The Syrian Crisis

[W.G.Ewald]

The situation is very fluid, and there is a media blackout in Syrian government forces controlled areas. Damascus has largely been sanitized. We shall have to wait and see what happens in Aleppo.

UN faces major obstacles if Assad falls from power in Syria, analysis says | Fox News

Senior officials looking into the role the U.N. could play in Syria if Bashar Assad falls from power face major obstacles, including a bitter division among world powers and the absence of an opposition leader.

A team of senior U.N. officials led by Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson is consulting on the Syrian crisis and studying contingencies, and one possible model might be Afghanistan.

After the ouster of the Taliban by U.S.-led forces in 2001, the U.N. moved quickly to fill the political vacuum, convening world leaders and prominent Afghans in Bonn, Germany, to consider the country's future.

Participants adopted an accord on Dec. 5, 2001, spelling out arrangements for an interim government. The U.N. Security Council swiftly endorsed the power-sharing agreement, and on Dec. 20, 2001, it unanimously authorized a multinational force to assist the new government with security.

Emile Hokayem, a Middle East analyst at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, said that in the case of Afghanistan the major powers were united, making for an easier initial transition.

"In the case of Syria, the great powers are fighting," he said. So "U.N. action is not going to be easy."

 

[Armand2REP]

 

[Armand2REP]

 

[The Messiah]

photoshop

 

[The Messiah]

imam killed by rebels/terrorists because of his secular views...and they claim to be fighting for democracy

 

[The Messiah]

al-qaida terrorists! oh i mean rebels fighting for freedom and democracy

 

[W.G.Ewald]

Al-Assad announces establishment of Syrian anti-terrorism court

http://english.pravda.ru/world/asia/28-07-2012/121772-syria_court-0/

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, announced yesterday (26th) the establishment of an Anti-Terrorism Court, based in Damascus, capital of the country. According to local media, the court will be responsible for adjudicating cases related to terrorist actions and the implementation of the conviction and sentence given at trial.

The Syrian crisis has dragged on for 17 months, with constant situations of violence and bloody conflicts. Damascus and Halab, in the north, have recently been the scene of clashes between government forces and armed groups of terrorists supported by the west and some Arab countries.

 

[pmaitra]

Syria Crisis: Aleppo Rebels Hold Territory, Assad Accuses Neighbors Of Meddling

BEIRUT -- Syrian tanks and artillery pounded rebel-held neighborhoods in the commercial hub of Aleppo on Sunday in a bid to retake control as President Bashar Assad's regime accused regional powerhouses Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey of trying to destroy the country.

Source: Syria Crisis: Aleppo Rebels Hold Territory, Assad Accuses Neighbors Of Meddling

 

[The Messiah]

Syria reportedly eliminated Bandar bin Sultan in retaliation for Damascus bombing

Though not yet announced by the Saudi authorities, the death of Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has been confirmed to Voltaire Network by unofficial souces.

Prince Bandar had just been appointed head of Saudi intelligence on July 24: a promotion which was interpreted as a reward for having organized the attack in Damascus on July 18. The Saudi services, with logistical support from the CIA, had managed to blow up the headquarters of the Syrian National Security during a Crisis Cell meeting: Generals Assef Chaoukat, Daoud Rajha and Hassan Tourkmani were killed instantly. Generals Amin Charabeh and Hicham Ikhtiar died soon after from their wounds. This operation, called "Damascus Volcano" was the signal for the attack on the capital by a swarm of mercenaries, mainly coming from Jordan.

Prince Bandar was himself the target of a bomb attack on July 26, and subsequently succumbed to his injuries.

Syria reportedly eliminated Bandar bin Sultan in retaliation for Damascus bombing [Voltaire Network]

 

[Armand2REP]

Voltaire Network? The premiere conspiracy theorists du France.

 

[W.G.Ewald]

Fighting a war without winners - Story | The Star Online

With local and foreign forces aimed against Syria's government, it cannot claim victory — but neither can anyone else.

SYRIA'S drift towards the edge has quickened to a flow, carried by undercurrents sponsored by Western and Arab forces.

The motley crew of an armed opposition, comprising political rebels, terrorist elements and thugs, lack resounding credibility and a unity of purpose and strategy. Government forces remain strong, if weakening, as rebel forces advance and boast further gains.

One measure of President Bashar Assad's quickening decline is his military's choice of weapons: from tanks to helicopter gunships to, since a week ago, fighter jets. Would ballistic missiles be deployed against rebels next?

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Prince Bandar ?

 

[pmaitra]

Syria says it recaptures Aleppo district after battle

(Reuters) - Syrian troops said they had recaptured a district of Syria's largest city Aleppo, after heavy fighting against rebels who remain in control of swathes of the commercial hub despite being pushed out of the capital Damascus.

Source: Syria says it recaptures Aleppo district after battle | Reuters

 

[Armand2REP]

Rebels Capture Syrian Army Base, Secure Flank to Aleppo

Syria rebels force Assad troops to flee base - World news, News - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Earlier report of siege...

 

[pmaitra]

A handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on July 25, 2012, shows forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad fighting in the al-Qadam district of Damascus. The Syrian army and rebels on July 25, sent reinforcements to Aleppo to join the intensifying battle for the country's second city, as UN chief Ban Ki-moon urged the world "to stop the slaughter." (AFP Photo / Sana)

Source - Russia Today: Syrian govt claims victory in Damascus as Aleppo battle rages — RT

 

[Armand2REP]

Syrian rebels seize checkpoint between Aleppo and Turkey: AFP

ANADAN, Syria: Syrian rebels seized a strategic checkpoint northwest of Aleppo on Monday after a 10-hour battle, securing them free movement between the northern city and Turkey, an AFP journalist said.

"The Anadan checkpoint, five kilometres northwest of Aleppo, was taken this morning at 5:00 am (0200 GMT) after 10 hours of fighting," said General Ferzat Abdel Nasser, a rebel officer who deserted the Syrian army a month ago.

By securing this position, the rebels now control a direct route between the Turkish border and the city of Aleppo, where the Syrian army launched an offensive on Saturday to dislodge the rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA), composed of deserters and armed civilians.

An AFP journalist on the ground said that the rebels captured seven tanks and armoured vehicles, and destroyed an eighth vehicle.

Six soldiers were killed and 25 were taken as prisoners, General Ferzat told AFP by phone, adding that four of his own men died in the fighting.

Syrian rebels seize checkpoint between Aleppo and Turkey AFP - Channel NewsAsia

 

[SADAKHUSH]

It is to seen as to when Iran will try to bite the bait and get involved directly, if that happens than all the bets are off. When that does happen it will lead to all out war between GCC, Arab nations with majority Sunni population on one side fighting the Iran led alliance with Syrian and Iraq joining in the never seen long drawn battle in the region. This has been the undeclared strategy of USA and Russia in order to keep the them occupied with in their own geographical region rather than spreading their violence mentality outside the region.

The war is in early stages and will spiral out of control as soon as Iran sends her men into Syria to rescue the regime. Let us see which way the tide turns.

 

[Armand2REP]

VIDEO: FSA captures Anadan Base, 7 tanks and tonnes of weapons head for Aleppo

LiveLeak.com - Syria - FSA seize Anadan military base

 

[pmaitra]

Syrian regime claims gains in Aleppo, rebels deny

Read more: Syrian regime claims gains in Aleppo, rebels deny | Fox News

 

[pmaitra]

Syria conflict: Army steps up attack on rebels in Aleppo

Syrian government forces have been continuing their assault with artillery, ground forces and helicopter gunships on rebel-held areas of the second city, Aleppo.

Officials said one area, Salah al-Din, had been recaptured, but rebels said the battle there was still going on.

Source: BBC News - Syria conflict: Army steps up attack on rebels in Aleppo

See video (3:20) at the above link. A rebel commander is shot, and a truck sporting two flags, one that of Al-Qaida, comes to rescue the shot commander.