Raqqa Falls – (4 March 2013) Assad’s Interview with Hala Jaber
Posted by Joshua on Monday, March 4th, 2013
On Monday, government forces, backed by pro-regime militiamen, launched a major offensive on opposition held areas in the central city of Homs. Evidently, regime forces are also attacking north of Latakia, in an effort to push back rebels to the north as well. As the government losses territory around Aleppo and to the East around Raqqa and the Jazira, the regime seems to be fattening up the region around the Alawite Mountains.
Dozens of Syrian troops killed in Iraq ambush – al-Jazeera
At least 42 Syrians and seven Iraqis are killed in Anbar by an attack on a convoy carrying troops who crossed into Iraq.
Syrian Rebels Capture Most of Northern City
2013-03-04 By BASSEM MROUE
Beirut (AP) — Syrian rebels pushed government troops from most of the northern city of Raqqa Monday, and then scores of cheering protesters tore up a poster of President Bashar Assad and toppled a bronze statue of his late father and predecessor, activists said.
Der Spiegel: EU May Provide Weapons Training to Syrian Rebels
2013-03-04
Officially, the statement released by Brussels last week on the European Union’s amended sanctions against Syria referred merely to supplying rebel fighters with “non-lethal military equipment” and “technical assistance for the protection of …
Syria President Al-Assad’s Interview with The Sunday Times
By Bashar al-Assad
The full interview has been copied by Global Research, March 03, 2013, Sunday Times and SANA
Sunday Times: Mr. President your recent offer of political dialogue was qualified with a firm rejection of the very groups you would have to pacify to stop the violence: the armed rebels and the Syrian National Coalition, the main opposition alliance.
So in effect you are only extending an olive branch to the loyal opposition, mostly internal, that renounce the armed struggle, and who effectively recognizes the legitimacy of your leadership, who are you willing to talk to, really?
President Assad: First of all, let me correct some of the misconceptions that have been circulating and that are found in your question in order to make my answer accurate.
Sunday Times: Okay.
President Assad: Firstly, when I announced the plan, I said that it was for those who are interested in dialogue, because you cannot make a plan that is based on dialogue with somebody who does not believe in dialogue. So, I was very clear regarding this…..
Hague dismisses Assad as ‘delusional’ –
March 3 (Telegraph) — William Hague described Bashar al-Assad as “delusional”, after the Syrian President accused Britain of funding terrorism inside the country. The Foreign Secretary said the embattled dictator was “presiding over this slaughter” in Syria whilst Britain is “sending food and shelter and blankets to help people driven from their homes and families in his name.”
“This will go down as one of the most delusional interviews that any national leader has given in modern times,” he told the BBC….
Khatib visits Aleppo villages as Syria opponents vote for council
Opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad voted on Sunday to elect 29 provincial council members to run rebel-held areas in the northern province of Aleppo, organizers and participants told AFP. “For the first time, Aleppo will have a freely elected provincial … Read More
LA Times [Reg]: Syria’s president says rebels must disarm before talks
2013-03-04
Exposing a rift in policy between US and Saudi Arabia – Wash Post
Kerry met Monday with Saudi diplomats who staked out a more aggressive posture on providing arms to Syrian rebels, exposing a rift in policy between the two regional allies. …“Saudi Arabia will do everything in its capacity. We do believe that what is happening in Syria is a slaughter — a slaughter of innocents,” Prince Saud al-Faisal said during a visit by Secretary of State John F. Kerry. “We cannot bring ourselves to remain silent. Morally there is a duty.”….“There is no guarantee that one weapon or another might not, at some point in time, fall into the wrong hands,” Kerry said a news conference with the veteran Saudi diplomat.
US should focus aid on Syrian refugees
By Juliette Kayyem | Globe, March 04
The numbers of people who have fled to neighboring countries can no longer be sustained, and keeping them safe will pay dividends long after the war in Syria is over.
Ra’s al-Ain and Patchwork Alliances in the Kurdish areas of Syria – BBC
Ras al-Ain – or Serekani in Kurdish – in north-east Syria is an area divided between Arab tribes and Kurds.
There are also other ethnic groups, including a few Chechens and Ingush, whose ancestors migrated there from the North Caucasus in the beginning of the 20th century.
After about four months of absence, Walid Didigov – a Syrian of Ingush origin – appeared suddenly by instant message on my Facebook page.
He popped up a few days after Syrian rebels and a Kurdish militia, who have been fighting each other for months in a town near the Turkish border, signed a ceasefire.
I responded immediately. He was using a very slow internet connection and apologised for interruptions, which were also due to frequent power cuts.
“The ceasefire allowed me to reconnect,” he told me. “This time I have joined the rebels, alongside my brothers and relatives. We have to choose between right and wrong and we choose to be on the righteous side: against the regime.”
Mr Didigov says that he and his Chechen-Ingush relatives co-ordinate with “all armed groups in the area that are fighting against Kurdish militants supported by regime”….
Rebels accuse Syria’s Kurds of exploiting the war in Syria to assert control over parts of the north-east.
Mr Didigov says: “We are fighting alongside various groups in Ras al-Ain: the Free Syrian Army (FSA), Ghuraba al-Sham, Ahrar al-Sham – sometimes we co-operate with al-Nusra front.”…. “Turkey is afraid of Kurdish independence in Syria, and will make allegiances with anyone to stop them, therefore they are supporting the armed groups in Ras al-Ain against Kurdish militias,” he says. The FSA, he says, wants the fighting to continue in Ras al-Ain to keep Turkish support coming….
Al-Nusra jihadists, however, are remaining neutral in this fight in Ras al-Ain. “They are wining hearts and minds by reopening bakeries and providing gas for people,” Mr Didigov tells me.
The leader of al-Nusra in the area is a Kurd himself and Mr Didigov asked him why they are staying neutral. The leader said that they “need Kurds to help us to advance in Qamishli (north-east), which is dominated by Kurds.”
‘Bullying’ Britain fanning the flames, warns Assad; In a rare interview, the Syrian leader says the West is supporting terrorism and vows revenge on Israel
HALA JABER DAMASCUS, 3 March 2013, The Sunday Times
AFTER 23 months of a conflict that has ripped his country apart, the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, was in no mood to contemplate giving up the fight and going into exile.
“No patriotic person will think about living outside his country. I am like any other patriotic Syrian,” he said in an interview last week, when I asked if he would leave to improve the prospects for peace. In any case, he said, it was nonsense to suggest that the conflict was about the president and his future.
“If this argument is correct, then my departure will stop the fighting. Clearly this is absurd, and recent precedents in Libya, Yemen and Egypt bear witness to this.” Assad spoke softly throughout the hour-long interview, his first with a western newspaper for more than a year, but he had harsh words for his opponents. He vowed that Syria would retaliate against Israel for an airstrike on a research centre in Damascus last month.
He accused John Kerry, the American secretary of state, of wasting time by trying to ease him out of power, saying his leadership was an internal matter, “so I am not going to discuss it with anyone who is coming from abroad”.
His most withering criticism, however, was directed at Britain. Instead of pushing for peace talks, he said, David Cameron’s “naive, confused, unrealstic” government was trying to end an EU arms embargo so that the rebels could be supplied with weapons.
This, he said, would fan the flames of war at a time when an al-Qaeda-backed element of the uprising, Jabhat al-Nusra, was already “killing, beheading, torturing and preventing children from going to school”. “We do not expect an arsonist to be a firefighter,” he said, dismissing any suggestion that Britain could help to resolve the conflict.
“To be frank, Britain has played a famously unconstructive role in our region on different issues for decades, some say for centuries … The problem with this government is that their shallow and immature rhetoric only highlights this tradition of bullying and hegemony … “How can we ask Britain to play a role while it is determined to militarise the problem? How can we expect them to make the violence less while they want to send military supplies to the terrorists?” Yet Assad adopted a conciliatory tone towards the Syrian opposition, inviting it to join in a national dialogue aimed at ending the crisis.
“We are ready to negotiate with anyone, including militants who surrender their arms,” he declared. “We are not going to deal with terrorists who are determined to carry weapons, to terrorise people, to kill civilians, to attack public places or private enterprise and to destroy the country.” He concluded: “We have opposition that are political entities and we have armed terrorists. We can engage in dialogue with the opposition, but we cannot engage in dialogue with terrorists. We fight terrorism.”
I WAS waiting in a first-floor reception room at Al-Muhajireen palace, a relatively modest building where Assad often works, away from the grandeur of the main presidential palace, when I was told to look out of the window. An ordinary black saloon car with tinted windows was coming up the drive. I realised it could be the president but I was surprised to see him emerging not from a rear door opened by a chauffeur, but from the driver’s seat. He was the only person in the vehicle and there was no sign of a security convoy.
It was explained to me that despite regular explosions, Assad insists on maintaining a normal lifestyle including — to his security chief’s dismay — driving to the office in the morning. He has apparently told his security men that if ever he has to wear a flak jacket to move around Damascus, he might as well step down.
We met in a room with artisanal chandeliers and window frames inlaid with mother of pearl. Through the open shutters, one could see residential buildings on the other side of a courtyard. It was a quiet morning, with a lull in the shelling of the suburbs that can be heard daily from the city centre.
More than 3m Syrians have been driven from their homes and, as the death toll soars, barely a family in Syria has been left untouched — not even the president’s.
His brother-in-law, General Assef Shawkat, was blown up last July in a bombing that also killed three other senior members of the security forces. Had this made Assad fear for his own life, I wondered? Did he lie in bed at night, listening to the explosions and worrying about the security of his British wife, Asma, and their children Hafez, 10, Zein, 9 and Karim, 7? “Can anybody be safe, or their family be safe, if the country is in danger?” he replied. “In reality, no. If your country is not safe, you cannot be safe, so instead of worrying about yourself and your family, you should worry about every citizen and every family in your country.”
The interview was timed to coincide with Kerry’s first foreign tour as secretary of state. Kerry met Syrian rebels in Rome last Thursday and announced that £40m of “nonlethal” US aid would go directly to them for the first time.
“The intelligence, communication and financial assistance being provided is very lethal,” Assad countered, pointing out that “non-lethal” technology had been used to deadly effect in the 9/11 attacks. William Hague, the foreign secretary, is expected to announce a package of British assistance this week.
“The British government wants to send military aid to moderate groups in Syria, knowing all too well that such moderate groups do not exist in Syria,” Assad said. “We all know that we are now fighting al-Qaeda, or Jabhat al-Nusra, an offshoot of al-Qaeda, and other groups of people indoctrinated with extreme ideologies. “This is beyond hypocritical,” he added, echoing Hague’s comment about him.
“A recent survey in the UK showed that a good proportion of the British people want to ‘keep out of Syria’ and they do not believe that the British government should send military supplies to the rebels. In spite of this, the British government continues to push the EU to lift its arms embargo on Syria and to start arming the militants with heavy weapons. That is what I call detached from reality — when you’re detached from your own public opinion.”
Today Kerry is due to visit Saudi Arabia before moving on to Qatar. Both countries actively support the rebels, who have seized large swathes of northern Syria and appear to be advancing in parts of Aleppo, the biggest commercial centre, while being beaten back in Damascus.
The best way for anyone to help Syria, Assad said, would be to “go to Saudi Arabia and Qatar and tell them: stop financing the terrorists in Syria”. Support for the opposition could backfire now the extremists were in the ascendant, he warned. Jabhat al-Nusra has been blamed for a series of bombings, including one in Damascus 10 days ago in which the president said 300 people had been killed or injured. The “irreversible” spread of al-Qaeda’s ideology was even more dangerous than its armed attacks.
Describing Syria as “a melting pot of religions, sects, ethnicities and ideologies”, he added: “We should be worrying about the majority of moderate Syrians who, if we do not fight this extremism, could become the minority — at which point Syriawill cease to exist. If you worry about Syria, you have to worry about the Middle East, because we are the last bastion of secularism in the region. If you worry about the Middle East, the whole world should be worried about its stability.”
WITH the conflict about to enter its third year, a change of attitude on both sides towards peace talks has brought a glimmer of hope, albeit a tiny one. Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, the president of the opposition alliance Syrian National Coalition, was reported last month to have dropped his insistence on the departure of Assad before any talks could take place.
Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN and Arab League envoy to Syria, said Khatib’s proposal had challenged the government to show it was ready for a peaceful settlement. However, rifts in the opposition have since emerged, with some saying Assad must step down.
Assad himself said he wanted to include many groups in talks. “The dialogue is about the future of Syria. We are 23m Syrians and all of us have the right to participate in shaping the country’s future,” he said.
He criticised the West for promoting the rebel Free Syrian Army as a unified entity when in reality it consisted of “hundreds of small groups”.
I asked whether his demand for fighters to lay down their arms would prevent talks from getting under way. Had this been his plan all along, as his critics suggested, because he knew that negotiations would lead to his downfall? The opposite was true, Assad claimed. “They say that dialogue will bring the downfall of the president and I am inviting them to the dialogue. Why don’t they then come to the dialogue to bring about downfall?” Could there ever be a negotiated settlement while he remained in power? “We have a plan and whoever wants to deal with us can deal with us through our plan,” he replied.Some of Assad’s opponents want to see him stand trial for war crimes at the International Criminal Court as the person ultimately responsible for his army’s actions. I asked if he was troubled by this. “Are they going to take the American and British leaders who attacked Iraq in 2003 and claimed more than half a million lives?” he retorted. “They are not going to do it. The answer is very clear.”
He was equally unhappy with the UN, which has estimated the death toll in the conflict at 70,000. The figures had been manipulated to justify outside intervention, he claimed, just as they had been in Libya before French and British airstrikes two years ago. “You have noted those figures as though they were numbers from a spreadsheet,” he told me. “We see thousands of families who have lost loved ones and who unfortunately will grieve for many years to come. Nobody can feel this pain more than us.”
I recalled meeting a boy aged seven who had lost an arm, a leg and five members of his family in an explosion caused by the Syrian military. What could he say to such a child? “Children are the most fragile link in any society and unfortunately they often pay the heaviest price in any conflict,” Assad replied.
“As a father of young children, I know the meaning of having a child harmed by something very simple, so if they are harmed badly or if we lose a child, it is the worst thing any family can face.
“Whenever you have conflicts, you have these painful stories that affect any society. This is the most important and the strongest incentive for us to fight terrorism.” The fear of many in the Middle East since the conflict began has been that it would draw in surrounding countries. I asked Assad if he would retaliate against Israel for last month’s airstrikes on the research centre.
Some reports have said the dead included an Iranian general working with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Assad said Syria had always retaliated for Israeli actions, “But we retaliated in our own way, and only the Israelis know what we mean. Retaliation does not mean missile for missile or bullet for bullet. Our own way does not have to be announced.” He refused to elaborate. Nor would he discuss claims that Syriahas been moving its chemical weapons, apparently to prevent them from falling into the hands of extremists.
“We have never, and will never, discuss our armaments with anyone,” he said. He denied reports that Russia, Hezbollah and Iran had sent soldiers to Syria, saying: “Russia has been very constructive, Iran has been very supportive and Hezbollah’s role is to defend Lebanon, not Syria. “We are a country of 23m people with a strong national army and police force. We are in no need of foreign fighters to defend our country.”
In conclusion, Assad warned of grave consequences if the West armed the rebels, directly or indirectly. “You know the crime is not only about the victim and the criminal but also the accomplice providing support, whether it is moral or logistical support,” he said. “Syria lies at the fault line geographically, politically, socially and ideologically. So playing with this fault line will have serious repercussions all over the Middle East.
“Any intervention will not make things better. It will only make them worse. Europe and the United States and others are going to pay the price sooner or later with the instability in this region. They do not foresee it.”
My troops did not target courageous Marie Colvin President Bashar al-Assad has said the Syrian state cannot be held responsible for the death of Marie Colvin, the Sunday Times correspondent killed last year when the army shelled a media centre in the city of Homs. Colvin, 56, travelled to the Baba Amr district of Homs with a group of activists to report on the plight of 28,000 civilians trapped there after the rebel enclave came under severe bombardment.
Assad said he regretted her death but denied she had been personally targeted because of her reporting. “When a journalist goes into a conflict zone to cover a story and convey it to the world, I think it is very courageous work,” he said. “If you enter illegally, you cannot expect the state to be responsible.” Paul Conroy, the photographer working with Colvin, said he had no doubt from the pattern of explosions that the media centre had been targeted.
The Syrian Crisis: Can Dialogue Still Prevail Over Violence?
By NIKOLAOS VAN DAM
Syria – A Decade of Lost Chances. Repression and Revolution from Damascus Spring to Arab Spring. By Carsten Wieland, Cune Press, Seattle, 2012, 336 pp.
This is a fascinating and highly readable book, providing one of the most detailed accounts of the dramatic events in Syria over the past decade and before. Carsten Wieland gives an original and critical in-depth analysis of modern Syrian history with a refreshing approach.
Since the start of the Syrian Revolution in March 2011 various other relevant books have been published on Syria, but none of these has thus far dealt with Syria’s past decade so much in detail and in-depth as Carsten Wieland’s “A Decade of Lost Chances”. If you really want to be well informed about why things did not go well, or went wrong, time and again, during the epoch of Bashar al-Asad, Wieland’s book is a must.….. [Full text available through: http://www.aljadid.com]
This is not only an academic reference work, helping us to better understand Syrian history; it could also be used as a tool for future policy-making, and to help evaluating what foreign governments might have, or should have done differently during this past “decade of lost chances”.
….. [Full text available through: http://www.al.jadid.com]
Wieland ends his book by concluding that “the Syrian people cannot afford and do not deserve another decade of lost chances. If the most grim scenarios unfold, however, the next decade may be much worse for many Syrians than it was, prior to the Arab Spring, under the rule of Asad.” It appears as if these most grim scenarios have already started to unfold. The big question is whether there might still be a possibility to get out of this situation through dialogue instead of bloodshed. The answer is in the hands of the Syrians.
AL JADID Vol. 17, no. 64, pp. 30-31. © Copyright 2013 AL JADID MAGAZINE
Hundreds die in Syria police academy battle
Hundreds of Syrian troops and rebels were killed in a weeklong battle for a police academy in the northern province of Aleppo, with insurgents seizing control of most of the complex, a monitoring group said… “Rebels have seized most of a police academy in Khan Al-Assal in Aleppo province … after eight days of fighting that left 200 troops and rebels dead,” said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The Britain-based group said at least 120 army troops were among those killed in the battle for one of the regime’s last remaining bastions in the west of Aleppo province. On Sunday alone, rebels had killed more than 34 troops at the facility.
A police source in Aleppo confirmed that much of the academy had fallen into rebel hands, reporting that 40 troops were believed dead. As many as 300 rebels were among those killed, he said.
Amateur video shot by fighters and distributed by the anti-regime Aleppo Media Center showed a black flag flying over one of the academy buildings, while a large poster of President Bashar Assad had been torn.
Another video showed rebels aboard a captured military vehicle and stashes of ammunition seized from the academy.
Elsewhere, three mortars hit an area near the army general command headquarters and a customs complex in the heart of Damascus, said the Observatory….
Was Syria ever the secular, non-sectarian state we are led to believe it was? February 26th, 2013
SYRIAN REBELS TAKE FULL CONTROL OF AL-RAQQAH CITY: ARABIYA
Hezbollah, Syrian opposition clashes intensify, raise fears in Lebanon – Wash Post
By Babak Dehghanpisheh,
Comments (435)
Visitor said:
The evidence is now irrefutable with regards to the fact that the US has played, and still is playing a manipulative and malicious role in this global war against terrorist dictators that is being fought in Syria. It is also beyond any doubt that the US will continue to play this manipulative role in this war, because this is exactly what the US policy is with regards to the Syrian Revolution. The US is in bed with the dictator, pure and simple, and in order not to appear so in public it created the fake execuse of so-called labelling of holy warriors, whose role was pivotal in the war against the criminal dictator, as so-called ‘terrorists.
It becomes imperative in this case for anyone who claims to support the Syrian Revolution to distance self from the US because it is continually and deliberately stabbing the Syrian Revolution in the back. Anyone, who considers self on the side of the revolution, and still entertains the slightest hope of a positive US role must either be a fool, or is out there to undermine the revolution.
March 4th, 2013, 9:41 am
Hanzala said:
???? ????
Looks like Raqqah city is captured..InshaAllah
Look at how happy the people are..!
March 4th, 2013, 9:48 am
Vistor said:
This is fresh, just came in… form the burner. According to Reuters armed men in the Anbar province killed tens of Syrian soldiers (thugs) inside the province.
I must remind everyone that it was I who first reported under the previous post that our brothers of the great Shummar tribe across the border in Iraq have made a general call to arms in order to fight the majoosi stooge (Maliki) and of course the majoosi stooges in Syria. Please see my comment #9 under the previous post.
March 4th, 2013, 9:51 am
Aldendeshe said:
Will Syrian Nationalist Party negotiate with Assad:
SNP Chief Strategist, Metaz K M Aldendeshe advanced this very question to the Committee last month and with resounding agreement all 72 members responded positively to negotiation with Assad, but not without conditions and prior understanding on crucial issues.
SNP is not interested in helping Baathists, Socialists, Islamists and Arab Nationalists who are all guilty in bringing the Syrian State and Nation to this dastardly conditions, we are interested in helping Syria and Syrians, joining in building a new Syria and a new Syrian society, not permeating the Status Quo and re-empowering the failed political, economic and social system of the past 50 years. The prerequisite to any negotiation is implementation of the first three of fifteen demands of importance to SNP. The three pre-requisite demands are not negotiable and must precede any military help for Assad.
ONE: The State name will be immediately changed to the “Republic of Syria” omitting Arab from the State name. All outstanding Syrian passports and ID cards will immediately be invalid and will be recalled and replaced with new Biometric ones baring the new Republic name. (Rules of the procedures will be negotiated). Any citizen engaged in terrorism activities, war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes in violation of International Laws, destruction of Syrian armed forces installation and industrial/commercial properties, attacks on Christians, whether in or out of Syria, will be barred from receiving new Syrian Republic documents.
TWO: The National Anthem will be replaced with one glorifying Syria, Syrian history and Syrian names. No mention of Islamic or Arab names or otherwise is accepted.
THREE: Recalls of Syria’s fiat currency and replacement with new issue bearing the new Republic name for registered Syrian Citizens only. State will keep records of all transaction and will require the new Syrian Biometric ID in person for exchange, anyone submitting counterfeit units will face 25 years imprisonment in State Labor & Reconstruction Camps (Proscribed rules can be negotiated).
Other demands can be either pre-negotiated with Assad to institute immediately or can be achieved though the electoral process and ballot boxes. These are related to identifying and bringing to justice under domestic tribunal persons responsible for war crimes and economic theft in Greater Syria (Syria/Iraq/Lebanon/Palestine), Separation of Church and State, instatement of Nationwide Curfew and control movement of persons, holding countries responsible for its citizen action in Greater Syria conflicts, Withdrawal and voidance of various State membership and treaties, de-Arabisation and de-Islamisation, taxation of Islamic institutions and on mosque attendance to repatriate Christian losses, returning property belonging to Christians dating back to 33 AD, establishment of two chambers Republican “Corporative State”, providing financial assistant to SNP political, industrial, commercial, military, intelligence and clandestine operation units. Funding an SNP agency for global tracking and clandestine operation to retrieve all Iraqi and Syrian artifacts stolen by Islamic Terrorists and foreign occupation forces, all that among other demands to settle grievances, injuries and loss of Syrians against other countries.
March 4th, 2013, 10:16 am
majedkhaldoun said:
congratulation to the people of Raqqa
March 4th, 2013, 10:25 am
Visitor said:
Here’s the confirmation with more details about the Reuters story in comment 3,
http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2013/03/04/269602.html
The number of Assadist thugs killed in Anbar was 48, in addition to 10 Maliki thugs.
There is no doubt whatsoever that both Syrians and Iraqis are now in the same Revolution fighting the same war against terrorist dictators that are majoosi stooges.
March 4th, 2013, 10:46 am
Uzair8 said:
100. Syrialover said:
‘Article: Iran’s Quds Force Commanding General Says Syria Lacks Exceptional Military Commanders’
Having backed the losing side are they (Iran) acknowledging the writing on the wall? Is it a case of getting their excuses in early?
March 4th, 2013, 10:54 am
zoo said:
Kerry caresses his dogs…
“Believe me, the bad actors, regrettably, have no shortage of their ability to get arms — from Iran, from Hezbollah, from Russia, unfortunately,” Mr. Kerry said in a joint news conference with the Saudi foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal.
March 4th, 2013, 11:19 am
zoo said:
Syrian Regime Infiltrating Opposition Ranks
Agents of the Assad regime being deployed with forged identity cards
http://www.aawsat.net/2013/03/article55294709
Beirut, Asharq al-Awsat—Syrian opposition activists have disclosed information confirming that the Syrian regime and its security organs are deploying loyal agents to “spy on the opposition’s activities and carry out the kidnapping and killing of opposition activists.” The activists claimed, “Elements of the Assad regime are infiltrating the towns and cities under the opposition’s control, particularly in Idlib and Aleppo. They are using forged identity cards with the places of birth changed to read Tall Rif’at, Al-Bab, or other areas known for their opposition to president Bashar al-Assad’s regime.”
A Syrian activist from Idlib governorate told Asharq al-Awsat that “elements from the regime’s security organs, carrying false identity cards, are crossing through Free Syrian Army (FSA) checkpoints and entering the liberated towns of Idlib to carry out operations against the rebels.
” He pointed out that “several
groups—uncovered by opposition battalions—intended to carry out bombings targeting civilians in many densely populated areas. This was a ploy to incite public opinion against the FSA in regions outside of the regime’s control, and to weaken its popular base.” He added, “The regime not only forges its agents’ identities; it also trains them to speak in the dialects of the liberated areas they enter.
March 4th, 2013, 11:26 am
AJ said:
“Khatib’s visit and the fall of Raqqa are just symbolic, our lord Assad is still in charge”
– Inside the minds of Zoo/Revenire/Ann and company
March 4th, 2013, 11:26 am
AJ said:
Zoo/Revenire/Ann
Quick! Go search the web for any Saudi-Qatari-US related negative articles to flood this thread!!
March 4th, 2013, 11:32 am
AJ said:
What? Assad boot-licking soldiers fleeing to Iraq? I thought they were busy crushing the rebels? Revenire! Quick!! Please confirm this is a lie from the Zionist media!!!!
“Iraqi gunmen kill at least 40 Syrian soldiers near Anbar”
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2013/03/04/269603.html
What was that saying again?… What goes around comes..
March 4th, 2013, 11:41 am
zoo said:
#10 AJ
Two hours incognito in the famous town of Menbej a few kms from Baba Erdogan is a certainly a triumph!
I can’t wait for the next president’s tour of the “liberated areas”.
March 4th, 2013, 11:42 am
revenire said:
AJ did you do a few lines of coke or something? Chill out. I am still sleeping. I’ll get to your reports later or never.
Not sure what you are on about. Did something happen?
March 4th, 2013, 11:49 am
AJ said:
Fadi? Is that you?
March 4th, 2013, 11:51 am
Tara said:
How about having the embattled “president” shows up without his thugs anywhere in Syria for 1 min then one can complain.
The visit by Al Khateeb to Minbaj is historic.
March 4th, 2013, 11:52 am
zoo said:
Yet another “worst fighting in months” for the total recapture of Homs by the Syrian Army.
Syria troops launch major assault on Homs city: NGO
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/syria-troops-launch-major-assault-homs-city-ngo-162448567.html
Syrian troops on Monday launched a major assault to capture rebel-held areas of the central city of Homs, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
The offensive comes after at least 264 people were killed across the strife-torn country on Sunday, among them 115 regime soldiers, 104 rebels and 45 civilians, the Observatory said.
“This is the worst fighting in months and there are dozens of dead and wounded among the assailants,” the Observatory said without giving further details of the casualties.
Regular troops backed by pro-regime militiamen attacked the centre of Homs where rebels are holed up, including the Old City and neighbourhoods of Jouret al-Shiah, Khaldiyeh and Qarabees, it said.
In the northern city of Raqa near the Turkish border, fighting was reported between rebels and soldiers around the Dalla roundabout and the centre for immigration and passports, the Observatory said.
Regime forces also launched air strikes on Raqa’s central prison which was seized at the weekend by the jihadist Al-Nusra Front and other rebel groups, who then set free hundreds of inmates, the watchdog said.
March 4th, 2013, 11:58 am
zoo said:
Obama Wades Deeper Into Syria’s Morass
Monday, 04 March 2013 11:11
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/14910-obama-wades-deeper-into-syrias-morass
It’s no exaggeration to say that Obama is helping to orchestrate the largest state-sponsored terror campaign since the still-simmering genocides of the Congo and Yugoslav wars. This fact has been completely hidden from the view of the U.S. public, but it’s a fact nonetheless.
For example, the only effective fighting force of the Syrian rebels, the Al Nusra Front, has been labeled a terrorist organization, even by the United States. Its frequent terrorist bombings have helped shred the fabric of Syrian society; its most recent massive car bombings killed 100 mostly-innocent people in central Damascus, including dozens of children and wounding hundreds more.
U.N.-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi denounced the latest terrorist attack as a “war crime.” But such labels do not get attached to allies of the United States. Obama is ignoring the countless similar attacks by Syria’s terrorist rebels, ensuring that such attacks will increase.
…
As millions of Syrians become internally and externally displaced refugees and the country obliterated , the Obama administration is purposely choosing not to settle the situation with diplomacy. Both Russia and Syria have made recent offers for negotiations. By rebuking these offers and aiding the rebels instead, Obama is choosing more mass slaughter.
March 4th, 2013, 12:02 pm
AJ said:
Ali! Where are you?
Look at what this old man is doing to the statue of your late father, Hafez el ja7sh oops I meant el Assad!
https://twitter.com/OmarJaabari/status/308624002686001152/photo/1
Imagine what they’ll do on his tomb when they find it!
March 4th, 2013, 12:10 pm
apple_mini said:
The regime is still somehow rigid on their plannings. They know well what they need to contract and consolidate on strategic spots. But they did not want to give up some areas fearing for political loss.
It is time to let go northeast. There are some minority to protect in Al-Raqqa. But it costs too many army men to do that. Also logistic and supply line are big issues. Besides, Kurds are welcome to decide what to do in that area.
The regime should have taken more efforts to get those men out from the police academy in Aleppo. Not worth it for that compound for such a high number loss of men.
Save and preserve more SAA men is crucial. They are going to need them later.
If Iraqi gunmen did attack SAA and Iraqi army, they are going to have a serious problem.
Sunni radicals are really beyond nationality and patriotism. If they wanted to charge an all-out war against Iraqi Shiite government, I think they are going to get it. The irony is that those Sunnis are going to face American-made weapons from Iraqi army.
The rebels accused the regime for escalation of military operations in Homs yesterday. That actually sounds more like a distress call.
March 4th, 2013, 12:17 pm
Dolly Buster said:
Yea, reloading and finding more of you Shia POS to kill.
Raqqa was size 6th city in the country, your KGB fanboys are falling apart quick.
March 4th, 2013, 12:24 pm
Visitor said:
I am glad to know that cesspool-resident-4ever (Appl3_Mini) is well on his way in his efforts at spinning that his idol will soon find it not worth to fight anywhere in Syria because of the escalating losses.
That’s our objective – to force your idol to quit.
Keep on spinning. We like it!!!
March 4th, 2013, 12:25 pm
Akbar Palace said:
Post Betho-Syria
Visitor said:
The US is in bed with the dictator, pure and simple, and in order not to appear so in public it created the fake execuse of so-called labelling of holy warriors, whose role was pivotal in the war against the criminal dictator, as so-called ‘terrorists.
Visitor,
“In bed with the dictator”? How so? I understand your anger at the US government for not dealing with the Syrian revolution the same way it dealt with the Libyan revolution, however, I don’t think the US “is in bed with the dictator [Assad]”.
You US is helping the opposition, minimally. What is Syria and China doing to help the opposition?
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/02/28/kerry-announces-new-aid-for-syria-opposition-in-us-policy-shift/
It becomes imperative in this case for anyone who claims to support the Syrian Revolution to distance self from the US because it is continually and deliberately stabbing the Syrian Revolution in the back. Anyone, who considers self on the side of the revolution, and still entertains the slightest hope of a positive US role must either be a fool, or is out there to undermine the revolution.
The US could have done much more for sure. No question. Then there is the issue of who governs after Assad falls. Islamists or secularists? And will Syria be able to control her borders and the outside forces infiltrating the country? Because of these questions, the US is reluctant to get involved. Perhaps you know what the political in-roads the US government has made with the Syrian opposition, and how stable the Syrian opposition is.
I would hope the new Syrian government makes positive overtures to the West, despite the crummy help Syria is getting from the West right now.
March 4th, 2013, 12:30 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Lebanese banks has a lot of money belong to Syrians,what will happen if Syrians pull that money and move them to Cypross?GCC has money in lebanese banks, they can do the same,Lebanon will go bankrupt.
March 4th, 2013, 12:46 pm
Visitor said:
Akbar Palace @23,
You are wrong. I am not angry at the US for not helping the revolution. I am against the hypocritical behaviour of the US which it exhibited since day one of the revolution. I am also against a change of regime in Syria as happened in Lybia. And by the way even in Lybia the US role was secondary.
The Syrian people have the only prerogative on what post Assad Syria should look like. As far as I am concerned they are free to choose whatever system to govern Syria and the US should have no say or role in it.
The US is manipulating the Syrian war for its own interests and for Israeli concerns. In this case we have no interets with either party.
If the Syrians choose the Islamists, that is their prerogative, and the US should have no say or role in the outcome. If the Syrians choose so-called secularists, that is also their prerogative, and the US should also have no say or role in the outcome.
We do not want US help in any shape or form.
So from my point of view, I would rather see the US shut the f*ck up and say and do nothing about Syria. If you can’t measningfully help, then your help (or stab in the back) is not needed. Full stop.
March 4th, 2013, 12:51 pm
zoo said:
Joshua Landis is right. It seems that the rebels are being dislodged from the south and western part of the country and pushed to the East and North toward Iraq and Turkey.
In Raqqa, if they occupy it totally, they will have a hard time keeping the city as they are far from the Turkish borders where they get their supplies of weapons and ammunition and Iraq is no more a a passage as the Iraqis not only closed their borders to the rebels but are doing everything to dissuade them to cross to/from Iraq.
Far from the Turkish borders, the rebels have less and less access to weapons and ammunitions (Lebanon and Jordan have stepped more border controls). Therefore it appears that Syria will be ipso facto divided. Like Cyprus and Kurdish Iraq.
If the West decides to create a no-fly zone, Northern Syria will become an independent protected entity financially supported by Turkey, KSA and Qatar. As the whe West does not want a war on the Syrian army like it did in Libya, there will probably be a UN sponsored ceasefire with the FSA. Turkey will be able to send back all the refugees and help create a provincial government. If negotiations succeed with the central government, Syria will be united again otherwise it will be irremediably divided.
If the West does not create a no-fly zone, then hostilities will continue and gradually the North Syria will become a safe haven for Al Nusra and Islamists terrorist that will threaten not only Syria but Turkey. Turkey will have to intervene militarily to put order and that will escalate more violently. Erdogan , a year before the elections, does not want that.
It is clear that now the West strategy is to encourage the opposition to take an active part on the ground to rally the North Syria population around them so as to win the West’s trust that they are capable of managing the area. Then the West will be more incline to establish a no-fly zone in North Syria.
To counteract, the Syrian government will concentrate on regaining territories that are away from the Turkish borders, while continue to harass the areas near the borders to prevent any entity to establish itself securely.
In summary, aside from a no-fly zone, the armed rebels have no winning strategy.
March 4th, 2013, 12:56 pm
zoo said:
Majie
Cyprus is in the EU and follow EU regulations.
Syrians will not be able to easily open accounts there.
March 4th, 2013, 1:00 pm
zoo said:
Apple_mini
“The rebels accused the regime for escalation of military operations in Homs yesterday. That actually sounds more like a distress call.”
It would say panic call, coming after another panic call when the commander of the FSA called for an emergency meeting of the UN to stop Hezbollah fighters getting involved!
March 4th, 2013, 1:08 pm
revenire said:
March 4th, 2013, 1:20 pm
AJ said:
“26. ZOO said:
Joshua Landis is right. It seems that the rebels are being dislodged from the south”
Last time I checked, Daraa was in the south 😀
March 4th, 2013, 1:23 pm
apple_mini said:
The mortar attacks during the rebels’ celebration in Al-Raqqa does show a new page of escalation of this war:
I think most likely militias who support the regime are going to play the role as ”rebels” against the occupiers. That was exactly the rebels have been doing against the regime: they launch mortar attacks in Damascus, in Homs and in Lattakia.
Now the rebels controlled Al-Raqqa is under mortar attack by unknown group.
Contrary to some reports, those attacks are not by air bombing.
Strange thing is that the rebels also have those kind of mortar shells.
March 4th, 2013, 1:28 pm
Sami said:
Zoo,
Why would the regime shell a city they already retook?
If shelling Homs is a distress call, it would be a distress call for the regime and not the rebels, since you know they claim to have “disinfected” it.
Any new updates on how Darayya is doing?
March 4th, 2013, 1:34 pm
Badr said:
From the article linked to by J.L.
Was Syria ever the secular, non-sectarian state we are led to believe it was?
By Richard Spencer, The Telegraph
March 4th, 2013, 1:45 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
33. Badrsaid:
From the article linked to by J.L.
____________________________________________________________________
AN EXCELLENT PARAGRAPH YOU QUOTED ABOVE, WELL STATED INDEED BY SPENSCER. BUT THE MAJORITY MUST ACT NOW TO SHAPE SYRIA FUTURE.
March 4th, 2013, 1:58 pm
zoo said:
Sami
You know well your answers, why ask?
March 4th, 2013, 2:02 pm
Ziad said:
Who is more “detached from reality”, Assad or Hague?
One of the strategies in the information warfare against Syria is the psycho-pathologization and infantilization of Assad as detached from reality/delusional, irrational and irresponsible. There are abundant examples of the employment of this strategy, not only against the Syrian president, but against all members of the resistance axis (I will be writing a series of articles on this soon). It was therefore encouraging to see how Assad detected this strategy by launching his own counter-attack in his interview with the Sunday Times.
Here for example, Assad not only responds to the “detached from reality” charge, but turns it on its head and deflects it back to its source:
“Firstly, detached from reality: Syria has been fighting adversaries and foes for two years; you cannot do that if you do not have public support. People will not support you if you are detached from their reality. A recent survey in the UK shows that a good proportion British people want “to keep out of Syria” and they do not believe that the British government should send military supplies to the rebels in Syria. In spite of this, the British government continues to push the EU to lift its arms embargo on Syria to start arming militants with heavy weapons. That is what I call detached from reality–when you are detached from your own public opinion!”
http://resistance-episteme.tumblr.com/post/44458294497/who-is-more-detached-from-reality-assad-or-hague
March 4th, 2013, 2:18 pm
apple_mini said:
This is getting interesting.
Now the opposition/the rebels finally managed to take over a city: Al-Raqqa. But the Islamist/Jihadists Nusra fighters just raised their flags in the city and claimed Islamic rules over there. It makes sense to them since they did most of the fighting.
Of course the opposition can only cheerleader the ”victory”. And propaganda machine is running at full speed.
What will those opposition backers do, especially US? Is it time for them to send in drones to bomb out those Jihadists like they are doing in Yemen and Mali?
March 4th, 2013, 2:22 pm
revenire said:
Yes, it really looks as if the rats control Raqqa. You can see them controlling it as they run from mortars screaming for someone to save them.
The “Fall of Raqqa” indeed.
March 4th, 2013, 2:26 pm
Dolly Buster said:
You would probably enjoy that, earlier you were salivating at the idea of
Urine al-Maliki using the weapons he got from the Crusaders to kill muslims in Iraq.
March 4th, 2013, 2:26 pm
Ziad said:
????? 24: ???? ???? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ?????
http://3agelnetwork.com/ar/breakingnews/4619.html
March 4th, 2013, 2:28 pm
revenire said:
Rats go ahead and watch the video I just posted. It is from a rat source and shows the rats “controlling” Raqqa. It also shows a lot of dead rats.
The terrorists are really stupid to put videos like this on the web. If I were them I’d only show victories.
March 4th, 2013, 2:30 pm
zoo said:
Ziad
I agree with you about the West repeated stances.
Whoever is the enemy of Israel is unanimously “detached from reality”: Syria, Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran and soon Turkey.
The UK, France and Italy who are the “friends of Syria’ are in the deepest economical they have ever been.
They are paying the price of having been “detached from reality” for decades.
March 4th, 2013, 2:30 pm
Visitor said:
The only reason we have seen this exponential increase in the cesspool trash being dumped here by the lov-u-4ever-gangs recently in order to sugar-coat the tremendous losses inflicted upon them is because they know full well the end is near. In fact, Damascus battle is about to conclude sooner than many expect,
http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2013/03/04/269621.html
This is also why we’ve seen the Hezbos moving in to make a last minute desperate attempt to save their supply routes. And this is also why Maliki is scurrying to save his crumbling dictatorship which is also supported by majoosis.
However, as we see in the above report, the FSA led by Nusra and Ahrar are well capable on their own to deal major blows to all desperate attempts of the majoosi stooges and emerge victorious in all three countries involved, i.e. Syria, Lebanon and Iraq.
March 4th, 2013, 2:39 pm
Mina said:
Mohamed al-Zawahiri plans to open a think-tank in the US
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/66087/Egypt/Politics-/Elections-violate-Islamic-Law-Egypts-Mohamed-ElZaw.aspx
March 4th, 2013, 2:40 pm
zoo said:
Apple_mini
The Islamists have failed to create the Islamic Caliphate in Hama then Homs, Idlib and finally Aleppo. Now they have Raqqa that will become the first Islamic Caliphate in Syrian.
Raqqa is a must destination for Al Khatib to assert his control of the ‘liberated areas’.
Let’s congratulate Al Nusra and Al Qaeda, they finally can happily impose the Sharia on a Syrian city.
The question is how long will they last.
March 4th, 2013, 2:41 pm
Jasmine said:
The Syria I knew
http://beta.syriadeeply.org/op-eds/2013/03/syria-knew/#.UTT52vFYCSM
March 4th, 2013, 2:48 pm
5 dancing shlomos said:
amurderka, your al nusRats need a care package.
amurderka needs the cancer cells removed from its brain.
March 4th, 2013, 2:50 pm
MarigoldRan said:
That’s progress. Some day it’s slow. Today the progress is fast. But everyday there is progress.
In the meantime, 40 regime soldiers fleeing their posts in Eastern Syria were ambushed and killed in Iraq.
Regime supporters are stupid. They can’t see the truth even when it’s staring at them in the face. Thank goodness for that. It makes it SO much easier to defeat them.
March 4th, 2013, 3:00 pm
Tara said:
The FSA does have a winning strategy. Continue to bleed the regime financially and its manpower by engaging it in multiple battles everywhere. Iran can not continue to pay Syrians’ salary forever. No industry, no farming, no export and no money. Control the oil fields and deplete any possible income from it. Iran’s financial support will come to an end sooner or later and then…
March 4th, 2013, 3:03 pm
revenire said:
Abbassyeen Square? Friend of mine drove over there yesterday. No FSA there. Not one. That’s odd because more than one here said the FSA controlled the square. Funny.
March 4th, 2013, 3:16 pm
revenire said:
Tara there is no “FSA” much less a central command unless you mean the USA. Your so-called strategy would only hurt the people you claim to want to help: average Syrians.
March 4th, 2013, 3:18 pm
Aldendeshe said:
49. TARASAID:
The FSA does have a winning strategy. Continue to bleed the regime financially and its manpower by engaging it in multiple battles everywhere. Iran can not continue to pay Syrians’ salary forever. No industry, no farming, no export and no money. Control the oil fields and deplete any possible income from it. Iran’s financial support will come to an end sooner or later and then…..
___________________________________________________________________
Let’s cut the crap, I made the correction here:
The Zionists and Israel does have a winning strategy. Continue to bleed the Syrians financially and its brains and specialists by engaging Syrians in multiple battles everywhere. Iran can not continue to pay Syrians’ salary forever. No industry, no farming, no production, no employment, no water, no power, no bread, no schools, no export, no tourism and no money. Control the oil fields for Dick Cheney and deplete any possible income from it or anything else in Syria. Iran’s financial support will come to an end sooner or later Jews are really hopping and counting on that and then…..A BIG FUCKING DISSAPOINTMENT AND A LOT BLOOD, WORSE, MUCH WORTH, GENUINE ISLAMIST JIHADIS NOT ON ALCIDA PAYROLL ARE ON ISRAEL BORDERS FROM NORTH, SOUTH AND EAST. ONLY THE SEA SIDE LEFT TO ESCAPE TO ARIZONA.
March 4th, 2013, 3:23 pm
revenire said:
Tara’s plan for the majority of Syrians whether they support the government or not: “No industry, no farming, no export and no money.”
How cruel and how stupid. Tara should be forced to go live in Homs until the war is over.
March 4th, 2013, 3:26 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Cry more, regime supporters, cry more. I like the sound of your tears.
March 4th, 2013, 3:27 pm
Aldendeshe said:
@REVENIER, Don’t polute Holly Homs with this crap. I would say: EXTERMINATE THE JEWISH BITC*H
March 4th, 2013, 3:28 pm
zoo said:
…
March 4th, 2013, 3:37 pm
AJ said:
Did anyone find video footage of the old man pissing in Hafez’s ear? I could only find the picture..
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/734374_418470628242812_736217698_n.jpg
March 4th, 2013, 3:37 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
The only 2 Jewish families living in in Homs, the SHAHLA Hospital in Hamidiyye and KAPLAN Rocket brand Aluminum pots factory owners both changed faith from devil worship to Catholic Christianity. No known Jews living in Homs, not one, it is clean city once Assad finish up clearing up the filth in Khalidiye. Will rename it after re-construction Julia Domna Neighborhood.
March 4th, 2013, 3:38 pm
Sami said:
Zoo,
What does that say about your bold predictions regarding Darayya? Or am I stating the obvious again…
March 4th, 2013, 3:42 pm
zoo said:
After having been replaced by Selim Idriss 3 months ago, Ryad al Assaad is killed?
“On 8 December 2012, in Antalya, Turkey, Asaad was replaced by Brigadier General Selim Idris as effective military commander of the Free Syrian Army.[9]”
March 4th, 2013, 3:43 pm
zoo said:
“only positive” thing can happen in Syria is dialogue between gov”t, opposition – Churkin
04/03/2013
http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2296359&Language=en
UNITED NATIONS, March 4 (KUNA) — Security Council President Vitaly Churkin of Russia on Monday said the only “positive” thing that could happen in Syria was to establish a dialogue between the government and the opposition, and disclosed that American-Russian talks on Syria would resume next week in Europe.
…
He said “we are prepared to continue our contacts with the United States on the situation in Syria,” and announced that another meeting between Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and his American counterpart William Burns will take place next week somewhere in Europe.
March 4th, 2013, 3:50 pm
Tara said:
The regime is not sustainable. The regime destroyed the minimal infra-structure Syria once had by the indiscriminate shelling of Aleppo and the rural areas. It destroyed the little industry and farming Syria once has. The regime lost most oil fields. The regime has no income. It can’t go on depending on Iran’s financial donation. Iran is struggling with the sanctions. The financial support dedicated to the regime will stop sooner or later. The regime is doomed. It will disintegrate by virtue of attrition.
March 4th, 2013, 3:52 pm
annie said:
This sounds so far from the victorious battlefield but every effort counts and the struggle is far from over.
http://freearabs.com./
Free Arabs
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Yet, as revolutions have succeeded or recessed across the region, we, Arab young seculars, have lost much ground. We still face resilient autocratic governments, who crush us whenever they have a chance. And we also face Islamist movements, who—let’s face it—are better organized, and more appealing to the masses than we have ever been.
Both Arab old-guard elites and the Islamists have deep pockets, wide support networks, and massive media artillery. We, by contrast, have only… Facebook and Twitter (which, by the way, they too know how to use.)
The time has come to do something about this.
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Wanna join the club? Mar7aba! Submit your contribution (text, image, audio or video) here.
March 4th, 2013, 3:54 pm
omen said:
strange how “the sequester” is cutting budgets back home, but this, apparently, hasn’t limited our giving money away overseas.
kerry just offered morsi $250 million as a reward for “reforms.” what reforms? i don’t know if this is part of $450 million already pledged or something in additional. has egypt suffered 70k dead? while this is euphemistically described as “aid” money, the funds will wind up circling back to buy american made arms and equipment.
while i, of course, support the syrian opposition being funded, given our track record, i wonder if it’s going to the right people. i don’t believe any promises of aid until the opposition acknowledges receipt of it.
March 4th, 2013, 4:07 pm
omen said:
March 4th, 2013, 4:12 pm
Akbar Palace said:
I’m not angry, but please STFU NewZ.
Visitor, you made the following statements:
I am not angry at the US for not helping the revolution.
I am also against a change of regime in Syria as happened in Lybia.
We do not want US help in any shape or form.
So from my point of view, I would rather see the US shut the f*ck up and say and do nothing about Syria.
You also said:
I am against the hypocritical behaviour of the US which it exhibited since day one of the revolution.
So what exactly is the “hypocritical” behaviour of the US government with respect to Syria (“hyporcritical” meaning saying one thing and doing another”)? Near as I can tell, up until now, the US has consistently provided only non-military aide to the Syrin opposition. What specifically has the US government said, that you want them to “STFU”?
Just trying to understand your position, and compare it to your position with Russia and China, who are not providing ANY aide to the Syrian opposition.
March 4th, 2013, 4:17 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
??? ????? ?? ???????”???? ??????” ??? ?????? ?????? ???????? ???? ???? ???? ???????
04 ???? 2013 21:03 ??? ???????? 416
???? ???? ?? ???????: ???????? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ????? !!?
http://www.syriatruth.org/news/tabid/93/Article/9322/Default.aspx
March 4th, 2013, 4:21 pm
revenire said:
The government of Syria destroyed its own infrastructure? LOL
March 4th, 2013, 4:26 pm
Hanzala said:
42 Assad soldiers and 7 Iraqi soldiers dead? I knew something like this was going to happen, I mentioned it in “News Round Up (1 March 2013)” post # 97
March 4th, 2013, 4:26 pm
omen said:
visitor, i wonder if you would have a more nuanced view of things if you were syrian and actually grew up with people from different sects.
yes, bashar and the regime’s inner circle are evil but that shouldn’t condemn innocent people just because they happen to share the same background.
as somebody else once noted, why can’t you leave it to god to judge?
March 4th, 2013, 4:36 pm
Visitor said:
Akbar Palace @66,
The US, since March 2011 when the revolution started, gave Assad one green light after the other to go ahead and resort to military measures in order to quell the demonstrators. It did so by first giving him the undeserved and FALSE label of would-be reformer when everyone in the world knew full well he IS NEITHER A REFORMER NOR REFORMABLE. Ask your buddy AIG to explain this simple fact for you since it is his only mantra he keeps repeating here whenever he shows up: Bashar had 11 years to make a change in Syria but he never did. That’s all he says when he argues with the regimists. Go ahead and ask him to explain to you that this simply means Assad is neither reformable nor a reformer.
The US continued giving Assad one grace period after the other over the next year or so. The only thing Assad did was more killing and more destruction.
The US refused to arm the opposition from day one when it became evident that only a military solution is possible with the criminal regime. While, as I said previously, we would rather not receive any such help from the US, yet the US prevented others, namely KSA, Qatar and Turkey who were willing to provide such help from doing so. You can go back and check all of the so-called FOS meetings to confirm the above.
The US came out recently and labelled the most effective fighting force in the opposition as so-called terrorists in a clear flagrant attempt to divide the opposition which should remain focused on the fight until the war is won. The US continues to use the so-called war on terror to suit its own purpose as it did in Iraq. The Syrian Revolution is not a war on terror. And neither Iraq was a theatre for terrorism when the US invaded. The Syrian Revolution is a war against DICTATORS. By conflating terrorism with war against Assad, the US is helping the dictator to advance its narrative. These so-called ‘terrorists’ (according to the US) have achieved all the major victories against the regime, they are all Syrians and are very popular among Syrians. The US, by such misguided conflation of the these completely different issues is stabbing the revolution in the back. So we do not need its help in any way, shape or form. And that’s why it should STFU.
If you cannot see from the above that the US is in bed with and is helping Assad, then there is nothing I can do to help you understand.
March 4th, 2013, 4:43 pm
Visitor said:
Omen 70,
What exactly do you know as to who I am, or which sects I grew up with or did not grow up with?
March 4th, 2013, 4:51 pm
Citizen said:
Eyeliner you’re both eyes !
If you can not bring down the President, destroy dozens of mosques and churches and then bring down the statue!!!! Do you have statistics how many mosques and churches that were destroyed before this statue is destroyed? Did not matter put a picture of them at the beginning of your articles?
March 4th, 2013, 5:00 pm
zoo said:
Jihadists raise fears of further strife in Syria
http://www.france24.com/en/20130302-jihadists-raise-fears-further-strife-syria-0?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
AFP – Victory in Syria’s civil war is still up for grabs, but some rebel commanders fear that even if they do oust President Bashar al-Assad they will then have to take on Islamists they accuse of seeking to hijack their democratic revolution.
Leaders of the rebel Free Syrian Army in the eastern oil hub of Deir Ezzor are in a quandary, because Islamist fighters are well financed, well armed and disciplined, and their contribution to the cause is indisputable.
March 4th, 2013, 5:00 pm
Tara said:
SNP,
Continue to pick up Jews from your hair. May I suggest the same mental institution Ann goes to? You can befriend each other and can both find Jews in your hairs. Actually I think the regime posters can be easily coupled together nicely… My imagination… And Daryl will be happy to provide the wine and shortly thereafter some Arak from Kafr Suseh seeds and life will be just great…
March 4th, 2013, 5:03 pm
Citizen said:
Just for 30 second you can take 12 thump down from one person ! stuped job !
March 4th, 2013, 5:08 pm
zoo said:
#78 citizen
…and simultaneously 12 thumbs up for visitor. He seems to have a lot of fans despite his stupidity and his arrogance or are they fake?
March 4th, 2013, 5:13 pm
Citizen said:
UK Seeks to Further Fund, Arm Al Qaeda Collaborator Moaz al-Khatib
http://www.activistpost.com/2013/03/uk-seeks-to-further-fund-arm-al-qaeda.html
March 4th, 2013, 5:22 pm
Visitor said:
Zoo,
It is been agreed upon long time ago that you are a pathetic idiot.
I cannot help you become a popular idiot.
March 4th, 2013, 5:26 pm
Aldendeshe said:
SNP,
Continue to pick up Jews from your hair. May I suggest the same mental institution Ann goes to? You can befriend each other and can both find Jews in your hairs. Actually I think the regime posters can be easily coupled together nicely… My imagination… And Daryl will be happy to provide the wine and shortly thereafter some Arak from Kafr Suseh seeds and life will be just great…
__________________________________________________________________
I am bald, but will continue to pick them up along with Islamists and Mohammad seeds from my ass hair. I don’t smoke or drink Alchohol, I am diebetic. Also, don’t have sex with darkheads, I don’t get errection, just blonds turns me on.
March 4th, 2013, 5:28 pm
Dolly Buster said:
Have you tried the Alex Chiu immortality rings, I use them for superpowers.
March 4th, 2013, 5:35 pm
Citizen said:
????? ????????: ???? ?????? ?????
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/178674
March 4th, 2013, 5:36 pm
zoo said:
Visitor
zzzzzzz
March 4th, 2013, 5:48 pm
zoo said:
Visitor
Specially for you, instead of a thumb up:
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7hdnhCatS1rbiq54o1_400.jpg
March 4th, 2013, 5:53 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Zoozoo said
Ryad al Assaad is killed?
I checked with my friends and they assured me it is not true.
Dendashi
Try rat poison
March 4th, 2013, 5:53 pm
zoo said:
#86 Maj
Ok, good, I kind of liked the guy.
March 4th, 2013, 5:55 pm
revenire said:
Has Assad fallen yet?
March 4th, 2013, 6:01 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
Alhamdulillah alhamdulillah alhamdulillah Ar Raqqa is finally freed from the silly Syrian Army owned by the Donkey President Assad of Syria.
An image that is worth a whole life. The image of Hafez statue falling is one of the best I have ever seen.
Syrian people is writting history. Even if world powers try to ignore these facts the reality is stubborn. Coming generations will read how this incredible revolution destroyed an iron repressive regime supported by Russia, China, Iran (and secretly supported by Iran, US and Europe for long decades).
March 4th, 2013, 6:03 pm
Visitor said:
Zoo @84,
I must have made you REALLY mad. No one busts your lies like me. Admit it.
It shows in your commnets.
But this carricature is good for Bashar’s ass which will be filled with even a bigger one.
And yours as well.
Also for the Mulla Gorilla
And also for Hassan Mulala.
March 4th, 2013, 6:06 pm
zoo said:
Syria’s Salafist foreign legions
As the Syrian conflict draws in more fighters from across the region, it will facilitate the spread of Al-Qaeda’s regional agenda, the goal of which has not been changed by the Arab Spring – to bring jihad to all “apostate states.”
…
Regardless of whether it has the actual means or followers to do so, this further globalization of jihad could destabilize vulnerable countries – a concern already present across the region.
Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Commentary/2013/Mar-05/208823-syrias-salafist-foreign-legions.ashx#ixzz2McCydazw
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)
March 4th, 2013, 6:07 pm
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
?????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? the Chinese revolution
?? ??? ??????
??? ???? ?????? ????
???? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????
?? ????? ??? ???? ?????
???? ??????
??? ???? ????? ????
March 4th, 2013, 6:13 pm
zoo said:
#90 Visitor
zzzz…
http://www.sharonrecalla.com/images/Yawn.JPG
March 4th, 2013, 6:15 pm
ghufran said:
The capture,or near capture,of Raqqa, is a certain loss for the regime, it shows how hard it is for the army to control remote areas without leaving other parts of the country open to rebel attacks, however, how the rebels and the regime respond to this development will determine whether it was good or bad for the country. If previous similar incidents serve as a guide, Raqqa will be bombed by the regime while rebels get busy looting homes and government institutions and Nusra thugs will start imposing their middle ages style governance. As you can see, a win is not necessarily a win and a loss may be a double loss, eventually, Syria continues to be taken hostage to two fighting factions who have no interest in a cease fire,as rebels celebrate the fall of Raqqa, their friends in Khaldiyya-Homs are asking for help as the army seems to be closing on rebel groups in that part of Homs and the city as a whole. I do not know why it is so hard for some of you to understand that this can not go on forever, a cease fire is national necessity and the opposition should accept as long as it is guaranteed by powers bigger than Assad and his regime.
March 4th, 2013, 6:37 pm
Visitor said:
Zoo idiot dimwit bonehead 92
Your stale and wornout gimmicks are not gonna help you.
Your ass is fully exposed.
There is only one place for you to hide and that’s exactly where you are right now: in the cesspool.
March 4th, 2013, 6:44 pm
revenire said:
Ghufran the FSA/Jabhat al-Nusra would never accept a ceasefire.
March 4th, 2013, 6:45 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Ghufran
There will be ceasefire,I assur you, when all Assad thugs are gone
March 4th, 2013, 6:47 pm
Darryl said:
75. TARA said:
“And Daryl will be happy to provide the wine and shortly thereafter some Arak from Kafr Suseh seeds and life will be just great…”
Now hold onto your horses dear Tara, Fine wine and Arak are only suitable for enjoyment with special friends, special meals and occasions or if you make it to heaven. You will not find me in the place I think you are imagining.
Off course, I try to make my meals and days special as I am in my own heaven.
March 4th, 2013, 6:51 pm
ghufran said:
This is what the Iraqi Defense Ministry is saying about the slaughter of dozens of Syrian and Iraqi soldiers inside Iraq:
????? ????? ?????? ????????? ???? ????? ???????? ?????? “??????? ??????” ?? ????? ?????? ???????? “????????” ???? ??? ????? ???? ?? 67 ?? ?????? ???????? ?????????? ?? ?????? ??????? (?????? ????? ???????? 110 ?? ??? ??????? ?????)? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? “??????? ??????” ??? ????? ?????? ????? ???????? ?”??????? ??????” ????? ???????? ???? ???? ??????? ??????? ????????? ?? ?? “???? ???? ??????? ???????” ??? ?? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??????? ????? ???????
I know that the attack brought joy to some of you but a closer look at the incident invites people to see a less happy outlook:
the attack was probably the work of terrorist groups that operate in both Iraq and Syria, I am not convinced it was done by the FSA, this attack will actually help the regime and hurt the rebels since it will bring a country,Iraq, much closer to being part of this war and taking the side f the regime overtly now, western governments that are just trying to wean themselves off Iraq will see this as further evidence that terrorism is well and alive in Iraq and Syria even without providing rebels with more arms. keep denying the obvious,as the war gets bigger, the chances of Syria becoming a free and democratic state get slimmer.
March 4th, 2013, 6:51 pm
Visitor said:
Another blow to the criminal regime.
After Raqqa and the Police Academy, Menegh airbase is about to become history,
http://www.aljazeera.net/news/pages/64f11971-bb8c-4cf3-a9fc-0cfad8632438?GoogleStatID=1
The holy warriors of Nusra and their FSA trainees are now embarked on the process of storming the airbase. Holy wariors are already inside the airbase.
Considering that the ‘genius’ regime strategists have dissmissed Taftanaz as an irrelevant airbase, we are inclined to think that they look at Menegh likewise.
There is nothing of strategic value for them to lose!!
I am just saying this ahead of time so you guys do not have to come back and argue when the time comes: Menegh does not have any strategic value.
March 4th, 2013, 6:52 pm
revenire said:
Ghufran isn’t a bit unrealistic to suggest a ceasefire? Who would impose it? Who would follow it? If Jabhat al-Nusra kept shooting at soldiers should they fire back or be killed? Hasn’t a ceasefire been attempted only to be broken by the FSA/al-Nusra?
March 4th, 2013, 6:59 pm
ghufran said:
????? ????? ????? ???? ???????? ?????? ????? ? ???? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ???????.
? ?? ???????? ??????? ???? ??????? ” ??? ???? ?????” ? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ????? ???? .
that will be a major blow to the regime’s image if confirmed, I saw the video but I can not tell for sure whether it was credible or not, I tend to believe it knowing how little the regime invested in Raqqa’s defense.
Raqqa has a lot of refugees, I am eager to see they will be treated, I hope the regime does not bomb Raqqa the same way it did with Aleppo.
March 4th, 2013, 7:00 pm
ALI said:
“??? ???????? ??? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ??????? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ???????? ?????? ????? ‘?? ???? ??? ?????’ ?? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????”
Heheheh that would be awesome, yeah i can’t wait to see the faces when this initiative sees the light
March 4th, 2013, 7:05 pm
ALI said:
Raqqa’s game is a just part of the big strategy.
At least now we could shower the rats with Scuds without holding back
Bring it on
March 4th, 2013, 7:06 pm
revenire said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZOnsmgTCzfk
Wow
March 4th, 2013, 7:14 pm
Tara said:
“????? ????? ????? ???? ???????? ?????? ????? ? ???? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ???????.”
This should be a lesson to all regime’s collaborators. The FSA will get you. And you will be abandoned by the regime like rats….and you deserve it.
March 4th, 2013, 7:22 pm
ALI said:
Revenire:
Thanks for the link.
This Mo3aq (retard) Alkateeb looks like he’s auditioning for the terrorist idol contest. It’s amazing how he memorizes all Alqaeda songs by heart, I wonder if he knows a line of our national anthem?
Now to all beautiful ladies on this forum, please watch the link carefully and see the illiterate, uncivilized, low class animals of FSA. I wonder how would you feel when these creatures mount you hehehe and yeah enjoy the mouth breath and armpits smell.
March 4th, 2013, 7:23 pm
ghufran said:
in a cynical way, as the conflict widens, the chances of a political solution improve. Joshua was quoted in NY Times:
“A number of us have been saying that Iraq is the one most affected by the meltdown in Syria,” said Joshua M. Landis, director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma and curator of the Syria Comment blog, which has chronicled the Syrian conflict.
“In that region, the tribes go right across the Syrian border, and most of the people are related by blood,” he said. “They’re in one common struggle.
I suspect that we will see dramatic movements on many fronts in the next few days-weeks and an almost certain assault on Raqqa which now hosts more than 800,000 Syrians, according to opposition sources, Islamists took the lead in the fight to “liberate” Raqqa, this usually means in Syrian terms the fight to help get Raqqa destroyed.
March 4th, 2013, 7:23 pm
ALI said:
“Islamists took the lead in the fight to “liberate” Raqqa, this usually means in Syrian terms the fight to help get Raqqa destroyed.”
Nicely said
Amen
March 4th, 2013, 7:28 pm
Tara said:
Darryl,
Yes. Agree. But still. Ann and SNP can make special friends. They both find Jews and Islamists in their hairs. I don’t imagine you in the same place. You are in a different league. I think we both could be friends in a real non-virtual life once we worked on your literal limited and erroneous concepts of Islam and misinterpretation of Quraan.
I received a 2010 Shiraz bottle of wine today as a thank you gesture from a girl client of mine and that reminded me of you.
March 4th, 2013, 7:34 pm
Tara said:
I watched Moaaz singing in the photo-op. I so much like the man. I think Syrians can so easily love him. He is sincere, honest, sensitive and respectful. I think he has a great charisma and can easily become the commander-in-chief of all different FSA factions. I hope he becomes the president of Syria.
March 4th, 2013, 7:41 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
?????????????? ??? ???????
?????? ??? ?????? ??????? : ?????? ????? ?? ???? ??????? ?? ???? ??? ????? ???????? ????? ??????? ??????????
?????? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ???????? ???? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ?????
March 4th, 2013, 7:59 pm
omen said:
72. Visitor said:
Omen 70,
What exactly do you know as to who I am, or which sects I grew up with or did not grow up with?
you once referred to syria as your ancestral land. i inferred from that you weren’t born in syria. apologies if that was incorrect.
March 4th, 2013, 8:29 pm
Visitor said:
Omen 112,
Syria IS the ancestral land of those born in Syria to Syrian parent(s) and those who descend from Syrian ancestors and live somewhere else. No?
And what you said was incorrect. Apology accepted.
March 4th, 2013, 8:35 pm
Akbar Palace said:
Quiet Please
Visitor, thanks for the responses. Let me response to your latest post (#71):
The US, since March 2011 when the revolution started, gave Assad one green light after the other to go ahead and resort to military measures in order to quell the demonstrators.
Visitor,
In what form was this “green light”? My point is, if NO country in the world is prepared to stop Assad, than is it accurate to say that EVERY country “gave Assad one green light”? Did Turkey give Assad a “green light”? Yes or no. Why this special attention on US actions and not the rest of the 200+ independent nations that make up the UN? As you know, I AM FOR US military action against Syria, but I do not hold US inaction as any more disappointing or egregious than the rest of the world’s inaction. Furthermore, there are some countries that have taken action AGAINST the opposition like Russia and China, therefore I hold them even more accountable.
It did so by first giving him the undeserved and FALSE label of would-be reformer when everyone in the world knew full well he IS NEITHER A REFORMER NOR REFORMABLE.
Visitor,
The “false label” you are referring to was Hilary Clinton calling Assad a “reformer”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP3h9g_TnT4
Our present Secretary of State (SoS), John Kerry, is another Assad apologist:
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2012/12/16/generous-remember-john-kerrys-praise-of-syrian-dictator-assad/
That is why I’m a republican. We’re naturally more intelligent! And we know who we’re dealing with. Clinton and Kerry are two recent examples of SoSs who are just not qualified for the job. Oh well…
But if Kerry and Clinton were saying that Assad was a reformer and a man of peace, they wouldn’t be the only ones. Syrians themselves were in love with Assad, probably even more so. Turkey had fine relations with Assad even during the first 6 months of the revolution. Turkey cut off diplomatic relations with Syria only after the first year and after tens of thousands of deaths:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP3h9g_TnT4
In contrast, Turkey cut diplomatic relations with Israel after 9 people died while beating up IDF personnel. Again, why the focus on American stupidity and their use of “false labels”, when so many other countries were just as guilty.
Ask your buddy AIG…
No need to ask my buddy AIG. I understand him and I agree with him on over 90% of his posts. We both are interested in arab viewpoints because they are so different from one another.
Go ahead and ask him to explain to you that this simply means Assad is neither reformable nor a reformer.
Please. I’ve been hammering Professor Josh and sidekick Alex for YEARS that Assad was a “no-goodnik”. I guess I know more than some professors out there. I should get an honorary Phd from a respectable university. If there are any;)
The US continued giving Assad one grace period after the other over the next year or so.
I don’t see it that way. I don’t focus on this imaginary “grace period”, the WORLD is guilty of inaction, not just the US. Jews know a lot about world inaction. Ask us any time you want.
The US refused to arm the opposition from day one…
As well as most other UN nations…
… yet the US prevented others, namely KSA, Qatar and Turkey who were willing to provide such help from doing so.
Please elaborate. How exactly did the US prevent Turkey from providing military equipment? Did the US have soldiers around the Syrian border? Please provide a link showing what you are referring to.
You can go back and check all of the so-called FOS meetings to confirm the above.
Near as I can tell, the FOS conferences reach declarations against arming the opposition. The US is just one country out of many that attended and voted.
The Syrian Revolution is not a war on terror.
If Assad isn’t a terrorist, I don’t know who is.
The Syrian Revolution is a war against DICTATORS.
Dictators usually employ terrorism as their main foreign policy tool. The Assad clan made it into an art form.
By conflating terrorism with war against Assad, the US is helping the dictator to advance its narrative.
President Obama detested the term “War on Terrorism” and it recently has been kept out of the language the US government currently uses. I disagree with that. I think Assad is a big part of the war on terrorism. Netanyahu and the conservatives recognized many moons ago in “A Clean Break”.
These so-called ‘terrorists’ (according to the US) have achieved all the major victories against the regime, they are all Syrians and are very popular among Syrians.
At this point, I think the US government recognizes that the Syrian opposition is made up of secular reformers as well as foreign jihadists. Both sides now (pro and anti regime) have committed atrocities, but I think the US and the world community understands the fault lies with Assad, and the creep has to go.
The US, by such misguided conflation of the these completely different issues is stabbing the revolution in the back.
The US has stabbed the Syrians in the back by not participating in the war against Assad. Other than that, I do not fault the US any more or less than any other country. What is the Arab League doing to help Syria? Why aren’t you critical of the arab states?
So we do not need its help in any way, shape or form. And that’s why it should STFU.
So just the US needs to be quiet. Sounds like an easy job.
March 4th, 2013, 8:37 pm
omen said:
113.
usually, syrians are proud to say they are syrian. they don’t normally qualify it. so, visitor, are you saying you were born in syria? or were your parents syrian?
March 4th, 2013, 8:40 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Reqqa today and soon will be Damascus,Assad thugs will not defeat Homs,The thug who is saying that is a terrorist criminal
March 4th, 2013, 9:05 pm
Visitor said:
Omen 115,
That comment which you quoted was a response to someone who was playing a game. He claimed that Syria IS HIS ancestral land, and from the context of his comment he implied that it is HIS alone. So, I responded to him by saying that in order to refute his claim. It is clear that you are not Syrian, because there are intricacies in Syrian history that are understood only by Syrians in most cases Saying what I said does not imply I am less proud than any other Syrian.
I told you in a previous comment that there are some very weird characters here on this forum. Unless you understand these wierdos you should refrain from making judgements when you read something out of the ordinary. It could get very absurd at times.
March 4th, 2013, 9:36 pm
Observer said:
I love the comment # 26 by Zoo above. I think many should go back and re read it carefully and take the post for an education on the process of ” circular thinking” where the premisses are posted to arrive at a conclusion that reinforces the premisse.
Strategy of the regime is now very simple: keep a lifeline between Damascus and the coast as the only way to continue to supply the regime with whatever it needs to continue to fight.
Clearly the regime premisse of defeating the revolution is a total failure. The revolution is now self sustaining and has forced the world to take notice after two years of hand holding and humming and discussing and meeting and calling for peaceful this and peaceful that.
Another sign of the US losing ground in influencing the events in the ME is the Saudi rebuffing them with supplying weapons to the rebels. The US was told there is no guarantee that arms will fall into the wrong hands and that the imperative is now to finish the slaughter. It is also clear in my estimation that the GCC will have to cough up reconstruction money lest the place turn into Afghamalia a combination of Afghanistan and Somalia.
It is also clear that Maliki is in a bind. He tried to smuggle the troops back into Syria through another crossing but was caught and the ambush is a huge embarrassment. The Sunnis in Anbar seeing his stalling tactics are going to embrace the jihad groups again especially after the successes of Nusra front. They see these people having results on the ground.
Homs and its highways is the next focus. The question is not whether to take it but to have a viable route and enough contiguity for a retreat into the mountains for a last ditch effort.
Then the idea is that the International community will come to the rescue lest a Rwanda happen. Well a political Rwanda is inevitable for the minority sect unfortunately as the majority will never trust them again and for a very long time indeed. The country may remain united on paper but is broken now fully. Arab nationalism dead and buried I see no other ideology than an Islamist one in place.
Now regime trolls are arguing the Mali scenario: the revolution will be hijacked by jihad groups and drones and French mirage will come to the rescue.
I have bad news for them: NO ONE is coming to the rescue. The West does not have what it takes to confront an enraged population that is demanding immediate results.
The draught last year TRIPLED the price of wheat. The largest importer of wheat is Egypt and countries like Russia and the US have actually reduced their exports due to climatic conditions. No one can solve this without global responsibility.
So turmoil it will be and for a very long time.
Now simple question: would it not have been much better if in 2001 the stooge boy prethident had actually shown some nerve and followed through on his reforms and put 10 000 of the top ranking mafiosi in retirement for a new country?
He chose to be a pygmy Hafez rather than a grand Juan Carlos of Spain.
What a pity.
SCUD Raqqa as one criminal stupid mentioned with more than 800 000 internally displaced fellow Syrians in the city and Zoo thinks that they can win?
Delusion indeed
March 4th, 2013, 10:29 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Actually, it would be EXCELLENT for the revolution if the regime went ahead and launched SCUDs at Raqqa. It would have no military effect and it would piss off large sectors of Raqqa, who at this point want nothing more than to stay out of the war.
The more indiscriminate brutality the regime commits, the more recruits the FSA and Al Nusra get. The rebel strategy has been to invade a neighborhood, get the regime to shell it, turn the neighborhood against the regime, and then get more recruits from it.
And it’s worked! The regime has fallen for this trick every single time.
I always get amused when regime supporters advise the regime to use more brutal methods. They aren’t capable of learning from their mistakes.
March 4th, 2013, 11:09 pm
revenire said:
Observer well, that was a yawn.
March 4th, 2013, 11:10 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Most regime supporters, I’d say, are dumb and delusional. I guess 40 years of dictatorship have addled their brains. They persist on making the same mistakes and committing to the same LOSING strategy despite all evidence
Instead of adapting to losses or changing circumstances, they stick their heads into the ground and pretend everything is alright.
This quality of theirs is wonderful. It makes it so EASY to beat them.
******************
EDIT: Revenire, you’re an expert on stupidity. What is it that makes you and most other regime supporters so dumb?
March 4th, 2013, 11:16 pm
Syrian Atheist Against Dictatorships said:
Yassin Al Haj Saleh
????? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ??????? ??????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ??? ?? ??? ??????? ?????? ??????.
??? ??? ????? ??????? ???????? ?? ??????? ???? ??????? ??? ???????? ?? ????? ??? ?? ????? ?? ???? ??????.
???? ?????? ????? ?????.
??? ?? ???? ???????? ???????? ???? ????????? ??? ???? ????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ???? ???????? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ??????.
????? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ????????.
???? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ??????.
?? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ??????… ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ?????.
?????? ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???? ???? ????????? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ?? ????? ????.
??? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???????? ????? ??????.
?? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?? ????.
??????? ??? ?? ????? ?? ?? ?????.
????? ?? ???? ??? ???????? ??????? ?????? ?? ??? ???????? ?????? ???????.
http://www.facebook.com/yassinhsaleh
March 4th, 2013, 11:20 pm
revenire said:
March 5th, 2013, 12:00 am
Syrian said:
????????? ????? ????????
?. ???? ???? ?????
????? ???????, ???? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ?????..
??? ???? ???? ?????? ????????, ?????? ?????? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ???????
????? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ????, ?????? ?? ????..
?? ??? ??? ??? ???? ??????, ??? ??? ???? ???? ???? ??? ?? ???? ?????????
?????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ???? ??? ????? ???? ?????
???? ???? ????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ????? ??????
???? ???? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ??????? ???????..
“?????? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ?????? ???????? ?????? ?? ???? ???????? – ????? ???? ?????
http://youtu.be/AbcuNfGv_TA
March 5th, 2013, 12:15 am
Juergen said:
some great artwork about the conflict by Wissam al Jazairy
https://www.facebook.com/lwissamartl
March 5th, 2013, 12:20 am
ghufran said:
Here is what comes when Nusra thugs are in charge:
??????? ? ? ? ?: ????? ?????? ??????? ????????? ????? ????? ??????? ??? ??????? ??????? ????? ?????????? ???? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ???????? .
?????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ??????? ????????? ???????? ????? ?????? 25 ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ??????? ???? ??? ??????? ?? ‘?????????? ?????? ?????’ ?????? ??? ????? ???????? ???????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ????? 29 ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??? ???????? ???? ?????? ???????.
In videos posted on opposition sites and supported by testimonies from SOHR, fighters from Nusra and sister terror groups were leading the fight in Police academy in Aleppo and in Raqqa, claims that the FSA has anything to do with major battles is for western press consumption. Unfortunately, Raqqa is about to witness a major confrontation after the city was calm and home to more than 600,000 internal refugees, Raqqa resident had nothing to do with this assault and did not want the Nusra thugs who have looted Raqqa museum and every state building they can put their hands, the thugs will transform that peaceful city into another disaster zone.
(toz feekon wa bihal thawra)
March 5th, 2013, 12:22 am
Juergen said:
Assad says goodbuy to Ar Raqqa!
https://twitter.com/zaidbenjamin/status/308796091640455169/photo/1
he liked praying there with his mufti buddy, domage as some lebanese would say…
March 5th, 2013, 12:28 am
Syrian said:
Ghufran siad
“who have looted Raqqa museum”
The FSA gaudring Raqqa museum
http://youtu.be/EnbSShfMT54
????? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ?????
March 5th, 2013, 12:35 am
revenire said:
You rats post a lot trash videos but “guarding” the museum is the funniest one today.
March 5th, 2013, 12:42 am
Juergen said:
good one!
https://twitter.com/KarlreMarks/status/308708885512994817
March 5th, 2013, 12:43 am
ghufran said:
what war mongers won’t tell you is that before the ink dried on the “fall” of Raqqa, regime jets fired on a rebel group around the statue of Assad killing scores of armed rebels and most probably civilians too. events in the coming days,not some pathetic posts from teenagers, will show how useful was this unnecessary invasion of a peaceful city that was used as a refuge for Syrians running away from the brutality of the regime and their partners, thawrajiyyeh rebels, who will undoubtedly repeat what they did in Aleppo:looting,kidnapping and violation of human rights the Nusra-way.
Toz feekon wa bihalthawra
Toz kbeer bihalnizam alzift
Syria is your victim ya mujrimeen
March 5th, 2013, 12:58 am
Syrian said:
Rev. The moron, at least this is an authentic video, unlike yours with dubbed American voices over the actual video,
Did not you want to send 1000s of Scuds over my country Syria,
so what is it to you?
you moron!
March 5th, 2013, 1:03 am
Syrian said:
?????
??? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ???
????? ???? ?????? ???? ????
???? ???????
March 5th, 2013, 1:12 am
omen said:
i neglected to make this obvious point at 64.
the west claims it doesn’t want to support rebel islamists who spout anti-israeli rhetoric. well, morsi has also has spouted anti-israeli rhetoric. the u.s. doesn’t have a problem advancing nearly a billion dollars for egypt.
it’s not bad enough the world just sits back and allows the regime to mow down people. it also has to add salt to the wound and blatantly lie about its lack of support.
March 5th, 2013, 1:16 am
Juergen said:
Ghufran
dont worry the Assad mafia has relocated the most precious pieces from all state run museums to unknown locations, my bet they are in Latakia. Finally someone liberated the antiquities business the Assads had for 42 years!
Note my scarcasm here, I think I better point that out to some here.
Strange, but no one of the obvious has posted the latest Fisk, so I do it:
Alawite history reveals the complexities of Syria that West does not understand
The maps long favoured in the West partition off Arab countries into ethnic divisions, but all these make clear is our own ignorance
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/robert-fisk-alawite-history-reveals-the-complexities-of-syria-that-west-does-not-understand-8518455.html
March 5th, 2013, 1:17 am
ghufran said:
as we speak,thawrajiyyeh on raqqa opposition facebook page are calling for a stop to looting of homes and state buildings, next will be rounding up of “regime supporters” and summary execution in the streets with compliments from Nusra angels !!
You can not fix stupid.
March 5th, 2013, 1:22 am
Juergen said:
NPR radio feature on Kafranbel
‘Conscience’ of Syrian Revolution Faces Challenge from Islamists
http://www.npr.org/2013/03/04/173442174/conscience-of-syrian-revolution-faces-challenge-from-islamists?sc=tw&cc=share
March 5th, 2013, 1:26 am
Juergen said:
street demonstrations near Sana State News Building in Damascus
March 5th, 2013, 1:32 am
Juergen said:
great series of articles about Syria on the global post.
Is there a terrorist?
“The United States, worried about what it says are terrorist groups operating among the Syrian opposition, has so far resisted aiding the rebels. But in Syria, one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. So who are the men the United States is worried about? In rare and exclusive interviews, GlobalPost went inside Syria to talk to them.
In Syria, one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter
It’s a vital distinction that, as evidenced by US reluctance to intervene in Syria, could influence the outcome of the conflict.
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/syria/130303/syria-terrorist-terrorism-al-nusra-suqur-al-sham-rebels-bashar-al-assad
March 5th, 2013, 1:55 am
ALI said:
“regime jets fired on a rebel group around the statue of Assad killing scores of armed rebels”
Yeah baby bring it on, man that was an amazing video to watch these rats bleeding. I told you don’t mess with Hafez even with his statue.
Now let’s see the miserable failure in running one province. Just a matter of time and Raqqa people will scream out begging the Syrian Arab army to come back
March 5th, 2013, 2:25 am
omen said:
117. visitor. to be honest, i felt like i was probably overstepping my bounds by prying. my mistake. you don’t need to say whether you are syrian or not. certainly you are entitled to your privacy.
i’m afraid i became overeager to prove my theory forgetting that one anecdotal example isn’t definitive. maybe this is a bias or a misimpression on my part (or maybe i’m too idealistic) but it seems to me that syrians are more understanding or tolerant of one another. it’s non-syrians who go out of their way to be divisive. screaming saudi sheiks being one loud example.
but then i think back to reactions i’ve seen from syrians in the aftermath of certain massacres. even people i knew to be inclusive from past statements cried out “how can we be expected to live together??”
maybe this fabled tolerance is more an example of how things used to be. who knows what the new syria will be like. it’s not enough that assadists have reduced syria to rubble, this effed up regime has gone out of its way to distort the normal fabric of society. god, let this war end soon.
March 5th, 2013, 2:32 am
DAMASCUSROSE said:
The fall of Hafez’s statue will go down in history as one of the biggest inflection points in this revolution, you mark these words, it will have the same symbolic meaning of Saddam’s statute falling years ago. It’s the beginning of the end, kind of like the fall of the Berlin wall if you will. Yes, it’s that big, and I’m not one who likes to exaggerate.
This is such a huge psychological point for most Syrians who never thought this day would come. The ripple effects of the images of the statue on the ground being broadcasted over satellite TV stations all over Syria are sending shivers through the spine of every regime supporter and I believe all the way up to Bashar and Maher. This is the big talk everywhere, it’s not the fall of Raqqa or what’s happening in Aleppo or Jobar, it’s not what the price of benzine or availability or bread, the only thing people are talking about today is Hafez’s face biting the dust. People I know who support the regime are in total shock, they were completely overwhelmed and speechless seeing the images, it’s the talk of the neighborhood which is 90% pro-regime.
Family members were glued to the TV yesterday and a cousin quipped “Ya klab” (you dogs), an elderly respected family member innocently commented “I don’t see terrorists or men with long beards, I see young Syrians joyful and celebrating” and the room full of people (most are regime supporters and sympathizers) fell completely silent for like a minute as everyone was trying to grasp the meaning of what had just happened. The talk, for the first time in months if ever, switched to what Syria may be like after Bashar and the Baath regime are gone. Some of those people had never contemplated life without an Assad at the helm. It was something to behold, and I bet it happened in every household, non Syrians will never understand the symbolism of this act. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear something really big happening in the next few days or short weeks.
March 5th, 2013, 2:40 am
Juergen said:
Der Spiegel author Christoph Reuter made this video report from Aleppo:
http://www.spiegel.tv/filme/spiegel-reporter-christoph-reuter-frontbericht-aleppo/
local Reggae tunes from Syria
http://www.reverbnation.com/tootard/song/4511292-jenna
March 5th, 2013, 2:53 am
Juergen said:
March 5th, 2013, 3:27 am
SANDRO LOEWE said:
REVENIRE
You are a psychopath who enjoys watching syrians being massacred. On the other side we do not enjoy the death of syrian regular soldiers because they are sons of the people obligued to fight for Assad tribal and silly points of view.
March 5th, 2013, 3:42 am
SANDRO LOEWE said:
144. Juergen
Nice video about Damascus. It eally hurts inside to go bck to the old times that will never be the same again.
March 5th, 2013, 3:45 am
omen said:
117. visitor, but don’t mistake my conciliatory tone. i still object your sectarianism.
March 5th, 2013, 4:15 am
Syrialover said:
Feel like a laugh?
Best quotes from Assad’s Sunday Times interview.
http://antoningregoire.wordpress.com/2013/03/03/assads-best-quotes/
When you look at his words it’s quite hilarious.
March 5th, 2013, 4:19 am
Syrialover said:
“The Syria I knew”
http://beta.syriadeeply.org/op-eds/2013/03/syria-knew/
March 5th, 2013, 4:49 am
abc said:
Here is a good article to explain the psychology of Bashar Assad and why he is doing this to Syria. The article Daddy Dearest by Nihad Sirees the Syrian writer.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2013/03/04/daddy-dearest-inside-the-mind-of-bashar-al-assad.html
Here is also an interview with Nihad Sirees from the same place on what is happening in Syria
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2013/03/04/the-prophet-of-aleppo.html
March 5th, 2013, 5:56 am
Akbar Palace said:
In Post 134. omen said:
the west claims it doesn’t want to support rebel islamists who spout anti-israeli rhetoric. well, morsi has also has spouted anti-israeli rhetoric. the u.s. doesn’t have a problem advancing nearly a billion dollars for egypt.
it’s not bad enough the world just sits back and allows the regime to mow down people. it also has to add salt to the wound and blatantly lie about its lack of support.
Omen,
cc: Visitor
Similar sentiments have been espoused by Visitor, who, I think, tends to point a finger at the US government and “the West” more than anyone else.
The US is rightfully concerned about Islamists taking the place of the despots like Assad. It isn’t clear at this point what that means. Granted, free elections and democracy is what you want. What you don’t want is an Islamist government that gets elected and then, once elected, bans opposition parties and gets rid of freedoms.
So again, my question is, why the anger at the US, who has been hated and rejected by the arab world since time immemorial? Did you really expect the US to suddenly send blood and treasure like we did in Iraq? And why is it I sense no anger at all against Russia and China, who PREVENTED stiff UNSC resolutions against Assad and who are working blatantly AGAINST the opposition? And why no pleas for help to the 22 member Arab League? And frankly, why isn’t al-Queda toppling Russian and Chinese sky-scrapers for their support of Assad?
As you can see, I have yet to get a concrete answer to these simple questions.
Thanks.
March 5th, 2013, 7:06 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Observer said
Arab nationalism dead and buried I see no other ideology than an Islamist one in place.
This statement is extremely important ,and it will shape the future of Syria.and the American policy and the Russian policy.
It will take several books to discuss such statement,but the truth is,who is talking about Arabic nationalism now or in the near future?
Arab nationalism was born and flourished in response to zionism,how Israel will respond to the death of Arab nationalism?.
How the Islamic ideology will shape the middle east in the future?Who would be the leader of the middle East,if such an ideology will be the prevailing one?
What would be the Russian response if Islamic ideology prevailed in the M.E.?
Syrian revolution is the turning point in the future history of the ME and probably the world, for a century.
March 5th, 2013, 7:34 am
Uzair8 said:
142. DAMASCUSROSE
This comment should be included in the next main post in my opinion.
March 5th, 2013, 7:49 am
Uzair8 said:
It was sad to see what looked like mainly unarmed celebrating civilians being hurt or martyred by the shelling around the Raqqa statue. It is sad that some people on here and elsewhere are celebrating this cowardly attack.
What a pointless and spiteful attack. How many rebels if any were hurt? I saw one wounded woman being carried to a car.
You know what? I saw the best of syrians and what the revolution stands for when the people, instead of running for safety, ran towards the wounded to help out. That is selfless courage. The threat of more mortars was a real one and it was still a very dangerous situation.
March 5th, 2013, 7:58 am
revenire said:
Just as Sharmine Narwani reported, most of the dead are males… either soldiers or rats.
“Syrian Observatory for Human Rights
Final death toll for Monday 4/3/2013: Approximately 260 Syrians were killed, most of them were regime forces and rebel fighters.”
March 5th, 2013, 8:06 am
Uzair8 said:
Posted on Yalla Souriya last night:
======================
A father tells the story of his sons burned alive because they refuse to become shabbiha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTw3J0PjHek
http://yallasouriya.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/a-father-tells-the-story-of-his-sons/
=====================
My heart goes out to this father and to others who have similarly suffered a sad and tragic personal loss.
This is also very worrying from another aspect. This suggests that the regime has ways to significantly replenish and increase it’s forces.
March 5th, 2013, 8:07 am
Visitor said:
Akbar Palace,
Patience.
I will answer all your questions. But I need the time.
You did make some good points. And you did make points that are off topic.
I will get back to you on all.
March 5th, 2013, 8:48 am
revenire said:
The government has plenty of soldiers. For every soldier that is murdered by the rats a dozen new ones volunteer to defend their country.
March 5th, 2013, 9:15 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Akbar Palace
Suppose you are poor and have a very rich uncle who does not visit you or help you, then catastrophy hits you,wouldn’t you ask your uncle for help? if he does ,knowing what a difficult time you are going thru, this will change dramatically your attitude toward him,,,and you would treat him ,from now on,in a very respectfull and loving way, if he snubbed you you will hate him even more.
At a time of crisis,relations changes dramatically.
March 5th, 2013, 9:16 am
ghufran said:
?????? ?????::???? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? ????? ??????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ???????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ???????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ???????? ?17 ?????? ?? ??????? ???????? ???? ???????? ?? ?????? ???????? ??? ??????? ??? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ?????
source: SOHR
expect a lot of blood shed in that peaceful town, the invasion of Raqqa was a stupid mistake and will only lead to the destruction of the city which has little significance if the goal is toppling the regime. I will post a list of stolen antiquities that were taken out of Raqqa museum yesterday, the looting is now wide spread as a lot of people ran away for their lives.
toz feekon wa bihal thawra
March 5th, 2013, 9:42 am
Akbar Palace said:
Majadkhaldoun,
Thanks for the reply. If I haven’t stated this yet, I find you to be one of the most respectful of the Islamists here.
As far as your description above, are you comparing the relationship between Syria and the US as that between a rich uncle and a poor person?
Here’s the deal from my vantage point as a Jewish-American. As an American, we need to support freedom and democracy EVERYWHERE, period. And sometimes we don’t, and I think that’s wrong, especially when so many innocent people are getting killed.
But the reality is, the arab world for the most part, are very anti-American. We’ve come to the aide of some many arabs and muslims, and what do we have to show for it? Not much. Yes, it is frustrating for many: americans, arabs, freedom lovers, and everyone in between.
And who is your “uncle” really? Is it Uncle Sam or is it the King who reigns over Mecca? Doesn’t charity start at home?
As I’ve said repeatedly, I wish Obama and the US would do more, but…
March 5th, 2013, 9:47 am
revenire said:
Check the news on Raqqa. The army is attacking now. Rockets are flying. The air force is killing fleeing rats.
It will be funny to watch the Tweets from today about “the fall of Raqqa”.
The statue was a photo op because what happened two minutes after was the real story.
March 5th, 2013, 9:53 am
ghufran said:
They denounce the brutality of the regime but they refuse to call terrorists by their true name: Terrorists:
Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has called on the government to clarify its stance on al Qaeda, after Turkey’s ambassador to Chad said on Twitter that the group “is not a terrorist organization.”
(I guess the Ottoman ambassador is from the same species of a number of people here who thinks Nusra and sister terror groups are “good people”)
March 5th, 2013, 9:54 am
Tara said:
Ghufran,
Of course. Assad or will burn the country. Now that Assad is kicked out from Raqqa, who cares? The 250 K population and the additional internally displaced 800 K are all rats and deserve to be bombarded.
And that is why we must get rid of Assad and his thugs no matter what.
March 5th, 2013, 9:55 am
zoo said:
Visitor
You want to belong to your “holy heroes”?
http://rantsofasassystew.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/asshole-posters.jpeg.jpg
March 5th, 2013, 10:06 am
Juergen said:
Uzair/Damascusrose
That is absolutely right, I think this comment deserves this. So far I can tell, I think every Syrian from whatever side knows this feeling when all this mounted pressure finds an way out, the first calls for an end to this regime as well as this giant Assad fall in the dust and was greeted by young and old for their private bashing of this regime. One I was contacting yesterday commented after seeing the first images, the only thing which he said was missing was someone take a leak on Assad. Well, exactly that has happend, one older men did water the ears of Assad.
March 5th, 2013, 10:12 am
zoo said:
Was Mustafa Kemal his real grand-father? or the King has an allergy?
Jordanian King Abdullah moved to tears at Atatürk mausoleum
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/jordanian-king-abdullah-moved-to-tears-at-ataturk-mausoleum.aspx?pageID=238&nID=42370&NewsCatID=359
Jordanian King Abdullah II shed tears today as he visited An?tkabir, the mausoleum dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey.
March 5th, 2013, 10:16 am
mjabali said:
What Observer and Majedkhaldoun discussed was important: what happened to Arab Nationalism and are we looking now at a state, or states, with Islamic identity/identities?
Arab Nationalism in Syria was a big joke for many reasons, most importantly most of the Syrian population are not Arab ethnically. Calling the Ottoman super mix Arabs did not work. The same could be said about the Muslim Ummah because there is not one single area in the Middle East that does not have multiple religions and races.
The only solution for Syria, in particular, and the Middle East in general, is a modern law that gives any state a space where all of its components could live together. It is obvious that this Arab Spring had opened the eye of Islamists who dream about establishing their state. But, one should really look into the rationality behind this goal. So far, the Islamists are showing guns and a will to fight for their dream, the others are taking a vocation or fighting online.
Syria is a mixed country in every sense and any type of religiosity in the political outlook is dangerous for its population.
March 5th, 2013, 10:20 am
Tara said:
,,,,
March 5th, 2013, 10:27 am
zoo said:
Raqqa is already hosting refugees from other unsafe ‘liberated’ areas. It is estimated that there are around 800,000 people in a city that normally hosts 250,000.
Raqqa has been a safe haven for displaced people. It is no more.
It is expected that there will be continuous bombings and heavy fights in Raqqa for a while. This and the presence of armed rebels and Al Nusra fighters in Raqqa may trigger an unprecedented exodus refugees toward Turkey. To prevent that, the need for a no-fly zone is becoming increasingly urgent.
I expect Turkey to use Raqqa to escalate the blames and call for ‘humanity’ in order to corner the West to create the no-fly zone.
Maybe the attack on Raqqa was part of the Turkish and Qatari strategy to force the establishment of the long demanded no-fly zone on a ‘humanitarian’ grounds
March 5th, 2013, 10:38 am
Visitor said:
Akbar Palace 114 & 151,
I have to respond to you quickly because I have quite few things going on.
1) You seem to be aware of the false ‘reformer’ label, and that is good. But we are not discussing YOUR political affiliations. What matters here is the behaviour of the US administration which in the end amounted to a stab in the back to the Syrian people and revolution. I am also aware you’re for US military intervention. But I am against that and already mentioned it.
2) Turkey’s cutting of diplomatic relations with Israel over 9 Turks murdered on high seas is irrelevant to the topic.
3) “the WORLD is guilty of inaction”: we are not discussing the world. We are discussing hypocrisy of the US which is worse than non-action. China and Russia made it clear where they stand and they offer no apologies. It doesn’t mean they get absolution if they are not mentioned.
4) No. The US did not have soldiers in Turkey, Qatar or KSA to prevent those governments from arming the revolution. They used diplomatic and political pressure to do so, while arms and money were flowing umimpeded to the dictator from Russia and Iran.
5) You cannot equate war against dictators with war against terror. The definition of war on terror as far as the US is concerned is inspired from well known events. While dictators use terror as foreign policy tool, yet they often claim they are on the same side as the US in this so-called war. We know full well the US and Syria collaborated on this issue as far back as at least 2003.
6) No. We do not want the US to spend blood and treaure as it presumably did in Iraq, In fact, even in the Iraqi case, and despite the despicable nature of the Saddam regime, it wasn’t for the US to go in and topple the regime. It was the Iraqi’s job to do it. Instead the US created a far worse situation which is threatening to explode, and it WILL explode, right in front of our eyes.
7) Again you bring up the mantra of Islamists just to create a feeble execuse for US manuveuring and manipulation. It is NOT for the US to influence or determine the outcome in Syria. It is completely and exclusively up to the Syrians to do so. They can choose the devil if they want to. So what is in it for the US?
I have to go now. If you respond, please be patient again….
March 5th, 2013, 10:42 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Akbar Palace
What I like about you is that you are republican,and you believe in freedom,I differ from you ,I believe in justice.
You said
“And who is your “uncle” really? Is it Uncle Sam or is it the King who reigns over Mecca? Doesn’t charity start at home?”
It is not money I was talking about, it is specific weapons against jets bombing civilians,and Scud missiles, KSA can not give such weapons to the rebels without USA approval.
March 5th, 2013, 10:43 am
Visitor said:
And that is you Zoo dick head,
http://media.beta.photobucket.com/user/cherokee92-bucket/media/asshole.jpg.html?filters%5Bterm%5D=asshole&filters%5Bprimary%5D=images&filters%5Bsecondary%5D=videos&sort=1&o=18#/user/cherokee92-bucket/media/asshole.jpg.html?filters%5Bterm%5D=asshole&filters%5Bprimary%5D=images&filters%5Bsecondary%5D=videos&sort=1&o=18&_suid=136249837996908013300447986462
March 5th, 2013, 10:48 am
ghufran said:
Criminals who loot and abuse residents are not necessarily political, they will side with whoever has the upper hand, that is why you will always see thugs who change loyalty by the day. it is the security vacuum that creates the problem, that vacuum is to a large extent the result of the militarization of the conflict, for that I absolutely blame the opposition despite the fact that regime behavior is what made people revolt in the first place. Rebels did not keep civil peace in their areas and did not stop thieves, indeed many of those thieves were the rebels themselves. I am ,like many Syrians , disappointed because the last thing Syria needs is to get rid of old thugs only to replace them with new ones, watching Egypt,Libya,Tunisia,etc deepened my conviction,not the opposite, that this is a failed nation and that Islam today is the religion most terrorists and thugs choose, I assure you that it pains me personally to say that ,after all I want my kids and grand kids to be proud of their heritage,but the truth must be told.
March 5th, 2013, 10:50 am
revenire said:
The rats looted Raqqa Museum before the army returned. Many civilians fled to Deir Ezzor to get away from the terrorists.
March 5th, 2013, 10:51 am
zoo said:
#174 Visitor
I won’t even bother clicking on it!
March 5th, 2013, 10:51 am
Visitor said:
Bonehead Zoo 175, idiot craving popularity,
I know you already clicked on it, and you are seething with anger up to the boiling point, because, that is exactly what you see when you look in the mirror. Now you are flashing all over SC for everyone to see you.
hehehehe….
You are pathetic!!!
March 5th, 2013, 11:00 am
zoo said:
#177 Visitor
I have got enough from your filthy writing to want to check your filthy links. Keep hoping.
On this blog, the Israelis are your only faithful followers . To let us believe that you’re popular, you keep manipulating the thumbs up. I have the proof.
You are fake to the bones.
March 5th, 2013, 11:26 am
Johannes de Silentio said:
178. ZOO
“Visitor, the Israelis are your only followers”
Whoa! Vattie’s a Jew? Who wouldda thunk it?
A New Bashar Cartoon:
http://latuffcartoons.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/anti-bashar-protest-london-october-29-2011-getty-images.jpg?w=590&h=516
March 5th, 2013, 11:31 am
Visitor said:
Pathetic mummer Zoo @178,
Try as you may to delude yourself and others, but the general consensus here is that you are full of filth to the brim. No one can compete with you. You are number one in this area.
Zoo/Irritated/Warren/…Cat with multiple incarnations.
You won’t be able to change that.
March 5th, 2013, 11:32 am
Ziad said:
?? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ??????? ?????? ?????? … ???? ????????? ???? ? ???? ? ???? ???? ? ??????? ????? ????? …
??? (???? ???? ???? ? ????) :?? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ???? …?? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ??? …??? ?? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ? ????? ?? ??? ???? ? ?? ??? ?? ? ?? ??? ??..
March 5th, 2013, 11:34 am
zoo said:
Visitor
miaou….
March 5th, 2013, 11:35 am
Visitor said:
Despite the fact that I always abhored nationalism and considered it to be the roots of all evil, yet I appreciate it when someone is true to his Arab heritage as all Syrians are (except some lost ones),
http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2013/03/05/269745.html
The Arab chief has lived to his word.
So being an Arab is not derived from being a pathetic Baathist – an ideology imported from evil Nazism.
Baathism is an abomination to Arabism.
March 5th, 2013, 11:37 am
revenire said:
Visitor please, we’ve all had enough of your babbling.
March 5th, 2013, 11:38 am
Visitor said:
Rodent Revenire,
You think you make a difference here? It is as if you’re less than a rodent!
March 5th, 2013, 11:46 am
revenire said:
Make a difference? To what? This is a message board – no more, no less.
How is the war going? I see the rats in Homs are calling for help. Check Twitter. They sound rather desperate. You know what I mean.
Raqqa too. Check pro-terrorist Tweeps reports on the air force and army actions. I thought the terrorists took the city? You know as well as I do the population there supports the government.
March 5th, 2013, 12:14 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
???? ???????? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ??????? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ???????? ??????? ????? ????? ??????? ????????? ..
March 5th, 2013, 12:20 pm
Akbar Palace said:
172. majedkhaldoun said:
What I like about you is that you are republican,and you believe in freedom,I differ from you ,I believe in justice.
Thanks. Usually admitting to be a republican and/or conservative (in my neck of the woods) is a no-no. We’re mostly despised and, of course, 80%+ of the Jewish-American population are probably registered democrats. It can be frustrating. I’ve tried to hear their arguments, but, they have yet to win me over.
You said
“And who is your “uncle” really? Is it Uncle Sam or is it the King who reigns over Mecca? Doesn’t charity start at home?”
It is not money I was talking about, it is specific weapons against jets bombing civilians,and Scud missiles, KSA can not give such weapons to the rebels without USA approval.
“Justice”, to me, is a goal, like “rule of law”. It’s something you want to attain, but you’ll never get all the way there. It is not an “ideology” or a religion. Life isn’t fair, and so if I expect life to be fair for me and everyone else, I’ll be waiting a long time. I like the phrase “build a bridge and get over it”. You can try to recover something you deserve or lost, but you have to be careful it doesn’t totally consume you.
Visitor,
We’re both sort of busy, so I’ll try to be brief. I am sensing we may just have to agree to disagree on some of these points. I understand your point-of-view a little better, in any case.
Now to your points:
1) You seem to be aware of the false ‘reformer’ label, and that is good.
Absolutely. Not only are Kerry and Clinton, the dumbest of all past American SoSs, they’re just plain unqualified. Any schmuck could do a better job than these 2. BUt they represent Obama, who cares so much about people suffering in Libya. ‘Nuff said.
What matters here is the behaviour of the US administration which in the end amounted to a stab in the back to the Syrian people and revolution.
The US is doing very little. I agree. Very little. Almost nothing. Is it a “stab in the back to the Syrian people”? Yes, I think so.
I am also aware you’re for US military intervention. But I am against that and already mentioned it.
Please, when you have the time, make a short list of (5?) things you would like the US to do, if it isn’t “military intervention”, just so I can see more about what you’re talking about.
2) Turkey’s cutting of diplomatic relations with Israel over 9 Turks murdered on high seas is irrelevant to the topic.
OK. But what has Turkey done to help Syrians? Has TURKEY stabbed the backs of Syrians in your view?
3) “the WORLD is guilty of inaction”: we are not discussing the world. We are discussing hypocrisy of the US which is worse than non-action. China and Russia made it clear where they stand and they offer no apologies. It doesn’t mean they get absolution if they are not mentioned.
OK, the US is hypocritical. I agree. Hypocritical and stupid.
So now that we agree, what now? And why can’t we focus on the world instead of just the US? The US is just one country of many. And why no focus on your arab and muslim brethren? Doesn’t charity begin at home?
4) … They used diplomatic and political pressure to do so, while arms and money were flowing umimpeded to the dictator from Russia and Iran.
Used pressure to do what exactly?
5) … While dictators use terror as foreign policy tool, yet they often claim they are on the same side as the US in this so-called war. We know full well the US and Syria collaborated on this issue as far back as at least 2003.
Who is claiming to be “on the same side as the US in this so-called war”?? What did the US and Syria collaborate on? As far as I know the only thing the US collaborated on was the Israeli attacks on the nuclear site and the recent missile convoy to Hezbo-allah.
6) … it wasn’t for the US to go in and topple the regime. It was the Iraqi’s job to do it.
Well, if the US didn’t do it, we’d still have a another Baathist sitting on his throne in Baghdad.
7) Again you bring up the mantra of Islamists just to create a feeble execuse for US manuveuring and manipulation.
I’m just saying an Islamist government is highly suspect to the US. An Islamist world-view goes against freedom and democracy in most cases today. Turkey would be an example that seems to work, maybe Egypt, and in most cases, like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Gaza, Pakistan, it doesn work very well. I think a moderate Islamist state can work, and I think the people need to decide.
I have to go now.
OK, later…
March 5th, 2013, 12:21 pm
Ziad said:
‘Slamming Syrian reform, but backing Saudi Arabia regime, US unmasks own hypocrisy’
http://rt.com/op-edge/us-hypocrisy-gulf-kerry-815/
March 5th, 2013, 12:39 pm
Mina said:
Mjabali 168
… and because they have there “little identity problem” and want to say to every other tribe that they are more machos than the neighbours, none of these country can protect women unless when a complete dictatorship rules and make the tribes and clerics peaceful?
March 5th, 2013, 12:47 pm
revenire said:
Where is my good friend AJ today? He was intoxicated about Raqqa yesterday strutting and crowing like a rooster in a hen house. Today he’s sobered up a bit. Raqqa never fell to the rats but there is a lot of fighting there. The terrorists swooped down on a peaceful city of government supporters and refugees fleeing the war. Bravo FSA! You brought more death to the Syrians you claim to want to protect!
March 5th, 2013, 1:19 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
http://www.globalarabnetwork.com/politics/51-syria-politics/9724-2013-03-05-20-09-09
March 5th, 2013, 1:28 pm
revenire said:
Ha ha more helicopters down? Good. Our pilots need to remain on their toes as they hunt the rodents in the FSA.
March 5th, 2013, 1:34 pm
zoo said:
The Syrian Air force is pounding the security buildings where the rebels are gathered. Most civilians are probably leaving again to a safer place. After Hama, Homs and Aleppo, will Raqqa be recaptured or will it become the first promised Caliphate?
http://www.timesofisrael.com/syrian-planes-pound-opposition-forces-in-raqqa/
BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian warplanes struck captured security buildings in Raqqa Tuesday, casting a pall over the northern city a day after euphoric rebels seized much of it and captured the provincial governor, one of the highest-ranking officials to fall into rebel hands, activists said.
….
But airstrikes and intermittent clashes Tuesday raised questions about whether the rebels would be able to maintain their hold on the city.
..
The Observatory said government warplanes carried out airstrikes on two targets in the city, causing an unspecified number of casualties. It also reported heavy fighting near an ammunition depot on the northern edge of the city. Abdul-Rahman said there were reports of more than 100 people killed over the past two days but the casualty toll could not be confirmed.
Another Raqqa-based activist, Mustafa Othman, said the warplanes struck several targets in Raqqa, including former security buildings now under the control of the rebels. He said regime elements also were holed up in two other security buildings — one in the south and the second in the north of the city.
Gunfire could be heard in the background as he spoke via Skype. He said at least six people were killed Tuesday.
He insisted Raqqa was completely liberated but said as long as the regime controls the skies “I don’t know if I’ll be alive in the next minute.”
March 5th, 2013, 1:52 pm
Syrialover said:
The reported gains in Raqqa and the pulldown of that obscene Hafez statue were fantastic news.
BUT the world shouldn’t ignore the terrible price which will probably be paid now by the people of Raqqa.
First there was the mortar smashing into the city square while they celebrated, doing savage damage to humans and buildings.
And now the war planes have arrived. (Warplanes bomb Raqqa after rebel gains – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21666917)
Will it be like Palmyra where a group recently blew up the military intelligence building. That’s all they managed to achieve, and the town has now been destroyed by furious revenge air bombing. Thousands of locals have become dsperate refugees, and there are reports that the world heritage monuments in Palmyra are also being bombed as part of the “country burning” program.
Footnote: A consolation image. The Governor of Raqqa – a worried man
https://twitter.com/zaidbenjamin/status/308870348512833536/photo/1
March 5th, 2013, 1:58 pm
zoo said:
Majed
If their visit to Obama happens, I think that is the kind of message Al Khatib and Idriss will get: “the USA warns you that our support will go in priority to forces that fight with us against Al Qaeeda, Al Nusra and other Islamist terrorists in the region.
If you agree with this priority, reject your alliance with Al Nusra and put your forces to fight against it that then you are on board, otherwise we’ll leave you to your fate.”
March 5th, 2013, 2:04 pm
revenire said:
New Yak-130s enter the fight:
“yalla souriya ?@YallaSouriya
Seems that the regime has received new russian YAK130 #Syria, and no video but aftermah in #Homs
http://yallasouriya.wordpress.com/2013/03/05/syria-a-whole-tower-in-homs-was-destroyed/“
March 5th, 2013, 2:08 pm
Johannes de Silentio said:
The Opposition doesn’t need to win a single battle. All they need is to keep an army in the field and force the regime to fight. Every time a regime soldier goes down, the regime forces get smaller. No one is rushing to Syria to help Bashar (except for Iran and Hezbollah). And as the body bags go back to Iran and South Lebanon, those guys will see that supporting the Assad Mafia is like investing in a train wreck…
A New Bashar Cartoon:
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/About/General/2012/3/15/1331851605093/Steve-Bell-cartoon-004.jpg
March 5th, 2013, 2:09 pm
Visitor said:
MajedK,
You have one more prediction to ‘worry’ (laugh) about.
Zoo (aka Warren) now works in the White House. He cleans O.’s boots.
March 5th, 2013, 2:10 pm
zoo said:
#196 SL
The sad part is that all the civilians who fled ‘liberated’ towns and villages to find safety in Raqqa are no more safe and must flee again to other regions. They are the ones paying the price of this rebels ‘victory’
March 5th, 2013, 2:13 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Visitor
Zoo,the more nervous he gets,the more funny predictions he says
March 5th, 2013, 2:16 pm
zoo said:
“DOHA, March 5 (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday that Washington was increasingly confident that weapons being sent to the Syrian opposition by other countries were going to moderate forces.”
But would they stay with moderates? Will Al Nusra stand and watch new weapons going to the moderates without any reaction?
Either the USA is subtly pushing for an Al Nusra-FSA military confrontation or they have very naive.
“Saudi Arabia and Qatar share the West’s alarm at the rise of al Qaeda-aligned groups in Syria, and say the answer is for outsiders such as themselves to be more involved in backing rebels there.”
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/kerry-us-more-confident-arms-flow-to-syria-moderates
March 5th, 2013, 2:19 pm
Ziad said:
????? ???? ???? ????? ??? ??????? ???????? ?? ????? .. ??????? ????????? ?????
http://www.globalarabnetwork.com/politics/51-syria-politics/9720-2013-03-05-19-31-48
March 5th, 2013, 2:24 pm
ghufran said:
hint,hint:
NAIROBI, Kenya — Uhuru Kenyatta, a Kenyan politician who has been charged by the International Criminal Court with crimes against humanity, was leading by a wide margin in the Kenya election on Tuesday, with nearly half the votes counted.
March 5th, 2013, 2:28 pm
zoo said:
Majie
My ‘funny’ prediction is depending on the realization of your ‘serious’ prediction: Will Al Khatib meet Obama in Washington?
March 5th, 2013, 2:31 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
No Zoo, they may be coming to visit me.and Visitor.
March 5th, 2013, 2:47 pm
zoo said:
The majority of civilians flee ‘liberated’ cities.
Even as rebels capture key cities, their drive through northern Syria slows as ammo and supplies run low
MAARET AL-NUMAN, Syria — The rebels’ capture of this strategic city was a key success in their advances in northern Syria against regime forces. But it’s so far proven an incomplete victory. Maaret al-Numan remains a shell of a city.
One major reason: Rebels have been unable to take a large regime military base on the edge of the city. Artillery fire from Wadi Deif and other nearby government strongholds regularly thuds into its largely empty residential buildings, while warplanes pound surrounding villages. The vast majority of the population has fled and it’s too unsafe for them to return.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/rebels-drive-northern-syria-slows-ammo-supplies-run-article-1.1279932#ixzz2MhGdXuRb
March 5th, 2013, 2:55 pm
omen said:
51. Akbar Palace said:
are you saying the US is above reproach? the US surpasses israel in terms of war crimes it has committed. did you not follow the bush years?
i want what syrians want. the top priority is unseating this regime. syrians will take care of the post-assad era. this fear of the unknown is used as an excuse by the west not to aid in the toppling of the regime.
in other words, you correctly assess the US is quite willing to tolerate this genocidal regime preferring it the imagined alternative. what you dont acknowledge is that it is willing to do so for the sake of its own interests. this alleged fear of islamists is not the reason for the west’s tolerance for evil autocrats. US policy is driven by profit, not concern over a rag tag group of bearded men. chomsky once noted it’s not radical islam that worries the US, it’s independence. the people’s inherent right to self determination is also something israel fears.
i don’t support a ground invasion ala iraq. intervention on such a grand scale is not needed here. it would take sooo little for the US to help shorten the war by shifting the balance of power to favor the rebels, yet it is unwilling to do so. the US is unwilling to pursue even non-military initiatives what would serve to undermine the regime – such as working to build international pressure to expel syrian diplomatic officials overseas, repeated offers of amnesty for regime inner circle to cause them to step down, or sanctions to bar russia and iran from arming the regime, etc. inaction of this kind of approach betrays a lack of commitment in removing assad.
US has a history of supporting, if not installing, god awful dictators with wretched records of abusing the populace. does that not merit hatred? let me turn your question around. where is your anger? why do you tolerate america’s abuse of the region? the thing is it would be easy for the US to make amends for past history. libyans used to hate britian, france and the US. now they regard these nations with appreciation for having helped get rid of gaddafi.
March 5th, 2013, 2:57 pm
Sami said:
The fact that Brigadier Idriss is meeting with the EU parliament which holds the key to changing EU laws in regards to arming the opposition is so much more important than meeting Obama.
Having said that the white house only offered a non-denial on whether Al-Khatib will meet Obama or not at the white house:
They then added afterwords:
http://ilhantanir.blogspot.ca/2013/03/update-from-white-house.html?m=1
Spin that…
March 5th, 2013, 2:57 pm
zoo said:
Majie , are you admitting that you posted a lie?
???? ???????? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ??????? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ???????? ??????? ????? ????? ??????? ????????? ..
March 5th, 2013, 3:01 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Zoo,
You’re a fool. Almost all your prediction are wrong.
March 5th, 2013, 3:12 pm
zoo said:
@210 Sami
The EU is a joke. France and the UK promised to remove the arms embargo and failed. France promised there would be a ‘government in exile withing weeks’, 6 months ago and nothing happened, the opposition Syrian “ambassador’ in France is still looking for a few square meters to put his desk. France is now engulfed in Mali and criticized by Qatar and Turkey. Europe is in the deepest economical crisis they ever lived.
We are still waiting for the promise made in Rome with the gang of 11, that included 5 EU members that there will be a elected government with a PM to control the ‘liberated areas’. The “election” was then postponed sine die. We had instead the pathetic visit of Al Khatib in an unheard village a few kms from the Turkish border.
Like Turkey, the EU shout and gives advices but they are powerless.
Without the USA, the rebels will remain in limbo. With the USA, they become puppets. Tough choice.
March 5th, 2013, 3:17 pm
Syrialover said:
OBSERVER, MAJEDKHALDOUN
cc MJABALI
“Arab nationalism” was a tool of manipulation used by people who did not represent or care about the populations or know how to build modern states.
When you talk about government shaped by an Islamist identity for Syria and other countries in the region are you talking about what you would approve and accept (though not living there), or what you are fearing could happen?
else
I don’t want Islamist government happening in Syria or anywhere in the ME because they it will be a disastrous waste of time and resources that the long-suffering people in this region simply cannnot afford.
While they run their course and the experiment is rejected, the future will be lost for the 60% of the population who are young and desperately in need of hope and jobs.
Plenty of wise and devout Muslims in Syria, Libya, Tunisia and Egypt are arguing the same.
They see Islamist political groups as power hungry, authoritarian and unqualified and incomopetent to run their country.
A lesson is Iran, which has survived only because it has oil, but is way, way below what it should be given its human and economic resources. A terrible waste of a country where its best and brightest and young see no future under its current “leadership”.
But the guts of the argument is that a sectarian government by nature will always have an agenda that means injustice, inequality, repression and ecoonmic and social disadvantage for “the others” who fall outside or reject that particular imposed version of religion and identity.
This is put better than I can in that clear thinking article I linked recently, which points out that the sectarian “narrative” for Syria is political propaganda that is analytically unsound and morally problematic.
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/02/2013225165410892976.html
March 5th, 2013, 3:19 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Zoo,
Almost everything you say is wrong or inaccurate. I think you were the one who predicted:
1. Khatib was planning to negotiate seriously.
2. Taftanatz would not fall.
3. The regime is winning.
You can say whatever you want about other people, but the truth is that you are a fool. As I’ve said before: regime supporters can’t see the truth even when it’s staring at them in the face.
March 5th, 2013, 3:19 pm
omen said:
why was iraq worth intervention but not syria? did we invade iraq out of fear of or in retaliation against islamists? i don’t think so.
i’m also disturbed by your implication that syrians are undeserving or unworthy of defense.
in terms of treasure, our inaction will wind up costing us more in the long run. the refugee crisis threatens to destabilize neighboring countries. we are forced to pay to feed and house the desperate. it would have been cheaper to unseat the regime early on. that would have avoided displacement and spared syria from being reduced to rubble.
March 5th, 2013, 3:23 pm
zoo said:
#215 Mari
Do you suffer of Alzheimer already? I though you were young.
March 5th, 2013, 3:26 pm
revenire said:
Marigoldran let’s try to behave ourselves or mom says no SpaghettiOs® after your bath.
Syria will be fine after we eradicate the cancerous rats sent by the Zionists.
March 5th, 2013, 3:30 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Trying to change the subject, aren’t you? Your predictions, oh moron, are always wrong.
Haven’t you noticed this yet too?
My predictions on the other hand are mostly correct.
I’ve always wondered about this:
What special quality do you have that makes you so stupid despite all the evidence that you’re wrong? I couldn’t make worse predictions even if I tried. I guess you must have a natural talent for it.
March 5th, 2013, 3:31 pm
zoo said:
Dr Nusa A Keilani: Decisive days ahead
March 06, 2013
http://gulftoday.ae/portal/a6795be8-2aea-43b0-86cc-435e9a2c9b9d.aspx
An Israeli “intelligence” report says that March 5 was set as the date for peace talks to open in Moscow between the Syrian opposition and the Assad regime.
According to the report, Khatib was waiting to meet Moallem himself in the Russian capital by the end of February to set up the talks.
It says that Assad has taken his resignation off the agenda and insists on reserving the option to run again for president in 2014. He is backed in this by Russian President Vladimir Putin. And even the Syrian opposition appears to have tacitly bowed to this precondition — it is an admission that the rebel movement has reached the limit of its endurance, and Assad’s genocidal, no-holds-barred tactics have paid off.
The report goes on to say that with all their acclaimed victories, rebel forces know that their desperate bid to conquer Damascus was repulsed by the Syrian army’s superior fire power and heavy armour. They were thrown back from the heart of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city. And they failed to gain control of Assad’s chemical arsenal.
Ferocious fighting failed to bring the big Syrian Air Force bases into rebel hands. Now, most of the fighting opposition to the regime is ready to negotiate terms for a ceasefire as the opening gambit for a political settlement. They face their enemy Bashar Al Asad who is standing firm as the unvanquished ruler of Syria and commander-in-chief of its armed forces at the cost of 80-100,000 victims and a ravaged country.
“In so doing, Assad has cemented the Tehran-Damascus-Hizbollah alliance. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s sphere of influence now stretches from the Gulf up to the Mediterranean — his reward for the billion dollars worth of aid per month he poured into buttressing Assad,” says the report.
…
What are we to understand from this report? Israeli “intelligence” does not let loose such talk without strategic objective. Obviously, such an assessment in public seems to be mainly aimed at reminding Western powers that the goal of “regime change” in Syria as a precursor to weaken Iran remains elusive.
March 5th, 2013, 3:32 pm
MarigoldRan said:
As I’ve said Zoo:
If you’re wrong (and you are), I’m going to hold you up to it. You’re getting no more than what you deserve. Poetic justice, I call it.
Like what the regime is getting these days. Anyways, have fun. Unlike the retard, I have a job and a life to live.
March 5th, 2013, 3:34 pm
ALI said:
“????? ?????? ?? ??? ?? ???? ????? ???? “??? ??????? ????? ????? ????????? ???????.. ????? 60 ??????”? ????? ?? ?????????? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ????????.”
It feels good.
Taking the Raqqa back is an easy task, we have an endless weaponry supply from friends and unlimited Sunni soldiers to put them in the front line.
March 5th, 2013, 3:41 pm
zoo said:
The end of the Turkish ‘liberal’ soap operas era?
A more conservative script for Turkey’s relatively liberal culture
Hadeel Al Sayegh
Mar 6, 2013
Read more: http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/a-more-conservative-script-for-turkeys-relatively-liberal-culture#ixzz2MhStKBP3
Follow us: @TheNationalUAE on Twitter | thenational.ae on Facebook
March 5th, 2013, 3:42 pm
Syrialover said:
Apart from an opportunic knee jerk from ZOO, does anyone else here care about the consequences for the local population of revenge aerial bombing of Raqqa and Palmyra? (ref. my comment in #195).
As we sit here, more terror, death and lives and homes destroyed, more infrastructure smashed. More aid, more rebuilding. Two years on, fresh and unexpected waves of loss and suffering for many thousands who were hunkered down hoping to survive.
Maybe it’s inevitable collateral to the fight to displace Assad, but how about some sympathy and awareness? And how about some support for al-Khatib who is sincere with his call for stopping the hell for all Syrians?
March 5th, 2013, 3:45 pm
zoo said:
Jihadis grow more dangerous as they conquer hearts in Syria
Hassan Hassan Mar 6, 2013
…
The new jihadi strategy – “we are here to stay” – presents new challenges that cannot be solved by drone strikes or other military operations. It requires a counterstrategy of winning hearts and minds.
By failing to support people’s just demands, the world is missing a chance to undermine extremism. Nowhere is this failure more pronounced than in Bilad Al Sham, which jihadis consider a “paradise” for fighting the near and far “enemies of Islam”, including both Arab and western governments.
As countries have failed to provide services and protection to their people, jihadis on the ground have presented themselves as the alternative. In the first year of the Arab Spring, during the uprisings in Tunisia, Yemen and Egypt, the appeal of jihadis in the region faded into the background. Today, they are as strong as ever.
Read more: http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/jihadis-grow-more-dangerous-as-they-conquer-hearts-in-syria#ixzz2MhTOaBo5
Follow us: @TheNationalUAE on Twitter | thenational.ae on Facebook
March 5th, 2013, 3:45 pm
Visitor said:
On the other hand, Darayya is still standing high and tall,
http://www.aljazeera.net/news/pages/6ce31447-e686-409a-9aba-ff85c969e7b8?GoogleStatID=1
While the idol crumbles elsewhere.
Yil3an rihak ya Hafez.
March 5th, 2013, 3:46 pm
revenire said:
If Dr. Assad is listening to me what we need to do is flatten towns with those nice Yak-130s the Russians recently gave us (the ones we used today in Homs). When we flatten towns the rats have no holes to hide in. It’s very simple. Your soldiers are eager to take a vacation on the coast and if we start carpet bombing the rat-infested towns we can all be drinking Arak and watching sunsets on the sea by summer.
Let’s start with the two towns the puppet Moaz visited: just eradicate those two. They’re full of lice. The people there are not Syrian but foreign terrorists and a few traitors. The civilians fled after the Turks sent their NATO Zionist dogs in.
BTW Mr. President our boys are doing a fantastic job and are solid. I hope your lovely wife is well. She’s beautiful and you’re a lucky man to have her. Treat her like the Queen she is.
March 5th, 2013, 3:46 pm
revenire said:
“Apart from an opportunic knee jerk from ZOO, does anyone else here care about the consequences for the local population of revenge aerial bombing of Raqqa and Palmyra?”
When foreign rats knock over a statue of our great Syrian father we must set some examples.
You don’t know how good you had it two years ago before the Zionist conspiracy took hold.
March 5th, 2013, 3:48 pm
zoo said:
@224 SL
Al Khatib is a lonely man. None of the coalition support him, worse they humiliated him by reinterpreting what he said.
I feel sympathy for the guy but I know he is doomed: he is surrounded by heartless snakes who call themselves friends.
March 5th, 2013, 3:49 pm
ALI said:
Giving Raqqa temporarily to terrorists is a smart move for many reason:
1- To gather more rats in one big trap, easy to bombard and kill
2- More terrorists are needed now to defend the city shifting from offence to defence, this will release pressure on other fighting spots
3- Showing the failure of running state departments and establishments
4- Showing the failure in securing food and supplies to civilians
6- Raqqa has no strategic positioning, it’s in the middle of nowhere so it’s like outsourcing the responsibility
7- Showing the coward Syrian political opposition for not moving inside Syria now especially after having a “liberated” city
8- Giving Nusra group a starting point to establish it’s Islamic Imara showing the whole world what will happen if terrorists took control
March 5th, 2013, 3:50 pm
Syrialover said:
SAMI # 209.
We’ll see. And there’s this, which is no worse informed – possibly even better informed – than anything else we read:
“Why Obama might be changing his mind on Syria” http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/shashankjoshi/100205316/why-obama-might-be-changing-his-mind-on-syria/
March 5th, 2013, 3:51 pm
Observer said:
Let me explain.
Arab Nationalism thrived after WWI and was a product of the rise of Nationalism world wide. Zionism is an example of Jewish Nationalism whereby in Basel Hertzel proclaimed the need for a Jewish homeland for the Jewish people. It took the holocaust to consolidate that idea into a viable movement as many orthodox jews never wanted their religious identity to be associated witn “nationalism” per se. Some saw it as demeaning to the spirit of the religion and others saw it as an affront to God to have politics involved in Judaism.
Turks also espoused a nationalist identity with the effort to modernize the Ottoman empire but by so doing they had to admit by force and because of their weakness that other idenitities within the empire have now legitimate demands for recognition. Hence the Arab Revolt of 1916 led mainly by urban elites and by Christians who saw the “muslim” identity of the Ottoman empire as inadequate and incompatible with nation state identity.
Arab nationalism was helped by the semi independence of the countries as a result of the end of WWII. Not withstanding the defeat in 48 and 56, an excuse for the failure to liberate Palestine and to unite the Arabs was always on hand for the nationalists.
Comes 67 which dealt another big blow to the idea of arab nation states as the instrument of freedom and progress and then we get the Iranian Islamic revolution that topples a pillar of Western stability and despite all of its problems the country achieves a significant improvment in education and technological advance WITHOUT abandoning its ideological stance and therefore without acquiescing to Western approval or hegemony. They showed that they can be Islamic and capable of achieving some moducum of independence.
Then we get the first and second Gulf wars and once again we have major defeat of secular forces incapable of any achievement that is sustainable. It is not that they did not try, there was no sustained results. Dictatorial disastrous decisions by the regimes to stay in power have led to their bankruptcy.
And then we get the trap put by OBL to the US on 9/11 and the later fell for it fully; for now, the empire is weakened, the intervention appetite is gone, the influence of the US is diminished, the perception of the masses is that the US and the West are out to get Islam in particular and Muslims as well. So we have the likes of Visitor who see endless enmity between the “world of Islam” and the “world of strife” as the Machinean world view.
Say what you want, OBL won the war for he exhausted the US, they had to leave Iraq in the middle of the night without a victory, they are about to leave Afghanistan, and their appeite for intervention is nil.
He also showed that to get what you want sacrifice is the only way. In this he emulated the Shia first and foremost. He also kept his strategic eye on the long term prize of defeating the US directly and indirectly.
An area of instability is now present. In this area, the ideas that are being debated are of two core natures
1. Economical well being. 99 % of the people want an end to poverty and misery and a hope of a better life with a huge youth bulge that needs results.
2. A slogan ( empty in my mind ) called Islam is the solution whereby the reliance of islamist parties on the message imbbeded in our culture deeply for justice and glory is resonating with the majority. It is similar to the idea of keeping the emperor in Japan for without the symbol the country would have completely disintegrated. It was the compass to rally the people around and this vague islamist concept of the glofy days of the early muslims is having a similar effect.
The slogan will have to come up with solutions otherwise like Arab nationalism it will join the dustbin of history. No religion can expect to survive if it does not solve people’s problem and I would add liberate them rather than enslave them.
So we are going to have an islamist discourse. It is easier to sloganeer than to govern. Now they are going to have to deliver. Islamists cannot turn the wheel of history back as the Taliban did in Afghanistan where the slogan was made to work by turning the society back to a 7th century one sided concept of the ideal society.
Diversity is essential for growth. It is essential to bring to the fore all of the communities of the ME and by God it is time for the protagonists to stop being secretive. The Druze should tell us what they believe in and how they practice and what hatred they have and so the others for example the Zoroastrians and the extremist Jewish right wing groups for us to discuss their fears and hatred and for all of us to forgive ( not forget ) and to move on.
Justice will be served with a lot of forgiveness but it is easy for me to say so from afar.
The news today are bad for the regime. It is now a matter of time before a collapse is inevitable and apparently sooner rather than later.
SCUDS are not going to stop the revolution. There are enough troops to quell it. With 18 high ranking officers fleeing to Turkey from the fourth division, the trickle will become a flood.
March 5th, 2013, 3:51 pm
zoo said:
One-on-One with the Leader of Jabhat al-Nusra: no smoking
By Tracey Shelton
http://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2013/03/05/syria_one_on_one_with_the_leader_of_jabhat_al-nusra_100596-2.html
JABAL AL ZAWIYA, Syria – Officials in Washington and Damascus agree on something, they both call Jabhat al-Nusra a terrorist organization.
The US State Department describes the cadre of rebel fighters as Al Qaeda’s attempt to “hijack the struggles of the Syrian people for its own malign purposes.”
To date, members of al-Nusra have claimed responsibility for more than 600 attacks, which have killed hundreds of Syrians, both military and civilian.
But in rebel-held areas of the country, al-Nusra fighters are hailed as heroes, praised as the opposition’s most effective military force against a government that has leveled whole cities with airstrikes, killing tens of thousands.
In a rare, exclusive interview with GlobalPost, Al-Amir Gazi al-Haj – one of the “princes,” or top leaders, of al-Nusra – defended his organization.
“We only accept the best of the best,” he said from his sparsely furnished home in Jabal al-Zawiya, as he stoked a wood heater. “We have pure intentions. We fight only for Allah. We do not accept even small deviations [from God’s law], like smoking. We walk a straight line and you can see the results.”
…
“Jabhat al-Nusra? have the Syrian people’s support because they are the only real fighters on the ground,” said Abdullah Omar, a Free Syrian Army member from Aleppo. “The purity of the FSA fighters went down ?because they turned from fighting to other illegal work.”
But Omar went on to echo the concerns of many, both civilian and fighters, over the future of Jabhat al-Nusra in a new democratic Syria.
“God only knows what’s going to happen between them and the FSA and the new government after the Assad regime falls down,” he said.
March 5th, 2013, 3:56 pm
ALI said:
What a disgusting “revolution”, now the ultimate aim of those opposition opportunists is to meet with Obama.
They don’t give a sh!t about anything else but traveling and 5 stars hotels
March 5th, 2013, 3:56 pm
Syrialover said:
OMEN #215
I respectfully suggest that the US experience in Iraq is part of what has made it so hard for the pro-interventionists (eg Hillary Clinton’s State Dept team and top Defense officlas) to get their case on Syria accepted.
I hope you will at least read the article I linked above in #229 for a wider picture of what is going on.
March 5th, 2013, 4:02 pm
5 dancing shlomos said:
rats are in control of their ratholes … until the ratholes get smoked.
funny. jack the asshole kerry in charge of the rats.
asshole leads ratholes …
back to the sewer if not into the grave.
March 5th, 2013, 4:02 pm
revenire said:
230 Mr Observer can you stop spamming the forum with these long-winded, boring posts of yours? They make no sense.
Are you okay?
March 5th, 2013, 4:10 pm
Juergen said:
Pathetic, Venezuelas vide president claims that enemy nations hostile to Venezuela are responsible for the cancer disease of Chefe i Commandante Chavez. Bashar should use his soon scheduled burial as an reason to flee the country, this might be his last chance.
March 5th, 2013, 4:10 pm
Johannes de Silentio said:
215. OMEN
“why was iraq worth intervention but not syria?”
Iraq has nicer hotels, more indoor toilets and the hookers don’t smell of garlic…
March 5th, 2013, 4:10 pm
Syrialover said:
ALI #232
Oh yes, how “disgusting” if the Syrian opposition were to meet with the head of the USA.
And how seriously inconvenient, how alarming and frustrating for Bashar Assad and co.
March 5th, 2013, 4:13 pm
Juergen said:
SAA tanks sweep through what was known as Daraya. Now Daraya could be fraternize with Grozny or Sarajevo after the war.
March 5th, 2013, 4:22 pm
omen said:
…
March 5th, 2013, 4:23 pm
omen said:
not quite. this debate is also being waged on the ground.
after so much sacrifice, syrians will not trade one dictatorship for another one. that would be a betrayal of all who’ve been martyred.
March 5th, 2013, 4:29 pm
Dolly Buster said:
I like Revenire, he is intelligent. I don’t like the cruelty of his comments, “our boys are shredding 100s of rodents,” etc.
He should instead clarify why he opposes the so-called neocolonial powers.
If you examine the issue, the anti-colonial argument doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.
I’ll explain briefly ?
The anti-colonial argument is this:
1. Imperialist countries exploit enslaved countries.
2. The only way out, is to form a team of resistance countries (Venezuela, Iran, Belarus).
But here is the refutation:
1. People in ‘imperialist’ countries live well. (Britain)
2. People in ‘enslaved’ countries live equally well. (Slovenia)
3. Only the people in ‘resistance’ countries live poorly. (Venezuela)
So, the solution is completely reverse: The world’s problems should be tackled by decimating the resistance countries. Then everyone in the world starts to live well. This is proven by Chart 2.
March 5th, 2013, 4:32 pm
Juergen said:
Tune in, right now on Syrian state tv, they have some selected people talk about the “crisis”. You can see the expected Baath loalists, some locals and I guess Ali Haidar also. It was funny, a guy said in the demonstrations we saw, the announcer interrupted and said, there are no demonstrations, there are terrorists… he obviously did not follow the script. The controversy was also over why does the regime only give some money to those who suffererd loss of live or wealth.
http://www.teledunet.com/?channel=syria#
Economy : major loss for Aleppo industry sector. Syrian pound drastically collapses.
http://shabab.ayyam.org/en/content/economy-major-loss-aleppo-industry-sector-syrian-pound-drastically-collapses
A diagram of Lebanon’s War and Peace
http://www.karlremarks.com/2011/10/diagram-of-lebanons-war-and-peace.html
March 5th, 2013, 4:39 pm
Hanzala said:
I have more respect for pro Assads who are against American involvement than anti Assads on this blog who are begging the US for aid and intervention. Sickening.
Have you forgotten how many Muslims America has killed worldwide? Only someone with a sickness in his heart would want a pro American puppet government.
March 5th, 2013, 4:44 pm
Juergen said:
Breaking news, Hugo Chavez has died
BBC sources say vice president confirmed death
Syrian tv is a better comedy channel, just some moments ago they showed one commercial which looked like an cheap soap opera. A bearded young guy was in his room, watching the killing of civilians, he looks at his gun on the bed, he then wents out to go to the police and was greeted by an police officer who takes him in. The happy end, he comes out of prison, and smiles as he sees the peaceful kullu bi khair vision of Syria…
That was a good one. Someone should contact the Lord of the rings music rights holders, the usage of the music gets inflational nowadays at Syrian Tv.
Hanzala
The antiamerican path this regime had taken during the last 11 years is astonishing. What about the joint venture terrorist interrogations done for the US services?
March 5th, 2013, 4:53 pm
revenire said:
Only the real news, not the spin from jokers who call themselves reporters (CNN & Qatar’s AJ):
The situation in Al-Raqqa is a minor event that is only being covered by the western press because it has nothing but bleak news for the rats in Aleppo and Idlib. The partial occupation of Al-Raqqa City by the rodents is due mostly to the fact that their forces had to withdraw from all the highways, airports and military bases once the major resupply route from Homs to the north was open completely. Wael, in Latakia, says that once Manbij is liberated completely, two mechanized armored divisions will head East and annihilate the vermin in Al-Raqqa. In the meantime, SAA is crushing the mercenaries everywhere, including Khan Al-‘Asal.
SYRIAN PERSPECTIVE, ONCE AGAIN, WISHES TO CONGRATULATE THE FAMILY OF THIS RAT COLONEL OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, ONE MUHAMMAD AHMAD SA’ID ABDOULI FOR DYING THE MISERABLE DEATH HE DESERVED WHILE FIGHTING THE PEOPLE AND ARMY OF SYRIA. PLEASE SEND MORE OF YOUR DEFECTIVE RACE OF RODENT DROPPINGS FOR OUR FERTILIZER FACTORIES.
This species of Gulf Rat led a team of like-vermin belonging to the “Ahraar Al-Shaam” or “The Free Men of Natural Syria” until a Syrian tank fired on his car and rendered him unphotographable.
Al-Raqqa which saw little violence throughout this brouhaha, is being struck now along its northern perimeter by MiG 23s who are softening up the rodents as reinforcements begin to arrive. This will not be a long operation. The number of rats is about 450. We promise you that over the next 2 days, you will hear of the deaths of 450 of these miserable scavengers.
http://syrianperspective.blogspot.com/2013/03/first-post-march-5-2013-news-straight.html
March 5th, 2013, 5:06 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Chaviz is dead, Bashar next
March 5th, 2013, 5:07 pm
Darryl said:
109. TARA said:
“Darryl,
I think we both could be friends in a real non-virtual life once we worked on your literal limited and erroneous concepts of Islam and misinterpretation of Quraan.”
Dear Tara, sorry for the late response, I will share a bottle or two of Shiraz with you any time. I would like to also share a bottle of Arak with my dear friend Visitor with a big bowel of tabouleh. How can anyone eat tabouleh without some home distilled Arak is beyond me.
Thanks for your kind words, but as a person who puts conscious above religious belief, I will agree to disagree on the last part of the above comment. I believe you share my view deep inside.
March 5th, 2013, 5:15 pm
Juergen said:
Adios Presidente!
Here to some mhenbaks, they might want to held memorial minutes to tribute yet one more dictator gone… The net wonders if newsmakers have already prepared a Bashar memorial slide show….
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/03/05/adios_presidente_hugo_chavez_death_venezuela#3
Chavez to be buried in Bolivar mausoleum?
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/08/17/chavez_bolivar_mausoleum
very good memorial by The New Yorker from January
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/01/28/130128fa_fact_anderson
March 5th, 2013, 5:20 pm
ALI said:
RIP President Hugo Chavez, you always were a good and faithful friend to Syrians and Syrian leadership.
March 5th, 2013, 5:26 pm
Juergen said:
A Tale of Two Women
http://budourhassan.wordpress.com/2013/03/05/2women/
March 5th, 2013, 5:29 pm
Syrialover said:
Many ordinary Syrians in the revolution are very uneasy with al-Nusrah’s separate agenda and post-Assad power fantasies.
OMEN #241, thanks for posting that article about the secular versus Islamist debate going on inside Syria. We hear the important voices of moderates focused on the main aims of the Syrian people in this revolution, unhappy about it being hijacked by the Islamists (full link: http://www.ripr.org/post/syrian-rebels-secular-and-islamist-both-claim-future)
It should be read in conjunction with the excellent item JUERGEN posted on the people of Kafranbel’s concern about the Islamists doing their own thing and refusing to unite with the mainstream Syrian revolution. (http://www.npr.org/2013/03/04/173442174/conscience-of-syrian-revolution-faces-challenge-from-islamists?sc=tw&cc=share)
March 5th, 2013, 5:30 pm
Syrian said:
Hugo is dead, Batta’s lost his chance to hide there
I hope he rott in hell next to Hafiiiz
March 5th, 2013, 5:31 pm
revenire said:
Dolly Buster I think you are well aware of the reasons for the foreign policy stances we hold. You might not agree with them but you know them. There is no reason to type out long policy statements here.
You also know Western governments care nothing for Syria or how many die in Syria. For them, it is all about changing the map of the Middle East and defeating Syria-Hezbollah-Iran. Any Muslim fighting against Assad is being used by the West as cannon fodder. The more Muslims die the better is how the West sees it.
You also know it is the US-UK-France-Turkey-Saudi Arabia-Qatar and Israel against Syria-Iran-Hezbollah (and to a lesser extent Iraq, Russia and China). That’s what it is. It was never a revolution.
I believe everyone here knows how strong Syria, and its people, are not to break under this combined assault. The vast majority of Syrians stand by their government. Syrians are not stupid people. They know what is happening.
Desperate, poor, illiterate rural peasants are easy to motivate to take up arms using “religion”. Many of these jihadis are on drugs and believe they are involved in a holy war. Look at this forum’s posters who talk of the “holy Nusra warriors” – this is the foreign ideology Dr. Assad spoke of.
March 5th, 2013, 5:42 pm
Tara said:
3.09pm GMT Obama talks reported
Barack Obama is due to meet Syrian opposition leader Moaz al-Khatib and the top rebel commander Salim Idris in Washington next week, according to an unconfirmed report on the opposition site All4Syria.
A link to the article was posted on Khatib’s Twitter feed, without confirming the story.
EA WorldView’s Syria watcher James Miller says the report is unconfirmed by plausible given the current context.
We believe that Saudi Arabia is already arming the rebels, and we believe it is clear that the Obama administration – and likely the core Nato members – know about this and have tacitly sanctioned the move. We also know that Obama’s new Secretary of State, John Kerry, is both pushing for immediate diplomatic solutions, but has also stated that direct aid needs to be given to the rebels now, with the possibility of arming them in the not-so-distant future. The plan – to force Assad to negotiate, and force him over the cliff if he refuses. Assad’s recent obstinate public statements, and Jabhat al Nusra’s runaway victories in the east, may be further accelerating this process.
March 5th, 2013, 5:51 pm
ALI said:
Syrian:
“Hugo is dead, Batta’s lost his chance to hide there
I hope he rott in hell next to Hafiiiz”
Shut up! got that shut the hell up.
You’re not a real Syrian, you’re an Israeli mthrfkr. A real Syrian will not badmouth his leadership.
March 5th, 2013, 5:58 pm
Visitor said:
Hugo died (????) because he couldn’t take it when he saw idol falling down in Raqqa. Latest news before he died suggested that his illness was going away. But the fall of the idol caused sudden irreversible complications which led to his falling simultaneously with idol.
“Like birds whose wings are broken in Jahannam we fall.”
March 5th, 2013, 6:00 pm
revenire said:
“EA WorldView’s Syria watcher James Miller”
LOL
March 5th, 2013, 6:03 pm
Visitor said:
You could also read 258 as
…..
“Like birds whose hearts are broken in Jahannam we fall.”
You choose.
March 5th, 2013, 6:03 pm
ALI said:
“Desperate, poor, illiterate rural peasants are easy to motivate to take up arms.”
let me carry on
looters, rapists, pedophiles, thieves, shrameet ..etc
Those belong to Tadmor and Sydnaya prisons and soon we will stack them back again in there.
March 5th, 2013, 6:04 pm
Syrian said:
?????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? the Chinese revolution
Yesterday at 3:35pm ·
?? ??? ??????
??? ???? ?????? ????
???? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????
?? ????? ??? ???? ?????
???? ??????
??? ???? ????? ????
March 5th, 2013, 6:07 pm
William Scott Scherk said:
At #168 MJABALI notes:
Here is a very large (6410 by 5080) map devised by the Gulf2000 project at Columbia University. The map is called “Syria: Ethnic Composition.” For those who are not familiar with the depth and complexity of these ethnicities, the map is a superior tool. (albeit outdated due to refugees and internally displaced):
http://gulf2000.columbia.edu/images/maps/Syria_Ethnic_Detailed_lg.jpg
Here is a second map that complements the first, titled “Syria: Religious Composition”:
http://gulf2000.columbia.edu/images/maps/Syria_Religion_Detailed_lg.jpg
A third map, “Syria: Linguistic Composition,” http://gulf2000.columbia.edu/images/maps/Syria_Languages_Detailed_lg.jpg
After reading Robert Fisk’s odd little patchwork column on the Alawites and Western (media/pundit) ignorance, these detailed maps both support and undermine his claims.
March 5th, 2013, 6:09 pm
annie said:
257 Ali “A real Syrian will not badmouth his leadership.”
Ali is in fact Revenire Jr ?
March 5th, 2013, 6:23 pm
ghufran said:
A former member of the anti-Islamist Dutch politician Geert Wilders’ party and personal friend of his, has declared his conversion to Islam.
Arnoud van Doorn was a member of Wilders’ right-wing Freedom Party until the end of 2011.
He said that he had made a fresh start by announcing his decision to the world and taking his Shahadah [Testimony of Faith] on his Twitter account.
(I respect people’s religious choices, I am just hoping that this fellow does not end up in Syria)
March 5th, 2013, 6:45 pm
revenire said:
Where is AJ today? You didn’t think we would allow you to tear down the statue of the great Syrian father and loot our museum did you?
HNN Homs News Network
URGENT | AL-RAQQAH UPDATE:
National Defense forces have been fighting furiously in the “Dir’iiyah” neighborhood of Al-Raqqah with dozens of dead Turkish NATO rats from “Al-Nusra Front” Terrorist organization.
The Air Force carried out continuous air strikes in the vicinity of the State Security Detachment which led to the crushing of large numbers of Israeli backed Turkish Mercenaries ..
With now large military reinforcements arriving and are positioned on the outskirts of the City, for the start of a major Military Operation to expel the Israeli backed Turkish Mercenary enemy infiltrators, out of the City …
AND GOD IS WITH OUR BRAVE HEROES, INSHALLAH VICTORY IS THEIRS, MAY GOD PROTECT OUR ARMY AND DEFENSE FORCES … – J
AL-RAQQAH NOW – SYRIAN EAGLES CONDUCT AIR STRIKES AS TROOPS PREPARE TO STORM THE CITY !! ..
The Syrian Eagles are currently continuing Air strikes on Terrorist positions in “Al-Raqqah” as the 17th regiment in full gear is preparing for a major ground assault on the City which is currently infested with Armed Terrorists …
LET’S PRAY AGAIN FOR OUR BRAVE TROOPS TO BE VICTORIOUS AS THEY CHARGE THE CITY , MAY GOD BE WITH OUR ARMY … – J
https://www.facebook.com/homs.news.network.english?ref=stream
March 5th, 2013, 6:51 pm
Observer said:
Could it be that this retard of a prethident is for real?
Here is what he said according to AlQuds
????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ????? “?????? ?? ??? ??????? ?????? ????? ?????? ????” ??? ???????? ??????? ???? ?? ???? “???? ??????” ???? ??????? ????? ??? ??? ???? ??????? ????? ??????? ?????????.
?????? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ??????? ??? “??? ?????? ?? ?? ???????? ?? ????? ????? ??? ???????”.
?????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ????????? ???? ??? ??? ??? “????? ??? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ??????? ???? ??????? ???????????? ????? ???????? ?????????? ????????? ???????? ????? ???? ?????”.
?????? ????? ??????? ??? ?? ???????? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ????? “?????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ??????????? ?? ???? ??? ???????”.
????? ????? ??? ????? “??? ?????? ????? ?? ??? ???????? ?????? ????? ?????? ????” ???? ???????.
I see similarities between his circular thinking and that of ZOO.
Rev, the post was not meant for you. It was meant for thoughtful deliberate people.
To simplify it for you: Islamist discourse is here to stay, for ill or for good, whether we like it or not, whether it makes sense or not, whether it will succeed or not, whether it is another oppressive period or not and it was brought on by
1. Failure of Arab Nationalism to deliver
2. Khomeini
3. Combination of Al Qaeda strategy and the criminal stupid response of GWB to it.
My observation of the revolution shows a few trends that are quite interesting
One Kafr Nabl is secular and has tried to bring in Nusra to a combined demonstration to no avail
Two there has occurred a break in the Syrian tradition par excellence of being extremely self centered and without an ounce of a sense of civic duty. We see people finally cooperating and finding that it is far better than ” I am going to secure myself” first
Three in view of the vacuum created by the diminished role of the US in the region, the Arab Spring turning out not to be a soap balloon but a real tsunami, and the inability any regional power or a combination of regional powers to replace the US, we will see in my opinion a rise in both local and Arab identity.
After all, no one wants to be an Iranian or a Turk. Yes Islam is important for our identity but we can also claim our Arab heritage anew.
The two are not incompatible to the contrary.
I would cherish diversity and I would love to have all the communities bring to all of us their perspective on life in general and life in the ME.
March 5th, 2013, 6:57 pm
ALI said:
Syrian said:
“??? ???? ?????? ????
???? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????
?? ????? ??? ???? ?????
???? ??????”
Al3ama ba3yonak al3ama sho abtefhem init
Be respectable to others, did I insult your Muhammad or religion? so stop insulting out father in my presence otherwise you and your family will regret big time
March 5th, 2013, 6:58 pm
zoo said:
Saudi Arabia and Qatar Ratcheting up Sectarian and Ethnic Tensions in Iraq
By Zayd Alisa
March 4, 2013
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1303/S00014/saudi-arabia-and-qatar-ratcheting-up-tensions-in-iraq.htm
The sectarian-ethnic conflicts, protests, Turkey’s open hostility and a revitalised Al Qaida are all an integral part of a modified last ditch attempt spearheaded by Saudi Arabia and Qatar to achieve their overarching goal of destabilising and ultimately dismantling the fledgling democracy in Iraq.
Yet, alarmingly, even if this ferocious all-out assault
fails to restore minority rule, which is almost certainly the case –since the Shia are ready to fight tooth and nail to hold-on to power and indeed the CG have shown its unwavering determination on the 15th Feb 2013 to thwart all attempts to march on Baghdad– then Saudi Arabia and Qatar are implacably determined to throw their support behind the Sunnis drive to establish a Sunni Regional Government, which is similar to the KR but under Saudi and Qatari complete control.
For Saudi Arabia and Qatar, if they cannot have all of Iraq back, they are hell-bent on taking part of it for now.
March 5th, 2013, 7:01 pm
zoo said:
“Assad claims victory in Syria hours after rebels capture city of Raqqa
Assad appears untroubled by the reported loss of Raqqa”
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/syria/130305/assad-claims-victory-syria-hours-after-rebels-capture
Is Raqqa’s loss a planned trap to get the rebels gathered in one location and killed with one piece of cheese?
March 5th, 2013, 7:10 pm
ALI said:
Annie:
“Ali is in fact Revenire Jr ?”
We’re all proudly sons of Hafez including yourself and that’s why we think alike.
Who are you?
let me answer, you’re a sexually frustrated boy hiding in his basement, playing with his … while watching MTV commentators. we know everything about you kiddo, so behave and pull up your pants.
If just you were in Syria i would turn your life into hell. I would handcuff you to a tree next to my favorite “Pit Stop” cafe just under the Gemini near Shaalan. I would put you on a leash and make Sunni upper class people spit on you.
Man I have great memories in that place, once I sat with the big boys who used to occupy the far right table next to the street every Thursday Yazan Asalan, Ayham Fayad, Majd Makhlouf and Eyad Alsafi, we picked on everybody passed by while Yazan blocked the street between Abu Remaneh and Shaalan with his Audi car. Those days were amazing
March 5th, 2013, 7:13 pm
ghufran said:
A flood of testimonies from displaced residents who were forced to leave Raqqa after it was invaded by Nusra and sister terrorist groups clearly show an angry crowd who have no interest in being in the middle of another war, saying that Raqqa residents are happy being invaded by Nusra thugs is a lie.
The so-called public welcome received by thugs is manufactured and does not reflect true public opinion especially in a city that housed more than 600,000 refugees who simply wanted to live and let live.
Al-Raqqa, if rebels holds on their gains, will be another Aleppo.
toz feekon wa bihal thawra
ma ajhash minkon illa hal nizam alzift
March 5th, 2013, 7:14 pm
revenire said:
Think that it is as Ziad said: the rats are running out of places to run. Their huge talk about Damascus. They will NEVER take Damascus. We will crush them. They talked about the FSA Air Force. They talked about a government being started in liberated areas. They have no liberated areas. We will NOT cede them the North. We will not cede ONE inch of Syria. Syrians are patriots. Our soldiers are brave. We love them.
The West can send as many weapons as they want. We will win no matter what. Nothing will stop us.
To Hell.
March 5th, 2013, 7:15 pm
revenire said:
Ha ha Ali. You tell ’em.
I can think of a few here who belong on a leash.
March 5th, 2013, 7:18 pm
zoo said:
;;;;
March 5th, 2013, 7:24 pm
Syrian said:
Ali said
“Man I have great memories in that place, once I sat with the big boys who used..:.”
So you are the nobody of the nobodies, no wonder your losing your mind
Say good-bye to those days, you will never ever get those days back .
No matter who wins you will not be able to walk 80 % of Syria without looking over your shoulder scared.
March 5th, 2013, 7:27 pm
zoo said:
The USA will send weapons to …. Iraq!
Iraqis call for U.S. military aid after Nusra-linked assault on ‘innocent Syrians’
By Roy Gutman | McClatchy Newspapers
BAGHDAD — Top Iraqi officials called Tuesday for the United States to step up its promised delivery of major arms after an ambush well inside Iraq by suspected Islamist militants that left more than 50 Syrians and a dozen Iraqi troops dead.
The Iraqi government was clearly rattled by Monday’s incident, which seemed to bear out its worst fears that Syria’s civil war would spill into the country.
Two top Iraqi officials said the attackers were almost certainly members of al Qaida in Iraq or the Nusra Front, one of the most effective groups fighting to topple the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assa
Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/03/05/184912/iraqis-call-for-us-military-aid.html#storylink=cpy
March 5th, 2013, 7:28 pm
revenire said:
Assad is probably one of the smartest leaders alive today. I think only maybe Putin is smarter although Nasrallah is also very impressive.
Assad really walks rings intellectually around anyone in the West. His grasp of history is amazing. In fact, Assad is more “American” than Obama.
Assad has my respect.
March 5th, 2013, 7:32 pm
ALI said:
“Assad really walks rings intellectually around anyone in the West. His grasp of history is amazing. In fact, Assad is more “American” than Obama.
Assad has my respect.”
Hafez is our God
that makes Bashar our Jesus
March 5th, 2013, 7:36 pm
revenire said:
Observer put down your guns and help Syria from the inside. Everyone who isn’t a terrorist is welcome. All voices can be heard except terrorists.
All terrorists will be eliminated. No compromise with that. It is the only rational policy.
And one more thing: no more pulling down statues of our beloved Hafez. That makes us mad and then we have to send the Syrian Eagles in with the MiGs. Our air forces loves Hafez and it makes them tear up a little to see his statue abused.
March 5th, 2013, 7:37 pm
ALI said:
The next Venezuelan president nicolas maduro has a Syrian background from his mother’s side and he’s in full support for Bashar
??????? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ????????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ????. «?? ??????? ??? ?? ???? ????? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ?????». ???? ???????? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ??? ?????? ???????.
??????? ??? ??????? ?????? ??? ?? ??????? ????? ?????? ???????? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ????????. ??? ???? ????? ???????? ????? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ?? ???????? ????? ??????? ???????????? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ???????.
March 5th, 2013, 7:43 pm
Tara said:
I think the people of Syria has already decided on what to do with Hafiz’ tomb. It is well deserved.
Nevertheless, if it was up to me, Hafiz, the murderer remains should be transferrd to a cemetry, the Naisa mosque should come down and a museum to remind Syrians of all the atrocities that has been inflicted on them by this peasant regime should replace it.
March 5th, 2013, 7:43 pm
zoo said:
The FSA made two fatal mistakes: one is to foolishly attack Raqqa as they needed a diversion from the beating they were taking in Homs, and second to have actively participated with Al Nusra in the killing of Iraqi soldiers on Iraqi territory, under the pretext of killing Syrian soldiers.
Al Maliki is not going to play games with terrorists on Iraq’s land.
The FSA has crossed a red line and I expect that the retaliation from Syria and Iraq will significantly harm it as well as the opposition.
March 5th, 2013, 7:44 pm
ALI said:
“That makes us mad and then we have to send the Syrian Eagles in with the MiGs. Our air forces loves Hafez and it makes them tear up a little to see his statue abused”
Oh man that felt so good to see the blood and cocked human flesh of terrorist all over the square in Raqqa. This is a divine punishment for messing up with the Gods.
We need like 100 Scuds at the same time to wipe off Raqqa from the map, I’m sure the honest Raqqan people don’t mind being sacrificed for Syria.
March 5th, 2013, 7:47 pm
zoo said:
Western outsourcing of regime change in Syria may mean chaos
March 06, 2013 02:05 AM
By Moritz Pieper, Octavius Pinkard
The Daily Star
Syria before the fall of Bashar Assad bears a striking resemblance to Libya after the fall of Moammar Gadhafi. A common denominator of the Syrian and Libyan conflicts is the covert backing of the rebels by external countries or groups who do not have to live with the consequences of that support.
From a comfortable distance, the outsourcing of regime change to a proxy army of disparate rebel movements may actually seem like a sound idea. On the ground, however, such an undertaking is as unpredictable as it is uncontrollable.
…
Serious consideration must be given to the importance of regional power dynamics. Any shift in the West’s Syria policy should be accompanied by more inclusive considerations of the interests of regional powers such as Iran. There is a geopolitical imperative for Western strategists to recognize the importance of consultation with the Iranians, without which no long-term scenarios for a post-Assad Syria are conceivable.
Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Commentary/2013/Mar-06/208985-western-outsourcing-of-regime-change-in-syria-may-mean-chaos.ashx#ixzz2MiTOmnx8
March 5th, 2013, 7:51 pm
Tara said:
Darryl,
Sorry you are wrong. Deep down, I am not different. What you see is what you get.
March 5th, 2013, 7:52 pm
Tara said:
Silentio,
Thanks for standing up against the offensive comment last night. I knew you were a gentleman.
March 5th, 2013, 7:59 pm
zoo said:
Syria’s Many Militias: Inside the Chaos of the Anti-Assad Rebellion
By Rania Abouzeid / Antakya, Turkey March 05, 2013
….
While some rebels have embraced a fervent religiosity, others have opted for criminal activity. Some groups have resorted to kidnapping, sometimes for revenge, but most often to secure money for weapons like anti-aircraft guns. (The 14.5mm is common; the larger caliber 23mm is widely considered more of a status symbol because of its size, while the humble 12.7mm is now almost a little passé.)
Kidnap victims are also sold from one group to another. On a recent day, TIME overheard a commander say that another group offered to sell him three civilians for 1 million Syrian pounds (about $14,150) and that they’d toss in a fourth civilian for free.
…
Idris says if he can organize and coordinate a little over half of the groups on the ground he’ll consider it a success “because 70-80% of the fighting men are civilians (i.e. not defectors), with civilian leaders. They are not used to being told ‘no, you can’t participate in this fight.’ He’s fighting in his town, he bought his own gun, his brother may have been killed, his son wounded. How can I impose anything on him? I can’t.” Soldiers are used to taking orders, Idris says. Armed civilians are not.
“Bashar is not better than us at organizing his men, but he has the power of a state,” Idris says. “He can bring that to bear and punish a man who won’t follow orders. It’s not easy [for us]. It’s very difficult to command this.”
Read more: http://world.time.com/2013/03/05/syrias-many-militias-inside-the-chaos-of-the-anti-assad-rebellion/#ixzz2MiW2APVM
March 5th, 2013, 8:01 pm
zoo said:
Celia Flores, the wife of the new Venezuela president, Nicolas Maduro was ‘special envoy’ in Lebanon in 2006 where she criticized the US policy.
He presently holds the position of Attorney General of the Republic
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/venezuela/nicolas-maduro.htm
Maduro is married to Chavista National Assembly member Cilia Flores. As of 2006 Flores was serving as a “special envoy” in Lebanon where she vocally criticized US policy. By a unanimous 15 August 3006 vote, National Assembly (AN) Deputy Cilia Flores assumed the AN presidency, replacing her common-law husband, Nicolas Maduro. She remained President of the assembly until January 05, 2011, and was appointed Attorney General of the Republic on 31 January 2012. Maduro and Cilia Flores have one teenage son. Cilia also is the mother of three sons (ages 26, 17, and 15) from a previous marriage. He and his wife are said to consider themselves non-Catholic Christians.
March 5th, 2013, 8:10 pm
Johannes de Silentio said:
245. HANZALALALA
“Have you forgotten how many Muslims America has killed worldwide?”
How many? Give us a number, little man. And then tell us with a straight face that your number exceeds the number of Muslims killed by the Ottoman Turks during the time they ruled over the Arab world as imperialists and colonialists.
Also, tell us how many Muslims you Syrian imperialists killed during your rule over Lebanon.
March 5th, 2013, 8:19 pm
Observer said:
Pretzel ZOO to the rescue
Here is what he said: ” Is Raqqa’s loss a planned trap to get the rebels gathered in one location and killed with one piece of cheese?”
It is as if this regime can spell the word strategy.
Syria has won or so he says. Are we going to have a parade? Are we having millions of people waiting at the embassies for immigration visas to Syria? Or wait don’t tell me, Al Baath university has just been ranked in the top ten.
God and Jesus indeed. Syria is of course an immaculate conception. I am sorry for Dr. Landis that his blog has so much garbage.
So the next time another police academy falls and an airport is invested we should find in it the brilliant strategy of Marshall Khukov in trapping the rebels for annihilation.
Pleasssssssssssssssssssse
March 5th, 2013, 8:27 pm
revenire said:
Great news from our Iraqi brothers. We will be celebrating soon friends! Nothing can stop our army!!
HNN Homs News Network
IRAQI BRIGADE REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVE AT BORDER !! ..
Media sources have confirmed that large Military reinforcements including 2 Brigades and Helicopters have arrived today to Villages within vicinity to the Syrian Border, to work in conjunction with Syria in preventing the infiltration of Terrorist groups to and from Iraq …
IRAQ THANK YOU, MAY GOD BLESS IRAQI AND SYRIAN FORCES … – J
https://www.facebook.com/homs.news.network.english?ref=stream
March 5th, 2013, 8:29 pm
Observer said:
Venezuelan constitution calls for an election within thirty days of the death of the President.
So fuel for Syria’s regime is on hold.
At least there is an election.
March 5th, 2013, 8:29 pm
ALI said:
King of the Sand: trailer of Najdat Anzour’s new film about King Abd al-Aziz
The reality of Saudi GCC terrorists (Visitor’s brothers). This movie shows the Zionist roots of the Saudi royal (my ass) family and their tasks in the region.
Surely no GCC countries will air this movie
March 5th, 2013, 8:44 pm
ALI said:
Brothers in Iraq, Lebanon, Iran, Venezuela and Russia
Thanks very much.
March 5th, 2013, 8:49 pm
ALI said:
SO Nusra terrorists in Yarmouk have executed two Palestinian residents with allegation to supporting the regime.
Where’s the trial?
Where’s the evidence?
Where’s the witnesses?
Where’s the Judge?
Who’s the judge?
…..
and yet they still complain about the Syrian Arab Army and accuse its heroes with atrocities
March 5th, 2013, 8:55 pm
ALI said:
Man I feel like we trashed all terrorists on this forum today under the military boots.
it feels good when these rats hide in their holes afraid of popping their heads out
March 5th, 2013, 8:58 pm
ALI said:
Amjad of Arabia
Where are you?
It’s a risky business to have underage girls in GCC countries (Visitor’s brothers). I hope you don’t have young siblings
March 5th, 2013, 8:59 pm
Akbar Palace said:
Hello Omen,
Thanks for the responses (#208 and #215). Here are my response to these two posts:
are you saying the US is above reproach?
No. Everyone knows I am very anti-Obama. Now that he’s won a second term. I sort of resigned myself to whatever crap he does. My position is the US government could have provided a no-fly zone and could have picked plenty of ripe targets to help defeat the Assad clan. One pundit I respect, Daniel Pipes, agrees that the US should leave Syria alone. He feels Islamists are just as much a threat to the region. I disagree with him on this.
Saying all of this, and no making any excuses for American policy, I still am not getting my answer to several questions:
– Which countries are helping Syria more than the US?
– Since when has America (in the eyes of arabs) EVER been “without reproach”?
– American has always been hated by arabs, so really, what else is new?
– why do arabs feel that America “owes” Syria anything really, and what do arabs expect from other arab countries, and what is Syria actually getting from other arab countries?
I hope you understand my point, and I hope you (or someone else on this website) can fill me in.
the US surpasses israel in terms of war crimes it has committed. did you not follow the bush years?
Omen,
I liked Bush. You don’t. What can I say? Bush went in and got rid of Baathist dictator #1, Saddam Hussein and his evil government. Saddam Hussein killed over an order of magnitude more Iraqis than the USA was responsible for, and gave the Iraqis an opportunity to government themselves. And you are living proof that American largess is not only wasted, it isn’t even appreciated. So be it.
I hope you don’t expect anything from the USA with respect to Syria, because I don’t believe you would appreciate it.
So you see, although I believe the US should help Syrians, I get a little ruffled when I read about the usual “bad-guys”, America and Israel.
i want what syrians want.
Of course, that’s democracy. And the US wants Syrians to choose whoever they want.
the top priority is unseating this regime.
Agreed.
syrians will take care of the post-assad era. this fear of the unknown is used as an excuse by the west not to aid in the toppling of the regime.
I am optimistic Syrians will overcome. I don’t think it is the “fear of the unknown”, I just don’t think whatever the US does will be supported by arabs like you. Frankly.
in other words, you correctly assess the US is quite willing to tolerate this genocidal regime preferring it the imagined alternative.
Yup. “The US is quite willing to tolerate this genocidal regime”, just like every other country. Which brings me back to my point, why are you focused on just the evil US administration in this regard? Are there any other arab and muslim countries tolerating this genocidal regime? List them for us so we can read your words.
what you dont acknowledge is that it is willing to do so for the sake of its own interests… this alleged fear of islamists is not the reason for the west’s tolerance for evil autocrats. US policy is driven by profit, not concern over a rag tag group of bearded men. chomsky once noted it’s not radical islam that worries the US, it’s independence. the people’s inherent right to self determination is also something israel fears.
Again, your above paragraph is an indictment of the US, the West, and Israel. You’ve left out quite a few arab countries. Why?
i don’t support a ground invasion ala iraq. intervention on such a grand scale is not needed here.
OK…
it would take sooo little for the US to help shorten the war by shifting the balance of power to favor the rebels, yet it is unwilling to do so.
I tend to agree with you.
the US is unwilling to pursue even non-military initiatives what would serve to undermine the regime – such as working to build international pressure to expel syrian diplomatic officials overseas, repeated offers of amnesty for regime inner circle to cause them to step down, or sanctions to bar russia and iran from arming the regime, etc. inaction of this kind of approach betrays a lack of commitment in removing assad.
OK, in this paragraph you list a few recommendations you would like the US government to enact to help the Syrian opposition. But the US can’t do “Jack” at the UN because RUSSIA and CHINA have VETO power in the UNSC. But guess who gets the blame? Right, the US of course. Therefore, diplomacy will not work with Syria.
US has a history of supporting, if not installing, god awful dictators with wretched records of abusing the populace. does that not merit hatred?
Visitor told me I shouldn’t bring up Turkey’s diplomatic prowess with respect to the Marmara incident. He said it wasn’t relevant. Similarly, who the US supported in the past, doesn’t seem to relevant. Unless you feel the need to hammer the US, which, obviously is important to a lot of the participants here.
let me turn your question around. where is your anger?
Omen,
I am not angry. My people and my family are not suffering. I didn’t create Assad or Baathism. I want to see Assad go because I’ve seen what the Assads do over the past 50 years. They are dangerous people.
However, if I was a Syrian-American, I’d be angry. Not just at the US, which is sitting selfishly on her hands, but I’d be angry at ARABS who are supporting the little turd, I’d be angry at myself who probably excused Assad for the first 9 years of his rule, and excused his dabbling with terrorists and jihadists because his mercenaries killed jews instead, and I’d be angry at my arab brethren who are doing less than anyone else in the evil West!
why do you tolerate america’s abuse of the region?
What abuse? The US saved muslims in Bosnia. The US saved Kuwait. The US gave the Iraqis an opportunity and killed their evil Baathist regime. The US helped throw out another arab despot, Colonel Sunglasses of Libya. But you just see it as “America’s abuse”.
Omen,
If you can’t accept the US as a positive force in the region, why do you expect the US to help Syria? I mean, really?! I’ve never seen people so critical of the US, yet, at the same time, expecting the US to help you. Make up your mind.
the thing is it would be easy for the US to make amends for past history.
Now we’re talking about “past history”? Do you want the US government to write you a letter of apology before she decides to bomb Assad to Kingdom Come? Please elaborate.
libyans used to hate britian, france and the US. now they regard these nations with appreciation for having helped get rid of gaddafi.
You mean the US did something right?? You can’t be serious!
why was iraq worth intervention but not syria?
Because Saddam Hussein was more dangerous than Assad. Assad is/was a rabbit. Hussein was brutal. He decided to conquer Kuwait. Assad only wants to conquer his own cities and force Syrians to kiss his posters.
did we invade iraq out of fear of or in retaliation against islamists? i don’t think so.
Bush and american conservative are more likely to use force. As much as you hate GWB, if he were president, Assad would already be a dead man.
i’m also disturbed by your implication that syrians are undeserving or unworthy of defense.
Everyone who is suffering deserves safety. It is a basic human right. Assad is now terrorizing his own people and has killed over 70,000 Syrians (I don’t know the number of non-combatants). But when Assad was terrorizing Israel, through his mercenaries in Southern Lebanon and Gaza, that was OK.
it would have been cheaper to unseat the regime early on.
Obviously.
that would have avoided displacement and spared syria from being reduced to rubble.
I am sorry about this terrible situation.
Regards,
AP
March 5th, 2013, 9:14 pm
AIG said:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/06/world/middleeast/kerry-says-administration-backs-mideast-efforts-to-arm-syrian-rebels.html?_r=0
Kerry Says U.S. Backs Mideast Efforts to Arm Syrian Rebels
By MICHAEL R. GORDON
Published: March 5, 2013
DOHA, Qatar — Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday that the Obama administration supported efforts by Middle Eastern nations to send arms to the opposition in Syria, and had had discussions with foreign officials to emphasize that those arms should go to moderate forces rather than to extremists.
—————————————-
Arms and cash will flow now. The US and the Europeans will also train the FSA. The regime is going to be defeated much more quickly. The wailing and gnashing of teeth from the regime supporters is going to grow stronger.
March 5th, 2013, 9:21 pm
ALI said:
Akbar Palace:
Shut the fk up you Zionist piece of sh1t, stop trolling around here and go back to Poland where you belong.
Alassad and his nation will drown you in the Mediterranean.
Now let me see who of the terrorists will come to aid you
March 5th, 2013, 9:23 pm
MarigoldRan said:
The regime lost a major city/province and they celebrate.
That’s excellent for the revolution. I think regime supporters have a wonderful attitude towards losing. Let’s hope it continues. With their current attitude towards defeats [learn nothing from it and pretend instead it’s a victory], they’re bound to lose the war.
March 5th, 2013, 9:25 pm
ALI said:
so mthrfkr Akbar Palace and AIG share the same shift.
Soon enough your virtual imposter terrorist state will be vanished under the fist of freedom fighters of resistance axis and you need to swim back to where you come from.
Free to Palestine
Free to Golan heights
Free South Lebanon
March 5th, 2013, 9:26 pm
AIG said:
Ali,
Don’t you feel like an idiot claiming that Assad will “drown” Israel when he can’t control his own cities? That is the problem with the regime and its supporters, very good at talking, very bad at doing.
Assad had all the opportunity in the world to “drown” Israel, yet the Golan was very quiet. How do you explain this cowardice and impotence?
March 5th, 2013, 9:28 pm
ALI said:
Mari my dear friend:
“The regime lost a major city/province and they celebrate”
No we did hand in Raqqa for strategic reasons, just wait and see the ramifications.
the word “lost” does not exist in our dictionary
March 5th, 2013, 9:29 pm
AIG said:
Ali,
The Assads have been in power 40 years, why will is it always in the future that Israel will be “vanished”? Why not now? Why hasn’t Hezbollah attacked Israel ONCE in the last 6 years? What are they waiting for?
March 5th, 2013, 9:31 pm
AIG said:
Ali,
Are you also letting Israel hold the Golan since 1967 for “strategic reasons”? I understand that you did not “lose” it, you gave it to Israel for “strategic reasons”. What are those reasons?
Eagerly waiting your explanation.
March 5th, 2013, 9:33 pm
ALI said:
AIG
Go book you ticket to Poland or Russia or where the fk you come from.
I did mount a Zionist girl the other day from the occupied Palestine and man if felt so good to fk the sh1t out of you occupiers. she was a big nose Polish looking, does you mother look alike?
March 5th, 2013, 9:33 pm
MarigoldRan said:
What plan? The regime’s lost more than half the country now and losing more with each passing week.
You’ve always been writing “oh, the regime has a big plan,” but it just continues to lose more and more.
I don’t see much of a plan at all. I just see the regime slowly losing ground.
March 5th, 2013, 9:34 pm
ALI said:
AIG
“The Assads have been in power 40 years, why will is it always in the future that Israel will be “vanished”? Why not now?”
I told you we’re busy banging your ladies and killing your agents in Syria.
Just wait and don’t rush your destiny, I’ll make sure that you’ll be looked after you stupid criminal poop head
March 5th, 2013, 9:36 pm
AIG said:
Ali,
Still waiting for your answer about the Golan:
Are you also letting Israel hold the Golan since 1967 for “strategic reasons”? I understand that you did not “lose” it, you gave it to Israel for “strategic reasons”. What are those reasons?
Eagerly waiting your explanation.
March 5th, 2013, 9:38 pm
AIG said:
Ali,
Always too busy to “vanish” us. What a disappointment. We feel neglected. Please do something about Israel instead of talking. You can begin by actually firing at Israeli planes next time they fly in Syria or Lebanon. Alas, it never happens. Cowards remain cowards. All they can do is write insults in blogs and prove how despicable some regime supporters are.
March 5th, 2013, 9:41 pm
ALI said:
Mari:
“I don’t see much of a plan at all. I just see the regime slowly losing ground.”
Didn’t you hear he who laughs last, laughs longest.
I’m talking no sh1t here, the other day my father explained to me what is exactly happening in the back-end where normal people don’t see. We do have all the strings in our hands and we do control the game end to end.
What’s happening could be read as you highlighted but only those who understand know exactly what’s happening.
Again handing in Raqqa has 0 impact on us
March 5th, 2013, 9:41 pm
AIG said:
“Again handing in Raqqa has 0 impact on us”
Of course, just as handing the Golan to Israel had zero impact. Or handing large parts of Aleppo had zero impact. In fact, the civil war is not impacting the regime at all. Who knew.
March 5th, 2013, 9:44 pm
ALI said:
AIG
You’re a filthy Mossad agent so shut the fk up and stop talking to me otherwise I have to send a 6 years old Palestinian kid to piss on your face.
March 5th, 2013, 9:44 pm
AIG said:
In fact, the Syrian regime is actually controlling the Golan but “normal people don’t see” what the real situation is.
March 5th, 2013, 9:45 pm
AIG said:
Ali,
Still waiting to understand the “strategic reasons” for which the Assads gave the Golan to Israel and most of the north of Syria to the rebels. Please enlighten us.
March 5th, 2013, 9:47 pm
MarigoldRan said:
You can believe what you wish, but I believe in what I see, not in what I hear.
And what I’ve seen is the regime lose control of both the East and the North with stalemates in Homs, Damascus and Lattakia.
What I’ve also seen is that the regime has lost half of its air-fleet, all of its industries in Aleppo, most of its oilfields, and most of its farms.
In other words, the regime has ZERO economic productivity. Furthermore, defections are on the rise again, because now the defectors have somewhere to go. The only reason is has not collapsed is because of Iranian money, but that will not last forever.
What you may not understand Ali is that your enemies also see it as a fight to the death. They’re not going to fight one another until AFTER your regime is finished.
March 5th, 2013, 9:47 pm
MarigoldRan said:
The regime has been trying to consolidate Damascus and Homs for the past 3-4 months.
Much of Damascus remain in rebel hands. Large parts of Homs also remain in rebel hands. Regime offensives have gone nowhere.
In other words, the regime’s attempts to consolidate their holdings around Damascus and around the supply routes connecting Damascus to Lattakia are failing.
Furthermore, the regime CONTINUES to lose ground elsewhere. Once the rebels clean up in Aleppo, Raqqa, and Deir El Ezzor, and get more aid from the GCC, they can begin their big push into central Syria.
EDIT: By the way, the GCC and several European countries have lost its patience with Iran. They have also lost its patience with American foot-dragging. More weapons will be forthcoming. The regime has hung on because the rebels don’t have the weapons to win yet, but that’s not a situation that will last forever.
March 5th, 2013, 9:52 pm
ALI said:
“What you may not understand Ali is that your enemies also see it as a fight to the death. They’re not going to fight one another until AFTER your regime is finished.”
I disagree because Sunnis have the luxury of going and living in many other Sunnis countries so it’s not a matter of life and death to them. On the other hand, we have only Syria and we worked so hard to reach to here and trust me we will not let go.
Let me assure you the Iranian money will not stop and the Russian weapons are being given for free to us. what are you talking about both Iran and Russia understand fully that it’s one of them will be next on the chopping block so they’re all in.
Bashar talks personally to Putin on weekly basis while Sergey Lavrov talks to Alassad everyday that’s everyday, so yeah good luck to all those who dream of pushing us to the mountains again. As one of my father’s friends said once “we didn’t leave the mountains to come back to it”
March 5th, 2013, 9:57 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Akbar Palace
I think you are giving us contradictory statements, the real question is why the US is prohibiting countries like Turkey from delivering specific weapons to the rebels?there were missiles that reached Iskandaron ,and supposed to get to the rebels,US ordered Turkey to not allow them to go to the rebels. The turkish army can defeat the Assad thugs in one week,Erdogan has been willing to fight and defeat Assad, US says no,Why?.
The rebels never asked US to send troops,KSA is willing to pay for anti aircraft missiles and send them to the rebels,US is objecting.
on the other side, several american military ships came close to the syrian coast,then all the sudden they pulled away,why?
Now that Russia is supporting Assad gang,(I would not say regime anymore),how do you think the future army will arm itself,once Assad is gone?don’t they have to depend on the west?,I am sure you agree they will not go to Russia, to buy weapons, anymore.to the US interest that US must help the rebels, otherwise future syrian goverments will have to resort to other actions.
We discussed this before, but Syria was about to become friend with the US in 1954, Israel objected,and pushed Afif Bizri(whose mother was jew),to stage a coup,and put Ajlani in jail,Ajlani was american friend.It is clear Israel behind US reluctance to help the rebels,against the interest of US.
I can go on for long ,but it is to the US interest to help syrian rebels,but the jewish lobby are the reason that US is not helping the rebels.
March 5th, 2013, 9:58 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Ali,
If your regime accepts Iranian and Russian money, which of course everyone knows, that means your regime is nothing more than an Iranian or Russian puppet. Think about that.
Also, your statement that this is not a matter of life or death is wrong. There are millions of Sunni refugees in neighboring countries. They have nowhere to go except to win the war and go back to Syria. They are like the Palestinians, except there’s a lot more of them and they’re not going to negotiate.
Finally, despite all your weapons from Russia and Iran, and all your “talks with Lazarov”, your regime continues to lose ground, while making absolutely no headway in your offensives.
Also, what you may not understand is that NO ONE in the West or the GCC plans to seriously negotiate with the regime, ever. Your regime has committed too many crimes for this.
The Russians and the Iranians might support your regime for a year, or two years, but are they willing to spend billions of dollars every year supporting your useless regime, forever?
March 5th, 2013, 10:05 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Let me state this in blunt terms:
Your regime despite BILLIONS of dollars of foreign aid from Russia and Iran is losing ground. The rebels, with very limited foreign military aid, are winning territory, albeit slowly.
However, that favorable situation will not last forever. Obama, for example, will not be a president 4 years from now. The next American president could very well be Republican or Clinton, both of whom are much more aggressive in foreign affairs.
What does this say about the long-term survival chances of your regime?
Also, doesn’t this mean that your regime is nothing more than a foreign puppet?
March 5th, 2013, 10:14 pm
revenire said:
Russia and Iran are all in. They heard Joe Biden tell the Zionists at AIPAC Obama’s not bluffing about attacking Iran.
Syria is stopping them. In a way few can see Syria is doing her part to stop WW III.
March 5th, 2013, 10:16 pm
ALI said:
Mari:
“The Russians and the Iranians might support your regime for a year, or two years”
Well if things go the way you’re predicting then no problem at all, two years is quite enough to demolish Syria on its people bringing it back to what it was 40 years ago, i think that’s a fair deal isn’t it?
another quote for another army officer ” we took Syria when it was only 7 million people and we’re happy to hand it back with only 7 million”
Anyway we’re quite confident of how things going and my offer to host you on our farm is still on the table, we will talk about your wring predictions at the time.
March 5th, 2013, 10:18 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Ali,
Most of the rebels at this point are more than happy to blow up the country as long as they blow up your regime too.
Your attitude is shared by the other side as well. If the country is going to be 7 million people at the end of this, it’s going to 7 million Sunnis.
I would not advise the genocidal option. In a genocidal war, the minority population always loses. As I’ve said before: what comes around, goes around.
March 5th, 2013, 10:24 pm
revenire said:
Things are going great for Syria and our army. I am pleased with the progress being made.
Assad has beaten everyone.
The Israeli leaders said he would be gone almost two years ago.
March 5th, 2013, 10:30 pm
ALI said:
“Your attitude is shared by the other side as well. If the country is going to be 7 million people at the end of this, it’s going to 7 million Sunnis”
Wrong again, remember we have the Chemical weapons and what we used in the airport battle is nothing comparing to what we do actually ready to use. When these terrorists cross THE redline then cities will be wiped off as simple as that.
7 million people of Alwais and upper class Sunni people is much better that vulgar countryside animals, I think poor peasant Sunnis could go to surrounding countries, I think Iraq and Jordan could easily settle heaps of them in the desert.
March 5th, 2013, 10:31 pm
MarigoldRan said:
This is what I love about regime supporters. They lose one airfield or city, and they say “all is well.” Then they lose another city or airfield, and they say “all is well.”
I personally adores this attitude of yours, Revenire. That way you’ll never learn from your mistakes, making it all that much easier to beat you.
March 5th, 2013, 10:32 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Ali,
The moment you use chemical weapons, you and your regime will be wiped off the face of the earth. Remember that. The American position on this is very, very clear. What comes around, goes around.
If you think that your chemical weapons are going to deter the rebels from crossing the red line, you’ve got it wrong. They’re not going to stop UNTIL they beat your regime.
So you better start thinking hard about what happens when the rebels DO cross whatever red line it is that your regime has set. Because if you use chemical weapons, you’ve lost the war and the rebels know that.
March 5th, 2013, 10:36 pm
ALI said:
Rev:
“Assad has beaten everyone:
Like father like son
Soon we all will celebrate the ultimate victory by pushing terrorists from Aleppo back to Turkey where they belong.
I say the refugees (everyone got paid $200 to register as a refugee) should not allowed back to Syria. Let Jordan and Turkey deal with their own made sh1t.
March 5th, 2013, 10:39 pm
MarigoldRan said:
That’s nice, Ali.
Unfortunately, your regime has no control over most of its borders. So they’re just empty words.
Also, how do you exactly intend to push the rebels back to Turkey? With what army do you intend to do this with? The same army that is engaged in another fruitless offensive in Homs?
Look, if the regime can’t re-take Homs or secure Damascus, how do you intend it to re-take Aleppo?
March 5th, 2013, 10:41 pm
revenire said:
Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait all failed to meet their pledges, they can send men and weapons for murder but not aid to refugees they created
£1bn pledged in aid to Syria fails to materialise
Gulf countries and other states including the UK pledged the money at a donor conference in Kuwait last month
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/28/aid-syria-fails-materialise
“Last month, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar each pledged $300m. But WHO said it was still relying on funds from traditional sources such as Scandinavia, as well as the UN and EU. On Wednesday, Oxfam said just 20% of the $1.5bn pot had reached aid agencies, despite the fact the country’s humanitarian crisis was now spinning out of control.”
March 5th, 2013, 10:44 pm
ALI said:
Mari:
I think you do sound disconnected today.
Didn’t you hear the press saying Bashar declared victory and that means we have won already, it’s just we’re dealing with some after match issues.
I say we’re 6 months away from finishing the whole crisis.
stay optimistic brother
March 5th, 2013, 10:45 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Ali,
Really? Well then, I declare victory on behalf of the rebels. So there, your regime lost. Best you surrender now, lest we get angry.
After all, I can make silly proclamations too.
March 5th, 2013, 10:47 pm
revenire said:
The “mighty” US can’t control its borders. Obama has no control over the US borders – drugs, illegal immigrants and weapons all pour in.
March 5th, 2013, 10:47 pm
Ziad said:
Hugo Chavez proves you can lead a progressive, popular government that says no to neo-liberalism
Is all the Western media coverage that portrays him as a dictator by chance related to his politics? Here in Venezuela, the truth is very clear to see
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/hugo-chavez-proves-you-can-lead-a-progressive-popular-government-that-says-no-to-neoliberalism-8202738.html
March 5th, 2013, 10:48 pm
ALI said:
Mari:
“how do you exactly intend to push the rebels back to Turkey? With what army do you intend to do this with?”
I;m no military person but the simple equation is to send more Sunni conscripts to fight them so they can kill each other and it’s win-win for us.
March 5th, 2013, 10:50 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Ali,
Well, I’m glad you’re finally telling the truth. But the problem with that strategy is the Sunni conscripts don’t fight very hard and run away at the first opportunity.
I would also like to add that because of this attitude of yours, many of them are defecting with each passing day.
The ranks of your enemies grow. While your ranks shrink.
March 5th, 2013, 10:53 pm
ALI said:
Rev
“The “mighty” US can’t control its borders. Obama has no control over the US borders – drugs, illegal immigrants and weapons all pour in.”
You’re way smarter than me brother, thanks for the great comeback to Mari
March 5th, 2013, 10:53 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Ali,
Somehow I don’t think that’s a very favorable situation for your regime. I don’t think your regime can sustain this in the long run. Wouldn’t you agree?
What’s the point of having an offensive, if most of your troops run away at the first opportunity?
EDIT: I would like to add that Revenire is an idiot. He can’t tell apart between the border of America and Mexico, and the border between Syria and its neighbors.
I think that says it all.
March 5th, 2013, 10:56 pm
ALI said:
Mari:
“The ranks of your enemies grow. While your ranks shrink.”
I call that an ultimate BS
What’s happening with what you call “defection” is something else, it’s an internal filtration process to recognize the goods from the bads. Those who ran away from the Army don’t belong to the army and we’re happy about their departure.
It’s all divine
March 5th, 2013, 10:57 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Ali,
Perhaps it is an “internal filtration process” as you call it, but the net effect of that process is that your ranks shrink and their ranks grow.
You can spin it however you want, but as I’ve said:
Your ranks shrink. Their ranks grow.
March 5th, 2013, 10:59 pm
Ziad said:
U.S. efforts on Iran not working, Syria planning underway: Mattis
I’m just paid to take a rather dim view of the Iranians, frankly,” General James Mattis, the head of the U.S. military’s Central Command, told a Senate hearing.
Mattis also painted a daunting portrayal of events on the ground in Syria, where he said the situation was too complex at this point for him to support arming rebels battling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
“We don’t want to inadvertently, with the best of intentions, arm people who are basically sworn enemies,” he said before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
http://news.yahoo.com/u-efforts-iran-not-working-syria-planning-underway-220440935.html
March 5th, 2013, 11:01 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Ziad,
Do you trust statements by American government officials? Has it occurred to you that the Americans might be lying?
If you’re smart, you can tell the moment the Americans begin to seriously arm the rebels.
The moment the Americans begin to seriously arm the rebels, they will hold lots of news conferences and speeches saying that they are NOT arming the rebels. I can almost guarantee you this.
EDIT: People only listen to what they want to believe in.
March 5th, 2013, 11:03 pm
ghufran said:
Ammar AbdulHameed is waking up after 2 years:
“The elections that took place could not have been in any way shape or form representative of the real communal and political diversity in Aleppo City, and making too much out of it gives too much legitimacy to a group that plans to conduct its affairs on the basis of Sharia law without consulting or paying any difference to the existing civil code. The people did not rise up against the civil code, they rose up against corruption and authoritarianism. The intentions of the people who organized and took part in the elections are probably good, but they are limited by their ideological predilections, limited experience and social backgrounds.
So, let’s not spinthis development: it’s actually a sign of how bad things are in Syria today, and a testament to how the international community is facilitating the rise of Islamists, moderates and extremists, through its indifference”
March 5th, 2013, 11:07 pm
revenire said:
America is a big nation with diverse views. Not everyone in power there wants to arm Al-Qaeda is Syria – the same in Europe, same in the UK.
As far as defections there are very few. During Vietnam I believe nearly 60,000 US soldiers fled to Canada? Maybe less, maybe more but it was a huge number. In Syria we have plenty of men to fight. There are more volunteers than we can assimilate into the new defense militias.
Syrians are patriots.
The army is intact.
March 5th, 2013, 11:08 pm
MarigoldRan said:
That’s nice, Revenire. Continue believing in that. All the better for us.
March 5th, 2013, 11:10 pm
Ziad said:
Mari
I read what I read with a critical open mind. I post it hear if it seems relevant to our issue at hand. I believe what appears believable to me and discard the rest.
March 5th, 2013, 11:11 pm
MarigoldRan said:
That’s fair.
And do you find that statement by General James Mattis to be believable?
March 5th, 2013, 11:12 pm
Visitor said:
John Kerry was told in Riyad in no uncertain terms that there will be no guarantees as to who will receive weapons that will be delivered to Syria. The message was delivered clearly as to the necessity of supplying weapons no matter what.
This is a big blow to the US failed policy and to the narrative it sought to cast the ongoing war in Syria into. US manipulation and maneuvering have finally been called off by KSA FM as well as by HBJ. Kerry had no choice but to go along and settle for the face-saving statement being circulated in the media about restricting weapons delivery to so-called moderates.
Nusra and Ahrar will emerge victorious because they are the most efficient and effective fighting force in Syria. They have also provided training, inspiration and discipline to disparate defectors who lacked all the above necessary qualities to wage the war of liberating Syria.
Even without weapons from outside Nusra, Ahrar and those who are of similar backgrounds are the leaders in this war and will destroy the assad thugs. In all cases, all Syrians as well as the FSA are indebted to their marvelous achievements in the field.
March 5th, 2013, 11:24 pm
Syrialover said:
OBSERVER, thanks for your thoughtful comments in the last couple of posts which I read with interest. I always read what you write, and agree with a lot of it.
We could take up more room than ZOO here, but I have selected only a couple of things to respond to.
1. In #231 you say something that baffles me: “… we get the Iranian Islamic revolution that topples a pillar of Western stability and despite all of its problems the country achieves a significant improvment in education and technological advance WITHOUT abandoning its ideological stance and therefore without acquiescing to Western approval or hegemony. They showed that they can be Islamic and capable of achieving some moducum of independence.”
Huh? What? The facts are very different and you can check them easily, or just ask any informed person who has lived there.
Iran under the Shah was a tough and sinister place in many ways, but it was on a development and modernization track which the Mullahs climbed onto but slowed down if not derailed.
If a competent, secular government had succeeded the Shah, Iran today would be a wealthy, advanced and influential world presence. Not a pariah nation that missed out on countless billions of oil revenue and development because of ineptitude, exhausted itelf in a near-fatal war with Iraq, and has see the disaffection and defection of significant sectors of its talented class. And by the way, has one of the world’s highest rates of drug addiction
It is also ruled by vicious, repressive and tyrannical means in the name of religion. I posted something here recently about new revelations on the shocking number of people who died under torture in Iranian state prisons wwhent he Mullahs took control.
2. I get your point about the need for Islamic discourse, and how those wanting to push their point should have to do better than sloganeering.(#231 and #267). But I think we cannot expect an Islamic “dialogue” because those chasing Islamist political power are very uninterested and intolerant of that. They are obsessed with their own version of reality and fantasy and controlling others.
You’ll see that those involved in Islamist politics are well, not exactly winners in the real world or strong in experience and competence. They have found a quick and dirty way into power by constructing a version of Islam which they are ferocious about imposing as a route to power.
They also have ZERO to offer. Syria, Tunisia and Egypt do not have an oil cushion to keep things afloat – Islamist governments will quickly put things into reverse gear and destroy all hope through incompetence, injustice and isolationism.
Like you I hope Syrians can develop an alternative route, another way, a secular way to work together, that includes respect for all forms of religion and pride in Arab heritage and identity.
March 5th, 2013, 11:28 pm
Akbar Palace said:
Majedkhaldoun,
Thank you for Post #320. Here are my responses:
I think you are giving us contradictory statements…
OK, next time please show the contradictory statements, and I’ll be happy to clarify.
…the real question is why the US is prohibiting countries like Turkey from delivering specific weapons to the rebels?
I don’t know. Please provide a link that shows this, perhaps there is some explanation.
there were missiles that reached Iskandaron ,and supposed to get to the rebels,US ordered Turkey to not allow them to go to the rebels.
Please show me a link that discusses what the US “ordered” Turkey to do.
The turkish army can defeat the Assad thugs in one week,Erdogan has been willing to fight and defeat Assad, US says no,Why?.
I was not aware of this. BTW, are you angry at Erdogan for caving
to American “orders”, or is it the usual anti-American anger we’ve grown so accustomed to? Anyway, a link showing this American ultimatum against Turkey would be interesting for me to read.
The rebels never asked US to send troops,KSA is willing to pay for anti aircraft missiles and send them to the rebels,US is objecting.
As far as I know, the rebels have shot down a number of Syrian aircraft already. Maybe someone didn’t listen to American ultimatums and orders. Please provide a link, and I’ll comment.
on the other side, several american military ships came close to the syrian coast,then all the sudden they pulled away,why?
I don’t know. Were they scared? Any Iranian ships near the Syrian coast? What about other Arab navies? Here we go again, focusing only on American faults and inadequacies.
Majedkhaldoun,
If the US isn’t doing what you want them to do, what is your Plan B? Is your Plan B, a letter writing campaign to the US Dept of State? Is your Plan B getting arms to the rebels under the watchful eyes of the US government and their Jewish overlords? Just wondering if the Arab world can survive without the US? I hope so.
Now that Russia is supporting Assad gang,(I would not say regime anymore),how do you think the future army will arm itself,once Assad is gone?
Once Assad is gone, the world will quickly recognize a temporary regime to rebuild the country and start FREE ELECTIONS.
don’t they have to depend on the west?
You tell me. Apparently you and others hate the West, so I guess I wouldn’t depend on them. They can depend on the 22 other arab states that comprise the Arab League if you think that’s better. In short, I wouldn’t depend on ANYONE.
We discussed this before, but Syria was about to become friend with the US in 1954…
Already ancient history. I would start thinking about the future.
Israel objected,and pushed Afif Bizri(whose mother was jew)…
Jews are everywhere. You need eyes in the back of your head. Right?
I can go on for long ,but it is to the US interest to help syrian rebels,but the jewish lobby are the reason that US is not helping the rebels.
The US wants as many friends in the ME as possible. But it’s hard work. Especially if no matter what you do is criticized on a daily basis.
Majedkhaldoun,
You are once again wrong about Jews. I wonder why. Joseph Lieberman has already lobbied the US Congress to ARM THE SYRIAN OPPOSITION!
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/04/10/mccain_and_lieberman_meet_with_the_free_syria_army
http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/policy-and-strategy/228459-sen-lieberman-white-house-inching-closer-to-military-response-in-syria/
Majedkhaldoun,
If you find a few of the links that support your claims, I would like to see them. Meanwhile, think a little bit about your prejudices against Jews and Israel. And not just you. Part of my time here is to show the participants here that Jews (and Americans) are not your enemy.
March 5th, 2013, 11:55 pm
syrialover said:
HERE’S the kind of thing that should be obsessing those with fantasies of being in power in post-Assed Syria, not dress codes and making threats about tobacco and alcohol.
What’s their plan? Madrassas and Koranic schools?
Story: “Syria’s education crisis, in three charts”
EXCERPT
A new assessment released today by the United Nations Children’s Fund estimates that some Syrian children have missed out on as much as two years of education in the midst of their country’s ongoing civil struggle.
“The education system in Syria is reeling from the impact of violence,” said Youssouf Abdel-Jelil, UNICEF’s Syria representative, in a statement. “Syria once prided itself on the quality of its schools. Now it’s seeing the gains it made over the years rapidly reversed.”
…
That bodes poorly for young Syrians, who struggled to complete school and find jobs long before the conflict started. According to a 2010 paper sponsored by Stanford University, nearly 40 percent of Syrian youth ages 15 to 24 dropped out of school before the ninth grade. And many Syrian youth, particularly women, faced crippling unemployment rates.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/03/05/syrias-education-crisis-in-three-charts/
March 6th, 2013, 12:12 am
revenire said:
Don’t worry, they’ll never get close to taking power.
March 6th, 2013, 12:31 am
MarigoldRan said:
So you’re saying their chances of winning are equivalent to the chances of you finding gainful employment?
March 6th, 2013, 12:47 am
Juergen said:
336 Ziad
I know its tempting to portray Chavez as an caring and charismatic leader who was loved by his people. Ever talked to an Venezuelan about his life under Chavez? I know two who have lost their businesses, one who lost his land to an politician, it was confiscated. ( they did confiscate on a large scale in the country) The safety in Caracas went down the drain, its next to Sao Paulo and Rio the most dangerous city in South America, and that is an direct outcome of the Chavism, before his reign started Caracas was not even mentioned in this top ten list. Less us not forget how Chavez entered the worldstage, by a bloody attempt to take power, it failed and the government made this huge mistake to release him after 2 years, and on he went to conquer the presidency through democratic elections. I doubt Chavism will survive, Maduro may benefit in short terms from a legacy, but the system is already corrupt. The reports of Chavez family enriched themselves doesnt stop with his family,many among him are superrich now. In the meantime this rich nation has rising unemployment rates and the economy is suffering. Go figure if that is yet an other ideal state, I would say God had mercy on the Venezuelans.
March 6th, 2013, 12:52 am
Juergen said:
Great feature by BBC arabic on Syrian women in the revolution and the war, a must see
March 6th, 2013, 12:54 am
Juergen said:
March 6th, 2013, 12:55 am
Juergen said:
great feature by BBC arabic, a must see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cIke4E1AgsY
March 6th, 2013, 12:56 am
apple_mini said:
Those opposition members and supporters, Islamic radicals and terrorist cheerleaders here are hailing Hugo Chavez’s death like a victory.
For only one thing Chavez had achieved to redistribute fortune to the poor reducing poverty rates by two thirds, that was enough to win his popularity among majority of Venezuelans. And enough for us to admire his compassion, resolve and shrewdness.
Isn’t the opposition standing on their moral high ground faulting the regime being corrupted and letting too many Syrians live under poverty; Didn’t Chavez win election with 80% voters’ turnout? Isn’t it what the opposition using guns and blood to fight for: democracy?
It seems those revolutionary posters here are not as they claimed to be. This war to them is all about power, victory and winning.
If there were one man in the opposition with as much of aspiration and caliber as of Chavez, then the opposition would be winning hearts and minds of Syrians.
March 6th, 2013, 1:05 am
Juergen said:
Apple Mini
Syrians are smart enough never to allow again that an charismatic ruler with aspiration and with a caliber like Chavez takes control of this country.
March 6th, 2013, 1:10 am
Johannes de Silentio said:
346. MOSSIE
“Syrians are patriots. The army is intact.”
You poor deluded cunt
March 6th, 2013, 1:18 am
Juergen said:
Bullet
a short story
March 6th, 2013, 1:32 am
Juergen said:
A syrian childhood
March 6th, 2013, 2:42 am
annie said:
Ali’s posts are even more disgusting than the Reverend’s. This blog is hitting the bottom.
When his crap has me thumbing up AIG, things must really be unbearable. Even Juergen cannot keep me here. Bye
March 6th, 2013, 2:44 am
annie said:
Ali’s posts are even more disgusting than the Reverend’s. This blog is hitting the bottom.
When his crap has me thumbing up AIG, things must really be unbearable. Even Juergen cannot keep me here.
March 6th, 2013, 2:44 am
Juergen said:
Annie
Take a day or two off, and things look better. See those figures live through the fear of others, this whole regime depends on that.I know its hard to ignore them when they use this filth to express themselves. A good washing of their mouths with soap wont even cure them. Dont give in. At last we can use this saying, next time in Damascus!
March 6th, 2013, 2:51 am
ALI said:
Annie:
Good boy, it’s good that you remembered who are your masters and kneed to them.
Now since you showed remorse then i forgive you and I allow you to keep posting here but you should show your loyalty to us.
March 6th, 2013, 3:24 am
ALI said:
Juergen:
“At last we can use this saying, next time in Damascus!”
you mean next time in Sydnaya prison.
If you don’t like this blog then fk off, this is Assad loyalists blog and only Assad believers are allowed here
March 6th, 2013, 3:28 am
ALI said:
To all Syrian expats on this blog, this is your last chance to refrain from opposing or badmouthing your leaders. You all should be appreciative for all what have been done to civilize you and putting you on the map.
You all have family and friends in Syria and at a point of time you will visit home, so my advice to you to stay to the regime’s side or shut your mouth for good just like old days, otherwise and God knows that we can get the blue flies from anywhere.
I’m ready to forgive those who show remorse and good manners around this blog.
Always remember this great name “Hafez” and you’ll come back to where you belong.
March 6th, 2013, 3:33 am
MarigoldRan said:
Freedom of speech. Your threats, like the regime’s are empty.
Also, I would like to remind you: what comes around, goes around.
March 6th, 2013, 3:34 am
ALI said:
I’m the law enforcer on this blog, be assured nothing passes me.
Zionists = Terrorists
March 6th, 2013, 3:37 am
MarigoldRan said:
You can pretend to be whatever you want.
However, there are no enforcers on this blog, which is why you can post whatever you want. But that ALSO means anyone else can post whatever they want too. It cuts both ways.
March 6th, 2013, 3:39 am
MarigoldRan said:
You can pretend to be whatever you want.
However, there are no enforcers on this blog, which is why you can post whatever you want. But that ALSO means anyone else can post whatever they want too. It cuts both ways.
March 6th, 2013, 3:40 am
ALI said:
Mari:
It’s for your best interest to maintain good relation with those who can influence things which is us
Freedom of speech is allowed but no terrorists or Zionists may voice their thoughts.
That’s the way it’s on this blog, take it or leave it.
March 6th, 2013, 3:40 am
MarigoldRan said:
The point of freedom of speech is that ANYONE can say whatever they want, as long as they do not engage in direct PERSONAL threats. I find some of your comments offensive, just as you find some of my comments offensive. But since you have not made direct PERSONAL attacks (we’re anonymous on the Internet and we don’t know each other) I have no problems with it.
I can agree to disagree on certain subjects.
However, while YOU can say anything you want, others can say anything they want too. NO EXCEPTIONS. That is freedom of speech. On that I will not compromise with, just as you will not compromise on Hafiz Assad.
As I’ve said before: it cuts both ways.
You can pretend to be the enforcer of the blog, but since you have no real power, that will only make you look silly. If you would like to CONVINCE others of the rightness of your views, I would NOT approach it the way you have so far.
The POINT of a debate is to CONVINCE the other side the validity of your viewpoint. Making empty threats will NOT help your cause.
March 6th, 2013, 3:47 am
MarigoldRan said:
Ali,
I understand that you get upset by what others write. I think that is fair. However, OTHER people get upset by what YOU write. I think that’s fair too.
After all, that’s the point of freedom of speech: a lot of people saying angry words at another. It’s better to hurt other peoples’ feelings, then it is to hurt their physical bodies with bullets and guns.
This means that you can say whatever you want, but that means OTHERS can say whatever they want too. My opinion is that this makes it an excellent way of running society, which is something that Syrians of BOTH sides should adopt.
March 6th, 2013, 3:56 am
ALI said:
Mari:
You’re the only one who speaks sane around here. Tell me how many times they started badmouthing Hafez in my presence although I asked all of them “politely” not to do it.
” If you would like to CONVINCE others of the rightness of your views, I would NOT approach it the way you have so far.”
I agree if you were dealing with normal people, but these people beg the harsh whip. In Syria we say you need to use the red eye “el3een el7amra” on them. I’m afraid that’s the only language they understand.
March 6th, 2013, 4:05 am
Dolly Buster said:
Wow I am so happy that this simian Chavez has died. One less tyrant in bed with Assad, Russia, and other soon-to-be-deceased entities.
I heard that Chavez caused inflation, crime and shortages in Venezuela, due to his red commie policies. Socialism fails 100% of the time, it seems.
March 6th, 2013, 4:08 am
Dolly Buster said:
I actually don’t hate Hafez at all, because I don’t remember his reign.
I’m mainly pissed at Bashar because he took the side of Moscow against sunnis.
March 6th, 2013, 4:10 am
ALI said:
Dolly Buster:
“I actually don’t hate Hafez at all, because I don’t remember his reign”
Thanks Dolly thanks very much for your kind words.
Hafez’s days were the best days, food and clothes were sold for cheap in governmental owned supermarkets. People were proud of their Arabisim not like these days running after passports, and the nation was united around one leader Hafez against one enemy Israel.
In the old days working for the governemnt was really rewarding and being a governemt employee was giving you a social status. The Syrian pound was really good and families could live with only 2000SYP monthly.
Hafez was fully with Sunni people and his inner circle people were mainly Sunni. He fought his own brother Refat and kicked him out of the country because he dealt with Sunni scarfed women with disrespect.
Dolly I can write pages of those old golden days of HAfez
March 6th, 2013, 4:20 am
MarigoldRan said:
Ali,
Your last comment was much more convincing, and thank you very much. Personally, I enjoy talking to you too.
However, if you want to convince others the validity of some of your views, insulting or threatening them will not help UNLESS it is your intention to troll them (and if you wish to troll them, that is your business. But expect to get trolled back).
It works the other way too. If they attack you, then you have every right to attack them.
BUT if this continues, soon you’ll be spending your entire time on this blog insulting other trolls, who who will also be insulting you back. What comes around, goes around, kind of like what’s happening in Syria today. If that’s what you want to do, then go ahead. But if you want others to AGREE with you, that is if you wish to govern by CONSENSUS instead of by FORCE, I would advise a different method.
EDIT: Granted, there are those who are totally unreasonable. You can attack them verbally, and it is enjoyable, but it will make you look bad too. In the end, one can always CHOOSE to agree to disagree.
March 6th, 2013, 4:22 am
Juergen said:
Ali
I know you guys have a total lack of understanding what a debate is and what means are necessary to participate. Honestly this forum isn’t for any side, its may be that folks like you get high by thinking that the world shares your religious fantasies of Al Wahash.
PS Ali, if you would abide your set up rules, why are you still here? Do your posts show any of the good manners you request by us?
The word of Luxenburg about the defense of opposing views rings in my ears, in your case I give it a big miss.
March 6th, 2013, 4:31 am
MarigoldRan said:
@ Juergen
Not everyone is born in a country with freedom of speech. Give him some slack. Insulting him isn’t going to help your argument, any more than him insulting you.
As I’ve said: freedom of speech cuts both ways. That applies to you too, Juergen. Just as it applies to Ali.
March 6th, 2013, 4:41 am
ALI said:
Mari:
Thanks for explaining.
Annie and Juergen:
Apologies if i did insult or badmouth you. You have all the right and space to say whatever you want and I will not attack you.
Sometimes I can’t handle my emotions right and always make things worse when I take things personally. It’s just kills me from the inside when I see Syrians getting along with Zionists like AP and AIG.
Sorry again
Josh:
Apologies and I respect your blog
March 6th, 2013, 4:41 am
MarigoldRan said:
See?
A few pages ago, Majed (who is fervently against the regime) said you are a bad person. I asked him why, and he said it is because “you speak bad words.”
I do NOT agree with Majed. Bad words do not make a bad person. And because of what you just wrote, I think you’re a fine person.
However, you don’t need to apologize either. If they attacked your beliefs, you had every right to attack them back. But if you wish to debate instead of trolling one another, insults from EITHER side is perhaps not the best way to do it.
March 6th, 2013, 4:49 am
Citizen said:
In Syria, President Assad’s fight against the Wahhabis from Ingushetia and Tatarstan
http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fruskline.ru%2Fnews_rl%2F2013%2F03%2F05%2Fv_sirii_protiv_prezidenta_asada_srazhayutsya_vahhabity_iz_ingushetii_i_tatarstana%2F
Several hundreds of Wahhabi Russia participate in military operations in the so-called “opposition” in Syria, said the head of the center of the Volga regional and ethno-religious studies Rais Suleymanov.
He cited such data at a scientific conference in Kazan, “The events in Syria and its impact on the Muslims of Russia”, reports ” Interfax-Religion . ”
“Having combat experience, they can join the Mujahideen Wahhabi underground in Tatarstan, thus expanding its activities in the Volga region” – said the expert.
According to him, the most famous Russian Wahhabis fighting in Syria against President Bashar al-Assad – is Dawud Khalukhayev of Ingushetia (head of the “Chechen brigades”), and Salman Airat Vakhitov Bulgar from Tatarstan.
March 6th, 2013, 4:50 am
MarigoldRan said:
@ Citizen
So what is your argument? What are you trying to say?
If you’re trying to say that the regime is fighting against “foreign terrorists,” I would say: so what?
After all, the regime is funded by foreigners like Iran and Russia. And the regime commits many terrorist acts too. So what’s the difference except in scale?
March 6th, 2013, 4:56 am
Citizen said:
It’s hard to believe anything that your media tells us about Syria. For more than a year Assad’s fall was only a matter of weeks.
Latest from Raqqa is citizens are fleeing, this in fact means SAA are not going to show any mercy to these filthy terrorists…
..seeing they’re the only legitimate army in Syria, they have every right to fight back these foreign funded & trained terrorists.
March 6th, 2013, 5:09 am
MarigoldRan said:
Similarly, the regime and Iran has been predicting they can crush the revolt in a matter of weeks too. They were lying as well. It’s hard to believe in anything YOUR media puts out as well.
Can we just agree that this war is taking longer than what EITHER side expected? Isn’t most wars like this anyways: both sides think they’re going to win quickly, and it turns out they’re both wrong?
March 6th, 2013, 5:13 am
MarigoldRan said:
Also, Citizen:
Have you ever considered that the reason the people are fleeing is because your regime is about to “not show mercy” to the city they’re living in?
In other words, are they fleeing from the “terrorists” or from the expected regime response? Have you ever thought about that?
And if you HAVE thought about it, why are you telling a lie that no one believes anyways?
March 6th, 2013, 5:16 am
Syrialover said:
ANNIE #365
I hope you don’t leave. You have been a decent, sane presence here for a long time and I always appreciate the items you post.
I share your feeling that this site has hit an all time low. It has become overrun by juvenile, shallow and ugly exchanges between a small group of recent arrivals. No insight, no information, just empty, nasty noises.
(Posts #367-377 are a good example)
I suspect this ALI is not the same one who was here a couple of months ago, and is some sort of hoaxer.
March 6th, 2013, 5:21 am
MarigoldRan said:
@ SL
I think he’s the same person. He got angrier, but the stresses of a civil war will do that to people. If I was in his situation, I’d get pretty bummed out too.
For that matter, you’ve gotten a lot angrier over the last several months as well. Which is perfectly understandable, and not that I mind, but just saying.
March 6th, 2013, 5:33 am
apple_mini said:
So the rich and famous Qatari Emir decided to pay a good sum of money for private islands from to-be-broke Greek government.
Meanwhile, Syrian refugees have reached 1m. The pledged humanitarian money from Qatar has never really materialized. But rest assured, there is no shortage of supply of money and weapons to the rebel fighters.
I’m sure when Hamad visits the opposition, his shoes will get kissed.
The regime certainly can have a nice argument how Hamad is helping Syrian. The truth and story need to be told.
March 6th, 2013, 5:37 am
MarigoldRan said:
Perhaps, Apple-Mini. But in case you haven’t noticed, the regime hasn’t spent a dime to help the refugees either. The GCC and the UN is at least TRYING to help.
And they’re going to remember that.
I have a question for you, Apple-Mini:
What sort of government drives millions of people to become refugees, and then don’t do anything for them? Also, didn’t Israel do the same thing to the Palestinians?
March 6th, 2013, 5:39 am
Citizen said:
Turkish society skanadal erupted at the information about the involvement of intelligence to Turkey planned attempt on Bashar al-Assad
http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fanna-news.info%2Fnode%2F10050
After appearing in the media to disclose SAR exploration plan for the physical elimination of President Bashar al-Assad and his security services to prichasnosti Turkey and France in Turkish society, in political circles and in the media private information onto the country’s scandal broke out.
The day after disclosing the upcoming plan print media were full of articles about it. Remarkably, even obedient Erdogan government media at this time could not keep quiet.
One of the prominent political figures of the country said that the information about the involvement of Turkey in the plot to kill the president of a sovereign state – is an extremely serious and dangerous accusation and refused to comment on the situation.
Through publications newspaper “Hurriyet”, “radical”, “Yurt”, “Aydynlik” and several other publications information, interested the part of the Turkish public, which has not been involved in the intricacies of the Syrian-Turkish and Turkish otnoshkeny policies on Syrian crisis . Even the newspaper “Ozgur Gandem”, defended the position of the Kurdish minority in Turkey, dedicated one of his articles scandal plotting the assassination of the head of ATS, and that – despite the fact that some of its defendants – the Kurds by nationality.
The main question, which caused heated discussion – is the question of how far Turkey has come really in his intervention in the affairs of a neighboring state.
If the country before national media obediently state order, creating an image “of the criminal Syrian regime that kills its own citizens,” depict the “atrocities” of so-called “shabihi”, just repeating the essence of the report “Al-Arabi” and “Al-Jazeera” on This time, by any means, any of the publications do not try to justify the information which has been published according to the Syrian security services.
Some media noted that Syria had always been very moderate policy, without advertising and classified information without creating a scandal, and from here to the conclusion that a backlog of data, and the data – just the tip of the iceberg.
Naturally, the country’s opposition forces threaten scandal at Parliament. Thus, the Republican People’s Party is preparing a request to call a meeting of the National Assembly of the country’s current prime minister Recep Erdogan Taiypa to give explanations about the involvement of the security forces under his control, and the attempt to hide this information from the deputies, who under the Constitution had to be delivered to fame , after having regarded all possible efforts to avoid litigation as evidence of complicity he heads the cabinet of the crime.
March 6th, 2013, 5:53 am
Juergen said:
Ali
I will accept your apology, I hope you will stick to your promises.
Mari
Thanks for your advice, you are right no one is in need for harassment or discrimination here, I may was in need for my morning cup of Al Arous tea.
March 6th, 2013, 5:54 am
apple_mini said:
The regime tends displaced people. There are many families in Damascus only having women and children. Their combat age male family members are actually fighting against the regime. Irony, isn’t it?
Al-Raqqa used to be the place where displaced people found shelter and safety. Thanks to the rebels’ stupid and bloody attack, now people from Al-Raqqa are fleeing to Turkey and Iraq.
There is an outrageous and ridiculous claim by some opposition members accusing the regime is not able to provide safety to it’s citizens while they are hailing every assaults or military gains by the rebels.
Do I need to say more?
March 6th, 2013, 6:02 am
Syrialover said:
MARIGOLDRAN #392
You are just idly speculating about who is posting behind that name and why. Your silly exchanges with ALI and REVENIRE are now part of what’s dragging this site down. Look above and add up the space you waste on that.
I am fed up with people who arrive here to talk about what is happening in Syria as if it was a spectator sport they can make comments and take bets on. People posting nonstop on this forum who offer no new information or insights, and no sympathy for what is happening to people in Syria. Just having online fun.
People on other sites comment on how lousy this forum has become.
I stick with it out of loyalty after coming here for over 6 years, and I know how far it has fallen. The pool of sincere contributors is close to drying up. ANNIE is the latest long term contributor to quit in disgust.
It’s hard to believe it could have collapsed into childish slanging matches where people monotonously call others “retards” etc. I fear this could be the death knoll for this once respected forum.
March 6th, 2013, 7:26 am
Observer said:
SL
In 79 only 20% of women in Iran were literate, today more than 80% are literate.
The country despite the sanctions has done many important projects in irrigation, education, health care, and technology.
It is uneven and with shortcomings but it did achieve a lot of improvements. It has an indigenous weapons industry. It fought Iraq to the teeth despite multiple problems. Now it has come to a situation where it needs to deliver more and is stuck with a power hungry Mullah clique.
Likewise, if you read the ICG report on Syria, the father had actually cultivated the Baath party to allow for the majority rural population to have a stake in the regime in contrast to the retard we have now.
So things are not black and white just as HA started out with doing many correct strategic positions and is now evolving into a a power hungry party bent on retaining power and through sectarian means. All make mistakes. Sending troops to fight the revolution in Syria is extremely detrimental to the party but hey, stupidity and greed are universal.
I enjoy very much reading ALI posts. It is clear that the regime has a mind set that is being explained for all of us to see on this blog.
March 6th, 2013, 7:48 am
Dolly Buster said:
Yeah, it is so sweet of Bashar al-Assad that he didn’t have them executed.
He lost weight too. I look up to him and Hamad bin Jaasem for their palaces, I am not satisfied with my current pad.
It’s weird how even a 10 square meters apartment can cost $300,000 in a good city, and meanwhile the average Westerner has maybe $30,000 to his name total. The average non-Westerner even less.
March 6th, 2013, 8:04 am
zoo said:
In Qatar, Kerry talks about Bashar reading tea leaves and going to negotiation table.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/kerry-says-a-lot-of-countries-training-syria-rebels.aspx?pageID=238&nID=42440&NewsCatID=358
“It’s one part of it. But other nations are doing other things. There are a lot of nations working at this. And so I think President Assad needs to read the tea leaves correctly,” Kerry told Fox News during a visit to Qatar.
Kerry did not say which countries were involved in the effort or whether the United States was training rebels.
“There are a lot of countries doing training,” Kerry said.
“What is important is that President Assad needs to understand the re-focus of commitment in order to get him to change his current calculation, and in order to hopefully get his allies to advise him: ‘You need to go to the table and negotiate a peaceful resolution.’
March 6th, 2013, 8:55 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Akbar Palace
If you have been following the news you would not ask for the links, It is your job.
But I will answer some of your comment
You said
I asked:how do you think the future army will arm itself,once Assad is gone?
You answered
Once Assad is gone, the world will quickly recognize a temporary regime to rebuild the country and start FREE ELECTIONS.
Your statement has nothing to do with my question,
You say
Apparently you and others hate the West
You are ASSUMING,you are dead wrong,I love the west,I love the american constitution,Where did you have gotten this wrong idea from, most of your arguement are based on wrong assumption.please do not assume anymore.
You said
Joe Lieberman called for arming the rebels, you know very well Joe is not advisor to Obama,you know many jews lobby advising Obama,Look at Daniel pipe writing, read the Jewish lobby statements, in the future I will send you many jewish statements.
You said this is old history,I am surprised you as a jew saying that, your claim to palastine is based on old old old history.
You say I have prejudice against jews and Israel: I have strong disagreement about the existance of Israel as a zionist entity,but I do not hate jews,you are assuming again, you are wrong, there is Israel Arab conflict you take the Israeli side I take the correct Arabic side, apparantly YOU and You only has prejudice against us.
March 6th, 2013, 8:58 am
zoo said:
Erdogan’s original notion of freedom of press: It’s free but not when it is against the government. Turkey has one of the largest number of journalist in jail in the world.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/imrali-leak-fuels-political-fight-over-press-freedom.aspx?pageID=238&nID=42416&NewsCatID=338
The principle of freedom of the press does not give media the right to “act against the national interest of a country,” Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has said,
March 6th, 2013, 9:00 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Akbar Palace
http://mondoweiss.net/2011/05/israel-lobbies-for-syrian-dictatorship-with-obama-congress.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYipkPIck7E
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy: John J. Mearsheimer …
Stay out of the Syrian Morass :: Daniel Pipes
Syria: Arguing for U.S. Inaction :: Daniel Pipes
March 6th, 2013, 9:15 am
Tara said:
SNP,
It looks like you were banned. You have crossed the line,… many times and your banning is well deserved!
Bye Bye.
March 6th, 2013, 9:26 am
Visitor said:
Ali @371,
I am deeply ‘sorry’ because I missed paying my daily ‘respects’ to Hafez in the last few days due to shortage of time. But, I assure you I was always paying ‘respect’ in private as well as in meetings with associates.
But now I have to catch up on expressing my respects here on the blog for everyone, including you, to repeat after me,
Lak yil3an rohak ya Hafez wu roh abouk ya Hafez wu roh abou abouk ya Hafez….”
I promise you that I will do my best from now on to continue to express the above ‘respect’ as we all should.
March 6th, 2013, 9:42 am
zoo said:
Jumblatt, Lebanon Druze chief ‘sides with devil’ against Assad
I support Al-Nusra Front against the Syrian regime, Lebanon’s Druze leader says
AFP , Wednesday 6 Mar 2013
“The Syrian people has the right to side with the devil — except with Israel — against the regime,” said Jumblatt, a fierce foe of President Bashar al-Assad although he was once an ally of his late predecessor and father, Hafez al-Assad.
“I am acting to protect the (Syrian) Druze. The Alawites (Assad’s community) will go back to their mountain, but the Druze live in a sea of Sunnis,” said Jumblatt.
March 6th, 2013, 9:55 am
Ziad said:
Jürgen #357
Sorry for the late response, we live in different time zones.
In Venezuela there is Marxian class warfare going on. Anecdotal examples of one or two business people don’t impress me. I myself know a Syrian family in Vnzla who does think much of Chavez. I know where they come from. All I know that he won four elections fair and square. He was not perfect, but he was on the side of the poor, and the poor deserve a break once in a while. I also know a very large number of Venezuelans and their friends are truly saddened by his passing.
To me personally, whoever stands against the Zio-US world hegemony has my heart and its four valves.
March 6th, 2013, 9:59 am
Uzair8 said:
Syria fired up to 90 Scuds, says Turkish FM
=======
From AJE blog yesterday:
March 6th, 2013, 9:59 am
zoo said:
…
March 6th, 2013, 10:07 am
Tara said:
Jumblatt’s statement reflects the sentiment of the Syrian people. The regime is more evil than any “Islamist” could ever be and therefore any help to topple the regime is welcome at the time being.
March 6th, 2013, 10:10 am
zoo said:
….
March 6th, 2013, 10:12 am
zoo said:
Idriss in Brussels: Syrians are baffled by the West’s inaction.
Chief of Syrian rebel army pleads for arms
By DON MELVIN and JILL LAWLESS
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_SYRIA_REBELS?SECTION=HOME&SITE=AP&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
BRUSSELS (AP) — The chief of staff of the rebel army pleaded with the international community Wednesday to supply arms and ammunition so the opposition can resist attacks by the regime of Syria’s President Bashar Assad.
Gen. Salim Idris, head of the rebel’s Supreme Military Council, said anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles are urgently needed to protect civilians.
…
Idris, speaking in Brussels, complained that Russia and Iran are helping the Assad regime, while the West condemns Assad but does not supply the rebels with weapons. And the Syrian people, he said, are baffled.
“The people don’t understand why the international community just looks at the news on their TVs,” he said. “They just speak in the media and say, that is not good and the regime must stop and must go, Bashar must go. And they don’t act.”
…
And he said the weapons would be tracked, kept out of the hands of extremists, and returned after the victory.
March 6th, 2013, 10:16 am
Uzair8 said:
#411 continued…
People must take a clear position on the regime’s unacceptable response to lost areas instead of complaining about rebels targeting and capturing those areas.
It reminded me of the statement by Shaykh Yaqoubi after the Tremseh event:
Unless there is good reason (eg. compelled by force, danger or threat) there can be no justification for continued silence, equivalence or support for the regime.
March 6th, 2013, 10:23 am
zoo said:
Alawites, From Separatists to Masters
http://www.oasiscenter.eu/en/node/8348
Merely by surveying the events of the last hundred years, we can see just how much is happening today in Syria.
What is going on there in fact is not simply a battle between the Baath Party and its opponents, nor a merely regional conflict, but a settling of accounts that could change the whole international equilibrium.
Territory divided up between numerous vilayet during the Ottoman epoch (1516-1918), and then a region made up of four states during the French mandate (1920-1946), Syria took on its present form only with the Franco-Syrian Treaty that was signed in Paris on 9 September 1936 when the ‘independent State of Damascus’ and the ‘government of Aleppo’, which had already been unified in 1923, the ‘autonomous territory of the Alawites’ and the ‘Jebel-Druze’, were fused into a single entity – the Syrian Republic.
…
It was with Assad that Syria, up to that time the subject of conflict between the regional and international powers, was transformed into an active regional force which exercised its influence on the Middle Eastern scene.
After establishing a strong central power in Damascus and imposing its authority with all means, including violence, in all the neighbouring regions, the Assads were able to make Syria the central core of a political, military and geo-strategic alliance running from Iran to the Hezbollah in Lebanon, passing by way of Iraq.
The Sunni leaders of the region such as the King of Jordan, ‘Abdallah; the former President of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak; and the King of Saudi Arabia, ‘Abdallah, identified this alliance with Shi’ite Islam and called it the ‘Shi’ite crescent’ (al-hilâl al-shî‘î).
This was condemned by the United States of America which was able to place it in the ‘axis of evil’.
It is in this context of geopolitical rivalry between the United States of America and its allies, on the one hand, and Iran and its allies, on the other, aggravated by Jewish and Sunni and Shi’ite Islam confessional effervescence, that one may understand more effectively what is presently happening in Syria.
March 6th, 2013, 10:27 am
Uzair8 said:
270. Zoo said:
Ssshhhh… don’t tell that to the mayor and other captured VIP’s.
March 6th, 2013, 10:30 am
Akbar Palace said:
404. majedkhaldoun said:
If you have been following the news you would not ask for the links, It is your job.
Just a suggestion, whenever you make a claim, post a link or two showing where your claim came from. For example, I posted two links showing two US senators clamoring for military aide to the Syrian opposition. One of these senators, Joe Lieberman, is a Jewish-American. I know of no organized Jewish organization or Jewish politician who is strongly against arming the opposition. On the contrary, Obama, Clinton and Kerry have so far refused. Furthermore, we now have an anti-Israel Secr. of Defense, Chuck Hagel, who is also an isolationist, and also will not want the US to get involved in Syria.
But I will answer some of your comment
You said
I asked:how do you think the future army will arm itself,once Assad is gone?
You answered
Apparently you and others hate the West
You are ASSUMING,you are dead wrong,I love the west,I love the american constitution,Where did you have gotten this wrong idea from, most of your arguement are based on wrong assumption.please do not assume anymore.
Sorry about that. I am glad you are pro-American. One of the few pro-Americans here on this website. There’s hope! But if you are pro-American why would you make the following accusations against the US government:
From Post #321:
why the US is prohibiting countries like Turkey from delivering specific weapons
This isn’t true.
The turkish army can defeat the Assad thugs in one week,Erdogan has been willing to fight and defeat Assad, US says no,Why?.
Sorry Majed, but no one is tying Erdogan’s hands. If Erdogan had the cohones to defeat Assad in a week, I’d be pissed at him for not doing it. Erdogan doesn’t give a fig about the Syrians any more than anyone else. Before Assad went on his killing spree, Turkey was all so chummy with Iran and Syria. It took him a YEAR to get rid of the Syrian ambassador.
The rebels never asked US to send troops,KSA is willing to pay for anti aircraft missiles and send them to the rebels,US is objecting.
The US may say one thing, and do something else. Politics is full of talk and 150% of it is BS anyway. The rebels have already downed several aircraft and helicopters. Someone is getting anti-aircraft missiles, and no one is stopping the arms flow into Syria except Turkey.
It is clear Israel behind US reluctance to help the rebels,against the interest of US.
It is clear only in your anti-Israel mind. US policy is US policy. I already posted links showing an example of a very important Jewish-American senator, recommending arming the rebels.
You have to get those Jews and Israelis out of your hair as one poster here recommended;) We are powerful enough to defend Israel, but believe it or not, we don’t control everything.
I can go on for long ,but it is to the US interest to help syrian rebels…
I agree!
…but the jewish lobby are the reason that US is not helping the rebels.
Stop it already! Jewish Lobby. The GOI has not made 1 comment about arms transfers to the rebels. The only arms that the GOI is concerned about are sophisticated arms transfers from Iran, across Syria and into the hands of those cute resistance pros in Lebanon (aka Hezbollah)
More links:
http://www.aipac.org/issues/issue-display?issueid={F534C71D-D4CF-478E-89FF-190900F0C6A8}
http://archive.adl.org/PresRele/UnitedNations_94/6355_94.htm
http://www.jinsa.org/publications/jinsa-reports/taking-action-syria#.UTddyTdrRcI
3.) Determine those groups’ immediate needs INCLUDING WEAPONRY, and institute the means to provide for them in cooperation with Turkey, without whose consent nearly all U.S. efforts to aid the anti-Assad forces would fail.
you know many jews lobby advising Obama,Look at Daniel pipe writing, read the Jewish lobby statements, in the future I will send you many jewish statements.
Daniel Pipes is an academic and a republican. He voted Romney. He has no influence of Obama. Obama has a strong character and few people “influence” him, then say, GWB. It is well known Obama has little affinity toward Netanyahu or the GOI. Yes, please substantiate your claim that:
“the jewish lobby are the reason that US is not helping the rebels”
This is patently false.
You said this is old history,I am surprised you as a jew saying that, your claim to palastine is based on old old old history.
Majed,
I am not one who tends to live in the past. Peoples migrate and move from place to place including arabs. Israel was created out of intolerance and hate, and has strengthened herself for the same reasons. The jewish religion considers Israel/Palestine our spiritual homeland. No one put these people in this area. In fact, many were prevented. These people arrived out of their own initiative. I would like to retire there, so that would be my choice.
You say I have prejudice against jews and Israel: I have strong disagreement about the existance of Israel as a zionist entity,but I do not hate jews
Majed,
I’ve heard it all before. Just my suggestion, but don’t waste too much of your energies hating and/or resisting Israel/Zionism. Hate and resistance takes a lot of energy, and it’s really a waste. Take the energy and help build a peaceful existence for your arab brethren.
OTOH, Israelis can accept a two state solution, which is, a Palestinian state. Israelis only want a peace treaty in return. Last time the two parties were negotiating, the Israelis and Palestinians are a few square miles away from signing an agreement.
Certainly, there are more pressing issues in the arab world.
you are assuming again, you are wrong, there is Israel Arab conflict you take the Israeli side I take the correct Arabic side, apparantly YOU and You only has prejudice against us.
I recognize both a Jewish State and a Palestinian State. How does that make me prejudiced? Which states do YOU support?
Best,
AP
March 6th, 2013, 10:34 am
Tara said:
It is March 6. What is waiting for the government in exile? Al Khateeb as a president. Idriss as the army chief. Ghalioun too as a minister of the internal affair, and some few others. Yalla. What is the wait? A woman and a good Alawi or a Christian should also join.
March 6th, 2013, 10:35 am
zoo said:
What Afghanistan can teach us about arming Syria’s rebels
Some of these weapons will surely be turned against U.S. soldiers one day
By Jeb Golinkin | 10:20am EST
http://theweek.com/article/index/240936/what-afghanistan-can-teach-us-about-arming-syrias-rebels
…
The notion that the United States can be confident that supplies and weapons are falling into the right “moderate” hands is preposterous.
From our experience in Afghanistan, we know that some of those supplies and some of those weapons will likely be turned against the U.S. one day. That does not mean we should not be assisting the rebels, but if there is an argument for supporting the rebels actively, the argument must be that America has a responsibility to take the side of the people and do whatever it can (within reason) to stop the slaughter in Syria, even if it means that we have to supply some bad guys that we will fight later.
March 6th, 2013, 10:36 am
Tara said:
(…)
March 6th, 2013, 10:38 am
Uzair8 said:
268. ALI said: (to Syrian)
‘Your’?
It’s not your Prophet (S) or religion? Your name suggested you were muslim. Just a rhetorical question.
March 6th, 2013, 10:39 am
Sami said:
The fact the Assadi militia is conducting ariel bombardments as well as artillery barrages against residential neighbourhoods in the heart of Raqqa that are far from the front lines (which are on the outskirts) really shows what kind of filthy regime this is and how disgustingly low their supporters are. These operations are conducted with only one thing in mind, punish the civilian population in hopes that the destruction brought upon by the Assadi militia will help turn the tide against the rebels.
And the genocide enthusiasts cheer this plan on…
March 6th, 2013, 10:41 am
zoo said:
#420 Tara
The “liberated areas’ government election planned for the 3rd march, has been postponed sine die for ‘technical reasons’.
By the way Al Khatib was not considered as a candidate for PM.
March 6th, 2013, 10:44 am
Tara said:
Zoo,
It is a mistake that he is not considered a Candidate for PM. His background as a preacher makes him in a good position to influence Islamists and being a moderate Sunni makes him able to influence the masses and the FSA too. I think he is perfect for the job.
March 6th, 2013, 10:55 am
Johannes de Silentio said:
369. ALI
“Annie, it’s good that you remembered who are your masters and kneed them”
It’s kneel, you illiterate twat. “Kneed” means Annie kicked you in the balls.
March 6th, 2013, 10:55 am
zoo said:
Despite the alleged “massive corruption” there are no Syrian listed in the Forbes World Billionaires
http://www.forbes.com/billionaires/list/
There are Egyptians, Emiratis, Saudis, Lebaneses, Israelis…
March 6th, 2013, 11:05 am
Tara said:
Zoo,
“Despite the alleged “massive corruption” there are no Syrian listed in the Forbes World Billionaires”
Because they are thieves so they keep it on secrecy and don’t brag. You know that…
March 6th, 2013, 11:15 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Akbar Palace
Rather than write news paper I like to discuss few things at a time
You said
The US may say one thing, and do something else. Politics is full of talk and 150% of it is BS anyway.
Isn’t this a criticism of US? When I criticise US policy you say I hate US, when you criticize US, you don’t say you hate US, this is hypocracy.
You said
Sorry Majed, but no one is tying Erdogan’s hands
Do you believe what you say?, are you in a different world?,what would US or Israel do if Erdogan sent his army across Syria?
You talk about hate, why dont you look in the mirror, you hate Arabs and Moslems,defending Israel even when Israel was the aggressor,(War against Egypt, invading Lebanon,Taking over the Golan, )
I posted in comment 406 some links to prove my point.
You did not respond to my statement,let me repeat it
how do you think the future army will arm itself,once Assad is gone?
You answered
Once Assad is gone, the world will quickly recognize a temporary regime to rebuild the country and start FREE ELECTIONS.
Your statement has nothing to do with my question,
Now do you find connection between my statement and your answer?
March 6th, 2013, 11:25 am
Ziad said:
http://www.alwatan.sy/dindex.php?idn=134076
??? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ????? ???…??????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ??? ???????? ?? «??????» ???? ????
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????? ??????? ?? «????? ?????? ?? ???????? ????????? ????? ???? ??????? ??????? ???????»? ????? ?? ?? ??? ????? ?? ?????? «??????» ??? ???? ?? ???????? ????? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ???????? ?? ???? ????? «????? ?????» ??????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ????? ????? ??? ?? ???????? (???????? ?? ???? ????) ????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ??? ?? ????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ?????? ?? ???????? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ??????.
March 6th, 2013, 11:38 am
apple_mini said:
I am still trying to fathom what is really in US administration’s mind.
They have done some high profile diplomatic maneuver annoucing US is ready to enhance their supports for the opposition and rebels. They openly endorsed Saudi and Qatar for their arming the rebels. They pledged more fund directly to the rebels. They threatened the regime harder to give up their rein. Most importantly, they are getting personal touch with the rebels and making plans to train them.
Those proactive moves are extremely unpopular among average Americans considering the current economic situation in US and anti-war sentiment. So why does US take such kind of risk, especially the outcome might not turn out as planned. Also, if they were so keen to help the opposition by tilting the balance on the battle ground, they ought to send in some serious weapons or at least make GCC do it for them.
It is not happening. It seems the help is halfhearted and quite awkward move.
Is US administration that stupid? Of course not, they must have their hidden agenda. Something very selfish and completely serving their own interests.
Could it be building up relationship with the rebels and exert American influence on them while training them. US is hoping to re-organizing the rebel fighters and make them more formal as part of future Syrian army. This war will of course end through political solution. There is no doubt about it. The question is when. After negotiation with the regime, the ”new” rebel fighters freshly trained and supported by US will become an important bargain chips with the regime to undermine and replace large part of SAA, in return undermine the authority and political structure of the regime.
That will infuse more ”friendly” elements in future Syrian government.
The new policy of US towards Syria has more than killing two birds with one stone. Sending in weapons to the rebels through GCC is hurting the regime but the quantity is certainly not significant enough to turn the table and cause uncertain reaction from Russia. It keeps the rebel fighters going and let them feel they are supported. Of course, those extreme Islamic radicals and Jihadists are left out. They are also the target of US after moderate rebel fighters turn to formal army is ready to take on them.
This whole new approach looks really delicate. But to US, doing nothing is their failed policy if they still have any plans to have any influence in future Syria government.
There, we have the leader of FSA calling for urgent heavy and advanced supply of weapons. Maybe they also know what the US is up to. But they are very impatient.
In any case, if any Syrian still believes US comes with best intention for Syrians, he or she must be willfully blind or monumentally naive.
March 6th, 2013, 11:42 am
Akbar Palace said:
Rather than write news paper I like to discuss few things at a time
Probably a good idea.
Isn’t this a criticism of US?
Perhaps we are both sensitive to criticism. I sense a huge focus on the US and Israel by arabs. Most of it negative. That is my sensitivity.
As I stated before, I am against the US policy of NOT supplying weapons to the rebels, and I am more against the US policy of NOT providing a no fly zone. Basically the US is afraid of “going it alone”. This is criticism against the Obama Administration to be sure. However, I would also like to hear criticism of other nations from the arabs on this website. You, as well as I, know this doesn’t happen very often.
Do you believe what you say?
Yes, absolutely.
what would US or Israel do if Erdogan sent his army across Syria?
The US and Israel would do the same thing as Erdogan did when they went into Iraq to kill Kurds. Nothing. Except in the case of Syria, they would probably applaud. What’s the big deal?
You talk about hate, why dont you look in the mirror, you hate Arabs and Moslems
I hate those that can’t accept a Jewish State, Zionism and the right my people have to an independent state. I suspect Palestinians feel the same about those that don’t accept the Palestinian nation. Same deal.
defending Israel even when Israel was the aggressor,(War against Egypt, invading Lebanon,Taking over the Golan
As long as there is a State of War, there is no aggressor. Back when Israel was behind the green line, there was a State of War between Israel and every one of Israel’s neighbors. Today, the situation has changed. There is a peace treaty between Israel, Egypt and Jordan and there have been negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. So I am optimistic.
You did not respond to my statement,let me repeat it
how do you think the future army will arm itself,once Assad is gone?
I guess I’m not understanding your question. Can you reword it somehow? I think the future Syrian army will arm itself like any other nation. I do not know if the “new” Syria will take part in the usual “resistance” against Israel or not, so I don’t know if this is what you were alluding to.
Now do you find connection between my statement and your answer?
Sorry. Please ask your question another way, and I’ll try to answer it to your liking.
Of course, if Syria doesn’t play the resistance game to their liking, Syria could find itself in a proxy war with Iran like Iraq. So the ME will continue to be a Lion’s Den and hell-hole until countries mind their own business and stop exporting their little wars.
March 6th, 2013, 11:55 am
Ziad said:
Fighters take UN forces as captives in Dera’a.
Dera’a province: Rebel fighters from the Shuhada’ al-Yarmouk (al-Yarmouk Martyrs) battalion detained members of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). The Syrian Observatory received a footage reporting that rebel fighters will not released until regular forces withdraw from the area. The Jamla village and its surrounding areas have witnessed violent clashes in the past couple of days. Rebel fighters from several factions took hold of the Mortar division and several checkpoints in Jamla.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQMEtlHAPro&feature=youtu.be
https://www.facebook.com/syriaohr
March 6th, 2013, 12:37 pm
Visitor said:
Lebanon, today, tried to play a dirty game at the Arab League. It requested that Syria’s membership in the League be restored.
The League restored Syria’s membership by granting Syria’s seat to the opposition.
Another master-piece by our great brother HBJ, and the equally great brothers of KSA.
—————————————-
Ghufran,
It has been a long time, and now you deserve it:
Toz feek wulak.
March 6th, 2013, 12:43 pm
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