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Subscribe to RSSRebels and regime forces continue their fight to control Syria's largest city. NBC's Ayman Mohyeldin reports.
ANTAKYA, Turkey – The conflict in Syria continues to escalate as President Bashar al-Assad’s forces and rebels fiercely battle over the country's biggest city of Aleppo.
NBC News’ Ayman Mohyeldin has been in and out of Syria several times throughout the ongoing conflict. He is currently in Antakya, Turkey, near the Syrian border.
He answered reader questions about the conflict earlier Tuesday. Replay the informative chat below.
Syria's embattled Assad appears on TV for first time in two weeks
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A couple of points I'd like to add to the discussion we just had - I asked if Assad could reach the point of no return in that he might think he's got no option left but to use his WMD's on his own people and Israel. The response was he didn't think this would happen, but I respectfully disagree. Thousands of Syrians have been killed by Assad's regime, so he wouldn't, imo, think twice about using chemical or biological weapons against others - inc. Israel.
Re. the possibility of Assad going to Russia or Iran for safe haven, I doubt that the international community would allow this to happen. He should be tried for war crimes.
Also, Mr. Mohyeldin said that "all the parties have more to lose than to gain by engaging in a regional conflict." Again, I respectfully disagree. Iran already has boots on the ground, so to speak, and Lebanon is involved through Hezbollah. Everyone needs to remember that Ahmadinejad is a member of the Shi'a sect of Islam called the "Twelvers." He believes that he's been chosen to cause the chaos that will result in the return of his version of Christ called the Mahdi.
I believe that given Ahmadinejad's theology, this is the most likely scenario. Dragging Israel and the U.S. (and other countries) into the Syrian war would further Ahmadinejad's objectives.
Lastly, I agree that the Obama Administration would not want to get involved in another war, given that the Presidential election is a few months away. Only problem is, depending on how things turn out it may have no choice. I would much rather President Obama be supportive of Israel (contrary to current U.S. policy) and at the very least stand back and let Israel, as a sovereign nation, defend itself.
The American people, btw, do know more about what's going on in the Middle East. I know more than many because 1. I traveled to Israel during the first Intifada. and 2. My ex-husband is from Gaza. I believe that how the Obama Administration handles the Syrian war - esp. if WMD's and Israel get involved - will have a huge impact on our election.
Now we'll see what President Obama is really made of.
Lets hope so Fiesty.... He can start by targeting the "rebels" and their friends Al Quieda and the other radical factions that they are now admitting are part of their little "democratic movement!" (see other article on the A.Q. involvement) Then he can turn on Turkey whom the rebels admit have an A.Q camp on their border that are assisting them...
Seems only right since our troops are dying and we are spending ourselves into oblivion fighting these people doesn't it? We need to get out and stay out of these Arib sewers. called t
Really sucks to find out Assad has been telling the world the truth about the makeup of the persons trying to overthrow his country doesn't it. We need to bring all troops, equipment and money back home and stop playing in these Arib sewers.
I agree with msgfromme.
Shiites and Sunnis are busy battling whose Allah is greater.
See the jokes going in Syria with Sunni Saudi rebels, al-Qaida, MB on one side and the Assad’s forces on the other side!
Just check all languages of the media, UN, human rights groups, Ergodan’s, and others!
What roles Hillarys, McCains, Netanyahos, Libernanns, Romneys have in Syria and Iran?
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 believe that the comment that Iran will not sent fighters is not correct. They may not do so overtly, but most likely have (the 48 pilgrims??) and will continue to do so covertly. Russia is clearly supplying the wepons needed.
Also, when you read the stories on Allepo, it seems some "fighters" came, saw an opportunity and brought in other fighters. From the way it played out it seems Islamist elements were taking the lead, making me think this is more religious than political. Also, nice dodge on the Christian question. That makes me think Ayman is not balanced in his reporting.
Diana --- With my respect to Aiman , he telling more lies than than truth, he was reporting most of the time from Cairo Egypt , hundreds of miles away from Syria , and most of the quoting the rebels just like Richard Engel and his fabricated story , and every time he reported he always said these reports cannot be confirmed ,, so with my respect to MSNBC WHY IN THE HELL YOU ALWAYS PUT ONE SIDE STORY AND YOU DEPEND ON ONE SIDE , And again sorry about the question , why are the rebels getting their arms ,they are buying them from the Syrians defectors , Wow these guys what are they going to use to fight , and have you seen the weapons some of these thugs have ??? and MR. Aiman how about the sting missiles ??? does K MART and WALL MART in TURKEY HAVE THESE WEAPONS , AND THE QUESTION ABOUT THE CHRISTIANS AND IF ASSAD HAVE BEEN PROTECTING THEM . Wow buddy , why don't ask some of that Christians or ask anybody in Antkia where you at now ( and by the Antakia is a land which belong to Syria , that Turkey stole from Syria with the help of the EUROPEANS after WW2 ) OR ASK ANY BODY THERE AND SEE WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT TURKEY AND HOW THEY TREAT THEM , Sorry buddy but reporters like you have lost their credibility in front of the world , why do not you tell these people how much Qatar and the Saudis giving every body and how much they already spent in Syria on weapons and thugs that they brought from Libya and every little rat hole in the world . What are you buddy , I bet you are a Muslim extremist from Egypt or Jordan or one of these countries , and Diana to you I say , if you were married a man from Gaza , he must belong to Hamas of Fatah the two organizations that Syria helped and backed with money and food and every way possible . and what they got in return is their leaders went to Qatar and Saudia and chose their religion fanatic over their patriotism , Hell in my case I have never cared for them , they always followed the money , they kiss up to Iran and they go sleep in Saudi and Qatar , they have been always like that . Assad should sign the peace treaty with Israel and tell these people to go jump in the Saudis sands , After all that's all what's Assad fault is , he does not want to bow down to Israel and NATO pressure .Sorry Mr. Aiman in case case , you are not talking to my fellow Americans which most of them do not keep up with what's happening in the ME , you talking to a Christian Guy that was born in that part of the world and I know what christians go through in Egypt and Saudi and all these no good countries , thank God the Christians in Syria and Lebanon are free to Practice their religion unlike all these other countries that you came are so nice and want freedom for the Syrian people before the US became my country and kids country , God bless the US and all our troops and I hope none of them have to go there and fight the War that our politicians wants to get them in .
I agree with you.
Most of the time these reporters have proved to be too partisan and they do pick and chose like the sheap Saudi agents and Jewish lobbyists.
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.
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.
Are we not committing hara-kiri by supporting our enemies and killers?
NBC Richrd Engel just reported that Alqaida is in Syria and the rebels welcomes the US help and Alqaida help , if they only concentrate on fighting the Assad regime , Oh boy they are going to need Hillary and McCain , Graham and Lieberman I know they are all lawyers , maybe they need to draw up a contract or agreement between all these involved so every body respect what they sign . and I am sure the Saudis and Qataris will pay for the fees for these fine and honorable lawyers . and by the way are you telling me that Richard the honest reporter just found out about this , Wow he has been embedded with these rebels for a while now . I am so proud of you man , I know you traveled with them all the way from Libya .
You can't believe what they have done with Iraqi wars.
Now these people have the audicity to repeat them again and again in Syria and Iran.
It is due to cheap money chasing agents like them that the US went to wars at the same time in Iraq and Afghanistan without "accomplishing mission" in at least one place.
Eveyone knows that both the places are the toughest battle zones in the world and no one has held them for long!
Iraqi wars and Afghan war are examples how wars should not be fought and a nation (US) is brought down to knees with majority suffering due to these wars.
These very villians are imagining that Syria as gateway to winning in Iran!
Who will with little sense impose sanctions on Iranian oil?
We are back to square one with WMDs in Iran as in Iraq; sanctions on Iranian oil; oil price manipulations higher and higher from $40 in 2009 to around $90 now.
Ayman Mohyeldin
I have just one question for you.....Why should the American People support yet another of Bailout Barry's "Not Wars" for Corporate Fun & Profit in support of Al-Qaeda who are now fighting in Syria?
The very same Al-Qaeda fighters who attacked US and the West on 9/11 and since in Iraq, Afghanistan, London, Madrid, and all over the World!
Chemical weapons are about to be put in the hands of al Qaeda. Millions of people are going to die in the next couple years because no one stopped the crap in Syria. No Russian, China, or US interference. Which county gets gassed first? My guess would be the US. Al Qaeda wants to have fun with the moron in the White House. Putin would slaughter them with nukes. China wound send a billion fighters. Obama would call Oprah and ask for advice.
Jamie... just add it to the surface to air shoulder fired missiles and other crazy crap that we handed over to the same groups of terrorists whom we put in control by murdering the army and officials in Libya...
Of course, we can claim our hands are clean in these conflicts cant we? After all, Obama didn't have "boots on the ground" like we did in that criminal GW war in Iraq... Why were almost sterile, only bombing from above and paying millions in support and arms to these loving muslims!!! Such good intentioned democratic loving boys they are!
Here is my answer about Syria before even reading this column - unless we find it imperative to get involved with troops/aerial assaults like Libya, Kuwait, etc.(like for saving Israel if attacked from this for some reason or the world oil supply gets serious jeopardized) then all of the world should sit back and see how the Arab nations deal with it - Saudi, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey, etc. because they have enough firepower from all our weapons we sold them to wipe Syria off the map. If those countries want a different gov and a real democracy and freedom there they should be the ones doing the fighting for the rebels, not Americans or Europeans. Libya was different.
On Iraqi wars media was most unfair and cooked up many stories.
I have a question for Ayman:
Why can't be media be fair and balanced at least some times?