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Subscribe to RSSActivists report mortars hitting a Palestinian refugee camp in the Syrian capital. Meanwhile, Turkey has been holding military drills along its border with Syria. NBCNews.com's Dara Brown reports.
Updated at 11:19 a.m. ET: Mortars rained down on a crowded marketplace in a Palestinian refugee camp in the Syrian capital, killing 21 people as regime forces and rebels clashed on the southern outskirts of Damascus, activists said Friday.
With the civil war in Syria getting increasingly vicious, chances for a diplomatic solution to the 17-month-old conflict were fading after the resignation Thursday of Kofi Annan, the U.N.-Arab League envoy to Syria. Annan cited divisions within the Security Council preventing a united approach to stop the fighting.
The developments came as the U.N. General Assembly prepared to denounce President Bashar Assad's regime for unleashing tanks, artillery, helicopters and warplanes on the people of Aleppo and Damascus, its two largest cities. The resolution was also to demand that Syria keep its chemical and biological weapons warehoused and under strict control.
The attack on Yarmouk camp came as the government battled rebel fighters in the nearby Damascus suburb of Tadamon on Thursday evening. Clashes there continued on Friday and sounds of explosions from the neighborhood could be heard as far as the mostly deserted Damascus downtown, with plumes of smoke seen rising into the sky.
The U.N. agency running Palestinian camps confirmed that at least 20 people had died in the shelling of Yarmouk. The Britain-based Syria Observatory for Human Rights, which first reported the deaths, said the mortars hit as shoppers were buying food for the evening meal. The activists with the group would not speculate on who was firing.
"We don't know where the mortars came from, whether they were from the Syrian regime or not the Syrian regime," said Rami Abdul Rahman, director of the Observatory.
The state news agency blamed the bombardment on "terrorist mercenaries" — a term the government uses for rebel fighters — and said they had been chased away by security forces.
Kofi Annan quits role as UN's Syria envoy
In villages across Syria there is great concern for the city of Aleppo, where the violence seen in the last few days could be nothing compared to what's coming. NBC's Richard Engel reports.
The incident highlights the precarious situation of not just Palestinian refugees but all civilians in Syria who are increasingly getting caught in the crossfire of this bloody uprising that has claimed 19,000 lives since it erupted in March 2011. Every day hundreds of civilians are uprooted by the violence, according to the United Nations, which estimates that 1.5 million people have been force to abandon their homes but remain in the country.
Government troops have in the past attacked the camp, home to nearly 150,000 Palestinians and their descendants driven from their homes by the war surrounding Israel's 1948 creation. Palestinian refugees in Syria have tried to stay out of the 17-month old uprising, but with Yarmouk nestled among neighborhoods sympathetic to the rebels, its residents were eventually drawn into the fighting.
The situation of the Palestinian refugees is particularly sensitive because Syria has long cast itself as the principal champion in the Arab world of the Palestinian struggle against Israel. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose government has a strict policy of neutrality regarding the Syrian conflict, condemned the Yarmouk attack.
Complete international coverage on NBCNews.com
As the fighting intensifies in Aleppo, Syria's largest city, rebel forces say they need strategy guidance in addition to medical supplies. Their goal, they say, is to win the war instead of simply carrying out random attacks against the Syrian army. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.
Syria's civil war, which had spread across much of the country, only came to the capital and northeastern city of Aleppo, Syria's main commercial hub, in July.
Turkey: Brigadier-general among defectors
Meanwhile, about 1,000 Syrians, including a defecting brigadier-general, have fled to Turkey in the past 24 hours to escape intensifying violence, a Turkish official told Reuters on Friday.
Elsewhere, the Russian Defense Ministry denied that it plans to send naval vessels to the Syrian port of Tartus, the state-owned RIA news agency said.
NBC News
People resisting the army of President Bashar Assad in northern Syria cope with loss and prepare for fighting.
It dismissed reports, attributed by Russian news agencies to a source in the general staff, that Moscow was sending three large landing ships with marines aboard.
Security Council deadlock
Washington, U.N. diplomats say, has been convinced that the Security Council cannot play a meaningful role in the crisis since Russia and China first vetoed a Western- and Arab-backed resolution in October. Both countries have cast a double-veto three times to kill resolutions that could have opened the door to sanctions, or even military intervention.
Full coverage of the Middle East & North Africa on NBCNews.com
Moscow and Beijing have frequently complained about Western and Arab backing for the insurgents, saying pressure should be put on both sides to stop the violence.
That is partly why the General Assembly has taken up the resolution, but the resignation of joint U.N.-Arab League representative Annan after his peace proposals failed threatened to overshadow the developments in New York.
Before Syrian reinforcement troops can reach Aleppo, the nation's largest city and commercial capital, they are being attacked by rebel forces in Arihah, a city situated on a key route. NBC's Richard Engel reports.
Annan's peace plan was supposed to resolve Syria's conflict with an immediate halt to the violence, withdrawal of heavy weapons and military forces from built-up areas, access for humanitarian aid and journalists, and a political transition.
But Annan's mission looked irrelevant as fighting intensified in Damascus, Aleppo and elsewhere.
Annan blamed "finger-pointing and name-calling" at the Security Council for his decision to quit but suggested his successor may have better luck.
Russia, the United States, Britain and France began blaming one another over who was responsible for Annan's sudden announcement he would depart. One senior council diplomat said it was now time to acknowledge the "utter irrelevance of an impotent Security Council" on Syria, Reuters reported.
Russia said it would not back Friday's resolution because it was unbalanced and would encourage rebels to keep fighting.
The anti-Syria resolution was expected to easily pass Friday in the 193-member General Assembly after its Arab sponsors de-fanged two key provisions in the original draft — a demand that Assad resign, and a call for other nations to place sanctions on Syria over its civil war.
NBC News staff, Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
Annan is just another diplomat without cojones. Blame the people who have their fingers on the triggers. Guns don't kill people, fanatical Muslim extremists do.
The United States needs to stay completely out of this conflict and let events unfold as they may. No one on either side of the political aisle can say with absolute certainty that it would be in our best interests if one side won over the other. If the rebels end up winning, how long will it be until they become the next Taliban? Let these people destroy themselves for all I care. I just don't want to see more money and precious American lives wasted for no benefit to us.
Trouble is no evil twins (US/IsraHELL) no conflict. Interesting coincidence, huh Pilgrims?
(((Yawn))) ZZZZzzzzzzzzz
The Britain-based Syria Observatory for Human Rights is a front cover for the Sunni Saudi proxies like al-Qaida, MB and other Sunni Islamic militants.
Can anyone trust a word of what they say?
Why should British meddle in others affairs by providing shelter to such criminals? They are acting as agents of Sunni Saudis, oil companies and their lobbyists.
It appears that British have not learnt lessons from Iraqi wars, Afghanistan and many Paki based terrorist plans and acts in Britain.
How long until the rebels become the next Taliban? Exactly why is that an inevitable progression? I don't see the connection.
More than likely it was the rebels that mortared the camp,to gain publicity and punish the Palestinians who the Assad government has supported in the past.The western media is 100% on the side of the rebels,following their governments lead as is shown by all the stories we are allowed to see.I try to read between the lines to see the truth in this mess,we won't get it from just reading the propaganda stories posted.An example would be that according to all our media,the whole UN is against the Assad government except Russia and China.And yet then they admit that the only way they could get the General Assembly to pass a resolution is to take out of the resolution a call for Assad to step down and a call for sanctions on Syria.That helps shows that the World,other than the West,is not behind this crusade against Syria.And we are being lied to about Russia and China being the only countries not wanting involvement against Syria.
@AZCowboy
You're obviously trolling, but really? This conflict has nothing to do with Israel or the US-- this is a local rebellion against Assad and Ba'ath party rule. How would the removal of two countries who have had no direct involvement with the conflict end the conflict? That's like saying, "Well, no Uzbekistan and Brazil, then there wouldn't have been no Vietnam war." You see how stupid that sounds? Right?
Islamic extremist organizations, especially Sunni ones, use different labels (al-Qaida, MB, Taliban some different names in African nations) in different places just like their Trojan horses (secular, moderate, progressives, liberal and so on) in our nations.
Olivia, he is an Assad supporting pig.
I hope the Rebels do a live video of when they chop off Assads head and then burn his evil remains......
It is most likely that the mortar rounds were fired off by the rebels who hate the Palestinian refugees for not joining their cause. These rebels are often just a bunch of terrorists looking to grab power and money. We should stay out of it.
Cutting off heads? Why not the 'Wicked B/Witch of the West,' motor-mouth war criminal Hillary? And then we can all celebrate, (Bill Clinton and Monica, included).
Just as likely is that the rebels were using the market to escape or hide in. I would be willing to bet that 90% or more of "civilian" deaths are caused by the rebels using civilian populated areas to attack from or hide in afterwards.
Instead, it should be heads of rulers of Sunni Saudi king with his 5000 princes and princesses, UAE, Kuwaiti, Qatar and other Sunni backward looking ones. They are responsible for most of the mess in the world.
They funded their hate preaching and killer training Salaffi and Wahhabi mosques all over the world.
How many mosques were there before 1991 and how many are there now?
Many are just ignoring or forgetting the Saudi inspired Islamic radicalism and terrorism in Nigeria, Egypt and other places right now going on!
Barbaric and beastly bigoted Sunni Saudis and outsourced their dirty work to Turkey and now via Jewish and oil company lobbyists to the US, Britain and others before their Sunni Arab League dramas in Syria!
Are mess after Iraqi wars not enough?
The head of the Saudi and their Arab League observers to Syria Sudanese Gen was responsible for the genocides of at least 300000 Christians in Darfur!
HEY Seven2Seven If you love these Alqaida terrorists so bad , why don't go and try to chop Assad head. How come every body does not agree with us are bad people and we are the most honest people on earth , Obama sent Nancy Polosi to Damascus and others to Assad to change his mind about supporting Hezbollah and when he did not he became a terrorist , The US and the Saudis , Qataris , Turkey and all NATO are responsible for all the killing of the innocent people in Syria , Today the Christians leaders in that part of the world said just that , So let's not hide behind saving civilians lives , NATO killed more civilians in the last few years than Saddam and Qaddafi and the butcher Idi Ameen ( the one that Saudia opened their doors for ) and all these so called dictators , so do not give us that CRAP , LEAVE THESE PEOPLE ALONE , THE CHRISTIANS IN THAT PART OF THE WORLD WILL BE MURDERED BY YOUR ALQIDA AND SAUDIS AND YOUR FREEDOM FIGHTERS MR. OBAMA ,HILLARY , MCCAIN , LIEBERMAN AND ALL THESE HAWKS .
It could have been the rebels, but if so it was probably a mistake or a misfire. If they even have access to mortars, they don't have ammunition to waste on something as petty as killing people who refused to join with them.
So are you saying that if it was rebels it was a mistake but if it was the government it was on purpose?
But they sure seem to have plenty of ammo to fire into the air while chanting "allah-akbar", or fire indiscriminately over the top of walls they can't see over or around corners without looking.
Cowboy: A padded room and psychotropic medication are waiting...
I didn't say that, but yes. The regime has very frequently bombarded civilian areas at random to drive out rebels. They have fired on civilians a great many times. The rebels might have done it, but I'm just saying I doubt it.
"or fire indiscriminately over the top of walls they can't see over or around corners without looking."
Sure. And when you do that and hit someone you don't want dead, it's called a mistake, like I said.
According to the rebels, but even news agencies and the UN are now very carefully stating that all these things are unconfirmed and adding "according to rebels". That equates to "We know they're probably lying, but we can't say that outright because it will counter our agenda".
So again, we're back to if the government hits civilians, it was on purpose, but if rebels do it, it's an accident. The government has more to lose by firing on civilians, the rebels don't care who they endanger. Just like Palestinians, fire rockets from populated neighborhoods then cry foul when Israel takes out the civilian building they were hiding in.
The government does have a lot to lose by shooting on civilians (like, say, starting a rebellion). Yet they have done it before, again and again and again. That's how all this started, with them firing on protesters before they were rebels. The rebels have just as much to lose, since a rebellion is made up primarily of popular support, unlike a national military; what would make you think they don't care who they endanger? That doesn't mean they don't lie or make mistakes or commit war crimes, but with the evidence in front of us, yes, I absolutely trust the rebels more.
And yes, the reports are unconfirmed, but that doesn't mean they're "probably lying", it means the media outlets CAN'T CONFIRM IT. The Syrian government very deliberately keeps outside news sources away from war zones when it can.
According to the rebels. I have yet to see or hear proof in any of the "arab spring" uprisings that the governments just open fire on peaceful protesters. Any one that has been documented and confirmed always start with rocks and molotov cocktails being thrown at government forces.
So, once again, we return to if the government makes a claim, it's a lie but if the rebels say "the government did it", it's gospel.
MYTurn = No Fly List............
HONESTJ: Not so fact in criticizing Kofi Annan. He stuck with this thing for a long time. He was determined to try to do some good. Kofi Annan understands better than any of us what he was up against in the UN. Annan was up against an inrtangient Russia and China who both are hell bent on supporting the regime regardless of the cost in human lives. A civilized man like Kofi Annan, given all that he has done for humanity, can point fingers and name names - he earned that right. I hope he does one day.
@roger white-3731376 I hope he does today...if he doesn't he's a wimp and I'll lose all my respect I've ever had for him---not that I'm anybody that counts but that's my thinking.
To; Roger white (aka: Crusader for terrorists)....
Well, close but no cigar dummy. Kofi said it himself yesterday: "We cannot have peace if the United Snakes (US/IsraHELL/NATO) keep arming the 'rebel's' under the UN's nose. How's it feel to be both deaf and dumb, Pilgrim?
Ohhhh, but O'Bubba has his toy Predators. So how can Kofi ever ever confess that he has identified the warmongering sack-O-@!$%#s and they are US!
TheAssCowBoy; Be quiet and listen; you hear that sound in your head? That's what it's like to be deaf and dumb. And by using the word "dumb", I give you far to much credit. My apologies to the dumb people!!
AZCowboy: How on Earth do you construe from my comment that I am pro-terrorist? Your analytical skills and logic process are way off the mark. Tombstone, huh? It's a good place for your head (that's a metaphor cowboy.
the General Assembly "demands"...really??? The General Assembly DEMANDS...as if anyone is giving a hoot about what the general assembly thinks/demands.
All hell is going to break lose.
Satan is on the Rise!
The Syrian freedom fighters need mortars if they are to stand a chance against the Syrian Army. I hope NATO is supplying these to the Arab League, so they can in turn supply them to the Syrian freedom fighters.
(I have not heard any reports of Syrian freedom fighters using mortars yet, from foreign reporters embedded with the Syrian freedom fighters.)
@Rick: Freedom Fighters (FF) are said to have mortars. What does that mean? It might mean mortars are there, but the FF are still being trained. Also, they will need viable targets to launch those mortars and the Syrian AF has not yet given them such targets.
Another misinformed 'ugly' American on the wrong side of history. Obese, spoiled, ignorant of the true facts, and wanting to stay that way by stealing from the small impotent nations. "My country - right or wrong?" I say 'screw' your country and bring on WTC II & III!
Assad is doing the jobs for poor infidels (non-Muslims). We have become jihadi materials for the Sunni radicals and militants all over the world.
If Sunni Muslims don't get non-Muslims to do jihad, then they do them on other Islamic sects like Shiites, Sufis and other tribes at least.
So Assad and all Shiites should join hands and eliminate as many Sunni jihadies as possible.
LESSER THE JIHADIES BETTER IT IS FOR INFIDELS.
Followers of Islamic cult, especially Sunni Saudi inspired Islamic radicals and militants (al-Qaida, Salaffi, Wahhabi, Taliban, 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.
Even in Syria, if Assad is overthrown by Sunni Islamic religious Nazis like al-Qaida, MB, the conditions of Christians will be unbearable just like Iraq.
@AZcowboy (aka: cow patty): The entire world is misinformed. Don't single out just Americans. The West is ugly and obese. Misinformed, ugly and obese. That would be a compliment for you!
Interesting, a revolution where the opposition is imported by the United Snakes (US/IsraHELL/NATO). One has to wonder what would have become of early America if the British had armed the Apache, Cherokee, Souix nations and sent them against the Interloper Europeans that were here to rape the Native American people here of their land, water and happiness. Now, we have the Libyan al-Qaeda thugs famous for the endless massacres, rape, torture, looting and kayos (still) being experienced in Libya - But, now the low lives of the United Snakes are assisting in the massacure of Syrian civilians and then the US (Jewish owned and operated media) blame all the killing of these innocents on the Syrian army. We've seen these war crimes being commited by the low life Jews on the West Bank and Gaza where they accuse Hamas of using their own babies as 'human shields' when in fact the world knows these bastards are just committing genocide because of their racist and zealoterous ways. Yassar AmeriKKKa, you have reached the bottom of the war criminal sewer and Kofi Annon said it best this week as he resigned his peace keeping services and stated: "We cannot make peace when the United Snakes (and their Sunni camel drivers that became kings because of the misdeeds of the West) continue to arm the 'rebel' goons right under the UN's noses. Yes, there was a time when America 'saved the world from the Nazi/Japanese scourge. But, today 67 years later, the US 'is the scourge' (Sack-O'-sh*t?) and all we can say is what Reverend Jerimah Wright said in 2008 after the elections: "God damn AmeriKKKa!' Amen, bro, amen!
Olivia, don't pay any attention to AZ. He's just a nut who thinks the United States is some kind of comic book villain.
Olivia: Psychiatric hospitalization and sedation will suffice for Mr. Tombstone. Don't even waste your time with the likes of him.
Good grief Olivia, he's just some nut on a message board, not the Unibomber. I sincerely hope we don't actually waste government resources investigating that sort of tripe.
Wow... History FAIL.
The British did arm Native Americans during the revolution. So did we.
to the AZCowboy: Actually the British did arm the Native Americans against the United States during the 1780's and 1790's. The british didn't leave Fort Detroit until after1792. They paid Native Americans for scalps from US Settlers. Their intererence didn't turn out very well for them. I agree that we should stay out of the conflict but perhaps you should review history before spouting off.
He doesn't even review the article before spouting off. Or anything else, for that matter.
Hey look guys, this tombstone is ignorant (and generous, he gives away his ignorance every time he posts or opens his mouth). s.f. accountant - right. He didn't read this article. He does not read anything of value or edification.
And good for Olivia forever. Wish I had though of that. Hope Homeland and the FBI are busting down his door right now. I don't want him making history like was down in Oklahoma City back in '96.
I have no problem with people getting rid of bad leaders. I just hate it when msn tells me these are democratic societies, sorry when blacks and women had no right to vote in our nation we had a swallow democracy, please use elections but don't use the democracy when talking about these religious hating nations of Islam. You a muslim or you are dead or a 2nd class citizen! Let's tell the truth and should be talk to these nations yes, but stop the crap about being free I mean women are 2nd class citizens along with jews and christians!
When did MSN ever say that Syria is a democratic society? Turkey is a democratic society, and as such they do not treat their women or minority religions as 2nd class citizens. Libya, Egypt, and Tunisia are all just starting out as democracies, so some difficulties are to be expected, but I haven't seen anything in those places that indicates such institutional intolerance as you're suggesting.
Nothing in that story indicates she doesn't have rights. The only thing in the United States that would have prevented that same scenario would be that 14 year-olds aren't allowed to marry. Nor does it indicate whether or not she had legal recourse to challenge the marriage, or if there was any legal reason for her to comply at all. I could be totally wrong about Turkey of course, as I'm not too familiar with their laws, but I know that they value their democratic institutions and have not heard horror stories of the terrible ways they treat women (as opposed to Saudi Arabia or many African countries). If you have information that suggests otherwise, I'd be happy to listen, but that story doesn't really cut it.
Please note, also, that I'm considering Turkey from a legal perspective; if the culture in Turkey is to treat women like servants, there's not really much to be done about that besides put the legal safeguards in place to make sure that treatment isn't institutionalized. You can change a government easily, but changing cultural practices takes generations.
The UN is a debating society with no teeth. The Arab League will not support the Syrians or give them aid. This is an Arab problem. Let them sort it out. Just as soon as Assad starts really losing this rebellion, he will gas the rebels and probably gas the Israelis, claiming they were supporting the rebels. Then war will really begin. The Israelis will wipe out Damascus. The Iranians will counter-attack. This is going to get really messy and cause the entire Med-East to go to war. The Russians are positioning themselves to join in the action. There will a a mortar attack, by parties unknown, on the Russian base and they will enter the fray hunting for terrorist. All the Iranians in Syrian that are no in Syrian Army uniforms will finally come out of the closet and Iran will officially join with Assad in the ground action. The Palestinians are not smart enough to join the rebels and they will get crushed. The UN should have put armed troops in Syria months ago. Russia and China should be expelled from the UN. They have done nothing constructive and stop the rest of the world from helping countries when they really need it. The UN should be moved to another country so America does not have to waste tax dollars on a organization that does absolutely nothing because of politics. They can enforce nothing, they cannot stop conflicts. The UN is a waste of time and money.
Olivia Forever The EZ a bad way of putting things , but that's his rights i guess , but what give Obama and NATO and all these terrorists kings and princes the right to arm and send these Alqaida thugs ( the same thugs that attacked us on 9/11 ) and then brag about it in the UN and then act like they care about civilians lives , and since when we care about Syria , Syria was attacked by Israel few times and the UN had a resolution condemning Israel and off course the US and the Europeans vetoed . Syrian's land been with the Israeli's hands since 1967 and the UN had another resolution for Israel to give it back and that was vetoed by the US and the EUROPEANS , so all of the sudden we care , how come we do not care about all these human rights in Saudia and Qatar , Baharin every day some body getting killed , we selectively care about countries and it depends if it serve our interest or our allies interest , so you see Olivia your honest media embedded with these Alqaida rebels and they are helping them to cover up their murders and calling for the world to interfere on these thugs side . any body cares about the Christians in that part of the world , Assad is no angle , but hell check our government here and your senators and congressmen . they care about their pockets and about the interest of other countries and who pays them the most and what group in what country can help their election , Obama and Romney were racing to see who's going to give Israel more money and more weapons ,not caring about the people in the US and about who gets hurt or if we go to war and send our troops to fight somebody els's fight .
We care about Syria because the death toll has approached or surpassed 20,000. While I do wish we would condemn the crackdowns in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, people there are not being killed every day; the death toll in Bahrain just hit 50 since the start of their protests, if I recall the last article on that nation. That's still bad, but how can you complain about that and expect us to ignore Syria? No matter how much you call the rebels "thugs", accuse them of murders that were covered up (how then do you know that they happened?) and accuse them of working with Al Quaeda (as if they're going to turn down help), none of that matters as much as Assad crushing his cities under waves of bombardment and gunfire. Just what makes you so sure that his crimes and oppression are acceptable?
SF accountant: Why did you people not worry about million in Iraq, 300000 in Darfur, and Nigeria, Sudan, millions in Pakistan and other places?
Obviously whom ever is responsible should be punished, along with Natanyahu and Israel who is the reason those refugees were there to begin with! This is an outrage! Netanyahu should be charged with even more war crimes!
Hmmm sounds like it doesnt it?
Michael: if this article was about e-coli in lettuce I am convinced you would somehow bring the Jews and Israel into it. Why don't you move to Tombstone where you and Mr. Arizona can pitch a tent and wear turbans.
Olivia Sorry your in the picture you look very nice and sweet , bur your just as naive the whole thing is about Israel , why is Syria is our enemy and we do not like Assad , Because he is the only one in that part of the world that stands up for your Israel other than that , name one time a Syrian ever did anything to the US , and even Iran , when did Iran do anything to the US , we have been interfering in these people lives since the 50's , maybe you need to read little bit , and why we always want the safety of Israel , if you check Israel the only country that spies on the US and steal our technology even though we give most every thing we got , and Israel is the country that bombed our Liberty ship ,and killed our sailors , and SF I am not saying Alqaida in Syria , the US and every body in the whole world said it buddy , it seems like you missed the memo . but in your case that's normal , you should be Sarah Palin spokesman , because listening and reading your comments , If some body says its sunny outside you are going to disagree with them without taking your sun glasses off.
That's nice (and wrong, China and Russia steals our technology all the time, Iran sponsors terrorist groups that have attacked Israel, and Syria is their ally, etc.), but I've already told you I don't care who says Al Quaida is in Syria, and I don't care about Al Quaida being in Syra. Please, I know it's almost impossible for you to write decent English, but you at least need to learn to read it if you're going to insist on participating in these comment board discussions.
The fact that Al Quaida assists the rebels doesn't mean the rebels are wrong, or evil, or that Syria will turn into an Islamic state after the revolution is won (though it certainly could). All it means is that the rebels can't get enough help from the West, so they're looking for other people to help them.
You keep saying America and other western countries are arming the rebels, and to be honest, I hope you're right. Because if America sits on the sidelines twiddling their thumbs, those people will probably have greater sway when Assad is dead and Syria is free.
This is just unbelievable that people are buying into this lie being told about "Rebels" who are fighting for freedom. They are Western trained Terrorists who are operating under the direction of the CIA and the Mossad to destabilize Syria for one purpose only - To get rid of an unpopular Regime. What then? You will be left with the same situation you have in Iraq. Internal squabbling among religious factions that have been at each others throats for thousands of years. The ultimate goal here is simply to destabilize the entire Middle East until it's in total Chaos. We are doing a great job at that!! Another reason for the Chaos is to provoke Iran to act against either the West or Israeli interests so there is an excuse to attack. Even if Iran does nothing you will see an attack carried out by the West against a Western target (More sacrificial lambs) and then blamed on Iran so the War Machine can be put into action. History has taught us nothing
Well, if that's true, we're doing a terrible job of destabilizing the region. Libya has settled in with its new government, Tunisia is stable, Egypt is getting itself sorted out after the election (rough job, but they're getting it done), and Bahrain and Saudi Arabia haven't so much as descended into riots yet. So it seems that all our efforts have done nothing but progress a few countries into the 21st century and depose wretched dictators. Man, that's just awful. Why would we even do that?
SF evidently you are dumber than i thought and i do not have to read or write proper English to know that in Libya the killing have not stopped , and you said, you do not care if Alqaida in Syria and you hope that we are arming them and your fight with Alqaida is over , Well buddy tell that to the families that lost their loved ones on 9/11 . and if you feel so strongly about Syria and Iran and freeing their people , why don't you suit up and go to Israel I hear they are preparing to attack Syria and Iran any time . people like you are bunch of hypocrites , and that's what's wrong with us these days , people like you that only care about other countries and money , Are you sure you are not McCain or Lieberman ???? you sound like them or maybe Sarah , Is that you Sarah ????check Libya out while you at it , Just because Richard Engel not there to lie about what's happening and Anderson Cooper repeating his lies , and check IRAQ too , and see how many people dying there every day . and speaking of dictators ask McCain and Hillary and most of your politicians and see if Saudis and Qataris and all of these gulf states have enough money to give you since your opinion count so much and check on their human rights while you at it , Assad is an angel compare to these ruthless kings .
Interesting.
The headline I read was:
By The Associated Press | Aug.03, 2012 | 2:52 PM
Now, normally when I see this kind of headline it's because the 'Palestinians' were in some sort of conflict with Israel.
Then, the Jew haters come out in force, condemning the 'horrible loss of life'.
But, since this is Arab on Arab violence, they'll quietly sit this one out.
.
A big "thankyou" goes to the
Soviets------I mean Russia and Communist China for "making all of this misery possible" and for prolonging it!Good job Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and Hezbollah!