Support NeoGAF

[General Choomin]

The same NYT that reported on WMDs in Iraq? I guess that's why a rag like alarabiya would repost it.

 

[liger05]

The same NYT that reported on WMDs in Iraq? I guess that's why a rag like alarabiya would repost it.

Not disputed but not sure that means any story the NYT reports after that automatically becomes false.

 

[General Choomin]

Not at all. Just those pertaining to the middle east should be more suspect then not in my opinion. The propaganda in Libya should discourage a lot of people into believing what most western and GCC media have to say. But I guess people have short attention spans and are ready to be outraged into supporting lies at a drop of the hat.

Anyways, why do you read alarabiya? It speaks to your character that you would use that as a source. Since it is a sectarian hate rag that makes foxnews look tame. Was it a mistake on your part in which you randomly googled and proceeded to post the first few links or are you an actual reader?

 

[liger05]

Not at all. Just those pertaining to the middle east should be more suspect then not in my opinion. The propaganda in Libya should discourage a lot of people into believing what most western and GCC media have to say. But I guess people have short attention spans and are ready to be outraged into supporting lies at a drop of the hat.

Anyways, why do you read alarabiya? It speaks to your character that you would use that as a source. Since it is a sectarian hate rag that makes foxnews look tame. Was it a mistake on your part in which you randomly googled and proceeded to post the first few links or are you an actual reader?

Al Arabiya is not something I read. As I said I only used that link as the original source was the NYT. I know Al Arabiya prints plenty of BS.

As for the latest on Latikia, I think this storify sums up a lot of the latest front line opened.

http://storify.com/survajver/rebel-offensive-in-lattakia-countryside

 

[dripdripsplash]

Some new and very interesting articles from UnderstandingWar.Com

Al-Qaeda Shows its True Colors in Syria

On Thursday, July 11, 2013, Free Syrian Army (FSA) commander Kamal Hamami (aka Abu Bassir al-Ladkani) was killed by members of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham ISI(S) in Latakia. International media has turned their spotlight on this incident, with wide speculation as to what it could mean for the rebels. In fact, tensions between moderate Syrian FSA factions and jihadist extremists affiliated with al- Qaeda have been present since jihadist elements first appeared in Syria, but have become increasingly visible in recent months.[1] While the assassination of Hamami was the most spectacular and high-profile event to date, it is not yet clear that this event marks any significant shift in the tactical relationship between rebel units and al Qaeda groups. Nevertheless, it demonstrates that Syrian rebels are facing a long term threat from al-Qaeda affiliates that want a different future for Syria. - See more at: http://www.understandingwar.org/bac...ws-its-true-colors-syria#sthash.TEAh8mKG.dpuf

Click on the link for the whole article!

Required Sorties and Weapons to Degrade Syrian Air Force

An analytical piece, in the form of a power point slide, on what the requirements would be to negate the Syrian Air Forces ability to fulfill their 3 main missions gaining them a strategic advantage over the rebels.

Very interesting articles!

 

[liger05]

Some new and very interesting articles from UnderstandingWar.Com

Al-Qaeda Shows its True Colors in Syria



Click on the link for the whole article!

Required Sorties and Weapons to Degrade Syrian Air Force

An analytical piece, in the form of a power point slide, on what the requirements would be to negate the Syrian Air Forces ability to fulfill their 3 main missions gaining them a strategic advantage over the rebels.

Very interesting articles!

The west is desperate to see the FSA and ISIS fight but its not happening. FSA brigades that are not under Idris command have joined the battle for Latakia.

Twitter feeds say Menagh military airport has fallen tonight. Alhamdulillah

The FSA released this statement a couple days ago which was pretty unbelievable

The Syrian Coalition applauds Free Syrian Army fighters on the Syrian Coast, as well as their fellow fighters across Syria, as the following areas in rural Latakia become liberated: Jabal Al Turkuman and Jabal Akrad mountains, including Mount Zion and Al Haffah on the Mediterranean.

These areas were previously occupied by Assad forces and some were used as military sites from where Assad militias shelled populated areas and launched artillery strikes on innocent civilians.

The military posts of Inbata, Baruda, and Tela are now under the control of FSA fighters who will now defend and protect civilians in those areas. The FSA will continue to fight for Syrians' aspirations of freedom and dignity as the battle of liberating Syria continues.

The FSA and the Syrian Coalition consider all Syrian people equal, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds. The new Syria will be a pluralistic and democratic state of justice and freedom that will safeguard the rights of all citizens.

You see how they manage to ignore that the main forces leading this attack was was Jihadis ISIS, JN, Ahrar - Suqour El Ezz + other Islamic battalions. Also the Syrians in exile still dont seem to understand that a what the Future Al Sham looks looks like isnt simply down to them. You cannot just ignore the Islamic groups who are fighting to establish a Caliphate.

 

[mercenar1e]

So the Latakia battle is just the FSAs desperate attempt to have Assad withdraw from Homs and Aleppo, the fighters are losing ground fast and are facing enemies on multiple locations with Kurdish,Hezbollah,Shia groups from Iraq,Iran,Pakistan, SAA, NDF fighters.. reports state Kurds from Iran are mobilizing to join the fight... The rebels also lost the government support of both Egypt,Turkey and the UK so how do they think they'll win? They are just delaying the inevitable

 

[liger05]

So the Latakia battle is just the FSAs desperate attempt to have Assad withdraw from Homs and Aleppo, the fighters are losing ground fast and are facing enemies on multiple locations with Kurdish,Hezbollah,Shia groups from Iraq,Iran,Pakistan, SAA, NDF fighters.. reports state Kurds from Iran are mobilizing to join the fight... The rebels also lost the government support of both Egypt,Turkey and the UK so how do they think they'll win? They are just delaying the inevitable

How often has this been said? The Rebels are not going away!!

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/06/w...ernment-air-base-in-syria.html?ref=world&_r=0

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Rebel fighters on Monday swept into a sprawling government air base in northern Syria where isolated government troops had fought off their attacks for nearly a year, and by early Tuesday controlled almost all the base, seizing several tanks and other munitions and taking soldiers prisoner, rebel and opposition groups said.

The victory, said by the groups to have been led by two foreign men in an armored vehicle who carried out a suicide attack to breach the defenses of the Minakh air base, was bound to boost the morale of an insurgency that has faltered in recent months with rebels fighting among themselves and losing long-held ground to the army.

Such gains have sometimes been reversed within days, as the government strikes back from the air. But if it holds, the rebels’ seizure of the Minakh base in Aleppo Province will challenge the government’s assertion that it is rolling to victory and demonstrate the complexity of the Syrian battlefield, which neither side has been able to control and where momentum shifts from place to place and week to week.

Even as the battle at Minakh was raging, the government was celebrating its own victory in the central city of Homs, where the defense minister toured the shattered Khalidiyeh neighborhood, long held by insurgents, and posed in front of the Khalid bin al-Waleed mosque — a 13th-century landmark that had been a rebel rallying point and was heavily damaged in the fighting.

 

[General Choomin]

Another NYTimes article. It's funny how they get to report on the ongoing situation in Syria when they have no reporters there. Bias stories stream out from the rebel side which is basically propaganda and lies then. Then the media organizations give some bullshit disclaimer that this is all unverified because of the lie that no news media is allowed into Syria.

Several news media are allowed into Syria. Hell, on liveleaks you can often see russian war journalists directly embedded with the SAA. Other nations are also reporting directly in Syria out in the open. The Syrian government won't allow particular nations such as america and the GCC nations since they have been liars and biased from the beginning. They learned from the mistakes Gaddafi made in which he let them in and they trashed him.

The FSA and the Syrian Coalition consider all Syrian people equal, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds. The new Syria will be a pluralistic and democratic state of justice and freedom that will safeguard the rights of all citizens.

This is bullshit. Since the FSA and the Syrian Coalition (of guys outside the country) have no say in actual operations. The new Syria that they are helping to create will be the next Afghanistan. It will not be a "pluralistic and democratic state". Those are just buzzwords so that Europeans send in more weapons so that they can commit war crimes.

The Latakia area is full of Alawite and other minorities. What the cowardly traitorous bloodthirsty fee syrian army is doing there is going to be to hold hostage the entire area and execute a good number of them and later say it was because they where shabbibi or some other nonsense. That's pretty much all they do so don't call it liberating.

 

[casabolg]

It's shit how we're still involved.

 

[General Choomin]

How often has this been said? The Rebels are not going away!!

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/06/w...ernment-air-base-in-syria.html?ref=world&_r=0

I read the article. Still posting bad sources. This article is written by Anne Barbard. A person that has a history of fabricating and misinforming people in their articles. A simple list with google can be found here .

 

[liger05]

Another NYTimes article. It's funny how they get to report on the ongoing situation in Syria when they have no reporters there. Bias stories stream out from the rebel side which is basically propaganda and lies then. Then the media organizations give some bullshit disclaimer that this is all unverified because of the lie that no news media is allowed into Syria.

Several news media are allowed into Syria. Hell, on liveleaks you can often see russian war journalists directly embedded with the SAA. Other nations are also reporting directly in Syria out in the open. The Syrian government won't allow particular nations such as america and the GCC nations since they have been liars and biased from the beginning. They learned from the mistakes Gaddafi made in which he let them in and they trashed him.

It’s not lies. The airport has fallen. There are enough videos already posted on youtube from the victors showing the airport is now in full control of the resistance. The spoils as well as the enemy who tried to fled captured.

This is bullshit. Since the FSA and the Syrian Coalition (of guys outside the country) have no say in actual operations. The new Syria that they are helping to create will be the next Afghanistan. It will not be a "pluralistic and democratic state". Those are just buzzwords so that Europeans send in more weapons so that they can commit war crimes.

That I agree with. The SNC like to think they will be the ones choosing how a post Assad Al Sham will be but while they will of course have a say the idea that you can just ignore those who want to establish the Caliphate is simply absurd.

The Latakia area is full of Alawite and other minorities. What the cowardly traitorous bloodthirsty fee syrian army is doing there is going to be to hold hostage the entire area and execute a good number of them and later say it was because they where shabbibi or some other nonsense. That's pretty much all they do so don't call it liberating.

While some FSA brigades are in taking part in the battle for Latakia, it’s ISIS, JAN, Ansar Al Sham etc which are leading this.

We will see if Assad ends up pulling his Alawite Militia from Homs to try and defend Latakia as plenty of villages have already fallen.

 

[mercenar1e]

How often has this been said? The Rebels are not going away!!

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/06/w...ernment-air-base-in-syria.html?ref=world&_r=0

just checked that it wasn't ever taken by FSA.. lets see how long they can hold it

 

[GSG Flash]

So the Latakia battle is just the FSAs desperate attempt to have Assad withdraw from Homs and Aleppo, the fighters are losing ground fast and are facing enemies on multiple locations with Kurdish,Hezbollah,Shia groups from Iraq,Iran,Pakistan, SAA, NDF fighters.. reports state Kurds from Iran are mobilizing to join the fight... The rebels also lost the government support of both Egypt,Turkey and the UK so how do they think they'll win? They are just delaying the inevitable

I agree, it's only a matter of time before the Syrian government controls the entire country. The only reason why the rebels made these recent small gains is because the SAA effort is concentrated elsewhere right now.

It's funny how liger comes out to post when the rebels take a couple of villages, but completely ignores the SAA retaking Homs and a chunk of Aleppo, which are far bigger gains.

 

[General Choomin]

The pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said rebels had captured the villages in Latakia after attacking government outposts with anti-tank missiles in the Jabal al-Akrad hills on Sunday.

The group said troops and rebels had been engaged in fierce fighting in the province for two days, adding that there had been casualties on both sides.
........

Despite pockets of resistance to President Assad in Latakia, most of it remains under army control.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23583865

Seems like the area is still mostly in government control.

One concern was "recruitment by armed groups, including of under-aged refugees", the report said, without elaborating.

A U.N. official told Reuters that there were suspicions that boys of 15 or 16 were often taken back to fight, chaperoned by an uncle, elder brother or other relative.

"It's a war crime," the official said.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said child recruitment had not been a major problem until now because the opposition forces did not have enough arms and ammunition.

But the lifting of embargoes on supplying arms to opposition groups meant both sides would need more soldiers.

Even if it suspects child recruitment, the U.N. is almost powerless to stop suspected child soldiers because refugees have a right to return to their own country.

The report said many Syrian children were not attending school in Jordan or Lebanon, but the U.N. official said there was evidence that many were attending religious schools, or madrassahs.

There was also evidence of a new trend of minors, Europeans and North Africans from Tunisia and Algeria, who had "apparently crossed into Syria for the Jihad", the U.N. official said.

Syria was likely to see a repeat of the so-called "Birds of Paradise", children trained by al Qaeda to carry out suicide bombings in Iraq, the official said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/05/us-syria-crisis-refugees-idUSBRE9740V120130805
Wow that noble opposition using children soldiers and training them to become suicide bombers. At least the SAA doesn't stoop that low.

"The start of this new offensive started yesterday when two non-Syrian nationals blew themselves up in an armored vehicle in front of the command center of the Menagh air base," the group added. The SOHR said one suicide bomber was a Saudi Arabian.

Fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and various rebel battalions destroyed several tanks and killed a number of regime soldiers, the observatory said. At least 10 rebel fighters, including foreigners, were also killed, the group added

The Islamic State of Iraq is the rebranded name for Al Qaeda in Iraq. The group changed its name after its founder, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was killed by a U.S. missile strike in 2006.

The expanded term "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" was spawned when the ISI moved into Syria. However, al Nusra Front -- a group inspired by al Qaeda that has fought alongside rebels in Syria -- has denied the existence of a merged group.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/06/world/meast/syria-civil-war/

The ISI and ISIS are aliases for al Qaeda and whoever supports them simply supports terrorism. 1000 people in one month where killed by suicide bombings and car bombings in Iraq by them for their sectarian hate war. So whenever a person is happy that the ISI or its other forms are making gains, they are scum with no regard to human life.

Whomever wants these "rebels" to win must really hate the people of Syria.

 

[liger05]

I agree, it's only a matter of time before the Syrian government controls the entire country. The only reason why the rebels made these recent small gains is because the SAA effort is concentrated elsewhere right now.

It's funny how liger comes out to post when the rebels take a couple of villages, but completely ignores the SAA retaking Homs and a chunk of Aleppo, which are far bigger gains.

Homs was under seige for two years. It held for a damn long time. After Qusayr feel we heard 'its over'.

Weeks later the resistance is still going strong.

I saw this on twitter

Mufti of Assad Mahmoud: The Reason for Mennegh airbase falling is that the army were busy with worship on Laylatul Qadr..

LOL

Whomever wants these "rebels" to win must really hate the people of Syria.

The SAA are no angels neither is there tyrant ruler.

 

[General Choomin]

Twitter is not a news source. Could you please talk about how the Fee syrian army and ISIS (aka alqaeda) are using children for suicide bombing as well as child soldiering? Do you think it's alright to brain wash children from squalid refugee camps to become fodder for terrorists who will then use their deaths as propaganda? Do you think that creating another Afghanistan (a goal of the "resistance") is something that is good?

Please answer liger05 because you seem to have ignored three news articles I posted on the situation so you could post a twitter joke.

 

[Partial Gamification]

Twitter is not a news source. Could you please talk about how the Fee syrian army and ISIS (aka alqaeda) are using children for suicide bombing as well as child soldiering? Do you think it's alright to brain wash children from squalid refugee camps to become fodder for terrorists who will then use their deaths as propaganda? Do you think that creating another Afghanistan (a goal of the "resistance") is something that is good?

Please answer liger05 because you seem to have ignored three news articles I posted on the situation so you could post a twitter joke.

What is your take on the Human Rights Watch's World Report 2013 and their coverage of Syria?
Assad at the Iftar celebration Sunday

[...]

The President pointed out that as far as those initiatives were concerned, the tangible facts and information did not indicate chances for success "because the other site, the hostile side, did not want a political solution."

Therefore, he said, Syria's response to the external initiatives led to unmasking those countries, particularly some known Arab states, which would feel frustrated and hysterical whenever Syria responded to any initiative or proposal.

The President said that "Consequently it became obvious that those who used to say that the Syrian state had adopted the security solution were the ones who have adopted the terrorist approach only for the sake of destroying Syria."

"I don't believe that any reasonable man believes that terrorism can be handled by means of politics. Politics may play a role in dealing with terrorism before it emerges…However, when terrorism emerges and sabotage, killing and destruction start and spread, there can be no solution when dealing with terrorism except that of striking with an iron fist," President al-Assad said.

[...]

On the political level, President al-Assad said there is in Syria a national opposition which has hurled itself since the first days into the political and national element and a non-national opposition that has had no goal but that of making gains.

He also referred to a third form of opposition that tried "to blackmail us at the start of the crisis under the title that "we stop the demonstrations and you giving us positions in the state and at the government."

That opposition, the President added, had no real relationship with the demonstrations, with some of them having directly or indirectly received money from Gulf states and later started to favor the gunmen and express different views whenever the internal security and military situation on the ground or the international situation would change.

Despite all the Syrian flexibility towards all what has been proposed internally and externally, the President said, things were in continuous escalation and massacres started to claim the Syrians' lives, with the main issue was that "for Syria to be or not to be."

[...]

The President pointed out that although it is true that the war on Syria is being waged in the media and the social websites and even in the society, but settling the crisis can only be done in the field. He added that the economic suffering and the deteriorated services and all the daily affairs which the Syrians are suffering from are connected with the security situation, and the only solution to that is fighting terrorism.

"Therefore, if we succeed in this popular war, and if there will be greater contribution in the rest of the areas, then I can say that the solution will be easier and Syria will be in months able to get out of the crisis and eliminate terrorism," said President al-Assad.

He affirmed that this popular war started on the more than a year to which the Syrian people have contributed being self-motivated and not responding to any calls.

The President reiterated that unifying the army and the people to eliminate the terrorists is the only way "end the battle, turn the table on the others and restore security and stability to Syria which was an example of security and stability not only on the Arab level or the Middle East level, but on the level of the world."

[...]

"We will not get goodness from the people with obscurantist thinking which was established by the wahhabis with blood and killing and politicized by the Muslim Brotherhood by means of hypocrisy, lying and deception," the President said.

He added that this kind of thinking was the first that drove the wedge between Arabism and Islam and between the Muslim and the Muslim and the Muslim and the Christian, and it was what shifted the conflict from an Arabic-Israeli one to an Arab-Arab one.

The President called those people with this thinking as the "neo-Islamists" whom the West is using to serve Israel.

[...]

He concluded by wishing that by next Ramadan, Syria will have recovered and security and stability will have been restored to it.

 

[General Choomin]

HRW can suck a big one with how they lied for the sleaze ball opposition against Hugo Chavez RIP. As well as when they said it was OK for Obama to use extraordinary rendition of suspects (kidnapping and torturing people) to CIA black sites in other countries. They have been shown for what they are to lots of people who keep up with world events.

As for the speech Assad made? Most of it seems to be legit. All the demands that the protestors originally wanted (except Assad stepping down) where met. Now we have continued fighting that has destroyed more then half the country and what are the demands? It isn't democracy. It's for another Afghanistan ruled by a talibanesque regime in which all minorities will be ethnic cleansed.

With Assad the people have at least a chance. With these other guys who are a part of this "revolution", the people have no chance.

 

[liger05]

Twitter is not a news source. Could you please talk about how the Fee syrian army and ISIS (aka alqaeda) are using children for suicide bombing as well as child soldiering? Do you think it's alright to brain wash children from squalid refugee camps to become fodder for terrorists who will then use their deaths as propaganda? Do you think that creating another Afghanistan (a goal of the "resistance") is something that is good?

Please answer liger05 because you seem to have ignored three news articles I posted on the situation so you could post a twitter joke.

No child should be forced to fight.

A U.N. official told Reuters that there were suspicions that boys of 15 or 16 were often taken back to fight, chaperoned by an uncle, elder brother or other relative.

Where exactly is the evidence for this other than suspicions?


I dont see where you get this 'another Afghanistan from. The goal is to establish the Caliphate. Not sure how that relates to Afghanistan,

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130806/syrias-assad-legalises-private-security-firms

Syria's president has passed a decree legalising private security firms, faced with a 29-month armed revolt against his rule that has pinned down the police, state news agency SANA reported Tuesday.

President Bashar al-Assad's decree regulates "licencing for private companies that provide protection and guard duties ... to ensure the safety of individuals, establishments, property and the transport of cash, jewels and precious metals," said SANA.

One-year renewable licences are to be issued by the interior ministry, it said, but only to Syrian nationals with capital of more than $250,000.

"The interior minister will define the categories of arms to be used by each company, ranging from revolvers to rifles and others," said the agency.

The decree also stipulates that each company will be licenced to recruit between 300 and 800 guards.

A security source told AFP that guards will have to wear a uniform, while the decree will allow security companies to open offices and issue employees with hand arms.

"Security guards will be in charge of protecting prominent personalities and businesses, while securing the transport of money," the source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Before Syria's conflict broke out in mid-March 2011, "these tasks were mainly assigned to the police. But because of the situation, now the police has other tasks," he added.

Alongside the anti-Assad uprising, Syria has been plagued by a spike in crime, kidnappings and robberies.

Hired Merceneries on the way then?

With Assad the people have at least a chance. With these other guys who are a part of this "revolution", the people have no chance.

Those who have to suffer tortue in his dungeons say hello.

 

[General Choomin]

It's sad you only say one line about the child soldiers brainwashed to fight and die as well as commit suicide bombings in both Syria and Iraq by your most cited group, the ISIS.

And yes they are all about creating a Talibanesque government. Since they want to overthrow and destroy everything of the government and impose some sort of pure Islamic government with no knowledge of logistics or economy or production. When the Taliban beat the left over government in Afghanistan, the next thing that happened was years of famine. Because people who dream of a "caliphate" (anyone who wants this in this day and age is a backwards idiot) are people who's only concern with their narrow minded bigotry and hate applied to the rest of their society
.
It's sad you only have one line to give to the children that the side you most want to win is using as cannon fodder. You must really hate syria liger05

 

[mercenar1e]

Those who have to suffer tortue in his dungeons say hello.

take a good look at the pure evil that the Syrian military is fighting against.. no way in hell would the west accept an Islamic government shit hole controlled by these people so keep dreaming

Jabhat al Nusra in North Syria Burning 3 innocent kurdish people Alive - NSFW
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAKv8-FBIN0

 

[phosphor112]

Apparently that heart / liver eating rebel was killed.

EDIT: His name is Abu Sakkar if you want to look it up.

 

[liger05]

It's sad you only say one line about the child soldiers brainwashed to fight and die as well as commit suicide bombings in both Syria and Iraq by your most cited group, the ISIS.

Did the article you posted actually say this? I saw no mention of ISIS at all.

And yes they are all about creating a Talibanesque government. Since they want to overthrow and destroy everything of the government and impose some sort of pure Islamic government with no knowledge of logistics or economy or production. When the Taliban beat the left over government in Afghanistan, the next thing that happened was years of famine. Because people who dream of a "caliphate" (anyone who wants this in this day and age is a backwards idiot) are people who's only concern with their narrow minded bigotry and hate applied to the rest of their society

A caliphate is not a Talibanesque goverment. I'm still failing to see the link.
.

It's sad you only have one line to give to the children that the side you most want to win is using as cannon fodder.

Again your going to have to find some more information other than 'suspicions'.

 

[liger05]

take a good look at the pure evil that the Syrian military is fighting against.. no way in hell would the west accept an Islamic government shit hole controlled by these people so keep dreaming

Jabhat al Nusra in North Syria Burning 3 innocent kurdish people Alive - NSFW
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAKv8-FBIN0

Old footage from the Iraq War. I know the PKK are fighting against Jabhat Al Nusra but posting vids claiming its JAN is desperate.

 

[phosphor112]

That video of the live burning is disgusting.

Prophet Muhammad said that only Allah is allowed to punish with fire, and that's in the hear-after.

http://www.bakkah.net/en/hadeeth-study-only-allaah-punishes-with-fire.htm

 

[phosphor112]

So, there is a bunch of unverified footage, but apparently 450 kurds have been killed? Of course the footage is once again, unverified, but kurdish protests escalated considerably because of the attacks.

Anyone have more info?

 

[General Choomin]

ISIS is a rebranding of al Qaeda in Iraq. The state department has classified them as one of many aliases of al Qaeda. Since al Qaeda has used child suicide bombers in Iraq (to kill over 1000 people mostly Shiites just this month because they are genocidal) it figures that they are doing the same tactics and recruiting in Syria. Who else could you say is doing such evil deeds? Al Nusra? Probably another one of the organizations that you think are the good guys Liger?

You can say whatever you want but the problem is that notions of a "caliphate" are ancient history that only the most rapid destructive fanatics believe in trying to impose. Some of those being the Taliban. You can deny all you want but the truth is what it is.

And yes Liger05 you gave one line to the children who are being brainwashed in refugee camps to commit suicide bombings and become cannon fodder for the criminals of the fee Syrian army. How dare you deny the ugliness and down right evil of the side you support?!?

The fact remains that most of the Sunnis in Syria hate the side you support Liger05. Most of the Sunnis would rather those "rebels" die because they have destroyed most of their country. That is why the majority Sunni army of the Syrian Arab Army will continue fighting and blasting away the terrorists you cheer on until there are none left in Syria. And they won't need to use one child to do it.

 

[MisterFalcon]

That video of the live burning is disgusting.

Prophet Muhammad said that only Allah is allowed to punish with fire, and that's in the hear-after.

http://www.bakkah.net/en/hadeeth-study-only-allaah-punishes-with-fire.htm

It is also years old and from Iraq.

 

[phosphor112]

It is also years old and from Iraq.

It's still disgusting.

 

[General Choomin]

It is also years old and from Iraq.

If it's from Iraq it could be the same people in Syria now hacking off heads of unarmed civilians with the wrong religion.

 

[F#A#Oo]

You can say whatever you want but the problem is that notions of a "caliphate" are ancient history that only the most rapid destructive fanatics believe in trying to impose. Some of those being the Taliban. You can deny all you want but the truth is what it is.

What? You have no idea what you are even talking about. The Taliban wanted a caliphate? lolwut?

Read it is good for you.

I suggest "The Fall and Rise of the Islamic State" by Noah Feldman or The inevitable Caliphate by Reza Pankhurst.

Less fox news and tinfoil hat wearing YouTube'ers /bloggers would work wonders on your ability to formulate opinions and thought not based in lala land.

 

[General Choomin]

What? You have no idea what you are even talking about. The Taliban wanted a caliphate? lolwut?

Read it is good for you.

I suggest "The Fall and Rise of the Islamic State" by Noah Feldman or The inevitable Caliphate by Reza Pankhurst.

Less fox news and tinfoil hat wearing YouTube'ers /bloggers would work wonders on your ability to formulate opinions and thought not based in lala land.

Mullah Mohammed Abbas Akhund, acting public health minister for the Taliban in Afghanistan, made a trip to Japan last month at the invitation of the Japanese government.

Speaking in an interview at a Tokyo hotel, he said Taliban supreme leader Maulev Mohammed Omar had been named caliph, or successor to Islam founder Mohammad.

................

Abbas said the Taliban elected Mohammed Omar in April 1996 as amir al momineen, or commander of the faithful--the formal title of a caliph.

He said 2,500 representatives of Afghanistan's various groups and provinces and languages gathered in Kandahar in April last year to declare Mohammed Omar as amir al momineen.

It was the first time since the collapse of the Ottoman Empire early this century that a caliph had been proclaimed.

http://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/taliban-leader-takes-historic-mantle

*cough*

 

[liger05]

So, there is a bunch of unverified footage, but apparently 450 kurds have been killed? Of course the footage is once again, unverified, but kurdish protests escalated considerably because of the attacks.

Anyone have more info?

Is this civilians or PKK fighters?

It's still disgusting.

Never said it wasnt just it wasnt anything to do with JAN.

I'm reading rebels 10 KM from Qurdaha which is Assad's hometown and ISIS emir Baghdadi has said the aim is to pray Eid in Qurdaha.

ISIS is a rebranding of al Qaeda in Iraq. The state department has classified them as one of many aliases of al Qaeda. Since al Qaeda has used child suicide bombers in Iraq (to kill over 1000 people mostly Shiites just this month because they are genocidal) it figures that they are doing the same tactics and recruiting in Syria. Who else could you say is doing such evil deeds? Al Nusra? Probably another one of the organizations that you think are the good guys Liger?

Gotta love the speculation.

 

[phosphor112]

Is this civilians or PKK fighters?



Never said it wasnt just it wasnt anything to do with JAN.

I'm reading rebels 10 KM from Qurdaha which is Assad's hometown and ISIS emir Baghdadi has said the aim is to pray Eid in Qurdaha.

Supposedly civilians. 120 children included. As I said, unverified. The only people reporting it so far seem to be things like RT, pressTV... but you know. I was just wondering because Kurdish riots/protests increased along the Syria/Turkey borders.

http://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/taliban-leader-takes-historic-mantle

*cough*

...erm... wut.

If true, that's pretty absurd...

EDIT: 1997...

eh.. still shows that SOMEONE has the intention...I guess.

 

[liger05]

http://reliefweb.int/report/afghanis...istoric-mantle

Thats one huge stretch!!

 

[dripdripsplash]

HRW can suck a big one with how they lied for the sleaze ball opposition against Hugo Chavez RIP. As well as when they said it was OK for Obama to use extraordinary rendition of suspects (kidnapping and torturing people) to CIA black sites in other countries. They have been shown for what they are to lots of people who keep up with world events.

As for the speech Assad made? Most of it seems to be legit. All the demands that the protestors originally wanted (except Assad stepping down) where met. Now we have continued fighting that has destroyed more then half the country and what are the demands? It isn't democracy. It's for another Afghanistan ruled by a talibanesque regime in which all minorities will be ethnic cleansed.

With Assad the people have at least a chance. With these other guys who are a part of this "revolution", the people have no chance.

I seem to get the impression of your general argument being dismissive of any counter-argument by saying that the sources is simply not trustworthy and propganda for "the other side" and then presenting your own biased links. That's not how you debate.

The revolution started peacefully in demonstrations. As the Syrian government began to use violence against the demonstrators the catalyst was born and the revolution exploded.

Do you mind if I ask you where you're from ? If you know anything about the Syrian police or army you know that these guys are the most corrupt and violent force in the world, and infamous in the Arab world for their treatment of people who go against the Regime. Even before the revolution. You are very wrong in your idea that these guys is anything resembling "good" people.

Jabhat al Nusra in North Syria Burning 3 innocent kurdish people Alive - NSFW
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAKv8-FBIN0

What a non-biased and trustworthy source you have there! Hezbollahs own TV-Station! Well that video is a complete fraud and is from Iraq in the last decade. Question your sources before you post them without a thought.

http://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/taliban-leader-takes-historic-mantle

*cough*

The source is not working.

EDIT: Forget about that it suddenly worked!

Abbas also said the Taliban leader's title as caliph was not an inherent challenge to other Muslim rulers.

"We call Mohammed Omar caliph, but that does not mean he represents all Muslims in the world," he said.

I think that tells us a lot about his wish for a Caliphate!

ISIS is a rebranding of al Qaeda in Iraq. The state department has classified them as one of many aliases of al Qaeda. Since al Qaeda has used child suicide bombers in Iraq (to kill over 1000 people mostly Shiites just this month because they are genocidal) it figures that they are doing the same tactics and recruiting in Syria. Who else could you say is doing such evil deeds? Al Nusra? Probably another one of the organizations that you think are the good guys Liger?

You can say whatever you want but the problem is that notions of a "caliphate" are ancient history that only the most rapid destructive fanatics believe in trying to impose. Some of those being the Taliban. You can deny all you want but the truth is what it is.

And yes Liger05 you gave one line to the children who are being brainwashed in refugee camps to commit suicide bombings and become cannon fodder for the criminals of the fee Syrian army. How dare you deny the ugliness and down right evil of the side you support?!?

The fact remains that most of the Sunnis in Syria hate the side you support Liger05. Most of the Sunnis would rather those "rebels" die because they have destroyed most of their country. That is why the majority Sunni army of the Syrian Arab Army will continue fighting and blasting away the terrorists you cheer on until there are none left in Syria. And they won't need to use one child to do it.

Your argument is heartfelt, emotional and to be honest with you also complete trash. Taliban never wished for a pan-Islamic Caliphate spanning the whole of the Middle-East, they just wanted power over Afghanistan, saying that their leader had the title of Caliph doesn't mean that they strived for an Caliphate. Countless of so called Islamic leaders have called themselves Emirs, Caliphs, Kings and all inbetween. They are what they are: Titles.

Do you have any sources on that 'most' of Sunnis in Syria hate the rebels ?

Also please try to avoid going in this debate with a black and white perspective on it and the world. The SAA is heroes and the FSA are heartless scum. It makes you sound stupid and unable to grasp the complexity of the conflict. If you still think it's a fight between good and evil...well...then good luck with life.

 

[General Choomin]

Gotta love the speculation.

Is that all you have? Glib dismissive one liners?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State_of_Iraq_and_Syria
http://www.vice.com/read/i-ate-ice-cream-with-a-member-of-al-qaeda-in-syria

There's some more reading info since you ignored everything else I posted. It's sad that you support two factions of Al-Qaeda in Iraq which have killed over 1000 people last July in Iraq alone with suicide bombings and car bombings because they where the wrong religion.

Are you going to address EVERYTHING I have posted or are you just going to do more glib and dismissive one liners while you promote sectarian terrorist death squads?

 

[dripdripsplash]

Is that all you have? Glib dismissive one liners?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State_of_Iraq_and_Syria
http://www.vice.com/read/i-ate-ice-cream-with-a-member-of-al-qaeda-in-syria

There's some more reading info since you ignored everything else I posted. It's sad that you support two factions of Al-Qaeda in Iraq which have killed over 1000 people last July in Iraq alone with suicide bombings and car bombings because they where the wrong religion.

Are you going to address EVERYTHING I have posted or are you just going to do more glib and dismissive one liners while you promote sectarian terrorist death squads?

You are saying that ISI and JN is one and the same, right ?

Although JN’s Salafist goal of establishing an Islamic state under Sharia law does not accord with the idea of a democratic Syria that many moderate opposition fighters hopes to see, JN has proven to be an effective fighting force against the Assad regime, and FSA groups have cooperated tactically with JN on many occasions.[3] Jabhat al-Nusra has employed a cautious strategy in Syria, making efforts to avoid alienating the Syrian population and the FSA. This strategy has included avoiding civilian targets and taking care to minimize civilian casualties when methods like suicide bombings are employed, downplaying sectarian rhetoric,[4] and selecting a name without controversial or partisan connotations.[5] By all accounts this strategy has been successful, allowing JN to continue to gain supporters and prestige in a conflict where its ultimate goal is fundamentally anathema to the underpinnings of the larger revolution. In December 2012, JN was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States,[6] and in April 2013 it formally acknowledged its affiliation with al-Qaeda.[7] These developments have both complicated U.S. and European calculations to provide support to the rebels and exacerbated the tensions that marked the relationships between the moderate opposition and the jihadi groups. - See more at: http://www.understandingwar.org/bac...ws-its-true-colors-syria#sthash.JYT9lpCx.dpuf

As JN gained strength in Syria, fissures began to appear in its relationship with its “parent” organization, ISI. The tension was made public in April of 2013 when Baghdadi released a statement that JN and ISI were officially merging under the name “Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham,” (ISI(S))[8]a claim which was quickly rebuffed by Julani, who said he had never been informed of any merger.[9] Julani overtly acknowledged JN’s allegiance to al-Qaeda in the same statement.Julani indicated that the reason JN held off so long on proclaiming their al-Qaeda affiliation was due to its efforts to understand a Sharia policy that is “appropriate for al-Sham reality,” thereby indicating that JN had no intention of merging with ISI to form a pan-Syrian/Iraqi caliphate. JN also implicitly rebuffed Baghdadi for ISI’s hardline methods in Iraq in what was likely an attempt to retain JN’s standing among the wider Syrian opposition.[10] - See more at: http://www.understandingwar.org/bac...ws-its-true-colors-syria#sthash.JYT9lpCx.dpuf

After this exchange of public claims between ISI and JN, Jabhat al-Nusra appeared infrequently in reports of rebel clashes, and JN’s official media outlet al-Manara al-Bayda went quiet.[11] May 2013, however, witnessed a proliferation of videos claiming to be from ISI(S).[12] During this time there was speculation that Baghdadi had come out on top and that JN was collapsing.[13] Then, in early June, a letter from al-Qaeda’s leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was published by Al Jazeera.[14] While Zawahiri’s letter reprimanded both parties for their role in the dispute, he effectively supported Julani’s positions: Baghdadi’s original claim of unification was a rogue move, “The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant” was dissolved, and ISI and JN were instructed to continue operations as independent entities under the al-Qaeda umbrella, each confined to their own geographic arenas. - See more at: http://www.understandingwar.org/bac...ws-its-true-colors-syria#sthash.JYT9lpCx.dpuf

By the leaders themselves. JN has nothing to do with the killings in Iraq. Read the rest of the article it's very fascinating. Bookmark the website even, their analysis of Middle-East conflicts is awesome! There is even one about Iraq since I get the idea that you're very interested in that.

 

[F#A#Oo]

http://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/taliban-leader-takes-historic-mantle

*cough*

There are many who have assumed/adopted the title of Khalifah since the fall of the Ottoman empire...doesn't mean ground work is being laid for a Khalifah return by these people and organisations including the Taliban even your own source says so...

Abbas also said the Taliban leader's title as caliph was not an inherent challenge to other Muslim rulers.

"We call Mohammed Omar caliph, but that does not mean he represents all Muslims in the world,"

In order for the call to a Khalifah to be legitimate there needs to be a direct call and challenge to all muslim rulers...just adopting the title means nothing...many have done it.

If the taliban were calling upon, all their neighbouring nations to unite under one nation, one leader then you might have had a point but simply adopting a title means absolutely nothing.

 

[liger05]

Is that all you have? Glib dismissive one liners?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State_of_Iraq_and_Syria
http://www.vice.com/read/i-ate-ice-cream-with-a-member-of-al-qaeda-in-syria

There's some more reading info since you ignored everything else I posted. It's sad that you support two factions of Al-Qaeda in Iraq which have killed over 1000 people last July in Iraq alone with suicide bombings and car bombings because they where the wrong religion.

Are you going to address EVERYTHING I have posted or are you just going to do more glib and dismissive one liners while you promote sectarian terrorist death squads?

I know there is a sectarian conflict in Iraq however unlike you I understand its not simply all one way. Sunni Tribal leaders decided to take up arms against the Maliki government once the security forces started to kill protesters. You seem to ignore the Sunni mosque explosions as well. Iraq is a mess but Maliki himself just made things worse.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...hind-the-rebel-capture-of-Aleppo-airport.html

Security analysts have expressed concern over the capture of al-Menagh airbase by the group Jaish al-Muhajireen wa Ansar - which is made up almost exclusively of foreigners, including Britons, other Europeans and North Americans. The faction is led by Abu Omar al-Shishani, a veteran jihadist from Georgia who cut his teeth in the Caucuses fighting Russian troops.

The sprawling airbase which boasts a runway capable of accomodating fighter jets and trainer bombers has been a target for Syrian rebels for almost a year. Troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad finally capitulated on Monday after Jaish al-Muhajireen breached the perimetre with suicide bomb attacks and anti-tank missiles.

Charles Lister, an analyst with IHS Jane’s Terrorism and Insurgency Centre, has seen videos, including the one below in which Westerners talk about their battle against the regime and call for support in English, French, German and Spanish as well as Arabic.

Mr Lister has been tracking the rise of the Jaish al-Muhajireen since last year as it has become one of the most effective fighting forces in the uprising against President Assad.

"The value of this base is hugely symbolic," he said. "It's the first big base seizure by the opposition for several months. But because it is under the control of the Jihadist groups it shows the importance of their role in the fighting."

Jaish al-Muhajireen operates in close alignment with the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Shams, the leading al-Qaeda backed group in Syria. It is allied to Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian extremist proscribed as terrorists by the US government.

The mainstream Syrian rebel group, the Free Syria Army celebrated the capture of Minnagh airbase.

Its chief in Aleppo, Abdul-Jabbar al-Aqidi told a meeting that the Western backed body was providing weapons to the Islamists. He was captured on video confirming the transfers three days ago.

The development came as Michael Morell, the outgoing acting director of CIA, warned that Syria's weapons were up for grabs as foreign fighters poured into the conflict.

He said the fallout from the Syria conflict posed the greatest threat to America's security. "It's probably the most important issue in the world today," he told the Wall Street Journal.

 

[dripdripsplash]

Satellite images show destruction of Aleppo
Amnesty International has released satellite images showing the destruction of Syria’s most populous city, Aleppo, in the north of the war-ravaged country.

Gripped by more than a year of conflict the thriving commercial hub has been transformed into a series of battlefields and front lines, its residents struggling to live on amid the widespread disease, dirty water and crippling food shortages.
The aerial pictures show the extent of the destruction of the city, one of the oldest and most historically rich in the world. The Ancient City of Aleppo is a Unesco World Heritage site, this year placed on the UN organisation's list of World Heritage in Danger.
“Aleppo has been utterly devastated, its people fleeing the conflagration in huge numbers," said Amnesty International's Senior Crisis Response Adviser Donatella Rovera.
In a statement, the rights group said the images showed "alarming trends in how the conflict is being fought: with utter disregard for the rules of International Humanitarian Law, causing extensive destruction, death, and displacement”.

Sattelite images of the destruction in link.

 

[General Choomin]

I would have a reply to all your attacks but why bother why you have no reply to any of my criticisms of the fake/fee syrian army. Spitting out nonsense that they are fighting against tyranny when you know full well that if the fake/fee syrian army and it's Al-Qaeda allies win they will just turn into warlordism and trade one tyranny for another worse tyranny.

I reply that some sources shouldn't be trusted since most nations with an interest in Syria are using their press to spread propaganda. This is true in the MSM in Europe and the USA just as it is true in Saudi Arabia and Qatar and Russia and Iran. The MSM has been in bed with power all across the world so that they can get access to information and often act as middle men for "informing" people on domestic and international government policy.

I still have yet to hear about why anyone would support factions of Al-Qaeda in Iraq who have and are using children as child soldiers and suicide bombers. All I hear is straw men implying that I lump all of the Al-Qaeda factions together when I have never said that. As well as saying I support Assad which is a damn dirty lie.

I trust more in the news that As'ad AbuKhalil posts and comments on then any of the sectarian warmongers that have posted pure hate propaganda in this thread.

BTW the protests where violent in the beginning. Just like in Egypt and Libya. Don't kid yourself.

 

[OttomanScribe]

News coming in that Assad's convoy has been fired on in an ambush and he has been wounded. Not confirmed yet, but a sign that things are changing fast in the country. Over The last few days a lot of gains have been made by the rebels in the north of the country, flanking the Assadists. Many major Alawi religious figures have been captured, at least according to the reports I have read.

 

[OttomanScribe]

Some are saying his motorcade was hit with mortars, others say rockets.

Rumours range from him being uninjured to him being killed.

What an Eid gift if the latter is true.


Al Arabiyya is reporting that the convoy was targeted and hit on its way to Eid prayers but Assad is unharmed. This still shows the reach of the rebels and is a very important development. That said, Assad seems to have been 'killed' many many times.

 

[hym]

As usual Najdi rumors range from wishful thinking to delusional.

Live on tv an hour ago, he wasn't delayed nor did he limp, it's a good day when millions of desperate insha'allah wails get crushed by reality.

 

[SRG01]

A pretty good depiction of the current situation: http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/0...evolution-rebels-beg-west-for-more-firepower/

Conversations with several FSA brigade leaders reveal a rudderless revolution that is barely managing to stay a afloat as foreign Jihadists inundate Syria. They complain that if the West does not act soon, all that will be left to salvage is the sunken hopes of a people who desperately wanted an end to five decades of oppression at the hands of the Assad family.

Abu Munthir, a bulky man with a Rottweiler glare, is not eager to tell his story. He hesitates before opening up about his experiences. “At first we worked with the Jihadists,” says the 28-year old speaking in the Turkish town of Reyhanli. “They had skills we needed and were good fighters. But soon they began pushing us out and we were too weak to stop them.”

...

In the coastal province of Latakia which constitutes the regime’s stronghold, tensions exploded in July after the ISI killed senior FSA leader Kamal Hamami, known to his fighters as Abu Basir al-Ladkani. “They set up a trap for Abu Basir and ambushed him,” explained 28-year old FSA fighter Khalid Bustani in a Skype call from the province. The FSA declared an all-out war against the ISI, but in its weakened state could not do much more than engage in verbal saber rattling. “We are too weak to fight them,” Bustani says. We don’t even have ammunition.”

 

[OttomanScribe]

As usual Najdi rumors range from wishful thinking to delusional.

Live on tv an hour ago, he wasn't delayed nor did he limp, it's a good day when millions of desperate insha'allah wails get crushed by reality.

Oh well, he'll get his soon enough.


lol najdi.

 

[Lagspike_exe]

News coming in that Assad's convoy has been fired on in an ambush and he has been wounded. Not confirmed yet, but a sign that things are changing fast in the country. Over The last few days a lot of gains have been made by the rebels in the north of the country, flanking the Assadists. Many major Alawi religious figures have been captured, at least according to the reports I have read.

How are the things changing quickly when the rebels are losing poisitions each day? That would be like saying that since The South managed to kill Lincoln, things are changing in their favour. And Assad is alive.

 

[liger05]

A pretty good depiction of the current situation: http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/0...evolution-rebels-beg-west-for-more-firepower/

I'm not sure this is an opinion which is prevelant within the FSA. ISIS handed over the guy that killed Kamal Hamami and since then there have been many joint operations where the FSA have fought alongside ISIS.

The FSA do actually get weapons but other groups make them offers they cant refuse and buy those weapons.

I think this article is a good analysis of some of the groups on the ground and foriegn fighters.

http://www.fairobserver.com/article/international-jihad-syrian-conflict

Damn looks like rebels are just 7 KM outside Assad's home town Qurdaha.