{"id":22175,"date":"2015-02-09T22:04:06","date_gmt":"2015-02-10T03:04:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/?p=22175"},"modified":"2015-02-09T22:07:52","modified_gmt":"2015-02-10T03:07:52","slug":"syria-news-round-feb-9-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"Syria News Round-Up Feb. 9, 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>From a friend commenting on discrepancy in SOHR&#8217;s recent numbers:<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>SOHR is all over the place with numbers. This is his latest: <a href=\"http:\/\/syriahr.com\/en\/2015\/02\/over-200000-people-killed-in-syrian-conflict-so-far-sohr\/\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>. The new number is 210k; he says that 100k are civilians 80%+ of which are men. He estimates 85k+ fighters unaccounted for across all sides. 1.5 million injured. 50% displaced. His detailed stats are <a href=\"http:\/\/syriahr.com\/en\/2015\/02\/about-2-millions-killed-and-wounded-in-47-months-and-it-is-still-not-enough\/\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>. His number of civilians jumped 40K from December stats. And his 210K total is off by ~35K if I&#8217;m totaling his numbers correctly. According to the numbers he&#8217;s listing, the total is 245K.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SOHR-numbers.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-22181\" src=\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SOHR-numbers-450x175.png\" alt=\"SOHR casualty numbers \" width=\"450\" height=\"175\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SOHR-numbers-450x175.png 450w, https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SOHR-numbers.png 874w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a>These are his numbers from December:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SOHR-December-2014-numbers-casualties.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-22182\" src=\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SOHR-December-2014-numbers-casualties-450x183.png\" alt=\"SOHR December 2014 numbers casualties\" width=\"450\" height=\"183\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SOHR-December-2014-numbers-casualties-450x183.png 450w, https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SOHR-December-2014-numbers-casualties.png 812w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pri.org\/stories\/2015-02-04\/meet-average-mohamed-gas-station-owner-whos-using-cartoons-fight-isis-recruitment\" target=\"_blank\">Meet &#8216;Average Mohamed,&#8217; a gas station manager who&#8217;s using cartoons to fight ISIS recruitment<\/a> \u2013 PRI\u2019s The World<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-22176\" src=\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/average-Mohamed-450x265.jpg\" alt=\"average Mohamed\" width=\"450\" height=\"265\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/average-Mohamed-450x265.jpg 450w, https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/average-Mohamed.jpg 937w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pri.org\/node\/72001\/embedded\" width=\"100%\" height=\"75\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The 39-year-old Somali-American businessman by day has turned activist by night, creating the website &#8220;Average Mohamed.&#8221; It&#8217;s a series of animated cartoons voiced by Mohamed Ahmed (Average Mohamed) to rebut Islamic extremists recruitment videos.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It takes an idea to destroy an idea and my concept was to create ideas.&#8221; says Ahmed, who was frustrated that the ideology Islamic extremists peddle was not being effectively countered. &#8220;The cartoons offer talking points to parents, mosque leaders, youth activists and law enforcement that they can use to thwart the narrative of extremists.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The animated cartoon called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7vJ-SlxjRrQ\" target=\"_blank\">&#8220;Islamic State Job Description&#8221;<\/a> has a Disney-ish cartoon style but the voiceover is grim: &#8220;Average Mohamed asks: What do you think your job description is when you join Islamic State? Your job description is to commit genocide against Muslims, Christians, Yazidis and Jews; terrorize innocent women, men and children like your family, into blind obedience. Behead unarmed innocent people you round up; destroy World Heritage sites, mosques, tombs and shrines; empower unelected, self-nominated, murderous, bloodthirsty individuals as leaders. Not exactly DisneyWorld &#8230; like the propaganda says it is, is it?&#8221; &#8230;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>War Fronts: <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/2015\/02\/09\/us-mideast-crisis-syria-islamicstate-idUSKBN0LD1L920150209\" target=\"_blank\">Islamic State pulls forces and hardware from Syria&#8217;s Aleppo<\/a> &#8211; Reuters<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span id=\"articleText\"><span class=\"focusParagraph\">Islamic State has withdrawn some of its insurgents and equipment from areas northeast of the Syrian city of Aleppo, rebels and residents say, adding to signs of strain in the Syrian provinces of its self-declared caliphate. &#8230;<br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"heading-story\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2015\/02\/kurds-recapture-scores-kobane-villages-isil-150209061307525.html\" target=\"_blank\">Kurds recapture scores of Kobane villages from ISIL<\/a> &#8211; al-Jazeera<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"heading-story\">Kurdish fighters say they have recaptured more than 120 villages\u00a0in northern Syria from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). &#8230;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/syriaincrisis\/?fa=58875\" target=\"_blank\">The political geography of Syria\u2019s War: An Interview with Fabrice Balanche<\/a> &#8211; Carnegie &#8211; Aron Lund<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u00a0\u2026You could follow the sectarian patterns across the map. In mixed Alawite-Sunni areas, the protests only took place in the Sunni areas. In Latakia, Banias, and Homs, the demonstrators clashed with Alawite counterdemonstrators. This pro-Assad mobilization was not simply organized by the government. Rather, it was part of the phenomenon of urban <em>asabiyya<\/em> (communal solidarity) that has been so well described by <a href=\"http:\/\/books.openedition.org\/ifpo\/3415?lang=fr\" target=\"_blank\">Michel Seurat in the case of Tripoli<\/a>. In the Daraa Province, the population is almost exclusively Sunni and the demonstrations naturally spread\u2014but they stopped right at the border of the Druze-populated Sweida Province, which did not sympathize with them at all. In Aleppo, the divisions were mainly social, between the well-to-do and poorer people, and between indigenous city dwellers and new arrivals from the countryside who lived in the slums. But the sectarian factor was present in Aleppo too, with Christians remaining staunchly pro-regime and the Kurds playing their own game, as we have seen with the autonomous cantons in Afrin, Ein al-Arab (Kobane), and Qamishli\u2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/syriaincrisis\/?fa=58814\" target=\"_blank\">What\u2019s behind the Kurdish-Arab Clashes in East Syria<\/a> \u2013 Carnegie &#8211; Aron Lund<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u00a0\u2026The situation in Hasakah is peculiar. The city and the wider region is divided between Kurds and Arabs on the one hand, and internally among <a href=\"http:\/\/www.arab-reform.net\/tribal-matters-are-syria%E2%80%99s-tribes-being-radicalised\">Arab tribes and villages<\/a>, on the other. There are also significant Christian groups in the city, including Syriacs and Armenians\u2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foreignpolicy.com\/2015\/02\/06\/the-battle-for-the-qalamoun-mountains-syria-lebanon-hezbollah-isis-al-nusra-front\/\" target=\"_blank\">The Battle for the Qalamoun Mountains<\/a> \u2013 FP \u2013 Nour Samaha<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/aranews.net\/2015\/02\/syrian-army-attacks-qamishli-countryside-mass-displacement-reported\/\" target=\"_blank\">Syrian army attacks Qamishli countryside, mass displacement reported<\/a> \u2013 ARA News<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-31146238\" target=\"_blank\">Syria conflict: Dozens killed in heavy Damascus fighting<\/a> &#8211; BBC<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/2015\/02\/06\/us-mideast-crisis-airstrikes-idUSKBN0LA1SY20150206\" target=\"_blank\">U.S.-led strikes kill 30 Islamic State fighters in Syria: monitors<\/a> &#8211; Reuters<\/p>\n<p>New map from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.agathocledesyracuse.com\/archives\/272\" target=\"_blank\">Agathocle de Syracuse<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.agathocledesyracuse.com\/archives\/272\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-22185\" src=\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Agathocle-De-Syracuse-Syria-Map-450x260.jpg\" alt=\"Agathocle De Syracuse - Syria Map\" width=\"450\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Agathocle-De-Syracuse-Syria-Map-450x260.jpg 450w, https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Agathocle-De-Syracuse-Syria-Map.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Kobani:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/en\/perspective\/analysis\/2015\/02\/06\/Kobane-defeat-a-sign-of-ISIS-weakening-experts.html\" target=\"_blank\">Experts: Kobane defeat a sign of ISIS weakening<\/a> \u2013 Al-Arabiya<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/2015\/02\/06\/us-mideast-crisis-syria-islamicstate-ins-idUSKBN0LA0NF20150206\" target=\"_blank\">Islamic State in Syria seen under strain but far from collapse<\/a> \u2013 Reuters<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/in.reuters.com\/article\/2015\/02\/06\/mideast-crisis-syria-kurds-idINKBN0LA0QD20150206\" target=\"_blank\">Syria&#8217;s Kurds celebrate after winning Kobani, but self-rule far off<\/a> &#8211; Reuters<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>International Political Negotiations: <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/euobserver.com\/opinion\/127502\" target=\"_blank\">Syria: The Ultimate Example of Cynical Realpolitik<\/a> \u2013 EU Observer \u2013 Mark Pierini<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u2026What the interview reveals &#8211; for those who have not met both father and son &#8211; is that Bashar al-Assad will cling to power irrespective of the destruction it rqeuires. He will use any method to that end, from his residual stock of chemical weapons to alliance reversals to an extension of the conflict beyond Syria\u2019s borders\u2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/the-us-needs-turkey-and-vice-versa--but-it-isnt-working-2015-2\" target=\"_blank\">The US needs Turkey and vice versa \u2014 but it isn&#8217;t working<\/a> \u2013 Business Insider \u2013 Soner Cagaptay<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.juancole.com\/2015\/02\/americas-haunts-failed.html\" target=\"_blank\">Paying the Piper: How America\u2019s Iraq War haunts its Failed Syria Policy<\/a> \u2013 Informed Comment \u2013 Michael MacDonald<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mei.edu\/content\/at\/syrian-opposition-meeting-cairo-one-small-step\" target=\"_blank\">The Syrian Opposition Meeting in Cairo: One Small Step<\/a> \u2013 MEI \u2013 Geoffrey Aronson<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u2026The Syrian conflict might still take many years to resolve. But the noninflammatory tone of the meeting in Cairo could mark one small step along the long path of dialogue and negotiation required to bring Syria\u2019s destructive civil war to an end\u2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/carnegie-mec.org\/2015\/02\/05\/engaging-in-politics-assad-style\/i1oc\" target=\"_blank\">Engaging in Politics, Assad-Style<\/a> \u2013 Al-Hayat &#8211; Yezid Sayigh<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u2026More likely is that the U.S. will abandon the effort to unseat Assad, without recognizing his legitimacy or resuming direct political contacts. This may be enough for his regime to survive, but with ever-dwindling resources. Already, the concentration of business deals in the hands of ruling family has sparked the flight of many of the businessmen whose continued stake in Syria had previously been a crucial mainstay for the regime. Coming at a time when the regime desperately needs income, and has even granted the private sector the right to import oil to compensate for the inadequacy of Iranian supplies, this reflects complete unwillingness to change how it operates\u2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.albawaba.com\/news\/secret-dialogue-between-syrian-regime-and-opposition-beirut-653282\" target=\"_blank\">Secret dialogue between Syrian regime and opposition in Beirut<\/a> \u2013 Al-Bawaba<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dailystar.com.lb\/News\/Middle-East\/2015\/Feb-06\/286578-un-plan-for-syrian-cease-fires-frozen.ashx\" target=\"_blank\">U.N. plan for Syrian cease-fires frozen<\/a> \u2013 The Daily Star<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Regional Analysis:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-22189\" src=\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/PF138image900x600-198x132.jpg\" alt=\"PF138image900x600-198x132\" width=\"198\" height=\"132\" \/>A report that outlines Iran and Hezbollah involvement in the conflict:\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtoninstitute.org\/policy-analysis\/view\/the-shiite-jihad-in-syria-and-its-regional-effects\" target=\"_blank\">THE SHIITE JIHAD IN SYRIA AND ITS REGIONAL EFFECTS<\/a> &#8211; The Washington Institute \u2013 Phillip Smyth<\/p>\n<p>A discussion about some of the report\u2019s findings:\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/the-most-important-thing-in-the-middle-east-that-no-one-is-talking-about-2015-2\" target=\"_blank\">The most important thing in the Middle East that no one is talking about<\/a> \u2013 Business Insider &#8211; Armin Rosen<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u00a0\u2026As Smyth explains, Iran has used the Syrian civil war to expand its influence over the Shi&#8217;ite communities in the broader Middle East and advance the clerical regime&#8217;s strategic and ideological goals. Iran&#8217;s support for the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar Al Assad is well-documented\u2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Jordanian Pilot Execution: <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.npr.org\/2015\/02\/05\/384119665\/video-of-jordanian-pilots-death-as-horrific-as-it-was-symbolic\" target=\"_blank\">Video Of Jordanian Pilot&#8217;s Death As Horrific As It Was Symbolic<\/a> \u2013 NPR \u2013 Robert Siegel<\/p>\n<p class=\"title multiline\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thedailybeast.com\/articles\/2015\/02\/03\/isis-burns-jordanian-pilot-alive.html\" target=\"_blank\">Barbarians Burn Pilot Alive<\/a> &#8211; Daily Beast<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8230; The king says that when Jordan joined the coalition, the F-16 pilots were told only volunteers had to take part. \u201cEvery single pilot raised his hand and stepped forward,\u201d the king tells Charlie Rose in the video clip used by ISIS.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, in Jordan there was some negative reaction to that interview at the time. It appeared to many Jordanians as if the king was playing to an American audience, not to their own concerns. Many had expressed doubts about whether the coalition war really was Jordan\u2019s war. &#8230;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.rand.org\/blog\/2015\/02\/experts-react-to-isiss-gruesome-execution-of-jordanian.html?utm_source=t.co&amp;utm_medium=rand_social\" target=\"_blank\">Experts React to ISIS&#8217;s Gruesome Execution of Jordanian Pilot<\/a> \u2013 Rand<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/after-burning-of-muaz-al-kasasbeh-jordan-al-azhars-gestures-of-vengeance-will-not-heal\/\" target=\"_blank\">After Burning of Muaz al-Kasasbeh, Jordan &amp; al-Azhar\u2019s Gestures of Vengeance Will Not Heal<\/a> \u2013 Syria Comment \u2013 Matthew Barber<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8230; Both Jordan and al-Azhar\u2019s reactions seem more akin to the sickness than to a solution. Allowing our disgust at IS brutality to define our response risks transforming us into their image, something that would spell victory for them and legitimize their war against the world. &#8230;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foreignpolicy.com\/2015\/02\/05\/just-because-you-quote-clint-eastwood-doesnt-make-you-a-cowboy-jordan-islamic-state-isis\/\" target=\"_blank\">Just Because You Quote Clint Eastwood Doesn\u2019t Make You a Cowboy<\/a> \u2013 FP \u2013 Steven Simon and James Fromson<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2015\/02\/05\/opinion\/jordan-isis-opinion\/\" target=\"_blank\">Jordan&#8217;s Executions of Jihadists Could Backfire<\/a> \u2013 CNN &#8211; Lina Khatib<\/p>\n<p class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redanalysis.org\/2015\/02\/09\/islamic-states-psyops-ultimate-war\/\" target=\"_blank\">The Islamic State\u2019s Psyops \u2013 Ultimate War<\/a> &#8211; Red (team) Analysis &#8211; Dr. Helene Lavoix<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.foreignaffairs.com\/articles\/142959\/david-schenker\/crime-and-punishment-in-jordan\" target=\"_blank\">Crime and Punishment in Jordan<\/a> \u2013 FP \u2013 David Schenker<\/p>\n<p class=\"entry-title grid-eight instapaper_title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-to-read-the-medieval-scholar-the-islamic-state-used-to-justify-al-kasasbeh-murder-37293\" target=\"_blank\">How to read the medieval scholar the Islamic State used to justify <span class=\"nobr\">al-Kasasbeh<\/span>\u00a0murder<\/a> &#8211; Prof. John Hoover<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/mideasti.blogspot.com\/2015\/02\/just-when-you-think-isis-cant-get-any.html\" target=\"_blank\">Just when you think ISIS can\u2019t get any worse<\/a> \u2013 MEI<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.juancole.com\/2015\/02\/furious-jordanian-demonstrate.html\" target=\"_blank\">Angry Jordanian Crowds Rally over ISIL Murder of Pilot, but some blame US, King<\/a> &#8211; Juan Cole<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2015\/feb\/08\/isis-islamic-state-ideology-sharia-syria-iraq-jordan-pilot\" target=\"_blank\">Isis has reached new depths of depravity. But there is a brutal logic behind it.<\/a> \u2013 The Guardian \u2013 Hassan Hassan<\/p>\n<p class=\"node-title\"><a title=\"Dispatches: Jordan\u2019s Executions Are Not the Answer to ISIS Brutality\" href=\"http:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2015\/02\/04\/dispatches-jordan-s-executions-are-not-answer-isis-brutality\">Jordan\u2019s Executions Are Not the Answer to ISIS Brutality<\/a> &#8211; HRW &#8211; Eric Goldstein<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8230; While the government\u2019s desire to address public outrage is as understandable as the outrage itself, executing death row prisoners does not weaken ISIS. This round of executions, the second in two months, is a further regression by a country that was until recently a regional leader in resisting use of the death penalty. On December 21, Jordan ended an eight-year de facto moratorium on executions by hanging 11 men convicted of murder. In that case as well, authorities cited public sentiment as the reason behind the executions.<\/p>\n<p>The executions of al-Karbouli and al-Rishawi were carried out following trials that included an appeals process. But to dispatch them from death row to the gallows immediately following news of al-Kasasbeh\u2019s murder, to which they had no connection, amidst official vows to avenge his death, shows that revenge was a motive in ending their lives. Human Rights Watch opposes capital punishment under all circumstances, as a practice unique in its cruelty and finality. But to execute death row inmates in response to external events alarmingly suggests that retaliation against third parties is driving policy, rather than justice based solely on fairness and individualized guilt.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Islamic State: <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vanityfair.com\/news\/2015\/02\/inside-isis-controlled-mosul#1\" target=\"_blank\">Scenes from Daily Life Inside ISIS-Controlled Mosul<\/a> \u2013 Vanity Fair \u2013 Molly Crabapple<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-22179\" src=\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Molly-Crabapple-Mosul-drawings-450x364.jpg\" alt=\"Molly Crabapple Mosul drawings\" width=\"539\" height=\"436\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Molly-Crabapple-Mosul-drawings-450x364.jpg 450w, https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Molly-Crabapple-Mosul-drawings.jpg 568w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 539px) 100vw, 539px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/syriahr.com\/en\/2015\/02\/islamic-state-executes-7-men-in-aleppo-and-al-raqqa\/\" target=\"_blank\">Islamic State executes 7 men in Aleppo and al- Raqqa<\/a> \u2013 SOHR<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foreignpolicy.com\/2015\/02\/06\/official-fear-of-retribution-against-mueller-held-jsoc-back\/\" target=\"_blank\">Kayla Mueller\u2019s Parents Opposed Military Mission to Rescue Her From Islamic State<\/a> \u2013 FP \u2013 Sean D. Naylor<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mei.edu\/content\/article\/isis-and-syria%E2%80%99s-southern-front\" target=\"_blank\">ISIS and Syria\u2019s Southern Front<\/a> \u2013 MEI \u2013 Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u00a0\u2026the rebels in the south comprise a diverse array of fighters whose relative lack of infighting and increased cooperation mean that the regime is not on the verge of any decisive gains in the area. However, the prospect of the fall of Aleppo to the regime in the north, though not imminent, is an ever growing concern among non-jihadi rebels, many of whom feel increasingly squashed between the regime, ISIS, and JN\u2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/fledgeling-gaza-isis-groups-operate-under-watchful-eye-hamas-304685\" target=\"_blank\">Fledgeling Gaza ISIS Groups Operate Under Watchful Eye of Hamas<\/a> \u2013 Newsweek \u2013 Lucy Draper<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/icsr.info\/2015\/01\/icsr-insight-islamic-state-model\/\" target=\"_blank\">ICSR Insight: The Islamic State Model<\/a> &#8211; ICSR<\/p>\n<p class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pietervanostaeyen.wordpress.com\/2015\/02\/09\/isis-al-hayat-media-from-inside-aleppo\/\" target=\"_blank\">ISIS : al-Hayat media ~ From inside\u00a0Aleppo<\/a> &#8211; pietervanostaeyen<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"entry-title\">ISIS media outlet al-Hayat releases another video featuring the British ISIS hostage John Cantlie.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Anti-Islamic State Militias: <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/bigstory.ap.org\/article\/a8a0dff80a89457dbed9fda262d76237\/westerners-join-kurds-fighting-islamic-state-group-iraq\" target=\"_blank\">Westerners join Kurds fighting Islamic State group in Iraq<\/a> &#8211; AP<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/world\/middle-east\/thousands-of-iraqi-christians-form-their-own-militia-to-fight-isis-militants-in-northern-iraq-10026122.html\" target=\"_blank\">&#8216;Thousands&#8217; of Iraqi Christians form their own militia to fight Isis militants in northern Iraq<\/a> \u2013 The Independent<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foreignpolicy.com\/2015\/02\/06\/want-to-hurt-islamic-state-heres-how-kurds-iraq-isis\/\" target=\"_blank\">Want to Hurt the Islamic State? Here\u2019s How.<\/a> \u2013 FP \u2013 Christian Caryl<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u00a0\u2026The Kurds have an army, and they\u2019re willing to fight and die. So why isn&#8217;t the United States sending them the weapons they need?&#8230;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/aranews.net\/2015\/02\/compulsory-military-service-raises-concerns-among-syrian-kurdish-youth\/\" target=\"_blank\">Compulsory military service raises concerns among Syrian Kurdish youth<\/a> \u2013 ARA News<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Miscellaneous: <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/sada\/2015\/02\/05\/syrian-refugees-and-regional-security\/i1qf\" target=\"_blank\">Syrian Refugees and Regional Security<\/a> \u2013 Carnegie \u2013 Benedetta Berti<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-22180\" src=\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/UNHCR-Syria-refugees.jpg\" alt=\"UN Syrian refugees\" width=\"605\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/UNHCR-Syria-refugees.jpg 605w, https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/UNHCR-Syria-refugees-450x244.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 605px) 100vw, 605px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u2026Lebanon faces rising unemployment and decreasing wages as Syrians are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ilo.org\/wcmsp5\/groups\/public\/---arabstates\/---ro-beirut\/documents\/publication\/wcms_240134.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">forced to accept<\/a>\u00a0work for lower wages, harsher conditions, and fewer rights than their host counterparts. Wages in the service and agricultural sectors have decreased by as much as 50 percent in Lebanon between 2011 and 2013\u2014with similar dynamics occurring in all host countries. This has created intense domestic pressure that affects economic performance, social cohesion, and ultimately internal stability\u2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/world\/middle_east\/prince-charles-tours-camp-for-syrian-refugees-uk-raises-aid\/2015\/02\/08\/f3c631f4-af93-11e4-bf39-5560f3918d4b_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">Prince Charles tours camp for Syrian refugees; UK raises aid<\/a> &#8211; WP<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.strategypage.com\/htmw\/htchem\/articles\/20150204.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">NBC Weapons: Smashing The Syrian Caverns Of Doom<\/a> \u2013 Strategy Page<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u2026Finally, in late 2014 Syria began destroying a dozen underground facilities used to produce and destroy chemical weapons. This effort was delayed several times during 2014 but eventually the Syrians got going under the threat of air strikes on their military facilities\u2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csmonitor.com\/World\/Global-News\/2015\/0202\/How-Syrian-rebel-fighters-fell-for-honey-trap-hackers\" target=\"_blank\">How Syrian rebel fighters fell for &#8216;honey trap&#8217; hackers<\/a> \u2013 Christian Science Monitor<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u2026A hacker, using a fake Skype or Facebook profile, would strike up a conversation with a target and invite him to swap photos. The hacker\u2019s photo, invariably that of an attractive woman, would contain malware that once downloaded by the target would copy chat logs, tactical strategies, and contact details from the target\u2019s device, according to FireEye&#8217;s research\u2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.al-fanarmedia.org\/2015\/02\/syrian-professor-recipe-tragedy\/\" target=\"_blank\">To Be Syrian and a Professor: Recipe for Tragedy<\/a> \u2013 Al-Fanar Media<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u2026Syrian professors have two choices: Stay in their country and risk their lives or scatter to the winds and live largely in isolation\u2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/in.reuters.com\/article\/2015\/02\/06\/mideast-crisis-un-idINL1N0VG1PN20150206\" target=\"_blank\">UN sets sights on Syria antiquities, Islamic State oil, ransoms<\/a> \u2013 Reuters<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dw.de\/refugee-artists-raise-awareness-for-syrias-plight\/a-18235776\" target=\"_blank\">Refugee artists raise awareness for Syria&#8217;s plight<\/a> &#8211; DW<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-22186\" src=\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Syrian-artists-450x253.jpg\" alt=\"Syrian artists\" width=\"450\" height=\"253\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Syrian-artists-450x253.jpg 450w, https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Syrian-artists.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From a friend commenting on discrepancy in SOHR&#8217;s recent numbers: SOHR is all over the place with numbers. This is his latest: here. The new number is 210k; he says that 100k are civilians 80%+ of which are men. He estimates 85k+ fighters unaccounted for across all sides. 1.5 million injured. 50% displaced. His detailed [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sfsi_plus_gutenberg_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_show_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_type":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_alignemt":"","sfsi_plus_gutenburg_max_per_row":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[358],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22175","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news-round-up"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.8.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Syria News Round-Up Feb. 9, 2015 - Syria Comment<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Syria News Round-Up Feb. 9, 2015 - Syria Comment\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"From a friend commenting on discrepancy in SOHR&#8217;s recent numbers: SOHR is all over the place with numbers. This is his latest: here. The new number is 210k; he says that 100k are civilians 80%+ of which are men. He estimates 85k+ fighters unaccounted for across all sides. 1.5 million injured. 50% displaced. His detailed [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Syria Comment\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2015-02-10T03:04:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2015-02-10T03:07:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SOHR-numbers-450x175.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Matthew Barber\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@Matthew__Barber\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@joshua_landis\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Matthew Barber\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/\",\"name\":\"Syria News Round-Up Feb. 9, 2015 - Syria Comment\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SOHR-numbers-450x175.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2015-02-10T03:04:06+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2015-02-10T03:07:52+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2905aac6c55cbf3a9dede19e41b94c7e\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SOHR-numbers-450x175.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"http:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SOHR-numbers-450x175.png\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Syria News Round-Up Feb. 9, 2015\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Syria Comment\",\"description\":\"Syrian politics, history, and religion\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2905aac6c55cbf3a9dede19e41b94c7e\",\"name\":\"Matthew Barber\",\"sameAs\":[\"http:\/\/www.joshualandis.com\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/Matthew__Barber\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/author\/matt\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Syria News Round-Up Feb. 9, 2015 - Syria Comment","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Syria News Round-Up Feb. 9, 2015 - Syria Comment","og_description":"From a friend commenting on discrepancy in SOHR&#8217;s recent numbers: SOHR is all over the place with numbers. This is his latest: here. The new number is 210k; he says that 100k are civilians 80%+ of which are men. He estimates 85k+ fighters unaccounted for across all sides. 1.5 million injured. 50% displaced. His detailed [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/","og_site_name":"Syria Comment","article_published_time":"2015-02-10T03:04:06+00:00","article_modified_time":"2015-02-10T03:07:52+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"http:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SOHR-numbers-450x175.png","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"Matthew Barber","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@Matthew__Barber","twitter_site":"@joshua_landis","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Matthew Barber","Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/","url":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/","name":"Syria News Round-Up Feb. 9, 2015 - Syria Comment","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"http:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SOHR-numbers-450x175.png","datePublished":"2015-02-10T03:04:06+00:00","dateModified":"2015-02-10T03:07:52+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2905aac6c55cbf3a9dede19e41b94c7e"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/#primaryimage","url":"http:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SOHR-numbers-450x175.png","contentUrl":"http:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SOHR-numbers-450x175.png"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/syria-news-round-feb-9-2015\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Syria News Round-Up Feb. 9, 2015"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/","name":"Syria Comment","description":"Syrian politics, history, and religion","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2905aac6c55cbf3a9dede19e41b94c7e","name":"Matthew Barber","sameAs":["http:\/\/www.joshualandis.com","https:\/\/x.com\/Matthew__Barber"],"url":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/author\/matt\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p38J3A-5LF","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22175","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22175"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22175\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22191,"href":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22175\/revisions\/22191"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22175"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22175"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22175"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}