The Syrian Crisis

[amoy]

BBC News - Syria crisis: Al-Nusra pledges allegiance to al-Qaeda

Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani said the group's behaviour in Syria would not change as a result.

Al-Nusra claims to be have carried out many suicide bombings and guerrilla attacks against state targets.

On Tuesday, al-Qaeda in Iraq announced a merger with al-Nusra, but Mr Jawlani said he had not been consulted on this.

Al-Nusra has been designated as a terrorist organisation by the US.

 

[nrupatunga]

@tramp
Are caliphates are thing of past?? Maybe not in the form it manifested previously. There need not be a single political islamic entity, there can be different countries but control over them means indirect caliphate. Which is what arabia is doing (arabia means entire arabian peninsula). Via its huge endowments to various charities across islamic lands its controlling the ummah and its leaders. Best example is pakistan, is pakistan a independent country?? Who are important players there, this answers the Q as to caliphates are alive or not??

Now is al-qaida there?? Everyone is claiming to be al-qaida like al nusra in syria, ansar dine in mali etc. Its nothing but an umbrella org (defunct one as well). What is common between syria and mali?? Apart from imposing sharia in their regions. This al-qaida is more of a semantics business now. This semantics is used by west to sell to their local (maybe global) audience, their meaning of al-qaida is any muslim group which carries a gun and inimical to western interests is al-qaida.

And wrt to 2 holy places of islam, irrespective of how big or small is the economical benefits it brings to table. Control of these places is not mandatory for being the political leader of islam. Does control of jerusalem/bethlehem etc a necessary thing to control christians?? No right, likewise same in islam. Its good if you have them under your control, but not necessary. Saladin didn't have mecca/medina iirc.

Basically there are mulitple tug of wars going in west asia like shia-sunni, arab-iranians, add turks as well. Sometimes they are independent of each other , sometimes they are related. Nowadays arabs are trying to throw iranians out by pushing a pov that shias are not muslims at all. This is being pushed via various seminaries (of course funded by arabia) from past century. Before to that, whatever the differences, certainly it was not shown as shias are not muslims at all.

P.S. Folks middle east is a western centric word. West asia is correct term. Lets use that. Thanks.

 

[W.G.Ewald]

P.S. Folks middle east is a western centric word. West asia is correct term. Lets use that. Thanks.

Middle East - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The term is considered to be Eurocentric and used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East. The corresponding adjective is Middle-Eastern and the derived noun is Middle-Easterner. The largest ethnic group in the middle east are Arabs,[1] with Turks, Turkomans, Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Copts, Jews, Maronites, Assyro-Chaldeans, Circassians, Armenians, Druze and numerous other ethnic groups forming other significant populations.

 

[tramp]

@tramp
Are caliphates are thing of past?? Maybe not in the form it manifested previously. There need not be a single political islamic entity, there can be different countries but control over them means indirect caliphate. Which is what arabia is doing (arabia means entire arabian peninsula). Via its huge endowments to various charities across islamic lands its controlling the ummah and its leaders. Best example is pakistan, is pakistan a independent country?? Who are important players there, this answers the Q as to caliphates are alive or not??

Now is al-qaida there?? Everyone is claiming to be al-qaida like al nusra in syria, ansar dine in mali etc. Its nothing but an umbrella org (defunct one as well). What is common between syria and mali?? Apart from imposing sharia in their regions. This al-qaida is more of a semantics business now. This semantics is used by west to sell to their local (maybe global) audience, their meaning of al-qaida is any muslim group which carries a gun and inimical to western interests is al-qaida.

And wrt to 2 holy places of islam, irrespective of how big or small is the economical benefits it brings to table. Control of these places is not mandatory for being the political leader of islam. Does control of jerusalem/bethlehem etc a necessary thing to control christians?? No right, likewise same in islam. Its good if you have them under your control, but not necessary. Saladin didn't have mecca/medina iirc.

Basically there are mulitple tug of wars going in west asia like shia-sunni, arab-iranians, add turks as well. Sometimes they are independent of each other , sometimes they are related. Nowadays arabs are trying to throw iranians out by pushing a pov that shias are not muslims at all. This is being pushed via various seminaries (of course funded by arabia) from past century. Before to that, whatever the differences, certainly it was not shown as shias are not muslims at all.

P.S. Folks middle east is a western centric word. West asia is correct term. Lets use that. Thanks.

Al Qaida may have been a nebulous idea until Taliban gave it an Afghan home after Bin Laden failed to established one in Yemen. And since the destruction of Taliban, Al Qaida might have gone back to what it was. However, it is easy to congeal as a force to reckon around another Sunni theocratic state as a nucleus.
What perhaps Saudis are doing is trying to beat them in their own game by Wahhabising more rapidly. That could be what they are doing in Pakistan also, and the anti-Shia riots should been seen in that background. Even Bangladesh activism of Jama-at Islami should be seen in that light. Even India needs to be careful about the fall outs.
You are right, West Asia is a more universal term though most of the GCC newspaper still insist on using Middle East.

 

[SajeevJino]

Here is an Israeli field hospital set up to help wounded Syrians from their brutal civil war.

 

[nrupatunga]

@tramp, @pmaitra and others, the book "Inside the kingdom" by robert lacey maybe a good book on saudis. I just went through 1st 10 pages or so in a bookshop.

 

[tramp]

@tramp, @pmaitra and others, the book "Inside the kingdom" by robert lacey maybe a good book on saudis. I just went through 1st 10 pages or so in a bookshop.

@nrupatunga thanks.

 

[nrupatunga]

Though off topic for this thread, i found this info in the book mentioned above.

During the oil sanctions on west during 1973, US sos henry kissinger threatened faisal (then crown prince or maybe king himself) that west will backoff from arabs petrol. It seems then faisal told, in that case we won't mind going back to our tents and camel milk. But what will you do without petrol for vehicles and other purposes.

Am not sure if saudis can say this today. They have grown fat with petrodollars, now they can't stay off it.

 

[W.G.Ewald]

Western media's Syria WMDs hype evokes deja vu - Xinhua | English.news.cn

The Western media have been fanning fears of Syria's chemical weapons since last year, and the most recent talk is that British scientists have found evidence of Syrian chemical attack.

Although both sides of the Syria conflict have accused the other of using chemical weapons, Washington chose only to hold the Syrian government accountable, warning it that resorting to such weapons would be "a red line" that incurs military intervention.

There has been no confirmation of the use of chemical warfare weapons.

 

[SajeevJino]

There has been no confirmation of the use of chemical warfare weapons.

Sir...Both of them claiming of Chemical Attacks ..and what about UN team did they arrived on Syrian Soil

 

[W.G.Ewald]

Sir...Both of them claiming of Chemical Attacks ..and what about UN team did they arrived on Syrian Soil

Good question. Last news is UN team is in Cyprus.

Syria: U.N. Chemical Weapons Inspectors Still Waiting to Investigate Attacks | TIME.com

One witness said he smelled chlorine. Another remembered the scent of rotting garbage. There were photos of dead farm animals in a yard, and video footage of survivors struggling to breathe. But of the 31 casualties of what the Syrian government has labeled the opposition's first chemical weapons attack, on March 19, there is no list of names of the deceased and no footage of coffins that can be directly attributed to the incident. Immediately following the alleged attack, the Syrian government demanded an international investigation, and the U.N. Security Council obliged, scrambling a team with the assistance of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Nearly a month after the attack, that team is twiddling its thumbs in Cyprus, waiting for a green light to enter Syria even as the evidence, whatever is left of it, evaporates into thin air.

 

[IBSA]

SYRIAN GOVERNMENT FIRST EVER SPRING AUTOMOBILE, TRUCK AND MOTORCYCLE TELETHON STRAIGHT FROM DAMASCUS!!

RICARDO MONTALBAN SLATED TO HOST 24-HOUR AUCTION OF OVER 50,000 CARS, TRUCKS, FLATBEDS AND MOTORCYCLES ALL TO BENEFIT THE SOON-TO-BE-OUSTED HASHEMITE FAMILY OF JORDAN.

RICARDO MONTALBAN WON INTERNATIONAL RENOWN FOR HIS CHRYSLER CORPORATION COMMERCIALS FOR THE DODGE "CORDOVA" WHICH HE FAMOUSLY MISPRONOUNCED, IN HIS OWN NATIVE SPANISH, TO THE CHAGRIN OF MILLIONS OF LATINO ILLEGAL ALIENS

HAVE YOU EVER DREAMED OF OWNING YOUR OWN KIA FLATBED TRUCK COMPLETE WITH 23MM MACHINE GUN CANNON? WELL, YOUR DREAM IS ABOUT TO COME TRUE.
THE SYRIAN MINISTRY OF CONFISCATED CONTRABAND IS OFFERING TO THE PUBLIC THIS 20 DAY OF MAY, 2013, OVER 50,000 CARS, TRUCKS, MOTORCYCLES AND OTHER SUNDRIES COLLECTED FROM THE CARCASSES OF DEAD TERRORISTS.

This Mazda pick-up is all yours for a mere $300.00 (minus terrorists, of course. They're quite dead!) if you tune in to the Syrian Perspective Global News Satellite Service on May 20, 2013 starting at 12:00 p.m. Damascus time.


But the Telethon will also boast over 25,000 motorcycles of every kind collected mostly in the Homs Governorate either in the area of Al-Qusayr or Tal Kalakh. Oh, the owners of these bikes spared no expense to transport miserable yokels to their certain death at the hands of Syria's vaunted army and militia. Syrian Army soldiers were especially careful to only shoot the riders of the motorcycles without damaging the vehicles themselves which are in pristine condition having been refurbished and tuned up by expert Armenian mechanics.

Bray Phlegmo, American television late night talk show host, tests out a beautiful "Cord Roadster" used by Abu-Matzaball, a Jabhat Al-Nusra kook and Saudi pervert, to infiltrate Syria via 'Arsaal, Lebanon. "I can't believe I got this baby for only $1,300.00", exclaimed the American idol. "I'm gonna look really close at all those motorbikes, later."



How can the Syrian government do this?.....It's easy. After 2 years of killing terrorists in cars, trucks and motorbikes, Syrian officials found their country inundated with hulks of motorized metal. The Japanese were anxious to buy the scrap for their own automobile industry, but President Assad had different ideas. Because Japan joined other neo-imperialist countries in criticizing the Syrian government's defense of its borders and secular society, Dr. Assad decided to pass up on the profit from the wily Japanese and sell Syria's stock of used vehicles to the people.

This beautiful something-or-another was actually built by terrorists in a Turkish garage near Gaziantep. It sells for $45.00 without any warranty. According to the Syrian corporal who destroyed it while incinerating its crew of 5 bumbling oafs: "It stopped the moment we opened fire and it tried to retreat. I hit it in the muffler and it went up in flames. I don't think we'll see another one like this again" Indeed.


Collectors' items galore!! You have never seen anything like it. And you'll also be participating in the CRACKERJACK BOX SPECIAL EVENT in which you can buy a vehicle and own whatever is inside. Surprise!! Mustafa Gargoon of Jawbar purchased a Kawasaki motorcycle and found it was loaded with enough ammunition to kill 80 people at London's Harrods. Fawziyyeh Abu-Dibbeh bought a motorbike for her son, Dibb, and discovered it contained enough metamphetamines to fund early retirement. All these things can be yours too! The world is at your doorstep!

Fatima Sharshaha of Der'ah holds up a brand new Belgian sniper's rifle which was pasted into the BMW motorcycle she bought "on a whim".


All sales of vehicles (including hidden prizes) are not subject to refund or exchange. All sales are final. No ownership titles can be given for the reason that most of the merchandise is stolen, anyway, or bought by Arabian child molesters with no sense of decorum, propriety or civility. No warranties are issued or endorsed by the Syrian Government. The merchandise is sold "as is" and "where is". Expect no empathy.

'And remember it's made of real Coreenthian layther". Montalban.

All profits from the Telethon will be used to oust and repatriate the Hashemite Family of Transjordan. Unused funds will then be diverted to assassinating Recep Tayyib Erdoghan of Turkey. Anybody interested?

Syrian Perspective: SECOND POST - APRIL 15, 2013 - SYRIAN GOVERNMENT SPRING AUTOMOBILE TELETHON ANNOUNCED!!

 

[SajeevJino]

Syria Chemical Weapons: Britain, France Reportedly Inform UN They Believe Chemical Weapons Were Used ​

Britain and France have reportedly informed the United Nations that they believe there is evidence that chemical weapons have been used in the conflict in Syria.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an official told the Washington Post that both countries addressed their concerns in letters to UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon. According to the Post, the letters state that evidence suggests chemical weapons were used in and around the cities of Aleppo, Homs, and possibly Damascus.

The European letters come in the wake of mutual accusations by the Syrian regime and opposition fighters. Each side claims that the other fired a rocket with chemical agents in the town of Khan al-Assal, near Aleppo, back in March.

The UN has deployed a team of investigators led by Swedish scientist Ake Sellstrom to the region to probe the claims, but the mission has faced one hurdle after another. The team was first held on Cyprus because of safety concerns and is currently still waiting for authorization to enter Syria.

Syria Chemical Weapons: Britain, France Reportedly Inform UN They Believe Chemical Weapons Were Used

 

[SajeevJino]

U.S. military to step up presence in Jordan in light of Syria civil war​

In a critical indication of growing U.S. military involvement in the civil war in Syria, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered the deployment of more American troops to Jordan.

Hagel announced the deployment, which was first reported on CNN, in a statement to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday.

He said the troops will work alongside Jordanian forces to "improve readiness and prepare for a number of scenarios."

The troops, which will number up to 200, are from the headquarters of the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas, two Defense Department officials told CNN.

The new deployment will include communications and intelligence specialists who will assist the Jordanians and "be ready for military action" if President Barack Obama were to order it, the official said.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey said the United States could send troops to Syria if the regime of President Bashar al-Assad fell to rebels, if needed, to secure the country's chemical weapons cache

U.S. military to step up presence in Jordan in light of Syria strife - CNN.com

 

[pmaitra]

This is an interesting video of Anti Aircraft Artillery being used to target a ground target. An FSA terrorist fires his ZU-23-2 at some target, and gets his posterior fried, when his truck on which the ZU-23-2 is mounted, is hit. The end - a bearded FSA bleeding between his legs, is taken to a hospital.

FSA Terrorists Take Direct Hit while Firing Artillery Shells & Field Leader Gets Injured - YouTube

 

[SajeevJino]

US plans Syria invasion via Jordan with 20,000 soldiers​

The move marks the first deployment that American military officials have "explicitly described as a possible step toward direct military involvement in Syria," the daily adds.

The US military is deploying more forces to Jordan as part of a plan to dispatch 20,000 more soldiers there in a bid to invade Syria under the pretext of securing the country's chemical weapon arsenals.

The Pentagon is sending nearly 200 troops from the 1st Armored Division to establish a "small headquarters" near Jordan's border with Syria and plan potential military operations, "including a rapid buildup of American forces if the White House decides intervention is necessary," The Los Angeles Times reports on Thursday, citing 'senior US officials.'

The first contingent of US forces is "likely to arrive in Jordan this month," the report says citing military officials, but "most will go in May" and will be based at a Jordanian military installation.

The Pentagon, the report adds, "has also made plans to expand the force to 20,000 or more if necessary, including bringing in special operations teams to find and secure Syrian chemical weapons stockpiles, US air defense units to guard Jordan's airspace, and conventional military units capable of moving into Syria if necessary."

 

[SajeevJino]

U.S. to deploy Patriot missile batteries on Jordan-Syria border​

An unnamed Jordan source said the U.S. military agreed on Friday to the country's request to put Patriot missile batteries along the border with Syria.

A London newspaper quoting the Jordan source said the United States was sending two Patriot missile batteries to the area, The Times of Israel reported. The source also said the Patriot missile batteries would be transferred from sites in Qatar and Kuwait, and placed in strategic border spots that could best serve – and protect – the kingdom.

Just a few weeks ago, Patriot missile defense batteries were put along the Turkey-Syria border to protect Ankara from mortar fire, The Times of Israel reported. And on Wednesday, Secretary of State Chuck Hagel announced the U.S. would send 200 troops to Jordan to help with violence along the Syrian border.

Jordanian Information Minister Mohammed Momani said to The Associated Press that the 200 troops were welcome, and would "bolster our training and defense capabilities in light of the deterioration in Syria."

U.S. to deploy Patriot missile batteries on Jordan-Syria border - Washington Times

 

[Armand2REP]

SAA losses - 10,000 dead, 862 armoured vehicles destroyed

Tanks: 380
Infantry fighting vehicles: 320
Command post vehicles: 6
Armoured recovery vehicles: 7
Self-propelled guns: 14
Armoured personnel carriers: 14
Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapons: 24
Reconnaissance vehicles (BRDM): 26
Shilka / (Flak) Self-propelled guns: 30
Armored cars: 31

Area of confirmed losses

Konkurs in use

 

[amoy]

Suburban teen Abdella Ahmad Tounisi arrested on terrorism charges due in court | abc7chicago.com

Abdella Ahmad Tounisi of Aurora was taken into custody at O'Hare Airport on Friday.

Prosecutors say he was attempting to travel to Syria to join a jihadist militant group. He had a one-way ticket to Turkey when he was taken into custody, charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

AND this >> http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/21/w...to-double-aid-to-the-opposition-in-syria.html

 

[pmaitra]

Suburban teen Abdella Ahmad Tounisi arrested on terrorism charges due in court | abc7chicago.com



AND this >> http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/21/w...to-double-aid-to-the-opposition-in-syria.html

I think I figured out one Wahhabi sympathizer in the US, and where he lives.