Syrian Pound at 90 per Dollar as Government Intervenes
Posted by Joshua on Friday, March 9th, 2012
The Central Bank has managed to bring the Syrian pound back down into a manageable trading range. It had plunged to an exchange rate over 100 pounds to a dollar. It is now below 100 to a dollar. How did it do this?
Reports are that the central bank sold only 2 million dollars. Yes, only 2 million dollars in order to calm the market. One friend reported paying 113 pounds for a dollar in Aleppo on Wednesday 7 March. On Thursday morning, the pound had risen to a range between 89 and 91 per pound. Six hours later it hit 103. The rate was bouncing all over the place between 85 to 113 per dollar; there was no real price.
If the Central Bank can hold the price of the pound below 90 per dollar, it will be doing very well. That is where it really belonged before the revolution. Syria had been pursuing a suicidal strong-pound policy for years. The artificially high rate of 47 pounds to a dollar ignored imbalances in the economy. It undercut Syrian exports and inflated the cost of doing business in Syria, which has too many impediments and too few attractions for foreign investment.
Most important, however, was that the strong currency encouraged Syrians to buy foreign goods well beyond their means. In effect, the government was giving Syrians free foreign currency to buy cars and other goods that the country could ill afford. This made Syrians feel good, but it ignored the real costs. The strong currency ignored the decline of oil revenues. The government was ignoring its costs which were rising. The government needed to down size and let go of workers, but it refused to do so, preserving the bloated and inefficient public sector industries.
Government costs of expanding subsidies were also draining the treasury. Fuel and food subsidies were sky-rocketing with the growing population and rising commodity prices.
The government has cut its expenses by half in allowing the currency to fall to 89 pounds to a dollar.
Traditionally economic bubbles are followed by a fall of asset prices by roughly 45%. The Syria currency has fallen by 45%, should it stay at 89 pounds to a dollar. Of course, Syria is not going through a tradition economic bubble because it has a broad-based social revolution on its hands, but one should not ignore the economic causes of the Arab Spring. Economic failure underpinned this revolution.
If the Syrian revolution succeeds, it will be important for the revolutionary government not to repeat the bad economic choices of the Assad regime. Of course opposition parties have been almost silent on their economic prescriptions and plans, if they in fact have any. The cause of this silence is because most Syrians know precious little about economics, but more importantly opposition parities do not want to tell Syrians the bad news. They will have to cut government jobs and expenses.
If the Assad regime is forced to cut government jobs, stop subsidies, and allow the currency to trade at a more manageable rate, it will be blamed for the collapse. The new government will escape much of the blame for the terrible shape of the Syrian economy and will escape the necessity of imposing an austerity plan, which must be done by someone.
The new Egyptian parliament faces a gargantuan task in dealing with the economic troubles bequeathed it by Husni Mubarak. Few believe that it will be able to swiftly guide Egypt down the road of significant belt tightening and the rationalization of a public sector and monopoly industries that are not competitive.
The Syrian uprising is being driven largely by political factors, but one should not ignore the numbers. Ehasani, who has been writing for Syria Comment for over five years, has consistently warned us that Syria’s economic numbers do not add up. Eventually, reality would mug Syrians.
News Round Up below
Private sector’s hands tied as Syria sinks to its knees, by Michael Karam, Mar 8, 2012
Syria Opposition Leader Rejects Dialogue
By AP / ZEINA KARAM Friday, Mar. 09, 2012
(BEIRUT) — The leader of Syria’s main opposition group rejected calls Friday by U.N. envoy Kofi Annan for dialogue with President Bashar Assad’s government, saying they were pointless and unrealistic as the regime massacres its own people.
As the prospects for diplomacy faltered, Turkey’s state-run television TRT said two Syrian generals and a colonel defected to Turkey on Thursday.
If confirmed, the military defections would be significant as most army defectors so far have been low-level conscripts. On Thursday, Syria’s deputy oil minister announced his defection, making him the highest-ranking civilian official to join the opposition.
In a telephone interview from Paris, Burhan Ghalioun, who heads the opposition Syrian National Council, told The Associated Press that Annan already has disappointed the Syrian people…..
Burhan Ghalioun of the Syrian National Council dismissed such talk as naive. “My fear is that, like other international envoys before him, the aim is to waste a month or two of pointless mediation efforts,” he said. He added: “Any political solution will not succeed if it is not accompanied by military pressure on the regime.” Ghalioun also criticized Annan for not putting the blame for the violence squarely on the regime.
Following yesterday’s defection of a senior oil ministry official, Turkish television today reported that two Syrian generals and a colonel had defected to Turkey.
Islamism and the Syrian uprising
Posted By Nir Rosen
Thursday, March 8, 2012
James Clapper, the United States Director of National Intelligence, warned last month of al Qaeda taking advantage of the growing conflict in Syria. The Syrian regime and its supporters frequently claim that the opposition is dominated by al Qaeda-linked extremists. Opposition supporters often counter that the uprising is completely secular. But months of reporting on the ground in Syria revealed that the truth is more complex.
Syria’s uprising is not a secular one. Most participants are devout Muslims inspired by Islam. By virtue of Syria’s demography most of the opposition is Sunni Muslim and often come from conservative areas. The death of the Arab left means religion has assumed a greater role in daily life throughout the Middle East. A minority is secular and another minority is comprised of ideological Islamists. The majority is made of religious-minded people with little ideology, like most Syrians. They are not fighting to defend secularism (nor is the regime) but they are also not fighting to establish a theocracy. But as the conflict grinds on, Islam is playing an increasing role in the uprising.
Mosques became central to Syria’s demonstrations as early as March 2011 and influenced the uprising’s trajectory, with religion becoming increasingly more important. Often activists described how they had “corrected themselves” after the uprising started. Martyrs became important to a generation that had only seen martyrs on television from Iraq, Palestine, and Lebanon. “People got more religious,” one activist in Damascus’s Barzeh neighborhood explained, “they got closer to death, you could be a martyr so people who drank or went out at night corrected themselves.” Some Arab satellite news stations have also contributed to the dominance of Islamists by interviewing more of them and focusing on them as opposed to more secular opposition figures or intellectuals. In Daraa activists complained that satellite networks were marginalizing prominent leftists….
Rosen’s other articles can be found found here:
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/spotlight/insidesyria/
Syria’s Alawite activists stuck in the middle – By Nir Rosen
Despite fears of sectarianism if the regime falls, some in the Alawite minority are speaking out against Assad.
Journalist Nir Rosen recently spent two months in Syria. As well as meeting members of various communities across the country – supporters of the country’s rulers and of the opposition alike – he spent time with armed resistance groups in Homs, Idlib, Deraa, and Damascus suburbs. He also travelled extensively around the country last year, documenting his experiences for Al Jazeera – including articles about the Alawite community.
The Syrian opposition has been stepping up efforts to get religious minorities involved in the year-old uprising. The exiled opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) recently issued a statement announcing that it “extends [a] hand to the Alawite community”, the sect which President Bashar al-Assad belongs to.
Although a minority, Alawites dominate Syria’s various security agencies, its army’s officer corps and key positions in the government. Western backers of the SNC and opponents of the regime often say the Damascus leadership will only fall when the Alawite community is persuaded to abandon it.
An older Sunni opposition intellectual who spent time in prison before and during the current uprising agreed with this analysis when I spoke to him in Damascus. “The system will fall only when Alawites believe they are headed in the wrong direction,” he said, adding that “Alawite intellectuals must realise that if they want to live in this country, they must be against the regime and with the revolution.”
Historically, Alawites have played a prominent role in the opposition. But in the ongoing uprising, there are few prominent Alawite voices. Many members of the community fear they will be marginalised if the Sunni majority gains power. Given their experiences of oppression before the Baath party took over in 1963, some statements by the opposition have only encouraged their fears.
When Maamun Homsi, a prominent exiled opposition figure, gave a rant threatening to exterminate all Alawites, he was not condemned by the SNC. Homsi urged the “despicable Alawites” to either renounce Assad, “or Syria will become your graveyard”. Shortly after his remarks, I spoke to a senior Western diplomat with influence over the SNC. He was outraged and urged SNC President Burhan Ghalioun to condemn the statement.
A recent SNC statement, urging communal tolerance, seems to be a response to pressure from American and European backers of the SNC.
“The regime has tried, since the beginning of the revolution, to fragment Syrian society and drive a wedge within mixed communities by dividing cities along military and security lines,” the February 26 statement said. “The Alawites remain an important component of Syria, and will continue to enjoy the same rights as other citizens as we build one nation of Christians, Muslims, and other sects. The regime will not be successful in pitting us against one another.”….
OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR: The Perils of Piecemeal Intervention
The New York Times: By JONATHAN TEPPERMAN, March 8, 2012
In Syria, we should go in big or stay home….
let’s not pretend that half-measures are preferable. Choosing policies just because they are cheap, gratifying and politically palatable is rarely a good idea, especially when they could well make matters worse. Those of us unwilling to tolerate more slaughter in Syria must confront the true nature of the military choices facing us.
We must now accept the hard facts and make an honest decision about what standing up for our interests and values will entail. If that means a major armed intervention, we should do it, but with no illusions.
Jonathan Tepperman is the managing editor of Foreign Affairs magazine.
Out of Syria’s Carnage: A Survivor’s Testimony of Bab Amr’s Last Stand
Time.comBy VIVIENNE WALT | Time.com
….At that instant, a rocket exploded at the front of the building, killing Colvin and Ochlik instantly. The space was filled with dust. In the chaos, Daniels heard Bouvier scream, “William, William! I can’t move!” Her left leg was crooked. He pulled her out by the shoulders. She was bleeding heavily. Carrying his colleague, Daniels staggered to the doorway. As he glanced down, he saw his friend Ochlik, just 28, lifeless on the floor. “Edith,” he gasped to Bouvier, “Rémi is not with us anymore.”
6 civilians killed by armed groups in Syria’s Hama – 2012-03-08
DAMASCUS, March 8 (Xinhua) — Armed groups fired Rocket- Propelled grenades (RPGs) at a civilian bus in central Hama province Wednesday, killing six people instantly, state-run SANA news agency reported Thursday….
Opposition to the Syrian Opposition: Against the Syrian National Council
As`ad Abukhalil
The opposition to the Syrian National Council (SNC) can be predicated on several factors, primarily relating to matters of credibility, consistency, and honesty.
The Syrian National Council has already lied to the Syrian people repeatedly. There are many examples that can be summarized below.
a. It started as a movement that strictly adhered to non-violent struggle and now it has a military council to coordinate the violent overthrow of the regime by force (and this without in any way detracting from the right of the Syrian people—and all other Arab people—to overthrow by any means necessary the regime under which they live and suffer). Worse, the SNC now wants violence to be done by Syrians and by whoever else (Israelis too?) interested in overthrowing the regime.
b. The SNC first categorically rejected any political preferences in the Lebanese political conflict. Burhan Ghalyun famously said: keep us out of your conflicts in Lebanon. Now, the SNC is a close ally of the March 14 movement and it has issued political statements in support of this Hariri movement.
c. The SNC said it strictly opposed foreign intervention while it now begs for foreign intervention from any side—preferably allies of the US and Israel.
d. The SNC leadership said on a few occasions that the percentage of the Ikhwan in the SNC is no more than twenty percent. Yet, Ghalyun in several private meetings (including an off-the-record session with an Arab journalist) complained about Ikhwan domination of the SNC and said that he would not agree to serve as another Mahmud Jibril…..
Head of Israeli intelligence has a message for Syrians – see video
The NeoCon Propaganda Machine Pushing “Regime Change” in Syria – Counterpunch – by AISLING BYRNE
“War with Iran is already here,” wrote a leading Israeli commentator recently, describing “the combination of covert warfare and international pressure” being applied to Iran.
Although not mentioned, the “strategic prize” of the first stage of this war on Iran is Syria; the first campaign in a much wider sectarian power-bid. “Other than the collapse of the Islamic Republic itself,” Saudi King Abdullah was reported to have said last summer, “nothing would weaken Iran more than losing Syria.”
By December, senior United States officials were explicit about their regime change agenda for Syria: Tom Donilon, the US National Security Adviser, explained that the “end of the [President Bashar al-] Assad regime would constitute Iran’s greatest setback in the region yet – a strategic blow that will further shift the balance of power in the region against Iran.”
Shortly before, a key official in terms of operationalizing this policy, Under Secretary of State for the Near East Jeffrey Feltman, had stated at a congressional hearing that the US would “relentlessly pursue our two-track strategy of supporting the opposition and diplomatically and financially strangling the [Syrian] regime until that outcome is achieved”.
What we are seeing in Syria is a deliberate and calculated campaign to bring down the Assad government so as to replace it with a regime “more compatible” with US interests in the region…..
Syrian Kurds Flee Into Iraqi Refugee Limbo – By: Jack Healy | The New York Times
Syria’s Armed Opposition by Institute for the Study of War
Download the PDF
Executive Summary
- This report provides detailed information on Syria’s armed opposition movement, highlighting where structure exists within the movement and where Syria’s rebels lack organization. This report does not advocate for or against the policy of arming the Syrian opposition.
- Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 7, 2012 about issues that were restraining the United States from supporting the armed opposition in Syria. “It is not clear what constitutes the Syrian armed opposition – there has been no single unifying military alternative that can be recognized, appointed, or contacted,” he said.
- The armed Syrian opposition is identifiable, organized, and capable, even if it is not unified. The Free Syrian Army (FSA), nominally headquartered in Turkey, thus functions more as an umbrella organization than a traditional military chain of command.
- Three of Syria’s most effective militias maintain direct ties to the Free Syrian Army. They include The Khalid bin Walid Brigade near Homs; the Harmoush Battalion in the northern Jebel al-Zawiya mountains; and the Omari Battalion in the southern Hawran plain, the name used by locals for the agricultural plateau that comprises Syria’s Dera’a province. Appendix 1 lists biographical details of the insurgent leaders affiliated with many effective fighting units. Appendix 2 provides an order of battle for the armed opposition groups by province.
- Other large and capable rebel groups do not maintain such a close relationship with the FSA headquarters in Turkey, but nevertheless refer to themselves as members of the Free Syrian Army.
- Despite the regime’s assault on Homs in February 2012, the insurgency remains capable. The rebels who withdrew from the Baba Amr neighborhood of Homs at the beginning of March 2012 have demonstrated the tactical wherewithal to retreat in order to preserve combat power.
- The Assad regime escalated attacks against the rebels after they defended Zabadani against the Army’s offensive. The affront was probably significant in itself, and the Assad regime could not allow the rebels to hold terrain against the Army. But Zabadani is also vitally important to the regime and to Iran because the city serves as the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps – Qods Force logistical hub for supplying Lebanese Hezbollah.
- The Assad regime is likely to continue its strategy of disproportionate force in an attempt to end the uprising as quickly as possible. Indiscriminate artillery fire allows the regime to raise cost of dissent while preserving its increasingly stretched maneuver force.
- The rebels’ resiliency will make the Assad regime’s endurance difficult, but the external support to his regime makes predictions of his imminent fall premature. The Syrian regime has not yet demonstrated the capacity to conduct enough large, simultaneous, or successive operations in multiple urban areas to suppress the insurgency. But it is possible that the technical and material support that Iran and Russia are providing will enable the regime to increase its span of control and its ability to fight insurgents in multiple locales without culminating.
- The rebels will have to rely on external lines of supply to replenish their arms and ammunition if they are to continue eroding the regime’s control.
- The emergence of al-Qaeda-linked terrorist cells working against the regime poses risks to the United States and a challenge to those calling for material support of the armed opposition.
- As the militias continue to face overwhelming regime firepower the likelihood of their radicalization may increase. Moreover, the indigenous rebels may turn to al-Qaeda for high-end weaponry and spectacular tactics as the regime’s escalation leaves the rebels with no proportionate response, as occurred in Iraq in 2005-2006. Developing relations with armed opposition leaders and recognizing specific rebel organizations may help to deter this dangerous trend.
- It is imperative that the United States distinguish between the expatriate political opposition and the armed opposition against the Assad regime on the ground in Syria.
- American objectives in Syria are to hasten the fall of the Assad regime; to contain the regional spillover generated by the ongoing conflict; and to gain influence over the state and armed forces that emerge in Assad’s wake.
- Therefore, the United States must consider developing relations with critical elements of Syria’s armed opposition movement in order to achieve shared objectives, and to manage the consequences should the Assad regime fall or the conflict protract.
Comments (684)
ann said:
McCain reminds us why we voted for Obama – Mar 8, 2012
A McCain foreign policy would be an American tragedy
http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/opinion/report/030812_mccain/mccain-reminds-us-why-we-voted-obama/
Arizona’s Sen. John McCain is at it again. This week he upbraided Defense Secretary Leon Panetta for failing to deploy U.S. troops to fight in the ongoing civil war in Syria. McCain could hardly contain himself as Panetta finished his opening remarks, squirming like a first-grader needing a potty break.
“Let me tell you what’s wrong with your statement,” McCain sneered, “you don’t mention American leadership. Americans should lead in this, America should be standing up.” He didn’t really explain why, except to say that that is what we always do. Iraq for example, I thought.
But this is not a new rant for McCain. He might fancy himself as a defender of freedom, but it seems that his only path to it is through a pile of bodies – ours or someone else’s. McCain has advocated more troop deployments in more hot wars than anyone else since he lost the presidential election. Prior to this, the senator insisted that U.S. military intervention in Libya was required. It wasn’t.
And let’s remember that McCain was one of the prominent purveyors of the now discredited weapons of mass destruction argument for attacking Iraq. He also consistently opposed any drawdowns in either Iraq or Afghanistan, predicting doom and gloom if they happened. When should we come home? Never, I suppose….
Now he’s beating the drum for bombing both Syria and Iran.
McCain enjoys a (deserved) wellspring of deference for his odd views and behavior owing to the terrible experiences he suffered as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. But as anyone on the Hill can tell you privately, one never knows quite which side of the bed the famously prickly senator woke up on. He is even known to entirely gin up a new mood during the lunch recess. The joke is that McCain gets on the senators-only elevator with a grin and gets off with a grimace.
Despite all the deference, nobody really likes John McCain. He has a near 50% disapproval rate in his home state, perhaps owing to all the people he has personally ticked off over the years. In 2008, when push came to shove, he managed to beat Barack Obama by nearly nine points in Arizona. But what with his general unpopularity and his close ties to the scandal-plagued Pinal County Sheriff Paul “build the dang fence” Babeu, it is unlikely that he could be reelected today.
[…]
March 9th, 2012, 11:34 am
ann said:
Russia says new U.N. draft resolution on Syria “unbalanced” – 2012-03-09
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-03/09/c_131457941.htm
MOSCOW, March 9 (Xinhua) — Moscow believed a U.S.-proposed new U.N. draft resolution on Syria is “unbalanced,” and would not support for it, said Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov on Friday.
He told the Interfax news agency the draft resolution only urged the Syrian authorities to stop violence and lacked “a simultaneous call for all sides to make practical steps to reach a cease-fire.”
Moscow has learned that some “Western partners” would push for a vote on the resolution before the U.N. Security Council at a meeting on Monday, he added.
“We see it unacceptable to tie the adoption of any text with a deadline. The time factor is not the most important for us,” Gatilov said, adding that it is important to work out a “realistic text with no ambiguity,” which was aimed at reaching a “stable settlement.”
[…]
March 9th, 2012, 11:40 am
ann said:
France and Morocco remain opposed to military intervention in Syria
http://rt.com/news/line/2012-03-09/#id27693
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe and his Moroccan counterpart Saad Eddine Othmani said they would not support military intervention to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. “We reject any military intervention in Syria, and the Arab League has always favored a political solution,” Othmani said at a joint press conference with Juppe on Friday, AFP reports. Othmani also called on Russia to support the latest United Nations Security Council draft resolution on Syria.
[…]
March 9th, 2012, 11:42 am
bronco said:
It sounds that after all the fall of the dollar is benefiting the regime on short term and the country on long term.
As I believe more than 75% of the Syrians never owned dollars, I think it is more important to worry about the impact of the sanctions on their everyday life.
Did anyone in Syria make a quick survey about the prices of basic goods, as we keep hearing that everything is more expensive but no one is able to quantify that. I know that Internet service has dropped 40% but what about electricity, phone, bread, cooking oil, vegetables, medecine etc… It will be interesting to see these prices comparatively to last few years
Syria will not be cheapest place for shopping anymore for foreigners.
March 9th, 2012, 11:44 am
Areal said:
______ ALERT ____
There is a new trick in Syria.
Whenever somebody quits a “financial establishment” with a sum of money and waits for a taxi outside, a private car stops .
The handsome passengers of the car propose him a lift to his destination.
Upon arrival , the door is locked but the driver manages to open it.
In the process , the driver pickpockets the wallet with the money.
The Syrian police : If you notice the pickpocketing , don’t protest or resist , otherwise they will kill you.
I just told the story to a Syrian friend living in Nigeria :
” Well , looks like Syria left the Swiss Safety standards and moves fast towards the Nigerian one’s. ”
His advice to people:
Whenever you board an unknown car , take note of the car plate , take a picture of the driver , etc and send the SMS to family , etc and tell the driver that you know some big shoots ( your choice ) is waiting for you , etc
March 9th, 2012, 11:46 am
ann said:
Syrian rebels dismiss UN dialogue – 09 March, 2012
http://rt.com/news/opposition-syria-assad-annan-163/
“We will do our best to call and push to the cessation of hostilities and end the bloodshed and violence. The Syrian people deserve better. It is a brave and ancient people who are trapped,” said former UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan from neighboring Egypt on Thursday.
[…]
March 9th, 2012, 11:47 am
zoo said:
March 8, 2012 4:00 A.M.
Al-Qaeda in Rebel Syria
The Islamist inspiration of the Syrian opposition is obvious.
By John Rosenthal
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/292904/al-qaeda-rebel-syria-john-rosenthal
..
But video evidence emerging out of Syria suggests that “infiltration” is not the right word. At least three such videos depict anti-Assad forces or demonstrators posing unabashedly with al-Qaeda’s black flag — the same flag that was hoisted in Libya, but, in that case, only after the rebellion had triumphed. The flag features the shahada, or Islamic declaration of faith, “there is no god but God [Allah] and Muhammad is his messenger,” plus a circle that is said to represent Muhammad’s seal. It was first made famous by the late Abu Musab al-Zarqawi’s al-Qaeda in Iraq.
(..)
March 9th, 2012, 11:52 am
zoo said:
Light of hopes for the EU on the effects of the sanctions
EU officials: Sanctions against Syria are helping
By JAN M. OLSEN | Associated Press – 1 hr 7 mins ago
http://news.yahoo.com/eu-officials-sanctions-against-syria-helping-141624449.html
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Sanctions against Syria appear to be working and defections by high-level officials show that President Bashar Assad’s regime is cracking, European leaders said Friday.
..
“It is very good news that clearly high-ranking state and military officials are increasingly turning away from the Assad regime,” Germany’s Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle, said in Berlin before leaving for the meeting in the Danish capital.
“The process of disintegration of the Assad regime has begun; the signs of erosion will continue. No country can be led in the long term with cruelty and repression,” he said.
…
Meanwhile, the U.N. humanitarian chief, Valerie Amos, told reporters in Ankara that Syria has agreed to a joint mission to assess the country’s humanitarian needs.
(..)
March 9th, 2012, 12:02 pm
Areal said:
In today’s news round up
“The cause of this silence is because most Syrians are know precious little about economics, but more importantly opposition parities do not want to tell Syrians the bad news”
Not sure about the meaning !!
Whenever the western bankers and their liberal economists will solve the Greek and Californian problems , I will be pleased to explain to them the Syrian “centrally administered” economy.
By the way , I have not noticed that tourists are returning in flocks to the “Free” Muslim Brother’s Tunisia .( or Egypt )
March 9th, 2012, 12:06 pm
zoo said:
UNESCO refuses to expel Syria and draws the ire of the USA
http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/03/08/u-s-assails-unesco-over-syrias-rights-role/
PARIS — UN cultural agency UNESCO has refused to expel Syria from its human rights committee despite demands by Western and Arab countries.
The failure by the UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) drew particularly harsh criticism from Washington as the Assad regime continues a crackdown that has killed thousands.
(..)
March 9th, 2012, 12:12 pm
zoo said:
Where is Adnan Bakkour? No one seems to care.
In late August, Adnan Bakkour, the attorney general of the central city of Hama, appeared in a video announcing he had defected.
Authorities reported he had been kidnapped and said he was being kept against his will by gunmen. He has not been heard from since.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/report-3-syrian-army-officers-defect-to-turkey.aspx?pageID=238&nID=15634&NewsCatID=352
March 9th, 2012, 12:24 pm
zoo said:
Hurried Arabs and western allies are pressing the UNSC for a new resolution on Monday.
Russia opposes ‘unbalanced’ new UN draft on Syria
09/03/2012
http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=28785
MOSCOW, (AFP) – Russia said Friday it opposed an “unbalanced” UN draft resolution on the Syria crisis because it did not contain a call for a simultaneous halt in violence by the government and rebels.
“We cannot agree with the draft resolution in the form it is being presented in today. The text of the resolution under discussion is unbalanced,” Interfax quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov as saying.
“Its main problem is the absence of a simultaneous call on all sides to take practical steps in the context of ceasing fire,” Gatilov was quoted as saying.
Gatilov said Russia was receiving reports that the UN Security Council intended to put the US-backed resolution up for a vote at a meeting on Monday.
Russia, jointly with China, has vetoed two previous UN Security Council drafts on the nearly year-long Syrian crisis, and Gatilov warned world powers against rushing ahead with a new vote.
“It is unacceptable to tie the adoption of any text with a deadline. The time factor is not the most important thing,” Gatilov said.
“The most important thing is to find a text that is realistic c, without ambiguity, and aimed at a stable settlement,” he said.
(…)
March 9th, 2012, 12:34 pm
Areal said:
In today’s round up
Largely featured by Joshua Landis are :
Nir Rosen , Jonathan Tepperman , Avi Dichter
I “guess” that they have something in common which is not in the best interest of the Syrian people.
March 9th, 2012, 12:53 pm
ann said:
China to offer humanitarian aid worth 2 mln USD to Syria – 2012-03-10
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-03/10/c_131457963.htm
Qin said China supported the United Nations (UN) to play the leading role in coordinating humanitarian aid efforts in Syria, and to have an independent institution acceptable to the UN and all parties to carry out objective and comprehensive assessments on the humanitarian status of Syria under the circumstances that SYRIA’s SOVEREIGNTY IS RESPECTED, and to guarantee the delivery and distribution of aid materials.
[…]
March 9th, 2012, 1:22 pm
Alan said:
CIA & Mossad Death Squads Exposed In Syria
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuWItcSRrM8
Moscow has accused the West and co’ of stirring up tensions in the Arab world by calling for the overthrow of President Assad and the Syrian Government. Russia has commented that those nations who are calling for the “Syrian opposition” to avoid dialogue with the government, are only encouraging and provoking further violence.
Author and journalist Webster Tarpley, from a visit to Syria, says it’s very simple: the Western powers, Israel and the Gulf States are the true forces behind the violence in Syria. They are funding Foreign Terrorist Snipers; “Death Squads”, to come into Syria and Murder Innocent Syrians randomly in their twisted bid to destabilize Syria.
Many of the so called “free syrian army” are in FACT just foreign fighters and fanatics, brought into Syria by the Western Powers, the CIA and Mossad, so as to engineer a false and highly exaggerated impression of the situation there, in order to intervene militarily in Syria and depose Assad’s Government.
What worked so wonderfully for them in Libya, they are trying to repeat in Syria. This engineered and false situation the Western Powers, Israel and the Corrupt Gulf Monarchies are engineering and cultivating is ultimately part of their unjust Zionist agenda and War against Iran and must be Exposed for the Pure Evil it is.
March 9th, 2012, 1:33 pm
Alan said:
Pentagon Planning for Actions Against Iran, Syria
http://www.defensenews.com/article/20120308/DEFREG02/303080008/DoD-Planning-Actions-Against-Iran-Syria?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
March 9th, 2012, 1:36 pm
jad said:
Bronco
“Did anyone in Syria make a quick survey about the prices of basic goods, as we keep hearing that everything is more expensive but no one is able to quantify that.”
From what I know and hear and read, here is my personal survey about the prices in Syria
-Locally produced food; bread, vegetable, fruits, dairy products, meat, chicken, oil, ghee, zaatar, sugar, wheat..etc. prices DID NOT GO UP that much than before the crisis, so it’s still affordable by almost all Syrians, even some food (Veg, fruits) went cheaper because of not exporting them outside the country.
-Locally manufactured goods did go up slightly, not crazy YET, but the problem the producer face is to go to their factories to work.
-ANY imported food or goods went really UP in the price for the reasons we already know, being from the price of the dollar or the sanctions.
-The shortage of fuel, gas and propane still exist but apparently manageable, the prices of propane and gas went up slightly
-Electricity prices didn’t go up in price since the last changes but the cut hours is long, 6 hours (3hrs am+3 hrs pm)in Damascus, I heard in Aleppo, Homs, Lattakia is longer, not sure how much.
About the $ today, it’s 83 Lera.
March 9th, 2012, 1:41 pm
Dawoud Holy Homs said:
We need an Arab League liberation force in Syria. Free Syria and Palestine.
March 9th, 2012, 1:54 pm
Juergen said:
So i saw they took Valerie Amos for dine in Naraanj restaurant, ill bet there was a spontanous crowd cheering for the Bboy.
March 9th, 2012, 2:00 pm
jad said:
They should call this Friday, (Anti-oppositions Day), Ashraf is celebrating, he is collecting all anti-Ghalyoun slogans on his FB as if his ‘warmonger’ ‘current’ that includes every opposition violence supporter ‘homeless’ is doing any thing to help but yelling and spitting:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/419793_310440209019733_167841013279654_879338_603037934_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/64608_362628243767580_231665623530510_1142283_1006836314_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/428237_10150592731328519_745688518_8924158_1300467333_n.jpg
Ghalyoun is now a ‘COLLABORATOR’!?
???? ????? : ????? ??????? ?????? ?????? 9-3-2012
http://youtu.be/d96J7-ClkhI
March 9th, 2012, 2:02 pm
bronco said:
17. jad
Thanks, it does not sound so bad for basic goods. I just hope the average Syrians do not suffer. The rich ones who became richer in the last 3 years will go back to Beirut to do their shopping as it was the case before.
March 9th, 2012, 2:05 pm
ann said:
War mongering Europeans want to dictate, put restriction and pre-conditions on Kofi Annan mission to Syria!!!
EU supports Annan mission to Syria crisis: Ashton – 2012-03-09
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-03/09/c_131457949.htm
“What we are doing is working with our member states in the UN Security Council to try and push forward and support the Arab League and their plans on the process,” said Catherine Ashton, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.
“I spoke to Kofi Annan a couple of days ago to wish him every possible speedy success in what he is trying to do, and every possible support. What we have to do is get behind that,” she said, when responding to journalists’ questions at a press conference prior to the meeting.
“But in doing that (that is, supporting Annan’s mission), talking with people on the ground, trying to make the right decisions, these are issues that are complicated. And we need to consider the options, but be very clear about the means that we have in going forward,” she added.
“We support the mission of Kofi Annan, and we have 3 goals: the first is, of course, to stop the violence, the second is humanitarian access and support for the (Syrian) people, and the third is a peaceful transition. This is what we want to achieve,” Westerwelle said.
[…]
March 9th, 2012, 2:17 pm
Ales said:
This will tell you why Syria does not like Egypt.
http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/02/22/what-really-happened-in-the-yom-kippur-war/
March 9th, 2012, 2:18 pm
Tara said:
Jeurgen
I am glad Valerie Amos is a woman….
—
The “Russians are the only rats that swim towards a sinking ship” was pretty good. Nice German sense of humor.
March 9th, 2012, 2:32 pm
Tara said:
The Dollar is 90- 107 Syrian Pounds and “prices of fruit and vegetable went down”
Yeah. Right! I believe that. Can we stick to things that are plausible?
——-
And.. If the free fall of the Lira is turning out to be a good thing for the regime on the short to medium range as we are told, then it is the regime-ic duty of the faithful to sign a petition asking for tougher sanctions. No?
March 9th, 2012, 2:44 pm
son of Damascus said:
Will the Good BRICS Please Stand Up?
You can call them respectable democracies, but India, Brazil, and South Africa will be judged by how they act abroad. And on the Syria question, it’s been shameful.
BY JAMES TRAUB | MARCH 9, 2012
As global power has shifted away from the West, the emerging order has come to be identified with the BRICS — an unofficial geopolitical bloc consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. But the BRICS are equally divided between autocratic and democratic states. The growing reach of powerful autocracies is nothing to celebrate, but the rise of stable and increasingly prosperous democracies in the developing world — India, Brazil, South Africa, Turkey, and Indonesia, among others — has been the single most encouraging phenomenon in the world over the last generation. Those first three countries, in fact, have established an informal bloc known as IBSA. This, too, should be a profoundly welcome development. But it hasn’t been, at least in Western capitals. In global affairs, it turns out, emerging democracies often behave a lot like Third World autocracies. And IBSA is turning out to be not so very different from the BRICS.
[…]
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/03/09/will_the_good_brics_please_stand_up
March 9th, 2012, 2:54 pm
Mina said:
Bahrein: Alive and Kickin’
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17309839
Dorak djayy ya Sa’ud!!
March 9th, 2012, 3:10 pm
Jasmine said:
Syrians have now every reason for celebration ,with the emerging of new Putin’s Russia with the new consolidated friendship of Eastern nations .It will be a good opportunity to think again about the Iranian ties,do the Syrians need to continue carrying the resistance flag and protect the Arabic identity,was is worth it all the sacrifice they made in the past 65 years to be rewarded with such treatment from their Arabs brothers?
IMHO,Syria was caught in a cross fire between Iran and Saudi Arabia for too long,the leaders of these two nations are in a competition of abuse of women and Islam.
On a different note,I think that the arm sales competition between the East and West is going to take a new dimension.
And lastly I am not qualified to comment on the fluctuation of The Syrian pound,but Syrians are traders since antiquity,very resourceful in commerce and they have good economists to manage this crisis, we just want Ghalioun et al to negotiate and open a dialogue with the existing government.
March 9th, 2012, 3:12 pm
bronco said:
#25 tara
Greece is under tough “sanctions” for its economical mismanagement.
Sanctions can be good for a country that took things for granted,it is a reality check. Sanctions have been good for Iran that managed more industrial and military self sufficiency and they will probably be too in Syria.
It seems it annoys greatly that the sanctions seem to overall help the country more than it is harming it. I guess you prefer that they harm the Syrians enough so they turn against their government. That’s futile. In the ME, it never worked like that. This is in the realm of the Western and Israeli fantasies.
March 9th, 2012, 4:01 pm
Alan said:
Pentagon prepares war plans for Syria By Bill Van Auken
http://poorrichards-blog.blogspot.com/2012/03/pentagon-prepares-war-plans-for-syria.html
March 9th, 2012, 4:09 pm
zoo said:
Subliminal message of Israel to Middle East Christians : We love you
Israel and the Plight of Mideast Christians
Just as Jews were once expelled from Arab lands, Christians are now being forced from countries they have long inhabited.
By MICHAEL OREN
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203960804577239923033348982.html
The trauma of those priests is now commonplace among Middle Eastern Christians. Their share of the region’s population has plunged from 20% a century ago to less than 5% today and falling. In Egypt, 200,000 Coptic Christians fled their homes last year after beatings and massacres by Muslim extremist mobs. Since 2003, 70 Iraqi churches have been burned and nearly a thousand Christians killed in Baghdad alone, causing more than half of this million-member community to flee. Conversion to Christianity is a capital offense in Iran, where last month Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani was sentenced to death. Saudi Arabia outlaws private Christian prayer.
As 800,000 Jews were once expelled from Arab countries, so are Christians being forced from lands they’ve inhabited for centuries.
The only place in the Middle East where Christians aren’t endangered but flourishing is Israel. Since Israel’s founding in 1948, its Christian communities (including Russian and Greek Orthodox, Catholics, Armenians and Protestants) have expanded more than 1,000%.
Christians are prominent in all aspects of Israeli life, serving in the Knesset, the Foreign Ministry and on the Supreme Court. They are exempt from military service, but thousands have volunteered and been sworn in on special New Testaments printed in Hebrew. Israeli Arab Christians are on average more affluent than Israeli Jews and better-educated, even scoring higher on their SATs.
This does not mean that Israeli Christians do not occasionally encounter intolerance. But in contrast to elsewhere in the Middle East where hatred of Christians is ignored or encouraged, Israel remains committed to its Declaration of Independence pledge to “ensure the complete equality of all its citizens irrespective of religion.” It guarantees free access to all Christian holy places, which are under the exclusive aegis of Christian clergy. When Muslims tried to erect a mosque near the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, the Israeli government interceded to preserve the sanctity of the shrine.
Israel abounds with such sites (Capernaum, the Hill of the Beatitudes, the birth place of St. John the Baptist) but the state constitutes only part of the Holy Land. The rest, according to Jewish and Christian tradition, is in Gaza and the West Bank. Christians in those areas suffer the same plight as their co-religionists throughout the region.
Since the Hamas takeover of Gaza in 2007, half the Christian community has fled. Christmas decorations and public displays of crucifixes are forbidden. In a December 2010 broadcast, Hamas officials exhorted Muslims to slaughter their Christian neighbors. Rami Ayad, owner of Gaza’s only Christian bookstore, was murdered, his store reduced to ash. This is the same Hamas with which the Palestinian Authority of the West Bank recently signed a unity pact.
Little wonder, then, that the West Bank is also hemorrhaging Christians. Once 15% of the population, they now make up less than 2%. Some have attributed the flight to Israeli policies that allegedly deny Christians economic opportunities, stunt demographic growth, and impede access to the holy sites of Jerusalem. In fact, most West Bank Christians live in cities such as Nablus, Jericho and Ramallah, which are under Palestinian Authority control. All those cities have experienced marked economic growth and sharp population increase—among Muslims.
(..)
March 9th, 2012, 4:09 pm
zoo said:
Libya – The Partition Begins
By Farirai Chubvu, 9 March 2012
http://allafrica.com/stories/201203090052.html
When Nato murdered Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in cold blood, observers predicted that his demise would not mark the end of the war but would in fact mark its escalation.
Libya has been in the eye of a storm but now the winds are blowing again. The re-taking of Ben Walid by Gaddafi loyalists and the recent declaration of autonomy by tribal and militia leaders in oil-rich eastern Libya, are just harbingers of the strife to come.
While the NATO-installed head of the Tripoli-based National Transitional Council has threatened the use of “force” to prevent the country’s partition along regional lines, his words are bound to fall on deaf ears for the simple reason that he does not have the authority to back his words. He is just a Western mannequin.
In fact many members of the NTC do not move freely around Libya, with many reported to be sleeping in Malta, across the Mediterranean for fear of reprisals.
(…)
March 9th, 2012, 4:13 pm
Alan said:
NATO Game Over 2012
March 9th, 2012, 4:16 pm
jad said:
Dear Bronco,
I think I should’ve been more clear in what I wrote to you above, the prices ARE BAD, everything is more expensive than before, the local products are up too but not as bad as the 50-100% of the imported stuff (for example, bread up 5 lera, cucumber was 25 is now 35 while banana was 60 is now 130…etc.)
I’m guessing that everything (even the local products) will go up as soon as the $ stay on one price.
I also forgot to mention that medications all kinds also went up in the price
Tara,
I didn’t write that veggies and fruits prices went down, I wrote that ‘some’ of them that we used to export went down in price because of not being able to export them, ask anybody back in Syria and be specific about your question to find out yourself.
March 9th, 2012, 5:28 pm
jad said:
That is very shameful especially coming from Sarout where for many weeks his partner in the protest was Fadwa Sulayman, it’s really really ugly.
http://youtu.be/-OIzMKg_YP8
March 9th, 2012, 5:39 pm
bronco said:
@Jad
I also got the same confirmation from Damascus that prices have gone up significantly on sugar, eggs, chicken etc.. sometime more than 60%
Also that some shops are now ask for dollars for their goods.
It is getting very bad for the average syrian, it’s really sad.
March 9th, 2012, 6:08 pm
Paul said:
I am sorry to say but the article on the devaluation of the SYR is completely upside down. First of all the lira was not devalued by the government ie. it was not a policy decision but rather a result of the increased uncertainty and hence capital flight; 2. it makes the poor, poorer, the wealthy that typically have substantial assets in foreign currency are not affected that much; not sure this is a good outcome; 3. banks that have been having a tough time become even more fragile, I think it is fit to assume that the banking system in Syria is near bankrupt which is not unusual for the current circumstances taking history as a guide; 4. with a devaluation of this magnitude and a very inept government there is a danger that inflation gets out of control; 5. I won’t even touch upon the “discussion”on fiscal policy and cost of subsidies as it is so weak in arguments that I rest my case. I’ll just say it is plain wrong. Sorry to say that but whomever wrote this piece has no clue on economics and economic history.
March 9th, 2012, 6:16 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
I found it strange that mere two million dollar injected by the central bank,cause the dollar value come down from 103 to 85,rumors are stronger than facts,when people are nervous.I think the goverment will raise the official value of the dollar to over 80,soon
March 9th, 2012, 6:24 pm
SALAH ADDIN said:
In December 1994 I was in Mexico on a business trip. Within less than a week’s time the US Dollar to the Mexican Peso exchange rate doubled. The share values of public traded companies sunk to unprecedented lows and some lost all of their value. It took some time for the market to stabilize and finally it reversed course with companies shares regaining some value, but the Peso never went back to the value it had prior to December 1994.
In Syria it has taken a year for the insurgency to cause the exchange rate to double, and there are only a very few public companies.
If the government in Syria can provide some type of security, (Mexico is not the most secure of places), then the market will adapt and businesses will find their way around the sanctions and restrictions.
Mexico’s debt, both public and private at the time, was much higher compared to Syria’s debt.
If any people are resilient and adaptable it is the Syrian people. But if the government fails to provide security and the country is taken over by the gangs, then there will be no bottom to the spiraling economical melt down.
March 9th, 2012, 6:24 pm
Ehsani said:
Paul,
please read what I said yesterday on a previous post. Dr. Landis may have chosen different words but what he meant to say is similar to what I describe below.
75. Ehsani said:
Tara,
As I wrote in the past, it is impossible to know the exact level of foreign currency at the Central Bank (CB). There are two explanations for why the CB has not intervened of late:
1- The level of reserves is not as high as we had been told, as you suggested
2- Whatever reserves do exist, it was better to conserve them and use them for more urgent matters like paying civil servants, public sector employees, the army, subsidies and key imports if they still can.
I do agree that the sudden collapse of the value of SYP is politically problematic. Presumably, the leadership would have done everything to avoid it. Clearly, it feels powerless to reverse the trend. The oil exports have nearly come to a halt due to the sanction. This has starved the treasury of foreign currency. The tourism industry has also dried out and with it the other source of foreign currency. The implications of this last move will be far reaching. I believe that a number of businesses will soon go nearly bankrupt and renege on commitments due to the excessive losses. Syrians were not diversified. Many had too many of their assets in SYP. Over the course of the crisis, a large percentage of people refused to believe that the currency can weaken much. I do recall many here on SC deciding to “help” by buying SYP around 55-57. One hopes it was merely a nationalistic verbal show of support. The Central Bank did not help. On several occasions, it promised to punish speculators and reverse the fall. It never did. It was obvious that they were reduced to using verbal persuasion.
AREAL,
You were clearly referring to me when you said that I had long advocated a devaluation of the currency before the crisis. This is accurate. My logic was two-fold:
a- A measured and slow weakening of the SYP would discourage importers from buying from abroad and would make it cheaper for exporters to sell their products more competitively.
b- More importantly, the huge yearly liabilities of the government (salaries and subsidies) will make it cheaper for the treasury if they allowed for a weaker SYP over time in a stable and transparent manner.
What we have seen lately is not a linear macro policy-driven devaluation. It is a black swan-type collapse in the value of the currency. Exporters cannot even benefit as transportation routes are essentially closed due to the deteriorating security situation. Moreover, electricity shortages have made it extremely hard to produce goods to export.
What we have now is potentially a dangerous economic meltdown. It is worth watching the banking sector for signs of spreading stress in the system.
March 9th, 2012, 6:50 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Assyrians protesting in Qamishlo:
Sign says in Arabic: “O Christ, there is no turning back on our revolution”
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/431366_10150628193078600_504238599_9386991_724868822_n.jpg
March 9th, 2012, 7:15 pm
Ghufran said:
The Guardian editorial on Syria:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/mar/09/syria-uprsing-arab-spring
Comment:there is no good options for Syria,if Syrians are lucky they will pursue the best of the bad choices which may force fighting factions to talk to the same people they want to kill,if history is a guide,Syrians will probably fight, instead of negotiating, and destroy their country in the process.
March 9th, 2012, 7:53 pm
zoo said:
Unless Turkey and the supporters of the SNC and LCC do not pressure them to accept the UN-AL plan, the mission of Annan is doomed and worse violence will occur.
Annan must travel to Turkey very soon.
Syrian opposition rejects talks with regime
By BEN HUBBARD and ZEINA KARAM | Associated Press – 2 hrs 13 mins ago
http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-opposition-rejects-talks-regime-203913932.html
BEIRUT (AP) — A high-profile international mission to end the Syrian crisis stumbled Friday before it began as the opposition rejected calls by U.N. envoy Kofi Annan for dialogue with President Bashar Assad as pointless and out of touch after a year of violence.
The dispute exposes the widening gap between opposition leaders who say only military aid can stop Assad’s regime, and Western powers who fear more weapons will exacerbate the conflict.
Western and Arab powers are backing Annan’s two-day trip to Syria, starting Saturday, when he is to meet with Assad. The former U.N. secretary-general — now a special U.N.-Arab League envoy for Syria — has said he seeks to start a “political process” to end the crisis and warned against further militarization of a conflict that appears headed toward civil war.
“I hope that no one is thinking very seriously of using force in this situation,” Annan said Thursday in Cairo. “I believe any further militarization would make the situation worse.” He said he would present “realistic” solutions, but did not elaborate.
Opposition leaders and activists rejected Annan’s plans Friday, saying they ignore the nature of Assad’s authoritarian regime as well as the thousands
March 9th, 2012, 7:58 pm
Tara said:
Darryl
Are you around? Heard a song with lyrics out of this world .
March 9th, 2012, 7:59 pm
Ghufran said:
20 pictures from Idleb, the site of the upcoming battle,by the AP
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2012/feb/26/inside-northern-syria-daily-life
March 9th, 2012, 8:01 pm
Mjabali said:
Ehsani
Question: do you think the devaluation is connected to events on the ground? I recall the Syrian Pound went down ten pounds against the dollar when thing in Baba Amro came to an end also went down considerably with the attack by al-Assad forces against Idleb? Can outside rich opponents of al-Assad cause serious damage to the Syrian Pound (Lira)?
March 9th, 2012, 8:05 pm
Ghufran said:
SOD,
Are you sure there was an Assyrian demonstration today?
A good friend of mine from that area denied the claim that Assyrians are into the revolution business,they are more afraid and eager to get THO than demonstrate,I welcome any correction.
March 9th, 2012, 8:35 pm
Equus said:
Leslie H. Gelb: The Dangers of Warmongering on Syria, Iran
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/03/09/leslie-h-gelb-the-dangers-of-warmongering-on-syria-iran.html
The interventionists, for example, plead to arm Syrian rebels. But who are those rebels exactly? Oh, former Syrian soldiers. Oh, people fighting against Assad’s tyranny. That’s fine. But who else are they? Are there major al Qaeda elements among them, or other Muslim extremists? Would they be a bigger threat to Israel and to Arab neighbors like Jordan than Assad himself? The warmongers say not to worry, but they don’t know the answers to any of these questions. Nor do they have any idea what these “freedom fighters” would do with Assad’s chemical weapons.
March 9th, 2012, 8:50 pm
Equus said:
Peaceful protestors are arrested in Montreal, Canada. Somebody tell Hillary.
Riot police fire tear gas at students during protests in Montreal
Several students were arrested, some tackled by police who fixed plastic ties around their wrists before hauling them away.
The boom of volleys of tear gas echoed through the street as riot-squad officers laid down a curtain of gas among the protesters, sending many stumbling away coughing and rubbing at their eyes.
March 9th, 2012, 9:07 pm
Tara said:
The Syrian refugee crisis is aggravating old tensions in Lebanon
Once a sanctuary for refugees, Lebanon is now divided down sectarian lines in how it reacts to those fleeing Syria
… .
The current Lebanese government is friendly with Damascus and does all it can to discourage Syrian refugees. They are not even recognised as refugees. The Lebanese politically correct phrase is “those fleeing the unrest”. The Lebanese president, Michel Suleiman, dismissed the issue last Thursday, saying: “The influx of some Syrian families as a result of the turbulence in Syrian does not constitute a major problem because they can stay with their relatives.”
This echoes Reem Haddad, the Syrian regime’s spokesperson, when she said about Syrians fleeing to Turkey: “It’s a bit like having a problem in your street, and your mum lives in the next street, so you go and visit your mum for a bit.”
… .
Support for the refugees is broadly divided on sectarian political grounds. Lebanese Sunnis have largely rallied round to lend support, including former Lebanese prime minister Sa’ad al-Hariri’s Future Movement. On the other hand, the Maronite Christian patriarch has just declared that “the closest thing to democracy (in the Arab world) is Syria”.
… .
All the major political players, perhaps even Hezbollah, are calculating very carefully how to position themselves if the Assad regime falls. Walid Jumblatt, the leader of Lebanon’s Progressive Socialist party and powerful Druze community, has jumped the gun with his umpteenth U-turn, by announcing his opposition to the Syrian regime once again, while remaining part of the pro-Assad coalition. His solution, he told me, was for the west to find out how much they had to bribe the Russians.
…. .
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/mar/07/syria-refugees-tensions-lebanon
March 9th, 2012, 9:17 pm
jerusalem said:
I don’t know if this video was posted on this blog before…?
Kony Or Israel’s Netanyahu 2012
March 9th, 2012, 9:33 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Dear Ghufran,
I believe the picture is true, below is a video of said demonstration. I will try to find a longer version, I just don’t have enough sources from Qamishlo.
Hope this is helpful in the mean time.
March 9th, 2012, 9:55 pm
Tara said:
Negotiation is deeply obnoxious to most Syrians who are in no mood to reconcile themselves to people who have behaved in such cruelty.
Editorial
Friday 9 March 2012 15.16 EST
… .
The continuing army offensive and the reluctance of the regime to permit unhindered humanitarian access to the worst-hit areas begs the most important question: even if a UN resolution could be devised to bridge the gap between the US, France and Britain on one side and Russia and China on the other – on key issues such as the responsibility for violence, promoting a political transition, and ending impunity from prosecution – what real motive would Assad have to negotiate? He would have plenty of interest in playing for time, as he has done on many occasions before, particularly with Turkey. But unless his situation deteriorates markedly, as it may yet do so with more defections, the bloodiest of the uprisings of the Arab spring is set to get bloodier still.
Rejecting talks before Annan even hits the ground in Damascus, the SNC is understandably relectant to engage with Assad. Too much innocent blood has flowed since this started a year ago, and Assad has lost control both of the economy and society. But the SNC has no strategy, other than calling for a foreign intervention which will never come. Still less does it have a political programme. If the regime does not crumble and the army continues its bombardment of towns and cities under rebel control, the SNC has to develop a political plan – what it wants, and how it is going to achieve it – even if it is negotiated through proxies. At the moment they are playing exclusively to the regime’s strengths, which are all military.
Everyone involved with Syria faces a simple choice: either it becomes an international battleground, a proxy war of competing regional powers, and a civil war which becomes more sectarian as time goes on; or a ceasefire will have to be obtained through negotiation. The latter option indeed carries the risk of cementing the Assad regime in place, and is deeply obnoxious to large sections of the population who are in no mood to reconcile themselves to people who have behaved with such brutality.
…more
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/mar/09/syria-uprsing-arab-spring
March 9th, 2012, 10:07 pm
zoo said:
The New-York times corrects its headline about Abo Husameddine
Hilarious. New York Times promotes the rank of a Syrian defector
So an assistant (musa’id or mu`awin and not a na` ib meaning he is an assistant and not a deputy) to the Syrian Minister of Oil defects and the New York Times makes him Minister of Oil in a big headline.
PS The Washington Post has just promoted the defector to the rank of deputy president of Syria.
PPS This Syrian opposition site claims that the defector fled after evidence was found of his embezzlement. Incidentally, he is a middle-ranked Ba`thist.
PPPS The New York Times has now changed the language and made the guy an “official.” Thank you, New York Times for correcting an error that you did not admit making.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2012/03/hilarious-new-york-times-promotes.html
March 9th, 2012, 10:08 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Inside the FSA
Aljazeera with the Farouk Brigade in Bab Amr
(In Arabic)
March 9th, 2012, 10:15 pm
Tara said:
Lousy Iranian clerics
So the Iranian government basically executes on average three people per week. Per week. How can one not want to overthrow such a government?
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil at 8:11 AM
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2012/03/lousy-iranian-clerics.html
March 9th, 2012, 10:21 pm
bronco said:
What happened to the dignity of the Syrians?
The Guardian describes very well that the international community is finally realizing that the opposition, because of its incompetence and greed, has contributed to bring the country to an abyss and lost any chance of changing the country into better. Syria is now worse that it has ever been. Where is the “dignity’ and “pride” of Syrians when the civilians have become beggars from the UN, and the rebels are begging for money and weapons from Saudi Arabia and even Israel?
When, in their history the Syrians have taken refuge in Turkey, a country that has amputated Syria of its lands, not a long time ago?
If some of the rebels feel proud of their doings, I don’t think these poor people smashed by an increased cost of living, and fleeing for their life feel any pride.
When opponents have no means and no plans to make a successful revolution, they should stay home and plan instead of starting an “amateur” and ‘improvised’ revolution that has brought hell to all Syrians.
The revolution failed and the regime is ready to negotiate. If the opposition continues to refuse a UN plan to negotiate, they’ll have to bear the whole responsibility of the violence that will occur because of their rejection.
March 9th, 2012, 10:29 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
Dear # 53. TARA:
Do you blame Syrians for refusing reconciliation with a brutal murderous dictator?
I like reading your posts, TARA, because they are like an island of safety in the middle of a shark-infested ocean (i.e., the numerous and spam-like pro-Bashar comments here-many of which come from 1 or 2 pro-Bashar persons, who when not posting here are busy translating Hasan Nasrallah’s speeches and posting them on their own boards/blogs 🙂 ).
A couple of weeks ago, I was at my alma mater, UCLA, and I couldn’t find a single speaker willing to risk his reputation by defending Bashar.
Below are Wikipedia page on serial killers from around the globe. Bashar has killed more people than them! Do you expect any society to reconcile with a serial killer? Why should Syrians make reconciliation with one of the biggest serial killers in modern history?
TARA, I admire relentless defenders of human jutice. You are one of them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_serial_killers_by_country
List of serial killers by country
March 9th, 2012, 10:44 pm
Ehsani said:
Mjabali,
When I was in Syria during January, I was struck by how quickly traders and merchants react to the news when it comes to trading the SYP on the black market. Everyone follows every word very closely and based on the latest from DC, UNSC and the EU they call their friendly broker to sell or buy the SYP. They of course also keep an eye on announcements from the Central Bank. I believe that the last sell off was due to a number of reasons. Some have blamed it on Senator McCain’s comments. Others blamed it on the fact that the Governor of the Central bank is in Russia working on issuing more SYP. I am also told that a number of key individuals decided to throw the towels and change their SYP for Dollars. As to whether outsiders can do damage, it’s a complicated question. The Syrian Pound is not convertible. George Soros cannot short the SYP on international markets. You cannot borrow the currency to short it. It is true that there are a couple of powerful black market exchange houses in Saudi and Lebanon. They may try to influence the exchange from there. I personally don’t believe that they are the reason why the recent weakness took place. The biggest risk of course is if someone starts printing SYP outside the Central Bank oversight. Saddam did it and caused a collapse in the Dinar at the time. I am yet to detect any sign that this is happening in Syria though few have pushed that scenario. I have seen no evidence of such. In sum, Syrians are on top of the news. They know what they are doing. When it moves the way it did I am sure that those pushing are doing so based on what they judge as critical new developments.
March 9th, 2012, 10:46 pm
jad said:
A horrible news claiming that Homs museum has been rubbed and artifacts smuggled outside Syria:
???? ????? ???????? ?????????
??? ????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ???? ???. ????? ???? ??? ????????? ??????? ??? ???????? ???? ??????? ???????. ?? ????: ?? ??? ??? ?????. ??? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ???: ?? ??????? ???????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ????? ?? ?? ????? ??????? ?????
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{…}
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http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/45056
March 9th, 2012, 10:46 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Branco,
“The revolution failed and the regime is ready to negotiate. If the opposition continues to refuse a UN plan to negotiate, they’ll have to bear the whole responsibility of the violence that will occur because of their rejection.”
No the revolution has not failed, as much and as nasty Besho tried to resist it, its not over. As Victor Hugo once wrote “One cannot resist an idea whose time has come”
The opposition did not refuse to negotiate with elements of the regime, they refused to negotiate as long as the butcher continues to call himself President. Big difference between the two, and if Bashar really cared for his people he would have packed his bags long ago.
Why blame the revolutionist for the violence exactly, are they supposed to dodge tank and artillery shells better to keep the death toll down? Or are they supposed to just give up so the Butcher can choose which way they die?
March 9th, 2012, 10:48 pm
jad said:
Another ‘new’ plan for Syria, this time Iraqi-American:
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{…}
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/45171
March 9th, 2012, 10:53 pm
jad said:
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{…}
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??????? ????? ???????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ??????? ???????? ??? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????. ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????????? ?? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ????????? ???? ????? ??????? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ??????. ???? «?? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ????? ??????. ???? ????? ?????? ???????? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ???????? ??????? ???? ???? ??????? ????».
????? ???????? «???? ?? ???? ???? ??? ??? ????? ?? ??? ????? ?? ??? ?? ????? ??????. ?????? ?? ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ???? ??. ????? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ?????».
????? ???? ???? ???????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? «??? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ??? ???? ??????? ?? ??????? ?????????? ???? ?????».
????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ??????? ???????. ???? ????? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ???????? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ????? (??????) ????? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????. ???? «??? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ????? ?? ?? ????? ?????. ?? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ?????». ????? «??? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ????? ?????».
????? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ???? ?? ???? ????? ?????? «?????» ??????? ??????? ??? ???? «????» ?? ????? ????? ?«????» ??????? ???????? ??? «???????? ?? ?? ????? ?????» ?? ?? ????? ??? ??????.
{…}
http://assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionId=2097&articleId=1085&ChannelId=49972
March 9th, 2012, 10:57 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
64. JAD
Dear Mr. JAD:
FYI, Arabs and Syrians don’t trust Iran’s puppet, al-Maliki, on anything related to Syria. My understanding is that the Arabs have condition attending the upcoming AL Summit in Baghdad on 2 conditions (which were relayed to Iran’s Iraqi puppets by the visiting FM of the UAE):
1) Iraq would have to agree with the AL position of Syria. Accordingly, it wasn’t a surprise that Iraq supported the latest AL sanctions on Syria and voted against Bashar in the UN General Assembley.
2) Al-Maliki would abandon this policies to exclude Iraqi Sunnis from gov’t and parliament.
Al-Maliki was informed that when Iraq assumes the presidency of the AL after the AL summit, it would have to adhere to Arabs’ wishes on Syria. Otherwise, Arabs would call for and emergency AL summit in Riyadh and pick another Arab country to lead the AL.
March 9th, 2012, 11:01 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Dawoud,
“Al-Maliki was informed that when Iraq assumes the presidency of the AL after the AL summit, it would have to adhere to Arabs’ wishes on Syria. Otherwise, Arabs would call for and emergency AL summit in Riyadh and pick another Arab country to lead the AL.”
I am not that well informed in the AL charter, is that even possible to do according to the charter?
(Not that any arab state today care for such things as Charters, and rights. I am just wondering)
March 9th, 2012, 11:05 pm
jad said:
Can Annan succeed?
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???? ????
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???? ?? ????? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?????? ????? ???????? ???? ??????? ??????????? ??????? ???????? ???? ??? ??? ???????? ??????? ???? ??? ??? ?????.
?????? ???? ????? ????? ????????? ???? ??????. ?? ???? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ??????? ??? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ????????? ??????? ??????. ??? ?????? ?? ?? ??? ?? ???? ???? ???????? ??? ??? ?? ???? ?????????? ????????? ?????????? ??? ??? ????? ?????????? ?? ???????? ????????? ???? ??????? ???? ?? ??????.
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http://assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionId=2097&ChannelId=49978&ArticleId=1069&Author=%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%8A%20%D9%83%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A8
March 9th, 2012, 11:06 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
Dear Son of Damascus (unlike Bashar, who is the son of a dictator or SOD):
Yes, Emergency Arab Summits are NOT unusual. Qatar called for an emergency AL summit in 2009 to discuss the war crimes that Israel committed in Gaza in 2008-2009. Then, Egypt’s deposed dictator Mubarak traveled (who was complicit in the Israeli war) there to lecture “the resistance” on being “responsible.”
Believe me, I am not a fan of a league of dictators. However, the AL is increasingly becoming the league of free Arabs (Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, and Libya-despite its ongoing divisions).
March 9th, 2012, 11:13 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
Dear Moderator:
Again, Please replace the mistaken offensive language in accidentally wrote in my comment # 59. Please replace SO- with SOD (son of dictator).
Dawoud
March 9th, 2012, 11:17 pm
irritated said:
#66 Dawood HH
“1) Iraq would have to agree with the AL position of Syria.”
You mean Al Maliki should agree to ask Bashar al Assad to resign?
2) Al-Maliki would abandon this policies to exclude Iraqi Sunnis from gov’t and parliament.”
Since when Sunnis are excluded from govt and Parliament in Iraq?
I am sorry but these conditions sound ridiculous, I wonder what are your sources?
March 9th, 2012, 11:17 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
71. IRRITATED
Didn’t Arabs (the GCC) ask Yemen’s president (whose electoral past at work was more competitive and cleaner than Bashar’s) to resign. Why should Bashar be different? When should a country, any country, be dependent on single person. True leaders know when they should go! Dictators don’t!
As to Iraqi Sunnis, al-Maliki was quoted in the NY Times telling an American during his last U.S. visit that he would use the law against his opponents. As soon as returned home, he fabricated bogus charges with TV confessions (true democracies don’t put the accused on TV to admit their guilt) against VP al-Hashimi. He demanded the removal of his Sunni deputy. Furthermore, he has been intimidating the majority Sunni provinces (Diyala, Salah al-Din, and al-Anbar) from holding constitutional referendums on declaring themselves as “autonomous federal provinces.” Now, one could disagree on that on the probably valid argument that it could lead to the break up of Iraq. However, it’s constitutional-and an Iraqi PM who calls his party “state of law,” should obey the constitutional rights of Iraqi provinces. Now, why would Iraqi Sunnis seek autonomy-unless they are discriminated against by Iran’s Iraqi puppets?
March 9th, 2012, 11:27 pm
irritated said:
A government in exile for Syria is shaping up
I really believe that with the last defector, a Syrian government-in-exile is shaping up. I mean, we have a reimbursement government clerk, and we have a sports announcer, and now the assistant to the deputy Minister of Oil. If we can only add two of this rank, we may have a new Syrian government.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2012/03/government-in-exile-for-syria-is.html
March 9th, 2012, 11:30 pm
irritated said:
Dawood HH
“Why should Bashar be different?”
Are you trying to compare Yemen to Syria?
Bashar has the full support of the army and his whole government minus “the assistant to the deputy of the oil minister” and a very large part of the population. He also has powerful allies that have faced the world by vetoeing a resolution asking Bashar to leave.
Do you think this is not enough reasons why he wouldn’t leave that easy. In any case Yemen is a mess even after Saleh left, so what’s the logic?
In the case of Sunnis in Iraq, do you mean Alawites should seek autonomy if Bashar leaves because they will be certainly persecuted by the vengeful Sunni government. Maybe Christians should too?
March 9th, 2012, 11:39 pm
ann said:
61. jad said:
A horrible news claiming that Homs museum has been rubbed and artifacts smuggled outside Syria:
Don’t worry these stolen artifacts will shortly surface in israel
You can thank the mossad for that
March 9th, 2012, 11:40 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
73. IRRITATED
Titles don’t mean anything. There are many many well-qualified Syrians who have never held any title in any gov’t, including Bashar’s. Honestly, I think it is preferable that Syria’s future leaders come from the peasants, students, intellectuals, bread-bakers, soccer players, etc. and NOT from those with prior governmental positions. Syria needs a clean break!
March 9th, 2012, 11:41 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
Can somebody provide an English translation for Hasan Narallah’s latest speeches, during which he defended Bashar’s tyranny? I will do a Google search and provide you with the Websites and blogs that offer translation on his speeches.
March 9th, 2012, 11:47 pm
irritated said:
#76 Dawood HH
“Honestly, I think it is preferable that Syria’s future leaders come from the peasants, students, intellectuals, bread-bakers, soccer players, etc. and NOT from those with prior governmental positions”
Do you mean to discard the armed FSA and all the Facebook activists that made the revolution from a position in the government?
You’ll get Ghaliun and Basma Qodmani (with their french passport), Danny de CNN with his british passport and Radwan Zibaleh with his US passport. All freshly imported.
Forget about the baker and the peasant, that was the Baath socialist good old time time. Do you know many peasants and bakers in the US government?
March 9th, 2012, 11:50 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
Dear # 78., IRRITATED:
There are many honest and courageous members of the FSA who have defected and disobeyed orders to shoot innocents. Syria would be honored to have them. As to Qadamani, who is seen in a video try to kiss smirking Zionists’ a–, I think that should be electorally defeated. The Alawi Fadwa Suleiman, who was with the revolution and in Homs trenches, is worth a million Qadamani! I am not a fan of France and its bizarre leader, Sarkozy. I just trust the intelligence of FREE Syrians (not the un-free Syrians who vote in Bashar’s referendums) to electorally punish those who deserve “punishment,” and reward those who deserve reward!!!!!!!!!
March 9th, 2012, 11:57 pm
ann said:
Would you trust those carpetbaggers?
EU: ‘Military intervention in Syria would be disastrous’ – 09 March, 2012
http://rt.com/news/eu-diplomats-against-military-intervention-223/
EU foreign ministers have united to speak against military intervention in Syria, saying sanctions appear to be working. Meanwhile the UN humanitarian mission is slowly making its way in the troubled country.
On Friday EU foreign ministers gathered in Copenhagen for an informal meeting in which the issue of Syria topped the agenda.
Germany’s foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle, said any talk of military intervention was “counter-productive,” adding that “large-scale fire” would bring “really disastrous consequences for the region, the people, and the world.”
His position was echoed by Luxemburg’s foreign minister, Jean Asselborn. “We must be patient,” he said “We will unfortunately have to face seeing more victims, but military intervention would be worse.”
Swedish FM Carl Bildt also said that the EU’s priority should be to prevent Syria from “descending into full-scale sectarian war.”
“We are searching truly for a political solution,” the diplomat stated. “Whether that is possible or not remains to be seen.”
Denmark’s FM, Villy Soevndal, also spoke against military interference, saying strong sanctions against Syria appear to be working.
In the previous 11 rounds, the EU froze the assets of more than 38 organizations and 100 individuals, and worked to cut the country’s supply of equipment for its oil and gas sectors.
Earlier on Friday the foreign ministers of France and Morocco announced their opposition to outside military intervention in Syria.
“We reject any military intervention in Syria, and the Arab League has always favored a political solution,” Morocco’s Saad Eddine Othmani said at a joint press conference with his French counterpart, Alain Juppe.
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 12:00 am
zoo said:
???? 9???? ?????????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ?? ????
March 10th, 2012, 12:00 am
jad said:
Here you go
Here is the Youtube Channel I work for:
http://www.youtube.com/user/abedararea?feature=watch
Two parts program about Syria:
http://youtu.be/4Gg5T391V9I
March 10th, 2012, 12:03 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Bronco
I never heared Bashar say that he is willing to sit down with Ghalioun and negotiate with him, Never I heared it from his mouth, Waleed Muallem,never said he is willing to sit with SNC members and negotiate with,
I am not sure who is the syrian official who offered to negotiate with the SNC.
In the past Bashar said he is willing to negotiate with the opposition,but never said SNC ,he pointed to his supporters as an opposition, not the true opposition.
Bronco
Vague words and vague statements mean nothing,Qadri Jamil is not opposition, M Habash is not an opposition, neither Hassoun or Bouti.Sharif Shahadeh,or Taleb Ibrahim is not an opposition.
March 10th, 2012, 12:03 am
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
Ok, now I have to go to slee! I now leave this blog to be dominated by the 2 or 3 persons who never go to sleep in order to defend Bashar M.D.!!!!!
I just hope that my friend TARA, and my brothers SON of Damascus & Majed Khaldoun NEVER go to sleep. They are my comrades in this intellectual debate between those who oppose tyranny (Tara, Son of Dam., et al.) and those who Defend it (you know who you are!).
Good night to all, “us” and “them” 🙂
March 10th, 2012, 12:06 am
Jerusalem said:
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?? ???? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ?? ???? ??????? ???????? ??????? ??? ????? ??????? “????? ?????? ????” ??????.????? ????? “??????”??? ?????? ??? ???? ???????? ?? ???? ???? “????” ?????? ??????? ????? ???? ?????? ???? ?? “????? ?????? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ???????? ?? ?????? ?? ??????? ???????? ???????
.????? ??????? ?? 3 ?? ???? ?????? “???????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ???? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ??????”. ?????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ???????? ???? ? ???? ???????? ? ??????? ???? ???? ???????
http://www.arabtimes.com/portal/news_display.cfm?Action=&Preview=No&nid=10743
March 10th, 2012, 12:07 am
jad said:
Irritated
“Radwan Zibaleh” THANK YOU! 🙂
March 10th, 2012, 12:08 am
zoo said:
?????? ???? ?????? ????? ??????? ????? ?? ?????
March 10th, 2012, 12:08 am
Syria no Kandahar said:
None-Holy FAB(Free Afghan Butchers)
March 10th, 2012, 12:16 am
ann said:
Syrian opposition admits receiving aid and seeking weapons
http://rt.com/news/line/2012-03-09/#id27699
The Syrian National Council (SNC) leader Burhan Ghalioun says his group is receiving donations from foreign governments. “The council started receiving financial support in the form of donations from Arab and non-Arab countries,” Ghalioun told Al Arabiya on Friday. He further said the NTC was seeking “quality weapons to break the arm of the killer Syrian regime.” Ghalioun countered criticism that the violence between the regime and the opposition was mutual.
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 12:17 am
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
P.S., I just want to say one more thing before I go to sleep:
Those who defend Bashar’s tyranny here are NOT (to borrow from the greatest thinker of all times, the intellectually-challenged GW Bush 🙂 ) “evil doers.” They are good people, but they unfortunately defend “evil doers!”
GOOD NIGHT!
March 10th, 2012, 12:19 am
jad said:
Zoo,
This is the full episode with Mr. Haytham Manna, as usual of him, honest, courageous and a true Syrian who really cares for Syria and Syrians bets interests.
I’ll vote for him if he run for presidency in Syria, unfortunately, we live in a twisted and unfair world.
???? ???BBC:??????? ???? ????
http://youtu.be/rcXIXPu_29o
March 10th, 2012, 12:23 am
irritated said:
#83 Majedalkhaldoon
Come on, you know very well that Bashar would do exactly what the Russians are telling him to do.
In any case Bashar never said he will not sit on a dialog table with representatives of the opposition, but the opposition has repeated and is still repeating that it is too late and they will not enter in a dialog with him.
If the Russians can easily force Bashar to negotiate, who can force the disunited opposition to accept the negotiation? Will the FSA be part of the dialog? That are the questions that Annan has to solve.
March 10th, 2012, 12:24 am
jad said:
Good night, Dawood.
March 10th, 2012, 12:26 am
irritated said:
#86 Jad
It has become very natural to call him Zibaleh.. We owe you that 🙂
March 10th, 2012, 12:26 am
ann said:
Syria attributes currency depreciation to speculation – 2012-03-10
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-03/10/c_131458024.htm
DAMASCUS, March 9 (Xinhua) –Syria’s minister of finance attributed the depreciation of the Syrian pound to speculative traders’ manipulation in the black market, the state-run SANA news agency reported on Friday.
“The decline in the Syrian pound over the past two days was not caused by supply and demand issues. Rather, it was caused by speculative traders’ manipulation in the black market. These traders were after brisk and outrageous profits,” Mohammad Julailati was quoted by SANA as saying.
“Those manipulators are enemies of our people,” said the minister, charging that some Arab TVs have used the currency depreciation to deceive the Syrian people that the nation’s economy is in a bad shape.
In the past few days, the U.S. dollar was gaining value against the Syrian pound every passing hour and reached above 100 pounds in the black market on Wednesday, according to Julailati.
However, the central bank intervened on Thursday by officially announcing the exchange rate of the U.S. dollars at 80 Syrian pounds, forcing the black market to sell the dollars at the same rate, the minister said.
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 12:27 am
ann said:
Syria warns journalists against illegal entries – 2012-03-10
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-03/10/c_131458020.htm
DAMASCUS, March 9 (Xinhua) — Syria’s information ministry said on Friday that it is still working to track down journalists who have entered the unrest-torn country illegally, vowing to step up measures against them as well as their employers.
In a statement carried by the state-run SANA news agency, the ministry lambasted the work of the unlicensed journalists, saying that they are accompanying “terrorists” and fabricating news.
The ministry said it will hold the foreign media sending those reporters responsible for what might happen to them due to their connection to the “armed terrorist groups.”
The ministry renewed its call on foreign media outlets to go through proper procedures for their journalists to enter Syria, adding that they have granted permission to over 365 Arab and Western media since the eruption of unrest in March 2011.
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 12:33 am
Ghufran said:
I have said before that Syria’s story is a story of failure on most levels with few bright spots,the brightest spot undoubtedly belongs to those who paid with their lives to express their god-given rights for dignity and freedom and refused to kill fellow Syrians,these are my heroes and should be your’s too.
This revolution is now on the wrong track due to the use of violence outside legitimate self defense and the infiltration of foreign powers ,foreign money and foreign guns,that does not mean that the revolution has failed,the stated purpose of the revolution was to change a corrupt and oppressive regime and not to kill as many soldiers and regime supporters as possible. Those who will try to stop the movement for a national reconciliation and political power sharing will be seen,and rightfully so,as traitors of their country regardless of the flag they use or the pictures they raise.
At the end of the day,Syria belongs first and foremost to Syrians who stayed behind and fought,and are still fighting,to build a better future for their kids,expats must help people back home instead of pouring oil on fire by insisting on the philosophy of ” the winner gets all” or the sick goal of ” everything or nothing”.
March 10th, 2012, 12:38 am
Son of Damascus said:
Irritated,
“in any case Bashar never said he will not sit on a dialog table with representatives of the opposition”
He would have to actually admit the opposition exists in order to do so, neither he or any of his mouth pieces actually admitted that an opposition really exists.
The opposition is willing to negotiate and has mentioned that repeatedly, but there is no compromise on the number one issue that is negotiating with the butcher.
Keep blaming everyone in the world but the obvious guilty person, sooner or later you will run out of people to blame and will be left with the glaringly obvious reason of this whole debacle, the House of Assad.
March 10th, 2012, 12:39 am
Son of Damascus said:
Jad,
(in ref. to the BBC interview with Mr. Manaa)
Mr. Manaa was not against Syrians arming themselves to defend against the regime (he even brought up the fact that the right to bear arms in the US constitution), he said he is against wholesale arming (which is a very reasonable).
Do you know more about his stance regarding that, I am interested in learning what his views are exactly when it comes to this issue (The interview was too short alas, so he was not able to expand further).
On a side note, the caller that made the snide about his brother is a classless buffoon (the best i can put it without being moderated).
Thanks
March 10th, 2012, 1:05 am
Ghufran said:
Here is an Islamist politician I can live with,he is from Lebanon:
http://www.aljazeera.net/Home/GetPage/f6451603-4dff-4ca1-9c10-122741d17432/e646a71f-4252-4c48-afd4-2f86ad1f1d32?GoogleStatID=21
(judging him by what he is saying,I do not know what he is doing or what he will do )
March 10th, 2012, 1:11 am
jad said:
Ghufran
‘that does not mean that the revolution has failed’
Theoretically, no, it didn’t fail. Technically, yes, it did. Ethically it doesn’t exist anymore. Socially, it did succeed in destroying our social fabric and seeds it with hate and violence, as WW1 did to Europe. Economically, No comment!!
What left of it is exactly what Bassam Alkadi predicted 8 months ago, nothing but a bleak and ugly reality, thanks to the brutality of the regime and the criminals who hijacked the movement on behalf of foreign powers who doesn’t give a damn about Syria or the Syrians:
Q6. what is your personal vision for the future of Syria? What are the solutions that can be put forward to the current complex state of affairs?
{…}
“Here I particularly want to point out the real danger threatening the protest movement today, which is the danger of disintegration. They went through three and a half months of non-focused movement, under the real slogan expressing their anger and feeling oppressed, and not by the slogan heard more directly (down of the regime), even if some of the Syrians living in exile claimed otherwise. Moreover, the regime did not recognize them and did not provide them with a mechanism for the advancement of their movement in a civil manner. Finally, there are multiple forces, internal and external, seeking to exploit this situation. All this reduces the movement’s ability to get organized, get rid of the impurities and to advance toward a well-organized and sustainable civil movement. Thus it (the disintegration) might allow each of the other forces (including: criminals, insurgents, thugs, bullies, or shabbiha ..) to take the leadership platform of this movement, and In that event, it will be really too late to the extent that we may have to pay a heavy price.”
{…}
?? ?? ????? ??????? ??????? ????? ????? ??? ?? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ???????
???? ?? ????? ???? ??? ????. ???? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ???? “????????” ?????? ????.
?? ?? ????? ??????? ??????? ????? ????? ??? ?? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ???????
????: ?????? ?? ????? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????.
????? ?????? ????? ?? ????: ???? ????? ????????? ????? ??????? ???. ???? ?? ??? ???????? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ??????? ????? ???? ????? ????? ??????.
??? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ???? ???? ????????? ???????? ???? ???? ????? ????????? ?? ???? ?????? ???????? ???????? ??? ???? ???????? ???????. ???? ??? ????. ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? “??????” ??? ????????? ??? “???????” ?????? ??????. ????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ?? ??????? ??? ??????.
???? ??????? ???? ??? ??? ??? ??? ????? ??? ???? ???? ?????????? ?????? ??? ??? ??????. ?????? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ???????? ??? ???? ???? ?? ??? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ??????? (????? ??????) ??? ?? ??? ??? ???????? ?? ????? ??? ????
???? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ???? ??? ??????? ??? ????? (?????? ???????)?
?? ??? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ??????? ??????? ?? ??????? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ????????? ?????. ???????? ?? ???? ??? ??? ????? (???? ???????? ????????? ?? ???????? ?? ???????..) ?? ?????? ????? ??????? ?? ??? ??????. ??? ??? ???? ??? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ?? ???? ??? ???? ?????.
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=10574
March 10th, 2012, 1:13 am
jad said:
The always respected Son of Damascus,
I never hide it that I’m biased toward Haytham Manna3 for too many reasons to list so you better check the NCB and Haytham work to judge yourself. I feel very sad that he is unfairly attacked all the time for no reason whatsoever.
From what I know, Mr. Manna3, is a long time strong defender of human rights, he is also one of the first few leaders who promote non-violent as THE way out of the dictatorship and any act of violence will hurt the revolution and shouldn’t be tolerated. He was ridiculed and snubbed away by almost every side of the conflict.
With such background it should be obvious that his remark about bearing arms doesn’t mean that he is supporting the idea of Syrians getting weapons to use it in the streets as a way to ‘defend’ themselves, that would be contradictory with the non-violence approach he is promoting, there is a big difference between a civilians defending themselves when someone attacking them in their own house and for the civilians to go out in the streets and start shooting at the police in a way to ‘defend’ their rights to protests, the later is what Haytam is strongly against.
You can ‘like’ his FB pages and check his many excellent longer interviews on his own Youtube channel.
https://www.facebook.com/HaythamManna
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Haytham-Manna/138816042833867
http://www.youtube.com/user/Mannahaytham/videos
And of course the NCB site has more details about the political principles of the coordination if you are interested to know in details what they promote:
http://syrianncb.org/
http://www.youtube.com/user/ncsyria
March 10th, 2012, 1:53 am
jad said:
Global March for Syria
http://youtu.be/11XICLJyICo
March 10th, 2012, 2:21 am
Son of Damascus said:
Jad,
Thank you, I have been to his page but have not checked out nearly enough of his interviews to have a full understanding of his views.
I am a strong proponent of the non-violence movement, and still believe that the biggest pressure we Syrians can accomplish is by peaceful protest. However the right to defend your home and neighbourhood against roving hyenas is paramount, especially when perpetrated by the very state that is supposed to to ‘defend’ you.
In the interview I got an inclination of Mr. Manaa3 advocating the right of self defence and peaceful protest as the means Syrians can accomplish to over throw the regime (again short interview so hard to judge exactly what he meant), I know he is against foreign intervention (especially from the Gulf) I am just not clear on his self defence stance.
For the record I come from the belief when people choose to be public figures, they should expect to be attacked (not physically that is), politics is dirty and ‘unfair’ attacks come with the turf, just ask Dr. Ziadeh 😉
There are lines that should not be crossed however, attacking him through his dead brother was a low life move. And by the way his reaction and reply showed he is really up to it, I know if I was in his shoes I would have lost it!
Pity that according to Besho’s new sham constitution a man like Mr. Manaa3 can’t run for president.
March 10th, 2012, 2:38 am
Mina said:
If Yemen has a new president (well, even if it is a military and that he’s been vice-president of ousted Saleh since 1994), and
if Saleh’s sons who were in charge of the military and security have been supposedly ousted,
WHO decides so quickly to launch airstrikes on “al Qaeda” ?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17324141
http://blog.lefigaro.fr/malbrunot/2012/02/yemen-la-france-en-pointe-dans.html
Why no Kofi Annan to help the Yemenis?
March 10th, 2012, 3:06 am
Son of Damascus said:
Nir and Far Away
By Carl Prine Friday, March 9th, 2012 9:52 pm
Q&A with Nir Rosen
For months now I’ve been very lucky to have read the reporting from inside Syria put out by Nir Rosen for the online English-language version of Al Jazeera.
And then yesterday Foreign Policy published his highly informed essay on Islamism and the Syrian revolutionaries, a corrective to the less nuanced utterances by some of our government leaders.
Nir has been back from a very dangerous Syria for a few weeks now and I thought that we should grab him for a Q&A before he heads off to new assignments in the Middle East and North Africa.
[…]
http://www.lineofdeparture.com/2012/03/09/nir-and-far-away/#ixzz1ohUO5wpH
March 10th, 2012, 3:27 am
Badr said:
If the offer to sell a currency is much higher than the demand to buy it, wouldn’t that automatically lower its value?
March 10th, 2012, 3:41 am
Ales said:
SOD 106
Thank you, that’s such a quality interview. So rarely we can read them.
March 10th, 2012, 7:02 am
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
I am following the AL events in Syria. I speak Arabic, unlike some of Bashar al-Assad’s propagandists who blindly defend a killer. It looks like Russia and China are realizing that they would lose more in terms of business and diplomatic relations by standing against the overwhelming Arab public opinion, which is vastly anti-Bashar!
I like to see China lose some the oil contracts that it recently won in China. Also, Chinese construction companies should lose business in the ARAB GULF region.
March 10th, 2012, 7:11 am
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
Lavrov press conference live from Cairo SOON:
http://www.aljazeera.net/livestreaming/pages
[I hope that TERRORIST Hasan Nasrallah provides Arabic translation for the American propagandists who post in English his Arabic speeches on their blogs and boards]
Free Syria, Free Palestine!
March 10th, 2012, 7:16 am
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
I have just read this article for the first time and found this great quotation for Prof. Landis, with which I strongly agree:
http://news.yahoo.com/assad-scared-war-crimes-trial-assault-homs-suggests-193300556.html
[…]
Professor Landis, who writes the SyriaComment blog, says he thinks Assad is doomed, but not because of the threat of international tribunal action. Rather, he says, the Assad regime will eventually fall because of international support for the Syrian opposition that he says is strengthening and organizing – especially in deep-pocketed Islamic countries.
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 7:50 am
Tara said:
Dear Dawoud
First of all thank you for your kind words. Reading your comment #90, I see that you are kind yourself, as lots of time, to me, the borders between the “evil doers” and their supporters becomes fussy.
The serial killer list you linked is scary and I did not open it. I do not like to read things like that…I do not watch horror movies, not even suspense ones. I’d rather watch Disney and only the cartoon ones… I am rather boring I know. I have managed during 30 some years to master avoidance behavior. I think some people have some senses that are developed more than others. Some smell more… Some taste more.. Some appreciate visual art more, some appreciate music more, and some hurt more, and I perhaps love more and hurt more… Degradation of human beings in all it’s shapes and forms pains me tremendously, and I do not like pain.
You asked if I blame the Syrian people for refusing dialogue with Bashar. Absolutely not. NO dialogue while Bashar is on the helm. He must go. Then will dialogue. It is just not possible to ask us to sit with our children’s killer. It is beyond any one human ability.
Could it be more simpler than that?
March 10th, 2012, 8:08 am
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
112. Tara
Thanks Tara for your kind response. I actually didn’t blame you, I agreed with you that Syrians should never ever agree to reconcile with a murderous dictator-who is much much worse than the serial killers listed on Wikipedia. The serial killer Ted Bundy now seems like an innocent soul compared to Bashar al-Assad, the murderer of thousands of innocent Syrians, including hundreds of children!
Please keep posting here because your posts are like a beautiful refuge island surrounded by a shark-infested ocean (the conspiratorial post of pro-dictator commenters).
March 10th, 2012, 8:16 am
majedkhaldoun said:
I said this meeting today would be more important than any other meeting ,so far
The agreement is
1 Immidiate halt of violence ,
2 Send neutral obsevers.
3 Allow humanitarian assistance
4 No foreign interference
5 Support the decisions by UN and AL.
Kofi Anan to work out such agreement
Irritated
Assad never agreed for dialogue with the SNC let him say he will send Muallem to start dialogue and you will see that SNC will agree.You said Bashar will do what Russia will tell him,
That is not true,Russia never said publicly that they told Assad to start dialogue with the SNC, if they did secretely, Assad will not agree.
Ghufran
The violence by the opposition is not outside legitimate defence, the arms of FSA can not reach far, the Goverment using Tanks artillary and airattack.FSA are using simple guns.
Also the pro regime supporters who has blood on their hand ,must not escape punishment.
March 10th, 2012, 8:39 am
873 said:
3. ann said:
“France and Morocco remain opposed to military intervention in Syria”
You believe that denial??
French troops are actively training and arming the rebel forces and French special ops have been apprehended INSIDE Homs so their PR lies are ridiculous.
As to the Mossad agent Nir Rosen- amazed that Syria bans legit reporters yet lets this Israeli agent in to do recon while he ‘reports’ for and to the enemy. Syrian govt is responsible for the mismanagment of its image and it is costing them dearly. These types of ‘journalists’ justify the way for eventual foreign bombing. Nir should return to the IDF with Avi Dichter and his message to clean up their own ugly karma in Gaza before spreading their agitprop abroad.
March 10th, 2012, 8:46 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Bassam al Kadi never made any sense, Haytham Manna3 is against Bashar and his murderous regime.
However he is delusional and drug abuser.Three things happened today
1 Six tanks are destoryed by the FSA
2 One helicopter was downed.
3 The FSA cleared booby traps from some borders areas, to allow the civilians to flee to Turkey and Lebanon.meanwhile defection continues.
The regime only solution is the use of Army,shabbiha and security forces to kill the opposition, if the regime stop this method,he will be gone soon, as massive demonstrations will force him to leave.
March 10th, 2012, 8:52 am
873 said:
Sounds like nonviolent ‘protesters’ to me. Real Gandhi-esque. Wonder who supplied them with the heavy machinery to do those chores?
Can you imagine if Russia and Iran began supplying Occupy Wall St with such rocket propelled grenades etc to take out tanks?
This entire saga is getting so absurd with the Gay Girl in Damascus swindler theme run amok (in terms of outright lies).
Now that Greece defaulted the fix is in. Once those concentric waves of fiscal corruption’s effects starting sinking into the gen populace? Guess what bigger Hegelian crisis will be tapped to distract the sheeple? bombs on Iran/Syria.
March 10th, 2012, 9:13 am
Mina said:
Qatar loves the Muslim Brotherhood and the Talibans. Mass weddings soon! If it can help the Western military lobby sell weapon for the next century, why criticizing?
http://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/-/world/13133083/exclusive-afghan-officials-visit-guantanamo-in-peace-bid/
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – An Afghan government delegation visited the Guantanamo Bay military prison this week to secure approval from five Taliban detainees who may soon be moved to Qatar, a sign that the Obama administration is inching closer to establishing peace talks to end the war in Afghanistan. (…)
March 10th, 2012, 9:27 am
Juergen said:
Mina
I thought you may like this commentary published today in the Berliner Zeitung.
Translated, and slightly edited…
Dear Beauty Salafist!
Why does a Salafist want to look different than intended by God? God forbid, for his mistress?
Sometimes even the Almighty left careless mistakes in the faces of his flock. Although the Mighty Mighty and his work is as accurate and flawless look, but try to tell that to a vain believer who has his exhaust on his face does not consider what it is, namely a nose, but as a serious God testing in his otherwise alabaster-like countenance.
The Egyptian MP of the party “NUR” (means light and knowledge) Anwar Belkimy paid a plastic surgeon to turn his giant nose into a snub nose.
Members of this party are Salafists. Apropos, Salafism. I often read in the reputable media, this or that group consists of Islamists. It is to open up in despair pillows and eat its contents! Islamist, well and good – but what, then? Salafist, Wahabit, Hizbollist, Muslim Brotherhood, jihadist, or, or, or. And it is certain that they are Islamists , but do they really aspire political power, or are they just pious, even ultra-Orthodox who just affect the social order?
I mean, one can not write, that in this or that country “crats” are on the rise. One wonders as a politically educated person to which levels of cratism they mean, National Democrats, social democrats or aristocrats? Got my point?
Mr. Anwar Al-Belkimy goes to the doctor and gets the Operation on the nose. Pictures of his bandaged face come up in public, the nascent questions he answered with a heartbreaking story of a savage gang attack, his car and his money stolen and his physiognomy was demolished. Of course he couldnt say, “I took a break from being a Salafist, which was to wear a fuzzy beard and a long coat in order to get as much spirit of the Prophet Muhammad as possible. Sorry, I wanted to trick on the creation. ”
But why a Salafist wants to look different than provided by God? Did he want to be sexy? For a veiled Salafist women ? Or to impress his mistress? In this world nothing stimulates the desire more than a magnificent nose. The popular belief insinuates, the size of the olfactory organ would hope that God has used in the basement of the man a lot of time and material. Al-Belkimy probably does not know the German proverb: “As the nose of the man, is his Johnny ” How to translate this into Arabic, As the nose of the mullah, so be his …?( sorry no translation will make up the joke)
Yours sincerely
Mely Kiyak
March 10th, 2012, 9:44 am
Jerusalem said:
???? ???? ?????? ???? ???? … ???? ??? ?????? ????? ???????? ???? ?????? ???????? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ???????? ??? ?????
???? ????? ????? ??????? ??????? ??????????? ????? ?????? : ???? ???? ???? ???????? ?????? ???????? ??? ???????? ???? ???? ?? ???????? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ?? ????? ??? ????? 3 ???? ?? ??? ???? “?????? ???????”? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????.???? ???? “??? ?? ???? ??????? ???????? ??? ???? ????? ??????? ?? ???????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ?????
http://www.arabtimes.com/portal/news_display.cfm?Action=&Preview=No&nid=10753
March 10th, 2012, 9:44 am
irritated said:
SOD #98
Does THE opposition really exists? It is serie of fragmented groups, all trying to show they represent THE syrians. They have no serious political, no economical program. If it existed and was united, it would have attracted much more Syrians on their side. In the contrary they have been loosing many. If the international community has not recognized yet the SNC as the representative of the Syrians, why would Bashar?
Why do shy off of spelling out the ‘compromise on the issue’ the SNC opposition make to accept a dialog: The resignation or the death of Bahsar Al Assad while he still has the support of a large size of the population and his whole army and government. Who does the SNC think it represents to to put such condition?
As long as they are putting this pre-condition, there will no dialog and they will bear the responsibility.
In any case, I expect soon the resignation of Ghaliun and the replacement by a more conciliant leader who will be pressed by the UN, Turkey and France and the international community who want to avoid the military option at any cost to their ego.
Or a total collapse of the SNC and its replacement by a “coalition the of the willing Syrians” ready to save their country from destruction, rather than call for it.
March 10th, 2012, 9:45 am
Ghufran said:
Time:
http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2012/03/09/after-homs-idlib-assads-regime-is-far-from-beaten/
While I oppose the use of violence by anti regime forces except in cases of legitimate self defense,I believe there should be an agreement among all anti regime parties and individuals that the regime will only give concessions under pressure.
42 years of articles and press conferences did not change this regime.
March 10th, 2012, 9:48 am
Juergen said:
How nice and sincere, Assad meets with Annan and the military campaign to crush resistance in Idleb is on its full swing. Assad keeps on referring to the opposition as being terrorists. Wonder how Annan will describe his feelings about the talk.
Friends in Idleb told me that the people fear the worst for their city.
March 10th, 2012, 10:26 am
Jerusalem said:
??? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????? ????? ??????? ??? ????? …. ???? ???????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ????? ????????? ??? ???
????? ???? ?????? ????????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? ????????? ?? ????? ????? ??????? ????????? ??? ???? ??? ?? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? ???????? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ??? 12 ????? ?21 ??????.???? ?????? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ??????? ??????????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? 12 ????? ?21 ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ????? ???????? ?????? ?????
http://www.arabtimes.com/portal/news_display.cfm?Action=&Preview=No&nid=10750
March 10th, 2012, 10:30 am
zoo said:
Egypt Moslem Brotherhood plays chest with the military: Would the next “free” Egypt president be a king or a fool?
http://news.yahoo.com/first-free-presidential-race-starts-egypt-075405004.html
..
Such worries escalated with recent media reports claiming that the generals have negotiated with the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist bloc that holds the near-majority of seats in parliament, to produce a “consensus president.
…
“The Brotherhood has not announced which candidate it will support, but has pledged in the past not to back present or even former Brothers — a stance viewed an attempt to assure liberals, secularists and western allies worried that Egypt is becoming too Islamic.
Khalil el-Anani, an expert on Islamic movements, said the Brotherhood wants “a puppet” it can control who has little popularity but who is also acceptable to both Islamists and the military. He said the Brotherhood is eying not this election but the next presidential vote in four years.
“They are trying to defuse fears to protect their political enterprise,” he said. But he said there is a risk that an unpopular figure could alienate the very Egyptians who are the Brotherhood’s main supporters.”
March 10th, 2012, 10:32 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Irritated
you said
“As long as they are putting this pre-condition, there will no dialog ”
Before you said Russia will make Assad talk to the opposition.
There is clear contradiction between the two statement
and your prediction of change in the SNC leadership, is so so so wrong.
The central bank in Syria raised the official value of the dollar to 80, this is what I said yesterday, this means that the Dollar in the black market is going to be close to 100,this month,
This is a collapse of the lira, the value of Lira dropped 30% this week.from 59 to 80, this means that the lira will be 200 in two months.
March 10th, 2012, 10:34 am
irritated said:
#123 Juergen
“Wonder how Annan will describe his feelings about the talk.”
Honest, friendly and constructive.
March 10th, 2012, 10:35 am
irritated said:
Majedalkhaldoon
“Before you said Russia will make Assad talk to the opposition.”
There is clear contradiction between the two statement”
It is clear enough.
If the opposition unites and give a sign that it is willing to accept the dialog with no-preconditions then Russia will convince Bashar. Until now there is no unity and no sign.
March 10th, 2012, 10:42 am
Tara said:
My mother always taught me it is rude to ask who people are before you introduce yourself.
Jeurgen, thank you for your support.
Tara (Fustuk)
March 10th, 2012, 10:44 am
Juergen said:
Valerya
Choose what you like, i assume anything i would say would be questioned by folks like you. A German who has friends in Syria and cares for this country as much as he cares for his country is maybe not what you would expect.
March 10th, 2012, 10:45 am
irritated said:
Juergen
You have so many “friends”, in Edlib, Aleppo, Jisr al Shorough, Dumma, Qamishtli… Obviously you are a “friendly” german interested more than usual to Syria and who knows so many important people too.
Yet be careful, it sounds more and more suspicious
“cares for this country as much as he cares for his country is may be not what you would expect.”
Do you care for Syria? I just don’t believe it. You seem to care about your own idea of what Syria should be and you don’t care about the country having a civil war, you are actually encouraging it . Do you feel like you are the new Lady Digby or Gertude Bell of Syria?
March 10th, 2012, 10:48 am
jad said:
As expected, the sectarian plan is going ahead full speed now, Al7amediyeh neighborhood is Homs is the new base of Baba Amr’s terrorists groups.
The ‘angels’ are doing their best to ignite the civil war as ordered and paid for:
???? ?? ?????? ????? ??????? : ??????? ” ????? ???? ” ???? ????? ????????? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ???
??? ????? ???? ???? ???? ??? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ????????? ??? ????? ?? ???? ???????? ??? ????? .
???? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ?? ??? ????? ????? ?? ????? ??? ??? ???????? ?? ????? ??? ??????? …
1 – ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ???????? ?????? ????? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ??????? ???????? ?????? ??? ???? ???????? ?? ????????? ….
2 – ??? ??????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ????????? , ??? ????? ?????? ???????? ???? ?? ??? ?? ?????? ( ???? ?? ????? ???? ) ???? ?? ???? ?? ?? ???? ?? ?????? … ??? ??????? ??? ??? ??????? ??????? !!! ???? …
3 – ??? ??? ??? ?? ????? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ???? ???? ?? ????? ????? ???????? … ????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?????? , ??? ??? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ???????? ???? ????? ???? ????? ???????? ??? ?????? ????????? ???? ???? ???????? ?? ????? ??? ??? ?????? …
4 – ??? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ???????? ???? ??? …
5 – ??? ????? ??? ??????? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ???? ???? ??? …
– ?? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ? ?? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ????? ????? …
???? ?? ???? ?? ??????? ??????? ( ??????? ???????? .. ?????? ??????? ??? ) ?? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ??????? ????? ?????????? ?? ????? ??? ?? ????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ????? ?????? … ??? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ??????? ??? ??? ??????? ?????? …
???? ???????? ??????? ??????? ????? ??????? ???????? ????????? ??? ???????? ??????? ??? ????? ???? ?????? ???????? ?? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ??? ??? ???? ????? ?????????? ???? ???? ???????? ??? ?? ???? ???? ( ????? ????? ???? ????? ???? ) ?? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ??? ??? ??????? ???????? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ???????? ????? ???????? … ???? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ?? ???? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ?????????? , ?? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?? ???????? ?????? ??????? …
??? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ??????? ?????
??? ???? ???? ?? ???? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ???????? ????
http://arabi-press.com/?page=article&id=26667
March 10th, 2012, 10:53 am
Juergen said:
Irritated
be accurate i dont have friends in Jisr al Shogur and in Dumma. I know important people? I may have met some, but knowing indicates a bit more. Its funny, sometimes i think some Arabs have invented suspicion, but i get used to it. The other day i was with a friend to hear a speech of a famous german salafi,( dont worry i am immun for such folks) and the pious community in the mosque thought through my glasses i would film them for the german secret service, I had a good laugh…
March 10th, 2012, 10:56 am
jna said:
U.S. officials: Assad could survive Syria revolt
Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/03/09/141392/us-officials-assad-could-survive.html
WASHINGTON — Months after the United States sided with rebels against Syrian President Bashar Assad, senior U.S. intelligence officials acknowledged Friday that not only could Assad survive the uprising, but also that they couldn’t say with confidence that the opposition represents a majority of the Syrian people.
(…)
March 10th, 2012, 11:00 am
Juergen said:
Irritated
Gertrude Bell, thats my laugh for today, thank you!
March 10th, 2012, 11:00 am
Tara said:
Jeurgen
They want to bully you… They are good at it. One can’t blame them. They know nothing but it. For 40 some years, a whole nation was bullied. Intellectually, emotionally, and physically so. All those so called fence sitters are the product of decades of bullying. The revolutionists were like that too.. until… few children in Daraa did the unthinkable….and from then on, Hell opened its gate and all Villians in them broke loose. They killed, tortured, and mayhemed Syria.
Sadly enough, they are proud of it. Now, that is
really the unthinkable!
March 10th, 2012, 11:01 am
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
138. JNA
I trust Prof. Landis more than the U.S. officials quoted in the article (see my comment # 111).
Bashar, the killer dictator, WILL LOSE POWER AND FLEE SYRIA TO IRAN!
March 10th, 2012, 11:03 am
873 said:
Anyone -especially those residing outside the country- that advocates destroying their country to “save/liberate/democratize” it is a hostile agent or should be tried for treason by fellow compatriots. These phony advocates for ‘humanitarian’ war should apply the NATO Nation test: would a true French lobby to firebomb and flatten Paris? Or a Brit, London?
March 10th, 2012, 11:09 am
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
P.S., I heard that Bashar M.D. (Murderous Dictator), Bouthyna Sha’aban, Maher (war criminal) al-Assad, et al. are buying a book they will definitely need soon when they flee to Iran: “Persian 101 for Dummies!”
P.S., too bad that Mufti Hassoun cannot go to Iran because Sunni mosques are banned in Iran and he wouldn’t be able to preach there. He should repent soon and apologize to the Syrian people!
March 10th, 2012, 11:10 am
jad said:
Jurgen
How is Abu Hamza Alalmani (P.Vogel), still as crazy as I remember him? 😉
“Sunni mosques are banned in Iran”
Another precious gem to be added to the list..
March 10th, 2012, 11:15 am
jna said:
Dawoud H H,
No one has a 100% batting average on predictions, including Joshua Landis. It’s good to consider analysis from many scources and not just ones which confirm your beliefs.
March 10th, 2012, 11:16 am
Shami said:
Dawood ,
Hassoun is the most hated puppet in Aleppo ,i do not think that his apologies will be well received.He will have to book for Qom too.
March 10th, 2012, 11:20 am
jad said:
So after all the yelling and spitting and jumping and threatening we experienced from BigBird*, today BB is saying exactly what the Russian proposed more than 6 months ago:
?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ???????? ????? 10-3-2012
http://youtu.be/mVyCLERv3G0
*TM of Irritated
March 10th, 2012, 11:24 am
omen said:
via nir rosen interview:
The Salafi ideology just hasn’t been as important in Syria.
March 10th, 2012, 11:28 am
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
147. SHAMI ?? ????
If he goes to Qom, he needs to covert to Shia Islame
???? ?????? ???? ?? ?????
🙂
March 10th, 2012, 11:29 am
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2012/1088/focus.htm
Homes destroyed, shattered lives
Israel’s criminal policy of house demolitions in the occupied Palestinian territories is intended to destroy Palestinian lives, writes Graham Peebles
Within the catalogue of criminality that is Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, the destruction of Palestinian homes must rank as one of the most cynical and heinous. According to the website internal-displacement.org, “some 90,000 people are currently reported to be at risk of displacement as a result of Israeli policies such as restrictive and discriminatory planning, the revocation of residency rights, the expansion of settlements and the construction of the West Bank separation wall.”
Let us explore further, with tacit reference to the United States, which bankrolls the operation.
Home: a refuge from the world, safe and secure, somewhere to relax with family and friends, and breath easy, free from fear. This simple image is unknown to many Palestinians living under the illegal occupation of the West Bank by Israel. According to the United Nations Relief and Works Administration (UNRWA), “the Israeli practice of demolishing homes, basic infrastructure and sources of livelihoods continues to devastate Palestinian families and communities in East Jerusalem and the 60 per cent of the West Bank controlled by Israel, known as Area C. Many of the people affected already live in poverty, and demolitions are a leading cause of their ongoing displacement and dispossession in the West Bank.”
Last year saw more homes demolished than in the previous six years, and record numbers of people were made homeless and displaced. According to the US human rights organisation Human Rights Watch, by November last year the “Israeli authorities had demolished 467 Palestinian homes and other buildings in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), displacing 869 people.” The UN puts the figure even higher at 1,000 homes. Alongside the illegal destruction of Palestinian homes, Israeli settlement expansion has accelerated, as has “an escalation of violence perpetrated by settlers,” according to Human Rights Watch.
The total number of recorded house demolitions since the occupation began in 1967 is estimated to be 24,813, says the website ifamericansknew.org. With Palestinians perversely being forced to either demolish their own homes or face a charge from the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) to do it for them, some homeowners undertake the task themselves. The family “is liable for the costs of the house demolition, which can run to tens of thousands of dollars. To avoid these costs, Palestinians subject to administrative house demolitions may opt to undertake the demolition of their own home, and it is not known how many Palestinians choose this route.” These “homemade” demolitions are not included in the figure of 24,813 quoted above, making the actual total much higher.
We should reflect for a moment on the absurdity of living under an illegal occupation that forces families to bulldoze their own homes.
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 11:31 am
VOLK said:
CAIRO, March 10 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia and the League of Arab States (LAS) have approved a five-point position on the situation in Syria, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
“We approved a joint position of five points. First, to stop violence wherever it comes from. Second, to create an impartial and free monitoring mechanism. Third, no external interference. Fourth, unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to all Syrians. Fifth, first support for [I.S. and LAS Special Envoy] Kofi Annan’s mission in order to start political dialogue between the government and all opposition groups,” Lavrov said after talks with his LAS counterparts in Cairo on Saturday, March 9.
“We think that these points are of principle importance. First of all, they send a rather clear signal to all Syrian sides. And second, we believe that it is important to confirm support for Kofi Annan’s efforts and hope that his mission will bear fruit,” Lavrov said.
http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c154/362753.html
March 10th, 2012, 11:38 am
omen said:
143. 873 said:
These phony advocates for ‘humanitarian’ war
are the dead (mostly unarmed) civilians assad murdered phony?
should apply the NATO Nation test: would a true French lobby to firebomb and flatten Paris? Or a Brit, London?
the rebels aren’t lobbying to flatten syria. they want arms for self defense. something that would take out assad’s tanks. it’s assad who is flattening syria. by your own logic, assad isn’t a true syrian.
March 10th, 2012, 11:52 am
Juergen said:
Tara
If my words would not endanger some friends in Syria, i would even share more and use my real name. Thank you for your kind support.
Jad
He still is, and now he even talks more and more about the arab revolution, but the usual shahada show is still up at the end of his speeches.
March 10th, 2012, 11:53 am
irritated said:
#134 Juergen
“and the pious community in the mosque thought through my glasses i would film them for the german secret service, I had a good laugh…”
Be careful, these people are not to laugh with. Don’t underestimate their lethal power against ‘infidels’ even in Germany.
March 10th, 2012, 11:58 am
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
Dear Moderator:
Thanks for approving my request to edit my comment # 58.
Dawoud
March 10th, 2012, 11:58 am
Mina said:
Obama sobers up (for how long?)
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/NC09Ak01.html
March 10th, 2012, 12:01 pm
irritated said:
#143 Omen
“The Salafi ideology just hasn’t been as important in Syria.”
Who can guarantee that with the money pouring from KSA and/or Qatar in a country stricken by poverty, they would not become much more important?
Who knew they were so important in Egypt and growing?
March 10th, 2012, 12:02 pm
omen said:
873 @ 11:09
would a true French lobby to firebomb and flatten Paris? Or a Brit, London?
you’re suggesting a true patriot would allow himself to be slaughtered by the country’s dictator without protest.
March 10th, 2012, 12:02 pm
Observer said:
Today Fredo said that the crisis will not be amenable to a solution as long as there are terrorist elements in the country.
This means that he is not about to back down when it comes to the military security solution. This also means that there is no alternative than to arm and aid the defectors.
On a second note, how ironic that he is saying exactly what the SNC is saying.. There is no solution and no dialogue as long as thugs are running the regime.
On a third note, the announcements by the regime that the situation is getting better and that the crisis will be over in a few days is therefore not true. There is clearly according to Fredo “armed terrorist gangs” and they seem to be increasing rather than decreasing as we see the army being deployed in a variety of places.
Now as I predicted the West is very happy to see Russia carry the Syrian regime in its lap and by so doing weaken its international standing and tarnish its reputation.
Alain Juppe declared today that any resolution that equates between the regime and the opposition is a non starter and therefore the “magic” has turned against the “magician” and it is now the burden on Russia to try and pass a UNSC resolution to save the regime.
Also it is clear that Lavrov went to the AL to get KSA and others not to arm the rebellion and this is clearly a non starter and he failed in this regard. The fig leaf he was given is for all fighting to stop and for neutral observes and for humanitarian
aid to flow immediately and for all parties to abide by the rules and to help Kofi in his bid to talk sense to Fredo.
Now if Fredo is saying no dialogue how come some on this blog advocate dialogue.
After all they are terrorists salafists MB scum bent on bringing firebombing of their own country and they are completely disunited and at the pay of US Qatar GCC etc…. why have dialogue with them unless it is to have a dialogue with oneself or with a “supposed” opposition that is willing to compromise beforehand.
I say no dialogue Fredo, I say cry havoc and let loose the dogs of war and let us see what remains of Somaria Alassad with its barbaric supporters pretending to be modern glamorous Asma-like adoring fans.
One final question to Professor Landis; notwithstanding the open forum for comments aren’t you kind of disappointed at the utter despicable flooding of your comment sections with pure cut and paste in a clear effort to drown debate and silence real argumentation?
March 10th, 2012, 12:03 pm
Tara said:
Jeurgen
😉
March 10th, 2012, 12:08 pm
irritated said:
141. jad
I can’t believe my eyes. Bigbird look totally beaten up as he is reading the final statement where there is no mention of the defunct AL plan of asking Bashar to resign.
That’s a huge U-Turn.
I wonder if BB did not finally realized that by sticking to his obsession of getting rid of Bashar at any cost, even military, Qatar was been blamed as warmongers and becoming accomplice to further violence. It is also loosing its aura in the Arab countries as a peace maker.
I hope that will materialize with the resignation of Ghaliun, the reshuffling of the SNC and the appearance of the NCC on the foreground, followed by the dialog.
March 10th, 2012, 12:12 pm
Observer said:
Fredo said that the crisis is not amenable to a solution as long as there are armed terrorist operating in the country.
Lavrov and AL five points have been announced.
Here are my points
1. Fredo has contradicted his regime’s previous assertion that the situation is getting better and that we are about to finish the armed gangs. Clearly there are more of them as time goes by otherwise why insist on continued action against them
2. How ironic that he is using the same argument as the SNC which has from the outset identified the thuggish regime and its mafia composition and style as the major obstacle to any real reform and to a dialogue for a new Syria
3. Lavrov went to get KSA and others not to arm the rebellion as they have seen the performance of the regime forces to be less than stellar and he got a fig leaf of a five point plan that is clearly nothing more than face saving attempt to get it to put pressure on Syria
4. As I predicted before the Syrian regime has become a burden on Russia and now the magic has turned on the magician with Alain Juppe declaring that any resolution that equates between the regime and the resistance of the population is a non starter. Russia is now in the “driver’s” seat and has to manage stupid Fredo
5. It is clear from the declaration of RT arabic today that Lavrov is also trying to salvage the role of Russia in the Arab world as they see losing all 22 countries for the sake of Fredo
6. Finally, I agree with Fredo, let there be no dialogue and cry havoc and let loose the dogs of war and let us what remains of Somaria Alassad with its adoring fans drooling over the dashing figure with his glamorous married to the mob spouse trailing behind and having to listen to his “lectures”.
From now on I see no reason to have any Fredo supporter on this blog call for dialogue as Fredo himself has joined the SNC in declaring that there is no way forward talking to thugs/MB/Salafi/Terrorist/Armed gangs/World Wide conspiracy Blackwater/CIA/Iranin/HA/Israeli/Russian trained thugs.
Mirror mirror who is fairest among them all?
Any guess what the answer is Fredo?
March 10th, 2012, 12:12 pm
irritated said:
#153. Observer
Do you seriously believe that your posts are samples of “real argumentation”?
I prefer a thousand times cut and paste.
March 10th, 2012, 12:14 pm
Ghufran said:
Different people read things differently,my own opinion is that the AL heads are backing off,and their new position is a slap on the face of the SNC and all of those who are advocating violence as a solution to the Syrian crisis. Read the joint statement again if you disagree and notice the absence of any calls for Bashar to resign.If this initiative receives the backing of the UN and avoids a US veto,then it will put the regime and the opposition to the test. Those who think that the Russian-AL plan will give the regime a second life are wrong,the regime is unpopular and can not survive any clean election,actually it has a better chance of surviving an armed campaign.
What the US and the EU will ask is adding guarantees and punitive measures against the regime if it does not comply,the Russians will insist that all parties receive the same treatment if they fail to adhere to the plan.
March 10th, 2012, 12:17 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
http://www.aljazeera.net/news/pages/95919c62-c6ea-4519-a604-a47a6e804fde?GoogleStatID=1
???? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????
??? ?????? ?????? ?? 12 ???? ??? ????? ????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ????.
????? ???????? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ??? ??????? ??????? ????.
??? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ?? ??? ?? ?????? ???????? ?????? ????? ????? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ???? ?????.
???? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ?????. ??? ???? ???? ???? ??? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ??????.
??? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ??????? ???????? ???????? ??????? ???? ???????? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ?? ???????.
???? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ????? ???? ???? ?? ??????? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ????? ???? ????? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ?????. ??? ????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ??? ???????.
??? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????? ????????? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ???????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ????????? ????????? ?? ?????? ??? ??????.
??? ??? ???????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ?????. ??? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ????? ??? ???? ?? ???? ??? ????? ??????????.
??? ????? ??? ????? ?????????? ?????? ????????? ??????????? ????? ????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ???????.
????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ??????? ?????? ?? ?????? (???????)
????? ??????
??? ???? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ????????.
??? ?????? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ????? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??? 15 ????/???? ??????.
???? ?????? ?? ??????
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 12:17 pm
zoo said:
Syria’s Bashar al-Assad firmly in control, U.S. intelligence officials say
By Greg Miller and Karen DeYoung, Published: March 9 | Updated: Saturday, March 10, 2:50 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/syrias-bashar-al-assad-firmly-in-control-us-intelligence-officials-say/2012/03/09/gIQAv7r71R_story.html?hpid=z3
A year into the uprising in Syria, senior U.S. intelligence officials described the nation’s president, Bashar al-Assad, on Friday as firmly in control and increasingly willing to unleash one of the region’s most potent militaries on badly overmatched opposition groups.
The officials also said Assad’s inner circle is “remaining steadfast,” with little indication that senior figures in the regime are inclined to peel off, despite efforts by the Obama administration and its allies to use sanctions and other measures to create a wave of defections that would undermine Assad.
Assad “is very much in charge,” said a senior U.S. intelligence official responsible for tracking the conflict, adding that Assad and his inner circle seem convinced that the rebellion is being driven by external foes and that they are equipped to withstand all but a large-scale military intervention.
“That leadership is going to fight very hard,” the official said. Over the long term, “the odds are against them,” he said, “but they are going to fight very hard.”
The comments, provided by three intelligence officials on the condition of anonymity to share candid assessments, were the most detailed to date by U.S. analysts on the status of the uprising, which began last March.
The officials said the regime’s tactics have taken a more aggressive turn, and newly declassified satellite images released Friday show what officials described as “indiscriminate” artillery damage to schools, mosques and other facilities in the beleaguered city of Homs in recent weeks.
Overall, they described Syria as a formidable military power, with 330,000 active-duty soldiers, surveillance drones supplied by Iran and a dense network of air defense installations that would make it difficult for the United States or other powers to establish a no-fly zone.
“This is an army that was built for a land war with the Israelis,” said a second senior U.S. intelligence official. After the regime hesitated to attack civilian population centers earlier in the conflict, its “restraint .?.?. has been lifted,” the official said.
(..)
March 10th, 2012, 12:20 pm
omen said:
irritated @ 12:02
you fear the future. i fear the present. it’s what is happening now that should be addressed. should we turn a blind eye to people being slaughtered because we cannot predict what will happen tomorrow?
qatar is relatively liberal. you probably know this but just to be clear muslim brotherhood are not salafists. the reason MB got more votes for parliament in egypt than expected is because the liberal secularists boycotted the elections.
i don’t know why this is important when innocent children are being slain. must we require a religious/ideological test before offering aid to people suffering?
March 10th, 2012, 12:20 pm
jad said:
Irritated
#157 so true 🙂
March 10th, 2012, 12:23 pm
Juergen said:
Irritated
i personally think that this sheikh is just gone nuts and well some make the joke that boxers arent smarter after they quit their profession. But i do think that his ideas and his view on islam is dangerous. We have seen a killing of two american GI at Frankfurt airport, and the young killer( i think he was 21) was one of his fans.
I just found this video showing Abdel Razak Tlass, anyone has an idea if thats a current one? I assume Bab Amr is under regime control nowadays.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=e7O4GEHu9FM#!
Idleb bombing today
March 10th, 2012, 12:24 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
Kuwaiti parliament member is showing a video on Bashar al-Assad’s war crimes in Kuwait parliament:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz-bLRD0-bE&feature=related
????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ???????? ?? ????? ?? ?????
March 10th, 2012, 12:25 pm
bronco said:
#158 Ghufran
“the regime is unpopular and can not survive any clean election”
I have strong doubts about that. If the regime is able to get the Russian-Al plan as a UNSC resolution, it will be an international acceptance of the Syrian regime narrative, that of disorganized and foreign inspired groups trying to make a military coup.
That would be seen as a victory for the regime and make it more popular.
In an election, the potential candidates, with very few exceptions, are polluted by their foreign affiliations.
Elections could be a huge surprise.
March 10th, 2012, 12:30 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Irritated,
“Does THE opposition really exists? It is serie of fragmented groups, all trying to show they represent THE syrians. They have no serious political, no economical program. If it existed and was united, it would have attracted much more Syrians on their side. In the contrary they have been loosing many. If the international community has not recognized yet the SNC as the representative of the Syrians, why would Bashar?”
The opposition does not equal the SNC alone, I know you think one party and one man can represent the diversity of the Syrian people, I don’t and I am happy that what you call “fragmentation” of the opposition is there because not one party or umbrella group can possibly cover the rich diversity of the Syrian people.
I would like to remind you that even the NCB under Manaa3 is asking for that compromise, no dialogue with the butcher.
The fact that Bashar can only really rely on 10% of the army and the rest is the security service, is an indication he does not trust his very own army.
As for the supposed support he has, you are vastly over exaggerating his support, may I remind you its been a whole year and this so called ‘mouaamara’ was not been crushed. 10000 Dead Syrians (and counting) for the butcher to keep his job.
Irritated at what magic number does Bashar turn to a criminal in your eyes, how many more Syrians need to die for this creep exactly?
March 10th, 2012, 12:31 pm
Alan said:
witjout comment !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcLTqo4jEK4
=========================================
Obama Plans More Middle East Wars
http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=29681
=========================================
The Mother of All Bombs”: a “great weapon” to use on Iran, says US air force chief
http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=29680
March 10th, 2012, 12:36 pm
omen said:
151. irritated said:
nir rosen: “The Salafi ideology just hasn’t been as important in Syria.”
you fear coming to the aid of people you suspect as extremists. what if failing to act to help people in need ends up being the thing that triggers the growth of extremism? a people abandoned engenders bitterness and radicalism.
March 10th, 2012, 12:37 pm
irritated said:
#163 Juergen
Abdel Razak Tlass is as mysterious as Adnan Bakkour.
If he is alive, why doesn’t the FSA announces it as a rebuff to the announcement of his death by the regime?
There has been a recent video showing him that Majedalkhadoon posted, but his real whereabouts are unknown.
By the way God seems to have had an important role in the bombing of the tank, in view of the amount of praise the fighters are yelling.
March 10th, 2012, 12:37 pm
jad said:
“the Russians will insist that all parties receive the same treatment if they fail to adhere to the plan.”
Could you please tell us how you think the Russians will react when bunch of terrorists armed militias doesn’t listen to the ‘plan’ while being supported, financed and armed by every radical of the region?
It’s way much easier to force the Syrian government to stick to any plan you want and it’s almost impossible to force terrorists to do one item of any plan, especially when they have such support, I wonder if Alqaeda gt such support for it’s work in the States and Europe what the world would look like today.
All these plans means nothing if they don’t get fairly implemented on ALL including the warmongers of Qatara, KSA, France, Turkey, UK, Alqaeda and the rest of the ‘angles’ who are killing Syria.
SYRIE/ Une journée avec les terroristes à Idlib, 07.03.2012
http://youtu.be/xLHth8z3CSc
March 10th, 2012, 12:38 pm
jad said:
“qatar is relatively liberal.”
LOLOLOL lots of ‘gems’ written today…
March 10th, 2012, 12:41 pm
Mina said:
A good place to study if one wants to see how the Wahhabis have destroyed a pluralistic society is Pakistan in the 70’s.
March 10th, 2012, 12:48 pm
Son of Damascus said:
No Talks With Opposition Groups, Syria Leader Tells U.N. Envoy
By KAREEM FAHIM
Published: March 10, 2012
BEIRUT, Lebanon — High-level diplomatic efforts to stop the fighting in Syria foundered Saturday as President Bashar al-Assad shut the door on any immediate negotiations with the opposition and escalated a new military assault on the city of Idlib.
Mr. Assad told the United Nations envoy Kofi Annan that such talks would be fruitless as long as “terrorist groups” were operating in the country
[…]
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/11/world/middleeast/no-talks-with-syria-opposition-groups-leader-tells-un-envoy.html
March 10th, 2012, 12:49 pm
irritated said:
#166 SOD
“Irritated at what magic number does Bashar turn to a criminal in your eyes, how many more Syrians need to die for this creep exactly?”
The magic numbers are:
– The number of important officials that resign
– The number of generals and soldiers that resign
– The number of Syrians who wants Bashar to resign
– The number of countries that breakup relations with the country
– The number of UN security resolutions that ask Bashar to resign
– The number of popular figures in the opposition that could take over the country
These are some of the numbers that counts to deligitimize Bashar al Assad.
You keep repeating the qualifier ‘criminal, butcher, assassin etc…’ Obviously not everybody shares your opinion, as he is still in power and recognized by the world community as the president of all the Syrians. Bush was called like that too by many people and he stayed in power to the end of his term.
Finally you come up with these absurd numbers of 10% of the army. Haven’t you read ALL the articles that repeat that Bashar is in control of the country even after a year of turmoil and incapacitating sanctions? Do you think you know better?
March 10th, 2012, 12:52 pm
jad said:
Exactly Mina, this site will be a great archive of how Syria changed from being a diverse, tolerant and beautiful country to the new Afghanistan of the middle east with the help of delusional Syrians, backward khalijis, fake ‘pro-palestinians’, colonial powers, terrorists groups and Balckwater agents.
March 10th, 2012, 12:52 pm
Alan said:
174. IRRITATED
???? ? ?? ????? ! ?????? ????? !
March 10th, 2012, 12:55 pm
jad said:
‘Honest effort’ from Assad, action plan from Russia and Arab league
Syrian President Bashar Assad has told UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan Damascus is ready to make “an honest effort “to halt violence in the country. Russia and the Arab League also agreed on a joint five-point position in support of Annan’s mission.
Speaking with former UN Secretary-General Annan in Damascus on Saturday, Assad said “Syria is ready to make a success of any honest effort to find a solution for the events it is witnessing,” SANA quoted him as saying.
However, Assad asserted “no political dialogue or political activity can succeed while there are armed terrorist groups operating and spreading chaos and instability.”
The high-profile meeting was intended to set in motion a “political process” to curb spiraling violence and prevent further militarization of the conflict.
The talks were underway place amid incoming media reports about fresh clashes in the northwestern city of Idlib. One activist told Reuters by phone that “regime forces have just stormed into Idlib with tanks and heavy shelling is now taking place.”
{…}
http://rt.com/news/anan-assad-syria-ceasefire-247/
March 10th, 2012, 12:56 pm
zoo said:
Isn’t too late for these ‘should’ and ‘must’ advices to the opposition?
Syria opposition needs to assure army defectors
National Editorial
Mar 9, 2012
http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/editorial/syria-opposition-needs-to-assure-army-defectors
….
The opposition should grasp this dynamic and reassure Alawite officers, who hold the highest ranks, that they will not face discrimination and will be protected if they defect. Unfortunately, the opposition has so far vowed to uproot the whole of the regime, including all of Mr Al Assad’s Alawite loyalists. Such an attitude means those officers will fight with the regime until the end.
There are also opposition elements that have shown little interest in the defection of higher-ranking officers or officials, to avoid competition. Worse, some Syrian activists reported the systematic killing of Alawite soldiers captured by the Free Syrian Army.
The opposition must send an unequivocal message of a nonsectarian approach to post-Assad Syria. They should follow the example of the 1980s opposition figure Jamal Attasi, whose party affirmed that the regime’s violence must not be seen as sectarian, and warned of a Lebanese-style sectarian conflict.
The opposition must build a political infrastructure within the Syrian National Council to accommodate everyone, regardless of religious or ethnic affiliation. It must also unambiguously distance itself from sectarian violence.
(..)
March 10th, 2012, 1:02 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Irritated,
So he can keep on killing Syrians as long as the UN, and his generals don’t stop him. There is no magic number of people he can kill where he is a criminal in your eyes. I understand.
As for repeating the ‘qualifier’ as you said, he deserves a lot worse than I have ever said about him.
I have read many articles and actual experts (including the good Dr who’s name is on this blog) have backed what I said. Perhaps you should expand your reading from the usual propaganda machines (i.e. Dunnia, Xin Haun, …) and include some of those ‘imperial’ media that is so biased against the boy-king.
Every expert is saying he is doomed, his regime is doomed, it is only a matter of when not if!
March 10th, 2012, 1:05 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Alan,
If you would like to call me brain dead at the very least have the decency to address me directly.
March 10th, 2012, 1:06 pm
zoo said:
Understanding Syria’s Armed Opposition
Download the PDF
Executive Summary
http://www.understandingwar.org/report/syrias-armed-opposition
This report provides detailed information on Syria’s armed opposition movement, highlighting where structure exists within the movement and where Syria’s rebels lack organization. This report does not advocate for or against the policy of arming the Syrian opposition.
..
The armed Syrian opposition is identifiable, organized, and capable, even if it is not unified. The Free Syrian Army (FSA), nominally headquartered in Turkey, thus functions more as an umbrella organization than a traditional military chain of command.
Three of Syria’s most effective militias maintain direct ties to the Free Syrian Army. They include The Khalid bin Walid Brigade near Homs; the Harmoush Battalion in the northern Jebel al-Zawiya mountains; and the Omari Battalion in the southern Hawran plain, the name used by locals for the agricultural plateau that comprises Syria’s Dera’a province. Appendix 1 lists biographical details of the insurgent leaders affiliated with many effective fighting units. Appendix 2 provides an order of battle for the armed opposition groups by province.
Other large and capable rebel groups do not maintain such a close relationship with the FSA headquarters in Turkey, but nevertheless refer to themselves as members of the Free Syrian Army.
Despite the regime’s assault on Homs in February 2012, the insurgency remains capable. The rebels who withdrew from the Baba Amr neighborhood of Homs at the beginning of March 2012 have demonstrated the tactical wherewithal to retreat in order to preserve combat power.
(…)
March 10th, 2012, 1:06 pm
irritated said:
SOD #179
Do you agree that the Washington Post is not ‘friendly’ to Bashar?
60. zoo said:
Syria’s Bashar al-Assad firmly in control, U.S. intelligence officials say
By Greg Miller and Karen DeYoung, Published: March 9 | Updated: Saturday, March 10, 2:50 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/syrias-bashar-al-assad-firmly-in-control-us-intelligence-officials-say/2012/03/09/gIQAv7r71R_story.html?hpid=z3
March 10th, 2012, 1:10 pm
jad said:
Mina,
Did you read this article bout the governments war against the public in the backdoors of the media:
The dirty war on WikiLeaks
John Pilger
War by media, says current military doctrine, is as important as the battlefield. This is because the real enemy is the public at home, whose manipulation and deception is essential for starting an unpopular colonial war. Like the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, attacks on Iran and Syria require a steady drip-effect on readers’ and viewers’ consciousness. This is the essence of a propaganda that rarely speaks its name.
To the chagrin of many in authority and the media, WikiLeaks has torn down the facade behind which rapacious western power and journalism collude. This was an enduring taboo; the BBC could claim impartiality and expect people to believe it. Today, war by media is increasingly understood by the public, as is the trial by media of WikiLeaks’ founder and editor Julian Assange.
{…}
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/mar/09/julian-assange-wikileaks
March 10th, 2012, 1:13 pm
Alan said:
Syria’s Bashar al-Assad firmly in control, U.S. intelligence officials say
http://theuglytruth.wordpress.com/2012/03/10/syrias-bashar-al-assad-firmly-in-control-u-s-intelligence-officials-say/
washingtonpost.com
A year into the uprising in Syria, senior U.S. intelligence officials described the nation’s president, Bashar al-Assad, on Friday as firmly in control and increasingly willing to unleash one of the region’s most potent militaries on badly overmatched opposition groups.
The officials also said Assad’s inner circle is “remaining steadfast,” with little indication that senior figures in the regime are inclined to peel off, despite efforts by the Obama administration and its allies to use sanctions and other measures to create a wave of defections that would undermine Assad.
Assad “is very much in charge,” said a senior U.S. intelligence official responsible for tracking the conflict, adding that Assad and his inner circle seem convinced that the rebellion is being driven by external foes and that they are equipped to withstand all but a large-scale military intervention.
“That leadership is going to fight very hard,” the official said. Over the long term, “the odds are against them,” he said, “but they are going to fight very hard.”
The comments, provided by three intelligence officials on the condition of anonymity to share candid assessments, were the most detailed to date by U.S. analysts on the status of the uprising, which began last March………………….
March 10th, 2012, 1:14 pm
omen said:
@12:52
one can surmise from irritated’s checklist, he doesn’t care how many people assad murders. he’s got every other metric covered except a body count. who knew there were so many people willing to defend dictators.
March 10th, 2012, 1:17 pm
jna said:
SANA said:
http://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2012/03/10/405244.htm
Then CNN said:
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/10/world/meast/syria-unrest/index.html
Is CNN doing some tailoring to Assad’s remarks?
March 10th, 2012, 1:23 pm
Mina said:
Thanks Jad for Pilger’s article.
There is very little people who have time to read the Wikileaks.
I hope when Syria is in peace people like you and many others will have time to dig in the trove and translate the important stuff into Arabic. It is time to educate the teenagers.
http://wikileaks.org/wiki/Category:Syria
http://wikileaks.org/gitmo/
http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CIA_Red_Cell_Memorandum_on_United_States_%22exporting_terrorism%22,_2_Feb_2010
March 10th, 2012, 1:28 pm
omen said:
irritated: These are some of the numbers that counts to deligitimize Bashar al Assad.
you have a double standard. you give assad a free pass while requiring the opposition to jump through multiple hoops.
how can you confer legitimacy to a mass murderer?
March 10th, 2012, 1:33 pm
irritated said:
Omen #186
I was expecting that remark that I have not listed the number of casualties among the ‘magic number’.
One reason is that the body counts are on both side and still debatable.
Secondly, as we have seen in Iraq and Libya, the number of victims do not play a significant role in the international community political and military intervention, or if it does, it is used as a pretext for another political purpose as it was in Libya.
March 10th, 2012, 1:41 pm
omen said:
firms have plotted how to introduce fake memos to wikileaks.
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/02/10/143419/lobbyists-chamberleaks/?mobile=nc
i’m not suggesting the syrian memos are fake (is there a way to know for sure until an independent agency has vetted them?) but i have noticed how it’s russia & iran who are pushing the story the hardest.
March 10th, 2012, 1:42 pm
irritated said:
#189. omen
I don’t confer it, the international community does.
March 10th, 2012, 1:43 pm
irritated said:
#185 Majedalkhadoon
“The crusaders in Syria are committing crimes as they support the most criminal Bashar”
So does the Kurds, the Druze, the Sunni business community, most alawites, the army. Now they have all become crusaders?
March 10th, 2012, 1:48 pm
omen said:
irritated 1:41 i agree with you we had no business going into iraq. but libyans themselves called for intervention as is syria. not all conflicts can be lumped together as the same.
March 10th, 2012, 1:50 pm
Mina said:
How the Wahhabis have destroyed Eritrea (through the Wahhabization of Sudanese Muslim Brothers):
how it was in 2004
http://wikileaks.org/cable/2004/02/04ASMARA192.html#
All the cables on Syria
http://dazzlepod.com/cable/search/?q=damascus
March 10th, 2012, 1:51 pm
jad said:
Bassam AlKadi- ???? ??????
??? ??? ?? ???????? ?????????? ??? ????? ????????: ??? ?????? ??? ??? ??????..
???? ???? ?? ???????? ?????????? ??? ?????: ??? ????? ??? ???? ??????..
????? ???? ?? ???????? ?????????? ??? ?????: ??? ????? ??? ???? ??????..
????? ?? ???????? ?????????? ??? ??????: ??? ????? ??? ???? ??????..
????? ?? ???????? ?????????? ??? ????? (1978 # 2000): ??? ????? ??? ??? ??????..
????? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ?????: ?????? ??? ????.. ???? ?? ??????..
?????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ?? “????????” ????????? ??? ????.. ???? ??????..
?? ?? ???? ?? ???? ????? ????? ?? ??? ???????? ?????????? ??? ????? ???? ??? ??? ????? ????? ??? ????????: ????? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ????? ???????!
https://www.facebook.com/alkadi.bassam/posts/406396692710956
March 10th, 2012, 1:53 pm
omen said:
irritated 1:43 the checklist you offered were your requirements that needed to be met before you would consider him illegitimate.
you still haven’t answered SOD’s question. how high does the body count have to be before you’d consider intervening?
or is more the better?March 10th, 2012, 2:00 pm
Ghufran said:
The true test for a politician’s popularity is clean elections not what I or anybody else say about him or her. There was little or no violence prior to March,2011 but the regime did nothing to reform the political system or security forces,the concept that a corrupt regime will reform itself is more of a fantasy than a real idea,that is why the regime waited until Syrians rose up and many took up arms before the issue of dialogue and power sharing suddenly becomes sexy.violence can only help thugs and hawks,but everybody else loses,we can see now how violence is helping the regime dodge the issue of elections and power sharing,violence is a wish that came true for those who never believed in democracy and political freedom,it is a vicious
cycle that now has a life on its own.
As for jad’s question of how anti regime forces will be held accountable if they refuse the Russian-AL plan,the answer is exclusion from the political process and the end of political and financial support from neighboring countries,epecially Turkey.
The team around Bashar especially Almouallem,will probably advise him to accept the plan knowing that the other side can not speak with one voice and they are likely to appear as obstructionists and red revolutionists. None of that will stop the regime’s campaign in Idleb and reef Halab which is seen as crucial to securing a strong position at any future negotiation.
March 10th, 2012, 2:16 pm
Shami said:
irritated ,the first democratic elections in post Assad Syria will tell the size of the shabiha people ,islamophobs and other hezbollahis ,wait and see,
your godis not eternal.March 10th, 2012, 2:16 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
200. SHAMI
I agree with you % 100!
March 10th, 2012, 2:17 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
Terrorist Assad is blaming freedom-fighters and unarmed civilians 🙂
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/03/2012310133611307206.html
Assad tells Annan ‘terrorists’ block solution
Former UN chief visits Syria as attacks continue, while Russia and Arab nations agree in Cairo on need to halt violence.
President Bashar al-Assad has told Kofi Annan, the UN and Arab League envoy, that no political solution is possible in Syria while “terrorist” groups are destabilising the country.
“Syria is ready to make a success of any honest effort to find a solution for the events it is witnessing,” state news agency SANA quoted Assad as telling his guest in Damascus on Saturday.
“No political dialogue or political activity can succeed while there are armed terrorist groups operating and spreading chaos and instability,” the Syrian leader said after about two hours of talks with the former UN secretary-general.
There was no immediate comment from Annan after the meeting, aimed at halting bloodshed that has cost thousands of lives since a popular uprising erupted a year ago.
Al Jazeera’s Sue Turton, reporting from Beirut, said observers are eagerly awaiting Annan’s assessment of the meeting.
“As of now, we are only hearing from one side, the Syrian state media. Their descriptions were positive but don’t sound terribly optimistic. It doesn’t sound, from the Syrian side fo things, that very much progress has been made,” Turton said.
[…]
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, who has led calls for Assad to be isolated, and for the Syrian oppositon to be armed, said a ceasefire was not enough.
Syrian leaders must be held to account and political prisoners freed, he declared.
“We must send a message to the Syrian regime that the world’s patience and our patience has run out, as has the time for silence about its practices,” Qatar’s prime minister said.
Saud al-Faisal, the Saudi foreign minister, said shortcomings in the UN Security Council, where Russia and China have twice vetoed resolutions on Syria, had allowed the killing to go on.
Their position, he said, “gave the Syrian regime a licence to extend its brutal practices against the Syrian people”.
[…]
Lavrov told Arab ministers in Cairo that a new UN Security Council resolution had a chance of being approved if it was not driven by a desire to let the armed opposition take control of Syria’s streets.
The US has drafted a fresh resolution, but the State Department said on Friday it was not optimistic that its text would be accepted by the Security Council.
France says it will oppose any measure that holds the Syrian government and its foes equally responsible for the bloodshed.
Despite their differences, Lavrov and Arab ministers said they had agreed on the need for an end to violence in Syria.
They also called for unbiased monitoring of events there, opposition to foreign intervention, delivery of humanitarian aid and support for Annan’s peace efforts.
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 2:19 pm
Shami said:
And do not tell me that the opportunistic new riches will be always nice towards the qaradeeh ,qardhouhs,and qardahis once they meet their inavoidable fate.
March 10th, 2012, 2:20 pm
jad said:
Here is a namelist of the soldiers killed in Syria in the months of January and February, for some ‘reasons’ many of them are mentioned in the UN ‘Human’ Rights Commission report, or simply used in that report for political gains:
A list of the murdered Syrian soldiers, police and security forces in February.
http://www.syrianews.cc/syria-list-martyrs-soldiers-police-february-514.html
In January
http://syrieninfo.blogspot.com/2012/02/im-januar-wurden-laut-sana-252.html
March 10th, 2012, 2:29 pm
Uzair8 said:
Intended to post at 2.44 AM UK time corresponding (according to mixture of research and educated guess) to the Syrian (Damascus) nautical dawn (first light) but nevermind.
Fawaz Gerges on Annan’s “impossible mission” in Syria:
March 10th, 2012, 2:33 pm
jad said:
Away from the usual SC famous and infamous ‘trois mousquetaires’ 100% agreeing on the Sunni vs Shia/Alawi ‘crusade’ mission, here is a smart and interesting debate to watch:
The Agenda with Steve Paikin: Syria Under Siege
http://ww3.tvo.org/video/174071/syria-under-siege
March 10th, 2012, 2:43 pm
Alan said:
Joint UN-LAS envoy urges Syrian president to act to end crisis
http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c32/362856.html
UNITED NATIONS, March 10 (Itar-Tass) —— The Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States for Syria, Kofi Annan, urged Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad to take “concrete steps” to end the current crisis in his country.
According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Annan described the talk with Assad on Saturday, March 10, as “candid” and “comprehensive.” The two men will resume discussions on Sunday, March 11, before Annan leaves for Doha, Qatar, in the afternoon.
Annan also expressed serious concern over the situation in Syria, and put forward several proposals to stop the violence and the killing, give access for humanitarian agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), release detainees, and start an inclusive political dialogue to address the legitimate aspirations and concerns of the people, the U.N. said
While in Damascus, Annan also met with opposition leaders and young activists, as well as prominent businessmen and businesswomen in the country.
March 10th, 2012, 2:54 pm
ann said:
206. jad said:
Away from the usual SC famous and infamous ‘trois mousquetaires’ 100% agreeing on the Sunni vs Shia/Alawi ‘crusade’ mission, here is a smart and interesting debate to watch:
The Agenda with Steve Paikin: Syria Under Siege
http://ww3.tvo.org/video/174071/syria-under-siege
.
.
Jad, this video isn’t loading!
.
March 10th, 2012, 2:55 pm
Syrialover said:
Observer, Son of Damascus, Majedkhaldoun, Dawoud Holy Homs, Omen Juergen, Tara and Ghufran,
Keep planting your flags of sanity and reality.
Your authentic values, intellects and truths on this forum are cleansing, strong sunlight.
It exposes and shrivels the ugly regime apologists, distracters and provocateurs. You can see growing fatigue and weak confusion in their ditches in the shadows.
The batteries are running out. The automated ‘bloc voting’ of 14+ on comments is a laughably weak and over-obvious device.
March 10th, 2012, 3:03 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
211. SYRIALOVER
Thanks Syria Lover. We do this because we love Syria, not Hasan Narallah, nor Iran, nor Israel, nor etc.
Syria 1st, Syria2nd, Syria always!
Down with Iran/Israel/Hizballah! Free Syria, Free Palestine!
March 10th, 2012, 3:05 pm
Alan said:
Mentally imagine that the opposition became the power! What opposition can expect? Armed, maximal, not wishing to eat on a negotiating table!
What it for political practice such?
March 10th, 2012, 3:19 pm
Alan said:
Obama Plans More Middle East Wars
http://www.activistpost.com/2012/03/obama-plans-more-middle-east-wars.html
…………(…)
In fact, Western-backed killer gangs bear responsibility for months of violence. Western nations and regional allies supplied them with powerful weapons and training. US, UK and French intelligence and special forces operate covertly. In Homs, dozens of French soldiers were captured.
Assad’s more victim than villain. Violence would stop today if Washington called off its dogs. Instead, it rages out-of-control. Assad’s unfairly blamed. The world heads perilously toward more.
On March 9, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said:
We cannot agree with the draft resolution in the form it is being presented in today. The text of the resolution under discussion is unbalanced.
Its main problem is the absence of a simultaneous call on all sides to take practical steps in the context of ceasing fire.
Earlier Gatilov said:
We continue complex consultations in NYC on the ‘Syrian’ resolution with the aim of reaching the text addressing equal demands for both parties.
We will not agree with any UN Security Council resolution on Syria containing clues for use of force against the country. Ambiguities are unacceptable…(…)…
March 10th, 2012, 3:26 pm
irritated said:
Shami #200
“The first democratic elections in post Assad Syria will tell the size of the shabiha people ,islamophobs and other hezbollahis”
What would you do if it is 51% of the population?
March 10th, 2012, 3:27 pm
Alan said:
http://www.syriandays.com/?page=show_det&select_page=73&id=30593
??????? ???? ???? ????.. 600 ???? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ???
????? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ??? ????? ????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ??? ??? 600 ????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ?????????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ???????.
???? ???? ???? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ?????? ??????? ???? ??? 400 ???? ??????? ????? ????? ??? ??? 1 ?? ?? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ????? ??? ??? 600 ???? .
? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ???? ???????? ????? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ?? ??? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ???????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ” ???? ??????? ????? ????? “.
?????? ??? ??? “?? ????? ????? ????? ?? ???? ????? ??? ????? ????????? ?? ???? ???? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ???????? ?? ?????”
???? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ??????? ??? ??????? ??????? ????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ??????? ??????? ??? ???? ??????? ????????.
?????? ??? “?? ??????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ? ??? ????? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ? ??? ??? ???? ??? ????? ????? ???????? ????????? ????? ? ???????? ??????? ???????? ?? ” ???? ???? ???? ” ????? ??? ????? ???????? ?? ???????? ??????? ???? ???? ???????? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ????? ???????? ??? ??????” .
??? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ???????? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????? ?????? ?? ??????? ???????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?? ??????? .
? ??? ??? ?????????? ?????? ????? ??? ?? ???? ??????? ???????? ????? ????? ????? ??? ?? ???????? ??? ????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ??????? ? ??????? ??? ??????? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ? ?????? ??? ??????? ? ???? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ???? .
March 10th, 2012, 3:30 pm
irritated said:
#211 Syrialoather
“The batteries are running out.”
Don’t worry, they are rechargeable and the developing events are sufficient to recharge them to full capacity.
March 10th, 2012, 3:30 pm
irritated said:
#217 MajedAlkhaldoon
Thanks for crash history lesson, now I see why you love so much the alawites and the christians that have invaded your mother land, centuries ago. Is this why you emigrated to the USA?
By the way, when are you going on your medical mission in the refugee camps in Turkey? Have they accepted you?
March 10th, 2012, 3:37 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
216. IRRITATED
% 100 SURE it’s no more than % 15. Syrian Sunnis like myself are % 80 of population and we are against M.D. the son of dictator Hafez % 99. I am sure there are a few percentage points of principled and courageous Christians, Druz, Alawis (e.g, Fadwa Suleiman), and Kurds (actually most Kurds oppose Bashar given their inability to get citizenship until M.D. became king of “reform.” Do you remember the vicious attacks on Kurds in 2004 after a Qamishli soccer match?).
Free Syria, Free Palestine!
March 10th, 2012, 3:39 pm
Alan said:
??? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??? ??? 2008 ? ?? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ? ??? ?? ???? ????? ????? ???? AYM : Alliance of Youth Movements ? ???? : ????? ??????? ???????? ? ??? ???? ???? ??? ???? : Movements.org .. ?? ??? 2008 ?? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ?? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ??????? ???????? ? ??? ? ???? ? ????? ? ????? … ???
??? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? ? ??? ????? ??? ????? ??? ??????????? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ? ?????? ? ???????? ..
??? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ???????? ????????? ? ??? ??? ??? ?? ?????? ? ?????? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ????????? ???? -????? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ??????- ? ??? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ???? ????? ???????? ? ???? ????? ???? ??????? ? ?? ???? ????? ???????? ??????????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ? ?? ????? ????? ? ???? ????? ?? Think Tank ?? ??? ???? ????? ???.
???? ???? ?? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ?? Think Tanks ? ?? ??????? ???? ?????? ? ?? AYM ? ?????? ???????? ??? ?? : ???????.
????? ???? ????? (?? ???? ???? ??????) ???? ??????? ?????? ??????? ? ??? ????? ?? POWER TO THE PEOPLE
http://revfacts.blogspot.com/2011/06/blog-post_336.html
March 10th, 2012, 3:40 pm
Dawoud Holy Homs said:
216. IRRITATED
% 100 SURE it\’s no more than % 15. Syrian Sunnis like myself are % 80 of population and we are against M.D. the son of dictator Hafez % 99. I am sure there are a few percentage points of principled and courageous Christians, Druz, Alawis (e.g, Fadwa Suleiman), and Kurds (actually most Kurds oppose Bashar given their inability to get citizenship until M.D. became king of “reform.” Do you remember the vicious attacks on Kurds in 2004 after a Qamishli soccer match?).
Free Syria, Free Palestine!
March 10th, 2012, 3:41 pm
Tara said:
80 killed by Criminal the Second today. Alfatiha upon their souls. Revlon, I will pick up the task…
March 10th, 2012, 3:42 pm
irritated said:
Juergen.. my words were not exact. The talk was “candid” and “comprehensive”
125. irritated said:
#123 Juergen
“Wonder how Annan will describe his feelings about the talk.”
Honest, friendly and constructive.
================
According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Annan described the talk with Assad on Saturday, March 10, as “candid” and “comprehensive.”
March 10th, 2012, 3:45 pm
jna said:
199. Ghufransaid:
The team around Bashar especially Almouallem,will probably advise him to accept the plan knowing that the other side can not speak with one voice and they are likely to appear as obstructionists and red revolutionists. None of that will stop the regime’s campaign in Idleb and reef Halab which is seen as crucial to securing a strong position at any future negotiation.
One possible scenario preliminary to a dialogue or negotiations is a ceasefire in place where the armed status quo remains in place during talks and/or the election period. In this arrangement both regime and opposition would want to control as much territory as possible.
March 10th, 2012, 3:47 pm
irritated said:
223. Dawoud Holy Homs said:
“% 100 SURE it\’s no more than % 15.”
Let’s wait together for the surprise.
March 10th, 2012, 3:47 pm
ann said:
On Syria, As P5 + Morocco Stalls, Pay for Annan Team and Doss “Not the Focus,” UN Stonewalls, “Living on Mars”
http://www.innercitypress.com/syria5usP5mor030912.html
UNITED NATIONS, March 9 — The Permanent Five members of the UN Security Council, plus Morocco for the Arab League, met for nearly three hours about Syria on Thursday, after which Russia’s Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told Inner City Press, “No breakthrough.”
Now Inner City Press has learned more about the meeting, and the status of the US drafted resolution. A well placed source tells Inner City Press that first China suggested amendments, then Russia, including on the contentious issue of who would stop fighting and pull out of towns first.
The US draft would have Assad’s forces stopping and pulling out. Others think that is an invitation for opposition “take over” of towns. And so the draft is stalled, with some hoping that the presence in New York on Monday, March 12 of Russian foreign minister Lavrov, along with among others his counterparts Alain Juppe, William Hague and Hilary Clinton, might change things.
The source predicted that envoy Kofi Annan will be able to meet with Bashar al Assad, and said that the choice of Palestine’s former foreign minister Nasser al-Qudwa was not without push-back from at least one Permanent Five member of the Security Council. Others say that Nasser al-Qudwa aspires to replace Mahmoud Abbas and will be distracted.
Inner City Press at Friday’s UN noon briefing asked a simple question: who else is on Kofi Annan’s team and who is paying them? Plainly visible in television footage from Cairo was former UN official Alan Doss, who left in the midst of a nepotism scandal. [Click here for the Doss story.]
Is the UN, whose Secretary General Ban Ki-moon never acted on the Office of Internal Oversight Services report on Doss because Doss retired, now paying Doss again? Video here, from Minute 5:05.
Ban’s spokesman Nesirky refused to ask the question, saying that’s not the focus. Answering questions about money and accountability is rarely the focus in Ban’s UN.
Inner City Press asked Nesirky for the UN’s response to the Syrian opposition’s comment that Annan, with his call for dialogue, is “living on Mars.” Nesirky did not respond to this, either — apparently that’s not the focus either.
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 3:50 pm
ann said:
Assad stresses readiness to any “honest” effort to solve Syrian crisis – 2012-03-10
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-03/10/c_131459390.htm
The embattled Syrian leader told Annan that “any political dialogue can’t succeed as long as there are armed groups, which foment anarchy and destabilize the country through targeting civilians, military personnel and smashing public and private properties,” according to SANA.
For his part, Annan stressed his “commitment to work in a just, evenhanded and independent way,” and his “rejection of any foreign interference in Syrian affairs, as well as his belief in peaceful solution.”
On Thursday, Annan made it clear in Cairo that “ultimately the solution lies in a political settlement,” adding that “I believe any further militarization would make the situation worse.”
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 3:54 pm
ann said:
14 gunmen killed in Syria’s northern Idlib – 2012-03-11
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-03/11/c_131459440.htm
DAMASCUS, March 10 (Xinhua) — Syrian army troops on Saturday clashed with armed groups in northern province of Idlib, leaving 14 gunmen killed, the private Sham FM radio reported.
The clashes took place in al-Hamameh area in Idlib, the report said, adding that many of the armed men were arrested along with their weapons and communication devices.
Also in Idlib, six government agents, including a lieutenant, were injured in two separate ambushes by armed groups, according to the report.
It added that government troops stormed the al-Thawra neighborhood in Idlib and clashed with armed groups there.
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 3:57 pm
bronco said:
#226 JNA
While the armed militias lost a stock of weapons in Bab Amr, they probably still have a large stock in Edlib that they will defend fiercely.
It is obvious that Bashar will accept the ceasefire only after having regaining control of Edlib, recuperating the stock of weapons and cutting the weapon supply line from Turkey.
Then the army hopes that the rebels will be on the run and, either will surrender or they will be chased from town to town until they end up in Turkey.
I have not read Annan’s comments about the ongoing fights in Edlib.
March 10th, 2012, 4:00 pm
ann said:
Arab foreign ministers meet in Cairo with focus on Syria – 2012-03-10
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-03/10/c_131459288.htm
“We have been strongly in favor of sticking to the international law, the charter of the United Nations and the principles of respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and noninterference in the domestic affairs of states, not to mention miliary interference,” Lavrov said.
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 4:02 pm
Syrialover said:
#219. Irritated
Very cheap batteries, so any recharge won’t amount to much.
And if they are imagining “developing events” will be the source of recharge for their campaigns here they are drawing from a long-empty well.
Try another power source – solar energy, as I described in #211.
Much more realistic, saner, healthier and sustainable.
March 10th, 2012, 4:04 pm
ann said:
Qatar calls for military intervention in Syria
http://rt.com/news/line/2012-03-10/#id27721
Qatar`s Prime Minister Sheik Hamad bin Jassem Al Thani has urged to recognize Syrian National Council as a “legitimate representative” of the Syrian people and called for international troops to be sent to Syria to deal with the current regime. “It is time to send Arab and international troops to Syria”
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 4:10 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
I agree with Qatar that we need a military intervention in Syria. However, this intervention should be led by Arabs and Turkey. NO ex-colonialists like France and Britain should be allowed to participate. We don’t need the UNSC and Russia/China. The Arab League can and should take the lead and its decision is legal under international law. The American veto at the UNSC is helping Israeli war crimes, and the Russian/Chinese veto is helping Bashar’s war crimes! We don’t need the UNSC.
March 10th, 2012, 4:13 pm
ann said:
U.S. deeply skeptical about Syria military options – Sat Mar 10, 2012
President Barack Obama’s administration is exploring options to halt the bloodshed in Syria but is deeply skeptical of military intervention out of fear it could worsen the humanitarian crisis, according to a White House official.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/10/us-usa-syria-obama-idUSBRE8290BQ20120310
“In Syria, it’s a much more difficult environment because you basically have regime security forces that are in many respects intermingled with the population,” the White House official said.
“A lot of the catastrophic violence is taking place through artillery, through shelling, through snipers. And for those reasons, there’s not simple military options that present themselves,” the official said. Part of what concerns the White House is that military intervention might “escalate the humanitarian crisis without solving the problem.”
Working with the international community, the Obama administration wants to consider “all of our possible means of providing assistance to the Syrian people and putting pressure on the Syrian regime,” according to the White House official.
The administration hopes that economic sanctions will hasten the collapse of the Assad government. The strategy is to choke off resources to the government with the aim of creating incentives for Syrian security forces and business people “to essentially abandon the regime,” the official said.
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 4:19 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
224. TARA
Yes,
Alfatiha upon the souls of Bashar al-Assad’s victims. God bless their soul, and please them with the righteous and the prophets! Amin! ????
Alfatiha:
http://quran.com/1
March 10th, 2012, 4:27 pm
Tara said:
Look at the pictures. Buthina Shaaban’ profile looks like??????? ???????
Assad says “no political dialogue …can succeed while there are armed terrorists.” Translation: we will kill all those who dissent to complete submission after which will have a political process so Assad can be re-elected.
Syria’s Assad rebuffs Annan; troops attack Idlib
By Alistair Lyon | Reuters – 3 hrs ago
BEIRUT (Reuters) – President Bashar al-Assad told U.N./Arab League envoy Kofi Annan on Saturday no political solution was possible in Syria while “terrorist” groups were destabilizing the country.
“Syria is ready to make a success of any honest effort to find a solution for the events it is witnessing,” state news agency SANA quoted Assad as telling his guest.
“No political dialogue or political activity can succeed while there are armed terrorist groups operating and spreading chaos and instability,” the Syrian leader said after about two hours of talks with the former U.N. secretary-general.
… .
http://news.yahoo.com/annan-meet-assad-seeking-end-syria-violence-001414757.html
March 10th, 2012, 4:38 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
238. TARA said:
Look at the pictures. Buthina Shaaban’ profile looks like??????? ???????
TARA:
Buthina Sha’aban, Maher, Bashar, al-Mo’alem, Rajha, et. al. have already ordered their copies of “Persian for Dummies,” which they will need when they board a plane and flee free Syria to theocratic/brutal Sectarian Iran!
March 10th, 2012, 4:42 pm
ann said:
US officials: Loyal army, inner circle back Assad – 03/10/2012
http://www.marinij.com/tablehome/ci_20145482/us-officials-syrian-regime-holding-under-fire
WASHINGTON—Despite the Obama administration’s predictions that the Syrian government’s days are numbered, recent U.S. intelligence reports suggest President Bashar Assad commands a formidable army that is unlikely to turn on him, an inner circle that has stayed loyal and an elite class that still supports his rule.
no mass protests over food or fuel shortages have broken out, and there hasn’t been any discernible slowing in military activity because of a lack of supplies, three senior intelligence officials said Friday. They spoke on condition of anonymity to provide a snapshot of recent intelligence reports and analysis of the crisis.
None of the defectors thus far is regarded as belonging to Assad’s inner circle, not all who have abandoned him have joined the opposition, and there are no indications of a broader pattern of elites pulling their support for him. That includes not just Assad’s Allawite clan, but the minority Christians, Kurds and Druze, who all fear persecution under a possible Sunni Islamic rule.
[…]
Assad has assembled a highly professional, 330,000-man army plus reserves that was built and trained to invade Israel. While under strain, his army is nowhere near collapse, the officials said.
Setting up a no-fly zone to help the rebels would mean challenging Syria’s “formidable” air defenses, the intelligence officials said. Fleshing out recent congressional testimony by U.S. officials, they said Syria has hundreds of anti-aircraft artillery batteries and thousands of shoulder-fired missiles, making up for their lack of technical sophistication through sheer numbers.
Syria also has extensive chemical and biological weapons stockpiles, at more than two dozen locations, other officials said.
The U.S. intelligence officials would not confirm that number but said they believe the Syrian military is in control of all those sites. While the U.S. does not believe Syria will use the weapons in the revolt, intelligence officials fear a worst-case scenario in which the government crumbles and the weapons fall into the hands of the few hundred al-Qaida operatives thought to be operating within the country.
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 4:46 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
As Professor Landis pointed out a couple of posts ago, % 80 of Syria’s army/military commanders are Alawi. It’s unsurprising that they and Bashar’s corrupt inner circle with bloody hands are still putting their fate with Bashar’s. However, as Prof. Landis also said, and I agree with him, Bashar is eventually doomed and will fall.
% 99 of Syrians oppose Bashar and hate him. As soon as Arab and Turkish attacks against the Syrian dictator begin, THEY WILL ALL TURN AGAINST THE DICTATOR AND JOIN THE REVOLUTION.
BASHAR’S LOVERS SHOULD SEND HIM A BOOK THAT HE WILL VERY SOON NEED:”PERSIAN FOR DUMMIES!”
March 10th, 2012, 4:51 pm
Tara said:
Dawoud,
Can I please make that decision?
I ain’t sending them to Iran. Iran has lots to offer. I want to tour Iran one of those days. I was supposed to go with a friend there but I am mad at him so the plan got postponed. I am sending them to…let me think…to Tadmur prison. Let’s keep them local. They are Syrian after all and I feel responsible.
March 10th, 2012, 4:55 pm
ann said:
Assad says no political solution possible with armed groups destabilizing Syria – 2012-03-11
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-03/11/c_131459456.htm
DAMASCUS, March 10 (Xinhua) — Syrian President Bashar al-Assad reiterated Saturday that any political dialogue is doomed to fail “so long as there are armed groups that work to foment anarchy and destabilize the country,” while the opposition placed the blame for the armament of some groups on the government’s crackdown.
During his meeting with Kofi Annan, joint special envoy for Syria of the United Nations and Arab League (AL), Assad said that any political dialogue or political process could not succeed so long as there are “armed terrorist groups” working to spread anarchy and destabilize the country through targeting civilians and military personnel and smashing public and private properties.
Assad stressed that Syria is ready to make any “honest” effort to find a solution to the current crisis, adding that “the success of any effort necessitates first a study of what is happening on the ground, instead of depending on visual space circulated by some regional and international states to distort facts and give a diverse picture to what Syria is passing through.”
For his part, Annan, who arrived in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Saturday to mediate the year-long crisis, stressed his “commitment to working in a just, evenhanded and independent way,” and voiced “rejection of any foreign interference in Syrian affairs” as well as his belief in a peaceful solution.
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 4:57 pm
Alan said:
% 99 of Syrians oppose Bashar and hate him.
as you sow, so shall you reap
hate + hate = ocean of hate !
March 10th, 2012, 5:00 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
242. TARA
Yes, the decision is yours, my sister Tara!!!!!!
P.s, please don’t go to Iran now because it’s not free:
http://en.irangreenvoice.com/
Shaheed urges moratorium on death penalty
UN Report documents ‘striking pattern’ of human rights violations in Iran
created 03/08/2012 – 03:30, updated 03/08/2012 – 13:48
GVF — In his second report, Ahmad Shaheed, the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, has documented a “striking pattern of violations of fundamental human rights” in the country and called for the government’s “meaningful cooperation” with the organisation’s human rights mechanisms.
The 36-page document provides evidence of “widespread fraud” in the 2008 parliamentary elections as well as the 2009 presidential race. It also calls for “an extensive, impartial and independent investigation into the violence in the weeks and months that followed the presidential election of 2009.”
The former Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs voiced the need for further probing into human rights violations at Kahrizak prison and other places of detention.
Shaheed stressed the “need [for] the Government to ensure that peaceful activities that are considered to be protected by freedom of expression, association and assembly are not” criminalised. He also called for the “immediate release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience and calls upon the Government to protect the space for public criticism or advocacy.”
Iranian authorities were urged to “prohibit the execution of juveniles,” and to “seriously consider a moratorium on the death penalty for all crimes until such time as effective enforcement of due process rights may be meaningfully demonstrated.” The review welcomed the omission of the stoning penalty in the new penal code, and encouraged the Islamic Republic to take steps to “explicitly restrict the use of this punishment, and … to commute existing sentences for execution by stoning.”
The special investigator also cited instances of torture inside Iran’s prisons, including “the excessive use of solitary confinement, electric shock, severe beatings, threats of rape and threats to detain and/or harm friends, associates and family members.”
“People were also allegedly forced to make on-camera confessions.”
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 5:01 pm
irritated said:
#235 Dawwod HH
“I agree with Qatar that we need a military intervention in Syria”
“However, this intervention should be led by Arabs and Turkey”.
Whose arab army? Egypt doesn’ want, Iraq does not want, Jordan will refuse, Algeria will refuse, Mauritania too. You are left Libya happy to get rid if their armed idle people and the victorious Saudi, Kuwait and Qatar armed with their iphones and their ipad.
Turkey has repeatedly refused to intervene militarily and if they do, there would be a violent reaction from the Kurds.
This is one more frustrated fantasy of BigBird.
March 10th, 2012, 5:14 pm
Tara said:
“” The review welcomed the omission of the stoning penalty in the new penal code, and encouraged the Islamic Republic to take steps to “explicitly restrict the use of this punishment, and … to commute existing sentences for execution by stoning.”
So stoning was part of the penal code until when? When did the “new penal code” took place. Some on SC gave as the impression that stoning was only KSA-specific while other told us Shiaa is a progressive religion.
March 10th, 2012, 5:23 pm
zoo said:
Another desperate headline from the NY times, now specialized in misleading headlines as they know people don’t read articles anymore.
I thought it was the opposition who said that first! Read what Bashar actually said..
No Talks With Syria Opposition, Assad Tells U.N. Envoy
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/11/world/middleeast/no-talks-with-syria-opposition-groups-leader-tells-un-envoy.html?_r=1&ref=global-home
…
“No political dialogue or political activity can succeed while there are armed terrorist groups operating and spreading chaos and instability,” the state news agency, SANA, quoted Mr. Assad as saying.
(..)
March 10th, 2012, 5:27 pm
zoo said:
Greed and ego are bringing the SNC to its end. Not if but when.
More Syrians defect as friction mounts in SNC
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/more-syrians-defect-as-friction-mounts-in-snc.aspx?pageID=238&nID=15711&NewsCatID=352
ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News
At least two more Syrian generals and a colonel defect into Turkey, as friction mounts within the Syrian National Council, Syria’s largest opposition movement
[email protected]
The defections of high-ranking Syrian army officers continued March 9, as friction builds within the opposition movement known as the Syrian National Council, according to a Syrian dissident.
There were conflicting reports as to the number of Syrian generals that have defected and are now in Turkey. Reyhanl? district governor Yusuf Güler said two Syrian generals and a colonel had defected, while another report from the Anatolia news agency claimed four generals defected to Turkey on March 9.
The reports of the defections came as a prominent member of the Syrian National Council, who wished to remain anonymous, said there was friction within the movement because almost every new defector wanted to play an important role.
“There are internal divisions within the opposition. The main problem is that it is growing so fast every day. We started with 80 people, now we have 340 people, and every high-ranking official defecting from the Syrian regime wants to have a big role,” a member told the Daily News.
Numbers dramatically increased
The member also said the leader of the group, Burhan Ghalioun, had been fiercely criticized by some. “Those groups favoring a military solution particularly criticize him,” the dissident said.
(..)
March 10th, 2012, 5:32 pm
Tara said:
“Let’s not kid ourselves. Syria is currently a totalitarian police state in which all the top jobs, including intelligence, security, defense and diplomacy go to Alawites. Seeing their survival as tied to the regime, members of this sect have led the way, going out to kill or order to kill. However, when these security forces are in Druze, Ismaili or Kurdish areas, they tend to avoid killing, in order that the coalition of the minorities, one of the main pillars supporting the regime, can remain in existence.”
?LHAN TANIR
The cost of inaction in Syria will be greater
… .
One thing is for sure: The longer al-Assad and his criminal clan stay in power, the deeper the sectarianism goes, consequently increasing the chance of a civil war. That is why the rapid removal of the al-Assad regime should be the ultimate goal, if one of the main concerns is to prevent a civil war.
… .
Inaction on the part of the West would also likely cause some parts of the Syrian opposition to be further militarized by the various Islamic jihadist groups. More radicalized Sunni Arabs, who are expected to grab power after the Assad regime falls, are likely to harbor more anger toward minorities. The more disenchanted the Syrian opposition becomes with the West, as Western “help” drags on, the more likely it is to be open to the idea of collaborating with al-Qaeda, since al-Qaeda seems to be offering them help with hastening al-Assad’s downfall, in their time of need.
… .
The force of a credible threat would also very likely help to shift dynamics on the ground in Syria, by encouraging the many to join the opposition who have thus far stayed away. During my 12 hours under arrest in Syria at the end of January, I met two members of the security forces who were willing to use derogatory language about al-Assad and his loyal thugs, the Shabihas, when no one was listening. If a credible threat is brought to bear against the al-Assad regime, it would also likely accelerate defections to the opposition at an unpredictable pace.
The U.S., the West in general, and finally Turkey have to come to realize that in order to have leverage in the post-Assad period, they have to help now. By not intervening, the West is losing the goodwill of the Syrian people, who have been brutalized for almost a year now.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/the-cost-of-inaction-in-syria-will-be-greater-.aspx?pageID=449&nID=15670&NewsCatID=423
March 10th, 2012, 5:35 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
246. IRRITATED
NO, believe me the at least % 85 of Egypt’s newly-elected parliament will vote to support and authorize a military intervention to topple Bashar.
Do you remember:
????????? ??????? ???????
March 10th, 2012, 5:42 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9112739/Syria-Bashar-al-Assad-could-be-classified-as-war-criminal.html
Syria: Bashar al-Assad ‘could be classified as war criminal’
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could be classified as a war criminal, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said as the United Nations announced more than 7,500 civilians had been killed by his forces since the start of the revolt.
At least 25 people were killed in the shelling of opposition strongholds by Syrian forces on Tuesday, activists said. In Homs alone, opposition groups said hundreds of civilians had been killed or wounded in the 24-day-old assault.
As world dismay grew over the bloodshed, France said the Security Council was working on a new Syria resolution and urged Russia and China not to veto it, as they have previous drafts.
An outline drafted by Washington focused on the humanitarian situation in order to try to win Chinese and Russian support and isolate Assad, Western envoys said. But they said the draft would also suggest Assad was to blame for the crisis, a stance Russia in particular has opposed.
In the besieged district of Baba Amro and other parts of Homs, terrified residents were enduring dire conditions, without proper supplies of water, food and medicine, activists said.
A wounded British photographer managed to escape from Homs, but the fate of French reporter Edith Bouvier was not clear.
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 5:45 pm
Tara said:
Mr. Annan should talk with Assad as much as he wants to, then flies back to the UN and declares it a failure. KSA and Qatar should arm the resistance covertly while continuing to talk the talk. This means continuing all possible political maneuvers to squeeze, isolate, de-legitimize, and disconnect Assad. They have the means and the money to provide the resistance with advanced arms. There is no other solution but the use of force.
Former UN leader likely to fail in Syria, expert says
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/World/20120310/un-envoy-kofi-annan-on-syria-mission-120310/
.. .
Annan planned a second round of talks with Assad on Sunday, but it appears his mission is doomed to fail until the opposition is crushed.
The Syrian leader told Annan there could be no dialogue until “terrorist groups” attempting to spread anarchy there are stopped.
The opposition also rejected negotiations, saying it’s impossible to engage Assad’s regime in the midst of a crackdown the UN estimates has killed more than 7,500 people.
Assad’s regime blames terrorists acting out a foreign conspiracy for the uprising, not protesters seeking change.
“Many attempts to soften the position of the Syrian government have failed,” Middle East expert Houchang Hassan-Yari told CTV News Channel Saturday.
“I’m not really sure if Annan is going to be successful where other attempts including that of the Arab League failed,” the professor at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont., said.
Annan was appointed last month as the joint special envoy of the UN and the Arab League. His meeting with Assad was called “positive” by Syria’s state-run news agency, but few other details were released.
Meanwhile, Hassan-Yari said the UN Security Council is paralyzed with Russian and China using their vetoes to block a resolution condemning the regime.
If new attempts to reach a resolution fail and the Syrian government continues its violent crackdown, there may be no other avenue to go down except military, he said.
“There are people in the U.S. and in Syria itself and among the Arab countries of the (Arab) League, many who believe that there is no other solution but use of force against Assad’s regime because that’s the only language this regime understands,” he said.
Syria is also looking to buy time in order stamp out as much resistance as possible, Hassan-Yari said.
“We know the Assad regime seizes all kinds of opportunities to kill as many opponents as it can,” he said, citing the opposition as saying more than 40 people were killed Saturday even before Annan met with the Syrian leader.
“The past of the Assad regime shows this is not the kind of regime that is going to back down and he’s not going to leave the power because in his eyes he’s absolutely legitimate,” Hassan-Yari said.
Syrian troops pushed ahead with the new assault on the northern region of Idlib on Saturday, shelling one of the centres of the uprising against Assad’s rule.
… .
The military operation has raised fears that the regime is planning a new all-out offensive in Idlib like the bloody siege last month that captured a restive part of the city of Homs, further south.
… .
March 10th, 2012, 6:16 pm
Observer said:
Thanks for the kind words SL.
What do you want me to say when A….. Ahmadenejadd A….. [fill in the blank] News Network aka ANN continues to bombard us with cut and paste of this or that news without ever making a single attempt at analysis. Last time I recall any evidence of a personal sign of life was when he/she/they/it called someone Ya Wallad a typical pronouncement from a certain class of Somorians.
There is apparently in the mind of some on this blog a huge U turn without a single evidence of the AL or anyone else abandoning any resolution put forth before.
The doll from Moscow got a nice drubbing and the five point plan is essentially telling him: “where is the meat” to your so called international great power status. You cannot even bring Fredo to heel and to stop the killing machine. You will be discarded in the same dustbin of history as he will.
Fredo claiming that he cannot sit and talk while armed terror is rampant is nothing more than a delaying tactic and an effort to make any opposition to him painted as unreasonable.
The hypocrite is talking about the regime’s acceptance of any “honest” attempt at solving the crisis is the ultimate in deviousness and deception. How can he talk about “honesty” when the concept is alien to him and his cronies and his clan and his inner circle is beyond me and how can he equate armed terrorists to the people doing their best to defend themselves against the brutality and despicable destruction and humiliation and torture and detentions that his troops have been raining on the people is also beyond me.
How can he defend the numerous video clips that show his troops torture people; he and his Drummer Muallem who could not even fake a video of so called armed gangs when they showed footage of a Lebanese group in Tripoli.
Finally, the argument that keeps popping up on this blog is that any dissenter wants chaos and destruction of Syria.
Let me say, the chaos and destruction of Syria came about specifically and deliberately by the 40 years of dictatorial brutal corrupt sectarian regime of thugs and families of thugs.
Let me say that many have forgotten of a Syria before the Corleone rule where the rule of law meant something, where a diploma from Damascus University meant something and where decency and hospitality and solidarity were the order of the day.
The argument’s basic assumption is that any change will bring a worse situation than what we have and my response is
1. There is no shred of evidence of such an assumption
2. There is every evidence that the reverse is true
3. If the people want to try a different route let them do it they are adults and stop treating them as infants and stop patronizing them.
The true heroism comes from the incredible perseverance and resilience and tenacity of the Syrian people who have continued to eck out a living in the most disastrous of corrupt bureaucratic police state you can imagine for more than 40 years. Such a people I trust fully to trace and follow a path of their own making knowing full well it will be hard and with tremendous challenges.
After all we were here about 10 000 years ago.
March 10th, 2012, 6:17 pm
zoo said:
Al-Assad regime to collapse by year’s end ? – UK ambassador to Syria
10/03/2012
By Mina Al-Oraibi
http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=28799
….
Asharq Al-Awsat] Do you think the collapse of the al-Assad regime will happen anytime soon?
[Collis] This is possible, but nobody knows. I have publicly stated that I doubt this situation can continue beyond the current year; perhaps it can continue beyond this, however I personally doubt it. The question is not will the regime collapse, but when. This is something I am sure of.
March 10th, 2012, 6:19 pm
irritated said:
#253 Tara
“Annan planned a second round of talks with Assad on Sunday, but it appears his mission is doomed to fail until the opposition is crushed.”
Is the author a psychic or a fortune teller turned journalist?
It is only the armed opposition that should be crushed and it “is a matter of when not of if” ( It is the news buzz word in favor with politicians now after the older cliche: To little, too late)
March 10th, 2012, 6:28 pm
Tara said:
Sen. Hugh Segal calls for Libya-like operation in Syria
BY JORDAN PRESS, POSTMEDIA NEWS MARCH 9, 2012
OTTAWA — A high-profile Conservative senator says Canada must be prepared to be part of a military operation with a “coalition of the willing” to end the bloodshed in Syria.
Sen. Hugh Segal told the Senate this week Canada should work with the Arab League to help the beleaguered city of Homs, and create independent plans “to use air assets to contain and restrain the Syrian military.”
A military option should be considered along with ongoing diplomatic pressure to have the United Nations get further involved in Syria, Segal said.
By doing nothing, Canada and its allies are sending a message to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s administration and “to all the other monsters in the world” that there is no price to pay for killing civilians, Segal said in an interview Friday.
“They will continue to rag the puck, trying to kill more and more of those people who are opposed to the administration . . . and it will get way worse before it gets better,” Segal said.
… .
Segal said the same setup, with the Arab League in the lead, should be planned for Syria. If planning isn’t going on, he said, it should be.
“What you need to have is a coalition of the willing, preferably led by our friends in the Arab League,” Segal said.
… .
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Hugh%20Segal%20calls%20Libya%20like%20operation%20Syria/6279482/story.html
March 10th, 2012, 6:28 pm
Tara said:
Irritated,
In case you missed my last post to you, let me repeat what I have said:
I wish to carry no conversation with you until you retract your statement about “cleansing and disinfecting” Homs. While I feel helpless in regared to the war crimes committed in Homs and now Idlib, I at least can express my indignation towards your comment and my refusal to have a dialogue with you. You hurt the humanity in me and that is my way of responding.
Please reflect, and until then if you like to comment on what I post, refer to me as a number.
March 10th, 2012, 6:41 pm
irritated said:
The cacophonia about the military intervention is growing.
Curiously the French, British and Turks have stopped invoking it because ultimately they are the ones who should do it.
Now some republican in the US are raising their voice just to annoy Obama.
And good old BigBird in Qatar, cornered after a succession of failures, is now talking about a virtual Arab army that will save the Syrians from the Evil. He’s seen too many high tech war games where the number of soldiers is function of the amount of dollars you insert in the slot.
When there is so many talks, it usually means that nothing will happen. Next miletstone: Istanbul end march meeting and Iraq AL meeting.
March 10th, 2012, 6:42 pm
jad said:
Lavrov ignored BigBird* at the end of the press conference and he only thanked Alarabi:
????? ???? ???????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? -??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ??????? ??? ?????? ?????? ???????- ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ????????.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/429194_358891604145620_183696178331831_1094287_785971277_n.jpg
March 10th, 2012, 7:00 pm
zoo said:
“This emerging movement of believers known as Salafis has seemingly appeared out of thin air”
Tunisian Islamists spark fear of culture war
By PAUL SCHEMM | Associated Press – Fri, Mar 9, 2012
http://news.yahoo.com/tunisian-islamists-spark-fear-culture-war-095025049.html
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Every Friday, bearded men in shin-length robes demonstrate in Tunisia’s capital against perceived insults to Islam in a country once known for its aggressive secularism. They have occasionally turned violent, attacking secular intellectuals and harassing women for their style of dress.
This emerging movement of believers known as Salafis has seemingly appeared out of thin air — and prompted fears of a culture war in this North African country of 10 million.
Since the overthrow of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011 unleashed a string of Arab uprisings, Islam has blossomed in Tunisia in a way it wasn’t allowed to do for half a century.
New religious freedoms have also opened the way for the Salafis, who are now in a daily battle for hearts and minds with equally hardline secular elements entrenched in the media and the elite. Television stations, Western embassies and government offices have all felt the conservatives’ wrath.
On Friday, hundreds of bearded men and veiled women converged on the public television building accusing it of “sanitizing figures of the old regime” and calling for a purging of staff members who still promote the ideas of the old ruling party.
(…)
March 10th, 2012, 7:00 pm
irritated said:
260. jad said:
“Lavrov ignored BigBird* at the end of the press conference and he only thanked Alarabi:”
Another slap… Anyway by end of the month, BigBird will have plenty of time to help the Talibans settle in Doha.
March 10th, 2012, 7:04 pm
jad said:
Kofi in Syria: Mission Doomed?
http://youtu.be/LcvWXoe2TVQ
“The UN and Arab League envoy to Syria has launched his make or break diplomatic mission, meeting with President Assad in Damascus. Ahead of the trip, Kofi Annan called for an immediate cease-fire involving both rebels and government forces, so talks could be opened. That was immediately rejected by Syria’s exiled opposition. It enjoys the support of some Western and Arab states, including Qatar, which has called for international military forces to be deployed to help end the conflict. However, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov stressed again ANY interference in Syria’s internal affairs is unacceptable. RT’s Maria Finoshina has more from Damascus.”
March 10th, 2012, 7:06 pm
zoo said:
It looks that the EU is abandoning the FSA, the armed militias and the SNC.
No military solution in Syria: EU ministers
By Claire Rosemberg | AFP – 7 hrs ago
http://news.yahoo.com/no-military-solution-syria-eu-ministers-163249456.html
European Union foreign ministers Saturday rejected all recourse to a military solution in Syria while reiterating that President Bashar al-Assad must unilaterally call a halt to the killing.
..
“We must be patient,” said Luxembourg’s Jean Asselborn. “We will unfortunately have to accept to see enormously more victims, but military intervention would be worse.”
“It wouldn’t be thousands but tens of thousands of dead.”
…
Echoing a continued refusal in EU capitals to officially recognise the Syrian National Council as the sole rebel group, Ashton urged Syria’s opposition to unite. “One of the most important things is for the opposition groups to come together,” Ashton told reporters.
“The opposition must federate, unite and strengthen,” said Juppe.
(..)
March 10th, 2012, 7:12 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Tara,
“Can I please make that decision?”
It seems this child has a good idea of what to do with the butcher.
http://yfrog.com/nwdptwwj
March 10th, 2012, 7:12 pm
Tara said:
Factbox – U.N. says at least 25,000 refugees fled Syria
Reuters – Fri, Mar 9, 2012
GENEVA (Reuters) – The United Nations estimates at least 25,000 refugees have fled the fighting in Syria since the start of the conflict a year ago, a spokesman for the U.N. refugee agency, Adrian Edwards, told Reuters on Friday.
Significant numbers of Syrians are also thought to be displaced within their own country, he said, without giving a precise estimate.
TURKEY
Some 12,000 Syrians are registered at several camps set up in Turkey’s southern province of Hatay, including about 800 who crossed during the past week, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Two Syrian generals, a colonel and a sergeant were among 234 people who arrived in Hatay’s Reyhanli district on Friday, a Foreign Ministry official told Reuters. Similar numbers were now crossing over on a daily basis, he said.
The previous U.N. estimate of the camp population in Turkey was 10,800, which Edwards said had been fairly steady over the past year.
LEBANON
In Lebanon, there are 4,000-5,000 Syrian refugees in the Bekaa Valley, up from about 3,000 a few weeks ago.
On March 5, residents in the hillside town of Arsal in the Bekaa Valley told Reuters that up to 150 families had arrived from Syria the previous day, one of the biggest influxes so far. Those families trekked on foot through snow-capped hills to safety, but many others were caught, one refugee told Reuters.
In northern Lebanon, the UNHCR and the Lebanon High Relief Commission have jointly registered 7,000 refugees, including a few thousand in the city of Tripoli.
There are thought to be about 1,000 Syrian refugees in other parts of Lebanon.
JORDAN
About 4,500 Syrians have been registered over the last year, about 500 of them recent arrivals.
(..)
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/factbox-u-n-says-least-25-000-refugees-135537423.html
March 10th, 2012, 7:55 pm
jad said:
“For the Saudis, Syria is a prize too valuable to be left to the Syrians.”
THE DOVES OF DAMASCUS
As Syria slides into civil war, moderate voices inside the country want to know: Why isn’t anyone listening to us? For the Saudis, Syria is a prize too valuable to be left to the Syrians.
“ You know, maybe it’s out of desperation. But it’s not a patriotic attitude to ask foreign forces to ruin your country and get rid of your regime.”
“ Bashar is the strongman on the ground right now. Nobody is comprehending this fact.” “ Nobody can ignore that the regime has supporters, and they are a considerable part of the Syrian population,” he says. “They are not being highlighted by the media, but in fact they exist. And we just cannot eliminate them by violence.”
Fresh from his gladhanding tour of the Middle East, United States Senator John McCain returned to the Senate this week and made the call for war. “Time is running out. Assad’s forces are on the march. Providing military assistance to the Free Syrian Army and other opposition groups is necessary, but at this late hour, that alone will not be sufficient to stop the slaughter and save innocent lives,” he implored from the Senate floor.
The solution? ‘The United States should lead an international effort to protect key population centres in Syria,” said McCain. “To be clear: This will require the United States to suppress enemy air defences in at least part of the country.”
In other words: Bomb Syria.
{…}
The Global Mail tracked down three moderate voices living in Damascus: an activist wanted by the regime, a politician pushing for dialogue, and a lawyer working for an influential nongovernmental organisation. They each say that while conferences are
being held outside the country to decide Syria’s fate, nobody – not the international community, the Syrian regime, nor the world’s media – is listening to them.
{…}
But even if Assad clings to power to the
very last man, the conflict in Syria will end. And when it does, the moderate voices of Damascus will be vital for creating a new system of governance for the country.
That is, if there are any moderate voices left.
http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/the-doves-of-damascus/110/
March 10th, 2012, 7:58 pm
jad said:
…..
March 10th, 2012, 8:02 pm
Tara said:
Casualties of Bashar and Asma al Assad:
7,500 killed, children and women included.
25,000 refugees
30,000, disappeared
Many many thousands tortured
And finally the Syrian soul in us
And the killing machine is still going, now with a new target called Idlib
Where is God?
March 10th, 2012, 8:08 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
As soon as the northern Shabiha, the terrorist Kurdish PKK, attacks the Turkish military from Syria (or flees back to Syria) PM Erdogan will be able to hit “two birds with one stone:” send troops to Syria to chase the PKK terrorists (Most Turks would approve such an operation), AND hit Bashar’s Shabiha (which is something that Erdogan wants to do, although he is looking for a strong justification for his folks back at home). Good luck, Mr. Erdogan!
Free Syria!
Free Palestine
March 10th, 2012, 8:13 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
269. TARA said: “Where is God?”
Tara, don’t be hopeless because:
???? ???? ??? ????
March 10th, 2012, 8:15 pm
jad said:
Another catch of the endless terrorists tricks, this time falsifying IDs and using the same person one time as a hostage the second as a defector:
“???????” ??? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ????????? ?? ????? “????????” ?????? ????????
?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ?? “?????? 18″ ??????? ??????? ????? ????? ???? ? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? … ?????? ???? ?????!!?
{…}
???????? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ??? ? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ???????(?) ?????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ” ??????? ????? ??? ????? ?? ????? ???? ?? ??? ???? ?? ????? ???”? ???? ???? ????? ???? ? ??? ?????? ????? (!!?)??? ??? “??????? ??? ??? ?????” ?? ??????? ?????. ???????? ??????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ????????? ????????!! ???? ?? ???? ???? ???? ???? ? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ? ?? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ? ???? ????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ??????? ?????? ???? ??????! ???? ?? ??? : ???? ???? ???? ????? ” ????? ??? ????” ??? ????? ” ???? ???” ??? ???? ?? ??????? ??????? ??????? ????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ????? ?????.
?? ??? ??? ??? ?? ?? ?? ?????. ??????? ?? ??? ??? ?? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ” ??????? ????? ??? ?????” ? ??????? ????? ???? ??? ???? ???? “??????? ??? ??? ?????” ????? ?????? ??????? ??? . ?????? ???? ???? ??? ??? . ??? ????? ??? ???? ??? ???? ( ??? ????? ?????) ????? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ?? “?????? 18 ? ?????? 120 ? /?” ? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ???????? ( ???? ???? ???? ? ??????? ??? ???????? ? ???? ??? ???????? ???? ??????? . ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ????????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ??????? ? ???? ????? ???)!!!!???
?????? ??????? ?? ??? ??? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ??????? ??????” ??????? ??? ??? ?????” ??? ??? ?? 7 ???? / ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ??” ????? ???????” ???? ????? ????? ????? “???????” ?????????? ??????? ??? ??? “???? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ??? ??? ??????? ???????? ?? ???”!!
?? ?????? ????? “????” ? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ” ????????” ? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ?? ????? ???? ???? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?? ?????? 120 ???? ?? ?????? ??????? 18 !!!? ( ???? ????? ????? ??? ??????? 1.26 ).
http://youtu.be/jnPGTEa6ZC0
{…}
?? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????????? ?????? ?????? ( ??? ??????) ?? ???????? ?????? ?? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ??? ??????? ? ?? ??????? ????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ?????. ????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ? ???????? ???????? ? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ” ????????” ???? ???? ?? ??????? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ??????? ??? ????????!
???? ???? ” ????? ?????? ????” ? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ?????????? ????????? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ???????? “??????”!! ??? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ? ? ??????? ?? “?????? ?????? ??????” ?? ???????? ????????? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ” ????? ????” ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????????? “????????” ? ?? ????? “???????” ???????? ????? ????? ??? ????? ???????? ?????? ????? ?????? ???????? ?? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ??? … ???? ????!!?
http://www.syriatruth.org/news/tabid/93/Article/6903/Default.aspx
March 10th, 2012, 8:29 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Irritated
Do you see difference between Salafist,and Crusaders, Crusaders means Pro Assad Christians)
The crusaders in Syria are committing crimes as they support the most criminal Bashar
March 10th, 2012, 8:37 pm
jad said:
Ehsani,
I thought that you might be interested in this news:
?? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ???? ?? 500 1000???? ????? 5 3 2012
http://youtu.be/KikjPV_0wts
March 10th, 2012, 8:49 pm
jad said:
Ghufran,
Sometimes, it’s good to go away from this madness:
Enjoy
?? ??? ??? – ???? ???
?? ??? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ???
???? ??? ????? ????? ? ????? ?????
????? ????? ?? ????? ? ?? ???
???? ???? ????? ???? ? ??? ???
????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ??????? ??? ?? ??? ????
? ?? ??? ????? ????? ? ?????
??? ???? ??? ? ?? ????? ????
?? ?????? ?? ? ?? ?????? ????
?? ???? ?? ????? ??? ????? ????
?? ??????? ???? ?? ?????? ????
? ?? ????? ?? ??? ??? ? ?? ????
http://youtu.be/lLZdEdNY42U
March 10th, 2012, 8:59 pm
jna said:
Stopping Syria’s Descent Into Hell
James Zogby
(…)
With scenario #4 nowhere on the horizon, an uneasy truce leading to negotiations that will produce a new governing arrangement may be the best that can be hoped for. It may also be the only available alternative to a long and deadly civil war, with destabilizing regional consequences.
How to get there?
Both sides will need to be pushed, and pushed hard. A cease-fire and commitment to negotiations leading to the formation of a new transitional government are essential. At this point, neither the regime nor elements of the opposition will easily accept such an approach. Emboldened by external support, harboring deep grievances and fears, and believing that victory can still be theirs, they appear eager to fight on. This is where intervention is in order.
Peeling away the layers of the onion, beginning with the U.S., Russians, et al, it must be made clear to the combatants that a continuation of hostilities is not just a “no win proposition” but a danger to regional peace. Acceptance may require incentives, or threats of withholding support. But acceptance is a must. It will not be easy, but neither will the continued descent into civil war.
A good place to start would be when Arab leaders meet with the Russians this week. Their agreement, whatever it costs, to push and prod both sides to give up their unachievable ambitions, would be a first step toward unwinding this conflict, before it is too late. Getting to first base will be hard, and the steps that follow will be no easier. The situation will require peace-keepers, dealing with rogue elements, and tough negotiations with an ideological regime that will not easily surrender its power. But facing the abyss, what choice is there?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-zogby/stopping-syrias-descent-i_b_1336606.html?ref=politics&ir=Politics
………………………………………….
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/middle-east/Annan-Meets-With-Assad-in-Syria-142179223.html
Joshua Landis, who is head of the Middle East Studies program at the University of Oklahoma, says the Assad regime thinks it is winning the battle against the opposition, and that both sides’ unwillingness to compromise paves the way for a bleak future in Syria.
“This is a zero-sum game. There isn’t a compromise that can come out of this that I can see. Once Assad steps aside, the entire edifice of the regime is going to crumble. … There’s very little that can take the place of the Syrian Army or the Syrian government, and that has people wringing their hands in Syria. They don’t see a way out of going down a very dark tunnel, which is in the direction of what happened in Iraq or what happened in Lebanon during the darkest period of the civil war,” he said.
Landis foresees a growing cascade of defections from the upper echelons of the Syrian regime, but argues that President Assad’s Alawite allies are not likely to desert him. “They understand,” Landis says, “that they need to hang together or be hanged apart.” He also paints a somber picture of an increasingly sectarian conflict: “It takes a long time for people who’ve lived together in relative harmony for decades to stop associating with each other and put hate in their hearts, but that’s what we’re going to see.”
March 10th, 2012, 9:29 pm
ann said:
Former UN chief Kofi Annan, Syrian president meet on crisis – 2012-03-11
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-03/11/c_131459879.htm
Assad said his country is ready to make honest efforts to solve the recent domestic unrest, according to the state-run SANA news agency.
“Any political dialogue can’t succeed as long as there are armed groups, which foment anarchy and destabilize the country through targeting civilians, military personnel and smashing public and private properties,” he told Annan, joint special envoy for Syria of the United Nations and Arab League (AL), in the meeting.
For his part, Annan said he rejected “foreign interference in Syrian affairs” and is committed “to working in a just, evenhanded and independent way” to achieve a peaceful solution.
According to a UN statement after the meeting, Annan also put forward several proposals regarding ending the violence, allowing humanitarian aid, releasing detainee and starting an inclusive political dialogue.
The former UN chief “expressed grave concern at the situation in Syria and urged the president to take concrete steps to end the current crisis,” the statement said.
Annan said his first meeting with the president was “candid and comprehensive.”
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 9:34 pm
jad said:
Syria begins pulling envoys out of EU: diplomats
(Reuters) – Syria has begun pre-emptively withdrawing ambassadors from Europe because it fears EU members will expel them in response to President Bashar al-Assad’s ruthless crackdown on an uprising, Arab diplomats said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/10/us-syria-eu-envoys-idUSBRE8290AI20120310
March 10th, 2012, 9:38 pm
Son of Damascus said:
??? ?? ?????? ?????????
?????, 11 ???? 2012
????? ????? ????
?????? ??????? ???????. ?????? ??? ???? ?????????? ????? ????? ???????. ??? ??????? ???? ??? ????? ???? ????????. ?????? ???????? ????? ????.
????? ????? ?? ????????
???? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ???????? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ??????? ?????????. ??? ????? «??????? ??????». ??? ????? ????? ????: ???? ?? ???? ??? ???? ?? ???????? ??? ???????? «????????»? ????? «?????» ??? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ???????? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ?????? «??????» ??? ?????? ??? «????» ?????. ??? ???? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ???????? ???????? ???????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?????????? ????? ?????? ?? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ?????????? ??????? ?????.
[…]
http://international.daralhayat.com/internationalarticle/372715
March 10th, 2012, 9:45 pm
zoo said:
Female Members of Hizb Ettahrir Meet in Tunisia Calling for an Islamic Caliphate
Sana Ajmi | 10 March 2012 | 4 Comments
International conference of Hizb Ettahrir in Tunis
Promo trailer
Hundreds of women gathered at the first international conference of Hizb Ettahrir in Tunis today. Entitled “Caliphate: A shining model for women’s rights and political role,” the summit addressed the shortcomings of liberal democracies with regard to women’s rights. According to Hizb Ettahrir, only an Islamic Caliphate state and the institution of Sharia law can ensure women’s rights and safeguard the rights and security of women within the family-unit and society.
(…)
http://www.tunisia-live.net/2012/03/10/female-members-of-hizb-ettahrir-meet-in-tunisia-calling-for-an-islamic-caliphate/
March 10th, 2012, 9:52 pm
zoo said:
Qatar welcomes 5 top Talibans from Guantanamo
Taliban prisoners at Guantanamo agree to transfer
KABUL, Afghanistan – The Associated Press
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/taliban-prisoners-at-guantanamo-agree-to-transfer.aspx?pageID=238&nID=15720&NewsCatID=359
Five top Taliban leaders held by the U.S. in the Guantanamo Bay military prison told a visiting Afghan delegation they agree to a proposed transfer to the tiny Gulf state of Qatar, opening the door for a possible move aimed at bringing the Taliban into peace talks, Afghan officials said today.
(..)
The U.S. is considering transferring the five from the prison in Cuba to a presumably less restrictive custody in Qatar as an incentive for the Taliban to enter negotiations, though Washington has not yet outright agreed to the step, and some in Congress oppose it.
March 10th, 2012, 9:57 pm
ss said:
Casualties of Bashar and Asma al Assad:
“7,500 killed, children and women included.
25,000 refugees
30,000, disappeared
Many many thousands tortured
And finally the Syrian soul in us
And the killing machine is still going, now with a new target called Idlib
Where is God?”
I believe God is helping the armed men to dig holes under the ground so they can move freely and terrorize people in Baba Amr for example
I believe God is giving hand to the bearded men in many authentic Syrian revolution made video to behead people for his name
God has been the best allies of the bearded men who never stop saying ALAH WA AKBAR while killing people
for a whole year the only thing I hear on the revolution videos is the word God “Alah wa Akbar”
Is God missing now???
Which God are we talking about??
Is your God the same as the rest of us??
March 10th, 2012, 9:58 pm
zoo said:
Another defection from…Al Jazeera
Managing Director of al-Jazeera Office in Beirut Resigns in Protest Against Biased Coverage of Events in Syria, Arab Region
Mar 10, 2012
http://www.sana.sy/eng/22/2012/03/10/405181.htm
BEIRUT, (SANA)- In protest against its performance in covering the events in Syria and the Arab region, Managing Director of al-Jazeera Office in Beirut, Hassan Shaaban has forwarded his resignation to al-Jazeera Channel, according to Lebanese al-Akhbar Newspaper.
In this context, the newspaper said that Shaaban resigned in protest against the biased and provocative policy adopted by the channel in covering the events in the Arab region, particularly in Syria and Bahrain.
The resignation comes a week after the producer of the Channel’s office in Beirut, Mousa Ahmad and the correspondent Ali Hashem resigned for the same reasons.
(…)
March 10th, 2012, 10:00 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
274. ZOO
275. ZOO
Zoo,
Both of your comments above are NOT related to Syria. Syrians want freedom from a 42-year-old family tyranny. YOU can talk about the Taliban and Islamists as you wish, but Syrians will NEVER give up until they depose Bashar, the murderous dictator & son of murderous dictator. Your hate of Sunni Muslims should not blind you from seeing that Syrians, who are % 88 Sunnis, want FREEDOM, PERIOD!!!!!
Those who suffer from SunniPHObia (many here seem to be so), they can go to SHIA Iran, where Sunnis are persecuted and prohibited from building mosques.
March 10th, 2012, 10:03 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
The meeting today between AL and Lavrov,is meant to cause Russia to agree to Security council resolution condemning use of force by the regime,and agrees to international observers, Syria has to accept and pull the army out, The FSA is more than willing to stop the violence since their primary goal is to protect the civilians, I expect the security council to meet soon If Russia veto the resolution, then all out war.
meanwhile arming the FSA must continue.
March 10th, 2012, 10:03 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
279. MAJEDKHALDOUN
What is the percentage of Sunnis is Syria? Sunniphobes may not like it. WE, SUNNI SYRIANS, ARE AT LEAT %80 OF SYRIANS. DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?
March 10th, 2012, 10:06 pm
jad said:
Taken from FB, it lists the ‘great’ achievement of the ‘mighty’ ‘uprising’ in one year:
????? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ????????? ???????? ???? ????? ???????
?????:
????? ????? ?? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ??????? ??????? ??? … ??? ?????
?????? :
???? ???? ?? ????? ???? ???????? ???? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????
?????? :
???? ???? ?? ????? ???? ???? ????? ????????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???????
?????? :
????? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ????????? ??? ???????? ????????
?????? :
????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???? ???????? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ??????
?????? :
????? ??????? ????? ?????? ??????? ?? 47 ? ? ??? ?? ????? 95 ???? ?? ???? ?? ?????
?????? :
????? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ???????? ???????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ??????
?????? :
????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ? ???? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?40 ? ?
?????? :
????? ????????? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ??? ?? ????? ????? ???????
?????? :
??????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ??????? ??????? ??? ?? ???? ???? ??? ????????? ??? ??????
???? ??? :
?????? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ? ????? ??? ?? ??? ?? ??????? ?? ????????
???? ??? :
????? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ??????? ???????? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ????????
???? ??? :
????? ??????? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ??????
???? ??? :
?????? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ??????? ???????? ???? ????????
???? ??? :
????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ????? .. ????? ?? ?????? ???? ????????
???? ??? :
????? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ??????? ????????? ????? ??????
???? ??? :
?????? ??????? ??????????? ????? ????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ???? ??????? ?????? ???? ???????
???? ??? :
????? ????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ?? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ???????
???? ??? :
????? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ??????? ???? ?? ??? ??? ?? ???? ?? ?????
???? ?? ??? ????????? ??????? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?? ?? ????? ?????? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ??? ?????
????? ????? ?? ???? ???????? ??? ?? ????? ???????? ????? ?? ?? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ????? ??????? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ??????? ???? ???????
????????? ????? ?????????? ????? ??? ????? ???….
?????
March 10th, 2012, 10:06 pm
irritated said:
#276 SS
So it seems that that “God” is ignoring the ‘killing machine’ that has also killed around 3,000 young soldiers that gave their life for their country.
No one has the presumption to decide on which side God is.
March 10th, 2012, 10:08 pm
irritated said:
#281. jad
I wonder what more disasters this once hopeful and now polluted revolution will bring to the Syrians living in Syria.
March 10th, 2012, 10:13 pm
irritated said:
#280 Dawoo HH
DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?
No, prove it.
March 10th, 2012, 10:14 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
Having been a regular visitor of this blog and reading its comment section, I now have noticed a regular narrative from the pro-murderous dictator commenters: it is an anti-sunni muslim narrative. You cannot be pro-syria and anti-sunni because sunnis are %80 of syria’s population.
I call this racism/bigotry against sunnis, which is intended to beautify bashar’s ugly/murderous dictatorship: sunniphobia, and those who engage in it are sunniphobes. Many of those sunniphobes are either busy posting here and defending bashar, or posting the english version of hasan nasrallah’s cult of personality speeches on their blog!
Stop sunniphobia!
March 10th, 2012, 10:16 pm
Syrialover said:
I am glad if journalist Nir Rosen is abandoning his template of the Iraqi sectarian civil war scenario which he has been trying to push Syria to fit since he started writing about the crisis.
Everyone seems to forget there were huge cracks and battle lines drawn up in Iraq long before Saddam was pushed off his pedestal. The violent internal wars against the Shia and Kurds in Iraq had created a very different landscape to Syria when the time came to fight for control.
Foreign intervention in Iraq was never going to paper over those cracks, and it proved unable to stop them exploding when many American actions after Saddam, driven by certain factions in the US establishment, proved to be so stupid and conterproductive.
People also forget, or maybe never paid attention to, the massive anger and dissension high in US military and State Department ranks at that time over decisions on post-Saddam Iraq made by Donald Rumsfeld and co. This was played out in top level resignations and tell-all books for many years afterwards.
These things mean many of the assertions being made about sectarian wars being inevitable in Syria, and America having a sinister master plan for Syria are over-simplified and distorted by short-term memory
March 10th, 2012, 10:16 pm
irritated said:
Majedalkhadoon #279
“The FSA is more than willing to stop the violence since their primary goal is to protect the civilians,:
What about the uncontrolled militias roaming freely in Syria kidnapping, stealing and killings. Are the ‘angels’ FSA ready to stop them by force?
In Bab Amr who were they protecting? There were no more civilians left in the city. I guess they were protecting their stock of weapons and when it ran out they left.
Next is their stock of weapons in Edlib.
March 10th, 2012, 10:20 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
284. IRRITATED
IN A RESPONSE TO ONE OF MY COMMENTS PROFESSOR LANDIS agreed with Majed Khaldoun that Sunnis are at least %80 of Syria’s population.
Please go back to this comment from Professor Landis, which was a response to my comment (its from Ehsani’s post on the declining number of Aleppo’s Christians):
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=13530&cp=4#comments
181. Joshua said:
[…]
(Joshua responds) Dear Dawoud, Ehsani is anything but a supporter of Assad’s dictatorship. In fact, a number of Syrian Christians asked him not to publish the real population statistics for Christians because they feared that they would legitimize the revolution. After all, if minorities have been shrinking as a percentage of the population, Assad’s justification that he must maintain secularism is weakened. Minorities have kept the upper hand in Syria through dictatorship for half a century. If Sunni Arabs are 65% of the population, this is unjust. If they are 70%, it is even worse. Sunni Syrians are probably closer to 80% of the population than the 75% that is commonly given, as Majedkhaldoun suggests.
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 10:25 pm
Tara said:
Following Egypt foot steps, Syrians will try the dictator in the court of law and build their democracy. I always liked The Egyptians and always liked to watch their old black and white movies. There was one movie I am fond of I can’t remember the name. Was about a young feminin Souaad Hosni running away from something into an isolated house of an older attractive artist (painter). She ringing the bell, was heavily raining and he kept her outside while drawing a portray of her. He cared much about her but always pretended otherwise. Something to that effect. Don’t remember it well. Does anyone know the name? Sadly enough, I have no expectation. People here don’t smile, never play, hate love, and passion for them is the mother of all conspiracies, and on top of that dare you be smart, the plot would even be much thicker.
Despite the Army’s Obstruction, Egyptians Work to Build a Democracy
By CAROL GIACOMO
Published: March 9, 2012
On most days, there’s a deceptive normalcy to Tahrir Square, center stage of Egypt’s 2011 revolution. Traffic, not protesters, paralyze the streets. But politics are still roiling.
This is a crucial period for Egypt. Between now and July 1, Parliament is supposed to select a committee to rewrite the Constitution and Egyptians will vote whether to adopt it. They will elect a president and learn what verdict and sentence their deeply flawed court system gives Hosni Mubarak, the former autocrat charged with complicity in the killing of 800 protesters during the uprising that forced his ouster.
The Muslim Brotherhood, which won a majority in the new Parliament, is proving more pragmatic than expected. Emad Gad, a lawmaker from the opposition liberal bloc, says “we can cooperate with” them. The Brotherhood is also working with the military council that has failed at running the country and is supposed to cede power to the new president in June.
This is prudent politics and may give the army the confidence to return to barracks. But many Egyptians fear the army will never allow a full transfer of power to a civilian government. That would be a disaster for Egypt and a dishonor to all those who battled to overthrow Mubarak’s dictatorship.
There is talk that the Brotherhood has already compromised on a critical army demand for the new constitution by limiting civilian oversight of the military budget. There’s also no word on whether anyone in the army will be held accountable for the deaths during the uprising. Meanwhile, the military council and its allies are busy punishing their critics for specious offenses.
Ziad el-Elaimy, a member of Parliament from the Social Democratic Party, is facing an ethics review after criticizing Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, the council chief, and calling for his resignation. Mr. Elaimy expects the council will force Parliament to remove him from his seat. Egypt’s military prosecutors are investigating 12 top activists — another attempt to intimidate the opposition.
The military council wasted a year not making decisions about the economy. Foreign reserves are down; unemployment is up. Amr Zaki, an influential member of Parliament from the Muslim Brotherhood, said his party would soon replace the military-appointed central bank governor and cabinet, whom he accused of preparing to sign bad business deals. Those changes also have to be approved by the military council and it’s unclear whether they will agree.
[…]
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/10/opinion/despite-the-armys-obstruction-egyptians-work-to-build-a-democracy.html?src=recg
March 10th, 2012, 10:37 pm
irritated said:
#289 Dawood
Sunnis Syrians are maybe 80%, even though it is just rough suppositions and no scientific confirmation, so what’s your point?
March 10th, 2012, 10:41 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
289. TARA
Tara,
WAS THE MOVIE: ???? ????? ??? ???? (TOO YOUNG FOR LOVE):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aSHA-R_R1g
p.s. I am not a “Salist” because I love movies, music, and seeing anything beautiful 🙂
“Salafist” is a code name that pro-Bashar use to justify the dictator’s murderous tyranny. “either Bashar, or ‘Salafists,'” is their main pro-Bashar argument! Qadhafi and Ali Saleh used the same argument 🙂
March 10th, 2012, 10:46 pm
ann said:
Pentagon Prepares War Plans For Syria – Saturday, 10 March 2012
In testimony before a Senate committee Wednesday, the Pentagon’s civilian and uniformed chiefs confirmed that they are drawing up war plans against Syria at the request of the Obama White House.
http://hamsayeh.net/middle-east/1673-pentagon-prepares-war-plans-for-syria.html
The statements by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey came amid mounting evidence that Washington and its key European allies, working in conjunction with the right-wing monarchical regimes in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, are escalating a covert intervention aimed at bringing about Syrian regime-change.
Much of the media coverage of Wednesday’s hearing focused on the jingoistic intervention of Arizona’s Senator John McCain, the former Republican presidential candidate. He is demanding US air strikes against Syria to carve out “safe havens” in which Western-backed armed groups can prepare military strikes against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
“How many additional civilian lives would have to be lost in order to convince you that the military measures of the kind we are proposing necessary to end the killing and force Assad to leave power?” McCain demanded of Panetta.
The defense secretary responded by asserting, “We are not divided here.” He insisted that the Pentagon is “reviewing all possible additional steps that can be taken” to hasten the downfall of the Assad regime, “including potential military options if necessary.”
General Dempsey cautioned that a US intervention in Syria would be more difficult than the NATO war in Libya given the country’s “far different demographic, ethnic, religious mix.” However, he assured the Senate panel, “Should we be called upon to defend US interests, we will be ready.” The Joint Chiefs chairman added that military operations under consideration included the imposition of a “no-fly zone,” the opening up of a “humanitarian corridor,” a naval blockade of the Syrian coastline and air strikes.
Panetta and Dempsey both echoed statements made the day before at a White House press briefing by President Obama that it would be a “mistake” to “to take military action unilaterally.”
None of them, however, raised a United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing use of military force as a pre-condition for US military intervention in Syria.
An unnamed senior Defense Department official made it clear to CNN that the administration does not see a UN resolution—which has so far been blocked by Russia and China, which both wield veto power on the Security Council—as indispensable. “Some kind of mandate from a regional organization” would suffice, the official indicated, or any multi-lateral cover for US intervention, such as the “coalition of the willing” the Bush administration cobbled together before the Iraq war.
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 10:53 pm
jad said:
Irritated
Their ultimate goal is to make Syria the new Afghanistan and if they couldn’t then Somalia is their second choice.
They have a very high standards!
Check out this first class actor, he should work in Bollywood.
??? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ???????? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ????? !!!
http://youtu.be/5At12lYD5YM
March 10th, 2012, 11:02 pm
Tara said:
There are many deities that are worshiped in this world. I am not interested in anyone’s God. You all can have your own, and worship him/her/it the way you like. I really couldn’t care less.
Gods are usually faceless. Not to some…We saw the image of some people’s God. Shabeeha write his name on walls in Syria claiming there is no God except him. Now “Bashar” is an “inventive” name of a God. No? One would expect a more profound name in general. Am I wrong? I remember I once posted a FP page that belong to the faithfuls devoted literally to worshiping one of Bashar’s toe. I don’t know which toe of them exactly? The big toe or the little one? I am not really sure. The right foot or the left foot was not specified either. See, I was never good in world religions… Missed that class..should not have. Would’ve sounded much more…sophisticated.
Anyhow, the God I was looking for is the God of the downtrodden and yes he has 99 names and one of them is God the Great.
March 10th, 2012, 11:06 pm
Tara said:
Dawoud
No. It wasn’t that one. It took place in an isolated villa on the beach. Thanks for trying.
March 10th, 2012, 11:12 pm
jad said:
It’s in the news now, Lavrov ignored BigBird*
?????? ???? ???? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ??
????? ???? ???????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? -??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ??????? ??? ?????? ?????? ???????- ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ????????.
??? ???? ???????? ?????? ?? ??? -???? ???????- ?? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???? ????? ???? ???? ????? ????????? ??????? ??? ?????.
???? ?????? -?? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ???????? ????? ???? ??????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ???: ??? ????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ???? ???? ????????? ????????? ????????.
???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ???????? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ????????? ???????? ???? ??????? ????????? ???????.
????? ?? ????? ???? ??????? ?????? ?? ????? ???????? ???????? ????? : ???? ?? ???? ???? ???? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ??????? ???????.
???? ??????? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ???????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? -???? ??????? ?????? ???????- ???? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ???????? ????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ????? ???????? ??????.
?????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ??????? ?????????? ?? ??? ??? ??? ???? ??? ?? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ???????? ??? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??? ??? ???? ????? ????? ??????.
??????….???? ???
http://www.arabi-press.com/?page=article&id=26807
March 10th, 2012, 11:13 pm
Son of Damascus said:
SyriaLover,
“I am glad if journalist Nir Rosen is abandoning his template of the Iraqi sectarian civil war scenario which he has been trying to push Syria to fit since he started writing about the crisis.”
It is not just him, many experts were calling and continue to call this a sectarian uprising, I don’t agree.
I believe what had happened in Syria was a shock to many of these experts, Syria was seen as relatively ‘stable’, with a strong security presence that can stifle any opposition. To them the only venue for Syrians to oppose was the mosque, so therefore any sustained and organized protest should come from there (or at least that was the narrative).
What I think they failed to see is how the death and torture of those boys in Dera’a almost a year ago galvanized the Syrian public. The initial outcry in Dera’a and the subsequent heavy approach of the regime further galvanized the public.
The ideology that is pushing the protesters has religious undertones but is not lead by a religious ideology. The fact that religious undertones are there is an indication of the piousness of the Syrian public rather than an indication that this is a Mosque led uprising.
And I disagree with Dr Landis when he says the regime is an Alawi based regime, because for many years some of the biggest opponents to the regime were Alawi. The regime is built upon family hierarchy were sons inherit their fathers ‘position’, and this is true from the President down to local officials. Many of the top positions (and defiantly most important) were people related to Havez, as these old guard aged their children started to carve their own piece of the pie and many times inherited their father office directly (or were able to get top positions because of their father’s wasta).
Many people are worried about the rise of Islam in Syria, what they fail to see is that Islam is part of Syria, something which cannot be ignored. It is as if someone said they are worried about the rise of Christianity in the US, thats an oxymoron of a statement because the US was built upon Christian principles but yet freedom of religion is a constitutional right. The Christian right is a powerful body in the US that without its support many politicians would have not been elected, yet non Christians are elected.
March 10th, 2012, 11:17 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
290. IRRITATED said:
#289 Dawood
Sunnis Syrians are maybe 80%, even though it is just rough suppositions and no scientific confirmation, so what’s your point?
Dear Mr./Ms. Irritated:
you asked me a question, and I replied to it. Now, you are asking me another one, “what’s my point?” Well, I have too points:
1) Sunnis are at least 80% of Syria’s population.
2) Sunniphobes are anti-Syrias!!!
Funny, talking about “Salafist” and, as JAD posted above in Arabic, that Syrians are now knowing “Sunni,” “Alawi,” etc. . Who started all this?
Bashar did. Bouthayna Sha’aban’s first press conference last March was warning minorities against Sunnis. In his first speech to his fake parliament Bashar blamed “Salafists.” He was the same tactics that Mubarak, et al. used. Now, his supporters are using the same strategy: Blame the Salafists! Bashar’s supporters here are doing the same thing!
http://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%86_%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7
[…]?????? ??????
???? ??????? ?????? ??? 1985: 76.1% ?????? ???? ? 11.5% ??????? ? 3% ????? ? 1% ??????????? ? 4.5% ???????? ? 0.4% ???? ???? ?????[1]. ???? ??? ???????? ?? ???? ???????? ????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ?? 80%[2]. ???? ??? ?????? ???? (???? ?????? ??????) ?? ????? ?? ??????? ?????? ???? 85% ??? ???? 9% ?? ???????? ? 5% ?? ????????? (??? ?? ???? ???? ????)[3].
??? ?? ????????? ?????????: 77 % ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ? 10 % ?????? ???????? 3% ???? ??????????? ????? ???? ?????? ? 8% ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ??????? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ??????. [4][5].
??? ????????? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ???????. ????? ???????????? ??? ?????? ???????? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ??? ?? ??? ??? ??????? ??? ?????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ?? ?????? ????. ???? ???????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ??????? ???????? ??????? ?? ??? ???? ???? ????????? ?? ???? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ????????. ??? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ??????? ????? ???????? ??????????.
[…]
March 10th, 2012, 11:25 pm
Ghufran said:
The price of failing to understand that the world is changing is high,ask the regime who never thought that Syrians will rise up and demand a regime change,or the GCC leaders who are still discovering that 2012 is not 2003,or Israeli politicians who still think they can enslave 4 million Palestinians and get away with it.
http://www.alquds.co.uk/index.asp?fname=today%5C09qpt999.htm&arc=data%5C2012%5C03%5C03-09%5C09qpt999.htm
?? ??? ?? ????? ????? ???????? ????? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ??? ????? ????? ?? ????? ???? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ???????? ??? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ????? ???? ?????? ???????? ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???????
March 10th, 2012, 11:31 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
# 292.
Posting from HAMSAYEH.NET is as reliable, free, and honest as posting from Putin’s “RT,” dictatorial China’s “Xinan-whatever,” Iran’s propaganda “Press TV,” Iran’s al-Alam, and now Iran’s Hamsayeh 🙂
Here is how Hamsayeh.net defines itself:
http://hamsayeh.net/abouthamsayeh.html
HAMSAYEH.NET
Hamsayeh is a word in the Persian language meaning Neighbour
AN INDEPENDENT – IRAN BASED INTERNATIONAL NEWS WEBSITE
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
I think that usage of “independent” is both funny and misleading in a country that does not truly have free press and does not respect human rights.
March 10th, 2012, 11:34 pm
Son of Damascus said:
The Iranian-Turkish struggle for Syria
By Sami Moubayed
Mar 10, 2012
One of the aftershocks of the Syrian uprising is an abrupt end to a Turkish-Iranian honeymoon, which started shortly after the Justice and Development Party came to power in Turkey almost 10 years ago. For many years Turkey and Iran – heirs to two strong empires – found plenty in common thanks to Syria. They now have a million reasons to disagree, also because of Syria.
The countries cooperated on post-Saddam Hussein Iraq, worked side-by-side to crush Kurdish separatists, and united efforts on Lebanon and Gaza after the wars of 2006 and 2008 respectively.
That marriage of convenience began to fall apart – rather rapidly – when the Syrian uprising began in March 2011. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan took a radically anti-Damascus stance, calling for the regime’s downfall, whereas Iran stood firmly behind its Syrian ally, with whom it has held strategic relations
[…]
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/NC10Ak01.html
March 10th, 2012, 11:59 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
I do not think we will see Bashar in court like Mubarak, I think he and his family will be killed like Gaddafi,it will probably precede the change of the regime.
I believe Erdogan has the moral duty to help the people of Idlib.
Anan mission is a failure, The FSA who they are the Angels must get weapons ,specific weapons ,to combat the helicopters and tanks ,it should have long range power. and yes their God Bashar must be the target.
March 11th, 2012, 12:11 am
Ghufran said:
Putin is now sitting pretty after less than 10,000 demonstrator showed up to protest the results of the elections,this came after Clinton refused to elaborate on previous claims of election fraud,most NATO leaders followed suit.
Putin’s tight grip on power does not bode well for promoters of a free world led by NATO especially after the suffocating Euro zone financial crisis and the rise of the BRIC countries.
Since the Syrian crisis is not just a national affair,having an understanding of the new world order is crucial for anybody who has in interest in the subject.
Iran will probably have a nuclear bomb before 2013 regardless if Israel hits it or not,and that will increase pressure on Israel and the GCC. Look at this changing world and cry with me at the scenes of Syrians killing Syrians and the Byzantine argument about whether Sunnis are 65% or 80% of the population !!
?? ??? ???? ?? ????? ?????
March 11th, 2012, 12:12 am
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-273843-syrian-regime-blocks-unhindered-access-to-aid-agencies.html
Syrian regime blocks unhindered access to aid agencies
UN humanitarian aid chief Valerie Amos has said the Syrian government has agreed to allow limited access to UN aid agencies, but is asking for more time. Speaking at a press conference held in Ankara on Friday, Amos said Syrian government officials had agreed to allow a UN preliminary humanitarian assessment mission to enter the country.
“In Damascus I met the Syrian foreign minister, Walid al-Moallem, and other government ministers, and I raised my concerns regarding the humanitarian situation with them. We have agreed on a joint preliminary humanitarian assessment mission to areas where people urgently need assistance,” Amos said.
Amos deemed this Syrian government permission “a necessary first step” for the unhindered access of humanitarian organizations to the country “to evacuate the wounded and deliver desperately needed supplies.”
She held a private meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu on Friday in order to exchange views on the situation she witnessed in Homs. Prior to the meeting, Amos visited refugee camps along the Turkish-Syrian border in Turkey’s southern province of Hatay, set up for refugees fleeing from the sustained Syrian government crackdown. In the meeting with Davuto?lu, Amos described the situation in Homs as “shocking.”
Davuto?lu emphasized that Turkey would continue to extend support to the Syrian people and would jointly work with UN agencies to deliver humanitarian aid.
The foreign minister also noted that Turkey has repeatedly called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to stop the violence and implement reforms. The brutal crackdown has been going on for almost one year. He also expressed his concerns about the humanitarian situation in the neighboring country. Amos, who was denied access to Syria last week, was in the country on a three-day mission to try to persuade Syrian officials to allow humanitarian aid to enter the country.
This visit by Amos followed her talks with Lebanese and Jordanian government officials last week on the situation in Syria.
“I commend all three governments [Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan] for keeping the borders open for people in distress and for providing relief to them in a sustained manner,” Amos said.
She also visited Hatay’s refugee camps on Friday, where a significant number of refugees fled that same day, frightened by a government assault to drive out rebels from Homs’ Baba Amr neighborhood.
4 Syrian army defectors flee to Hatay
[…]
March 11th, 2012, 12:18 am
Jerusalem said:
And the killing machine is still going, now with a new target called Idlib
Why the new target is Idlib and NOT Hasakeh for instance? If the killing machine has an intention to destroy all, would have destroyed another city and NOT particularly Idleb. Must be rebels seeking refuge their…. The killing rises surrounding the locations of Fake Syrian Army. Why no one dying in Bosra on the hand of the killing machine? Or no tanks wandering Palmyra?
March 11th, 2012, 12:23 am
jad said:
According to this article, SNC lobby and politics were behind censuring of Pierre Piccinin on Syria:
«Un chercheur belge censuré par le lobby du Conseil national syrien»
PIERRE PICCININ A ÉTÉ L’UN DES TOUT PREMIERS OBSERVATEURS ÉTRANGERS À ENTRER EN SYRIE. PAR SON TRAVAIL DE TERRAIN, DEPUIS LE DÉBUT DES ÉVÉNEMENTS, IL PROPOSE UNE VISION À CONTRE-COURANT DE LA VISION DES «JOURNALISTES ASSIS», DEVENANT AINSI UNE VÉRITABLE SOURCE D’INFORMATION ALTERNATIVE AUX MÉDIAS FRANÇAIS. OR, LE POLITOLOGUE BELGE VIENT D’ÊTRE RADIÉ DU CERCLE DES CHERCHEURS SUR LE MOYEN-ORIENT (CCMO).
{…}
Ensuite, il ya eu les pressions de Salam Kawakibi, chercheur à l’université d’Amsterdam et sympathisant déclaré du Conseil national syrien.
Je ne le connaissais pas et l’ai rencontré pour la première fois à Bruxelles, à l’Institut royal pour les relations internationales (l’Institut Egmont), lors d’un séminaire : lorsque j’ai fait part de mon expérience en Syrie, il a éclaté, est devenu proprement odieux, et aucun débat scientifique n’a plus été possible ; l’esclandre a mis tous les participants mal à l’aise.
J’ignorais qu’il était membre d’honneur du CCMO, qui m’en a informé, en m’apprenant aussi que Kawakibi avait menacé de démissionner du cercle si je n’en étais pas éjecté, imité en cela par Bassma Kodmani, directrice de l’Arab Reform Initiative et porte-parole du CNS en France, également membre d’honneur du CCMO.
{…}
Salingue m’a écrit pour justifier sa position : il trouve intolérable qu’un de mes articles sur la Syrie ait été reproduit sur le site pro-Assad InfoSyrie et estime que «cela donne à réfléchir»; mais qu’y puis-je et en quoi suis-je responsable ?
Je n’ai fait que décrire ce que j’avais observé sur le terrain et tirer les conclusions qui s’imposaient.
Si le ministère de l’Information syrien reprend le papier, ce n’est pas de mon ressort.
{…}
Ils ont été jusqu’à retirer du site du CCMO mes articles, qu’ils y avaient publiés après aval du comité de lecture pourtant.
Je n’existe plus : mon nom a été martelé, effacé ; mes écrits sont censurés, c’est la mise à l’index.
{…}
Bref, concernant la Syrie, ils donnent les gages qu’on attend d’eux… Surtout dans la France sarkozienne, dont le gouvernement soutient les rebelles, y compris des mouvements salafistes pas très sympathiques et sûrement pas démocratiques.
Car en fin de compte, le CCMO, qui se voulait international, demeure très franco-français et vu le climat de terreur qui règne dans les universités sur certains thèmes, on peut les comprendre… Mais c’est en cela que cette affaire devient sérieuse, car symptomatique d’une réalité oppressante qui grève la recherche et empêche la bonne compréhension, en l’occurrence, du conflit syrien.
{…}
Le courrier que j’ai reçu me signifiant mon exclusion, à ma grande surprise (alors que je pensais rencontrer le bureau en avril, comme je l’ai dit), est très clair : « La polémique suscitée par vos écrits et le discrédit qu’ils jettent sur la renommée de notre cercle (…) sont constitutifs d’un motif grave en faveur de votre exclusion.» Comme je le disais, il n’ya même pas débat ; on ne cherche même pas à savoir si mon travail de recherche est honorable ou non et si mes conclusions sont fondées ou non.
Aucun débat scientifique. Je suis exclu parce que les observations de terrain que j’ai publiées ne correspondent pas à la pensée dominante et sont désapprouvées de facto ; et ils le disent sans s’en cacher.
{…}
http://lnr-dz.com/index.php?page=details&id=11081
March 11th, 2012, 12:29 am
irritated said:
299. DAWOUD HOLY HOMS
Can I be salafiphobe and wahhabiphobe without offending you? Anyway you are shiaphobe and possibly alawiphobe aren’t you?
March 11th, 2012, 12:32 am
jad said:
Irritated,
Sectarian is the word you are looking for.
BTW, do you remember Abu Umar on SC couple moths ago? I’m seeing some similarity, no?
I did link this before, but reading Ghufran comment I want to link it again:
Windows of the Soul – The Story of Syria
http://youtu.be/dh5G1KKMPls
March 11th, 2012, 12:38 am
zoo said:
Exodus From North Signals Iraqi Christians’ Slow Decline
By JACK HEALY
Published: March 10, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/11/world/middleeast/exodus-from-north-signals-iraqi-christians-decline.html?_r=1&ref=global-home
TENNA, Iraq — Iraq’s dwindling Christians, driven from their homes by attacks and intimidation, are beginning to abandon the havens they had found in the country’s north, discouraged by unemployment and a creeping fear that the violence they had fled was catching up to them.
Their quiet exodus to Turkey, Jordan, Europe and the United States is the latest chapter of a seemingly inexorable decline that many religious leaders say tolls the twilight of Christianity in a land where city skylines have long been marked by both minarets and church steeples. Recent assessments say that Iraq’s Christian population has now fallen by more than half since the 2003 American invasion, and with the military’s departure, some Christians say they lost a protector of last resort.
(…)
March 11th, 2012, 12:41 am
irritated said:
308. jad
Dawood is cool, he gets mad and apologize. Abu Omar was a real sectarian thug
March 11th, 2012, 12:46 am
jad said:
Irritated,
You are right, that guy was so out of it, no wonder he was banned.
March 11th, 2012, 12:48 am
873 said:
146. omen said:
143. 873 said:
These phony advocates for ‘humanitarian’ war
are the dead (mostly unarmed) civilians assad murdered phony?
should apply the NATO Nation test: would a true French lobby to firebomb and flatten Paris? Or a Brit, London?
NATO, using its proxies like Al Qaeda, MEK and their paid “terrorist’ mercs are responsible for starting this mess to provoke a crackdown by Syrian govt -that can then be used to politically isolate them – culminating in regime change. The thousands killed by the mercs/ and or Syria defense is just collateral damage to the NATO New World Order chiefs and we all know it. Spare us the sanctimonious ‘dead martyr for freedom’ act. The entire Arab Spring is just the latest tactic of the NWO for Israel’s benefit, to remodel the Middle East in its favor.
NATO-Israel is using exploiting impoverished, desparate peoples’ legitimate hopes for a better life all acros the region – not for Democracy- but for its OWN ends and that is power and control of the middle east. But then you have to package and sell it somehow dont you? The Democracy Marketing Campaign has been quite successful. Like the WMDs tagline before Iraq.
March 11th, 2012, 1:24 am
Jerusalem said:
218. Tara said:
Alfatiha upon their souls.
——–
I totally agree Alfatiha upon Every and Each soul.
263. Tara said:
Where is God?
—
If you question his presence why are you reciting Alfatiha? Unless Hollyness Qurdawi on Al-Jazeera said so… I understand.
March 11th, 2012, 1:28 am
873 said:
NATO-Israel is using exploiting impoverished, desparate peoples’ legitimate hopes for a better life all acros the region – not for Democracy- but for its OWN ends and that is power and control of the middle east. But then you have to package and sell it somehow dont you? The Democracy Marketing Campaign has been quite successful. Like the WMDs tagline before Iraq.
March 11th, 2012, 1:30 am
ss said:
Its frustrating; isnt it? I cannot believe that anyone with logic would stand by criminals, Qaeda fueled and supported men. They looked awaful. Bloody killer.
I see that such supporters are loosing their temper. Some commens reflects an angry opposition. Why??what is going on?? Is it because the goverment is restoring order?
Comment 294
Comment 302
clearly show frustrations.
302 wrote
“I do not think we will see Bashar in court like Mubarak, I think he and his family will be killed like Gaddafi,it will probably precede the change of the regime”. Same old story, any new updates?
“I believe Erdogan has the moral duty to help the people of Idlib”
We have not seen Erdogan for months, is he okay, how is he health wise.
We in Syria were not afraid of the masters of Erdogan and Hamad, now we have to fear him!!!!!!!!!!!! OhOhh God
March 11th, 2012, 1:43 am
Syrialover said:
Those pushing the line here that continued Assad rule is best for Syria and the regime needs to be kept in power at all costs, are showing contempt for the people of Syria and a view of the world that’s shocking and bizarre to outsiders.
They mirror the regime’s atttitude, which is that it has no use for the wider Syrian population and is prepared to exterminate it by the thousands to protect its own interests.
And let’s remember those interests: ASSAD’S COUSIN RAMI MAKHLOUF, 41, CONTROLS AS MUCH AS 60 PER CENT OF SYRIA’s ECONOMY.
(Financial Times – http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e29a73f8-6b78-11e0-a53e-00144feab49a.html#ixzz1omvfrkvu)
Nothing much more to be said.
Except to quote Observer #248:
“The true heroism comes from the incredible perseverance and resilience and tenacity of the Syrian people who have continued to eke out a living in the most disastrous of corrupt bureaucratic police state you can imagine for more than 40 years. Such a people I trust fully to trace and follow a path of their own making knowing full well it will be hard and with tremendous challenges.”
March 11th, 2012, 3:21 am
873 said:
316. Syrialover
Opposing the lies and subterfuge of NATO’s “democracy spring” agenda doesnt mean that one endorses the Assad’s corruption vs zionist NATO corruption. I cant imagine anyone here approves of the Makhlouf crimes- just like (we hope) they dont approve of the international bankster cartel’s frauds and destruction of the world economy. It is about AWARENESS. That is what actions, decisions and regime changes should be based on. Not western marketing ploys used to manipulate the vulnerable and the needy.
March 11th, 2012, 5:07 am
Mina said:
In Tunis, the Hizb al Tahrir, a “transnational political party from Indonesia to Morocco” who wants that a Caliph comes back (this is their official line) had their first “women section” meeting.
Unfortunately, it was forbidden to men, so it’s not on the official facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/hizb.tahrir.tounes
See
http://www.france24.com/en/20120310-hundreds-women-call-islamic-governance
I heard a member say to the TV “We want the caliphate because it has already proved its worth… We are the only party which oppose ultra liberalism where women are used to sell products.. Islam protects women from any merchandisation…”
Ah, so they’ll be protected if the Caliphate comes back, but what about the Caliphs??
Second great news of the day is that it’s now official:
YOUR POLITICAL OPINIONS ARE FOR SELL
(as are the secret messages you were sending to your lover/mistress in the office next door)
Twitter has sold 2 years of tweets, including the so called “private” ones. If you hadn’t read the conditions of utilisation, it is too late. The sum must have been pretty big as the London firm and Twitter have refused to disclose it.
It’s only justice! Otherwise only the CIA and a few hackers would have had access to your private lives and political opinions, so now it fair and almost free for all.
http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/science-updates/twitters-deal-with-datasift-to-sell-old-tweets-causes-uproar
March 11th, 2012, 5:14 am
Alan said:
March 11th, 2012, 5:20 am
Alan said:
Salbuchi: Putin a break against neo-colonial West
March 11th, 2012, 5:37 am
Alan said:
Kofi in Syria: Mission Doomed?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcvWXoe2TVQ
The UN and Arab League envoy to Syria has launched his make or break diplomatic mission, meeting with President Assad in Damascus. Ahead of the trip, Kofi Annan called for an immediate cease-fire involving both rebels and government forces, so talks could be opened. That was immediately rejected by Syria’s exiled opposition. It enjoys the support of some Western and Arab states, including Qatar, which has called for international military forces to be deployed to help end the conflict. However, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov stressed again ANY interference in Syria’s internal affairs is unacceptable.
March 11th, 2012, 5:43 am
Mina said:
Detailed article on the looting of archaeological sites in Egypt
http://www.lemonde.fr/proche-orient/article/2012/03/11/pilleurs-d-egypte-intenses-trafics-sur-les-sites-archeologiques_1654534_3218.html
March 11th, 2012, 5:49 am
Syrialover said:
#317. 873 said:
“I cant imagine anyone here approves of the Makhlouf crimes.”
No imagination needed, it’s obvious some see nothing wrong in Assad’s cousin personally controlling 60% of Syria’s economy. In fact, I sense admiration.
And I am not sure the NATO Zionist corruption and western maketing ploys you mention are as concrete and clearcut as a country’s economy being hijacked by a single family using gun power and the torture chamber (again, methods apparently acceptable to some here).
The crisis faced by the Assad regime flows from internal and external awareness of what they are doing, not western marketing ploys like you suggest.
March 11th, 2012, 6:10 am
Alan said:
The Bloody Road to Damascus
The Triple Alliance’s War on a Sovereign State
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30769.htm
There is clear and overwhelming evidence that the uprising to overthrow President Assad of Syria is a violent, power grab led by foreign-supported fighters who have killed and wounded thousands of Syrian soldiers, police and civilians, partisans of the government and its peaceful opposition.
The outrage expressed by politicians in the West and Gulf State and in the mass media, about the ‘killing of peaceful Syrian citizens protesting injustice’ is cynically designed to cover up the documented reports of violent seizure of neighborhoods, villages and towns by armed bands, brandishing machine guns and planting road-side bombs.
The assault on Syria is backed by foreign funds, arms and training. Because of a lack of domestic support, however, to be successful, direct foreign military intervention will be necessary. For this reason a huge propaganda and diplomatic campaign has been mounted to demonize the legitimate Syrian government. The goal is to impose a puppet regime and strengthen Western imperial control in the Middle East. In the short run, this will further isolate Iran in preparation for a military attack by Israel and the US and, in the long run, it eliminates another independent secular regime friendly to China and Russia.
In order to mobilize world support behind this Western, Israeli and Gulf State-funded power grab, several propaganda ploys have been used to justify another blatant violation of a country’s sovereignty after their successful destruction of the secular governments of Iraq and Libya ” a terrifying template of what is in store …..: A precipitous collapse of … living standards, the fragmentation of …country, ethnic cleansing, rule by sectarian and fundamentalist gangs, and total insecurity of life and property”
[…]
March 11th, 2012, 6:16 am
Alan said:
Iran to export power to Syria, Lebanon in May
News | 11.03.2012 | 06:36
http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2012/03/11/iran-to-export-power-to-syria-lebanon-in-may.html
Iran’s Energy Minister Majid Namjou says the Islamic Republic is ready to start electricity exports to Syria and Lebanon via the Iraqi power grid in May 2012.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with Iraq’s Electricity Minister Abdul Kareem Aftan on Saturday, Namjou said Iran can export 50 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the two countries in the first phase of power transfer.
The Iranian official added, “Iran is currently exporting 1,000 MW of power to Iraq but the available facilities of both countries makes it possible to increase the transfer capacity to 1,200 MW.”
“Iran has guaranteed to provide Iraq with adequate power resources and the Iraqi side has accepted to prepare the ground for the transfer of Iranian electricity to Syria and Lebanon in May.”
Iran is currently exchanging electricity with Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Pakistan, Nakhichevan, Turkey and Turkmenistan.
Iran’s total annual power generation capacity stands at 63,403 MW while the total length of the power grid exceeds 780,000 km.
According to the Iranian Energy Ministry statistics, the country will be exporting up to USD 1 billion worth of electricity by March 2012.
Iran seeks to become a major regional exporter of electricity and has attracted more than USD 1.1 billion in investments to build three new power plants.
March 11th, 2012, 6:22 am
Mawal95 said:
Yesterday, 10 Mar 2012, Lavrov met with the Arab League in Cairo about the Syrian situation. The result of the meeting is an agreement by the Arab League on this five-point policy plan as stated by Lavrov in a press conference after the meeting:
1- Call for an end to violence by all sides
2- Seek to establish (perhaps through the UN) a way to neutrally monitor of the situation inside Syria
3- Seek to get humanitarian aid to any Syrians who need it
4- Support the UN special envoy Kofi Annan’s diplomatic mission in the country
5- Abstain from external interference in Syrian domestic affairs.
“We think these five steps will be crucial. They are addressed to all parties in Syria,” Lavrov said.
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20120310/172080029.html
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-03/11/c_131459469.htm
http://www.champress.net/index.php?q=en%2FArticle%2Fview%2F115175
The above five-point plan does not have a status of an Arab League resolution, but the Arab League consented to it in the meeting with Lavrov. Photo of Lavrov, the Arab League Secretary-General, and the Qatari foreign minister at the press conference afterwards: news.xinhuanet.com/english/photo/2012-03/11/c_131459594.htm
Footnote 1: On 8 Mar 2012 Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry issued a statement denying that it has supplied weapons to the Syrian rebels. The statement criticized the Russian foreign ministry for making a “false accusation” that Saudi Arabia’s government was supporting terrorism in Syria. rttnews.com/1836573/saudi-arabia-hits-out-at-russia-for-false-accusation.aspx
Footnote 2: On 9 Mar 2012 Ahmed bin Heli, the Arab League deputy secretary-general, said the Arab League has no plans for now to recognize the Syrian opposition as the legitimate representatives of the people of Syria. He urged the armed and unarmed oppositions in Syria to negotiate with the government. en.rian.ru/world/20120309/172069145.html . On 10 Mar 2010 the foreign minister of Qatar did not speak on behalf of the Arab League when he said “We call for the recognition of the Syrian National Council as the Syrian people’s legitimate representative…. The time has come to go by the suggestion calling for Arab-international forces to be sent to Syria.” chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-syria-arabs-qatarbre82907j-20120310,0,5334788.story
Footnote 3 (repeating #43 ZOO): On 8 Mar 2012 Kofi Annan said in Cairo: “I hope that no one is thinking very seriously of using force in this situation. I believe any further militarization would make the situation worse.” news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-03/11/c_131459456.htm
Footnote 4 (mostly repeating #78 ANN): On 9 Mar 2012 EU foreign ministers gathered in Denmark for an informal meeting with Syria at the top of the agenda. Consensus was against any kind of military action. Germany’s foreign minister said any talk of military intervention was “counter-productive,” adding that it could bring “really disastrous consequences.” Sweden’s foreign minister said “We are searching truly for a political solution. Whether that is possible or not remains to be seen.” Denmark’s foreign minister also spoke against military interference. Separately on Friday 9 mar 2012 the foreign ministers of France and Morocco in a joint press conference redeclared their opposition to outside military intervention in Syria. Morocco’s minister Saad Eddine Othmani said “We reject any military intervention in Syria, and the Arab League has always favored a political solution.” rt.com/news/eu-diplomats-against-military-intervention-223/ . On 10 Mar 2012 the foreign minister of Austria warned against any military action against Syria and he said he considered that the economic sanctions on Syria have started to yield “good results”.
sana.sy/eng/22/2012/03/10/405271.htm . On 6 Mar 2012 the British ambassador to Damascus said that Britain does not plan to arm the Syrian rebels. news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-03/07/c_131450771.htm .
March 11th, 2012, 6:37 am
Alan said:
STOP THE WAR COALITION CONFERENCE – GEORGE GALLOWAY
March 11th, 2012, 6:54 am
Antoine said:
Sunnis are close to 75 % of the population, but that does not mean all 75 % are against the regime, this 75 % contains significant number of Kurds, Shawaya tribes of Raqqah and Hasakah, Sunnis living in Christian-majority villages of Reef Damascus and the agricultural Sunnis of Daraa, many of whom are still attached to the Baath Party.
Similarly, Christians are 12 % but many are anti-regime, most prominently the Assyrians and Chaldeans of North-East Syria and the small Maronite population.
March 11th, 2012, 7:05 am
Antoine said:
GHUFRAN,
Don’t you think if NATO doesn’t have any plans of helping the FSA and other armed rebels, they should declare outright that all armed opposition groups should lay down arms and surrender ? I think Turkey and KSA are playing it dirty, what is your assessment ?
On the other hand, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that if the opposition armed actions and street protests stop, the regime will not even think of “political dialogue”, and will go back to like it was before March 2011, I think Annan knows that fact well, which is why he hasn’t demanded that the FSA stop armed actions.
Ghufran, do you believe that the regime will be ready to make concessions and sit down for dialogue, even with moderate opposition, if the FSA surrenders and the LCCs agree to end street protests ? I don’t think so.
March 11th, 2012, 7:10 am
Mawal95 said:
@ Antoine #328: I don’t know where you get the idea that many Christians in the North-East Syria are anti-regime. It is not true. Here for instance is a video of a pro-regime rally in Al-Hasaka City in northeast Syria on 28 nov 2011. The city’s population is predominantly Christian in their religion and the turnout at the rally is large in relation to the city’s overall size: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=LURQFvTisto#t=58s . Next, here’s some photos of pretty large pro-regime rallies on 13 or 14 Jan 2012 in the northeastern cities of Qamishli and Ra’s Al-Ain. Both cities have large percentage Christian and I think a majority of the people you can see in these photos are Christians: http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2012/01/14/394035.htm . Here’s photos of a pro-regime rally in Qamishli in November, where in the third photo we see females who from their dress style appear to be Christians: http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/11/26/384133.htm . Meanwhile I have seen a number of videos of anti-regime protests in Qamishli, and none of the people in them appear to me to be Christians. Instead, they are Kurds. Here’s an anti-regime protest in Qamishli on 27 Jan 2012: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnij3d5N6vU
March 11th, 2012, 7:38 am
Alan said:
Syria: a Way Out?
http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/03/07/syria-a-way-out/
March 11th, 2012, 7:57 am
Alan said:
Russia and AL have found common language
http://inotv.rt.com/2012-03-11/Rossiya-i-LAG-nashli-obshhij
The Russian help for Syria doesn’t leave to America any choice
http://inotv.rt.com/2012-03-09/Rossijskaya-pomoshh-Sirii-ne-ostavlyaet
March 11th, 2012, 8:14 am
Syria no Kandahar said:
When Alkaradawi started this crisis by fatwaing Syrians to kill each other,All the
Gulf Sea horses were so happy and appreciative,now that his Alzhiemer acted
Up and Attacked Alemarat all the sea horses became sharks:
???? ??? ???? ??????? ??????? ?????????? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ??????” ?????? ??????? ????????” ?? ??? ???? ???????? ??? ????? ????? ???????? ??????? ??? ???? ????????? ????? ??? ????????? ????? “??????? “?????? ??????.
???? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? “?????? ??????? ????????” ?? ??? ??? ?? ???????? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ????????? ????? ??? ?? ???? ??? ??? ????????? ?? ???? ???? ??? “???”.
March 11th, 2012, 8:23 am
Syria no Kandahar said:
FSA(
fake Syrian Apes) announced responsibility for killing mr Taifur,his crime:Shabeeh.just like that ,they are the court ,the judge and the excecuter,This is the justice they are bringing to Syria:The forest justice.These are some of mr Taifur championships:????? ???? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ??? 1969? ??? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ??????? ???????.
???????? ???? ?????:
??? ??? ?????? ??? 1984 ????? 1998.
????? ???? ??????? 1991
????? ?????? ??????? ??????? 1992
????? ???? ??? ??????? 1995
????? ???? ????? ???? ?? ??????
????? ???? ???????? ???????
????? ???? ????? ???????
???? ????? ?????? 1999
???? ???? ???????? 1993
???? ???? ??????? 1997
???? ???? ???????? ???????
??????? ???? ??????? ??????
??????? ??????? ????????
??????? ???? ????? ???????
??????? ???? ???????? ??????? 1990
??????? ??????? ??????? 1995
??????? ???? ??????? ??????? 1996
???? ????????? ??????? ??? 1992 ???? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????
???? ????????? ?????? ??????? ??? 1996
???? ?????? ?????? ???????? 1995 ???? ???? ????????
March 11th, 2012, 8:34 am
Alan said:
http://www.vesti.ru/only_video.html?vid=402359
March 11th, 2012, 8:37 am
Syria no Kandahar said:
Just a quick response to Antoine lie about Assyrians supporting Islamists,you must be dreaming.Assyrians,Christians and minorities in general are against
This Islamic Wahhabi revolution ,period.even the opposition minds after what
Islamists have done over the last year have turned away from any support or sympathy.Dara’s Kids Product has been stolen by MB and Salafi 11 months ago.
How would any Christian support these criminals,how would they support Sari
Saoud killers?How would they support the Rapists of 23 Christian girls in Alhamedia,Homs.How would they support the criminals which kicked out Alhamedia residents from their houses to the streets in home?How many Christians are from 3500 soldiers killed by Islamists criminals,at least 350,
How many Christians were killed in Homs 300?400? How many Christians
Are members of terrorists Islamists Falanges like Alfarook criminals or kaled
Ibn Alwaleed or Alkaka or zid bin Hareth or Osama bin As or ….0?
How many Christians shaved their mostach and grew beards and joined your
Jihad?
This is not a Sunni revolution it is just a pure Wahhabi terrorist movement .
March 11th, 2012, 8:53 am
Dawoud Holy Homs said:
307. irritated
Dear Mr./Ms. Irritated
(please let me know whether you are Mr. Or Ms.):It’s ok with me if you are anti-Wahabi/Salafi, but the Syrian revolution is NOT So. It’s a revolution for freedom and justice. Yes, Sunnis are 80% of Syria’s population and you seem to resent that. Why? Are you a Sunniphobe?
You and many on this board are buying Bashar’s propaganda, which he first propagated to justify his murderous tyranny in March 2011, In order to de-legitimize a legitimate/innate revolution for justice and freedom.
It will not work because, as professor Landis correctly pointed out, Bashar al-assad is “doomed” and will sooner or later fall!!!!
Please learn how to love all syrians, including sunnis. No room for sunniphobes or any-phobes in free syria. Only dictatorship-phobes will be admired in a free syria!
March 11th, 2012, 9:34 am
irritated said:
Dawood HH
“Yes, Sunnis are 80% of Syria’s population and you seem to resent that. Why? Are you a Sunniphobe?”
Syrians are Syrians independently of their religions. Yet I already told you I was salafiphobe and wahhabiphobe, do you object?
March 11th, 2012, 9:48 am
zoo said:
Idlib: another “tactical” witdrawal? The SNC renews its request for Bashar to step down before any dialog.
“Its British-based director, Rami Abdulrahman, said Idlib city was quieter after Saturday’s tank-led assault, suggesting outgunned rebels had withdrawn or decided not to confront the army, which has launched an offensive in the northwest after recapturing insurgent strongholds in the city of Homs last week.”
..
But the exiled opposition Syrian National Council ruled out talks while Assad is in power.
“Negotiations can never take place between the victim and torturer: Assad and his entourage must step down as a condition before starting any serious negotiations,” it said.
(…)
http://news.yahoo.com/syrias-assad-see-annan-again-102547795.html
March 11th, 2012, 10:05 am
zoo said:
After the Libyan model, shall we forget the Yemeni model?
Al-Qaeda, and Saleh, Cast Long Shadows Over ‘New’ Yemen
By Tom Finn / Sanaa Saturday, Mar. 10, 2012
..
Saleh, meanwhile, has vacated the presidential palace, but still heads the powerful GPC ruling party and has his relatives scattered throughout the upper echelons of the military and security apparatus. His opponents, who for years accused him of manipulating the threat of terrorism to scare Washington and Riyadh into backing him, believe he and his supporters will want to prove a point.”The West in particular will be drawing comparisons between Saleh and Hadi. Right now the growing strength of al-Qaeda only serves to make Saleh appear stronger,” said Abdullah Al-Faqih, a professor of politics at Sana’a university.
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2108729,00.html#ixzz1ook51Vth
March 11th, 2012, 10:14 am
zoo said:
Attack on Iran postponed to after November’s election?
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/mar/8/why-obama-fears-israel/
President Obama offered to give Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu military assistance for a strike on Iran. The catch is, Israel must delay action until after the November election. That’s according to several major news outlets which ran reports based on unnamed sources from Monday’s White House meeting. Whether or not this report is accurate, it underscores the power dynamics behind the nascent crisis with the Islamic Republic.
(..)
March 11th, 2012, 10:18 am
zoo said:
Annan ‘optimistic’ about Syria, but no deal yet
By ZEINA KARAM | Associated Press – 43 mins ago
http://news.yahoo.com/annan-optimistic-syria-no-deal-yet-134938461.html
U.N. peace envoy Kofi Annan says he is optimistic following two sets of talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad, but there is still no deal in place to end the bloodshed.
Annan briefed reporters in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Sunday after his meetings with Assad. He said it’s important that the crisis not degenerate further.
(..)
March 11th, 2012, 10:34 am
jad said:
How is this news going to help fsa or the snc?!
Israel mulls charity concert for Syrian insurgents
Foreign Ministry source confirms that singer-songwriter Arkadi Duchin called and volunteered to recruit leading Israeli performers for a charity rock concert.
Singer-songwriter Arkadi Duchin has asked Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman for help in organizing a charity concert to raise money for anti-government forces in Syria.
A senior Foreign Ministry official said Lieberman and his aides may approve the idea, as part of a wider effort to express public Israeli support for the rebels and denounce the slaughter of Syrian people by President Bashar Assad’s regime.
{…}
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israel-mulls-charity-concert-for-syrian-insurgents-1.417721
March 11th, 2012, 11:24 am
Uzair8 said:
Last night I listened at 1 AM to the BBC World service news headlines follow by the report on the top story (syria).
I then switched over to BBC radio 5 to catch any syria related news only to hear a familiar voice being interviewed. I was sure of who it was and at the end the presenter confirmed it. Yes Prof Landis.
Listen from 6 and a half minutes:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01d5ncg
March 11th, 2012, 11:26 am
jad said:
Is “Democracy” a Western Construct?
http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=8057
March 11th, 2012, 11:27 am
Syria no Kandahar said:
Saudi’s did 9/11
US attacked Iraq !!
March 11th, 2012, 11:35 am
Son of Damascus said:
?HARVARD INTERNATIONAL LAW JOURNAL
OPINION-EDITORIAL Online MARCH 2012
Chibli Mallat, Jane Mansbridge, Sadek Jalal al-Azm, Trudi Hodges, Mansoor al-Jamri, Ishac Diwan, Sharhabeel al-Zaeem, John J. Donohue, S.J., Yang Jianli, Ph.D.*
I. INTRODUCTION: HIGH STAKES
The iron rule of the Asad dynasty over Syria’s people is forty-two years old. It began in 1970 when then Defense Minister Hafez al-Asad carried out a bloody coup against his own party colleagues and appointed himself president. Hafez, the family patriarch and dictator for life, killed or jailed companions he perceived as his rivals, supported violent extremism whenever he found it useful, and plundered Syria’s riches while arresting and torturing any dissenter. Over two generations of Asads, a brutal government in Damascus has been the main Mideast ally of an increasingly belligerent Iran. Bashar al-Asad, the son, has acted as the chief facilitator for Sunni extremist killers in Iraq over the past ten years. In Lebanon, Asad’s father and son have wrought havoc since 1975, killing in turn Palestinians, Muslim Lebanese, Christian Lebanese, and whoever dared help the return of stability to a country torn asunder. They assassinated the most prominent Lebanese leaders who stood in their way, including Kamal Jumblat in 1977, Bashir Gemayel in 1982, and in all likelihood Rafik Hariri in 2005. Operatives of self-proclaimed “Loyal to Asad’s Syria” Hizbullah are now under indictment before the Special Tribunal of Lebanon for Hariri’s murder, and scores of journalists and politicians along with hundreds of other innocent people have been assassinated, “disappeared,” or randomly killed.
[…]
http://www.harvardilj.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/HILJ-Online_53_Mallat_et_al.pdf
March 11th, 2012, 11:37 am
son of Damascus said:
From the world to Syria: you are not alone
March 11th, 2012, 11:56 am
ann said:
Annan “optimistic” of breakthrough in Syria – March 11, 2012
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503543_162-57394981-503543/annan-optimistic-of-breakthrough-in-syria/
According to a U.N. official in Damascus who spoke to CBS News on condition of anonymity, Annan ended his talks Sunday with strong hopes he managed to make an advance in solving Syria’s year-long crisis. “He ended very candid, positive talks with Assad, and he feels very optimistic that he is making a breakthrough,” the U.N. source told CBS News.
The official said Annan will head to Qatar, Cairo and New York before returning “pretty soon” to Damascus.
Meanwhile, opposition groups have dismissed the offer for dialogue while the Syrian military continues its offensive in the north. Burhan Ghalioun, head of the Syrian National Council, the most prominent opposition group in exile, said Friday that calls for dialogue were “naive.”
Syrian forces continued to shell opposition strongholds in Homs, while fierce fighting was reported in the north Syrian town of Idlib on Saturday, where fighters from the Free Syrian Army were trying to hold back government troops.
Sixteen rebel fighters, seven soldiers and four civilians were killed in the Idlib fighting, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which said 15 other people, including three soldiers, had been killed in violence elsewhere.
U.N. sources said Annan restarted his talks with Assad after having met with Syrian religious leaders, including the grand mufti Sheikh Bader El-Deen Hassoun, the senior Sunni Muslim authority, and the Greek Orthodox Christian patriarch Zaka Iwas.
The visit to Damascus by Annan, a former U.N. Secretary-General, is the centerpiece of a high-profile international attempt to find a solution to the worsening conflict amid sharp divisions among world powers and Arab countries over how to deal with the crisis.
[…]
March 11th, 2012, 12:29 pm
jad said:
“embarrass the pro-regime crowd.”
Great job! You embarrassed yourself for the need to explain that disturbing ‘shrills and sharp squeals’ image to everybody.
Well done!
March 11th, 2012, 12:40 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Eliminating Bashar will save million lives
March 11th, 2012, 12:48 pm
jad said:
SNK,
The latest comedy sketch by our favorite friend, al 6ar6our 🙂
?? ????? ???????
http://youtu.be/9ylCC9iKylE
March 11th, 2012, 12:54 pm
Equus said:
ALGERIA ISP / Des hackers Algériens ont réussi à pirater le site de l’opposition syrienne inventé en Turquie qui se nomme l’armée Syrienne libre.
Cette réaction vient après que les traitres de cette armée libre ont brulé le drapeau Algérien et ont insulté l’Algérie.
http://www.algeria-isp.com/actualites/politique-syrie/201203-A9176/syrie-des-hackers-algeriens-piratent-site-pseudo-armee-syrienne-libre-mars-2012.html
March 11th, 2012, 12:55 pm
ann said:
Syrian troops conduct “qualitative” operation in Idlib: media – 2012-03-11
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-03/11/c_131460551.htm
DAMASCUS, March 11 (Xinhua) — Syria’s army units have started a wide-scale “qualitative” operation in the northern province of Idlib, targeting hideouts of “armed terrorist groups,” the private al-Watan daily reported on Sunday.
Fierce clashes erupted late on Saturday between the two sides, said the paper, noting that the armed groups have planted explosive devices of different sizes in many streets and public squares in the city.
Quoting an official source, the paper said the crackdown is moving to restore normalcy to the city, assuring no casualties were caused among the army.
The paper said the government has launched similar crackdown in other cities near Idlib, adding that tens of wanted criminals were arrested.
Private Sham FM radio said the army troops killed 14 of the gunmen during the operation in Idlib.
Meanwhile, an “armed terrorist group” assassinated on Saturday a Colonel in Ashrafiyyet Sahnaya, a Damascus suburb, the state-run SANA said.
It indicated that the armed group shot Colonel Nidal Sakkr when he was heading to a military unit, killing him on the spot.
Separately, SANA said Syrian authorities on Saturday clashed with “terrorist” in al-Hrak al-Sharqi area in a suburb of the southern province of Daraa, killing and arresting several ” terrorists.”
The authorities seized their weapons, included some RPG rounds, 12 shotguns, 9 military pistols, ammunition and advanced communication devices. A pick-up truck with large amounts of explosives and a car loaded with vests were also confiscated.
[…]
March 11th, 2012, 12:58 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
If KSA add one dollar to the price of Oil it will generate 3.5 billion dollar a year to the KSA, this 3.5 billion dollar can supply the FSA with the best weapon to ensure their victory.
March 11th, 2012, 1:17 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
# 358
Syrian troops are conducting “WAR CRIMES” operations in ????
Free Syria! Free Palestine!
P.s., my real name is Dawoud and my friends and co-workers do read everything I write here. I am not ashamed of anything!
Would you be ashamed if the people you know read you pro-Bashar comments here and find out true identity? Only people who think that they are anonymous feel comfortable apologizing on behalf of a killer dictator 🙂
March 11th, 2012, 1:20 pm
Tara said:
Majed
Do you think KSA and Qatar already doing this covertly?
March 11th, 2012, 1:20 pm
Equus said:
13 years since NATO aggression against Serbia: Violation of Human rights of Serbs in the Province of Kosovo and Metohija ~ by Zivadin Jovanovic (Is the author paid by Assad too?)
It is clear that there are no humanitarian military interventions.
No free and safe return for 250,000 displaced Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija
No justice for the victims
Human organs trafficking
Illegal occupation of Serbian-owned property
General insecurity
Rewriting history
Violation of right to health
Violation of right to education
http://piazzadcara.wordpress.com/2012/03/11/13-years-since-nato-aggression-against-serbia-violation-of-human-rights-of-serbs-in-the-province-of-kosovo-and-metohija-by-zivadin-jovanovic/
NATO military aggression against Yugoslavia ( Serbia ) which started March 24th, 1999 was launched to allegedly protect human rights of Kosovo Albanians. It was carried out in blatant violation of the basic principals of International Law and without approval of UN Security Council. The precedent was used later in various other parts of the world whenever it suited the interests of USA and NATO: Afghanistan , Iraq , and Libya . There are threats that it may be used against other countries like Syria, Iran, North Korea or any other country.
March 11th, 2012, 1:25 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
They can give 300,miliion dolar a month,they gave 100 million only
March 11th, 2012, 1:28 pm
Juergen said:
Tara
did you mean this movie?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iEKibIYLtvY
here is the total film
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aasFJ0Oa46c
here is a movie database for all her films
http://www.elcinema.com/person/pr1097577/
March 11th, 2012, 1:29 pm
Juergen said:
Coming back from a day at the tourist fair ITB which is here in Berlin every year. First time for me since 10 years without an syrian pavilion. They had this big damascene/aleppo style house. I usually made my joke by going there grab some old 70s style advertising leaflets( all regimes make those lousy tourist adverstising) and asked where is the picture of Bashar? Usually they would show me their mobile then and show me his picture. What was always funny is that Syria and Iran were in the same hall, and Israel right in the next hall. They always attract a big crowd because they offer many shows. This year Libanon, Jordan, Israel, Egypt were present, Iran i found later in an totally different location, very far from the arab countries. First time after 2001 i saw Iraq again today. There was one travel agent and he assured me that all Iraq could be visited nowadays. I didnt find it very convincing, but hey even Nigeria was there for 5 years now in a row, and after i have been to Lagos, i can not imagine anyone willingly wants to spent a holiday there.
March 11th, 2012, 1:42 pm
Tara said:
Jeurgen,
You are awesome!
It is ??? ?? ?????? – ???? – 1969
I did not like the ending though. I wanted her to marry the painter (Yahia Shaheen) .
March 11th, 2012, 1:48 pm
Equus said:
Obama Signs Anti-protest Trespass Bill:The Criminalization of Protest: Say Goodbye To Free Speech in America
last month that H.R. 347, the Federal Restricted Buildings and Grounds Improvement Act of 2011, had overwhelmingly passed the US House of Representatives after only three lawmakers voted against it. On Thursday this week, President Obama inked his name to the legislation and authorized the government to start enforcing a law that has many Americans concerned over how the bill could bury the rights to assemble and protest as guaranteed in the US Constitution.
Now I understand why G-8 Summit originally scheduled for Chicago moved venue to the presidential retreat at Camp David. We shall see if that is going to deter protestors….
http://piazzadcara.wordpress.com/2012/03/11/obama-signs-anti-protest-trespass-bill/
Mrs Killary Klingon promotes Syrians’ right to protest while chewing Americans’ right.
March 11th, 2012, 2:23 pm
irritated said:
#355 MajedAlkhaldoon
“Eliminating Bashar will save million lives” and kill hundred of thousands..
March 11th, 2012, 2:38 pm
irritated said:
#359 Majedalkhaldoon
“FSA with the best weapon to ensure their victory”…over Israel after?
March 11th, 2012, 2:39 pm
irritated said:
#369 Dawoud hh
Frankly, I am not really interested to know who you are. It’s enough I read you.
In any case thanks for having corrected the post where you were accusing me again of being sunniphobe.
Correct me if I am wrong but aren’t the present foreign minister and vice-president of Syria sunnis?
March 11th, 2012, 2:48 pm
Jad said:
Irritated
I guess yelling in CAPITAL letters doesn’t have any results on us 😉
SNK
Wahhabi is the trend lately, didn’t you read about Obama starting his ‘jihad’ againt freedom of speech in the US and EU another ‘jihad’ againt whoever dares to criticize the Holly snc and the terrorist ‘angels’?
P.S. No banning in March…nanananana
March 11th, 2012, 2:56 pm
Alan said:
http://news.antiwar.com/2012/03/10/us-allies-begin-talk-of-potential-military-intervention-in-syria/
US, Allies Begin Talk of Potential Military Intervention in Syria
A move to intervene militarily has no legal basis and could potentially escalate the conflict
by John Glaser, March 10, 2012
The Obama administration and its allies have begun serious discussions about potential military intervention in Syria, as political approaches have failed to stem the conflict.
Almost 70 countries and international mediators met in Tunis two weeks ago to consider possible non-military intervention to put a stop to the violence of the Assad regime and of the Syrian opposition, but impasse has led to growing willingness to consider military options.(…..)….
March 11th, 2012, 2:57 pm
Syrialover said:
This forum is a treasure chest of information for those studying the Assad regime’s propaganda machine.
(See Syrian Hamster – https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=13748&cp=all#comment-299405)
It would be an ideal project for undergraduates or bright high school students, the contents and patterns are so transparent.
One easy exercise would be to chart the block votes. Note the timing and pattern with which 14+ votes appear (lately reaching 20). There is an automatic large cluster of green thumbs up for pro-regime posts, and a symmetrical surge of red thumbs down for posts expressing concern about what is happening in Syria, even in some cases very mild remarks.
The voting system on this forum now appears corrupted and meaningless, but remains useful for this exercise.
March 11th, 2012, 2:59 pm
Alan said:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/11/soldier-shooting-afghanistan_n_1337406.html
U.S. Soldiers Open Fire On Civilians In Afghanistan
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, March 11 (Reuters) – Western forces shot dead 16 civilians including nine children in southern Kandahar province on Sunday, Afghan officials said, in a rampage that witnesses said was carried out by American soldiers who were laughing and appeared drunk ….(…)…
March 11th, 2012, 2:59 pm
Alan said:
Kurds Expect A Solution in 2012 – London Kurdish Spokesman
March 11th, 2012, 3:02 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Is Anan is a friend of Dabi?
March 11th, 2012, 3:04 pm
newfolder said:
video: the assassination of former champion boxer turned Shabih Giyath Tayfour in Aleppo today
March 11th, 2012, 3:10 pm
Mina said:
362 Equus
I have some friends in Damascus who went to some of the demos last year because they were fed up of living in what is considered a black list country and they were thinking it was the reason they were refused visas to Europe even when they had money on their bank accounts and all the required documents.
Do they know how difficult it is for an Iraqi university professor, even a Christian woman among them, to get a visa to go to a conference in the US or Europe?
They want freedom, fine, but neither Israel, Europe or the US want them to circulate freely.
March 11th, 2012, 3:12 pm
Alan said:
German Government Consultant: Targeting Syria by West Contradicts International Laws and Norms
Mar 11, 2012
http://www.sana.sy/eng/22/2012/03/11/405431.htm
BERLIN, (SANA) – German Government Consultant for Middle East Affairs, Christoph Horstel, said that targeting Syria by the West contradicts all the international laws and norms and the UN Charter.
” If they talk about a possible military intervention in Syria, they do it under the table and secretly, backed by some corrupt Arab regimes as well as Turkey,” Horstel said in an interview with Russian Today TV Channel.
Horstel warned against any blatant aggression against Syria through supporting the armed terrorist groups and arming them in addition to preparing for a direct military intervention, saying that French, British, Turkish and Saudi spies and scores of soldiers have been arrested in Syria, which is quite bad.
Horstel criticized the conference held by Syria’s enemies in Tunisia, saying,” with ‘such friends’ Syria doesn’t need enemies.”
He also criticized the Western mass media which ignores the number of the victims which have been killed by the terrorist groups.
Regarding the Russian-Chinese stance at the Security Council towards Syria, Horstel expressed support to this stance, affirming that those who support the project of targeting Syria will take decisions that can be only consumed, but at the same time they will guarantee the continuation of violence.
The German consultant described Istanbul Council as a premeditated agenda that has been previously used with regard to Iran in addition to some Arab countries including Libya.
March 11th, 2012, 3:26 pm
jna said:
380. newfoldersaid:
video: the assassination of former champion boxer turned Shabih Giyath Tayfour in Aleppo today
Newfolder, who killed him?
March 11th, 2012, 3:28 pm
ann said:
383. Alan said:
German Government Consultant: Targeting Syria by West Contradicts International Laws and Norms
.
.
The Tide is turning 😉
.
March 11th, 2012, 3:30 pm
Shami said:
It’s a shame that Ghiath turned to be a Shabeeh in exchange of what ?,i knew him very well ,during my childhood we used to buy beverage in his street kiosk in the end of al sabeel ,once he accompagnied us to nadi el ettihad in his way to his training sessions in a room under ittihad stadium.
Anyway ,shabeeha are the most legitimate target and i would have no regret if he was serving as shabeeh.
March 11th, 2012, 3:37 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
374. JAD
Keep saying “Newbie” and you may get a date 🙂 🙂
pro-Bashar apologists will never overcome shame and embarrassment to reveal their true identity. I can say the truth both in capital and smally “newbie” letters 🙂
March 11th, 2012, 3:45 pm
jad said:
Jna,
“who killed him?”
The criminal thugs of the armed militias
“Anyway ,shabeeha are the most legitimate target”
Not more ‘legitimate’ than any fsa ‘angel’ and terrorist and thug of those criminals running the streets of Syria and killing Syrians left and right because they disagree with their twisted criminal mentalities.
March 11th, 2012, 3:49 pm
bronco said:
#387 Shami
“shabeeha are the most legitimate target”
Do you have the proof he has been killing people cowardly? Maybe not.
In any case, I am against lynching. It’s primitive and deplorable especially for revolutionaries who supposedly call for a country ruled by law and justice.
March 11th, 2012, 3:50 pm
jad said:
DAVE
🙂 😉 🙂 😉 8)
March 11th, 2012, 3:50 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
P.S., I just emailed all my comments here to a listerv of friends and co-workers. One co-worker emailed me and said:
“No, it would be unthinkable that American could be ruled for 42 years by a Mormon dictator who oppresses Baptists/Evangelists/Catholics!”
Are pro-Bashar comment writers her willing to put their comments on a listserv of friends/co-workers?
Come on Irritated, Syria not Kandahar, Jad, Ann (who said that the teenage boy in Der’ah who was murdered/tortured/mutilated by Bashar’s men was killed by “Saudi terrorists!”) put your comments on a listserv of family, friends, and co-workers!
March 11th, 2012, 3:51 pm
Tara said:
Majed
Firas Tlass defecting? I happened to have attended his wedding…many years ago. Not a defection material. Extremely unlikely.. Do not know about his brother.
March 11th, 2012, 3:51 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
391. JAD
Thanks brother JAD, ??? ?????? ???
March 11th, 2012, 3:53 pm
Tara said:
Kofi Annan leaves Syria after talks with Assad
The international envoy Kofi Annan has left Syria without a deal to end the year-old conflict in the country, as regime forces mounted a new assault on rebel strongholds in the north.
The former UN secretary general said he had presented the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, with concrete proposals “which will have a real impact on the ground”.
“Once it’s agreed, it will help launch the process and help end the crisis on the ground,” he said at the end of a two-day visit.
Annan, who also met Syrian opposition leaders and business leaders in Damascus, said he was optimistic following two sets of talks with Assad, but acknowledged that resolving the crisis would be tough. “It’s going to be difficult but we have to have hope,” he said.
He called for reforms that would create “a solid foundation for a democratic Syria”. But he said: “You have to start by stopping the killing and the misery and the abuse that is going on today and then give time for a political settlement.”
….
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/11/kofi-annan-leaves-syria
March 11th, 2012, 3:53 pm
Tara said:
No dialogue with Bushbush.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-17330776
Syria National Council: Assad inciting racial hatred
11 March 2012 Last updated at 05:51 ET Help
Syria’s president is “working every single day to incite hatred” and “seeking to create ethnic and religious differences between communities”, a senior member of the opposition has claimed.
In an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Marr, she also said that the president had to stand down as a “first condition” of any negotiations between the government and opposition figures.
March 11th, 2012, 3:58 pm
jad said:
Ahleen Dawood!
March 11th, 2012, 3:59 pm
ann said:
U.S. Shifts Focus from Syria to Iran – Sunday, 11 March 2012
By Raghida Dergham
http://english.alarabiya.net/views/2012/03/11/199928.html
U.S. focus is currently centered on the Iranian issue, including its Israeli military dimension and the Russian-Chinese factor in international diplomacy. The case for undermining Iran through Syria, by mobilizing all efforts to overthrow the regime there, has somewhat receded.
[…]
Syria for these people is not an issue they are concerned about today, and the fact of the matter is that they don’t care whether Bashar al-Assad remains in power or steps down. They are speaking the language of ‘what is the alternative?’ and not the language of ‘the regime must be overthrown’, which was popular a few months ago. While these voices may be rather marginal in decision-making, they indeed influence the process of decision making, being senior pillars of the military and media institutions.
[…]
It is for this reason that both U.S. and British diplomacy speak the language of peaceful resolutions, humanitarian aid and negotiations, and not that of regime change by arming the opposition – but of regime change through Syrian-made solutions. However, this does not intimidate the regime in Damascus, which is undaunted by talk of isolation and sanctions, as much as it would be frightened by arming the opposition and the reiteration of the need to overthrow the regime.
It is in this context that the mission entrusted to former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan as a joint UN-Arab League envoy can be understood, as tantamount to a mediation mission between the United States and European countries on one hand, and Russia on the other. This is not to mention its self-evident effect in buying time for the Syrian regime on one hand, and for the benefit of the efforts for reconciliation between the United States and Russia on the other.
While Russia is not budging from its basic positions, it is making room for enticements here and foreclosing prejudgments there. Currently, Russia is partner to the Americans in scaremongering against al-Qaeda and the unknown elements in the ranks of the Syrian opposition. Russia is also partner to a segment of the Israelis in trying to persuade the other hesitant segment that the present situation in Syria is better for Israel than a restive alternative with unknown orientations.
As there are divisions in Israel with regard to the Syrian regime, there are divisions in the Arab- and even the Gulf- camp, as evidenced by the developments of last week. Saudi Arabia and Qatar are at the vanguard of the efforts and strategy to arm the Syrian opposition, while other countries in the GCC – and also the Arab League and Turkey- want regime change in Damascus to take place by way of isolation, containment and sanctions, and not through arming the opposition.
[…]
March 11th, 2012, 3:59 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
396. JAD
???? ????? ?? ?? ??? ??? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ????????? ?? ?????
March 11th, 2012, 4:03 pm
jad said:
Jna
Here is one of the criminals who are killing Syrians in the streets as the one shown in the earlier clip , this time he is showing his ‘skills’ and ‘toys’ next to an army building, yet people are still questioning why the Syrian army is attacking those terrorist militias.
??? ?????????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ???????
http://youtu.be/3FvOBdS6tT4
March 11th, 2012, 4:06 pm
jad said:
Thank you Dawood, I’ll hire you as my deputy, but you have to promise not to defect, I don’t want to link your Youtube defection on SC.
?????? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ?? ???? ??? ????
http://youtu.be/6B_-bCddO4k
March 11th, 2012, 4:07 pm
Shami said:
Bronco,
It seems that you are more inclined to give excessive compassion to shabeeha and excessive disregard to the thousands of civilian victims of assad regime.
March 11th, 2012, 4:07 pm
Ales said:
There seems to be a relatively high support for killers of a boxer champ here.
Doubt he had driven around Aleppo and shoot people himself.
March 11th, 2012, 4:15 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
401. JAD
Brother JAD:
I promise you that I will never ever DEFECT because in a free Syria, people can RESIGN and speak out AGAINST the government WITHOUT facing jail, torture, murder, mutilation!
I will be honored to be your deputy in a free Syrian government after the removal, arrest, and trial of Bashar al-Assad!
March 11th, 2012, 4:24 pm
Alan said:
399. ???? ?????? ???? ?????? :
396. JAD
???? ????? ?? ?? ??? ??? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ????????? ?? ?????
????? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ?????????? ????? ??????? ???? ???????? 🙂
March 11th, 2012, 4:30 pm
Uzair8 said:
302. majedkhaldoun said:
“The FSA who they are the Angels must get weapons ,specific weapons…….. and yes their God Bashar must be the target.”
Normal weapons are useless against Assad and his Beastmen. These creatures can only be exterminated by flamethrower. In fact if the High Priest is eliminated then the rest of his army will be destroyed (vanish into thin air).
It is therefore of utmost urgency that the SNC/FSA dispatch a flamethrower assasin and hunt down the said target. The creature’s end will be one of shrills and sharp squeals along with violent and impossible outer body contortions as ‘the thing’ struggles in its final moments.
This the signal for the completion of the revolution.
March 11th, 2012, 4:40 pm
jad said:
“These creatures can only be exterminated by flamethrower.”
“The creature’s end will be one of shrills and sharp squeals along with violent and impossible outer body contortions as ‘the thing’ struggles in its final moments.”
A true reflection of the disturbing and sick ‘stani’ mentality of the writer.
March 11th, 2012, 4:41 pm
Uzair8 said:
@351 JAD.
Obviously I didn’t mean it literally.
It was another reference to Adnan Bakour’s ‘Godless Beastmen’ speech.
The point was to describe the apparant unhuman nature of the regime. The mention of ‘flamethrower’, ‘squeals’ and ‘contortions’ was in reference to the monster movie ‘The Thing’.
The idea is to portray the regime as the monsters which they are and thus awaken the conscience of the regime supporters (or embarrass them if the are obstinate.)
March 11th, 2012, 4:41 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
???? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ????????? ?? ?????? ??????
As reported by All for Syria
March 11th, 2012, 4:41 pm
Mina said:
A, B, I, J, S,
What happened to D? Did he find a stock of al-Jazeera pills? Maybe to share them with SL
would help cure the latter’s recent paranoia crisis?March 11th, 2012, 4:42 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
The evil forces kill another Syrian ,This time a sport champion :Why?
The same darkness bats which slaughtered Iraq tikwando team few years ago.
With every Syrian blood they needlessly expell these evil terrorists sink more:
Terrorists Assassinate a Syrian Sportive Champion
Terrorists assassinate this morning a Syrian international sportive champion Giath Taifour from Aleppo.
Shukumaku reporter said that the terrorists attacked Taifour near the University Square in the city of Aleppo and shot him in the head.
March 11th, 2012, 4:43 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Irritated
you said
and kill hundred of thousands..
That is not true,Assad is the obstacle,if he goes, democracy will follow.
And the victory is against Assad,who is killing Syrian,,and I agree with Dawoud.you are sunniphobic,could you answer me ,why 80% of Syrian should be slaves to Assad family mafia?
Moderator,
SNK made personal insult,#365, he should be banned permanently
March 11th, 2012, 4:43 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
March 11th, 2012, 4:44 pm
Uzair8 said:
#666 TARA said:
“Uzair
The story about Fawaz Alakhrass denouncing his son-in-law Bashar al Assad is not true.”
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=13847&cp=14#comment-299207
666 always the bearer of bad news. Lol
Sorry for not replying earlier but I had ‘departed’ promising to return at first light on the fifth day. I was still following the blog and after reading your comment I tried to get more news on this via google and there was nothing.
Not surprised if true as it was hard to believe. Would you have a source confirming this story is not true?
The Sunday Express really should do better than this (if the story is untrue.)
March 11th, 2012, 4:54 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
Dear Moderator:
I strongly disagree with your editing of my comments. I honestly did not expect anybody to real his/her identity. I was trying to make a point: those who defend Bashar and his war crimes would be embarrassed to reveal their true identity. I will not type in capital, but that’s not something that should cause you to ban my comments.
Did you ban irritated when he called me Shiaphobe? Or, is it the Sunniphobes that seems to be offensive.
Please take a deep breath and re-visit my comments. They should neither be edited nor banned. I did not not think that this blog utilized some of the tactics used by the Syrian ministry of information!
Do you remember when ANN (who claims that Hamza al-Khateeb was killed by “Saudi terrorists”) indirectly accused me and those who disagree with the murderous dictator of being a Blackwater-CIA operatives. She said something like: “I wonder how many of them are posting on this board.” You did not edit her, but you are editing me. I will email my full comments, and ANN’s/Irritated’s for an “neutral” review!
Best,
Dawoud
March 11th, 2012, 5:00 pm
bronco said:
#399 Shami
If you blame the regime for the brutal killings, you justify it to yourself because, for you, this regime is ‘evil’. Then how do you justify the lynching by revolutionaries who are supposed to represent the ‘good’ and will bring ‘justice’ in the future Syria?
It seems to me that both sides are made of the same materials. I then rather stick to the ‘bad’ ones I know and who have an internationally recognized legitimacy than to the ‘good’ revolutionaries who lynch their opponents and that no country in the world has given any legitimacy.
Their vengeful and brutal acts give us a small glimpse of what is to come if ever they take the power.
When one fights for justice, there is no excuses of not practising it, otherwise it’s a lie to the others and to oneself.
March 11th, 2012, 5:00 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Shami,
No Syrian deserves to die like that (Shabeeh or not), they are our brothers and if they did kill innocent Syrians then their crimes should be recorded and tried in a court of Law in the new Syria.
Revenge killings like that will result in a lot of blood letting, and will further stain Syrian soil. We should not fall to the same level of the goons we are fighting against, if we continue to battle with just violence, the blood letting will never end.
March 11th, 2012, 5:06 pm
Tara said:
Uzair @666
I was not speculating. I know for a fact that it is not true. Moreover, Fawaz Akhrass, not too long ago, was running a fund raising event in support of his son-in-law.
March 11th, 2012, 5:07 pm
irritated said:
#352 Equus
The FSA has still not fixed their hacked site.
http://www.freesyrianarmy.org
Where is the nerd in Sweden? We don’t hear about him anymore. He could at least give them a hand to correct this indignity.
March 11th, 2012, 5:11 pm
Son of Damascus said:
A great piece by Amal Hanano. Really makes me proud to see such beautiful writing done by a great Syrian lady.
Syria’s non-violent activists were the first to be targeted
Amal Hanano
Mar 12, 2012
Lately, there has been a debate among Syrians about when the revolution began. Did it start with the “Days of Rage” Facebook page? Or the February 17 protest in Al Hariqa neighbourhood of Damascus? The March 15 protest in the capital for the release of political prisoners? The imprisonment and torture of teenagers in Deraa? All of these events were factors that sparked an uprising that is now one year old. But some seeds of dissent were sown years before.
In 2003, in the Damascus suburb of Daraya, Yehya Shurbaji and a group of university friends who called themselves “The Youth of Daraya” initiated a campaign to fight corruption. They walked into shops and gave out posters illustrating three cases of everyday corrupt acts: paying bribes, running red lights and not waiting in line. They spoke gently to people, explaining how each of us – as Syrian citizens – was responsible for seemingly innocent or even culturally tolerated actions that corrupt society.
The Youth of Daraya believed in social activism, and were inspired by historic examples of non-violent movements. They started a mobile library and distributed books to the community. They cleaned the streets. They screened films about Gandhi in the mosque. People in Daraya at first resisted the young men, but slowly began to embrace their optimistic message. And Daraya began to change.
[…]
http://www.thenational.ae/featured-content/home/middle-national-conversation/syrias-non-violent-activists-were-the-first-to-be-targeted#full
March 11th, 2012, 5:14 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
Moderator
I didn’t get e mail from you
Majeed
You suggested to have 3.5 billions for FSA from
SA and golf money,how did I insult you ifi was just
Repeating your idea.
March 11th, 2012, 5:16 pm
Uzair8 said:
In hyancite I feel my comment #348 was ill judged and could be wrongly interpreted in the current circumstances. This was not the intention and it has dawned on me that one has to be very careful and take into consideration the ongoing situation in which torture is a reality. I apologise for any insensitivity. It was unintended.
The least I could have done was to explain my comments better and eliminate any room for misunderstanding or misinterpretation. I have been in the habit of dropping in ‘film’ references as have other users (Fredo) and been a touch light-hearted at times. In future a bit of caution and extra thought should be used by oneself.
It was in response to a comment predicting Assad’s end. Would it be like Saddam at the end of a rope or Gaddafi via bullet. The idea was Assad was a monster, an alien creature contained in a physical body. Immune to ordinary weapons hence the flamethrower. The squealing was also in this context (natural sound of a creature) and not any sadistic meaning.
I hope I haven’t dug myself a bigger hole trying to explain myself.
March 11th, 2012, 5:20 pm
zoo said:
What does Israel and the US think about the new born democracy in Egypt?
Is Russia is back in force in the Middle East?
Egypt parliament to consider cutting off US aid
By HAMZA HENDAWI | Associated Press – 35 mins ago
CAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s parliament moved Sunday toward a vote to order an end to more than $1 billion in U.S. aid, a reflection of tensions with Washington over the case of Americans charged with illegal activity by their pro-democracy groups.
http://news.yahoo.com/egypt-parliament-consider-cutting-off-us-aid-151250364.html
March 11th, 2012, 5:25 pm
Uzair8 said:
Uzair@ 404
I meant I wouldn’t be surprised if the Sunday Express story was untrue as it was hard to believe. I wasn’t referring to TARA’s comments veracity.
March 11th, 2012, 5:26 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
I wonder what would be the message of Kofi Annan if Assad had killed not 10.000 but just 10 israelis. Kofi Annan represents the more stupid side of the UN. They try to negotiate with a Regime that is a Criminal Against Humanity while almost all members of UN were very clear about their intentions and message to be forwarded to Assads. Annan is simply bertraying UN General Assembly decisions and trying to save Assad because US and Israel need Assad to keep tight control on Syria develompents. This a complete mess.
March 11th, 2012, 5:34 pm
Uzair8 said:
Saw some video footage of Kofi Annan meeting Syrian religious figures.
Does anyone know what Mufti Hassoun handed over to Kofi Annan? A gift. The Christian leader alongside kissed the object out of respect.
March 11th, 2012, 5:35 pm
Tara said:
Dear Uzair8
I never took it in a bad way. I want to be emphatic about it so Fawaz does not get a credit he does not deserve.
March 11th, 2012, 5:39 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Syrian soldiers accused of ‘extreme brutality’ by activist
A Syrian activist has told the BBC of extreme brutality against men, women and children in Syria. She said the international community must now intervene.
Nadia (not her real name), from Damascus, told the BBC: “Death is near, and that’s fine.
“But the suffering throughout this process, when you see many women with their children killed in front of them, many women with their children kidnapped, they don’t even know where they are, they can’t ask where they are, many women, their husbands killed in front of them…
“The suffering is extreme, and then you have this fear, and I’m really sorry to tell you, it is not only women who get raped.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17311569
(6 min radio interview)
March 11th, 2012, 5:42 pm
jad said:
A report about Sarot`s sectarian slogans heard on TV couple days ago:
?? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ???????
??? ???? ??????? – ???
??? ???????? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ??????? ? ???? ?? ????? ????? ? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ????? ?? ????? ??? ??? ????? 2011 ? ??? ??? ????? ???? ” ???? ????” ???????? ??????? ??? ???? ?????? (?? ?? ??? ?????? ??????? ) ??? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ?????? ????? ???????? ???? ??? ??? ????? ????? ? ??? ????? ???? ?? ?? ??? ???? ??????????? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ????? .
????? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ?? ???????? ???? ???? ???
” ???????? ” ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ??????? ???? ?????? ??? ” ???? ?????? ” ??? ???? ” ???? ???? ?????… ” ???? ???? ???? ???? ?? ????????? ????????? ?????? ????? ????? ? ???? ??????.
?????? ??? ????? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ??????? ??? ????? ????????? ????????? ?? ” ???? ??? ????????” ?? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ?? ???? ????? .
????? ?? ???? ?? ???????? ????? ???? ???? ???? … ???? ???? ?? ????? ????? ????? ?? ???? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ??? ??? ??????? ?????? 18 ???? 2011 ? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ???????? ? ?????? “??????? ” ??? ???? ” ??????? ???????? ! ?? ??? ??? ????? ?? ????? ? ???? ????? ???? ” ???? ” ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ?? ???? “????? ????” ???? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ? ??? ????? ??? ??????? ??????? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ????…. .
??? ???????? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ???????? ???? ???? ??????? ???? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ???????? ??????? ?? ????? ????????? ????????? ????????? ?? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ???? .
??? ?? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ????? ?? ????? ??? ??? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? !
??? ???? ????? ?? ???? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ??? 18 ????? 2011 ?? ??? ???? ???? ??? ?? ????? ????? ??? !! ???? ??? ??? ???? ???? ??? ???? ????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ??? ????? ???? ????? ????????? ?????? ????? !
?? ?? ??? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ?? ” ??????” ??? ??? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ?????? ????… ??? ??? ???? ! ??? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ? ???? ????? ???????? ???????? ????? ??????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ??????.
?? ??? ???? ??? ????? ??? ???? ????????? ?????? ??? ??? ??????? ? ??????? ????? ?? ??????? ?? ??? ??????? ??????? ? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ??????? ??? ?????? ? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ? ????? ???? ?? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ????? !!
??? ????? “???????” ?????? ??????? ???? ?????? ????? ??????? ??????? ??? ??????? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ???????? ???????? ?? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ? ??????? ???? .
???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ???????? ???????? ??? ??????? ??????? ? ?????? ???? ?????????? ? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ????? ??? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ??????? ?????? !
??? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ? ??????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ????????? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ?? ????? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ? ????? ???? ??????? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ???????? ????? ???? ??? ???????? ?????? ? ???????? ?? ???? ??????? ???????? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ???????? ?????? ????? ???????? ????? ???? ???????? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? .
(…)
http://arabi-press.com/?page=article&id=26905
March 11th, 2012, 5:44 pm
jad said:
The report of BBC is the usual propaganda of `let`s go to war`and `let the civil war begin` nothing new of the Brits` news outlet.
Now BigBird* has his own condition to solve the `Syrian`crisis away from the official Syrian oppositions, he wants the world to give us weapons to kill each others till the last Syrian in the name of `religion`,`god` and `international law`…khaliji wahabi thinking kind of thing:
My answer is as Mr. Manna3; go promote the bloody Jihad in qatar and ksa. Stay away from our Syria. Criminals!
?? ???? : ????? ?? ????? ???????? ??????? ?? ?? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ??????? ??????? ????????
??? ???? ??????? ?????? ????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ???? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ??? ??? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ???????”? ????? ??? ?? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ??? ????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ????????? ?? ??? ?? ???? ???? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ????? ??????”.
???? ?? ???? ?? ???? ?? ???? “???????”? “???? ??? ???? ???? ??? ??? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ?????”.
?????: “??? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ??????? ??????? ?? ?? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ??????? ??????? ????????”? ????? ??? ?? ???? ???? “???? ????? ??? ???? ????? ???? ?? ?? ???? ???? ???????? ?? ??????”.
????: “??? ???? ?????? ???? ??????? ?? ?????”.
March 11th, 2012, 5:59 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
Once again the Assad regime is mocking the international community with the consent of superpowers (China, Russia, US and Israel), in order to Assad to take time to fulfill the ¨Final Solution¨ against its own population. As long as Assad mafia and its corrupt system remains in power syria people will not live nor die in peace and dignity.
March 11th, 2012, 6:00 pm
Tara said:
William Scott Scherk,
Where are you? I am itching for a psychoanalysis from you.
March 11th, 2012, 6:06 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Jad,
“The report of BBC is the usual propaganda of `let`s go to war`and `let the civil war begin` nothing new of the Brits` news outlet.”
It was not a report, it was an activist speaking of what she saw and heard from her fellow activists. She is testifying that women are being raped while detained, husbands made to watch as their wives are being raped, and that even children are being raped.
March 11th, 2012, 6:17 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
JAD,
It is so easy to make you kind of pro-regime propaganda when you are outside Syria and do not suffer army attacks, random detentions and tortures, check points, power shortages, savings eroded by lira loses, mazoot shortages, etc. It is very easy and free of charge to write whatsoever propaganda. But I believe you are bertraying the true spirit of most syrians who want once for all to live with more dignity, freedom, social justice and equal and fair rule of law. I think you know it inside. So at the end you will have to confront your own contradictions.
March 11th, 2012, 6:29 pm
jad said:
Son of Damascus,
I’m sorry but she sounds like ‘Syrian Danny’ and I don’t believe her.
All this exaggerations are identical to every pre-war propaganda our region had seen.
Please read this article, I’m surprised that the trashy wahabi propaganda of al s3oud newspaper alsharq alawsat publish such a gem:
?????? ?? ????…????? ????
?? ??? 1991 ??? ?????? ?????????? ??? ??????? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ?? ???????? ?? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ??? ??? ???? ????? ??????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ??? ?? ???? ???? ??? ????? ?? ??? ???????. ??? ????? ????? ??????? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ??????? ???????? ??????? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ??? ?? ??? ??????? ??? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ????????? ??? ?? ??????? ?????? ?? ??????? ?? ?? ???? ???? ?? ?? ??????? ??? ?? ???????? ?????????? ??? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ????.
?????? ?? ????? ????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ????????? ????????? ???????.. ??? ????? ???? ????????. ???? ?????? ?? ??? ????? «?????»? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ??? ???? ????.. ??? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??? ???????? ??? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ??? ???? ????????????? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ???????? ?? ?????????? ????? ??? ?????????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ???????.
??? ?? ??? ?? ???????????? ????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ?????????? ???? ??? ??? ???????? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ????? ???? ?? ?????????? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ???????. ????????????? ?? ??????? ?? ??? ?????????? ??? ??? ???? ?? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ?????.. ???????????? ???? ?????????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ???????? ???????? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? ?? ???? ???????. ????? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ??????? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ??????? ????? ?????? ?? ?? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ????????.
{…}
http://www.aawsat.com/leader.asp?section=3&article=667433&issueno=12157
March 11th, 2012, 6:43 pm
Uzair8 said:
#424 Son of Damascus.
I feel horrified reading that. If I experienced (had to view)anything like that it would break me as a human being. I wouldn’t be able to live on.
Where are the menfolk? When will they rise up and defend their honour? Defend and protect their women and children? If this does not move the silent majo…section to brake their silence then what will.
I’m a coward and I don’t feel right asking such questions or expecting such demands from syrians. However a time comes when people are moved to act. I am reminded of a Sheikh Yaqoubi speech.
Continued in next comment….
March 11th, 2012, 6:49 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
07. IRRITATED said:
299. DAWOUD HOLY HOMS
Can I be salafiphobe and wahhabiphobe without offending you? Anyway you are shiaphobe and possibly alawiphobe aren’t you?”
Irritated (do you prefer Mr. or Ms.?):
I already told you that I don’t have a problem with you being anti-Wahabi/Salafists. I just have a problem with you being Sunniphobe, which is a sign of bigotry and racism. I am not ani-Shia, but I haven’t yet found Shias criticizing the brutal repression in Syria. I used to admire Hasan Nasrallah (I Obviously knew tht he was Shia) Until he revealed his true sectarian face and began to apologize on behalf of a brutal murderous dictator simply because he is killing sunni muslims. Iran is also doing the same thing.
As to alawis, professor Landis mentioned that 80% of military officers are alawi
(i don’t know the percentage of christians), and they are leading the murder of sunnis. I already said that I admire the alawi fadwa suleiman because she is on the side of justice. I don’t have problems with alawis who don’t participate in the repression.
Now, you ask me whether it matters that 80% of Syrians are sunnis, and I say yes it does. Why? Because we need something like affirmative action; where there is no way that 80% of Syria’s army commanders are alawi!!!!! Also, an alawi dictatorial family has been ruling for 42 or 43 years? Is this fair? Could the united states be ruled by a mormon, who oppresses baptists/evangelists, for 42 years [!]
[WAKE UP IRRITATED BECAUSE YOU SUNNIPHOBIA AND LOVE FOR A MURDEROUS DICTATOR IS BLINDING YOU! I STILL WILL DEFEND YOUR POLITICAL/CIVIL/ECONOMIC/LEGAL RIGHTS IN A FREE SYRIA!]
March 11th, 2012, 6:49 pm
jad said:
SL
“do not suffer army attacks”
Like the one fsa is doing and linked couple comments before?
“random detentions and tortures”
Like taking people hostage and ask for ransom before torturing them. take video of them, sell it to BBC before they chop those Syrians in pieces and throwing them out in the street?
“check points”
You mean the one where the terrorists have to force people to what they want or the Syrian Army check point done to protect Syrians from the terrorists of the other check points?
“power shortages” “mazoot shortages”
You mean because terrorists attacking power towers, fuel trucks, refinery pipelines, and the sanctions you and others were begging for?
“savings eroded by lira loses”
You mean because of the khalijis and warmongers draining the average Syrian money to be easy for them to occupy and take away their independence and pride?
See SL, what you wrote is all the work of the bloody crisis many terrorists and criminals and thugs put all of us in…
March 11th, 2012, 6:53 pm
Uzair8 said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3UYdDbFgy0&feature=player_embedded
Calling on The People of Syria
By shaykh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi
…
Where are dignity, honour, pride, defense, heroism and manhood? We the people of this religion, the people of honour, how could we be content with humiliation and subjugation? How could there be such bloodshed and attacks against our women yet we remain silent in our homes…
…
Or maybe you fear this man or the other, or for your business, or fear for your work and job? There will be a time where neither your business nor your work will benefit you….
…
Do the people who remain in their homes not ponder this verse? I am speaking to people who sap the morale of others by staying home. I am speaking to those who fear their shadows. I say, if you turn away from, Allah shall replace you with other people who will not be (cowards) like you.
Read more (incl video) :
http://www.yanabi.com/index.php?/topic/421654-syria-update-thread/page__view__findpost__p__433019
March 11th, 2012, 6:58 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
SNK
You refered to me as wahhabi terrorist
Monday,there will be a meeting in the SC of the UN,United States does not expect Russia to chamge its mind, If that is so,Hamad Bin Jassem will declare that time has come to send Arabic troops to protect the Syrian,
I believe Hamad Bin Jassem should be the ruler of Syria.
March 11th, 2012, 7:14 pm
Syrialover said:
Sometimes it’s fun to watch what is going on here.
#4 BRONCO posts a gee-I-wonder question about the price of food in Syria
#17 His buddy JAD replies: “Locally produced food; bread, vegetable, fruits, dairy products, meat, chicken, oil, ghee, zaatar, sugar, wheat..etc. prices DID NOT GO UP that much than before the crisis, so it’s still affordable by almost all Syrians, even some food (Veg, fruits) went cheaper because of not exporting them outside the country.” (Jad’s capitals)
#21 BRONCO thanks him for the good news and evidence that Syrians aren’t suffering
Then, as the rest of us sat here howling in laughter at the absurdity and Tara in #25 called Jad out for being implausible, we get:
#34 JAD: “the prices ARE BAD, everything is more expensive than before, the local products are up too but not as bad as the 50-100% of the imported stuff (for example, bread up 5 lera, cucumber was 25 is now 35 while banana was 60 is now 130…etc.)” (Jad’s capitals)
#36 Rushing in to help with the credibility repair job, his buddy BRONCO says: “also got the same confirmation from Damascus that prices have gone up significantly on sugar, eggs, chicken etc.. sometime more than 60% Also that some shops are now ask for dollars for their goods. It is getting very bad for the average syrian, it’s really sad.”
So there’s a nice one for those making a study of this forum. A textbook flip-over and screeching U-turn.
March 11th, 2012, 7:15 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Jad,
Her sorrow and tears seemed genuine to me, and for the record what she said of what is happening in Syrian jails is nothing new to the moukhabarat, they have doing this for decades.
Rape is perhaps the only crime that gets covered up in our country, because of the supposed shame it brings upon the family, to the detriment of the victims.
I don’t believe she would have made that up, her emotions are too real coming from the heart (at least that is how I perceived it).
As for the Sharq El Awsat article, you are surprised that a newspaper from the gulf is advocating a dictatorship, all of the gulf is run by dictators (especially Saudi) and they never wanted Mubarak gone, so why would they stop now?
March 11th, 2012, 7:19 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Majed,
“I believe Hamad Bin Jassem should be the ruler of Syria.”
WHAT?!!!!!!!
No, no, and a HELL NO!.
The only people that are going to rule Syria is its own people, it is about time we take a hold of our own country from the clutches of “rulers” that had the sake of their own pockets and agendas over their “people”.
March 11th, 2012, 7:31 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Son of Damascus
Shame on those who claim that they support women rights, yet they support the regime who commit such haneous crimes,don’t they have wives,daughters or sisters?
March 11th, 2012, 7:37 pm
Equus said:
US soldier kills 16 Afghan civilians in shooting spree.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/officials-us-member-opened-fire-afghan-civilians-south-100152602.html
I guess the twin brother is somewhere in Syria. I’m looking forward to see if Anderson Cooper will cover this story tomorrow or dismiss it as a stand alone incident.
——————-
On another complicit NATO country in Syria:
Friday’s conviction of Shabaaz Hussain a former British teaching assistant for donating thousands to Al Shabaab is just the latest reason the Somali terrorist group is increasingly a priority for British security services.
With news stories of somewhere in the region of 50 British passport holders fighting alongside Al Shabaab, British officials are vigilant to the potential for terrorist plots that might emanate from Somalia in the future.The security of the region was in the spotlight last month at an international conference that drew top government officials from around the world.
http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/09/al-shabaabs-british-accent/comment-page-1/#comment-93986
Brits have to be concerned of the terrorist plots that might emanate from arming the rebels in Syria & Libya. What goes around come around.
March 11th, 2012, 7:39 pm
Dale Andersen said:
From the
EU/Jew/Salafist/al Queda/Saudi/CIA Press:“…senior rebels said Friday that recent defections were partly due to Sunni officers coming under increasing threat from higher-ranking Alawites. ‘The situation has changed very quickly in Syria,’ said Col. Aref Hammoud, who was among dissident soldiers who greeted the incoming defectors in the southern Turkey camp that houses the Free Syrian Army. ‘Everyone, including top generals, now fear for their lives.’ Mr. Hammoud described recent high-ranking defectors relaying stories of Sunni officers in Syria being detained, and their families being pursued. ‘Just being Sunni is suspect,’ he said. A higher-ranking defector said some 2,000 Sunni officers have been detained since the start of the uprising last year….”
March 11th, 2012, 7:50 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Uzair,
You are not a coward for asking such questions, it is an absolute necessity to ask no demand such questions. Not only from the people in the sidelines, turning their backs to such crimes, but from the perpetrators that did these heinous crimes.
As for the Sheikh Yaqoubi, while I do understand and support your decision to find inspiration from a Sheikh or a Holy person or a Holy Book, I personally choose not to involve myself in religious dogma, I find it complicates things rather than simplify them for me.
I hope you don’t take this as me attacking your faith, or beliefs. I am just expressing my personal experience with religion.
March 11th, 2012, 7:52 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
Wahabi geniuson this forum wants to big Wahhabi pigs for 3.5 billions to buy weapons for Wahhabi terrorists to kill 500000 Syrian soldiers (400000 Sunni )And many other innocent Syrians ,to ensure victory.So victory bought by oil money is fine?
Even by Israeli weapons it is fine? What happened to the 80 billion dollars outside Syria ,they are not giving katebat Alfarook few cents to continue killing and terrorizing people?
Keep waiting for a victory bought by oil money.
March 11th, 2012, 7:54 pm
Juergen said:
Alan 375/Ann
Just for the record Christoph Hoerstel is no longer an advisor to the government.( since 2006) Actually he lost his job in which he was advising some parts of the government ( not Merkel or the foreign ministry) because of his remarks and his provocative behaviour, and advisors usually keep a distance from the media. His views are as balanced as the Voltaire networkers or the Larouche Movement.
March 11th, 2012, 7:55 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
I don’t have a problem with ANYBODY being anti-Wahabi/Salafist. I just have a problem with ANYBODY being Sunniphobe, which is a sign of bigotry and racism. Salafist” and “wahhabi” is a code name that bashar the dictator invented to justify his repression of Syrians’ legitimate revolt for freedom /justice! Bashar’s apologists here are singing the same song!! (I don’t think that if their true identity is revealed that they would say the same thing because they know it’s SAHMEFUL to defend a murderous dictator). I am not ani-Shia, but I haven’t yet found Shias criticizing the brutal repression in Syria. I used to admire Hasan Nasrallah (I obviously knew that he was shia) until he revealed his true sectarian face and began to apologize on behalf of a brutal murderous dictator simply because he is killing sunni muslims. Iran is also doing the same thing.
As to alawis, professor Landis mentioned that 80% of military officers are alawi (i don’t know the percentage of christians), and they are leading the murder of sunnis.
I already said that I admire the alawi Fadwa Suleiman because she is on the side of justice. I don’t have problems with alawis who don’t participate in the repression.
It matters that 80% of Syrians are sunnis, and yes it does!!! Why? Because we need something like affirmative action; where there is no way that 80% of Syria’s army commanders are alawi!!!!! Also, an alawi dictatorial family has been ruling for 42 or 43 years? Is this fair? Could the United States be ruled by a mormon, who oppresses baptists/evangelists, for 42 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wake up Bashar’s apologists/supporters because your sunniphobia and love for a murderous dictator is blinding you! I still will defend your political/civil/economic/legal rights in a free syria!
March 11th, 2012, 7:56 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Moderater
Why revlon was banned?
he was very polite, and very smart, he was a great asset to SC, You changed the rules and suddenly you are banning those against Assad,keeping those who are supportive of Assad,
Revlon I hope you come back your comments were the best SC had.and if the moderator ban you again we all will quit.
March 11th, 2012, 7:57 pm
Juergen said:
I want to share a video of a young 19 year old Egyptian. Ramy organized all major demonstrations here in Berlin over the last year. He was starting with organizing protests against Mubarak, and then went on organizing the demonstrations against Jemen, and Libya as well as against Syria. If it wasnt for this young fellow we would not have seen the turnout of hundreds on the street. I have no clue how his voice sounds without the husky tone, this guy is on every demonstration the loudest. Thank you Ramy!
March 11th, 2012, 7:59 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Majed,
“Shame on those who claim that they support women rights, yet they support the regime who commit such heinous crimes,don’t they have wives,daughters or sisters?”
It is a crying shame, and I can guarantee you they all have mothers.
Rapist and to a higher degree child molesters are monsters that get their high on the agony of their victims. At the very least they deserve to be castrated!
March 11th, 2012, 8:00 pm
Juergen said:
Syria the future
March 11th, 2012, 8:03 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
just reported, a massacre in Homs ,Karm al Zeitoun, 47 women and children murdered by Shabbiha, very awful pictures, very heart breaking, this is the regime morality, this is Assad supporters, it is a crime no other crime equal it, people in their homes, they are armless, they are murdered by Shabbiha,
SOD
we had Nasser as president of Syria, anyone who loves Syria is Syrian.
March 11th, 2012, 8:09 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Majed,
“we had Nasser as president of Syria, anyone who loves Syria is Syrian.”
And because of Nasser’s arrogance we ended up with the Baath party.
Democracy does not run freely in the Gulf, so please understand that I don’t particularly care for a Democracy lesson from one of their rulers.
” a massacre in Homs ,Karm al Zeitoun, 47 women and children murdered by Shabbiha”
Video of the aftermath, Allah yer7amon.
(I feel uneasy posting this, very horrific)
March 11th, 2012, 8:18 pm
Juergen said:
Majed
thats aweful news where are the pictures shown?
I have a book which was printed in the short span of this unified Egypt-Syria. A young swiss photographer made some nice shoots of the country.I hear from many that this time was among the best the country had, what do you think?
March 11th, 2012, 8:18 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
Majeed
You are lying,nothing in my post is about you being terrorists,in fact if you read it
I called you
genius,Wahhabi is not an insult especially for someone using sectarian language day and night.read this statement from batriark Hazem,keep Asking moderator to ban me permanently
because you don’t like the sun,and your fingers are not enough to hide it:????? ???? ???? ???????? ???????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ????? ?????? ????? ????????? ?? ???????? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ?? ?? ????? ??????? ????????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ??? ????????? ???? ??? ?? ????? ??? ????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ??? ??????????.
???? ??? ?? ????? ???? ??? ??????? ??????? ???? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ????? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???? ??? ???.
March 11th, 2012, 8:19 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
RE: 403.
I will email them to Professor Landis. You seem very interested in editing me and anti-Bashar folks, but not the personal conspiratorial attacks that come form people like Irritated, Ann, …
A moderator should be neutral!
March 11th, 2012, 8:19 pm
irritated said:
#432
“I believe Hamad Bin Jassem should be the ruler of Syria.”
Oh yes! Long live to HBJ and the Queen.
http://blog.thaeger.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/muppet-look-alikes-Big-Bird-Queen-Elizabeth-II.jpg
March 11th, 2012, 8:22 pm
Tara said:
Oh My God! The link in 449 is horrific. This is a Syrian Sabra and Shatila.
And we are supposed to live with the animals who committed such crimes? And we are asked to negotiate with them? We shall not be reconcile ourselves to animals. They belong to underground and the FSA will get the job done.
March 11th, 2012, 8:30 pm
zoo said:
A new Gaza war?
The first “Iron Dome” real life test.
Iron Dome intercepts 8 rockets ( out of 14); IDF strikes Gaza
By JPOST.COM STAFF AND REUTERS
Last updated: 03/11/2012 14:32
http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=261327
Over 130 rockets and mortar shells fall on Israel since Friday; Palestinian medical sources says 12-year-old boy killed in northern Gaza; over 200,000 children stay at home from school. nce drew appeals for a cease-fire from the European Union, the West Bankbased Palestinian Authority and Egypt. IDF sources said that Israel was in constant touch with Egypt.
…
In the Gaza Strip, thousands attended funerals for the dead gunmen on Saturday, listening to speeches calling for revenge.
Gaza officials said Israeli troops opened fire on mourners at a burial for an Islamic Jihad gunman attended by hundreds at a cemetery near the Israeli frontier fence, wounding four. The IDF did not have an immediate comment on the incident.
March 11th, 2012, 8:34 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Tara,
It really is horrific and beastly. The animals that did this just can’t be human, it is just despicable.
There are more videos but I can’t stomach to watch them let alone share them.
Allah yer7amon, oh yel3an ro7 el ataloun.
March 11th, 2012, 8:47 pm
Tara said:
The world must intervene. 47 women and children slaughtered in their houses by Sabeehas. Some were burned. Time has come for no fly zone and safe haven. This is enough. The footage are horrific and nauseating. The footage is on Aljazeera. Shelling was paused for few hours to allow shabeehas to enter Karm al Zeitoun to commit the massacre.
March 11th, 2012, 8:52 pm
zoo said:
Explosive crisis involving Syria opposition, UAE police chief, Yusuf Al Qaradawi and Egypt Moslem Brotherhood
Thamer Subaihi
Mar 12, 2012
http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/syria-bid-to-resolve-yusuf-dispute
Syrian opposition leaders moved yesterday to defuse a verbal spat involving the UAE, Dubai’s police chief and the Muslim Brotherhood.
The Syrian National Council denied asking the controversial Sheikh Yusuf Al Qaradawi to intervene in the dispute, the state news agency Wam reported.
“We do not need a mediator between us and the UAE, with which we have strong ties,” the council said. The dispute began when a group of Syrians had their residence permits revoked after a demonstration outside their country’s consulate in Dubai on February 10.
The move was criticised by Sheikh Yusuf, who has strong links to Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and features in his own programme on Al Jazeera.
In response, the Dubai police chief, Lt Gen Dahi Khalfan Tamim, threatened to issue a warrant for Sheikh Yusuf’s arrest if he repeated his criticism of the UAE.
A Muslim Brotherhood spokesman, Mahmud Ghazlan, said the “entire Muslim world” would act against the UAE if it issued an arrest warrant for the Egyptian imam.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash, met the Egyptian foreign minister, Mohammed Amr, to demand an explanation for Mr Ghazlan’s comments.
They also drew condemnation from the Gulf Cooperation Council. The secretary general of the GCC, Dr Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani, said the threat was “irresponsible”.
“What affects the UAE affects all GCC member states,” said Mr Al Zayani. The remarks were “inconsistent” with unifying the Arab world, he added.
(..)
March 11th, 2012, 8:59 pm
Tara said:
Sod
I am going crazy. This is horrible. I can’t stop vomiting. It was aired on aljazeera. Please post all links. It is the least you can do to expose Assad. These are people manually slaughtered by the shabeeha who entered after the shelling paused. What is the world waiting for? I was against Arab fighters helping out. Arab volunteers should pour in. We need them. It is time. This can’t go on. These are children. How can anyone slaughter a child. I just can’t imagine the look on a face of a child being slaughtered or watching his brother/siste, or mother slaughtered before him while his turn is coming… Oh my God.
March 11th, 2012, 9:04 pm
Jad said:
What are you people talking about?
March 11th, 2012, 9:08 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Tara,
“It is the least you can do to expose Assad.”
You are right, I am just in complete and utter shock.
Live link to Karam El Zeitouneh
http://bambuser.com/v/2462754
Photo posted of this little angel that was savagely murdered.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=361820753858423&set=a.195329237174243.43855.194916343882199&type=1&theater
Photo of another child
https://twitter.com/#!/MoZoSo/status/179002675042598912/photo/1
Another video
May they rest in peace, their story will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
March 11th, 2012, 9:17 pm
ann said:
Syria: A risky bet for Obama – Sunday,March 11 2012
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/syria-a-risky-bet-for-obama-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=15768&NewsCatID=396
More than all other arguments, a particular focus on domestic dynamics is vital in grasping Obama’s position on Syria. This is an election year and Obama does not want any huge problem to pop up and put him in a difficult position as the incumbent. Possible turmoil in the Middle East or the collapse of a stable Iraq would boost Republican criticisms on troop withdrawal.
Thus, Obama would not bet on Syria as that could escalate tension and instability in the region, which would hurt his campaign.
In addition, while focusing on the economic crisis, the American public would interpret an intervention as “wasting limited resources” for an “unnecessary adventure.” It is useful to recall the criticisms of Obama in the Libyan case even though the U.S. was “leading from behind” then.
The possibility of a humanitarian cause for military intervention and public pressure seem low because the al-Assad administration is abstaining from mass murders, thus preventing the formation of a remarkable reaction in American people. Even in cases of blatant atrocities such as Homs, the American public’s attention to Syria has been pretty low.
According to the Pew Research Center, only 9 percent of media coverage is allocated for Syria and the public interest in Syria comes after the elections, economy, and even after the cancer drug shortage at only 4 percent. Unless a serious intervention takes place, the al-Assad administration is expected to continue the present course and there will not be huge public pressure under such circumstances.
In short, the Obama administration regards a military intervention as a huge risk for its campaign and sees that the status quo better serves its interests, at least during an election period. Thus, the U.S. will publicly shun providing arms out of concerns of an escalation. There is no political will to go there for a solely humanitarian cause either. Thus, the rhetoric about an al-Qaeda risk in Syria or an uncoordinated and unknown Syrian opposition does not seem to be the real reason behind the U.S. hesitation.
[…]
March 11th, 2012, 9:36 pm
Syrialover said:
458. Jad said: What are you people talking about?
Nothing, Jad, don’t you worry about it. It is done in a film lot in Qatar or the work of some day tripping al qaeda types.
To Son Of Damascus – those shocking images in the links you just posted show a small fragment of the devastating reality of what is happening in Syria to ordinary Syrians. And who the hell do those disgusting animals report to? The links of command can be laid out right though into the luxury offices in Damascus.
March 11th, 2012, 9:43 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
??? ???? ??? ??? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? hizbal
March 11th, 2012, 9:43 pm
ann said:
Syrian army starts operation in northern province – March 12, 2012
http://www.china.org.cn/video/2012-03/12/content_24872365.htm
Syria’s army units have reportedly begun a wide-scale “qualitative” operation in the northern province of Idlib, targeting hideouts of “armed terrorist groups”.
Fierce clashes erupted on Saturday between the two sides. Local state media said the crackdown is moving to restore normalcy to the city, assuring no casualties were caused among the army. The Syrian government has launched similar crackdowns in surrounding areas.
Another state media source said the army troops killed 14 of the gunmen during the operation in Idlib.
[…]
March 11th, 2012, 9:44 pm
jad said:
Son of Damascus,
That is horrific! I couldn’t watch more than the first minute.
Whoever commit this crime doesn’t belong to humans, only pure evil things can commit such crimes on purpose.
May God rest their souls in peace.
March 11th, 2012, 10:04 pm
Son of Damascus said:
SyriaLover,
Genocide is happening in our country, and the world is just watching it happen.
We deserve better, those people and the 10000 others deserved better.
And the worst part is this nightmare is not over…
March 11th, 2012, 10:06 pm
ann said:
Dirty War in Sweden: Trial by Media for Assange – Sun 11 Mar, 2012
The War On WikiLeaks Is Now Trial By Media In Sweden
http://www.pacificfreepress.com/news/1-/11180-dirty-war-in-sweden-trial-by-media-for-assange.html
War by media, says current military doctrine, is as important as the battlefield. This is because the real enemy is the public at home, whose manipulation and deception are essential for starting an unpopular colonial war. Like the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, attacks on Iran and Syria require a steady drip-effect on readers’ and viewers’ consciousness. This is the essence of a propaganda that rarely speaks its name.
[…]
March 11th, 2012, 10:07 pm
ann said:
464. jad said:
Whoever commit this crime doesn’t belong to humans, only pure evil things can commit such crimes on purpose.
.
.
These angels are famous of committing such crimes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9WkrEo1O6k&feature=youtu.be
They have a proven history record of committing such crimes in Iraq
March 11th, 2012, 10:23 pm
jad said:
Ann
I strongly disagree with you on this.
Breaking headstones is not comparable in anyway I look at it to killing a human beings, nothing is, the first is vandalism, the second is a crime against all of us, don’t you agree?
March 11th, 2012, 10:32 pm
ann said:
468. jad said:
Ann
I strongly disagree with you on this.
Breaking headstones is not comparable in anyway I look at it to killing a human beings, nothing is, the first is vandalism, the second is a crime against all of us, don’t you agree?
They are paid cold blooded murderers doing their masters biding
March 11th, 2012, 10:38 pm
Tara said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuxADIxkl-Q
I can’t even look at the face . I take my eyes off.
Enjoy your life.
March 11th, 2012, 10:47 pm
Syrialover said:
Every single Syrian who is killed and tortured, on all sides, in the struggle to protect Basher Assad is the victim of Basher Assad’s choice. His deliberate and conscious CHOICE.
He had the CHOICE of responding reasonably to peaceful demonstrations by the rural poor, or viciously blasting them with guns and rounding them up for torture.
From the first shocking fatal gunfire and mass arrests there was no turning back. Now we are seeing how far it has gone. How he CHOOSES to escalate the savagery daily and keep it going as long as he can.
Well, after all, he has his family’s 60% control of Syria’s collapsing economy to defend and his security chiefs’ feral hatreds and sadism to indulge.
And the devastation to millions of wonderful Syrian people, an entire country? Nothing, those people are all expendable and no use to the regime, especially the poor ones.
March 11th, 2012, 10:50 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
Dear Moderator:
I don’t know why you wasted your time editing my comments. Why do I think so? You did only three un-necessary correctons (please correct me if I am wrong):
1) You edited capital letters because you thought that I was trying to shout and be rude. Sorry if I scared any grown men and women because I didn’t mean so 🙂 I capitalized for emphasis because I couldn’t find the bold button the comment writing section. Sorry if I hurt anybody’s feeling!
2) I wasn’t aware that Prof. Landis was corrected with 80% Alawi military officers. What’s important to me, and I believe that Professor Landis hasn’t changed his mind on this, is that Sunni Syrians are 80% of the population. They are marginalized. It is like having a Mormon dictator (sorry Mormons! I am just giving an example) here in America oppressing Baptists/Evangelists/Catholics for 42 years!
3)You seemed too protective of Irritated who accused me of being Shiaphobe (his comments are still posted un-edited) by removing my belief that his comments are anti-Sunni.
Mr. Moderator, I will find you more neutral when you begin to edit Irritated and Ann. The latter’s comments are full of hate against Sunni Muslims!
Best,
Dawoud
March 11th, 2012, 10:51 pm
jad said:
Ann,
Whoever did this crime, be it the regime or the terrorists, should pay.
The Syrian government should take responsibility and do an investigation to tell us what really happened, if they can’t, then call for some independent organization that could do the job for them, letting all these crimes to be committed everyday and to go unnoticed or simply deny it without any further investigation, explanations or an effort to talk to Syrians is like killing those innocent victims one more time and it’s actually destroying Syria.
March 11th, 2012, 10:55 pm
Syrialover said:
Ann, you constantly reveal you know nothing about anything about the Middle East and Arab people.
Your silly comments about what is happening in Syria are obscene.
I suggest you stop neglecting your high school homework instead of playing around and insulting and offending others who actually care and have a stake in what is happening in Syria.
March 11th, 2012, 10:58 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
P.S., for those who accuse me of being anti-Shia I say that I only hate Shia hypocrisy that justifies Bashar al-Assad’s brutal tyranny and murder. I am very much saddened and disgusted by Hasan Nasrallah’s speeches that lectures people as if they were little kids in order to defend his speeches.
Just read his disgusting and arrogant speeches and you may excuse me for being too upset with him. As I earlier promised, below are the Websites and blogs that translate Nasrallah’s speeches in case many of you don’t know Arabic. I obtained this list from a Google search.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hassan_Nasrallah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Br4hmdgaiE
amiddleeastblog.blogspot.com/…/english-translation-of-sayyed-hassa…
March 11th, 2012, 11:06 pm
ann said:
473. jad said:
Ann,
Whoever did this crime, be it the regime or the terrorists, should pay.
Like all cold blooded murderers, they will pay for their crimes until the very last one of them. Including their masters who issue fatwas from god to absolve their crimes
March 11th, 2012, 11:12 pm
Hans said:
@ DHH
you said to the moderator;
“You did only three un-necessary correctons (please correct me if I am wrong)”
it is a funny post.
Correction not correctons therefore i am correcting you not the moderator correctons you.
March 11th, 2012, 11:13 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
477. HANS
Mr. HANSs:
Thanks for you crorrectios (sorry, I mean corrections). I will vote for you as the king of spelll check (I mean spell check). Can you also provide me with grammarll check (I mean grammar check)? 🙂
March 11th, 2012, 11:15 pm
jad said:
Dawood
????? ???? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ? ??????? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ?????? ???…
March 11th, 2012, 11:15 pm
ann said:
474. Syrialover said:
We will never forget the massacre that happened to us here on 9/11.
NEVER
March 11th, 2012, 11:20 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
479. JAD
???? ?? ?? ???, ????? ?? ?? ?? ??? ????? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ?? ?????. ?? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ?? ???? ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ???????? ?? ?????. ??????? ??? ??? ???? ???? ????? ???! ?? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ??? ??? ??????. ??? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ?? ??? ????? ?? ????? ???????
March 11th, 2012, 11:21 pm
Observer said:
I did go on SANA and they have a breaking news that the images posted are those of armed terrorist gangs that have kidnapped the victims; slaughtered them; and in a conspiracy with satellite TV stations are posting them as the work of Syria’s armed forces.
I guess SANA relies on AJ to know what is happening in Homs. I do not think they dare to go there and investigate independently like any professional news organisation.
Well, if this version of events is true it is the worst failure on the part of the famed armed services and the 17 security branches and the popular army and the police to protect the people. Therefore, in view of this ongoing chaos that the regime is incapable of stopping or preventing or punishing, I say please send peace keeping troops into Homs, Idlib, Aleppo, Damascus, Daraa, Zabadani, etc…. etc….. to help the forces of Syria. I say this tongue in cheek as everyone on this blog knows the answer: Fredo declared we are strong with the strength of support of our population.
I would also say that more than 40 years of a state of emergency to defend the country against imperialist zionist aggression has left us with a pitiful inept corrupt and incapable security force structure. Therefore, the structure has to go.
With these pictures coming out today and the day before Lavrov goes to NY for the UNSC meeting, I would say that this is disastrous for the regime and for Russia and for Putin personally.
The other news talk about the defection of the Tlas brothers high ranking officers in the RG of the regime.
If this is correct, then I would say the rats are leaving the sinking ship.
The recalling of ambassadors from the EU is supposedly to pre empt them being expelled, I would say it is a pre emption against massive defections.
Cry havoc and let loose the dogs of war. This is what Fredo and his family thought they could do riding this tiger home.
I honestly humbly sincerely believe that the corruption of power in this and other families ruling the Arab world is mind boggling and leaves me speechless and revolted at the same time.
March 11th, 2012, 11:25 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
9/11 was a brutal terrorist attack, and as an American, I will never forget. I condemn all terrorism, including the terrorism that Bashar al-Assad’s is now committing against Syrians. I also condemn Israeli terrorism.
I will also not forget the 1983 terrorist attack on the Marines in Beirut, which was carried out by Shia terrorists. Do the Americans who love Hasan Nasrallah and post his speeches on their blogs also condemn the the Shia terrorist attacks on Amerians, like the the attack on the Marines and the bombing of the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia?
March 11th, 2012, 11:27 pm
Son of Damascus said:
These criminals have raped our land, raped our women, and raped our children.
These animals are killing our people, savagely beating them, and mercilessly trying to kill the humanity in our country.
These are Assad’s dogs. Shabihat Al Assad
March 11th, 2012, 11:28 pm
jad said:
?? ??????
??? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ???.
?? ???? ????? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ?? ??? ?? ????????? ?? ???????? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ?? ????.??? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ????????? ??? ???????? ???? ???????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ???? ???? ????? ???. ????? ???? ???? ?? ???????? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ??? ????????? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ???????.
March 11th, 2012, 11:34 pm
Syrialover said:
480. Ann said: “474. Syrialover said: We will never forget the massacre that happened to us here on 9/11.NEVER”
You ARE spaced out and losing it! That comment is not mine. Hilarious.
My comment was that you should get back to your high school homework and stop entertaining yourself here in an ugly way.
March 11th, 2012, 11:39 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
485. JAD
????? ?????, ?????, ???? ???? ?? ???? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ???? ??? ?? ?????. ???????? ??????: “???? ????? ???” ?? ??? ???? ??? ??? ????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ??? ???? ??? ?????. ????? ?????. ?? ?? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ???????? ?????? ??? ??? ???? ????. ?? 42 ?? ??? ?????, ???? ???? ???? ?? ????? ?? ?? ???? ??????, ?????. ??????? ?? ?? ???
March 11th, 2012, 11:44 pm
ann said:
Why U.S. shouldn’t rush to war in Syria
http://articles.cnn.com/2012-03-08/opinion/opinion_clark-syria-intervention_1_syrian-regime-syrian-opposition-arab-spring?_s=PM:OPINION
We have just exited Iraq after 8½ years, a cost of more than $1 trillion and a loss of some 5,000 U.S. service members. And Iraq is still a cockpit for sectarian struggle and violence.
In Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, strong Islamic sentiments have inevitably surfaced despite the democratic and Western-oriented facade of the initial Arab Spring uprisings. The future orientation of these states is likely to be less helpful to U.S. aims and policies in the region than their predecessors. And overshadowing Syria is the worry of Iran’s nuclear ambition, and the fact that “all” options must be kept available in case diplomacy fails there.
So, in the case of Syria, we must ask, first, what are the U.S. national interests at stake? What is our objective? Then, how would the use of force attain that objective? How much force, how applied, at what cost? What is the end state we seek? What basis in international law is there for action? Which allies will help us? And, when all is said and done, have we actually achieved what we set out to do, and at a cost and risk proportionate to U.S. interests?
[…]
March 11th, 2012, 11:47 pm
irritated said:
Observer #482
“the worst failure on the part of the famed armed services and the 17 security branches and the popular army and the police to protect the people.”
If it is true that these poor people were kidnapped by armed gangs and murdered in cold blood, it is a disastrous failure for the FSA who is supposedly protecting the civilians and in fact has been serving as a convenient screen to armed gangs of criminals.
March 11th, 2012, 11:48 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
486. SYRIALOVER
Hasan Narallah’s speeches blind the eyes and darken the souls!
???? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ?????
March 11th, 2012, 11:48 pm
zoo said:
Hezbollah: US Embassy “anti-Assad spy nest”
Published Sunday, March 11, 2012
http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/hezbollah-us-embassy-anti-assad-spy-nest
A leading Hezbollah official said on Sunday that the US Embassy in Lebanon was being used by anti-Assad forces.
Nabil Qaouq, deputy head of the party’s executive committee, described the US Embassy in Awkar, north of the capital Beirut, as an anti-Assad spy-nest and a launching pad of anti-regime military operations, the National News Agency reported.
“The American ambassador to Lebanon is working on raising sedition and incitement. What is even worse is that U.S. officers at the embassy are running smuggling operations and arming [groups] against Syria,” Qaouk said during a ceremony in the town of Babliyeh in the southern coastal city of Sidon.
The senior Hezbollah figure told supporters that the anti-Assad conspirators had failed in their attempts to overthrow the Syrian regime from outside.
Foreign powers were beginning to abandon their aims of intervention, he added.
Hezbollah supports the Syrian government’s claims that those calling for the fall of the Assad regime are “terrorists” backed by Western powers
(…)
March 11th, 2012, 11:54 pm
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
Attn.: JAD, Syria Lover, Tara, Majed, ….
When we liberate Syria I intend to go back to Damascus to hold a big party in my grandparents old house. It’s a big house. You are ALL invited! (Sorry moderator I didn’t mean to scare anybody by capitalizing “all”). I know that Irritated said that it’s enough for him/her that he/sh reads my comments and didn’t want to know me. But I promise you that Damascus’ food ????? ?????? would be yammy!
March 11th, 2012, 11:57 pm
ann said:
486. Syrialover said:
My comment was that you should get back to your high school homework and stop entertaining yourself here in an ugly way.
.
.
Who do you think you are to stop me from posting here?!
Oh! I forgot, it must be that freedom and democracy you post about every day.
March 11th, 2012, 11:59 pm
Syrialover said:
Observer #482.
Good points. Thanks.
In dictatorships like the Assads and Gaddafi and North Korea the main enemy of the country’s army is the people.
The large armed forces are there to protect the regime aginist its citizens.
We are seeing this textbook rule being demonstrated in Syria.
March 12th, 2012, 12:03 am
irritated said:
#493 Ann
I am amazed by the repetitive pattern and lack of imagination of some thugs on SC who use curse and threat to express their view of democracy, freedom of speech and dignity. Very promising indeed.
Thank God there is a moderator otherwise it would have gotten very low.
March 12th, 2012, 12:07 am
Son of Damascus said:
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/09/world/meast/syria-72-hours/index.html?hpt=hp_c2
6 parts to Arwa Damon’s time in Baba Amr.
March 12th, 2012, 12:08 am
ann said:
492. DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
When we liberate Syria I intend to go back to Damascus to hold a big party in my grandparents old house.
.
.
What makes you so sure your grand parents old house will still be standing after NATO finish carpet bombing Damascus
.
March 12th, 2012, 12:09 am
Syrialover said:
#493 Ann
You were receiving some kind advice. You are troubled and saying nonesense.
And there you go again, mixing me up in your imagination. I do not “post about freedom and democracy every day.”
March 12th, 2012, 12:10 am
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
496. SON OF DAMASCUS
Thanks for the link. I will visit it as soon as I leave here (which is now). Unfortunately, I missed watching tonight because my wife took me to the movies (I watched a horror movie, but it was much less scary than Bashar al-Assad’s horrors)!
P.S., you are also invited to my grandparents house in Damascus for the post-Bashar party!
March 12th, 2012, 12:12 am
Son of Damascus said:
These hyenas are going from one part of Homs to another.
Another massacre uncovered in Jobar, three generations of the same family killed.
Their bodies scared stiff before they died.
Assad you are a criminal.
Allah yer7amon,
March 12th, 2012, 12:13 am
irritated said:
#497 Ann
WE WANT NATO!
March 12th, 2012, 12:14 am
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
498. SYRIALOVER
Brother Syria Lover, what do you expect from the person who claims that the Der’ah marty Hamza al-Khateeb was killed by “Saudi terrorists?” Give this person a break! Hasan Nasrallah’s speeches bind the eyes and darken the souls!!!!!!!!!!!
March 12th, 2012, 12:15 am
William Scott Scherk said:
At 6:06 pm (by some clock) TARA said:
Where are you? I am itching for a psychoanalysis from you.
I can’t presume to psychoanalyze you (anyone, let alone a Syrian) in the Freudian sense; I am an anti-Freudian/anti-psycholanalytic theory/practice/fraud.
If you mean to offer understanding of motives, we can examine actions and statements.
From the government of Syria, we have news of ‘cleansing,’ from SANA we have news of ‘armed terrorist gangs’ and from other sources, often Russian, Iranian, Chinese or ‘alternative’ we learn that French SOF and Turkish SOF have been captured. A shelling of a neighbourhood in the city of Homs was perpetrated as politicians postured and moved on. The government of Syria receives the special envoy the the UN for two days talks, and at the end the armed terrorist groups understand that the government intends to crush military opposition to its security forces.
If this includes atrocities against civilian populations as alleged in Bab Amr … then sometime after operations end another UN aid envoy will be bused in to have a ‘preliminary, controlled pilot visit.
The Syrian government does not seem persuaded by Russia or China or neighbours, friends, or enemies that a ceasefire is in order. They seem to believe that a cease fire will come when they have stilled every last gun from the terrorist side, captured every ‘salafist’ brigade and executed them for desertion, mutiny and terror attacks, allowed execution-raids on women and children in ‘terrorist’-occupied villages by irregular forces.
The government of Syria refers to its possible future interlocutors in the SNC without reference to a single name. Assad will not pick up a phone to Ghalioun, nor to Erdogan, nor to the UK, nor Canada, Qatar, Riyadh, not to repeated pleas for access from the UN, not to anyone but his allies in Minsk, Moscow and Beijing, Teheran and Pyongyang.
It is a grotesque situation, so tragic, so fraught with deception, pain and grief, frustration and fear … what can I say? How can I divine the motives of a government that can inflict, in 2012, a punishment like that delivered upon the ‘terrorists’ in Homs — after four decades of Soviet-style one-party state, what can you say about the psychological motives and probable mental health of someone who commands, suborns or supports such atrocities by a state? When a state has gone this mad with one-eyed Cold War fury … on its own citizens …
In the pictures and videos today from the new ‘cleansing’ of children at near point-blank, this awful slaughter of unquestionably innocent little ones, what more can be told that is not in the images themselves? Can anyone say that the killers will be caught and punished? In Syria?
What if, gods aside, the facts were that the government of Syria was ultimately responsible for this horrifying slaughter? What if it was irregular forces under a security control and command? What if it were a group of the so-called Shabeeha? What if the irregulars who committed this atrocity are otherwise civilian except for their employ by the Mukhabarat/security/intelligence?
We know by virtue of the Syrian Penal Code that irregulars have impunity under current law and constitution. If the killers were Shabeeha, the families and grieving community have no recourse. This is an Assad state in law and practice.
My heart is heavy, Tara, with what I see, and with what little I can say, and with hostility to reason and empathy. The commenters at SC have — or used to have — a lot of bite. Maybe I deserve those bites. Maybe I overrate the value in my observations and questions. It is too horrible even from ten thousand miles away.
I respect those voices who are consistent and reasonable, and I spend more time reading and thinking about posts to SC and its commenters; since my last post got 24 thumbs down, I think I see the writing on the walls … what the heck can a peaceable Canucki offer in an argument? Millions of dollars of damage from Stanley Cup riots, teargas and baton in Montreal, the distress of poverty, Stephen Harper, friend of Israel, NATO commander over Libya last year, killer squad in Somalia, in Cyprus for another fifty years in our blue helmets, what?
I do support all those who have volunteered time now or in the new Syria for reconstruction. I hope for a ceasefire from whichever side is not afraid to blink first, and then a Syria-led (however-brokered) ramshackle coalition of reformers and revolutionaries and functionaries and civil rights honchos and clean judges and open public inquiries … to guide Syria in the coming restructuring of security, justice, media, expatriate, military service, command structure, and other dictatorial remnants.
*******************
How, Tara, how can there be consensus and dialogue when even this bland and unremarkable comment of mine will likely attract far more red than green? How can Syrians get through the hostilities and make peace with each other?
I had better stay on the fence, on the porch, on the margins looking in — quietly doing my best to help, to aid, to bring on grace and peace back to one of its heartlands.
Syrians will eventually stand together again. There does not seem to be much way of standing together now (with the obvious exception of stand-outs like Abughassan,Ghufran and other doctors and professionals in service and support).
March 12th, 2012, 12:16 am
Son of Damascus said:
Irritated,
“Thank God there is a moderator otherwise it would have gotten very low.”
How about your cleansing comment, did you see Bashar’s cleansing process. You still approve of that criminal?
Or are you still immune to Syrian blood being spilled as long as it is for Bashar?
March 12th, 2012, 12:16 am
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
503. WILLIAM SCOTT SCHERK
How do you have a rational dialogue with people who claim that Hamza al-Khateeb (http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2011/05/201153185927813389.html) was killed by “Saudi terrorists?” Any psycho analysis? Any advice, Mr. William-the voice of reason? Any advice on why anybody in 2012 would still support a 42-year-old murderous Syrian dictatorship? If supporting serial killers require psycho-analysis, what about supporting a dictator whose murders are a million times more horrific than serial killers.
Help, please, Mr. wise man!
P.S., the red thumbs I receive here from the pro-Basharists are my badge of honor!
March 12th, 2012, 12:22 am
ann said:
501. irritated said:
NATO are their allies
March 12th, 2012, 12:25 am
Syrialover said:
#WSS 503
“…since my last post got 24 thumbs down”
Yes, but from an automated mass voting setup. You obviously caused annoyance to those behind it – so your score was a badge of honour, which you’ll see if you go back and review how it is being used here.
March 12th, 2012, 12:25 am
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
497. ANN
My grandparents moved their house temporarily for “shelter” in Hasan Nasrallah’s basement!
Hasan Nasrallah’s speeches blind the eyes and darken the souls!
P.S., you are also invited to my grandparents’ Damascus party. Please don’t bring Hasan with you because he will be facing an arrest warrant for his role in the ongoing Syrian repression!
March 12th, 2012, 12:32 am
Syrialover said:
# 502. DAWOUD HOLY HOMS
I am worried about that person you refer to. I fear their playing with cut-paste on Syriacomment 20 hours a day has led to them dropping out of high school.
Another (albeit micro-tiny) tragedy stemming from the crisis in Syria.
March 12th, 2012, 12:33 am
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
509. SYRIALOVER
???? ?????? ??? ???? ??????
March 12th, 2012, 12:34 am
ann said:
China willing to work together with GCC on Syria: envoy – 2012-03-12
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-03/12/c_131461742.htm
RIYADH, March 12 (Xinhua) — China is ready to step up communication and cooperation on Syria with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), visiting Chinese special envoy Zhang Ming said.
China is willing to play a constructive role in pushing for a political solution to the Syrian issue, Zhang told GCC Secretary General Abdullatif al-Zayani on Sunday.
Noting that China has attached great importance to the significant role that the GCC has played in regional affairs, Zhang said his country is willing to work hard together with the organization for a fair, peaceful and proper solution to the year-long political crisis in Syria.
Zhang reaffirmed China’s six-point statement on Syria, stressing that China and GCC nations have all appealed for an immediate end to violence, effective protection of civilians, implementation of humanitarian relief as well as respect for Syria’s independence, sovereignty, unification and territory integrity.
[…]
March 12th, 2012, 12:43 am
Son of Damascus said:
Even when the regime tries its best to silence Homs, Homsi’s still come out in numbers.
You are truly brave, and honourable. I only wish I was Son of Homs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQPeP6ipYV4&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdWZJ1pEREk&feature=player_embedded
March 12th, 2012, 12:55 am
zoo said:
The Syrian crisis and the next summit in Baghdad
(Translated from french)
by Scarlett HADDAD | 12/03/2012 l’Orient Le Jour
The early political solution that some think they see in the mission of UN envoy in Syria, Kofi Annan, and the meeting of Arab foreign ministers with their Russian counterpart in Cairo did not really convince specialists following the situation.
One should therefore not believe in miracles and to the fact that in two interviews, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would have succeeded in convincing Mr. Annan of his vision of the situation. The same apply to the Minister Sergei Lavrov who would have after the close meeting with the Arab ministers succeeded in imposing a 5-point solution providing, among others, the cessation of violence by both sides and the beginning of a dialogue between the opposition and the regime.
Experts believe instead that these two missions have mainly resulted in a sort of truce, that both sides are going to use to strengthen their positions, just as happened in Lebanon: between bloody rounds, there was agreement on pause, a ceasefire with the support of political document, that allowed players to catch their breath to start new fresh rounds.
In fact, the Syrian crisis becomes each day a little more complicated and each side needs a break to see a little clearer. At first glance, the regime seems to have scored points with the military operation carried out to Baba Amr. Now, calls are no longer for its departure, but for the establishment of safe passages to send humanitarian aid to the affected population.
According to official statements, the mission of Kofi Annan in Damascus would have been so focused on the humanitarian and the development of a political solution. Mr. Annan has even met during his mission in Syria representatives of the opposition from within, which, unlike the opponents from the outside, could accept a dialogue with the regime, like Hassan Abdel Azim, Louay Hussein, Haidar Ali and Jamil Kadri, as he met with representatives of different communities, including the Mufti and Christian clerics.
Similarly, repeated calls to arm the opposition have not had the desired effect. Instead, they showed that this idea is not unanimous in what is commonly called the international community and its Arab allies and regional. In addition to the United States who have made reservations through the voice of the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman are clearly hostile, while the Egyptian FM and the representative from Egypt to the United Nations adopted a more nuanced position, calling for a compromise solution. Egypt has brought in its wake Algeria, Sudan and Yemen. It is obvious that there is no certainty on this plan, despite clear statements on the need to arm the Syrian opposition made by the Saudi and Qatari ministry of foreign Affairs.
For its part, Iraq, which is preparing to host the next Arab summit on March 29, wishes to make a spectacular comeback on the political scene with a proposed solution on Syria, which would amount to mainly prevent the breakup of that country, to stop the violence and engage in constructive dialogue between the regime and the opposition. This project is very important for Iraq, primarily because Syria is on its borders and that the outbreak of sectarian Syria would lead to serious unrest in Iraq, where the specter of sectarian war is not totally excluded, second, because the Syrian dossier is now the largest for the Arabs and there is a need for Iraq to present an initiative to address it during the summit to be held on its soil. Moreover, to succeed the summit, Iraq had to make major concessions to other Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, by releasing Saudi detainees in Iraq that have been involved in sectarian explosions.
For Iraq, this summit is vital after the withdrawal of U.S. troops to mark that it he has turned a page in its history, and the Syrian issue is timely for it to register a diplomatic victory taking into account its own interests.
These interests rely on the stabilization of the situation in Syria and rejection of the coming to power of an Islamist Sunni regime that could threaten the fragile political balance in Iraq.
If the Iraqi prime minister had to cede to pressure and avoided inviting the Syrian regime to attend the summit, facing the open opposition of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, it still counts on proposing a solution sufficiently vague so as not to create waves, while preserving the Iraqi interests. At the same time, the summit comes at a particular moment when the American administration is immersed in the presidential campaign and it has informed his interlocutors in the region, including Israel, it would not now have new problems to solve.
Faced with this complex situation, we understand a little better why the current trend for all parties involved in the case of Syria is a breather, just to see how to reorganize the opposition and make it more effective, while seeking loopholes in Assad’s system that, for now, according to U.S. reports, still holds the power structure and does not really seem weakened neither by economic sanctions nor by repeated pressure on its military and administrative apparatus. Especially since the Security Council is blocked by the positions of Russia and China.
The international community therefore focuses its efforts on the sending of humanitarian aid in the hope that through this, it can have secure access inside Syria that could, to some analysts, change the game.
http://www.lorientlejour.com/category/%C3%80+La+Une/article/749440/La_crise_syrienne_et_le__prochain_sommet_de_Bagdad.html
March 12th, 2012, 1:10 am
irritated said:
#504 SOD said
“How about your cleansing comment”
Put on your glasses, you are adding as “S” where there wasn’t one.
‘cleaning’ is not ‘cleansing’
March 12th, 2012, 1:17 am
ann said:
Military Points to Risks of a Syrian Intervention – March 11, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/12/world/middleeast/us-syria-intervention-would-be-risky-pentagon-officials-say.html
WASHINGTON — Despite growing calls for the United States to help stop the bloodshed in Syria, senior Pentagon officials are stepping up their warnings that military intervention would be a daunting and protracted operation, requiring at least weeks of exclusively American airstrikes, with the potential for killing vast numbers of civilians and plunging the country closer to civil war.
The officials say that Syria presents a far larger problem than did Libya, which required a seven-month NATO air campaign last year in which hundreds of aircraft dropped and fired 7,700 bombs and missiles.
Although the United States has the military capability to launch sustained airstrikes in Syria — “We can do anything,” the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, told the Senate last week — defense officials say they are concerned about four tough challenges: the risks in attacking Syria’s plentiful and sophisticated Russian-made air defenses, which are located close to major population centers; arming a deeply splintered Syrian opposition; the potential for starting a proxy war with Iran or Russia, two crucial allies of Syria; and the lack, at least so far, of an international coalition willing to take action against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
One senior defense official said over the weekend that even creating “safe havens,” or protected areas inside Syria for civilians, would be such a complex operation that military planners were “looking at a serious contingent of U.S. ground troops” to help establish and maintain them, should the United States take such a course of action.
The planning is in response to a request by President Obama for preliminary military options from the Pentagon, even though the administration still believes that diplomatic and economic pressure is the best way to stop the violent repression of Mr. Assad’s government. The options under review include humanitarian airlifts, naval monitoring of Syria and the establishment of a no-fly zone, among other possibilities.
“We’ve been sucked into this open-ended arrangement before, and we’re not going there again,” a senior military official said, speaking of Libya, which required extensive American air power — as well as hundreds of cruise missiles fired from American ships and submarines — to take out Libya’s air defenses so that European warplanes could operate freely. Even then, the United States continued to supply ammunition and refueling planes and fly combat missions.
Defense and intelligence officials say that Syria’s integrated air defenses — a combination of thousands of surface-to-air missiles, radars and antiaircraft guns — are not only more advanced than those in Libya, they are also arrayed in densely populated areas on the country’s western border, meaning that even with precision bombing, civilians nearby would probably be killed.
“There would be some severe collateral damage going after those areas,” Mr. Panetta said last week.
As in Libya, the early stages of an air campaign over Syria would be almost entirely American because of the United States’ arsenal and electronic warfare capabilities and would probably take, General Dempsey said, “an extended period of time and a great number of aircraft.”
[…]
March 12th, 2012, 1:23 am
irritated said:
#512 SOD
My favorite : “Kofi Annan you are NOT welcom”
You can be a son of Homs, move there or change your nick name.
March 12th, 2012, 1:27 am
Son of Damascus said:
Irritated,
“There were plenty of them in Bab Amr, but it’s been cleanup and disinfected.”
So it wasn’t your “cleansing” then it was your “cleanup and disinfected”.
You still promote Bashar’s cleanup and disinfection?
Or are you still immune to Syrian blood being spilled as long as it is for Bashar?
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=13874&cp=all#comment-299324
Your lack of any outrage over these killings, and making a quip on the dead Syrian souls shows a lot.
“You can be a son of Homs, move there or change your nick name”
Again your lack of any human empathy towards a city savagely hounded by the Assadist dogs shows a lot.
I hope you stay Irritated for the rest of your life.
March 12th, 2012, 1:38 am
irritated said:
#508 Dawood HH
“My grandparents moved their house temporarily for “shelter” in Hasan Nasrallah’s basement!”
Maybe after all, I’ll accept your invitation.
March 12th, 2012, 1:38 am
irritated said:
#517 SOD
I don’t differentiate between “good” and “bad” blood.
Any human being blood spilled by hatred and greed is a shame for the humanity.
March 12th, 2012, 1:45 am
Equus said:
It’s a shame that Ghiath turned to be a Shabeeh in exchange of what ?
———–
Exactly in exchange for what? For simply nothing, it’s a conviction, he believed in his cause. He probably didn’t believe in NATO Syria or annexed Syria/Israel. Bradley Manning believed in his cause, telling the truth and he’s being thrown in jail. Like suicide bomber in exchange for what they bomb others? It’s a conviction, money is a not a motivator. Ben Laden was a terrorist but didn’t need money.
Question: How would you know someone is Shabeeh? Does he have to be circumcised? Like during Hitler era. How about women? Are there women Shabeeh too? Are they bound to a test like in Egypt (on headlines since this morning)?
March 12th, 2012, 1:50 am
ann said:
Clash Over Syria Emerge at UN Council – Monday, 12 March 2012
http://www.brecorder.com/top-news/1-front-top-news/49158-clash-over-syria-emerge-at-un-council.html
UNITED NATIONS: A new diplomatic clash over Syria is looming as foreign ministers from key UN Security Council nations meet on Monday.
British organizers of the event meant for it to be a review of the Arab Spring uprisings; the event however will be shaped by stark differences over how to stop President Bashar al-Assad’s deadly assault on opponents.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and foreign ministers Sergei Lavrov of Russia, William Hague of Britain, Alain Juppe of France and Guido Westerwelle of Germany will be among top officials at the event.
Russia and China say the Western nations only want a resolution to back regime change. Lavrov said Russia opposes “crude interference” in Syria’s internal affairs, his ministry said after a meeting between Lavrov and UN-Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan in Cairo.
Russia wants any resolution to call equally on the government and opposition groups to halt the violence. The Western members say the security force assault and attacks by opposition groups cannot be put on the same level.
But Lavrov insists he is defending “international law”, while the United States and European members of the council say Russia is blocking international action to prop up its main Middle East ally. Russia, the second biggest arms supplier to Assad’s government, faces growing criticism from some Arab countries.
China has meanwhile proposed its own plan for talks between Assad and the opposition, which an envoy will press in the Arab world and Europe this week.
[…]
March 12th, 2012, 2:03 am
Syria no Kandahar said:
In the (new democratic Syria)you can be killed like
A bug,if Shiek gives fatwa.wacth the criminals in ????? ????? killing Syria’s boxing champion:
March 12th, 2012, 2:04 am
Jerusalem said:
talk about the defection of the Tlas brothers high ranking officers in the RG of the regime.
———–
On Al-jazeera blog this Balkis said they left for Paris. The question is where is the brutal regime to beat them and throw them in jail?
I can assure you no loss for the Official Syrian Army. Only one of them is in the military and was criticized by Michel Kilo for hardly knowing Syria’s geography when he went to meet with him.All what he does is smoking cigar. You can’t really drive a tank and smoke cigar at the same time. The second brother is busy chasing women but it’s not my issue. The reason I brought it up is because he owned a factory of canned meat. One huge batch was spoiled yet he released it. People got really sick. The ministry of Health closed the factory for short period of time and pulled what’s on the shelves. Mr. very Humanitarian (like Mrs. Clinton) offered it to besieged Gazans …(this is about 6 years ago or so ). Hence, it’s not a loss for the army.
March 12th, 2012, 2:18 am
Jad said:
With respect to every innocent victim, I have to say that I found the timing of the killing in Homs today and for the liar Omar Tillawi to go live prepared to star his usual show just hours befor the UN meeting is very suspicious.
March 12th, 2012, 2:27 am
ann said:
I got this video from a friend of mine:
March 12th, 2012, 2:34 am
Syria no Kandahar said:
Jad
I agree with you.just like a day before the last SC meeting when Terrorists killed many of their hostages in Alkaledia.Omer Altalawi,Khaled Abo Salah and Abo jafer are all terrorists and liars.The old Egyptians had a habit of giving ?????? to the Nile befor the flood season so it does not get angry,Syrians have to be given same way prior to SC meetings so HBJ does not get angree from his payee to
Terrorists:
??? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ????????? ?? ?? ????? ????????? ????????? ??????? ??? ??????? ????? ???????? ??????? ?? ???.
???? ?????? ?? ????????? ????????? ??????? ????? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ??????? ????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ?????.
????? ??????: ?????? ??? ????? ????????? ????????? ??????? ???????? ???? ????? ???? ????? ???? ??????? ????? ?? ?????.
???? ?????? ?? ??????? ????????? ??????? ??? ???? ??????? ???????? ????? ????????? ????????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ??? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ???? ??? ???????.
??? ?? ??????? ??????? ??? ??? ??????
???? ????? ??? ?? ??????? ?? ??? ?????? ????????? ?????? ?????? ????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????? ????????? ????????? ??????? ??? ????????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ????????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ????????? ????????? ??????? ???????.
???? ??????? ???? ????: ??? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??? ???? ???????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ??? ?? ????????? ????????? ???????.
????? ???? ?? ????????? ????????? ??????? ???? ??????? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ??????? ????? ???? ????? ????? ????? ?????.
?? ???? ??? ??????? ???? ?????? ?? ?? ???????? ???? ???? ????? ??? ???? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ????????? ????????? ??????? ??? ???.
????? ?????? ?? ????????? ????????? ???? ????? ?? ??? ???? ??????? ???????? ??? ???? ????????? ???????.
??? ????? ??? ??????? ???? ?????? ?? ?? ??????: ?? ???? ????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ???? ????? ????????? ????????? ??????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ????.
??? ??? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ???? ?? ?? ????????: ?? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ??? ????? ???????? ????????? ????????? ??????? ??? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ??????.
From Syria now.
March 12th, 2012, 2:34 am
Jerusalem said:
I will find you more neutral when you begin to edit Irritated and Ann. The latter’s comments are full of hate against Sunni Muslims!
——
Beauty is in the eye of beholder. Everything is about perception and intuitive recognition.
I’m Sunni Muslim and don’t perceive Irritated or Ann’s comments disperse hate toward Sunni Muslims or any religion at that matter as much as I find yours very sect & religion oriented. In fact, I find certain of your comments (those that I read, I don’t read all) rather very disturbing. And I hope that people reading this blog don’t conceive this idea about Sunnis in the world.
March 12th, 2012, 3:04 am
Jerusalem said:
I found this particular interesting comment on 360 Anderson Cooper last Thursday:
—-
Sandra Melon On the occasion of women’s day, a small cultural center nearby played Syrian movie “Bab Al-Maqam” about a true incident took place in Aleppo in 2002 when a young killed his sister, mother of three, because she loved to sing the songs of Umm Kulthum (Famous Arabic Singer) at home. Her husband (cab driver) was buying these tapes for her. According to her father and family, if she loved those songs, she must have taken on a lover and she had committed a shameful act. Thus, they…… We laughed with my friends although nothing is funny about it that how come no one blamed the regime for the killing yet?
Also it seems as if Al Jazeera was harboring ill feeling toward the government since 2006.
The Qatari-based Al Jazeera channel has reported that the film has not been screened in Syria because the authorities have prevented it. The director of the movie Malas replied that he had
never applied for permission to screen it in the first place. He said: “The film has got the approval of the texts reading committee at the Ministry of Culture and that means it has got the approval on production and shooting in Syria,”
Thursday at 5:10pm
http://www.facebook.com/people/Sandra-Melon/100003477397940
—
I saw the movie two years ago it’s very deep. The children played beautifully.
March 12th, 2012, 3:19 am
Mina said:
As usual, since one year, every time there is a positive move (this time by “optimist” Annan), there is an awful massacre relayed immediately by the Arab satellite channels.
Sorry, but how are we supposed to believe that the shabeehas commited a massacre and simply abandoned the evidence? Right at the perfect timing, as usual?
And how are we supposed to believe that the “rebels” can walk around freely, get a phonecall from karm al zeytoun and go there to film the video and send it right away from the first wifi spot they find????
The people who did that are animals, of the same kind as the dijhadists who slaughtered people in Algeria, Afghanistan and Iraq.They are the target and Iran and Syria are now enroled, with the US, against them to let a free Iraq (and a free Syria) emerge.
March 12th, 2012, 3:47 am
Uzair8 said:
A comment from AJE Live Syria Blog user comment section – 2 hrs ago:
“What we are (literrally) witnessing in Syria at the hands of the Assadists, is the undoing of every principle ever created by man to establish justice, and mercy, and order. It rips at the fabric of who we are as human beings. It is a gross obscenity, it degrades every human on the planet.
The irony suffocates me, when I look at Annan and the Pharisees, and their smirky little grins.
Assadists have invented something new: Horrorism. It is terrorism without reason, without limit, without honor or shame.
I don’t know whether I am so proud of our race, we humans, that men and women and children, even, stand as the guardians of our freedom and dignity, or whether I am so ashamed that a whole world of power is shackled by protocol, and will not intercede to fight beside them.
(Forgive my rantle, but then, you understand.)”
March 12th, 2012, 4:08 am
Uzair8 said:
Having just read a ‘report’ of the alleged defection of the 2 sons of Mustafa Tlass followed by a statement to the Syrian regular Army Officers:
‘..statement to the Syrian regular army officers and urged them to split before it is too late because the Bashar al-Assad has reached the extent of criminal madness will not stop until the shed blood of all the Syrian opposition to him and his regime..’
I agree with Prof Landis that we will begin to see a trickle of defections from the higher echelons of the regime. This will be reflected in the activity of regime supporters on SC as their role increasingly becomes one of damage limitation.
If anyone is interested in the ‘report’ from the AJE syria blog user comment section then see next comment. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem possible to directly link to individual comments.
March 12th, 2012, 4:18 am
Uzair8 said:
8 hrs ago. AJE Live Syria Blog user comment section:
“defection of Brigadier General Manaf Tlass Brigade Commander 105 in the Republican Guard and his brother Firas:
security sources disclosed Syria informed the Beirut Observer that the two sons of General Mustafa Talas, Syrian Defense Minister, former, Munaf and Firas, dissented from the Syrian regime and joined the ranks of the revolution, the Syrian
sources confirmed that Brigadier General Manaf Talas, Brigade Commander, 105 in the Syrian Republican Guard announced its secession from Army-Asadi, accompanied by 23 officers which is now in the safe destination is not known to the Syrian territory, pointing out that his brother Firas left his wife Rania have illegally occupied Syrian and arrived in Paris while reaching his wife to Dubai to join the family contrary that are out there , the sources said that Firas Talas will meet in Paris with Michel Kilo shows the Stockade a statement to the Syrian regular army officers and urged them to split before it is too late because the Bashar al-Assad has reached the extent of criminal madness will not stop until the shed blood of all the Syrian opposition to him and his regime”
March 12th, 2012, 4:20 am
Mina said:
Welcome to Qardawi’s new Egypt
http://www.egyptindependent.com/node/707296
March 12th, 2012, 5:15 am
Mina said:
An echo to A. Crooke’s article last week in the Atimes:
keep people busy with Syria, and enjoy having free hands in Gaza and Yemen!
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/36511/World/Region/Israel-lied-to-create-pretext-for-Gaza-attack-Isra.aspx
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/36543/World/Region/US-drones,-Yemen-army-kill–extremists-local-offic.aspx
March 12th, 2012, 5:29 am
Uzair8 said:
@348 Son of Damascus
About the Sheikh’s quotes and the religious references. It did cross my mind while posting and I tried to leave out the religious references. A couple remained. The parts relevent to everyone are those about hounour, dignity and protection of women and children.
March 12th, 2012, 5:40 am
SANDRO LOEWE said:
I hope Assad gets killed soon. And also I hope many officials and high ranks of secret services get assassinated too. This is the only way there could be some diallogue. This is the only hope we have for a new Syria that Assad becomes a martyr. The people of Syria deserves much more that what he has had, after the brave popular rising.
March 12th, 2012, 5:47 am
Mina said:
Democracy… within the Muslim Brotherhood political party??
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/0/36395/Egypt/0/Two-youth-groups-back-exMuslim-Brotherhood-member-.aspx
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/36509/Egypt/Politics-/Brotherhood-Members-who-back-AboulFotouh-for-presi.aspx
Business as usual in Israel after Obama’s refusal to support Iran attack
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/36499/World/Region/Israel-slaughter-in-Gaza-to-go-on-as-long-as-neces.aspx
March 12th, 2012, 6:06 am
873 said:
142. omen said:
via nir rosen interview:
The Salafi ideology just hasn’t been as important in Syria.
Rosen is Mossad, a former Staff Sargeant in military intel for IDF. Why Syria allows such as these to infiltrate, surveill and freely roam their country at any time- much less during a foreign backed coup campaign sponsored by Rosen’s country- is absolutely bewildering.
Rosen’s rubbish about no Salafi influence? The terrorists inported from Libya by NATO are SALAFIS- WAHABI jihadis.
Would we expect the truth from Mossad??
March 12th, 2012, 6:47 am
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
518. IRRITATED
You have revealed a lot about yourself with this response. No wonder you are biased in favor of a murderous dictator and you seem anti-Sunni!
In any case, the invitation stands. You are invited, but my grandparents’ house has been, and will always remain, in a well-known Damascus’ neighborhood!
March 12th, 2012, 7:03 am
Juergen said:
50 intellectuals call upon the security council to act upon Syria
Given the bloody suppression of the opposition in Syria, intellectuals and politicians from around the world,have signed a letter calling the UN Security Council to stop the killings in Syria. The divisions in the international community had “given a false sense of security to the government of President Bashar al-Assad, that violent suppression is a viable option,”it is said in the letter of approximately 50 internationally known figures. Which was quoted in the “Sueddeutsche Zeitung”. “The responsibility for the bloodshed in Syria lie ultimately with those who allow or commit those terrible crimes ,” it said in the statement.
Among the signatories to the newspaper, are the former president of Germany and South Africa, Richard von Weizsäcker and Frederik Willem de Klerk, the philosopher Juergen Habermas, the writer
Umberto Eco and David Grossman, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi and Jody Williams and the Russian human rights activist Lyudmila Alekseeva .
The appeal is directed particularly to Russia, which opposes so far, together with China any condemnation of the Assad regime through the UN Security Council. “We appeal to the new Russian government to join the common effort to end the conflict and restore peace and stability in Syria and the region,” says the letter to the 15 members of the Panel. The UN Security Council in New York on Monday debated for over a year Arab spring.
March 12th, 2012, 7:16 am
DAWOUD HOLY HOMS said:
P.S.,
I will not reveal NOW the true location of my grandparents’ Damascus home because I don’t want Hasan Nasrallah’s and Bashar’s murderous Shabiha to burn it!
March 12th, 2012, 8:02 am
Dawoud holy homs said:
AS we post here now, Israel is attacking Gaza and committing war crimes & Bashar al-Assad is attacking Idlib and Hama and committing war crimes.
Fee Syria, Free Palestine!
P.s., Amir in colonial Tel Aviv hasn’t been posting. Is he participating in the attacks on Gaza?
http://www.aljazeera.net/news/pages/1d8bafd1-d8f6-44c1-bd12-fcf22f7dcffe?GoogleStatID=1
http://www.aljazeera.net/news/pages/8ec6ffbc-f777-4d4c-9f4c-4841d716a7ca?GoogleStatID=1
March 12th, 2012, 8:10 am
Mina said:
Israel attacks Gaza because it wants (with its new Gulf friends) to force the US/EU into a war with Iran.
This was spotted by an Angry Arab correspondent
Ahmad Zaydan was the correspondent for AlJazeera in Pakistan and has not in any way disguised his sympathy for Taliban and Al-Qa`idah. He is a member of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood (and member of the Syrian National Council) and is thus now qualified to be correspondent on Syrian uprising, here he cites a “very high ranking source” in the Free Syrian Army and say that Israeli drones are monitoring the activities of the Free Syrian Army on behalf of the Syrian regime. Wla: can you report on cooperation between Qatar and Israel using “a very high ranking source” in the Qatar royal family?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSKnusKi6gQ&feature=youtu.be
And please read and circulate:
http://www.syrianews.cc/dr-omar-thaher-defend-syria-iraq-403.html
March 12th, 2012, 8:16 am
Syrialover said:
# 536. SANDRO LOEWE
Your assassination fantasy is shared by millions.
Not just as revenge and pest control, but as a way of turning off the source of orders to kill, and, as you say, removing the obstacles to any negotiation and resolution.
But as others here have said, who is there in the regime to hold any effective dialogue with? Who is now really running things, and who is controlling what? Bashar, his brother, his brother in law?
March 12th, 2012, 8:16 am
Syrialover said:
By the way, that’s an interesting outburst in response to Sandro Loewe from “873” (comment #539). The spluttering outrage does not extend to the mass killings of ordinary Syrians. Here’s some insight into “873’s” world view: https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=13937&cp=all#comment-300432 (warning: contains extreme conspiracy theories)
Here’s a taster: “NATO, using its proxies like Al Qaeda, MEK and their paid “terrorist’ mercs are responsible for starting this mess to provoke a crackdown by Syrian govt” and “The thousands killed by the mercs/ and or Syria defense is just collateral damage to the NATO New World Order chiefs and we all know it. Spare us the sanctimonious ‘dead martyr for freedom’ act.”
March 12th, 2012, 8:21 am
jna said:
541. Juergensaid:
50 intellectuals call upon the security council to act upon Syria
(…)
“We appeal to the new Russian government to join the common effort to end the conflict and restore peace and stability in Syria and the region”
The majority effort at the UN has been a one sided attempt to depose the government of Syria. Russia has insisted that peace and stability in Syria will best come with steps which take into account the wishes and interests of all Syrians, not just the wishes of revolutionaries and 50 intellectuals.
March 12th, 2012, 8:46 am
SANDRO LOEWE said:
Dear 873,
Regarding your comment 539, I suposse it will be cancelled by the moderator if there is any.
As per your accusations please notice I have never killed, raped or tortured anyone. Do not expect the Karma Law to work for thoughts, desires and illusions like mine while you ignore the original facts. And the original facts are the permanent sins and violations of all syrians rights.
I do expect the Karma law to justice the syrian regime officials. But if Karma law does not ecexute them, the we, the people of Syria whould do.
March 12th, 2012, 8:49 am
SANDRO LOEWE said:
Someone said I am an animal for considering the death of the president a necessary step for the resolution of this conflict. Well, mine is just an analytical consideration. The attitude of 873 defines what the syrian regime is:
1) Citizens of syrian state are not humans but numbers like 873
2) Thoughts and opinions are crimes and deserve death penalty
3) State crimes and abuses are ignored and unknown. No one is responsible for them.
For this reason I think President Bashar Al Assad should executed (one bullet is enough, two bullets would be a wasting amunition could be needed for others) as well as Maher, Assef and many others in order to have a commun basis to begin a rational diallogue between opposition and army to reduce security services influence.
March 12th, 2012, 9:04 am
Syrialover said:
My thoughts are with the brave people of Idlib. I feel numb,in shock. And after Babr Amr and Idlib there will be more come.
““After shelling the city, security forces began a house-to-house search for activists and protesters,” said Abu Hani, a resident of Idlib in a phone interview with Al Jazeera. “And soldiers have been granted complete freedom to loot everything from homes and shops.”
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/terrorism-security/2012/0312/Activists-With-UN-gone-Syrian-forces-kill-nearly-50-women-children
March 12th, 2012, 9:10 am
Syrialover said:
#549. SANDRO LOEWE
Brilliant analysis of the “873” issue.
And you are right about the need for removing Maher, Assef and their offsiders operating the security services before any rational dialogue can be possible with the army.
March 12th, 2012, 9:22 am
bronco said:
%529 Mina
In my view such horrible crime on innocents can only be a retaliation or a blackmail crime.
It is too quick to put strictly the blame on the regime security, it could be as well a private revenge from other killings, a theft, or a threat to the person through the murder of his family, as we have seen in Homs a few month ago. It could well be that this family is one of a regime secret agent as it could well be that this family is one of the wanted rebel.
Remember the french journalist Gilles Jacquier. The opponents were quick in putting the blame on the army when it turned out to be a ‘mistake’ from the armed opposition. The story was quickly buried.
In time when law and order collapses the worst in human being come out. When the government calls for the army to ensure the security of the civilians in time when dark forces are in action, the rebels accuse them of the same massacre the army is trying to prevent. If there is no one to protect the civilians by using deterrent forces, hatred and greed will come out in more killings.
Is it a coincidence that this crime occurs just as some Arabs are calling for a “third armed force” to protect the civilians?
Is this the confirmation needed for the international community that their request is fully justified?
Are we going to see more of these horrible crimes so as the Arabs demand becomes a necessity. Or it is a ploy to deligitimize, break the Syrian Army and encourage defections. So many dark forces are part of this complex situation, that anything is possible and the reality of the events is blurred.
Jumping to a convenient and easy conclusion just exacerbate hatred and desire of revenge and murder as we are seeing here on SC.
It is necessary to keep the head cool and hope that more information will come out to determine who was really behind these hideous crimes.
March 12th, 2012, 9:49 am
zoo said:
Diplomacy unlikely to unseat Assad
By Roula Khalaf in London Financial Times
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c9ca9558-6b89-11e1-8337-00144feab49a.html#ixzz1ouZSHnrN
March 12th, 2012, 10:08 am
Son of Damascus said:
How can people keep making excuses for this bloody regime.
– The regime and its hyenas are in Homs, after they “liberated” it and have been going HOUSE TO HOUSE to “cleanup and disinfect” the people of Homs
– None of these atrocities were committed when the FSA was in Homs, ONLY after Assad’s dogs were let loose. I wonder who the armed terrorist really are!!!!
– Now these Hyenas are going into Rastan and Idlib and inflicting the same genocide, while apologist try to drown out the truth with bogus stories and turning a blind eye. For the record turning a blind eye on these crimes is aiding and abetting this god awful regime.
All these deaths, rapes, and spilled blood caused by Besho and his gang of murderers so that they can keep chocking the life out of our country, and call themselves our momentary masters.
March 12th, 2012, 10:11 am
zoo said:
Iran and the Shias accused of the crime against Sunni families?
Activists: Civilians ‘Massacred’ in Central Syria
By BASSEM MROUE Associated Press
BEIRUT March 12, 2012 (AP)
…
Karm el-Zeytoun has witnessed intense anti-regime protests in the past months. It is one of several neighborhoods in Homs that have large populations both of Alawites — a Shiite offshoot that dominates the Damascus regime — and of Sunnis — who make up much of the opposition against it.
The Observatory said that after the killings, many people fled Karm el-Zeytoun as well as the nearby neighborhoods of Bab Dreb and Nazihin, for fear pro-government gunmen might carry out similar attacks.
Pictures posted online by activists showed the bodies of five children who were disfigured after being apparently hit with sharp objects. At least six dead adults were covered with sheets.
An amateur video posted online showed men wrapping the bodies of the dead with white cloth in accordance with Muslim tradition before burial.
“This is what they do to us, the Sunnis. The Sunnis are being wiped out, they are the ones who are dying at the hands of Iran and the Shiites,” shouted a man in the background. Shiite Iran is one of the Assad regime’s few remaining allies.
“We tell Bashar that your punishment will be harsh,” the man shouted. The authenticity of the video could not be independently confirmed.
March 12th, 2012, 10:12 am
zoo said:
The Tlass brothers defection: Another hoax ?
http://all4syria.info/web/archives/56487
?? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ????
??????
editor2
– 2012/03/12??? ??: ????? ?????
???? ????? – ????? ????????
?????? ???? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??? ????? ..
??? ????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ” ???? ???? ” ????? ???? ?? ????? ????? ??? ???? ???? ??? ???? ?? ????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ??? ??? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ..
Also
http://syrie.blog.lemonde.fr/2012/03/12/du-bon-et-du-mauvais-usage-des-rumeurs-en-syrie/
March 12th, 2012, 10:19 am
Son of Damascus said:
More evidence of regime crimes, snipers targeting the wounded and whom ever tries to help.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBvWRcMGeRs&feature=youtu.be
These are Assads crimes!!!
March 12th, 2012, 10:21 am
irritated said:
#556 Sandro Lowe
“If you persist in attacking personally, and moderator does not act I will take measures.”
The moderator email is [email protected]
March 12th, 2012, 10:25 am
Son of Damascus said:
Grown men reduced to tears, their anger pointed at one man, Bashar Al Assad.
March 12th, 2012, 10:26 am
Son of Damascus said:
Eye witness testimony to the crimes of Assads dogs crime.
March 12th, 2012, 10:29 am
Juergen said:
Interview with Bernard-Henri Lévy in DIE ZEIT magazine, translated
What are we waiting?
Europe becomes guilty when it does not stop the killings in Syria, said the French philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy.
Die Zeit: Emir Suljagic, a survivor of the Srebrenica massacre, has recently called for in DIE ZEIT the West to support the Syrian opposition to arms sales and air operations. Do you agree?
Bernard-Henri Levy: Of course. Srebrenica is a gaping wound in the heart of Europe. All of our shame. Who has time for almost twenty years ago vowed “Never again! Never again Srebrenica “, which can react only as Emir Suljagic. If you think like him, like me, that there is a time before Srebrenica and some time after, one can not allow this dishonesty: the non-intervention in Syria.
DIE ZEIT : So you are for a military intervention.
Levy: I’m sure to be consistent. We will soon celebrate the first anniversary of the rescue of Benghazi, the Libyan rebel city, and today there is a new Benghazi, and this is called Homs, the situations may be different. But any action would indeed not be the same type of intervention.
DIE ZEIT: How is the Syrian case, unlike the Libyan?
Levy: The tanks are different, for example. In Benghazi, they stood in the suburbs, in Homs you are in the midst of the city. Or that during the intervention in Libya we had a large liberated zone,the Cyrenaica. Such a thing does not exist in Syria. But the principle is the same. For the non-intervention, there is just no excuse.
DIE ZEIT: Just that this time in Syria’s case there is no legitimacy given by the UN. Is an intervention is not a breach of international law?
Levy: Yes, certainly. But I would remind you that Nicolas Sarkozy had in the Libyan case indeed considered such a violation. He had said to the representatives of the National Transitional Council, which I had brought to the Elysee, on 10 March: “I am committed to a mandate from the UN and do everything we can, and if , God forbid, we do not succeed, we should resort to a different instance to do things.” He thought of what was a kind of ad-hoc group led by France and Great Britain, consisting of the Arab League, some states of the African Union and NATO. It is now also the case in Syria: The best way would be to go through the UN Security Council. But if you remain a hostage of the Chinese and the Russians in the council, one has to just disregard them.
DIE ZEIT: There is a concern, an intervention in Syria, would open the window for a tactical assault for Israel on the Iranian nuclear weapons program. Do you share this concern?
Levy: I think vice versa, the overthrow of the Assad regime would weaken the Shiite axis, which stretches from Tehran to the Hamasland and Hezbollah in Lebanon. So the opposite of what you say is true! To intervene in Syria, Israel would not encourage, but it would make a war against Iran unnecessary because Ahmadinejad would be weakened. Morality and politics we find for once in union here.
DIE ZEIT: You are in contact with François Hollande, who is perhaps France’s next president. Is Syria a topic of conversation?
Levy: We have seen each other once a month ago. And on the day we actually spoke about Syria. He seemed to be aware of the realities shaken by the horror and decided to give the issue priority, should he be elected.
DIE ZEIT : The magazine Le Nouvel Observateur published an appeal “SOS Syria,” is to commit the future president to stand up for the opening of Syria for journalists and NGOs. Hollande and other candidates have signed up, Nicolas Sarkozy did not. Do you regret it?
Levy: As president, I think I know, he does what he can, more so than most of his colleagues. This is at least as good as to sign an appeal.
DIE ZEIT: Have you talked with him about Syria?
Levy: Yes. It seems to me that he is encouraged to believe that he was right in Libya. The cynicism of Russia and China would horrify him fairly. In the UN they are two great rogue states. Sarkozy has once again evaded them, in the Libyan case. It is difficult, in the Syrian case, to get that done again. The topic of the moment is called safe haven on the borders of Jordan and Lebanon. There should be no kill zones, protected either by a foreign armed force or of the Syrian army outside of us. We should attack from the air to intervene to prevent the movement of troops, tanks and heavy weapons that are in the process in Syria to create one, two, three new Srebrenica.
DIE ZEIT: A foreign power, you refer – who do you think of ?
Levy: Turkey, for example. They understood that it is also their position in the region to use their influence and their ability to oppose imperialist intentions, of Tehran.
http://www.zeit.de/2012/11/BHL-Interview
March 12th, 2012, 10:35 am
zoo said:
More about the ‘massacre’ of karm al zeitun
Why would the killers need to disfigure their victims other than wanting that no one could recognize them?
http://www.chinaview.cn/world/index.htm
The state-run SANA news agency quoted an unnamed media source as saying that armed terrorist groups kidnapped people in central Homs province, killed and distorted their bodies and later sent their pictures to media outlets to portray them as victims of military assaults on civilians.
“We have got used to such escalation by armed groups before the Security Council’s sessions on Syria in order to press for aggressive stances toward the country,” said the source.
“However, the state-TV cited some residents of Homs province as saying that the footages of the slain people aired by Arab TVs belong to their kidnapped relatives, who had been snatched by armed groups lately.”
(…)
March 12th, 2012, 10:37 am
irritated said:
#564 Juergen
Interview with Bernard-Henri Lévy
Sick.March 12th, 2012, 10:39 am
Mawal95 said:
@ 562, 563: Sometimes when grown men lose a contest, they cry. I’ve seen grown men reduced to tears after a soccer match, their anger pointed at one man, Lionel Messi. There’s nothing surprising in finding some of the supporters of the rebels in Khalidiya in Homs city reduced to tears, as it sinks in that they lost the contest. By the way much of the upswell in violence over the past six months was driven by anger within the ranks of the street protesters that their street protests lost. Now that violence too has lost, they cry. Allah mhiye assoudna.
March 12th, 2012, 10:39 am
Son of Damascus said:
Mawal95,
“Sometimes when grown men lose a contest, they cry. I’ve seen grown men reduced to tears after a soccer match, their anger pointed at one man, Lionel Messi. I can find nothing surprising in seeing some of the supporters of the rebels in Khalidiya in Homs city reduced to tears, as it sinks in that they lost. Allah mhiye assoudna.”
You are comparing a football game to the horrors that Syrians are enduring.
You are sick.
Allah yel3an Al Assad
Do Football stars piss themselves before being slaughtered like these innocent kids that were killed by the Assadist thugs
https://twitter.com/#!/Roqaya_Z/status/179175602585214976/photo/1
March 12th, 2012, 10:48 am
Juergen said:
Irritated
reading your posts today i would answer to you: Ditto.
March 12th, 2012, 10:54 am
Mawal95 said:
@ JAD and anyone else whose interested, the following link has a complete list of the Syrian security forces deaths (more exactly, the burials), listed day-by-day for the four months November, December, January, February. By looking down through the list, you can see how the number of security forces deaths has changed from day to day, and from that you can form a picture of overall trend.
http://www.syrianews.cc/syria-list-martyrs-soldiers-police-february-514.html#comment-791
March 12th, 2012, 11:02 am
irritated said:
Juergen #566
My comment was addressed to BHL, not to you.
March 12th, 2012, 11:10 am
Son of Damascus said:
Survivor from the Karam El Zeitoun speaks of the horrors endured under the Assads thugs. Shot five times, dosed with gasoline, and still he survived to tell the truth.
Allah yel3an Al Assadieh.
March 12th, 2012, 11:11 am
Equus said:
By Elliott Abrams, Published: March 11,2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/tunisias-press-is-coming-under-attack/2012/03/11/gIQA5Dgx5R_story.html
Ghannouchi’s failure to support freedom of expression is alarming. Ennahda dominates the new Tunisian government and parliament, so it will be difficult for liberal groups to defend press freedom if the ruling party will not do so.
But the U.S. government has been silent. Tunisian liberals say that the U.S. Embassy in Tunis is unengaged with their efforts to make sure the Tunisian model remains one of expanding freedom. The State Department and the White House have said nothing about these incidents.
————
The question is who is Elliott Abrams? Get load of this:
From Iran-Contra to Bush’s democracy czar.
By Michael Crowley|Posted Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005, at 1:41 PM ET
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/assessment/2005/02/elliott_abrams.html
Abrams has moved from the staff of the National Security Council to the post of deputy national security adviser. It’s a significant promotion, one that gives Abrams both an elevated stature and new management powers. Specifically, the White House says Abrams will be in charge of “global democracy strategy,” effectively making him Bush’s democracy czar.
So the democracy czar is complaining as if democracy strategy was better implemented under his boss in Iraq, etc. The global democracy strategy was very simple ” Global Conundrum Strategy”
March 12th, 2012, 11:40 am
Uzair8 said:
The following quote from #530 should have been highlighted:
“Assadists have invented something new: Horrorism. It is terrorism without reason, without limit, without honor or shame.”
Horrorism.
March 12th, 2012, 11:42 am
zoo said:
Are Qatar and KSA weapons supplies on the way?
Russia’s relief supplies arrive in Syria
2012-03-12
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-03/12/c_131462569.htm
DAMASCUS, March 12 (Xinhua) — Two Russian planes carrying humanitarian relief aid landed in Damascus’ international airport Monday, an official source told Xinhua anonymously.
The planes, carrying more than 78 tons of relief materials, were received by the Syrian Red Crescent and representatives from the international Red Cross, the source said.
The aid, including tents, blankets and food, will be offered to Syrian citizens to improve the humanitarian conditions in the unrest-hit country which has suffered great human and economic losses, the Russian Emergencies Ministry said earlier in the day.
March 12th, 2012, 12:09 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
MODERATOR,
Is there any rule or it is allowed to insult freely? For example calling Assadists bastards and jerks that stinks and sucks. Or is it better to call them simply animals as they do? Any rule?
We can see in this SC people defending the destruction of whole villages and suburbs with all its inhabitants inside but when it comes to describing Assad martyrdom as the best possible solution for the syrian people in their whole history then it sound too much… Assad must die.
March 12th, 2012, 12:13 pm
irritated said:
#574 Uzair8 said
“It is terrorism without reason, without limit, without honor or shame.”
Are you implying that terrorism that has reasons, limit, honor and shame is acceptable?
March 12th, 2012, 12:14 pm
Uzair8 said:
The Moral Maze is a weekly ~45 minute programme on BBC Radio 4 that covers a story from the weeks news. Regular panellists such as former UK Defense secretary Michael Portillo and rightwing pro-Isreali columnist Melanie Phillips is another. The panel interrogate guests who argue for opposing sides on the issue.
The most recent topic was ‘Iran and nuclear weapons’.
I checked the list of available previous shows and noticed the absence of a Syria specific programme. I suspect (and hope) they will cover Syria in the following weeks.
For the latest episode:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01cwrw8
March 12th, 2012, 12:21 pm
zoo said:
Ghaliun is shopping for ‘qualitative weapons’
Syrian opposition receiving funds to arm rebels
12/03/2012
By Paula Astatih
http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=28823
Beirut, Asharq Al-Awsat- Burhan Ghalioun, chairman of the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC), revealed: “The council has begun to receive financial resources, in the form of donations from some Arab and international countries. The council now is trying to obtain qualitative weapons to break the murderous arm of the Syrian regime.”
Ghalioun said that: “The priority now is to stop this murderous arm, and to remove Bashar al-Assad and the militias that currently govern Syria,” as he put it.
The SNC chairman explained that: “When the SNC discovered there was a lack of coordination with elements of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), we opted to form the Military Consultative Council to coordinate this process.” Ghalioun pointed out: “We will obtain certain weapons through negotiations currently taking place with some countries,” but “delivering any aid into Syria is an extremely complicated logistical issue that is subject to many considerations.”
(..)
March 12th, 2012, 12:22 pm
Uzair8 said:
@577 Irritated.
Good question. Does the regimes wild brutality (horrorism) put ‘terrorism’ to shame?
Btw. It was a quote from AJE blog comment section.
March 12th, 2012, 12:26 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
578. IRRITATED
You already did insult. This is why I am writing this way. You and 873 summarize the personality of the regime. Agressive against free points of view.
Regarding terrorism the Assad regime (and all of Assad followers) is who says that terrorism is acceptable since they are using it in Palestine, Lebanon, Turkey and Irak long time ago.
March 12th, 2012, 12:26 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
I am glad that after some years we will be free of fascist people who had no intellectual values and ability to rule a modern Syria. Even if Assad was never a reformer but he tried to be a modernizer, at the end he will die in frustration and Syria will have been sent by his childish mistakes and madness to the Early Bronze Age.
There is no need for more discussions. Time will tell.
March 12th, 2012, 12:33 pm
Jad said:
SL
Send an email to the moderator instead of keep writing about it that you were insulted, Irritated give it to you and you may need to be considerate that the moderation team are not at our service 24/7
Irritated
In the ‘ staniani’ world terrorism is THE only ‘standards’ they know and promote so everything for them is according to Alqaeda.March 12th, 2012, 12:34 pm
zoo said:
The SNC puts its conditions to Annan, including “al -Assad should hand over office to his deputy and free elections should take place”.
Did they drop the demand for the formation of a national government and for a dialog before the elections?
Turkey on the hot seat to “lead the foreign intervention”.
Syria-optimist Annan holds Ankara talks
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/syria-optimist-annan-holds-ankara-talks.aspx?pageID=238&nID=15786&NewsCatID=338
DAMASCUS / ANKARA
…
The U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan’s visit to Syria ended without a deal, but he still expressed optimism after meeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for a second day yesterday, ahead of his visit to Ankara scheduled today.
“It’s going to be tough. It’s going to be difficult but we must have hope,” the former U.N. chief told reporters in Damascus following his meeting with al-Assad, Reuters reported. “I am optimistic for several reasons,” Annan said, citing a general desire for peace in Syria. “The situation is so bad and so dangerous that none of us can afford to fail.”
Annan said he had left “concrete proposals” with al-Assad for a way out of a conflict that has so far cost thousands of lives. “You have to start by stopping the killing and the misery and the abuses that are going on today, and then give time [for a] political settlement,” he said.
Annan to meet PM Erdo?an
After his talks in Damascus, Annan is expected to visit Qatar over an agreement between the Arab League and Russia on setting up a mechanism for “objective monitoring” in Syria. He will arrive in Turkey tonight to have discussions with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu tomorrow, before leaving the country, diplomatic sources told the Hürriyet Daily News yesterday. Annan will convey his observations and discuss grounds to facilitate humanitarian assistance to Syria, sources said.
Annan expressed his will to visit Syrian refugee camps in Hatay, but has not officially confirmed this yet due to his tight schedule, sources said. He is also likely to meet with Syrian opposition representatives in Turkey, a Syrian dissident told the Daily News.
Khaled Khoja, Turkey representative of the opposition Syrian National Council, told the Daily News that they were firm on asking for an Arab League road map and asked for help from the international community for that. Khoja said the Council would deliver the following conditions to Annan: there should be removal of soldiers from the streets in Syria, the international media and NGOs should be allowed in Syria, al-Assad should hand over office to his deputy, and free elections should take place.
…
Meanwhile, Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali said that if there is to be a foreign intervention to Syria to stop the violence, it should be led by Turkey and conducted by neighboring countries, in an interview with Anatolia News Agency. He said such theories were discussed during the Friends of Syria meeting that took place in Tunis recently. At the next meeting, which will be held in Istanbul, practical measures should be discussed, Jebali said.
(..)
March 12th, 2012, 12:37 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
The main problem in the arab countries, specially in Syria and Lebanon, is that we have too many dogs and pigs ready to serve power, in order to get a peice of bread or swill, no matter what kind of crimes or brutalities are being commited by their primitive mafious leaders.
March 12th, 2012, 12:43 pm
ann said:
Terror cell in Lebanese army discovered
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Monday confirmed that the authorities have detained a six-member terror cell. The group was allegedly planning attacks against the Lebanese army. “A cell in the Lebanese army has been uncovered,” the premier told journalists. The group, which was discovered two days ago, was active in the north and had ties to elements in Palestinian camps
[…]
http://rt.com/news/line/2012-03-12/#id27827
March 12th, 2012, 12:45 pm
irritated said:
#586 SL
Did you read the “Animal Farm?
March 12th, 2012, 12:47 pm
ann said:
Girl killed, 25 wounded in car bomb attack in southern Syria
A car bomb killed a schoolgirl and wounded 25 others at a school in the southern Syrian city of Deraa on Monday. The car exploded at nine in al-Kashef neighborhood in front of al-Mahatta High School for girls
[…]
http://rt.com/news/line/2012-03-12/#id27823
March 12th, 2012, 12:47 pm
ann said:
Syria to fight armed groups until ‘full victory’ – ambassador
The Syrian authorities will keep fighting armed groups “until they win a full victory,” the country’s ambassador to Moscow, Riyad Haddad, said on Monday. He stressed that Damascus was satisfied with the settlement plan suggested by Russia and the League of Arab States at the ministerial conference in Cairo on March 10.
[…]
http://rt.com/news/line/2012-03-12/#id27823
March 12th, 2012, 12:50 pm
ann said:
Russia sending humanitarian aid to Syria
The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry is sending about 80 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Syria at the government’s order. Two Ilyushin Il-76 jets are flying to Damascus on Monday. The humanitarian aid include tents, blankets, canned fish and meat, sugar, baby food and field kitchen sets, the ministry said.
[…]
http://rt.com/news/line/2012-03-12/#id27811
March 12th, 2012, 12:52 pm
ann said:
Al Jazeera exodus: Channel losing staff over ‘bias’ – 12 March, 2012
http://rt.com/news/al-jazeera-loses-staff-335/
A source told the Lebanese paper Al Akhbar that Al Jazeera’s Beirut correspondent Ali Hashem had quit over the channel’s stance on covering events in Syria. “… his position [which] changed after the station refused to show photos he had taken of armed fighters clashing with the Syrian Army in Wadi Khaled. Instead [Al Jazeera] lambasted him as a shabeeh [implying a regime loyalist],” a source told Lebanese press.
Ali Hashem was also infuriated by Al Jazeera’s refusal to cover a crackdown by the King of Bahrain while twisting its Syria angle. “[In Bahrain], we were seeing pictures of a people being butchered by the ‘Gulf’s oppression machine’, and for Al Jazeera, silence was the name of the game,” he said.
Journalist and author Afshin Rattansi, who worked for Al Jazeera, told RT that, “sadly”, the channel had become one-sided voice for the Qatari government’s stance against Bashar al-Assad, having begun as the region’s revolutionary broadcaster.
“It is very disturbing to hear how Al Jazeera is now becoming this regional player for foreign policy in a way that some would arguably say the BBC and others have been for decades,” he said. “If Al Jazeera Arabic is going to take a war-like stance after [the] Qatari government, this would be very ill.”
“There is the courage of these journalists, however, in saying ‘Look, this is not the way we should be covering this. There are elements of Al-Qaeda in there,’” Rattansi concluded. “The way Al Jazeera Arabic has covered the story of Syria is completely one-sided.”
Journalists and anti-war activist Don Debar, who has also had Al Jazeera experience, confirmed that the station has been heavily guided by the Qatari government in its policies.
“That has been ongoing since last April of 2011,” Debar told RT. “The head of the bureau in Beirut quit, many other people quit because of the biased coverage and outright hand of the government in dictating editorial policy over Libya, and now Syria.”
[…]
March 12th, 2012, 12:56 pm
Son of Damascus said:
“Russia sending humanitarian aid to Syria”
Great more russian bullets to kill Syrian families.
From Russia with love ….
March 12th, 2012, 12:56 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Now even historical sites are not exempt from Bashars criminal gang of thugs.
March 12th, 2012, 1:04 pm
ann said:
Syrian National Council calls for international military action
According to Al Jazeera News, Syria’s main opposition group, the SNC, has called for immediate Arab and international military action in the country.
[…]
http://rt.com/news/line/2012-03-12/#id27839
March 12th, 2012, 1:16 pm
ann said:
US and Russia clash over Syria at UN – Monday, March 12, 2012
http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/us-and-russia-clash-1381734.html
Washington and Moscow both called for an end to the bloody yearlong conflict — but on different terms, leaving in doubt prospects of breaking a deadlock in the council over a new resolution.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton rejected any equivalence between the “premeditated murders” carried by President Bashar Assad’s “military machine” and the civilians under siege driven to self-defense.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Syrian authorities “bear a huge share of responsibility” but insisted opposition fighters and extremists including al-Qaida are also committing violent and terrorist acts.
Lavrov said if the priority is to immediately end any violence and provide humanitarian aid to the Syrian people “then at this stage we should not talk about who was the first to start, but rather discuss realistic and feasible approaches which would allow (us) to achieve the cease-fire as a priority.”
Clinton declared that the Security Council cannot “stand silent when governments massacre their own people, threatening regional peace and security in the process.”
[…]
March 12th, 2012, 1:28 pm
zoo said:
Roma: 11 March, Demonstration pro-Syria and pro-Bashar – Video (ITA) + interview of Monsignor Hilarion Capucci
(in italian)
Monsignor Cappuci is a well known figure fiercefully supporting the Palestinian resistance
http://syrianfreepress.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/roma-11-marzo-manifestazione-pro-siria-e-pro-bashar-intervista-a-monsignor-capucci-video-ita/
March 12th, 2012, 1:37 pm
873 said:
#549
Who are you as a zionist front person to call yourself “syrian” and speak for them?The world doesnt need any more of the zionist targeted killing Talmudic ‘justice’-whether its aimed at Syrian regime or Syrian citizens. Arrest the guilty, try them, sentence them accordingly as stated by intl law. “Just kill them, I want them dead” is the crude, ugly response of an animal, not a human being. It will perpetuate an endless and bloody cycle of violence. Animals in the jungle behave like this.As for the karmic pulsa denura upon you and yours’? Well if you’re not a sadist but a noble well-meaning democratizer, certainly karmic (justice) will reward you in kind. Just wishes that what you wish onto others rebounds back to you, and if that is good, then you shouldnt be offended at my post should you?March 12th, 2012, 1:38 pm
jad said:
That is very shortsighted and rude to publicly expose Ghalyoun this way.
MBs chose him to be an ‘accepted’ face for their council instead of appointing someone who truly reflect the identity of the MB council as a way to bring support.
So Ghalyoun is now shamelessly used by both his own partners the fsa terrorists militias and by the MBs…how nice of them!
????????? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ???????? ??????
http://youtu.be/qgkahOK0bsM
March 12th, 2012, 2:07 pm
ann said:
NATO’s Libyan Lessons – Monday, 12 March 2012
http://www.guatemala-times.com/opinion/syndicated/the-world-in-words/2987-natos-libyan-lessons-.html
While the conditions in Libya were certainly optimal, the situation in Syria is better described as uniquely complicated for any intervention. For starters, Syria’s location in the eastern Mediterranean is not as advantageous as is Libya’s position in North Africa. Syria’s borders with Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, and Israel also present unique challenges to regional security, given the potential not only for international conflict, but also for destabilizing cross-border flows of refugees. Syria also has allies – most importantly Russia, with its veto-wielding seat on the United Nations Security Council.
The significant obstacles to intervention, and the genuine risk of making an already terrible situation worse, makes direct military intervention in Syria a remote possibility at this time. That is tragic in many ways, but it does not mean that the positive post-Libya momentum towards the protection of civilians is entirely lost. Even though it ended in failure, the Arab League agreement with the Assad regime to allow observers into Syria to facilitate an end to the conflict was brokered, as Oman’s foreign minister said, “to save the Arab world from Western intervention.” That League’s mission did not stop the killing, but it represented an escalation of pressure to end the slaughter – and it was based on leverage gained in Libya.
For NATO, that leverage depends upon its members’ ability to marshal the will and resources to intervene if necessary. In Libya, Europe finally had the will to lead, but it lacked the means, and still relied heavily on the US. Even though the US was not the first to call for military action, its participation in the mission was essential and confirmed its status as the one indispensable nation in the Western alliance.
With very small exceptions, the Libya campaign was exclusively an air war. True, the majority of strike sorties were carried out by non-US aircraft, with particular credit going to Denmark, Norway, and Belgium, which flew a disproportionate share of the missions. But European policymakers should not fool themselves into thinking that these numbers mean that their air-combat capabilities are sufficient to operate independently of America.
In addition to its air-strike deficiencies, Europe demonstrated serious shortfalls across all of the areas required to sustain any air campaign. As General Mark Welsh, Commander of US Air Forces in Europe, told top officers and industry executives at a gathering last summer, “We need more intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability, and we need it now.”
Unfortunately, the ongoing economic crisis is exerting downward pressure on defense budgets across NATO, exposing the need for greater cooperation among the alliance’s European members. The harm caused by budget cuts is likely to multiply if all European governments slash spending in the same areas. German Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Aarne Kreuzinger-Janik warns that this would create “even bigger gaps and shortfalls.” European governments must now work to ensure that they invest their limited resources in the right areas.
[…]
March 12th, 2012, 2:14 pm
ann said:
Unrest closes Turkey-Syria bus routes – March 12, 2012
http://www.sundayszaman.com/sunday/newsDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=274009
Bus services between Turkey and Syria have been canceled as clashes grow between the Syrian government and anti-regime military defectors.
Speaking to the Anatolia news agency on Monday, officials from Turkish bus companies who operate routes between the Turkish border province of Hatay and the Syrian cities of Damascus and Aleppo said that the routes will be closed due to a lack of security on Syrian roads.
[…]
March 12th, 2012, 2:18 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
583. IRRITATED
Did you read ¨1984¨? Oh no, I am sorry, you indeed lived ¨1984¨´s worst nightmares inside Syrian Jail.
March 12th, 2012, 2:18 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
595. ANN
Ahsan. Something warriors Assad was looking for are coming next.
March 12th, 2012, 2:21 pm
ann said:
Tehran denies Davuto?lu’s claim of waning Iranian support for Syria – 12 March 2012
http://www.sundayszaman.com/sunday/newsDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=274044
An Iranian official has asserted that Tehran fully supports the Syrian government amid widespread anti-regime protests, denying a recent claim by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu that Iran’s support for President Bashar al-Assad’s regime has been fading.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian reiterated the Islamic Republic’s full backing for the Syrian government and nation, Iran’s Press TV reported on Monday. He also dismissed a recent Turkish report quoting Davuto?lu as saying Iran and Russia’s support for Syria had waned.
Davuto?lu was quoted as saying on Saturday to Turkish daily Radikal that Iran and Russia have been revising their expectations as to Assad’s fate. “They had both expected that Assad would have a hard time, but eventually be able to reinstate his control. Now, they do not stand by Assad as determinedly as they were last August. They are asking about alternatives. Both countries have begun to feel concerned about a post-Assad era,” Davuto?lu said.
Amir-Abdollahian, on the other hand, said his country fully supports the Syrian regime, asserting that reforms initiated by Assad will move ahead and that the people of Syria would take a stand against “foreign intervention.”
[…]
March 12th, 2012, 2:21 pm
jad said:
Bassam AlKadi- ???? ??????
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?? ?? ??? ???? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ??????
?? ?? ??? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ??????..
?? ?? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ??????..
?? ?? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ?????..
?? ?? ??? ???? ??? ??? ????????? ?? ??? ???? ???? ????????? ?? ?????? ????????? ?? ??????..
??? ???? ???? ????? ??? ??????? ????? ?? ???????.. ???? ?????? ??????? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ??? ?? ?? ???? ???? ??? ??????..
https://www.facebook.com/alkadi.bassam/posts/408468699170422
March 12th, 2012, 2:22 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
The FM of GCC made mistake by signing agreement with Lavrov, equating the brutality of Assad mafia,with resistance of FSA.They are not equal, the Assad Mafia is far exceed the violence by the FSA.
The massacres that the Assad mafia is committing must prompt the US and GCC to act soon,these are clear human rights violations.
Assad lost his legitimacy long time ago, he is not head of regime anymore, he is head of murderous gang use the Shabbiha, and his loyal soldiers,to murder the Syrians, there is no law in Syria ,Turkey and KSA must strike the fourth brigade,and republican guard,
Assad must be a target he and his family must be targeted, US can trace him easilyThe SC members supporting Assad, They do not believe in freedom and democracy,
thus they pose serious danger to the saftey and security of the USA ,if they live in the USA, and must be watched carefully by the FBI,they can not hide behind fake names, my political friends agree.March 12th, 2012, 2:33 pm
dawoud holy homs said:
587. ann
This is an old story! Really old! You are working very hard to find online stories favorable to Bashar the Murderer. Only the Lebanese supporters of Hizballah (who should not been hired in the first place) have quit Aljazeera. There are millions of Arab/Muslim talents who wish to work for “the network of the free!”
??????? ?? ???? ???????. ?????? ????? ????????? ??? ???????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???. ?????? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ????
March 12th, 2012, 2:35 pm
jad said:
ksa is sending it’s Alqaeda prisoners to fight in Syria:
????? ????? ?? ???? ??? ??????: ????? ??????? ??? ?????..
????? ? ???? ?????
“???? ????? ???? ??? ???? ?? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ??????? ???????? ???? ????? ??? ?? ??????? ????? ??? ?????”. ??? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ????? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ???? ?? ?????!.
?????? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ??????? ?? ??? ?? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ???????!
????????? ?? ??? ????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ???? ??? ????? ??? ??? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ??????? ???????? ????? ????? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ???????? ?? ?????? ?????? ??? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ??????. ??? ??????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ????? ???????? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ????? ?????? ?? ??????? ???????? ??? ?? ?????? ??????? ??? ?? ???????!
????? ????? ???? ???????? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ??????? ????? ???? ?? “????????” ?? ???????? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ?? ????????? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?? ??????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ??? ???? ???????? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ?????:
? ? ?????? ????????? ??????? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ?????
? ? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ?? ?? ???? ?? ???? ?? ?????
????? ??????? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ??????? ?????????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ?????. ??? ?? ????? ??? ???? ????? ????? ?????. ????? ?? ???????? ???? ??? ??????? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ?? ?? ???? ??? ???? ??????? ?? ????????? ?? ?? ????? ????? ??????. ??? ?? ?????? ? ??????? ??????? ?????? ? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ?? ??? ????? ??? ????? ????? ????? ???? ?? ???? ??? ????? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ??????? .
??????? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ????????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ????????? ???? ?????? ??? ?? ??????? ???????? ????? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ?????????? ?????? ??? ???. ?? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ???????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ????? ??? ??? ???? ??? ???? ????? ?? ??????? ??? ?????.
????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?? ????????? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?? ??????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ????????? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ??????? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ?? ?? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ??????.
http://www.alintiqad.com/essaydetails.php?eid=52841&cid=76
March 12th, 2012, 2:41 pm
dawoud holy homs said:
P.S., I am now watching Aljazeera live online and I see all the talents I like to see. Nobody is missing! Bashar’s/Hasan’s anti-Aljazeera, with an assist from Putin’s “Russia Today, ” is NOT working! Free Syria, Free Palestine!
How much does Hasan Narallah pay for those in his Lebanese world who post pro-Dictator propaganda here 24/7?! They also post the English versions of his cult of personality speeches on the blogs!!!!!!!!!!!http://www.todayszaman.com/news-274075-annan-arrives-in-turkey-says-killings-of-civilians-must-stop-in-syria.html
Annan arrives in Turkey, says killings of civilians must stop in Syria
UN peace envoy Kofi Annan expressed deep concern Monday over the violence in Syria, urging the world to send a clear message to Damascus that the killings of civilians must stop immediately.
Annan left Syria on Sunday without a deal to end the bloody year-old conflict there as President Bashar Assad’s forces mounted a new assault on rebel strongholds in the north.
Annan met with Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an in Ankara on Monday, following talks in Qatar earlier in the day. Annan is expected to meet members of the Syrian opposition in Ankara on Tuesday, according to his staff.
Syrian activists said Monday that pro-government gunmen have killed at least 16 people – including children – in a rebel stronghold recaptured by the government in the embattled central city of Homs.
The UN estimates that Syria’s crackdown has killed more than 7,500 people so far. The killings add to the pressure on UN Security Council members who are meeting to decide what to do next to stop the violence. The international community’s current effort – a peacemaking mission by Annan – is faltering, with both the Syrian government and the opposition refusing to talk to one another.
“There are grave and appalling reports of atrocities and abuses. The killing of civilians must stop now. The world has to send a clear and united message in this regard,” Annan told reporters upon his arrival in Ankara.
He said the diplomatic process would take time.
“This a very complex situation,” said Annan. “We are going to press ahead for humanitarian access, for the killings of civilians to stop, and that get everybody to the table to work out a political solution.”
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, meanwhile, urged Syria’s president Monday to take swift action to end his regime’s bloody crackdown and appealed to the divided UN Security Council to speak with one voice and help Syria “pull back from the brink of a deeper catastrophe.” Ban said the conflict in Syria has led the entire region into uncertainty and subjected citizens in several cities to disproportionate violence.
Russia, which is Syria’s most powerful ally, and China have vetoed two U.S. and European-backed Security Council resolutions that would have condemned Assad’s bloody crackdown, saying they were unbalanced and demanded that only the government stop attacks, not the opposition. Moscow accused Western powers of fueling the conflict by backing the rebels.
The UN chief said he joined Annan “in urging President Assad to act swiftly, within the next few days in response to the proposals.”
Syria’s envoy to the United Nations in Geneva accused Israel of supplying arms to the Syrian rebels. Ambassador Fayssal al-Hamwi told the UN Human Rights Council on Monday that Israeli weapons were being funneled to opposition groups and foreign fighters linked to al-Qaida.
Israel said the allegation by the Syrian envoy was baseless.
March 12th, 2012, 2:43 pm
dawoud holy homs said:
# 604
I forgot to add […] because it wasn’t the full text.
March 12th, 2012, 2:44 pm
jad said:
“Aljazeera is the channel of the ‘free'”….
OH PLEEAASE!! (Shouting) It’s the channel of evil and lies.
«???????» ????? ?????? ????????!
??????? ??????
{…}
??? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ???????????? ??????? ??? ???? «???????»? ?? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ???? «???????». ???? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ????? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ????? ?? ???? ???????. ?????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ???????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ??????.
?????? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ???: ?? ??? ??? ?? ????? ?? ??? ????? ???????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ?? «???????»? ?? ??? ??? ?? ???? ???? ???? ?? «???????»? ?? ??????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ?? «???????»? ?? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ???? «???????»?
????? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ???????? ???? ?????? ??? ???? «???????». ??? ??????? ???????? ??? ??? ????? ???? ??: ?? ????? ??? ??? ???? ???? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ??????
??????? ?? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???????? ?? ???? ??????? ???????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ??????? ?? ???? «???????». ?? ?? ??????? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ????????? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ?? «??????? ???????? ??????? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ??????? ?? ??????? ??????? ?? ??? ???? ?? ?? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?? ???????? ??? ?????? ?? ??????. ?? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ????? ?????? ???????».
???????? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ?? ???? «???????». ??? ?? ????? ???? ?? ?? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ???????? ?????. ???? ???? ??? ??????? ????? ????? ??????? ????? ??????? ??? ???? «???????» ?????? ??????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ????… ?? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ??????? ??? «???????» ????? ????? ?????
{…}
?????? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ????? ?????. ??? ?????? ???????? ???? ???? ?????? «???????»? ?? ???? ??? ?? ???? ??? ??????. ??? ???? ?? ???? ??????? ?????????? ??????? ???????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ???? ?????????? ?????? ????? ?? ???????. ??? ???? ??????? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ??????. ?? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ??????? «???????» ?? ???? ????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ????. ??? ?? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???????? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ?????.
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/45304
March 12th, 2012, 2:47 pm
Dawoud holy homs said:
Yes, brother Jad. Please name one one talent who left and is badly missed! Ahmad Mansoor,Faisal al-Qassem, Khadeeja bin Qana, Layla al-Shyib, et al. are all still there! Even if they leave they could be replaced by many many othe talents. But, they are going nowhere! Ghasan bin Jadou (who factually is Nasrallah’s friend and married to Shia Lebanese) left the station and formed a-Mayadeen, which is another version of al-Manar, al-Dunia. For more see:
???? ?? ???
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghassan_Ben_Jeddou
March 12th, 2012, 2:56 pm
zoo said:
The Tlass brothers are not defecting
Syrian former defence minister Tlass in France: opposition
AFP – 2 hrs 20 mins ago
Syrian regime stalwart and former defence minister Mustafa Tlass has arrived in Paris with one of his sons but they are not defecting, opposition representatives told AFP on Monday.
Tlass arrived in France from Syria with his businessman son Firas, the Paris-based opponents said. His other son Manaf, an officer in the Syrian regime’s military, is believed still to be in Damascus.
Mohamad al-Rashdan, member of the National Committee for Support of the Syrian Revolution, told AFP: “He has been in France for five days after having an argument with Assef Shawkat, President Bashar al-Assad’s brother-in-law.”
Shawkat is the current deputy defence minister and husband of President Assad’s sister Bushra.
A source close to the Syrian community in exile told AFP: “Tlass and his son Firas arrived in Paris yesterday (Sunday). I don’t think this is a defection. He will be here awhile, but it is with the regime’s authorisation.”
Other Syrian regime opponents confirmed Tlass’s presence in France but denied reports that he was about to announce his defection or that he was meeting with opposition members.
(…)
March 12th, 2012, 3:18 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
DHH
You missed the talented Khaled Abu Salah.
March 12th, 2012, 3:18 pm
zoo said:
Fareed Zacharia’ GPS
Five countries that may rise up next
http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/09/five-countries-that-may-rise-up-next/
Editor’s Note: The following piece, exclusive to GPS, comes from Wikistrat, the world’s first massively multiplayer online consultancy. It leverages a global network of subject-matter experts via a crowd-sourcing methodology to provide unique insights.
Is the Arab Spring over? Or are there other countries that might rise up in the year ahead? Wikistrat asked its global community of analysts to consider this question. Here’s what they came up with:
1) Algeria
Up to now the regimes that have fallen – Libya, Tunisia, Egypt – have been led by strongman dictators who kept a lid on religious extremism. With Syria in flames and Yemen undergoing gradual reforms, that leaves only Algeria’s strongman Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
….
2) Bahrain
The Arab Spring to date has seen a number of politically oppressed Sunni majorities rise up and reclaim their Islamic identity. We’re running out of those situations. Now the Shia uprisings could commence – most notably in Bahrain.
….
3) “Greater Kurdistan”?
How things unfold in Syria could easily trigger follow-on crises in Lebanon, the Palestinian Territories, Iraq, Jordan, and Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Toss in the fact that Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is allegedly ill and the Syrian dynamic could easily mushroom into a wider regional crisis, perhaps one triggering a push by Syria and Turkey’s Kurdish minorities to connect up with the KRG in the eternal dream of Greater Kurdistan.
…
4) Saudi Arabia
The most likely way Syria’s civil war goes super-critical is for the region’s primary rivals (Turkey, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iran) to ramp up their existing meddling. But, in truth, all that would do is re-purpose Syria as a full-blown proxy conflict – a time-honored regional game typically centered on Palestine-v-Israel.
…
5) North Sudan or Ethiopia
Finally, if we’re looking for a potential regional breakout from the Middle East and North Africa, we might logically turn our strategic gaze to East Africa, where either (now North) Sudan or Ethiopia could soon fall victim to some serious bottom-up political unrest that takes its cue from the Arab Spring.
…
The bottom line is this: Other trees may threaten to fall in this forest, but nobody will hear them as long as Syria rages on, especially with the Iranian bomb dynamic hanging in the background. The Arab Spring may just have met its “Gettysburg” moment, meaning its high-water mark. It might just be counter-revolutions from here on out.
March 12th, 2012, 3:31 pm
Dawoud holy homs said:
610.
Believe me he is NOT missed. He was just a correspondent in Lebanon. Who cares?
Below is link to Aljazeera where you can see a list of its employees. The core is still there and isn’t going anywhere?
http://aljazeera.net/channel?GoogleStatID=33
Most of Aljazeera talent are Palestinians, Jordanians, Egyptians, Tunisians, Algerians, and Moroccans. NO Hizballah men/men left with Khaled abu Salah and bin Jadou’s positive resignation. Good riddance to those who apologize for a murderous dictatorship in the media!
March 12th, 2012, 3:32 pm
Jad said:
Dawood
Khaled Abou Sala7 is the Syrian guy used to report from Homs for Alkhanzeera.
Before he was caught faking gun shots during his ‘reporting’ mission.
March 12th, 2012, 3:37 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
DHH
I don’t think you know Khaled Abu Salah.just do search in you tube and you will see his shows.
Especially sea his show with a little girl called
??? he teaches her cursing words,he also teaches
Doctor Mohammad (which I used to respect until
I found out that he is also liar)who answers him
???? ????. I linked that play few times befor so you
Can do the search.
March 12th, 2012, 3:42 pm
Dawoud holy homs said:
613. JAD
Who cares about Khaled abou Salah? YOU know Arabic, and you know very well that those are the core of Aljzeera: Mohammad Krishan, Khadijah ben Qana, Layla al-Shayib, Fail Qassam (who is a Druze Syrian and hosts the most popular “opposite direction” ??????? ???????), Ahmad Mansoor (??? ????),et al.
This core is the main thing, and it’s going nowhere! When Tamer al-Mishal ???? ??????? “defects” to Rami Makhlouf’s media empire, I will write Aljazeera’s obituary!!!!!!! It’s not happening. Other than in al-Dayiha al-Janoubiya (where Nasrallah’ hides), Arabs in cafes from Baghdad to Ribat watch Aljazeera! I am watching it now!
March 12th, 2012, 3:44 pm
Syrialover said:
All this squealing and sulking about Al Jazeera. I remember when the ones hating Al Jazeera most were the Saudis because of its constant criticism of the Saudi royal family. It led to a Saudi-Qatar diplomatic freeze for several years.
(The Saudis then set up Al-Arabiya in Dubai as an opposition to Al Jazeera, but it can’t compete because it is less free.)
Al Jazeera has also had plenty of punchups with the west.
But like a kid starting out it matures and grows stronger, giving the Arab world sports channels and childrens’ channels, and now an English language channel that is getting respect in the world.
Say what you like, it’s a free press! And the the ONLY free press in the Arab world. And wouldn’t the people of Russia and China love to have one like it.
Interesting that Jad and others here say it is “evil” and would like to see it switched off.
March 12th, 2012, 3:47 pm
Dawoud holy homs said:
614. SYRIA NO KANDAHAR
I watch Aljazeera everyday. I am not missing anybody. The core is still there, and it’s going nowhere! It’s growing!
Stories of Aljazeer’a Demise are greatly exaggerated! Wishful thinking!
Free Syria, Free Palestine!
March 12th, 2012, 3:47 pm
jad said:
Dawood
“Who cares about Khaled abou Salah? ”
That is a first!
Seriously, ‘Khaled’ is a ‘HERO’ for every ‘freedom’ ‘lover’, how come you write that you don’t care…
I’m telling on you to the FBI 🙂
March 12th, 2012, 3:58 pm
Syrialover said:
Yeah, I’m proud of Al Jazeera. And if it is damned by people who want us to accept only pro-Assad Arab media as well as the Chinese and Russian government media outlets, then I am prouder even more.
If I sometimes don’t like what it says I still respect it because it can win or lose audiences like any other independent media.
Before Al Jazeera was an Arab dark age, with everything hidden in the shadows behind government censorship walls.
March 12th, 2012, 4:19 pm
Alan said:
Microwave-goodbye weapon: ‘Heat ray’ crowd dispersal cannon unveiled (VIDEO)
http://rt.com/news/weapon-us-microwave-cannon-363/
March 12th, 2012, 4:27 pm
Dawoud holy homs said:
619. JAD
brother Jad:
I am watching Aljazeera now. Every thing looks the same. Nothing is missing. It’s still the network of the free! My ex-girl friend (before I got married because I don’t cheat) works for the FBI, but I WILL NOT tell her anything about you 🙂
March 12th, 2012, 4:29 pm
Alan said:
Al Jazeera exodus: Channel losing staff over ‘bias’
http://rt.com/news/al-jazeera-loses-staff-335/
March 12th, 2012, 4:29 pm
Dawoud holy homs said:
623. ALAN
Stories of Aljazeera’s demise are greatly exaggerated! I am watching it now!
March 12th, 2012, 4:33 pm
Alan said:
Lavrov calls for ceasing fire in Syria to provide aid to civilians
http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c32/364251.html
Lavrov warns against misleading international community
http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c32/364244.html
March 12th, 2012, 4:34 pm
jad said:
This is big, Michelle Kilo finally say it, there are armed groups in Syria today, I wonder when the attack campaign will start against him.
He, correctly, separates the armed militias into 4 groups:
1- The Syrian soldiers who defected from the army, they are minorities.
2- Civilian holding weapons for self defense [I think this group was formed by Syrians seeking revenge after seeing their families being attacked or killed]
3- Armed militias supported and financed by khalayjeh (qatar and ksa) [for me those are the real terrorists]
4- Alqaeda fighters, ex-jihadis who came from Iraq and those don’t even have any conscious
He adds that whoever is calling for militarization is calling for a long civil war in Syria.
[..] my words
????? ????: ??? ?????? ???? ????????? ??????? ?? ?????
??? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ?? ????????? ??????? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ????? ???:
-???????? ?? ????? ?????? ??? ????.
-??????? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ?????.
-??????? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ??????? ?????? ???????.
-????? ?? ??????? ????????? ????????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ???.
???? ??? ???? ???????? ????? ??? ” LBC ” ???? ??? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ??? ???? ???? ???? ?? ????? ??? ??? ????? ????? .
http://arabi-press.com/?page=article&id=27071
March 12th, 2012, 4:38 pm
Alan said:
624
I with you ideologically different! It is necessary to consider geopolitics instead of wishes and hopes! Who armed Syrians that has destroyed hope of life improvement! Have reduced a situation in there is no place!
March 12th, 2012, 4:41 pm
jad said:
Dawood,
“works for the FBI”
Maybe you can introduce her to khaldoun, he needs help in his mission.
March 12th, 2012, 4:43 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
Jad
Aljazera is Holy,like Homs.congradulation for not getting in trouble with the FBI,Thanks to DHH
and his ex-girlfriend ??? ???? ???? ???,it is the new democraticSyria if you don’t like Aljazera or MB they will report you to the FBI or they will do
What they dis with Ghaith Taifur yesterday .
Jad listen to this in Guantanamo :
March 12th, 2012, 4:44 pm
Dawoud holy homs said:
626. JAD
99.9 % of Syria’s “armed groups” are army defectors, who disobey orders to shoot innocent civilians, AND civilians who organize in villages in order to protect their honor/property/lives from Bashar’s/Nasrallah’s/Iran’s army, terrorists, and Shabiha. The revolution started peacefully, but people now realize that they need to protect their women from rape, their children from murder, their properties from looting, etc.
It’s a natural human reaction to defend your self. If I write a comment here VERBALLY attacking you, you naturally feel that you need to write back and defend yourself. Syrians are arming because of a natural human reaction! I don’t blame them! Free Syria!
March 12th, 2012, 4:44 pm
Dawoud holy homs said:
628. JAD
I don’t work for the FBI. I was just responding to your comment (619. JAD). Do you have a sense of humor. In any case, I don’t have a problem with the FBI because it’s a domestic federal law enforcement agency, and most of its work is truly to protect the pubic from crime and terrorism (I know that there are occasional and indefensible mistakes and abuses). I am an open-minded person and a realist. However, I am not open-minded about Syria’s 42-year-old dictatorship. It has to go because Syrians deserve freedom.
March 12th, 2012, 4:50 pm
jad said:
Dawood
“99.9 %” WOW (yelling)..
I thought that we already done with the 99.999999999% days and we entering the heaven of transparency and facts…I guess I was wrong.
P.S. the FBI comment was a joke,
because MajedKhaldoun earlier wrote that he will report all of us to the FBI, I guess you missed that.March 12th, 2012, 4:50 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
This conflict will end with civil war,it is inevitable
March 12th, 2012, 4:53 pm
Dawoud holy homs said:
632. JAD
NO jad, it’s true that al-Qa’ida’s TERRORISTS AND SALISTS are very likely no more than 0.01% of armed groups in Syria. I wish they are defeated, but they are very insignificant. Most armed groups are Syrian Army defectors and villagers protecting their lives/honor!
It’s ok to say 99.9% if it is based on facts. for example, 99.9% of Palestinians speak Arabic! However, it’s not ok when it comes to opinion. Prophets if they come back rarely can get 100% approval rating! Only Bashar al-Assad gets 99% in his fraudulent referendums!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 12th, 2012, 4:56 pm
jad said:
SNK,
I guess we need to add (R.A.)??? ???? ??? every time we write or mention it’s holiness {Aljazeera} from now own.
BTW, If the FBI got me, please visit me with some 7alaweh, ok?
March 12th, 2012, 4:59 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Jad
I never said I will report all of you to the FBI, I am not reporting anyone to the FBI, please correct your statement. you are not telling the truth, I said the FBI should watch you guys because you pose a threat to the saftey and security to the USA, I am sure they watch all of us.
March 12th, 2012, 5:00 pm
Alan said:
This conflict will end with civil war,it is inevitable
?? !!!! ?? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ??????? ? ???????? ???? ? ?????? !
March 12th, 2012, 5:03 pm
Alan said:
??? ! ???? ?? ??? ?? 636 ? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? !!!! 🙂
March 12th, 2012, 5:07 pm
Alan said:
?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ?? ??
March 12th, 2012, 5:09 pm
jad said:
“because you pose a threat to the saftey and security to the USA”
Who is posing threats to the USA? Us the secular atheist kuffar or you?
Please report us, I beg you to do, let’s see who will end up in Guantanamo, ‘us’ or ‘you’.
Alan
?? ??? ??? ??? 🙂
March 12th, 2012, 5:13 pm
Alan said:
Al Jazeera journalists quit channel citing bias on Syria coverage
March 12th, 2012, 5:17 pm
Alan said:
‘Arab states support for Syrian rebels pure terrorism’
March 12th, 2012, 5:22 pm
Syrialover said:
# 629. Syria no Kandahar said:
“…if you don’t like Aljazera or MB they will report you to the FBI”
I guess this means the poor old FBI will be drowned in a tsunami of reports by informers snitching on tens of millions of Americans.
March 12th, 2012, 5:24 pm
Alan said:
🙂 funny !
March 12th, 2012, 5:26 pm
Syrialover said:
I genuinely respect those Al Jazeera employees in Beirut for quitting their jobs because they feel they are being professionally compromised. I may not fully agree, but I admire their principles.
But I wonder if they were also feeling physically compromised about turning up to work in the Al Jazeera office in the journalist assassination capital of Beirut. They are a very soft target for Assadist operatives.
March 12th, 2012, 5:34 pm
YouReapAsyouS said:
I have been in touch with my family and friends in Damascus and it is disgruntling to see how brainwashed they are. I am from a christian family yet it pains me to see all the blood that is being spilled by the vampire bashar and his gang of rapists. Everyone in damascus knows how corrupt the gov’t is and a lot of people have experienced its atrocities first hand (way before the revolution started) yet they support him.
I guess if you repeat a lie enough times it does become true in the mind of the masses. Great to see the Assad regime perfectly applying what they learned from Nazi SS refugees from back in the 50s and their communist masters.
The irrational fear of extremism, al-quaeda, mossad, cia and the boogey man is fuelling the imagination of minorities. How did they even make it past the tightly guarded borders ?? are Syrians really that gullible to think THOUSANDS of strangers sneaked in the border without the govt consent ?? and they have been carrying the revolution for a year by themself ?? Ridiculous.
The fact is Bashar has been paying off people in Lebanon, buying gun from Russia, and throwing money on every low life s**m on his way just to get support. All of this money could have been used to build the country and close the gap between the poor ( 90% of the pop) and the extremely rich (1%). The middle class is evaporating so quickly.
March 12th, 2012, 5:35 pm
Uzair8 said:
Why hasn’t the opposition formed the FSN (Free Syrian Navy)? A couple of speeds boats would be enough. They need to intercept the third fuel supply ship on its way from Venezuela.
Also how is the civil disobedience campaign?
As revolutionaries are not paying their Gas/Electricity Bills (and taxes) could they start a campaign in which they leave every gas and electric appliance in their homes running 24 hrs in order to drain the regimes resources and quickening its downfall?
I had another idea with thousands of balloons utilised to frustrate and kill the momentum of invading thugs but decided against posting it. Could one day become a real guerrilla war tactic.
March 12th, 2012, 5:39 pm
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
The comments here become repetitive and boring.. Yawn.
Viva La Revolución !!!
.
March 12th, 2012, 5:40 pm
Syrialover said:
Can anyone tell me, is Michel Kilo in exile or still inside Syria?
March 12th, 2012, 5:51 pm
Uzair8 said:
I like the Turkish leadership and the AKP however I’m a little disappointed at how Turkey got cold feet after its initial strong rhetoric.
Perhaps in secret they are training the opposition fighters?
Anyway. On the Radio 4 PM news programme today they interviewed a guest on the Turkish role.
Listen from 25 min 40 sec.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01d0rj3
Available for another 7 days.
March 12th, 2012, 5:55 pm
bronco said:
#626 Jad
Michel Kilo is waking up from a long sleep. If he had united a group of local opposition earlier, Syria would not be where it is today. They lost the momentum that was taken over by the SNC. Their naivety they have displayed is pathetic. It is time they realize they bear a responsibility of where the country is going.
Didn’t Kilo and the others see that it was coming, that Syria would attract all the s**m from the neighboring countries, full of hatred and frustration by their defeats and who would want to set an easy and violent score, either with the Alawites, or to Iran or to the US, or to Iraq or just to the Syrian people.
Let the local opposition unite in a block , get the support of Russia and China and negotiate away from the vicious circle of deception and violence that is engulfing the FSA and the SNC and the LCC.
March 12th, 2012, 5:56 pm
Alan said:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21yWnXWL22L._SL500_AA300_.jpg
March 12th, 2012, 6:00 pm
irritated said:
#Jad
If we believe #636, Joshua Landis should be proud.
Among the regular readers of SC are Miss Piggy, BigBird, the FBI, the DGSE and there are traces of the Mossad, MI5, and the KCG.
What a company!
March 12th, 2012, 6:03 pm
jad said:
Irritated,
Check out #646, didn’t I tell you that Alqaeda, Afghanistan Taliband and Alshabab of Somalia (Pirates) are the ‘standards’.
Alan
#650 that was funny!
March 12th, 2012, 6:07 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
601. MAJEDKHALDOUN
I think best thing Asma Al Assad could do if she really wants to help orphan children, widows, disabled people due to the effect of bombs, etc. is taking Assad pistol and shooting him in the middle of the head. When Hitler was alive many dreamt about his death, now we have reached the same no return point with Assad. His death would be a gift from heaven´s Divinity for most syrians, lebanese, irakis, etc.
It comes a time when killing a criminal can become an act of mercy and compassion for him and for the rest.
March 12th, 2012, 6:09 pm
Uzair8 said:
@651 Irritated
Remember the good old days when Hillary and Assad got on a lot better?
March 12th, 2012, 6:13 pm
mjabali said:
??? ?????
March 12th, 2012, 6:15 pm
jad said:
NCB:
Why are we with the peaceful movement
????? ??? ?? ???????
http://syrianncb.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/why-pacifism.jpg
http://syrianncb.org/2012/03/12/%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B0%D8%A7-%D9%86%D8%AD%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%9F%D8%9F/
March 12th, 2012, 6:17 pm
Alan said:
200 Palestinian Rockets Fired, no Israeli deaths–What’s wrong with this picture?
http://theuglytruth.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/37044/
March 12th, 2012, 6:22 pm
irritated said:
655. Uzair8
That’ really good..
Now Hillary gets along much better with HBJ
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1356951/the_muppet_show_big_bird_miss_piggy/
March 12th, 2012, 6:26 pm
jad said:
Away from the NCB voice of reason, the warmongers of MBs council barking, ‘we love terrorism’ ‘we want more violence’, ‘the bloodier, the better’, ‘Occupy Syria’….etc…
?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ????
???? ???? ??? ??? ???? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ???????
???????.??
??? ??? ????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????? ??????? ??? ?? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ??????.
???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ???????? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ?????.
????? ???? ???? ??????? ???? ?????? ?? ???????? ????? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ???? ?????.
???? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?? ???????: “????? ????? ????? ???? ????? ???? ?? ??? ????? ????????. ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ??????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ???????”.
????? ???? ??????? ???? ??? ??? ???? ??????? ??????? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ??????? ????????.
???? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ????? “???????”? ??????? ?? “?????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ?????????? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??????”.
???? ?? “???????? ???? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???? ????? ??????????? ???? ???? ????? ????”? ??? ?? ??????.
???? ?????? ??? ??????? ??????? ????? “????? ??????”? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ??? ?????? “???? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ??????? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ???????? ????????? ?????????”.
http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/03/12/200273.html
March 12th, 2012, 6:27 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
ALAN,
Your big mistake is associating Assad with the palestinian struggle. If someone is suffering as palestinians do and did in the past it is the syrian people demanding their fundamental rights under bombs and torutres. Try to renew your ideas as reality changes or you will find yourself defending the same crimes Israel is commiting.
March 12th, 2012, 6:28 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
One day Bashar is going to be captured, and will be sentenced to death, which way he should be killed by.
1 Hanging
2 Shoot him by a gun
3 Inject deadly poison in his vein
4 Use a knife.to stab him
5 Burn him
6 starve him to death
7 keep him in jail with loud noise,till he commit suicide.
March 12th, 2012, 6:32 pm
zoo said:
US and Russia clash in UN over Syria
Joe Lauria
Mar 13, 2012
http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/us-and-russia-clash-in-un-over-syria
…
Mr Lavrov told the UN Security Council: “Interference from outside using raw military force increases the illicit spread of arms, thus jeopardising stability in the region.
“Making hasty demands for regime change, imposing unilateral sanctions designed to trigger economic difficulties and social tensions, inducing the opposition to continue its confrontation with the authorities instead of promoting dialogue, making calls in support of armed confrontation and even for foreign military intervention, all of the above are risky recipes of geopolitical engineering that clearly result in the spread of conflict.”
Mr Lavrov said the Syrian authorities “bear a huge share of responsibility for the current situation”, he it should not be ignored that “for a long time now they have not been fighting unarmed men but combat units”.
These included the Free Syrian army and “extremist groups, including Al Qaeda, which has lately committed a series of murderous terrorist acts”.
“At this stage we shouldn’t talk about who started it, but instead about realistic and feasible approaches to allow us to achieve a ceasefire.”
The Russian foreign minister also singled out the rights of Christians in Syria and elsewhere in the Arab world in an apparent reference to Moscow’s own struggles against Islamists in the north Caucus region and fear that Islamists could replace the Syrian president, Bashar Al Assad.
(…)
March 12th, 2012, 6:34 pm
irritated said:
#662
All of the above
March 12th, 2012, 6:35 pm
Uzair8 said:
@659 Irritated
I was wondering who earlier comments were referring to as ‘Big Bird’. Later I suspected it may be the amir of Qatar. So it’s actually the Foreign Minister.
Btw I meant Hillary Clinton is Miss Piggy according to Ann and Irritated.
That’s enough off-topic sesame street related talk. We’ll get into trouble for lowering the standards of the blog..lol.
Btw everyone, in 3 days time the popular mass revolution will be one year old.
@662 Majed.
Glad you didn’t list the flamethrower. Oh..actually there is option 5 so it is.
March 12th, 2012, 6:39 pm
irritated said:
Uzair8 #665
BigBird is HBJ, the ministry of Foreign affairs that we have been seen a bit too much in the last few months.
March 12th, 2012, 6:44 pm
Tara said:
Looking for beauty and the truth.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9139453/Syria-Marie-Colvin-laid-to-rest-in-New-York.html
Syria: Marie Colvin laid to rest in New York
Malek Jandali, a Syrian-American musician whose family is from Homs, travelled from Atlanta for the funeral service. He said: “She was looking for beauty and truth, and she was telling the world about the vicious crimes.”
Prayers were heard for the people of Syria, before her best friend from Yale University, Katrina Heron, told the congregation that as well of being “full of passion, full of belief,” Colvin was great fun to be around, and that her visits home were filled with “pandemonium” and “mirth”.
She read an email the correspondent had sent while covering the Iraq war, which said: “I’m in Baghdad. You’d love it here. It’s just like New York, except without cars, restaurants, shops, telephones, electricity or taxis.”
… .
A group of Sri Lanka immigrants held up a placard outside the church describing Colvin as the “uncrowned queen of intrepid journalists.”
Seetharam Sivam said he came to pay his respects because the reporter had alerted the world to the horrors of the Sri Lankan civil war, losing an eye in 2001 after being hit by shrapnel.
“She took the risks and went into war zones. She brought the truth of the Tamil plight to the world,” he said.
… .
In her last broadcast from Homs, Colvin told CNN how she had watched a baby die in the rubble, and condemned the Syrian government for attacking civilians.
“It’s a complete and utter lie that they are only going after terrorists,” she said. “There are no military targets here.”
… .
March 12th, 2012, 6:52 pm
Uzair8 said:
@666 Irritated.
666 the bearer of confusing news…lol.
You confused me there. I edited previous post. Trying to google Qatars PM and FM gave the same result. Turns out he is both PM and FM of Qatar.
Anyway. I better slip into the shadows (over posting). Unless anything significant comes up.
Btw. . Did I really see the word ‘squeal’ in #617 ?
March 12th, 2012, 6:55 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
662. MAJEDKHALDOUN
I think the best option would be:
First: Issuing a decree that allows torture penalty for Presidents and their brothers who are above 44 years and have spent at least 11 years in power.
Second: Celebrating a trial in military court respecting all laws as well as presumption of innocence
Third: Being sentenced to life tortures.
Fourth: Execution of judgement in public. The torture camera would be installed for life in Marje Square (Martyr´s Square) so all citizens could hear the names of all corrupted syrians while drinking coffe or hubble bubbling.
Fifth: When Assad expresses its desire to die because he cannot stand more tortures proceed to following step.
Sixth: issuing a decree stating that any President aged 44 or above who asks to die be sentenced to life tortures.
Seventh: celebrating another trial and sentence him to life tortures once again so he has the chance to reveal all crimes commited.
March 12th, 2012, 7:16 pm
Tara said:
Firas Tlass should be banned from travel to the EU and the US and his assets should be frozen. It is stolen money. I am speculating the rumors in regard to his “alleged” altercation with Asif Shawkat are self-fabricated to give the family an opportunity to reverse course after the revolution emerges victorious.
March 12th, 2012, 7:19 pm
Syrialover said:
# 669. SANDRO LOEWE
So you will let 41-year old super-mafia operator and regime financier Rami Makhlouf be too young for punishment?
# 667. TARA
Yes, Marie Colvin is the person some here approved of having a violent death and said she deserved it. In their creepy twisted world she was just a nuisance.
Assad’s operatives would have had their bonuses cut (or whatever they do to reward them) because they didn’t manage to kill ALL the media who reported from Homs.
March 12th, 2012, 7:28 pm
Observer said:
So who did the massacre?
Regular army, security forces, uncontrolled paid elements, FSA fighters, foreign armed mercenaries, local armed terrorist gangs, criminal elements, Alqadea, CIA, Blackwater, Mossad, combination of the armed terrorist gangs?
It is high crimes and crimes against humanity; therefore every effort should be done to bring the perpetrators to justice.
If it is army, the commander in chief should be brought for questioning. If it is the security services the minister of interior, if it is on the other hand any of the anti-regime groups as described by SANA then the security services have failed in their duties.
We were shown families returning to BA after it was restored to law and order and therefore the security services have not been able to secure areas of Homs.
If they are not capable of protecting the people then they require all of the support to restore order right?
Therefore, they should ask for help, for not asking for help is actually abating and helping the criminals escape and do more of the same and therefore the commander in chief and the ministers of defense and the interior should be questioned and removed from their offices.
At least I thought that this is what the new constitution has stipulated.
So here we have it now; let appropriate forces enter and help restore order.
I suggest troops from Algeria, Brazil, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Turkey, Jordan, Nepal, Indonesia, and I suggester monitors from HRW, Amnesty International, Medecins Sans Frontieres, Oxfam, ICRC, and a few others to help ensure that no abuse is taking place.
I challenge every one on this blog to present me with a counterargument or a different proposal or a genuine attempt at a solution to this particular massacre and previous and I hope not subsequent ones.
If the regime is fighting armed terrorist infiltrating foreign elements of whatever stripe color and denomination and it is incapable of protecting life and property then what is the problem in asking for help.
We would certainly ask for help and we in the US did receive help from the Cubans after the hurricane that destroyed New Orleans. What problem does this have.
So go ahead and let us a genuine response to this challenge.
One final note, keep the debate on Syria not AJ, Qatar, Russia, China, US soldiers raping fellow female recruits, OJ Simpson, Michael Jackson, or any other distraction that we keep getting bombarded with from A…..fill in the blank News Network, or J……..Just A…………..adoring…………….D………dude or the like.
March 12th, 2012, 7:28 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
672. JAD,
My dear I am not killing anyone. I am defending the right of the President to live. As he is a righteous person most surely he followed the Kant maxima of treating the others as you would like to be treated. So in this case I am sure he will find tortures he used against the ¨others¨ a very kind way of enjoying his life in prison.
So, do you think after the sadistic show Assadism is giving to the world nobody can desire a punishment for the responsible?
It would hypocritical and false to deny this feeling. This guy has become one of the most infamous personalities in world history.
March 12th, 2012, 7:33 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
673. SYRIALOVER
Rami Makhlouf would enjoy life prison and would be in charge of calculating all the money stolen for 40 years. As a salary he would get a SIM card (without credit unities and no coverage) every month. To talk to his beloved ones he could hire a mobile paying 10.000.000 sp per minut.
March 12th, 2012, 7:42 pm
irritated said:
#672 Jad
This Blog is having pernicious effects on many people. We are seeing increases symptoms of mental disturbances: Paranoia (i.e we’re being watched by the FBI), Sadism (repetitive call for elaborated tortures on opponents), the religious persecution syndrome (the phobias attributed to some commenters ), the George Orwell syndrome (calling people names of animals: pigs, dogs, hyenas… ) etc..
For a quick relief, some were practising the Cursing therapy (as described below) but now that cursing has been banned on SC, I think we need an SC therapist to prevent more serious fits and cool down the tension.
“Bad language could be good for you, a new study shows. For the first time, psychologists have found that swearing may serve an important function in relieving pain.”
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-do-we-swear
March 12th, 2012, 7:47 pm
jad said:
Dear SL
Everybody have the desire to wish whatever they want, but when you start sharing a very detailed torture and killing methods and how to do it and what to do, it becomes disturbing.
March 12th, 2012, 7:47 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
678. JAD
My message is not serious but even if you take it seriously it is a joke compared to daily news we receive from all cities, specially when it comes to raped women in front of their children and their collective slaughtering (same things that happened in Lebanon). I thnik you use double standars. You feel disturbed by a joke but accept the wild assasination politics os Assadism?
There is something wrong.
A president that drives his country to this nightmare does not deserve any respect.
March 12th, 2012, 7:54 pm
mjabali said:
Majedkhaldoun:
Many Sunnis are trying to say that according to Islam al-Assad is eligible for al-Haraba.
??? ???????
So far in this conflict al-Assad has been portrayed and considered as a non-Muslim who is fighting Allah and the Muslims.
For those who do not know: al-Haraba is a rule regarding those captured when fighting “Muslims.”
Some Sunni religious “scholars” said that al-Assad is eligible for this treatment. According to the rule: the captive should have receive what Surat al-Maida said.
Here is a link to what some “Sunni Scholars” had came up with in January 2012, the link is from Ikhwanonline.com
http://www.ikhwanonline.com/Article.aspx?artid=100423&secid=341
As for what al-Quran said:
???????? ??????? ????????? ???????????? ????? ??????????? ???????????? ??? ???????? ???????? ???? ??????????? ???? ??????????? ???? ????????? ??????????? ??????????????
???????? ??
This rule was applied in Syria during this civil war we are witnessing.
There are many You Tube videos showing this. I have seen few and it is hard to erase them from your memory.
As for FBI watching people: don’t you think that the FBI should be watching those who classify people to infidel or non-infidel?
Don’t you think that the FBI should be watching those who have zero respect to other religions, sects and minorities and deep down want to apply al-Haraba on most of them?
PS: Neither the moderator or anyone else to this effect has the right to censor my words. I am a polite person and my comments here always showed this. So please have respect to our struggle against censorship that been the story of our lives and let us say what is on our minds with no FEAR of censorship.
March 12th, 2012, 9:38 pm
873 said:
547. SANDRO LOEWE said:
Dear 873,
Regarding your comment 539, I suposse it will be cancelled by the moderator if there is any.
Yes your whining got you your way. I was censored and You are free to wish others dead and call them apes, swine pigs etc as per SC, while #601 can call for the American Mukhabarat FBI to to surveil those on the forum he disagrees with:
“Assad must be a target he and his family must be targeted, US can trace him easily. The SC members supporting Assad, They do not believe in freedom and democracy, thus they pose serious danger to the saftey and security of the USA ,if they live in the USA, and must be watched carefully by the FBI,they can not hide behind fake names, my political friends agree.”
Its people with your mindset who are already in the regime and have the power in Syria. With such a similiar mindset, why dont you join them where you belong instead of “protesting”? Are You really for freedom, or just for your faction to be put in power?
March 13th, 2012, 6:49 am
omen said:
Alan, you cited webster tarpley as a source? the man traffics in conspiracy theories. he’s a global warming denialist and a lyndon larouche follower.
March 14th, 2012, 8:51 pm
omen said:
873, you faulted me citing nir rosen assertion that salafism isn’t important in syria. you called him a mossad agent.
first of all, it’s not in israel’s interest to foster support for arab democracies. israel prefers to deal with dictators. they’re still mourning the loss of mubarak.
March 14th, 2012, 9:01 pm
omen said:
671. Observer said: So who did the massacre?
the man who banned journalists from entering syria so they couldn’t document evidence of his military and security forces committing war crimes.
if assad had nothing to hide, he wouldn’t ban journalists.
March 14th, 2012, 9:08 pm
omen said:
somebody had a problem with my assessment of israel? give me the counter argument.
March 14th, 2012, 9:12 pm
omen said:
mjabali, in the amnesty international report released documenting torture committed by the regime, it includes accounts where male prisoners were raped by male security officers.
how does islam regard that? what kind of judgement/treatment would assad render for that?
March 14th, 2012, 9:20 pm
Alex said:
74. Syrialover said:
We will never forget the massacre that happened to us here on 9/11.
NEVER
https://www.humancaresyria.org/how-to-help-the-refugee-children-of-syria-amid-the-crisis/
October 30th, 2018, 11:02 am
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