieces of dung as winners…

Another air base has been decommissioned this one near Qusair, can’t wait for Sir Spin-A-Lot to tell us how unimportant this base was!

Fisk claims Darayya is almost captured by the regime, haven’t we heard this story before?

April 18th, 2013, 3:20 pm

 

zoo said:

A taste of Sharia for Syria: A women executed for adultery.

At the Istanbul meeting Moaz Al Khatib, the head of the opposition’s National Coalition, told of a Sharia court that had executed a woman after finding her guilty of adultery. Mr Al Khatib’s point was that the ruling had violated true Islamic law since hudud, the Islamic penal code, cannot be applied during wars or in the absence of a state or ruler.

Read more: http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/editorial/real-question-is-what-form-of-sharia-for-syria#ixzz2QqPvS4G1
Follow us: @TheNationalUAE on Twitter | thenational.ae on Facebook

April 18th, 2013, 3:22 pm

 

zoo said:

#98 Sami

Watch you tongue, your insults will not be tolerated. You’ll maybe be banned and will certainly not be missed…

April 18th, 2013, 3:25 pm

 

Sami said:

Bibi confirming his absolute support for #1 Zionist Bashar Al-Assad:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the BBC that Israel has a right to prevent weapons from falling into the wrong hands in Syria.

He said that if terrorists seized anti-aircraft and chemical weapons they could be “game changers” in the region.

Why would Israel not fear the “leader of the rethisthtanth” and all his chemical weapons and anti-air munitions but fear them falling in the “wrong hands”?

These weapons in the hands of Assad are not a threat for Israel because they are being used to do Israel’s bidding in Syria, which is to destroy it.

April 18th, 2013, 3:30 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

Actually Zoo YOU will not be missed.

The war continues. Military base falls. The Assadists continue to lose ground.

April 18th, 2013, 3:32 pm

 

Sami said:

“Watch you tongue, your insults will not be tolerated. You’ll maybe be banned and will certainly not be missed…”

Hahaha, Mister 101 Personalities is threatening me…

ALL SUPPORTERS OF THE CRIMINAL ASSAD ARE FOOLS, ONLY VILE HYPOCRITES WOULD SUPPORT THE DESTRUCTION OF SYRIA AND CALL IT WINNING.

April 18th, 2013, 3:33 pm

 

Citizen said:

بريان بيكر، المنسق العام والمتحدث باسم تحالف “آنسر” المناهض للحروب، أعرب خلاله عن شكوكه بأن القيادة الأمريكية، على مستوى الحكومة أو الكونغرس تستمع الى تصريحات الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد، منوّها بأن الأسد قد وصف الوضع في بلاده “بشكل صحيح”، أثناء لقائه الأخير مع قناة محلية. وأضاف ان واشنطن تتخذ من مصطلح الإرهاب “شعارا” لحشد الرأي الأمريكي العام لغرض شن هجوم على أهداف محددة، وتقدم أعداءها على انهم إرهابيين فيما هم ليسوا كذلك، إنما هم يدافعون عن بلادهم وأمنهم. واعتبر بريان بيكر ان الحكمة الأمريكية تعمل مع نظيراتها في قطر والسعودية وتركيا على “إشعال حرب أهلية في سورية”، وان جزءً من المعارضة يرتكب أعمالا إرهابية ضد الشعب السوري. ويرى بيكر ان أمريكا تعتمد معايير مزدوجة

http://arabic.rt.com/news/613355/ :روسيا اليوم

April 18th, 2013, 3:35 pm

 

Citizen said:

Crimean Muslims go to Syria to fight. Already have killed
http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fcrimea24.info%2F2013%2F04%2F12%2Fvoevat-v-siriyu-zabirayut-krymskikh-rebyat-uzhe-est-pogibshie%2F

The campaign in the framework of the campaign “One Ummah, One Flag, One War”

Among the Crimean Muslims support the idea of ​​the Syrian opposition recently gaining popularity. In particular, the fact that the followers of Islam should support the opponents of the ruling regime in Syria, in the Crimea openly representatives of the organization “Hizb-ut-Tahrir.” This they held August 5, 2012 in Simferopol large rally “in support of the Syrian people.” In that action, according to its organizers, was attended by over 3,000 people.
This video was made March 1, 2013. Representatives of the “Hizb-ut-Tahrir,” staged under the title “One Ummah, One flag, one war” in the yard of Khan’s Palace in Bakhchisaray:

http://youtu.be/-zSD2dMUG1s?t=46s

April 18th, 2013, 3:48 pm

 

Citizen said:

“On the other hand, difficult parts have ended for Syrian Army, and no great power can defeat Syrian Army. Syria will be cleared of any terrorist, and those who daydream of managing the world, will be out of pace,”
GLORY for Syrian Army!!!

April 18th, 2013, 3:56 pm

 

Syrialover said:

I now think of Robert Fisk as Rabbit Fisk.

He’s turned into sad old bunny, hopping along waiting for carrots of Assidist disinformation to chew on.

He’s not even 70, but the original insights and information seem to have fizzled out. Though he still uses language beautifully, it’s all that seems to be left of the pre-Rabbit era.

April 18th, 2013, 4:03 pm

 

Citizen said:

Syrian rebels are trading in human organs

The correspondent of the newspaper shed light on the terrible events and details related to organ trafficking. “Most of those who fall victim to kidnapping, murder. After that is extracted from the bodies of the dead liver, kidneys and eyes “, – told the Syrian citizen.

It’s hard to say how true this information, but there are precedents. Those Albanians have been accused of such crimes, but in fact they got away with it. Just because the West they were their children a bitch. Gunmen in Syria – from the same breed, and they just get away with it and do not like.

In any case, to treat such information be quite serious. It becomes a system and how the system, the removal of organs is becoming one of the articles of war finansirvaniya, translating it to self-sufficiency. Even if the cost of the war in Syria is three orders less than the cost of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan for the aggressors – the ratio Tsegay \ effectiveness can always bring a new level. The advertising slogan Doce surprisingly accurately conveys the attitude of the financiers of the war to the problem of translating it to self-sufficiency.

http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fmixednews.ru%2Farchives%2F35162

April 18th, 2013, 4:04 pm

 

Citizen said:

On Earth, there are two temples – God and Satan. Anyone who is not in the temple of God,
abides in the temple of Satan. And do not look for the Third Temple – it is not!
In search of adventure – Syria
http://youtu.be/nMG7VQKFU5I?t=4m45s

April 18th, 2013, 4:15 pm

 

zoo said:

Sami
I may have 1001 personality, you have none. Just smelly hot air..

April 18th, 2013, 4:21 pm

 

zoo said:

Egypt’s external debt rose 11.8% in Q2 2012/13: CBE

Country’s external debt hits $38.8 billion during October-December period of 2012/13 fiscal year

Ahram Online, Thursday 18 Apr 2013

April 18th, 2013, 4:24 pm

 

zoo said:

Morsi travels for his fund raising campaign to save Egypt from bankrupt

President Morsi travels to Russia for business talks

On his first visit as Egyptian president, Morsi brings ministerial team along to discuss investment, petrol, agriculture, electricity and energy with Russian ministers
Ahram Online, Thursday 18 Apr 2013

April 18th, 2013, 4:29 pm

 

Ameera said:

مين بدو اكلة شعيبيات من عند قيطاز بحماه

April 18th, 2013, 4:32 pm

 

Sami said:

I might be stinky, but at least I don’t deny massacres and support a mass murderer…

How much debt do you think Syria will be in after we have to rebuild your heroes handy work?

Only moronic fools support the destruction of Syria while pointing out the ills of other countries to support their heroes bombardment of Syria.

April 18th, 2013, 4:36 pm

 

AIG said:

Yes, Egypt is in economic trouble, but the situation there is much better than the catastrophic mess Assad has created in Syria. In 2013 he will be responsible for -30% growth or even less. And how exactly is Assad ever going to rebuild Syria in the unlikely case he “wins”? Who will he borrow the hundreds of billions of dollars needed? From Russia and Iran? Yeah, right. And who will lend him money knowing that the sanctions will continue? In short, Assad is doomed either way and if he stays in power, Syria is doomed also.

April 18th, 2013, 4:40 pm

 
 

Uzair8 said:

Report: Dissent within Hezbollah over involvement in Syria

04/18/2013

Unconfirmed report in ‘Asharq al-Awsat’ cites unidentified sources as saying Hezbollah fighters refuse to fight in Syrian civil war in support of President Bashar Assad; Syrian rebels urge Lebanon to reign in Hezbollah.

Some members of the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah are upset over the role the movement is playing in the Syrian war by supporting regime President Bashar Assad, according to a report on Wednesday in the Saudi-backed London-based daily Asharq al-Awsat.

The casualties it is suffering in the regions of Damascus and Homs as it fights alongside Assad’s forces has triggered debate within the movement

[…]

April 18th, 2013, 5:16 pm

 

zoo said:

Ras al-Ayn is caught up in violent struggle between Arab rebels and a Kurdish militia.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/04/18/syria-rebels-islamic-law/2093587/

RAS AL-AYN, Syria — Sylva Djidji once lived in this bustling little market town in Syria’s northeast where people of different religions and ethnicities had gotten along for years.

But these days, militias roam the streets, buildings are full of bullet holes, armed gangs kidnap locals, and the Christian minority and other residents live in fear.

“Before the revolution, all groups lived in peace and we all loved one another,” said Djidji, a middle-aged woman who is a Christian. “We didn’t feel isolated – it was even shameful to say that they are Muslims and we are Christians. But now there is no trust, now we are afraid.”

Ras al-Ayn, a town of about 30,000 people, fell to Syrian rebels last November. Since then locals have become caught up in a violent struggle between Arab rebels and a Kurdish militia fighting to establish a Kurdish homeland inside Syria.

People here say the town is a harbinger of what may lie ahead for many regions that are supposedly liberated from Syria’s Bashar Assad dictatorship but are then put under another form of strife, even tyranny.

Ras al-Ayn is ruled by militias. In its western part, two Islamist groups and the Free Syrian Army (FSA), the rebel group that originally took up arms against the government, have control. In the eastern areas, the Kurdish Popular Protection Units, or the YPG, are in control.

Djidji now lives in Hasaka, the capital of this eastern Syrian governorate. Her house in Ras al-Ayn was taken over by Jabhat al Nusra, an Islamist rebel group with links to al-Qaeda, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department. It was only one of many taken over by the militias during the winter. She was told she would soon get it back, but most of the furniture has disappeared and all her clothing was burned.

Djidji stands in front of the church of St. Thomas, a Syrian Orthodox church whose gate has been sprayed with gunfire. A colorful painting of St. George looks down at the slain dragon at his feet, his horse pockmarked with bullet holes. The church is locked but Djidji says the crosses inside were broken by unknown men.

April 18th, 2013, 5:23 pm

 

annie said:

El Jaafari caught lying… not that it is any news

just saw that Maje posted it.

116. Uzair8 said:

Report: Dissent within Hezbollah over involvement in Syria

So, some of them have a conscience

April 18th, 2013, 5:24 pm

 

zoo said:

The SNC has improvised an Islamic judicial system for Syria without consulting the Syrians, hailing the beginning of a Moslem Brotherhood autocracy. “governing justice will be in accordance with the provisions of Sharia law”.
That’s the first sign that the country will be splitting along sectarian lines

Syrian opposition to establish moderate form of Islamic law

The legal code was drawn up by Muslim scholars, judges and top anti-Assad politicians in advance of meetings this week in Istanbul convened by the Syrian National Council (SNC), where transitional justice arrangements are being discussed.

The opposition hopes that an interim government, as yet unformed, will apply a version of the new legal system nationwide, after it goes into effect in areas currently controlled by the insurgents.

…
Clause three of the code, as presented in documents circulated among opposition legal experts, states that “governing justice will be in accordance with the provisions of Sharia law”.

An opposition activist familiar with the closed-door discussions on the legal system said it had been widely agreed on pragmatic grounds that it would be an Islamic legal system.
“Most of the people who are fighting now, the rebels, have an Islamic background and they believe what they are doing is God’s will” he said. “They would not accept it if you suddenly said to them, ‘No, let’s bring a system of law like the Europeans have.’ They are believers. They made Islamic courts on the ground already because that is what they and the people wanted.”

Read more: http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/syrian-opposition-to-establish-moderate-form-of-islamic-law#ixzz2QqveJVpl
Follow us: @TheNationalUAE on Twitter | thenational.ae on Facebook

April 18th, 2013, 5:31 pm

 

Tara said:

Jaafari lied?

That will only endear him to the heart of Batta’s lovers..

How is his daughter? Is she now emotionally attached to another man of power?

April 18th, 2013, 5:55 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

Britain, France claim Syria used chemical weapons

April 18

[…]

“The increasingly beleaguered [Syrian] regime, having found that its escalation of violence through conventional means is not working, appears quite willing to use chemical weapons against its own people,” he said. “We receive many claims of chemical warfare use in Syria each day, and we take them all seriously, and we do all we can to investigate them.”

[…]

April 18th, 2013, 5:59 pm

 

Syria no Kandahar said:

Tomorrow with here Starbucks dog poops in the morning Tara will enjoy reading Hamsters
Coffee fine writings.

April 18th, 2013, 6:25 pm

 

Syria no kandahar said:

I mean with here Starbucks coffee she will enjoy Hamsters fine dog poop writings.

April 18th, 2013, 6:27 pm

 

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?

April 18th, 2013, 6:36 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Those two suspects in Boston bombing, I would not be surprised if they turn out to be from the middle east,watch out Assad supporters,HA supporters.

April 18th, 2013, 6:39 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

Infighting

‘But soon you will fight each other like dogs and tear yourselves apart!’ *

Recently Robert Fisk, in his articles, has been describing how regime supporting (Damascenes) and the army (particularly the latter) have been expressing anger and blame for the situation towards the Mukhabarat and other brutal agencies.

Putting aside the possibility Mr Fisk might be helping (unwittingly) whitewash the reputation of the army, we could well finally be seeing, in the open, the blame game and finger pointing within the regime structure. The famed regime cohesion seems to be showing signs of weakening.

Yes, as Mr Fisk says, the army is busy for now fighting Assad’s enemies, however, he asked the question, when it’s attention turns towards them which side will the Mukhabarat join?

*It was in October in the post about possible Qardaha infighting that I mentioned the quote from John Follain’s book, The Last Godfathers, the true account of the rise of of the most powerful mafia family The Corleonese.

After promising to search for the quote in my local library I posted it:

297. Uzair8 said:

The Last Godfathers, John Follain.
Published in 2008 by Hodder & Stoughton General Division.

‘Disturbingly gripping’ Tobias Jones, Mail on Sunday.

Below is the promised quote. In 1948, mafia infighting led to the ‘mysterious’ death of a well known mafioso named Rizzoto, suspected at the hands of Dr Navarra’s men. A year on his elderly father, an ex-mafioso, marks the anniversery of his son’s death.

Quote from p34-35:

Although the killers were unpunished his family never doubted who was to blame. At a ceremony marking the first anniversary of his son’s death, Rizzoto’s father appeared on the balcony of his home, a crowd looking up at him from below, to bravely denounce ‘that fine gentleman’ Dr Navvara for commisioning the murder. His index finger raised in anger and his voice rising to a shout, the ex-mafioso said he had no doubt that Leggio had ‘silenced my son with lead’. ‘Give me back my son’s body!’ he cried out. He then named several mafioso and shouted how much he despised them, adding that he knew them well and knew what ferocity they were capable of. ‘But soon you will fight each other like dogs and tear yourselves apart!’ he predicted.

Events were soon to prove him right.

April 18th, 2013, 6:45 pm

 

Syria no kandahar said:

Enjoy your dog poop victory on Alebria,the smell of it will make you forget your losses every where else:like in Damascus,Tel mendu(300 Alqaeda terrorists killed today),Shiek
Maksoud(Alqaeda free today)Naseb crossing and Jordanian borders ….so many others.
You need Alebria Dog poop victory really bad.What I really think is happening is that
Syria will be the where wahabist will all be terminated and I think that the US,Europe ,
Russia , Iran,china and even Israel are all working for that common goal….that is
Why no one wants to stop this war o kill Bashar ….which they can do in a second..
Every terrorist the honorable Syrian army kills make Syria,Europe ,the US and the whole
World a better place.

April 18th, 2013, 6:51 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

ما هو النظام السياسي المطلوب.. نظام برلماني.. أم رئاسي.. نصف رئاسي.. أي شيء آخر

it remains a dog-poop whether Matthew Barber deletes this comment or not. And the foolish supporters will remain dung beetles whether he deletes this message or not.

لا بد أن ننظر إلى سورية ككتلة واحدة على طريقة الأواني المستطرقة.

Definitely a dog-poop.

Even the incompetent writings of dog-poop lovers is better than the foolish blather of their object of adoration.. take for example the brilliant quote below

Tomorrow with here Starbucks dog poops in the morning Tara will enjoy reading Hamsters

sadly, the poetic value of the quote above was ruined when the poet laureate tried to fix it… by explaining it, again brilliantly.

Follow up
Few minutes later, the laureate comes up with a real fine piece of incoherence that is getting close to prethident dog-poop speeches. Advice to laureate … dog-poop does not like competition in sophistry and incoherence….even from a fierce sectarian loyalist.

April 18th, 2013, 6:59 pm

 

Syria no Kandahar said:

I get it ..you have copy rights for dog poops writings and
Dog poop’s revolutions …I will face you in Almahkama Alsharia
In Bistan kleeb.

April 18th, 2013, 7:20 pm

 

Syria no Kandahar said:

Let the dog poop I mean Alshriah be between me and you..you
Can’t have the absolute wrights for alshariah I mean for dog poops.

April 18th, 2013, 7:26 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

sad limitation of imagination… really sad.

April 18th, 2013, 7:42 pm

 

Tara said:

Dear Kandi,

Yes, I can see one’s soul through his/ her writings. And yes, Hamster has always produced fine writings.

Thank God for my cousin who taught me a prayor I recite when I read Ann and Reve before I go to sleep. It is that or someone must tell me a bedtime story so they don’t appear in my dreams.

April 18th, 2013, 7:47 pm

 

Syria no Kandahar said:

I think Dr Majedabdulwahab is Alraed Jameel,man ..he has such a strong smell,He knows
What he is talking about…see the Boston bombing can’t be done by
Saudi(like most of 9/11 terrorists which were his friends) or the London
Bombings and the Madrid bombings which were done by his wahabists
Friends…Dr Majedabdulwahab IQ with the help of Tara and the sniffing
Of the (Only dog poops copy rights holder)the famous and loved by
Wahabists dog poops writings lovers…Dr Majed,Tara,Hamster et all
Have found out that bashar who is dealing with the wahabist terrorists
From all over the world has nothing else to do except the Boston
Bombing and may be the Texas explosion !!
If you ever need a Doc I strongly recommend dr Majedabdulwahab
He will give you a cyanide shot instead of flu shot..if you need to
Read abou dog poops I strongly recommend the famous:
The Taliban Dog poop Hamster.

April 18th, 2013, 7:59 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

olfactory capacities
Until the Koreans (meaning the free ones not the ones ruled by another hereditary despotic lunatic in the north) invent a computer that transmits smell, what one smells while using a computer is either ones own smell or the smell of ones own surrounding ….This is physical reasoning..meaning logic

oops …..bad punctuation…….., message to be deleted.

April 18th, 2013, 8:13 pm

 

Syria no Kandahar said:

Exactly especially if you like to name yourself jardoon.

April 18th, 2013, 8:23 pm

 

Tara said:

Hamster,

Yeah… Really.

I looked hard today for a punctuation class…

Just in case the bar in SC is raised to include the correct punctuation.

Could not find any for my age group..

Any on line punctuation class?

April 18th, 2013, 8:26 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

@ 135 Nice gardenia aroma on my side.. never complained about the smell of a person by watching her/him. On the other hand…..

I think Dr Majedabdulwahab is Alraed Jameel,man ..he has such a strong smell,He knows

But at least someone just proved that incoherence of the confused mind runs within and intra-comments.

April 18th, 2013, 8:27 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

TARA
ask the moderator. and if you Find a claSS on gOod caPitaliZation, please …. please… let me know.

April 18th, 2013, 8:29 pm

 

Tara said:

And intense Yasmeen on my side and whenever I call my friend in the north pole. Om another note

The Kurds-Batta honeymoon is over.  Welcome on board brothers!  Isn’t time for Christians to remember Christ?  

Syrian Kurds fear increasing attacks from Assad forces
By Alexandra Hudson | Reuters – 3 hrs ago

http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-kurds-fear-increasing-attacks-assad-forces-190729376.html

BERLIN (Reuters) – Bombings of Kurdish areas in Syria suggest that Syrian Kurds, long detached from the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad, are increasingly being targeted by his forces after they struck deals with rebels fighting to topple him, a Kurdish leader said.
Saleh Muslim, head of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), said a recent wave of Syrian army attacks may have been prompted by non-aggression pacts reached between Kurds and some moderate factions in the rebel forces.
Another possible reason, he told Reuters in an interview, was that Assad feared Turkey – which has harbored Syrian rebels and called on him to quit – could also aid Syrian Kurds after entering peace talks with its own restive Kurdish minority.
“Maybe the (Syrian) government was bothered about these agreements. We also had such agreements with some small groups in Aleppo, and so because of that they bombed our areas,” Muslim told Reuters in an interview in Berlin.
“Maybe will think we are getting some help from Turkey, but this is not true
…

April 18th, 2013, 8:36 pm

 

Syria no Kandahar said:

The rulers of Future Syria in Tara and Hamster dreams:

April 18th, 2013, 8:50 pm

 

Tara said:

Kandi,

Anything that calls it self True, The Truth, The Righteous, etc..is always fake. Do not believe it. Truth does not need validation.

April 18th, 2013, 8:57 pm

 

Syria no Kandahar said:

This is the freedom coming to Syria with the wahabi dog poop revolution:

April 18th, 2013, 8:58 pm

 

Ghufran said:

Personal note ;
“Do you trust some immigrant barista for your hard earned qahwa”
Yes, I like immigrants who work at coffee shops instead of dealing drugs and carrying jihad in a country they can not spell or locate on a map.

April 18th, 2013, 8:59 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

So the esteemed doctor thinks that immigrants can only be

1. Drug dealers
2. Jihadists
3. Coffee barista

Wow….who can blame the KKK or the skinheads after this. This is the secularism of yet another confused mind.

April 18th, 2013, 9:13 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

So the esteemed “immigrant” doctor thinks that “other” immigrants can only be

1. Drug dealers
2. Jihadists
3. Coffee barista

Wow….who can blame the KKK or the skinheads after this. This is the secularism of yet another confused mind. Frankly, this explains the good doctor’s attitude far more than anything he had posted so far.

I know they don’t spell, or read a map, but I am curious if they punctuate and capitalize?

April 18th, 2013, 9:17 pm

 

Syria no kandahar said:

Taliban Hamster : Don’t worry about puncs and caps,worry about
Your holly worriers being turned into dog poops.You see I can keep
Go on all day and night and keep you will be always the loser for simple reason
I don’t support JAN or FSA or Alembrator Hito or Bashar or Maher
I support Syria .No matter how good your English is to me you and
Your writings are dog poops because you support Evil.
تصبح علا بوب

April 18th, 2013, 9:37 pm

 

zoo said:

Al Khatib, the naive preacher who wants to convert al Nusra Salafists to ‘moderate’ Moslem Brotherhood.

BEIRUT — The leader of the primary U.S.-backed Syrian opposition group, who criticized the United States last year for designating the rebel Nusra Front a terrorist organization linked to al Qaida, now is urging Nusra’s fighters to break ties with al Qaida.

In a speech before opponents of the Bashar Assad regime in Turkey earlier this week, Moaz al Khatib, the head of the Syrian Opposition Coalition, also called on Nusra leaders to stop trying to impose religious law in areas of Syria that they control.

“You are welcome to call people to Allah with wisdom and a good example, but be sure not to involve yourself, and people around you, in minor things that have no priority,” he said. “For example, one group has banned smoking. Honestly, I believe smoking is un-Islamic, but is this any priority now?”

Nusra’s leaders have said repeatedly that they oppose holding elections if Assad falls, a position that’s increased tensions with rebel groups that favor a democratic system of government.

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2013/04/18/2730960/syrian-opposition-leader-moaz.html#storylink=cpy

April 18th, 2013, 9:46 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

The regime is evil. The war against evil continues.

April 18th, 2013, 9:48 pm

 

zoo said:

#146 SNK

Please note that Al Raqqa may be soon renamed Al Raqqandahar while Hamster spread his dog poops everywhere he goes while showing off his perfect US grammar pedigree.

April 18th, 2013, 9:51 pm

 

Ghufran said:

Hamster,
Since I do not see you at the same level as khalloudeh and visitor I will answer your question even that your comment itself begs the question whether you really have a point or you just want to talk.
Immigrants perform a wide variety of jobs, some are poor,others are rich, some are uneducated , others have PhDs. I hope you will do a better job next time when you want to poke an old friend 🙂
I can not be an immigrant and be against immigrants unless we are talking about drug dealers and jihadists.

April 18th, 2013, 9:55 pm

 

zoo said:

The FSA will fight Al Nusra if they don’t obey Al Khatib exhortations to renounce to their ideology. I wonder who will win .

Louay Meqdad, a spokesman for the Supreme Military Command, which is affiliated with Khatib’s opposition coalition and which oversees the operations of moderate rebels who call themselves the Free Syrian Army, claimed that his battalions would fight Nusra .

“As the FSA, our aim is to have a democratic country, and we don’t want Nusra or any other group to impose its ideas,

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2013/04/18/2730960/syrian-opposition-leader-moaz.html#storylink=cpy

April 18th, 2013, 9:56 pm

 

Tara said:

Syrian rebels capture parts of army base in Homs
By BARBARA SURK | Associated Press

BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian rebels captured large parts of a military base in the strategic Homs province on Thursday as opposition fighters try to expand territory under their control near the Lebanese border, activists said.
The central region is important to President Bashar Assad because it links Damascus, his seat of power, with one of his main allies, the militant Hezbollah group in neighboring Lebanon.

The Britain-based Observatory for Human Rights said the opposition fighters took control of most of the Dabaa military complex in Homs province on Thursday morning, after weeks of fighting with government forces for control of the facility. Sporadic fighting was still being reported in some parts of the base, the Observatory said.
Dabaa is a former air force base and has an airfield, which hasn’t been used since the fighting broke out. Instead, the army has based ground troops in the facility to fight the rebels, the Observatory said. It did not say how many — if any — government troops were at the base when it was overrun by rebels.
The base is located near Qusair, a contested central Syrian town near a key highway between Damascus and the coastal enclave that is the heartland of Syria’s Alawite community. The area also is home to the country’s two main seaports, Latakia and Tartus.
 
Read more here:
http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-rebels-capture-parts-army-homs-075103133.html

April 18th, 2013, 10:03 pm

 

zoo said:

Syrian Kurds put secularism as a condition to join the FSA

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/assad-fears-turkey-could-aid-syrian-kurds-kurdish-democratic-union-partys-head.aspx?pageID=238&nid=45209&NewsCatID=352

Saleh Muslim, head of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD),
asked if the Kurds could yet join forces with the Sunni Arab-led Free Syrian Army, Muslim said this could happen only if the FSA committed to a democratic, secular Syria. But, he said, the FSA includes radical Islamic Salafists and jihadists and only a fraction of it is native Syrian.
…
An end to the violence could be achieved with a political resolution, he said, but he feared the Arab League had chosen the route of prolonged armed conflict in Syria.

April 18th, 2013, 10:07 pm

 

revenire said:

I’m surprised the media didn’t call Dabaa “strategic” when they wrote up that nonsense.

April 18th, 2013, 10:08 pm

 

revenire said:

Matt Barber (or whomever): the orange links look horrid and are harder on eyes. Can you return them to the previous state? Thank you.

April 18th, 2013, 10:11 pm

 

zoo said:

If the FSA has to face al Nusra in military confrontation, it stands absolutely no chance to survive. Al Nusra is well funded by Salafist charities in KSA and Kuwait.
The only entities that may get rid of the terrorists is the Syrian Army or western drones.

That’s an evidence that will soon blow at the face of the FOS when Al Nusra and Al Qaeda will send a message to Al Khatib to get off their back or face the consequences.
I forecast soon Al Nusra terrorists attacks on the FSA that will be reported as the work of the Syrian Army.
The naivety of the SNC about the ruthlessness of the Islamist terrorists ideology is not surprising, they have showed that from day one..

April 18th, 2013, 10:16 pm

 
 

Syrian said:

يا زوو
يعني واضح انه س ن ك عم يهاجم بس تارا و سيريان هامستر فيكتب ًبالعربي ويريح حاله
لأنه أكيد ما في واحد من الأجانب فهم عليه حرف
خاصه هي لما كتب “الأبرياء” بالإنكليزي
فهو جاب الكلام لحالو

April 18th, 2013, 10:33 pm

 

Syrian said:

I wonder how Apple mini will say after a major check point very close to Damascus in Ein Tarma was over run today,
All his analyses last week was the about the new attack on Eastern Ghouta
This new advance will open a another front to Damascus Bab Sharqi area.
http://youtu.be/qGi6xm9770Q

April 18th, 2013, 10:47 pm

 

AJ said:

Good article from the Associate Press, I’m surprised it wasn’t part of news round up.

UN Lists Syrian Army and Militias as Sex Predators

The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday heard accusations that Syria’s army and intelligence agency and a pro-government militia are sexual war criminals for rape and assaults on women and children, along with the al-Qaida movement in Mali and various African rebel movements.

The “name and shame” tally of alleged sexual predators and outlaws was in a report published as a Security Council document as part of a debate on “Women in Peace and Security.” It was drafted by Zainab Hawa Bangura, the U.N. chief’s Special Representative for Sexual Violence in Conflict.

“For too long has war been waged on the bodies of women… for too long have women borne the crippling consequences — physical, psychological, social and economic — of war-time rape. They have been ostracized from their communities, cast out by husbands and family, left destitute with their children,” Bangura said…

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/lists-syrian-army-militias-sex-predators-18978083#.UXCxFLWsh8F

April 18th, 2013, 10:53 pm

 

Syrian said:

http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=18992124
“Britain and France have told the secretary-general they have reliable evidence that the Syrian government used chemical weapons near Aleppo, in Homs and possibly in Damascus, U.N. diplomats and officials say.”

April 18th, 2013, 10:59 pm

 

Syrian said:

Tara@14
When hopefully very soon Syria is liberated you should try his ice cream,it is worth the extra exercises afterword.
Also I hope that all of us we can write under our real name soon like any other free people.

Syrian Hamster @54
Thank you.The feeling is mutuall.

April 18th, 2013, 11:15 pm

 

apple_mini said:

#154 Rev, MSM did manage to write something like this: “Syrian rebels captured a military base in the strategic Homs province on Thursday as opposition fighters try to expand territory under their control near the Lebanese border, activists said.” By BARBARA SURK who has gotten my attention for her very “westernized” writing style.

There you go, “strategic” location even the base had been decommissioned.

She also writes “In recent months, the rebels have chipped away at the regime’s hold in northern and eastern Syria. They have also made significant gains in the south, in the area between Damascus and the Jordanian border, helped in part by a recent influx of foreign-funded weapons across the boundary.”

Yet, the real strategic gain on Thursday in Homs is completed missing in her report. From SANA “The Syrian troops have wrested back control over the town of Abel in the countryside of the province of Homs after tracking down the remnants of terrorists”. Even the Coventry guy as SOHR solo acknowledges it.

Nowadays, a journo is not very different from those who sell knockouts after dark in Manhattan.

April 18th, 2013, 11:26 pm

 

Syrian said:

اواني الاسد المستطرقة: تغييب الجولان بعد تجميل احتلاله!
صبحي حديدي
APRIL 18, 2013
I
“الجولان المحتلّ؟ هنا يقفز إلى التفلسف الأسدي طراز جديد من التنظير، مفاده أنّ بقاء الاحتلال الإسرائيلي في الجولان خير لسيادة سورية وعزّتها، من تحرير الجولان؛ نعم… صدّقوا ما تقرأون! يقول الأسد: ‘إذا كانت هناك أرض محتلة ولكن شعبها حرّ، أفضل بكثير من أن يكون لدينا أرض محررة وشعب فاقد للسيادة ودولة فاقدة للقرار الوطني’. في صياغة أخرى، كان الشعب السوري حرّاً منذ خسران الجولان سنة 1967، في عهد حافظ الأسد، وزير الدفاع آنذاك؛ وصار حرّاً أكثر بعد انقلاب الأخير على رفاقه، خريف 1970؛ وحرّاً أكثر فأكثر، بعد خسران المزيد من أرض الجولان سنة 1973، وتوقيع اتفاقية سعسع لفصل القوّات؛ وحرّاً، في المطلق ربما، بعد توريث بشار الأسد، سنة 2000… فلِمَ تحرير الجولان، وفقدان الحرّية والسيادة، إذاً!

http://www.alquds.co.uk/?p=35350

April 18th, 2013, 11:59 pm

 

Juergen said:

NYT has published an high resolution picture of one of the suspects in the Boston bombing. Watch the left hand corner, the youngster wearing the white basecap. Draw your own conclusions.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/thelede/posts/suspect-number-2.JPG

April 19th, 2013, 12:40 am

 

Juergen said:

SL

I think Fisk is trapped nowadays, more than ever. Its a tragedy, maybe that is a common disease among ME correspondents, they have reported so long on rotten regimes and barbaric torturestates that they too became corrupted. His interest in the yoga classes of Bouthaina could not even make it nowadays into Vanity Fair, but he seems to be content with this noninformation.
Karl mocked his style quite good:

http://www.karlremarks.com/2012/08/robert-fisk-reporting-from-syria-with.html

April 19th, 2013, 12:47 am

 

ghufran said:

I finally got to watch the video that tops the previous thread where joshua, yazan and saleh debate the facts and the fiction about this war, here is my take for those who care to read:
aljazeera english is not the same as aljazeera arabic, i thought for a while that i was watching BBC, the moderator was cute, sharp and balanced, the third quality is largely absent from aljazeera arabic, the first two are not impressive, so I have to say,aljazeera english in this piece has done a good job,no doubt.
the weakest of the three was saleh for reasons that have nothing to do with him personally but with his affiliation, after all, it is not enough to denounce the regime,the NC and the SNC need to do a lot more, another problem is the obvious stain of the GCC and Tureky that will follow the SNC and even the NC for months or years to come. The best and most convincing was Joshua. Yazan was better than Saleh but he totally ignored the serious issue of regime’s brutality and lack of interest in a political solution.
That leaves Syria with two factions who are not willing to talk to each other and are not willing to share power, people with moderate views and a genuine desire for democracy have no voice in Syria today, thus I think Syria is screwed.

April 19th, 2013, 12:51 am

 
 

ghufran said:

This video, posted on SOHR, shows alawite men being tortured for dealing with rebels:

April 19th, 2013, 1:13 am

 

Observer said:

SNK wrote: “The rulers of Future Syria in Tara and Hamster dreams”

He posted a video of jihadists. Well, is this an admission that the Prethident’s speech was just propaganda? After all he said that defeat is not an option and yet somehow SNK thinks that the future of Syria will not be under the great rule of the great leader Bashar Jung Un A Thad Me or Burn Balad Retard iPad LeBouton Shoe Grab J’amuse UN Spake.

Syrian Hamster for President.

April 19th, 2013, 1:16 am

 

Hopeful said:

#170 Ghufran

Nothing can be a better proof of how removed Assad is from reality. I am convinced that some sensible brave loyalists around him will hopefully take him out soon.

April 19th, 2013, 1:37 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

The Assadists lose 3 towns. They spend two months to recapture one and lose 3 more elsewhere. They celebrate.

That’s the state of the war today.

The Assadists are over-stretched. Without legitimacy, they have to fight for every scrap of territory like an invading foreign army and they lack the manpower for it. The war continues.

April 19th, 2013, 1:55 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

Just look at the Assadist’s defeats over the last 6 months:

Deir El Ezzor
Idlib
Raqqa
Daraa
Aleppo

All provinces which are now almost entirely under rebel control.

The regime is abandoning one base after another. And the Iranians want to negotiate. Pffft. The Assadists wanted war, and so they’ll get it. The war continues.

April 19th, 2013, 2:00 am

 

Uzair8 said:

Continuing on Mr Fisk’s reporting of the new (or newly revealed) attitude of the army (towards brutal agencies)…

Either this reflects a belated moral awakening within the army or it’s just a case of the proverbial hitting the fan.

Perhaps the stress is getting to the army, finding itself in real trouble? Physical and nervous exhaustion, along with the prospect of more fighting to come will be having a toll.

Mr Fisk mentioned the nervousness and constant fear of soldiers at checkpoints, knowing the next car in the long traffic queue they stop and check could blow up in their face.

The revolution isn’t going to stop. The army knows it’s coming their way (Damascus). In the Fisk article, the army also seems terrified and certain of western intervention.

April 19th, 2013, 2:13 am

 

annie said:

Publiée le 17 avril 2013

Al Jazeera World – Syria The Reckoning Since its independence from France in 1946, Syria has been rocked by periods of political instability. br Syria The Reckoning tells the story of the past and brings it right up to the present to provide deeper historical context to the events of today as war continues to rage in Syria with the unleashing of many of the forces which had been previously repressed. br br As the colonial hold of the great powers began to fade and the region witnessed a wave of Arab nationalism, Syria shifted through a succession of military coups.

April 19th, 2013, 2:49 am

 

Hassan said:

237. Hopeful said:

#233 Hassan

I think you are fake. You are on this board just to cause trouble, promote hatred, and make sure this war continues. Prove me wrong!

April 16th, 2013, 6:24 am

238. Mjabali said:

Yes…Hassan is faking that he is an Alawi. He is not.

******************************************************

Duh, what can I do to prove my identity ? Sine none of you can see me or talk to me, how can you assume that I am not an Alawi ?

You Mjabali , you are an Alawi, lets start by telling me where you are from, I am from Draykish and I joined the Army in 1958 and retired in 1991 and currently I run a car dealership in Damascus doing business with Iraq and Lebanon.

April 19th, 2013, 3:21 am

 

Hassan said:

” Syrian Arab Army is one of the best in the World and definitely ranks among the top 10 best and strongest Armies in the World.

If you agree with above statement, please give a “like”/thumbs-up to this comment.

April 19th, 2013, 3:45 am

 

Hassan said:

Syrian Arab Army is one of the best in the World and definitely ranks among the top 10 best and strongest Armies in the World.

If you agree with above statement, please give a “like”/thumbs-up to this comment.

April 19th, 2013, 3:49 am

 

Hassan said:

My personal list of top ten armies of the world :

1. People’s Liberation Army ( China )
2. United States Army (USA)
3. Russian Ground Forces
4. Korean People’s Army ( North Korea)
5. Israeli Ground Forces
6. South Korean Army
7. Vietnam People’s Army
8. Syrian Arab Army
9. Tatmadaw ( Burma / Myanmar )
10.Turkish Land Forces.

Parameters in calculating the above include total size of army, doctrine, service record, ferociousness and brutality.

Others who almost made the list :

Iranian IRGC
Algerian People’s Army
Serbian Ground Forces
Thai Land Forces

April 19th, 2013, 3:58 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

Stop being retarded, retard. Get a job. It’s sad when a retard like you makes multiple accounts.

April 19th, 2013, 5:50 am

 

zoo said:

SNC “Ambassador” to the UK calls for arming the rebels rebuffed in Ireland

An end to the Syrian arms embargo is “the only way” to ultimately stop the bloodshed, Walid Saffour, ambassador to the UK of the Syrian National Coalition of Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, argued during his visit to Dublin yesterday.
…
On Wednesday, Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore reasserted that Ireland would not support any actions which could contribute to greater militarisation of the conflict. He also remarked on the growing influence of extremist groups on the ground.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/middle-east/syrian-rebel-envoy-calls-for-end-to-arms-embargo-1.1365032

April 19th, 2013, 7:29 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Syrian Arab Army is one of the best in the World and definitely ranks among the top 10 best and strongest Armies in the World.

If you agree with above statement, please give a “like”/thumbs-up to this comment.

Hassan,

I’d say the SAA is the “best in the World” at killing their own people and destroying their own cities. I give them an “A” in that department.

If the SAA was created to protect Syrians, they’ve failed miserably.
____________

The latest news on the Boston suspects is that they are brothers from either Chechnya or Turkey. Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, 19 still at large and his brother has been killed in a shoot-out.

Once again the US gets burned by their stupid “immigration policies”…

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/04/19/gunshots-reported-on-mit-campus/

April 19th, 2013, 7:38 am

 

zoo said:

Two new events:
– The opposition uses a new terror approach in Damascus by murdering government officials in public places.
– Twice failing to convince their partners of removing the arms embargo to rebels, France and the UK are pulling out ‘proofs’ that the Syrian army used chemical weapons.

All this in preparation for a crucial meeting with the SNC, the mini-FOS ans the US on Saturday in Istanbul.

April 19th, 2013, 7:40 am

 

Citizen said:

Syria: The Last Line of Defense
http://www.journal-neo.com/node/120760
The war in Syria entered a decisive phase after the Arab League summit held in Doha in March, at which Qatar and Saudi Arabia squashed all attempts at a peaceful resolution of the Syrian crisis by diplomatic means on either the international or the regional level. Syria’s fate now will be decided solely on the fields of battle between the forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad and the eclectic armed opposition that ranges from relatively sane units composed of deserters from the Syrian Army to terrorist bands like Jabhat al-Nusra, which bears a close resemblance to al-Qaeda. At the same time, there are increasing numbers of foreigners among the forces fighting against Damascus. These are not simply people from various Arab and Islamic countries. They also include citizens of European Union countries who go to Syria either out of feelings of religious solidarity with fellow Muslims or out of an idealistic idea of fighting for freedom and democracy inspired by the Western media.

Iraq’s Al Anbar province is becoming increasingly drawn into the war. It is inhabited by Sunnis, many of whom are recruited by officers of Saudi Arabia’s general Intelligence Presidency and by Qatari intelligence. There is also evidence that Saudi and Qatari officers are fighting in terrorist groups against the regime in Damascus, and Riyadh and Doha are stepping up arms supplies to the Syrian opposition, including MANPADS, through Turkey and Jordan. This means soldiers from Wahhabi governments in Arabia are fighting Syria’s legitimate government alongside a wide range of “international” terrorist criminals.

I don’t need to mention the foreign intelligence officers from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and several other countries in the region who take their cue from Washington, as well as those from Western countries — they have been in Syria almost since the very beginning of the conflict and have been engaged in both spying and subversive activities. They have also been bribing Alawite generals close to Assad with money from Qatar’s Emir in an effort to get them to change sides. Then there are intelligence agents both from neighboring countries and from countries belonging to NATO. Thus, all ideas about respecting international law have long been ignored by the “civilized” world, which does not stop at using the terrorist underground’s most notorious renegades.

Toppling the Syrian government is clearly not the ultimate goal. Their plans extend to Iran and then to the countries of Central Asia; after that, the Russian North Caucasus and the Volga region will get their turn. Then, the alliance of the West and the Wahhabi axis as represented by Saudi Arabia and Qatar expect to achieve their strategic objective — complete control of the world’s energy resources. Their plans call for Russia to simply cease to exist as a major player in world politics, and China will be shown its place in global and regional affairs. That is why Syria is, to a large extent, Russia’s final southern line of defense in those countries that do not want to buckle under to the dictates of the West, which is relying on the powerful financial support of the Wahhabi regimes in Arabia. The defeat of Damascus would mean the end of Russia’s Middle Eastern presence, which already has been seriously undermined in recent years. We began losing our positions in this region that is strategically important to Moscow long before the Arab revolutions of 2011 — it began with the US occupation of Iraq in 2003.

The question therefore arises — can the Assad regime still be saved and the advance of radical Islamists to our borders and those of our neighbors be stopped? It is still possible if we act quickly and decisively before the legitimate government in Damascus is overthrown. The direction we need to take is suggested by the very Wahhabi countries that pushed through the decision on arms for the opposition at the last Arab League summit. Since those sponsoring the opposition and the terrorists were able to do that, why couldn’t other countries assessed the country’s legitimate government militarily? Especially since the appropriate bilateral agreements are already in place. Why not increase military supplies to the Syrian army, including the most modern weapons? Why not let volunteers from countries sympathetic to Damascus go to Syria and set about destroying the foreign mercenaries and members of radical terrorist groups? Finally, why not send military forces to Syria from those countries that are willing to do so? After all, that would be consistent with the international community’s efforts to destroy the hotbeds of international terrorism.

And finally, we need to take steps to stop the overt intervention by Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the internal affairs of a sovereign state. These two countries are very vulnerable — from both an economics and a religious standpoint. Almost all of the oil produced in Saudi Arabia comes from its Eastern Province where the population is predominantly Shiite. They have demonstrated against the Wahhabi regime in Riyadh repeatedly in recent months. Also, there should be no double standards here. After all, the Shiites in Saudi Arabia are a severely oppressed religious minority, but the entire world is silent about that.

In general, it is well to remember that the Saudi Kingdom was artificially established after the Ottoman Empire collapsed 80 years ago when Wahhabi Nejd, with British support, annexed Al-Ahsa (the current Shiite Eastern Province), Hejaz (which is populated by Sunnis and overseas Mecca and Medina, Islam’s two most important holy sites) and Al-Athir (which is populated by Yemeni tribes).

Qatar’s origin is not entirely clear. The Miadadi tribes, from which the ruling Al Thani family comes, arrived in the region only in the early 19th century and settled on this small peninsula after relocating from oases in southern Arabia about 350 kilometers south of Riyadh. Prior to that, the peninsula belonged to Bahrain. The Al Thani government also got its authority from the British, who ruled over all of the princedoms of the Persian Gulf. Qatar became an independent state only in 1971, although it was originally slated to become part of the United Arab Emirates.

That is the way things stand everywhere in the Persian Gulf — oil is located in areas inhabited primarily by Shiites, and Sunni clans elevated by the British enjoy the proceeds from oil sales. Where is the justice in that?

It makes no sense to talk about democracy in those two countries. The people in Riyadh and Doha who are demanding democracy in the Arab world forget that their own governments are absolute monarchies that have never had parliaments, much less political parties, freedom and civil liberties. But they do have a lot of the oil and gas that the West values so highly and loves so much. There is no place here for human rights, freedom and democracy! But having eliminated revolutionary romanticism at home, the traditionally powerful Arab countries that formed many centuries ago and did not do so by artificial means or as a result of London’s scheming can demand democracy in these conservative Arab monarchies and make them share their oil and gas riches like good brothers. And perhaps they will be removed even sooner — these allies of a West that will no longer need the Wahhabi regimes as soon as they fulfill the role of Middle East “revolutionaries” that was prepared for them.

April 19th, 2013, 7:47 am

 

Citizen said:

A belligerent Syria Kyrgyz recruiting jihadists
The youngest of seven mercenaries who had gone to Syria guys 18 years old and the oldest – 36. Among them are natives of Kyzyl-Kiya and Aravan district. Even in the second half of March, they flew to Turkey. Information about who organized and financed their reach, yet.
This was “Liberty,” said the head of the department of international relations, intelligence and religious organizations of the State Commission for Religious Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Mametbek Myrzabaev.
Now check out the details of young people trying to find out the appropriate authorities. But this is just one group of young Kyrgyz those who wanted to be militants fighting for one of the parties to the civil war in Syria.
Remember, today at the meeting of Parliament deputy of the faction “Ata-Jurt” Dustan Jumabekov said that he was approached parents of young people recruited in mosques Aravan district and taken away to fight in Syria. According to the MP, just took off about 15 people. Among them are family men.
Another deputy Omurbek BAKIROV already flew to Istanbul with two parents to return the boys home.
http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Frus.ozodi.org%2Fcontent%2Farticle%2F24959935.html

April 19th, 2013, 7:52 am

 

Citizen said:

100% it is done by USA
A “terror” (nudge nudge wink wink) attack in Boston to scare Americans, followed by propaganda to blame Muslims, followed by an escalation of the push for wars in Syria and Iran. Does this seem like a familiar pattern to you?

According to the agency Associated Press, the two suspects in the bombing in Boston come from the North Caucasus

The U.S. news agency Associated Press, referring to its sources, reported the name of one of the suspects in the double terrorist attack in Boston.

This 19-year-old Johar Tsarnaev (Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev), who came to the U.S. from the North Caucasus. His 26-year-old brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev died of multiple injuries sustained in a shootout with police.

According to the AP, the two terrorists, blew Marathon on April 15, are natives of the region adjacent to Chechnya. According to the agency, the brothers Tsarnaevy conducted in the United States from one to two years. They had a legal residence permit.

April 19th, 2013, 8:00 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

100% it is done by USA

Conspiracy theories begin in 3…2…1…

April 19th, 2013, 8:07 am

 

zoo said:

Citizen

The guys are foreigners, from Chechnya, they came through Turkey, they may have had military training. Their names (Timur Lang and Johar) indicate they are probably Moslems. If so, are they Islamists terrorists? We don’t know yet.
It does not seem to be a 100% USA at all

April 19th, 2013, 8:14 am

 

zoo said:

More crackdown on Islamist terrorists in the UAE
UAE arrests seven alleged al-Qaeda members

http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/uae-arrest-seven-alleged-al-qaeda-members
..
“The cell was planning actions to target the country’s security and the safety of its citizens and residents, and was carrying out recruitment, and promoting the actions of al-Qaeda,” WAM said.

“It was also supplying it (al-Qaeda) with money and providing logistical support and seeking to expand its activities to some (other) countries in the region,” WAM said.
…
Emirati political analyst Abdulkhaleq Abdullah said Gulf countries were being targeted by al Qaeda because it considered them to be agents of the West.
…
Speaking to Reuters this month, Khalfan reiterated allegations that Egypt’s Brotherhood was linked to the alleged plot uncovered Thursday, saying the group’s goal was Islamist rule in all Gulf Arab states.

April 19th, 2013, 8:35 am

 

zoo said:

Is Salim Idris also naive or stupid?

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/free-syrian-army-nixes-connection-with-al-nusra-front.aspx?pageID=238&nID=45196&NewsCatID=352

When asked about al-Nusra’s possible actions if opposition militants defeat President Bashar al-Assad’s forces, Idris said most of the foreign fighters would return to their own countries.

“This is a difficult question. We can’t guess now what their role will be when we are victorious. Foreign fighters will go home and Syrian fighters will go to work,” he said, adding that politics would have to take center stage after the war. “I think politicians should solve the problem with al-Nusra. It is not a big problem. Because more than 80 percent of the fighters are Syrians; others [foreigners] will go home after the war.”
..
Demand for weapons

Idris said they urgently needed anti-tank rockets, short-range anti-aircraft missiles and portable air-defense systems, known as MANPADS, adding that the government would quickly fall if the rebels were able to receive such weapons.

“If we had all the tools and ammunition we needed, we would expect the regime to fall in two months,” said Idris.

The rebel chief said that while the Syrian army was powerful and supported by the Russia and Iran, the opposition militants had managed to wrest control of more than 65 percent of Syrian territory.

April 19th, 2013, 8:49 am

 

Citizen said:

189. ZOO
they are Clinton guys!

April 19th, 2013, 9:01 am

 

zoo said:

Citizen

I am sure Clinton and Obama wished these guys went to Syria to kill hundred of Syrians instead…
The fighters in Syria, if they don’t die, will return to their home country and will continue their Jihadist activities there…

Tunisia, France, UK, Belgium, KSA, Kuwait will inherit some well trained and mentally disturbed terrorists back home.
They will then remember Bashar al Assad’s warnings.

April 19th, 2013, 9:10 am

 

ann said:

CNN, BBC, and Aljazeera describing those two blood thirsty filthy animals as “NICE BOYS”!!!!!

April 19th, 2013, 9:20 am

 

Syria no Kandahar said:

The Boston police expressed deep thanks to Dr Majedibntemiah for his valued informations leading to the suspects of the Boston bombing.Dr Majedibntemiah
With the help of free lancer called Tara and a dog poop fixed writer called
Taliban Hamster found out that Bashar and Hasound sent the wahabist Sunni
Chechen terrorists to Boston.They will be invited to the white house to get the
Golden Hmar doctor and the golden dog poop writer Awards,Tara will be given
The golden Moza award provided by Hamodeh.

April 19th, 2013, 9:22 am

 

Observer said:

Here is the NYT story
They immigrated from Chechnya and had been in the US since 2002.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/20/us/boston-marathon-bombings.html?hp

Now back to Syria

The Daily Star says that the Dabaa base has been run over in its entirety.

Ebla is in regime hands but after 20 days of artillery preparation. Again, destroy a village to save it. It did not matter that people lived there, it mattered to secure a road of supplies.

The only change I see in the regime position is that the security services so much in play for the last two years are now being replaced by the army units that are a little less blunt and have better Iranian advisors.

Still I am not holding my breath on this.

The level of destruction that the atlantic published in a 38 photo report is horrific.

The tone of J’amuse Jaffari is shrill. He talks of criminals being brought to justice and pursuit of those that brought terror to Syria with a straight face.

Oh I forget it is a conspiracy of Universal proportion. Not worldwide, Universal as in the the Universe including Mars and Venus and Jupiter.

Kaounia is the word.

I think those that are fighting for this regime are the most stupid people on the face of the earth willing to kill and die for LeBouton iPad Grab Holding Company Cell Phone Car Dealership Prethident of thouria wajhou althomoud dded al imberialia al a lamia.

Break it up for God’s sake. This is a joke in bad taste

April 19th, 2013, 9:46 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

The Usual Suspects NewZ

Citizen,

Please tell us more about how “BIG” the Israeli government is on “symbolism when carrying out attacks of this type”.

291. Citizen said:

Boston bombing took place the same day Israel remembers those killed from terrorism
note–the fact that this bombing took place on Memorial Day in Israel, where there those who lost their lives to war or to terrorism are remembered is cause for concern. Israel is BIG on symbolism when carrying out attacks of this type, and the fact that it took place on a national holiday in the Jewish state where victims of terror are remembered is something all should be interested in.

April 19th, 2013, 9:47 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

No Good Deed goes Unpunished NewZ

So let’s see what we have so far:

1.) Young muslim immigrants from a war-torn area of southern Russia.

2.) Moved from Chechnya to Dagastan

3.) Family immigrated to the USA (not easy).

5.) Two immigrant brothers obviously ANGRY and SUICIDAL, randomly place bombs on a crowded street.

What could have caused these two “kidz” to turn on a country that took them in a gave them opportunity (as well as a university grant)?

I’m thinking some sort of anti-American brain-washing.

April 19th, 2013, 10:22 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Lack of assimilation in this country, it is hard to live in this country for some kids, they have uncle here, they could not have an american friends, they did not socialized,they did not drink or smoke, some neighbours said they were good kids, they did well in school, we don’t know if they are chechnians,they may be from Azerbijan, we don’t know their motive yet, I don’t believe that they have explosive devices, they would have used it,the older brother was probably shot by the police,his picture laying on ground does not show any explosive,the younger kid is scared

April 19th, 2013, 10:43 am

 

zoo said:

Opposition hopes Syria Friends set to agree on arming rebels

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2013/4/19/worldupdates/opposition-hopes-syria-friends-set-to-agree-on-arming-rebels&sec=Worldupdates

The 11-nation “core group” of the Friends of Syria, including the United States, European and Arab nations, has been deadlocked over how to remove Assad
…
A senior Syrian opposition source who took part in preliminary meetings in Istanbul before the conference said that Saturday would be a “turning point”.

“The main reason behind this meeting is to arm the Syrian rebels. The (Friends of Syria) have acknowledged our right to defend ourselves, now they have to provide us with the means,” the source said on condition of anonymity as he did not want to say on-record that an agreement has almost been reached.

April 19th, 2013, 10:52 am

 

habib said:

Now it has been revealed that the Boston bombers were Islamists from Chechnya, and one of them had anti-Assad videos on his Internet profile:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/19/us-usa-explosions-suspect-site-idUSBRE93I0JL20130419

Profile video: http://vk.com/video160300242_164905736

WHOOPS!!! Ten minutes before we get flooded with false flag conspiracies.

April 19th, 2013, 10:55 am

 

zoo said:

Kerry and Lavrov are singing another song than France and the UK: Carrot and sticks on the opposition to bring them to the negotiation table

Secretary Kerry says more direct U.S. assistance to rebels is meant to push a negotiated settlement and prevent the implosion of the Syrian state.

“The best shot at preventing it is to try to get to the negotiating table to get the Geneva communique implemented so that you can save the institutions of the state, not wind up with an enclave state with huge instability and problems with extremist groups that have grown stronger as a result of this conflict,” said Kerry.
…
But so far the United States has not provided weapons to the opposition.

“There continues to be an enormous degree of reluctance to get into the business of arming rebel groups on the ground in Syria. There continues to be concern that we have little control over who those weapons might go to,” explained U.S. Institute for Peace analyst Steve Heydemann.

U.S. allies Britain and France favor arming the rebels, with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius saying that would show Assad that he cannot win.

April 19th, 2013, 10:57 am

 

ann said:

Gulf states recruit Chechen veterans for war against Syria’s Assad – March 27th, 2013

Special to WorldTribune.com

http://www.worldtribune.com/2013/03/27/gulf-states-recruit-chechen-veterans-for-war-against-syrias-assad/

NICOSIA — Sunni rebels have been bolstered by the arrival of scores
of Chechen fighters in the war against Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Islamist sources said Qatar and Saudi Arabia have financed the
recruitment of fighters from the autonomous Russian province of Chechnya.

The sources said most of the Chechens were veterans of the 15-year
rebellion against Moscow as well as specialists in bomb-making.

“The Chechens are regarded as the best of the jihadist fighters and have been used in several campaigns,” an Islamist source said.

In 2013, Islamist Chechens launched a recruitment drive over the
Internet. Islamist leader Omar Abu Al Chechen distributed a video in which he urged Chechens to join the war against Assad.

“We have missed many chances, but truly today there is a chance to
establish [an Islamic state] on Earth,” Al Chechen, believed to be a nomme de guerre, said.

The sources said Al Chechen, who comes from Russia’s North
Caucasus region, has been leading Chechen units in Syria. They identified Al Chechen as the commander of the Brigade of Migrants, a militia comprised of foreign fighters.

“Jihad needs very many things,” Al Chechen, seen in the video addressing some 20 men with rifles, said. “First of all, it needs money. Much is dependent on money today for jihad.”

So far, the sources said, at least 100 Chechens have been fighting in the Sunni revolt in Syria. They said this marked one of the largest foreign recruitment of Chechens, believed to have also fought in Afghanistan.

The Chechens were said to be highly disciplined and daring. The sources said at least 17 of them were killed in a battle with the Syrian Army outside Aleppo in February 2013.

[…]

http://www.worldtribune.com/2013/03/27/gulf-states-recruit-chechen-veterans-for-war-against-syrias-assad/

April 19th, 2013, 11:03 am

 

ann said:

Chechens fighting in Syria are mercenaries, says Kadyrov – Sat, 06 Apr 2013

http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2013/04/06/32–Chechens-fighting-in-Syria-are-mercenaries-says-Kadyrov-.html

Dubai – Chechnya’s leader Ramzan Kadyrov has dismissed Chechens fighting in Syria as merely mercenaries “fighting for money and not an idea”, and that they have nothing to do with his republic.

“Everything you hear is complete nonsense,” Kadyrov said in an interview with SkyNewsArabia TV channel in the UAE.

Last year, the Syrian government presented the UN Security Council with lists of hundreds of foreign nationals who had been killed fighting against government troops in Syria.

The lists included mercenaries from Arab countries, Europe, and Russia’s North Caucasus region, including Chechnya.

“They represent neither our people, nor our religion,” Kadyrov said.

He added that Chechen fighters in Syria would be “personally hunted down” if they decide to return to Chechnya.

[…]

http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2013/04/06/32–Chechens-fighting-in-Syria-are-mercenaries-says-Kadyrov-.html

April 19th, 2013, 11:03 am

 

zoo said:

#202 Habib

So might it be some anti-Assad opposition USA cells taking revenge on the USA for not helping the Syrian armed rebels?

If this is true, then I am sure some zealous commenters will insist that it is a mokhabarat plot elaborated by the smarter than ever Bashar al Assad to discredit further the opposition ahead of the crucial meeting of the 11 anti-Syria countries in Istanbul.

In any case, I think Kerry will be even keener of pushing for negotiations rather than allowing more arms more al Qaeda declared terrorists.

April 19th, 2013, 11:06 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Majedkhaldoun,

It seems as though the one kid was a successful boxer (which is a great way to “let off steam”) and probably means he had a fairly nice social network.

Not makin’ any sense to me…

http://johanneshirn.photoshelter.com/gallery/Will-Box-For-Passport/G0000VQW7v6xWA7o

April 19th, 2013, 11:17 am

 

zoo said:

These are the left over of the 40 countries who were the Friends of Syria: 6 Western countries, (4 of them unrepented Arab world colonialist countries) and 5 Arab countries ( 3 of them non democratic, 1 Islamist)

Turkey, the US, Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
Representatives of the Syrian opposition coalition will also participate in the talks, according to a statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

April 19th, 2013, 11:18 am

 

Uzair8 said:

201.

So the chechen had an anti-assad video on his internet profile?

Guilt by association? So it’s the revolution’s fault?

It’s that way is it?

In that case those defending the regime have to look no further than the mirror to see who, by association, shares responsibility for regime crimes.

April 19th, 2013, 11:22 am

 

revenire said:

“Friends of Syria” what trash.

April 19th, 2013, 11:22 am

 

revenire said:

Where is Visitor? He’s in the US and is one of the big Al-Qaeda backers here. Frankly, I am surprised Landis allows promotion of Al-Qaeda at SC.

Brother Majed also talks about the “holy warriors” a lot. In fact there are a lot of terrorist sympathizers at SC.

“He has posted links to videos of fighters in the Syrian civil war and to Islamic web pages with titles like ‘Salamworld, my religion is Islam’ and ‘There is no God but Allah, let that ring out in our hearts’.”

April 19th, 2013, 11:27 am

 

revenire said:

Uzair no one on this planet supports Nusra except terrorists.

You support Nusra? Al-Qaeda?

Yes or no?

Any American who expresses support for the terrorist rats fighting Assad should be arrested before they hurt someone.

April 19th, 2013, 11:29 am

 

Uzair8 said:

Very soon after the Boston attack I posted a condemnation by Shaykh Yaqoubi.

April 19th, 2013, 11:38 am

 

Uzair8 said:

Analysing Assad’s Al-Ikhbareya TV interview
18 Apr 2013

Abdel Bari Atwan

No one can deny that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is stuck in a quagmire, militarily speaking. But when it comes to the media he is free to manoeuvre.

Earlier on in the civil conflict which is devastating Syria, he voiced the theory, ‘We dominate the ground while they control the sky’ with reference to pro-opposition Arab satellite channels. Now he has changed his tactics.

When Assad speaks to a foreign newspaper, it makes headlines across the world. Newspapers and broadcasts splash his words while intelligence experts analyse them.

[…]

Assad seemed anxious in the interview, unlike his previous appearances.

[…]

While Assad claims the regime has successfully confronted the revolution for two years, his current military position reflects a failure to secure victory.

[…]

April 19th, 2013, 11:44 am

 

Uzair8 said:

From the same article, Assad whilst appealing to Kurds:

‘He also claimed that the Syrian regime forces had never committed a massacre against the Kurds.’

So he is aware against whom massacres were and were not committed (by his forces).

April 19th, 2013, 11:48 am

 

revenire said:

Has Yaqoubi condemned Nusra? How about the other terrorist jihadis in Syria? Does he advocate the violent overthrow of the legitimate government of Syria? If he does he is a terrorist himself. The British can love him all they like. They often give shelter to Islamic terrorists.

Not buying it Uzair. These statements are made to try to deflect from the fact that anyone fighting the Syrian government is a terrorist.

Period.

I see criminal-types here promoting Nusra every single day. I am shocked this is allowed.

April 19th, 2013, 11:50 am

 

Uzair8 said:

BBC reporter Jeremy Bowen’s latest (video) report from Damascus:

Inside Syria: Veil of normality in Damascus
18 April 2013

April 19th, 2013, 11:56 am

 

ann said:

Russia Should Send Covert Operatives to Syria: Chechen, Caucasus Angle and Iran – April 19, 2013

http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/headlinenewsd.php?hnewsid=4248

The conflict in Syria continues unabated whereby the supporters of terrorism, sedition and sectarianism fear no international consequences. Nations which are neutral towards Syria, or which are trying to help this nation, appear to be only concerned about defensive measures when it comes to powerful nations. However, the enemies of Syria are on the attack and clearly they want the demise of the current Syrian government and to control this nation by their respective proxies. Of course, for the United Kingdom and France then another failed state doesn’t concern them and the same applies to America.

Not only this, but clearly certain Gulf powers and the United States have long term plans whereby future foreign policy objectives will follow if the government of Syria is crushed. Iran comes up with grand statements but clearly this nation is on the defensive or even playing a dual policy?

Iran

Irrespective of the rhetoric emanating out of Iran it is clear that Shia persecution is endless in Bahrain, Iraq, and Pakistan. Also, it is clear that non-Sunni Muslim sects face a bleak future in Syria if the government is crushed by radical Sunni Islamists. Of course, the very nature of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and the many Islamist terrorist organizations which align themselves or work together; means that mainstream Sunni Muslim leaders are also being killed because they support the independence of Syria.

At the same time, in Malaysia the Shia faith is illegal and converts face enormous persecution. However, just like the crisis in Pakistan it is more trade despite their co-religionists suffering so gravely. Therefore, with Iran and America working together in Bosnia and other parts of the world since the Islamic Revolution of 1979; then clearly some questions need to be raised about the nature of relations between Tehran and Washington. Likewise, while Iran vents its anger towards Israel it is somewhat ironic that Shia mosques are allowed in Israel and not in Malaysia but this reality doesn’t suit the propaganda.

If Iran is not adopting a dual-policy then surely the Bahrain issue would be at a different stage. Saudi Arabia feels free to enter into the internal affairs of Bahrain which largely means crushing the Shia and forces of modernity within the Sunni camp. The same Saudi Arabia alongside Qatar and other Gulf states are also involved in Syria but once more Iran is playing a purely defensive game. At no point are despotic Sunni Gulf Monarchs worried about Iran destabilizing Bahrain, parts of Saudi Arabia in Shia dominated areas and so forth. On the contrary, Iran seems fixated on Zionism despite the reality that Shia Muslims are being slaughtered by Sunni Islamists in several nations.

Russian Federation, Chechens and Caucasus Islamists

Of all the outside nations involved in the crisis in Syria it is abundantly clear that the Russian Federation desires a political settlement whereby only Syrians will decide the future of their nation. The stance taken by Moscow is that elements within the FSA and various Islamist terrorist groups are too dangerous to be allowed openly to defeat the Syrian government. This applies to possible future massacres on a major scale if Islamist forces win because of their hatred towards the Alawites and Shia. Christians and other religious minorities like the Druze would also face a very bleak future and possibly a re-run of Christians fleeing Syria like Iraq may occur. Therefore, political leaders in Moscow want the middle ground to be filled by politicians on all sides in order to stop the bloodshed.

However, regional nations which are opposed to the government of Bashar al-Assad have ignored the wishes of the Russian Federation. While outside meddling and sectarianism belonged to the start of the crisis in Syria you never really had much of a Chechen and Caucasus Islamists angle. Yet since August and September 2012 the Chechen and Caucasus Islamist angle gradually began to build up.

Today this reality is becoming more potent by the week because it is abundantly clear that external forces are needed in order to defeat the government of Syria. This applies to working with internal FSA and Islamist terrorist units while sowing the seeds of sectarianism and causing economic chaos. Given this reality, it is essential that the armed forces of Syria prevent large swathes of major cities in the north falling into enemy hands because covert operatives and other negative forces are waiting for “a real bridge” to emerge just like in Libya.

Yet for the Russian Federation the dangerous terrorist, sectarian and sedition policies of major Gulf nations, France, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, towards the government of Syria is also “a dagger at the heart of Moscow.” This applies to the growing menace of Chechen and Caucasus Muslim terrorists in Syria which will use their new military hardware, wealth, terrorist links and new routes to cause further mayhem throughout the Caucasus region. Indeed, if Islamist forces etch out major areas of non-central power in Syria then similar Al-Qaeda bases and other terrorist networks will utilize this reality to the maximum. The United States entered Afghanistan on the pretext of Al-Qaeda bases in this nation after September 11 but now Moscow is being endangered by the allies of America. After all, you now have many pro-Al Qaeda, Al-Qaeda and other Islamist terrorist factions in Syria.

It is clear that given the nature of Chechen and Caucasus Islamist terrorist groups that in the future the Russian Federation will feel the consequences. Also, even in Tatarstan the Salafi menace is continuing to grow therefore many parts of the Russian Federation face the duality of terrorism and indoctrination. The Caucasus region faces this duality while other parts of the Russian Federation like Tatarstan are mainly facing the growing influence of Salafi ideology. In saying that, several attacks took place in 2012 against leading mainstream Muslim figures in the Russian Federation who spoke out against Salafi ideology.

On the Kavkaz Center website http://www.kavkazcenter.com/ which is anti-Russian Federation. It is stated that “In March 2013, a unit of Mujahideen of Kataeb al-Muhajirin, or Brigade of Emigrants, under the command of Abu Omar al-Chechen was joined by several brigades of Syrian Mujahideen, including Kataeb Khattab, or the Brigade of Khattab, and Jaish Muhammad, or the Army of Muhammad, after which it was decided to reorganize the structure of Kataeb.”

“As a result, Jaish al-Muhajirin wa Ansar, or the Army of Emigrants and Helpers, was created.”

“Jaish is fighting primarily in the province of Aleppo (see the map). Today, it is one of the most prominent groups in the Syrian Jihad. The Army of Emigrants has more than 1,000 Mujahideen, Muslim volunteers from different countries, including the Caucasus Emirate, are fighting under its banner.”

The growing menace of Chechen and Caucasus Islamists and the role of Salafi indoctrination in Syria should lead to the Russian Federation taking action. This applies to sending covert operatives to take out leading Islamist terrorists by working with the Syrian armed forces; providing major intelligence to the government of Syria; increasing military hardware of greater sophistication which suits the nature of the conflict; and by providing greater economic assistance. Also, political leaders in Moscow must raise this question seriously with Turkey because clearly this nation is a conduit of major terrorist and military ratlines which are anti-Syrian government. Similarly, the petrodollars of the Gulf are spreading the dangerous Salafi ideology and this fact needs to be raised.

In another article by Modern Tokyo Times it was stated that “… Turkey and Georgia are known to have many rat lines which link these two nations to very murky dealings. Also, Turkey and Georgia are both firmly within the American and British camp. Therefore, the Russian Federation must be very concerned about the Chechen and Caucasus Islamist angle in Syria because major economic incentives must have been given to these elements. Similarly, with Dagestan and other areas seeing a growing Islamist angle – for example, even in Tatarstan moderate clerics are not out of the reach of international jihadists. Then surely Spetsnaz and other special forces from the Russian Federation should do something to counter the growing presence of Islamists from the Caucasus who are entering Syria. This applies to covert operations, to increase the military power of the armed forces of Syria and to provide greater intelligence work to the government of Syria. If no measures are taken, then this will come back to haunt the Russian Federation.”

[…]

http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/headlinenewsd.php?hnewsid=4248

April 19th, 2013, 12:22 pm

 

ann said:

Russia Should Send Covert Operatives to Syria: Chechen, Caucasus Angle and Iran – April 19, 2013

http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/headlinenewsd.php?hnewsid=4248

Conclusion

Syria needs real support otherwise the Syrian armed forces, the economy, the infrastructure and so forth will bleed to death slowly. While this is happening, enemy nations throughout the Gulf and Turkey will continue to support sectarianism, terrorism and sedition. The enemies of Syria only need to focus on dark forces like terrorism and destroying the economy. However, the functioning government needs to spend its resources on the infrastructure, health care, education, providing jobs and other natural things. This means that the government of Syria faces enormous obstacles therefore nations which are neutral or which support Syria must increase their efforts vastly. If not, another nation state will be turned into a failed state whereby the forces of terrorism and hatred will blossom at the expense of a secular society.

In the last few weeks a senior Sunni Muslim cleric and many others were killed by opposition forces while inside a mosque and another Sunni Muslim cleric was murdered by the same FSA Islamist forces. If Sunni Islamists can slaughter their co-religionists because they are deemed too moderate – or they support the government – then clearly all minorities and women have much to fear alongside mainstream society irrespective of faith. It is therefore essential that a political solution is found but until this happens then Syria needs major support. Also, the Russian Federation needs to take measures in order to protect itself from the Chechen and Caucasus Islamist angle within Syria.

If Iran is really concerned about the plight of Shia Muslims and having geopolitical clout in the Levant then this nation needs to do more. The Zionist issue is ridiculous when Shia Muslims are being killed and persecuted in many nations which are dominated by either Sunni elites – or where you have major Sunni Islamist terrorist groups which kill and persecute the Shia and other minority Muslim sects. It is clear that feudal Sunni dominated monarchs in the Gulf are happy to crush the Shia in Bahrain and to try to usurp power in Syria. Rhetoric from Iran isn’t needed because Syria is not a proxy of any nation but real friendship and support is needed. Political leaders in Moscow and Tehran clearly know that while Syria is fighting to preserve its independence and freedom – other nations have bigger ambitions aimed at the Russian Federation and Iran respectively. This reality means that “defensive policies” are not helping Syria during “its hour of need” and in the long-term the demise of independent Syria will be used in order to alter the geopolitical landscape of the Levant and wider Middle East.

[…]

http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/headlinenewsd.php?hnewsid=4248

April 19th, 2013, 12:22 pm

 

Citizen said:

US Troops Stage in Jordan to Defend Al Qaeda in Syria
http://nsnbc.me/2013/04/18/us-troops-stage-in-jordan-to-defend-al-qaeda-in-syria/

These are now astonishingly the very areas the US CIA is overseeing the flow of thousands of tons of weapons and aid – aid that is clearly falling almost entirely into the hands of Al Qaeda’s Syrian franchise, Jabhat al-Nusra.

The New York Times in their article titled, “Arms Airlift to Syria Rebels Expands, With C.I.A. Aid,” admits that:

With help from the C.I.A., Arab governments and Turkey have sharply increased their military aid to Syria’s opposition fighters in recent months, expanding a secret airlift of arms and equipment for the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, according to air traffic data, interviews with officials in several countries and the accounts of rebel commanders.

The airlift, which began on a small scale in early 2012 and continued intermittently through last fall, expanded into a steady and much heavier flow late last year, the data shows. It has grown to include more than 160 military cargo flights by Jordanian, Saudi and Qatari military-style cargo planes landing at Esenboga Airport near Ankara, and, to a lesser degree, at other Turkish and Jordanian airports.

While the West attempts to claim these weapons are being sent to “moderates,” the US State Department itselfadmits that Al Qaeda is operating in every major city in Syria, carrying out hundreds of terrorist attacks, and is by far the most highly organized, most prominent militant front in the conflict. If the West via Saudi Arabia and Qatar is sending thousands of tons of weapons to “moderates,” who is sending more weapons to Jabhat al-Nusra?
…..

April 19th, 2013, 12:32 pm

 

revenire said:

The opposition’s rallying cry: “We are all al-Nusrah”

In an April 14 statement the SNC again lashed out at any criticism of its ally (and militarily strongest section) al-Nusra:

“The Syrian Coalition denounces all positions that stand in the way of Syrian freedom and that do not align with the will of the people.

“Cairo, Egypt, April 14, 2013 Since its inception, the Syrian Coalition has worked to achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people. Therefore, we strongly reject any position that does not reflect the spirit of Syria’s revolution for freedom and dignity. We stand against any forces that may inhibit the Syrian people’s choosing of their own future.

“The Syrian Coalition is deeply concerned about recent statements regarding the affiliations and ideologies of particular factions of the rebel forces. We find it imperative to respond to these statements. The Syrian Coalition urges Jabhat al Nusra to stay within the ranks of nationalistic Syrians, to continue its efforts in fighting the Assad regime, and in supporting and protecting the freedom of all Syrian sects.

“Members of the Syrian Coalition have previously expressed their rejection of the United States’ decision to label Jabhat al Nusra as a terrorist organization. The Assad regime has forced Syria’s peaceful revolution into an armed struggle and Jabhat al Nusra has become a part of these armed forces fighting against oppression. At the same time, the Syrian Coalition stands firm against any statements or actions that contradict the will of the Syrian people and the objectives of the revolution. Such initiatives only serve the goals of the Assad regime and harm the progress of the revolution. …”

April 19th, 2013, 12:34 pm

 

Tara said:

Assad is an arch terrorist. He fostered terrorists in Syria and sent them to Iraq. He backed and still backing the terrorist HA. He should be targeted first with any anti- terror measures. Additionally, the way Islam is taught or percieved by some needs to be reformed. It is time for Muslim preachers such as al Khateeb and Yaccoubi to play a historical role in that regard.

April 19th, 2013, 12:35 pm

 

Citizen said:

218. ANN
May be appropriate for the Syrian president personally to ask the Russian and Chinese presidents intervention by collective military operational forces under the banner of BRICS and under agreements of friendship and defense to deter aggression impudent undeclared by Tohmaz and his Allies , as their appetite increases to move geographically to Asia, Africa and to Latin America!!!

April 19th, 2013, 1:05 pm

 

revenire said:

Tara that’s amsuing but the only ones who call Assad a terrorist are Al-Qaeda, their allies and supporters.

The SNC statement backing Al-Qaeda is right there in black and white.

You yourself have made statements in support of Nusra many times. Now their Chechen allies – cowardly rats – have attacked Boston.

April 19th, 2013, 1:06 pm

 

revenire said:

It is plain as day. Your “revolution” is nothing but a pack of terrorist murderers – just as Assad has said from the start. Do you need God to open the sky and tell you Tara?

http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/64669-syrian-protesters-slam-u-s-blacklisting-of-al-nusra-as-fighting-rocks-capital-north
Syrian Protesters Slam U.S. Blacklisting of al-Nusra as Fighting Rocks Capital, North

“We are all Al-Nusra Front,” it said, in reference to the jihadist group blacklisted by Washington on Tuesday.

Lines of children and men linked arms and carried the three-starred flag of the revolution as they called for downfall of the regime in the street as shopkeepers looked on.

U.S. blacklisting of Syria’s hardline Islamist Al-Nusra Front as a “terrorist organization” has drawn fierce criticism from rebels, opposition groups and activists, who have condemned the move as both ill-timed and ill-conceived.

The broad view is that the Salafist group is fighting courageously against Assad, whose ouster its members consider a religious duty, and has done nothing to warrant censure.

http://www.aljazeera.com/video/middleeast/2012/12/20121214164411696160.html
Syrians back al-Nusra despite ‘terrorist’ tag
The US decision to put Jubhat al-Nusra – one of the groups fighting against the Syrian government – on its list of “terrorist organisations” has caused outrage in some parts of the country.

Al-Nusra has gained popularity, especially in the villages and towns of Syria, and many people are suspicious of the West and Syrian politicians who work closely with them.

Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr reports from Idlib province.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/12/us-syria-crisis-alkhatib-idUSBRE8BB18A20121212
Syrian opposition urges review of al-Nusra blacklisting
(Reuters) – The leader of Syria’s opposition coalition urged the United States on Wednesday to reconsider its decision to designate the militant Islamist Jabhat al-Nusra as a terrorist group, saying religion was a legitimate motive for Syrian rebels.

“The decision to consider a party that is fighting the regime as a terrorist party needs to be reviewed,” Mouaz Alkhatib told a “Friends of Syria” meeting in Morocco, where Western and Arab states granted full recognition to the coalition seeking to oust President Bashar al-Assad.

April 19th, 2013, 1:09 pm

 

ann said:

Three British Women from Gaza Aid Convoy raped by Taxi Driver and Two Libyan Soldiers – March 31, 2013

Christof Lehmann (nsnbc),- Three British woman working with a humanitarian aid convoy destined for Gaza have been raped by Libyan soldiers in Bengazi, after being kidnapped by the soldiers and a taxi driver

http://nsnbc.me/2013/03/31/three-british-women-from-gaza-aid-convoy-raped-by-taxi-driver-and-two-libyan-soldiers/

After leaving Britain for the Palestinian Gaza Strip, the aid convoy had been stalled at the Libyan – Egyptian border for several weeks. After the rape, the three women were taken to a Libyan hospital and are reportedly in a bad psychological condition. Two of the perpetrators are soldiers of the regular Libyan military, while the third perpetrator is a taxi driver.

Two of the raped women, who are sisters, were kidnapped together with their father. All three of the women were part of the humanitarian aid convoy. The woman were reportedly raped while the father of the two sisters, and colleague to the third woman was forced to witness the outrage.

After Libya was overrun by foreign backed Islamist Extremists with ties to the Al-Qaeda linked Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, LIFG, under the command of the mastermind behind the Madrid Train bombings in 2004, Abedelhakim Belhadj, and after a new Libyan government was installed with the aid of NATO and GCC member states, many of the extremists acquired positions of government. The country has since been unstable and the situation is by many described as a state of virtual anarchy.

One such example, would be, that the commander of Al-Qaeda´s LIFG, Abdelhakim Belhadj, has since become the military governor of Tripoli. Although a regular, or government sanctioned Libyan military exists, the country is still largely policed by local militia, many of them with ties to international terrorist organizations. Rape, robbery, kidnappings and extortion for ransom have become rampant in Libya after the Gadhafi led government was ousted in 2011.

During the foreign backed subversion of Libya, rape, often committed by so-called rebels who were drugged by synthetic drugs provided among other via Qatar, was systematically used as a weapon. During the height of the armed subversion in 2011, a French journalist was raped to death and the video was put on Youtube.

[…]

http://nsnbc.me/2013/03/31/three-british-women-from-gaza-aid-convoy-raped-by-taxi-driver-and-two-libyan-soldiers/

April 19th, 2013, 1:09 pm

 

zoo said:

Divided Syrian Kurds scramble to protect Qamishli from destruction

Qamishli’s Kurds fight two enemies at once in Syrian Kurdistan 19.4.2013
http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2013/4/syriakurd779.htm

Today, there are growing Kurdish concerns of a major confrontation between the PYD forces and the opposition, which has threatened to attack both government and Kurdish military positions in Qamishli.

Kurdish sources say that the “regime will be leaving the Kurdish areas sooner or later, therefore, our fight is with the new occupiers.”

Many in the area are convinced that a major attack by the opposition is not long in coming. This could lead to an outbreak of further violence in the area, dissolving the agreement signed by the two sides after their last major confrontation around Ras al-Ayn.

April 19th, 2013, 1:27 pm

 

zoo said:

Syria accuses rebels of sexual violence

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/04/19/Syria-accuses-rebels-of-sexual-violence/UPI-56341366388563/

U.N. special representative on sexual violence in conflict Zainab Hawa Bangura said much of the displaced population in Syria were victims of sexual violence and torture.

“We know that war can be brutal but to fight it on the bodies of women and children, humiliating and punishing them and subjecting them to absolute terror, can never be acceptable,” she said.

Bangura added that both parties to the conflict, including Islamic radicals, were suspected of committing acts of sexual violence.

Syrian Ambassador to the United Nations Bashar Jaafari bemoaned the violence, saying his country has never seen “anything like (these kinds) of heinous crimes committed by the thugs of jihad and bandits.”

Some of anti-government forces in Syria are aligned with al-Qaida, complicating Western support for opponents of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/04/19/Syria-accuses-rebels-of-sexual-violence/UPI-56341366388563/#ixzz2Qvntp8ta

April 19th, 2013, 1:28 pm

 

zoo said:

#225 Reve

Wait! Al Khatib is on a preaching campaign to convert the Al Nusra fighters to “moderate” moslems, the “Moslem Brotherhood” brand so as to keep the funding and support from Turkey and Qatar.

When and if they switch their allegiance from Al Zawahiri to Al Khatib, then the SNC will ask again the USA to remove these repented criminals from the terrorist list.
Naivety or arrogance, I wish him luck. If he succeeds the USA should send it to Afghanistan to do the same with the Talibans.

April 19th, 2013, 1:35 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

I think the terrorist action in Boston,is due to personal reason, they seem to have poor relations with their uncle,they,both, love sport,Boston Marathone is athletic event, most likely that was their motive.
As for FOS meeting tomorrow, the expectations are high,the preparations are getting ready, the reason is the fight against Iran is probably going to happen this year.

Assad is looking like a nerd, his supporters are quacking,US said JN is connected with Qa-eda, but US said HA is terrorist organization too,
things must happen if it is going to happen, in June,before Ramadan,,Patriot missles are brought from Qatar to Jordan,so Jordan will be publically against Assad

April 19th, 2013, 1:37 pm

 

Citizen said:

Clinton guys favorites
Nederlandse geheime dienst voorkwam aanslag van al-Qaida
http://www.gva.be/nieuws/buitenland/aid1369537/nederlandse-geheime-dienst-voorkwam-aanslag-van-al-qaida.aspx

17/04
ABROAD The secret service AIVD Netherlands late last year has provided important information that three alleged terrorists of al-Qaeda could be arrested.
They were sent to Europe, according to the information in order to commit an attack. The AIVD shared the crucial information with foreign services, and the arrests were made. This is stated in a recent letter to Minister Ronald Plasterk.

location Unknown

A spokeswoman for the Secret Service can not go into the matter, so even on the question of where the arrests took place. “We must protect our sources and therefore can not go public with success,” she said.

In the letter to the House on the annual plan 2013 the AIVD states that the service will get people who have plans to travel to jihadist areas. Syria as more visibility This is to “prevent Dutch citizens can eventually be used to commit an attack in the Netherlands or abroad.”

“If anything prevents the AIVD that Dutch citizens join jihadist networks,” writes Plasterk. By now, about 100 Dutch youth have traveled to Syria, some of whom had been killed.

April 19th, 2013, 1:46 pm

 

Citizen said:

Kremlin cautions against “flirting” with terrorists
It is unacceptable to divide terrorists into “domestic and foreign,” Russian presidential press officer Dmitry Peskov said.

“I would like to remind to you that since the early 2000s, when there was a war going on in the Northern Caucasus, Putin has said more than once that there can’t be domestic and foreign terrorists and you can’t flirt with them, they can’t be differentiated, you can’t talk with some of them and not talk to others. They all equally deserve non-acceptance,” Peskov told reporters referring to the recent reports on the situation with the Boston terrorist attack.
According to recent reports, people with origins in the Northern Caucasus (according to some reports, from Chechnya) may be linked to the recent terrorist attack in Boston.
Recalling the president’s statement, Peskov reiterated that “we are thinking abstractly from whether it’s true or not, whether they are Chechens or not, or whether they come from Kyrgyzstan, or Russia, or Turkey (because there is information that they entered the country on Turkish passports).”
http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_04_19/Kremlin-cautions-against-flirting-with-terrorists/

April 19th, 2013, 1:47 pm

 

revenire said:

The opposition is just a pack of rats. That’s all they ever were. There is no moderate FSA – that is just a fairy tale story. Thank God it is all coming to light. Obama was a fool for backing these killers and sending them weapons.

I am still shocked Josh Landis called for arming these people with advanced anti-aircraft weapons. Then these Chechen dogs could have shot down jets at Logan airport.

Dr. Assad just warned the West’s backing of Islamic terrorism would reach into the heart of the US and Europe and with Boston it did.

Is Assad some sort of prophet?

April 19th, 2013, 1:48 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

Forever Young

This is about the children. Children shouldn’t have to face torture and rape. Can you imagine them not knowing what is being done to them and why, with no one to hear their cries for help, calling instinctively for mom and dad?

This is about the children who have been deliberately targeted and are no longer with us.

If I was able I would compile a video tribute to the children with images and footage. The song ‘Forever Young’ (by Youth Group) as the background soundtrack.

I heard the song on a moving video tribute to, potentially one of the footballing greats, Duncan Edwards, who at the age of 21 passed away after the 1958 Munich air disaster in which much of the Manchester United team perished. I support their great rivals Liverpool FC.

The world should know what is driving this revolution. It doesn’t need any other motivation.

The children who have been taken away from us, will in our minds and hearts remain Forever Young.

April 19th, 2013, 1:49 pm

 

zoo said:

By removing the oil embargo the EU hopes that the revolutionists will finance themselves by selling Syrian oil with the help of Turkey.

If this happens, it will oblige the Syrian government to bomb the oil wells so as to prevent them from being exploited by the rebels.

This move reflects well the EU’ determination to destroy all Syria’s economical capabilities and bring it its knees.

Diplomats: EU set to ease Syria oil embargo

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2013/04/19/2732096/diplomats-eu-set-to-ease-syria.html#storylink=cpy

April 19th, 2013, 1:50 pm

 

Citizen said:

“Contractors” at Boston Marathon Stood Near Bomb, Left Before Detonation
(Photos) Seen across street after blasts talking with FBI bomb squad. Who were they? What were they and the FBI doing?

April 19, 2013 (LD) – What appear to be private contractors, wearing unmarked, matching uniforms and operating an unmarked SUV affixed with communication equipment near the finish line of the Boston Marathon shortly after the bomb blasts – can be seen beforehand, standing and waiting just meters away from where the first bomb was detonated. The contractor-types had moved away from the bomb’s location before it detonated, and could be seen just across the street using communication equipment and waiting for similar dressed and equipped individuals to show up after the blasts.

http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2013/04/contractors-at-boston-marathon-stood.html#more

April 19th, 2013, 1:55 pm

 

AIG said:

I love Zoo’s comment #235. How dumb can regime supporters be? Go ahead and bomb Syria’s wells, idiots. Who is forcing you to do it, except your infantile logic? There are so many other ways to stop oil exports but leave it to Assad and his idiot followers to pick the way that is worst for Syria long term.

April 19th, 2013, 2:03 pm

 

zoo said:

#230 Majed

I see, you love sports, you hate your uncle so you put bombs to kill and wound as many people as you can at marathon. It sounds very logical.

They are moslems, they are from Chechnya, they are Islamists, they praised Syrian Islamists rebels. They put bombs to support the fights of Islamists worldwide. It sounds very logical.

April 19th, 2013, 2:11 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

The war continues. The regime loses ground.

April 19th, 2013, 2:20 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

They’re better than the regime, Zoo.

April 19th, 2013, 2:24 pm

 

zoo said:

Is desperate Morsi trying to lure Putin toward an “economical alliance” giving the impression he is ready to distance Egypt from the USA and the EU? It seems that Putin did not buy it and rejected Egypt’s loan request .

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/3/12/69653/Business/Economy/No-deal-reached-for-a-Russian-loan-to-Egypt-Trade-.aspx

The issue isn’t only about an increase in trade exchange or number of tourists… I am speaking of a true alliance in economic fields that shall establish a true industrial renaissance to realise enormous developments in Egypt,” said President Morsi.

April 19th, 2013, 2:25 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

Zoo,

Are you one of the members of the pathetic long-termed unemployed? Is this all you do with your time?

You can tell the quality of the regime by the quality of the people who support it.

By posting non-stop 12-16 hours a day you’re just proving my point about you.

April 19th, 2013, 2:27 pm

 

zoo said:

Tamerlan Tsarnaev’s YouTube Page Focused On Sunni Islam
http://www.buzzfeed.com/scott/tamerlan-tsarnaevs-youtube-page-focused-on-islam

A YouTube page linked to the name of the older brother suspected in the Boston Marathon bombings is packed with videos of Islam and includes a playlist called “terrorists.” posted on April 19, 2013 at 8:12am EDT

Tamerlan Tsarnaev’s page on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/user/muazseyfullah/

Among subscriptions like the MaineSkiFamily’s channel, a YouTube page linked to Tamerlan Tsarnaev’s name and Google Plus profile focuses heavily on videos about Islam, as the screenshot below shows.
…

The most recent subscription is to a channel called Allah is the One.

Tamerlan also created four playlists, one called Islam, and another, called Terrorists, which has two deleted videos.

Here’s the first video in the “Islam” playlist he created:

The rest of the list is here

Here’s a video he liked 4 months ago:

April 19th, 2013, 2:37 pm

 

Citizen said:

وقيف 4 عناصر من “الأيياس” المحلّ أحدهم برتبة أمير بالشلف
شبكة تجنّد جزائريين للالتحاق بـ”جبهة النصرة” في سوريا
أوقفت المصالح المختصة أربعة أشخاص كانوا ينشطون ضمن ما يسمى “الجيش الإسلامي للإنقاذ” سابقا بولاية الشلف، على خلفية الاشتباه في تورطهم في العمل ضمن شبكة ذات صلة بجماعات جهادية في سوريا تعمل على تجنيد شباب جزائريين من اجل الانتقال إلى سوريا والانضمام إلى المقاتلين تحت لواء ما يعرف بجبهة النصرة في الشام.

وحسب مصادر مطلعة، فإن الأمر يتعلق بأربعة عناصر تنحدر من الأرض البيضاء شمال عاصمة ولاية الشلف، بينهم شخص كان يشغل منصبا قياديا في “الجيش الإسلامي للإنقاذ” قبل حله سنة 2000، وذلك بعد الاشتباه في تورطهم في ربط اتصالات مع شبكة تنشط في الوطن لها علاقة بجماعات جهادية في سوريا وليبيا وتونس، تعمل على تجنيد شباب جزائريين من اجل الانتقال إلى سوريا والانضمام إلى جبهة النصرة في الشام، وهو التنظيم المسلح الذي كان قد أعلن قبل أيام انضمامه إلى تنظيم “القاعدة”، وهو يقاتل إلى جانب ما يعرف بالجيش الحر في سوريا ضد نظام الأسد .

واستنادا إلى ذات المصادر، فإن العناصر الموقوفة جرى التحقيق معها حول علاقتها بالشبكة المذكورة قبل أن يتم إخلاء سبيل اثنين منهم، فيما لازال الآخران رهن التحقيق وفقا لذات المصادر التي أكدت أنهما موقوفان على ذمة التحقيق منذ ثماينة أيام.

ويأتي توقيف المعنيين، في ظل حديث عن شبكة تعمل على تجنيد جزائريين من اجل الانتقال “للجهاد في سوريا” تحت لواء “جبهة النصرة”.
http://www.echoroukonline.com/ara/articles/162064.html

April 19th, 2013, 2:38 pm

 

zoo said:

#241 Mari

Thanks for your concern… It is touching.

April 19th, 2013, 2:42 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

LOL…Modern Tokyo Times gets a mention in #218. Like a long lost friend.

First time I’ve come across Pakistan Christian Post (PCP). Just checking them out….

Aah, one article on PCP is co-authored by Lee Jay Walker. I remember him. Wasn’t he a contributor for the Modern Tokyo Times? Yes, also a twitter pal of Mr S. Commando.

So PCP has come out of nowhere, and with useful articles for pro-regimists. Another case of ‘news laundering’? Did they get a little push, encouragement, funding recently?

April 19th, 2013, 2:46 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Zoo
To accuse the guy that he did it because he was Islamist you have to prove it, was there any E-Mail to prove that? did he have a beard,attend Mosque prayers, ? did he talked to friends about his hate to US, was he an emotional guy?
Zoo it is silly to make accusations based on your thinking only without evidences,bring your convincing evidence and I will accept it.
What you said only prove that you have a prejudice, the police is saying they don’t know the motive, and you claim you know, this is crazy

April 19th, 2013, 2:48 pm

 

habib said:

230. MAJEDKHALDOUN

Lol, that spin is beyond pathetic.

No, they were pro-Nusra Salafists who just wanted to kill some ifidels. These are the facts. Watch their Nusra propaganda video.

The Salafist insurgents in Syria only still exist because of cover from Zionist Turkey and hypocrites in the West.

Watch the recent video on Youtbue where these Salafist scumbags tremble from the mere uttering of the word “Hezbollah”.

April 19th, 2013, 2:50 pm

 

Citizen said:

Clinton-McCain-Cohen- Levy “Contractors”!
The twin bombing at the major northeastern US city of Boston near the finish line of the city’s annual cross-country marathon race has killed at least three people and injured over 130 others as major cities across the nation have gone on high security alert.

As runners in the prestigious Boston Marathon race continued to cross the finish line on Monday afternoon, two bomb blasts, about 15 seconds apart, went off reportedly by a remote-control devise, releasing orange balls of fire into the air and lifting runners off their feet, with many of the injured left with lost limbs.

The destructive impact of the two blasts quickly spread across the major city and throughout the country, as top American officials and lawmakers described the bombings as terrorist attacks reminiscent of the September 11, 2001 incidents in New York and Virginia that left nearly 3,000 people dead.

This is while air traffic at Boston’s busy Logan Airport was halted as police officers demanded motorists to evacuate the city, and mobile phone service was temporarily cut to prevent potential remote detonation of explosive devices. City authorities and medical personnel reported that the casualties included children, with one of those killed identified as an 8-year-old boy. At least 10 other children were also reported among the injured.

Meanwhile, local press reports said a surveillance photo showed a man with two backpacks at the scene shortly before the explosions. There are also reports that a “Saudi national” that was injured during the incident and taken to a local hospital was being questioned by authorities. Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis said Monday night, however, that there were no suspects but that “the police were talking to some people.”

http://youtu.be/izzHOqRnvu8?t=6m1s

April 19th, 2013, 2:54 pm

 

revenire said:

These Nusra rats are all the same: blowing up civilians.

Whether it is Boston or Damascus it is the same thing.

The world owes Assad a huge apology.

April 19th, 2013, 3:21 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

A comment regarding Mr Ja’afari’s letters to the UN. Posted on Yalla Souriya a short time ago:

The line Bashar Ja’afari, Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations, repeatedly takes in his letters to the Security Council always makes interesting reading. It is my contention that JAN, etc., suits Assad so much that it is impossible that he never encouraged jihad types to enter Syria, once he knew he had a popular protest on his hands, to corrupt the protest and justify state suppression:

http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/67/835&Lang=E

April 19th, 2013, 3:27 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Zoo
You failed to prove that if he was against shiism he should kill ameiricans, US is not shiia country

April 19th, 2013, 3:28 pm

 

Syrialover said:

Morsi said about (unsuccessfully) seeking a loan from Russia:

“…alliance in economic fields that shall establish a true industrial renaissance to realise enormous developments in Egypt,” said President Morsi.”

How dumb and desperate can the MB get?

Corrupt, hollow oilagarchy-run Russia can’t even manage industrial and economic developments for itself to benefit its own population.

April 19th, 2013, 3:44 pm

 

Citizen said:

A 26 year-old female Syrian physician was assaulted in front of her baby while walking down the street. The assailant said “You are terrorists, you are the ones who made the Boston explosion.”

Every day, Heba Abolaban of Malden checks on her family in war-strafed Syria, where water, bread and electricity are in short supply. She was far more worried about them than about herself on Wednesday morning when she put her baby daughter in a stroller and headed into the sunshine to a play group with a friend.
But as they strolled down Commercial Street, an angry-faced man charged toward the petite woman, his hand balled into a fist. He punched her hard in the shoulder and screamed curses inches from her face. Then he pointed at her and walked away shouting.
“He said, ‘(Expletive) you. (Expletive) you Muslims, You are terrorists, you are the ones who made the Boston explosion,’” said Abolaban, recalling the episode in a phone interview Thursday. “I was really, really completely shocked. I didn’t know what to do. Then I realized what happened. I was crying and crying.”
Abolaban, a 26-year-old physician who wears a traditional hijab, or head scarf, gripped the stroller carrying her nine-month old daughter and stood in shock. Soon, she and her friend, also pushing a baby stroller, burst into tears.
“I was so afraid he might hurt my baby,” she said.
What happened next made her feel better about Malden, a fast-changing city of 60,000 that now has the second-highest percentage of immigrants in Massachusetts.
She called the Malden police, at her husband’s urging, and as she waited for them to arrive, workers at the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, where the play group was, came outside to protect the women.
The police arrived within minutes, soothed her and took her statement. Then the calls came: Mayor Gary Christenson called her at home, then Police Chief Kevin Molis phoned.
“They were there within two minutes. They were so kind. They were so helpful,” she said. “The Malden police chief – he called me two times.”
The Islamic center in Malden also checked on her. She is scheduled to teach a class there tomorrow on breast cancer detection.
Molis, who started as a beat officer in Malden, said the attack was one of the first things he brought up at Thursday’s morning roll call. He said his officers are trained to serve the diverse city of Malden, home to immigrants from China, Haiti, Uganda, Vietnam and more.
Police could not find the attacker, vowed to keep looking. Molis called the attack “an intolerable act” that violates state law and “the very essence of our constitution.”
“No investigative strategy will be overlooked in order to determine who’s responsible for this,” Molis said. “This is something that as a city and as a police department we take seriously.”
No other incidents had been reported as of Thursday, he said.
Abolaban and her husband, Ahmad Almujased, also a physician, moved here about a year and a half ago from Syria. Abolaban said she is a Muslim originally from Palestine.
But Molis said he never asked Abolaban about her religion, because to him, it is a private matter. He said he reaches out to mosques, churches, businesses and all groups to ensure that they feel safe and protected.
“It is our role to make sure that all of our rights are protected and preserved,” he said. “That is why we became police officers.”
Abolaban and others said the response to the attack highlighted the good in a community that has changed dramatically in the past 20 years, and where such instances remain rare.
http://refreshingnews99.blogspot.in/2013/04/a-26-year-old-female-syrian-physician.html

April 19th, 2013, 3:51 pm

 

Citizen said:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to rule out the possibility of arming foreign-backed militant groups in Syria. Syrian Ambassador to the United Nations Bashar al-Ja’afari has said that the Israeli regime assists the militants. Tel Aviv’s key allies, the United States and Jordan, are already assisting the militants. An Israeli expert identified as Moshe Maoz has said that it would make sense for Tel Aviv to supply the militants with arms in coordination with Turkey.

http://youtu.be/-_gHst4oDwg?t=1m8s

April 19th, 2013, 4:00 pm

 

Citizen said:

Patriot missiles to be deployed along Jordan-Syria border
http://www.timesofisrael.com/patriot-missiles-to-be-deployed-along-jordan-syria-border/

US Army officials have agreed to deploy two Patriot missile batteries along the Jordan-Syria border, London-based paper Asharq Al-Awsat reported Friday.

According to the report, the decision came after Jordanian officials requested that the US assist in protecting and securing the kingdom’s borders.

Citing a Jordanian source, the report also claimed that the two Patriot missile batteries will be transferred from Qatar and Kuwait.

Earlier this year, several Patriot batteries were redeployed along the Turkey-Syria border after Ankara requested protection from stray mortar shells.

Looking at the positioning of these Patriot batteries, coupled with those on the Turkey/Syria border, what has happened here has been the creation of a no-fly zone in Syria.

April 19th, 2013, 4:01 pm

 

Syrialover said:

Here it is! A brilliant description of every jihadist and al qaeda fantasist. This guy says it better than any analysts, conspiracists, security experts whatever.

“What motivated bombing suspects? ‘Being losers,’ uncle says”

EXCERPT:

The Boston Marathon bombing suspects may have been motivated by shame and hatred, their uncle said Friday at a raw, impromptu press conference.

“Being losers, hatred to those who were able to settle themselves; these are the only reasons I can imagine of. Anything else, anything else to do with religion, with Islam – it’s a fraud, it’s a fake,” Ruslan Tsarni said outside his home in Montomery Village, Md.

Tsarni insisted that his nephew’s actions had nothing to do Chechnya, and he was visibly angry that the public was drawing that conclusion.

“This has nothing to do with Chechnya. Chechens are peaceful people,” he said.

Tsarni, who was visibly shaken, said his nephews had also shamed their family.

“Of course we’re ashamed!” he responded to a reporter’s questioning. “They are children of my brother – who had little influence over them.”

When a reporter asked Tsari about his own feelings towards the United States, he passionately described his love for his adopted country.

“I say, I teach my children and that’s what I feel myself: This is the ideal micro-world in the entire world. I respect this country. I love this country. This country – which gives chance to everybody else to be treated as a human being.”

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/19/17827354-what-motivated-bombing-suspects-being-losers-uncle-says?lite

April 19th, 2013, 4:16 pm

 

zoo said:

#251 Majed

I have no idea why these young brainwashed Islamist would want to hurt the US.
What I know is that they seem to sympathize with Islamists Sunni terrorists and that this path should be followed as it may lead to cells of terrorists like the Al Qaeda cells recently arrested in the UAE and Kuwait.

That may prevent more attacks.

April 19th, 2013, 4:19 pm

 

zoo said:

#246 SL

I wonder if the brilliant uncle knew about the Youtube islamic videos that his nephews loved. He probably did not see his nephews for years as he considered them as ‘losers’.

The guy is just protecting his ass….

April 19th, 2013, 4:24 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

In our mosque here it is required by Imam to preach against terrorism four times a year
God said ( LA Ta3tado), do not initiate hostilities, he said killing one person is just like killing many people

Brahimi said Bashar is not in a mood of dialogue

April 19th, 2013, 4:25 pm

 

revenire said:

It is funny to see SL squirming about these Chechen rats he supports in Syria.

All of the pro-opposition people on SC expressed support for terrorism.

Don’t try to hide it now.

April 19th, 2013, 4:28 pm

 

Syrialover said:

Those jihadist losers also inflict shame, humiliation and nightmare problems on their families, communities and all fellow Muslims.

The challenge is there for all Muslims.

Here’s the right script, from the Boston bombers’ uncle quoted above:

“…anything else to do with religion, with Islam – it’s a fraud, it’s a fake,”

April 19th, 2013, 4:29 pm

 

zoo said:

After a close-door meeting with the UNSC, Ibrahimi insists that the opposition and the government must accept negotiations and that the UNSC must act. He is not resigning yet

Syria: Joint UN-Arab League Envoy urges Security Council to act on ‘most serious crisis’

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=44712&Cr=syria&Cr1=#.UXGpcTdVXso

“The situation is extremely bad and we need action from the Council,” Mr. Brahimi told reporters at UN Headquarters following a closed-door session with the Council.

“The opposition and the government have got to accept to come to negotiations, and both sides have got to accept that these negotiations are necessary,” Mr. Brahimi added.
..
Mr. Brahimi told journalists that he tried to aid the creation of a ‘Syria Plan’ through discussions with both sides in Syria and through discussions with the 15-member Security Council, particularly Russia and the United States.

“With the Syrians, I got nowhere. With the Security Council, with the Americans and the Russians we made some progress, but it was far too weak,” said Mr. Brahimi.

“I am very happy that the Americans and the Russians are talking to one another. I’m very happy that from the discussions we just heard, the Security Council is very now aware that this is an extremely serious problem. As a matter of fact, the most serious crisis,” he continued.

“If they really believe that and they are in charge of looking at the peace and security there is no time for them to lose,” Mr. Brahimi stressed.

April 19th, 2013, 4:35 pm

 

revenire said:

SL you have as much chance of a secular revolution in Syria as I do of becoming King of the Universe. The secular revolution is Assad.

April 19th, 2013, 4:37 pm

 

revenire said:

Read ’em and weep rats, read ’em and weep.

=======

Damascus Maintains Military Advantage, Inner Circle Cohesive: DIA Chief

Michael FlynnDefense Intelligence Agency Director Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn said, in a testimony prepared for delivery later today to the Senate Armed Services Committee, that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s government “maintains the military advantage — particularly in firepower and air superiority,” and his inner circle “appears to be largely cohesive”.

In a report published on Bloomberg news agency Thursday, Flynn added that “no opposition group has been able to unite the diverse groups behind a strategy for replacing the regime.”

Moreover, Flynn indicated that “Syria’s arsenal of conventional missiles is mobile and can reach much of Israel and large portions of Iraq, Jordan and Turkey from sites well within the country.”

He added that “Russia had sold Syria a supersonic anti-ship cruise missile called the Yakhont, a weapon with a range of 300 kilometers that poses a major threat to naval operations, particularly in the eastern Mediterranean.”

========

Behind the Scenes: 4000 Militants Killed in Three Weeks

4000 members of the military and Takfiri groups were killed and thousands were wounded during the last three weeks as was revealed by military reports which reached the US military command and the Pentagon circles this week.

According to many Western intelligence sources, the recent reports coming from Syria reflected a significant shift of balance of military power towards the Syrian government benefit. The Western sources expressed concern this change in the military field has caused a devastating effect on the military factions fighting against the Syrian army that many of them are fleeing the field, surrendering to the government forces or joining them.

The G8 countries are mulling an initiative to propose a political solution to the Syrian crisis, this idea was further deliberated between the US and Russian Foreign ministers, the initiative would be based on the soul of Geneva accord.

Sources close to the prime minister designate Tammam Salam expressed hope and optimism over a soon cabinet formation; however, observers say it is not likely Salam forms his government in a near future as many obstacles and detriments still need to be solved before that.

April 19th, 2013, 4:39 pm

 

Syrialover said:

# 258. ZOO said of the bombers’ uncle:

“The guy is just protecting his ass”

No, he’s just saying what every sane person thinks.

However, dear ZOO, you’re going to have to get a personal strategy for yourself now if you are from the Middle East and living or travelling abroad.

At every airport, every workplace, out there in public we can expect to suffer a revival of every Arab = potential Muslim terrorist.

PS That will go for you too REVENIRE unless you’re a westener here playing games

April 19th, 2013, 4:41 pm

 

zoo said:

The Story Behind the Bombers

Did al Qaeda ideology inspire the attack or were the two brothers driven by other motivations?

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/04/19/the-story-behind-the-bombers.html

This doesn’t mean al Qaeda played no role: on the question of whether the lone wolves had domestic or international grievances, the intelligence official thought it likely that they were “inspired” by al Qaeda’s ferociously anti-American ideology.

April 19th, 2013, 4:54 pm

 

ghufran said:

In a nut shell what made this war last as long as it did is the unwillingness of powerful parties to accept anything less than a total victory over their enemies, those parties have not yet paid a price for keeping this war raging. It will take a miracle or a major development to end this war:
1. one party will dominate militarily and impose a solution on his terms
or
2. the war extends beyond Syria’s borders and starts to threaten other countries
people thought that the “good will” of the international community including the US and Russia will be enough to end the war and start a dialogue, they were wrong.

April 19th, 2013, 4:56 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

There is a report that the guy is in connecticut

April 19th, 2013, 5:00 pm

 
 

Citizen said:

Britain’s former ambassador to Syria stated the following
“Why our government can help the French to fight al-Qaida in Mali and simultaneously send assistance to its supporters in Syria is difficult to understand. We should be neutral and keep far away from the Syrian struggle”
Because its called double standards, and there is no Al-Qaida in Syria, just peaceful democratic secular olive branch holding freedom fighters battling for western style liberal democracy.
Sarcasm of course.
@Dannymakkisyria

April 19th, 2013, 5:30 pm

 
 

Syrialover said:

# 259.MAJEDKHALDOUN said:

“In our mosque here it is required by Imam to preach against terrorism four times a year”.

We have to face the fact this is NOT ENOUGH.

I remember the debate raging around the Pakistani and other Muslim communities in the UK after the London terrorist bombings in 2005.

It was suggested that these people (the terrorists) need to be seen as mentally unstable losers which their families and communities should be obliged to identify and report. Even to the extent of threatening to prosecute their families and shut down local mosques.

It was also revealed that moderate islamic community leaders and imams at mosques were actually in fear of the extremists and unable to tackle them.

But of course, those communities weren’t prepared to take on the issue, still leaving it to the British authorities to do all the detecting and sorting out. Then joining in the chorus or keeping “neutral” i.e. agreeing when there are bleats about “violating the human rights” of convicted terrorists or suspects.

Muslims have a higher stake in this than anyone. There has to be some responsibility by Muslim communities and stupid relatives for the current flow of jihadists out of western countries into Syria. They don’t see a problem and leave it to their governments to try to deter them.

Because they claim to be doing it in the name of Islam (or rather their invented twisted version) these idiots appear to somehow get a wink and blind eye from those around them.

They are no different from the terrorist Red Brigades of Japan and Italy or the Baader Meinhof gang in Germany which created such terror and chaos in those places in the 80s (now only dimly remembered, but shocking if you look at it). Except these guys are less sophisticated, more impressionable, more extremist and being more openly encouraged than those European terrorists.

April 19th, 2013, 5:45 pm

 

zoo said:

SL

I am touched by your concerns.
The US is with Israel the only countries in the world where islamophobia, arabophobia and iranophobia are endemic.

Thank God, the rest of the world is not that paranoiac and is anyway much more interesting to visit.

April 19th, 2013, 5:58 pm

 

Syrialover said:

#266. ZOO

It doesn’t matter what their idiot motives are, or where they actually come from.

Any hint of so-called Islamic idelogy or anti-westernism will have the same catastrophic implications:

We are now back to all Arabs = potential Muslim terrorists.

And as for #273. Wait and see.

April 19th, 2013, 6:01 pm

 

zoo said:

SL

“It was also revealed that moderate islamic community leaders and imams at mosques were actually in fear of the extremists and unable to tackle them.”

You touched the core of the problem. It is ok to criticize Shias but criticizing another Sunni is tabu, even if this Sunni is an extremist.
Until the moderate Sunnis get enough guts to decry and marginalized openly these extremists sects, they willo remain their accomplices.
I don’t see this happening soon.
In Tunisia and Egypt, the ruling Moslem Brotherhood is reluctant to crack down on the Sunni takfirists or salafists for fear of appearing “unislamic”.

Only governments who have a legitimacy that is independent from the religion can feel free to openly crack down on extremists.
(We see that in the UAE and Kuwait)
This is why Syria need a secular government.

April 19th, 2013, 6:10 pm

 

zoo said:

#274 SL

As the killers are moslems and have publicly sympathized with islamist terrorists, anyone who look or act Moslem is now in danger of being treated like a terrorist.
Hijab and long beard may be a problem for pious moslems in the USA.

It will be very hard to change the minds of common americans while the US media, fed by zionists, contributes to the demonization.

April 19th, 2013, 6:19 pm

 

Syrialover said:

Syrians standing in solidarity with Bostonians:

https://twitter.com/THE_47th/status/325202610124619776/photo/1

April 19th, 2013, 6:24 pm

 

ann said:

How a Chechen terror suspect wound up living on taxpayers’ dollars – Sunday, March 20, 2005

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38200-2005Mar15.html

By back home, of course, he meant Chechnya’s capital, Grozny, though it’s unlikely he can ever set foot there again. He was worried that some factions of the Chechen resistance might react badly to news that their unofficial representative in America consumes alcohol. Most Chechens are only nominally Muslim, thanks to 70 years of Soviet-enforced atheism and centuries of cultural isolation. But a more firebrand form of fundamentalism has taken root in some quarters of the underground, which has fallen under the sway of al Qaeda-type radicals from the Middle East who came to Chechnya in the 1990s to help fight the Russians and preach jihad. Unfortunately for Akhmadov, the head of Chechnya’s deadliest jihadist movement is his former friend and field commander, Shamil Basayev, the man who in an Internet posting asserted responsibility for killing more than 300 people, most of them schoolchildren, in Beslan. A hero of Chechnya’s war of independence, a former deputy prime minister and in many ways Akhmadov’s mentor, Basayev has split from the mainstream resistance and started routinely targeting Russians.

Soon, said Akhmadov, Basayev was spouting Islamic slogans, teaching himself to read Arabic and praying five times a day. He began to break with Maskhadov on fundamental issues, such as continuing negotiations with Moscow, and claimed he was now receiving guidance from a higher authority. “In council debates Basayev started quoting the Koran, becoming very dogmatic.” He had taken a new name and honorific, Abdullah Shamil Abu Idris, amir of the Rijalis-Salichin diversionary regiment of the Chechen shahids, or martyrs.

It was a bit much for Akhmadov, and the two quietly parted ways. There was no blowout or dramatic scene; Akhmadov simply went to work at the nascent Chechen foreign ministry while Basayev resigned from the government. But if Basayev was distancing himself from the mainstream Chechen leadership (and vice versa), he was not entirely retreating from public view. In 1999, he and Amir Khattab, a Saudi holy warrior and veteran of al Qaeda’s Afghan training camps, launched a high-profile incursion into neighboring Russian Dagestan to try to topple the secular authorities there. Moscow reacted with predictable fury at the botched attempt to spread an Islamic revolt in the greater Caucasus. Soon afterward, a rash of mysterious apartment bombings rocked Russia. Putin, a former KGB officer whom Yeltsin had made head of domestic intelligence and his anointed successor, quickly pinned the blame on Chechen extremists and began mobilizing for war.

[…]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38200-2005Mar15.html

April 19th, 2013, 6:25 pm

 

Syrialover said:

# 276. ZOO

You are just rephrasing what I have said.

Except that people are not interested in whether you are a “Christian Arab” or whatever. To the average citizen of non-Muslim countries it’s back to: all Arabs = potential Isamic terrorists.

Incidentally, ZOO, have you entered America on a Syrian or Jordanian passport post 9/11 ? What happened – waved straight through? Not likely. It will probably be worse now.

April 19th, 2013, 6:29 pm

 

zoo said:

267. ghufran

The reason that it doesn’t stop is that there is no neutral and resilient entity, trusted by both side that could ignore the emotions and push to establish a dialog.
Turkey was a friend to Syria and could have played that role.

That’s the major mistake Turkey did. By taking side too quickly it has lost the chance to play that role. Erdogan was too emotional and too confident that Bashar was going to quickly loose that he rushed to isolate him.
In my eyes it is Turkey’s mistake that has triggered the unstoppable escalation of violence. History will judge it

Now it is the pressure of a military victory of one side or the other that will determine which will bow to make concessions.

April 19th, 2013, 6:33 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

I am sure you are aware that Iran and HA and Iraq are providing fighters ,to Assad thugs

April 19th, 2013, 6:36 pm

 

zoo said:

#279

Let me add: Iranian = potential Islamic terrorist

I think that Christian Arabs like the Copts are immune from this association.

April 19th, 2013, 6:37 pm

 

zoo said:

#281 Majed

If this is true, you should rejoice! Al Nusra may do what the Israelis and the Iraqis Sunni islamists have failed to do.

I know you have a high regard for the al Nusra fighters, why worry?

April 19th, 2013, 6:41 pm

 

Tara said:

The fact of the matter is if the motive was for “Islamic” reason, all Arab will be affected and will be associated with terrorism. They will not ask in airports if you an Arab Muslim or An Arab Christian. You will be profiled no matter what.

And watch out, the most vicious attacks on ALL Muslims will come from Arab Christians who will try to incite more hatred and even invent fake stories in a failed attempt to dissociate themselves. I am afraid that some Arab Christians will use what happened to express their hatred. I saw it in 9/11 and I am expecting to see it now.

April 19th, 2013, 7:09 pm

 

Tara said:

This was a sad week. How can someone be brainwashed that profoundly to think he is serving a cause by killing the innocents? Where did the brainwashing happened? How can this brainwashing be targeted the right way and eliminated? This should be a cultural war more than a drone war. The West should build an alliance with moderate Muslim leaders to approach the problem. Tackling the problem alone is not going to help it.

April 19th, 2013, 7:22 pm

 

Ghufran said:

I am sure many of you remember our discussion about terrorism and who is behind this new fascist wave of Wahhabi Takfiri ideology that has infected many young Muslims. Some chose to dodge the issue altogether denying the existence of Islamist terrorists, others have said that those terrorists are simply troubled kids who felt isolated and hopeless , but a careful look at the profile of many terrorists clearly shows that this is not true. The kid being looked at now , for example, had a decent life and was given a scholarship at a univ in MA. Read some of the posts here from the first day the attack on Boston took place and you will understand my point, many Muslims are in denial, the problem is first and foremost the ideology that many Muslims carry, there are still educated Muslims who have no problem supporting Nusra and even Al-Qaida just because those terrorists were fighting somebody they do not like. We are screwed, no doubt, non Sunni and even non Muslim middle easterners will be painted by a broad brush, in that sense alawis ( considered as heretics by many Sunnis) and Sunnis will be seen as dirty Muslims who can not live in peace with others and can not be trusted to be loyal citizens.

April 19th, 2013, 7:38 pm

 

revenire said:

@277 SL that’s funny. I see a photo of 15 rats that support Nusra holding a sign. Again you romanticize terrorists. No one is buying. 47th is a clown show of wrong calls on any number of things.

April 19th, 2013, 7:47 pm

 

zoo said:

Is Iran changing its game with Arab countries to counter American-Turkish influence?

Plans to disintegrate Mideast

http://arabnews.com/news/448767

For this reason, some argues that Iran may change the rules of game in dealing with some Arab states by removing some security misgivings and forging interim understanding. This is meant to counter the American-Turkish- Israeli orientation in the region.

It is not a secret anymore that Tehran offered to aid Egypt with some $ 30 billion recently. Also this may explain the security coordination between the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
…
Seen in this way, one can argue that the region is in a state of fluid. Therefore, there may be a new change in the region even if this entails some countries to put aside their differences for a strategic objective. The goal here is to preempt the scheme to disintegrate the region. Some political forces have started revisiting their stand on the Arab Spring.

April 19th, 2013, 7:49 pm

 

zoo said:

Tara

Moslem Sunni Arabs have a problem with a brand of Islam that seems to create extremist terrorists and on which they have no control.

While Christians Europeans have had the Irish catholic and protestant fighting a terror war recently, Arab Christians are in perfect harmony with the different sects of Christianity in the middle east. They are all moderate.
Therefore they can’t be concerned by the conflicts within Sunni Islam as they have no role or legitimacy in helping to solve them.
Sunni Moslems have to find the solution by themselves. What is the OIC doing in this regard?

April 19th, 2013, 8:01 pm

 

zoo said:

Boston bombings may complicate U.S.-Russian diplomacy over Syria

The possible link between the Boston Marathon bombings and Chechnya’s struggle for independence from Russia is likely to harden Russian opposition to any outside intervention in Syria and complicate the question of whether to arm the Syrian rebels.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/boston-bombings-may-complicate-us-russian-diplomacy-over-syria/2013/04/19/3f9b85c0-a924-11e2-8302-3c7e0ea97057_story.html

April 19th, 2013, 8:15 pm

 

syria no kandahar said:

Denial,denial,denial
So Chechens are Angels in Syria and devils in the US! How can you
Support Chechen monkeys killing syrans and claim to be against
Chechen apes killing Americans! with all the sadness and the Sympathy with all the victims of these SUNNI wahabi Chechen terrorists victims in the US we all know that the same terrorists
have been feeding Syrians the same poison over the last 2 years.
Tara,Majed,Visitor,SL,Shiek yakoubi’s boy all have been supporting
international jihadists in Syria all along,suddenly they have a shock and converted to anti-jihadists when the victim was the US.
To all of you stupid terrorists supporters I tell you that the US is smart and this war against your beloved terrorists will go on
One terrorist at a time.

April 19th, 2013, 8:18 pm

 

Tara said:

Kandahar,

Sure. One terrorist at a time. Starting with the mother of all terrorists: the regime itself. Did you forget that Syria is classified as a terrorism-sponsoring state. Thereis a big difference between a those fighting the terrorist regime in Syria that committed crimes against humanity and between those who kill civilians and yes the US is not stupid. Please do not delude yourself.

April 19th, 2013, 8:36 pm

 

syria no kandahar said:

Ok,The regime is in a war against who?? you know that the Syria army is 95% lay Syrians mostly sunnis.Who is on the other side?
JN?Alqaeda?Chechens?Libyans?Tunisians?Swedes?Turks?Afghans?
The US policies are not a bible or a quran and they change labeling states based on many factors which we all know.You are standing against your people and making a joke out of religion
just because you have uncontrolled amount of hate to to regime
which makes you willing to close your eyes and get in love with
the wahabist devil thinking that it will save you from what in your mind is a worse devil.
your prognosis is poor Tara,like your dog poop revolution’s.

April 19th, 2013, 8:58 pm

 

Tara said:

Kandahar,

Pretend you do not know.

It is the regime against the people.

The sunni conscripts were forced into fighting the people and were often shot in the back for refusing orders to kill. Did you forget? Aricept anyone? Do you need some samples?

And in case yup did not understand what the Hamster wrote, he used the dog poop to describe Batta. Find your own insult.

April 19th, 2013, 9:05 pm

 

Syria no Kandahar said:

Ok,fine,MB was not firing at protestors backs?The first few thousands
Of Alsherta killed were not unarmed because stupid leadership believed
That Syria was Switzerland ?
You are not treatable nor rehab able from the wahabi virus,I recommend
To you some form of jihad which I will be nice enough not to specify.

April 19th, 2013, 9:15 pm

 

zoo said:

The opposition in on for a nasty surprise at the FOS meeting. Kerry will finally use sticks with the opposition.
He will ask the opposition to reaffirm Al Khatib’s commitment to negotiations with the regime.
He will call the opposition to make a “commitment to diversity, pluralism, democracy, inclusivity, protection of minority rights.”
He will oblige Turkey, Qatar and KSA to stop aiding their favorites, thus dividing the armed rebels
There will be a lot of teeth grinding, if Kerry does what he says he’ll do.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/20/world/middleeast/more-american-aid-to-syrian-rebels-with-conditions.html?pagewanted=2

“It’s not a quid pro quo, but we want the opposition to do more,” said a senior official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the administration’s strategy. “Secretary Kerry will be discussing what steps we want them to take.”

The United States also wants the opposition to reaffirm that it is prepared to negotiate with representatives of the Assad government on a political transition . Sheik Moaz al-Khatib, the leader of the opposition, has agreed to begin such talks if they can be arranged, but other elements of the opposition have resisted the idea.
…
While the United States and European nations have insisted on democratic principles, American officials have been concerned that some of the opposition’s financial backers in Persian Gulf states have been less particular about the rebel factions they aid.

Among those that Mr. Kerry said he wanted to put “on the same page” are the “Qataris, Saudis, Emirates, Turks,” as well as the Europeans. Nurturing a unified, moderate opposition has been complicated by regional rivalries, with countries pushing their own favorites.

April 19th, 2013, 9:16 pm

 

Tara said:

Kandahar,

Pretend some more!

You know I do not submit to Wahabbi ideology. You know I am not conservative not even a traditional Arab woman so why you insist to willfully delude yourself? To fit your views. Is this unconscious persistence of disregarding all evidence in order to de-legit our revolution as a revolution of the people against their oppressors is a mechanism of self defense as your conscience can not stand the naked truth of having been at the side of war criminals who commit crime against humanity?

I am a very educated health care consumer but I am not aware of any pill that can help the conscience. I just pray for you people that one day you won’t wake up, realize what you have done and commit suicide.

April 19th, 2013, 9:35 pm

 
 
 

zoo said:

What the anti-Bashar have a hard time accepting is that the situation today has nothing to do with what it was two years ago.

They keep repeating these old events to try to hide to themselves that the revolution has failed from the moment the armed rebels have welcomed Al Qaeda terrorists in their ranks because they were failing to topple the regime which has been their goal from the start.

From that moment, they have created a vicious circle, applauding the ‘victories’ of Al Nusra and giving a blind eyes to the terrorists car bomb attacks. They have discredited themselves by allowing criminal as allies.
Now the rebels are trapped and stained by Al Nusra’s crimes and they can’t get rid of them.
So the war in Syria has changed into a war against Al Qaeda that showed its readiness to take over the country by force.
Who will fight against Al Qaeda? that’s the dilemma the West has to deal with, while the anti-Bashar continue recycling their hatred for a regime ignoring that now this regime and this army are the only ones that can save Syria from the chaos Al Qaeda is aiming at.

April 19th, 2013, 9:42 pm

 

Juergen said:

Tara

You ask where the brainwashing took place. I think it takes place everywhere. Modern islamist thinking doesnt necessarily need an weird Imam or an bad mosque. Nowadays most Islamists got convinced in their positions mainly by youtubesheiks and boarddiscussions groups. The problem is that in most muslim communities pious guys are treated with either sympathy or shame, shame because many feel that they dont fulfill all their duties, and those who openly dress as pious muslims and drop one or two mashallahs in their sentences may provoke shame. I am quite sure that these brothers havent set a foot in any organized american mosque. I do like what Ghufran wrote about it,its true, many Muslims live in denial about the real nature of Islamism. I am never concerned about the actual small number of extremists, but I am very much concerned about how this islamist thinking is perceived by a mass portion of Muslims allover the globe. This acceptance as a conservative islamic way of life is the real danger, Muslims should wake up and target this thinking wherever they are confronted with it.

For those who like patriotic songs, History of Syria has put on a collection of old songs:

https://soundcloud.com/historyofsyria

April 19th, 2013, 9:54 pm

 

Syria no Kandahar said:

Exactly zoo.According to Tara you are pretending .
Tara,Alqeda,JN et all are 1400 years behind. You want to have Syria
Ruled by JN!! Syria the mother of civilizations gets ruled by Wahabist
Ugly dirty filthy criminals!! Day dreamers will say that JN is not the
Oppositions, I will say get the MFJN out of Syria and you can have
Kassr Almohajreen.

April 19th, 2013, 9:56 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Zoo said
“He will oblige Turkey, Qatar and KSA to stop aiding their favorites, thus dividing the armed rebels”
No one can oblige Turkey Qatar or KSA to stop aiding the rebels,It is Iran and Russia that will be forced to stop their aid to a crimnal Bashar.
I agree with you that Jabhat AlNusra must renounce terrorism,We want freedom, democracy, and justice,The time for one family or one sect to rule Syria is gone,Iran must pull back,their Shi’a regime does not provide freedom to the iranians,and spreading false religion is no longer accepted,and yes Syria will be the place for ideal democracy,it will radiate light to other countries ,like Iraq, and Maliki and his ilks will be defeated, the two countries will cooperate with Turkey and KSA and Qatar,I am looking for a time when I can travel from Damascus to Baghdad,or Amman or even Ankara or Haifa without stopping at the border,we will have peace,stop spending on military and spend our wealth at growth and prosperity

April 19th, 2013, 10:14 pm

 
 

Tara said:

Juergen

Brilliant. Yes I agree that the so called pious guys credentials consist of a rope, a head piece, some cliches phrases that invoke God, and a tool box of provoking sympathy or playing on the masses feeling of guilt stemming from one’s perceived deficiency of fulfilling religious duties. And the guilt-shame complex is very strong emotion. It then boils down that the masses are never taught the essence of islam the way I understand it. The emphasis has been always the obligations and duties of praying, wearing hijab, and all sort of other duties. They are taught if you do not pray 5 times a day, do this or do that, your are destined to Hell. And since it is difficult to fulfill all the obligations, it is rather easy to feel guilt. Whereas the essence of Islam is about being a good person and to fear God when you do bad onto the others, not to fear God when you fail to fulfill certain
“duties”.

April 19th, 2013, 10:19 pm

 

ghufran said:

fair or not, when a leader or a government coexists with or causes vast destruction and economic hardship, that leader and that government are replaced because people want new blood and people believe in power sharing,those who support this regime have a number of points to argue about how bad the rebels are and how non credit worthy the opposition is but none of that changes the fact that Syria needs a new leadership. This war has internal causes and is not just due to a cosmic conspiracy, the regime made all of this misery and division possible by its oppression, corruption and lack of respect for ordinary citizens, the tragedy is that I think the regime is succeeding in convincing many inside and outside Syria that it is a choice between them and the type of people who bombed the Boston Marathon, that success is largely due to the mistakes of the opposition and their backers who chose people like Tayfour over a decent fellow like A.A Khayyer to support, it is not a coincidence that AA Khayyer is still in prison while common criminals are being released.
(tfu ala haik nizam wa ala haik hukoumeh)

April 19th, 2013, 10:22 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

It’s still a losing strategy for the Assadists. At this point Al Nusra is considered BETTER than the regime by the majority of the Syrian population and the Arab world.

Sure they used a couple of car bombs here and there, but they haven’t leveled entire cities yet.

The regime is worse. It has no legitimacy. The war continues.

April 19th, 2013, 10:25 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

A government’s power is based on legitimacy: in other words the ability to CONVINCE and PERSUADE its citizens to accepts its rule.

The Assadists have lost that legitimacy because of its violent acts. Every week of violence from the Assadists leads to a diminishing ability for them to rule.

The Assadists have been their own worst enemies. By inflicting violence on the country like this, they have destroyed their right to rule.

The rebels have been VERY successful in their strategy. They invade an area, and invite the regime to shell it indiscriminately. After the regime does so (stupidly), that area is lost to the regime forever.

April 19th, 2013, 10:29 pm

 

Syrian said:

The 2nd Boston guy is caught, glad to have been caught tonight , in 48 hours he’ ll be old news,
Then the # 1 terrorist ,Batta, will be again the main news

April 19th, 2013, 10:29 pm

 

Tara said:

Mari

That is what Bashar’s lovers fail to understand. The regime is the evilest of all. An average Syrian does not share the al Nusra ideology but he/she will choose them over the regime if needs to. So yes, the war continues

April 19th, 2013, 10:32 pm

 

zoo said:

There are unconfirmed reports that Moaz al Khatib and other leaders of the SNC met in Turkey ahead of the FOS meeting to discuss how to get rid of Qatar’s influence on the SNC.
They resent Qatar who have imposed Hitto in order to get future contracts in the reconstruction of Syria.

While it may be just a rumor, it fits well with Kerry wanting to reaffirm the validity of Moaz al Khatib’s call for negotiations with the regime that Qatar’s agent in the SNC have opposed.
It also fits with the declarations that Kerry wants to put Qatar and other fund providers in the “same page” to facilitate the unity of the armed rebels.

This meeting will be be very interested because it may turn out to isolate Qatar and start the negotiating process

April 19th, 2013, 10:35 pm

 

Tara said:

Syrian

I was hoping they catch him alive so we know the motive without speculation.

April 19th, 2013, 10:36 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

Tara,

It’ll be a long war. But the Assadists will lose in the end.

Simply put: the Assadists have no legitimacy. No one wants to talk to them. They are politically dead.

They can win military victories here and there, but never enough to offset their losses or end the war. Their enemies will keep on attacking.

The Assadists are obstinate, so they won’t die a fast death. Instead they’ll die a slow death, from a million cuts.

April 19th, 2013, 10:36 pm

 

Tara said:

Please.. Like 400,000 mnhebaks is an impressive number to boast about. The ugliest actor in Syria can have more than 400,000 fans.

What is the post meant to convey?

April 19th, 2013, 10:42 pm

 

Syrian said:

Tara,
Whatever his motivation, he got nothing to do with Syria’s revolution,
Sorry can it say more my phone battery is dying

April 19th, 2013, 10:48 pm

 

syria no kandahar said:

like your dog poop revolution.

April 19th, 2013, 10:59 pm

 

Ghufran said:

Rebels are stealing oil and selling it to Turkey at prices well below market value, then using the proceeds to finance their bloody revolution, here is what Muslim sheikhs think of this practice:
أصدرت هيئة الشام الإسلامية فتوى حول وضع بعض كتائب الجيش الحر يدها على آبار النفط وبيع المخزون في صهاريج عبر تركيا، فضلاً عن بيع آلات وأدوات وتجهيزات أخرى عائدة للدوائر الحكومة كالمدارس وغيرها.
وجاء في نص الفتوى :
أولاً: مرافق الدولة من عقارات أو منقولات، وكذا المصانع, وصوامع الغلال, والمستشفيات, والمدارس ونحوها هي أموال عامة تعود منفعتها وملكيتها لعموم الناس، لا لشخصٍ بعينه. وإنما تنحصر وظيفة الدولة في تنظيم هذا المال وإدارته، وتوزيعه بطريقة عادلة، باعتبارها وكيلةً ونائبةً عن الأمة فيه. وعليه، فلا يجوز لأحد امتلاكها أو استخدامها لمنفعته الشخصية، أو اختصاص طائفة بها دون سائر الناس.
كما أنها لا تدخل ضمن الغنائم التي توزَّع على المجاهدين، بل تبقى ملكيتها لعموم الناس، كما سبق ذلك في فتوى (حكم الاستيلاء على صهاريج المازوت ونحوه من المال العام) وفتوى (حكم الأموال التي يغنمها الثوار في سوريا). والواجب الشَّرعي أن يُحافظ على عملها قدر المستطاع لتبقى منفعتها العامة ؛ مع توفير الحراسة والحماية لها.
ثانياً: تُعَدُّ السُّدود، وآبار النفط والغاز وخزاناتها، من الأموال العامة كذلك التي لا يجوز لأحد تملكها، أو استغلال توزيع منتجاتها وريعها لفئة دون غيرها .
ثالثاً: يجوز للمجاهدين التموُّل من هذه الآبار بما يحقق كفاية كتائبهم وكفاية الناس وحاجتهم. أما آثار ذلك على البيئة والصحة، فتوجب اتخاذ أقصى وسائل الحماية والحذر في عملية الاستخراج، والتعامل بالتصفية والتكرير، وما يحتاجه ذلك من الاستعانة بالخبراء والأخصائيين؛ دفعًا للضرر الحاصل منها، ووقاية لمستقبل البلاد والعباد.
رابعاً: إن قيام بعض الكتائب أو الجهات الثورية ببيع الأملاك العامة كالصوامع أو المصانع، أو بيع ما فيها من آلات أو معدات أو تخريبها، أو بيع منتجاتها كالنّفط والقمح وغيره لخارج سوريا مع حاجة الناس الماسة لها، يعد من الخيانة والإفساد في الأرض، الذي يستحق فاعله العقوبة الشديدة الرادعة لأمثاله؛ قطعًا لدابر الفتنة والإفساد في الأرض، وحفاظًا على موارد الدولة وثروات الأمة.
خامساً: قيام إحدى الكتائب بتحرير أيٍ من هذه السُّدود أو آبار النفط أو الغاز أو الصوامع، وغيرها، لا يبيح لها حق التصرف فيها منفردة، بل ينبغي تكوين هيئات مستقلة عن الكتائب العسكرية، من أصحاب الوجاهة والعلماء والمحاكم الشرعيَّة ومن العاملين في هذه المنشآت لإدارتها وتسييرها؛ حفاظًا على مقدّرات البلد وثرواتها أن تضيع، أو يُساء استخدامها.

April 19th, 2013, 11:16 pm

 

Ghufran said:

This is a long post but it tells a lot:
اكد الناطق الرسمي باسم «الجبهة الجنوبية للجيش السوري الحر» التابعة لهيئة الأركان العامة، مطر إسماعيل،
لـ«الشرق الأوسط»، أن «معركة دمشق الحاسمة ليست على بعد أسابيع كما يروج الإعلام ولا أحد يعرف موعدها»، موضحا أنه «بعد فتح جبهة العتيبة والغوطة الشرقية من جهتي الضمير والمطار الدولي فإن معركة دمشق ستتأخر قليلا».
وشرح إسماعيل أنه «من ناحية التكتيك العسكري من الصعب جدا البدء بمعركة دمشق من دون تحقيق التواصل بين الغوطتين (الشرقية والغربية)»، مشيرا إلى أن «درعا من المفروض أن تكون منطلق الحسم ولكن معركتها حاليا مستقلة نوعا ما رغم أن تحرير كامل درعا وقطعها العسكرية وثكناتها سيصب في مصلحة معركة العاصمة وفي صالح انتصارها بأسرع وقت». ولفت إلى أن «التحضيرات حقيقة ليست مكتملة ما دام الطريق بين الغوطتين مغلقا»، مشددا على أن «ما زاد الطين بلة وأخّر في فتح الطريق هو شن النظام لهجوم كبير على منطقة العتيبة من محورين: الأول من جهة مطار دمشق الدولي وبلدة حران العواميد، والثاني من جهة الضمير ومطارها الحربي والألوية الموجودة هناك».
وأوضح إسماعيل أنه ليتمكن «الجيش الحر» من الربط بين الغوطتين فعليه أن يسيطر على مناطق عدة منها «شبعا – البحدلية عند الجسرين الرابع والخامس، ولكن يجب تحرير قصر المؤتمرات وبعض المزارع المحيطة من الأمن والشبيحة وجماعة اللواء أبي الفضل العباس، بالإضافة إلى تحرير إدارة الحرب الإلكترونية». وأضاف أن الربط يتم أيضا من خلال السيطرة على «طريق عقربا – المليحة، وبالتالي يجب تحرير عقربا ومبنى تاميكو وحاجز النور في المليحة وقطع طريق دمشق الدولي»، مشيرا إلى أن هذا يعني «السيطرة بشكل كامل على طريق المطار الذي يشق الطريق بين الغوطة الشرقية مع تحشيد عسكري قوي لضرب الإمدادات. وبالإجمال الأهم هو تضييق الخناق على المطار لأنه ثكنة عسكرية».
من جانبه، قال عضو المكتب الإعلامي في حي جوبر الدمشقي الناشط أبو عادل، ، إن «معركة الحسم في دمشق بعيدة جدا». وأوضح الناشط الإعلامي أنه «إذا نظرنا إلى المعطيات بأكملها معا نرى أنه صحيح أن الثوار صاروا على مقربة من ساحة العباسيين من جهة، لكن من طرف آخر فإن النظام يتقدم من جبهة المليحة ويحاول الالتفاف على الثوار من العتيبة والعبادة. وإذا نجح في تعزيز قواته فمن الممكن أن يصل إلى مرج السلطان والنشابية القريبتين من مطار دمشق الدولي». ولفت إلى أن النظام إذا نجح في دخول هاتين المنطقتين فإنه «يحاصر الغوطة الشرقية»، مؤكدا أن «تقديراتنا أن هذا السيناريو نظري بمعنى أن النظام يسعى إليه لكن يستحيل عليه تنفيذه، وهو لن ينجح لكنه سيؤجل أي هجوم حاسم على الشام من قبل الثوار».
وأشار أبو عادل إلى أن «النظام يحاول فتح جبهات جديدة بعيدا عن خط العاصمة الأول أي جبهة جوبر، مما يضطر الثوار إلى الانسحاب من الخط الأمامي إلى آخر خط خلفي»، مضيفا «حاليا بين الثوار وساحة العباسيين 500 متر فقط. بينما الآن عدد كبير من الثوار يتجهون إلى آخر خط لهم (العتيبة) للدفاع عنها بدل التوجه إلى الخط الأول، وخوفا من محاصرتهم، وبالتالي فإن المعارك في العتيبة تؤدي إلى تناقص من تعداد الثوار الموجودين في جوبر».
وأكد أبو عادل أن «النظام ما زال يتمتع بإمكانات كبيرة خصوصا الدعم البشري الإيراني والعراقي واللبناني. فمعظم من يقتلون الآن في جوبر هم عراقيون وإيرانيون. وهم مدربون تدريبا عاليا جدا»، وقال إن «من يقاتل على خط الجبهة الأول في دمشق أي جوبر هم العراقيون والإيرانيون، بينما الجيش النظامي يحشد في الغوطة الشرقية»، معتبرا أن ذلك «يدل على تقهقر النظام وعجزه والتدخل السافر من قبل العراقيين والإيرانيين».
وفي هذا السياق، أكد سليم، نائب قائد المجلس العسكري والثوري لدمشق وريفها التابع للقيادة العليا للجيش الحر، لـ«الشرق الأوسط»، أن المعركة الحاسمة في العاصمة «لأن المناطق المهمة في دمشق يسيطر عليها النظام بشكل كامل. والدول الداعمة (للأطراف في سوريا) لا تفكر الآن في معركة دمشق، إنما في إضعاف القدرة العسكرية لدى كل من النظام والثوار على حد سواء».
وأوضح أنه بما أن النظام هو صاحب القوة العسكرية الأكبر فإن «إضعافه يكون إما عبر تزويد الجيش الحر بأسلحة نوعية أو عبر إطالة أمد المعركة. وبما أن ما أعطي للجيش الحر من سلاح ليس نوعيا ويهدف فقط لتعزيز الصمود لا لشن أي هجوم والتقدم، فإن السيناريو أمامنا هو حرب استنزاف طويلة ولا حسم فيها».
Translation : it is either a long and bloody war with an uncertain outcome or ( rebels are not ready to say that yet) a negotiated settlement, the problem is that the essential elements of a political settlement do not exist yet.

April 19th, 2013, 11:29 pm

 

revenire said:

Want to see terrorists fly through the air? This one is for you.

Cheers.

April 19th, 2013, 11:54 pm

 

Vistor said:

Juergen,

I DO NOT think you qualify to talk about Islam AND/OR Muslims. In fact, you are full of empty conceit, because, you think you can judge Islam AND Muslims and make sweeping generalization that are unfounded.

I understand that you consider yourself a convert to Islam. But, you ARE NOT a Muslim.

TO BE A MUSLIM IS NOT SIMPLY A PROFESSION OF BEING MUSLIM.

April 20th, 2013, 12:00 am

 

Ghufran said:

Is the MB for a political solution or not?
بالرغم من التسريبات، التي تقول إن جماعة الإخوان المسلمين داخل الائتلاف الوطني المعارض ترفض الحوار والحل السياسي، بادرت هذه الجماعة إلى نشر بيان توضيحي مفاجىء، على موقعها الالكتروني، أكدت فيه أنها لا تملك أي فصيل مسلح داخل سوريا، وأنها مع الحل السياسي، الذي يعيد بناء المجتمع المدني الموحد، على قاعدة السواء الوطني، وتتمثل أطرافه في كل القوى المكونة للشعب السوري، وليس منها أحد يمثل القاتل أو من يمت إليه بصلة.
The problem is that there are hundred of armed groups in Syria who kill and steal for a living, those people could not care less about what Moaz, the MB, the NC, the SNC or anybody else says.

April 20th, 2013, 12:10 am

 

Syrialover said:

SYRIA NO KANDAHAR #294

Why the silly lies about me?

Nobody has slammed jihadists and mocked foreign holy warriors on this site more than I have. That’s been my stance on them for years – you apparently never read my posts.

So how dare you accuse me of: “supporting international jihadists in Syria all along, suddenly they have a shock and converted to anti-jihadists when the victim was the US.”

April 20th, 2013, 12:13 am

 

Ghufran said:

It is not clear yet whether the younger bomber was a jihadist or just a brainwashed teen influenced by his older brother:
Tamerlan, who was killed in a shootout earlier today, appears to have been sympathetic to Islamist radicalism. Five months ago, he appears to have created a channel on YouTube called Terrorists. The channel features videos from the one of the leaders of the insurgency in Dagestan, who goes by the name Amir Abu Dudzhan. YouTube appears to have removed two of the videos but in a third features Dudzhan calling for jihad. Holding a Kalashnikov rifle, he says, “Jihad is the duty of every able-bodied Muslim.” Among the other videos on his channel is one of Timur Mutsuraev, the bard of the Chechen resistance in the 1990s; it features his song “We Will Devote Our Lives to Jihad.”
( saying that the bombing in Boston will be forgotten in few days is silly)

April 20th, 2013, 12:18 am

 

Syrialover said:

The story on the Boston bombers is getting weirder by the hour.

Now we learn the older brother was happily married to a middle class American girl with a child, and they spent every weekend at the home of her Christian parents.

His wife’s father (a doctor), mother and sisters are in shocked disbelief and have put out a statement saying they realise they never really knew him.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2311809/EXCLUSIVE-Our-hearts-sickened-horror-inflicted-Shocked-family-All-American-girl-converted-Islam-marry-Boston-bomber-say-tragedy-proves-really-knew-him.html

April 20th, 2013, 12:31 am

 

ghufran said:

“His wife’s father (a doctor), mother and sisters are in shocked disbelief and have put out a statement saying they realise they never really knew him”
That is true in many cases of terrorism and mass murder, this form of Taqiyyah has made many non muslims suspicious of Muslims who may be soft-spoken and well-behaved but they strike without warning, it is the devil inside that wakes up and changes everything, that goes back to the core problem: an evil ideology that is infecting many Muslims today and making a lot of people wonder whether Islam is actually a peaceful religion.

April 20th, 2013, 12:38 am

 

revenire said:

Putin knows how to deal with these Chechen rats.

April 20th, 2013, 12:44 am

 

apple_mini said:

For the public, it is easier to use some catch-phase to label someone they do not quite have a comprehensive knowledge about.

As for Assad and the regime, in the beginning, they were called dictator and tyrant. Hence an evil image for the mass to picture him and the propaganda can root on it and flourish so the west can push the goal for ousting him.

Thanks to Nusra and Al Qaeda, now Assad became the most visible figure whose army is fighting ferociously against those terrorists.

Not only the new heroic image overshadows the old one, but also whoever is undermining Assad and his regime will be discredited.

The biggest enemy to the western public is terrorism. The western governments have been playing terrorism card for their political gains since 911. They have to deal with the consequences.

April 20th, 2013, 1:09 am

 

Syrialover said:

HOPEFUL said in #173

“I am convinced that some sensible brave loyalists around him [Assad] will hopefully take him out soon.”

His position is built on fear, lies and ruthlessness. More likely someone close to him will become afraid of him or find reason to suddenly distrust him – then make a move to get in first before he gets them.

That’s usually what happens in criminal gangs.

April 20th, 2013, 1:12 am

 

revenire said:

Delusional.

April 20th, 2013, 1:13 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

Retard.

April 20th, 2013, 1:17 am

 

Hopeful said:

Evil comes in many shades and colors. One is Al Qaeda, another is the Syian regime. Syria needs a new beginning free of both dictatorship and religious extremism.

April 20th, 2013, 1:41 am

 

Badr said:

Mr. Kerry wants to see a negotiation to end the rule of the Assad regime. From the nytimes article, that “Zoo” linked to, but neglected to cut and paste:

But Mr. Kerry’s expected announcement, officials said, may not come until after the United States secures a commitment from the Syrian opposition and its supporters that any government that replaces Mr. Assad’s would be inclusive, would protect the rights of his Alawite minority and other sects, and would abide by the rule of law.

Speaking to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday, Mr. Kerry said his goal was “to get everybody on the same page with respect to what post-Assad might look like — commitment to diversity, pluralism, democracy, inclusivity, protection of minority rights.”

In addition, Mr. Kerry said, the United States wanted the opposition to be “open to the negotiating process to a political settlement” and to “abide by rules with respect to conduct in warfare.”

April 20th, 2013, 2:45 am

 
 

Juergen said:

Visitor

First of all I write about personal experiences.I know folks who have radicalized not through mosques, but through some self declared youtubesheiks. Secondly, I have a big distrust since years when it comes to folks of any religion who would come out and tell me what is right, and what is wrong and who is a true believer and who isnt. All this Munafiq, Muqmin vs Muslim bashing is to talk in their terms bidaa, and overall an instrument of rascism.
I think Annemarie Schimmel said it well: “What I believe, only God can judge.”

April 20th, 2013, 3:10 am

 

Juergen said:

Funny enough, many in the US are confuse what is Chechnya, and think its actually the Czech republic. Czech amabssador to the US issued this statement on his website:

http://www.mzv.cz/washington/en/czech_u_s_relations/news/statement_of_the_ambassador_of_the_czech.html

April 20th, 2013, 5:16 am

 
 
 

Juergen said:

Open dialogue – the head of the interim Syrian government Ghassan Hito with free Khaled Abu Salah 19.04.2013

April 20th, 2013, 5:44 am

 

Mina said:

” Mr. Kerry said his goal was “to get everybody on the same page with respect to what post-Assad might look like — commitment to diversity, pluralism, democracy, inclusivity, protection of minority rights.” from the NYT article

Huh, sorry, does that exist in any Arab country? in any Middle-East country (including Israel)? in any Islamic country?

Can Mr Kerry go and explain that to his allies among the afore-mentioned?

April 20th, 2013, 8:14 am

 

Uzair8 said:

314. MarigoldRan said:

‘The Assadists are obstinate,..’

Sometimes I wonder it’s hard to tell who is more stubborn, the regime or the revolution.

April 20th, 2013, 8:21 am

 

Tara said:

It is laughable to think that Assad world image is going to be changed from a savage dictator to a hero because of Boston explosion . Epic self-delusion!

April 20th, 2013, 8:22 am

 

Mina said:

SL,
Check the last Bassam Youssef show on Youtube, beginning of 2nd part, you’ll see the raving MBs at their best “Inni ubashirkum ya ahl al Sudan anna Misr nahadat”, did he say in his speech last week in Khartum.
When you read this you get an idea how much it is experimenting nahda (the prices mentioned in this article are trustworthy, I can guarantee you)
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MID-01-150413.html

There’s something strange with expats. When you write “We are now back to all Arabs = potential Muslim terrorists” you seem to forget the embassies in Libya and Tunisia and the bearded clowns in Egypt and Pakistan or Afghanistan (not to mention the Gulf) who we can hear about on a daily basis.

April 20th, 2013, 8:26 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

The two Chechnian brothers,must have suffered low level of depression, this depression in young people could determine the course of their future they could have progressed to become great achievers,but for some reasons they choose terrorist course.
The older one Tamerlane could have explained many questions we have in mind,his death deprived us from knowing the answers to many questions, the younger brother may not know some answers,he was under the influence of Tamerlane, the father was away from home,he could have prevented such behaviour, to study the psychology of the whole family is important to know what went wrong.
Extremism is against Islam,when we pray we say God guide us to follow straight path, means do what is right,to do good deeds,not to hurt others, to be pious means to avoid bad deeds,God is watching us,God will punish us if we do bad deeds, to be good Moslem we must avoid hurting people, sooner or later bad deeds will be punished in this world and in the life after.
One is dead,the other is waiting for punishment,the whole family has suffered major jinx,Naqbeh.We have a crisis of ethics in this world.
I feel sorry for the victims,and their families,they have done nothing to deserve what happened to them

April 20th, 2013, 8:35 am

 

zoo said:

Syrians refugees protest been kept prisoners in Jordanian ill equipped camps

10 Jordan police hurt in clash with Syria refugees

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/69690/World/Region/-Jordan-police-hurt-in-clash-with-Syria-refugees.aspx

Violence broke out as 100 refugees held a protest against living conditions in Zaatari, home to more than 160,000 Syrians who have fled the bloodshed in their country, and a ban on leaving the desert camp near the border with Syria.

April 20th, 2013, 8:41 am

 

Tara said:

Damascus fragments as the din of war grows louder
Abbasiyeen area of Syrian capital reminds some of Beirut of late 70s – stalemate punctuated by sniper and mortar fire, and death
 Ian Black in Damascus
The Guardian, Friday 19 April 2013 11.11 EDT
…
State media report daily on operations by the “heroic” armed forces against “armed terrorist gangs” like Liwa al-Tawhid in Jobar or the Free Syrian Army in nearby Qaboun – both suburbs of Damascus proper, not the surrounding Damascus region, which is now largely beyond government control. 

Irreverent Damascenes note that while Syrian TV correspondents can go no further than the road sign pointing to Jobar, al-Jazeera – vilified as the tool of Assad’s arch-enemy Qatar – has a reporter based permanently on the rebel side.

Small, peaceful protests still take place – filmed and quickly uploaded to YouTube – but they attract little attention locally. In Medhat Pasha Souq, the picturesque covered market in the heart of the old city, a few dozen people mounted a flash demonstration the other day, chanting “God Protect the Free Army” before dispersing.
…
Security on the ground is in the hands of the popular committees, whose members carry pistols and machine guns and are authorised to patrol their own localities and communities – Christians in the Bab Touma area of the old city and members of the tiny Shia minority in an adjacent quarter. This is a sign, some fear, of a society starting to fragment under intolerable pressure. “It’s a mistake to arm people on a sectarian or religious basis,” warned a former Baath party stalwart. “It is a catastrophe in the long term.”
…
Short-term prospects looks bleak too. The Sayyida Zeinab Mosque, a golden-domed Shia shrine to the south of the city, is protected by men of the Abu Fadl al-Abbas Brigade, an umbrella unit that comprises Iraqi Shia militia, Hezbollah fighters from Lebanon and a contingent of Iranian Revolutionary Guards – a coalition of loyal foreign friends helping the Assad regime to face down its domestic and foreign enemies.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/apr/19/damascus-din-of-war

April 20th, 2013, 8:44 am

 

Uzair8 said:

The amazing sacrifices, MashaAllah, of the fallen martyrs have been burned permanently in our memories. They have left their indelible mark on history. Alhamdulillah. Any attempts to falsely portray the revolution are futile and cannot change history.

I’m so proud to be part of it no matter how tenuously.

All thanks and praise is for Allah Almighty, for without His help nothing is possible.

April 20th, 2013, 8:48 am

 

zoo said:

New formula for the friends of Syria : Concentrate on eliminating al Nusra?
The question is who is strong enough to do that?

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/al-qaeda-in-syria-but–werent-they-ikhwan.aspx?pageID=449&nID=45263&NewsCatID=409

Those in Turkey who would like to believe that not all of those mujahedeen fighting against evil al-Assad were devout members of the Muslim Brotherhood, or Ikhwan-i Muslimin, has to digest the fact that the most active ones in that lot were actually members of al-Qaeda. That naked truth might lead Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar to take new positions. Nobody would like to see al-Qaeda taking power in an important country in the East Mediterranean, like a stepping stone to Europe.

The Istanbul meeting might produce a new formula for Syria. The statement of John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, two days ago about the danger of “rival enclaves” in Syria, should not be ignored. It is possible that all the friends of the Syrian people could concentrate their efforts on eliminating al-Nusra as an alternative power to al-Assad and bargain with Russia on a new regime in Syria that will not exclude the Baath party but al-Assad himself.

In that sense, the French experience in Mali could be an example.

In order to eliminate al-Qaeda from being a power alternative in Mali and using the West Mediterranean as a stepping stone to Europe, France intervened its former colony, being backed by the U.S. and Britain; also among the Friends of the Syrian People.

If the Istanbul meeting produces a new formula considering the concerns coming from international terrorism and al-Qaeda, it may produce a result to end the civil war in Syria this time.

April 20th, 2013, 8:54 am

 

Uzair8 said:

RE: The recent regime offensive across various parts of the country.

Rather than sit and wait for the expected rebel move on Damascus, the regime may have decided that offense is the best form of defence. To ask questions of rebels elsehwhere in order to distract them from the capital.

April 20th, 2013, 9:02 am

 

Tara said:

The story of the younger brother breaking my heart. What went wrong? A young integrated man, attending medical school in a good university, living in the US since age 7, a wrestler, a volunteer with Down Syndrome children suddenly has a personality change and commit terror. His life is now over, just like the life of the 8 yo he took and the life of the police officer who died arresting him.

He has an integrated family. He doesn’t seem to be fed hatred since childhood like the shabeeha thugs and their lovers. I am bringing up the comparison because his case may be preventable not like those who are fed hatred in their mother milk.

What went wrong and how?!

April 20th, 2013, 9:09 am

 

Uzair8 said:

Infighting. Continuing on the theme from a previous post.

Some reports indicate dissent within Hezbo over Syria policy.

The regime mafioso can easily suspect and turn on each other.

Earlier on the regime, in order to appease the angry populace, got Mr Makhlouf to leave his public role and dedicate himself to charity work.

One can imagine a confrontation in the desert, like in Casino (Pesci v De Niro), an angry Makhlouf to Assad:

“You said I’m bringing heat on you? […] You’re orderin me out?”

[…]

April 20th, 2013, 9:15 am

 

annie said:

302. Juergen :
thank you; great songs @ History of Syria
Is there anything comparable with revolutionary songs ?

April 20th, 2013, 9:15 am

 
 

revenire said:

Victims of Terror: Shaza Sulieman
http://syriareport.net/victims-of-terror-shaza-sulieman/

Expectations of the “Battle for Damascus” have resulted in wild predictions of the fall of the Syrian regime being only a matter of days, weeks or months away. Some self-styled experts and mainstream media figures, willingly or otherwise, tend to lose objectivity when it comes to the strength of armed groups who roam the outskirts of Damascus. Additionally, the strength of the Syrian armed forces in the capital, as well as across the country, is underestimated at best. Regardless of the lack of concrete information and continuous embellishment of ”insurgent successes”, insight can be gathered from the reports of victims of the onslaught for Damascus. One such victim is Shaza Sulieman.
Shaza was born in 1986 and from Tartous, often a popular tourist destination home of the Russian naval facility on Syria’s Mediterranean coast. With degrees in Mathematics, Shaza well respected by her companions and teachers earning her roles in different arenas such as the Student Union and the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party. Looking forward to continuing her studies and obtaining a PHD, Shaza was a demonstrator for students studying Engineering.

Shaza Sulieman is just one example of the virtually unreported victims of attempts by armed groups to create a sense of panic in Damascus in the hope that it will somehow bring down the government. No doubt, the media’s encouraging reports of the “Battle for Damascus” spurs attempts to storm the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city.

Thanks to Lano al-Assad for translation

Facebook memorial page
https://www.facebook.com/shazasuliman2013

April 20th, 2013, 9:45 am

 

revenire said:

“Is there anything comparable with revolutionary songs?”

Annie I especially like the ones praising Al-Qaeda and Nusra. They’re the most popular too.

April 20th, 2013, 9:46 am

 

zoo said:

Tara

The common idea that a terrorist “looks” like a terrorist has been denied again.
Many of this new generation of islamist terrorists look plain and often lead a normal life while entertaining islamist terror desires.
That makes it more difficult for young moslems in the USA when facing the authority. Any one could be an islamist terrorist.

An example is the young educated and lovable Zyad Jarrah, a Sunni Lebanese terrorist part of the 9/11 attack in 2001

The Indecisive Terrorist
http://www.lrb.co.uk/v33/n17/mary-anne-weaver/the-indecisive-terrorist

April 20th, 2013, 9:47 am

 

revenire said:

Juergen please stop spamming the forum with those images. It is the same FIFTEEN (I counted them) guys holding signs in broken English. It is a waste of space and reminds me of your newspaper with 300 readers.

Or if you must spam could you please tell us what they are trying to say? It looks like gibberish.

You could always make yourself a short movie of these people and watch it for 18-24 hours in a row, or until you feel tired, and then take a nice nap. Older men need more rest.

Thanks.

April 20th, 2013, 9:59 am

 

Tara said:

Zoo,

You mean like the arch-terrorist Bashar al Assad who seemingly carried a normal life, married with children with “sexy and I know it” as his favorite song?

April 20th, 2013, 10:08 am

 

zoo said:

Tara

I just say that appearances can be misleading. Each ones draw his/her conclusions according to his/her personal prejudices.

April 20th, 2013, 10:20 am

 

Juergen said:

Reve

just ignore them, I ignore your “rat” movies too, havent watched any of them.

April 20th, 2013, 10:21 am

 
 

revenire said:

Juergen is there a message? Most of the signs are held by the same people. They all have an unkempt appearance. Isn’t there any running water where they are? Are these the revolutionaries of New Syria? Are they Nusra supporters Juergen or some moderate battalions of the FSA? Why don’t they ever post with their guns? Do they hide them before someone snaps a photo?

Did any of them know the Boston bombers?

Who do you post these for?

April 20th, 2013, 10:31 am

 

zoo said:

Embattled by the Syrian army new powerful counter-offensive the FSA admits: “the decisive battle in the capital will not take place anytime soon” while the rebel leader accuses the Syrian army to use foreign fighters (!)

Recent government successes on the battlefields around Damascus have led the rebels to re-think their strategy

http://www.aawsat.net/2013/04/article55299347

Beirut, Asharq Al-Awsat—The government of Bashar Al-Assad, once written off as doomed by some observers and journalists, has recently launched a military counter-offensive against the various groups battling to bring it down. Although it was never likely to lead to a victory so decisive as to turn the tide against the rebels and silence its critics, it has forced both the rebels to re-examine their tactics and some of their assumptions about the ongoing struggle.
…
The Deputy Commander of the Revolutionary Military Council of Damascus, who identified himself only as “Salim,” told Asharq Al-Awsat that the decisive battle in the capital will not take place anytime soon, “because the important areas of Damascus are fully controlled by the regime. The supporting countries are not concerned about the battle for Damascus, but rather they are focused on weakening the military might of the regime and rebels alike.”
….
Salim, too, asserted that the government’s defenses were bolstered by foreign fighters, especially its key defensive positions in the Jobar district of Damascus.

He said: “The majority of the fighters on the Jobar Front are Iranians, Indians, Pakistanis, Iraqis, and Hezbollah members. They are scattered about Nasreen and Jobar Streets on the front lines [in the direction of Abbasid Square] and in Otaiba, Bahriya, and Abada.

April 20th, 2013, 10:32 am

 

revenire said:

Juergen you’re obviously a very educated man. Can you help me? I have a serious question: why do these rats always film themselves being operated on? What is the point of that?

Thank you.

PS – Can I ask a second question? Your finger is on the pulse of the revolution brother. Here goes: what is with the Allahu Akbar shouting after everything? I saw one video on Syria Video today and this guy is eating a hot dog and starts shouting “Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar” about 100 times. What is with that? Was it because there were no onions for the dog? Out of mustard? Thx.

April 20th, 2013, 10:37 am

 

Uzair8 said:

Another good article from Hassan Hassan. Caught a portion of it on his blog linking to the full article online. It exposes amongst other things, the so called ‘sex jihad’ nonsense:

Syria’s conflict is rich fodder for anti-Islamist propaganda

Apr 18, 2013

Tunisia has recently required Syrians to obtain visas before they travel to Tunis. The reason for this change of policy has not been made public.

[…]

April 20th, 2013, 10:48 am

 

zoo said:

I expect that the declared war against al Qaeda in Syria will bring on lots of foreign fighters to fight against them.

Algerians, Africans, Iranians, Iraqis, Pakistanis, Lebanese etc…will come soon to Syria to help the Syrian Army in their heroic war against terrorists.

Nobody, including the USA, wants Al Qaeda to build another Afghanistan in the middle east.

April 20th, 2013, 10:53 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

Hey look, it’s the LOSERS!

April 20th, 2013, 11:19 am

 

zoo said:

Previously sympathetic to Chechen militants, the USA makes an abrupt volte-face. That’s the usual way the US reacts when it becomes the target of rebels they support abroad.

http://rt.com/news/boston-bombers-chechen-identity-125/

The revelation that the two brothers suspected to be behind the Boston Marathon attack are ethnic Chechens has led the US establishment to perform a rapid volte-face towards the previously sympathetically-viewed region and cause.

“Chechnya region is cauldron of Islamic militancy” proclaimed the headline in the New York Daily News. For LA Times, it was “Festering Chechen militancy”, while the Washington Times went with “Chechnya is a hotbed of Islamic extremism”.

April 20th, 2013, 11:21 am

 
 

zoo said:

Rebels battle with tribesmen over oil in Syria’s east

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 15:12 GMT
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/rebels-battle-with-tribesmen-over-oil-in-syrias-east

BEIRUT, April 20 (Reuters) – Islamist rebels are clashing with tribesmen in eastern Syria as struggles over the region’s oil facilities break out in the power vacuum left by civil war, activists said on Saturday.

One dispute over a stolen oil truck in the town of Masrib in the province of Deir al-Zor, which borders Iraq, set off a battle between tribesmen and fighters from the Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda linked rebel group, which left 37 killed, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
…
Rebels and local tribes in Deir al-Zor accuse each other of stealing oil from fields in Syria’s most energy-rich region.

Masrib tribesmen called for help from Assad’s forces against Nusra, according to the Observatory and a fighter with the Islamist group.

Nusra responded by blowing up 30 houses after the battle, in which 17 rebels were killed, at least four of them foreigners, the fighter said on Skype.

“They (the villagers) killed some of our men and mutilated their bodies, which immediately mobilised the (Nusra) Front … we saw that they were getting help from the regime, which sent them weapons and ammunition,” he said on Skype.

April 20th, 2013, 11:45 am

 

Syrialover said:

The younger bomber is now being referred to in the media as “the 9/11 denier”.

Like some who post here.

So if they live in the west they could now find their wacky conspiracy theories no longer only get looks of disbelief or ignored.

Instead they’ll attract fear and suspicion and attention from the authorities.

Which could be the correct reaction.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/he_partied_with_pals_after_blast_7Vj5w9ZI1wM26YiHg4RoDN

April 20th, 2013, 11:45 am

 

Syrialover said:

JUERGEN

Thanks for that latest feast of posters from Kafranbel.

Those guys are brilliant.

And see how REVENIRE does his usual weak ritual dance ignoring the message and saying silly childish things about the messengers. Those posters make him uncomfortable.

April 20th, 2013, 11:55 am

 

zoo said:

Al Nusra is refining and selling Syrian oil. By lifting the oil embargo, the EU will help Al Qaeda business to grow…

Syrians take up backyard refining of crude oil

Read more: http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/syrians-take-up-backyard-refining-of-crude-oil#ixzz2R1GjosF0

Al Nusra got involved in the oil business about six months ago, they say.

“Al Nusra are operating in both lines, business and fighting,” Ahmed says.

The group has been labelled a terrorist organisation by the United States and its leader has pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda chief Ayman Al Zawahiri.

But on the ground, Al Nusra has won respect from some locals for its fighting prowess, discipline and ability to organise daily life in rebel-held areas.

Ahmed says he is not a fan of the group, buying from them out of necessity.

Rebel brigades “Liwa Al Tawhid, Ahrar Al Sham, they are very good guys, but we don’t like Al Nusra,” he says.

The brothers buy crude about three times a week, picking up nine barrels a time.

April 20th, 2013, 11:56 am

 

apple_mini said:

“I am bringing up the comparison because his case may be preventable not like those who are fed hatred in their mother milk.”

The wicked, hateful woman was spitting venom again.

Meanwhile, approval rating for Islam being peaceful has sunk to new low in US and around the world. Maybe one day women who wear hijab will be advised not to do so or do it at their own risk.

April 20th, 2013, 12:02 pm

 

apple_mini said:

#362 Zoo, that is an interesting article and we get to see the rebels’ point of view.

More interesting thing is that the rebels/FSA did not even mention anything about Nusra fighters who are a significant part in fighting of Damascus.

Either FSA pretends they do not exist or FSA considers Nusra fighters are integral part of them (or another way around).

April 20th, 2013, 12:13 pm

 

Tara said:

Bashar al Assad must be feeling proud.  It is so sad how one person can destroy a country.

Half of Syrian population ‘will need aid by end of year’
UN high commissioner for refugees says crisis may be worst humanitarian disaster it has dealt with

Read more here:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/apr/19/half-syrian-population-aid-year

April 20th, 2013, 12:14 pm

 

Tara said:

Apple-mini,

You are a prototype example of those fed hatred with their mother milk.

April 20th, 2013, 12:15 pm

 

Ziad said:

majedkhaldoun #343. Said:

“I feel sorry for the victims,and their families,they have done nothing to deserve what happened to them”.

You are the proverbial “house muslim”. You felt compelled to say your sweet words and how Islam disapproves of any act of terrorism reacting to:

• 04/15/13 Boston Marathon bomb kills 3.

Yet not a single word of disaproval to:

• 4/17/13 Iraq bombings kill 50 people ahead of vote

• 4/15/13 Multiple car bombings kill 55 in Iraq

• 4/08/13 Car Bomb in Damascus Kills 15

• 3/21/13 Car bomb in Pakistan kills 12

• 3/19/13 Bombs kill nearly 60 on Iraq invasion
anniversary

• 3/04/13 45 dead in massive car bombing in Pakistan

• 3/03/13 Pakistan Car Bomb Kills At Least 37

• 2/24/13 Deadly car bomb strikes Afghan

• 2/21/13 Car Bomb in Damascus Kills Dozens

• … The list is very very long

April 20th, 2013, 12:16 pm

 

Observer said:

Laughable indeed. ZOO tells us that the EU by buying oil from the rebels would be helping Nusra

Well they have been buying oil for decades from Wahabi Saudi Arabia that has supplied this world with the most egregious ideologies on the face of the earth.

Wake up man,
1. Syria has no strategic interest
2. No one cares how many die or are left homeless
3. It is perfectly OK to bleed Iran in Syria
4. It is perfectly OK to keep them there so that they are not here.

In the meantime, the offensive is ongoing.

The news from Mayadden Alam and RT and Cham Press and Alikhbariah and Addounia is absolutely outstanding

A village was reconquered here and another there.

Syrian Hamster where art thou

April 20th, 2013, 12:19 pm

 

Observer said:

Ziad wake up man, Arabs and Muslims and “others” do not count. There will be outrage though if a church is bombed and this comment is coming from an atheist.

I see a great Sunni Shia war coming.

The mountain of doom is calling.

Cheers.

April 20th, 2013, 12:21 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

A couple of YS updates. What’s this about?:

#Syria, Aleppo, “Islamic/Sharia council = AF intelligence”

[Image of poster]

Another update:

#Syria, Aleppo, rebels are repairing a church at Sheikh Maqsoud to allow worshippers to pray again.

Edit:

#Syria, Homs, Video: rescuing injured of Hezbollah front in AL Radwaniya

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofQS76OoB1g

– YS

April 20th, 2013, 12:22 pm

 

zoo said:

#373 Apple_mini

After all maybe France was right to outlaw the burqa in public places and the hijab in workplaces and universities.
It now appear it could be a security measure to protect moslem women from potential harassment.

Contrary to others, I have observed that your posts are always balanced and devoid of expressions of vulgarity and hatred.

Thank you for keeping your self-control.

April 20th, 2013, 12:48 pm

 

zoo said:

Observer

“I see a great Sunni Shia war coming.”

I see a great Sunni-Sunni war coming.

April 20th, 2013, 12:51 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Mr. Mathew Barbers
Please note the personal attack in comment #373 by apple-mini

That comment must be deleted and warning must be sent to her,otherwise we should be able to counter with such personal attack

April 20th, 2013, 12:57 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

Angry Arab.

The under-the-table regime of Bashshar Al-Asad
I read the interview with Bashshar. Typical Bashshar: cowardly toward Saudi Arabia (and even Qatar). This yet again proves my theory: the lousy Syrian regime is still desperately and eagerly hoping for an under-the-table deal with House of Saud. These are under-the-table regimes.

April 20th, 2013, 12:57 pm

 

zoo said:

374. apple_mini

I think that after the Al Nusra allegiance to Zawahiri and Al Qaeda, the FSA leaders prefer to avoid bringing the attention on the Islamists fighters and on their importance in the ranks of the rebels. Obviously they have become a serious embarrassment.

I have strong doubts that al Nusra and other islamist groups will accept to be thrown on the side and publicly humiliated in Istanbul when they are the ones who ensured the most significant ‘victories’ of the armed rebels.
There will be war soon..

April 20th, 2013, 1:05 pm

 

ghufran said:

Za’tari Camp-Jordan:
more than 100,000 Syrians live there, 13-15 babies are born every day, and nobody knows how those people will do when the temperature in that area rises to above 100F, Jordan has one of the lowest levels of water resources in the region.
Jordanian army used military style vehicles and rubber bullets to control angry refugees who were responding to a sexual assault by a Jordanian security officer against a Syrian girl, up to 20 officers were wounded.
Is there anybody on this board who knows what is the proper procedure to follow to get to that camp and volunteer?
this is where you can donate online through UNHCR:
https://donate.unrefugees.org/site/c.lfIQKSOwFqG/b.8015219/k.3AD/Help_Syrian_Refugees_Survive_Donate_Now/apps/ka/sd/donorcustom.asp

April 20th, 2013, 1:08 pm

 

zoo said:

#384 Uzair8

Haven’t you read analysts?
Saudi Arabia hates Qatar and now rather have Bashar in power than the Moslem Brotherhood. Bashar can still be very useful in tempering Iranian’s wrath toward the Gulf countries, stop the growth of the Moslem Brotherhood and Turkey’s intrusive influence in the Arab world.

It is then all natural that Bashar would prefer a deal with KSA than been toppled by Qatar’s cronies businessmen who only want to control, exploit Syria under a Moslem Brotherhood government and contribute to Turkey’s economy.

April 20th, 2013, 1:15 pm

 

Tara said:

Zoo,

Contrary to others, I have observed that your posts are always balanced and devoid of expressions of vulgarity and hatred.

Thank you for keeping your self-control.”

And you simply did not read his insult to me. I am just speechless. Thank you too Zoo

April 20th, 2013, 1:33 pm

 

Mina said:

Ghufran
You can contact the person who wrote this report and was a volunteer there. She left losing her illusions. I’ve posted this link a few days ago.
http://www.arabist.net/blog/2013/4/2/the-zaatari-refugee-camp.html

April 20th, 2013, 1:38 pm

 

ghufran said:

A story from Ras Al-Ayn:
Joseph Karmo, described in detail how he was kidnapped twice. The first time, he was in a car near the church. A group of armed men drove up and told him they needed medicine from the closed pharmacy where his brother works. Then they grabbed him and drove him three hours to the countryside of Aleppo. He was held for seven days. They didn’t beat him much, but they showed him pictures of dead people. “They asked my family for money, and they said, ‘If they don’t pay, we’ll kill you like this,'” he said.
The second time he was kidnapped was in Hasakah. A group of men pretended there was a car accident. When he stopped to see what happened, they pulled out guns and took him while his wife and children sat in the car. He says he doesn’t know why they targeted him. It could be criminals, or a gang, he speculates. “It’s very bad here, the situation is very bad,” he says. “When the night comes, we don’t leave our homes.”
Diana sees little hope for the future of Syrian Christians, and talks of joining cousins in Sweden. No one, she said, has provided any help or support to the Christian community in Ras al-Ayn. “We don’t want words, we want action. Our cousins in America and Sweden tell us they pray for us, but this prayer does nothing,” she said. “We are still here.”
(many of you still do not get it, for most Syrians safety and security is far more important than who is in almuhajireen palace, the regime knows that very well, regime media is indirectly saying: we may have been bad, but this is a lot worse)

April 20th, 2013, 1:41 pm

 

zoo said:

Tara

Sorry, your insult was addressed to Apple_mini and his mother as well as to all the people you want us to believe are brought up with hatred since childhood.

This is a serious, sectarian and repulsive accusation.

April 20th, 2013, 1:41 pm

 

Tara said:

Please get your facts straight.

I was talking about the shabeeha thugs. I have not even addressed anyone in my post.

And yes I think shabeeha thugs are fed hatred since childhood to be able to commit the atrocious crimes they have committed against the Syrian people. And if one like apple mini takes offense in that, then he must consider himself one of them.

Nevertheless I did not target him to start with . And for you to say what you said immediately after he insulted me does render me speechless. Thank you for the second time.

April 20th, 2013, 1:54 pm

 

ghufran said:

BB wants to “secure” Syria’s strategic weapons by making sure that Israel takes them or destroys them all if possible, anything else that is being said on this topic is for PR consumption.
Destroying the only remaining state fighting force against Israel was always a major goal for Israel and her friends, the fact that Assad kept the Golan front quiet does not change this simple reality,Israeli leaders know that Assad may not stay in power and that future governments may not be as predictable when it comes to Israel:
“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the BBC that Israel has a right to prevent weapons from falling into the wrong hands in Syria.
He said that if terrorists seized anti-aircraft and chemical weapons they could be “game changers” in the region”.
(BBC)

April 20th, 2013, 1:55 pm

 

zoo said:

Tara

Did you also think of Visitor and Majed when you made your remark?

April 20th, 2013, 2:04 pm

 

revenire said:

Brother Majed please look in the mirror before casting stones at others.

I see no insults from Apple_Mini. He seems level headed and balanced.

You, on the other hand, have expressed support for the beheaders in Nusra (for that matter so has Tara).

Please correct your errors.

Thank you.

April 20th, 2013, 2:13 pm

 

Tara said:

Zoo,

It is my fault that I let you hurt me.

The subject is now closed.

April 20th, 2013, 2:16 pm

 

Citizen said:

The Patriot batteries wont last a day if Syria fire back with these! Over a mile a second with a manuverable warhead!

Contrary to propaganda in the West, Russia is not backing out of Syria, but increasing its resolve in defending it. 24 Iskander 9K720 missile that are meant to evade patriot missiles, hit their bases and other targets have been delivered in December by Russia to Syria.
http://youtu.be/hRTqulvVcXI?t=1m35s

Putin is smart
UKSecrets
He’s the game changer.
The worlds most intelligent leader.
Listen carefully. It may be coded or cloaked, but you’ll see the signals… and get the message.
From what I can tell… (and have no evidence of).
The war will begin with Iran.
Israel is behind schedule.
Limited nuke strikes will take place …
then a ceasefire will be called.
Keep your ears to the ground.
The attack on Iran is the signal.

United States bent on eventual destruction of Russia
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e16_1355336184

Russia has to be isolated, cornered, humiliated and eventually destroyed, Russia and one hundred million Americans that are likely to die in the process.

In the short term, Putin’s “tool of choice,” for flanking this prospect is the Iskander missile. This is a very unique weapon that renders America’s missile defense systems, systems that are deployed as part of an aggressive plan, virtually useless.

The Iskander was developed in the late 1990’s, a highly mobile short rate missile that very simply cannot be shot down.

The Iskander carries bunker buster warheads for deeply buried defense systems, EMP (Electro-Magnetic Pulse) munitions to disabled defense systems and communications and other options, runway denial, fuel-air munitions for troop concentrations.

The Iskander is extremely capable, a “game changer,” and, best of all, it is a weapon system Russia can give, at will, to any ally, Syria, Iran or deploy where it pleases.

Russia has hundreds, perhaps even thousands of these systems, fully deployed for the past two years.

At this critical time, this one system, may be all that stands between the world moving toward what now appears to be a carefully coordinated nuclear war, one planned in and by Israel but requiring critical American missteps, taking advantage of blackmail, greed, weakness and a massive espionage system within the US, an “Insider Threat” as President Obama termed it in his November 21, 2012 memo.

There is now no way anyone can guess who is running the United States, military units are showing an “uncertainty of command,” state governments are trying to secede and some, like Michigan, have passed totalitarian edits that have no other purpose than to generate an upheaval of internal resistance and bloodshed.

The keystone of the Israeli plan or the “Project for a New American Century” plan, which is, in actuality Israeli as most of those at that institution are, in fact, Israeli citizens, is for Israel to move underground, to threaten both Europe and the United States with highly advanced nuclear ballistic systems while being able to secure key political leaders.

April 20th, 2013, 2:17 pm

 

apple_mini said:

#391 Zoo I do not like to respond to posts targeting individuals here because I believe they are not worth any efforts even for reading.

But some extremely prejudicial and hateful writings are intended to incite hatred and more horrible consequence. I strongly believe they should not be ignored.

There are some Sunni who perceive Shia, Alawite and other minorities as lower class people. Their self-imposed superiority fires up their contempt and arrogance. Moreover, due to the unique social fabric and political structure of Syria, massive and brutal revenge against those minorities is boiling in blood and hearts and many atrocities have been committed.

Inevitably, those hateful words spill out and there are quite disgusting and scary.

On the other hand, radical extremists in Islam provoke fears and hatred against Muslim. So as you can see, that kind of feeling of being superiority seems ridiculous and narrow-minded.

April 20th, 2013, 2:25 pm

 

Citizen said:

Syria after Assad: what U.S. intelligence is crying?

Syria after Assad will not be. Country will split along geographical and ethno-religious lines. A major actor in the region will become radical Islamists. These conclusions were reached by the chief of National Intelligence James Clapper.

http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Frus.ruvr.ru%2F2013_04_16%2FSirija-posle-Asada-o-chem-plachet-amerikanskaja-razvedka%2F

وجه الشؤم
http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nbc-news/51584429/#51584429

April 20th, 2013, 3:03 pm

 

revenire said:

Christians Leave Deir Ezzor as Last Church Blown Up

The last remaining Christian church in Deir Azzor was destroyed in an explosion by armed groups as they intensify their efforts to take the city and nearby airport. In recent days increasing amounts of footage have been uploaded documenting intense fighting between armed groups and the Syrian army. The Capuchin Franciscans have been present in Deir Ezzor in the northeast and Al-Suwayda in the southwest – in a place called “Mountain of the Druze (Jabal al-Druze)”. Two friars remained in Deir Ezzor up until the recent explosion at the church, with the help of the Lebanese and Syrian International Red Cross.

In a statement posted on the website of The Order of Friars Minor, a report of the explosion said:

““There was an explosion near our church in Deir Ezzor that destroyed it,” writes Br. Antoine Haddad, Viceprovincial Minister of Lebanon, in a message to us. The news was picked up by the media because the two Capuchin friars who lived there, with the help of the Lebanese and Syrian International Red Cross, and the nuncios of Lebanon and Syria, left with the Sisters of Mother Teresa and about ten seniors who lived in our place. They were the last remaining Christians in the area to leave. The church was completely destroyed, but until now it was not possible to know if the friary was hit or not, because there are no longer any Christians in Deir Ezzor, apart from one who returned because he lived in the ‘quieter’ area of the city. His attempts to get to the scene did not succeed because of intense gunfire. Until recently, our church of Deir Ezzor was the only one left almost intact. But then a few months ago there was a video on YouTube in which you could see the church with the door and side wall gutted and soldiers entering.

“Deir Ezzor is a city in the east of Syria, on the Euphrates, between Palmyra and the Iraqi border.—Br. Antoine explains—Our presence there goes back to the thirties of the last century, but our presence in the area goes back a lot farther. We also have another house to the south of Syria, in As-Suwayda, an area that is still quiet for the moment, where there are two brothers. Our Viceprovince, in almost four centuries of history, has always suffered destruction, persecution, martyrdom…But always, like the legend of the Phoenix—the mythological bird known for being reborn from its own ashes—our Viceprovince rose again with the Risen Christ. Recently, we have recovered, after thirty years, another property (Abey), destroyed by the war in Lebanon: it too has begun to rise again…this church of stone will also be rebuilt one day when there is a springtime of peace in our Mediterranean world.””

On the Irish website of the Capuchin Franciscans, details of their presence in Syria is documented:
“Four Capuchin friars are working at present in violence-torn Syria, two in Deir Ezzor in the northwest and two in As Suwayda in the southeast, in a place called the Mountain of the Druze”. The presence of these friars is a great source of reassurance for the Christian communities there. The friars report that the situation is worsening and there is a growing fear among the Christians about the future.”]

Thanks to Eretz Zen for the following video, translated with English subtitles:

http://syriareport.net/christians-leave-deir-azzor-as-last-church-blown-up/

April 20th, 2013, 3:11 pm

 

revenire said:

There we have it:

Definitive proof of the link to the FSA/Nusra and the Boston attacks.

Listen to this guy. Does he remind you of any of the posters on this forum describing Assad?

April 20th, 2013, 3:24 pm

 

zoo said:

Protesters burn Qatari flag over perceived interference in Egypt’s affairs

Chants against the Muslim Brotherhood and Qatar as flag is burned in front of Cairo embassy Saturday
Ahram Online, Saturday 20 Apr 2013

Amid a heavy security presence, around 10 protesters gathered Saturday in front of the Qatari Embassy located in Giza’s Dokki district to protest what they described as the Gulf country’s “meddling” in Egyptian affairs.

The protesters chanted against the Muslim Brotherhood and its supreme guide, accusing Qatar of being a strong ally to the Islamist group and President Mohamed Morsi.

“Here are the conditions of investment: hunger, humiliation and a rise in prices,” chanted the protesters who later burned both the Qatari and Israeli flags.

April 20th, 2013, 3:40 pm

 

zoo said:

Nuances of Islam, a plea for a “reformed” Islam

The existence of these nuances in Islam, and the growing interest in them, suggests to me that there will increasingly emerge a “reformed Islam,” especially among the more urban, educated, cosmopolitan Muslims. But conservatives and ultra-conservatives (like the Salafists) will remain as well, creating a spectrum that won’t be too dissimilar to today’s Judaism.

The key is to avoid tension, conflict and violence between such different manifestations of the same faith. And this will be most easily achieved when all different groups accept on principle that they cannot declare and impose “true Islam.” Because only God knows true Islam. We mortals can only follow the interpretations that we find most compelling.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/islam-judaism-and-women.aspx?pageID=449&nID=45246&NewsCatID=411

April 20th, 2013, 3:45 pm

 

Citizen said:

http://news.antiwar.com/2013/04/19/kerry-intervene-in-syria-or-it-may-break-up/
it appears the Secretary of State Kerry is urging an overt military intervention here.
Do not lift more weight than your ability! Can be divided your back!

April 20th, 2013, 4:00 pm

 

Sami said:

“The wicked, hateful woman was spitting venom again.”

This only shows you the simple hypocritical mind of a typical dirty minhibakji, and in this simpletons mind it as perfectly alright to follow up this statement with a hateful and spiteful idea that his pal Poorated finds to be a genius idea:

“Maybe one day women who wear hijab will be advised not to do so or do it at their own risk”

How deranged can this individual be who is threatening every women that wears a hijab. As if a piece a cloth on a lady’s head is such a threat… Would this Asshat support targeting Jewish and Catholic women that wear head scarfs as well or is he just another bigot parading in some cheap “thecular” facade.

And you really can top off the idiotic jibber jabber that Poorated came up with to excuse his and Mini-Poo’s latest crap shoot.

Pathetic minhebakji, their hypocrisy is so rampant they don’t even realize it.

Only idiots like these two who advocate bombing Syria and killing Syrians and end up calling it “saving Syria”…

April 20th, 2013, 4:02 pm

 

revenire said:

Sami can you just make your point and stop with the personal insults?

Thank you.

April 20th, 2013, 4:09 pm

 

Sami said:

Rat,

روح بلط البحر

April 20th, 2013, 4:17 pm

 

zoo said:

Sami

Is there a circus or a mental asylum close to you?

April 20th, 2013, 4:27 pm

 

Sami said:

No but there is Granby Zoo, perfect place for animals like you….

http://www.zoodegranby.com/cgi-bin/zoo

Have you made fun of any little obese girls lately Irritated Zoo?

April 20th, 2013, 4:32 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

A couple of weeks ago SKT Welfare held a night for Syria in a mosque in the North of the UK. A world renowned Naat/Nasheed reciter was the main guest. Over £5000 was raised. The flag of the revolution was proudly hanging at the front.

The guest spoke for a short time before reciting poems in praise of God Almighty and His Prophet (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salam). He explained how everything has a cause including the current oppression and shared a verse from a poem [English translation]:

“If we hadn’t forgotten the lessons of the Qur’an – this time {era, oppression} wouldn’t have shown.”

He warned the audience that muslims anywhere in the world, including themselves could face a similar situation if they strayed from religion.

He went on to remind the audience of the greatest Sunnah of the Prophet (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salam), concern for the welfare of the Ummah, the people, humanity. He encouraged them to help the suffering in whatever way they can (eg prayers and donation).

From Youtube description:

The honourable al-Haaj Muhammad Owais Raza Qadri, the crown-less king of present day sana khawans around the world, speaks in support of Syria and gives an in-depth discourse on the duty of all Muslims to support our brothers and sisters in plight – particularly the plight of the Muslims in Shaam.

English subtitles available:

April 20th, 2013, 4:35 pm

 

Citizen said:

Clearly, Western-backed terrorists are not just fighting the “Assad regime,” they are fighting anyone opposed to their sectarian ideology which is both hardly “democratic,” and hardly anything to do with “freedom.” Predictably, unthinkable atrocities are being carried out in a wave of violence and subjugation that is leaving a broken society everywhere it sweeps through. Through the destruction of physical infrastructure, the crumbling of Syria’s institutions, and the extermination or driving out of Syria’s minorities, what the West backs as “regime change,” is in reality calculated sectarian genocide.

In terrorist-controlled territory, we see a vignette of the “future Syria” the West imagines – one not unlike the now dysfunctional, decimated Libya, or the totalitarian regimes of Tunisia and Egypt, both ruled by the sectarian crypto-terrorist Muslim Brotherhood.

These are purposefully imposed nightmares couched behind “humanitarian concern” and “democracy promotion.” It is clear that in areas the Western media claim are devoid of government troops, abuse, atrocities, tyranny, humanitarian catastrophe, and despair only increase. The rationale made by the West to continue fueling this conflict and extend this state of chaos across the entire country, poses to the rest of the world a moral imperative to not only condemn this conspiracy against the Syrian people, but to oppose it and ensure that it utterly fails.
http://www.activistpost.com/2013/04/a-bleak-look-at-wests-vision-for-syria.html

April 20th, 2013, 4:38 pm

 

zoo said:

The opposition will be humiliated again in Istanbul. It appears that it won’t get anything that it asked for.

Selim Idriss was asking for tanks, he is getting more advanced gadgets and the usual tap on the back: “Eliminate Al Nusra and unite, then we will see.” The EU is unlikely to change the embargo on weapons. The opposition will probably be asked to endorse Al Khatib offer for negotiations with the regimee

“The supplies possibly could include body armour, armoured vehicles, night vision goggles and advanced communications equipment.”

ISTANBUL (AP) — Foreign ministers from the main supporters of the rebels trying to topple the Syrian government worked Saturday to increase pressure on President Bashar Assad, but the opposition demanded direct military involvement.

The United States prepared a major boost in nonlethal military aid while European nations considered changes to an arms embargo that would allow arms transfers to the Syrian opposition.

But European Union action seemed unlikely before May, and the fresh U.S. help was certain to fall short of the strongest demands from the Syrian National Congress: drone strikes to disable Assad’s chemical weapon and missile capability; a no-fly zone requiring significant military operations; and a U.N. resolution that condemns Assad for attacks on Syrians.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_SYRIA_AID?SECTION=HOME&SITE=AP&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

April 20th, 2013, 4:41 pm

 

Observer said:

ZOO I agree and a Sunni Sunni war and a Shia Shia war and a Persian Arab war

Blow it up and divide it up and carve it up.

The elections today in iraq are my proof. Elections in some provinces and none in Kurdish areas and others where security cannot be guaranteed.

For heavens sake break the place up. These people cannot live together despite the huge points of agreement. They are in a cycle of history whereby they have taken leave of their senses and morals and principles.

April 20th, 2013, 4:47 pm

 

zoo said:

Sami

I guess if I go to that zoo, wherever it is, will I have a chance to see you with the monkeys or the skunks?

April 20th, 2013, 4:47 pm

 

ghufran said:

To Jordan, refugees are both a liability and an investment:

“The return of 5,000 Syrian Refugees to Dar’aa, mostly families and children coming from Al- Zaa’tari Refugee Camp in Jordan, with news reports claiming that the Jordanian authorities have stripped the returnees off their identification documents “in order to keep acquiring aid under the name of those refugees.”

On another front, Homs, Q’sair is now under attack with an attempt by the army to enter it after months of bombardment, 4 new villages around Q’sair have fallen in the last 2 days. Homs was and still is at the center of this war in addition of being at the center of Syria and a gate to Lebanon. Opposition sources have claimed that Assad forces are cleansing Homs based on sectarian affiliation forcing most of its Sunni population to leave or remain under siege.

April 20th, 2013, 5:01 pm

 

zoo said:

In Eastern Syria, villagers fights al Nusra

http://www.chron.com/news/world/article/Clashes-in-Syria-rebels-seek-foreign-intervention-4449815.php

In eastern Syria, 10 days of clashes between residents of the village of Masrab and members of the al-Qaida-affiliated Jabhat al-Nusra, or Nusra Front, left 37 people dead including foreign fighters from Saudi Arabia and Tunisia, the Observatory said. It added that the fighting began after a diesel tanker owner complained to Nusra Front members that villagers had taken his truck. Three members of the group went into the village to mediate, but were shot dead, according to the Observatory.

During the fighting, government forces dropped weapons and ammunition to help the villagers battle the Nusra Front, the Observatory said.

April 20th, 2013, 5:17 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Tamerlane was in Chechnia for six months last year,it was a long period,US intelligence is looking if there was any connection with Iran or HA, and some asked what would US do if they found such connections

April 20th, 2013, 5:44 pm

 

revenire said:

Connections with Iran or Hezbollah? LOL … that will be a very long look.

April 20th, 2013, 5:54 pm

 

Sami said:

Deny any massacres lately? Any obese girls around you to pick on? Or are you going to “cleanup and disinfect” Syria like your filthy master?

Oh Voltaire just posted some dung, better hurry and go eat it up….

April 20th, 2013, 6:03 pm

 

Syrialover said:

MINA #389 posted the same aid worker’s account of the Zaatari refugee camp that I did a couple of weeks ago.

I highlighted an excerpt that exposes the disastrous lack of economic and social development under the Assad regime.

Red the stark proof that Bashar sent the country spiralling backwards in the 21st century. Not just stalling development, but reversing it.

The writer said:

“I was also taken aback by what large families [the Syrian refugees] had, and how young women were when they got married. It was astounding how many women I met who, by the time they were in their 30’s, had already given birth to upwards of 7 or 8 children (and looked like they were much, much older). It was devastating to meet widows who were only 19.”

COMMENT: This demographic catastrophe stems from the deepening poverty and neglect of education and development in rural areas.

But hey, pinhead Bashar was proudly pointing to luxury hotels and his inner circle’s telecoms and banking “business developments”.

The regime was notorious for its failure to collect and publish any data on key indicators in Syria.

This writer tells us more about Bashar Assad’s ailing Syria than the regime’s inept ministries and corrupt bureaucracies ever could.

(Her account: http://www.arabist.net/blog/2013/4/2/the-zaatari-refugee-camp.html)

April 20th, 2013, 6:04 pm

 

revenire said:

TERRORIST RAT CAUGHT IN CHICAGO RAT-TRAP
FBI: Aurora teen arrested before heading to Syria to join ‘jihadist militant’ group

An 18-year-old Aurora man was arrested Friday night before he tried making his way to Syria to join a ‘jihadist militant’ group, federal authorities said.

Abdella Ahmad Tounisi was taken into custody without incident late Friday at O’Hare Airport by members of the Chicago FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force as he attempted to board a flight destined for Istanbul, Turkey, according to the FBI’s Chicago office.

Tounisi, a U.S. citizen, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel G. Martin Saturday for allegedly attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. He appeared on Saturday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tounisi, who is reportedly friends with another suburban man charged with trying to bomb a Chicago bar, was ordered held in custody until his next court appearance, on April 23.

Tounisi’s arrest is not tied to the Boston attacks, the FBI said.

The investigation that culminated in Tounisi’s arrest began last year around the same time his close friend Adel Daoud was arrested for the failed bar bombing plot, authorities said.

Both Tounisi and Daoud appeared to share an interest in ‘violent jihad,’ the FBI said. But while Tounisi allegedly discussed attack techniques and targets prior to Daoud’s arrest, Tounisi did not participate in Daoud’s actions, the FBI said.

http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/19611011-522/fbi-aurora-teen-arrested-before-heading-to-syrian-to-join-jihadist-militant-group.html

April 20th, 2013, 6:12 pm

 

Ameera said:

لك على اطاطكن عاملين محللين سياسيين و الفهمان بيناتكم ما عرفان الطنجرة من غطاها

مين جاي على بالو ابريق كوكتيل من عند ابو شاكر بالصالحية

April 20th, 2013, 6:20 pm

 

annie said:

371. Syrialover :

“JUERGEN

Thanks for that latest feast of posters from Kafranbel.

Those guys are brilliant”.

I add my kudos to yours, Syrialover, for these incredibly witty youngsters who help boost our morale under the bombs showered by the head RAT on the helpless civilian population.

.

April 20th, 2013, 6:24 pm

 

Sami said:

Ameera,

Ba3d ma nimrou2 2awal 3ala al-Sideeq 2ou nakul sa7n shawarma 3al fa7m wala abil?

April 20th, 2013, 6:27 pm

 

Sami said:

Annie,

You asked Juergen about revolution songs, while this site has not been updated in a long time it has a large collection:

http://aghanisy.blogspot.ca

April 20th, 2013, 6:30 pm

 

AIG said:

The regime idiots do not understand that they are caught in the trap called Syria. Surrounded by jihadists and under sanctions from the West, they are doomed. They cannot win, they cannot rebuild, they will be living in a Assad made hell hole. They have so little self awareness. No wonder in the recent guardian article regime supporters in Damascus were quoted as saying that they plan leaving. And in the meantime, they keep wrecking their own country, what a bunch of “geniuses”.

April 20th, 2013, 6:47 pm

 

annie said:

http://www.liberation.fr/monde/2013/04/18/la-non-assistance-au-peuple-syrien-est-un-crime_897247

En refusant à l’insurrection des livraisons conséquentes d’armes sous divers prétextes, on la prive de la possibilité de se défendre à armes égales. Depuis deux ans, ce n’est pas une guerre entre deux camps ayant des moyens comparables, mais un massacre systématique de la population par des forces armées ayant des moyens largement supérieurs à ceux des groupes locaux, qui agissent, eux, sans véritable centralisation et ne disposent que d’armement léger pour l’essentiel” – Gilbert Achcar

and why do they (the West) allow this genocide and the destruction to continue ? what are they waiting for ?
Thank you Sami for these beautiful songs.

April 20th, 2013, 6:48 pm

 

annie said:

Syria #1 Rebels Capture Dabaa Military Base from Dictator Assad Forces 4-18-13

http://youtu.be/8xQTwMp7c_A

April 20th, 2013, 6:50 pm

 

AIG said:

That is what is called “winning”, the regime losing another base. What about Raqqa? When is it being retaken? My hunch is that the Golan will be taken first.

April 20th, 2013, 7:07 pm

 

zoo said:

Annie

“and why do they (the West) allow this genocide and the destruction to continue ? what are they waiting for ?”

Good question, what? Any suggestion?

April 20th, 2013, 7:13 pm

 

zoo said:

ANNIE #431

They dont’ need weapons anymore, Al Nusra got all they need.

They should attack Damascus, what are they waiting for?

April 20th, 2013, 7:16 pm

 

revenire said:

HNN Homs News Network

ATTACK ON ADVANCING CONVOY RESULTS IN MOSQUES NOW CALLING FOR BLOOD DONATIONS (lol)

The Syrian Arab Army is continuing now what can only be described as making “mashed potato” out of Armed Mercenaries, following their latest attack on the second advancing Syrian Military Convoy that has resulted in hundreds of Mercenaries crushed again, by the overwhelming power of the Syrian Arab Army, and the forced “tactical withdrawal” of the Terrorists, with Mosques now calling for blood donations for the wounded …

WE ARE LOVING THE NEWS FROM AL-RAQQAH, IT ALWAYS RESULTS IN THE HOSPITALS FILLING UP WITH TERRORISTS

AND GOD IS PROTECTING OUR ARMY … – J

April 20th, 2013, 7:32 pm

 

revenire said:

Annie those pro-Al-Qaeda songs are really nice. Thanks!

🙂

April 20th, 2013, 7:34 pm

 

Ameera said:

425. Sami:

“Ba3d ma nimrou2 2awal 3ala al-Sideeq 2ou nakul sa7n shawarma 3al fa7m wala abil?”

هادا الكلام المزبوط بس يلي بيدو يستناولو شي وحدة صغيرة من عند ابو العبد مو مشكلة بنوب

April 20th, 2013, 7:44 pm

 

Ameera said:

اسألله على هديك الايام والله بتحرقي القلب يا سوريا يلي ساوا فيكي ولاد آدو

April 20th, 2013, 7:50 pm

 

revenire said:

US Turns Away 1000’s of Cancer Patients, but has $123 Million for Terrorists in Syria

April 21, 2013 (LD) – The US has announced that it will provide militants in Syria, now openly admitted to being Al Qaeda terrorists, with $123 million in military aid – while thousands of cancer patients at home are being turned away from clinics because of budget cuts. Compounding the the criminal negligence of telling sick people to seek help elsewhere, is the fact that the military aid the US is providing terrorists in Syria will be used to perpetuate an already 2 year long, sectarian-driven humanitarian disaster.

RT recently reported in their article, “US to give $123 million military aid package to Syrian rebels,” that:

The US $123 million defense aid package, announced by Kerry at the meeting in the Turkish capital on Sunday, includes body armor, armored vehicles, advanced communication equipment and night vision goggles.

In an April 3, 2013 Washington Post article titled, “Cancer clinics are turning away thousands of Medicare patients. Blame the sequester,” it was reported:

Cancer clinics across the country have begun turning away thousands of Medicare patients, blaming the sequester budget cuts.

Oncologists say the reduced funding, which took effect for Medicare on April 1, makes it impossible to administer expensive chemotherapy drugs while staying afloat financially.

When one considers that the conflict in Syria was premeditated by the US, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, as early as 2007, simply to overthrow the Syrian government and weaken neighboring Iran, the mind-numbing criminality of America’s current foreign and domestic policy becomes even more obscene.

It was reported by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh in his 2007 New Yorker article, “The Redirection: Is the Administration’s new policy benefiting our enemies in the war on terrorism?” that:

“To undermine Iran, which is predominantly Shiite, the Bush Administration has decided, in effect, to reconfigure its priorities in the Middle East. In Lebanon, the Administration has coöperated with Saudi Arabia’s government, which is Sunni, in clandestine operations that are intended to weaken Hezbollah, the Shiite organization that is backed by Iran. The U.S. has also taken part in clandestine operations aimed at Iran and its ally Syria. A by-product of these activities has been the bolstering of Sunni extremist groups that espouse a militant vision of Islam and are hostile to America and sympathetic to Al Qaeda.”

Now clearly, while the West attempts to feign ignorance over the inception and rapid expansion of Al Qaeda in Syria, these 2007 plans are coming into fruition. It was revealed by the London Telegraph and the Washington Post that even “non-lethal” aid provided by the United States, including flour, was being used as a political weapon by Al Qaeda’s al-Nusra front in Syria to win over support in territory it invades and occupies.

When pursing a destructive war of geopolitical hegemony abroad takes precedence over the health and well being of a nation’s citizens at home, the government taking such a posture has lost all legitimacy. The people of America will continue to watch their nation rot out from beneath them as long as they continue investing their money, time, energy, and attention into an establishment clearly divorced from the interests of the vast majority. Instead, the special interests exploiting America should be identified, condemned, boycotted permanently, and replaced by local alternatives – thus stealing from beneath them both their source of power, and their capacity to continue forward.

http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2013/04/us-turns-away-1000s-of-cancer-patients.html

April 20th, 2013, 8:09 pm

 

elian said:

I have been banned from writing on this blog, my comments get put in the spam or under moderation for now reason other than that the moderator likes anything agrees with the western propaganda on Syria.
It is clear that many of the fibrications and photoshop docterined images, videos make it into this blog, much easier than a view which opposes the destruction of Syria, the radical Islam is the cancer which has invaded Europe and USA years to come.
it is matter of time before it the political correctness of the west makes its demise a reality not fiction.
Europe first and the USA second.
the west supports the radicals in Syria as a proxy to destroy a regime which is not a democratic but is not an enemy of the west.
Bashar never sent suicide bombers to the west, Hama, muslim brotherhood, Al Qaida do all the time.
destroying Syria serves only one Purpose which is helping Israel and turkey in the ME.
I rest my case.

April 20th, 2013, 8:39 pm

 

Syrialover said:

Let’s remember the guts of Syria’s problem. It’s not sectarianism or foreign outside interference. It’s THIS:

“The Baath party was founded in Syria in 1947 on a pan-Arabist platform with the stated goals of unity, freedom and socialism. “Freedom” in this sense, it is important to note, meant freedom from colonialism, not personal liberty. But the definition lost its meaning as the regimes in Syria, starting in 1963, and Iraq, 1968 to 2003, solidified into strongarm dictatorships.

“The poison of the modern-day Baathist regime is not only its willingness to torture and kill its own population. It is far more insidious. There is an ideology that breeds violence and extremism, a tendency that has not been sufficiently examined. In examining Middle East militancy and terrorism, academics have focused on religious extremism and often overlooked other ideologies”

“The Baathist ideology has exploited sentiments – cultural, economic, social and sometimes religious – to incite violence for political gain. As a radical ideology that requires complete social, political and cultural transformation, there is an inevitable propensity for violence.

“Despite the Baathist regime’s brutality in Syria, some intellectuals still argue that these acts of violence are anomalies. Is it chance that the Baathist rulers – Saddam Hussain, Hafez Al Assad and his son – all shelled cities, terrorised, tortured and killed their people? This ideology needs to be understood if its legacy is to be rejected. It is not enough for the regime to fall.”

(Excerpt from “the taint of Baathist idelogy has poisoned Syria for too long”: http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/taint-of-baathist-ideology-has-poisoned-syria-for-too-long#ixzz2R3UPPsa6)

COMMENT: This article also revisits the manipulative games played by the Assad regime stirring up religious extremism and facilitating trouble in the past 10 years.

April 20th, 2013, 9:06 pm

 

Syrialover said:

The Assadist distraction faction here instead of wasting space with cut-paste junk and hissing insults need to do their job professionally.

That means arguing in defence of the Baathist regime.

They never do. Because they can’t.

April 20th, 2013, 9:15 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Even if US announces NFZ or sends antiaircraft weapons, the delay in US help was a major mistake by the US, Syria has already became a failing state, and the fight between different ethnic communities are going to continue till one annihiliates the other, no new goverment can prevent that anymore, and fleeing Syria to Lebanon will not help.
The country has been destroyed, Damascus will be destroyed in the future, so far close to 200,000 people has died, its a stampede,toward a cliff,Unfortunately for the Alawis they made a major mistake, the fire will burn them all along with millions of Sunni.
The post assad Syria has no economy,millions are angry and poor,chaos is the rule,the law of jungle will predominate,looting kidnaping murders is going to be common,power fight between different fighting groups will cost many their lives.probably water supply will be difficult ,electricity will not be available,prices will soar.

There is only one way out, If Turkey occupies Syria,or the west send massive number of troops,probably over 150,000 soldier.This is a pessimistic view but it is close to reality.

April 20th, 2013, 9:26 pm

 

revenire said:

Got news for you: Assad is going to win.

April 20th, 2013, 9:29 pm

 

Syrialover said:

I’d love to hear the blah-blah justifications of why Assadist team members here happen to be living for years outside Syria.

They soak up the freedoms, opportunities and privileges of life elsewhere while ferociously insisting that Syrians back home under the Baathist regime have the best world possible.

Talk about “cognitive dissonance”!

Or industrial-scale dishonesty.

April 20th, 2013, 9:38 pm

 

Syrialover said:

MAJEDKHALDOUN #440

Try to remember and focus on what Syrians are:

“If there is a happy footnote, it is that amid war’s many horrific tolls on country, body and soul, there are still numerous signs of hope in Syrian society. While some commentators warn that the country is turning into Somalia, with its powerful warlords, or Iraq, with its now indelible sectarian tensions, the Syrian society and people continue against all odds to exhibit unique features that are undersold by such comparisons.

“Civil administrations or local figures pop up to attempt to run local services in areas where the government has withdrawn. A man in Douma makes walking sticks from mortar shells and builds heaters from used rockets. In the grimmest conditions in Aleppo or Idlib, the displaced scrabble to offer hospitality, a shred of dignity in their darkest hour. A schoolteacher runs lessons from a back room. Given a chance, this society may pull through; it might fare better still if the conflict draws swiftly to a close and the aftermath is skillfully handled.”

(From: “The Syrian heartbreak” by Peter Harling and Sarah Birke: http://www.merip.org/mero/mero041613#.UW5tR8EZYRc.twitter)

April 20th, 2013, 9:53 pm

 

revenire said:

The rats wanted to announce a new offensive during the “Friends of Syria” meeting but instead are being destroyed.

AL-DAB’AA MILITARY AIRPORT BATTLE !!

The battle for “Al-Dab’aa Military Airport” in rural Western Al-Qaseir is crashing under the tight grip of the Syrian Military, amid chaos engulfing the ranks of the Terrorists with severe losses of total Commands and Members …

FREE SATANS ARMY (FSA) ARE FINISHED, CRASHING AND BURNING ALL OVER SYRIA NOW … – J

April 20th, 2013, 10:00 pm

 

Syrialover said:

REVENIRE,

Shouting in capitals doesn’t do it.

You are still wearing silly fluffy slippers compared with the strong boots Syrian Commando used to bring to cyber discussions before he got disillusioned with Bashar and quit.

How about telling us why life inside Syria has always been superiot to that offered in the west?

Or why having a Baathist dictatorship has been so great for Syrians?

Rule: Do it without giggling

April 20th, 2013, 10:08 pm

 

apple_mini said:

Let’s see how much longer the SAA needs to take back Qusair in Homs. Many villages have fallen after SAA reclaimed Abel several days ago. The rebels seem a little disoriented over there.

The adamant and determined SAA is simply executing their strategy plans and reaching their goals: to secure Homs completely, including Lebanese border.

The rebels are accusing HB fighters fighting side by side with SAA and claiming Sunni being targeted in the area. Even info is insufficient and murky, we can expect there are HB involved. But they are not there to pick out Sunni. They are there helping SAA to achieve strategic goals. It does not matter whom they are fighting against, Sunni, Chechen or Chinese. HB has right to do that since the rebels had even crossed the border and attacked Shia and Alawite villages in Lebanon. The rebels wanted to set up a corridor connecting Sunnis fighters in Lebanon to Homs and in that way they could cut Damascus and the coast area. If they could succeed, the rebels/the opposition would not need any FOS meetings.

Maybe the best response to US administration and its wacky policy is to show them what the SAA is capable of.

What SAA has been doing in Homs is obvious and their strategy plans and goals were even clear to laymen like us several months ago. The most important thing is whether they have the means and capacity to execute their plans.

I am sure the rebels had their plans, but so far, pretty much all of them have fallen apart.

Meanwhile, SAA is quieting the rebels on the southern front in Deraa.

April 20th, 2013, 10:27 pm

 

Tara said:

The US provides the rebels 128 million in non-lethal help while the regiments In Lala lands dreaming of the west viewing Bashar as a hero. Laughable!

Syrian Opposition Pushes for Drones, Weapons as Allies Meet

The Syrian opposition urged the U.S. and allies to use drones against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, provide weapons to opposition fighters, and create a protected “no-fly zone” airspace within Syria at a meeting of allies in Istanbul yesterday.
…
“The technical ability to take specific action to prevent the human tragedy and suffering of innocent civilians, mostly women and children, is available in the form of specific intelligence and equipment,” the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces said in a statement. “Syrians understand that such ability is within the reach of a number of members of the Friends of Syria Group, yet nothing serious has been done to put an end to such terror and criminality.”

Another 125 men, woman and children died across the country yesterday, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, a London-based human rights group, adding to the toll of more than 75,000 killed since the conflict began in March 2011. More than 1.3 million Syrians have flooded into Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon, destabilizing the region, and 4.25 million more are internally displaced, according to the UN.

Non-Lethal Aid
The opposition statement, along with difficult discussions that pushed the ‘Friends’ meeting hours over schedule, reflected impatience with the non-lethal military aid announced at yesterday’s gathering, according to a State Department official who wasn’t authorized to speak on the record.
Following conversations with Syrian opposition leader Moaz Al-Khatib yesterday, Secretary of State John Kerry announced that the U.S. will double its non-lethal assistance to the Assad opposition.
The new $123 million in aid “underscores the United States’ firm support for a political solution to the crisis in Syria and for the opposition’s advancement of an inclusive, tolerant vision” for a post-Assad Syria, according to the announcement. Kerry also announced about $25 million in additional food assistance for Syrians.

Last Resort
U.S. administration officials have made clear in recent days that they see military assistance to the Syrian opposition as an “option of last resort,” as Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told lawmakers at a Senate Armed Services hearing April 17. Active military intervention could interfere with humanitarian efforts, strain alliances and suck the U.S. into a broader regional conflict, he said.
Kerry met briefly with Al-Khatib upon arrival in Istanbul yesterday and then saw him again with the full contingent of foreign ministers from the ‘Friends’ countries, which include the U.K., France, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Jordan, Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
At the larger meeting, Al-Khatib presented the opposition’s demands, asking the international group to work toward passage of a United Nations Resolution condemning Syria for the use of ballistic and chemical weapons against civilians. They urged the use of “surgical strikes” by “unmanned aerial vehicles” to stop the Assad regime from using such weapons.

Congressional Demands
The opposition also asked for the creation of an international fund to support its coalition and efforts to organize politically. And they called for a protected airspace – – a demand that the administration is also hearing from members of Congress, including Michigan Democrat Senator Carl Levin, who heads the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Other lawmakers urging the administration to take greater action include New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, the Democrat who leads the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Representative Ed Royce, the California Republican who heads the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Royce has prepared bipartisan legislation calling for the U.S. to arm Syrian rebels, while Levin and others have urged President Barack Obama to support the creation of safe zones along the Turkish border with Syria and the deployment of Patriot missile batteries to “neutralize” Syrian planes.
“We must do more to tip the balance in favor of the Syrian opposition,” Royce said on April 17.

Extremist Groups
Administration officials told lawmakers in April 17 testimony that their lack of understanding about the composition of rebel military forces complicates their ability to provide military aid. The growth of extremist groups in Syria to fight Assad, such as the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front, is also cause for concern as the U.S. wants to prevent these groups from obtaining arms.
Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that, in distinguishing moderate rebel military groups from radicals, it’s “actually more confusing on the opposition side today than it was six months ago.”

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-20/syrian-opposition-pushes-for-drones-weapons-as-allies-meet.html

April 20th, 2013, 10:35 pm

 
 

Ghufran said:

Even as a pessimist I disagree with those who see no hope for Syria in the long term, however,there has to be a unifying force to provide relative security and stability to allow rebuilding, in that sense the opposition, especially the armed groups, has to come under one umbrella to serve the role expected from a new regime, we all know that the opposition failed in that area, and until this fragmentation of the opposition ends the only body that can lead is the Syrian army, for Syria’s sake a national army has to be in charge for the near future, you can call that a transitional period if you like, the problem is that as of now this army is a tool in the hands of the regime and is widely rejected by many Syrians. I support calls to force Assad out and bring defecting officers back to protect the country and end the unsyrian phenomenon of jihadist groups. Assad is certainly an obsticle and he benefited from his enemies “mistakes”, keep in mind that if the goal is the destruction of Syria and its army ,one has to conclude that those mistakes were largely intentional.

April 20th, 2013, 11:40 pm

 

MarigoldRan said:

The war continues.

April 21st, 2013, 12:18 am

 

ann said:

US doubles aid for “Syrian opposition” to $250,000,000 – 2013-04-21

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-04/21/c_132326282.htm

ISTANBUL, April 21 (Xinhua) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced here Saturday that his country would provide another 123 million U.S. dollars in non-lethal assistance to the Syrian opposition.

Kerry made the pledge, which would bring Washington’s total amount to 250 million dollars, at a press conference shortly after the meeting in Istanbul of 11 foreign ministers from Western and Arab countries.

The package includes armored vehicles, body armor, night vision goggles and other “defensive” military supplies.

The one-day meeting was attended by foreign ministers from Turkey, the United States, Britain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Germany and France — the so-called “core group” of the “Friends of Syria.”

[…]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-04/21/c_132326282.htm

April 21st, 2013, 12:43 am

 

ann said:

Hundreds of Jordanians demand deporting Syrian refugees – 2013-04-21

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-04/21/c_132326265.htm

AMMAN, April 20 (Xinhua) — Hundreds of Jordanians held a sit- in on Saturday, calling for the deportation of Syrian refugees taking shelter in their country.

The demonstrators blocked roads leading to the Zaatari camp, home to more than 150,000 Syrian refugees, witnesses said.

The protest came one day after violent riots broke out at the camp between Syrian refugees and police, which left 18 policemen injured.

Syrian refugees threw rocks at the police guarding the camp, according to witnesses.

Jordanian Interior Minister Hussein Majali urged the authorities to bring those involved in the riots to justice, state- run Petra news agency reported.

[…]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-04/21/c_132326265.htm

April 21st, 2013, 12:48 am

 

ann said:

Syrian army manages to repel “rebels” attack on Damascus district – 2013-04-20

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-04/20/c_132324125.htm

DAMASCUS, April 19 (Xinhua) — The Syrian army managed to repulse Friday attacks by armed rebels against Damascus, a pro- government radio said.

The army forces responded to an attack launched by tens of militants from the Nusra Front, the al-Qaida branch in Syria, who tried to reach the Abbasiyeen bus station in Damascus, pro- government Sham FM radio said, adding that one Syrian soldier was killed as well as many of the assailants.

Meanwhile, the armed groups assassinated head of the public relations of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Ali Blan, while he was leaving a restaurant in the upscale Damascus’ district of al- Mazzeh Friday afternoon, local media said.

The opposition fighters also gunned down Engineer Colonel Tamim Abdullah in the Damascus’ suburb of Ush al-Warwar, which is dominated the Alawite minority to which the ruling elite belongs.

Also in Damascus, several mortars rained down the Qaboun suburb and the southern district of al-Qassa, local media said, adding that the shells left material damage and minor injuries.

Intense clashes also erupted in the eastern suburbs of Muadamieh and Daraya, Sham FM said, adding that the troops besieged a number of buildings in Daraya after the rebels took position in.

On the opposition side, the Local Coordination Committees (LCC) claimed that the rebel Free Syrian Army targeted the Palestine Intelligence Branch in Damascus. It, however, spelled no further details and no state media reported it.

[…]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-04/20/c_132324125.htm

April 21st, 2013, 12:54 am

 

ann said:

Clashes for control over major military base flare in northern Syria – 2013-04-20

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-04/20/c_132324079.htm

DAMASCUS, April 19 (Xinhua) — Intense clashes have flared up in the vicinity of the Syrian army’s 17th Division base in Syria’s northern province of al-Raqqa, pro-government Sham FM radio reported Friday.

The clashes, which have been raging for days, flared on Friday between the Syrian army and armed rebels trying to push in to take control over the base, the report said, adding that thousands of rebels have poured in to the area a day earlier to boost the rebels’ attempt to storm the base.

The radio report, however, said that “large numbers” of armed men were killed during Friday’s attack. It also added that a number of government soldiers were killed in the fighting that has intensified since early hours of Friday.

Quoting what it named as a military source, the Sham FM report denied the rebels’ entry to the base “despite the various weaponries they are using.”

Recently, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the 17th Division is considered the last bastion of government troops in al-Raqqa city after the al-Qaida-affiliated Nusra Front stormed the city last month. It said the Syrian air force is backing the base’s soldiers to fend off the armed militia ‘s attack.

[…]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-04/20/c_132324079.htm

April 21st, 2013, 1:00 am

 

revenire said:

Hope the air force killed them all. Prisoners are a waste of resources.

April 21st, 2013, 1:36 am

 

ann said:

On Al Nusra, Brahimi Says Extremism is Underestimated, As UN Pre-Clears Media – April 19, 2013

By Matthew Russell Lee

http://www.innercitypress.com/syria1himinusra041913.html

UNITED NATIONS, April 19 — When Lakhdar Brahimi emerged Friday after three hours with the UN Security Council, he announced he was not resigning.

Inner City Press asked him about his relationship with the Arab League, and why he hadn’t gone to its Doha summit in late March (when Syria’s seat was given to the opposition.)

This Brahimi did not answer, at least not in English. But when Inner City Press asked him about the Al Nusra Front links with or loyalty to Al Qaeda, he stopped and answered at some length.

He said that extremism is under-estimated. He said that it shows the need to solve Syria’s problems, before extremism flourishes more.

He also said he sees no need for a “Brahimi plan,” only a “Syrian plan.” [Transcript below].

Afterward, Inner City Press spoke with Algeria’s Permanent Representative, who said not only did his country abstain and express reservations at the Arab League giving Syria’s seat to the opposition, but he’s said the same thing here at the UN in New York, on the pending General Assembly resolution drafted by Qatar, Saudi Arabia and others.

(Inner City Press first reported on the resolution, and put online the drafts, here.)

Before Brahimi even came out to speak, the spokesman of the Department of Political Affairs played, well, politics. He announced that he had already decided which media would get questions, and in what order.

Before arriving at this list, he had not asked all UN accredited media, or even all of those present. So how did he decide?

He made a point of calling on Voice of America, which is run* by the US State Department, where DPA chief Jeffrey Feltman used to work.

He also called on Reuters, which asked about Brahimi agreeing to stay on for three months: “Why did you decide to say on for only three months?”

Brahimi asked, Who told you that?

Good question. This was considered the big scoop, and Brahimi himself said, this is the first I hear about it.

But the UN trying to pre-select the media that can ask questions is inappropriate. Inner City Press, and the new Free UN Coalition for Access, FUNCA, will have more on this. Watch this site.

__________________________________________________________

* – Footnote: That Voice of America is run by the US State Department was made clear to us last year, through ongoing Freedom of Information Act requests to its Broadcasting Board of Governors which revealed that when VOA asked the UN to review the accreditation of Inner City Press out, VOA said it had the support of Agence France Presse and Reuters. It is in the context that DPA’s pre-screening is particularly inappropriate. Now other FOIA requests are pending.

________________________________________________

Fast transcript by a friend on Inner City Press:

I just briefed the council. The way the UN works these days you already know what I’ve said. I think I have probably said practically the same things I’ve said every time. Situation is extremely bad and we need action from the council. Last time, inaudible made some very precise suggestions to the council. I have repeated the this time. I have also indicated the opposition and the government have got to accept to come to negotiations and both sides have got to accept that this negotiations are necessary.

Q _ Why have you only decided to stay on for 3 more months?

A _ I have not resigned. Every day I wake up, I think I should resign. But I haven’t so far. One day, perhaps I will resign and you are sure you will find out. But for the moment I have not resigned. And it is the first time that I hear that I’m staying for 3 months or less or more. There is no foundation for any of that.

Any other questions about Syria rather than about myself? Syria is important, not me.

Q _ To what extent have you been asked by the SG in trying to persuade the Syrian government to allow the chemical weapons team to enter?

A _ I haven’t been asked to do that.

Q _ On Arab League do you have any opinion as to whether it’s helpful or not that the Arab League officially recognized the Syrian opposition?

A _ Everybody in the Arab league tells me it isn’t.

Q _ You say people in the Arab League tell you it isn’t, but how from your point as a facilitator how has it impacted you, undermining your position?

Q _ Previously you said you’ve had no plan, do you have a plan? What will it take for a break through?

A _ I have said to the council that at the beginning I used to say that I had no plan because I didn’t know enough. Now I know a great deal about Syria. And now I think there is no need for a Brahimi plan. There is a need for a Syrian plan. I tried to do that through discussions with the Syrians, both sides and through discussions with the Security Council and its members and especially the Americans and the Russians. With the Syrians, I got nowhere. With the Security Council, the Americans and the Russians, we made some progress but it was far too little.

I’m very happy the Russians and the Americans are talking to one another. I’m very happy that form the discussions we’ve just heard the Security Council is very, very much now aware that this is an extremely serious problem as a matter of fact, the most serious crisis. And if they really believe there are in charge of looking at the peace and security, there is no time for them to loose to really take this question more seriously have until now.

Q _ With Al-Nousra having ties or links to Al Qaeda, how does it change your work?

A _ It doesn’t change my work. What I have said is that this is serious. That every body had underestimated the importance of extremism and that the way to fight or protect Syria and the rest of the world from extremism is once again to solve the problem. When a problem is so, in a situation like the Syrian problem is, more violence, more destruction, society is being broken. In a situation like this, extremism flourishes.

[…]

http://www.innercitypress.com/syria1himinusra041913.html

April 21st, 2013, 1:38 am

 

Ameera said:

شو قصتك يا ماري ما عندك غير (وور كونتيوز) يئطع عمرك متل بومة الشوم

April 21st, 2013, 2:53 am

 

Ameera said:

وانت يا ريفرن اوعى يطئلك شي عرئ لسه نازل قتل و صياح من على بكرة الصبح روء وطلع عالبال خدلك فنجان قهوة على الريحة و سلطن مع الست فيروز
يعني خليلي مزاجك رايئ و حياتك لا لا تفئسها

April 21st, 2013, 3:00 am

 

ann said:

Syrian army secures parts of Homs province

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=65d_1366503092

The Syrian army has attacked the village of Abel, where thousands of terrorists had taken shelter, and gained control of the al-Nabi Mendo hill as it continued clearing the Homs province and its outskirts.
“The operation was performed with the aim of clearing the area of armed mercenary terrorists and cutting connection between armed terror groups in Homs and Qusayr. The army won control of al-Nabi Mendo hill in the first attempt.”

The village of Abel is situated in the southern outskirt of the city of Homs and connects Homs to the city of Qusayr.

Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, Abel became a safe haven for a large number of armed mercenary terrorists who were entering Homs via the Baba Amr district.

The Syrian army also succeeded to clear the farm lands of gunmen in the vicinity of the village; the army inflicted heavy casualties on these armed terrorists and killed a large number of them.

Following the effective attacks by the Syrian army, many of the terrorists were forced to leave their gear and flee. At present, nothing but sporadic gun fires is heard in the area.

So far, the army has gained command in a large segment of the village and re-established security on the roads of Homs-Damascus and Homs-Tartus.

[…]

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=65d_1366503092

April 21st, 2013, 3:21 am

 

annie said:

ZOO : if they have weapons how come they are being bombed relentlessly and cannot shoot down the MIGS that kill them ?

Here is an article from Financial Times http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cd15cc4c-a81d-11e2-b031-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz2R4zZkJDD
The west’s caution over Syria is ruinous
Time for Obama to back mainstream rebels openly

and just to irritate the Rev a collection of Kafranbel drawings here http://syrie.blog.lemonde.fr/2013/04/20/kafr-nabl-en-syrie-presente-ses-condoleances-aux-etat-unis/
He will see that there are also clean beautiful children holding up their wonderful drawings

April 21st, 2013, 3:24 am

 

ann said:

Video from Kfraia in Homs after SAA liberated it from terrorists – 20.4.2013

Victory video from SAA showing several terrorist hideouts, tunnels, graves, bomb making facilities, IED’s, mines, effects etc after 1 of their many effective military campaigns in Homs.

Fsa destroyers have ravaged, lets hope this town have seen the last of them.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=101_1366502277

April 21st, 2013, 3:26 am

 

ann said:

Jordanian regular security forces attack Syrian women and children at Zaatari refugee camp – 19.4.2013 – Zaatari refugee camp, Jordan

Heavily geared Jordanian forces attack with stones, batons and grenades of some sort.

They really didn’t like the camera man filming them:

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e90_1366500774

April 21st, 2013, 3:38 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

The Assadists think this is a West-backed war. It is not. They believe their own propaganda, and so they’re aiming at the wrong audience.

The war continues.

April 21st, 2013, 3:54 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

The Assadists don’t have the manpower or the legitimacy to hold Sunni areas. They can launch raids, but they can’t hold territory.

Nor can it convince its enemies to stop fighting.

April 21st, 2013, 4:00 am

 

Hopeful said:

#463 Ann

They should have learned from the Assad’s gangsters and brought along their tanks, machine guns and fighter jets!

What hypocrisy!

April 21st, 2013, 4:02 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

Every time the Assadists try something, their enemies become more motivated and angrier. They can commit violence, but every act of violence only encourages its enemies to fight harder. Every rebel casualty is replaced with a defector or a volunteer. Simply put: the Assadists can commit violence. But it serves no purpose. They can kill and destroy, but they cannot rule.

April 21st, 2013, 4:07 am

 

Hopeful said:

# 462 Ann

Isn’t that another proof that the rebels are NOT receiving weapons and assistance from the “outside” as the regime has been repeating from day one? Did you see how crude their equipment and tools are? rusted car batteries?

How will you spin that fact?

April 21st, 2013, 4:08 am

 

ann said:

Syria opposition must distance itself from “terrorists:” Germany
Reuters – 15 hrs ago

http://news.yahoo.com/syria-opposition-must-distance-itself-terrorists-germany-154401550.html

ISTANBUL (Reuters) – German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on Saturday the Syrian opposition must distance itself from extremist forces and he said Germany was skeptical about supplying weapons to the rebels.

“We expect from the opposition that they clearly distance themselves in Syria from terrorist and extremist forces,” Westerwelle told reporters in Istanbul at a meeting of Syrian opposition leaders and their international backers.

“We are skeptical as the German government when it comes to delivering weapons because we are concerned that weapons could fall into the wrong, namely extremist, hands, but it is a matter that must now be discussed in the European Union.”

[…]

http://news.yahoo.com/syria-opposition-must-distance-itself-terrorists-germany-154401550.html

April 21st, 2013, 4:10 am

 

MarigoldRan said:

The Assadists lose 3 villages. Then they spend 2 months to recapture one of them. They celebrate.

Then they lose 3 more villages….

April 21st, 2013, 4:18 am

 

annie said:

Homs under siege (in Arabic with French sub-titles)

Bebars Telawe walks in the streets of Homs and speaks with the inhabitants.
http://youtu.be/_O52Qro80HM
Episode 2 || Al Qusur
http://youtu.be/JLcrP4ZShrE
Episode 3 || Homsi children.
http://youtu.be/sl5K4CrFlXM
Episode 4 || lifting the siege
http://youtu.be/nzzNKRIdNfM

all four here : http://anniebannie.net/2013/04/21/homs-sous-le-siege/

April 21st, 2013, 4:36 am

 

Citizen said:

The US has announced that it will provide militants in Syria, now openly admitted to being Al Qaeda terrorists, with $123 million in military aid – while thousands of cancer patients at home are being turned away from clinics because of budget cuts. Compounding the criminal negligence of telling sick people to seek help elsewhere, is the fact that the military aid the US is providing terrorists in Syria will be used to perpetuate an already two-year-long, sectarian-driven humanitarian disaster.
RT recently reported in their article, “US to give $123 million military aid package to Syrian rebels,” that:
The US$123 million defense aid package, announced by Kerry at the meeting in the Turkish capital on Sunday, includes body armor, armored vehicles, advanced communication equipment and night vision goggles.
Now, clearly, while the West attempts to feign ignorance over the inception and rapid expansion of Al Qaeda in Syria, these 2007 plans are coming into fruition. It was revealed by the London Telegraph and the Washington Post that even “non-lethal” aid provided by the United States, including flour, was being used as a political weapon by Al Qaeda’s al-Nusra front in Syria to win over support in territory it invades and occupies.
When pursing a destructive war of geopolitical hegemony abroad takes precedence over the health and well being of a nation’s citizens at home, the government taking such a posture has lost all legitimacy. The people of America will continue to watch their nation rot out from beneath them as long as they continue investing their money, time, energy, and attention into an establishment clearly divorced from the interests of the vast majority. Instead, the special interests exploiting America should be identified, condemned, boycotted permanently, and replaced by local alternatives – thus stealing from beneath them both their source of power, and their capacity to continue forward.
http://www.activistpost.com/2013/04/us-turns-away-thousands-of-cancer.html

April 21st, 2013, 5:04 am

 

Citizen said:

sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the BBC that Israel has a right to prevent weapons from falling into the wrong hands in Syria.
Naten yahu !/wrong hands!/
Stop playing such as virgin daylight and night prostitute !

April 21st, 2013, 5:17 am

 

Citizen said:

Syrian opposition asks “Friends of Syria” to strike
http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fria.ru%2Farab_riot%2F20130421%2F933725474.html
DUBAI, April 20 – RIA Novosti, Nadim Zuaui. National Coalition of the Syrian opposition and the revolutionary forces called on members of the “Friends of Syria” to strike at targets government armed forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad /Chinese – Russian taboo!/. In the common statement on Saturday evening, they demanded “take concrete and immediate measures to deprivation of Assad’s possible use of chemical weapons and ballistic missiles by launching pinpoint strikes on targets using drones.”

April 21st, 2013, 5:44 am

 

Dolly Buster said:

294. syria no kandahar said:

Ok,The regime is in a war against who?? you know that the Syria army is 95% lay Syrians mostly sunnis.Who is on the other side?
JN?Alqaeda?Chechens?Libyans?Tunisians?Swedes?Turks?Afghans?

 
The SAA is forced to fight at gunpoint. Deserters are shot by the Shia.

Syria belongs to the Wahhabis, it is the land of Tawheed and Sunnah, and it will never be the land of evil Shiites.

The carcass of Bashar al Assad will illustrate this point for you guys.

April 21st, 2013, 5:59 am

 

Citizen said:

The personal comment is a mirror image of own nature! !What are you waiting for?death for others? rather, it is going to happen to your loved ones!

April 21st, 2013, 6:38 am

 

Citizen said:

Divide and conquer using sectarianism is the West’s best way to ensure their (Israel’s) New Middle East. Arab on Arab. Suni vs Shia!wakeup

April 21st, 2013, 7:13 am

 

apple_mini said:

It seems the opposition and the rebels feel the heat on battle ground. Their call for direct military intervention from the west indicates a slight state of panic.

Of course the west would not do that. Not only the west, but also those GCC and Turkey won’t do it.

GCC and Turkey do not have military capacity or political power to back up.

The only players who can make the call are US, UK and France. But they do not dare to risk the political fallout if they go ahead intervening. If there were a general referendum regarding policy on Syria, the US, UK and France would withdraw from FOS. They need to watch out for other international members as well.

When the rebels and the opposition are losing on battle field, they are not seeking negotiation with the regime to find a way out. Instead, they are more desperately begging from their puppet masters.

There is nothing wrong with the regime’s strategy. Rather the mentality of the opposition and the rebels is counter-productive if they want to end the violence in Syria sooner.

At best, the regime could wave olive branches by offering more incentives for dialogue.

April 21st, 2013, 7:28 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Suni vs Shia!wakeup

Citizen
Shia is sending soldiers to fight along with Assad,both from Iran and HA,against the sunni,let them withdraw and Sunni will cooperate, the Shia never miss a chance to kill Sunni,and they always want to force their fake religion on Sunni,they have to wake up and realize they are not consistant with Quraan.

April 21st, 2013, 7:35 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

HA must withdraw from Syria,otherwise the supporters of Hassan Nasrallah may suffer huge casualties, this is the message from FSA,

April 21st, 2013, 8:30 am

 

zoo said:

High on expectations, in Istanbul, the opposition got nothing worthwhile. The expected surprise is the joint call of the 11 countries foreign ministries for a return to the Geneva agreement (that calls for a political solution without the condition that Bashar stepping down).

No weapons, no international recognition for Hitto, no drones, no no-fly zone and no international condemnation of Bashar Al Assad
They got instead a clear message from the 11 countries: Get ready to negotiate with the government for a political solution.

Friends of Syria call on Damascus for a solution based on Geneva communiqué

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/friends-of-syria-call-on-damascus-for-a-solution-based-on-geneva-communiqu.aspx?pageID=238&nID=45307&NewsCatID=352

Foreign ministers attending the Friends of the Syrian People core group meeting April 20 in Istanbul called on Syria’s government to sit down at the negotiation table to reach a solution based on the terms of the Geneva communiqué.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters during a press conference that Syria’s main opposition, the Syrian National Coalition (SNC), had issued a declaration that focused on a political solution “in parallel” to the communiqué signed June 30, 2012, under the chairmanship of former U.N.-Arab League special envoy to Syria Kofi Annan. The only way for Damascus is to come to the table and agree to an international agreement, Kerry said.

The communiqué called for a cease-fire, the formation of a transitional government and the holding of parliamentary and presidential polls.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu also echoed the words of his American counterpart, saying, “We are calling for an immediate solution based on the Geneva communiqué.”
…..

While pleased with the U.S. moves, the opposition appeared deeply disappointed, especially as it lost some ground in the latest clashes with Syrian troops backed by pro-government gunmen capturing at least one village in a strategic area near the Lebanese border.

“We appreciate the limited support given by the international community, but it is not sufficient,” it said in a statement released at the end of the conference. “We call on the international community to be more forthcoming and unreserved to fulfill its responsibilities in extending support that is needed by the Syrian people.”

With the exception of the United States, none of the participants offered new assistance, although European nations are considering changes to an arms embargo that would allow weapons transfers to the Syrian opposition. But European Union action is unlikely before the current embargo is set to expire in late May.

Obama has said he has no plans to send weapons or give lethal aid to the rebels, despite pressure from Congress, some administration advisers and the appeals from opposition.

There are no plans to change that policy, although U.S. officials say they are not opposed to other countries sending arms, as long as the recipients have been properly vetted.

Read more here: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/04/20/2365189/kerry-pushes-turkey-israel-rapprochement.html#storylink=cpy

April 21st, 2013, 8:34 am

 

zoo said:

#480 Majed

The Hezbollah is doing its job, protecting the Shias from the hatred that the al Nusra Sunni rebels have against them and that you share.

Against the Hezbollah fighters and the Syrian army, your “holy fighters” from al Qaeda have no chance to survive.

April 21st, 2013, 8:44 am

 
 

majedkhaldoun said:

Zoo said
“The Hezbollah is doing its job”
Its job is to kill Sunni,this hatred that you,Zoo,share, I promise you one thing, if HA continues its criminal actions against Syrians they will suffer a huge casualties,don’t cry after that, there is no future for HA in Syria, they are acting very stupid.
Let that be a warning,never forget.

April 21st, 2013, 9:05 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Zoo said
“The Hezbollah is doing its job”
Its job is to kill Sunni,this hatred that you,Zoo,share, I promise you one thing, if HA continues its criminal actions against Syrians they will suffer a huge casualties,don’t cry after that, there is no future for HA in Syria, they are acting very stupid.
Let that be a warning,never forget.

April 21st, 2013, 9:11 am

 

annie said:

484. Please Maje, no threats or reproaches, don’t play us the Reve game

April 21st, 2013, 9:20 am

 
 
 

Tara said:

The regime loses 3 villages then recapture one, the Assadists celebrate. The regime loses again 3 more villages and recaptures one, then they celebrate again.

The US gives additional $123 million in aid directly to the rebels military command, the Assadists celebrate again.

April 21st, 2013, 9:42 am

 

Tara said:

Syrian rebel officer rules out negotiations with Assad
Reuters – 

ISTANBUL (Reuters) – A Syrian rebel leader said on Saturday only force could end the country’s two-year conflict and ruled out the possibility of any negotiation with President Bashar al-Assad’s administration other than over its exit.
“There is no solution with this regime through negotiation. This (conflict) will not be settled other than by force,” Brigadier Selim Idris, head of a military command, told reporters on the sidelines of a conference in Istanbul.
“Maybe in its final stages, when the regime feels it has lost everything, it might want to negotiate for its exit.”

http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-rebel-officer-rules-negotiations-assad-162858774.html

April 21st, 2013, 10:06 am

 

ghufran said:

The fight over oil where holy worriors become thieves:
(source: askalser)
قال نشطاء السبت، إن مقاتلين من جبهة النصرة اشتبكوا مع رجال قبائل فى شرق سوريا وسط صراعات على منشآت النفط فى المنطقة بدأت تظهر بسبب فراغ السلطة الذى خلفته الحرب.
ونشب نزاع على شاحنة نفط مسروقة في بلدة المسرب في محافظة دير الزور المتاخمة للعراق أدى إلى اندلاع اشتباكات بين رجال القبائل ومقاتلين من جبهة النصرة المرتبطة بتنظيم القاعدة مما أسفر عن سقوط 37 قتيلا.
ونقل المرصد السوري عن نشطاء قولهم إن القتال الذى بدأ فى أواخر مارس آذار واستمر عشرة أيام يأتي في إطار صراع أوسع بين الجماعات القبلية ومقاتلي جبهة النصرة.
ومع دخول الحرب الأهلية بين قوات الأسد وقوات المعارضة المسلحة عامها الثالث، تظهر صراعات جانبية للسيطرة على الموارد مثل النفط. وتقول الأمم المتحدة إن أكثر من 70 ألف شخص قتلوا في الحرب حتى الآن فى سوري
وتتبادل المعارضة المسلحة والقبائل فى دير الزور الاتهامات بسرقة النفط من الحقول الموجودة بالإقليم الذى يعد أغنى محافظات سوريا بالنفط.
وقال المرصد ومقاتل من جبهة النصرة، إن رجال القبائل طلبوا المساعدة من قوات الأسد ضد مقاتلي الجبهة.
وقال الناشط عبر موقع سكايب على الإنترنت، إن جبهة النصرة ردت بتفجير 30 منزلا بعد المعركة التى قتل فيها 17 من قوات المعارضة من بينهم أربعة أجانب على الأقل.
وقال “قتل (القرويون) بعض رجالنا ومثلوا بجثثهم وهو ما أثار الجبهة على الفور… رأينا أنهم كانوا يتلقون المساعدة من النظام الذى أرسل لهم السلاح والذخيرة”.
ومن المتوقع أن تتزايد دوافع الصراع على الموارد مع خطط الاتحاد الأوروبي لرفع الحظر عن النفط السوري مما سيجعل بيعه أكثر سهولة.
وقال الاتحاد الأوروبي هذا الأسبوع، إنه يريد السماح للمعارضة السورية ببيع النفط الخام، في محاولة لتحويل موازين القوة لصالح المعارضة التي لا تملك ما لدى قوات الأسد من الطائرات والصواريخ طويلة المدى.
وحظر الاتحاد الأوروبي شراء الشركات الأوروبية للنفط السوري فى 2011 ردا على الحملة الأمنية الضارية التى شنتها السلطات السورية على الاحتجاجات السلمية ضد الأسد فى المرحلة الأولى للانتفاضة التي تحولت إلى
حرب أهلية.
وتشير آخر بيانات حكومية أمريكية إلى أن إنتاج النفط فى سوريا كان 153 ألف برميل يوميا في أكتوبر تشرين الأول 2012 في تراجع بنسبة تقارب 60 فى المئة عن مارس 2011.
وأظهر تسجيل مصور نشر على موقع يوتيوب وقيل إنه من دير الزور زعيم عشائري يحذر السكان المحليين من دخول صراعات على النفط.
وقال إن النفط هو مشكلة المشاكل ومصيبة المصائب ودعا إلى اجتماع لكل القرى والبلدات لمناقشة هذا الأمر الذى يمثل خطرا كبيرا.
this is like choosing between having a bad boss or having no job,this story keeps getting repeated in a number of arab countries,you would think that Syrians would have learned by now !!

April 21st, 2013, 10:44 am

 

zoo said:

Strange, we all know that the SNC had rejected Al Khatib’s offer for negotiation without requiring Bashar to step down.
Have they been forced to change their mind and to offer it again now officially under the SNC name, just when Bashar al Assad has withdrawn his offer?
Al Khatib did not miss the opportunity to show off by making ridiculous demands on Iran, Hezbollah and Russia

US to boost military support if Assad dodges political offer

“We first want to see a political solution first in Syria, with the Assad regime at the table. But in the absence of peace, the US would be helpful in providing more international aid,” said Kerry without elaborating at a press appearance after the hours-long meeting of the Friends of Syria in İstanbul on Saturday.
…
The Friends of Syria statement also said that “if the Syrian regime rejects this opportunity [of a renewed offer for a negotiated settlement], further announcements on the expansion of our assistance will follow.”
…
‘Iran should take its hand out of Syria’

“We do not want Iran to be involve in any more crime in Syria. We want it to withdraw its troops and everything from Syria. It should also tell Hezbollah to withdraw from Syria,” Khatib said, condemning the military support of Iran to the Syrian regime.

We also expect Russia to assist the Syrian opposition,” he added.

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-313330-us-to-boost-military-support-if-assad-dodges-political-offer.html

April 21st, 2013, 11:11 am

 
 

zoo said:

Official declaration at the end of the FOS Istanbul meeting

“With reference to their discussions in Rome Meeting of February 28, 2013, the Ministers reiterated their firm support for a political solution to the conflict in Syria within the framework of the Geneva communiqué. They welcomed the work of the National Coalition for a political solution in Syria and expressed their support to this end.”

http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-313305-fear-of-radicalism-in-syria-the-self-fulfilling-prophecy.html

April 21st, 2013, 11:23 am

 

ghufran said:

Turkish brotherhood at its best:
مصادر تركية مطلعة تنقل عن أطباء أمريكيين وفرنسيين أن هناك شبكة من عدة دول تضم في صفوفها مسؤولين أتراك وأمريكيين وفرنسيين تقوم بالإتجار بالأعضاء البشرية،
بركات قارس الكاتب والمحلل السياسي التركي اعتبر”أن تجارة الأعضاء ليست جديدة على الساحة التركية، وأن هناك شبكات صهيونية منذ سنين طويلة تنشط في مجال تجارة الأعضاء وخصوصاً الكلية والكبد”.
قارس كشف أن “أحداث الحرب الدائرة في سورية كثفت من نشاط هذه الشبكات على الحدود التركية السورية، وهي تعمل بحرية أكبر مما كانت عليه في السابق، ويوجد سوريون يعملون معها من خلال المشافي المتجولة التي تم تشكليها من أطباء من جنسيات مختلفة”.
وأوضح قارس أنه التقى قبل يومين بممرضة سورية الجنسية كانت تعمل في مشفى داخل مدينة جسر الشغور في ريف إدلب، وهربت في الفترة الأخيرة إلى الداخل التركي، وكشفت له أنها “شاهدت بعينها أشخاصاً أصيبوا بجراح ونقلوا إلى تركيا، وبعد أسبوع تمت إعادتهم إلى المشفى التي تواجدت فيها الممرضة وكانوا يعانون من إلتهابات وعندما تم الكشف عليهم تبين أنهم بلا كلية، وأكدت الممرضة أنها شاهدت ثلاث حالات من هذا النوع”.
وسرد الكاتب التركي حادثة أخرى رواها شهود عيان حول سيارات الإسعاف التي تنقل الجرحى من الداخل السوري، حيث نقلت هذه السيارات جثث قتلى وتم فتحها في المشافي الجوالة المتواجدة على الحدود بين البلدين وأخذ منها بعض الأعضاء، معتبراً أن “هذه الأحداث باتت روايات يومية بين أهالي الولايات التركية على الحدود السورية مثل أنطاكية وكيليس وغيرها
إحدى النساء السوريات من سكان منطقة بستان الباشا في حلب تدعى أم محمد روت لبرنامج “العد العكسي” حادثة جرت مع أحد أقاربها حيث تم الضغط عليه من أجل الانشقاق عن الجيش السوري في منطقة “الهلك” شرق حلب، وبعد انضمامه لصفوف الجيش الحر أصيب في إحدى المعارك إصابة بليغة، وتم إسعافه إلى أحد المشافي التركية ليتبين بعد أسابيع أنه مات، وعندما تم تسليم الجثة لذويه تبين أنها بلا كلية.

April 21st, 2013, 11:38 am

 

ghufran said:

ذكرت أنباء من داخل الائتلاف الوطني السوري المعارض، اليوم الأحد، تخلي معاذ الخطيب عن منصبه كرئيس للائتلاف، والاكتفاء بموقع ممثل محافظة دمشق في الائتلاف، بحسب قناة “العربية”، وأكد عضو الائتلاف الوطني السوري، مروان حجو، ومصادر أخرى داخل الائتلاف الاستقالة.
Quick developments in Reef Homs around Qsair, the whole area, with Qsair itself, may change hands in a matter of days, if the army succeeds, its next target will be Al-Rastan.Most of Homs today is under regime control, the explainations I received from media and few people here fall short of providing a satisfactory answer on why rebels are suddenly losing ground while the regime seems to have the momentum.

April 21st, 2013, 12:06 pm

 

Juergen said:

Mursi: “The attitude of Russia towards Syria corresponds to our position.”

المنافق مرسي يقدر دور روسيا فى دعم نظام بشار الاسد ويشبة موقفها تجاة سوريا بموقف مصر

April 21st, 2013, 12:08 pm

 

ghufran said:

A summary of Tareq Aziz interview with Ali Al-Dabbagh
(published few days ago but took place at the end of 2010):
تحدث عزيز الذي يعاني من امراض عدة عن علاقته بصدام وعن حرب ايران (1980 – 1988) وغزو الكويت الذي اعتبره “غلطة كبيرة”، وعن نظرة صدام الى اسرائيل وعلاقاته الاسرية.
وقال عزيز ان ايران “كانت صعبة وغزت العراق وكان همها تدمير العراق في حين كان العراق يحاول حماية نفسه”، مشيرا الى ان “وضع الكويت كان مختلفا وكان غلطة كبيرة، رغم ان الكويت خفضت اسعار النفط وضيقت على العراق، لكن كان علينا الصبر وليس الحرب”.
ودافع نائب رئيس الوزراء السابق بشدة عن صدام، وقال عنه “للتاريخ فهو رجل قيادي ومثقف وشديد في نفس الوقت، وكان محبا للقرأءة، وكان مهتما في بناء العراق بناء ثقافيا وعسكريا وصناعيا”.
وتابع ان “صدام بنى مشاريع كثيرة وسدودا وكهرباء ومصانع ومؤسسات ثقافية في فترة الثمانينات قبل حرب الكويت، وكان العراق ممتازا ومتطورا، رغم ضراوة الحرب مع ايران”.
واكد عزيز (77 عاما) ان صدام “كان يكره اسرائيل وكان يرغب الحرب معها”، لكنه شدد في نفس الوقت على ان “اسرائيل بلد قوي لا يمكن الانتصار عليه”.
وعن العمليات التي ينفذها تنظيم القاعدة في العراق، قال ان “المستهدف العراق كله، انا ضد القاعدة بصورة كاملة وضد قتل الناس من قبل القاعدة وضدها ايديولوجيا”، لافتا الى ان “صدام لم يتصل ببن لادن، لا يحبه”.
وتحدث عزيز عن علاقته بزعماء العراق الجدد، فقال ان الرئيس العراقي جلال طالباني “صديقي و(رئيس اقليم كردستان العراق) مسعود بارزاني صديقي اعرفهم معرفة صداقة”.
واثنى على موقف طالباني الذي رفض التوقيع على حكم اعدامه، وانتقد دعوات بارزاني للانفصال، وقال عن نوري المالكي “لا اعرفه، لكنه ظاهريا يبدو معتدلا يحاول ان يجمع الكل”.
وسئل عزيز عن مدى تدينه، فقال “اجد نفسي اقرب الى الاسلام من المسيحية لكني بقيت على المسيحية (…) قررت بيني وبين نفسي الا اصبح مسلما بشكل علني، حتى لا يقال انه غير دينه من اجل المنصب”.
وروى ان صدام قال في احد الاجتماعات لمجلس الوزراء “لو كان ابو زياد (لقب طارق عزيز) مسلما لصار رئيسا للوزراء”.

April 21st, 2013, 12:15 pm

 

Tara said:

Where are the Assadists to hail Morsi and shower him with compliments? Come on… Morsi is a great leader, no?

Also, I request that speeches of Nasrallah be deleted from SC and those who post them should be asked not to do so. HA is classified by the US as a terrorist militia. Posting speeches by Nasrallah should be banned. Terrorism should not be promoted on a US site.

Nasrallah should refrain from too much non verbal expressions with his arms and hands. He looks rediculous.

April 21st, 2013, 12:20 pm

 

Syrian said:

Ghufran you seemed you have skiped this News from your source (aksalsir)

A new massacre in Damascus subreb, 300 deads In Jadudey Alfqdel/ Artouz
موقع عكس السير | الصفحة الرسمية
3 hours ago ·
ريف دمشق : أكثر من 300 شهيد في مجزرة مروعة ارتكبتها قوات النظام في جديدة عرطوز

http://www.aksalsir.com/?page=view_articles&id=ceb9cd6b6b9a65a1fe7ab9f01f51e6a2&ar=409064069

April 21st, 2013, 12:20 pm

 
 

ziad said:

majedkhaldoun #479 said:

“the Shia never miss a chance to kill Sunni, and they always want to force their fake religion on Sunni, they have to wake up and realize they are not consistant with Quraan.”

MK can you substantiate your claim with some facts?

Here is a small sample of events where Sunnis killed Shias:

• 1802 Wahhabis attacked Najaf killing 4000 (the whole population) including women children and old people. These were not the proverbial “collateral damage”. They were put individually to the sword because they were kafirs.

• March 2, 2004 At least 75 people were killed and hundreds others were wounded as crowds had gathered to commemorate Ashura. Concurrent explosions also occurred at the Imam Husayn A.S. Mosque in Karbala.

• August 31, 2005 this mosque was the destination of the crowd that was caught up in the Baghdad bridge stampede.

• June 6, 2007 At least 7 people were killed after twin car bombings occurred near the mosque.

• June 27, 2007 a car bomb killed at least 14 people and injured 22 others.

• March 25, 2008 The freshly gilded dome over the grave of Muhammad al-Taqi A.S.was unveiled to the public, as crowds had gathered in celebration for the birthday of Hazrath Muhammad Mustafa SAWW as well as his descendant, Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq A.S.

• December 27, 2008 a car bomb killed at least 24 people and wounded 46 others, many of them Shiite pilgrims. The explosion occurred about 100 yards from Bab al-Dirwaza, one of the main gates to the shrine.

• January 4, 2009 a male suicide bomber dressed as a woman, killed 38 and injured 72 Shia pilgrims as they were preparing for Ashura.

• April 8, 2009 7 people were killed and 23 others were wounded after a bomb that was left in a plastic bag near the mosque detonated.

• April 24, 2009 two female suicide bombers killed at least 66 people and wounded 125 others as people were heading towards the mosque for Friday prayers.

Do you think these acts are more consistent with the Quraan?

MK you like many Sunnis fell for the fairy tail propagated by Feltman/Hariri/Bandar. Do you blame Shias if they are angry at Sunnis?

I am Sunni myself and come from a very religious family in Syria, yet I cannot remain silent in front of these criminal acts.

April 21st, 2013, 12:23 pm

 

apple_mini said:

#496 Ghufran, it would be nice to have a solid analysis. But one would not be able to get an accurate military analysis until much later after the conflict already settles.

Key factors in consideration are: number of fighting men, logistic including possession of advanced weaponry and military plannings. The rebels used to have slight advantage on number. But it seems the balance has been tilted. Other factors have never been in the rebels’ favor.

One interesting observation: Assad had given some confident even seemingly delusional statement about SAA was close to make decisive move on track to victory before the recent development. There must have been something in his pocket.

Again, I doubt we could find out the whole picture about the change on battle ground. Nevertheless, hopefully it will force an inevitable dialogue when losing becomes unsustainable.

April 21st, 2013, 12:36 pm

 

revenire said:

A “new massacre” of 300 in Jadudey Alfqdel means the army vaporized RATS. It should have been 3000.

Tell the terrorists you support Syria Lover to leave Syria. You always claim you are against Nusra but you aren’t. You support them.

What a great day it is.

Glory to the army.

April 21st, 2013, 1:01 pm

 

Sami said:

@503,

Any great ideas on how to persecute women?

Do you think your superb idea that your pal loved where you target every woman wearing a headscarf would force dialogue with your buffoon prethident?

What is it about a headscarf that makes you so scared of it? Should the SAA bomb every woman wearing one? Is that what besho was hiding in his pocket?

April 21st, 2013, 1:07 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Ziad
I don’t think you are Sunni since what you wrote indicates you don’t understand the difference
1- this is the most important but not the least, In Quraan it says on numerous occaisons that God has no Wali for people to worship,revere as holy person, if you ever read Quraan you find the most stupid idea that they consider Ali as Wali, it is forbidden in Islam it is equivalent to say God has son or has another partner, I refer you to the last verse in souret Israa, or to Zummar the first page, or to many many other verse, but I doubt you read Quraan.-
2 They the shia do not fast as the prophet said, from Dawn till sunset.
3- They dont pray as the prophet said, the prophet never said Ali wali allah during prayer
4- they say lies all the time 90% of their religion are lies
5-Mutaa marriage is not permitted in Islam it is permitted in their religion.
6-Inheritance laws has been changed in violation of what Quraan says

As for they killed Sunni, if you read history you would not say what you said, look at the time of Mongols, they conspired with the Mongols to kill the people of Baghdad killing over 300,000 ,
Look at what they are doing now, they sent 50,000 soldier to kill Sunni in Syria.
They Shiia they conspired with the British to kill Sunni in 1920 in Iraq
They sent spies to cause trouble in Yemen, and KSA
They cause a lot of trouble to the Sunni during Saddam rule and now with Maliki they are conspiring to kill Sunni ,look at the story about Vice president Tariq Hashimi it is clear it was done because of him Sunni
Look at history again all what you said were due to crimes started by Shiaa.
So PLEASE do not come here to tell us lies,you must study every case carefully.
I will not tolerate lies.

April 21st, 2013, 1:12 pm

 

Syrian said:

Ghufran asked
“why rebels are suddenly losing ground while the regime seems to have the momentum”

After the great advances in Alrqqa,Dar’a and Easter Ghouta, it look likes the countries supporting the FSA, under the pressure of the US have decided to slow things down and give the Mafia regime a last chance at a controled exist,
yesterday statement from the FOS that “if the Syrian regime rejects this opportunity [of a renewed offer for a negotiated settlement],further announcements on the expansion of our assistance will follow.”support that theory,
Most likly the mafia regime won’t listen and it is only matter of time for its annilation

April 21st, 2013, 1:15 pm

 

Badr said:

Damascus: The changing face of Syria’s capital

By Jeremy Bowen
BBC Middle East editor

President Assad was on TV this week. He denied there was any such thing as a liberated area controlled by the rebels in Syria, but the fact is that the only contact the President’s men have with large parts of the country is through the sights of a weapons system. That even applies to districts of Damascus. The regime controls the core of the city. But much of the sprawling, impoverished ring of suburbs around it is in the hands of the rebels.
. . .
Mark Twain wrote that in Damascus years were only moments. Time, he said, was measured by the empires the city has seen rise and fall. But people count their lives in months and years, families, friends and jobs. Damascus, and Syria, will get through this.
It is tragic that so many of its people will not. In the news business, the word tragic can be overused. That does not apply in Syria. In this place it feels more like an understatement.

April 21st, 2013, 1:31 pm

 

revenire said:

RATS VERY UNHAPPY THEY DIDN’T GET WEAPONS, CALLING FOR INTERVENTION AGAIN

Syria Opposition Voices Frustration with International Backers

Syrian opposition figures voiced frustration with their international backers on Saturday in the face of reluctance from some to supply the rebels with weapons and a call for them to distance themselves from extremist forces.

Speaking at a meeting of the Friends of Syria in Istanbul, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Germany was skeptical about supplying weapons to the rebels but said the subject should be discussed by the European Union.

One senior opposition figure said arms were already being sent from some countries but acknowledging this at the meeting would provide cover for countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar to openly help the rebels, reports Reuters.

“The world must know if they don’t agree on our right to receive weapons this will be the last meeting the opposition attend. We will not attend any meetings after this,” he told Reuters.

Washington plans to provide about $100 million in new non-lethal aid to the Syrian opposition that could include for the first time battlefield support equipment such as body armour and night-vision goggles, a U.S. official said on Friday.

Secretary of State John Kerry was expected to announce the new aid package, which would mark a recalibration of U.S. policy toward Syrian rebel groups at Saturday’s meeting. Fresh U.S. humanitarian aid for Syrian refugees is also likely.

The new assistance would stop short of supplying weapons to rebels fighting to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. It is also far less than what is sought by Syrian opposition leaders, U.S. allies Britain and France and some U.S. lawmakers.

The senior opposition official called on those reluctant to supply weapons to say so openly, which Westerwelle did on the sidelines of the meeting.

“We expect from the opposition that they clearly distance themselves in Syria from terrorist and extremist forces,” he told reporters.

“We are skeptical as the German government when it comes to delivering weapons because we are concerned that weapons could fall into the wrong, namely extremist, hands, but it is a matter that must now be discussed in the European Union.”

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/syria-opposition-voices-frustration-with-international-backers/145538/

April 21st, 2013, 1:40 pm

 

revenire said:

Brother Majed does the FBI have you on a list?

Allahu Akbar.

April 21st, 2013, 1:42 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

53 minutes ago:

Robert Fisk: Inside Damascus – memoirs reveal the Hafez approach

Hitherto unknown information has emerged from the confidential archives of the Syrian presidency and foreign ministry

Sunday 21 April 2013

April 21st, 2013, 1:48 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

The problem for fence sitters is that, as they are neither here nor there, eventually all sides ignore them.

April 21st, 2013, 1:52 pm

 

Hopeful said:

Warning – two boys tortured to death by Assad gangsters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYkv1MriNPw

These people are animals. It is hard to believe that Syria can produce people like these.

Zoo, Ann, you still defend this regime? How can you be so blind? Every one on this board who is against the regime has condemned all inhuman acts by all. When will you condemn these acts?

I will not ask Rev the same as he is a hopeless case.

April 21st, 2013, 1:56 pm

 

Tara said:

Hopeful,

Watching this again, I truly hope that regime supporters break off from Syria and go to Hell. I do not want to be a fellow citizen with those animals. And if this does not happen and Syria remains united, I shall never live near any of these animals or speak with them or visit any place they visit. I really truly hate them. They are truly inferior. May god curse them forever.

April 21st, 2013, 2:09 pm

 

ghufran said:

By giving rebels conditions that they can not or do not want to meet, foreign nations that support the opposition are effectively pulling out after realizing that this war will not end quickly and may spread to other countries. A push for an end to this war may now have enough support to launch a political process that is likely to be boycotted by most rebel groups who may decide to continue a war of attrition for years to come, that was referred to as The Algerian Model in previous posts:

“By the early hours of Sunday, the foreign ministers and the Syrian National Coalition had agreed to statements that called for a negotiated path to a new Syrian order, a rejection of extremism and power sharing among all major ethnic groups. The ministers had also agreed to funnel all military aid through the opposition coalition’s Supreme Military Council, a step that could reduce the flow of weapons to suspected extremist groups”

April 21st, 2013, 2:16 pm

 

ziad said:

majedkhaldoun #506 said:

“I don’t think you are Sunni since what you wrote indicates you don’t understand the difference”

You have not provided a single reference to prove neither your points 1-6, nor to the historical factoids you listed afterwards. You expect the readers to take your word for it.

As it concerns the Ithnaashari Shias you are most definitely wrong. They follow the tenets of Iman and Islam like the Sunnis. I am not experienced enough in Shia theology to give you a definitive proof. I hope some other commenter can do that. A personal experience: My grand father’s partner was Shia. He and his partner lead each other in prayers countless times. The only difference was the position of the hands. This partner broke the fast with my grandfather many times.

MK if some one believes in GOD, his angels, prophets, books, and judgment day, and do shahadah, pray, fast, do zakat, and pilgrimage, it is not up to you, nor Qaradawi, nor any one else to call him kafir, let alone call for their murder. Even if they curse Abu Bakr, and Omar. You can call them in error, or rude, you can argue with them the theology as prescribed by the Quran and sunna.

MK, I am the last person who says that Shias don’t do bad things, we Sunnis don’t have a monopoly on stupidity, yet looking in the mirror once in while does wonders.

April 21st, 2013, 2:16 pm

 

revenire said:

The Battle of the Dabaa Military Airport: Infiltration by FSA Terrorists Met with SAA Strikes

This footage taken from the battle of the Dabaa military airport in the Homs area shows a group of terrorists from the “Free Syrian Army” (FSA) sneaking into the airport area and climbing a hill, before a strike comes out of nowhere and terrorists are then seen flying all over the place.

April 21st, 2013, 2:17 pm

 

revenire said:

Hopeful when you admit you support Nusra terrorism we will both have a cry for a couple of rats being given what they deserve.

April 21st, 2013, 2:19 pm

 

Hopeful said:

#414 Tara

I understand your anger and disgust. No one can blame you.

They proved that they have no match on earth to their brutality. Not the Nazis. Not Al Qaeda. Not Saddam. Not the nationalist Serbs. Not Rwanda. No one. They simply have no match.

Congratulations Zoo, Rev, Ann, etc… You win. Be proud of your animal murderers. They are the best ever!

April 21st, 2013, 2:26 pm

 

revenire said:

How many times will this clown resign?

Syrian opposition chief re-files resignation, coalition member says
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/04/21/Syrian-opposition-chief-re-files-resignation-coalition-member-says.html

April 21st, 2013, 2:33 pm

 

Hopeful said:

# 518 Rev

No I do not support Al Nusra and I do not support terrorism. I am not afraid of saying what I believe in. I will never condon any act of cruelty and vengeance against any one.

I support all freedom loving Syrians who want the end of this regime that produced animals like these and created so much hatred and vengeance in the heats of so many decent Syrians.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

April 21st, 2013, 2:36 pm

 

revenire said:

If you support overthrowing the Syrian government you’re a terrorist.

That’s all. It’s black and white.

Nusra is Al-Qaeda and they are the only ones committing atrocities in Syria. The people of Syria support the army.

Syria is free.

April 21st, 2013, 2:43 pm

 

revenire said:

Work of the “FSA”

“Dylan ‏@ProSyriana
Two children died of hunger, 6 & 8 years old from Yossuf family, in the besieged town of Nubbol #Aleppo #Syria. #FSACrimes”

April 21st, 2013, 2:46 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Ziad
You see the white and you deny it is white, I pointed to you the Quraanic verses and you say superficial statements which I never mentioned, go boy ,learn the truth before you talk.

Reading the history of Savawids I came across, Shah Abbas who anihiliated all Kurds where he defeated them men women and children, he killed people on suspicion, he even killed his own son and plucked the eyes of two other sons because of suspicion, is this Islam?

Hopeful
That was very bad,these people are animals not humans

April 21st, 2013, 2:56 pm

 

mjabali said:

the Wahabis attacked Iraq in March 1922 and killed over 500 people and kidnapped women from the tribes they attacked also.

April 21st, 2013, 4:00 pm

 

mjabali said:

Majedkhaldoun:

I have a question for you:

Yesterday I saw a number of Sunnis cutting the neck of a Rafida Shia man, as they termed him. The Quran was recited and brought into that gore. One of the verses they brought was ” You did not shoot but Allah did ومارميت. I started thinking: If these guys are killing the man why bring Allah and blame him for the deed?

Do you think they are Muslims? or should be punished because it is obvious that they are really idiots…but they got that poor guy…

April 21st, 2013, 4:17 pm

 

Syrian said:

From akesalsir site, Ghufran news source
موقع عكس السير | الصفحة الرسمية
1 hour ago ·
تم التعرف على اسماء المجرمين المسؤولين عن مجزرة جديدة عرطوز الفضل ,معظمهم من ملاك الفوج 100 والفوج 153 مدفعية

1- العقيد الركن تمام محمد ديبور من مدينة جبلة
2-العقيد الركن عدنان عساف من اللاذقية
3- العقيد الركن نجم سلمان ضابط أمن الفوج 100 من جبلة
4-عناصر الفوج 100 والفوج 153
5-شبيحة مساكن يوسف العظمة
6-شبيحة مساكن عدنان الاسد
Here you go Zied a fresh example from Syria about the massacres agianset Sunnis

April 21st, 2013, 4:29 pm

 

Syrian said:

Mjabali
What is your comment about the video Hopeful put in #513

April 21st, 2013, 4:32 pm

 

revenire said:

HOMS: FSA IN LEBANON WITHOUT A CLUE. WITHOUT OARS. WITHOUT A RUDDER.

AL-QUSAYR, scene of a game-changing victory yesterday for SAA, NDF, border patrol and security. We can confirm that the town of Saqarja is now rat-free, essentially clearing the entire area of disease. We reported accurately yesterday the liberation and cleansing of Al-Sikmaaniyya, Qaadesh, Al-Mansooriyya, Al-Radhwaaniyya, Al-Sa’diyya and Al-Burhaaniyya. What we did not explain was the importance of these towns. What they represent is Syrian soil which was once used as a jumping off point for vermin coming in from ‘Arsaal, in Lebanon. No more. The closure of this infiltration route makes the passage almost impossible as SAA can now rely on vast reservoirs of militia and NDF forces. If the FSA is compelled to now use the entryways in the area of Tal-Kalakh, it will be Das Ende for them. The Tal-Kalakh defense lines are now impregnable.

Wael confirms over 112 definite rat carcasses identified by spotters. It was a major disaster for the FSA which is reeling from a series of devastating set-backs.

Baab Hood: in Homs City, a pack of rats was intercepted and killed by militia. No details.

Bustaan Al-Diwaan: A van carrying apes was stopped and a firefight ensued. These were the only identified simians:
Ja’afar Hammood
Saari Tufayli
Muhammad Sinjaar

Al-Khaalidiyya: They have little options in this suburb. The SAA has closed off all escape routes and they are without ammunition. Wael says 4 surrendered yesterday and started warbling.

Al-Jawaadiyya: 2 confirmed dead non-Syrian rodents.

West Al-Dumayna: 13 rats killed in a field. They will be left as fertilizer. No details.

East Al-Buwaidha: 7 rats dead. 3 taken prisoner and wounded. No details.

Daar Al-Kabeera, near Al-Rastan, 4 flatbeds carrying rats were torched by SAA and militia. No details.

Qal’at Al-Hissn: This is in the Waadi Al-Nassaara area (Valley of the Christians). Like Mharda and Sqaylbiyya, you don’t mess around with these people. Very well trained reservists with an attitude about Wahhabism. We are delighted to report the deaths of 16 rats with 9 taken prisoner.

Al-Qusayr: Maybe the last we’ll hear about this town. The SAA destroyed a large nest of rodents and destroyed their weapons. All this took place in the North Neighborhood. No details. (SANA)

Al-Bayyaaraat: on the Palmyra Highway, near Nashma Village and close to the Waadi Abyadh Dam, SAA wiped out a nest of vicious vermin and sent them all on a one-way trip to Fire Island. (SANA)

April 21st, 2013, 4:49 pm

 

Tara said:

Syrian

Are all those identified as the perpetrators of Artuz massacre Alawis?

April 21st, 2013, 4:59 pm

 

ann said:

Jordan Arrests 8 Syrian Refugees in Troubled Camp – AMMAN, Jordan April 20, 2013 (AP)

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/heavy-clashes-syria-lebanese-border-19006320

Police have arrested eight Syrians on suspicion of inciting riots at a refugee camp near the Jordan-Syria border, a Jordanian security official said Sunday.

About 100 Syrian refugees threw stones at Jordanian police on Friday for preventing some of them from sneaking out of their desert camp. Ten police officers were wounded, including two who remain in critical condition.

The security official, who requested anonymity in line with regulations, said a military prosecutor was set to question the eight suspects later Sunday.

If convicted, they face up to three years in jail.

Conditions in the overcrowded camp have worsened since it opened last July, and there have been several riots.

In Syria on Sunday, troops backed by pro-government gunmen pounded “rebel-held” areas near the Lebanese border, activists and state media said.

The Britain-based Observatory for Human Rights said there was no immediate casualty report from the fighting in Basatin in Homs province. The state television said the army was trying to uproot all the terrorists from the area.

[…]

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/heavy-clashes-syria-lebanese-border-19006320

April 21st, 2013, 5:00 pm

 

Citizen said:

479. MAJEDKHALDOUN said:
Suni vs Shia!wakeup
Citizen
Shia is sending soldiers to fight along with Assad,both from Iran and HA,against the sunni….

There are many Shia families hosted Sunnis homes in Syria at the 2006 Lebanese war with Israel!I would advise to speak around wich brings together and not what divides, and will not go into talking containing the sectarian hatred! I’m not a player in the game of Bernard Lewis Levy!!!!

April 21st, 2013, 5:05 pm

 

Citizen said:

In fact, Saudi Arabia has blown in the head of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein – the protector of the eastern gate – and promised him all the support financial and non-financial – and rolled events even led him to the gallows! follow the crow to indicate the ruin!

April 21st, 2013, 5:22 pm

 
 

Syrian said:

Tara
Yes,all of them from the Alawai sect, that the west are asking for guaranties of thier safety.
It is obvious that it is by Batta’s design to have his sect more involved in blood,so this way he is their only hope,
Very sad for a good portion of them,he is making it almost impossible for them to ever get out from under his grip

April 21st, 2013, 5:35 pm

 

Tara said:

Syrian,

If half of the Alawi community are murderers then half of the Alawi community shall be punished. The animals who committed those crimes must be executed.

April 21st, 2013, 6:01 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

So the response to the alleged regime massacre is to equate/compare the behaviour of a ‘government’ to that of non-governmental actors?

April 21st, 2013, 6:10 pm

 

revenire said:

Massacre?

Let’s not confuse taking out the trash with a massacre.

Anyone fighting against the government has one of two choices: 1.) surrender 2.) die.

April 21st, 2013, 6:15 pm

 

ghufran said:

A lot of atrocities were committed in Syria, I am afraid that most of them will go unpunished , unless you are calling for collective punishment, because in a civil war there are thousands of people who broke the law and got engaged in criminal activities and war crimes, it will take long years and billions of dollars to establish a court and fund its operations assuming that foreign powers actually care about the little ones who die every day in Syria, unless the regime is defeated militarily, foreign nations are not likely to do much about war crimes.
If one side wins the war, that side will try to catch and kill every man on their list who fought with the other side, if there are no winners and Syrians manage to end this war with a political deal, both sides will insist that their guys receive immunity from future prosecution, any way you look at it, the most likely outcome is not real justice but rather random revenge killings that most probably will not bring the real killers to justice but will instead create more blood shed, hatred and divisions.
In a perfect world,you want every criminal to be brought to justice, in wars and especially in the Middle East, winners decide the course of action, this is precisely why fighting factions are not likely to sit down and talk peace even that this is the fastest and least bloody way to end this war, by allowing 400 armed militias instead of one disciplined army,to rule the streets in many parts of Syria, countries and groups that supported this uprising have given Syrians a very tough choice, it is my personal opinion that most Syrians ,if given a choice, will eventually choose to live under one unified oppressor than to be under the mercy of 400 armed groups, this revolution shot itself in the foot.
When I said that this war will be long and bloody and that taking up arms to attack rather than defend was wrong ,many of you dismissed that as regime propaganda, I guess it is easier now to tell who was in denial.

April 21st, 2013, 6:27 pm

 

revenire said:

Get ready to report a new “massacre” shortly:

The People of Syria Support President Bashar al-Assad
ULTIMATUM AND DEADLINE GIVEN FOR “AL-BARZEH” !! ..

The Syrian Arab Army has given Armed US/ NATO Mercenaries in “Al-Barzeh” Damascus a deadline of tomorrow afternoon, to lay down their arms and surrender or face their wrath …

April 21st, 2013, 6:31 pm

 

zoo said:

#515 Ghufran

It seems that the opposition is loosing militarily and politically. That was displayed in the Istanbul meeting where 11 foreign ministers reaffirmed publicly that the only solution was political and through negotiations with the regime. The usually vocal Qatar has remained silent while the SNC was sulking. Where was Lakhdar Ibrahimi?
Therefore the opposition has now to pick some less reluctant SNC members to set up a delegation and plea Russia to convince the Syrian government to accept to sit around a table.

That is not obvious as now that the Syrian army is gaining ground and crushing Al Nusra and their FSA allies, Bashar al Assad may see this offer as a maneuver of losers. Especially that he had proposed such negotiations a month ago and the opposition laughed at him and rebuffed him.

Either Hitto will have to swallow his pride or the SNC will have to chose a new “president” willing to lead a negotiating delegation.

Time is running out for the opposition. If the Syrian Army continues as it does now and is able to restore its control over the country, there will be nothing to negotiate.

April 21st, 2013, 6:33 pm

 

Tara said:

Ghufran,

What happened in Syria is unprecedented in the history of “civil war”. The crimes are well documented. The perpetrators faces and identities are known. They are all self- incriminated by lusting over taping themselves committing crimes. They will be hunted and annihilated one murdere at a time.
—

On another note, those who admire the heroism of Assad and his heroic militia, open the link and enjoy your depraved ecstasy.

April 21st, 2013, 6:40 pm

 

zoo said:

The rebels pulled out of Jdeidet al Fadel and the Syrian army took full control of the city. It is probable that those who could’t retreat were killed. .

Opposition activists today described the attack in Jdeidet al-Fadel as a ‘massacre’, although there has been no official confirmation of the assault.
…
Jamal al-Golani, a member of the Revolution Leadership Council opposition group, said the number of dead may be higher than 250.
…
Opposition fighters had reportedly pulled out of the town yesterday after running out of ammunition, and government forces had taken full control of the area by this morning.

There have also been reports of fighting in the Sunni areas of the largely Christian town of Jdeydet Artuz,close by, and in the rebel held Daraya.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2312574/Syrian-troops-loyal-Assad-kill-85-including-women-children-storming-Damascus-suburb-following-days-fighting.html#ixzz2R8lpjaZf

April 21st, 2013, 6:46 pm

 

revenire said:

Tara what’s the word from Asma’s cousins? 🙂

April 21st, 2013, 6:46 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

The struggle against injustice and oppression will continue until these are removed.

How does the regime think it can persuade the people to halt their struggle?

Winning, losing, stalemate…or whatever…the key is the struggle. It’ll bear fruits.

The current revolutionary achievements were only possible by the sacrifices of the countless heroes who braved the peaceful protests in the early months.

The day the struggle ceases the flame of freedom and hope will flicker out.

April 21st, 2013, 6:47 pm

 

Tara said:

Reve

The word is that Batta should be very very careful meeting good portion of her cousins. His life may be in grave danger. He will be ok with mommy and daddy only I think.

April 21st, 2013, 6:50 pm

 

Ameera said:

لك مين وين طالعينلي فيها سنة و شناكل شيعة و علوية ليكا ام خضر اللفاية صرلها ١٢ سنة بتشتغل عنا وما شفنا منا الا كل خير و صارت وحدة من العيلة. وطول عمرنا منطلع عمقام السيدة زينب كل عاشورا ومناكل حبوب و جوزية ومستحيل نزور الاموي وما نمر على السيدة رقية

بس الظاهر انو الشوام طار أعلن وما عادو عرفو الطيخ من البطيخ

April 21st, 2013, 6:51 pm

 

zoo said:

Tara

I fully agree about the crimes, even though it may prove to be unrealistic as we’re talking of hundred thousands people involve in video documented crimes.
I rather admire the heroic Syrian army than the “holy fighters” of Al Nusra.

“The crimes are well documented. The perpetrators faces and identities are known. They are all self- incriminated by lusting over taping themselves committing crimes. They will be hunted and annihilated one murdere at a time.”

April 21st, 2013, 6:51 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

It could be worse than thought if the following is true:

#Syria, Omar Hamza, Revolution comitees in Damascus Rif, says the number of casualties is 1500 persons between 1500 persons between injured and killed

المتحدث باسم لجان الثورة بريف دمشق الناشط عمر حمزة: ضحايا اليوم الأحد يتجاوز عددهم ١٥٠٠ شخص ما بين قتيل وجريح. #سوريا #مجزرة_جديدة_الفضل

http://yallasouriya.wordpress.com/2013/04/21/syria-omar-hamza-revolution-comitees-in-damascus-rif/

April 21st, 2013, 6:54 pm

 

zoo said:

The rebels with the help of Al Nusra are bombing Lebanese towns hitting an orphanage

HERMEL, Lebanon: Syrian rebels lobbed more rockets into Lebanese towns near the border Sunday, causing damage but no casualties, security sources said, with one attack landing at an orphanage home to 450 children.

The rocket attacks on the northeastern town of Hermel and the village of Al-Qasr come after threats by the rebel Free Syrian Army and the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front, which have warned they would move the battle to Lebanon if Hezbollah continued to fight alongside Syrian soldiers

The last rocket in Al-Qasr, which landed Sunday evening around 7 p.m., hit the fence of the Imam Zein al-Abeedeen orphanage, next to a compound that houses 450 children, the National News Agency reported. The director of the orphanage, Mohammad al-Saeed, told the NNA that all of the students were safe because the administration moved them to the ampitheater after the earlier shelling.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2013/Apr-22/214586-syrian-rebels-step-up-rocket-attacks-two-hit-hermel.ashx#ixzz2R8ohmOJS

April 21st, 2013, 6:54 pm

 

mjabali said:

Syrian:

Any person who commits a crime, even if it is my father, should face a judge and punished accordingly.

April 21st, 2013, 6:56 pm

 
 

zoo said:

Several thousand join march through Tripoli streets for peace

Children, too, held signs that read “We are all Lebanese: Sunni, Christian and Alawite,” and “We want to live in peace, enough insecurity.”

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2013/Apr-22/214572-several-thousand-join-march-through-tripoli-streets-for-peace.ashx#ixzz2R8s4vqYg

April 21st, 2013, 7:06 pm

 

Tara said:

Reve,

HA is a terrorist organization. It is declared by the US as such. Please refrain from posting the propaganda of HA. I am asking you for the second time now to not post speeches of a terrorist organization for propaganda purpose on a US site. Thank you.

April 21st, 2013, 7:07 pm

 

revenire said:

Tara I dedicate this to you.

April 21st, 2013, 7:10 pm

 

Tara said:

Reve,

I have never opened any link you provide. And in general, I do not read your posts except when the post is very short, I can’t help seeing it reading the other posts. So most of the time I really do not know what you talk about.

April 21st, 2013, 7:14 pm

 

zoo said:

#555 REve

Thanks, she is a gem of a woman.

April 21st, 2013, 7:21 pm

 

Ameera said:

مهضومة الضرصانة

April 21st, 2013, 7:28 pm

 

revenire said:

Tara no need to open it. All can see the beautiful First Lady of Syria.

Thank you to our Lebanese brothers for helping control the border and protect the holy shrines.

April 21st, 2013, 7:31 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Mjabali
Any person who commits a crime, even if it is my father, should face a judge and punished accordingly.

Bravo Mjabali, that what Quraan says, and that is what Islam is.

As for your previous comment, if the guy they killed was proven criminal, then he desrves it, if he was killed only because he was Rafidi, that is a crime and those who committed the killing are not Muslems, and they must be punished in the same way.
Remember La Ikraha fi addeen, everyone is free to believe in any religion he wants but that should never give him the right to hurt others

Citizen
I agree we should look at what bring us togather, but sending soldiers from HA to kill Syrian is not accepted. after this war ends Hassan Nasrallah will be wanted man and if he stays in Lebanon he will be tracked and we will look for him till we find this thug and will be hanged in Marjeh, there is no doubt that he approved sending HA soldiers to kill Syrians

April 21st, 2013, 7:33 pm

 

revenire said:

AL-NUSRA FRONT TERRORISTS COLLAPSING IN AL-QASEIR !! ..

150 Terrorists from “Al-Nusra Front” have laid down their arms and surrendered to the Syrian Arab Army in Al-Qaseir a short while ago, with reports from the field that the Terrorists front is now fully collapsing and news is expected in the coming hours of the big Victory of Al-Qaseir …

VICTORY INSHALLAH ALL THE WAY, THANK YOU GOD … – J

https://www.facebook.com/homs.news.network.english?hc_location=timeline

April 21st, 2013, 7:34 pm

 

Tara said:

Reve,

He he. I figured. Didn’t you tell us you look at her picture and that your wife look at Batta’s one when making out? That was sometimes ago. Have you seen any therapist? It seems that you are not the only one on SC. I don’t think a therapist can offer a grope therapy though.

April 21st, 2013, 7:41 pm

 

revenire said:

Every night Tara. It spices up the marriage.

People of Jordan support Bashar.

April 21st, 2013, 7:45 pm

 

zoo said:

As the 11 countries expressed that they do not want any role for Bashar Al Assad in the future of Syria, it is certain that the Syrian government will reject such negotiations that carries a predetermined result. It will also slam the West blackmail and threat of further assistance to the rebels.
It seems that the West while talking about a political solution only wants further military escalation and more violence. Dark days ahead for Syrians.
.

In the joint statement early Sunday, the 11 participants – Egypt, France, Germany, Jordan, Italy, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Britain, the United States and Turkey, said “Assad and his close associates have no place in the future of Syria” and should cede power to a transitional executive body.

Kerry sought to offer at least a rhetorical olive branch to Russia, noting that the “framework of peace” was agreed to “by the international community, including our friends, the Russians.” But the joint statement of the 11 countries also warned that if Assad rejects a peaceful transition, “further announcements regarding expanding our assistance will follow.”

Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/04/21/189268/us-allies-agree-on-rules-for-sending.html#storylink=cpy

April 21st, 2013, 7:50 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

Just learnt that Mr Nasrallah is to visit Tehran.

I wonder if he is concerned about the Syria policy enough to deem it necessary to discuss in person with Iranian leaders about ‘where are we heading with this thing?’?

http://www.abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=411538

April 21st, 2013, 7:59 pm

 

Syrialover said:

The Assad regime is hellbent on debasing and degrading all Syrians with this conflict.

The ugly hoax of REVENIRE’s posts is just one more means of doing this.

Somebody thought up the idea of a “REVENIRE” persona and the person doing it is having a lot of fun.

April 21st, 2013, 8:00 pm

 

Tara said:

That is exactly the point.

FOS threatened Assad giving the rebel military commands $123 million in aid and clearly warning him that if he rejects peaceful transition where neither him nor his close associates have any place, further assistance to the rebels shall be extended and the Assadists celebrate. Calling Assadists idiots is not polite. Can any one propose a polite description?

Too much for the analysis of one poster on SC claiming that the West is going to change its view of Assad from a savage dictator to a hero fighting al Qaeda. A laughable analysis good only for my dear diary.

April 21st, 2013, 8:05 pm

 

mjabali said:

Uzair:

Sorry dude Nasrallah did not inform you with his visit to Iran.

The main question for you:

Are you reading anything about Pakistan these days?

Second: if you are not with the fence sitters: When you gonna join the fight in Syria?

Third: As De Nero told Joe Pesci: “Who is asking you to interfere in our business?”

One last Note Allahu Akbar Uzair: you always come to the party late…

April 21st, 2013, 8:13 pm

 

Syrialover said:

Rabbit FISK hs now become Rabid Fisk.

He’s really lost it. He couldn’t fall further.

That article UZAIR8 posted (#511) with Fisk revealing “Hitherto unknown information has emerged from the confidential archives of the Syrian presidency and foreign ministry” is..

wait for it…

a deferential puff piece about a new book by Assad witch-apparatchik BOUTHAINA SHAABAN!!!

(the ugliest woman in the world both inside and outside)

Hmmm. Will revelations come out about the rapidly-ageing Fisk’s private life? I feel nausea.

I now see I was being charitable and naive about Robert Fisk in #108.

April 21st, 2013, 8:17 pm

 

zoo said:

Bashar al Assad and the Syrian Army are emerging as the heroes of a battle against obscurantism as well as imperialism.

They are doing what the USA and western countries have been doing in Afghanistan for a decades: Eliminate the scourge called Al Qaeda and all its ideological ramifications.

The opposition has opted to side with Al Qaeda and thus will never be able to be free from that disease. There is no cure for people infected with the virus called Al Nusra-Al Qaeda even if they make hundred of public promises, it’s inside their organism.
With time, infected people will ineluctably weaken and die.

April 21st, 2013, 8:24 pm

 

zoo said:

Tara

OMG… Bashar al Assad is surely terrified by that horrible threat of more millions non-lethal aid to rebels and he will surrender immediately! Count on that!

April 21st, 2013, 8:30 pm

 

Syrialover said:

Squirm and disgust warning. It gets worse (following from #569).

Fisk’s piece on Bouthaina Shaaban’s book heroizes and shoe-kisses Hafez Assad.

Fisk even fantasizes about how wonderful it would be to have Hafez here today and ask him what he would have done!

Well, Fisky, here’s your anwer:

His boys Bashar and Maher are determinedly mimicking their daddy and faithfully honoring his approach to “leadership”. He’s their model, programmed into their upbringing and DNA.

Read this, by a leading Syrian writer:

“Daddy Dearest – Inside the mind of Bashar al-Assad”

President Bashar al-Assad is a man trapped in his dead father’s web

QUOTE:

“The harsh military-security apparatus set up by his father, so successfully tested in the troubles of the 1980s, was the only option for Bashar. The young president was completely immersed in his father’s experience. His father’s legacy dominated the mentality of the son, and he could not escape from it, or think outside it. Every time Bashar the president confronted a new development in the current crisis, he resorted not to his own common sense but looked back for similarities to what his father had experienced in the past and how he had reacted. He became a brutal mimic man.”

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2013/03/04/daddy-dearest-inside-the-mind-of-bashar-al-assad.html

April 21st, 2013, 8:47 pm

 

Syrialover said:

I have observed an intriguing example of “congitive dissonance” going on here.

ZOO (whose religion I am not assuming to identify), has displayed a detailed knowledge and interest in Christianity. Which must include their beliefs and values.

And yet he’s ferociously unwilling to condemn the Assad regime’s tyrannies, hatreds and brutalities, and blames “the west” and others for all the terrible things being done to Syrians.

I suggest he goes along to one of their mainstream churches and has a chat with the priest. He may find counselling and help with the demons in his head.

April 21st, 2013, 9:03 pm

 

Syrialover said:

Didn’t realise, a new thread had started. I may have to re-post my stuff on FISK and ZOO.

April 21st, 2013, 9:13 pm

 

annie said:

Tara, same here when you write
556. Tara said:

Reve,

I have never opened any link you provide. And in general, I do not read your posts except when the post is very short, I can’t help seeing it reading the other posts. So most of the time I really do not know what you talk about.

April 22nd, 2013, 1:17 am

 

Back to Reality: Syria & Chemical Weapons | Syria Report - Syria News, Media, Articles & Analysis. said:

[…] the Syrian government will last, Joshua Landis took the controversial position that the Syrian army has been steadily gaining ground and inspired caution on the speculation on the durability of the Syrian army on the battlefield […]

May 3rd, 2013, 3:35 pm

 

Weapons of Mass Deception | Syria Report said:

[…] two years, the al-Asad regime is not desperate or on its “last legs.” In fact, it has been steadily gaining ground for months, ever since they decisively crushed a major assault on Damascus in December 2012. The very last […]

June 14th, 2013, 10:21 am

 

The Endgame in Syria / Ending the Games in Syria | Tyrant News said:

[…] brutal methods in defiance of government orders for restraint–prompting the President to dramatically reform his security apparatus and the Ba’ath Party […]

September 16th, 2013, 7:30 am

 

Post a comment