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Subscribe to RSSFor days the Syrian troops' weapons have given them the upper hand during key battles in Aleppo, but the rebels – now armed with powerful shoulder fired anti-aircraft missiles -- are preparing for a different kind of fight. NBC's Richard Engel reports.
Updated at 11:32 a.m. ET: Fierce battles between government forces and opposition fighters in Syria’s commercial hub Aleppo have forced an estimated 200,000 civilians to flee the city, according to aid groups.
U.N. Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos, citing reports from the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, said Sunday that she was "extremely concerned by the impact of shelling and use of tanks and other heavy weapons on people in Aleppo."
In what is seen as a huge blow to Syria's President Assad, his most senior diplomat in the U.K. quit his post. Khaled al-Ayoubi, the Syrian charge d'affaires in London, told British authorities he was "no longer willing" to represent his government, because of its "violent and oppressive actions." ITV's Chris Ship reports.
"Life in Aleppo has become unbearable. I'm in my car and I'm leaving right now," a Syrian writer told The Associated Press as he got ready to drive away. "There's shelling night and day, every day," he said over the telephone on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
He painted a dire picture of daily life in the embattled city, torn between the government forces and those of the rebels.
"Bread, gasoline and gas are being sold on the black market at very high prices," he said. "Many things are in shortage."
The past two weeks have seen forces of President Bashar Assad struggle to maintain their grip on the country after a major rebel advance into the two main cities, Aleppo and Damascus, and a July 18 explosion that killed four top security officials.
Rebel fighters and government forces are still fighting in Syria's commercial hub of Aleppo. NBC's Richard Engel reports.
Government forces have succeeded in imposing their grip on Damascus but rebel fighters gained control of parts of Aleppo, a city of 2.5 million people, where journalists have toured neighborhoods dotted with Free Syrian Army checkpoints flying black and white Islamist banners.
Since the rebel assault on Aleppo began a week ago, about 192 people have been killed, mostly civilians, according to the activist group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Some 19,000 people have died since the uprising began, the group says.
The battle for Aleppo, once a bastion of support for Assad's regime, is critical in the struggle for Syria's future. Rebels already control large sections of the neighboring Idlib province, which borders Turkey, and if a major metropolis fell to them it could possibly create the nucleus of some kind of "liberated" territory that could receive further support from the international community — much the way eastern Libya became a rebel sanctuary during the fight against Moammar Gadhafi last year.
Saudis mum on aid center for Syrian rebels
Yet Syria's rebels are still massively outgunned and it seems just a matter of time before Assad's massed forces outside the city crush them, much the way a similar rebel assault on Damascus over a week ago was quashed.
Civilians in need
Amos, of the United Nations, said the violence in the Aleppo region made it difficult for aid agencies to reach civilians in need.
Rebels in Aleppo shoot at Syrian government helicopters during an intense battle on Saturday.
"Many people have sought temporary shelter in schools and other public buildings in safer areas. They urgently need food, mattresses and blankets, hygiene supplies and drinking water," she said in a statement.
"I call on all parties to the fighting to ensure that they do not target civilians and that they allow humanitarian organizations safe access to bring urgent and life-saving help to people caught up in the fighting," Amos added.
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said attacks on Aleppo showed Assad lacked the legitimacy to rule.
"If they continue this kind of tragic attack on their own people in Aleppo, I think it ultimately will be a nail in Assad's own coffin," Panetta said, speaking to reporters at the start of a weeklong trip to the Middle East and North Africa.
Rebels dismayed over US statement on Syrian conflict
"What Assad has been doing to his own people and what he continues to do to his own people makes clear that his regime is coming to an end," he said, adding, "It's no longer a question of whether he's coming to an end, it's when."
Scenes of destruction in Aleppo
Fighting for the past several days has focused on the Salaheddine district in the southwest of Aleppo, where government troops have been backed by helicopter gunships.
Rebel fighters, patrolling opposition districts in flat-bed trucks flying green-white-and-black "independence" flags, said they were holding off Assad's forces in Salaheddine. However, the government said it had pushed them out.
"Complete control of Salaheddine has been (won back) from those mercenary gunmen," an unidentified military officer told Syrian state television late Sunday. "In a few days safety and security will return to the city of Aleppo."
Analysts: Syria 'armed to the teeth' with chemical weapons
Reuters journalists in the city were not able to approach the district after nightfall on Sunday to verify whether rebels had been pushed out. The Syrian Observatory for Human rights said fighting was continuing there.
The government also declared victory Sunday in the battle for the capital, which the rebels assaulted in force two weeks ago but have been repulsed in unprecedented fighting.
Cars entering one Aleppo district came under fire from snipers and a Reuters photographer saw three bodies lying in the street. Unable to move them to hospital for fear of shelling, residents had placed frozen water bottles on two of the corpses to slow their decomposition in the baking heat.
A burned-out tank lay in the street, while nearby another one had been captured intact and covered in tarpaulin. Burned cars could be seen in many streets, some marked with "shabbiha" - a reference to pro-Assad militiamen.
Syrian regime’s thugs face retribution
Near the center of town, most shops were shuttered, some with "Strike" painted over them. The only shop doing business was a bakery selling subsidized bread, where the line stretched around the block.
With the Assad regime directing the full force of its military at Aleppo, Syria's biggest city, the Syrian government is pulling forces out of surrounding towns -- a cause for celebration among rebels there. NBC's Richard Engel reports from inside one of those towns, in northern Syria.
Syria's top diplomat in Britain defects
In London, the British Foreign Office said Monday that Syria's most senior diplomat in the country had defected.
Khaled al-Ayoubi, the embassy's charge d'affaires, told officials that he was not willing to represent Assad's regime any longer.
Full international news coverage on NBCNews.com
"Mr. al-Ayoubi has told us that he is no longer willing to represent a regime that has committed such violent and oppressive acts against its own people," the Foreign Office said. "We urge others around Bashar Al-Assad to follow Mr. al-Ayoubi's example; to disassociate themselves from the crimes being committed against the Syrian people and to support a peaceful and free future for Syria."
Al-Ayoubi's departure represents the latest in a series of diplomatic and other defections from Assad's regime.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
Wow!
Some people will do ANYTHING to stay in power!
Here, our politicians just LIE!
You mean the United Snakes (US/Israel/NATO), right?
We have no business in Syria. Century old Shiites vs Sunni battles are their own.
What do the criminals and al-Qaida, MB Islamic terrorist fronts like Syrian Observatory for human rights know about human rights?
British should kick them out and let the front cover for Islamic religious Nazis go to some Muslim nation.
Sunni Saudi paid pipers like UN and their agencies (ICRC) have become a joke. They did similar dramas before Iraqi wars!
For a change let the Sunni Saudis maintain their Red Crescent at least during Ramadan times!
Let´s hope that soon 200.000 troops of the beast Assad are captured.And 200,000 more of his soldiers defect.And the leaders of the beastly family regime of father and son are brought to justice by the Syrian people and hung in the main plaza! Let it happen soon!
This is totally frilling outrageous!! Where the heck are the regional powers? Islamic countries? Too frilling afraid to help the rebels and "fight the good fight." Syria's neighbors need to get some intestinal fortitude and help. Quit waiting for NATO, UN, or some world power.
Shss! Where's the Arab League? Maybe they should look to the African Union for an example on how to help their neighbors. The AU has nowhere near the military power that Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Libya, Saudi Arabia but at least they TRY.
Hey Arab League, If you're waiting for the US, NATO, or the UN we're all a little occupied at the moment. WTH, maybe the rebels should ask Israel for help. They would have a better chance than getting help from them than the Arab League.
I love it!! Muslims killing Muslims, the more the merrier. The more they kill each other the less of them we have to deal with. Hope this carnage moves on to Iran.
I wouldn't put it quite the same way as Terry, but when Muslims are busy killing each other they have less spare time to kill everyone else. If the fighting spills over beyond Syria's borders then the rest of the world should consider intervening, but if not then the U.S., EU and Israel should do absolutely nothing except just sit down on the sofa with a huge tub of popcorn and watch the Syrians slog it out.
Terry,
I find your lack of empathy to be disturbing. That could be America in the future.
Shiites are useless bragging cowards!
When all Sunni Islamic militants are converging and helping Syrian rebels, what are Shiites of Iraq, Iran, Pakistan (18 percent) and other places doing?
Shiites of Iraq should side with Kurds and should stop oil supplies to Turkey for supporting Sunni Saudi proxies like al-Qaida, MB and others in Syria.
Hezbollah makes big noise now and then. Are they dead? Why can't they do suicide bombings in Mecca and Medina as a revenge for Saudi support to Syrian rebels.
Iran's Shiites have proved to be biggest cowards.
They can only brag that they have missile and WMDs to destroy Israel or stone some unarmed woman or minority calling him a Jew and dance around the stoning show!
Why Shiites of Iran are not supporting Shiites of Bahrain?
What a bunch of cowards unseen in the history!
toured neighborhoods dotted with Free Syrian Army checkpoints flying black and white Islamist banners. That says it all people says it all
It is funny how they change the language: first we had suicide bombing that killed 4 high ranked etc., then it turned to be just bombing, here the same is called explosion.
Oppressed siryan people fight for their rights -- that is good, occupied kept in concentration camps for 60 years palestinians only can commit terrorist acts, I guess they have no rights to begin with.
Israel has a right to defend herself, Syria has no such right.
So you'll see a correction soon - those banners will transform into freedom liberty death to dictators democrasy banners, just wait
All you hear in the news videos of the fighting, besides gunfire, is rebels yelling "Allah'u Akbar!" Well, they don't need Hillary, then. God will feed them, rebuild all the buildings and infrastructure, and tend to all the wounded and maimed. "In God They Trust" LOL.
We say that here, too. Rots o' ruck, believers! Just don't board an airplane until the government turns airport and homeland security over to Jesus.
So, who needs that 'motor-mouth' witch Hillary?
Not only that!
Shiites Allah should defeat the Syrian, al-Qaida and MB Allah in Syria.
Followers of Islamic cult, especially Sunni Saudi inspired Islamic radicals and militants (al-Qaida, Salaffi, Wahhabi, MB and other label ones), are fast marching backwards to their seventh century desert tribal days.
They are indulging in rapings, lootings, killings and genocides of non-Muslims (Darfur, S. Sudan, Nigeria and spreading like wild fire in many regions and Muslims (Mali, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other places.
Sunni Saudi backed Salaffi and MB new chapters are opening up in Egypt. Just watch the fate of Christians, women and Israel as the time goes by.
We see Muslims inventing problems in most of the non-Muslim nations.
Let the Shiites and Sunnis decide whose Allah is better and purer!
Does Allah permit telling lies and killing during Ramadan time?
Seems to me that you think that if God actually existed that he would be constantly using "Magic" to make buildings miraculously rebuild themselves and every other need handled by massive outpourings of miraculous power.
No wonder you dont believe in God. Somehow you have an azzbackward view of what God is or is supposed to be.
1. If God did everything for us, what would we learn?
2. If God stopped every evil deed, what would be of freedom of choice?
3. If God constantly intervened, how could we see the importance of goodness? One of the ways we learn how important proper and wise actions are is through consequences that are real and effect hearts for change.
-Listen, God has used in miraculous power what would amount to millions of times the worlds entire budgets in setting up a construct that naturally and spiritually is self contained. Plus God daily helps man in a myriad of ways including direct intervention when he see's fit. Keep in mind that one of Gods mechanisms for dealing with evil regimes has traditionally been to allow an even greater evil regime to destroy it and then the latter destroys itself. Like the serpent swallowing its own tail the evil is consumed by itself. This is the fate of evil regimes. Natures construct has already overpowered these institutions. God is not evil, nor does he take part in any evil whatsoever, so, the destroyed buildings will stay destroyed. If a new evil regime builds them back up, they will come down again. Finally, when or if a good regime comes in to power, God will help those who need it raise the funds and manpower to build for themselves something they can truly appreciate and value.
By the way, God is not our little worker bee darting to and fro after our every little desire. Pray for a parking space, pray for a new girlfriend or boyfriend, pray to get chocolate chip cookies? I dont think so. Pray to know wisdom. YOU WILL GET IT. PRAY TO BE OPEN TO LEARN ABOUT GOD, you will automatically crack the door to a spiritual life. Pray for humility, you will see the folly of pride, and pray for peace, you will see the evil of man that stands as its obstacle.
Do you think that God speaking to you MUST be a loud thunderous voice? God has many facets and often times is the quietest little voice within that tells you the truth that you dont want to accept. When we pray for peace, God ALWAYS responds, to everyone, all of the time. We immediately see the obstacle of evil before us. This not only is God speaking about freedom of choice and evil deeds, but it is also God telling us to first look to ourselves to be instruments of the peace we seek. Peace can come, one heart at a time.
mike
then one will look in
and find the nameless one
within
So, if noone (or no world leaders) is going to do anything about the useless slaughter,torture and rapes...why again keep reporting on this. Is this some sick journalism scheme in an attempt to get viewers and/or ratings? DONT count on the U.S. Congress or Obama... They have their own country so messed up with the weakening of their security and National Defense noway they could help others.
So not acting in Syria IS a betrayal of who we are? I wonder WHO decides WHICH muslims we help and which we dont.
Obama: Not acting in Libya 'would have been a betrayal of who we are'
http://articles.cnn.com/2011-03-28/politics/us.libya_1_libya-mission-libya-policy-libyan-leader-moammar-gadhafi?_s=PM:POLITICS
@Fed up, Either your to young of have short term memory, when terrorist first came into being in the 60s they were Libian and Kadaffi was a thorn in our side, so when I heard he was falling I was cheering. Do a little history search and you will find they hijacked planes and held passengers for ransom and even blew up a couple of them. Back in those days friendships were established and somethings were put in writing and signed by both sides or all involved. Some of these Agreements in writing still exist and we of present day have to back them up and now it is a whole different political and leadership situation. The president, Senate, and Congress all are aware of this. Appearently the writer you connected to just wrote on what he knew in his lifetime and did no reasearch as to the reason that this is played out today.
Better read up on your history books, Pilgrim. (Then you come back, OK?).
I finally agree with AZ Cowboy in that the Muslims have been terrorizing the Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, and all other religions for much longer.
It seems to me that the way Islamists wage war on the world for the last couple thousand years, particularly the Jews, they are attempting world domination. This is not a new thing !
the Islamic want too bring the whole world to live in rubble ! that's there life style ! they want western countries too pour there money into the middle east to help the Brotherhood , who are nothing but rebels to power in the middle east ! no aid or money too Muslim countries !!!
Just check languages of the UN, human rights groups, media and others!
If atrocities and barbarism on girls, children and women are the criteria, then the most despotic, autocratic and bigoted Sunni Saudi ruler with his 5000 princes and princesses, Kuwaiti, UAE and other Arab League Sunni rulers and their rich sheiks are the biggest culprits in the history.
Through the Muslim immoral trafficking gangs, these barbarians have assembled all varieties of poor and helpless girls and women from all over the world in their harems and brothels.
In killing of opponents again, these people have established world records.
If the US, Britain and others support such Sunni barbarians and beasts who treat girls and women as cheap sex slaves, then one can only conclude that Saudis, oil companies and their lobbyists determine what to see, how to lecture and where and when to act.
Rest like “human rights”, “killing of children and women”, “militants”, “terrorists”, “WMDs”, “chemical weapons” and so on are a pure hoax.
Similar hoaxes were played each time before Iraqi wars on directions of Saudi, oil companies and their lobbyists.
Now none of them are looking into Iraq, where at least a million have been killed and devastated.
Twice are too much to tolerate.
I agree, I would consider giving both sides better firepower though.
It's a tough call. The Syrian Armed forces are clearly Iranian-Russian-China backed.
The rebels are Al Qaeda-Taliban-Muslim "brotherhood" backed.
If the rebels win, and we help, they will turn on us anyway, but at least they will despise the Iranians, Chinese, and the Russians, but the chemical weapons fall into terrorists hands.
If Assads regime wins, Russia, China, and Iran, and Hezbollah will gain strength, the United States and Israel will be in just as grave of a situation in the end.
My sincere hope is that they all extinguish each other completely and poison the land with nuclear fallout.
Everybody involved here is anti American !
WoodShed banned, rereg of zipperthecat.
6dogs....
Are you stoned or what? Did you READ the article? It said....
I don't need a history lesson but apparently YOU do! WHERE did you come up with this comment to mine?
I hope the US does not get involved in this civil war. We need to pull all our troops out of the ME and work on our problems here at home.
Involved? Hell, we are financing most all of this carnage in the name of a safe Middle East for Jewish terrorism! And, to add insult to injury, we are bringing in al-Qaeda killers in as 'equal' partners into Syria! Can we American's believe this?!!!!
US involvement......?
Exactly where do you think the rebels are getting the weapons to fight Assad, from the Iranians, Chinese, Russians, or Allah?
Oh, sure, those weapons are shipped in by Turkey and Saudi Arabia, but where are the Turks and Saudi's getting the weapons they ship into the rebels? From Al Quada?
Ideas, anyone?
I thought this article was about the Syrian revolution and the battle of Aleppo.
What's up with your Anti-Semetic rant AZ Nazi ?
That is completely off subject, unless you have some other agenda.
My guess is Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and Hezbollah. Supplied to them by both Russia, and China. They seem to be supplying all of them with weapons.
The Iranians (Hizbollah backers), Russians, and Chinese are backing Assad, they wouldn't supply the rebels. Besides, the US is outraged that the Russians shipped Assad "repaired" helicopter gunships.
Last I checked, Allah only encourages war, but he is not in the weapons procurement line of business.
Al Quada may be a possibility, a destabilized Syria would provide a base of operations for fundamentalist Muslim extremists, however I believe the Saudi's and Turks would be hesitant to co-operate with Al Quada in allowing weapons shipments through.
It has already been disclosed that weapons shipments are going through Turkey and Saudi Arabia to the rebels.
Who does that leave to supply weapons to the rebels?
The Duchy of Grand Fenwick?
I seriously have to question the Turks motives for this as well. They have been committing genocide on the Kurds.
This may just be a ruse to have a "legitimate" reason to enter Syria for more Kurdish genocide.
Can't trust anybody over there.
Just keep miles away from any Muslim nation in ME. Let the Islamic religious Nazis fight among themselves.
Followers of Islamic cult, especially Sunni Saudi inspired Islamic radicals and militants (al-Qaida, Salaffi, Wahhabi, MB and other label ones), are fast marching backwards to their seventh century desert tribal days.
They are indulging in rapings, lootings, killings and genocides of non-Muslims (Darfur, S. Sudan, Nigeria and spreading like wild fire in many regions and Muslims (Mali, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other places).
Sunni Saudi backed Salaffi and MB new chapters are opening up in Egypt. Just watch the fate of Christians, women and Israel as the time goes by.
We see Muslims inventing problems in most of the non-Muslim nations.
Great job Obama the middle east is imploding!! Hell of a foreign policy pal.
Yeah, working for the Jews is nerve wracking, huh?
As is working for Hezbollah, right AZ ?
Tombstone.....yea right, more like Iran Cowboy.
To Bad the Syrian people are cowards and didn't take a stand when the rebels started taking over. the people are the ones that could saved them from this fate. they should stay and fight for there homeland , now they run like cowards !!!!
@sam, oh come on! I haven't seen anything like that when we had our civil war. The citizens of the South didn't exactly run into the streets when their Army was retreating through their towns and fight the northern soldiers that was following them. That doesn't mean that those people were cowards. I spent 24 years as a Soldier while you have just been one of those towns people.
@6Dog , what and who's side were you on ?
With the 'United Snakes' (US/Israel/NATO) hot after your butt what you gonna do - call the 7th cavalry and George Armstrong Custer?!!!!
No I wouldn't call those guys, the ones that show the horse they never rode and the river they never crossed bunch. Who was it that lost their colors and took til Vietnam to get them back? For you civilians out there, if a unit looses it's colors in combat they can never be stationed in the US until they earn them back.
I don't view Custer as a Hero. He knew about all the gold and was hell bent on destroying the Indians so he could go back as a civilian and get rich. He took himself and his Soldiers to their deaths needlessly because of the greed he sought.
It is amazing how we can make a hero out of a cavalry commander that disobeyed orders and failed to wait for infantry support before launching an attack.
Custer was not in command of the entire campaign against the Sioux, he was only in command of the cavalry force.
Hollywood has created a superstar who died with his boots on, one of the last to die at the rear of his column. How cute......
Well, AmeriKKKa is going great guns murdering and maiming people all over the globe now. The question is who are these bastards that think we can afford to build some 800 military bases all over the world (and currently establishing new ones in Africa) and where are the American people who have to pay for all of this murder and mayhem? (As the GOP continues with their continuing reduction in taxes for the top 1% of the dirty rich people and 50% of the 'war profiteering' corporations? The United Snakes (US/NATO) were once a force for good. Now they are a rogue bunch of killers intent on reviving the 'colonist' ways of the 18th/19th century in search of declining world cardon resources, But, the question that 'begs to be answered' is how much Iraqi oil would have our wasted $1 trillion dollars have purchased and why did almost 5,000 American soldiers have to die for the theft of Iraq's oil. Having murdered 1.4m civilians in Iraq the Great Satan is hell bent on murdering another 1m people in AF/PAK, Somalia and Yemen (The US' killings in Africa have not yet 'hit the newspapers' even though we know that over 50,000 civilians were murdered in Libya (and climbing as the militias continue to murder, maim, loot, rape and fight among themselves in the vacuum that was left after the 'illegal' over throw of the Libyan government in one of the most progressive and the richest 'standard of living' countries on the African continent) - until the US/NATO revitalized 'colonists' moved in as the US/Israel/NATO killers went for the (black) gold there. The American people are the ultimate losers in this US led rogue terrorism and if the American 'sheeple' don't stop these Pentagon ghouls and their plans for a Nazi-like world domination - who will?
Why don't you crawl back into the hole you came out of.
1. Nato came into being with nations that have the same mind set as we do. We are mainly European desent so we think a lot alike.
2. This is a whole different part of the world and they don't think like we refer to a normal people (of course we don't think normal in their minds either).
3. Libia was never our friend, so what is your problem with understanding that?
4. Assad started out as a good leader but turned Rogue. You seam to have a problem here to. People standing up for themselves, I may not like what they may become but I gotta admire them.
5. Like Russia and China, I say stay out of it as it is another can of worms one does not want to open.
6. As for you keep your nose stuck in your books and learn something before you run off at the lip.
I think AZ is in Iran.
@woodshed, OK
So your saying USA murder 1.4mil Iraq, I think you should get your facts wright Im pretty sure alot of them died from sucide bombers. Know were the USA troops Running into cowards blowing them selfs up i dont think so
Rumors of
massive raping by rebels have been spooking the virgins of Syria; it has caused
most to hysterically flee the cities. Older women have not left; they are
beyond the age of desirability. Syrian men cannot protect their ladies from the
well-armed freedom fighters; they can only photograph the sex orgies as
evidence to be used in court. The young mercenaries express themselves without
fear of punishment.
Shhhhhh, we're bringing democracy to Syria (as we did in Libya, LOL!) so let freedom (((ring)))
You are funny a lot.
I cannot imagine the terror and uncertainty of the Syrian People, perhaps even the alienation they feel about the great forces of freedom. The NATO nations have such technological superiority that at the least we could deny mechanization, as that results in contained/localized damage to such targeted assets. Sabathing rounds stay with armored coffins, and with stealth delivery platforms, NATO would be invulnerable to the antiquated cold war weapon systems. Where is the United Arabe Emmerates stand against slaughter and genocide? And the Russian democracy, is it real or an veiled front to justice? I would like to understand, and perhaps the free people as well, a policy strategy to address this!!!!
We need to do nothing. Technology doesn't mean a thing, all one needs to do is think it through and you can defeat anything. All it take is a little time and remember the Rebels are on no time schedule.
One big lesson Generals have learned about invading places in this part of the world is they can't say this will take 1 day and than we go there and it will take 2 days to get done like thet good old days. The War Doctrine is being rewritten as I write. Running Saddam out of kuwaitte was a straight forward task. His soldiers wore uniforms. Extremest wear loose clothing, turbins and beards, they look like civs little more diffacult without a score card.
Mechanized targets stand out well enough. Occupation strategy cannot and must not be used. Denying mechanization prevents use of this unstoppable extermination force. We need to aggressively publicize intelligence and turn public and world opinion. My understanding of the Russian people is one of recalcitrance for justice and liberty. Remember what Kennedy did in the Cuban crises?
Well, for starters, I think what we need to do is work toward a concerted effort by all nations to stop the flow of diesel and weapons into Syria.
As long as certain parties keep supplying both sides the bloodshed will continue, divisions and hatred will escalate.
Syria will devolve into anarchy.
Not good if you are a father or mother trying to raise a family in Syria.
CPO Sharkey
Iran, who we know to be involved covertly, will not stop sending Assad fuel and weapons as their own soldiers are reported to be fighting for Assad, and there is a buck to be made from these sales, as well as through "black market" items for the rebels.
We need to get the Russians and Chinese on board with stopping the flow of diesel and weapons into Syria, they can drag the Iranians along.
That's the rub, sitting down with Putin and working toward a common solution. A transition of power in Syria in which Assad and the Alawites can share political power with the Sunni faction, and Russia keeps it's base and influence. Right now the Russians are concerned that their interest will be replaced with US interest. Personally, I am concerned that Russian influence may be replaced by fundamentalist Islamic influence.
Be a good road map for eventually putting pressure on Iran to abandon nuclear weapons developement and allowing monitoring of nuclear energy facilities.
Without buy in by the US, Russia, and China, the middle east is just going to continue down the road to anarchy. Maybe that's what the big three want, but it's going to be a bad long haul for the people that live there.
It seems the "rule of law" counts only in the UN. Let's see now, ....did we citizens of the US VOTE to be a part of that organization? Maybe we should put that to the people. Huh....?
The problem as I perceive it is simply this, the UN is made up of a lot of small countries and some larger countries. The larger countries here have been defeated in war. They are limited by Treaty (after WWII) to size of the military they can have. They can only have defence forces for protection. They "cannot" send forces outside of their country to fight. Unfortunatly all these countries can do is vote on situations. The powers of some countries is limited to boycotting shipments to and from a country in question (example Iran, Syria).
If we want to have more phyiscal support from many of these countries we need to rewrite or radify the orignal peace treaties.
One must understand other countries restrictions before condeming them.
Bring back the gladiator days and pit one leader against another in an open arena for a fight to the finish and leave the innocent civilians alone.
The problem with the Arab world is millions of people still haven't evolved from the gladiator days.
You forget, it was the slaves that did all that fighting in the arena.
I am rooting for both sides; may they both accomplish their goals.
They are both Muslims. "Innocent Muslims" is an oxymoron.
This is a case "damned if we do, damned if we don't".
If we help them, we'll be accused of meddling in there affairs and trying to install a US government (aka, Iran in the 50's).
If we don't help them, they'll say we turned our backs on them in there time of need, yadda yadaa yadda.
Best bet; cheer for both sides.
John and Woodshed you are spot on. Let the Arab world solve their own problems. I can live with "we turned our backs on them."
More rubbish and propaganda furnished by: The Dinosaur "Whore" Mainstream Media.Along with Panetta, and the head-witch Hillary Clinton of the Illumanti, Bohemian-Grove, Luciferian- New World Order. Hillary, the Head Cheerleader, wearing her Red-Diaper, pushing her Saul Alinsky, Socialistic-Fascist Agenda. If Panetta and Hillary, want to save Syria, I say, suit them up for Battle, and send them in, along with all the other Socialist-Fascist- Criminals, of the Beltway-Group. Send them all over to Syria, and "We the People", will get a fresh start.... Whom is with me??
Its a lose lose situation for the Syrians. They're all tearing their country apart. The Middle East is no place to try and rebuild government (or lack there of) at the moment. Too much strife, too much islamic lunacy, too much sectarian hate, and not enough stability.
The world will be better off if this stays within Syria and no other countries get involved.
I think the Middle East is teetering on complete chaos. If this conflict turns one Middle Eastern country against another, that could be the tipping point.
@CVPDude, Excellent assessment and Post, overall, i agree. With the formation of AFRICOM in 2008, we now have 9 UCC's (Unified Combatant Commands) with 9 Generals, that report directly, to the Secretary of Defense (Panetta) and the POTUS. AFRICOM's area of responsibility encompasses 53 African Nations, covering all of Africa, except Egypt. Personally, i am very concerned of this AFRICOM formation, and to whom the UCC Generals report. In my opinion, Panetta is simply not qualified nor, has the Military, and Foreign Policy experience to properly handle this job. He is in,way-over his head.. only my opinion... Ciao
It is a civil war like the one we had and another one will happen here soon due to the economy. So leave them alone!!!
@paul-1551388, Civil War? A War between the "Have" and the "Have Not"? Or, a Revolution? Only curious..lol..... Hopefully, we can "light-up the Blue-Room" and cause the Bots and algorithms to go ballistic... then the Govt. Provocateurs and trolls will magically appear... lol... Later
Of course, it's a no-brainer where they'll end up fleeing to.
The Ameican people continue to get fleeced by the American government operatives and continue to disagree with each otehr in these discussion posts. Lets make someone or somegroup accountable for this misuse of precious resouces. Why do these acts of "ripping off" the American People contine and nothing happens. It has been reported -lets see who was responsible for this corruption. Now that we know about -lets do something about it so it doesnt happen next month. T-baggers should demand more accountability when this fleecing gets reported..
what the hell are you babbling about tea-bag-EEEE???
Just keep thinning the herd.
Praise be to Allah and her wisdom- Looks like the Religion of Peace is having a little internal tiff. Thanks be to Allah!!! for the thousands of martyers that will be removed from this Earth,
I hope they don't run out of virgins in paradise.
Obama was outspoken in stabbing longtime ally, Mubarak, in the back when the going got rough. He was very brave in "leading from behind" and protectiing civilians against Qaddafi who didn't have a friend in the world. Not so brave when it comes to Assad, Iran's only ally in the Arab world and with even more blood on his hands.
Moral of the story: safer to be Obama's enemy than his friend.
Strange how some people are willing to die to rid themselves of corrupt and/oppressive governments? That thought doesn't cross anyone's mind in the United States... people are just too busy choosing a figure heads for the 'Washington Establishment'.
Cowards!
The Rebels ! are well armed and seem to be everywhere in The Middle East. They are well organized and armed, is this a chance happening or can this happen at any time ? I mean in Libya and Egypt they all took over in a matter of days out of nowhere defeating armed trained militaries. What are the chances of that happening FOOLs ? Where do they get their fire POWER ?
I mean gee how easy is it ? One two three gooo ! This is where the line gets drawn in the SAND ! next stop Saudi arabia perhaps . A crazed band of crazed armed Muslim Brotherhood with no discipline anything could happen. they tricked you ! They Lie ! Deceit ! the power goes to their heads perhaps ? How far will they go. FEAR !