“The hunt for ‘plan B’, by Labott; Syria Needs a George Washington; Syria could become like North Korea; “The Burial Brigade of Homs,” by Putz
Posted by Joshua on Sunday, April 1st, 2012
The hunt for ‘plan B’ – planning for ‘the day after’ in Syria
By Elise Labott, CNN Foreign Affairs Reporter
Expectations are low for Sunday’s Friends of Syria meeting in Istanbul, where representatives from more than 70 nations and international organizations will gather to discuss ways to hasten the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad.
The reason is simple. The most critical piece is missing: Plan B.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has made no secret of her frustration with the opposition Syrian National Council’s inability to offer a vision for a post-al-Assad Syria that all Syrians can sign on to. This week, Clinton said the United States would be “pushing them very hard” to present such a vision in Istanbul.
She’s not alone. Many a senior administration official has summed up the SNC in two words: “A mess.”
The characterization from European and Arab diplomats may be more diplomatic, but no less critical of the SNC’s lack of leadership, organizational skills and ideas.
“They are all over the map, depending on whom you talk to on any given day,” one senior U.S. official said. “It’s hard to think of what we can do going forward when there is no credible alternative.”
Lessons learned from Iraq
More importantly the SNC, made up of mostly Syrian exiles, has not demonstrated it has support inside Syria. U.S. officials are seeing parallels to the war in Iraq, where the United States relied too heavily upon the Iraqi National Congress – a group of exiles run by businessmen Ahmed Chalabi – which was ultimately found to be corrupt and unreliable. When Baghdad fell and the Baath party disbanded, it became quickly apparent the group had no base inside Iraq from which to draw, and the United States was left to run the country.
“The U.S. is hoping these expats can deliver. They are telling you they can, but their actions and infighting are telling you they can’t,” said the University of Oklahoma’s Joshua Landis, who writes Syria Comment, a daily newsletter on Syrian politics. “The Obama administration fears they will implode or be overtaken by actors within Syria who are better connected to forces on the ground. The Obama administration doesn’t want to be caught going down the same yellow brick trail as the Bush administration did when it backed the Iraqi National Council only to discover that it didn’t have much purchase with Iraqi society.”
Radwan Ziadeh, a member of the SNC and the executive director of the Syrian Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Washington, said the criticism of the group’s lack of vision is unfair given the uncertainty of the crisis. “We can come with a general plan, but how can we come up with a detailed plan?” he asked. “That will depend on the key players who emerge from this and we don’t’ know that yet. We don’t know how the regime will fall.”….
Last year the State Department gave modest funding to an initiative run by the U.S. Institute for Peace, aptly titled “The Day After.” The project centers around developing a set of recommendations for key sectors, like how to jump-start the economy, establish security and rule of law and write a new constitution. The participants, who include both Syrian exiles and Western technical experts, have met several times in Europe. Although the Syrian National Council is not officially affiliated with the USIP project, because the leadership was wary of participating in an enterprise funded by the United Sates, several of the group’s members are involved – including Ziadeh, who called it an “important tool” in transition planning.
But the State Department quickly became disenchanted with the project. Officials including U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford, who previously served in Iraq, felt it bore an uncanny resemblance to the Future of Iraq project,….
“You can get the same people to do the same project for Congo or Zimbabwe,” said Ayman Abdel Nour, who served as al-Assad’s adviser from 1997 to 2004….
Ausama Monajed, a member of the SNC who has taken part in the USIP project, said while it’s important to reach Syrians inside the country, it is unrealistic to expect those under deadly siege by the government to be thinking about the day-after. “The majority of the people can’t talk about tomorrow, they are worried about today,” he said. “They are in the middle of it and cannot see the bigger picture at this stage. There is no stomach for anyone in the inside to look at a health policy when they are being shot.”…
Trying to learn the lessons of Iraq, Ambassador Ford and others have concluded the exiles they are currently working with will not be able to get the economy running, turn on the electricity, or fix a pothole “the day after.”
While not abandoning the SNC entirely, senior officials say the Obama administration in recent months has begun to cast a much wider net for Syrians who can run Syria the day after al-Assad falls. The United States could no longer put all of its eggs in the SNC’s basket.
President Obama himself suggested the shift earlier this week in South Korea when, after a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, he said the U.S. would start aiding opposition groups inside Syria. Officials said non-lethal aid will include secure communications equipment to help opposition leaders on the ground communicate better with each other and with the outside world.
While in Syria, Ford amassed a network of opposition contacts on the ground that has been hard to tap into since the embassy closed and he left the country in February. Now he relies on Skype and other communications technologies to reach those inside…..
Syrian activist Ammar Abdulhamid, a fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies in Washington, is trying to bridge the gap between the exiles and those Syrians on the ground. He’s bringing together small groups of Syrian experts to brainstorm ideas for a transition, which he is feeding to opposition groups on the ground in Syria who the United States is now trying to reach. “We don’t have a political agenda and aren’t tabling a plan,” Abdulhamid said. “This is to raise public awareness and highlight the issues we are going to be facing once Assad falls. There needs to be a public debate and we want to empower Syrians to do that.”
Molham Aldrobi, a member of the SNC who serves on the Muslim Brotherhood’s Executive Council and has taken part in both the USIP and Abdulhamid’s projects, believes the opposition on the ground will eventually produce the “alternative” the U.S. and others are calling for. But he said more support for the opposition is needed, and that will determine who follows Assad and how much influence the international community will have on that person.
“Bashar al-Assad needs to know the world means business and so do the Syrian people,” he said. “The longer it takes, the more unstable this region will be and the worse the situation will be in the future. Or else the international community may find they won’t like who gets in. Because that person is going to say, ‘hands off, this is mine.'”
Video — Syria opposition: Don’t prolong catastrophe
by AlJazeeraEnglish on Apr 1, 2012
Burhan Ghalioun, the head of the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC), said at the opening of the so-called “Friends of Syria” in Istanbul: “We demand serious action. The Syrian regime will inevitably fall. Don’t prolong the catastrophe. The opposition is united; now it is time for you to unite and support the Syrian opposition.”
Mideast expert: Syria faces Iraq-style insurgency
Michael Hughes, Geopolitics Examiner
Syria is descending into a factional civil war which has taken on some of the contours of the insurgency the U.S. fought in Iraq for ten years, “at least in the methods of fighting and growing sectarian divide,” according to Professor Joshua Landis, Director of Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma. (See Upheaval within the Opposition: Defections, Terrorism, and Preparing for a Phase II Insurgency)
Landis is also author of the blog Syria Comment, a treasure-trove of intelligence that provides more sophisticated analysis on the situation than most Western sources.
Within an email to me on Saturday Professor Landis also stated that Syria could turn into “a North Korea of sorts”, plagued by misery, starvation and displacement, isolated from the international community but with a government that refuses to quit.”
Although Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is unlikely to cease employing violence to quell dissent anytime soon, Landis does not believe the Syrian despot will succeed in the long run:
I doubt he [Assad] will have a lot more success than the US has had in Iraq, although, his army probably understands Syrians a lot better than US troops and commanders did Iraqis. But they [Assad and his security forces] will probably still be provoked into over-reacting to terrorism and road-side bombs and lose the battle for hearts and minds.
Landis, often quoted as an expert in news outlets such as The New York Times and Reuters, explained in a recent post how the Arab Spring hit Syria in a much different way than it did other countries in the region. Syrian expats, as well as U.S. leaders, assumed Assad would fall within months, underestimating the intensity of the sectarian divide:
Syrian opposition members incorrectly believed a “Tahrir Square moment” would arrive within months of the uprising’s start, “eliminating the need for a coherent military strategy, a defined leadership, or how to parry government counter-insurgency operations.”
The reality is elite Westernized Syrian intellectuals living abroad, who want to see a purely secular and peaceful anti-government protest movement, are not the ones doing the bulk of the fighting. Jobless lower-class Muslim youth have been doing the heavy-lifting on the street with funds and arms from the Saudis and other Sunni benefactors.
In a recent discussion with Robert Wright on Bloggingheads.tv, Landis said the militarization and Islamization of the rebel movement was inevitable but, in some ways, perhaps necessary.
No secular nationalist ideology exists in Syria that can rally Syrian fighters. Hence, opposition military leaders have been inspiring their soldiers by relying upon the doctrine that is most readily available: jihad. This same doctrine has worked for Hezbollah and Hamas as well as insurgents in both Iraq and Afghanistan for years.
Syrian rebel leaders have been portraying the struggle as a holy war against a heathen dictator. And because of the Syrian government’s superior firepower, the Syrian rebels have had to resort to asymmetric warfare which includes “martyrdom operations” – so the Islamist ideology is well-aligned with the tactics now required to defeat the infidel.
Despite the humanitarian situation Landis does not believe the international community should intervene militarily because toppling Assad without having a viable alternative will lead to chaos and civil war.
The Syrian people must go through the process of building a nation on their own, Landis asserted, as opposed to having some regime dropped in by foreign powers. The Syrians should look at places like Turkey for examples of how to erect a stable country from the ground up. The Syrians need a George Washington-type who can win long hard-fought battles and unify disparate interests while forging a genuine national identity. As Landis said during the Wright interview:
“Syria needs a George Washington, but Americans cannot invent one for them.”
In the long run, nonintervention will result in less killing, as the Syrians themselves build and establish a legitimate government, as opposed to outsiders intervening and attempting to do it for them.
The Burial Brigade of Homs
An Executioner for Syria’s Rebels Tells His Story
By Ulrike Putz in Beirut, SPIEGEL ONLINE
Human Rights Watch has condemned abuses committed by Syrian rebels in their stronghold of Homs. But one member of a rebel “burial brigade” who has executed four men by slitting their throats defended his work in an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE. “If we don’t do it, nobody will hold these perpetrators to account,” he said.
Hussein can barely remember the first time he executed someone. It was probably in a cemetery in the evening, or at night; he can’t recall exactly. It was definitely mid-October of last year, and the man was Shiite, for sure. He had confessed to killing women — decent women, whose husbands and sons had protested against Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime. So the rebels had decided that the man, a soldier in the Syrian army, deserved to die, too.
Hussein didn’t care if the man had been beaten into a confession, or that he was terrified of death and had begun to stammer prayers. It was his tough luck that the rebels had caught him. Hussein took out his army knife and sliced the kneeling man’s neck. His comrades from the so-called “burial brigade” quickly interred the blood-stained corpse in the sand of the graveyard west of the Baba Amr area of the rebel stronghold of Homs. At the time, the neighborhood was in the hands of the insurgents.
That first execution was a rite of passage for Hussein. He now became a member of the Homs burial brigade. The men, of which there are only a handful, kill in the name of the Syrian revolution. They leave torture to others; that’s what the so-called interrogation brigade is for. “They do the ugly work,” says Hussein, who is currently being treated in a hospital in the Lebanese city of Tripoli. He was injured when a piece of shrapnel became lodged in his back during the army’s ground invasion of Baba Amr in early March.He is recovering in relatively safe Lebanon until he can return to Syria and “get back to work.” It’s a job he considers relatively clean. “Most men can torture, but they’re not able to kill from close range,” he explains. “I don’t know why, but it doesn’t bother me. That’s why they gave me the job of executioner. It’s something for a madman like me.”
Before he joined the Farouk Brigade, as the Baba Amr militia is known, last August, the 24-year-old had worked as a salesman. “I can sell everything, from porcelain to yogurt,” he says.
How the Rebels Lost Their Innocence
The bloody uprising against the Assad regime has now lasted for a year. And Hussein’s story illustrates that, in this time, the rebels have also lost their innocence.
There are probably many reasons for that development. Hussein can rattle off several of them. “There are no longer any laws in Syria,” he says. “Soldiers or thugs hired by the regime kill men, maim children and rape our women. If we don’t do it, nobody will hold these perpetrators to account.”
Another reason, he explains, is the desire for vengeance. “I have been arrested twice. I was tortured for 72 hours. They hung me by the hands, until the joints in my shoulders cracked. They burnt me with hot irons. Of course I want revenge.”….
So far, Hussein has cut the throats of four men. Among the group of executioners in Homs, he is the least experienced — something that he almost seems apologetic about. “I was wounded four times in the last seven months,” he says. “I was out of action for a long time.” On top of that, he also has other commitments. “I operate our heavy machine gun, a Russian BKC. Naturally I have killed a lot more men with that. But only four with the blade.” That will change soon, he says. “I hope I will be released from the hospital next week and can return to Homs. Then those dogs will be in for it.”….
House Intel Leaders: Arming Syria a Bad Idea – April 1, 2012
House intelligence leaders said on Sunday that arming Syrian rebels remains unwise because they are unknown actors and Syria’s regime continues to be backed by Iran and Russia.
“I think we both agree that’s probably a bad idea,” said Mike Rogers, R-Mich., chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, appearing on CNN’s State of the Union.
Appearing with Ranking Member C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger, D-Md., he argued for greater international diplomatic pressure rather than “sending in arms and hoping for the best.”
“We think that there are other things that we can do that we haven’t quite engaged in yet, and that probably need to happen,” Rogers said, including engaging the Arab League so the United States could take a “support role.”
Rogers said President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime appears unmoved by Washington’s pleading, but cautioned against weapons falling into the hands of “bad actors there.”
“We don’t really see Assad’s inner-circle crumbling,” Rogers said. “They believe that they’re winning.”
He added: “Iran and Russia both have stepped up to the plate and can’t afford, in their minds, can’t afford to lose Syria as their toehold.” Said Ruppersberger: “The United States can’t be sheriff for the whole world.” […]
China rejects Obama’s Iran oil import sanctions
by News Sources on April 1, 2012 (Thanks War in Context)
The Associated Press reports: China rejected President Barack Obama’s decision to move forward with plans for sanctions on countries buying oil from Iran, saying Saturday that Washington had no right to unilaterally punish other nations.
South Korean officials said they will continue working with the U.S. to reduce oil imports from Iran, as other U.S. allies who depend on Iranian oil worked to find alternative energy supplies.
Obama announced Friday that he is plowing ahead with the potential sanctions, which could affect U.S. allies in Asia and Europe, as part of a deepening campaign to starve Iran of money for its disputed nuclear program. The U.S. and allies believe that Iran is pursuing a nuclear bomb; Iran denies that.
China is one of the biggest importers of Iranian oil, and its Foreign Ministry reiterated its opposition to the U.S. moves.
Syria eyewitness dispatch: ‘I watched as Assad’s tanks rolled in to destroy a rebel town’,
by News Sources 03.31.2012
John Cantlie, an independent photojournalist, reports from the Syrian town of Saraqeb: The sound of the caterpillar tracks could be felt as much as heard, a deep rumble that sent a rattle through windows and a tremble of fear through the guts. Then we saw them. Huge Soviet-made T72s, accompanied by troop carriers driving slowly […]
Comments (1,242)
Ghufran said:
Plan-B is ready but nobody is interested.
This plan requires a lot of money and man power and a political will.
Let people form parties and vote,and prosecute everybody who kills Syrians.
Too simple but too hard?
April 1st, 2012, 11:20 am
mjabali said:
Plan B= End violent actions in Syria and those who advocate them, government and opposition.
Plan C= Secular constitution, and the establishment of the real political parties on Syria proper.
Plan D= Voting with the new secular modern constitution in place.
April 1st, 2012, 11:35 am
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
Plan “B” will be ending miserably as plan “A” did. Plan “A” is now re-labeled Plan “F” and we told you so from day one, plan “B” will be re-labeled Plan “D” for disaster.
Anyone keeping tabs on Tlass and Kid, is he back in Syria as he promised? Or he is now a European Citizen, get to keep the hundreds of millions stolen from Syrian Treasury like Khaddam’s and Shahabi did, Sunni Moslems UUHHH. Sunni-vs Shia what a joke, what an idiocy.
Did the Moslem Brotherhood celebrates the horrific death of more than 9000 Syrians as they did the 30-40 thousands died in Hama when they had their first egotistic fit. Anyone care to rename this plan “B” to BULL***T, How about the more than 18,000 imprisoned in Assad tortures prisons.
April 1st, 2012, 11:47 am
Alan said:
Within an email to me on Saturday Professor Landis also stated that Syria could turn into “a North Korea of sorts”, plagued by misery, starvation and displacement, isolated from the international community but with a government that is refuses to quit.”
Mr. Landis correctly used the term (can) in the text but it isn’t obligatory!
At Syria exits always took place! I can pay your attention to that Syria can be invited to be the member of the Customs union:
Possible extension of the Customs union
Eurasian Economic Community
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_Economic_Community
Existing Customs unions
Over time other members of EurAsEC can join the Customs union, in particular (Tajikistan).
On July 26, 2010 the president of Syria Bashar Assad expressed interest of Syria about the introduction of Syria in the Customs union.
In October, 2011 earlier begun negotiations on accession of Syria to the Customs union were continued, the draft agreement on creation of a zone of free tradewas developed
…
April 1st, 2012, 11:59 am
DAWOUD said:
1) No victory speech for the shoplifter Maqdisi, Hasan Nasr@@ the cult of personality propagandist, the blogger/English translator of Hasan’s speeches on her blog, …..
The Syrian revolution will continue until Syrians finish mopping up Bashar, Hasan, and their Shabiha!
Free Syria, Free Palestine!
2) Palestinians in Ramallah organized an event for Ali Farzat’s cartoons. For those who don’t know him, Ali Farzat is Syria’s world-renowned anti-Bashar cartoonist. Last year, Bashar’s and Hasan’s Shabiha broke his fingers in order to intimidate him and stop his courageous accurate cartoons.
Free Syria, Free Palestine!
http://www.aljazeera.net/news/pages/e51249f7-562e-40df-8981-43ea495c4841?GoogleStatID=21
????? ????-??? ????
??? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ????????? ????? ??????? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ???? “????? ?? ????.. ????? ???????.. ????” ?? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ??????? ????? ???? ??????????? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ???? ???? ????? ??????????.
????????? ?? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ??????????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???? ????? ??????? ????????? ???? ?? ??? ?? ????? ????? “????? ???? ?????”.
??????? ?????? ??????? ??? 5 ?????/????? ????? ????? ???????????? ????? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ???????? ????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????????.
???? ???? ????? ???????? ??? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ????????? ???? ????? ?? ?????/?? 2011 ?? ??? ????? ??? ???? ????? ????? ??????.
?????? ????? ???? ?? ???? ???????? ????????? ????????? ?????? ??????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ?? ???.
???? ????: ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ?????? ????????
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????? ???? ?????? -???? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? “????? ?? ??????”- ????? ?????? ??? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ??? ???? ???????? ????.
???? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ???? ??? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ?????? ???????? ?? ??? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ??????? ???? ?? ???? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ?????.
?????? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ??? ???? ???? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ??????? ?????? ????????? ?? ???? ????? ??????? “?? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ????? ???? ????????? ??????? ????? ?????? ????”.
????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? “???? ?????? ????? ??? ?? ????? ??? ??????????? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ??????”.
??? ????? ???????? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ??????? ??? ?????? ????????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ???????? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ???? ???????? ????.
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???? ??????? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ??????? ???? ??????????? ????????? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ???????? ?? ???? ??? 1987 ???? ???? ???????? ??????? ???????? ???? ??????? ?????? ???????? ??????.
[…]
April 1st, 2012, 12:09 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
MB supporters shoplifting knowledge is as impressive as MB experience in stealing revolutions.
April 1st, 2012, 12:13 pm
Mina said:
When you read this
http://angryarab.blogspot.de/2012/04/you-dont-care-about-this-it-is.html
“Amnesty International on Saturday urged Jordan to free six political activists charged with insulting King Abdullah II, as police broke up a demonstration in Amman demanding their release. The human rights watchdog “is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of six pro-reform activists held for ‘insulting’ the king,” it said in a statement.”
listen to this
??????? ?? ??? : ???? ???? ????????!?
http://youtu.be/-OIzMKg_YP8
(how many kids in this video?)
and see this picture:
http://angryarab.blogspot.de/2012/03/it-is-official-us-stands-shoulder-to.html
You conclude that indeed, the US have no plan B in the region, i. e. no coherent policy.
April 1st, 2012, 12:24 pm
Uzair8 said:
If the regime supporters on here succeed in helping the regime survive, I hope they enjoy living in the ‘North-Korea’ of the middle east. I hope you enjoy watching/participating in the mass choreographed stadium events/displays.
I don’t think the regime will survive. It can decieve the world but God Almighty Sees everything. The innocent children have been targeted without mercy. Children who should be playing with smiles on their faces are having to experience and witness things that are the worst fear of adults. God Almighty Sees all this and when His Wrath stirs it is goodbye Mr Assad and goodbye regime.
Beware of the supplication of the oppressed.
April 1st, 2012, 12:26 pm
Aldendeshe said:
Mossad is now calling for Free Syria, Free Palestine, knowing that neither within reach, and only can results in destruction of Syria and the Palestinians. Cheap Strategists, Nothinyahoo needs to pay them higher wages to get smart one in on the plans. “AMMONITE ZIOPEDIA” strategies, deception and global crimes are well known now.
April 1st, 2012, 12:30 pm
Alan said:
8. MINA
the photo strongly impressing
April 1st, 2012, 12:31 pm
Afram said:
Syria Needs a George Washington?
Burhan Ghalioun is NO GW…Washington was a great team player.bad military tactician but a good strategist.
so Assad can play King George III?
you say allahu akbar..I say Yankee Doodle!
April 1st, 2012, 12:43 pm
Mina said:
Dawoud,
Why can’t you consider that the children brought by their fathers and relatives in Khalidiyye in the video posted above from Youtube are neither Sunnis nor Shiis and that it is for them to decide when they grow up if they want to have a position in the controversy of the succession of Muhammad or not, recognize the Shii imams or not, or if they decide to be Muslim without a madhhab or an affiliation, or to be atheists or anything else?
What you call your sect is just an abstract name for tribalism, and a tribalism which has no ground in reality, that is DNA.
April 1st, 2012, 12:44 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
MB is hated by most Sunnis .Most of Sunnis are AGAINST what is being done by
MB.95% of Syrians will take back security and shove freedom and democracy in the toilet if they have the choice.The (revolution ) has been raped by so many
Foreigners that now it is infected by all kind of STDs like:terrorism,Islamic extremism,Wahabism…and so forth.
Sunnis in Syria are smarter than being lead by people with foreign agenda to be
Dumped into the same kind of :Iraqi ,lybian,Yamani,Sudanese or Tunisian holes.
April 1st, 2012, 12:47 pm
DAWOUD said:
16. Mina
Bashar, the murderous dictator, did not leave the Sunni child Hamza al-Khateeb to grow up and decide Syria’s future. Bashar killed him and mutilated his genitals. Yes, Bashar cut the penis of a teeage Sunni boy! Bashar also has killed hundreds of innocent Syrian children-many of whom are Sunnis.
Does Bashar, the killer of children, deserve a chance? Hell NO!
April 1st, 2012, 12:50 pm
Dawoud said:
17. Syria no Kandahar
The “Muslim Brotherhood” is just a COCE name that Hasan Nasr of Hizb@@@, Shias, Alawis, Christians, etc. use instead of saying that they don’t want the Sunni majority to control government. Saying “the Muslim Brotherhood,” instead of saying “Sunni,” is their way of hiding their religious/sectarian bigotry.
I don’t defend the MB, but I trust the Arab people, including Syrians, to decide who rules them in free elections. Didn’t the MB emerge as the biggest winner in Egypt and Tunisian (al-Nahda)? I respect people’s choices.
April 1st, 2012, 12:56 pm
DAWOUD said:
I meant “Code name”
April 1st, 2012, 12:56 pm
Alan said:
USA Thwarts Israeli Attack on Iran
Roy Tov – March 29, 2012
http://richmondunlimited.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/did-we-avoid-world-war-3-this-past-week/
April 1st, 2012, 1:16 pm
Alan said:
‘Friends’ in Need: Syrian rebels ‘to receive salaries’ from Gulf states
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPDMH–apKA
Saudi Arabia and its allies are thought to have agreed to pay salaries to rebels fighting the Syrian regime. The decision came as around 60 nations – all harsh critics of the Syrian government – met in Turkey to discuss how to bolster the opposition and intensify sanctions against President Assad. The U.S and its allies blame Assad for violence in the country, whereas Damascus says it’s fighting armed extremists. RT’s Sara Firth has been following the talks in Istanbul.
April 1st, 2012, 1:19 pm
jad said:
Alan 🙂
????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?? ?????
http://youtu.be/M4NkWxMg4zU
April 1st, 2012, 1:20 pm
Alan said:
23. JAD
????? ????? ?? ! 🙂
April 1st, 2012, 1:30 pm
Dawoud said:
9. Uzair8
I agree with you. I guess defending the most repressive N.Korea is not unimaginable for those who defend the regime that kills Syrian children and chop their penises! Another person here, who complains about the Sunni MB, is worried that Israel would attack the Shia Iran. I personally hope that BOTH Iran, the supporter of Bahar’s murder of Sunni Syrians, and Israel, the occupier/colonizer of Palestine, are BOTH defeated! Israel and Iran are now the biggest threat to Middle East peace and stability.
Didn’t Iran quietly cheer when George Bush invaded Iraq and gave Iraq to al-Maliki (Iran’s puppet)? I agree with the Saud monarch only this time (I don’t support undemocratic monarchies) that “[the] should cut the head of the snake [Iran}.” A war that will weaken BOTH Iran and Israel is a double blessing! I can’t wait to see it happen because Syria’s and Palestine’s innocents deserve justice!
April 1st, 2012, 1:38 pm
Tara said:
Damascus, here we come.
Damascus on edge as Syria’s strife encroaches on capital
Food prices on the rise, gas and electricity run short and latest influx of people fleeing Homs rattles capital
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 1 April 2012 10.51 EDT
….
But life is getting gradually harder. Depression and insomnia are reportedly growing as the tales of death and torture mix with uncertainty about the future, exacting a heavy mental toll. Sanctions applied by the US, Europe and some Arab countries have pushed up food and heating prices. The Syrian pound has lost half its value over a year, reaching one US cent in February.
….
The latest influx from Homs, where a month of shelling Baba Amr and other neighbourhoods tore families apart and sent survivors scattering, is rattling Damascus. Residents are conflicted: the bloody tales are harrowing, but there are many in the capital who still have much to lose.
….
A rich businessman says his friends grow more disgusted with the regime by the day. But Assad’s supporters are still passionate, too. A man from the coastal city of Latakia who drives a taxi in Damascus loudly rails against the protesters, screaming that they are “dogs” and berating them for using arms. Some, whatever their political hue, just want the crisis to end.
….
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/01/damascus-syria-strife-encroaches-capital
April 1st, 2012, 1:39 pm
Alan said:
Annan plan-only chance to settle Syrian crisis-Turkey
http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c32/380196.html
ISTANBUL, April 1 (Itar-Tass) — The plan on a peaceful settlement, proposed by special representative of the Arab League and the UN on Syria Kofi Annan, is the only chance to settle problems of that country at this time, said to Itar-Tass on Sunday adviser on foreign policy to the Turkish prime minister Ibrahim Kalin.
He emphasized that this plan is capable potentially of meeting the interests of all sides, involved in the conflict as well as members of the international community. “The opening of humanitarian corridors is one of the most important questions under discussion now.
“Participants are ready to start translating this initiative into life, but we need to get agreement from Syrian authorities. A humanitarian mission cannot take place without this,” he said.
Kalin expressed conviction that the conference of “Friends of Syria”, now in progress in Istanbul, will yield specific results at least in achieving some goals.
“The international pressure on Damascus has increased as compared with the time of holding the first conference in Tunisia,” he said, adding that “the level of representation of countries in Istanbul and their number increased”.
According to Erdogan’s adviser, forum participants discuss a broad range of issues, including a prospect for creating a buffer zone on the Turkish-Syrian border. The talks are attended by the Syrian National Council which was recognized by Turkey as a legitimate representative of Syrian people. According to Kalin’s data, it unites up to 90 percent of opposition Syrian forces.
Kalin also noted the final decision of the conference would not include a chance for preserving his post by Syrian President Bashar Assad during a settlement of the crisis and holding of reforms. However, he did not claim flatly that a way out of the crisis with the incumbent president is impossible.
April 1st, 2012, 1:44 pm
Mina said:
How else a 24-year-old could have traveled to Pakistan, Afghanistan, the UAE, Israel, and bought a huge collection of weapons?
http://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2012/04/01/affaire-merah-l-avocate-du-pere-dit-detenir-des-videos-prouvant-la-liquidation-du-tueur_1678804_3224.html
A new “triple-agent”?
April 1st, 2012, 1:48 pm
DAWOUD said:
The Syrian Free Army-which would be armed with Saudi, Qatari, Libyan, Turkish, & Egyptian logistical/weaponry support-is the ONLY way to end Syria’s ongoing chaos and violence!
April 1st, 2012, 1:48 pm
Tara said:
Dear Bronco,
This is the link. Happy now? Aimed to please. * The meeting recognised the SNC as the “legitimate representative” of Syrians.*
1 April 2012
Opposition says Syrian rebel fighters to get salaries
US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton: “The world will not waver, Assad must go”
Rebels fighting the government of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria will be paid salaries, the opposition Syrian National Council has announced.
Money will also be given to soldiers who defect from the government’s army, the SNC added, after a “Friends of the Syrian people” summit in Turkey.
Conference delegates said wealthy Gulf Arab states would supply millions of dollars a month for the SNC fund.
The meeting recognised the SNC as the “legitimate representative” of Syrians.
Damascus dubbed the gathering of some 70 Western and Arab foreign ministers in Istanbul as the “enemies of Syria”, and key players remained absent, including Russia, China and Iran.
At a news conference, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu warned Syria that Kofi Annan’s six-point peace plan – which Damascus has agreed to in principle – was “not open-ended”.
His comments were echoed by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who said there was “no more time for excuses and delays” by the Assad government. “This is a moment of truth,” she said.
“The SNC will take charge of the payment of fixed salaries of all officers, soldiers, and others who are members of the Free Syrian Army,” SNC President Burhan Ghalioun told the conference.
The BBC’s Jonathan Head, in Istanbul, says the decision to pay rebel fighters is a significant step by the SNC in recognising the central role the armed insurgency is now playing in their campaign to oust President Assad.
An SNC leader told the BBC that she hoped more substantial funding would help bind the disparate units of the Free Syrian Army into a more coherent fighting force, and encourage other soldiers to defect from the government side.
The decision to increase non-lethal aid to the rebels by paying salaries to the fighters is a compromise, our correspondent says.
Not all opposition groups will be happy at the summit’s decision to channel the funds through the SNC – as well as recognising it as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17578248
April 1st, 2012, 1:49 pm
Ghufran said:
This is an article from a site that is pro regime. The language is very unusual, I hope I am not reading too much into it :
http://www.shamlife.com/?page=show_det&select_page=9&id=21269
April 1st, 2012, 1:50 pm
Hopeful said:
Here are the results so far on the Poll I am conducting on http://onsyria.wordpress.com/:
41 people voted for option 1. The regime stays on its current course of crushing the rebels, restraining free speech, restricting demonstrations, and introducing political reforms
1 person voted for option 2. The Free Syrian Army and Islamists are sufficiently armed to continue the fight, topple the regime and establish a new government
1 person voted for option 3. The West intervenes militarily, topples the regime and helps establish a democratic liberal government
25 people voted for option 4. The regime agrees to step aside and negotiates the creation of a transitional government and a safe exit for its leaders and supporters
It does surprise me that more people voted to maintain the status quo (option 1), than to engage with an alternative (option 4, which I believe is what Mr. Annan is ultimately trying to accomplish with his mission).
It is worth noting that among the 200+ viewers who viewed the post in the last two days, only 2 were from Syria (the majority is from the US). So the vote hardly represents what Syrians inside Syria really want. Nevertheless, it is a data point.
April 1st, 2012, 1:53 pm
Mina said:
“The rebels will get a salary”
I am sure all the poors of Iraq and elsewhere will appreciate the reach of such a bright idea.
April 1st, 2012, 2:19 pm
Alan said:
we congratulate you our friend Mister George Galloway
George Galloway – 2012-03-30 – Sky News – Bradford 1 [couchtripper]
April 1st, 2012, 2:28 pm
Alan said:
[
Description added: George Galloway’s victory speech Bradford West 30th March 2012 ]
April 1st, 2012, 2:30 pm
Antoine said:
3. SYRIAN NATIONALIST PARTY said :
“Anyone keeping tabs on Tlass and Kid, is he back in Syria as he promised? Or he is now a European Citizen, get to keep the hundreds of millions stolen from Syrian Treasury like Khaddam’s and Shahabi did, Sunni Moslems UUHHH. Sunni-vs Shia what a joke, what an idiocy”
Brigadier Manaf Tlass is currently commanding a Brigade of the Guards on the Golan Front.
April 1st, 2012, 2:30 pm
Antoine said:
SNP,
Tareq al-Hashemi is in Qatar. Saleh al-Mutlaq al-Jubouri has been spotted in Istanbul. What do you think ?
April 1st, 2012, 2:32 pm
Ghufran said:
Nobody should question the motive behind posting an A list, enjoy, when people from both sides are getting kidnapped and killed at random, those lists are unnecessary, the listed officers are already targets. Those lists hurt the publisher more than the published.
April 1st, 2012, 2:33 pm
Aldendeshe said:
@35. Antoine said:
That is what Riffat Assad used to do whenever he wanted to slip into a commander wife or daughter bed. He gave him a quick promotion and sent him to command a battalion in the Golan, hoping then he will never return. Basically, the Golan front became a forced exile camp for the Assads. But where the other kid and his father setting now with all the millions they stole, Lake Geneva perhaps?
April 1st, 2012, 2:39 pm
Antoine said:
3. SYRIAN NATIONALOST PARTY said :
“Anyone keeping tabs on Tlass and Kid, is he back in Syria as he promised? Or he is now a European Citizen, get to keep the hundreds of millions stolen from Syrian Treasury like Khaddam’s and Shahabi did, Sunni Moslems UUHHH. Sunni-vs Shia what a joke, what an idiocy.’
Considering the intense animosity that exists between Tlass and the likes of Shihabi, Rifaat al Assad, Ghazi Kenaan, ( i.e real hardcore commanders), such a situation is unlikely. Qatar is a more likely destination.
April 1st, 2012, 2:39 pm
Antoine said:
ALDENDESHE # 38,
I said Qatar is a more likely location. Maybe not.
April 1st, 2012, 2:45 pm
ann said:
I don’t see bibi natanyahu in the picture. Do you?!
http://img2.allvoices.com/thumbs/image/609/480/90327805-us-secretary.jpg
April 1st, 2012, 2:45 pm
Ghufran said:
Where is the GCC and Hariri money when it is needed ?
http://mtv.com.lb/News/78220
Neighboring countries have welcomed rich Syrians who had to leave Syria or chose to leave Syria, poor Syrians do not have friends.
April 1st, 2012, 2:47 pm
Alan said:
Really it seems to you that this list will help Syrians to overcome the difficulties? to them to sneeze on tricks of psichological war ! Syrians don’t need people who bring them more pain and a negative! hang up the list on your wall!
April 1st, 2012, 2:52 pm
Afram said:
Syria Needs a George Washington?
The Ugly Truth the entire arab/muslims NEED military strongman like:Kemal Ataturk.
Petrodollar Wars:is delaying the progress,As a result,democracies& leadership is lacking.
Ataturk embarked upon a program of political&cultural reforms plus he secularized his nation-state.
Ataturk understood Islam well. He said –“Islam,this absurd theology of an immoral Bedouin, is a rotting corpse which poisons our lives Is simply asparagus and has no place here…”.
read Ataturk quote here:
http://www.politicalforum.com/history-past-politicians/86008-mustafa-kemal-ataturk-great-revolutionary.html
And here:
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Talk:Mustafa_Kemal_Atat%C3%BCrk
ataturk was an atheist.ceased believing in God. he killed few extremist violent shieks and exiled many others.
muslims need to understand that the car has replaced the horse,why back to khilafah????!!!!????
April 1st, 2012, 2:53 pm
Ghufran said:
Once a liar,always a liar.
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2110783,00.html
First they said they will only compete for a third of the seats at the PA, they lied, then they said they are inclusive but they just tried to shape a constitution that fits their tight pants, finally, they promised not to attemp a presidential bid, and they lied again.
Governments dominated by Islamists will be as bad as those ruled by Baathists, different slogans, more or less facial hair, but the same garbage.
April 1st, 2012, 2:58 pm
Alan said:
42. ANN
it is the second strong one for today 🙂
April 1st, 2012, 2:59 pm
ann said:
House Intel Leaders: Arming Syria a Bad Idea – April 1, 2012
http://www.nationaljournal.com/house-intel-leaders-arming-syria-a-bad-idea-20120401
House intelligence leaders said on Sunday that arming Syrian rebels remains unwise because they are unknown actors and Syria’s regime continues to be backed by Iran and Russia.
“I think we both agree that’s probably a bad idea,” said Mike Rogers, R-Mich., chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, appearing on CNN’s State of the Union.
Appearing with Ranking Member C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger, D-Md., he argued for greater international diplomatic pressure rather than “sending in arms and hoping for the best.”
“We think that there are other things that we can do that we haven’t quite engaged in yet, and that probably need to happen,” Rogers said, including engaging the Arab League so the United States could take a “support role.”
Rogers said President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime appears unmoved by Washington’s pleading, but cautioned against weapons falling into the hands of “bad actors there.”
“We don’t really see Assad’s inner-circle crumbling,” Rogers said. “They believe that they’re winning.”
He added: “Iran and Russia both have stepped up to the plate and can’t afford, in their minds, can’t afford to lose Syria as their toehold.”
Said Ruppersberger: “The United States can’t be sheriff for the whole world.”
[…]
April 1st, 2012, 3:08 pm
ann said:
Jordan renews rejection of military intervention in Syria – 1/4/2012
http://www.petra.gov.jo/Public_News/Nws_NewsDetails.aspx?Site_Id=1&lang=2&NewsID=65147&CatID=13&Type=Home>ype=1
Istanbul, April 1 (Petra) — Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh on Sunday reiterated Jordan’s stance calling for an end to the bloodletting in Syria through achieving the Syrian people’s legitimate aspirations for reforms and political participation in a manner the preserves Syria’s territorial integrity and social fabric.
Addressing Friends of Syria meeting held in Istanbul today, Judeh called for an immediate implementation of UN-Arab League envoy, Kofi Anan’s six-point plan to spare Syria any foreign intervention in its affairs. The minister renewed Jordan’s rejection of any foreign military intervention in Syria. The FM told the meeting that Jordan hosts more than 90,000 Syrians in addition to a few thousands more refugees who came to Jordan since the outbreak of the crisis in Syria, pointing out the Jordanian government has allowed them to benefit from public health and education services.
[…]
April 1st, 2012, 3:21 pm
Alan said:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/israeli-official-calls-palestinian-land-protest-diplomatic-terror/2012/03/31/gIQA7WuBnS_print.html
Israeli official calls Palestinian land protest ‘diplomatic terror’
By Associated Press, Published: March 31
JERUSALEM — Israel’s deputy foreign minister says an annual protest Palestinians mounted over the weekend is “political terrorism.”
Danny Ayalon spoke Saturday in Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv. He said Land Day protests are “a continuation of the diplomatic terrorism (Palestinian Authority President) Abu Mazen is using against Israel in international forums.”
Palestinians have held Land Day demonstrations since 1976 to protest what they say is discriminatory Israeli land policy. On Friday about 2,000 Arab-Israelis demonstrated in northern Israel, where much of Israel’s Arab minority lives. Israeli troops killed one protester in the Gaza Strip, and other supporters marched in Jordan and Lebanon.
Another 200 activists marched Saturday in Jaffa, the historically Arab quarter of Tel Aviv.
April 1st, 2012, 3:21 pm
jad said:
Mr. Moderator, please delete my comment in #43 too and be sure that I wont put any list of any names, it’s not my intention.
I agree with Ghufran that this is not the right thing to do.
Thank you.
April 1st, 2012, 3:27 pm
jad said:
Dear SNP
You know that I do respect you, and you know that I consider myself your friend and I know that it is mutual.
Could you please please please try not to write any comments against any religion. Please 🙂
April 1st, 2012, 3:31 pm
Alan said:
????! ?? ??? ????? ??????? ? ?? ?????? ?? ?????
European anti-Islamic rally in Denmark flops
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2012/03/2012331142352883844.html
An anti-Islamic gathering in Denmark’s second city has attracted fewer than 200 supporters compared with thousands of counter demonstrators of whom 83 were arrested.
The far-right activists later had to be escorted away from the rally on two buses by police on Saturday.
The rally was held in Aarhus, Denmark’s second largest city, 200km northwest of Copenhagen, the capital, drawing participants from several European countries, including Britain, Germany, Poland and Sweden.
The “European Counter-Jihad Meeting” started with a moment of silence for the seven people who were killed by an al-Qaeda-inspired gunman in France.
“There are 150 or 200 people, but I have the impression that there are not even 100 people really taking part in the demonstration,” a police officer at the far right rally in eastern Aarhus told AFP news agency.
April 1st, 2012, 3:32 pm
Antoine said:
“One day in early February 1984, I went to my office in the Headquarters, and while I was passing near Al-Jahiz Park, I noticed that many pictures of Rifaat Al-Assad, the president’s brother, were stuck on the walls. In the pictures he raised his fist as a symbol of power and challenge… I was not relieved about this silly and harmful sight and said to myself that, since I had always been annoyed at it, President Hafez Al-Assad was certainly more annoyed, as he was the most concerned about this issue.The introduction to the bookPresident Assad was the only person who followed up security issues relative to Unit 569 (the Defense Brigades). Whenever Brigadier-General Rifaat Al-Assad realized that a security officer in his brigade dealt with the Intelligence Department, he would send him to the special brigade prison and no one would hear of him any more. Consequently, the unit constituted a special ghetto that was hard to penetrate.
Yet, some unit officers used to communicate information to President Hafez Al-Assad through top secret channels that Rifaat himself failed to uncover. President Assad became increasingly convinced that Rifaat was harboring something, and that the unit was in a state of permanent alert although the domestic conditions did not necessitate it”
…..”At that moment, Colonel Sabbagh and his bodyguards (4 assistants armed with Russian rifles) arrived and disarmed Colonel Barakat. Lieutenant General Duba shouted at Major General Al-Shihabi that the issue was resolved… Then, he turned to Colonel Barakat and said, “Are you pointing your gun at me Salim? The latter replied, “Is it possible Abu Muhammad that I point my gun at you?” Then, Lieutenant General Duba slapped Colonel Barakat’s face and said, “I am Lieutenant General Duba, not Abu Muhammad, and I will take you to court Salim Barakat.” After that, Duba ordered that the lights be switched off, and ordered Colonel Asaad Sabbagh to get Colonel Barakat out of the car and to send him to the military police prison in Al-Kabun. The incident came to an end without uproar, and the number of the persons aware of its occurrence was limited”…….
“It was necessary to issue an order to form the Republican Guard in order to make the military forces in particular, and the rest of the people in general, understand that it was the duty of the Republican Guard to ensure the protection of the presidential palace, and that the Defense Brigades no longer had any role in protecting the President. We agreed that the Republican Guard would consist of an armored division to which were added three guard regiments whose cadres were similar to those of the commando regiments of the Special Units. And in order to set the Republican Guard on solid foundations from the start, I suggested to the President that we bring ready units straight from the divisions and military formations. For instance, we could bring an infantry battalion, or a tank battalion, or an artillery battalion from any division. Its readiness would not be affected and it was easy to form another battalion from within. Thus, the name of the unit that would join the Republican Guard appeared in the formation order for the first time… Rifaat Al-Assad attempted to hinder this formation, which he considered a blow dealt to him, and he forcefully prevented some battalions from joining the Republican Guard, but the tank units managed to break the siege laid to the guard and joined the formation. The 259th Battalion, 81st Brigade, the 3rd Division was the first to join. I feel proud that this battalion was the first tank battalion whose command I assumed in Homs after the glorious March 8 Revolution. Thus, the Republican Guard began to gradually stand on its feet in order to fulfill its noble task.”..
http://www.fursansouria.org/3m1_en.html
April 1st, 2012, 3:36 pm
Ghufran said:
The SNC did not get the label of the Sole Rep of Syrian people, and Qatar and KSA did not receive an endorsement for arming the FSA and other Syrian armed ani regime groups.
The Egyptian stock market lost 4 billion EP in one day of trading after the MB announced its intent to jump on the office of presidency, what may come next is an open confrontation with the army leadership which is not likely to give Egypt to the MB.
The SNC said it will “restructure” its body to become more inclusive and more democratic, that will not happen under Qatar and KSA sponsorship, corrupt GCC governments will only fund puppet politicians, others are not welcome to the freedom club.
Without a major change in structure and attitude, the SNC will become a group of angry and expensive paper tigers in exile.
Back to square one.
April 1st, 2012, 3:36 pm
jad said:
Please check what are the ‘colonial’ powers ‘chosen’ ‘Syrians’ doing during the enemies of Syria 2
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/485874_348456708538486_179587692092056_991216_869936161_n.jpg
April 1st, 2012, 3:36 pm
Alan said:
55. JAD
this is the third strong one for today ! funny !;)
April 1st, 2012, 3:42 pm
Antoine said:
SC Moderator :
This is the link to the lists of officers –
http://www.scribd.com/doc/55571878/List-of-Syrian-Officers-those-involved-in-Massacres-in-Syria
( I admit I try to sound more connected than I really am, its addiction)
Btw many of those officers are not well-known in Syria, its just to have fun, nothing else. People should get to know their leaders, you know.
April 1st, 2012, 3:43 pm
Syrian Nationalist Party said:
“The rebels will get a salary”
————————————————-
What about the orphans these Foreign backed genocidal war criminal mercenaries and murderers left homeless and hungry in Syria, in Homs, are they going to get a salary as well? Or Islam and its leaders only pay for act of war, slaughter and mayhem, not act of mercy and compassion.
What a fraud this pure filth (Islam) it is.April 1st, 2012, 3:44 pm
Antoine said:
For those who questioned my motives behind publishing the “list”, well the objective for compiling and posting these lists is to make people aware of the top ppl in the regime, especially those working in sensitive locations, so that people are aware about these elements. If somebody decides to “do” something to the people named in the list, that isn’t the fault of the compilers of the list. People need to know all the names, details, of people who are working for the regime.
Next will be names and details of all senior field commanders of the Army in Homs, Idlib, and Deirezzor.
Then will come the list of businessmen who are supporting the regime financially and are forcing their workers not to join the opposition,
All in all, the FSA have 2500 people under their radars, who are crucuial to the regime and are working in sensitive positions. So yeah, the regime rests on 2500 ppl. We will compile all the names, details, and particulars of these 2500 ppl. We have left out the civilan membership of the Baath Party Central Command, and the Parliament of Syria, becz in our assessment these are no longer crucial to the regime.
I am posting the lost again, bcz a new post has come up, I have posted this under this post before but the Moderator deleted it without informing me, which is very irritating, Moderator should at least give reason before making posts disappear randomly.
April 1st, 2012, 3:44 pm
Mawal95 said:
Antoine #44 claims Syrian security forces open live fire on peaceful protesters in Clock Square in Homs on Friday 22 Apr 2011. I say it’s a damn lie. I challenge Antoine to provide video evidence. I also challenge Antoine to provide video evidence for any other alleged atrocities anywhere in Syria on Friday 22 Apr 2011. I have seen a number of fakes that purport to be from that date specifically. I have never seen the real thing.
April 1st, 2012, 3:46 pm
jad said:
The news from my dungeon in Beirut:
??????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? 1-4-2012
http://youtu.be/2NzMBsCiNkk?t=1m28s
April 1st, 2012, 3:47 pm
Alan said:
??????? ??????? :
?????? ?????? ??????? ????? ?????? ?? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ???????? ! ?? ???? ????? ???????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ! ??? ???? ???? ! ? ?? ???? ??????? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ???? ???????? ??????? ??? ??????? ???? ????? ????????????? ???? ?????? ? ??? ????? !
April 1st, 2012, 3:55 pm
Mawal95 said:
I said in an old thread: “Syrians are nationalistic. The definition of the nation that the Syrians are nationalistic about is the one developed and nurtured by the regime over four decades. The dissident factions have not attempted to articulate any alternative to it. Today the Syria of Assad still has a bone-crunchingly strong grip over how the Syrian nation and nationalism is defined.”
Joshua Landis says today: “No secular nationalist ideology exists in Syria that can rally Syrian fighters.”
My reply to that: No religious or Islamic nationalist ideology exists in Syria that can rally public opinion to support rebel fighters. In Syria the Sunni clerical leadership plus the generality of Sunni clerics, as well as the generality of the whole population, endorses the ban on religious political parties. It is part of the generally accepted concept of the nation of Syria.
Nir Rosen reported a few weeks ago: “A rebel military leader in Harasta confided that many people hoped there would be a declaration of jihad against the regime. But they don’t want to be accused of being Salafis. He did not expect such a declaration because the regime was not led by infidels and there were many Muslims in it, while the opposition also feared being accused of sectarianism.”
Joshua Landis says today “The Islamist ideology is well-aligned with the tactics now required to defeat the infidel.” I reply the Islamist ideology is NOT well aligned with a viable strategy required to win political support among the generality of the population.
April 1st, 2012, 4:11 pm
ann said:
Pope gives $100,000 aid to Syrian Church
Pope Benedict XVI has given $100,000 for the charitable work of the local Catholic Church in Syria, Vatican Radio reports on Sunday. The Catholic Church is active in charitable activities throughout Syria, especially in the areas of Homs and Aleppo. The Pope has repeatedly called for the end of violence in Syria and for dialogue between those involved in the conflict.
[…]
http://rt.com/news/line/2012-04-01/#id28965
April 1st, 2012, 4:17 pm
jad said:
Sorry Alan 🙂
The picture I linked earlier end up being old and not from the enemies of Syria, I apologize to all.
I’ll try to be more careful next time.
http://vi.sualize.us/view/ee0b554a2a9d52091bd9389399ec9046/
April 1st, 2012, 4:22 pm
ann said:
Gulf states, SNC to bankroll Syrian rebels – 01 April, 2012
http://rt.com/news/snc-gulf-countries-fund-rebels-972/
“The SNC will take charge of the payment of fixed salaries of all officers, soldiers, and others who are members of the Free Syrian Army,” Council head Burhan Ghalioun said.
Journalist and political analyst Christoph Hoerstel told RT that salaries for the rebels are not news, as they “have been paid since the beginning.”
He insists that the conflict in Syria had been planned in advance from as early as summer 2010, and that this information “kills the whole story the West and some of those corrupt allies… are making out of Syria.”
[…]
April 1st, 2012, 4:24 pm
Juergen said:
Mina
I know your thirst for what you might call “juicy” stories involving secret services and young terrorists. Just check the thorn tree forum on lonelyplanet.com. Youll find many young 24 year old travelling to Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan. There are folks who like to travel and money is not the issue, if one wants to travel one can without major funds. But I assume you prefer the idea that someone is working for secret service agencies and travels in their order.
Mina, in every major city on this planet youll find people who will sell you a gun. There is a big illegal market, which is hard to control even in Europe with all the weapon registration and limited access to it legally. I would also add that its very unlikely that this weird fella was a Al Quaida agent, I believe that he wanted to enjoy worldwide attention, and this Al Qauida word is a gateopener, it works well as the syrian regime prooved to us.
April 1st, 2012, 4:26 pm
Tara said:
Jeurgen
It is a low class word for unclean, untidy, or unkept person.
April 1st, 2012, 4:28 pm
irritated said:
In this latest episode of the FOS series, the FSA fighters got the promise of a paid job plus satellite communications and various electronic gadgets, but no weapons and corridors.
Against all expectations from their fans and the frantic effort of Davutoglu, the SNC got no recognition whatsoever, not the ‘sole’ not the ‘principal’, it was simply ignored.
Qatar and KSA keep sulking as they are expected to pay the salaries of the “100,000” FSA fighters and console themselves by reading the hacked emails of Bashar al Assad.
I guess many badly paid Syrian soldiers will defect when they’ll find out what’s the salary of a defector in the FSA.
Also as a consolation, Erdavutoglu hopes to get some of the ‘humanitarian’ money to continue building prefabs for his Syrian ‘social camps’ to host the Syrian ‘guests’ as long as they don’t ask for political asilum.
Overall a uneventful episode, when and where is the next one scheduled?
At Summit, Nations Move to Increase Aid for Syrian Rebels
By STEVEN LEE MYERS
Published: April 1, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/02/world/middleeast/us-and-other-countries-move-to-increase-assistance-to-syrian-rebels.html?_r=1
ISTANBUL — The United States and dozens of other countries moved closer on Sunday to direct intervention in the fighting in Syria, with Arab nations pledging $100 million to pay opposition fighters and the Obama administration agreeing to send communications equipment to help rebels organize and evade Syria’s military, according to participants gathered here.
April 1st, 2012, 4:29 pm
Alan said:
The Syrians NOT ONLY CATHOLICS can BUILD AGAINE all there churches by themselves !
Asking Pope Benedict XVI prays for the fastest peace in Syria
April 1st, 2012, 4:33 pm
Mawal95 said:
@ JAD #63: I appreciate getting the correction. Still, the picture of the guy playing cards reminds me that conferences with oral speeches are an old-fashioned and inefficient way of acquiring knowledge. Humans can read text at about twice the speed that that anyone can speak it. Text is searchable and skippable in a way that a live speech is not. Everybody should do what we do, which is sit in front of an information machine.
April 1st, 2012, 4:39 pm
Mawal95 said:
UP WITH THE SYSTEM IN SYRIA ! HOORAY !
Jubel für das System
¡Viva el sistema
Bravo pour le système
??????? ???? ??? ??????? ????? ?????? ??????. ???! ?
April 1st, 2012, 4:44 pm
zoo said:
The official communique of the FOS
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/chairmans-conclusions-second-conference-of-the-group-of-friends-of-the-syrian-people-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=17374&NewsCatID=359
Chairman’s Conclusions: Second Conference of the Group of Friends of the Syrian People
ISTANBUL
1. The Second Conference of the Group of Friends of the Syrian People (“the Friends’ Group”) was held in Istanbul on 1 April 2012.
2. The Friends’ Group welcomed the growing interest and participation of the countries which totaled 82 at this meeting including the representatives from the United Nations, The League of Arab States, The European Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the African Union.
3. Recalling the conclusions of the first meeting in Tunisia, the Friends’ Group reaffirmed its determination to support the just cause of the Syrian people. The Friends Group underlined that the future of Syria must be determined by the Syrian people and that it will stand firmly by them until their rightful and legitimate aspirations are fulfilled. In this context, the Friends Group underscored its firm and strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, political unity and territorial integrity of Syria.
4. The Syrian National Council presented a report to the Friends Group, regarding the situation on the ground in Syria. As explicitly stated in this report, the situation on the ground is grave. The Syrian regime’s widespread and systematic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms continue unabated.
(…)
April 1st, 2012, 4:47 pm
zoo said:
Is Erdogan antagonising Annan?
ISTANBUL – Agence France-Presse
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-pm-says-no-support-for-syria-regime-to-stay-in-power.aspx?pageID=238&nID=17354&NewsCatID=359
Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an said today Ankara would not back any plan that would help the regime in Damascus to stay in power.
“It is not possible for us to support any plan that would help stay in power a regime that oppresses its own people,” Erdo?an said at the opening of the Friends of Syria conference in Istanbul.
…
April 1st, 2012, 4:52 pm
Dale Andersen said:
Memo To: HANS
RE: “…Syrian Nationalist Party, you have crossed the red line of sectarian provocation with your note about the ‘pure filth (Islam)’. This is intolerable…”
Ah, finally someone on SC who understands the meaning and usage of “red line”
April 1st, 2012, 4:53 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Mawal,
Here are the footage you claim to be lies:
(Clock square before any army thugs)
(Clock square during the siege by army thugs)
(Army thugs celebrating their “victory” after they besieged clock square)
Or is this part of Youtube’s conspiracy as well?
April 1st, 2012, 4:56 pm
Uzair8 said:
Asking for peace in this situation is like expecting someone who has just returned home from work to find his house in the process of being burgled and ransacked, his family being brutally beaten and killed, and female members of his family being raped, it is like expecting this person, as he steps inside, to ask for peace from all parties in the house (murderers/rapists/ burglers and family alike).
Would I be right?
April 1st, 2012, 4:57 pm
Leo Syriacus said:
So to understand it clearly the Istanbul conference conclusions read as follows:
Assad you need to peacefully cede power in negotiations with the SNC who are not terrorists but recognized opposition by most influential nations in the world, there is no mentioning of our bombs falling over your head as of yet.
Everyone knows that this is not gonna happen, Assad will never resign…even if he personally gives up on the “Assad Forever” crap the rest of the Mafia will assassinate him, he needs to die a hero.
So a few more months of carnage, then NATO bombs with much more carnage, then an Islamists-dominated government with even more carnage!!
What a scenario!! Syrians are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
While other nations experienced freedom from tyrants and started their nation building (which will take decades,kid yourselves not) in the Arab Spring, Syria’s chapter is more tyranny,more repression,terrorism,civil war, raped and impregnated 13-year olds and carnage.
Really sad because Syrians are a great people with amazing potential.
April 1st, 2012, 5:00 pm
Uzair8 said:
You know when Assad and the mafia finally fall, it is gonna frustrate and hurt them all the more. Having survived so long and with their hopes of coming thru this crisis raised, having possibly come so close to survival (?) they and their supporters (incl. allies) will be absolutely gutted. At least Ben Ali and Mubarak fell relatively swiftly.
April 1st, 2012, 5:03 pm
Alan said:
Ah, finally someone on SC who understands the meaning and usage of “red line”
????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ???????? ! ??? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ? ???? ???? ????? ????? ?
April 1st, 2012, 5:03 pm
Sunny said:
The Pope gave $100,000 ?! Thank you.
However, this is an insult. It is like Bill Gate gives $1 to Haiti to build few hospitals!! I read one time that GOD stands for Guns, Oil, and Drugs! We wonder why Muslim, Christians, and Jewish extremists exist?!
April 1st, 2012, 5:07 pm
Tara said:
FOS meeting have caused significant agitation among the regime supporters on SC. I recommend the use of Xanax cautiously. The forecast does not look bright for the regime. Please refrain from the use of escalating dose as time progress as things are destined to worsen. It is not a benign drug.
April 1st, 2012, 5:08 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
Last fig leaf has fallen a while ago from Xanax dispensers:
??????? ????????
April 1st, 2012, 5:12 pm
Juergen said:
Tara
i heard it in Damascus, they told me its an old damascene word, not an insult to many as other words( as they told me) . But i was suprised that even its used in the tv series young folks dont seem to know it.
April 1st, 2012, 5:14 pm
Uzair8 said:
In the last few days I’ve seen, in the comment section of AJE Live Syria Blog, talk of a trickle of defections of Generals. I wonder how much truth there is to this. I guess we’ll have to wait for Prof JL’s next post to see if there is any mention of this (corroborated with other reports/sources).
An example of a comment from the blog:
‘Defection of Air Force General
Mohammad Yahya Bitar (its 5-th general that defect in last 4 days).
http://youtu.be/JEZFRYDN_vQ
Defection of colonel Khaled al-Kassar Qutaini
http://youtu.be/K_k2wCzMzzw
Both join FSA…
3hrs ago’.
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/Syria
‘Popular now’ section of comments.
April 1st, 2012, 5:22 pm
Syria no kandahar said:
?? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ?? ??? ????
April 1st, 2012, 5:22 pm
dawoud said:
Thanks to the Arab Gulf states for paying salaries of Free Syrian Army salaries. They also need to provids FSA with anti__tank missiles to destroy Bashar T72 tanks. Is she still trying to post English translation of Hasan latest speech on her blog!
April 1st, 2012, 5:24 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
Crimes of FSA mafia:
April 1st, 2012, 5:26 pm
Mawal95 said:
@ SOD #74:
It’s universally accepted as fact that protesters tried to stage an sit-in overnight at Clock Square in Homs City in April 2011 and that the sit-in was dispersed by the security forces.
The three videos you linked to merely show that much and no more. I challenge you to show us non-fake videos of the security forces using lethal force on Friday 22 April 2011, or on any day in April 2011, or for that matter any day during this past year.
Since I know that lots of fakes exist (itself a sign that the real thing doesn’t exist in quantity, btw), I demand unmistakeable footage of the actual security forces actually firing (and not merely firing into the air) and I also want to see context that the targets being fired on were not firing on the security forces.
If the security forces were guilty of atrocities as you claim, you ought not to have a problem satisfying this request. But I have presented this challenge many times before and never come across anybody who replied with youtube links to show me that I am mistaken in my confidence that the Syrian security forces have not commited atrocities of disproportionate force.
April 1st, 2012, 5:31 pm
Dawoud said:
Does her blog have the English translation of latest propaganda speech of Hasan Nasr:-( 😛 🙂 😉 ?
April 1st, 2012, 5:41 pm
Tara said:
Bronco,
Another link. Notice the use of the word “all” Syrians. Anyhow, given the apparent agitation on SC, I will stop posting links to that effect if you want me too. You know I care about you.. but you’ve asked for it.
The “Friends of Syria” recognized the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) as a legitimate representative of all Syrians, and “noted” it as the main opposition interlocutor with the international community – wording that fell short of full recognition of a group hampered by chronic disunity.
“Friends of Syria” try to turn screws on Assad
By Khaled Yacoub Oweis and Missy Ryan
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/01/us-syria-idUSBRE82U07V20120401
April 1st, 2012, 5:42 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
juergen
It is insult for woman
April 1st, 2012, 5:43 pm
Tara said:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/01/us-syria-iran-malta-idUSBRE8300G120120401
Malta delists Iranian tanker breaching Syria sanctions
VALLETTA | Sun Apr 1, 2012 3:46pm EDT
(Reuters) – The Maltese Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that it was delisting a Maltese-flagged, Iranian-owned tanker which was carrying Syrian crude oil in breach of international sanctions.
The M.T.Tour loaded the 120,000 tonne cargo of light crude at the Syrian port of Tartus last weekend, sent by the Iranian authorities after Syria was unable to find another vessel to take the cargo, worth some $84 million to the sanctions-hit Syrian government.
The ministry said the Maltese transport authorities took immediate action last week on learning that the Iranian ship flying the Maltese merchant shipping flag was carrying Syrian oil in breach of sanctions.
(…)
April 1st, 2012, 5:46 pm
Uzair8 said:
A thought that has just occured to me.
You know how the revolution has not been deterred by come what may. Sometimes I wonder how long the people can keep going. I just remembered how in Islam martyrs are not ‘dead’. They are alive and can still help the living. Even if it is encouragement.
You may have heard how Nelson Mandela, in his darkest days in confinement, was visited in a dream and encouraged by Imam Hussein (RA)(the blessed grandson of the Holy Prophet Sallalhu Alaihi WaSalam).
I’m sure the martyrs of Syria, Ghiath Matar, the men women and children who have been unjustly martyred, are helping and encouraging the revolution.
The spirit of the revolution hasn’t weakend. The candle-flame burns on, brighter still. Chasing away darkness and bringing light to every place.
Oh martyrs we will never forget.
I love you Syria.
Salaam
April 1st, 2012, 5:46 pm
ann said:
Meet the so called friends of the Friends of Syria.
All those atrocity stories fed constantly to a Western audience intoxicated with enthusiasm for the global democratic revolution? No doubt the Syrian government — as all governments — has used force and no doubt it has used extreme force against those tho they feel are threatening. Ask any G-8 protester about this phenomenon. But even some of the cheerleaders of the Syrian revolution are starting to notice that the rebels are simply cooking up videos, Hollywood-style, to hand to the “free” press in the West. Here is another fake video that CNN fell for uncritically.
Hillary and the “Friends” are lying about the Annan plan. They demand that the government lay down its arms while all the while massively transferring military equipment to the rebels. Saudi Foreign minister Saud al-Faisal, a representative of one of the most brutal dictatorships on the face of the earth, said, “The arming of the [Syrian] opposition is a duty, I think, because it cannot defend itself except with weapons.” What a humanitarian! After providing covert military support through a morally-disintegrating Turkey, the US plans to overtly provide “communications” equipment to the Syrian rebels — more likely to be targeting devices linked to CIA satellites than Twitter devices, to be sure.
The result of “Friends of Syria II” will no doubt be more bloodshed in Syria, just as we saw the flicker of the promise of a return to normalcy and the promise of reform brought about by the recent (unnoticed by the West) constitutional referendum. But countries like Syria can no longer be allowed to solve their own domestic problems internally, and any solution therein attempted must be undermined by the US/NATO and its allies. Sovereignty must be destroyed in the name of global democratic revolution. With friends like these…
[…]
http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/109093.html
April 1st, 2012, 5:57 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman, Ali.
We are the soldiers of the Sahaba, marching forward to create the State of Muhammad, the Great Caliphate of Omar in Syria !!
April 1st, 2012, 5:58 pm
jad said:
Thank god that we have Iran and Iraq as barrier between Syria and the ‘stan’ region.
April 1st, 2012, 6:01 pm
Jad said:
Otherwise the fighters there will pour into Syria after hearing about getting salaries from the rich khalijis.
BTW, who was paying until today then?
April 1st, 2012, 6:20 pm
jna said:
71. zoosaid:
The official communique of the FOS
I don’t have the patience to read these propaganda diatribes to the end. Been there, done that, come up with something new and constructive.
April 1st, 2012, 6:22 pm
bronco said:
#89 Tara said
“The “Friends of Syria” recognized the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) as a legitimate representative of all Syrians,”
That was already THE “big success” of the SNC…at the Tunis FOS.
Nothing new…
The SNC is in eternal infancy and from FOS to FOS still hopes it will be taken seriously, but continues to fail. With a daddy like HBJ, a mummy like Davutoglu and an uncle like Juppe, what do you expect?
When is the next FOS, still in Paris as planned?
Khaled Oweiss uses these dramatic images: “Time running out”, “turning the screws” to create a sense or urgency and to hide the absence of a serious development.
At the end, these are all “verbal pressure”. I guess Bashar has put earplugs a long time ago to stop hearing the international cacophonia.
Please don’t refrain from posting the links that you find. It is always interesting to read.
April 1st, 2012, 6:24 pm
Dale Andersen said:
Memo To: JAD
RE: “…thank god that we have Iran and Iraq as a barrier…”
Yup! You can’t have it any better than with Iran and Iraq. They’re like ham & swiss cheese, Peanut butter & marshmallows, pastrami on rye, Easter & Christmas…
April 1st, 2012, 6:25 pm
omen said:
eloquent posters struggling for answers, pleading for understanding as to why seemingly rational people would irrationally support a barbaric and bloodthirsty regime.
link
link
they list plausible rationales, but even when considered in totality, comes up short and feels incomplete in answering “why?”
it isn’t even denial in preferring not to think about it. how do assad supporters look straight in the face of genocide and merely shrug or even cheerlead it.
i used to think this was because of self interest. people who benefited from assad being in power. but i think this goes deeper than mere greed.
this isn’t something that can be answered by political scientists or mena experts. i think this is something only psychologists can explain. one doesn’t sanction 40 years of pathological rule of dictators without absorbing some of it yourself.
April 1st, 2012, 6:29 pm
zoo said:
Hillary: Please Bashar, don’t “step aside” as we asked you before, implement the peace plan first.
Clinton to Assad: Don’t delay implementing peace plan
ISTANBUL | Sun Apr 1, 2012 11:55am EDT
(Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday he could no longer delay implementing a UN-Arab League peace proposal to end fighting in Syria.
Speaking after a meeting between Western and Arab officials and members of the Syrian opposition in Istanbul, Clinton said Assad had so far refused to implement the Annan peace plan.
“There is no more time for excuses or delays … this is a moment of truth,” Clinton told a news conference.
(..)
April 1st, 2012, 6:33 pm
Tara said:
Bronco
At first, you wanted a link, I gave you too. After the link(S) were provided, the recognition suddenly became unimportant… I thought you were arguing that Turkey and France wanted the recognition contrary to the rest of the 83 (that is eighty three) countries and organizations attending the FOS including the Vatican. No? That was not what you said?
Anyhow, I will continue posting interesting links as long as you promise you are not getting any Xanax. That advise was not for you..;)
April 1st, 2012, 6:36 pm
Aldendeshe said:
“….Joshua Landis says today “The Islamist ideology is well-aligned with the tactics now required to defeat the infidel.” …”
__________________________________________________________________
For the majority of Syrians the infidels are the Wahabis and Arab Rulers. The very same people who are calling many Syrians infidels. Loooooooooooooooosers, Stop taking your Qs from Landis, while he is taking his cash for paid to order blog statement.April 1st, 2012, 6:53 pm
Norman said:
This is the plan B that i called for on March 27 2011, still good today, there is no chance for the opposition to get international invasion and no chance for them to force themselves on the Syrian people, so join the process and the US should push them to do that if it really wants reform in Syria,
((( 145. Norman said:
NK,
Do you want Syria to follow the democracy of the US 200 years ago or today’s laws,
I think it is a waste of time to try to reinvent the wheel, Just adopt the American constitution and bill of rights and laws including anti discrimination laws in Housing and employment, call on American university to help set up districts, Divide the cities into towns and let them vote for their Meyers and city councils, let each County vote for it’s county executive and have rules as they have in the US to impeach them so the president does not have to intervene in whom to fire,let people rule themselves and blame themselves when thy do stupid things, with people ruling themselves new leaders will show up and prove themselves,)))
April 1st, 2012, 7:33 pm
Mawal95 said:
#71 ZOO linked to the chairman’s concluding statement of the Enemies of Syria Conference. I insist they are enemies of Syria. I cannot refer to them as friends of Syria. One of the things in the chairman’s concluding statement is: “The [Enemies of Syria] Group welcomes the commitment of the Syrian opposition, as articulated in the National Covenant, to a political and economic transition that is peaceful, orderly and stable.” (Another link to the same text is at http://ukinnl.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&id=749074282 ).
The opposition’s “National Covenant for a New Syria” just referred to, dated 27 Mar 2012, is online at among other places http://en.cihan.com.tr/caption/Syrian-National-Covenant-Draws-Syria-s-Future-Full-Text–CHNjY4OTg5LzQ= . I just read the opposition’s Covenant. It has no commitment to a peaceful, orderly or stable political transition. On the contrary, it says: “The revolution… began its second year with the determination to wrest freedom and dignity from a regime that….[blah, blah]…. In absolute defiance of the regime’s crimes and heinous acts, Syrians are resolved to topple the regime by escalating their struggle…. The current situation makes it incumbent on Syrians to marshal all their efforts in order to confront and bring down the regime.”
After that preamble, the National Covenent presents “the fundamental principles on which the new Syrian State will be created”. As I read those principles, they are basically the same as the regime’s principles. They could’ve easily been copied from speeches by Bashar Assad and from the new Syrian Constitution and from miscelleneous statements of the Syrian foreign ministry.
This reminds me of a very common phenomenon in political campaigning in other countries where the challenger or opposition party has essentially no distinctive policy ideas, and has decided to not venture to propound any, and instead wages a campaign on issues of “competence” and “integrity” for implementing the same platform as the incumbent. As I read the Syrian opposition’s political platform in the National Covenant statement, I see platitudinous banalities but I think I also see imitation of the incumbent’s platform as politically tried and proven to be popular.
April 1st, 2012, 7:40 pm
SC Moderation said:
For Ann, Dawoud, Chris, Aldendeshe, SNP, Majedkhaldoun, please send your answers to [email protected]
My apologies to all for an untimely failure of the mail dot com account!
April 1st, 2012, 7:46 pm
Tara said:
Turkey isolated? Turkey’s exports in March were the second highest monthly figures in her history.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/arab-spring-nations-back-in-business-exports-climb.aspx?pageID=238&nID=17417&NewsCatID=344
Arab Spring nations back in business, exports climb
KAYSER? – Hürriyet Daily News
Turkey’s exports increased 8.1 percent in March from the same month a year earlier, according to Turkish Exporter’s Assembly. ‘We have begun make up for the adverse effects of the Arab Spring,’ the association says
March 2012’s exports were the second highest monthly figures in the history of the Republic, Economy Minister Zafer Ça?layan said yesterday, adding that it was also a record for March exports.
‘Figures not a joke’
“These figures are no April Fools’ joke. I am not surprised. Our exporters have a goal of $150 billion for 2012,” he said in a written statement.
(..)
April 1st, 2012, 7:49 pm
Mawal95 said:
Syria’s new Constitution is a revision of the old one. Revisions consist of insertions and deletions. In light of the political landscape in Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Iraq, the most important new insertion is in Article 8 of the new Constitution, which says: “No political activity shall be practiced, nor any political organization formed, on a religious or sectarian basis.”
The Syrian National Council and their “National Covenant for a New Syria” does not say anything in opposition to that important new clause or to the spirit of it. Not even indirectly. They say nothing contrary to the spirit of it. In so far as anything from the SNC is worth noting, their position on that issue is worth noting.
April 1st, 2012, 7:53 pm
Tara said:
People including religious employees (Hassoun, al-Rai, Buti, etc…) always support and pay respect to the mighty powerful. It is a pity!
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/patriarch-expresses-gratitude-to-turkey.aspx?pageID=238&nID=17406&NewsCatID=339
Patriarch expresses gratitude to Turkey
ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News
Lebanon-based Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai has expressed gratitude to Turkey for its efforts to increase dialogue between Islam and Christianity.
(..)
April 1st, 2012, 8:09 pm
omen said:
mawal, would you support them if it did?
April 1st, 2012, 8:18 pm
Tara said:
Prince HBJ, the heart and soul of the Syrian revolution, is upsetting Malki’s masters in Iran a little bit too much…
First Published: 2012-04-02
Maliki uses Syria to slam Qatar, Saudi Arabia
Iraq’s prime minister on Sunday slammed Sunni-ruled Qatar and Saudi Arabia’s stance on arming Syrian rebels, as Doha hosted Baghdad’s fugitive vice president who is accused of running a death squad.
Nuri al-Maliki’s remarks were the latest in a dramatic cooling of ties between Qatar and Iraq, which have sharply disagreed on how to respond to President Bashar al-Assad’s year-long deadly crackdown on dissent in Syria.
…
“We reject any arming (of Syrian rebels) and the process to overthrow the (Assad) regime, because this will leave a greater crisis in the region,” Maliki said at a news conference.
“The stance of these two states is very strange,” he said in apparent reference to Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
“They are calling for sending arms instead of working on putting out the fire, and they will hear our voice, that we are against arming and against foreign interference.”
“We are against the interference of some countries in Syria’s internal affairs, and those countries that are interfering in Syria’s internal affairs will interfere in the internal affairs of any country,” the Iraqi leader added.
He also predicted that Assad’s regime will hang on, saying: “It has been one year and the regime did not fall, and it will not fall, and why should it fall?”
The Syria issue is fraught with sectarian tension, as its minority rulers are Alawites — an offshoot of Shiite Islam — who are trying to cling to power by brutally suppressing an uprising by the country’s majority Sunnis.
Qatar on Sunday welcomed Iraq’s Sunni Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi, who flew out of the autonomous Kurdistan region in north Iraq where he had been holed up since December.
Baghdad had demanded that Kurdistan hand over Hashemi, who is accused of running a death squad, to face justice, but the region declined to oblige.
Hashemi “arrived in Doha today (Sunday) in an official visit that will last a few days,” Qatari state news agency QNA said.
“He was received upon his arrival at Doha International Airport by the Qatari Minister of State Sheikh Hamad bin Nasser bin Jassem al-Thani,” QNA reported without giving further details.
A statement from Hashemi’s office said that he will meet Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr al-Thani, before visiting unnamed other countries and returning to Kurdistan.
Maliki earlier told the news conference that Hashemi “is wanted in a member country of the Arab League, and he should not be received, especially under the title of vice president,” when asked about the possibility of Hashemi visiting other Arab states.
There have been other recent bumps in relations between Iraq and various Gulf countries, especially Qatar, that also involve a sectarian dimension.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad said in an interview with Al-Jazeera that “the weak representation from the Gulf countries in the Baghdad summit is a message to the government of Iraq.”
He went on to accuse Iraq of “neglecting” some parts of its population, including minority Sunnis, in the formation of its government.
Kuwait was the only one of the six Sunni-ruled Gulf Cooperation Council nations to be represented by its head of state at a landmark summit in Baghdad on Thursday.
“They should be more concerned about their own political issues and human rights issues and demands of their own population for democratic reforms than to judge others,” Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Hussein al-Shahristani said.
(..)
http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=51523
April 1st, 2012, 8:20 pm
bronco said:
#102 Tara
The continuous wishful thinking of the SNC is pathetic. It reminds me of a kid trying to get attention and irremediably being given a lollipop just to get rid of him.
Juppe has already lost hopes about the SNC, he said he was disappointed by their meagre achievements.
Turkey is “politically” isolated in its foreign policy, its trading is doing well but could be affected by any military adventure. This is why Turkey is shouting but doing nothing.
Don’t worry, I don’t even know what Xanax is. In fact I think Ghalioun and Basma may need a replenishment of their stocks of sleeping pills.
April 1st, 2012, 8:23 pm
ann said:
Legitimizing Syria’s opposition a devotion of power monopoly – 2012-04-02
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-04/02/c_131503440.htm
DAMASCUS, April 1 (Xinhua) — Syrian analysts and observers of all political affiliations lambasted the decision made Sunday by the international group “Friends of Syria” to recognize the oppositional Syrian National Council (SNC) as the sole representative of the Syrian people, saying the decision is a devotion of the principle of power monopoly.
Analysts said the recognition is reminiscent of the principle of totalitarian rule, which runs counter to the foundations of democracy advocated by Western countries.
“This is a devotion to the totalitarian concept to monopolize the authority,” Rajaa Naser, an opposition figure said.
Speaking to Xinhua, Naser said that “the SNC is only a representative of its followers and it can’t be a representative of the Syrian people,” stressing that such decision will not meet the aspirations of the Syrian people.
Another opponent figure, Ali Haidar, chairman of the opposition Syrian Social National Party, regarded the recognition as “a promise of the incapable to the worthless.”
He said the conferees in Istanbul do not have the right to name representatives on behalf of the Syrians because only the people have the right to choose who represent them. “This is a new failure in the search for an exit to Syria’s crisis,” he said.
Haidar, also a member of the opposing Popular Front for Liberation and Change, pointed out that the SNC is just one part of the opposition. “Where are other opposition parties?” he questioned.
“It’s impermissible for Arab and foreign countries to meet outside the Syrian territory, and decide to legitimize representatives on behalf of the Syrian people,” Abdullah said.
Downplaying the repercussions of the recognition, Abdullah said “this step will remain confined within the countries that have agreed to recognize the National Council, and will not be of practical results on the ground or any other political connotations.”
[…]
April 1st, 2012, 8:43 pm
Tara said:
Bronco@112
I just don’t like the fact that Basma is Ghalioun’s sister-in-law. I think I have a psychological complex…
Erdogan’s behavior is perplexing. He talks the talk but does not walk the walk. Intense pleasing rhetoric yet blocking weapon smuggling across the borders? Schizophrenic behavior? He did not wait for the US blessings to send Mavi Marmara to Gaza. Why is he waiting for the US approval to help the revolution?
April 1st, 2012, 8:44 pm
omen said:
from above
bassma kodmani, SNC member, strongly disagreed with this notion and insists there IS a national syrian identity.
if there isn’t one, the refugee numbers would be much higher. people without an national identity would be much more willing to abandon their country.
if there isn’t one, why are christians and druze fighters in the fsa? and, yes, even alawites are in the fsa.
the desire for freedom and democracy is a unifying force. hell, self preservation against this savage regime is a unifying force.
April 1st, 2012, 9:16 pm
Norman said:
Erdogan might be smart enough to see that the goal is to involve Turkey in a war with Syria that will weaken it and make Israel the only power in the region,
April 1st, 2012, 9:22 pm
bronco said:
113. Tara
Modern Turkey, like most industrialized countries, worship the Trading God.
In view of the shrinking of the EU economy, the rebuff of the EU adherence and his religious convictions, Erdogan thought that it would be best to turn to the Middle East to increase trading and enrich Turkey. This is what the zero problem with neighbors was all about. He was even ready to scold Israel about Gaza and even to decrease its closeness with Israel to embrace the huge market of non or weakly industrialized Arab countries. A great bonanza for Turkish goods. Yet Turkey has little or no experience in the complex politics and shifting alliances in the Arab countries.
All was well, until the Syrian crisis started… Inexperienced Erdogan thought naively that a few advices to his friend Bashar Al Assad will do the trick: Announce and implement reforms.
Syria said thank you but this is not so simple and anyway it is none of your business.
Worried about the impact on trading, Erdogan remained patient but when he perceived that the repression was a blind attack on innocent Moslems, his religious faith dictated him that this could not go on and he changed the tone and became threatening. He thought that it would frighten off Bashar, but it had no effect whatsoever other than new trading laws that created hardship for the Turkish traders in the area.
His relation with the USA is not very harmonious as his rejection of Israel is a thorn. Nevertheless to please the US he accepted the missile defense that annoyed the Iranians and because Turkey is part of NATO, he preferred to keep a good relationships with the West.
Any military adventure, a war or any confrontation with Syria would be a disaster for the Trading God, for the internal stability of the country and may cost a lot of money. This is why Erdogan abhors the role Qatar and KSA are pushing him to play. He knows that a war would create unforeseen problems internally and with the Kurds.
Now he is torn between his dignity and the realization that he is trapped. After having insulted Bashar Al Assad, he can’t accept to deal with him anymore. Yet, he is aware that, despite huge efforts, threats, sanctions, no one has been until now able to remove Bashar from power.
He is now praying that somebody else or something will happen that will make Bashar disappear. Until when can he wait?
April 1st, 2012, 9:22 pm
jad said:
Terrorism management is what the enemies of Syria conference came out with:
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http://assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionId=2115&articleId=117&ChannelId=50458
April 1st, 2012, 9:30 pm
omen said:
115. Norman 9:22
a sufficiently equipped fsa wouldn’t need turkey to fight its battles.
if it was to israel’s benefit to unseat assad, the US wouldn’t be dragging its feet as it is, and reluctant to intervene.
April 1st, 2012, 9:31 pm
jad said:
As usual, excellent analysis Bronco, please check this article:
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???? ??????? ????????? ????: «?????? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ???????. ??? ????????? ??????? ???? ?? «??? ????» ?? ?? ??? ?????? ????????? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ?????»… ??? ???? ??? ??????? ?????? ???????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ???????? ?? ?? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ?? ?????.
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http://assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionId=2115&ChannelId=50464&ArticleId=94&Author=%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%8A%20%D9%83%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A8
April 1st, 2012, 9:37 pm
Tara said:
Bronco@116
Sound analysis… I just wish that you did not paint the sanctions against Syria as inconsequential to preserve objectivity. The new Turkish trade rules with Syria as part of the global sanctions against the regime is not inconsequential. The regime is very much isolated and the lira lost 50% of it’s value to say the least.
April 1st, 2012, 9:50 pm
Ghufran said:
Selective hearing has become the norm in Syrian politics. I do not know how anybody can talk about SF2 endorsing positions that were never mentioned in the closing statement or even in Hamad speech. Another irony is the call for democracy and a unified opposition then hearing Ghalioun asking that the SNC to be the “sole rep of the Syrian people” !!
I also “liked” Alarabi’s request to send the Syrian file to the UNSC under chapter 7, then he insisted that he wants a solution that is peaceful and ” Syrian” !!
The regime, on the other hand, wants to get paid for securing Syrian cities and towns by dictating what “reforms” can be allowed and what opposition is acceptable or not. Syrians will have a long summer, I hope at least that bloodshed goes down after this latest campaign comes to an end.
Russian sources are talking about mid April as the time when a major shift in the regime tactics is seen, but anybody who believes that the regime will share power by choice is daydreaming.
April 1st, 2012, 10:17 pm
Ghufran said:
Too many bridges have been burned, I can not see how Bashar can sit down on the same table with Hamad, Erdogan or Alfaisal, however, politicians have one common objective: power. Syrians will be better off starting a new page that does not include Bashar and his inner circle, the guy must leave, and the sooner that happens the better.
Dictators outlive elected officials but many of Bashar’s new enemies are dictators too, so according to the dictators manual, he who stays longer in power is the winner, nobody is worried about the “disposable” common guys, let us see who ‘wins’, I already know who are the losers: most of us.
April 1st, 2012, 10:33 pm
Norman said:
Ghufran,
The Syrian people should not be slammed with an arrangement between the regime and the opposition, the regime should move on the reform it seeks with international observers and safety for the Syrian people, this anarchy has killed too many Syrians and it is time to get to the elections and let the winners take the helm and be responsible for the Syrian people .
April 1st, 2012, 10:36 pm
IMAD said:
So, can we now say that Assad will stay and that the revolution has failed?
April 1st, 2012, 10:56 pm
omen said:
The Syrian people should not be slammed with an arrangement between the regime and the opposition
the two are not equivalent. this is not a choice between dictator A and dictator B. the snc is a transitional entity.
i’ll leave the notion of assad holding clean and free elections to somebody else to scoff.
April 1st, 2012, 10:57 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Ann and other
I apologize, it was april fool, I thought people will know that, it is a prank, If I receive E Mail I would Answer the E Mail not answer in SC.
I think this was a test too, you all can be assured that our E Mail is safe and confidential
I hope you all will smile now.
And Ann that was a nice response.
April 1st, 2012, 11:04 pm
bronco said:
#121 Tara
The sanctions are “inconsequential’ because they have not affected the regime course of action, and because, while making the common people suffer and the business community unease, they haven’t change significantly the mood of the Syrians in supporting or rejecting more or less the regime.
April 1st, 2012, 11:42 pm
zoo said:
More and more reasons for the USA to worry about a populist vote in Egypt.
Attacking the West, Islamist Gains in Egypt Presidential Bid
In Hard-Liner’s Surge, New Worries for Brotherhood
By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/02/world/middleeast/attacking-the-west-islamist-gains-in-egypt-presidential-bid.html
CAIRO — Hazem Salah Abu Ismail is an old-school Islamist.
He wants to move toward abolishing Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel and cites Iran as a successful model of independence from Washington. He worries about the mixing of the genders in the workplace and women’s work outside the home. And he promises to bring extraordinary prosperity to Egypt, if it turns its back on trade with the West.
He has also surged to become a front-runner in the race to become Egypt’s next president, reconfiguring political battle lines here. His success may help explain why the United States offered signs of tacit approval over the weekend when the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s largest Islamic group, broke its pledge not to field its own candidate.
…
The Brotherhood’s candidate, Khairat el-Shater, a millionaire businessman considered the most formative influence on the group’s policies, is well known to both American diplomats and their contacts in the Egyptian military.
Mr. Shater has met with almost all the senior State Department officials and American lawmakers visiting Cairo. He is in regular contact with the American ambassador, Anne Patterson, as well as the executives of many American companies here, and United States officials have praised his moderation as well as his intelligence and effectiveness.
…
But Mr. Rashwan of Al Ahram predicted a hard-to-handicap face-off between Mr. Shater and Mr. Abu Ismail. While Mr. Shater has the backing of the Brotherhood’s formidable political machine, Mr. Rashwan said, Mr. Abu Ismail is more charismatic. And in addition to his support from those who favor his conservative religious ideas, Mr. Abu Ismail also benefits from populist appeals to Egypt’s poor and marginalized. Mr. Shater, in contrast, is a wealthy businessman and politician. “He is part of the elite,” Mr. Rashwan said.
..
Mr. Abu Ismail’s campaign posters already blanket the walls and car windows of Cairo. Last Tuesday, he was mobbed like a rock star at Cairo University. On Friday, busloads of his supporters staged a parade to deliver his formal application for candidacy, stopping traffic across the city.
“American and Israel pay enormous sums of money to control the whole society,” he declared at a rally last week. “We can’t be preoccupied by the issues of daily life rather than stand up to them.”
(..)
April 2nd, 2012, 12:11 am
omen said:
from above:
but this doesn’t tell the whole story. the professor leaves out who instigated this backlash.
April 2nd, 2012, 12:16 am
Jad said:
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http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/61352
April 2nd, 2012, 12:25 am
jad said:
Another pathetic attempt by the sectarian revolutionists and their khaliji criminal supporters to affect the communities of the southern region of Syria:
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????? ? ???????? ? ??????? ( ??? ?? : ???? ??? ???? + ???? ???????): ??? ?? ?????? ? ??? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ???????? ???? ??? ??????? ??????? ????? ( ????? “???????” ? “???????”) ? ???? ?????? ???????? ? ???????? ?? ???????? ??????? ????? ??”?????? ?????? ??????” ? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ? / ?? ????? ???? ?????? . ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????? ??????. ??????? ???? ???? ???? ??? ???? ????? “?????? ?????? ?????? (?????????) ?? ?????” ??????????? ?? ?? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ?????? ? / ?? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ???????? ????????!
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??? ??? ???? ???? “???? ?????”? ???? ???? ?? ???? ??? ???? ????????? ?????? ? ?????? ??” ?????” ??????? ?????? ?????? ( ??? ?????????) ??? ???? ????? ???? ?? ??? ??? ??????? ??????? ???????? ???? ??????? (??? ?????????) ? ??? ????? ??? ????? “??? ?????” ??? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ???????? ????? ” ??????” ?? ?????! ??? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ??? “??? ???” ?? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ????? ?? ???????? ????? ?? ??????!
??? ? ??? ?? ??? ??? ” ????? ????? ??????” ?? ??????? ? ??? ????? ????? “?????????” ??? ??? ???? ???? ???? ????? ?? ?? ??? ????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ????? ???????? ???? ???? ?????? ????. ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? “?????? ???????” ???? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????!
?? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ??? ????? ??? ????? ????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ???? “???? ???????” ???? ???? “??????” ?? ??? ????? ????? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ????? . ????? ????? ???? ????? ???? ????? ??????? ??????? ????? ????? ? ???? ?? “?????” ???????? ????????? ? ????????? ????????. ??? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ??? ???????! ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ??? ?? ??? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ???? ???? ( ????? ??? ???? ???? ????? ? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ???????? ???????? ???? ????? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ???”????????”!).
“???????” ? ????? ???????? ????? ?????? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ? ????? ?? ??????? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ? ??? ??? ?? ?????? ???????? ???? ????? ?????? ? ??? ??????? ? ??? ?? ???? ?????? “?????? ???” ???????? ? ????? ????? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ???????? ?? ??? ??? ?? ??? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ???!
????? ?????? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ?? ????? ???? ” ??????? ???????? ? ??? ???? ????” ? ???? ??? ???? ” ??????? ?????? ???????? ” ??? ??? ????? ? ? ????? ??? ??? ????? :
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http://www.syriatruth.org/news/tabid/93/Article/7058/Default.aspx
April 2nd, 2012, 1:38 am
Son of Damascus said:
Mawal,
“I challenge you to show us non-fake videos of the security forces using lethal force on Friday 22 April 2011, or on any day in April 2011, or for that matter any day during this past year.”
Well here are a few video’s that your precious SANA will NEVER show, but I guess that for you is evidence enough that it never happened:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_5tqRnjuFs&feature=related
(At the end of this video you will see some of the tactics the thugs used to subdue the protesters)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVxx8N0ldu0
(One of the protesters that was shot dead by the thugs sent in by Assad)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRyybrGQMg0
(an example of the peaceful demonstration before the Assad thugs ravaged through, notice the chant “Wahed Wahed Wahed, El Shaab el Souri Wahed”)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0DwZidv-BA
(Another example of the peaceful sit in, that would eventually see the Assad thugs break it up)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZEwQXuM8Ro
(Assadist thugs celebrating their so called victory, notice how in the previous videos you did not see any guns, why then would these thugs need AK 47’s to disperse a peaceful gathering?)
April 2nd, 2012, 1:57 am
Juergen said:
Majedkhaldoun,
i know its an insult. Thank you.
April 2nd, 2012, 2:08 am
jad said:
Turkish lawmakers launch campaign for Syria
http://youtu.be/TfaOzCYCNew
“A group of Turkish lawmakers and activists have launched a campaign by signing a joint statement to call on the Turkish government to stop what they called “destructive measures” against Syria.”
April 2nd, 2012, 2:14 am
Juergen said:
NYT:100 million Dollar for the syrian opposition from UAE, Qatar and KSA.
The article suggest that this money is mainly used to pay the fighters against Assad. It should also be a signal to those hesitating soldiers in the Syrian Army to defect.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/02/world/middleeast/us-and-other-countries-move-to-increase-assistance-to-syrian-rebels.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=syria&st=cse#
April 2nd, 2012, 2:15 am
jad said:
This is what the ‘democratic’ developed world tax payers are paying for in Syria, Terrorism
????????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ???? ?????
http://youtu.be/vRKzsL7HAGs
???????? ?????? ????? ??????? ?? ??? ??????
http://youtu.be/bJjRgfPXNRI
And for spreading terrorism through TV channel:
???? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ????????
http://youtu.be/Sn_yGc1WgaM
April 2nd, 2012, 2:17 am
omen said:
mossad, nuclear scientists and hookers!
(some scenarios sound fantastical but pat lang saw it fit to post.)
April 2nd, 2012, 5:20 am
Alan said:
138. OMEN said:
mossad, nuclear scientists and hookers!(some scenarios sound fantastical but pat lang saw it fit to post.)
It is simply silly! I don’t understand it! this Israel thinks that hands stopped in the 20th century? and that if on the basis of a science Iran does get the same effect without any use of radioactive materials! it is Israel suffers the thinking deadlock!
April 2nd, 2012, 6:51 am
Alan said:
139
Russia tests `world’s most powerful bomb`
http://rt.com/news/russia-tests-worlds-most-powerful-bomb/
April 2nd, 2012, 7:03 am
Alan said:
Jad ! where are your photos?
April 2nd, 2012, 7:26 am
Syria no Kandahar said:
http://syria-politic.com/ar/Default.aspx?subject=508#.T3mVYYl5nTo
Wahabis now are being double paid:by the families of their victims and by GCC.
April 2nd, 2012, 8:09 am
DAWOUD said:
The following is the only peace plan that will end Syria’s violence and genocidal dictatorship:
1) Saudi/Arab Gulf (Yes “Arab” because Iran is NOT Arab) money for the Syrian National Council and the Free Syrian Army.
2) American INDIRECT intervention. For example, the United States has already promised night vision and communications equipments to the FSA. They should also provide intelligence to the FSA about BAshar’s tank locations. The US military should conduct a cyber jamming warfare against Bashar’s radar and military machine.
3) Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, and other Arab countries (Iran is NOT an Arab country) should provide anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to the FSA in order to destroy Bashar’s T72 tanks that are terrorizing civilians in Syrian towns and villages.
The above plan will not only ensure the downfall of Bashar’s murderous regime, but it may enable the FSA to execute an arrest warrant against Bashar’s main apologist/supporter: Hasan Nasr@@@ of the terrorist SECTARIAN Hizb@@@@.
April 2nd, 2012, 8:23 am
Syria no Kandahar said:
Dawod peace plan should be presinted to the SC!! It requires missiles!!didnt you already tried that in Bab Omer and has been piling weapons there for 10 years?
Why don’t you includ nuclear missiles in your peace plan?
April 2nd, 2012, 8:40 am
DAWOUD said:
144. Syria no Kandahar
Please see the videos of Bashar’s T-72 tanks terrorizing civilians in Homs, Derah, etc. These tanks need to be DESTROYED. Anti-Tank missiles from the Arab countries (Iran is NOT an Arab country) should do the job!
Free Syria, Free Palestine! Down with Iran and Israel!
April 2nd, 2012, 8:51 am
irritated said:
#143 Dawood
The GCC and Jordan are cowards and we all know it. When they are in trouble they call Big Daddy for help. Bashar was absolutely right in treating them of half-men, they are proving it again.
If they are so keen of unseating Bashar, why don’t they invade with their glorious high tech US trained army like they did in Bahrain? No, they prefer to buy the souls of mercenaries and poor people to do their dirty job. They look at the other Arabs as disposable resources like the asian and arab slaves they employ to do the work unworthy of their white dishdasha.
Being humiliated day after day, meeting after meeting by Bashar is becoming so intolerable for them that they are ready to pay anything to allow their wounded dignity to recover, as if they have a dignity.
Their countries are cardboard countries that could collapse anytime and if they persist in intervening in other countries internal politics, they should not be surprised that other countries will intervene in them and shake their rotten foundations.
By paying and the arming gangs and rebels, the GCC is opening a pandora box they won’t be able to close.
April 2nd, 2012, 8:54 am
DAWOUD said:
Terrorist Israeli settlers invade and rob a Palestine home in al-Khalil in occupied Palestine. They are trying to do in al-Khalil what their Zionist ancestors did in 1948: invade and steal Palestinian houses in order to build their fundamentalist Zionist entity on Palestinians stolen properties!
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/idf-gives-settlers-24-hours-to-evacuate-hebron-house-1.422139
April 2nd, 2012, 8:55 am
irritated said:
#147 Dawood
When are the GCC countries, defender of the morals, going to announce “Friends of Palestine” meeting in Qatar?
April 2nd, 2012, 9:00 am
DAWOUD said:
146. irritated
The GCC and Jordan are all Arab countries. Iran and Russia are NOT Arab countries. Syrians don’t need anybody to fight for them. They only need the means to defend them. Once these anti-tank/aircraft rockets start flowing to the Free Syrian Army, 3/4th of Bashar’s Army (which is mostly made up of low-ranking terrorized Sunnis) will defect and join the revolution. Bashar will need to replenish his murderous army with Shia Lebanese/Iraqi Shabiha, which would be a blessing because the FSA will crush them and rid Sunni Iraqis/Lebanese of their evil!
Anti-tank/aircraft missiles for the FSA NOW!
Free Syria, Free Palestine!
April 2nd, 2012, 9:00 am
DAWOUD said:
148. irritated
That does not mean that the FSA should not accept Arab and GCC support in order to stop Bashar’s ongoing war crimes. After the downfall of Bashar and Hasan I will return to Syria and call for a “friends of Palestine” meeting in free Damascus! I am already in contact with many SNC and other Syrian figures.
Free Syria, Free Palestine!
April 2nd, 2012, 9:04 am
zoo said:
Turkey in a bind, running out of time
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/a-friendly-gathering.aspx?pageID=449&nID=17403&NewsCatID=425
..
In the absence of a declaration of war or authorization by Parliament, it is a crime under Turkish law to allow Turkish territory be used for hostile purposes against any neighboring country. Turkey is hosting scores of rebel Syrian commanders, and there are serious claims that the rebel forces are receiving arms through Turkish territory. With almost 50 percent electoral support, the current Turkish government can escape all kinds of accountability problems for now, but as electoral support cannot last forever, tomorrow may be bleak — particularly if the effort to change Syrian regime fails.
April 2nd, 2012, 9:09 am
irritated said:
#150
“After the downfall of Bashar and Hasan”
You’ll be too old then and there would be nothing left of Palestine to save.
Why don’t you call for “Friends of Palestine” meetings now?
April 2nd, 2012, 9:12 am
irritated said:
#149 Dawood
“Syrians don’t need anybody to fight for them.”
So why are there Libyans, Saudis and North Africans among the fighters?
April 2nd, 2012, 9:15 am
zoo said:
Christians fight back to deligitimize the Constitutional panel
Egypt’s Coptic church to boycott constitutional panel
AFP – 1 hr 48 mins ago
http://news.yahoo.com/egypts-coptic-church-boycott-constitutional-panel-112917504.html
Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox church has decided to boycott a Islamist-dominated panel charged with drafting the future constitution, the official MENA news agency reported on Monday.
The official MENA news agency reported that the decision was taken unanimously by the 20 members of the Holy Synod to remove the two church officials who sit on the committee.
(..)
April 2nd, 2012, 9:20 am
Dawoud said:
The following is the only peace plan that will end Syria’s violence and genocidal dictatorship:
1) Saudi/Arab Gulf (Yes “Arab” because Iran is NOT Arab) money for the Syrian National Council and the Free Syrian Army.
2) American INDIRECT intervention. For example, the United States has already promised night vision and communications equipments to the FSA. They should also provide intelligence to the FSA about BAshar’s tank locations. The US military should conduct a cyber jamming warfare against Bashar’s radar and military machine.
3) Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, and other Arab countries (Iran is NOT an Arab country) should provide anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to the FSA in order to destroy Bashar’s T72 tanks that are terrorizing civilians in Syrian towns and villages.
The above plan will not only ensure the downfall of Bashar’s murderous regime, but it may enable the FSA to execute an arrest warrant against Bashar’s main apologist/supporter: Hasan Nasr@@@ of the terrorist SECTARIAN Hizb@@@@.
Please see the videos of Bashar’s T-72 tanks terrorizing civilians in Homs, Derah, etc. These tanks need to be DESTROYED. Anti-Tank missiles from the Arab countries (Iran is NOT an Arab country) should do the job!
The GCC and Jordan are all Arab countries. Iran and Russia are NOT Arab countries. Syrians don’t need anybody to fight for them. They only need the means to defend them. Once these anti-tank/aircraft rockets start flowing to the Free Syrian Army, 3/4th of Bashar’s Army (which is mostly made up of low-ranking terrorized Sunnis) will defect and join the revolution. Bashar will need to replenish his murderous army with Shia Lebanese/Iraqi Shabiha, which would be a blessing because the FSA will crush them and rid Sunni Iraqis/Lebanese of their evil!
Anti-tank/aircraft missiles for the FSA NOW!
After the downfall of Bashar and Hasan I will return to Syria and call for a “friends of Palestine” meeting in free Damascus! I am already in contact with many SNC and other Syrian figures.
Free Syria, Free Palestine!
April 2nd, 2012, 10:02 am
DAWOUD said:
P.S., thanks to our Arab Libyan bothers (Iranians are not Arab and not our brothers) for coming to help the FSA. However, with anti-tank weapons Syrians don’t need anybody to fight for them. Most Sunni soldiers (I like to say that Sunnis are 80-85% of Syrians to raise the blood pressure of Shia advocates and anti-Sunni bigots here) will defect!
April 2nd, 2012, 10:06 am
Aldendeshe said:
“..P.S., thanks to our Arab Libyan bothers (Iranians are not Arab and not our brothers)…”
That is one thing I can agree with Mossad Dawoud, they are Shia centric, in more hardcore ways than Israel is Jewish Centric.
April 2nd, 2012, 10:35 am
Dawoud said:
Dear Moderator:
If you don’t remove what the scu### ba# Aldenheshe said, “Mossad Agent,” my lawyer will contact you soon!
April 2nd, 2012, 10:45 am
NASA said:
155. Dawoud said:
1) Saudi/Arab Gulf (Yes “Arab” because Iran is NOT Arab) money for the Syrian National Council and the Free Syrian Army ….
How pathetic … you named Arabs that are not more than ‘stones over a chessboard’
Cheers…
April 2nd, 2012, 11:13 am
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
Viva la Revolucion!
.
April 2nd, 2012, 11:15 am
Aldendeshe said:
TO SC MOD:
From Aldendeshe / SNP
I received your email but you gave a dis-functional email address for reply. We understand SC rules, what is confusing is the red line. What do you mean by “attacking Landis”, does that mean Landis can publish provocative, sectarian and inciting statements and we can not rebuttal on it, or not use sarcastic language, can you give example please.
When Landis un-professionally and inaccurately states that Nationalism is not hip in Syria and that Islamists are the way to free Syria, the perfect option at this stage, SNP and me are not allowed to respond to that? Do you call our response an attack or the sarcasm as an attack?
When Islamists from many mentally, culturally and spiritually backward countries attack Syrian cities, kidnap innocent people, rob museums, rape women, behead innocent women and children, destroy civilian infrastructure, expell native Syrian Christians from homes, incite government forces to respond to their Islamic Terror (Oxymoron) with massive use of force, to deliberately cause mayhem and destruction of Syrian towns and make fake videos, we are suppose to respond to all that by calling Islam and Islamist a holy people or religion sent from god? We are not allowed to state an accurate assessment of this Alien-Reptilian programming damages to our nation and express our outrage at its inhuman and savage crimes?
When Mossad agents come in here and make incitements, threats to annihilate half of Syria population, threat of using Islam as a Weapon of Mass Annihilation, I don’t see you editing their comments, why is that? Are you taking sides? Is Landis under pressure or extortion to take sides, why are they allowed free range in their violence and despicable comments here?
April 2nd, 2012, 11:31 am
Equus said:
SYRIA AT THE CROSSROADS: Is US-NATO Contemplating a “Plan B”?
http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=30087
So-called “Friends of Syria” aren’t at all friendly to most Syrians. Syrian National Council/Free Syrian Army hostility is visible in daily violence they commit.
[…]
In pursuit of unchallenged dominance, Syrians and others in the region die daily. That’s what imperialism’s all about. Body counts don’t matter, only wealth and unchallenged power.
[…]
Clinton’s a war goddess. She’s part and parcel of Washington’s plan to instigate and continue violence. Assad’s blamed for confronting it. Blame game strategy operates that way.
International involvement inside and outside Syria “drags into a second year,” said The Times. It “appears to be deepening.”
As long as Washington’s a member, the Security Council won’t tolerate international peace and security. Violence is standard practice. Targeted regimes are obligated to confront it.
[…]
April 2nd, 2012, 12:41 pm
Alan said:
Obama Plans Regime Change in Syria
By Stephen Lendman
http://theuglytruth.wordpress.com/2012/04/02/obama-plans-regime-change-in-syria/
International law prohibits interfering in the internal affairs of other states. For Washington, it’s official policy. Post-9/11, multiples countries were targeted, including Iran and Syria.
Regime change plans remain on track by any means, including war. If other methods fail against either or both countries, expect it.
Actions against Iran so far stop short of generating violence. It’s coming once Syria’s resolved. The road to Tehran runs through Damascus. Since last March, Washington-orchestrated Western-led insurgency wracked the country.
Libya’s model was replicated. So far it’s short of bombs away. Expect it if current measures fail. So far, Assad’s prevailed. He wants peaceful resolution, not conflict. Insurgents reject it. They’re resolved to fight and are well armed, trained and funded to do it.
Late Friday, Syrian Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad al-Makdissi expressed optimism saying:
“The battle to topple the state is over. Our goal now is to ensure stability and create a perspective for reform and development in Syria while preventing others from sabotaging the path of reform.”
“When security can be maintained for civilians, the army will leave. This is a Syrian matter.”
While calling for a ceasefire on both sides, Annan’s six-point peace plan states:
“The Syrian government should immediately cease troop movements towards, end the use of heavy weapons in population centers, and begin pullback of military concentrations in and around population centers.”
[…]
April 2nd, 2012, 1:04 pm
Dale Andersen said:
Memo To: DAWOUD
RE: “…if you don’t remove what Aldenheshe said, Mossad Agent, my lawyer, will contact you soon!…”
Your lawyer’s an agent for the Mossad? Interesting. I thought you Arabs didn’t like Jews.
April 2nd, 2012, 1:09 pm
omen said:
just to be clear, alan, i don’t endorse mossad assassinating nuclear scientists or assassinating hookers!
April 2nd, 2012, 1:11 pm
omen said:
equus, i have to apologize. i didn’t mean to make light of the killings still happening in libya.
April 2nd, 2012, 1:16 pm
omen said:
nobody else upset that the professor is basically calling fsa terrorists?
let’s see how this context works (adapted from above):
April 2nd, 2012, 1:20 pm
omen said:
164. Dale Andersen said:
no, mr. anderson, dawoud is upset that aldenheshe is calling people opposed to the assad regime “mossad agents.”
April 2nd, 2012, 1:27 pm
omen said:
Top 5 Dangers that the Syria Conflict could Destabilize its Neighbors
April 2nd, 2012, 1:33 pm
Alan said:
165. OMEN
I said:
It is simply silly! I don’t understand it! this Israel thinks that hands stopped in the 20th century? and that if on the basis of a science Iran does get the same effect without any use of radioactive materials! it is Israel suffers the thinking deadlock!
as you see it is not about you ! problem of Israeli thinking as a whole!Who can give guarantees that tomorrow this Israel won’t spoil with Pakistan? it is not possible to spoil and to be at war with the moon under the safety slogan!
April 2nd, 2012, 1:37 pm
jad said:
Aldendeshe et al,
We can add attacking Hospitals to the long list of the fsa terrorist ‘achievement’ of kidnapping, killing, cutting, bombing, destroying infrastructure..etc etc….They already got the money they need to do that by the Americans and the EU tax payers.
From what this killer (reporter) is saying be ready for some graphic films after the ‘reporters’ (Omar Tillawi groups) get into the hospitals and start cutting and mutilating the corps and doctors and nurses inside the hospital then showing it to us as a ‘massacre’, similar to what they always do.
I wonder if terrorists and their supporters will deny this terrorist attack too and claim that fsa terrorist militias has nothing to do with it and give them the cover they always do.
????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? 2-4-2012
http://youtu.be/vWxhGwv5WiY
April 2nd, 2012, 1:40 pm
omen said:
yes alan, i just wanted to be on the record. i know you didn’t accuse me.
April 2nd, 2012, 1:45 pm
jad said:
H.N.N | ???? ????? ?????
???? ??? ??????
???? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ??????
???? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ?????
?????? .. ???? ( ?? ????? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ) ?? ??? ????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ??????????? ( ???????? ?????????? ) ??? ????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ? ???? ???? ?????? ????? :
• ?? ???? ??????? ????????? ??????? ????? ????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?
• ???? ????? ???????? ???????? ?? ???? ?????? ?
• ?? ???? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?
• ????? ?????? ( ???????? ) ?????? ????? ??? ???????? ???????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ?
??? ????? ??? ????? ????? ???????? ??? ???????? ( ???? ????? ?????? ) ??? ??? ????????? ?????? ????
???? ????? : ????? ????? ????? ??????? ( ???????? ????????? ) ??? ???? ??? ?.. ????? ?????? ?????? ?
??????? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ???? ????? ????? ( ??? ????? ?? ??????? ) ??? ??? ???? ?? ???? ??? ????? … ????????? ??????? ???? : ?????? ??? ????? ???????? … ????? ??????? ???????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ????? … ????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ???????? ???????
https://www.facebook.com/hrasta.news.network2
April 2nd, 2012, 1:47 pm
Equus said:
Obama Takes a Page from Reagan – Free Syrian Army are Now His Contras
[…]
Are we openly supporting al Qaeda under the Obama administration? Openly supporting terrorists… ?
If this sounds vaguely familiar, it should. This is what Reagan did back in the 80?s with the Contras. They were a terrorist organization designated by the CIA to destabilize the elected Sandinista government of Nicaragua who were funded by a neighboring dictatorship in Argentina (like Saudi Arabia is doing now with the Free Syrian Army) also publicly supported by the administration.
Congress eventually came to understand that the Contras were nothing more than a CIA backed terrorist organization and they defunded the program leading the Reagan administration (really run at the time by George H. W. Bush) to cut a secret deal which would later be discovered and examined… that was the Iran-Contra affair.
Yes folks, the Clinton/Obama regime is now entering into the new open season of yet another Iran-Contra type program where they publicly support and pay terrorists to destabilize a free nation.
[…]
http://willyloman.wordpress.com/2012/04/02/obama-administration-takes-a-page-from-reagan-free-syrian-army-are-now-his-contras/
April 2nd, 2012, 1:47 pm
omen said:
10:06 – dawoud, i know iranians who support the revolution. are they not your brothers?
April 2nd, 2012, 1:50 pm
Dawoud said:
164. Dale Andersen
I have to things to say to you:
1) I was joking when I said that I would ask my lawyer to call the moderator. Sorry if I didn’t make this joke clearer to you. I am the most anti-Israeli person here, but if Adenhenshe wants to call me “mossad,” then I call him/her “scu@ba@.” I just put the symbols to evade the filter, but I am sure that you know the bad name I have for him/her. In any case, a person who defend the regime that has killed over 20,000 Syrians-including innocent children-earns the title “sc@mb@g.”
2) I am anti-Israeli Zionism, but I am not anti-Jewish. I respect Judaism as a religion, but I despise Zionism and the idea/practice that it was/is acceptable to steal Palestinians’ land and colonize it! It is racist to say that ALL lawyers are Jewish. My family is Sunni Muslim Arab-American, and I have 3 very close relatives who are lawyers!
Sunnis in Syria, who are 80-85% of population, deserve protection. The best way to get it is for Arabs to send anti-tank rockets to the FSA!
Free Syria, Free Palestine!
April 2nd, 2012, 1:51 pm
Dawoud said:
175. omen
If you know something about the Arab World, then you know that “brother” is something that we only use to describe other Arabs-unless we are talking about our blood/biological Arabs. I thank and respect Iranians who support the blessed/courageous Syrian Revolution, but they are not Arab brothers. I wish that they succeed in gaining freedom in their own country by overthrowing the Wilayat al-Fagih of the Ayatollahs!
Anti-tank rockets for the FSA so that they can destroy Bashar’s T-72 tanks that are terrorizing Syrian innocents-particularly the majority Sunnis!
Free Syria, Free Palestine!
April 2nd, 2012, 1:57 pm
Alan said:
172. OMEN
with pleasure !
April 2nd, 2012, 1:58 pm
Anwar said:
about time Obama decided to take some action. I don’t care if he is recruiting/paying the talibans and the devil combined. Nothing is worse than Assad.
Dawood that is a very good plan. But please don’t group us Christians with Shia and Alawites…we don’t support their or the gov’ts cause in any way. christians in Syria are scared but all of my family and friends outside the country are rooting for the regime to fall.
April 2nd, 2012, 1:58 pm
Mina said:
“Annan says Syria agrees to 10 April peace deadline”
Kofi Annan asked the UN Security Council to back a 10 April deadline for partial implementation of his peace plan for Syria, telling its members that Syria had agreed to the date, diplomats said on Monday.
(…)
http://www.egyptindependent.com/node/748311
April 2nd, 2012, 1:59 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
Bassam jaara was the head of Alzobi office in Syria (the days of red level corruption ),now
He ???? as full time triple digit $ revolutionist :
???? ?????? ?????? ????? ?? ??????? ??????? ????? ????? ??? ?? ?? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?? ??????: ?? ?????? ????? ????? ??????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ??? ????? ?? ???? ??????? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? .. ???????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??? ?????? ????? ???????? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ..?? ?????? ?????? ?????? .. ????? ????? ?????? ?? ??????? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ???????? ????????? ..?? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ??????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ?? ???????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ???? ????????? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ??? ??????? ??????? ??? ?? ?????? ??????? ?????..??????? ????? ???? ?? ????? ????? ??? ??? ????????? .. ????????? ????????? ..
?????? ?? ?????? ????? ???????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????????? ..?? ?? ????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ?? ??????? ???????? ????????? ?????????? ????? ??????????? ???????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ???? ??? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ??? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ???? ????????..
?????? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ????? ???? ??? ????????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ?? ??? ??????? ????????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ??????? .. ???? ???? ???????? ???? ????? ????? ????? ?? ????????? ??????? ????????..???? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ???????? ????? ???? ?? ???? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ????? …????? ????????? ???????? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ???…
http://www.syrianow.sy/index.php?d=53&id=3132
April 2nd, 2012, 2:02 pm
DAWOUD said:
179. Anwar
Nice to hear from my Christian brother Anwar, who supports the Syrian Revolution against Bashar’s murderous regime. Anwar is Arab and he is my brother. Arabs who support murderous dictators are NOT my brothers!
???? ??? ???? ????
April 2nd, 2012, 2:03 pm
jad said:
What the west tax payers are going to buy?
Lots of American M829 missiles:
“??? ?????, ????? ????? M829 ??????? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ???? : “????? ?????? ????” ? ???? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ??????? ???????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ??????”
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/523458_335428546514104_256409321082694_956220_1719210419_n.jpg
April 2nd, 2012, 2:08 pm
Alan said:
?????? ???? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ??????? ????? ( ??? ???? ???? ???????? ????? ???? ???? ???? !) ??? ??? ??????? ????? ??????? ??????? ? ??????? ??? ? ??????? ????? ????? ?????? ??????? ? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???? ??? ??? ?? ???? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ! ??? ?????? ???????? ?? ????????? ??????? ??????? ??? ????????????? ? ??? ?? ????? ???????? ! ??? ??????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ???????? ?? ??????? ?????? ?????? ? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ? ???? !
April 2nd, 2012, 2:17 pm
Tara said:
The pro regime are now concerned about the west taxpayers?
Laughable!
April 2nd, 2012, 2:28 pm
MICHEL said:
Anti-Assad syrian christian reporting in. Down with Assad the butcher.
April 2nd, 2012, 2:42 pm
ghufran said:
the regime asked for 8 more days to start a cease fire but armed groups may not comply,then what?
Jaafari said it is premature to talk about UN observers but I think those observers are needed now to verify compliance with cease fire and expose those who kill and destroy.
April 2nd, 2012, 2:42 pm
jad said:
Tara
I’m sure that you will laugh more when a missile paid by you and me to hit our families and friends buildings and kill all of them, keep laughing until you cry.
The stupidity of some people are unbelievable.
April 2nd, 2012, 2:43 pm
jad said:
???? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? 2-4-2012
http://youtu.be/XMTXcqmL10g
April 2nd, 2012, 2:46 pm
omen said:
155. Dawoud said:
assad should conscript the media shabiha in america. if they were rounded up and made to face rebel insurgency, maybe that would cause them to reconsider their blind support for a lunatic dictator.
April 2nd, 2012, 2:56 pm
jad said:
Another clip of the attack lead by the terrorists armed militias in Homs against a HOSPITAL full with doctors, nurses and civilians:
????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? 2-4-2012
http://youtu.be/W9NTTIWYM8Q
April 2nd, 2012, 2:58 pm
omen said:
183. jad said:
assad still has the heavier munitions.
April 2nd, 2012, 3:05 pm
omen said:
wait a minute, M829 missiles is a tank round meant to be fired by tanks. fsa doesn’t have tanks!
you’re a effing liar, jad.p.s. i knew something was wrong. fsa doesn’t have equipment heavy enough to fire something like that.
April 2nd, 2012, 3:11 pm
jad said:
????? ?????? – ????? ??????? ??????? ??? ????? 21-2-2012
http://youtu.be/EUnpQUE8mSw
????? ??? ??????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ??????? 1/2/2012
http://youtu.be/u_meL3ELjUY
“???? ????????? ????? ?? ??????? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ???? – ????? ??????? ????? ????? ???????? ?? ????? ??? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ?????”
????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??????
http://youtu.be/rexBKZSpRUE
April 2nd, 2012, 3:23 pm
Hans said:
The Syrians don’t want or in need for anyone to make decisions for them, or to support them. All these parasites outside Syria don’t represent any Syrian inside the country, regardless of s/he religion, sect, tribe etc.
Election is the only way to have a forward move in Syria otherwise welcome to the new Somalia.
April 2nd, 2012, 3:30 pm
jad said:
Strange, we are only 10-15 people max on SC at the moment, where did the 40+ ‘voters’ came from in less than 30min?
April 2nd, 2012, 3:31 pm
Mina said:
People who compare Syria to North Korea should watch this clip of interviews from the Syrian street (Damascus) and explain me why they do such comparison, or how the people expressing their views have been coerced to state what they are saying…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMTXcqmL10g&feature=youtu.be
(Thanks Jad)
April 2nd, 2012, 3:32 pm
Hans said:
it is well known that you can make a full fack video on youtube with every screen being fake even it shows people appears to be a live movie.
60 minutes showed how a person who presented as flying on a youtube was all a Hoax therefore most of these video posted by the FSA or their supporters are hoax with the help of the west who have sent very advanced technical communication support to Syria.
including very advanced Skype equipement can’t be blocked out or traced.
April 2nd, 2012, 3:37 pm
Mina said:
Jad,
It is very easy to vote a multiple number of time on SC: first you can vote from you phone, your laptop, and your home computer; second you can use CC Cleaner and vote again; third you can ask all your FB friends to come and vote. Some people are empty enough to do such things, but they don’t fool anyone. Rather, their comments have convinced the world community of SC readers that their case was helpless, no matter how mean and stupid are the 17 mukhabarat branches.
April 2nd, 2012, 3:37 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Jad,
Syria only has russian made tanks, they use 125mm rounds. An M829 is a 120mm uranium depleted round, made for the M1A1 & M1A2 Abrams tanks.
“The 120mm, M829 series, depleted uranium armor piercing fin stabilized discarding sabot-tracer (APFSDS-T) is the primary anti-armor 120mm smooth bore, M256 cannon, tank ammunition in service with the M1A1 and M1A2 Abrams tanks.”
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/m829a1.htm
April 2nd, 2012, 3:43 pm
jad said:
Dear Mina,
Thank you for explaining, I really don’t care much about this but after Syrialover’s note couple days ago, I started to check, and just now I noticed that in less than 30min 40+ voted under Michel, this is why I point this out.
186. MICHEL said:
Anti-Assad syrian christian reporting in. Down with Assad the butcher.
27 16
April 2nd, 2012, 3:44 pm
ann said:
U.S., others move closer to direct intervention on Syria: report – 2012-04-03
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-04/03/c_131504672.htm
WASHINGTON, April 2 (Xinhua) — The United States and some other countries, by providing salaries and communications equipment to Syrian rebels, have moved closer to direct intervention in conflicts in Syria, a report said here on Monday.
Although there remains no agreement on arming the rebels, the offer, made public at the Friends of Syria meeting concluded in Turkey’s Istanbul on Sunday, is bringing the loose coalition to ” the edge of a proxy war” against the Syrian government led by President Bashar al-Assad, according to a New York Times story.
At the Istanbul meeting, some Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, have pledged to provide some 100 million U.S. dollars in salaries over three months for the rebel fighters inside Syria, said the report.
At the same arena, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also for the first time confirmed that Washington was providing satellite communications equipment to help the opposition inside Syria. According to the Syrian National Council, the main opposition group, the American assistance will include night- vision goggles.
The report said that the moves reflect a growing consensus among the participants of the Friends of Syria meeting that the meditation efforts by UN-Arab League joint envoy Kofi Annan, were failing to halt violence in the Middle East country.
The newspaper viewed such moves as to “stretch the definition of humanitarian assistance and blur the line between so-called lethal and nonlethal support.”
[…]
April 2nd, 2012, 3:47 pm
jad said:
Son of Damascus,
Could you please explain to me why this terrorist in the picture has one then? and where did he get it from if as you claim it’s a depleted uranium armor?
Doesn’t that enough to make any Syrian to worry and question what those terrorists are planning to do to all of us?
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/523458_335428546514104_256409321082694_956220_1719210419_n.jpg
http://arabi-press.com/?page=article&id=30409
April 2nd, 2012, 3:48 pm
ann said:
“Friends of Syria” meeting unilateral, against peaceful settlement: Russia – 2012-04-03
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-04/03/c_131504682.htm
MOSCOW, April 2 (Xinhua) — The second “Friends of Syria” conference was unilateral and adverse to a peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
“According to coming reports, unfortunately, the Istanbul meeting took place on a unilateral basis,” ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, adding that neither the Syrian government nor influential groups of the Syrian political opposition were represented at the meeting.
The “Friends of Syria” group’s intention to provide direct support to the armed opposition would definitely run counter to a peaceful settlement of the civil conflict in the Middle East country, she said.
The spokeswoman also said: “We should not incite violence among Syrians, but should seek and ensure a prompt ceasefire and end to the violence from all sides, establish a broad Syrian dialogue, and find solutions acceptable to all Syrians.”
“Moscow believes it is of significance to focus on support for all Syrian parties without any exception in a bid to implement (UN and Arab League joint envoy) Kofi Annan’s proposals,” she stressed.
Also on Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said after a meeting with his Armenian counterpart in Yerevan that Russia preferred to be “a friend to the whole Syrian people.”
“We were also invited to take part in the (Istanbul) meeting. We rejected the invitation for the easiest reason,” Lavrov was quoted as saying by the Itar-Tass news agency. “If we talk about the interests of the Syrian people, all parties, as well as all groups of the opposition, should be represented.”
Representatives from scores of countries attended the second ” Friends of Syria” conference in Istanbul on Sunday, recognizing the opposition Syrian National Council as a legitimate representative of all Syrians and an umbrella organization for Syrian opposition groups.
Russia refused to attend the meeting because it believed the group was paving the way for foreign intervention. Moscow also boycotted the group’s first meeting in February.
[…]
April 2nd, 2012, 3:50 pm
ann said:
Syrian authorities thwart gunmen infiltration from neighboring Turkey – 2012-04-03
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-04/03/c_131504671.htm
DAMASCUS, April 2 (Xinhua) — Syrian authorities on Monday foiled an infiltration attempt by an “armed terrorist group” from the Turkish territories into Syria, state-run SANA news agency reported.
The government troops clashed with the infiltrators near Khirbet al-Jouz border village in the countryside of northern Idlib province, killing one of them as others have managed to flee back to Turkey, said SANA, adding that the fleeing gunmen opened fire from Guvecci town in Turkey, 500 meters from the Syrian- Turkish borders.
Quoting a source in Idlib, SANA said the authorities found different kinds of weapons left by the gunmen, including 1,500 electric detonators for explosive charges.
Many sneaking attempts from Turkey and Lebanon have been foiled by the Syrian competent authorities during the year-long crisis.
In Lebanon, a military court on Monday indicted six Syrian nationals and three Lebanese for arms trafficking and smuggling to Syria. However, only four Syrians and two Lebanese among the indicted are in custody while three others remain at large.
The Lebanese army had arrested the culprits who were driving two trucks loaded with weapons and ammunition ready to be smuggled into Syria.
Meanwhile, the Britain-based opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said three civilians, five rebels and one army personnel were killed in clashes in Idlib earlier in the day.
Another opposition group, Local Coordination Committees (LCC), said 14 people were killed in Idlib on Monday. It put the overall toll of Monday’s casualties as many as 65. The opposition report couldn’t be independently verified.
Meanwhile, SANA said a total of 103 wanted people turned themselves in at the Madaya suburb of the capital Damascus Monday.
[…]
April 2nd, 2012, 3:53 pm
ann said:
Syrian opposition’s commitment crucial for success of Annan’s peace plan: Syria’s UN envoy – 2012-04-03
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-04/03/c_131504686.htm
UNITED NATIONS, April 2 (Xinhua) — The Syrian government on Monday confirmed its acceptance of an April 10 deadline to end the year-long crisis in the Middle East country, but sought the same commitment from the opposition, which it says is crucial for the success of a peace plan by UN and Arab League joint envoy Kofi Annan.
The statement came as Bashar Ja’afari, the Syrian permanent representative to the United Nations, was speaking to reporters here shortly after Annan briefed the 15-nation UN Security Council behind closed doors via teleconference from Geneva.
“The Syrian government is committed but we are expecting Mr. Kofi Annan and some parties in the Security Council also to get the same kind of commitments from the (opposition),” Ja’afari said. “A plan wouldn’t be successful unless everybody is committed to it. ”
The Syrian ambassador said that his government and Annan have reached a “common accord” on the proposed April 10 deadline.
Earlier on Monday, Annan told the Security Council that the Syrian government has agreed to the April 10 deadline to end the crisis in the country, and that he is expecting details from Damascus “very shortly” on the implementation of the six-point peace plan.
Susan Rice, the U.S. UN ambassador who holds the rotating Security Council presidency for April, told reporters after the briefing: “Mr. Annan reported that he is expecting details from the Syrian government very shortly on the other aspects of his six- point plan including key requests for humanitarian access, the two- hour daily humanitarian pause as well as access for the media and of course the political process.”
[…]
April 2nd, 2012, 4:00 pm
omen said:
187. ghufran said:
are you shocked the regime doesn’t want to allow UN observers into the country who would then be able to document assad’s war crimes?
here is a good rule of thumb: the party resisting transparency the most – are the ones who have the most to hide. resisting disclosure is indication of guilt.
April 2nd, 2012, 4:05 pm
ann said:
Jordan rejects military interference in Syria – 2012-04-03
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-04/03/c_131504663.htm
AMMAN, April 2 (Xinhua) — Jordan on Monday rejected any military interference in Syria, the state-run Petra news agency reported.
At a meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi, Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Judeh stressed the importance of a political solution to end the crisis in Syria.
The Jordanian minister called on Syria to immediately implement a six-point plan by former UN secretary general Kofi Annan that entails withdrawing weapons and military from towns, allowing in humanitarian aid and releasing the detainees.
The minister, who underlined the need for preserving the unity of Syria and its territorial integrity, said it is important to prevent any external interference in Syria’s internal affairs.
[…]
April 2nd, 2012, 4:07 pm
ann said:
Two Syrian opposition delegations to visit Moscow soon
Moscow expects the imminent arrival of two more delegations representing different Syrian opposition forces, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday. Moscow is in touch with various opposition groups, including the Syrian National Council and the National Coordination Committees, the minister recalled. “We are trying to befriend all Syrians, not just part of the Syrian people,” Interfax quoted Lavrov as saying. He also said Russia was absent from the Istanbul meeting of the Friends of Syria Group on April 2 because it was not attended by representatives of all Syrian sides, such as the government.
[…]
http://rt.com/news/line/2012-04-02/#id29006
April 2nd, 2012, 4:11 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Jad,
Honestly I am more worried about the Russian made tank shells, and armoury being used to pound and level Syrian towns and civilians.
I honestly dont understand how those russian made tank shells, tulip mortars, and armoury can be exempt from any outrage, when they are being used on a daily basis to kill Syrians, the same Syrian might I add that paid for those weapons. Or did Bashar and Co. mistaken the co-ordinates of Tel Aviv and have been hitting Homs, Idlib, Hama, Zabadani, Douma, Halab, Deir E Zour, and many other parts of the country by mistake?
You are reserving your outrage over one shell that CANT BE FIRED unless you use an Abrams tank, do you really believe the FSA has Abrams tanks?
As for the hospital you seem so worried about, does it not seem odd to you that there are snipers nests on top of those hospitals, since when do hospitals need snipers nests exactly, and what makes you so sure that the atrocities that have been committed in those hospitals will be the doing of the FSA? Was this not the same criminal regime exposed torturing the wounded in State Hospitals?
Another thing, why is it that the activists you choose to call terrorist are the one exposing the deaths and massacres and not Syria State TV, why does the State TV have to rely on Youtube videos when these things are happening in their very own country? Who is restricting state TV from filming?
April 2nd, 2012, 4:12 pm
ann said:
NATO opposes arming Syria rebels – Rasmussen
NATO’s chief has said the alliance is opposed to providing arms to the Syrian opposition. Anders Fogh Rasmussen called for a diplomatic solution, saying that the alliance has “no intention whatsoever of intervening in Syria.” Rasmussen told a news conference on Monday that providing any group with weapons would not be “the right way forward,” AFP reports. There is a clear risk that this would also lead to a “potentially dangerous proliferation of weapons in the region,” Rasmussen said.
[…]
http://rt.com/news/line/2012-04-02/#id29008
April 2nd, 2012, 4:13 pm
Jad said:
Son of Damascus
Thank you for letting me know where your worries are, and for defending the terrorists, good job!
You asked why the Army is defending the hospital, here you go why, because the terrorist have history in attacking clinics and hospitals.
?????”????? ???????” ??????? ?????? ??? ??????
April 2nd, 2012, 4:17 pm
ann said:
Syria Says Turks, Saudis & Qataris “Declare War,” US Too, Rice Says Non-Lethal
By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, April 2 — After Kofi Annan gave a closed door briefing Monday to the UN Security Council, Ambassadors including those of Russia and China said that April’s Council president Susan Rice of the US would give a summary and statement.
When Rice emerged she read from notes then took questions. Inner City Press asked if there had been a discussion of Gulf countries in the Friends of Syria group saying they will fund the rebels, and about the US provision of communications equipment to the opposition, are there any safeguards?
Ambassador Rice said that “one delegation” had raised the funding of the rebels issue. On US aid, she said it would be non-lethal.
Moments later Inner City Press asked Syrian Ambassador Bashar Ja’afari about this aid to the rebels and opposition. He quickly denounced the meeting in Istanbul of the “Enemies of Syria,” going on to call the funding of rebels an act of war.
Inner City Press asked again about the US, and Ja’afari denounced this communications aid as well. He was asked about Turkey’s assistance to refugees. He replied that Turkey is not an enemy of Syria, but Turkey’s government should have consulted Damascus before hosting such a meeting and should stop talking about regime change.
Ja’afari referred to Annan as the UN envoy, and did not mention the Arab League, which has called for a “political transition” away from Assad. There is a game, of who Annan is representing. On March 31 a Security Council Ambassador, one of the Elected Ten and not Permanent Five, told the Press on background
Before Rice spoke, Russian Ambassador Churkin told the Press that it was a “good meeting” and that “Kofi Annan is working hard.” Chinese Ambassador Li Baodong told the Press that “we are studying his proposal” and “we will have a chance to discuss.” Will that mean a Security Council “output”? Watch this site.
From the UN Mission transcript:
Inner City Press: Was there any discussion-was there any discussion of the announcement by some of the Friends of Syria that they would begin to pay salaries to the Free Syrian Army or other rebels? And can you also say-the U.S. offered to provide communications equipment. Can you specify a little bit who would get it, whether it could have any lethal usage, and what safeguards are in place?
Ambassador Rice: Well, let me in my capacity as president be clear in saying, I think, if I’m not mistaken, only one delegation raised that issue. Most were focused on the contents of the Joint Special Envoy’s briefing today. From the U.S. point of view-now speaking in my national capacity-as you know, we announced our readiness not only to increase our humanitarian assistance now to $25 million but also to begin to provide non-lethal assistance to the opposition, including in the form of communications equipment. That communications equipment is by its nature and by its definition non-lethal, and we will continue to work with other partners in the Friends of Democratic Syria, as was agreed in Tunis, to strengthen our efforts to support the effectiveness and coherence of the opposition.
[…]
http://www.innercitypress.com/syria1enemies040212.html
April 2nd, 2012, 4:22 pm
Jad said:
Smuggling weapons into Syria
??????? ??????? ?????? ??? ????? 2-4-2012
April 2nd, 2012, 4:22 pm
annie said:
Supporting the Syrian People Fighting for Their Freedom—A Response to Widespread Objections
We, the Tarabut-Hithabrut movement, support unequivocally the Syrian people in their struggle for their liberty and their rights.
There are those who say that the situation in Syrian and the wider regional reality is complex, and they are right. However, we want to directly address the various objections raised against taking a position in favor of the democratic uprising of the Syrian people:
There are those who say that the Syrian regime is anti-imperialist and comprises the last barrier to Western domination in our region.
The Baath Party in Syria is a corrupt regime of a small group of super-wealthy and powerful people who control enormous amounts of capital, which was stolen directly out of the pockets of the Syrian people. This ruling junta is not motivated by anti-imperialist ideals and can serve neither as a model for these ideas or as a defender of socialism. Although this regime is in a confrontation with Israel and the United States, a series of event such as the Gulf War show that the regime’s positions on international affairs are not consistent or principled but opportunistic. In addition, the Cold War is long over and the regime has since become friendly to Putin’s Russia, which is, as should be emphasized, a capitalist, authoritarian government with its own imperialist ambitions in addition to being a regime supported by the new empire, China, which is equally devoid of scruples or constraints.
read on here : http://bandannie.com/2012/04/02/supporting-the-syrian-people-fighting-for-their-freedom-a-response-to-widespread-objections/
April 2nd, 2012, 4:24 pm
Mina said:
After the “humanitarian interventions” and the use of NGO and army for humanitarian work as in Afghanistan, we are being sold the “non-lethal interventions” in the midst of a huge bank crisis.
It’s your money they fire in the sky, darling!!
Meet the candidates:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/36/122/38277/Presidential-elections-/Presidential-elections-news/My-mother-held-green-card-not-US-citizenship,-says.aspx
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/36/122/38294/Presidential-elections-/Presidential-elections-news/Mubaraks-intelligence-chief-presidential-campaign-.aspx
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/3/12/38278/Business/Economy/Muslims-Inc-How-rich-is-Khairat-ElShater.aspx
April 2nd, 2012, 4:29 pm
ann said:
On Syria, Annan Team Won’t Comment on Funding Rebels, Confirms DPKO
By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, April 2 — In the run up to Kofi Annan’s closed door briefing of the UN Security Council about Syria on Monday, the Friends of Syria moved to fund and aid the rebels, including a US pledge of communications equipment.
Inner City Press asked Annan’s spokesman Ahmad Fawzi
Does the Joint Special Envoy have any view of or comment on the decision at the Friends of Syria meeting, attended by Deputy El-Kidwa, by Gulf states to start paying money to armed rebels in Syria, andthe possibility that these funds will be used to purchase weapons? What about the US saying it will provide communications equipment – does the JSE think there should be any restrictions on this? Will you confirm a DPKO advance team going early this week, and that the proposal is for 200 to 250 monitors?
Fazwi responded, but declined comment on assistance to the rebels:
Subject: Re: Hi, Q on outcome(s) of Friends of Syria meeting, and DPKO
Date: Mon, Apr 2, 2012 at 1:19 AM
To: Matthew Russell Lee [at] InnerCityPress.com
From: Ahmad Fawzi
I will not make any comment unti after the JSE briefs the Council today at 1000EST/1600CET.
I can confirm, however, the DPKO advance team getting ready to send advance team. No comment on figures, yet.
The figures were given out on Thursday March 29 by a “senior Western diplomat,” seemingly sourced from the head of DPKO, the UN Peacekeeping department, who seen going into the Security Council’s closed door briefing on Monday morning. As first reported by Inner City Press, he has proposed the use by the UN of drones — some wonder if they would be useful, or are already fully in use by various parties, over Syria.
[…]
http://www.innercitypress.com/syria1friends040212.html
April 2nd, 2012, 4:34 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Jad,
“Thank you for letting me know where your worried are, and for defending the terrorists, good job!”
If by defending Syrians I am considered by apologists defending terrorist so be it, at least I am not defending a mass murderer that thinks nothing of the Syrian people.
Notice how you failed to answer any of my questions and resorted to defamation
Whats next you will say I don’t sound Syrian enough or that I am a paid agent of the Salafi Mossad alliance against the nobel act of allowing Bashar to slaughter Syrians?
“You asked why the Army is defending the hospital, here you go why, because the terrorist have history in attacking clinics and hospitals”
No I asked why there is a SNIPER NEST on top of a hospital, and a sniper nest IS NOT A DEFENSIVE COVER, Snipers nests are OFFENSIVE COVERS in combat.
April 2nd, 2012, 4:47 pm
Juergen said:
Mina
Thank you for posting about Annans deadline. You just didnt mention the growing frustration on Annans side for the lack of willingness on the side of the Assad regime.
Behind closed doors Annan said that: ” He misses a sense of urgency by the Syrian government. Annan criticized the fact that the regime in Damascus has not yet moved. Still, there have been no concrete progress. A cease-fire on 10 April would be an important step, but he misses the urge of the Government to implement this cease fire quickly. In addition, other points of the agreed plan, such as access for humanitarian workers and journalists are not yet granted or implemented. The desired political change is also not visible.
article in german:
http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,825347,00.html
April 2nd, 2012, 4:55 pm
Juergen said:
German tv has shown for the first time since the communist regime collapsed in 1989 an hour long interview with the first lady of the GDR ( she also was education minister from 1963-1989) Margot Honecker. She has always turned down requests by the media so far, now the 84 year old made an interview in her exile in Santiago de Chile.
As one would have thought, she still does not regret anything which happend. As for the victims who got shot at by trying to escape the country by crossing the famous wall she answered:” At any border the soldiers will shoot, shy should we be different? Nobody had to climb over the wall, its a foolishness to loose ones life for that, its a tragedy for the mothers!” ( app. 1065 people were killed in 28 years at the border)
She then went on claiming that only a few political opponents were imprisoned, the majority were criminals. ” We still had bitter enemies even 40 years after introducing communism in our country.” Those enemyship started as one opponent said it wisely if you were thinking differently than what was expected and accepted.
A funny detail, in the course of their flight out of the country, Hafez al Assad offered them asylum and it was late Yassir Arafat who paid for the flight to Chile and the house she still lives in.
April 2nd, 2012, 5:05 pm
Uzair8 said:
212. Jad said:
“No problem kido, I owe your mom some money”
What the hell is this supposed to mean. This is below the belt. Unacceptable.
April 2nd, 2012, 5:11 pm
Jad said:
Son of Damascus
‘defamation’?! Seriously!
Anyway, before you become angry and too sensitive about my reply, here you go again what I asked you before the apologetic respond of yours for not worrying about depleted uranium in the hands of a terrorist groups.
Using your loginc that ‘it’s only one rocket’ the American administration along all the ‘humanitarian’ Europeans have no right to change the worlds’ airport security system because they discovered one guy having traces of substance that may or may not help developing a dirty bomb.
Again what I wrote before the lecture I received:
———–
Could you please explain to me why this terrorist in the picture has one then? and where did he get it from if as you claim it’s a depleted uranium armor?
Doesn’t that enough to make any Syrian to worry and question what those terrorists are planning to do to all of us?
———
(No I asked why there is a SNIPER NEST on top of a hospital, and a sniper nest IS NOT A DEFENSIVE COVER, Snipers nests are OFFENSIVE COVERS in combat.)
I guess you didn’t know that the Army is dealing with terrorist armed groups that attack them everyday..and not with ‘olive branches’ as some may think, the terrorists turned it into a battle field and the army has the right to defend the state establishments.
April 2nd, 2012, 5:11 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
Aroorists have only 22 millions more to kill,then they will have ??? ???? :
April 2nd, 2012, 5:17 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Jad,
It is a picture of one tank shell, that is used by Abrams tanks. Show me a picture with the FSA shooting tank shells from Abrams tanks and I will start to worry.
The US would NEVER give the FSA a depleted uranium warhead, if the FSA happened to acquire one through Iraq the most they can do with it is an IED, while on the other hand the Syrian regime has been pounding with almost all their arsenal Syrian cities and towns.
It is the army that is attacking every day Jad, not the FSA whom you call terrorists.
I DONT BELIEVE IN AN AMRED STRUGGLE, but that does not make me blind to the fact the regime is causing MOST OF THE BLOODSHED. a small group of “terrorists” DONT HAVE THE CAPABILITIES to do nearly as much damage as the regime has been doing.
And if the regime wanted to DEFEND a hospital using a snipers nest defeats the purpose. Snipers are used to KILL not DEFEND….
April 2nd, 2012, 5:30 pm
Mawal95 said:
Commenter “Son of Damascus” at #133 links to five Youtube videos from an attempted sit-in overnight in Clock Square in Homs on 18/19 April 2011 and at #74 he links to a further 3 videos from the same event. And there are still more videos from the event at Youtube. But out of all those videos at Youtube, we don’t see the security forces using lethal force or disproportionate force. In one of the videos we see a few non-uniformed men with light cudgels beating one individual — and then we see the police telling these men to stop it. In another of the videos the man with the camera has a perfectly positioned view high up on a building on the square — if disproportionate force had happened, that camera would’ve recorded it. The gunfire noises heard in one of the videos is meaningless, because it’s totally disconnected from the visuals in the video and it’s so easy to add gunfire noises to a video’s soundtrack.
Apparently “Son of Damascus” has offered these videos as evidence that the sit-in was dispersed with disporportionate force. But what every reasonable person must conclude from them all — and so many of them — is that that the sit-in was dispersed with almost no force of any kind, neither proporionate or disproportionate. Rather, the protesters walked or ran from the square when the police arrived and told them they had to leave.
I reiterate my challenge to everybody:
I have made this challenge many times before and I’ve never come across anybody who replied with Youtube links to show me that I am mistaken in my great confidence that the Syrian security forces have NOT commited atrocities against peaceful protesters.
If the security forces had been guilty of atrocities, the video evidence would necessarily have to be there. Youtube has a truly gigantic number of videos of street protesting in Syria. And in all those videos there is an absence of (non-fake) videos of security forces comitting atrocities! This is prima facie good evidence that the security forces have been conducting their operations with good discipline.
Remember, the use of disproporionate force is contrary to the government’s well-defined and oft-repeated security policies. We must allow that a few isolated exceptions in violation of policy could have been commited by security men on the ground. But the gigantic number of protest videos, together with the absence of videos of disproporionate force, establishes as a fact in my mind that the security forces have been working with good discipline all this past year. To repeat, the Syrian security forces are well disciplined and this can be reliably verified by spending time at Youtube.
I have seen more video evidence of ill-disciplined security forces in Bahrain and Cairo than in Syria this past year.
April 2nd, 2012, 5:40 pm
Tara said:
150 were killed by Bashar al Assad today. Alfatiha upon their souls. Now and until the new deadline, the regime will be in a rabid race to kill Syrians.
April 2nd, 2012, 5:40 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Mawal,
Have a look at this compilation compiled by the Guardian.
Are these fake bullets that the regime is using?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2011/jun/23/syria-protesters-under-attack-video
Please provide us with videos where the Egyptian government or the Bahraini government has been using tanks, and artillery to quell the uprising.
April 2nd, 2012, 5:51 pm
ann said:
Middle East tensions to impact Gulf Arab countries till 2013: expert – 2012-04-03
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-04/03/c_131504716.htm
DUBAI, April 2 (Xinhua) — The ongoing turmoil in Syria as well as the tensions between the West and Iran would continue their impact on Gulf Arab oil-exporting nations with a double-edged sword, an expert on the region’s economy said.
“Over the past 18 months, global economic uncertainties and massive regional sociopolitical instability have been a serious drag on investor sentiment in the Middle East region as a whole,” Farouk Soussa, Citigroup’s Middle East Chief Economist in Dubai, said in the latest Middle East Macroeconomic Monthly.
“In the coming 12 to 18 months, we think negative news flow on politics is likely to continue to act as a drag on regional risk asset performance,” he said.
“The conflict in Syria is likely to be long and drawn out, and could get worse before it gets better,” Soussa said, adding that ” There is no immediate resolution to the Iranian nuclear crisis in sight.”
Soussa identified a two-edge sword for the Gulf Arab economies. “The negative news flow has meant that Gulf risk assets have underperformed non-regional peers. We believe this is likely to continue to be the case so long as politics dominate the headlines, ” Soussa said, referring to five-year credit default swaps (CDS).”
With CDS, investors can insure sovereign bonds against default. The higher the value of a CDS, the fewer the market regards the underlying state’s capability to refinance itself.
Soussa said that “Middle Eastern sovereigns have seen their CDS spreads widen significantly more than non-regional emerging markets and there seems to be little distinction made between oil- rich Gulf sovereigns and the rest of the region.”
[…]
April 2nd, 2012, 5:51 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
SOD
The clips of Egyptian Army vehicles running over copts are very easy to find on you tube ,do need help?
April 2nd, 2012, 6:13 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Mawal,
“But what every reasonable person must conclude from them all — and so many of them — is that that the sit-in was dispersed with almost no force of any kind, neither proporionate or disproportionate. Rather, the protesters walked or ran from the square when the police arrived and told them they had to leave.”
Are you kidding me?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVNsN0hiZmM
were those just fire crackers going off in the air?
I would like to quote a person that used to blog here and WITNESSED what happened:
“Back in April, when the New Clock square in Homs was filled to the brim with demonstrations as large as those in Hama, the regime sent representatives to supposedly “negotiate” with sheikhs. At exactly 2:30 am, the sheikhs were locked in, and the security forces opened fire on the demonstrators. People were chased and gunned down in the streets. Not one had a weapon on them, there was no vandalism or destruction of public property of any sort that day. It was a bloody crackdown by a regime that knows no other way.”
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=10573&cp=all#comment-260226
April 2nd, 2012, 6:13 pm
jna said:
Does or does not the opposition intend to respect a ceasefire?
http://www.aina.org/news/20120402162034.htm
April 2nd, 2012, 6:14 pm
Mawal95 said:
@ SOD #231: I appreciate that you’re making an effort and I encourage you to keep trying. But that video at # 231 is worthless with regard to what we’re talking about. It’s worthless because (a) the part of the soundtrack with bullets noises appears to have no connection to the visuals we see, (b) we don’t see the security forces firing, (c) we don’t see any context sense in security forces firing, (d) we don’t see anybody shot.
Can you not come up with something better?
The video you linked #235 is worthless for the very same reasons plus much of it is incomprehensible low-resolution blur. In contrast, some of the other videos of the mundane protesting from that event are pretty good resolution.
Once again, I encourage you to come up with something better.
Here’s a video of a FAKE atrocity by security forces I have posted on this board at least twice before. It made a big impression on me last year because I initially thought it was genuine and the elaborateness of the fakery helped convince me that the real thing didn’t exist in quantity. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od_bVIF_GbY
April 2nd, 2012, 6:15 pm
Son of Damascus said:
SNK,
I guess you don’t know how to read, just know how to call my mother names and regurgitate fake propaganda from SANA and AL Dunia.
Let me show you what I wrote again:
“Please provide us with videos where the Egyptian government or the Bahraini government has been using tanks, and artillery to quell the uprising.”
Notice the Tank and artillery part…
April 2nd, 2012, 6:20 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Mawal,
There are DOCUMENTED deaths that occurred in those “worthless’ videos, I am saddened to see that the deaths of Syrians at the hands of the Assadist thuggery is “worthless” to you.
April 2nd, 2012, 6:23 pm
Mawal95 said:
@ SOD #239: Not documented on video. Testimonies of dissidents who claimed to be eye witnesses have zero credibility and are truly worthless.
I am all in favour of the truth, whatever it may be, and I suppose you are as well. We have to have high standards about quality of evidence.
April 2nd, 2012, 6:38 pm
Uzair8 said:
Why isn’t Assad addressing the nation? How long has it been? The country is in chaos and the situation is deteriorating fast. Where is he? Or are the men with guns running the show?
Why hasn’t he responded to the ‘Friends of Syria’ conference by ordering Walid Muallem to organise a ‘Friends of the Regime’ conference?
Probable list of attendees:
Iran
Russia
Lebanon
Iraq
Venezuela
Cuba
China
Special invitee:
Hezbollah
April 2nd, 2012, 6:38 pm
Uzair8 said:
According to a recent comment (51 minutes ago) on AJE Syria blog the major roads to Damascus have been closed. The regime says it is for security reasons while the activists say the regime is scared of FSA entering Damascus.
Is this a regular occurrence. At night?
April 2nd, 2012, 6:42 pm
jad said:
“As for the hospital you seem so worried about, does it not seem odd to you that there are snipers nests on top of those hospitals, since when do hospitals need snipers nests exactly, and what makes you so sure that the atrocities that have been committed in those hospitals will be the doing of the FSA? ”
Son of Damascus,
You may need to read this to understand why I mentioned the hospital and why it’s significant and a cover up for a massacre done by fsa with two clips published by them and not by Addounia nor Alikhbariye and defiantly not by Sana:
????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? 2-4-2012
http://youtu.be/vWxhGwv5WiY
????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? 2-4-2012
http://youtu.be/W9NTTIWYM8Q
‘Local Coordination Committees in Syria
Monday drew to an end with 150 martyrs in Syria, among them several women and children, 120 were martyred in Homs among them 75 unidentified bodies were found in Homsa Hospital, 16 martyrs in Idlib, 6 martyrs in Hama including 4 Free Syrian Army soldiers and 5 martyrs in Aleppo’
120 in Homs, 75 from the Hospital attacked by fsa
How many of the rest 45 casualties were actually killed inside the hospital or elsewhere in Homs? No information
How many casualties from the Syrian soldiers defending the hospital? No information
How many casualties from the armed fighters that attacked the hospital? Again nothing.
16 in Idleb, any details about the victims being civilians or fighters? No, but by logic and through the fights we are seeing on youtube happening today in Idleb I can assume that the many of the victims are actually fsa armed fighters
6 in Hama 4 fsa fighters
5 in Aleppo, also no details, but I read that in Anadan there was some fighting with armed militias today.
April 2nd, 2012, 6:43 pm
Mawal95 said:
Here’s 90 seconds of Bashar speaking to soldiers in Bab Amr on 27 Mar 2012, speaking in a serious tone about the armed rebels: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=E_MfYq_olrE#t=169s . It was broadcast nationwide in Syria.
PS: Brief interviews with people on the streets of Homs city regarding Bashar’s recent visit to Bab Amr: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG8EUcvITDA
April 2nd, 2012, 6:47 pm
Uzair8 said:
@244 MAWAL95
I was aware of the Homs visit and comments but I meant a proper televised speech like he did previously (how many months ago?)
April 2nd, 2012, 6:57 pm
Dale Andersen said:
Memo To: HANS
RE: “…it is well known that you can make a full fack video…”
I don’t even want to ask what a “full fack video” is. It sounds like porn…
April 2nd, 2012, 7:01 pm
Mawal95 said:
I don’t see any particular reason why the country would benefit from another lengthy televised speech by Bashar at present. If Bashar finds he has a good reason for one, fine. I don’t find it myself. But I hope Bashar will make public appearances encouraging people to vote for the Baath Party in the parliamentary elections on 7 May 2012. I hope he does not stay neutral, merely encourage people to vote. I want campaigning for Baath candidates as such!!
By the way, did you see that over 7,000 candidates have submitted applications to compete in the parliamentary elections to be held on 7 May 2012? http://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2012/04/01/409817.htm . There are only 250 seats in the parliament. The government should raise the application fee by a factor of ten, or factor of 100, in future elections, to get rid of most of those thousands of silly candidates who don’t have a hope of getting elected.
In 2007 the number of entrants to the contest at the deadline for applications was 9770, of whom 2293 were approved to enter the contest, and all those entrants were competing over just 250 seats in parliament.
April 2nd, 2012, 7:09 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
SOD
So you admit that the Egyptian army is running over copts,right?if you or loved ones were run over
(god forbid) by an army cars or Tanks or planes..,
What is the difference if they are going to die any way?
Did you or any opposition titans condmed killing the teachers in Deralzor?how do you support such
Cowards?who told you that me or jad or any of
The (revolution )haters support the regime or Iran
Or Hizbollah?all of us and 90%of Syrians are asking is for all parties to sit together and try to
Preserve what have been salvageable from our country.
April 2nd, 2012, 7:21 pm
jad said:
An excellent article about Bashar on Creative Syria, don’t be afraid of the length, it’s easy to read and very informative, enjoy:
The real Bashar Al-Assad
Monday, April 2nd, 2012 | A post by Camille Otrakji
Among the main pillars of the case for a revolution against President Assad is the assumption that he has little support among his people, he is not compatible with moral standards shared by other members of the international community and he does not have what it takes to lead Syria anyway.
Yet, many journalists who visited Syria admit that Assad still enjoys significant popular support and his qualities and his job performance over the years received over the top, bi-polar reviews. In the words of his adversaries, Assad is internationally respected, charming, attractive, fascinating, skilled, triumphant, most popular, and in total control … or not in control, weak, delusional, most hated, evil moron, or even Hitler-evil
There is much more material to choose from. Google search returned tens of millions of results for “Bashar al Assad”, higher than Egypt’s “Hosni Mubarak”, “King Abdullah” of Saudi Arabia, long-time Israeli Prime Minister “Benjamin Netanyahu”, or Turkish Prime minister “Erdogan”.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said “We all have a responsibility to work for a resolution of this profound and extremely dangerous crisis that has potentially massive repercussions for the region and the world.” The crisis in Syria could quickly escalate into civil wars in Syria and a number of its neighbors, a massive regional war between the Sunni and Shia alliances, or the return of the cold war. All of which will severely impact global economy.
Away from the adulation of his ardent supporters or the vilification of his outraged detractors, the real Bashar Al Assad is the central figure that will likely influence the outcome of the crisis more than anyone else. You really need to try to form a new, calm and impartial, assessment of the Syrian President.
{…}
Conclusion
Attempts to find solutions to the crisis in Syria failed in many cases because they implied a humiliation to the President, tried to force him to accept a major role for Islamists in Syrian politics, or relied on pressure with imposed deadlines from outside powers that attempted to treat Syria as a stage and not as a leading actor.
Leaders of “the international community”, journalists or analysts who cannot get over Assad’s responsibility for the thousands of Syrian who died during this conflict should keep in mind that the ratio if soldiers who were killed at the hands of the opposition to the civilians killed at the hands of the army is 3 to 1. Compare that to
Many Syrians are actively seeking political freedoms. Many others are unyielding in protecting their social freedoms as well as Syria’s unity and dignity. The first camp is leaderless and substantially divided. The second camp is unified behind one leader who is backed by a strong army. Neither camp will be able to defeat the other. The options are civil strife, regional war or a national coalition government.
One logical solution formula requires President Assad to delegate many of his responsibilities to a strong and qualified, non-Baathist, Prime Minister. Since the President, and parts of the current regime, are highly skilled and experienced in foreign policy and national security matters, he should still be in charge of those domains. Fighting corruption and running a cleaner, more transparent, more accountable and more efficient government should be the responsibility of a new Prime Minister and a national coalition cabinet that is empowered for the first time in decades, to seriously tackle the serious challenges that remain unaddressed. That way the President can concentrate on his top priorities and allow representatives of parties elected in large numbers to the Parliament to handle everything else. Syria’s strong secular army would remain the protector of secularism just like Turkey’s army protected secularism for many decades since Turkey first experimented with democracy.
Political reforms must take place, and Bashar Al Assad, far from the perfect figure his supporters see, is still the only leader that can lead Syria to free elections. Moderate, secular opposition must reclaim the revolution from the militants and the west must clearly seek and support moderates from the regime’s side and the opposition’s.
The most constructive approach today is to forget the past and to cooperate to try to shorten the difficult path to the return of stability to Syria.
http://creativesyria.com/syriapage/?p=150
April 2nd, 2012, 8:04 pm
SOn of Damascus said:
SNK,
First of all those trucks were running over EGYPTIANS not just Copts.
And yes I do admit that the Egyptian and Bahraini governments used excessive force on an armed protesters, and that is a criminal act that should be persecuted if not locally, then through ICC.
If you fail to see the fact that your so called honourable Syrian Army is bombarding and killing civilians en masse all for the sake of Assadieh, that is your conscious not mine.
I DONT SUPPORT ANY KILLERS, I AM A PACIFIST for me guns are not the answer to any problem. However I don’t support sitting with killers, rapists, torturers, that think they own the country to negotiate my Freedom, they belong in Jail not the negotiation table.
I am appalled by all the unjustifiable actions that certain members of the opposition has partaken in, HOWEVER I am more disgusted by the apparent killing, maiming, raping, torturing, levelling of cities, usage of human shields, hypocrisy that this thuggish sorry excuse of a regime is conducting in, with a green light to do so by the Commander of the Syrian Army.
April 2nd, 2012, 8:10 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Mawal,
“Testimonies of dissidents who claimed to be eye witnesses have zero credibility and are truly worthless.”
Testimony from a dictatorship, that manufactures lies has zero credibility to anyone willing to use their brain.
April 2nd, 2012, 8:13 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
The syrian crisis,more and more is becoming in the hands of Russia and USA.
Clinton said the russian are here.
Lavrov said, Assad army must start withdrawing, followed immidietely by the armed opposition to withdraw.
The Friends of Syria recognized the SNC as a legitimate representatives of the Syrian people.
Syria admitted that April 10, is a day to stop military actions.
Assad is loosing allies, Brazil joined the friends of Syria, and Algeria too, with Russia is begining to change, and getting convinced that it is a real grass root revolution, Assad has at one point to concede.
It is not too late to save his skin, along with his family, and Syria must be for all syrians, with this thinking we can save Syria, we are not enemy of each other, we are against those who committed crimes, and the money that was stolen, must return, free syria is all what we want. christians and Alawi who supported Assad are welcome to change their mind and unite against brutal family dictator.
Jad
you need to calm down, and think about what you have done and said, you have no power to change things, not any one of us can, time for convincing others is gone long time ago, you live in the USA, there is a lot to learn from life here.
SNK
insults and mocking others with all your comments made us ignore them
Filthy words represent frustrations
April 2nd, 2012, 8:16 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Jad,
Simple why not allow the international community and international journalist come in and show the world the governments side of events?
Why is it the government has to rely on the videos uploaded by the activists to show the world what is happening? Why not stick a camera on top of one of the many tanks that have been roaming around pounding cities? Or at the very least let SANA attempt to break a real news event? Or are they only handy when a pre-planned terrorist attack happen?
The opposition has nothing to hide, they have been willing to have any journalist embed with them, the regime is not only hiding but targeting anyone attempting to expose them, that does not seem suspect to you?
April 2nd, 2012, 8:19 pm
Ghufran said:
Jad,
The down and up system is almost worthless, if you work at a firm or a university or happen to have 20 pc/smart phone/iPad devices, you can easily vote multiple times.
Ignore the up and down count whether you won or lost this childish race and focus on the message. Some people, from both sides I must add, have too much time on their hands.
April 2nd, 2012, 8:26 pm
Ghufran said:
SOD, you know that I respect you but do you really believe the opposition has nothing to hide or did not lie? Think again.
This is primarily a fight between an oppressive regime and a helpless public, but secondary forces have since the fall of 2011 taken a larger part in the chaos and violence, I hope you agree with this basic fact.
April 2nd, 2012, 8:31 pm
IMAD said:
Majedkhaldoun,
“Russia is begining to change,and getting convinced that it is a real grass root revolution.”
What makes you say this? Care to elaborate?
April 2nd, 2012, 8:38 pm
Ghufran said:
I can not help expressing my joy at seeing that more Syrians, especially expats, are now realizing that this is a game for big players, we are mostly watching and expressing frustration, guilt and anger. There is one thing we CAN do: be nice to each other and help Syrians in need, too much to ask?
??? ???? ????? ?????? ? ??????
?????? ????? ?????
“???? ???? ????????”
April 2nd, 2012, 8:40 pm
Ghufran said:
?? ??????? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????????? ?????? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? ????????? ??????? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ??????? “???????? ?? ???????? ?????”.
Do not you think that the red officer must keep his mouth shut when it comes to the internal affairs of a sovereign nation?
Syrians, not the Mullahs or the IRG, will decide how to deal with other nations,friends and foes, the time now is for reconciliation and rebuilding a wounded nation, Syria, not to settle scores, there will be time for less important “stuff” later.
April 2nd, 2012, 8:49 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Ghufran,
The secondary forces are not the opposition, and the crimes that are committed by the opposition or elements within it don’t represent the whole opposition. While the regime response has been an efficiently bloody response, that have included the use of heavy weapons like tanks, artillery, mortars, Rockets, and helicopter gunships, all of which need clearance form the heights levels of government to use on Syrian civilians.
I don’t believe in an armed resistance to topple this regime, because I know what this regime can do, and this plays right into the regimes rhetoric. And if by the slim chance an armed resistance wins, at what cost and human suffering and what guarantees would we have that these armed men will be any better than the ones they replaced?
For me the FSA should just stick to what they set out in the first place, protecting peaceful protesters and avoiding direct confrontations with the regime.
The lawlessness that is gripping Syria today is not the doing of the opposition, but that of the regime for not only are they killing anyone daring to open their mouths, but they are releasing only the worst criminals from jails while keeping the activist in there. How is it a shock to any one that there is lawlessness if that is the case, and how can we say the opposition is responsible for all of it?
April 2nd, 2012, 8:51 pm
zoo said:
The Free Syrian Army vs. the Syrian National Council—Which Should We Support?
David Schenker
March 31, 2012 | 12:00 am
http://www.tnr.com/article/world/102240/free-syrian-army-national-council
A year into the Syrian uprising against Bashar Al-Assad, the dysfunctional nature of Syrian opposition politics isn’t exactly news. But the resignation last month of Syrian dissident Kamal Labwani from the Syrian National Council (SNC)—which he accused not only of being “undemocratic” and incompetent, but intent on undermining the secular basis of the revolution—is an especially troubling indictment of the opposition’s hapless government in exile. The Obama administration should heed Labwani’s testimony, and reassess its diplomacy accordingly. Indeed, taking a cue from Labwani’s experience, Washington should refocus its attention away from the SNC, in favor of providing more active support for the less centralized, but potentially more effective Free Syrian Army (FSA).
I can personally attest to the depth of Labwani’s commitment to a free Syria. I first met him in 2005, when he was in Washington for meetings with Bush administration officials. During a meeting at the Pentagon that I attended, Labwani, a medical doctor who was a prominent member of the “Damascus Spring” reform movement in 2001, did not ask for U.S. assistance in toppling Syria’s Assad regime. Instead, he spoke eloquently about the need for political reform in his country. When I asked him whether he feared being jailed on his return, he said he knew he would be arrested, but nonetheless believed it was important for U.S. officials to hear this message. As anticipated, Labwani was arrested upon his arrival in Damascus, and subsequently sentenced to twelve years of hard labor. He had spent five years in prison when he was released early last November, eight months after the start of the current uprising against the Assad regime.
Soon thereafter, Labwani joined the Turkey-based SNC, which was claiming to represent the Syrian opposition on the international stage. He quickly assessed, however, that his hopes for a democratic, pluralistic, and secular Syria would not be advanced through the organization. Fundamentally, Labwani wrote in his draft transition plan, the SNC was not created as “an operational body to win the revolution.” This lack of mission led to ethnic, religious and ideological divisions exploited by the regime. The SNC was rife with “political competition” when what was required was to “push single-mindedly to secure victory against the dictator.” Labwani was willing to serve time for trying to promote democratic change in Syria, yet he couldn’t abide the ineffectiveness of the SNC.
He hasn’t been alone in his frustration. International observers have found the SNC to be fractious, replete with infighting, lacking in credibility, and increasingly Islamist. In February, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton herself lamented the lack of a “viable” opposition.
While the SNC appears hapless, lately the FSA, which has little interest in being answerable to the SNC, has been taking positive steps to try and establish a more unified command. The FSA has largely been a franchise operation of around fifty battalions fighting the regime absent any centralized control, but in early March two rival officers vying for leadership of the FSA reconciled and issued a joint statement on YouTube directing troops to follow the orders of just one commander, Colonel Riad al-Assad. Even the SNC has started to come around to supporting the FSA, going so far as to establish a military council to support the force.
But, paralyzed by concerns about whether civilians will eventually have control over the military in post-conflict Syria, Washington has balked on providing military support to the FSA. When asked last week about the military opposition getting its “act together,” State Department spokesman Victoria Nuland changed the topic. “What we have been calling for,” she said, “is for the peaceful opposition to coordinate better … so a peaceful transition can go forward.”
Such inaction has consequences. In recent weeks, the FSA has suffered a series of tactical setbacks, raising the specter of a lengthy war of attrition and prolonged survival of the regime.
(…)
April 2nd, 2012, 8:53 pm
Tara said:
Damning testimony from Kurdish soldiers this time. A must read.
Syrian military kills civilians in reprisals, ‘executes own troops,’ defectors say
BY ROY GUTMAN
DOMZIN, IRAQ — Former Syrian soldiers who have escaped to northern Iraq are telling grisly stories of how their units executed unarmed civilians for demonstrating against the Assad regime and staged mass reprisals when residents shot back, on one occasion lining up and shooting 30 defenseless civilians.
The former soldiers – Syrian Kurds who’ve crossed the mountainous border into Iraq’s Kurdistan region in small groups over the past three months, a group that now totals well more than 400 – also brought tales of colleagues being shot for not firing on civilians. One former noncommissioned special-forces officer even said he suspected that other government troops had orchestrated an ambush his unit endured, in an effort to motivate the unit to kill civilians.
…
The troops were traumatized. After Rastan, Kawa said, “soldiers were breaking down.” That’s when more than a dozen top officers came to his base and gave two days of what he described as “political orientation.”
(…)
http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/02/3531091/syrian-military-kills-civilians.html
April 2nd, 2012, 8:58 pm
zoo said:
Turkey’s Syria plans hit a hard rock
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkeys-syria-plans-hit-a-hard-rock.aspx?pageID=449&nID=17483&NewsCatID=416
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may be angry over the “The Friends of the Syrian People” meeting in Istanbul but he does not have to worry much about the outcome. In the end the meeting only produced generalities, much to the annoyance of Syrians who were expecting concrete commitments against al-Assad.
….
In addition to this the Syrian National Council (SNC), which purports to represent all the people of Syria, only managed to get recognition as “one of the legitimate representatives” of the Syrians. Then there was the support – albeit lukewarm – the gathering had to give former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s efforts, even though Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the SNC abhor these efforts, which elevate al-Assad to the level of a legitimate interlocutor.
But then, Turkey is faced with more than just one contradiction over Syria. At any rate it is clear to most observers that Russia and Iran, in particular, will do everything to ensure that al-Assad and the Baath regime remain in power, and this is where Ankara’s expectations hit a hard rock.
…
In the end the Istanbul gathering seems to have merely provided an opportunity for Erdo?an to vent his indignation against al-Assad, and to express certain hopes that have little chance of being realized at this stage.
…
Turkey’s Syria policy is especially an example case of how the ruling AKP’s “proactive” policy has turned to a hyperactivity, prematurely landing Turkey in a position with no choice but to work actively for the departure of al–Assad.
As one European diplomat said during the Istanbul meeting: “al–Assad will remain for less time than he thinks, but for longer than we think.”
Turkey’s proactive stance is making it increasingly difficult to adapt.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkeys-frustration-with-syria-vs-us-frustration-with-iran.aspx?pageID=449&nID=17480&NewsCatID=412
April 2nd, 2012, 8:59 pm
Hopeful said:
I have four questions:
1. Does anyone on this forum believe that, if a truly democratic presidential elections are to be held in Syria today, Assad has a chance of winning, fair and square?
2. Will Syria be better off as a democratic nation, even if it means that it will end up being led by an Islamist regime which will support the “will of the majority” and impose restrictions on personal freedoms?
3. Is Syria a “moderate” society today? I don’t mean the affluent neighborhoods of Damascus and Aleppo. I mean “Syria”!
4. So long as the opinions of the “majority” of the people in the society are shaped by either the State’s propaganda machine or the conservative imams of the mosques, can this society ever be free?
April 2nd, 2012, 9:03 pm
jad said:
Ghufran
-Thank you for #251 note to our respected and beloved, Son of Damascus, it was needed.
-“There is one thing we CAN do: be nice to each other and help Syrians in need,too much to ask?”
Very well said!
-Regarding the thumbs count:
I’m don’t really care at the count, I just noticed that suddenly within a very short time the numbers multiplied 20 folds which is weird and it explains to Syrialover why one comment got 70+ hits in a week time while couple comments suddenly got 45+ in less than an hour.
Believe me, it’s the least of my concerns.
April 2nd, 2012, 9:05 pm
Tara said:
Pull troops first, Russia tells Syria
YEREVAN / MOSCOW
Russia criticizes an Istanbul meeting on Syria for being one-sided and for not contributing to peace, but calls on the regime to pull its troops first
“The Syrian government must take the first step and start the troop withdrawal in line with Kofi Annan’s plan,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a briefing in Yerevan. Lavrov added, however, that the opposition needs to reciprocate quickly.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/pull-troops-first-russia-tells-syria.aspx?pageID=238&nID=17522&NewsCatID=359
April 2nd, 2012, 9:08 pm
jad said:
Zoo
“David Schenker”! Really?!
Allah Yesam7ak 🙂
If the Syrian Kurd soldier in Roy Gutman’s article is one of the 330 soldiers the Bishmarkeh are training in a secret camp in Kurdistan Iraq to attack when needed, in that case, how accurate the testimony is, I ask?
????? ?????? ??????? ?? ??????? ???? ???????
??????? ??????? ?????? ?????? “????? ?????” ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ?????
???? “???? ??????” ??????? ????? ?????????? ??????????? ???? ?????? ????? ???????? ???? ????? ???????? ?????? ????? ????? ??????? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????? ??????? ?????? ?? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ?????.
????? ??? ?? ?????? ??????? ????? ?????? ?????????? ??”???24.??” ?????? 29 ????/???? 2012? ??????? ??”????????? ????????” ???? ???????? ??? ?? “???? ??????”? ??? ??? ?? ?????????? ?? ????? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ???????? ???? ????? ?? ??? ???? ??????? ??????? ???????? ?? ??? ???? ??????? ?? ??????.
????? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ??? ??? ??????? ?? ????????? ???? ??? ??? 5 ????? ???? ?????? “??? ???? ????? ?? ????? ????? ?????????? ??????????”.
330 ????? ?????? ?????????
???? ??? ?? ?????? ??????? ???????? ??? ?????? ?? ?????? ??????? ????????? ????????? ??? ????? ???????. ????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???.
????? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ?? 9000 ??? ????? ?? ????????? ?? ??? ????? ????????? ??? ???? ????? ???? ???????? ??????? ???? ?? ??? ?????.
????? ????? “???24.??” ?? ????? ?? ??? ????? ????????? ???? ???????? ???? ??? ????? ????? ?? ??? 330 ???? ?????? ????????? ?????? “???????? ?? ?????”.
????? ?? “????????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ??????? ?? ???????”? ????? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ??? ????? ?? ?????.
????? ????? ???? ??? ???? ??????? “??? ????? ????????? ???????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ??????? ???????? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ??????”.
{…}
http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/03/29/204091.html
April 2nd, 2012, 9:11 pm
zoo said:
Syrian troops to pull out by the 10th april, and the rebel forces by the 12th April
Syria says it will pull out troops next week
Thomas Seibert and Joe Lauria
Apr 3, 2012
http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/syria-says-it-will-pull-out-troops-next-week
NEW YORK and ISTANBUL // Syria promised yesterday to pull its troops off the streets by next Tuesday and rebel forces are expected to follow within 48 hours.
The United States ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, said Damascus had agreed to an immediate withdrawal of troops before the April 10 deadline, but “the proof is in the acting”.
“Some members of the Security Council expressed concern that the government of Syria not use the next days to intensify the violence and expressed some scepticism about the bona fides of the government,” Ms Rice said.
…..
Ms Rice said opposition forces had been asked to pull back 48 hours after the government forces, but did not say if the Free Syrian Army (FSA) had agreed.
…
Unlike the Arab League’s initial peace plan agreed to by Damascus, Mr Annan’s proposals do not call for Mr Al Assad to step down as president.
“We are committed to implementing the six-point plan,” said Bashar Jaafari, the Syrian representative at the UN.
Syrian forces have routed rebels from several towns and cities over the past few weeks and it remained unclear whether the rebels would take advantage of the 48-hour window to regain lost territory, jeopardising the deal.
A UN peacekeeping team will join Mr Annan’s staff in Syria this week to prepare for a monitoring mission that would police a ceasefire. The team is expected to consist of about 250 unarmed observers pulled from neighbouring peacekeeping missions.
…
“The experience of other Arab Spring countries has shown that governments lost their power when the army changed sides,” he said. The promised payments had the aim of “strengthening the process of erosion” within the Syrian regime.
…
“I hope everyone wakes up to that fact,” he said. The offer of arms to the opposition was “very wrong”.
Turkey’s opposition criticised the Ankara government for burning all bridges with the Syrian regime while the outcome of the crisis was far from clear.
“We have a saying: Don’t jump into muddy water, and if you do, jump in with your feet first,” said Umut Oran of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).
“On the Syrian issue, the prime minister took a header into muddy water.”
April 2nd, 2012, 9:13 pm
zoo said:
Is Brotherhood leader in Syria really moderate?
Zoi Constantine
Apr 2, 2012
http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/is-brotherhood-leader-in-syria-really-moderate
…
Kamal Al Labwani, one of several prominent opposition figures to distance themselves from the SNC in the last month, reiterated his belief that the council is taking orders from the Brotherhood.
“The Brotherhood doesn’t have any history of democracy. They are lying to reach the authority, then they will forget every promise,” he said. “We have to make a real balance and we will not close our eyes. The Muslim Brotherhood plans to control Syria.”
But, while dismissing the accusations, Mr Al Drobi – who is also a member of the SNC’s international relations committee – said the Brotherhood should have the opportunity to prove themselves.
“In the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, we never said things and did not do it,” he said. “All what I have said, I believe in it and I will stand behind it and you can hold me accountable to that document in the future. We have not done that as a tactical move.”
(…)
April 2nd, 2012, 9:18 pm
zoo said:
Syrians troops to withdraw by 10th of April and rebels forces by 12th April: Rice
Annan seeks UN Security Council support for April 10 deadline: Rice
English.news.cn 2012-04-03
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-04/03/c_131504662.htm
UNITED NATIONS, April 2 (Xinhua) — Kofi Annan, the United Nations and Arab League joint special envoy for Syria, on Monday underlined the urgency in the Syrian situation and sought the support of the UN Security Council for the April 10 deadline to end the year-long violence in the Middle East country, said Susan Rice, the United States Ambassador to UN. Rice holds the rotating council presidency for April.
Rice made the remarks while reading a readout to the press here after Annan briefed the 15-nation council behind closed doors vie teleconference from Geneva.
Annan told the Security Council that the Syrian government had agreed to the April 10 deadline to end the crisis in the country, and he was expecting details from Damascus “very shortly” on the implementation of the six-point peace plan put forward by the special envoy, Rice said.
“Mr.Annan reported that he is expecting details from the Syrian government very shortly on the other aspects of his six- point plan including key requests for humanitarian access, the two- hour daily humanitarian pause as well as access for the media and of course the political process,” Rice said.
“Mr. Annan said he wished that he had this confirmation of action sooner, in other words that the April 10 deadline would ideally have been earlier than it is,” Rice said. Annan urged the government of Syria to start immediately and to ensure that forces move no further into population centers.
“Mr. Annan’s deputy, Mr. Nasser al-Kidwa, has also had constructive exchanges with the opposition to urge them to cease their operations within 48 hours of a complete cessation of government hostilities,” she said.
“Mr. Annan reported that the Syrian foreign minister sent him a letter yesterday in which he said that the Syrian military will begin immediately and by April 10 will complete the cessation of all forward deployment and use of heavy weapons and will complete its withdrawal from population centers,” Rice said.
(…)
April 2nd, 2012, 9:24 pm
jad said:
??????? ?«???????» ?????? ????? ???????? .. ?????? ????? ????? ???????
???? ???? ??? ?????? ?? 10 ????? .. ????? ???? ???????? ??????? ?????? ??????
???? ????? ????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ??? ????? ???? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????? ???????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ????? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ???????? ????? 10 ????? ??????? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ????????? «?????? ???????? ???? ??????? ???48 ???? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ??? ???????» ??? ????? ??????.
???? ???? ?? ???? ????? ??? ????? ????? ?? ????? ???? ???????? ?? ??? ???? ??????? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ???? ??? ??????? ??? ???? ??????? ????? ???????? ???? ?????? ??????? «???????» ??? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? ????? ??? ??? ????? «????????? ?????????».
??????? ????? ????? «?????? ?????» ?? ??????? ????? ????? ?? «????» ?? «?????» ?????? ??? ????? ????? ?? «????????? ?????? ???????? ????? ?? ???? ?????». ?????? ??????? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ????? ??? ??????? ?????? ????? ???????? ????????.
?? ??? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ????? ???????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ???? ????????? ????????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????????.
{…}
???????
???? ????? ????? ??? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ?? «????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ?????????? ?? ????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ????????? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????????? ????????? ???? ????».
????? ?? «???? ?????? ???????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ??????? ????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ???????? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ?????». ????? ?? «??? ????????? ?????? ??? ??? ???????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ???????? ???? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ??? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ???????? ???? ?? ???? ??? ???? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ??? ?? ???????? ????? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ???????? ??? ??????? ????».
???? ??????? ??? ?? «????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ??????? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ????? ??? ?????». ????? ?? «???????? ???? ???? ??? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ??? ?? ??? ???????? ???? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ?? ???? ??????? ??? ??????? ??????? ?? ????? ??????? ????».
???? ?? «????? ???? ?? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ?? ????????? ???????? ???????. ????? «???? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ????? ???????? ???? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ?????????? ??? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??????? ???????? ??????? ?? ????????? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ????????? ?? ????». ????? «???? ????? ???? ?? ???? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ?? ??????? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ???????? ?? ????? ????????? ????????? ???????? ???? ??? ????? ?????».
???? ??????? ???? ????? ???????? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ??? ????? ??? ???????? ???? ???? ??????? ????? ????? ????? ????? ?? ?? ???? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ??????. ?????? ?? ????? ??? ????? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ????????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ??? «??? ????? ???? ?????».
???? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ????? «??????» ?? ???? ???? ????? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ????? ???? ???????? ???? «???? ?????? ??????? ????????? ??????? ???? ?? ??????? ?????»? ????? ??? ?? «?????? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ????????? ????????? ???????? ??? ??????? ?? ?????? ??????».
????? ????? ?? «????? ???? ??? ??? (?????) ?? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ???? ????????? ????».
???? ?????? ??? ??? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ?? «???? ????? ????? ???? ?? ???? ??????? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ???????? ???? ??? ?????? ?????»? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ??????.
???? ????? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ??? ??? ?????? «?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ?? ??? ????»? ????? ??? ?? ??? ????? ???? ??? ??? ????? ??????? «?? ??? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ?????».
{…}
???????
???? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ????? ??? ???????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ??????? «?? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ????????? (????????) ???????». ????? «???? ??? ???? ?? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ??????? ?? ???????». ????? ??? ??? ???? «?????? ??? ?? ????? ????????? ??? ???? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ????» ???? ?????.
???? ??????? ?? ????? ??????? «?? ???? ??? ???????» ?????? ?? ????? ??? ??? ??? ?? ???? «????? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ??????? ???».
???? ???? ???????? ?????? ???? ???? «????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ????? ??????». ????? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ??????????? ?? «????? ???????? ???????? ??? ?? ??? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ??? ??? ????? ?????»? ????? ??? «???? ???? ?? ???? ???? ????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ????». ????? ?? ???? ?? ?? «???? ???? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ???????».
???? ???? ??????? ???????? ??????? ??? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ??? ???? ???? ??????? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ?? ??????? ?? «?????? ??? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??? ??? ??????? ??????? ??? ?????? ????? ??????? ???????».
????? ???? «??? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ??? ???????? ??????? ???????? ?? ??????? ??????? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ??????? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????? ??????? ?????? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ??????? ?? 6 ????». ????? «????? ????? ??????? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ????????».
{…}
Money for terrorism and weapons are starting to flow:
????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????? ???? ?? ???????? ???? ????? ??????? ??? 176 ????? ????? ??????? ???????? ?100 ????? ????? ???? ????? ???????? ???? ????? ???? 3 ????? ????? ??? ?? ??? ??????? ????? ?????? ??? ?????????? ????? 500 ??? ????? ???? ??????? ?????? «?????? ?? ?????? ??????? ????». ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??????? ???? ?? ??? ????????? ????? ????????.
{…}
http://www.assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionId=2116&articleId=258&ChannelId=50485
April 2nd, 2012, 9:26 pm
Hopeful said:
What’s so special about the April 10th “date”, why not start today, or tomorrow?
April 2nd, 2012, 9:26 pm
Tara said:
Canada is becoming one of my favorite country
Canada banks on Syrian rebels with $1M grant
BY LEE BERTHIAUME, POSTMEDIA NEWS APRIL 2, 2012
http://www.canada.com/Canada%20banks%20Syrian%20rebels%20with%20grant/6399887/story.html
OTTAWA – Canada has committed $1 million to help Syrian opposition groups set aside their differences and present a credible alternative to President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
The funding highlights perceived divisions between the Syrian National Council, the Free Syrian Army and other anti-Assad groups, which are considered key obstacles to stronger international involvement in Syria.
One Syrian-Canadian leader, however, says Canada and its allies are simply using the divisions as an excuse to avoid doing more to prevent the violence in Syria, which has killed an estimated 9,000 people over the past year.
The funding was announced by Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird at a high-level meeting on Syria in Turkey over the weekend and is in addition to $7.5 million in humanitarian assistance pledged last month.
(…)
April 2nd, 2012, 9:27 pm
zoo said:
France to deport three imams, two Islamist radicals
http://rt.com/news/line/2012-04-02/#id29023
France’s Foreign Ministry has announced the deportation of two Islamist radicals and three Imams from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Algeria. The statement says the Imams made anti-Semitic statements in their sermons and called for Muslims to reject Western values. The move comes as a part of a government crackdown following last month’s shootings in Toulouse.
April 2nd, 2012, 9:28 pm
jad said:
Mina,
It seems that Sarko is starting his own war against radicalism, obviously for his presidential campaign, but how could he be against it at home and support radical terrorism ‘outside’ the ‘Republic’ any thoughts?
??????? ???? ????? ??? ??????????: ??? 3 ???? ??????? ??«????? ??? ??????»
????? ????? ???????? ???????? ???? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ???????? ????????? ???????? ?? ??????? ????????? ?? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?????????? ????????.
???? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? «???? ??????? ???? ?????? ??? ??????? ???? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ???????? ?????? ?? ??? ????????? ????? ??? ????? ?? ????? ????????? ????????? ?? ???? ???? ????????? ??? ???? ???? ?????». ????? ???? ???????? ?? ???????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ???? ??????? ?? ???????? ?????? ??????? ??? ???????? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ???? ?????. ????? ?????? ?? ???????? ??????? ??????? ?????? «???? ?????? ??????».
????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ???????? ??? ??????? ???? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ????? 18 ????? ???? ????? ?? ???????? ????? ?? ????? 1994? «?????? ???? ???????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ???????» ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ??? ?????.
??? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ????? ???????? ??? «???? ??? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????? ???????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ????????? ????????? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ??????». ????? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ??????? ???? ?? ???? ??? «??? ?????? ???? ?????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ??????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ?????????». ?????? ???????? ???????? ?? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ??? ??????? ???????? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ????.
??? ???????? ??????? ???? ???? ??????? ?????? ???? ????? ???????? ??????. ????? ??????? ???????? ??? ????????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??«??? ??????» ?? ??? ????? ???????. ????? ???? ????? ???????? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ????.
(? ? ?)
http://www.assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionId=2116&ChannelId=50485&ArticleId=264&Author=
April 2nd, 2012, 9:34 pm
Tara said:
Peter Jones: Aung Sang Suu Kyi an object lesson for Syria
http://www.scotsman.com/news/peter-jones-aung-sang-suu-kyi-an-object-lesson-for-syria-1-2211545
Published on Tuesday 3 April 2012 00:00
Aung Sang Suu Kyi wore down Burma’s regime, but Syrians don’t have 22 years to wait as casualties grow, writes Peter Jones
Aung Sang Suu Kyi’s election to the Burmese parliament at the weekend is yet one more spark of freedom in the global movement that is steadily removing dictators from power. But there is no light yet showing in the dreadful night of despotism that grips Syria. Should the world’s democratic powers do more to hasten the departure of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad?
Developments in Burma suggest that there may be an alternative route to doing that other than the more forceful course of arming Syrian rebels and providing them with external military support – the action that proved, albeit bloodily, successful in Libya.
Ms Suu Kyi faced much the same military dictatorship that weighs in Syria. She had the long historic advantage of being the undisputed but deposed Burmese democratic leader. Having led her party, the National League for Democracy, to victory in elections in 1990, Burma’s military rulers stole the result and imprisoned Ms Suu Kyi.
She and her supporters did not resort to violence, but waged a long campaign of passive and peaceful resistance, apparently to no effect as the generals were utterly impervious to any international pressure, whether waged diplomatically, by economic sanctions or by campaign groups.
But something eventually gave. It appears to be a realisation by Burma’s rulers that being a client state of China, its most important trade partner by far, is no longer a safe bet. It has been strengthening ties with America, seeking to broaden its trading arena which necessitates reducing censorship, the release of political prisoners, and a dose of democracy.
Not too much, mind you. Only 44 seats in the 664-seat parliament were up for grabs so the regime is not about to lose any votes of confidence. Nevertheless, the genie is out of the box. Ms Suu Kyi now has a place in Burmese politics, and the generals can only silence it at great cost to themselves.
Now you might, quite reasonably, remark that 22 years is a heck of a long time for change to come about. Given that the death toll in the Syrian uprising is now probably close to about 10,000 after less than a year, the people cannot afford such a long wait. And it would be a constant reproach and stain on the democratic world’s conscience to sit back and allow the repression to continue.
April 2nd, 2012, 9:42 pm
jad said:
Zoo,
Are we reading the same thing, you in English and me in Arabic?
No wonder the terrorists are intensifying their attacks, they have plans ready to fail Annan’s plan, isn’t it obvious that alkhalyjeh are paying just for that, I put today’s attack against the Hospital in Homs within the plan, I’m sure that the footage will be broadcast April 10th on Aljazeera as a ‘massacre.
Isn’t this salafi sheikh Zoughby the same one I called radical when someone endlessly defended him as ‘angel’…funny!
????????? ?????? ??«??????? ??????» ????? ???? ?????????
?
?? ???? ???????? ???????? ?? ?????. ???? ?????? ???????? ?????? ??????? ????????. ???????? ???? ????? ?????? ??????. ?????????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ????
????? ?????
«??????? ?? ????. ??? ???? ????». ???? ??????? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ??«??????» ????????? ?????????. ????????? ?? ??? ???????? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ??????? ?????? ????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ?? ???????? ???? ?????? 12???????? ?? ???? ??«???????»? ?? «?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ??? ?????».
??????? ??????? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ???? «??????? ????? ???? ??????? ??????? ?????? ?????»? ?????? ??? ?? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ????????? ????????. ???? ??? ???? ?? ????????? ???????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ??????? ??????? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ???? ????? ????? ???????.
??????? ??????? ???? ???????? ????? ??????? ???? ????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ??????. ???? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ??????. ???????? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ???????. ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ??? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ??????? ?? ????????. ??? ???? ????? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ???? ???? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ?????. ?????? ????? ?? ??????? ??? «???? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ?? ???????»? ??????? ?? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ??????? ??????? ??? ????? ?????????? ?? ???.
?? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ??? ??? ??????? ?? ??????? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ??? ????? ???? 12 ???????? ???????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ????? ??? ????? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ??????? ??? ????? ????. ??? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ??????? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ??????? ???????? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ????? ?????. ??? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ??????? ??????? ????? ?? ????????? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ???? «????? ??????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????»? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ??????. ???? ??? ???? ????? ??? ????????? ???? ?????? ????. ??? ???? ???? ?????????? ??????? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? «????? ??????? ????? ?? ?????? ???????? ?? ?????? ??? ?????».
{…}
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/61461
April 2nd, 2012, 9:42 pm
Ghufran said:
Should the US get its feet wet in the Syrian swamp?
(not that the US is not already involved)
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/04/syria-america-steps-onto-the-slippery-slope/255372/
April 2nd, 2012, 9:51 pm
bronco said:
Jad #265
Now that the Syrian government has accepted to withdraw the troops by the 10th April from towns, villages and cities, the opposition now boosted by the promised money and weapons may just take advantage of that to regain the towns they were removed from. Yet the opposition is required to withdraw armed elements by the 12th April. That means they have two days to do that. Will they comply or ignore the call?
Both withdrawals will be ‘observed’ by UN observers that cannot be accused of partiality of inefficiency like the AL observers.
Annan is opposed to further arming of the rebels and seems to want to prevent any attempt of a military escalation with weapons flowing.
He wants his plan to be the ONLY one.
For that purpose, I think he is preparing a UNSC resolution to oblige GCC, Turkey and all interested parties to comply to the Plan and stop arming or helping the rebels. Yet, he needs a diplomatic success immediately to proceed with the UNSC resolution and he is counting on Bashar to comply with the 10th April withdrawal as a proof of workability of the plan.
Yet there are many dangers to that deadline
– Would the Syrian army allowed to control the areas outside towns and cities where they are no civilians ?
– Where are the armed rebels going to withdraw? If they will hide outside civilian areas, in the mountains, they will be hunted by the Syrian army. Their only safe place is Turkey. Will they flee to Turkey?
– Would demonstrations be ‘legally’ allowed? How large would they be after the withdrawal of the Syrians troops? Who will protect the civilians from snipers from both sides?
The next week will a turning point.
April 2nd, 2012, 10:00 pm
bronco said:
#269 Tara
Aung Sang Suu Kyi = Ghalioun ???
April 2nd, 2012, 10:04 pm
Tara said:
Bronco
I think she is a bit slimmer..
——
So the regime is changing tactic? Didn’t they say two days ago they won’t pull the army until the rebels stop first.
April 2nd, 2012, 10:17 pm
bronco said:
#274 Tara
You mean that Ghalioun only need a good diet to become a charismatic leader of the opposition?
Russia and Annan pressure… and the possibility to expose the opposition if it does not comply by the 12th.
April 2nd, 2012, 10:26 pm
zoo said:
????????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????
April 2nd, 2012, 10:37 pm
Mina said:
233 SOD
There are several videos of the tanks sent to Pearl Square in Bahrein, and even of the Saudi armored vehicles. Fisk wrote an article too, in case you missed it.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-i-saw-these-brave-doctors-trying-to-save-lives-ndash-these-charges-are-a-pack-of-lies-2297100.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/robert-fisk-in-bahrain-they-didnt-run-away-they-faced-the-bullets-headon-2219267.html
http://www.infowars.com/bahrain-protesters-driven-out-of-pearl-square-by-tanks-and-tear-gas/
You may even notice that things were bad in Bahrein precisely in February and March 2011, when the GCC+ally (remember the picture?) started to think that to have the cameras somewhere else would be a good idea.
April 2nd, 2012, 10:52 pm
Tara said:
Bronco
“You mean that Ghalioun only need a good diet to become a charismatic leader of the opposition?”
No. No. Bronco. Good diet and exercise only makes attractive physique, the charisma comes from having a wife with a sleazy Louboutin shoes.
April 2nd, 2012, 10:56 pm
Mina said:
Uzair8
I quote you:
“The country is in chaos and the situation is deteriorating fast. ”
You and others have been selling this motto to the Western press for a year.
Could you then comment on this clip of the views of the Syrian street, on April 1st in Damascus? Do they looked like living in a country in chaos? Do they sound they have been coerced? Does the atmosphere looks like North Korea?
Maybe to visit Syria and confront reality would be a good therapy to many here.
(and this one from Homs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG8EUcvITDA )
April 2nd, 2012, 11:01 pm
omen said:
255. zoo 8:53 pm
why was he released early?
April 2nd, 2012, 11:07 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Assad thugs showing off their kill, boasting that the kill shots were head shots.
How so very honourable of them… guess those snipers nests are used more than just for “defending”.
April 2nd, 2012, 11:09 pm
Mina said:
Zoo #255
Thanks for posting this article on Labwani. An impressive person truly.
April 2nd, 2012, 11:13 pm
Mina said:
Jad #268 “how could he be against it at home and support radical terrorism ‘outside’ the ‘Republic’ any thoughts”
This has been the problem with EU policy in the latest years. Might be the work of some influential lobbies and think-tanks. Corruption exists there too, as you know. The Netherlands is another good example of the Sarkozy’s dichotomy: Shell friends at the top and Gerard Wilders in villages.
April 2nd, 2012, 11:21 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Mina,
What is happening is Bahrain is atrocious, I keep myself updated on what is happening there. Their struggle is of freedom and respect, just like the struggle Syrians are facing today. I am well aware about the double standards, but as of yet the Bahraini or the GCC force has not shot a single tank shell, artillery shell, or mortar.
Again I don’t apologize for the brutal actions that were taken and are continuing to be taken on a daily basis in Bahrain, it is atrocious and criminal but what is happening in Syria by the hands of this regime supersedes that of the Bahraini government by a long shot.
April 2nd, 2012, 11:21 pm
omen said:
speaking of aung sang suu kyi, despite winning big gains in parliament, she and her party have not offered clear policy proposals.
landis lodges the same complaint against the snc.
by the professor’s logic, such a deficit disqualifies aung sang suu kyi and her party from leading the country and holding office!
April 2nd, 2012, 11:23 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Shit Assad supporters say…
April 2nd, 2012, 11:29 pm
Mina said:
On Bahrein, it seems shabihas are now being used (as they are in Egypt too, with no control for one year now)
http://www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/5134
The difference here is that in Syria, I believe the shabihas do not answer to the Damascus government but to local potentates.
April 2nd, 2012, 11:32 pm
omen said:
let assad send his tanks to bahrain to liberate the shia.
April 2nd, 2012, 11:35 pm
Ghufran said:
SOD
You can fit all of Bahrain in one of Damascus suburbs,and unlike Syria,Bahrainis do not have weapons and are still unwilling to use violence,the regime there did not have to use heavy weapons to pacify the opposition,Baharinis are also not as impoverished as Syrians and have not,yet,lost many lives in their uprising,but make no mistake about it,Iran and KSA will use Bahrainis in a proxy war if they have too. It remains to be seen whether the ruling family in Bahrain will wise up before it is too late.
My favorite part of the Bahraini story is that the regime removed the whole Pearl Roundabout when it was used as a gathering place for demonstrations.
April 2nd, 2012, 11:39 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Someone please point out to me where are the guns that these civilians were holding to be shot in the head and their groin by the security forces?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOsdlv-kbfE&feature=youtu.be
Oh yeah evidence from dissidents is “worthless”, because how dare they ever descent against his holiness Bashar…
April 2nd, 2012, 11:45 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Ghufran,
“My favorite part of the Bahraini story is that the regime removed the whole Pearl Roundabout when it was used as a gathering place for demonstrations.”
That is one of my saddest parts, Bahrainis deserve much better than what they currently have. The government might try to erase what happened, but the people are not forgetting.
April 2nd, 2012, 11:55 pm
bronco said:
@279 Tara
On the picture Ghalioun is the only one clutching his fingers or is he scratching? Great charisma!
The two women are dressed like men, and Basma would be better in cowboy boots than in Louboutin.
April 3rd, 2012, 12:00 am
omen said:
why are half the posts upthread in pink? and this is inserted into the posts: Hot debate. What do you think?
was the site hacked?
April 3rd, 2012, 12:11 am
Ghufran said:
??????? ????????
http://www.alquds.co.uk/index.asp?fname=today%5C02z500.htm&arc=data%5C2012%5C04%5C04-02%5C02z500.htm
April 3rd, 2012, 12:18 am
omen said:
how can the snc be faulted for being, on one hand, liberal, secular, westernized expats (therefore out of touch with what’s happening on the ground)…to on the other hand, a stalking horse coven of muslim brotherhood members intent on handing down sharia law.
they can’t be both things. which is it?
April 3rd, 2012, 12:20 am
Syria no kandahar said:
????? ????? ?????? ???? ?????
??? ???? ???? ???? ??? ????????
April 3rd, 2012, 12:24 am
jad said:
Mina,
Have you noticed that the numbers of ‘voters’ dropped after the exchange we had? Strange! I guess someone got scared and stopped since he/she will be discovered through the IP by the moderator.
April 3rd, 2012, 12:25 am
jad said:
??? ???? ?? ???? ??? “?????? ??????” ?? ????? : ????? ?????? ????? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ????????
??????? ??? ????? ” ?? 72″ ???? 125 ?? ????? ?????? ? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ???????? ???? ????? ?? ?? ??? ????????? ????? ?? ?????
???? ? ??????? ( ??? ?? : ???? ?????? ): ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ? ????? ???? ???? ???????? ( ?????? ???? ????? ?????) ??? ???? ????? ????? ?? ??? ??? ????? ??? ??? ???? ??????? ???! ???? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ????????? ???????? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ??? “????? ????” ?? ???? ????? ????????? ??? ??? ??? ?? ??????? ???????? ???? ????????? ?? ????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?? ??????? ??? ?????? ??????.
?????? ?? ????? ?? ?? ?????? ?? ??????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ? ??? ???? ??????? ???????? ? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ???????? ? ???????? ?? ???????? ??????? ? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ??? ????? “????? ????” ?? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ? ??? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ?? ???? 125 ?? ?? ???? ????????? ??? ?????? ????? ” ?? 72″ ( ?????? ?? ???? 125 ??)!!
?????? ?? ??? ??? ?? ???? ????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ???? ????????!? ??????? ?? ??? ?? ???? ?? ???? ??? ?? ???? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ??????? ?????? ???????? ? ?? ?? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ? ?? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ! ???? ?? ???????? ???? ????? ?? ???????? ???????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ? ?????? ????? ????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ?? ????? ?????? ???????? ???? ???? ??? ( ??? ?????? ???????) ? ?? ?? ??????? ????? ??? ?? ??????? ?????? ???????? ???? ??????? ???? ?? 22 ??? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ??? ???????? ??????!!
??? ???? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ???????? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ?????.
???? ??? ?? ??????? ?? ?? ??? BM 42 ? ?????? ??? ??? Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot(ABFSDS) ? ?? ?? ???? ???????? ??? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ???????. ??? ????? ????? ?? ????????? ? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ????????? ???????? ????????. ???? ????? ???????? ????? 20 ???? ???? ???? ? ????? ???? ??? ????? ( ????? ??????) ?? ?????? ????? 5 ?? . ??? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ????? 7 MJ . ???? ??????? ( ?? ??????? ???????) ???? ?? ???? ?????????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ???? / ???? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ???? ??? ???????.
http://www.syriatruth.org/news/tabid/93/Article/7071/Default.aspx
April 3rd, 2012, 12:58 am
omen said:
quoting prof. landis: Bashar has all the weaknesses of a teenager.
coincidentally, i ran across video of a young assad demonstrating this sense of emotional immaturity.
April 3rd, 2012, 1:01 am
jad said:
Zoo,
In the article you linked in #257:
[As one European diplomat said during the Istanbul meeting: “al–Assad will remain for less time than he thinks, but for longer than we think.”]
Do you think that this is the third stage of denial?
I mean, first they were in denial “Assad will fall”
Then they were angry “Assad must not be allowed to continue” threats etc.
Then they were bargaining that “Bashar will stay less than what he thinks but longer than we think”
What do you think will come next, depression and then acceptance?
April 3rd, 2012, 1:06 am
jad said:
Bronco,
You know how to analyse the situation better than any of the ‘specialists’ yes you don’t have the ‘organizations’, the ‘research centers’, the ‘lobbies’ or the ‘grants’ supporting them. they should hire you for a better ‘vision’.
I’ll try to answer some of your difficult questions:
– Would the Syrian army allowed to control the areas outside towns and cities where they are no civilians ?
In the negotiations, the control of Syria is a thick red line that wont’ be allowed to compromised so the Syria army will control every inch in Syria.
-Where are the armed rebels going to withdraw? If they will hide outside civilian areas, in the mountains, they will be hunted by the Syrian army. Their only safe place is Turkey. Will they flee to Turkey?
Again in the negotiation, the state will ‘forgive’ them but they must give back their weapons and disappear withing the civilians of their original communities. (not sure how easy that will be but this is one of the conditions of the Syrian government.
-Would demonstrations be ‘legally’ allowed? How large would they be after the withdrawal of the Syrians troops? Who will protect the civilians from snipers from both sides?
From what I read, YES, demonstrations will be allowed, and as long as there is not bullets or aggressive actions by the crowds the security forces and the police will not touch them.
The size of the demonstration may be comparable to what we saw under the AL observers time, I may be wrong too.
-The next week will a turning point.
It started yesterday, you think 150 casualties on a Monday was a coincidence, no, yesterday many attacks happened allover Syria with two bombs went off one in Damascus and the second in Aleppo, not to mention the attack of fsa in Homs, Idleb and Daraa.
April 3rd, 2012, 1:32 am
Juergen said:
The mhnbk syndrome, an disease first researched on sheep 40 years ago…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IJzeN0S9Kss#!
April 3rd, 2012, 1:38 am
jad said:
??? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ?? ?? ??? ???? ???? ???? ??? ???? ?? ?? ?????? ???????? ??????!
???? ??? ?? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ??????? ??? ???? ?????? ?????.
April 3rd, 2012, 2:14 am
Uzair8 said:
The following article will not be good reading for the regime and it’s supporters.
April 2, 2012,
In Syria, Some Assad Loyalists Waver
http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/02/in-syria-some-assad-loyalists-waver/
April 3rd, 2012, 2:24 am
jad said:
Mina,
Can you believe it? ‘North Korea’ is asking people their opinions about the coming parliament’s election on the ‘North Korean’ TV in a program hosting 3 ‘North Korean’ MPs (the program is too long and very slow) but it covers lots of technical issues with somehow challenging points.
???? ????? ???????? ??????? 2 4 2012
http://youtu.be/u9_VGwipE0o
April 3rd, 2012, 3:15 am
Mina said:
Jad
I think the goats are from Pakistan, wasn’t that admitted?
April 3rd, 2012, 4:51 am
Mina said:
Food for thought:
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/ND04Ak01.html
US keeps eye on Syria, ties in Gulf
By M K Bhadrakumar
(…)
In an opinion-piece in the weekend, former secretary of state Henry Kissinger gave the intellectual construct to these concerns. The Arab Spring didn’t quite turn out to be the “regional, youth-led revolution on behalf of liberal democratic principles”. Nor do democrats exactly “predominate in the Syrian opposition.” The Arab League “consensus” over Syria is meaningless, shaped by authoritarian regimes that have no record as democracies. Kissinger warned:
The more sweeping the destruction of the existing order, the more difficult establishment of domestic authority is likely to prove … The more fragmented a society grows, the greater the temptation to foster unity by appeals to a vision of a merged nationalism and Islamism targeting Western values … At this writing, traditional fundamentalist political forces, reinforced by alliance with radical revolutionaries, threaten to dominate the process.
April 3rd, 2012, 5:09 am
Mina said:
Riad Turk calls the SNC to accept Annan plan.
http://blog.lefigaro.fr/malbrunot/2012/04/syrie-lopposant-riad-turk-appe.html
April 3rd, 2012, 7:37 am
majedkhaldoun said:
We always felt that the FSA is more effective if they fight the Assad troops when they are very close to each other, the huge distance between the two sides gives great advantage to the Assad troops who has the advantage of long range weapons artillary,rockets and planes. The FSA has short range weapons, they can not reach far away, they do better fighting guerilla war, surprise attack is more effective, inflicting heavy losses on Assad troops can be accomplished by guerilla type fight. Maneuverability is more possible this way, too.
protecting city demonstrators is not their only job,and they can not be successful in that,they can protect against Shabbiha and snipers, but they can not fight against regular army.
April 3rd, 2012, 7:53 am
Mina said:
SOD 245 “First of all those trucks were running over EGYPTIANS not just Copts.”
SNK refers to the Maspero events,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maspero_demonstrations
while you refer to either the Muhammad Mahmud Street or the Tahrir events.
April 3rd, 2012, 7:54 am
mjabali said:
Majedkhaldoun:
Did you go to the army? How come you are versed in war? Why don’t you call for the violent acts to end?
If you give a monkey a weapon it would take him just seconds to learn how to shoot and kill:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXRVucOWY2w
Call for peace in your land.
April 3rd, 2012, 8:13 am
Ales said:
Not many regrets, denials or rejections of “The Burial brigade of Homs”. If you support this killing of hundreds of people, you are a fanatic and a psycho yourself. No wonder these have cleansed Homs of their opponents.
April 3rd, 2012, 8:41 am
DAWOUD said:
305. Uzair8
I heard somebody on NRR saying yesterday that air flights from Syria to the Arab Gulf are booked (full) for the next 3 months! Why? Many regime folks are NOT so confident that the regime would be in good shape for a long time, and they are trying to find a possible way out!
It is nice to know that not so many regime folks are trying to run to Iran! Airline tickets to Tehran are still available!
A Message to OMEN
Dear OMEN:
Yesterday, you asked me whether non-Arab Iranians, who are against Bashar’s murderous regime, could be my “brothers.” I tried to answer you by defining who is an “Arab,” and what Arabs describe as being “brother.”
However, unlike the murderous Syrian regime and its apologists here, I admit my mistakes and apologize after process of soul searching. Didn’t al-Farouk Omar Ibn al-Khatab say:
“Hold yourself accountable before you are held accountable, and weigh yourself before you are weighed!”
P.S., al-Farouk Omar would never have approved the unjust/criminal killing of non-Muslims. When he entered the city of Jerusalem, the Christian Patriarch asked to pray in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. However, after thanking the Christian leader for the offer he refused because he was afraid that future Muslims would take this church away of Christians (if an admired companion of Prophet Mohammad, Omar, prayed in the church). Omar prayed in a nearby empty area, which later became Omar Mosque-which is still one of the most visited sites for Muslims in al-Quds (Jerusalem).
Accordingly, I now say that all decent human beings-who oppose tyranny (e.g., Bashar’s) and occupation (Israeli occupation/colonialism) are my brothers and sisters regardless of their religion/ethnicity/sexual orientation/etc.!!!!!!!!!
For example, I would be proud if Professor Hamid Dabashi (an Iranian) allows me to call him brother. I ALSO DON’T WANT A COUNTRY THAT PRODUCED DABASHI TO BE DESTROYED BY AN ISRAELI ATTACK! Here is an excellent article for Mr. Dabashi:
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2011/06/2011618103354910596.html
Hamid Dabashi
Arab Spring exposes Nasrallah’s hypocrisy
The Shia leader is happy to support protesters in Bahrain and Egypt, but he won’t criticise Syria’s violent crackdown.
Last Modified: 22 Jun 2011 16:15
Hassan Nasrallah is in trouble. This time the troubles of the Secretary General of Hezbollah, which were hitherto the source of his strength, are not coming from Israel, or from the sectarian politics of Lebanon. Seyyed Hassan’s troubles, which this time around are the harbingers of his undoing as an outdated fighter, are coming from, of all places, the Arab Spring.
The Arab Spring, the transnational uprising of masses of millions of people from Morocco to Oman, from Syria to Yemen, is making the aging warrior redundant – his habitually eloquent tongue now stuttering for words. Two years ago, he thought he got away with rejecting the democratic uprising in Iran (whose brutal ruling regime is his principle patron and financier), as a plot by the US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.
And he did – aided and abetted by the moral and intellectual sclerosis of a segment of Arab intellectuals who thought Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Islamic theocracy were the vanguard of “resistance” to US/Israel imperialism in the region and thus should be spared from criticism. And then Tunisia happened, and Egypt, and Libya, and Bahrain, and Yemen – and then, Hassan Nasrallah and Ali Khamenei’s nightmare, Syria happened. It is a sad scene to see a once mighty warrior being bypassed by the force of history, and all he can do is to fumble clumsily to reveal he has not learned the art of aging gracefully.
Deja vu
[…]
April 3rd, 2012, 8:48 am
irritated said:
#296 omen
The SNC secular or islamist?
“they can’t be both things. which is it?”
None, a bunch of bitter opportunists trying to grab a power they were made to think was at reach. They fool no one anymore, even the FOS twice gave a tap on the back and told them to unite. How can you ever unite egotistic and greedy power grabbers?
April 3rd, 2012, 9:19 am
Ghufran said:
I know that some of you are religious and some are not, some are Muslims and some are not, but I have joined a number of Syrians who decided to send all of their charity money to Syria this year to support orphans who lost their parent(s) in the last year. I will give ideas about how to do this as soon as I get few questions answered.
April 3rd, 2012, 9:21 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Mjabali
I will turn the question to you.
Why dont you call Bashar to stop the violence immidiately?
There will not be FSA if Bashar did not start this violence, I call on you to admit that Bashar started the violence and he should be to blame
April 3rd, 2012, 9:26 am
irritated said:
#313 Dawood
Read more rantings of Hamid Dabashi, the guy is writing a melodrama, not a realistic view of the situation. For him ‘the Arab Spring’ is a divine event that can only succeed
“The Arab Spring has unleashed the power of ordinary people and staged the public space they occupy and the civic associations they will eventually and inevitably form on that space. The Arab Spring has already given birth to a robust revolutionary gemeinschaft that will stay with these societies no matter who and what is in power.”
On Syria: Where the Left is right and the Right is wrong
Both the Left and the Right in Syria are “statists” – power hungry, reaching to gain control of the state apparatus.
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/02/20122276412929860.html
April 3rd, 2012, 9:36 am
Afram said:
O’boy,the syrians are trapped in a whirlpool of feel or to fear Annan plan?
Vietnamese and Americans talked peace in france while the jungle war was in full force.
where are the syrians dialogue tables?
each side unilaterally try to design & adjust plans for their demise.
Moreover,their attempts would fail to address the main issues.
I see catastrophe, both sides leave us no more purpose point or shape for moderation, Ahlan WA-SAHLAN civil war…!!
Visualize this folks: regime permits opposition demonstrations & counter-demonstration by regime supporters close to each others.
then maximum penetration/suicide bomber drives an explosives-laden car, victims on both sides then pointing fingers at each others, easy to Undermine ANNANS plan by KHALIGIS.
Not hard to figure this one out. What’s harder to do…Is Hit a hole in one! then say peace folks
April 3rd, 2012, 10:06 am
Juergen said:
Wounded Syrians are treated in Germany
For rhe first time, two seriously injured civil war refugees from Syria have been flown to Germany for treatment. The two siblings are treated with massive burn injuries in a Munich hospital. Many donors took over the transport costs.
Tens of thousands of Syrians have since the beginning of the uprising been injured. Well the first time two teenagers seriously injured were flown to Germany for treatment. Since the weekend, according to SPIEGEL ONLINE, a 13-year-old girl and her 17-year-old brother are treated in the Hauner Children’s Hospital in Munich.
The two are from the northwest of Syria, and were in an attack on her house in March severely injured. Large parts of their skin are burned. After fleeing to Lebanon, the siblings were initially treated at a hospital in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli.
The doctors there could indeed save the lives of patients, an adequate supply and further skin grafts were there not possible. Therefore, doctors and journalists, organized with the help of the German Embassy in Beirut their further transport to Germany. Donors took over the costs.
(translated from German)
http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,825511,00.html
April 3rd, 2012, 10:16 am
Son of Damascus said:
Syria: As His Adversaries Scramble for a Strategy, Assad Sets His Terms
By TONY KARON April 3, 2012
That which has not been achieved on the battlefield can rarely be achieved at the negotiation table, and the harsh reality facing Syria’s opposition is that the regime of President Bashar al-Assad has not been defeated, nor is it in danger of imminent collapse. Assad has promised, former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan announced Monday, to begin a partial implementation of Annan’s peace plan by withdrawing troops and heavy weaponry from opposition-stronghold cities on April 10.
In response, Western powers were left warning of unspecified “consequences” for failure to do so, and citing the history of Assad breaking promises. Skepticism from opposition activists on the ground was hardly surprising, but had little effect — they haven’t exactly been party to shaping Annan’s plan, which in itself is a reflection of their relative weakness in the power equation right now.
Formulating a strategy in response to Assad appears to be the role of the Western and Arab powers who’ve backed the exile-based Syrian National Council, and after last weekend’s inconclusive Friends of Syria meeting in Istanbul, they don’t appear yet to have achieved a strategic consensus.
[…]
http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2012/04/03/syria-as-his-adversaries-scramble-for-a-strategy-assad-sets-his-terms/?#ixzz1qzGclIDP
April 3rd, 2012, 10:23 am
DAWOUD said:
I know that many pro-regime folks, particularly the brainwashed American who unashamedly claims that Hamza al-Khateeb was killed by “Saudi terrorists:-), like to quote Lebanon’s al-Akhbar Newspaper (both in English and Arabic). They fail to mention that this newspaper, al-Akhbar, is affiliated with the SECTARIAN Hizballah! Many people don’t know that, and that’s why pro-regime folks like the brainwashed American like to post from it, instead of being more honest and posting from directly from al-Manar TV/newspaper; or from the Hizballah press office 🙂
Below is an Arabic article about the hypocrisy and lack of honesty/principle on the part of the pro-regime media (like al-Akhbar) and personalities-particularly as they criticize al-Jazeera (the Network of the free):
http://aljazeera.net/pointofview/pages/8d07e659-5ff9-40f3-90d5-4ccad1581b62?GoogleStatID=1
“????? ????????”.. ??????? ?????? ????
??? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ??????? ?? ???? “?? ?? ??” ??????? ????? ??????? ????????? ??????? ????????? ??? ???? ????? ????? ????????? ????? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ????????? ????? ?????? ???????? ????? ????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ???????!
[…]
April 3rd, 2012, 10:30 am
Juergen said:
Antonia Rados ( the german version of Christine Amanpour) has aired an controversial report last night in which she accused Muammar Gaddafi for systematically abuse of women.
RTL Reporter Antonia Rados on the trail of the rapist Muammar al-Gaddafi
Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi – now overthrown and killed – was apparently a rapist. Ironically, Antonia Rados found out about it only days after they had met Gaddafi in one of his last interviews in Tripoli. And she decided to pursue these outrageous rumors.
Until the fall of the dictator in August 2011, she researched in secret, then they went another four times to Libya. “The more we researched, the more unbelievable it was,” says Rados, who spoke with Gaddafi’s former bodyguard and his female rape victims to get information. “There were many women who admired and Gaddafi wanted to meet him. Then he raped them.”
Depending on the RTL reporter inquired, the clearer it became that it was not isolated abuse acted, but many women were affected. “We learned about many new victims -. It almost blew the imagination” It was always clear, a certain pattern: Gaddafi used rape as a weapon. Rebel tribes were forced to give him girls as a “gift”.
When the RTL team in the city in western Libya Sawia traveled there to investigate, it met with weeping men. All these years, so they said they had been years of shame. No one was able to talk about the blackmail, neither the mothers nor the fathers of the women. A Quran teacher, the young women had revealed: “At that time no one dared to say this girl, she had been raped by Gaddafi It would have killed her..”
“Gaddafi was crazy. He was violent. I know whereof I speak,” complains one of the victims. “Everyone knew that Gaddafi antippte a woman if he wanted them,” says one teacher, as the Libyan dictator signaled his desire. This gesture is for the secret service have always been the unmistakable reference to bring the woman to him.
According to an insider who had worked for Qaddafi, even international business people knew something about the double life of the dictator. They brought escort girls as a “gift” for Gaddafi, because they knew that these would make it easier doing business with him. In the course of their research Antonia Rados also came across several sources that Gaddafi’s Ukrainian nurses accused of complicity.
They cared about the health official of the Libyan revolutionary leader, they should have secretly carried out in order Gaddafi abortions at his rape victims. For this purpose, even its own clinic was established at the university – in addition to a bedroom of the dictator. To confront the nurses with the allegations, Antonia Rados also traveled to the Ukraine.
While filming the RTL reporter came across a woman who had been admitted for this reason precisely. Antonia Rados: “The story of the taxi driver a year ago I was at first inconceivable, but in the course of my research has unfortunately confirmed everything he told me back then.”
(translated from German)
There is a short video on the homepage, the hour long report has not been posted yet.
http://www.rtl.de/cms/news/rtl-aktuell/das-doppelleben-des-diktators-209f2-51ca-25-1075787.html
April 3rd, 2012, 10:39 am
jad said:
I’m very happy to know that the most sectarian commentators on SC are unhappy with Alakhbar articles, they prefer the ‘Wahabi supremacy’ propaganda of alkhalayjeh.
Back to reality, an interesting article to read:
US keeps eye on Syria, ties in Gulf
By M K Bhadrakumar
Expectations were low that the “Friends of Syria” meeting in Turkey on April Fool’s Day would produce anything significant by way of advancing the agenda of regime change in Syria.
The host country tried very hard to produce a rabbit out of the hat. But the spectacle on the Bosphorus produced only one winner – the United States. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton walked away laughing.
Things got bogged down on several counts. The Syrian opposition remains a motley crowd. The regime of President Bashar al-Assad shows no signs of fatigue and enjoys solid backing of the security and military establishment and bureaucracy. It is lurching toward the political and diplomatic high ground by announcing cooperation with the former United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan’s six-point plan while forcefully changing the ground situation in its favor.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/ND04Ak01.html
April 3rd, 2012, 10:53 am
mjabali said:
Majdkhaldoun;
If my call makes any difference: I call on Bashar al-Assad and the opposition to stop killing each other and using violence as a solution for this chaos. They are all Syrians at the end of the day.
Violence is not going to solve matters as you see. You want to raise the stakes and arm the FSA: ok: what is the result of this other than more violence with uncertainty if Bashar will fall or not. You see that Bashar has strong allies too and they are going to arm him too, and may send him people to fight if the situation called for that: but do we Syrians need this?
Think of the future of Syria as a state and people.
As for who started the violence: now I care less because I worry about the present and the future. Blaming one side now is too late. You stop the killing first then we start looking at what happened after a long needed healing sessions. The bloodshed taking place in Syria now is not good for ordinary Syrians like you and I.
April 3rd, 2012, 11:01 am
Mina said:
Jad,
It is sad to discuss of these massacres and crimes and new victims everyday as accountants but I notice, after the terrifying links you posted of the attack of an hospital in Homs yesterday, that Haaretz reports it “according to Channel 10” today at 10h15, but that Le Monde, BBC etc, have not yet been ordered to speak about it. It is in the way they have been “treating the information” you feel there has always been something fishy.
Instead, Le Monde title is “Rifaat al Asad prend ses distances avec son neveu”, as if they were best friends yesterday…(that’s the title, but in the main article, it says he has been a foe since 1984!) The degree of ignorance of the young journalists nowadays is unbeatable.
April 3rd, 2012, 11:28 am
Mina said:
I am still waiting to hear any comment of Jürgen, SOD, Majed, Uzayr, Tara, about that
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erC5dukbok4
Or do they believe it is infiltrated shabeehas who were in charge of the making-up of these fake videos, including the fake injured child one?
Even the Guardian today has its doubts
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/apr/03/arab-spring-arab-tv-credibility
April 3rd, 2012, 11:37 am
Jad said:
Mina,
I guess you missed these words:
‘We are a hospitable nation’
Hospitable to rich criminals he means
France, UK and Spain Hosting the Butcher of Hama
April 3rd, 2012, 11:39 am
jad said:
Mina,
A new English term is born: ‘Jazeeratized’
Jazeeratized
Al Jazeera is a pan Arab satellite channel recently launching new sub channels in other languages like English, Persian and Turkish, supposed to be unbiased and professional, turned to be biased hawkish and very unprofessional, they had to fabricate info to serve their warmongering in the so called Arab Spring
Mr. X is Jazeeratized, he believes what mass media channels show him without applying his common sense.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Jazeeratized
April 3rd, 2012, 12:08 pm
jad said:
Is the Russian media raising the volume up against the Americans and their allies destructive role in Syria accusing them directly of ‘promoting civil war as official policy towards Syria.’
This is by far the strongest verbal attack against the ‘enemies of Syria’ I read on RT
American ?annibalism in Syria (Op-Ed)
Resolutions calling on Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to step down, the West and its allies have gone ballistic in their desire of regime change.
After February’s veto, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asked US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, “What’s the endgame?”, to which she replied: “The endgame in the absence of us acting together as the international community, I fear, is civil war.”
She wasn’t kidding either, because the US and its allies are doing exactly that: promoting civil war as official policy towards Syria. Foreign Policy (a Washington Post publication) reports on 28th March that Senators John McCain (Republican from Arizona) and “five like-minded lawmakers” submitted a new resolution on Syria before Congress, calling for Congressional “support for arming the opposition against the regime of Bashar al Assad”. The resolution stops short of calling for direct US military intervention, which McCain openly and fully supports, as does Senator Joe Lieberman from Connecticut.
Their goal is to create a consensus on increasing US support for the Syrian opposition, around which US lawmakers can rally. So far, in addition to McCain and Lieberman, the resolution is backed by Republican Senators Lindsey Graham (South Carolina), Jon Kyl (Arizona), Kelly Ayotte (New Hampshire) and John Hoeven (North Dakota). The very powerful pro-Israel lobby AIPAC – American Israeli Public Affairs Committee – couldn’t be happier…
The resolution “supports calls by Arab leaders to provide the people of Syria with the means to defend themselves against Bashar al-Assad and his forces, including through the provision of weapons and other material support, and calls on President Obama to work closely with regional partners to implement these efforts effectively.”
{…}
Alas! An old adage says that when a civilized man captures a primitive cannibal, he may punish him in any way he pleases except…he may not eat him!
Adrian Salbuchi for RT
http://rt.com/news/american-cannibalism-in-syria-salbuchi-126/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
April 3rd, 2012, 12:22 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Mina,
You posted a video from Al Dunnia and you want us to comment on it?
I like my brain cells, don’t need them messed up with Al Dunnia propaganda…
As for the Guardian article here is a titbit you might have missed:
“Once again, people have started relying more on western media to know what’s going on. That is reflected in the number of viewers the BBC Arabic TV channel gained during the past year – reportedly more than 10m while leading Arab channels have been losing viewers.”
Notice that even though I proficient in reading, writing in Arabic I mostly refrain from posting anything from Arabic media…. Full of hyperbole with little facts.
“SOD 245 “First of all those trucks were running over EGYPTIANS not just Copts.”
SNK refers to the Maspero events,
while you refer to either the Muhammad Mahmud Street or the Tahrir events.”
I was referring to Egyptians, in all cases it was Egyptians being run over not just Copts. Last I checked Copts are still Egyptian…
April 3rd, 2012, 12:26 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
????? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ?? ??????? ???????
??????? ???????? ??????? ??? ???? ????????
????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????
?? ??????? ????? ?????
???? ?????? ?????????? ??????? ?????
?? ???? ??? ?????? ???????? ???? ??????? ??????? ?????
???? ??????
April 3rd, 2012, 12:45 pm
Son of Damascus said:
SNK,
What about BBC, NYT, UN, Human Right Watch, Amnesty, ICG, ICC….
Are they all lying or is ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ?
April 3rd, 2012, 12:50 pm
zoo said:
Is Turkey about to loose another regional trading partner?
Iranian suspicion grows over Turkey’s regional role
By Marcus George
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/03/us-iran-turkey-criticism-idUSBRE83207E20120403
DUBAI (Reuters) – A senior Iranian political figure has spoken out against Turkey hosting Iran’s next talks with world powers on its disputed nuclear program, in the latest anti-Turkish broadside from politicians in Tehran, Fars news agency reported late on Monday.
Last month Turkey offered Istanbul as the venue for talks expected to take place on April 13, a proposal which appeared to gather momentum last week when Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said Istanbul would be “the best option”.
Turkey has repeatedly backed Iran’s right to develop peaceful nuclear technology.
..
Once-warm Iranian-Turkish ties have cooled over the past year due to the popular revolt in Syria, Iran’s closest Arab ally and a steadfast backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
..
“Given the fact that our friends in Turkey have failed to fulfill some of our agreements, the talks… had better be held in another friendly country,” said former presidential candidate Mohsen Rezaie, Fars News reported.
Speaking to staff of the Economic Cooperation Organization, a regional trade body with offices in Tehran, Rezaie did not specify what Turkey’s failures were, but said that Baghdad, Damascus or Beirut would be a more suitable venue.
“Offering Istanbul as the venue for the upcoming talks … might give this wrong impression to the opposite side that Iran has grown weak and is in weak conditions,” he added.
Rezaie has been an influential figure in Iranian politics for more than three decades since he was appointed commander in chief of the Revolutionary Guards, the elite force created to protect Iran’s system of theocratic rule.
A critic and electoral rival of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2009, Rezaie is now secretary of the Expediency Council, an influential body that advises Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who directs nuclear policy.
His comments are a rare public criticism of neighboring Turkey, whose prime minister, Tayyip Erdogan, stressed the value of relations with Iran during a visit to Tehran last week.
..
Iranian MP Esmail Kowsari has accused Turkey of being a messenger of the United States and Israel, saying that “it would surely be hated by its own people and other nations in the region because it is hand in hand with the arrogant (Western) powers,” the Iranian Labor News Agency reported on Monday.
Kowsari ridiculed Turkey’s hosting on Sunday of a “Friends of Syria” of mostly Western and Arab countries, which he described as only enemies of Syria.
Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani called the Istanbul event a “conference to bribe Israel” and said regional nations that described Syria as a dictatorship were no better themselves, Fars reported.
Tensions with Turkey over Syria are awkward for Iran, which needs all the regional friends it can get to mitigate the effects of increasingly fierce Western economic sanctions.
April 3rd, 2012, 12:56 pm
zoo said:
Red Cross Proposes Daily Cease-Fires in Syria
By NEIL MacFARQUHAR and RICK GLADSTONE April 3, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/04/world/middleeast/syria-cease-fire.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print
UNITED NATIONS — The Syrian government has agreed to withdraw its security forces from in and around major population centers by April 10, ostensibly paving the way for a general cease-fire two days later, the special envoy told the Security Council on Monday.
In a further sign of outside efforts to slow the violence, the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva said its president would arrive in Damascus, the Syrian capital, on Tuesday to renew his appeal for a daily two-hour suspension of hostilities to facilitate the evacuation of the wounded and the delivery of aid. It was unclear how Syrian officials would respond to the plea from the Red Cross chief, Jakob Kellenberger.
At the United Nations, too, many Security Council members greeted the information from Kofi Annan, the joint special envoy of the United Nations and the Arab League, with a certain skepticism given Syria‘s record of disregarding peace plans it had accepted.
Even Mr. Annan asked the Council to publicly endorse the April 10 deadline as a means of pressuring Syria to respect it, said diplomats who were in a closed-door briefing conducted from abroad by satellite. Mr. Annan also asked that the Council commission contingency plans to deploy United Nations observers should the cease-fire become a reality, the diplomats and United Nations officials said.
Council members moved to make an endorsement, but the idea of sending a United Nations observer mission was expected to be more problematic. Both Russia and China have repeatedly wielded their Council veto power to reject anything that they suspect might result in outside interference.
(…)
April 3rd, 2012, 1:00 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Mjabali
You say violence will not solve the crisis, please tell that to the regime.
you say I am raising the stake by calling to arm the FSA, the only way to convince the regime that violence is useless, is to have balance of power, so arming the FSA is extremely important.
You say bashar has allies, aliies can not afford the cost of this oppression by the regime it will cost billions, there is a limit of allies help.
You say Bashar may not fall, how could a ruler hated by 80% of his people survive? I say almost everyone says he will fall.
You say you do not care who started the violence, you should care, the one who started the violence must pay for his crimes, the present is strongly connected with the past, whoever cause the crisis is the one who should be punished. you say you do not care, this is clear way to mean that you support the tyrant, we care and care deeply, and if you do not care
then you are accomplice with this tyrant.April 3rd, 2012, 1:01 pm
Juergen said:
Mina
come on you know who have the real mastership in fake videos, its Al Dunia and state tv which occupy this field since a long time.
Everyone watching state tv and Al Dunia should consider visting a doctor afterwards.
What do you think by the presidency campaign of Saad Assarir in Egypt? With that elvislike hiptwister he might scare some salafis.
Here is a song by him:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bzyxb4-rjn4#!
I kind of liked his other song more: Bhbak himar, which brings more relevance to our topic…
April 3rd, 2012, 1:05 pm
irritated said:
#329 Jad
A new English term is born: ‘JazeeRATized’
I like it, there is the word RAT in it at the image of HBJ.
April 3rd, 2012, 1:06 pm
irritated said:
#336
“how could a ruler hated by 80% of his people survive”
I guess it is a typing mistake, you meant 8% I am sure.
April 3rd, 2012, 1:09 pm
Mina said:
Jürgen
I have seen this video (the one which is given in full in the al Dunya program linked in my comment above) on France 2 during the 20 PM news. It was given as an evidence of injured children during the Baba Amro bombing. Do you think it helps their case for some to let their destiny in the hands of such people? The people who can go that far can work for both sides in a conflict very easily. You probably know that with all the books you’ve read on WWII.
SOD
I don’t care if the full version was leaked to al Dunya by some people within the “Baba Amro rebels” who thought this was disgusting enough to be leaked. This video has been broadcasted on most major Western networks as evidence of the poor injured girl with an interview of her mother. When you hear (listen from 1’23) the comments in the background and the making-off of the video, with rehearsal, you really better distance yourself from the people who can do that.
April 3rd, 2012, 1:11 pm
Mina said:
Jad, 331
I am afraid that the US, France and the UK have simply decided last year to launch WWIII, simply to cover up their bank and debt crisis.
Now the French news speak of a possible intervention in Mali.
When you realize that the Arab Spring last year was conveniently used to cover (Fukushima and) the regime change in Ivory Coast, you get really worried. Low-scale civil wars in the Middle East to be sure the migrants and investors assets don’t leave the US and the EU, as they had started to do in the last 5 years, and full wars (to be stopped only in case of regime change implementation) in the areas where big business is made (gold, batteries minerals and diverse metals, cacao, uranium, etc.)
April 3rd, 2012, 1:19 pm
bronco said:
Jad
Thanks for you appreciation.
I usually try to read between the lines of the declaration in the press and imagine the rest. I could be wrong and I have been. I thought Erdogan was cool, patient, humble and reasonable but now I see he is agitated, impatient, loud voiced and often unreasonable.
From the start, I had no consideration for Ghalioun and I was right.
I think that a glimpse of hope may come from the FSA leadership and the local opposition as they are not as polluted as the SNC and they care about Syrian lives.
Time will tell if the FSA will be able to join the NCC in a real nationalistic opposition.
April 3rd, 2012, 1:20 pm
mjabali said:
Majdkhaldoun:
Arguing with you gets nowhere. I don’t know if you understand what I write in English. If you want me to answer in Arabic let me know.
AGAIN: violence is no good for any party. Also violence is no good by any party. ?????? ????? ??? ????? ???????
AGAIN: the most important issue now is how to stop the carnage. I will buy any story about who started what just end this violence that is harvesting more Syrians day after day.
You can not control the past but you can work a little on your present to try and predict your future. The Arabs/Muslims are obsessed with the past, something that makes them detached from the realities of the present.
April 3rd, 2012, 1:20 pm
Juergen said:
Some nice cartoons about the arabellion, click through the images
I like number 14 and 24, quite some truth to it.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=197359753681633&set=a.171588122925463.44956.160403040710638&type=1&theater
April 3rd, 2012, 1:22 pm
jad said:
An interesting visit to the FSA camp, what I don’t understand is why those young Syrian soldiers let radicals to infiltrate them and use them, they sound naive comparing to those armed gangs we see footage of attacking the Syrian Army:
???? ??? ?? ????? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ???????
{…}
???? ???? ?? ???? ???
?? ??? ???? ??? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ??????? ?????? ???? ????” ????? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ?? ????? ??? ??????? ???? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ??? ?? ???? ????? ???? ????? ???? ????? ????? ???? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ??????? ??????? ????? ????? ???? ??????? ??? ?????? ???????? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ??? ???? ???? ???? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? “?? ?? ???? ???? ??? ?????”? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ????? ??????? ?????????? ??? ???? ??? ?? ???? ???? ???? ????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ??? ?? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ????????? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ???? ???? “?? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ???? ???? ?? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ????? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ????????? ????????? ???? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ??????? ?????? ????????? ???????? ?? ???? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ?????????? ????? ????? ???? ???? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ??? ?? ???????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ????? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ?? ????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?? ????? ??????”.
{…}
?????? ????? ?????? ????
?????? ???? ????? ????? ????? ???? ??????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? : ??? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ??????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ??? ??????? ????? ????? ????? ??? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ???????? ???? ??????? ?????? ?? ??????? ????? ???????? ????? ?????? ??????? ????? ???? ??????? ??? ???????? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ???????? ??????? ??????? ??? ??????? ???? ??? ??????? ?? ???????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ??????? ??? ???? ???? ” ???? ???? ??? ?????? ? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ????? ????”.
http://www.arabi-press.com/?page=article&id=30543#.T3slrZnGm1I.facebook
April 3rd, 2012, 1:22 pm
zoo said:
Annan plan in action…
UN peacekeepers due in Syria on Thursday
Published Tuesday, April 3, 2012
http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/un-peacekeepers-due-syria-thursday
An advance team from the UN peacekeeping department is expected in Damascus within 48 hours to discuss deployment of observers to monitor a ceasefire in Syria, the spokesman for UN special envoy Kofi Annan said on Tuesday.
“A DPKO (Department of Peacekeeping Operations) planning mission should be arriving in Damascus within 48 hours,” spokesman Ahmad Fawzi said in Geneva.
As part of the six-part peace plan put forward by Annan to halt the fighting, UN peacekeepers are planning for a ceasefire monitoring mission that would have 200 to 250 unarmed observers.
Any such force would need to be backed by a UN Security Council resolution, but both Russia and China, who have vetoed two previous resolutions condemning Syria President Bashar Assad, have said they were willing to support monitors.
The observer mission is also reliant upon a cessation in violence from all sides.
(..)
April 3rd, 2012, 1:30 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Mjabali said
“the most important issue now is how to stop the carnage”
I agree, and the best answer is Run fair, monitored election, no one should be banned, and the people will must be respected
The problem is how to convince the regime to respect the people decision, this regime is corrupt and criminal, and violence happy, this regime must go.
April 3rd, 2012, 1:41 pm
Tara said:
Bronco
Yes. I agree. Ghalioun’s pose is questionable and work is needed to highlight the feminine image of the SNC. I agree they both dressed like men… They are not embracing the feminine part of this revolution. I wish I can advise Basma….
After all perception is more important than reality. Case in point, Asma al Assad and Seif al Islam Quaddafi . They remind me with each other… Both were hailed as reformers with “western” values of freedom and democracy before they were exposed. Now the world knows better. You can be a savage while sporting a high Louboutin heal or Giorgio Armani suits.
April 3rd, 2012, 1:41 pm
Dale Andersen said:
Memo To: MJABALI
RE: “…AGAIN: violence is no good for any party…”
Not so fast, dude. If violence is the only language the other side understands, then you have no choice but to use it. The Assad Mafia was conceived, nurtured and built on violence. It understands no other language. When it dies (and it will), the music at its funeral will be a symphony of violence. So strap yourself in. Bumpy ride ahead.
April 3rd, 2012, 1:43 pm
jad said:
Bronco,
I think we had some discussion about FSA before, and I still have the same views regarding them, they’ve been used as the cover up of a civil war militias.
It’s almost two months after our discussion and it seems that fsa is even more infiltrated by radicals than before, and becomes a mercenaries for khalayjeh and colonial powers.
From the footage I see, I don’t think the fighters of fsa on ground really care about any Syrian lives, they are still using them as human shields and when those innocent Syrians get killed they become propaganda opportunities.
I don’t trust fsa.
April 3rd, 2012, 1:45 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Since election is not possible in the near future, allow peaceful demonstrations
April 3rd, 2012, 1:48 pm
mjabali said:
majedkhaldoun:
You said: “Run fair ,monitored election, no one should be banned, and the people will must be respected”
I have been telling you this from day one. Political parties and peaceful demonstrators can achieve way more than FSA units any time any day. The only thing I would argue is that: ethnic and religious parties should not be encouraged.
April 3rd, 2012, 1:55 pm
Tara said:
The amount of lies being told every day by some regime supporters on SC is unbelievable. I truly believe that no one capable of as much lies unless he/she lies for money. People who lie like this are a disgrace.
And on top of that, they are fooling no one except themselves.
I don’t know what kind of being they are…April 3rd, 2012, 1:58 pm
jad said:
Mina,
I find it funny that a non-Arabic speaking person is showing his objection against the contents of a Syrian TV channels that he doesn’t even watch or understand to have a say in the subject, yet he will say it anyway.
Pity that Syrian TV, Alikhbariyeh and Addounia lost a very important viewer as Herschel Krustofski tsk tsk tsk!I’m sure he understands what the news anchor is saying, I didn’t 😉
?? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ??????? ??????? ????? 3-4-2012
http://youtu.be/R4ac7NTcBTg
April 3rd, 2012, 2:00 pm
Mina said:
Tara,
I have asked you several times to give your opinion on the rehearsed videos. Could you explain me what is your point? I have reiterated my request several times in the last two months.
April 3rd, 2012, 2:05 pm
mjabali said:
Memo to Dale:
If you understand what I wrote you will SEE that I said “all” parties: Assad and opposition. I stand for no use of violence by any party. The text is clear. So, your logic does not apply to what I said. I want to ask you one question since you are a fan of violence vs violence instead of international law vs violence, or passive resistance vs violence.
But wait, I forgot, you are Dale the man who wrote one of the most racist and violent , jokes, remarks and language concerning Alawis here on Syria Comment so everything you speak for should be expected.
Memo with the question:
Dude: Why don’t you put your words into practice and go and fight al-Assad’s forces?
April 3rd, 2012, 2:09 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Mina,
Why don’t you give us your opinion on all the fake videos that Al Dunnia keep posting?
Why don’t you apply the same level of investigative analysis towards the crap that Al Dunnia keeps publishing?
Ever wondered why Al Dunnia has to rely on Youtube videos when these things are happening in their back yard? Videos might I add that were uploaded by the activists everyone is so quick to call terrorists?
Why won’t the regime allow international media in with unfettered access?
If the regimes version of events is true, what are they hiding?
April 3rd, 2012, 2:09 pm
VOLK said:
Russia rejects deadline for Annan’s Syria peace plan
Russia on Monday rejected Arab and Western calls for a deadline to be set for the Syrian regime’s implementation of a peace plan put forward by international mediator Kofi Annan.
“Ultimatums and artificial deadlines rarely help matters,” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said while on a visit to the former Soviet nation of Armenia.
http://news.yahoo.com/russia-rejects-deadline-annans-syria-peace-plan-134728341.html
April 3rd, 2012, 2:16 pm
Uzair8 said:
Do you notice how people give equal weight to the opposing sides. You know how when Isreal carpet bombs Gaza and all you hear from global leaders is call for restraint from both sides? Ignoring the one-sidedness of the situation and without distinguishing between the occupier and the occupied, the oppressor and the oppressed, the senior party and the victim.
Here is an altered version of the scenario posted in #75
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=14191&cp=all#comment-304770
Asking for peace in this situation is like expecting someone who has just returned home from work to find his home in the process of being burgled and ransacked, his family being brutally beaten and killed, and female members of his family being raped, it is like expecting this person, as he steps inside, to ask for peace from all parties in the house (murderers/rapists/ burglers and family alike).
As he steps inside and is confronted by the unfolding horror, he hesitates, deciding not to intervene due to fear of being labelled a ‘terrorist’ by the intruders and their supporters. He instead appeals for restraint from all side.
Would I be right?
April 3rd, 2012, 2:21 pm
jad said:
One of many of Addounia fabrications:
The funeral of three teachers kidnapped and killed in Deir Azzor
????? ??????? ????????? ?? ??? ????? 31-3-2012
http://youtu.be/aCjSaSiMfBM?t=2m
April 3rd, 2012, 2:23 pm
Mina said:
SOD
Al Dunya functions with an old soviet mentality and the “regime anchors” can be really pathetic in their defense of the party. I have no problem with saying that many things in Syria are very much like the fifties, in term of mentality. The newspapers, the university, etc. I have tried to relate that to patriarchy and the peculiar, mafious mediterranean version of tribalism that exists in the Levant in general -including Israel- but no one answered.
Still, that does not change the fact that these rehearsed videos exist, that they have been instrumental in all the developments of the situation in Syria, and that you conveniently refuse to say what you think of it. I have asked Jürgen and Tara for months about it, without any answer.
April 3rd, 2012, 2:31 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Jad,
“One of many of Addounia fabrications:
The funeral of three teachers kidnapped and killed in Deir Azzor”
Where were they when Karam El Zietoun happened, Baba Amr, Idlib, Douma, and countless other atrocities?
Or do they just reserve their sadness and outrage when it happens to minorities, soldiers, and attacks (that they have a special gift to be there when it happens, and somehow no where to be seen when anything else happens)?
I would be inclined to believe them if they told the WHOLE truth, not just what fits their agenda.
HRW, Red Cross, Amnesty, UN… is publishing both sides (and guess which side has been documented so many times that the UN alone has over 1000 documented cases), that is why I am inclined to believe them, and not a word that comes out of that propaganda station.
April 3rd, 2012, 2:38 pm
Mina said:
SOD
On what ground do you say that Karm al Zeytun was committed by shabeehas and not by Islamists?
Killing teachers when they are not from the area is very reminicent of Yemen.
April 3rd, 2012, 2:47 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Mina,
The person you attached (Rafik Letuf) in the youtube video was on that very same segment denying that the Karam El Zeitoun massacre ever happened. He claims to have hours of evidence (just like all State commentators) but never actually shows it to anyone… hmmm why would he do that?
Below is the entire segment with this “expert”, if he is out right lying about Karam El Zeitoun what makes me believe he is saying the truth about anything else?
For the record I commented on this video that Jad first posted back on March 24th.
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=14041&cp=all#comment-303205
April 3rd, 2012, 2:47 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Mina,
“On what ground do you say that Karm al Zeytun was committed by shabeehas and not by Islamists?”
I had posted a video of a survivor (Who was shot) and explained what happened.
(listen at the 1:00 minute mark, he clearly states it was the Shabeeha)
PS the man eventually died from his wounds.
April 3rd, 2012, 2:49 pm
jad said:
Son of Damascus
I thought that you wanted to document every Syrian we lost?
Aren’t those ‘minorities’ part of that project?
Or should we shut up and only count the ‘majority’ side and the hell with the rest of the killed Syrians, they just don’t deserve to be mentioned.
What kind of project are you working on if you ‘inclined’ to believe the ‘propaganda’ of Addounia ‘funerals’ and believes every fart the “Gods” of ‘HRW, Red Cross, Amnesty, UN’ publish?
Good luck with that project, it sounds promising.
April 3rd, 2012, 2:55 pm
Uzair8 said:
#328 JAD
‘Jazeeratized’
Looks like someone or some people have been trying to artificially introduce this previously non-existent propaganda ‘term’ into the Urban lexicon.
Thank’s for bringing it to our attention. It must be exposed and nipped in the bud.
April 3rd, 2012, 2:56 pm
irritated said:
#350 Majedakhaldoon
“Since election is not possible in the near future, allow peaceful demonstrations”
Demonstrate about what? Calling for NATO, Calling for the UNSC, Calling for Turkey, Calling for Bashar to step down? Calling for a Islamic emirate? All these have been heard 1000 times and have lead to nothing but a circle of violence that have encouraged criminals to participate in the chaos.
These young people should be encouraged to join political reunions and parties and actively work together to have their voice heard in a new parliament, government, president elections, not vainly in the streets.
It has become clear that Bashar and his government are here to stay until next elections, so going back to the street to shout, dance, make videos, repeat threats and provoke violence is now a waste of time and energy.
More maturity and realism is now required from the people in the street and the ones who lead them.
April 3rd, 2012, 2:58 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Jad,
“Aren’t those ‘minorities’ part of that project?”
Are you trying to twist my words, I am speaking about Al dunnia not me Jad…
In case your memory is short i’ll repeat what I said:
“Or do they just reserve their sadness and outrage when it happens to minorities, soldiers, and attacks (that they have a special gift to be there when it happens, and somehow no where to be seen when anything else happens)?”
April 3rd, 2012, 2:58 pm
irritated said:
#366 Uzair8 said
‘JazeeRATized’ artificially introduced..
Whatever, it is great addition to the Urban lexicon, congrats to the inventors.
April 3rd, 2012, 3:01 pm
Tara said:
Mina
Sorry Mina, but I do not have the mental energy anymore to get involved in a futile conversation. It has almost been a year since I started on SC and all discussions with you were parallel. To you it is all fabrication except if it involves the Copts in Egypt and the Bahraini rebels. This is not who my psych is built. I abhor human suffering and also abhor those who are not able to sympathize with the generic, non-branded humans. Do not worry about my opinion. It is not likely to change your mind-set. There is no point…
April 3rd, 2012, 3:08 pm
Mina said:
SOD
Sorry, when you have posted this video I saw it then and now again, and I don’t see how it proves anything. A man has been shot in the back, and it is said he is in a civil hospital in Homs on 11th March.
He says he was “there” but we do not know why it should be true, how he was brought to this hospital, why were the women and children slaughtered as on the horrific pictures of the massacre, and not just shot with bullets. The interviewer puts words in his mouth, when he starts about the free syrian army. So what, the fsa happened to pass there and they took this guy with them? There were no more shabeehas in the area? They had done their slaughtered and moved somewhere else?
You can’t rewrite history and pretend that all the massacres in Alergia have been committed by the army, as Jürgen tried.
At some stage, people who can do that are easy to manipulate, and they never know for who they are working (remember the Hamas bombings that would always serve only the interests of the Likud?)
April 3rd, 2012, 3:09 pm
jad said:
Son of Damascus
I’m not twisting anything, you even repeat it as a prove of what I just wrote to you.
Could you please define what ‘minorities’ means in your comment?
Are you or are you not interested in putting the names of all Syrians who we lost? If yes then every name counts, we can’t be picky.
April 3rd, 2012, 3:11 pm
Mina said:
Tara,
You are right. There is no point. Just consider all these fabricated videos are made by infiltrated shabeehas. It will make things easier.
I was waiting for something more elaborate, like a FB ready pasted answer.
April 3rd, 2012, 3:12 pm
Uzair8 said:
@369 Irritated
Isn’t the Urban dictionary about terms that are commonly used in urban culture? This sounds like a new invention and only used in propaganda circles (?)
Should there be a rule that for a term to be added to the Urban dictionary it should have been commonly in use in urban culture for a certain amount of time?
What do you think.
April 3rd, 2012, 3:13 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Jad,
“I’m not twisting anything, you even repeat it as a prove of what I just wrote to you.”
Really?!! You are doing it AGAIN.
I AM TALKING ABOUT AL DUNNIA HYPOCRISY, not about ME.
Again since your memory is so bad, here what I wrote:
“Where were they when Karam El Zietoun happened, Baba Amr, Idlib, Douma, and countless other atrocities?
Or do they just reserve their sadness and outrage when it happens to minorities, soldiers, and attacks (that they have a special gift to be there when it happens, and somehow no where to be seen when anything else happens)?”
You again are trying to avoid answering me by throwing baseless accusations about me, and questioning me about who is and is not a minority.
April 3rd, 2012, 3:19 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Mina,
Why would someone that was just shot, tortured, had gasoline poured on him, witness the death of his family members be lying about who perpetrated the crimes? (and eventually DIED FROM HIS WOUNDS)
You make no sense at all…
April 3rd, 2012, 3:21 pm
jad said:
Son of Damascus,
Please stop hiding behind your fingers, atrocities and killing is happening both ways, the other side is no angels as you might think.
Just yesterday I posted a development of a massacre happened in Homs hospital and committed by the terrorists who filmed themselves doing it and later on I post the results of that attack in numbers by no other than the LCC, yet you came back with:
“As for the hospital you seem so worried about, does it not seem odd to you that there are snipers nests on top of those hospitals, since when do hospitals need snipers nests exactly, and what makes you so sure that the atrocities that have been committed in those hospitals will be the doing of the FSA? Was this not the same criminal regime exposed torturing the wounded in State Hospitals?”
Yet you want me to throw all that out and only read ‘Gods’ organizations’ statements and ignore Addounia and the Syrian TV Well, I’m sorry, I wont. Syrian TV, Alikhbaryeh, Addounia and Sana are the Syrian national only media and I’ll read them and watch their news exactly as I do watch and listen to other media, I’m not going to box myself in one sided world and claim that this is the only reality I believe, it’s not what I’m interested in.
April 3rd, 2012, 3:21 pm
jad said:
Son of Damascus
What is the ‘minorities’ you meant? Stop playing ignorant.
April 3rd, 2012, 3:22 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
Wahabis abnoring goes off when crimes are committed by wahabis.
April 3rd, 2012, 3:23 pm
zoo said:
The concluding paragraphs of the article posted by SOD #320
Syria: As His Adversaries Scramble for a Strategy, Assad Sets His Terms
By Tony Karon April 3, 2012
….
Assad will likely seek to take advantage of that disarray to implement a version of Annan’s plan on his own terms. Thus the comment by a regime spokesman last Friday that the security forces would not withdraw from cities in which they have operated against rebels until “normal life” had been restored, although others have claimed that the military campaign is largely over and that the regime is simply “mopping up.” Either way, the April 10 date allows for at least another week of that — and, of course, there’s no guarantee that rebel units on the ground will comply, which regime forces would take as a pretext to continue their operations.
Even if the “Friends of Syria” had agreed on a strategy to reverse the imbalance between the regime and its opponents, such a strategy would take many months to have much effect. It’s not going to happen before the Annan plan goes into effect. And the balance of forces on the ground, and internationally, is such that Annan’s best leverage in persuading Assad to do his bidding is the support of China and Russia for his mission. The Russians, however, have made clear they are sympathetic to Assad’s insistence that a restoration of peace puts an onus on rebels to halt their armed actions. The regime’s game will be to stay onside with Moscow, and Annan may have to devote much of his energy to persuading the Russians to back his vision on implementing the plan.
One way to ensure compliance would be to insert peacekeeping forces, but the regime is unlikely to accept foreign troops on its territory, and it has not been sufficiently weakened to be compelled by international pressure to do so. Much will depend on how it conducts itself in the coming weeks, as it seeks to implement the peace plan on its own terms to ensure that it stays on top. But it remains vulnerable to political opposition. Indeed, the most dangerous aspect of the Annan plan for the regime may be the requirement that it allow space for a resumption of political protest, under international monitoring. Right now, Assad may have more to fear from massive crowds protesting in his cities than he does from insurgent fighters. After all, his forces had opened fire on those protesters long before the opposition turned to arms.
Read more: http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2012/04/03/syria-as-his-adversaries-scramble-for-a-strategy-assad-sets-his-terms/#ixzz1r0UEmlfm
April 3rd, 2012, 3:24 pm
Tara said:
Hyenas can’t help not being hyenas. They are genetically programmer as such
http://news.yahoo.com/syria-sends-more-troops-despite-peace-deal-092304049.html
Syria steps up assault as UN moves to send monitors
AFP – 16 mins ago
Fierce clashes erupted on Tuesday as Syria’s regime sent reinforcements into rebel areas despite a truce pledge, and the UN said it was rushing a team to Damascus to pave the way for peace monitors.
The surge in violence killed at least 38 people, including 25 civilians, mostly in north and central Syria, and saw a string of arson attacks on homes, activists and monitors said.
It came a day after peace envoy Kofi Annan told the UN Security Council that President Bashar al-Assad had given assurances he would “immediately” start pulling back his forces and complete a military withdrawal from urban areas by April 10.
Foreign Minister Walid Muallem on Tuesday pledged Syria would do its utmost to ensure the success of a Red Cross mission as he met the organisation’s head, Jakob Kellenberger, who was in Damascus to seek a daily humanitarian ceasefire.
….
Washington said on Tuesday that Assad was failing to live up to pledges for a truce.
“The assertion to Kofi Annan was that Assad would start implementing his commitments immediately to withdraw from cities. I want to advise that we have seen no evidence today that he is implementing any of those commitments,” US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters.
In Geneva, a spokesman for Annan said the office of the UN-Arab League envoy expected a “UN advance team on the deployment of monitors to arrive in Syria in the next 48 hours.”
April 3rd, 2012, 3:35 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Jad,
“Please stop hiding behind your fingers, atrocities and killing is happening both ways, the other side is no angels as you might think”
I am not hiding from anything, I use my real email address. I know one of the people that helped start this blog rather well (he happens to not agree with my point of view). If you would like I will ask the moderator to send you my email and my real name. People in the regime HAVE THREATENED ME (as in my life), I am not scared of them, or anyone else for that matter.
The only reason I use Son of Damascus as my handle is because I value my anonymity online.
Yes I know there is no angels, crimes are being committed by BOTH SIDE, HOWEVER one side is propagating the majority of the atrocities that AL Dunnia TV/AlAkhbariyeh/SANA conveniently forgets to mention anything about it, that is what I am talking about, NOT ME.
“What is the ‘minorities’ you meant stop playing ignorant.”
I guess you forgot that Syria enjoys many different proud cultures and holy religions (or you are trying to paint me as a sectarian fool, my wife happens to be a Christian, and the decision when we have kids will be left up to them which one they choose) below are a few in case you forgot:
Armenians, Assyrians, Alawis, Kurds, Palestinians, Shia, Druze, Christians…
April 3rd, 2012, 3:37 pm
Jad said:
Bronco
I doubt that fsa will be able to be part of the solution
??????: ???? ???? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????
???????? 03 ????? 2012? ??? ????? 19:19
???? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ??? “??? ???? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ???? ??????? ??????? ???? ?????? ? ????? ????? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ??? ??? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ??????? “. ???? ????? “???????? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ????? ????? ???????”.
?? ??? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ?? “?????? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ???? ????? ???? “? ????? ??? “?????? ????? ?????? ??? ??? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ??????”? ?????? ??? “?? ??? ???? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ?????”.
???? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ????: “???????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???????? ???? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?????????? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ????? ??? 4 ?? ? 8 ???? ??? ???????? ????? ????? ???? ??? ??????? ??? 1 ???? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ?? ???? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?? ?? ???? ????? ????? ????? ?????? “.
?????? ?? “?????? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ????????? ?????? ??????”.
http://www.elnashra.com/news/show/458375/??????-????-????-?????-?????-????-??????-??????-??
April 3rd, 2012, 3:52 pm
Uzair8 said:
“We will not turn our backs on the Syrian people, we will not leave the Syrian people to their own fate,” Erdogan told a meeting of his ruling AK Party on Tuesday.
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/turkey-apr-3-2012-2157
Ok were gonna have the rebel salaries paid and now, as suggested on ‘the walls’, the SNC should address economic concerns presenting an economic plan funded by wealthy gulf allies.
We will then have a (temporary caretaker) government in waiting (capable of paying government employee salaries) and future army. All that would then be required would be for Turkey to intervene militarily and chase away the regime (only good for ‘fighting’ helpless civilians).
Your Excellency. Honourable Prime Minister. We shall take you at your word.
April 3rd, 2012, 3:59 pm
Uzair8 said:
Just read about the formation of a new battalion ‘Knights of Aleppo’.
What a great name! Evoking Middle Age honour and chivalry. The exact opposite of the wild regime hordes.
Long live the FSA!
April 3rd, 2012, 4:14 pm
Jad said:
Dear Son of Damascus
Do you really need to explain to me your intention? Come on! are you calling me stupid 🙂
Look, my point is exactly similar to yours, you are calling the Syrian media biased and one sided and I’m calling the other side of the WORLD’s media of being biased and propaganda machine.
If we both want to fully believe one side of the conflict we both lose and become prisoners of our own believes which is not what we both want, right?
No need to prove me anything, I already believe in you since the first exchange we had 🙂
I respect you, I trust you and believe in your noble intentions, keep doing and writing in what you believe is right, you hold one pieace of the better future for all of us and many other Syrians are holding their owns, we need all the pieces to go out of this mess, the only thing we need to do as Syrians is to keep talking to each others non of us can afford to survive alone.
April 3rd, 2012, 4:17 pm
Hopeful said:
I have one question for the regime’s supporters on this forum, and one question for the opponents. I ask you to be honest with yourselves before you answer and think with your mind not your emotions.
My question to the regime supporters: Do you believe that, after all what happened in the past year, Bashar Assad will still be able to lead Syria out of this crisis; or is it time to look for an alternative that both sides can agree on? You may love the guy, but is he the right leader under the current circumstances?
My question to the regime opponents: If the regime falls tomorrow and Assad gets on a plane and leaves Syria, who is the person who can take charge and prevent Syria from falling into an anarchy and a full-fledged civil war? You may hate the guy’s guts, but what happens to Syria if he disappears tomorrow?
April 3rd, 2012, 4:23 pm
jad said:
…
April 3rd, 2012, 4:30 pm
Michel said:
Is this the website where I will finally find regime supporters that can admit that the regime is committing atrocities against political dissenters? let’s hope such people exist!
April 3rd, 2012, 4:52 pm
jad said:
Bab Al7art Part 6
Very entertaining, prayers, poetry, singing, shishe, teens, the ugly flag next to ksa flag (or Alqaeda) not sure and lots of weapons. Enjoy the show!
????? ????? ????? ???????? ????? ?????? ???? +18
http://youtu.be/fENPUX4fA5w
April 3rd, 2012, 5:01 pm
Uzair8 said:
Isn’t the phrase ‘fierce clashes’ over-used and frustrating? When one is keenly waiting for news from a conflict, and this term comes up, it captures the interest but doesn’t really tell you anything.
From AJE Syria blog comment section:
‘Damascus suburbs: Fierce clashes between free Syrian army and regime’s army in each Harasta, Moaddamiya and Misraba
15 minutes ago’
April 3rd, 2012, 5:02 pm
Tara said:
Michel
No. Wrong address. This is the site of “see no evil”, “blame the victim” , and “feel no remorse”. Welcome. Let’s see what your is label going to be. They call me Teuteu. I have allowed it on once, But do not worry, we have a nice sensitive moderator who watch out for all of us.
April 3rd, 2012, 5:03 pm
Alan said:
http://www.strategic-culture.org/
Syrian army kills eight terrorists in Idlib, frees 66 in Homs
News | 03.04.2012 | 06:23
The Syrian army has killed at least eight armed men in fresh clashes in northwestern city of Idlib, while freeing 66 people kidnapped by armed terrorist gangs in Homs.
Eight terrorists were killed as fresh clashes broken out between the Syrian army and armed groups in the northwestern city of Idlib on Monday. There are no reports on possible casualties from the Syrian army.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Army has managed to free 66 people kidnapped by armed groups in the western city of Homs.
Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March 2011 and many people, including security forces, have lost their lives in the violence.
The West and the Syrian opposition accuse the government of killing the protesters. But Damascus blames ”outlaws, saboteurs and armed terrorist groups” for the unrest, stating that it is being orchestrated from abroad.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on February 20 that “some foreign countries” are fueling the turmoil in Syria by supporting and funding “armed terrorist groups fighting against the government.”
[…]
[
Xinhua: Syria Media Slams “Friends of Syria” Meeting as Deformed
Official Syrian media launched on Monday a scathing criticism on the “Friends of Syria” conference held a day earlier in Turkey’s Istanbul, describing it as deformed and an attempt to “bury the mission of Arab League (AL)-UN joint envoy Kofi Annan.”
Al-Thawra daily said the conference was an attempt to ” circumvent political solution and to bury Annan’s mission.”
Al-Baath newspaper said in an editorial titled “a new failure” that the conference had turned into a “platform for aggressive and provocative statements against Syria that encourage more bloodshed. ”
It said the conference was an attempt to “blow up and derail” Annan’s mission, adding “it was normal for this deformed conference to fail … as the participants would be obliged sooner or later to acknowledge that the steadfastness of the Syrians throughout the past months and their gathering around their leadership … have enable Syria to go beyond the crisis, fall all bets and win the battle.”
Tishrin daily said the conference has consolidated the presence of a regional and international orientation that runs counter to the content of Annan’s initiative.
“There is an orientation towards a field and political escalation … to slam doors before any political solution to the crisis.” it said, adding that this stance has raised a question about Annan’s position towards these practices and policies that impede the success of his mission.
Tishrin also criticized some countries’ decision to arm and submit financial aids to the Syrian opposition, saying “this demonstrate the size of foreign involvement in fueling events in Syria.”
On Sunday, representatives from more than 80 countries voiced support for the Syrian opposition as they met in the Turkish city of Istanbul, seeking to mount international pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government to stop the year-long violence and agree on a peaceful political transition.
The meeting agreed to recognize the opposition broad-based Syrian National Council (SNC) as a legitimate representative of all Syrians and an umbrella organization for Syrian opposition groups.
The conference also vowed to render all possible assistance, both technical advice and direct support, to a Syria-led political process that is peaceful, orderly and stable. It also agreed to continue and increase, as a matter of urgency, its assistance, including funding and financial support, to meet the needs of the Syrian people.
Washington will offer another 12 million U.S. dollars in humanitarian aid for Syria’s embattled population, and will also provide communication equipment to help the opposition forces evade government attacks.
[…]
April 3rd, 2012, 5:12 pm
jad said:
A ‘documentary’ of the massacre attack by the terrorists (they look like Alqaeda, shaved heads and long beards) against the National Hospital in Homs, no final number of the Syrians killed in this holy ‘Ghazwa’:
??? – ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? 2-4-2012 +18
http://youtu.be/4VvU2nfmgf8
April 3rd, 2012, 5:16 pm
omen said:
312. Ales said:
ales, please define who is “these”? you left it ambiguous. regime? or opposition?
i don’t condone revenge killings, but you tell me, who light the fuse to cause people to seek retribution?
but here, there is a solution to prevent vigilantism. from the brilliant andrew tabler:
April 3rd, 2012, 5:24 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
I did not know that Ali Habib died, can someone tell us how he died
April 3rd, 2012, 5:27 pm
omen said:
313. ((((DAWOUD)))) said:
🙂
April 3rd, 2012, 5:30 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
Like Alaaroor,Alzoahri and Birnard levy.
April 3rd, 2012, 5:39 pm
jad said:
????? ?????!
Kidnapping poor Syrians and forcing them to nod their heads in agreement with whatever the terrorist behind the camera is saying, so convincing!
Is HRW documenting these statements?
??? ????? ? ???????? ?????? ????? ???
http://youtu.be/Koncb0FkG2o
April 3rd, 2012, 5:55 pm
omen said:
per cnn last night, citizen journalist ali othman has been capture by the regime. it is feared he is being tortured and might be killed.
please call and write u.s. syria embassy and demand he be released.
[email protected]
(202) 232-6316
April 3rd, 2012, 5:58 pm
Uzair8 said:
Just reading the FSA page on wiki after along time. It used to be very short and not updated. Worth checking out. Particularly the FSA operations. Rastan, Brigadier-General Salman al-Awaja incident, the heartbreaking unsuccessful Idlib defection etc.
Long live the FSA!! Can strike anywhere, anytime.
‘This if true is highly significant; it is the first attack of this kind within the capital itself and would lend weight to the Free Syrian Army’s claim that it can strike anywhere in Syria.'</small
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Syrian_Army
April 3rd, 2012, 6:08 pm
irritated said:
#400 Omen
What is citizen journalist? Never heard that term.
You mean a protester equipped with communication equipments and video camera and video editing equipments supplied by Qatar and KSA, using Skype on internet supplied by Syriatel to send sensitive information to Al Jazeera and Haaretz.
Well, if he is doing illegal and spying activities that proved to be threat to the security of the State, like in any other countries, he will be jailed and brought to justice. It will be up to him to prove his innocence. Maybe the NYT could for an international lawyer to help him but no one can’t call a government to release a suspicious person.
April 3rd, 2012, 6:12 pm
omen said:
what snakes this regime is!
April 3rd, 2012, 6:15 pm
omen said:
irritated – slaughtered or alive, you blame the victim. there is a word for such callousness.
April 3rd, 2012, 6:18 pm
jad said:
??????? ???????? 3-4-2012.mp4
http://youtu.be/MJqLpN5LNsw
Here is the link of the original interview with Ali Hashem
http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=8106
http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33&Itemid=74&jumival=854
April 3rd, 2012, 6:22 pm
jad said:
“Long live the FSA!! Can strike anywhere, anytime.”
Hopefully it strikes your cave in Tora Bora.
April 3rd, 2012, 6:24 pm
Juergen said:
Mina
you ask me the other day if i have seen the Marlboro campaign in Berlin. Yes, and thats the answer of some creative soul:
http://fuckyouverymuch.dk/post/20426730304/we-keep-it-real
April 3rd, 2012, 6:24 pm
omen said:
Peter Jones: Aung Sang Suu Kyi an object lesson for Syria
problem with this op-ed is that the writer assumes the burma revolution is done. it’s not.
April 3rd, 2012, 6:56 pm
jad said:
Damascus: Syrian troops start withdrawal
Syrian troops have begun withdrawing from some cities and returning to their bases, Damascus says. This comes as a part of the UN-Arab League plan to stop the bloodshed in the country and get the government and opposition to the negotiation table.
The government’s forces have only retreated from the calmer cities, reports the Associated Press quoting a government official, while hotspots have only seen redeployment as soldiers took positions on the outskirts.
The news comes several days after Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad accepted a peace plan requiring forces loyal to him to cease fire and withdraw from cities by April 10. If this is implemented, rebel fighters will have 48 hours to halt military operations. The aim is to bring all hostilities to an end by April 12.
The plan, brought to Syria by UN and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan, also calls for an immediate daily two-hour halt to fighting so that aid groups can reach suffering civilians.
It remains unclear whether the Free Syrian Army, one of the major opposition groups battling Assad’s forces in Syria, will abide by the ceasefire.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Syria had informed them that it has started implementing the peace plan.
{…}
http://rt.com/news/syria-withdraws-troops-ceasefire-173/
April 3rd, 2012, 7:02 pm
omen said:
401. Uzair8 said:
Just reading the FSA page on wiki after along time. It used to be very short and not updated. Worth checking out. Particularly the FSA operations.
i remember being astonished the first time reading about how libya rebels lured a regime tank for ambush and were able to capture it.
once rebel forces learn insurgency tactics such as these, they add to their bag of tricks and expand their repertoire. and then it’s just a matter of time for the regime to fall. can you hear the clock ticking, bashar?
bwahahaha!
Long live the FSA!! Can strike anywhere, anytime.
April 3rd, 2012, 7:13 pm
MICHEL said:
The salafi terrorist Noura Aljizawi was arrested by the glorious patriotic security forces/army whose sole goal is to protect the syrian people (protect the regime? what are you smoking?). Thank god, I couldn’t sleep at night knowing that such terrorists were freely roaming around.
http://www.facebook.com/free.noura.aljizawi
! ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ?????
April 3rd, 2012, 7:18 pm
Mawal95 said:
#296 asked: How can the SNC be faulted for being, on one hand, secular westernized expats out of touch with what’s happening on the ground… and, on the other hand, a trojan horse of muslim brotherhood members intent on handing down sharia law. They can’t be both things. Which is it?
Answer: They are both things. Surely you’ve heard repeatedly that the SNC lacks unity and has been unable to produce statements of political vision because of a lack of internal consensus. The SNC did produce a consensus statement on 27 mar 2012 which I linked to above.
If you read that statement you’ll see it’s thoroughly secular. But outside the SNC there’s a widespread assessment that the MB wing of the SNC is going along with this just temporarily and just to please the SNC’s patrons in the Western countries.
An example of this widespread assessment is the commenter quoted by MINA at #307:
“The revolution will have to be judged by its destination, not its origin; its outcome, not its proclamations…. The more sweeping the destruction of the existing order, the more difficult establishment of domestic authority is likely to prove…. At this writing, traditional fundamentalist [religous] political forces, reinforced by alliance with radical revolutionaries, threaten to dominate the process.” http://hanan-revue.blogspot.com/2012/03/new-doctrine-of-intervention.html
PS: Here’s a video tour of Bab Amr streets recorded by a member of the Syrian army sitting on top of a tank driving through the streets. Apparently recorded just after the army took full control of the streets a few weeks ago. Shows the soldiers in good spirits. Shows extensive damage to buildings that I haven’t seen previously. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymRM44nRWek
PS: Nasty looking machine gun said to be owned by a rebel in Homs on 30 Mar 2012: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=284007818340047&set=a.121012647972899.23699.120873964653434&type=1&ref=nf
April 3rd, 2012, 7:27 pm
omen said:
mawal, are you trying to suggest one man with a machine gun destroyed bab amr? come now.
your “doubts” could easily be resolved if only assad would allow in UN observers to document the mayhem. but he’s unwilling to do so. wonder why.
MINA at #307: “The revolution will have to be judged by its destination…The more sweeping the destruction of the existing order, the more difficult establishment of domestic authority is likely to prove.
what of assad destroying order? how many towns and cities is he going to demolish?
assad throws the vase against the wall and you fault the opposition for failing to piece it back together again flawlessly.
April 3rd, 2012, 8:27 pm
jna said:
once rebel forces learn insurgency tactics such as these, they add to their bag of tricks and expand their repertoire. and then it’s just a matter of time for the regime to fall.
It’s a self-absorbed mistake to disregard that the army learns tricks also. Have you noticed their success lately?
April 3rd, 2012, 8:31 pm
ann said:
Tanker with Syrian oil passes through Egypt’s Suez – Tue Apr 3, 2012
The M.T. Tour, a tanker identified by the United States as owned by a sanctions-evading company set up by Iran, passed through Egypt’s Suez Canal on Tuesday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/03/egypt-suez-tanker-idUSL6E8F3AWS20120403
The ship, owned by ISIM Tour Ltd, had been held up by Egyptian authorities for five days for not paying passage fees through the canal, which guarantees a right of passage to all ships during war and peacetime.
A canal official said the 81,000-tonne M.T. Tour was carrying crude from Syria to Singapore, and had been “allowed to pass through the Suez Canal, after paying the required fees”.
Reuters reported on Friday that the M.T. Tour was shipping a cargo of 120,000 tonnes of Syrian crude to a state-run Chinese company.
The official added that the tanker had come from Syria and was heading to Singapore. He said it had been carrying a Maltese flag but was now registered under a Bolivian flag. The official had no knowledge of any link with Iran.
Malta said on Sunday it was delisting the M.T. Tour on learning that it was carrying Syrian oil in breach of international sanctions. [ what international sanctions? 8) ]
[…]
April 3rd, 2012, 8:31 pm
Tara said:
Israel predicts few casualties from war with Iran
Assessment presented to security cabinet forecasts fewer than 300 casualties during three weeks of rocket attacks
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/iran-blog/2012/apr/03/israel-few-casualties-war-with-iran
The Israeli defence minister, Ehud Barak, last November sought to allay fears of a high number of civilian casualties in a conflict resulting from an attack on Iran. “There’s no chance in such a situation for 500,000 killed, not 5,000 or even 500 killed,” he told Israel Radio.
According to the recent security assessment, Iran’s conventional missile capabilities are limited.
On other fronts, Hamas has said it will not be drawn into a conflict between Israel and Iran, and Syria’s internal turmoil may hamper its ability to engage in an external conflict. However, Hezbollah in Lebanon would be expected to target missiles from its large arsenal towards Israel, which would in turn deploy its Iron Dome anti-missile defence system.
(…)
April 3rd, 2012, 8:41 pm
omen said:
from pat lang’s blog, a former special forces officer:
April 3rd, 2012, 8:50 pm
Tara said:
Syria under a curse. From one thug to another thug.
Syria: Bashar al-Assad’s uncle Rifaat says he will not hold on to power for much longer
Rifaat al-Assad, the exiled uncle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has said it is unlikely his nephew can hold on to power for much longer.
By Chris Irvine, agencies10:41AM BST 03 Apr 2012
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9182788/Syria-Bashar-al-Assads-uncle-Rifaat-says-he-will-not-hold-on-to-power-for-much-longer.html
In an interview with the BBC, Rifaat, 73, who led a military assault on Hama in 1982 to suppress an uprising, killing up to 40,000, said: “The problems are now general to all parts of Syria – there are no places that have escaped violence – so I don’t think he can stay in power.
“I would say, though, that he should stay so he can co-operate with a new government and offer the experience he has.”
Despite his comments, he insisted that the Assad family was still “pretty much accept by the Syrian people.”
Rifaat has lived in exile since unsuccessfully attempt to seize power from his brother Hafez, in the 1980s.
His comments came as fierce clashes broke out Tuesday between Syrian troops and rebels as the regime sent reinforcements into some hot spots, despite a pledge by President Bashar al-Assad to implement a peace plan.
(..)
April 3rd, 2012, 8:52 pm
Tara said:
Erdogan seems very inflamed or is it a show?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17602136
Syria unrest: Turkey says UN ‘supports’ repression
Mr Erdogan says Turkey will not turn its back on the Syrian people
Turkey PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) of indirectly supporting the oppression of the Syrian people by failing to unite on Syria.
Mr Erdogan said the UNSC was standing by with its “hands and arms tied” while the Syrian people were dying every day.
What we have seen since 1 April is not encouraging and should the government of Syria use this window, rather than to de-escalate, to intensify violence, it would be most unfortunate.
Mr Erdogan said by not taking a decision on Syria, the UN Security Council had “indirectly supported the oppression. To stand by with your hands and arms tied while the Syrian people are dying every day is to support the oppression”.
Read more..
April 3rd, 2012, 9:00 pm
Tara said:
US ambassador warns Syria regime over violence
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17605952
Ms Rice warned Syria not to intensify the violence in the days before 10 April
America’s ambassador to the UN has warned Syria not to intensify violence in the days leading up to a ceasefire proposed by the UN and Arab League.
Susan Rice said the Security Council must respond urgently if Syria failed to keep its pledge to end military operations by 10 April.
Ms Rice said that “from the US point of view, and I think the point of view of many member states, what we have seen since April 1 is not encouraging”.
She said the US was “concerned and quite sceptical that the government of Syria will suddenly adhere to its commitments”.
If the Syrian authorities use the time up to 10 April to intensify rather than decrease the violence, the Security Council would “need to respond to that failure in a very urgent and serious way”, she said.
April 3rd, 2012, 9:13 pm
Ghufran said:
Rifaat Alassad will probably die in exile, his only chance of returning alive is if Syria gets divided along sectarian lines because there are still people in Syria, mostly hit men who were paid by him and few corrupt business men who dealt with him, who still think he has something to offer. The Saudis always had good relations with him, there is also a connection between him and the royal family through previous marriages.
Europe may still allow some members of Alassad family and his inner circle to flee to Europe if that becomes a necessity for those members because money speaks louder than ethics for most governments.
CNN put a summary of Rifaat’s interview, he expresses his disrespect for Bashar and his admiration of Hafez, he did not mention his friend, Khaddam, and he insisted that the Hama massacre was a fight between the MB and the state.
Nobody takes the man seriously, he is lucky he is not in prison, ask the EU why.
April 3rd, 2012, 9:30 pm
Halabi said:
This a pro-Bashar demonstration in Deir al-Zour. I would love to read a few paragraphs of analysis by Mawal or Mina on this scene, especially who these people are, what are they thinking, who they represent. They obviously love Bashar and Syria, they are completely secular, tolerant and full of life. Something along those lines…
http://youtu.be/jADl-_hl0W0
Notice the armed men guarding the demonstration. They seem to have a civilian pickup truck and aren’t wearing uniforms. Are they legitimate police officers? It sure doesn’t look like it. According to menhebak logic they are armed gangs. The Syrian military to shell their homes, burn them to the ground and force their families into exile.
But that won’t happen because these armed gangs protect everything that is good in this world: Bashar and his cronies.
April 3rd, 2012, 9:37 pm
Afram said:
are-jihadists-crazy?
http://www.meforum.org/3190/are-jihadists-crazy
April 3rd, 2012, 9:37 pm
Alan said:
Damascus: Syrian troops start withdrawal
http://rt.com/news/syria-withdraws-troops-ceasefire-173/
This is the judgement day, If West still goes ahead with their plan of Arming the Opposition, It should not be tolerated and BRICS should declare those as ACT of terrorism. As US and their Allies are literally trying to support those whose intention towards their government and their country citizens is fake, The people of Syria should realise this game of US. They always made other do their dirty work and later cleaned those who did their dirty work.
Every countries who support arming the opposition should be dealted harshly and BRICS should start international sanctions as US and their idiot allies does under the Fake and ugly organization, NATO. but i wonder what is this UN (US boot licker) will do for anyone else in this world.
April 3rd, 2012, 9:38 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
SOD
What about ?????? ?????? ????? ???????
What about ?????? ?????? ???? ??? ??????
How many people get their numbers from
The Dajjal Rami?
Have you really seen any fair and balanced network about Syria?
I am talking about criminal activities practiced by
Aljazera, Alarabia and Alwissal not about idiots
Like BBC and NY times who are as smart as John
McCain who is advocating bombing Syria like SNC
Idiots.
April 3rd, 2012, 9:39 pm
omen said:
do we know about the kinds of programs henry kissinger sanctioned in latin america? nevermind his record in vietnam.
April 3rd, 2012, 9:54 pm
Tara said:
Basma is providing a very good vision. Implement Annan plan in it’s entirety. Bashar to delegate his powers to a caretaker, then an interim government composed of the opposition and regime figures who have no blood on their hands.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/negotiation-can-start-only-if-al-assad-steps-down-snc.aspx?pageID=238&nID=17619&NewsCatID=338
Negotiation can start only if al-Assad steps down: SNC
ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News
SNC spokeswoman Basma Qadmani rejects a compromise between the SNC and the ruling al-Assad regime
The Syrian National Council (SNC) can only engage in negotiations for a political transition if al-Assad hands over power to an interim government composed of the opposition and people from the regime with “no blood on their hands,” a Syrian dissident has said.
“First, the items of the Annan plan should be fully implemented before we speak about a political process,” SNC spokeswoman Basma Qadmani said in an interview with Hürriyet Daily News yesterday, referring to the plan outlined by U.N. envoy Kofi Annan.
“We never speak about an open dialogue,” Qadmani said, adding that negotiations could only start based on a clear plan, carrying international guarantees. She said the Annan plan was an expression of the kind of international support that could be provided. “For us, this plan contains modalities for a transition to a different political system in Syria.”
Qadmani rejected the idea of a compromise between the SNC and the ruling al-Assad regime. “While the regime calls for open dialogue and compromise between parties, we see this is not a valid point of departure. The point of a departure is a plan, which will then set the modalities for transition to democracy,” she added.
The first move should be to get the president delegate his powers to a figure in an interim government, Qadmani said.
“We could have a caretaker and this caretaker would then be responsible for setting up a government or calling a government that is composed of the opposition and people from the regime, acceptable people who have no blood on their hands and were not directly involved in the repression,” she stated. That government could then carry the transition period forward in all dimensions security, political, institutional and economic, Qadmani added.
April 3rd, 2012, 9:58 pm
jad said:
It’s official, fsa are not only radical terrorists they are also mercenaries and traitors they are not looking for any BS of freedom, democracy or dignity, their only paid mission is to destroy the Syrian State and help its enemies take over all of us for money, there shouldn’t be any forgiveness for those paid traitors.
???????? ????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ????????? ??? ???? “????”???????
???????? ??????? ????? ?? ?????? ???????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? “?? ?????” ??????? ????????? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ????????? ?? ?????
???? ? ????? ? ??????? ( ???) : ???? ????? ?????? ???? ??”???????” ?? ???????? ????????? ?? ????????? ??????? ???????? ?????????? ?? ???? “?????? ????????” ? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ? ???? ” ???? ????” ?? ???????? ??????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ” ??????” ( ??? 3) ?? ??????? ??????? ??? ???? ????? “??? ????” ? “?????” ? ” ?? ?????” . ????? ???? ???? ????”???????” ( ????? ?????) ??????? ?????? ?????? ????? ???????? ? ??? ????? ?? ???? ???????? ??????? ???????? . ??? ????? ?????? ” ??????” ??????? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ????????? ? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ?? ???? ????? ?? ???????. ????? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ???????? ?? ??????? ?????? ??? ??????? ???????????? ??? ” ????? ??? ?????? ??????” ???? ???? 25 ?? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ????????? ? ????? ” ????” ( ??????) ??????? ????? ?????????/ ????????? ? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ? ???? ?? ????? ?????????? ???? ??? ??????? ?????? ??? ? ??? ????? ????? ? ??????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????.
???? ?? ??????? ????? ?? ???? ???????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ?? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ” ??????” ?????? ???? ? ?? ???? ????? ??? ????????? ????????? ??????? ??????? ???????? . ????? ???? ??? ???? ????”???????” ( ????? ?????) ????? ????? ?? ???? “MI-17″ ??????? ???????? ??? ???? ????? ???????? ????????? ??? ???????? ?? ????? ????? ??????? ??????? . ??? ??? ???? ?? ???? ??? ????? ????????? ?? ????? ? ?????? ??? ?????? ??? ” ???? ??????? ?????” ?????? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ? ???? ?????? ???????? ?? ???? ???????? ?????????? ?????? “???????” ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? “????? ????” ? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ? ????? “??? ???????”!
??? ???????? ???? ??? ????????? ???? ???? ????? “???????” ??????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ? ????? ??? ?????? 17 ???? / ???? ??????. ???? ?????”???????” ????? ?? ???????? ??? ” ?????? ????” ? ??? ???? ?? ????????? ??????? ??????? ????? ??????? ????? ?????? ” ???????? ??????? ?????” ?????? ???? ?????? ? ?? ?????? ” ???? ??????? ??????? ????”. ??? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ???????? ????? ???? ???? ? ???? ???? ??? ” ?????? ????????” ????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ???????? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ??????? ? ??? ” ??? ????? ??????????” ???? ?????? ???? ?????.
{…}
http://www.syriatruth.org/news/tabid/93/Article/7080/Default.aspx
April 3rd, 2012, 10:59 pm
jad said:
Bronco,
I have a feeling that a war will start soon, with Turkey, what do you think?
April 3rd, 2012, 11:09 pm
Ghufran said:
Alarab online poll:
?????? ??????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??????? ???? ???????? ??????????? ???????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ???:
?????? ??????
99.1
???? ?????? ????????
0.3
???? ??????
0.6
Number of votes: 53,935
( do you really believe this?)
April 3rd, 2012, 11:32 pm
omen said:
the (faux) anti-imperialist/genocide enabler crowd are applauding maliki’s latest statement against arming the rebels and objecting to “outside interference into syria’s affairs” – taking it as some kind of principled stand.
what they don’t know is that in mid-march, iraq was caught allowing arms from iran to be smuggled through, going to equip syria’s regime.
April 3rd, 2012, 11:33 pm
jad said:
Ghufran
NO WAY!
99% out of 53,935.
April 3rd, 2012, 11:37 pm
Equus said:
Dernières nouvelles de Homs et de Kusayr
Par Mère Agnès-Mariam de la Croix
http://www.legrandsoir.info/dernieres-nouvelles-de-homs-et-de-kusayr.html
[…]
Certaines familles sont retournées pour surveiller leurs biens. L’une d’entre elles raconte cet épisode
ubuesque : « Nous ouvrons la porte et, voilà, le salon est rempli de monde. Ils portent nos pyjamas et mangent dans nos assiettes.
Interloqués nous les fixons du regard. Gêné, leur leader nous dit « quand vous voulez on vous rendra votre maison ; mais la réalité s’impose. Il faut les laisser faire et se rendre à l’évidence : notre maison n’est plus à nous ».
Pourquoi affirmons-nous que ces gens ont été « forcés » de partir ? Parce que progressivement mais efficacement les membres de la branche armée de l’opposition syrienne ont opéré ce qu’on peut appeler une « redistribution démographique » : par des francs-tireurs et des actes d’agression criminelle ils ont harcelé la population civile « non agréée » : les minorités alaouite, chrétienne, chiite et beaucoup de musulmans modérés qui n’ont pas désiré participer aux activités Dissidentes. Ce n’est pas un génocide massif mais une liquidation à petits feux.
[…]
Dès le début de l’année scolaire des sévices répétés ont été enregistrés contre les établissements scolaires : kidnapping du corps enseignant, instituteurs et institutrices, harcèlement des écoliers, incendie des écoles ou leur bombardement. Cela a amené progressivement à la fermeture des écoles puis des universités.
[…]
l’administration civile ont été les victimes innocentes des actes qui ont dépassé le simple assassinat pour revêtir les aspects les plus barbares du crime gratuit : personnes égorgées, mutilées, éventrées, dépecées, jetées dans les coins des rues ou dans les poubelles.
Ces actes atroces étaient ensuite exploités médiatiquement pour en imputer la responsabilité aux forces gouvernementales
April 3rd, 2012, 11:45 pm
jad said:
Another terrorist attack in Damascus today, this time in Barzeh, no casualties, thanks God.
??? https://www.facebook.com/chaam.syria3
????? ??????? ??????? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ?? ?? ????? ???? … ??????? ??????? ??? ???????? ??? …
???????? ???????? ??? ???? …
?????
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/562614_263099470448507_202830779808710_566665_1933515511_n.jpg
April 3rd, 2012, 11:48 pm
omen said:
equus, do you know why rifaat al assad isn’t in prison for war crimes?
April 3rd, 2012, 11:52 pm
Ghufran said:
Jad
Alarab online is not exactly pro regime but I agree that the poll is not realistic, however,more people now think that there can not be a solution in Syria without the participation of the regime . The SNC is asking to exclude Bashar from the process and I think that is widely accepted by most including Russia, but nobody is now going as far as insisting that he resigns, I just believe that he should for the sake of national unity.
Your fear of a war launched by Turkey is understood but not supported by events on the ground and on the international scene, the most armed rebels can do is create a situation where they force the regime to give more concessions and inflame the situation to win political support for their cause.
Annan plan may actually fail if there was a new round of fighting that includes the usage of heavy weapons after April 10th, but the regime and top generals are not backing off from their position that no protected enclaves be allowed and no new BA to be established on Syrian territories regardless of the political price.
The regime is also recruiting new Internet bloggers who are spreading unfounded information on armed rebels hoping that this will ease pressure on the regime, the picture is the opposite, armed rebels are on the run and smuggling of weapons actually went down.
Assad wants April to be the month when he announces that the backbone of armed resistance has been broken, but his plans to manufacture a friendly PA will back fire, Syrians will not go back to the pre march 2011 era, he needs to swallow his pride, enjoy his “victory” and let Syrians start a new chapter without him and his family.
April 4th, 2012, 12:10 am
Ghufran said:
Even regime supporters are not sure that PA elections in May is a good idea
This is from shamnews:
???
?? ??? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ????????? ???? ????? ?
43%
??
48%
?? ????
9%
Any PA without a national consensus will not be legitimate
April 4th, 2012, 12:23 am
jad said:
Ghufran
I’m not sure if the situation is as simple as you describe it.
From the news websites, youtube, FB and Twitter the situation seems way more complicated and things are changing by the minute on ground, the armed terrorist groups have no shortage of anything, the amount of attacks are the same as last month, so I’m not sure how you came to the conclusion that April will be the ‘victory’ month for Bashar.
Personally, I think this month will be as bloody as the months before, Annan can’t succeed when the whole world except Russia is against his plan and working day and night behind doors to fail him.
Turkey is obviously ready to attack, it’s just waiting for the green light by the Americans, it may not be a full scale war, but a localized war that will make the situation deteriorate even further since any body who dares to go protect on the streets during war time will be labeled as traitor and will be treated by force and the majority of the Syrians even if they hate the government will have no choice but to support it and stuck to it in war times.
April 4th, 2012, 12:32 am
bronco said:
#431. jad said:
“I have a feeling that a war will start soon, with Turkey, what do you think?”
Jad, the Turkish public opinion is not ready for a war. Erdogan is being criticized daily in the press for having been too bold, too impatient and being now cornered. There could be lots of unrest in Turkey if a war is started with Syria.
Erdogan is in favor of the Annan plan if it stops the violence but he is against Bashar staying undefinitely in power.
To a war, he prefers supervised elections that, in his view, will remove Bashar and the Baath party from power once for all without bloodshed.
Annan knows that and he knows that Qatar and KSA think the same.
His strategy is probably to convince these countries that if they want to get rid of Bashar, the best way is to cooperate so early elections can be held where there are high chances Bashar will loose and will be obliged to leave his place. Therefore it would be in their interest to encourage the opposition to accept the plan so peace and security may return and elections can be held under UN supervision.
To support this strategy, Annan is counting on Bashar to show real signs of collaborating with the plan by withdrawing and accepting peaceful demonstrations and counter demonstrations as well as the humanitarian aids proposed.
If then, the opposition persists in rejecting the plan and not withdrawing all armed presence from the streets, then I think Annan will immediately call for UN assembly resolution to enterinate the plan, force the armed opposition to collaborate with the plan and block Turkey and the hardliners from supplying weapons or money to buy weapons.
If Bashar does not implement the plan then the Annan plan is dead and chaos will prevail in Syria spilling to the neighbors to the joy of Israel.
So until we see how the Syrian forces will behave and how the armed rebels will behave, it is impossible to predict what will happen.
April 4th, 2012, 12:40 am
Ghufran said:
Is not it sad that foreign journalists are more sensible and thoughtful than the Arab ones?
I could have written this article,it summarized the situation very well:
http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2012/04/03/syria-as-his-adversaries-scramble-for-a-strategy-assad-sets-his-terms/
April 4th, 2012, 12:50 am
omen said:
halabi : Notice the armed men guarding the demonstration. They seem to have a civilian pickup truck and aren’t wearing uniforms. Are they legitimate police officers? It sure doesn’t look like it.
you have to read this account.
it describes the shabiha in action.
April 4th, 2012, 2:02 am
Juergen said:
Omen
I guess there was never any nation who put him on a warrant.
I believe that there was a deal made with Rifaat and the Asaad clan, because Syria never pushed their european counterparts to arrest him either, so all loooks like a golden handshake for this bloody bastard.
The funny thing is also, i saw two properties of him in Syria, one old restaurant which used to belong to him in Damascus, and his villa in Latakia. Both places were sealed and no one lives there. If he was such a criminal to the Assad clan, why then they dont sell such or let others live inside.
I assume that this might change in the course when the regime will fall, its hard to tell the world why such a criminal who posesses great amounts of money from the Syrians is enjoying live in London and Paris.
April 4th, 2012, 2:24 am
Mina said:
424 Halabi
You know the ultra-nationalists in Turkey? They look exactly the same. They are air-heads, just as brain-washed dhihadists are air-heads. The problem is that 1) they exist, 2) they are numerous.
You can’t build the next country with denying their existence. This is why I asked once about “how do you see day 2, if Bashar simply takes a plane with his extended family”. (And got zero answer from the usual crowD). Do you really believe that the people who actually control the countryside and the muhafazaat will disappear that easily?
April 4th, 2012, 2:34 am
Mina said:
377 SOD
“and died of his wounds”. The problem when people start to lie is that they usually add a new lie at every episode.
In the video you posted, do you really think the wounds look like something one can die from? The man is in full spirits, seating and speaking, and you want some to believe that he died from his wounds?
You write for people who can’t open videos or what?April 4th, 2012, 2:42 am
Alan said:
http://rt.com/news/american-cannibalism-in-syria-salbuchi-126/
American ?annibalism in Syria (Op-Ed)
Resolutions calling on Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to step down, the West and its allies have gone ballistic in their desire of regime change.
After February’s veto, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asked US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, “What’s the endgame?”, to which she replied: “The endgame in the absence of us acting together as the international community, I fear, is civil war.”
She wasn’t kidding either, because the US and its allies are doing exactly that: promoting civil war as official policy towards Syria. Foreign Policy (a Washington Post publication) reports on 28th March that Senators John McCain (Republican from Arizona) and “five like-minded lawmakers” submitted a new resolution on Syria before Congress, calling for Congressional “support for arming the opposition against the regime of Bashar al Assad”. The resolution stops short of calling for direct US military intervention, which McCain openly and fully supports, as does Senator Joe Lieberman from Connecticut.
Their goal is to create a consensus on increasing US support for the Syrian opposition, around which US lawmakers can rally. So far, in addition to McCain and Lieberman, the resolution is backed by Republican Senators Lindsey Graham (South Carolina), Jon Kyl (Arizona), Kelly Ayotte (New Hampshire) and John Hoeven (North Dakota). The very powerful pro-Israel lobby AIPAC – American Israeli Public Affairs Committee – couldn’t be happier…
The resolution “supports calls by Arab leaders to provide the people of Syria with the means to defend themselves against Bashar al-Assad and his forces, including through the provision of weapons and other material support, and calls on President Obama to work closely with regional partners to implement these efforts effectively.”
It also urges Obama to support the so-called “Friends of the Syrian People” contact group of Arab states which agreed in a meeting in Istanbul on Sunday to provide monthly funding worth several million dollars to pay a “salary” to opposition fighters in Syria and encourage more defections from President Bashar Assad’s army.
As reported by the Associated Press, “This money is the first formal international support for the rebels, and officials attending the “Friends of Syria” conference said the substantial funds would also probably be used to purchase weapons on the black market for the rebel Free Syria Army.”
The message is therefore quite clear for all to understand: once again, as in the case of Libya last year, the US and its client states in the Middle East are paying huge amounts of money to mercenary armies – including “buying weapons on the black market for the rebel Free Syria army” – in order to overthrow the legal government of a sovereign country, this time, Syria.
Using Orwellian newspeak, Hilary Clinton referred to these millions of dollars as “humanitarian aid to Syria”. So far, Syrian “freedom fighters” have received an official total of $25 million in such “humanitarian aid”, and only God knows how many millions more in black money are being funneled to local criminals, thugs and mercenaries inside Syria from secret CIA, MI6 and Mossad organized crime coffers, to be used for such black market arms purchases.
Clearly, in war and in peace, under today’s global power system, money talks… and it does so very loudly! “Mr. Money is indeed a powerful Lord!” 16th Century Spanish poet Francisco de Quevedo once said. Five centuries later, nothing new under the sun
[…]
April 4th, 2012, 2:47 am
Mina said:
390 Michel
Of course they exist. They simply call for an orderly transition, with UN Peace corps and monitored elections, instead of every sultan round the corner playing the great Middle Ages lords. It is pretty clear that the “regime is (and has been) committing atrocities against political dissenters” but the problem is that it is the normal political culture in ALL the neighboring countries, no matter the religion they claim they have.
April 4th, 2012, 2:48 am
Alan said:
http://stratrisks.com/geostrat/5155
Israeli-US Air, Naval Forces Train for Energy War
Breakdown: Turkish-Israeli battle over Cyprus pipeline
Turkey starts drilling in Northern Cyprus
Three Russian companies bid for Greece’s gas assets
Report: Cyprus talking to Lebanon on Israel sea border row
Israeli, Greek and U.S. forces are in the midst of a drill in preparation for a possible war over Israel’s huge off-shore gas discoveries, which also may contain commercializable oil. Lebanon and Hizbullah have claimed the fields are in Lebanese territory and that they will “defend” the area against drilling by Israel.
The week-long drill is simulating air-to-air combat and anti-submarine warfare and is taking place off the coast of Turkey, possibly signaling it not to interfere with Israeli energy operations in the Mediterranean Sea. The “enemy” forces will be similar to those of the Turkish air force, according to the Defencenet.gr website.
Joint exercises also will take place off the coast of Cyprus and at the port in Haifa, with the participation of the famed U.S. Sixth Fleet.
The United States and Israel also are preparing for a massive “Austere Challenge” exercise this summer involving thousands of soldiers from both countries.
Last week, a one-day drill included Israeli soldiers operating the Arrow, the Patriot, Hawk, Stinger, and Iron Dome batteries defense systems, according to DefenseProfessionals.com.
“The ability of the formation to bring together all the defense systems is amazing”, said U.S. Army Col. Stephen Richmond, head of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. “I’m very impressed with the capabilities presented here,” he was quoted as saying.
Russia is keeping a wary eye on the American-Israeli exercises and is staging its own war drill in a Syrian port, according to DEBKAfile. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned this week against a pre-emptive strike, which he said would violate international law.
A Russian guided missile destroyer reportedly sailed to the Syrian port of Tartus for an exercise with what DEBKAfile said is three-fold message for the United States that Moscow is supplying Syrian President Bashar Assad with defense systems, that the Russian and Iranian support of Assad will continue and that the deployment of the warship illustrates Moscow’s ability for a rapid response to foreign maneuvers.
April 4th, 2012, 3:05 am
Alan said:
🙂
Frankfurt ‘anti-capitalist’ protest turns into riot
http://stratrisks.com/geostrat/5076
April 4th, 2012, 3:12 am
Alan said:
http://www.infowars.com/russia-iran-set-to-counter-usisraeli-strike-against-iran-us-led-naval-drill/
Russia, Iran set to counter US/Israeli strike against Iran. US-led naval drill
DEBKAfile
April 3, 2012
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov issued a strong warning against a military attack on Iran Monday, April 2,, saying that a pre-emptive strike would violate international law. His comments, made during a visit to Armenia, stopped short of threatening (the US and/or Israel) of consequences. But they backed up and were in tune with the explicit threat from Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last Thursday of strong Iranian resistance to foreign intervention in Syria and vow to defend Damascus as the “center of resistance against Israel.”
Western military observers link the two statements as representing an evolving Russian-Iranian front. After their shared success in delivering Bashar Assad from the revolt against his regime, the two partners are preparing to fend off a potential strike against Tehran’s nuclear program as well as shore up Iran’s regional interests from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean. They are getting set to counter two US-led steps, disclosed here byDEBKAfile:
1. Although the US-backed Friends of Syria 2, which took place Sunday, April 1, in Istanbul, offered the Syrian Free Army no direct assistance or support, Saudi Arabia and Qatar established an international fund to pay rebel fighters a regular wage. They hope to lure more officers and men into defecting from the army units loyal to Assad.
Moscow and Tehran view this step as Arab intervention in the Syrian conflict.
2. The US, Israel and Greece launched a shadowy air-naval exercise in the Mediterranean Thursday, March 29. Codenamed “Noble Dina,” it appears to range across a broad sweep of sea up to Crete and including the waters off Turkey, Cyprus, and Israel Navy bases in Haifa and Ashdod ports./../..
April 4th, 2012, 3:32 am
Alan said:
http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_04_04/70580312/
UNSC mulls draft statement on Syria
The UN Security Council went into session on Tuesday to consider a draft statement demanding that the Syrian authorities end military operations by April 10th, and the opposition – over the next 48 hours, France Press reports.
According to a ceasefire plan proposed by UN and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan, the Syrian government is required to stop all military operations immediately.
If Syria fails to honor the ceasefire, the Security Council will send monitors to secure the implementation of the ceasefire agreements.
April 4th, 2012, 4:11 am
Mina said:
bashar al Asad was planning to overthrow the Moroccan dynasty and set up an islamist regime there! With the help of the Algerian generals!
It looks like the French media don’t understand what is an April fool.
http://fr.news.yahoo.com/maroc-bachar-al-assad-projettait-renverser-mohammed-vi-080845177.html
“L’information est à prendre avec des pincettes, elle fait cependant le buzz sur les réseaux sociaux au Maroc. Le président syrien Bachar Al Assad voulait renverser le Roi Mohammed VI avec l’aide des services secrets algériens. C’est en tout cas ce que vient de révéler un officier des services secrets syriens.
Le régime syrien voulait faire abdiquer la monarchie marocaine et créer un régime islamiste, qui servirait de base avancée à l’Iran, a affirmé Houssam Aouak au quotidien panarabe basé à Londres Al Watan Al Arabi.”
April 4th, 2012, 4:34 am
Alan said:
US’ ABM noose around China, Russia
http://stratrisks.com/geostrat/5067
April 4th, 2012, 5:23 am
Latif said:
Oglu told Clinton Turkey can absorb as much as 2 million refugees, but he thinks the number will be 5 million if Annan plan fails.
April 4th, 2012, 5:36 am
Mina said:
From Libya
http://www.egyptindependent.com/node/750511
to Syria
http://www.egyptindependent.com/node/750766
April 4th, 2012, 5:42 am
Mina said:
Egypt: Political Islam is now totally controling mosques. Soon in your neighborhood!
http://www2.youm7.com/News.asp?NewsID=640592&SecID=12
April 4th, 2012, 5:50 am
Juergen said:
Hamed Abdel Samad, controversial book author of books like: “The downfall of Islam”, “Farewell from heaven” has written this on his facebook page:
“My vision for the world in 2018: After a youth revolt, both in Iran and Saudi Arabia elected democratic governments reign. Even in Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan,the democracy after years of chaos has succeded. Israel voluntarily has given up their atomic bomb programme and leaves the settlements in the West Bank and on the Golan Heights. The largest free trade zone in the world is being built in the Middle East. Money from the Gulf States, young people from North Africa and HiTec from Israel. The Euro will crash. Hungary declares war on Romania and built concentration camps for Sinti and Roma. The Europeans are trying to sacrifice Romania in order to keep the peace in the old continent, but the Americans do not want to abandon the Romanians. The Russians are allied with the Hungarians. The economic crisis in China is intensifying, and masses of migrants make their escape. The Tunisian former premier explained: the boat is full and we can not even integrate the Italian immigrants, though they are culturally close to us!”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamed_Abdel-Samad
April 4th, 2012, 6:00 am
Juergen said:
Mnhbaks rush, there is a TIME magazine online poll questioning whether the eyedoctor is worthy to be in the list of the 100 most influental people on earth…
The voting so far:
In Favor: 49,86%
Against: 50,14%
No worries, the list of choosen figures is long and some had the same hate potential like Assad: Khomeni for instance.
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2107952_2107953_2109564,00.html
Reminds me kind of the old joke about Hafez. Clinton back in 1996 was suffering from the Lewinsky scandal. His reelection is at stake, so his advisors suggest to get foreign advisors of successful elected presidents. They search for the most successful leaders, and all agree that Hafez al Assad with 98,9% made it. So Bill calls Hafez and asks him to get his advisors tohelp him to get reelected. Hafez agrees and all the preelectzion campaign went smooth. On election evening Clinton and his advisors watch tv and await the actual figures. The Tv announcer said: “98,5 % for Assad!”
April 4th, 2012, 6:09 am
Juergen said:
Just read that in Al Watan they wrote that until 10th April not all military operations will come to an end. Opposition forced revealed that an extensive military operation will take place north of Aleppo headed by Assaf Schauwkat. It seeems that the syrian army tries to end the uprise by the FSA before the deadline given by Annan is reached.
Meanwhile the Syrian orthodox church has given the order for all churches to postpone any outside procession or celebration of easter outside of the churches. This move is seen as an precaution as well as an hommage to all the matyrs. The church left it open which martyrs will be remembered.
April 4th, 2012, 7:32 am
VOLK said:
Syria opposition will never defeat Assad’s army, says Russia
“It is clear as day that even if the Syrian opposition is armed to the teeth, it will not be able to defeat the government’s army,” Interfax quoted Lavrov as saying while on a visit to the ex-Soviet nation of Azerbaijan.
“Instead, there will be carnage that lasts many, many years – mutual destruction,” said Lavrov.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9185464/Syria-opposition-will-never-defeat-Assads-army-says-Russia.html
April 4th, 2012, 8:00 am
Tara said:
This is the real story about the hospital liberated by the FSA
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2012/apr/04/syria-bashar-al-assad#block-9
9.09am: Gruesome video has emerged purporting to show decomposing bodies, discovered after Monday’s reported liberation of a hospital in Homs.
The clip shows several bodies in a container lorry outside the hospital and more in the hospitals morgue. [warning: disturbing content]
The clip came as more details emerged about the raid. Dima Moussa, media spokeswoman for the Revolutionary Council of Homs, has this account:
Assad’s forces took over the National Hospital some time ago and turned it into a military barrack. There have been reports of injured people being taken there and tortured to death, in addition to the retaining of the bodies of people killed by Assad forces.
Assad snipers have been actively targeting civilians from the hospital, making the surrounding areas very dangerous for any kind of movement. The Free Syrian Army went in to take over the hospital and put an end to these attacks against innocent civilians.
As of now, there is still at least one part of the hospital occupied by a group of soldiers from the Assad army. We have received reports about bodies being discovered inside the hospital, but these reports have not yet been confirmed, and the exact number is not yet available.
Video has also emerged purporting to show the liberation of the hospital in Homs by the Farouq brigade.
April 4th, 2012, 8:16 am
Mina said:
459
“Meanwhile the Syrian orthodox church has given the order for all churches to postpone any outside procession or celebration of easter outside of the churches.”
They did the same last year, out of respect for the martyrs too.
April 4th, 2012, 8:21 am
DAWOUD said:
Jad,
Describing Aljazeera as a “Wahabi” media is not only preposterous, but also very inaccurate. This network has always been negatively viewed by Saudi Arabia and all the Arab regimes (except for Syria until March of 2011 when it began to ACCURATELY cover the war crimes Bashar’s and Hasan’s Shabiha). Even Alarabiya, which is close to Saudi Arabia,is NOT a Wahabi media. Do you think that Wahabi fundamentalist are happy to see Alarabiya’s female anchors, many of whom are featuring fake cosmetically-enhanced figures, lips, br@@@, etc.? Even Saudi Arabia as a government is not really Wahabi. Saudi Arabia is an oppressive monarchy like al-Assad’s (yah, Syria is a “republic,” not monarchy although power transfers from father to son!). There are certain religious policies that are adopted by the Saudi state to sedate Wahabi religious scholars, some of which (e.g., banning women from driving) are silly!
Now, we don’t really have any “Wahabi” state in the world, but we have Shia fundamentalist states, which operate according to the priciple of the Wilayat al-faqih. Below is a PARTIAL list of Wilayet al-Faqih media, which support the dictator of Syria and his ongoing war crimes:
Iran’s Press and Al-Alam TV
Lebanon’s al-Manar TV/newspaer
Lebanon’s Assafir Newspaper (which is disguised as a leftist/intellectual newspaper)
Lebanon’s al-Akhbar Newspaper
Iraq’s al-Fourat TV
http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/04/04/205274.html
????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????? ??????
????? ????????: ????? ??? ?????? ?? ????????? ?????? ????? ?????? ???????
????? – ???? ??? ????
??? ????? ???? ???????? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ???????? ???? ???? ??? ??????? ?????? ????? ??????.
????? ???????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ??????? ??? ?? ????? ?? ????? ????? ??? ??? ???????? ????????? ???????? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ???????? ????????? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ????? ??? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ????????.
????? ???? ???? ???? ????? ????? ???? ??????? ?? ???? “???? ??????” ????? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ??? ??? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ???????? ????????? ??? ?????? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ??????? ????????? ???????.
[…]
……..
April 4th, 2012, 8:31 am
Mina said:
Very interesting comments to this Kissinger piece in the Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-new-doctrine-of-intervention/2012/03/30/gIQAcZL6lS_story.html
April 4th, 2012, 8:39 am
DAWOUD said:
A memo to all my fellow anti-Syrian dictator commenters (TARA, MajedKhaldoun, SOD, et al.):
Please stop quoting pro-Israeli Zionist neo-cons EVEN if what they say seem favorable to the Syrian Revolution. These figures would really be surprised when they find out that the courageous Syrian Revolution also would ultimately seek to liberate the Golan Heights and Occupied Palestine. Below is a partial list of U.S. pro-Israeli Zionists, whose views on Syria are badly-intentioned and should not be posted:
Elliot Abrams, William (Bill) Kristol, ALL OF Fox News Channel, Dennis Ross, etc.
April 4th, 2012, 8:48 am
Uzair8 said:
@465 Dawood
Do you mean like the following? 🙂
“While the monarchies of the Middle East have a fighting chance to reform and survive, the region’s fake republics have been falling like dominoes — and Syria is next.”
Elliott Abrams, Friday, March 25
http://www.nala.com/news/articletype/articleview/articleid/494/categoryid/16/syria-of-a-despot-by-elliott-abrams.aspx
April 4th, 2012, 9:02 am
Mina said:
In Mali they get both a new regime and an Islamist insurrection:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/9/38477/World/International/Mali-junta-denounces-grave-rights-violations-in-th.aspx
Mali’s junta on Wednesday accused rebels controlling the northern city of Gao of grave human rights abuses, in particluar the kidnap and rape of women and girls.
“The populations of northern Mali, specifically those in Gao, are suffering grave human rights violations” since the town was seized Saturday by Tuareg rebels and Islamists, the junta said in a statement.
Spokesman Amadou Konare pointed the finger at the Tuareg rebel Azawad National Liberation Movement, the Islamist Ansar Dine and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
“Women and girls have been kidnapped and raped by the new occupants who are laying down their own law,” the statement said, without giving further details.
A Gao resident, who asked not to be identified by name or employment, confirmed the junta’s accusations.
“It is a reality here. At night they kidnap women, take them away and rape them,” he said, adding there had been at least a dozen cases since Saturday.
Over the weekend the Tuareg and Islamists seized the three main northern centres of Kidal, Gao and the fabled city of Timbuktu, the former seeking regional independence and the latter sharia, Islamic law.
The resident of Gao said “every kind of robbery imaginable has happened here since those people arrived: people have been fleeced, pillaged, vandalised. There is no transport and those who try to leave the city are turned back.”
A band of low-ranking officers ousted the government on 22 March for its alleged incompetence in stamping out the northern rebellion, but have since lost territory larger than France to the various rebel groups.
[…]
April 4th, 2012, 9:05 am
Uzair8 said:
More than a year into the revolution we have seen the masses shake off the cloud of fear hanging over them. We all know Syria was built on a personality cult with statues and portraits everywhere. How long before the cult like characteristics affecting a certain portion of the population begin to wear off?
Moving on. Syrians are told that this is all the doing of Prince Bandar. If true, that the events reaching the current situation were masterminded by Prince Bandar, then he must be a genius of Henry Kissinger proportions.
Another thing. Do you notice how foreign officials, regime allies, conveniently ignore commenting on the people (who are rising up) and prefer to talk about the democratic credentials of the countries supposedly supporting the revolution?
I heard an Iranian official* point to the undemocratic nature of the regional nations supporting the opposition. His conclusion was that this shows it cannot be about freedom and democracy.
See next comment.
April 4th, 2012, 9:24 am
Uzair8 said:
Heard the following last night on BBC World Service.
The War Over Syria
The conflict in Syria is transfixing the Middle East.
But it is transforming it too.
Barbara Plett, the BBC’s UN Correspondent, returns to the Middle East to examine how the future of the Assads could also shape the future of the region.
[…]
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00q87x7
April 4th, 2012, 9:27 am
Juergen said:
Saad Assarir is really pushing his presidency campaign in Egypt…
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=373312772699698
Ali Ferzat is determined to return to Syria
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69-7nVLQzoU
an other interview with him
April 4th, 2012, 9:44 am
ghufran said:
If the news about the LCC agreeing to go to Russia for talks are true, that could be a breakthrough politically, no response from the SNC which angered Moscow by ignoring Annan mission and going to Turkey under KSA and Qatar umbrella.
April 17-18th is said to be the date, this leaves the SNC alone, so far.
April 4th, 2012, 9:52 am
Juergen said:
Günther Grass the nobel price winner for Literature 2006 has written an controversial poem(title: What has to be said) about the planned war against Iran by Israel.
I have not found yet an adequate translation of the poem, the NYT will publish it today, as soon as they do i will post it here.
Grass is stressing in the poem that Israel is a much bigger threat to the world with is atomic weaponry than Iran which has not proven to have the bomb yet.
He wrote in the poem: “tomorrow could already be too late” and Germany could be a “supplier to a crime”, referring to a deal sealed last month for Berlin to sell Israel a sixth nuclear-capable Dolphin-class submarine.
“I admit: I will be silent no longer, because I am sick of the hypocrisy of the West”.
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/04/04/205412.html
April 4th, 2012, 10:00 am
mjabali said:
I said yesterday that weapons are dangerous things to play with especially by those who do not care about the consequences.
In this link an anti Assad fighter shoots at a platform that contains missiles. The missiles flew in all directions and most likely they will kill or destroy anything they would hit, which would be most likely some poor villagers because the whole thing is taking place in the countryside.
So, life is bad to begin with then you die in your home with an anti aircraft missile. Of course you can blame the government for that…
Syria is going to hell because all insist on using violence as THE method to solve this chaos.
April 4th, 2012, 10:25 am
Jad said:
Alan
Regarding Frankfurt news here are couple clips if interested, one of the Shabiha was hurt, maybe ksa and qatar should send the protesters some weapons so they can protect themselves from the German Shabiha army:
Frankfurt riot 2 – 31.03.2012.AVI
Teil 2 Demo Frankfurt 31.03 Linke Gewalttäter beschießen Menschen mit Feuerwerkskörpern
————-
Dave is hurt for calling his favourit propohanda wahabi news network, so he runs to the rescuse, how cute!April 4th, 2012, 10:27 am
jna said:
461. Tarasaid:
This is the real story about the hospital liberated by the FSA
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2012/apr/04/syria-bashar-al-assad#block-9
(…)
Video has also emerged purporting to show the liberation of the hospital in Homs by the Farouq brigade.
Tara, you left out the Guardian’s informative final sentence: “The footage cannot be verified and at times appears to resemble a recreation of a raid rather than a raid itself.”
April 4th, 2012, 10:33 am
Alan said:
http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c154/383322.html
Stroitransgaz completes stage of Syria project
MOSCOW, April 4 (Itar-Tass) — Stroitransgaz has completed the next stage of the Syria project. The Russian company said in a release that spare parts for the project for the construction of a natural gas processing plant (GPP-1), which will ensure reliable operation of the facility in the future have been supplied in full volume.
In accordance with the contract, after the GPP-1 commissioning Stroitransgaz was fulfilling annual warranty obligations. At the request of the Syrian authorities the Russian company continued to provide services for the facility’s technical maintenance.
According to the company head Sergei Makarov, “Despite the difficulties the company is currently facing, we do not intend to curtail operations in Syria.” “At present, Stroitransgaz continues to provide technical assistance services for the first gas processing plant and continues to build a second,” he said. “A special system of security measures aimed at saving the lives and health of our employees is applied in Syria. The Syrian side represented by the customer – the Syrian Gas Company and the state security forces, provides an active assistance to us in this.”
Stroitransgaz is an engineering-construction company that provides all forms of services related to the implementation of large projects – from the development of project documentation to warranty maintenance. The sphere of the company activity is the construction and reconstruction of industrial and infrastructure facilities, primarily in the oil, natural gas and electric power industries. Stroitransgaz holds the first place among Russian companies engaged in industrial facilities’ construction. According to an assessment by the international rating agency Engineering News-Record, Stroitransgaz is one of the largest engineering-construction companies in the world.
Stroitransgaz has been working in Syria since 2000. The company has already completed projects for the construction of the Arab Gas Pipeline with the length of 319 kilometres and the GPP-1 (South Middle Area Gas Exploitation Project, SMAGEP).
April 4th, 2012, 10:57 am
mjabali said:
Dear Jad:
I just replied to your points about al-Jazeera and the Spam ate my comment.
April 4th, 2012, 10:59 am
Alan said:
http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c154/382961.html
Two groups of Syrian opposition to come to Moscow in days
BAKU, April 4 (Itar-Tass) — Two groups of Syria’s opposition are coming to Moscow in the next few days, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.
“Now we are welcoming representatives from domestic opposition, from the National Coordination Committee,” he said. “In a couple of days, another opposition group is coming.”
“We think it is necessary to work with all, to persuade them that we want to help Syrians solve their problems by themselves,” the Russian foreign minister stressed.
He noted that there is no unity within the Syrian opposition. “It took not very long for the Libyan opposition to unite, while there is no unity in the Syrian opposition,” he said. “There are several opposition groups both inside Syria, national committee and national movements, and abroad. We meet with all of them.”
“The West however is seeking to avert them from a dialogue,” Lavrov noted. “It means that they want to find solutions on the basis of the use of force.”
April 4th, 2012, 10:59 am
majedkhaldoun said:
?? ???? ???????.. ?????? ????? ??????????
April 4th, 2012, 11:07 am
Mina said:
HELP! Does anyone know where Mali is located??
Please send your informations and gifts to the authors of these:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/9/38477/World/International/Mali-junta-denounces-grave-rights-violations-in-th.aspx
(the “two-month old coup” that happened on March 22nd)
http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2012/04/04/le-capitaine-sanogo-d-accord-pour-une-force-internationale-au-mali-mais-selon-nos-principes_1680362_3212.html
(the junta calls for a meeting with the local organizations for tomorrow, thursday March 5th…)
It is just the new al-Qaeda hotspot, so they really need to catch up quickly. If you have ever heard of Tombouctou and Gao, and their medieval kingdom and Islamic libraries, please give them an idea, because usually in France most people think that Senegal and Mali were “islamized” in the 20th century.
April 4th, 2012, 11:09 am
jad said:
Alan,
ma fhmt, sho asdak ‘khalo’?
Dear Mjabali
I’ll send the moderator an email to ask him to let the comment ‘free’ 🙂
Alsiddik argued with Haytham almale7 and accuse Israel of killing Hariri:
????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????: ??????? ????? ???? ??????
???? ???? ????? ????? ?? ????? ???????? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ???????? ?????? ????? ?? «???? ?????» ?? ???? ?????? ???? ??????? ???????? ?????? ???? ???????? ???? ??????? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ???????? ???????.
???? ??? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ???????? ???????? ?? ??????? ??????? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ???????.
??? ?????? ??? ??????? ??????? ???????? ?????? «???? ?? ?? ????? ?? ??????? ??????? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ??? ????? ??? ??? ??? ????». ??? ?? ??????? ???? ????? «????? ??? ??? ????? ?? ??? ????????». ????? ??????: «?? ???? ?? ??? ???????? ???? ?????? ??????»? ??? ?? ?????? ??????? ??? «??????? ?? ?? ???? ??????? ???? ?????» ?? ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ??? ?? ??? ??????? ???????? ????.
?????? ??? ??????? ?????? ??????: «?????? ???? ?????? ?????!… ??? ???? ???????… ????? ??? ?? ?? ????? ?? ???»? ???? ?????? «?? ???????»? ????? ??????? «??? ???????? ?? ?? ???????!»? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????: «???? ????».
??????: ??????-???? ???
http://arabi-press.com/?page=article&id=30640
While on it, George Sabra (aka Mr. La2lou2) is begging Clinton to attack Syria and he even gave her the plan:
???? ?????: ???? ???? ????? ???? ??????? !
??? ???? ???
??? ???? ?? ???? ???????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ??????? ???? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??? !
???? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ??? ???? ????? ???????? ??? ???????? ??????? ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ????? ???????? ??????? ???? ????? ? ????? ????? ????? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ??? ??? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ????? 2 ???? ??? ??? ??? ?? ???????.
???? ????? ???? ???? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?????????? ????? ??? ” ?? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ???????? ???? ????? ???? ????? ???????? ????????? ?????? ??????? ????? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ???? ??? ??? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ???? “.
? ???? ??????? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ?? ” ??? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ??? ?? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ???????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ? ????????? ? ??????? ??????? ??????? ???????? “.
{…}
http://arabi-press.com/?page=article&id=30634
April 4th, 2012, 11:09 am
Tara said:
Jna
You do not demand any disclaimer from any regime supporter despite linking blatant lies. Can I call that being biased?
April 4th, 2012, 11:18 am
jna said:
Re: 442. Ghufran
Tony Karon is not an ordinary Western journalist. He’s about as good as it gets in covering international affairs. I’m amazed he has worked at Time for so long, as the average American journalist standard surrounding him is so much lower.
April 4th, 2012, 11:19 am
Alan said:
Friends of Syria undermine peace process – Lavrov
http://rt.com/news/friends-syria-peace-opposition-221/
V I D E O
April 4th, 2012, 11:25 am
jad said:
Mr. Haytham Manna3 on BBC
???? ??? BBC: ??????? ???? ????
http://youtu.be/Wch2wo16YhA
After the interview he was attacked by the usual gangs for not agreeing with their propaganda. The reason why many people respect Haytham is because he is an honest and brave politician, interesting enough for the same time many hate him for the same reason.
Haytham Manna
??? ????????
??? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ????: ?????? ?????? ???? ??????? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ????????? ??? ?? ????. ?? 23 ???? 1991 ??? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ????????. ??? ????? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ???????? ??????? ????? ?? ???? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?? ???? ?????. ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ??????. ??? ????? ????? ??? ????? ??????? ???????? ?? ??? ?????????? ??????? ???????? ?? ???????. ?????? ?????? ?? ???. ???????? ?? ??????? ???????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ??? ?????? ????????. ????? ???? ????? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ??? ?? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ??????? ?????? ?????? ????? ???????. ??? ??? ????? ??? ?????. ???? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? ?????? ????????? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ???????? ????: ?? ?? ??? ???? ??????? ?????? ??????. ??? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ????????? ???? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ??????????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ????. ?? ??? ????? ????? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ???? ???? ?? ???? ??? ???? ????? ????? ???????. ??? ????? ?? ??? ??? ????? ??? ???????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ??????? ????? ?? ??????. ??? ??? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ???????? ????? ????? ???? ?????.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Haytham-Manna/138816042833867
April 4th, 2012, 11:25 am
Juergen said:
Apparently Mina you are not well enough informed. The Tuareg staged attacks against the military since beginning of this year. The junta who took over power did so because in their eyes the government under Toure was too soft and weak on the Tuarag. The Tuareg themselves have the aim to recreate their old Tuareg country which consists of land now part of the following countries: Libya, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Algeria. By the way it was Ghadaffi who supported the Tuareg and their aim. After the downfall of Muamars nurses kingdom those fighters fled to do their job now back home.
The name Tuareg came out of a local language in Libya, and therefore to call them northafrican or part of the Maghreb is at least theoretically corect. I do believe that for themselves they choose not to be connected with the Arab world, thats at least the view of most Kabyle tribes in that area.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuareg_people
April 4th, 2012, 11:27 am
jad said:
Alan
LOLOL Ahleen, al ya3ni ana fhmt aloula la ifham altanyeh…shou ya3ni ‘kourmandji’?
April 4th, 2012, 11:28 am
zoo said:
Signs that Iran wants to distance itself further from Turkey?
Iran prefers Iraq host nuclear talks: Baghdad
Published Wednesday, April 4, 2012
http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/iran-prefers-iraq-host-nuclear-talks-baghdad
Iran wants crucial nuclear talks with world powers to take place in Baghdad instead of Istanbul, according to a statement from Iraq welcoming the proposal.
An “Iranian delegation expressed the desire for Iraq to host the international meeting on the Iranian nuclear file of the five permanent members of the (UN) Security Council plus Germany” in Baghdad, the statement posted on the foreign ministry’s website late on Tuesday said.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced last weekend that the talks are due to take place April 13 and 14 in Istanbul.
But EU diplomats cautioned that the venue was still under discussion, and Russia said on Monday that “the date and the place of the meeting have not been definitively set.”
April 4th, 2012, 11:29 am
Alan said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZkKdNLue4g
George Galloway
George Galloway, interviewed after his sensational election victory to become MP for Bradford West, responds to the question, “Do you condemn those attacking British soldiers in Afghanistan?”
April 4th, 2012, 11:31 am
Mina said:
Jürgen
As for your informations about Syria, this one is also defective.
For some odd reason, some of the Tuaregs have allied with the Aqmi group. Don’t tell me you are not aware of the many kidnappings, ransom requests and killings that have occured recently in Mali and Niger.
For someone of “works in the airline industry”, it wouldn’t sound too serious.April 4th, 2012, 11:35 am
zoo said:
Egyptian army jails officer who joined protests
04/04/2012
http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=29117
CAIRO, (Reuters) – A military officer who joined popular protests against Egypt’s former president Hosni Mubarak and military rule last year has been sentenced by a military court to six years in prison, an army judicial source told Reuters on Wednesday.
Major Ahmed Ali Shouman, the first army officer to have joined the uprising that started in Cairo’s Tahrir Square in January last year, was charged with abandoning his unit and weapons and joining protests in military uniform.
(..)
“Ahmed Shouman was sentenced to six years in jail, charged with refusing to obey military rules and voicing political views in media outlets,” the army source said.
“This was a violation of martial law that bans military personnel from communicating with the media.”
The sentence will be formally announced at a court hearing on April 11, but Shouman can appeal, the army source said.
April 4th, 2012, 11:36 am
jad said:
The armed gangs in Syria are nothing but terrorists. While the devils making explosives to kill other Syrians, the bomb went off destroying the residential building they were hiding in and killing 7 innocent people with 2 kids.
On top of that, after attacking everything from roads, to trains to gas pipelines to hospitals, today the same terrorist criminals attacked and burned the Red Crescent warehouse where food and medical materials are stored….is there also ‘detainees’ hiding inside a syringe to ‘free’?? Criminals!
Let’s wait for the Guaridan to tell us the ‘real’ story!….
???? 7 ????? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????
?????? – ???? ???
??? ???? ????? ????? ????? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???? ?????? ????? ???????? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ?????.
???? ???? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? “????” ?? ????? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????? ??? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ??? ??? ???? ??? ???????? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ???????? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ??????? ????????? ???? ??? ????? ???? ???? ?????.
?? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ?? ???????? ????. ???? ????? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ??????? ???????? ????? ??? ?? ??????? ?????? ??? ???????? ??? ???? ?????? ?????.
http://arabi-press.com/?page=article&id=30732
April 4th, 2012, 11:41 am
zoo said:
Distressed FSA renews accusation on Hezbollah and Iran
“In a report confirmed by an FSA source inside Syria, it was claimed that deputy commander of the FSA’s forces in Damascus, Colonel al-Moatasim Billah Abu al-Walid, was arrested by Syrian army forces following an ambush last week.”
IRGC, Hezbollah helping regime forces – FSA commander
03/04/2012
By Nadia Al-Turki
http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=29114
London, Asharq Al-Awsat – Colonel Khalid al-Habous, commander of the operations of the Free Syrian Army [FSA] in Damascus and the surrounding area, confirmed the presence of elements of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp [IRGC] and Hezbollah operating on the ground in Syria.
..
the FSA commander acknowledged that “our resources do not allow us to take control on the ground. Our confrontations with the regime’s forces are based on hit-and-run tactics.”
…
Colonel al-Habous also revealed that “we are in dire need of sniper rifles and silencers, as well as advanced communication equipment that cannot be hacked and shoulder-mounted anti-aircraft weaponry.” He added that the FSA is suffering from a lack of ammunition, but that the opposition forces attack al-Assad military warehouses and camps in order to seize ammunition.
…
He stressed “we do not rely on guerrilla warfare and do not believe in such uncontrolled combat. We adopt a tactic that is taught in most international military colleges, namely that of lightning strikes…to attack our targets with small numbers and capture the spoils [of war].”
…
He informed Asharq Al-Awsat that “numerous defected soldiers and civilians present on the ground in the battle with al-Assad forces…have seen Iranian snipers and Hezbollah elements with their own eyes.
In a report confirmed by an FSA source inside Syria, it was claimed that deputy commander of the FSA’s forces in Damascus, Colonel al-Moatasim Billah Abu al-Walid, was arrested by Syrian army forces following an ambush last week.
April 4th, 2012, 11:44 am
Dawoud said:
The anti-Sunni advocate/supporter of Iran’s/Hizballah’s anti-Sunni Wilayat al-faqih (or the 12th Imam fundamentalist/undemocratic theocracy) should keep saying “newbie” until the anti-Sunni female, who says that Hamza al-Khateeb was killed by “Saudi terrorists,” offers him a date 🙂
The Syrian Revolution is not about Wahabism, it’s about freedom and dignity. It will go on until Bashar al-Assad and Hasan Nasrallah are exiled to Iran, or arrested-which ever comes first!
You can disguise your anti-Sunni bigotry by using “Wahabi” and “MB.” These two are only code names that pro-Bashar shias and their media, the wilayat al-faqih media (e.g, Assafir, Al-Manar, al-Akhbar, Press TV, al-Alam, etc.), use to justify Bashar’s tyranny over Syria’s majority-Sunni Muslims!
Free Syria, Free Palestine!
April 4th, 2012, 11:47 am
irritated said:
494. jad said:
“the same terrorist criminals attacked and burned the Red Crescent warehouse”
You know very well that the media will say that the Syrian government did that so as to blame the terrorists: A ridiculous song that we’ve been hearing for the last year and that many opposition supporters believe firmly.
April 4th, 2012, 11:48 am
Alan said:
489. JAD
????? ?? ???? ???? ???? ???????? ?? ??????? ????? ??????? ????? ?????????? ??????? ?? ??????? ???????? ? ????? ?????? ??????? ? ??????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ???? LOL !
April 4th, 2012, 11:50 am
Jad said:
Ref. Almale7 and Saddik:
????? ???? ?????? ? ???? ??????
April 4th, 2012, 11:50 am
Mina said:
Jad
Thanks for the link to the BBC program. The Saudi “strategist” explains that his prince did not want to speak about “giving weapons to the rebels”, (listen 12’50) because 1) he did not mean now; 2) he did not mean heavy weapons; 3) it was to be understood for the Syrian government as a “nasiha” that otherwise, the rebels would have weapons soon and it would be war.
Universities should open special courses for who needs to understand Saudi logic.
At 14′ to 16′ he seems to be describing his last video game. The other guests are between smile and shame for the ridiculous guy. He should try to get a job in Tash wa Matash. For those who missed it:
http://youtu.be/Wch2wo16YhA
April 4th, 2012, 11:55 am
Juergen said:
Mina
the quest of independance of the Tuarag is as old as some of those countries involved. I do see that there are salafists on the ground, but also regional superpowers( like Libya) did their share in arming the resistance groups. So you back the junta for their overthrow of the democratic elected government?
April 4th, 2012, 11:56 am
zoo said:
Why Germans do not dare say that Israel, not Iran, is a threat to world peace?
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/gunter-grass-takes-sides-in-israel-iran-tensions.aspx?pageID=238&nID=17638&NewsCatID=386
Gunther Grass:
“Why do I only say now, aged and with my last ink: the atomic power Israel is endangering the already fragile world peace?” reads the poem, which was published in the daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung.
…
Grass answers that Nazi Germany’s “incomparable” crimes against Jews and fears of accusations of anti-Semitism kept him from openly criticising Israel.
But now, “tomorrow could already be too late” and Germany could be a “supplier to a crime”, referring to a deal sealed last month for Berlin to sell Israel a sixth nuclear-capable Dolphin-class submarine.
..
Henryk M”I admit: I will be silent no longer, because I am sick of the hypocrisy of the West”
…
Broder, a prominent German Jewish columnist, accused Grass in light of his poem of being “the prototype of the educated anti-Semitist”.
“Grass has always had a problem with Jews but he has never articulated it as clearly as with this ‘poem’,” Broder wrote in the daily Die Welt.
April 4th, 2012, 11:57 am
zoo said:
Turk journalists can have sense of humor
The ironic Friends of Syria
BURAK BEKD?L
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/the-ironic-friends-of-syria-.aspx?pageID=449&nID=17593&NewsCatID=398
It was an irony, as one Syrian state television anchor said, that the Istanbul gathering of the “Friends of Syria” took place on April Fools’ Day. Their previous meeting in Tunis was less than good and too fractured. The fine spring day in Istanbul has refreshed hopes, but the Friends of Syria may have to tour half the globe before they can eventually meet in Damascus.
The date for the meeting was not the only irony. The foreign Friends of Syria have committed more funding for the Syrian Friends of Syria, but the Syrian Friends of Syria, not happy with the $30 million budget for their march towards democracy, are asking for a minimum of $1 million per day.
The Turkish Friends of Syria, boasting the world’s second fastest growing and 16th biggest economy should be able to provide that negligible sum – and more in the future. But Russia and China are not smaller economies and their vaults are not cash-stripped.
Of course, the Friends have every liberty to call themselves whatever fancy and amicable looking name they choose. But a more realistic brand could have been the “Foes of Bashar al-Assad.” My friend’s cat simply meowed and left the room when I told him that a philanthropic coalition, which deeply cared for its Syrian brothers, was at the beginning of a possibly long world tour. Like a philharmonic orchestra, it was performing next in Paris. Shiraz is a Persian cat who is very keen on Middle Eastern politics.
Perhaps the bigger irony on April Fools’ Day was the Turkish treatment of the group of Syrian protestors who rallied against the Istanbul meeting. The pro-al-Assad demonstrators were pushed away and pepper gas-sprayed by the police who must have thought they are the Foes of Syria, since the Friends were inside the building. The Foes of Syria were silenced while inside the building the Friends of Syria were busy discussing how to introduce democracy to the Syrians.
(..)
April 4th, 2012, 12:03 pm
irritated said:
503. DAWOUD
You forgot the hairy cherries on the cake: The Salafists
April 4th, 2012, 12:05 pm
Dawoud said:
505. irritated
Thanks irritated.
Below are the code names that anti-Sunni and pro-murderous Syrian dictator Shias/Alawis use:
“Salafist”
“Wahabi”
“Muslim Brotherhood”
keep saying “newbie” (I don’t mean you “irritated” because the person knows who he is) until the female who says that Hamza al-Khateeb was killed by “Saudi terrorists” offers you a date. Aslo, please stay busy reading the pro-Iran/Hizballah Wilayat al-faqih media: al-Akhbar, As-Safir, Press TV, al-Alam TV, etc.
April 4th, 2012, 12:10 pm
Jad said:
So according to the bigotry propaganda lovers if you dare to criticize ksa or qatar crappy propaganda Wahabi media you Immediatly become an Anti-Sunni (new term is born) this level of thinking reminds me with his highness prince Mish3al (aka Misho) talks about why women shouldn’t drive and should listen to the King, otherwise they end up driving TANKS.
Enjoy Misho lecture, it suits the deep discussion of Wahabi-lovers accusations to anybody who disagree with terrorism as Anti-Sunni yet we wonder who gives us the bad reputation:
April 4th, 2012, 12:32 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
The great hero and fighter, Lt. Abdul Razzaq Tlass, outside Homs National Hospital, after liberating it from Assad forces, along with his band of fierce fighters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNqLvuv0an8&feature=youtu.be&skipcontrinter=1
78 decomposed bodies bearing signs of torture were discovered in the Hospital premises, refrigerator and in container trucks outside the hospital.
Homs National Hospital is under FSA Control !!!
April 4th, 2012, 12:33 pm
Tara said:
If prisoners refused to say that ‘Assad is our leader’, they sat them down naked on to a glass bottle. The bottleneck penetrated [their anus].”
Syrian refugees: In their own words
Monday 2 April 2012 15.00 EDT
….
Living in a predominantly Alevi neighbourhood in Antakya, Salwa explains that she now introduces herself and her daughters as Palestinian to everyone she meets, just in case. “In our old apartment people knew we had come from Syria, and the police came twice to check our documents.” Reem adds: “People in Turkey always ask if you are Sunni or Alevi. I stopped answering that question because I am worried of what they might do if I tell them that I am Sunni.” Salwa nods. “This question used to be irrelevant in Syria, nobody would ask it.” She is afraid that her country might slide into a bloody civil war soon. “Now it seems your sect is all people care about.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/02/syrian-refugees-their-own-words?intcmp=239
April 4th, 2012, 12:34 pm
Tara said:
http://www.newsinenglish.no/2012/04/04/norwegian-to-lead-uns-team-in-syria/
Norwegian to lead UN’s team in Syria
April 4, 2012
Major General Robert Mood of Norway has been selected to lead the United Nations’ support team for UN Special Envoy Kofi Annan in Syria. His duties will include preparations for a UN observation force in Syria that’s currently under evaluation by the UN Security Council.
Major General Robert has lengthy experience from earlier UN operations, and is a former inspector general of the Norwegian army.
Mood, who’s originally from Kragerø on Norway’s southern coast, will lead a team of military experts that’s expected to soon travel to Damascus for talks with both sides in the violent conflict between the Syrian regime and opposition forces. The team will evaluate the situation on the ground and the prospects for deploying an unarmed force of international observers.
The goal is to end all forms of armed violence, secure humanitarian aid and support political reforms. The embattled Syrian regime recently accepted Annan’s six-point plan for Syria, including a withdrawal of Syrian military from populated areas by next Tuesday. Now the regime is expected to abide by its agreement.
“Norway is giving its full support to Annan’s peace plan,” said Norwegian Defense Minister Espen Barth Eide. He said he was “very glad” that Mood was asked to help Annan “in his important work.”
Eide said Mood had extensive knowledge of the region and lengthy experience with UN operations in troubled areas. Until last spring, he was chief of the UN’s observer mission in the Middle East (UNTSO – United Nations Truce Supervision Organization) and he currently leads the Norwegian defense department’s veteran services.
Mood characterized his new job as “adviser” for Kofi Annan. He said he was asked to take the post by both the UN and the Norwegian military, and he agreed because “this is all about finding out how we in practice can halt the violence on the ground in Syria. When you’re asked to contribute towards stopping the violence, it’s impossible to say ‘no.’”
He also said that being asked to take on the UN post was “an enormous recognition of the job Norwegian women and men, our veterans, have done around the world for the UN and with a UN mandate.”
Mood is also a former inspector general for the Norwegian army. An estimated 9,000 Syrians have been killed in the violence that began last spring.
April 4th, 2012, 12:36 pm
Mina said:
Jürgen
I am not sure if it is in the air to see every new war as a cool independentist movement, but Touré was criticized 2 months before the coup for not doing enough about what was going on in the north (it was still the Tuaregs we were hearing about then). But now that the north is almost in secession, we don’t hear about the Tuaregs anymore. They are not interested in cities, in case it escaped the ethnological literature you read.
http://afrique.blog.lemonde.fr/2012/04/03/tombouctou-aux-mains-des-salafistes/
http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2012/04/04/les-militaires-accusent-les-rebelles-de-viols-dans-le-nord-du-mali_1680421_3212.html
April 4th, 2012, 12:55 pm
Mina said:
Here is a Tuareg website about what is going on.
http://toumastpress.com/
Apparently, the “Ansar Dine” people in north Mali are three men who all belonged to Toure’s regime (but one of them is from a Tuareg tribe) and are famous for their corruption and trafics.
The Tuareg suspect the Islamist takeover to be a counter revolution against them.
So it’s not only in Egypt, Syria, Nigeria, that Salafis are used for counter-revolutions? It is becoming viral.
In Mauritania too demonstrations are getting bigger.
April 4th, 2012, 1:13 pm
zoo said:
Iran snubs Turkey over Syria.
“Taking into account the extremist and illogical position of Turkey on Syria”
Venue disaccord over Iran nuclear talks
By Marc Burleigh | AFP – 22 mins ago
http://news.yahoo.com/venue-disaccord-over-iran-nuclear-talks-103921567.html
…
Iran’s sudden about-face on Istanbul also hinted at animosity towards Turkey over its position on Syria, the Islamic republic’s principal ally in the Middle East.
Turkey, which has called for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down to end the year-long bloody strife in his country, on Sunday hosted a “Friends of Syria” conference sympathetic to Syrian rebels and criticised by Tehran.
Turkey, a NATO member, has also joined a US-imposed sanctions push to cut purchases of Iranian oil.
“Turkey is now excluded,” Aladin Borujerdi, the head of the Iranian parliament’s foreign affairs commission, told the Iranian channel Al-Alam.
“That is the position of parliament and the government. We have proposed Baghdad, and if the other side accepts, it will be Baghdad,” he said.
“Taking into account the extremist and illogical position of Turkey on Syria and the recent conference on Syria, Turkey has de facto lost any competence to host the meeting,” Borujerdi added.
April 4th, 2012, 1:23 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
MODERATOR,
I protest. My comments are not appearing as I post them. It seems you have put me under moderation, without informing me, or worse, even banned me, without giving a reason.
April 4th, 2012, 1:24 pm
Tara said:
I so much want to know what is happening in north Mali. It is as important as knowing about Cambodia.
April 4th, 2012, 1:27 pm
Tara said:
Why do even the Russians care? They are indirectly responsible for the death of thousands of Syrians. If Russia demanded Bashar to resign, he could’ve not resisted the international pressure. Russia emboldened him to defy and it is responsible.
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/04/03/russian_makes_its_syria_case_on_capitol_hill
Russia makes its Syria case on Capitol Hill
Posted By Josh Rogin Tuesday, April 3, 2012 – 7:22 PM
Russian Embassy officials defended their country’s defense of the Syrian regime in a meeting with congressional staffers on Capitol Hill Tuesday afternoon, in a private briefing hosted by Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-IL).
“The Embassy of the Russian Federation to the USA in cooperation with the office of Honorable Senator Richard Durbin has the honor to invite you to a briefing on Russia’s approach to the situation in Syria,” reads the official invitation, obtained by The Cable. “Officers of the Embassy’s political and congressional sections will be ready to provide you with an overview of the Russian position, as well as answer your questions on this pressing international issue.”
The briefing was led by Russian embassy officials Anton Vushkarnik and Sergey Kuznetsov, according to the invitation, but several other embassy officials also spoke at the meeting.
About half a dozen Senate staffers attended the briefing, which got pretty heated, according to congressional sources briefed on the meeting. The Russian embassy officials refused to acknowledge basic facts about the burgeoning conflict in Syria, including that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad continues to kill his own people. The Russia officials also claimed that an equal number of Syrian civilians have died at the hands of the Syrian opposition.
The Russian officials also defended their country’s ongoing arms sales to the Syrian regime, pointing out that there is no international law preventing such sales. (Of course, it was Russia along with China that vetoed the U.N. Security Council resolution that would have instituted such an arms embargo.)
The Russian officials also drew an equivalency between the killing of civilians in Syria and the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, arguing that the U.S. government protects the Israeli government in the United Nations when its actions are criticized, the congressional sources said. The Russian officials accused the U.S. government of hypocrisy and arrogance in its public calls for better Russian behavior in Syria.
Since last year, Durbin has been actively calling for more international action and pressure on the Syrian regime to compel a halt in government sponsored violence.
“Today’s meeting gave a bipartisan group of offices the opportunity to voice their serious concerns about Russia’s arms sales to Syria directly to the Russian Embassy. Many on the Hill, led by Senators Durbin, Cornyn, Ayotte and Gillibrand, have strongly condemned Russia’s role in the bloody conflict,” Durbin’s spokesman Max Gleishman told The Cable.
April 4th, 2012, 1:35 pm
Tara said:
Burak Bekdil Alevi?
April 4th, 2012, 1:44 pm
Uzair8 said:
507. Khalid Tlass
Yes Khalid.
I saw the report of the recapture of the hospital earlier elswhere along with a photo of Lt Tlass draped in a Syrian revolutionary flag.
http://mediacdn.disqus.com/uploads/mediaembed/images/242/5322/original.jpg
There seems to be something about him. Something I like. I see in him a real concern for the people. I see in him piety and trustworthiness. Leadership. Previously I had only seen a video of him amongst civilians and they genuinely seemed to love him. A champion of the people. He gives me hope.
Definitely one to watch. Interestingly he is also the nephew of Mustafa Tlass.
I pray that Allah SWT guides and protects Lt Tlass and all revolutionaries from the enemies of the people.
April 4th, 2012, 2:12 pm
Tara said:
Uzair and Khaled
I agree with you. There is definitely something gracious about him.
April 4th, 2012, 2:26 pm
mjabali said:
Jad:
al-Jazeera has no problem showing dead Syrians everyday for the last year, but they are sensitive to the dead of a European country.
You know that they stopped airing the massacre of the Militant Wahabi Islamist in France so France and Europe do not see the ugly face of their creed.
But the truth can not be hid for long. The other day I was watching a show on al-Arabiyah called the Industry of Death ????? ?????and in it they spoke with some Muslim leaders in France. The first man had a beard with no mustache and the second one has a goatee with no mustache: this means that the nice moderate Islam the North Africans know is getting replaced rapidly with the money of Qatar, Saudi and the like, with the Salafi brand of Islam.
al-Jazeera is not going to block the damaging agenda of the Salafis who as you can see are invading Europe fast.
April 4th, 2012, 2:28 pm
Latif said:
That stupid Oglu can talk as much as he likes. How I wish Turkey make the mistake of entering Syria. They will be humiliated. They only know how to kill innocent farmers in Kurdistan, Gog-Magog scumbags. Not surprised Turkey and the west are together in this. Turkey Gog-Magog, west Dajjal, and the Arab countries that are with them are Qarn Al-Shaytan. The three evils together. Three stooge ideologies. But inshallah when Allah says enough and the time for Muhammad the Second arrives, these countries will bow down in fear of getting destroyed. And hopefully when he does come, I don’t want him to forgive. I want him to destroy all those nations.
I don’t like Bashar Al-Assad and the Baathist fools who are Salafists the First. But I know that these revolutions are simply replacing puppets for puppets. It’s the western plan to bring about a fake “Islamic”-shaped new Middle East, one which would give Israel the preemptive measure to strike its neighbors by claiming “self-defense”, and thereby accomplishing their expansionist agendas. Just watch if (or should I say “when”) Syria and Egypt turn Salafist and begin to pose their fake threats on Israel. Golden opportunity for the Israelis to attack their neighbors, gain land, make neutral zones and those countries will humiliate these nations even more. Right now they’re banking on Assad to fall. But perhaps God is with Syria. He will not let it fall like Egypt has fallen or Libya has fallen.
Israel is banking on getting Sinai and the Golan and possible all of Quneitra. The MB is basically second version of Nasser. Nasser and other so-called Arabists served the same function back then ans MB is doing now.
They tried it in Jordan but failed, thanks to the gumption of the Hahsemites who refused to be seduced into the third-word Socialist system and reed millions of MBs in their country, but instead got the masses of Palestinians some real jobs. Look to Jordan for a clue.
April 4th, 2012, 2:29 pm
Juergen said:
Conspiracy fears in Syria
Foreign powers as a scapegoat
By Jan Kuhlmann
The Arab League has been kept in its “Declaration of Baghdad” against foreign interference in the conflict in Syria. This warning to the West may be understandable historically, politically, it is directed mostly against their own opposition.
Mighty is he who has the most weapons. And who ruthlessly uses them like Bashar al-Assad. The dictator of Damascus has no inhibitions when it comes to oppress his own people.
At least so far, the Syrian army is for him a reliable partner. Just as Russia and China, which let him pass with his bloodbath without batting of an eyelash. Happy is he who can rely on his friends in times of crisis. But it’s not just tanks and partners with whom Assad goes to war. On his side there is also something that could be described as a grand narrative.
A grand narrative – this is a recurring rhetoric, believed by masses of people, without questioning it. It is almost universally true, which gives it enormous power when they sent uses for its own purposes. How does this work, is shown almost in an exemplary way by Bashar Assad.
The grand narrative – it is in Syria, that mainly foreign powers, have turned otherwise satisfied Syrians against their ever caring government.The foreign forces, they want to create chaos, to enforce their own interests, suppress the Syrians and divide the country.
Who are these dark forces, as everyone knows, without having to be called: the U.S., of course, the evil Satan, Israel, the Zionist enemy, and Europe, and the rich Gulf states, which make the imperialist West common cause of TV channel al-Jazeera as a journalistic stooges of politics. It’s conspiracy rhetoric in its purest form.
But it shows its effect. The overthrow of the Assad regime has so far not been successful mainly because important groups in the country are still behind the dictator and his system. You see the Assad clan as a protecting power, acting solely in the interests of the country and Syria saved from disintegration.
The fact that this grand narrative fall into fertile soil and its bloom can be explained mainly from the Arab history. A very good read its the newly published book “The Arabs” of the Oxford historian Eugene Rogan.
The history of the Arab world – especially, tells of how a region has been dominated for centuries by foreign powers. First it was the Ottomans, who ruled from Istanbul. Then came the British and French. Later the Americans. The war against Saddam Hussein after the attacks of 11 September – he confirmed in the eyes of many Arabs, only the evil doings of the dark foreign powers.
One can even understand it.
Since it is not surprising that these grand narrative is also widespread in other Arab countries – Egypt for example. The Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation in Cairo are feeling it, its executives are accused for their alleged activities for democracy with foreign, have financed about illegal funds. Now, we often hear, that only the Egyptians decide over Egypt – and not the foreigners.
So much of this effort which is meant to be independent, it is in the 21 Century out of date if that makes a cooperation across national borders impossible. And it is unacceptable if it is against democracy.
Behind the Cairo process is primarily the work of one minister, who was sitting under the ousted President Mubarak in the Cabinet. Here the old system is fighting against democracy – the old system, which received billions of aid from abroad and which we financed a comfortable life.
The grand narrative – it is powerful. A physical weapon however powerful can not destroy it. Who wants to win in the Syrian conflict, needs to win people’s minds for themselves.
( translated from German)
http://www.dradio.de/dkultur/sendungen/politischesfeuilleton/1721627/
April 4th, 2012, 2:34 pm
Halabi said:
Thanks Omen. It was a good read. One of my friends is a shabeeh in Aleppo, technically ???? ?????, and he showed me his orders last summer to stand outside a certain mosque after Friday prayers. I don’t think he is a killer and can’t imagine that he would hurt people he knows, but I am sure he gets a kick out of beating people up. (He was violent when we were young and loves guns and military stuff, even though he didn’t serve).
It’s going to be very hard bringing the fighters and killers from both sides back to normal society but it will happen eventually. We just have to survive long enough to see it. True menhebaks, the electronic army, on the other hand, is a lost cause. Their minds are too corrupted with warped histories and conspiracies to be salvaged.
April 4th, 2012, 2:35 pm
Uzair8 said:
517 TARA:
‘Gracious’
Yes that is the word. Learning about his successful operation and seeing his image, it definitely struck me. I don’t know if I felt like this throughout the revolution, or as strongly. The feeling has lingered for a couple of hours. Perhaps because the need for figures to rally around hasn’t been greater. Of course the Tlass name makes a difference.
I remember when seeing the report and image I immediately thought about using the image elsewhere as an avatar and the name of the battalion as a signature. The reason being that if others who may have doubts about whats happening in Syria and doubts about the FSA then perhaps they can be reassured and won over by Lt Tlass.
Another observation. I’m assuming the Farouq Battalion (Homs) is named after the second Caliph of Islam Umar Farouq (RA). So we have Umar (RA) defending the city of Khalid bin Waleed (RA). If Im correct in early Islam it was Umar (RA) who dismissed Khalid bin Waleed from his post as military general.
Ironically the Shia people don’t like both these personalities (especially the second Caliph).
Anyway. I’m on the periphery. What really matters is what Syrians think.
April 4th, 2012, 2:47 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
Too bad Aljazera and Tara cant add this to their very accurate list of people
Killed ????? ????? ??????.Khaled Taja in a place where terrorists can’t lie any
More.i quess in the other wold every body is mixed together and people might
Be sitting around a table they refused to sit around here(if they have tables there):
???? ??? ??? ????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ?? «?????? ????» ?? ???? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ???? ?? ?????.
???? ??? ?????? ????? ???????? ????? ??? ?? ??? ?? ???? ??? ???? ???? ????? ????? ??? ??????? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ??? ??????? .
??????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ??? ????? ???????? ??? ????? ????? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ????? ??? 1966 ???? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ???? ???? ?? ????????? ???????? ??????????? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ???????: ???????? ??????????? ????? ??????? ????? ?????? ?????? ????? ??????? ???????? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ?? ??????? ???????? ???????????.
April 4th, 2012, 2:49 pm
mjabali said:
Tara:
It is a shame when a Syrian like you start admiring someone who attacked a hospital. You are a doctor and know what could be in the hospital other than pro Assad elements. Syria is going to hell because of these type of actions.
April 4th, 2012, 2:52 pm
mjabali said:
Uzair:
This “gracious” guy you are admiring attacked a hospital in my country.
You know that al-Assad and his troops are coming and you know the rest.
Here is an observation for you Uzair: al-Faruq battalion is named after the second Caliph Umar who is well known to never be a fighting man. how come? He was never known in battles so how come you name a battalion after someone who has no clue about war?
by the way stop saying you are on the side while you come and throw your poison in this blog. You are not.
April 4th, 2012, 3:02 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
Mjbal
Being a doctor means nothing, Alzoahri is a doctor who killed 3000 Americans who supports a terrorists movement in Syria.
April 4th, 2012, 3:04 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=220585094618158
Mjabali
Your knowledge of History is very wrong
Omar Ibn Al Khattab was in several battles, stop your wrong ideas please.
April 4th, 2012, 3:09 pm
Jad said:
MJabali
I agree with your comment about Terrorist News Network of Aljazeera, they have one message to spread ‘Vive La Terrorism, Vive La Mal’
What I find disgusting the most is the
staniscalling for blood and death and glorifying warlords while their own people’s kids are treated like products.There is a disgusting documentary about the issue in Afghanistan, it makes you feel sick to the core and hate yourself being human, its called La Dance Des Garçon Afghan, that is what those radicals want to turn us to, Animals.
April 4th, 2012, 3:12 pm
Uzair8 said:
525. mjabali
‘…attacked a hospital..’
The reports were about liberating a hospital.
‘..never be a fighting man..’
It is absurd to say Umar (RA) wasn’t a ‘fighting man’. Many battalions/brigades have been formed named after famous Companions for inspiration. Btw ‘I’ didn’t name any battalions.
‘…stop saying you are on the side…’
I have to regularly remind myself not to over-post on here or get in the way. I am opinionated but at the same time realise I’m on the periphery.
‘Poison’
Poison?
April 4th, 2012, 3:17 pm
omen said:
441. Ghufran said:
Is not it sad that foreign journalists are more sensible and thoughtful than the Arab ones?
I could have written this article,it summarized the situation very well
you give more weight to dispassionate western analysis, far remove from events on the ground, than you do to desperate cries for help from your own people?
April 4th, 2012, 3:18 pm
omen said:
what happened to the edit function?
i meant to add to the above:
especially from an organ known to defend the interests of the powerful over the weak.
April 4th, 2012, 3:20 pm
Hans said:
individual who is banned more than 5 times a year should not be allowed to post on SC for ever under the same account, given that many try to use many different accounts under different names.
April 4th, 2012, 3:21 pm
omen said:
why is this hospital issue even being debated? the regime is on record as being documented using torture in hospitals:
April 4th, 2012, 3:24 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Mjabali
You are wrong as usual, you do knot know history, Omar Ibn Alkhattab participated in Uhud Battle and others, please correct your wrong statement
April 4th, 2012, 3:26 pm
mjabali said:
Majedkhaldoun:
The name al-Faruq came from the day Umar became a Muslim because of its importance, and did not come from his prowess in battles.
???????: ??? ??? ???? ???????
As for how many times did Umar ibn al-Khattab run away from battles here are many links:
In this link Umar running away from battles
http://www.mrsawalyeh.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3626
Here is a text from al-Bukhari:
???? ??????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ?????: (???? ???? ?? ??????? ?????? ??? ??? ???? ?????) . ?? ???? ???????.
?? ??? ????? ???: ???? ??? ??? ???? ???? ??? ??? ?? ???????? ????? ????? ?? ???????? ???? ?? ???????? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ???? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ??????? ???? ??: ?? ??? ??????? ???: ??? ????… (???? ???????: 5/101).
So, do you have a different history Mr. Majedkhaldoun?
April 4th, 2012, 3:29 pm
Jad said:
April 4th, 2012, 3:31 pm
omen said:
Halabi, after the regime falls, do you think the idea of holding a truth and reconciliation commission, like was done in south africa and rwanda, would work in syria? could that help heal these rifts?
April 4th, 2012, 3:36 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
MJABALI,
Why is a self-professed secularist like yourself throwing out Shia ithna’Ashari arguments about Caliph Omar ? Abd why are you engaging in Shia-Sunni polemics regarding the Sahaba ? Haven’t you yourself proclaimed that you are secular and do not care about narrow religious and sectarian differences ?
yet now you are engaging in polemics about the Sahaba and are insulting our Caliphs ?
Sp what do we conclude ? Either you are not true to your word, or you are Ithna’Ashari and not Alawi, as you claim.
P.S : I am for using stronger words to describe your posting content, but am avoiding it out of respect for Moderator’s wishes and rules.
April 4th, 2012, 3:39 pm
omen said:
reptilian overlords! that always makes me giggle.
April 4th, 2012, 3:40 pm
Tara said:
Mjabali
Tara a doctor?
My knowledge in regard to Aspirin, statin, and vitamin D is common knowledge of the educated health care consumer and does not necessarily reflect a medical training.
It is targeted to a freind of mine to whom I have profound unexplained mental connection. There is a big irony in regard to that subject..
The regime you are defending is documented to have turned the Syrian hospitals into torture centers. You support the regime by not condemning it.
Let me ask you now a real direct question. How is the generic sunni Tara can ever trust the generic Alawi Mjabali going forward after the Assad vanishes? I understand that not all Alawis are with the regime. I understand that they are being rubbed of their Alawitehood.
I understand their fear. I understand the injustice historically fallen upon them. I understand only few have blood in their hands.
I understand that lots of Sunnis have blood on their hands. I understand all that and some more.
I also know that what the generic me is hoping for is a secular democratic state where rights are protected for all. I am trying to discuss the issue at a personal level to a generic Tara… How can we trust you anymore?
April 4th, 2012, 3:43 pm
Uzair8 said:
We can agree to disagree on Lt Tlass. I posted describing my instincts. Just his appearance and demeanor. Notice how I didn’t post about him after seeing the report several hours ago and only responded because Khalid Tlass raised the subject?
About Lt. Abdul Razzaq Tlass, perhaps, as some may say, there appears light (noor) on his face, which is having an affect on some of us.
Btw are the Tlass family descendants of the Prophet (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salam) ?
April 4th, 2012, 3:44 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Mjabali
Obviously you are Shiite, since you quote Shiite version, Umar was in Uhud battle, and was in other battles, go back and read history and correct yourself.
You can google his name
April 4th, 2012, 3:48 pm
jad said:
Hans
I agree with you, someone who was banned many times in different blogs in a matter of couple months not even a year for the same reason shouldn’t be allowed to comment any more.
We are already in April, the ban lifting should be over, it was an offer for limited time in March 🙂
April 4th, 2012, 3:49 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
UZAYR,
Did you see the video after the National Hospital was liberated ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNqLvuv0an8&feature=youtu.be&skipcontrinter=1
Mjabali,
That Hospital was not a Hospital, it was captured by Assad forces in October and since then has been used for :
1. Capturing and torturing injured Syrian anti-regimists who came there for treatment
2. Storing dead bodies in the refrigerators.
3. Organ harvesting of dead bodies by Shabbiha
4. Weapons storgage and resting place for Assad forces
5. Sniper nests and firing positions for the shabbiha.
Any building which is used for the above purposes loses any privilege of being a “hospital” in any sense of the term.
Come to admit it, the Hospital was occupied by Assadists, they got kicked out of the Hospital by Abdur Razzaq Tlass and his boys, now FSA in control, and your Tartousi Generals are licking their wounds in their lairs and planning a new massacre of civilans to avenge theur setback.
April 4th, 2012, 3:50 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
MAJEDKHALDOUN,
It is obvious Mjabali is not a Nusayri, but a pure Ithna’Ashari. A secular Alawi will not be parroting those polemics about Umar al-Farouq (radi’ Allahu anh)
Dr. Khaldoun,
What madhab/ fiqh do you follow ?
April 4th, 2012, 3:53 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Mjabali
You told us before you are syrian, and against Arab, now we know you are Shiite and from Iran, could you tell us the truth, from what part of Iran are you?
April 4th, 2012, 3:53 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Khaled
I am Sunni , Hanafi, but I respect all religions, except the one that permit lying, you call it dissimulation if they lie ,and allow their followers to lie ,then they can not be trusted
April 4th, 2012, 3:58 pm
jad said:
So Khaldoun
What’s wrong with Shia?
You are using it as an accusation, what happened to your ‘morals’? Lost them somewhere?
April 4th, 2012, 3:58 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
Dr. Khaldoun,
It is not necessary he be Iranian, he can be an Iraqi Shi’ite since he has on many occassions expressed his hatred for the Baath Party and Saddam Hussein.
Dr. Khaldoun,
What madhab do you follow ? Do you believe in Wahdat al-Wujood ?
April 4th, 2012, 4:02 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
546. majedkhaldoun said:
“Khaled
I am Sunni , Hanafi, but I respect all religions, except the one that permit lying, you call it dissimulation if they lie ,and allow their followers to lie ,then they can not be trusted”
Thats interesting. Do you think al-Bouti and Hassoun are really Hanafi ?
Also, when you say “lying” you obviosuly mean TAQIYAH.
Also being a Hanafi, do you believe in Wahdat al-Wujood and
that Prophet (saw) is made of Nour ?
April 4th, 2012, 4:05 pm
Uzair8 said:
543. Khalid Tlass
Yes Khalid I did see the video although normally I avoid videos with brutality and graphic images. Looked like fungus ridden corpses in the lorry.
Btw, Khalid tread carefully. Others are calling for your banning although up to #543 you have said nothing to justify such calls.
April 4th, 2012, 4:06 pm
mjabali said:
Tara:
I do not defend the regime. I am not a fan of the Assad regime. This regime and others are taking Syria to an uncertain future.
As for turning hospitals into torture chambers I doubt that. The Assad men may guard and rough up certain people but torture chambers are in prisons and Security branches buildings. al-Assad had filled Syria with those and he is in no need to turn the hospital to torture chambers. al-Assad and his guys may wait in hospitals to arrest wounded fighter who may come there.
But also, hospitals in Syria are filled any day with normal people who need medical attention. What about those?
AS for trust between Alawis and Sunnis, in my humble opinion, that needs lots of time, work and will from both parties.
You also said the magic word: Secular democratic state. This will protect all citizens. With time and work, Syrians will probably understand each other more. It is not hard to do but you need the will to do it.
al-Assads (father and son) and the traditional Sunni establishment never worked to make people from both sects understand or respect each other.
So, it is up to Tara and Mjabali and the rest of Syrians to make this work, otherwise Syria is going to be divided.
April 4th, 2012, 4:06 pm
Alan said:
Ex-employee: Al Jazeera provided Syrian rebels with satphones
http://rt.com/news/al-jazeera-rebels-phones-lebanon-281/
Damascus confirms adherence to Annan`s peace plan – diplomat
http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_04_03/70544476/
Syrian Tsunami
http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_04_04/Syria-Lavrov/
The Syrian opposition is unable to defeat the government forces even if it is armed to the teeth. All those who dissuade the opposition members from coming into contact with the official authorities are risking outside intervention and bomb attacks. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said as much speaking before the students at the Moscow State University branch in Baku.
The audience bombarded the Russian minister with questions which dealt with both the international agenda and his personal life.
Naturally, the present-day developments in the Middle East and in North Africa were in the focus of attention. In Syria the world community is doing its utmost to offer help in the settlement of the conflict between official Damascus and the opposition. The plan that was worked out by the UN / LAS Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan has already been adopted. Before April 10th the authorities should begin pulling out the troops from the Syrian cities, and the opposition members should follow their example in 48 hours at the minimum. As you know, the Western countries and also some Arab states are conducting a dialogue only with those who are against President Assad. For its part, Moscow favours contacts with both the Syrian government and the opposition, Sergei Lavrov told the students.
“It is necessary to work with everyone and to do whatever is possible to persuade them that we want to help the people in Syria resolve their problems. The majority of Western partners and some Arab countries are trying to talk the Syrians out of entering the dialogue with the authorities. And this means only one thing: that a solution to the problem can be found only through the use of force. As I said before, it is absolutely clear that the opposition even if it is armed to the teeth will not defeat the Syrian army. Hence, the involvement of outside forces and bomb attacks remain a possibility. And this is a provocative way. Syria is a multi-confessional and a multi-ethnic country – in other words, the hottest spot in the Middle East. Thus, a tsunami may follow as a result.”
As regards the opposition members, the events in Libya are a good example. The UN Mandate on Libya was abused by the West, the Russian minister said. As a result, Libya is facing many problems now: skirmishes between various groups continue and the problem concerning the spread of arms, including anti-aircraft systems, has not been settled yet. The “Libyan scenario” is convincing evidence that settling conflicts by means of force is inadmissible in the modern world.
Those in Baku paid paramount attention to Lavrov’s statement. Nearly 50 per cent of questions concerned Nagorno-Karabakh. Over the past few years the number of thorny issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan has decreased.
“I believe that the lack of mutual trust prevents them fulfilling the final agreements. This is a very important psychological barrier. I believe that the meetings President Medvedev holds with his Azeri and Armenian counterparts are helpful in overcoming this barrier. Russia, the USA and France that are acting as the three co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group are ready to seal any settlement by international guarantees, including the presence of observers and peacekeepers in the region.”
The talk with the students in Baku proved serious. But of course, they showed a great deal of interest not only in the political events. Asked how he spent his spare time, Lavrov said that he liked rafting and alpine skiing.
April 4th, 2012, 4:09 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Jad
I ,just like you
April 4th, 2012, 4:09 pm
jad said:
Mutual feeling Majed!
——————
For the lovely radicals we have today on SC, enjoy the new Homs, where the science-haters terrorists turn schools into detention centers and slaughter house..I guess this is no problem for any the Stan region.
????? ??????? ????????? ?? ??? 4-4-2012
http://youtu.be/NYqdXvAohO4
April 4th, 2012, 4:09 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
MAJED,
You did not answer my question, do you believe in Wahdat al-Wujood ?
April 4th, 2012, 4:14 pm
Uzair8 said:
Just seen this in AJE Syria blog comment section (popular now):
‘Deputy minister of finance defects from his post in Damascus, arrives in Turkey with his family.
48 minutes ago.’
Also this:
‘Minister of Communications and Technology Emad Abdul-Ghani Sabouni announces his defection as he arrives in Turkey amid a wave of the highest level regime defections yet. In his statement denouncing the regime for its handling of the crisis, Abdul-Ghani Sabouni said he expects many more defections very soon.
44 minutes ago’
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/Syria
April 4th, 2012, 4:16 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
TARA
Do not fall for the flowery words of MJABALI.
He is doing Taqiyah. Google Taqiyah and see what it means. He is pretending to be moderate and against the regime. But sometimes, when he is angry and frustrated, his real self comes out : sectarian, anti-Sunni, and he even threatened that “Assad men are coming”. LOL. He is really not at all secular,otherwise he wouldn;t have insulted our caliph Omar.
April 4th, 2012, 4:17 pm
jad said:
Mawal,
You may need to check this, it’s showing brain wash at work between the armed ignorant:
???? ?? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ?????? ????? 3-4-2012
http://youtu.be/FgGzhp465Wk
April 4th, 2012, 4:20 pm
Alan said:
http://ar.rian.ru/russia/20120404/374535558.html
????? ???? ??????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? 10 ?????
“????? ?????”
???? ????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ??? ????????? ?? ???? ???????? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ?? 10 ?????/????? ??????.
???? ????? ???? ???????? ??????? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ???????? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ????.
????? ?? ???? ????????? ?? ????? ???????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ???????? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ????? ?? ?????.
???? ???? ???????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ?? ????? ????????? ?? ????? ????? ???? ???? ?? ???????? ???????? ????? ??? “???? ??????? (????? ???????? ???????) ????? ???? ?? ??????? ??? ????? ??????”.
??? ??? ?????? ??? ??????? ?????? “????? ????? ??? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ???????? ???????”? ????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ???????.
April 4th, 2012, 4:21 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
Mjabali,
That Hospital was not a Hospital, it was captured by Assad forces in October and since then has been used for :
1. Capturing and torturing injured Syrian anti-regimists who came there for treatment
2. Storing dead bodies in the refrigerators.
3. Organ harvesting of dead bodies by Shabbiha
4. Weapons storgage and resting place for Assad forces
5. Sniper nests and firing positions for the shabbiha.
Any building which is used for the above purposes loses any privilege of being a “hospital” in any sense of the term.
Come to admit it, the Hospital was occupied by Assadists, they got kicked out of the Hospital by Abdur Razzaq Tlass and his boys, now FSA in control, and the bloodthirsty Tartousi Generals are licking their wounds in their lairs and planning a new massacre of civilans to avenge theur setback.
April 4th, 2012, 4:21 pm
Alan said:
Jad ! for U
http://ar.rian.ru/images/37388/49/373884978.jpg
April 4th, 2012, 4:25 pm
mjabali said:
Majdkhaldoun:
al-Bukhari is not a Shia. Also, try to refute what they said and do not dismiss it just because Shia are parroting it.
I am waiting on you and Khaled Tlass to come up with texts to refute what I said.
Khaled Tlass:
We live in the 21st C., and now we should be able to discuss matters related to history with an open mind. If you want to use any type of language that would reflect what you can come up with.
April 4th, 2012, 4:25 pm
jad said:
Moderator,
Could you please put KT comments into moderation, seriously!
What crap is that in 557!!!
April 4th, 2012, 4:29 pm
mjabali said:
Jad:
Let Khaled Tlass post whatever he wants. That is his right. You notice what type of logic he is bringing to this blog.
Khlaed Tlass:
Syria so far witnessed actions and reactions, so, when FSA’s al-Faruq Brigade attacks the hospital and this becomes major news you know what is coming next. You do not need that much brain to predict this.
April 4th, 2012, 4:38 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
This is what a small Syrian town of less than 20,000 people looks like when not occupied by Assad forces –
Al-Boukamal, Deirezzor Province (right on the Iraqi border)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sD47eLn8LE&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtgO_qQ0-5E&feature=relmfu
April 4th, 2012, 4:39 pm
Tara said:
Mjabali
I will reply later. Have to take 3 “fake” children for ice cream.
Khaled
I am surprised you are still talking to me. I was mean to you and I regret it, then you get on my nerve again so I get mean again and then regret it again. You are entitled to your opinion as long as you are not an infiltrator. I just do not agree with your views and I eally am not mean..
In a salafi government you envision to have, am I going to be forced to cover my hair? What if I don’t comply?
April 4th, 2012, 4:42 pm
jad said:
Mjabali
KT is not even Syrian, so with his ridiculous sectarian comments he is giving all of us bad rep, not that we don’t have Syrians with the same ‘lovely’ mentality of him on SC, however, we defiantly don’t need more of those.
Just ugly comments and they affect the whole conversation to go south and toward one subject.
Moderation is the least of what this person deserve, if not banning forever from commenting on SC, they did it in 7ee6an 4 times already, why not SC?
April 4th, 2012, 4:43 pm
jad said:
Tara
I’m glad that your imagination is developing, going from one to 3, Mabrouk 🙂
April 4th, 2012, 4:44 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
Again, ya Jabali, why are you bringing up al Bukhari ?
You yourself claimed that you are secular and do not want to be involved in narrow religious and sectarian fights,
YET you are repeatedly engaging into discussions about our Ahadith with the aim of insulting our Caliphs,
If you are really secular you should stay away from these religious discussions, if you were really secular you will have no interest in Omar bin Khattab(ra) and Sahih al-Bukhari.
So tell the truth, you hate Omar bin Kahttab and Khalid ibn al Waleed bcz they kicked the Pheonicians and Byzantines’ ass.
And if you still insist on getting into quarrels about our Sahaba and our religious beliefs,
May I speak about the fake Hidden Imam “Mahdi” who is supposed to be hiding in a Mosque in Samara2, Iraq ?
Or should I speak about MUTA marriage ?
Or how Iran was converted to Shi’ism by the sword of the Safawiyoun ?
Or should I speak about the terrorists who bombed the Iraqi Embassy in Beirut in 1981 which kiled 200 innoccent people and also killed Balqis al-Rawi, the wife of Nizar Qabbani ?
So better not engage in these narrow sectarian quarrels.
April 4th, 2012, 4:47 pm
Alan said:
CrossTalk: Arab Spring Break
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xDfRRfnErU
Does the growing popularity of the Muslim Brotherhood mean the Arab Spring may see its end very soon? Since the Brotherhood has chosen to field a presidential candidate, does it have a good chance of winning? Will it be able to fix the country’s economy? And could the Muslim Brotherhood protect the minorities? CrossTalking with Nabila Ramdani, Oren Kessler and Alyssa Lappen.
April 4th, 2012, 4:53 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
564.MJABALI said:
“Khlaed Tlass:
Syria so far witnessed actions and reactions, so, when FSA’s al-Faruq Brigade attacks the hospital and this becomes major news you know what is coming next. You do not need that much brain to predict this”
One week ago you were predicting something big for the killing of 15 Shabbeh in a village by the FSA near al-Qusayr.
Listen, the Syrian people are fed up with all these mean threats and have seen enough massacres and enough threats, so nothing scares them anymore. Half of Homs has been flattened already and more than 2000 Homs people killed in last 2 months, so can;t see what they are scared of.
April 4th, 2012, 4:54 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
JAD,
Who were the terrorists who bombed the Iraqi Embassy in Beirut in 1981 which kiled 200 innoccent people and also killed Balqis al-Rawi, the wife of Nizar Qabbani ?
Every Arab should know about this incident and who caused it.
April 4th, 2012, 4:55 pm
Alan said:
[RT News]
‘Pentagon freaks creep into China’s backyard’
April 4th, 2012, 4:56 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
Just heard on Aljazera that the cleaning guy for minster of education has defected
To Turkey.Any one can confirm that?
April 4th, 2012, 4:59 pm
mjabali said:
Khaled Tlass:
Anytime anyone try to discuss anything related to Islam people try to silence them? Till when?
I am not a Shia so discussing their matters with me does not serve your purpose. So play another one.
April 4th, 2012, 5:00 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
566. TARA said :
“In a Salafi government you envision to have, am I going to be forced to cover my hair? What if I don’t comply?”
I used to be much more moderate before 2011, trust me. The hatred I saw made me hate even more.
In my version of Salafi Govt, Islamization will be very gradual. No, we will not force anyone to cover their hair in public, but we will teach little girls in school that it is always better to cover your hair. Basically we will Islamise the population starting with the younger generation. We will not force adult people who are already used to their lifestyle to change it.
Ours is a long-term plan.
During the Ottomans’ time, all the women of Syria used to cover themselves, unveiling as a practice was introduced by the French and later spread by the Nasserists and Baathists.
So veiling is natural for Syria. Even during pre-Islamic times women used to veil themsleves in Syria and Iraq.
April 4th, 2012, 5:00 pm
omen said:
lessons from the former maldives president recently toppled in a coup:
April 4th, 2012, 5:00 pm
jad said:
An article about the existing of armed groups as early as April in the Syrian protests:
Surprise Video Changes Syria “Timeline”
Of all the myths obstructing the honest portrayal of events in Syria this past year, none has been more fiercely guarded by regime-change advocates than this one stark falsehood:
Myth – the Syrian regime has only been shooting unarmed, peaceful protestors until very recently when opposition groups finally decided to arm themselves in self-defense.
On the contrary, there is clear evidence that armed groups have targeted and killed security forces and civilians from within weeks of the first small protests in March 2011. An earlier investigative piece I wrote on the Syrian casualty lists identifies the shooting deaths of nine Syrian soldiers in Banyas on April 10, 2011 as one important timeline marker for premeditated opposition violence.
Ignoring this vital piece of information about the security landscape has helped shape a fundamentally flawed narrative of events in Syria. Furthermore, this false storyline has directly contributed to the escalation of the crisis by inciting rage against the “one-sided” violence of the regime, and emboldening opponents with a misplaced “righteousness” that kills legitimate debate on Syria.
But this narrative has been unraveling in the past few months. Photos and video footage of armed men with heavy weapons proudly declaring their stripes – some of them religious extremists advocating the killing of civilians based on sectarian differences – have been recently making the rounds.
Jihadist web chatter about armed groups in Syria, suicide bombings in Damascus and Aleppo, and now Al Qaeda’s “call to battle” have forced western pundits – who know a red line when they see one – to grudgingly acknowledge there are two sides in Syria’s violent tug of war.
Quite suddenly, this has forced a shift in the discourse on Syria. Regime opponents have taken care, however, to ensure that the new narrative incorporates the existence of armed groups without challenging the core premise that “the regime massacres peaceful protestors.”
This effectively means that armed opposition can only be introduced into the Syrian crisis “timeline” at a date long after the outbreak of protests.
Consequently, it is only in early 2012 that references to armed militias have trickled into the media marketplace – and always in the context of a carefully scripted storyline which misleadingly claims – as in this February New York Times opinion piece: “the resistance” has only “now begun to arm itself and to exercise self-defense.”
{…}
Here’s why I think Ali Hashem’s video footage needs an airing. It is time for a wholesale reevaluation of the facts in the Syrian crisis – beginning on day one, from the ground up, without any of the old assumptions that inhibit investigation outside of the bad-guy-good-guy theme. Maybe there aren’t any good guys in Syria? Or maybe the crisis in Syria is less about Syrians than it is about the geopolitical aspirations of others? We will only know this more decisively if we scroll back to Hashem’s April 2011 timeline to find out who hijacked the peaceful protests in Syria. Was it the regime – or the regime-changers? Unless we trace this back to the beginning, any step forward will be proceeding deaf, dumb and blind in Syria.
Sharmine Narwani is a commentary writer and political analyst covering the Middle East.
http://english.al-akhbar.com/blogs/sandbox/surprise-video-changes-syria-timeline
April 4th, 2012, 5:03 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
“Anytime anyone try to discuss anything related to Islam people try to silence them? Till when?
I am not a Shia so discussing their matters with me does not serve your purpose. So play another one.”
Do not provoke people’s religious beliefs, it is one of the first lessons of peaceful coexistence.
If you are not Shia WHY are you bringing up the topic of Omar ibn al-Khattab and sahih al Bukhari ? What interest do you have in it ? Why are you not bringing up any other Companion of the Prophet ? Why Umar ?
You still haven’t answered me, who were the people who bombed the Iraqi Embassy in Beirut in 1981, that killed 200 innoccent people and also Balqis al-Rawi, the wife of Nizar Qabbani ?
April 4th, 2012, 5:05 pm
jad said:
SNK
I can’t confirm that, but I read that in Turkey they have a severe shortage of janitors, that may explain it.
April 4th, 2012, 5:05 pm
omen said:
halabi: True menhebaks, the electronic army, on the other hand, is a lost cause.
let me guess…menhebaks is another word for brown noser.
April 4th, 2012, 5:10 pm
omen said:
halabi: True menhebaks, the electronic army, on the other hand, is a lost cause. Their minds are too corrupted with warped histories and conspiracies to be salvaged.
let me guess…menhebaks is another word for br0wn-n0ser.
April 4th, 2012, 5:13 pm
mjabali said:
Khaled Tlass:
I am not provoking people’s religious beliefs when I discuss Umar Ibn al-Khattab especially when there is a group carrying his name operating in my country Syria in the current time.
You are the one who is provoking us Syrians from day one.
April 4th, 2012, 5:14 pm
omen said:
mic check – why aren’t my posts showing?
i can’t say menhebaks? but other people are!
April 4th, 2012, 5:14 pm
omen said:
halabi: It’s going to be very hard bringing the fighters and killers from both sides back to normal society but it will happen eventually. We just have to survive long enough to see it. True menhebaks, the electronic army, on the other hand, is a lost cause. Their minds are too corrupted with warped histories and conspiracies to be salvaged.
is menhebaks another word for br0wn n0ser?
April 4th, 2012, 5:15 pm
SC Moderation said:
I want to push a button to decide where the line of insult, personal attack, provocation and other needless crap is.
If commentators had an up or down vote on all these items, would you vote green thumb up to release them all from the dungeon, or vote red thumb down to keep them there?
With such contempt for each other, where do the Syrians on this board decide whether to censor or let debate flow as it shall … ?
[email protected]
April 4th, 2012, 7:04 pm
Alan said:
http://www.voltairenet.org/%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA
????? ?? ????
??????…
???? ???? ??????
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????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ??? “?????? ????” ?????? ???? ?? ??? ?? ??? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ?? ??????? ???? ??? ??? “????????” ??? ???????? ??????? ????? ??? ?? ???? ????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ????? ?? ???????? ?? ??”???” ??? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ???????.. ???? ????! ???? ???????? ???? ??? ???????? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ??? ????? ??? ?? ????? ??? ????? “?????” ????? ?? ???? ??? ???????.
?????? ???? ?????? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ?????????? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ??????? ?? ?? ????? ??? ??????? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ???????? ?????? ????? ????? ?? ???????? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ?? ?? ???? ???? ?? ?? ???? “??????” ?? ??? “?????” ?????? ???? ???????? ?? ??????? ?????? ??? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ???????.
??? ????? ?? ???? ??? ???? ??? ???? ???? ???? ?? ??? ??? ??????? ???????? ??? ?????? “????? ?????” ??? ?????? ???? ?? ???? “??????” ????? ????? “????????”? ??????? ??????? ??????? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ???????? ??????????? ???????? ??????? ?? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ????? “??? ?????” ? “???????” ? “??????”? ??? ??????? ??????? ??? ??? ??????? ??? ?? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ???????.
????? ???? ???? ??????? ????????? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ????????? ??????? ????? ????? ??? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ?? ??? ???????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?????????? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ???? ??????? ????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ?????.
???? ??????
April 4th, 2012, 5:18 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
Can Bashar put up as brave a face as this when his Republican Guard and 4th and 3rd Division face endgame in Damascus ( hypothetically) ?
9th April, 2003, Baghdad :
April 4th, 2012, 5:23 pm
Khalid Tlass said:
JAD and MJABALI,
You still avoided the question :
Who were the people who bombed the Iraqi Embassy in Beirut in 1981, that killed 200 innoccent people and also Balqis al-Rawi, the wife of Nizar Qabbani ?
April 4th, 2012, 5:24 pm
Alan said:
http://www.voltairenet.org/Syria-For-the-UK-it-is-urgent-to
Syria: For the UK, it is urgent to do nothing
The House of Commons Library is supposed to provide completely “impartial advice and analysis” to Members of the UK Parliament and their staff. The least that one can say is that this debriefing on the crisis in Syria after 12 months of unrest is somewhat general and vague.
After examining the different types of sanctions inflicted on Syria, the report observes that no external intervention is possible because of Russia’s and China’s adamancy to abide by international law at the Security Council and Syria’s capacity to militarily enforce the sovereignty of its territory.
While acknowledging that the information is difficult to verify, the report embraces the view commonly prevailing in the media and among Western foreign offices and the Gulf States regarding the situation on the ground, and the tone is even more restrained when it comes to addressing the possible actions to be envisaged.
The Kingdom will content itself with sending food aid to the population and supporting the rehabilitation of certain public infrastructure that was damaged, including the distribution of drinking water.
Remaining particularly vague and based on articles picked at random rather than on intelligence reports, the HCL report leaves one to imagine that Great Britain is feigning belief in NATO’s version, but that she is actually convinced it is urgent to wait and move on to another case.
This report is moreover an excellent snapshot, consensual and politically correct, of the dominant official view among politicians and the media of the aligned countries, constituting a far cry from ground reality.
April 4th, 2012, 5:25 pm
omen said:
mjabali: As for turning hospitals into torture chambers I doubt that. The Assad men may guard and rough up certain people but torture chambers are in prisons and Security branches buildings. al-Assad had filled Syria with those and he is in no need to turn the hospital to torture chambers. al-Assad and his guys may wait in hospitals to arrest wounded fighter who may come there.
did you miss my post at 3:24? the UN documented the regime using torture in hospitals.
he is in no need to turn the hospital to torture chambers.
this kind of reasoning assumes the regime is rational! assad has no need to do any of the mayhem and butchering he is employing, but he does it anyways because he and those in power are insane.
you claim not to be a fan of the regime but you make plenty of excuses for it.
April 4th, 2012, 5:36 pm
Uzair8 said:
565. Syria no Kandahar said:
“Just heard on Aljazera that the cleaning guy for minster of education has defected
To Turkey.Any one can confirm that?”
Lol..very funny.
In #551 I did mention it was from the comment section. Of course it was unverified and we need to wait for confirmation. I posted it because, firstly, it sounded significant and, secondly, there didn’t appear any questioning/corrections from other senior commentors there(for an hour or so). I checked to make sure it wasn’t posted by a pro-regime troll.
Just before coming across the reports/comments I was thinking of posting a Syria related comment on here to steer the discussion back to syria from the off-topic issue. That is one reason why I posted the ‘reports’.
Perhaps I should’ve posed it as a question and asked if there was any truth to these reports. It could be that a SC user or silent reader may know more and confirm or rubbish a ‘report’.
Btw, if these reports are true, the regime will have to put all deputy ministers under house arrest.
April 4th, 2012, 5:39 pm
Antoine said:
It maybe true Uzair, lately, AJE Live Blog and other Syria related Live Blogs have become very lousy and report an incident 2-3 hours after it happened.
April 4th, 2012, 5:49 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Khaled
Sorry i have to go for a while
Yes I do believe in Wahdet Al Wujood
This is a philosophy that I thought about it and believe it
Jad said
Mutual feeling , Majed
No Jad I am much better, you dont even come close.
Mjabali
Yes you are Shiite, stop avoiding the truth, and your attack on Umar can only comes from persian Shiite, desecnt people tell the truth.
Umar was in Uhud battle , you google him and you will find that he was, Umar never was afraid of anyone except God,Mouhammad said if there was a prophet after me it would have been Umar Ibn AlKhattab
Your claim is Shiite claim, can only comes from Abu Lu2lu2a the second.
Saying what you said, disqualify you, and all what you say, should not be believed anymore, what a shame.
April 4th, 2012, 5:49 pm
Alan said:
http://xn--pgboi7eta.xn--ogbpf8fl/tishreen/public/read/255067
????? ????? ?? 150 ??? ??????? ???????? ????????
???? ????? «???? ???????» ?????????? ??? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ?? ??????? ???????? ???? ???????? ???????? ????? ???? ?????? 150 ??? ???? ???????? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????.
????? ???????: ?? ????? ???? ???? ???????? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ?? ?????????? ?? ???????? ???? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ?? ??? ??????.
????? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ???????? ???????? ?? ??? ????????? ?? ???????? ????: ?? ??? ???? ??? ???????? ???????? ???? ???? ?? 8 ?????? ???? ???????? ?????? ??? ???????? ?????????.
?????? ????? ???????? ????? ?????? ??? ??????? ?????? ?? ??????? ???????? ???????? ?? ??????? ???????? ??? ??? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ???????? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ????????.
????? ?????? ????? ????? ?? ??? ?? ???? ??????? ????????? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? ????????.
?????? ????? ????? ???? ???? ??? ??????? ??????
2010:03:08.16:49
?? ?? ???????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ???? ?? ????????? ?????? ?? ??????? ????? ???????? ????????? ?????? ??????? ?? ??????? ??????? ?????? ????????? ?????? ??? ???. ??? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ?? ??????? ???????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? 328 ??? ???? ???????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ????????? ?????? ????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??????????? ?????? ???? ??????? ???????? ????? ?????? ?????? 260 ??? ???? ????????.
???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ????? 250 ??? ???????? ?? ????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ??? ?????? ??????? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????????? 38??? ???? ???????? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ?10 ???? ???? ???????? ????? ??????? ???????? ????? ???? ???????? ????? ???????.
???? 5 ????? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ????? 64 ??? ???? ???????? ???? ??????? ?464 ??? ???? ???????? ??????? ????? ??????.
April 4th, 2012, 6:03 pm
omen said:
unprincipled spoiled sycophants for the regime mock honest laborers. why am i not surprised.
April 4th, 2012, 6:09 pm
Tara said:
Omen@584
I so much agree with you. People who mock hardworking laborers deserve nothing but contempt. They are usually the novo rich.
April 4th, 2012, 6:21 pm
jad said:
In the last couple weeks, many in Germany are questioning Syria and the ‘reporters’ real stories, as usual, if the German media start to talk about something fishy, the rest of Europe will follow soon, here is the clip:
Aufgedeckt – Die Schauspieler von Syrien
http://youtu.be/-YWybvUehMc
The clip is talking about how fake the reporters are and how the TV channels in German even the respected ones are publishing those stuff, and that this reporter (khaled) is not the only one, there are many examples of him.
I know that it’s not related to Syria but one of the biggest debates in Germany today is about a famous German poet who wrote a poem called ‘What must be said’ criticizing Israel and defend Iran.
Please use Google translator to get the story, it’s interesting to see how criticizing israel in any way is still a taboo even in one of the most democratic country of the world.
http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/gesellschaft/0,1518,825744,00.html
April 4th, 2012, 6:27 pm
jad said:
Tara
“People who mock hardworking laborers deserve nothing but contempt.”
What about those who curse others as ‘peasants’, what do we call them?
April 4th, 2012, 6:31 pm
Tara said:
Jad
In case you have not grasped the concept yet, “peasants” is used as deragatory qualifier to describe uncivil people including the novo rich. It has nothing to do with the farming business.
——–
Where is SS? I bought a real orange tree to be raised indoor (at least that is the premise). I am so excited about it. I always always wanted to raise an orang tree. If it stays alive, I will get a …lemon tree.
April 4th, 2012, 6:42 pm
jad said:
Tara
“novo rich”, you mean nouveau riche?
I see, because the first time ‘some’ ‘one’ use it on SC it was meant to describe the Alawites.
I’m glad to know that Tara is not one of those bad bad people who call others ‘peasants’ 🙂
April 4th, 2012, 6:49 pm
jad said:
Moderator
If I’m an American, German, Iranian, Israeli or Iraqi, can people call me Syrian?
BTW, in your mission of changing the world vocabulary, you left these two out:
-reptilian overlords! that always makes me giggle.
-is menhebaks another word for br0wn n0ser?
April 4th, 2012, 6:55 pm
Tara said:
Jad
Nouveau riche is nicer than novo rich. It sounds French (oh-la-la.)
No. Tara will continue to use the word peasant as is, a derogatory qualifier to describe people who degrade or commit atrocious acts against other people. May be with a disclaimer: “no offense to real peasants”
April 4th, 2012, 6:57 pm
jad said:
Moderator,
While on it you may need to change the Webster dictionary
And you missed this out of your lovely list
-reptilian overlords! that always makes me giggle.
Tara
Good luck in your ‘holy’ mission against the ‘peasants’.
April 4th, 2012, 6:59 pm
irritated said:
#570 Khaled Tlass
“So veiling is natural for Syria. Even during pre-Islamic times women used to veil themsleves in Syria and Iraq.”
Let’s go back to pre-islamic, it sounds much more jolly than what you propose for Syria, there was gambling, drinking and lots of fun venerating naked idols.
A detail: Black, white or colorful veil?
April 4th, 2012, 7:03 pm
irritated said:
#573 Khaled Tlass
“Who were the terrorists who bombed the Iraqi Embassy in Beirut in 1981?”
It was proved to be an explosion of a butagaz while the embassy cook was preparing a hot biryani.
April 4th, 2012, 7:12 pm
Uzair8 said:
In hyancite I could have left out the following sentence in #522:
‘Ironically the Shia people don’t like both these personalities (especially the second Caliph).’
In sharing an observation, if I felt it necessary to include that sentence for context and pointing out symbolism then I could have replaced ‘Shia people’ with something like ‘some muslims’. The indirect approach may have avoided provoking anyone. I apologise for any provocation.
Sometimes one spots a pattern or symbolism and wants to share.
April 4th, 2012, 7:13 pm
jna said:
557. Uzair8said:
(…)‘Minister of Communications and Technology Emad Abdul-Ghani Sabouni announces his defection as he arrives in Turkey(…)”
Any news source yet or is it more disinformation?
April 4th, 2012, 7:13 pm
Uzair8 said:
@609 JNA.
Nothing yet although my sources are limited. Anyone here heard anything on arab social networks?
If it helps, the two comments (defections) have recieved 15 and 20 likes.
Anyway the regime hasn’t denied it yet 😀
April 4th, 2012, 7:37 pm
omen said:
moderator,
you should post your stash every day!
🙂
mine were the ones about m3nheb@k. i really did want an cultural explanation of it, as well as being a dig.
April 4th, 2012, 7:39 pm
Halabi said:
Omen – I think there will be some kind of reconciliation process after Assad is gone and the chaos is contained. If Assad is able to stay in power and somehow crush the revolution, there will be no process. Lots of people will be jailed and then Bashar will come out with victory speech No. XX and say khilsit. His father came out months after Hama and said: “what happened in Hama has happened.” That’s it. I’m sure Bashar will slur his way through a longer speech.
Moderator: why are my comments being held back? I contribute rarely and keep it clean – if I am banned for some reason please let me know. I understand using words like menhebak, a term that regime supporters use in their chants and wear as a badge of honor, makes the pro-Assad crowd look silly, but it pales in comparison to the relentless, sectarian attack on the revolution.
April 4th, 2012, 7:46 pm
omen said:
ooh, cool button.
April 4th, 2012, 7:50 pm
Tara said:
“Comment does not reflect Official Iranian foreign policy”… I thought Iranians are more man-ly than this. Afraid of taking responsibility of what Borujerdi said?
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jyMid0k3ozQqSyIuEXU4CurkQZYQ?docId=CNG.a0a01accf5b674c7f971ad0bbf018150.811
Ankara summons Iran envoy over Syria conference remarks
(AFP) – 4 hours ago
ANKARA — Turkey’s foreign ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador Wednesday over remarks by a top offical in Tehran denouncing an international conference on the Syria crisis held in Istanbul.
The move came as Iran said it no longer wanted Turkey to host nuclear talks, and followed comments made by Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani critical of Ankara for staging the “Friends of Syria” conference.
“We summoned Iranian envoy today to demand an explanation on the remarks,” Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told a press conference, without specifically naming Larijani.
He also said he had contacted Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Tuesday to express Ankara’s dismay at the comments that “obviously contradicted the deep-rooted relations” between the two countries.
Salehi said the comments did not reflect official Iranian foreign policy, Davutoglu told reporters, noting that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad last week in Tehran for talks held “in respect and mutual understanding”.
However, Iran’s about-face on Istanbul as the venue for planned April 13 international talks on its nuclear drive suggests it is annoyed with Turkey over its stance on Syria, the Islamic republic’s main ally in the Middle East.
“Taking into account the extremist and illogical position of Turkey on Syria and the recent conference on Syria, Turkey has de facto lost any competence to host the meeting,” Aladin Borujerdi, the head of the Iranian parliament’s foreign affairs commission, said on Iranian television Wednesday.
April 4th, 2012, 7:54 pm
Ghufran said:
Israeli press is not impressed with the FSA
http://www.alquds.co.uk/index.asp?fname=today%5C04qpt965.htm&arc=data%5C2012%5C04%5C04-04%5C04qpt965.htm
April 4th, 2012, 8:09 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
SC MODERATOR
What we realy need,is discuss current crisis, not attack a religion, but when someone attack my religion, I have to defend it, it is just like personal attack.
Also naming religion is not insult, it is the name of the religion, and what they believe in
Also, Bukhari talked in his book about Ahadiths only, anything that is not Hadith is not in the original Bukhari book, it was added by someone for his own purpose, and should not be claimed that Bukhari said it, I have Bukhari book, and the story that was mentioned is added by evil writer, fabrication must not be a way of discussion.
It is well documented that NON MUSLEMS made changes to Quraan and this is now taught in some areas in the Middle East, and it is a fact that some countries are jealous that the prophet came in Arabia, and with Arabic language, and that is why some countries are adding and changing, and in fact they even change the interpretation of Quraan, as in the end of Souret Al Israa they changed the meaning in a very strange way one can only laugh at their interpretation.
April 4th, 2012, 8:11 pm
omen said:
Ghufran 8:09
please, for months and months libya rebels were routinely mocked for their lack of experience. we know how that story ended.
April 4th, 2012, 8:18 pm
Dale Andersen said:
Memo To: TARA
RE: “…I thought Iranians are more manly…”
Some are. In fact, some Persians are so manly, they refuse to touch a woman for fear they will end up gay. Sad but true. This is why wrestling is so popular in Iran.
April 4th, 2012, 8:22 pm
omen said:
although this poster on another board inadvertently explained for me why it unlikely the FSA will receive anti tank weaponry they’ve been pleading for:
i doubt the US will forward weapons to the rebels anything the israelis would object to.
perhaps they can procure this from qatar.
April 4th, 2012, 8:23 pm
zoo said:
In line with the new media trend, another tough criticism of the opposition.
Syria’s Opposition in Exile Plagued by Infighting
By Viktoria Kleber in Istanbul
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,825477,00.html
The Syrian National Council claims to represent the uprising in Syria. But while rebels in the country continue to die at the hands of Bashar Assad’s troops, the different factions in the opposition in exile compete for positions and influence.
..
Chandeliers cast a shimmering, golden light over red leather sofas and the flag of the Syrian opposition hung in the lobby, when the Syrian National Council (SNC) met early last week at the Green Park Hotel on Istanbul’s waterfront. Members of the Syrian opposition in exile, wearing suits and ties, hurried into the hotel past a tired-looking young man — a man no one had invited and no one was eager to ask in.
As the conference participants handed over their smartphones at security and chatted about the endless rounds of conferences (“First America, now Istanbul, next week Hamburg, then Sydney, so many appointments, you know?”) the uninvited guest asked in a quiet voice to be allowed in.
(…)
April 4th, 2012, 8:25 pm
irritated said:
#616 Ghufran
“Israeli press is not impressed with the FSA”
who is?
April 4th, 2012, 8:27 pm
Ghufran said:
This is a very interesting video
Zuhair Alsiddiq and Haytham Almaleh
April 4th, 2012, 8:31 pm
Ghufran said:
???? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ??????????? ???????? ???? ?? ?????? “?????? ???????? ???? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?? ????” ???? ??????. ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??? ??? ?????????
http://www.shamlife.com/?page=show_det&select_page=9&id=21540 ]
[
This will become a real story if the man is not released
April 4th, 2012, 8:35 pm
Tara said:
London 2012 – Syrians ‘don’t want to take part’
Wed, 04 Apr 04:00:00 2012
Abdelbasset Saroot, the former Syria international goalkeeper, has said his country’s athletes do not want to compete in this year’s London Olympics because “they don’t want to play for a flag that they have no pride or faith in”.
In an interview with ITV News, 20-year-old Saroot said: “I personally know the majority of the athletes don’t want to take part and they are only going (out of) fear (for) their families – the regime repercussions if they don’t comply.”
Saroot, whose country failed to qualify for this summer’s Olympic soccer tournament after a 2-1 defeat by Uzbekistan last month, is a supporter of the anti-government protests in Syria.
“My message as a footballer, athlete and activist first of all is that we are seeing a real massacre here and the world isn’t speaking except of numbers and death tolls.
“These are real people, this is a massacre because people are being butchered, people in the world have forgotten about the humanitarian crisis – houses are being demolished.”
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/04042012/58/london-2012-syrians-don-t-want-part.html
April 4th, 2012, 8:39 pm
omen said:
when you lose the footballers, you’ve lost the country.
April 4th, 2012, 8:53 pm
Ghufran said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUt7xDLF4nc
??????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????
April 4th, 2012, 8:56 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Who will protect the international observers while in duty in Syria?
FSA may have to do it
April 4th, 2012, 8:58 pm
omen said:
578. Khalid Tlass said:
During the Ottomans’ time,
this is 2012, not yester-millennium.
what’s the difference between foreign imperialism and gender imperialism?
April 4th, 2012, 9:03 pm
irritated said:
628. majedkhaldoun said:
“Who will protect the international observers while in duty in Syria?
FSA may have to do it”
They complain they have no ammunitions…
April 4th, 2012, 9:06 pm
Ghufran said:
??? ?? ?? ????? ????
-????? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ????? ???? ???????? ????????.
??????? ??????? ??????? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?????? .
?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ???? ????? ????? ??? ????? ” ???? ???? .. ????? ???? ” ???? ??? ????? ???????? ??? ?????? ??????? ????? ???????
???? ??????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ????????? ??? ???? ???????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ???????? ???? ???? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ??????? ?????? ???? ?????? .
???? ????? ???? ??? ???????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???? ??? ?? ?????? .
?????? ??????? ??????? ????? ???? ???????? ?? ??????? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??????? .
April 4th, 2012, 9:08 pm
Mawal95 said:
MINA #447 said: “It is pretty clear that the regime is (and has been) committing atrocities against political dissenters”.
I challenge MINA to provide video evidence to support that statement.
I assert the regime is NOT and has NOT committed atrocities against political dissenters. Here once again is a reiteration of some of my support for this assertion. I challenge MINA or any body else to argue against what I’m saying here.
April 4th, 2012, 9:18 pm
Mawal95 said:
Lavrov, 4 apr 2012: It is crystal clear that the opposition would not defeat Syrian Army even if the opposition were armed to the teeth. http://www.sana.sy/eng/22/2012/04/04/410469.htm . That’s what I think too!
Lavrov, 3 apr 2012: “Russia strives for a full implementation of Kofi Annan’s peace plan and works with the Syrian government on a daily basis.” http://twitter.com/#!/MFA_Russia
Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov, 3 apr 2012: “The U.S. and the EU use sanctions as amulets against evil spirits because they have no rational approach to the situation.” He was speaking of Iran but the same is true of Syria. http://twitter.com/#!/MFA_Russia
Thank you Russia for your well-informed and rational thinking.
April 4th, 2012, 9:23 pm
zoo said:
Al-Shatar’s nomination and the dangerous possibilities
04/04/2012
By Emad El Din Adeeb
http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=2&id=29122
Egypt has once again taken a step towards the furnace of bloody clashes!
The Muslim Brotherhood’s nomination of the engineer Khairat al-Shatar for president has brought the political situation as a whole in the country near to an explosion, which will (unfortunately) only end with clashes on the street.
The nomination, which was announced a few days ahead of the deadline, will lead to several complex outcomes in several directions, which can be summarized as follows:
1. The nomination of engineer al-Shatar will cause the votes within the Islamist current to fragment and be spread between the five main candidates: Dr. Mohammad Salim Al-Awa, Dr. Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, Sheikh Hazem Salah Abu Ismail, Professor Bassem Khafaji and finally engineer al-Shatar.
2. The nomination also declares a direct overt clash with the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), which continued to believe the Brotherhood’s promise that it would not nominate a candidate to run for the presidency.
3. It will have a negative impact upon the cohesion between the Muslim Brotherhood elite and their support base, especially among the youth who consider Dr. Aboul Fotouh to be a model.
4. SCAF is now under pressure to respond to the “Brotherhood’s act” with a counter measure, either constitutionally in the courts, or by putting forward a last-minute candidate from the military establishment.
Engineer Khairat al-Shatar comes from Alexandria, the stronghold of the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafist currents, and he is the “commercial and financial mastermind behind the Brotherhood”, whilst Dr. Aboul Fotouh [before being forced out of the group] represented an enlightened trend of political openness.
April 4th, 2012, 9:30 pm
Jad said:
Dear Son of Damascus
Where are you today?
I missed your comment.
Regards
April 4th, 2012, 9:45 pm
Halabi said:
Here are some of the regime’s thugs stomping on the good people of Bayda near Banyas. http://youtu.be/nmIeSZGx5Dc
Just one of thousands of crimes committed by Assad’s soldiers and thugs over decades of the family’s brutal dictatorship.
I do agree with #632 that “Assad government is full of liars…[and] is mindlessly depraved.”
As for “an accused should be presumed innocent until found guilty beyond all reasonable doubt,” I challenge #632 to show me how this system of justice in Syria actually works. The regime says that over 6000 people, half of them civilians, have been killed in the past year. Yet not a single person has been charged with murder and most crimes aren’t investigated.
What kind of state shirks its duties in such a way, especially when the vast majority of the country is calm and behind the government 100%. One that is full of liars and is mindlessly depraved…
April 4th, 2012, 9:48 pm
Tara said:
Syria and insurgency
In the coming days, the military aspect of the problem will be discussed. Remarks and discussions in the wake of the Friends of Syria meeting in Istanbul show that there is a general predisposition in that direction. However the problem is who would do this job, and how? Of course the first candidate to come to mind is Turkey.
If the “fast friends” of Syria want to topple the regime by means of a conventional insurgency, that means they will have to work in a more systematic and sophisticated way. The “Free Syrian Army” must be removed from cyberspace quickly. Although giving them money and preparing to pay their salaries sounds good, at the end of the day these will not provide the necessary military, political, and psychological wherewithal.
Also, according to “insurgency theory,” mere non-lethal healthcare supplies and communications equipment will not be enough to get rid of al-Assad. In such a plan, the most important job is to provide safe havens and basic- and advanced- level guerilla training for the insurgents.
Who would do the job of transforming the Free Syrian Army into a guerilla force, and how? When one looks at the range, discourse, and efforts of the Turkish government, it seems as though it will have to shoulder this job sooner or later inevitably.
Even if the technical challenges can be overcome, the most important issue the government would have to deal with is how this job would be carried out as a covert operation. The public revelation of such an effort could cause very serious political and legal problems both domestic and foreign. The competitive and information-leaking culture of inter-agency and intelligence groups as seen in the recent M?T crisis and systematic “psychological operations” of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) are quite educational. I can say that it has never ever been possible in Turkey to keeping such an effort secret.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/syria-and-insurgency-.aspx?pageID=449&nID=17672&NewsCatID=419
April 4th, 2012, 9:51 pm
omen said:
i’m sure similar arguments were made back in the day:
April 4th, 2012, 10:10 pm
Mawal95 said:
The following is supplementary to what I said at #632 regarding alleged atrocities by Syrian security forces against political dissenters.
#637 has the following quote from Hurriyet newspaper in Turkey in a discussion about the option of a future operation of covert or secretive material support to the Syrian rebels by the Turkish goverment:
Likewise, I say that if the Syrian government had a policy of covertly committing atrocities against peaceful dissidents, while overtly disavowing such a policy, it would never be possible in Syria to keep it a secret.
April 4th, 2012, 10:11 pm
omen said:
Lavrov, 4 apr 2012: It is crystal clear that the opposition would not defeat Syrian Army even if the opposition were armed to the teeth.
this is a strange statement. why make it now? it’s like he’s trying to dissuade other entities from arming the FSA or trying to psych the opposition into standing down. there is something desperate about it.
a person confident of having a good hand doesn’t stoop to bluffing.
April 4th, 2012, 10:17 pm
mjabali said:
Majdkhaldoun:
I told you before that I am not a Shia, and of course I told you many times that I am Syrian.
Why do you have to shift the conversation to where I am from and what I could be instead of coming with real responses.
I am Syrian and not an Arab.
You insist on cursing at me every time I question the history they taught you.
You also insist on calling me Iranian, as if it is an insult.
You called me Abu Lu2Lu2a the second: and for those who do not know Abu Lu2Lu2a is the one who assasinated Umar Ibn al-Khattab.
All I said was that Umar was not known for his prowess as a fighter when there were fights during his days. I brought you a story they tell about him and how he ran away in battle, so where is the insult in the matter?
Also? al-Bukhari wrote books about history other than his famous hadith book. al-Bukhari wrote: al-Tarikh al-Kabir, al-Tarikh al-Saghir and al-Tarikh al-Awsat.
?????? ??????? ??????????? ????? ?????? ??? ????
April 4th, 2012, 10:17 pm
Mawal95 said:
Lavrov, 4 apr 2012: It is crystal clear that the opposition would not defeat Syrian Army even if the opposition were armed to the teeth.
Lavrov is saying that as an honest assessment in good faith. You may think that Lavrov is in error about it (I don’t) but you may not think Lavrov is bluffing or pretentious.
April 4th, 2012, 10:20 pm
mjabali said:
Religion is destroying the real quest of the Syrian people for liberty and change for a better future.
April 4th, 2012, 10:21 pm
omen said:
i think what i want, mawal.
we shall see in due time the accuracy rate of lavrov’s crystal ball.
April 4th, 2012, 10:26 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
Some of the pro-FSA Doctors here should apply for a job at the (Burial Brigade).
With their extensive surgical experience they will do very well cutting heads the
Sharia way. Qatar will pay them well .Average work load 150 heads to cut monthly.
PS: No need for Anesthesia.
April 4th, 2012, 10:29 pm
Ghufran said:
????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???? as of now
??????? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ? ?????????
April 4th, 2012, 10:35 pm
Ghufran said:
?????? ??? ?????? ?????? ? ?????
????? ???? ??????? ????? ??? ????????
http://www.elaph.com/Web/news/2012/4/727305.html?entry=homepagemainmiddle
April 4th, 2012, 10:50 pm
jad said:
SNK,
You can spot 4 ‘volunteers’ just under this post, 3 non-Syrians (sorry SCM) and 1 Syrian, no female in the list I suggest.
Gunter’s poem made it to the US M of A 🙂
Ghufran, enjoy:
What has to be said
Why am I silent, conceal too long,
what is obvious and in war games
has been trained, at whose end we as survivors
will at the most be footnotes.
It is the alleged right of first strike,
with which the Iranian people,
subjugated by a loudmouth
and steered towards organized elation,
could be snuffed out with,
because the building of a nuclear bomb
within its fiefdom is assumed.
But why do I prohibit myself,
to name that other country,
in which for years – though kept secret –
a growing capability exists
though out of control as
not open for audit?
The general concealment of this fact,
to which my silence subjugated,
feels for me like a burdoning lie
and a coercion, which promises punishment;
the verdict “antisemitism” is commonly used.
But now, because from my country,
which for its very own crimes,
which are incomparable,
is called up again and again and taken to task,
repeatedly and businesslike, though
by slippy lips declared as reparation,
another submarine to Israel
shall be delivered, whose specialty
consists of, steering all-annihilating warheads
whereto, the existence
of a single bomb is unproven,
but as a fear shall be conclusiveness,
I say, what has to be said.
{…}
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2012/04/g%C3%BCnter-grass-what-has-to-be-said.html
April 4th, 2012, 10:52 pm
Son of Damascus said:
Dear Jad,
I’m still here.
I try to avoid SC when overt religious hate is prevalent, or when it turns into SectarianComment rather than SyriaComment…
I care about Syrian issues, I have no appetite for any religious issues these days.
There is more than enough things to be outraged over, I have no room for the crap that has been going on here today.
’til tomorrow perhaps.
April 4th, 2012, 11:01 pm
Mawal95 said:
Since it’s been a relatively slow day for news, here’s an historical vignette, a pro-Assad mawal sung in Damascus in 1995 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=UbFJFfagtGA#t=178s
??? ?? ???? ????? ?????. ???
April 4th, 2012, 11:03 pm
Afram said:
641. mjabali said:
Majdkhaldoun:
You also insist on calling me Iranian, as if it is an insult.
You called me Abu Lu2Lu2a the second: and for those who do not know Abu Lu2Lu2a is the one who assasinated Umar Ibn al-Khattab
============
The 17 year old persian abu loua,louah was Abraham Lincoln of his time.
omar killed his father,sold his mother and sisters to slave owners and sold the boy abu loua,louah to weapon-maker,was abused,little fed worked long hours,so he complained to omar about his misery,omar had him beaten up b/c the poor boy complained…the boy avenged his family honor by killing omar.
I salute the freedom fighter abu loua,louah…history is on the side of the young boy after 1400 years.
April 4th, 2012, 11:07 pm
jad said:
Thank you Son of Damascus,
I’m in the same camp :), Later!
P.S. If interested, pick up the latest issue of Lapham’s Quarterly, you will know what I mean when you read it, this issue is titled:
[
“Means of Communication” ]
April 4th, 2012, 11:10 pm
omen said:
with this context in mind, lavrov’s panic is understandable.
from aljazeera english:
prof. landis:
April 4th, 2012, 11:14 pm
omen said:
i want to put money on this.
the first tank or the first helicopter the rebels take out, what percentage of the syrian army do you think will defect as a result?
place your estimate here:
April 4th, 2012, 11:36 pm