Showing posts with label Syria Army. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Syria Army. Show all posts

Thursday, October 31, 2013

DTN News - SYRIA UNREST: Syrian As Young As 13 Year Old Are Enticed Into The Devious Perpetual Civil War

DTN News - SYRIA UNREST: Syrian As Young As 13 Year Old Are Enticed Into The Devious Perpetual Civil War
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources CNN +
(NSI News Source Info) KOTTAKKAL, Kerala, India - October 31, 2013:  Mohammad, a 13 year-old fighter from the Free Syrian Army, plays with a cat in Aleppo's Bustan al-Basha district October 28, 2013. Mohammad joined the Free Syrian Army after his father died during clashes with the Syrian regime. The gun he is using was his father's.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told U.N. envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi on Wednesday that any political solution to the crisis in Syria hinges on outside countries cutting off support to the rebels, according to state-run media.

The two met in Damascus. It was the first time they've convened since December.

Brahimi, who is on a Mideast tour to bolster support for peace talks, spoke with al-Assad about the framework for holding a conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

"Any success for any political solution must be linked to the end of any military support to military groups and to pressure the countries that are supporting these groups and are facilitating the entry of the terrorists and mercenaries into Syria by providing money and military support," al-Assad said during the meeting, according to Syrian state television.

The Syrian president further said, "This is an important step to prepare the framework to allow a national dialogue and put clear mechanisms to reach the desired objectives at the upcoming peace talks."

On Tuesday, Syria sacked Vice Premier Qadri Jamil for attending "unauthorized meetings abroad" after, a U.S. State Department official said, Jamil met over the weekend with U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford in Geneva. Also Tuesday, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem reportedly met with Brahimi to discuss the potential Syria conference in Geneva.

"Minister al-Moallem affirmed that Syria will participate in the conference on the basis of the Syrian people's exclusive right to decide upon their political future and choosing their leadership, rejecting any form of foreign interference, and having the dialogue in Geneva be between Syrians and led by Syria," the Syrian Arab News Agency reported.

Before being fired, Jamil suggested the conference would be held in November or December.

The rebels are not optimistic that any conference would yield a viable solution. Nineteen groups turned their backs on potential talks Sunday and warned that engaging the Assad regime was tantamount to treason.

They further said they would reject any resolution that doesn't oust al-Assad's government and charge it with war crimes.

"We consider participation in Geneva II and negotiating with the regime is trading the blood of martyrs and treason, and those will be held accountable in our courts," the coalition said in a video statement.

Brahimi was in Iran on Saturday and appeared at a joint news conference with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who said Tehran, if invited, would participate in talks aiming to end the war via a political solution, according to Iran's state-run media.

More than 100,000 people have died in the Syrian conflict, the U.N. estimates. It began in March 2011 after government forces cracked down on peaceful protesters during the Arab Spring movement and is now a full-blown civil war.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources CNN +
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

DTN News: Syria Top Stories / Headlines News Dated August 28, 2013

DTN News: Syria Top Stories / Headlines News Dated August 28, 2013
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 28, 2013: Comprehensive daily news related to Syria for the world of TODAY.
*Comprehensive daily news related to Syria Top Stories / Headlines News for the world of  TODAY

  1. Syria, poison gas and lessons unlearned from Iraq

    CBC.ca-2 hours agoShare
    The U.S. and most Western countries, notably Britain and France, are pointing the finger at Assad for the attack, while the Syrian government ...
  2. Syria faces al-Qaeda's 'volcano of revenge'

    CBC.ca-3 hours ago
    An al-Qaeda affiliate threatened a "volcano of revenge" against Syrian government security and military targets in retaliation for a suspected ...
  3. Strike on Syria Would Lead to Retaliation on Israel, Iran Warns

    New York Times-1 hour ago
    Iranian lawmakers and commanders issued stark warnings to the United States and its allies on Tuesday, saying any military strike on Syria ...
  4. UN envoy to Syria says evidence suggests some chemical ...

    CTV News-51 minutes ago
    GENEVA -- The UN's special envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi says evidence sugggests that some kind of chemical "substance" was used in an ...
  5. White House lays out case for Syria response

    CBC.ca-11 hours ago
    White House spokesman Jay Carney said that "it's in the clear national interests" of the United States to punish Syria's regime for what he called ...
  6. Harper and Obama want 'firm response' to Syria attack

    CBC.ca-11 hours ago
    Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama agreed today that Syria's recent actions call for a "firm response from the ...
  7. Syria crisis: Gauging Russia's reactions to strike scenario

    BBC News-7 minutes ago
    The suspicion in Moscow is that the West is plotting to add "Syria - 2013" to the list ... Moscow appears now to be expecting a US strike on Syria.
  8. Syria crisis: warplanes spotted in Cyprus as tensions rise in Damascus

    The Guardian-4 hours ago
    The standoff between Syria and the west intensified when a UN inspection team came under sniper fire as it approached the site of the ...
  9. Ban Ki-Moon Appeals for Syria Diplomatic Solution

    ABC News-1 hour ago
    United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pleaded Wednesday for a diplomatic solution to theSyrian conflict, even as world powers ...
  10. Trudeau urges Parliament recall to debate Syria

    The Globe and Mail-8 hours ago
    Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau says Parliament should be recalled immediately to debate the situation in Syria – whether Canada plays a role ...
*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith 
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

DTN News - SYRIA UNREST: Hezbollah Unites Clans To Raise Border Force

DTN News - SYRIA UNREST: Hezbollah Unites Clans To Raise Border Force
*Patrols intensified and reinforcements deployed along Lebanon-Syria border after anti-Assad rebels ousted from the area.
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Aljazeera
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - June 11, 2013: Hezbollah has significantly increased its presence along Lebanon's northern border to prevent Syria's conflict from spilling into its territory, after recent Syrian Army gains ousted rebels in the region.

Sources within Hezbollah and close to Lebanon's Shia political-military group said more forces have been deployed to the border to prevent rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad's army from entering the country. The mobilisation is also intended to thwart a repeat of last week's events when a barrage of rockets fired by Syrian rebels hit the historic town of Baalbek and surrounding areas.

The rocket attack last Wednesday came hours after Assad's forces re-captured the strategic city of Qusayr after days of heavy fighting. Syrian rebels accused Hezbollah of sending thousands of fighters to join the battle on the side of Assad.

"We have increased the number of people on the border and the number of patrols conducted along there, and within the Lebanese territories to prevent armed groups from infiltrating," a Hezbollah member told Al Jazeera, on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

Other groups have set up armed patrols in key towns, such as Baalbek, conducting stop and searches of people deemed suspicious.

Baalbek, a town in the plains of the Bekaa Valley, is home to about 75,000 residents of a variety of religious sects. It is a popular tourist destination because of the ancient Roman ruins located in the town's centre.
"With Hezbollah concentrating on the border areas, we're running patrols in the towns and between the towns," Ahmad, a Baalbek resident and a member of the newly established patrols, told Al Jazeera.

"We all thought Hezbollah was protecting the whole area, but the rocket attacks showed there was a breach somewhere, so we took the initiative to help with security," said Ahmad, who gave only one name citing security concerns. "Now, anyone we don't know, or think is suspicious, we stop and search them, and then hand [them] over to Hezbollah who will conduct investigations."

Clan security 
The Bekaa - known as the "tank of the resistance" because of the large number of fighters it has provided Hezbollah over the years - is also home to several of Lebanon's tribal clans, whose origins trace back to Arab tribes from centuries ago.

Clans are increasingly playing a security role in the area with numbers in the tens of thousands.

"We have a presence on the border because we are part of the defence system in the area," said Suleiman Chammas from the Chammas clan.

Already armed and using the training gained while serving in the Lebanese military, the clans are working in close coordination with Hezbollah, according to Chammas.

"We all have arms but the big operations are left to [Hezbollah] because they have the heavy weaponry," he said. "We just defend our towns and villages."

 
Originating in Syria, the Chammas clan has an estimated 45,000 members throughout Lebanon and also in parts of Syria. It is one of two original clans in the country, the other being the Hamadeh. Others include Nasreddine, Allaw, Dandash, Ala'eddine, which are offshoots from the two.

The clans typically mete out their own forms of justice, resolving issues through rulings by elders, rather than the local authorities. They have a reputation for being outlaws, and are said to be heavily involved in Lebanon's drug and smuggling trades.

Joining forces
Hashem Osman, a former mayor of Baalbek, sits in his home perched on a hill overlooking the sprawling town.
"Back in the day there used to be problems and scuffles between the clans and Hezbollah," Osman told Al Jazeera. "Today they are on the same path… A large majority of people from the clans are now part of Hezbollah, and have sacrificed their blood for the [Syrian] resistance."

According to Chammas, whose clan lost several members in the battle for Qusayr, the clans were neutral at the start of the Syrian conflict. But following a series of threats and cross-border kidnappings in the Bekaa by members of the Syrian opposition, the clans felt obliged to get involved.

"By attacking us in Lebanon [the Syrian rebels] are poking a hornets nest. What are they trying to achieve?" Chammas asked.

Osman echoed the sentiment, urging Syrian opposition fighters to think twice before launching any further attacks.

"Offending Baalbek is expensive and there is a high price to pay," he warned. "We ask them to keep their battle in Syria, or it will backfire heavily on them."

Hezbollah claims to be defending Lebanese residents in Syrian border areas, as well as protecting Shia shrines in Damascus. But its role in the Syrian conflict has polarised the Lebanese population, causing many to hold the group responsible for dragging the war into Lebanon.

Stoking further tensions, several towns and villages located on the northern border have become key military supply routes into Syria, whether for the rebels or for the regime.

But according to Osman, the rocket attacks have so far failed to divide or instill fear amid Baalbek's population.
"Their whole aim was to get people to stop supporting Hezbollah," he said. "This hasn't worked. People from Baalbek have martyrs returning from Syria, and they are offering more."

The civil war in Syria is also driving up tensions within religious sects.  

Sami Ramadan is a Sunni high schoolteacher and resident of Iaat. The tiny village fell victim to the barrage of rockets last week, and Ramadan described how his brother's house was hit, wounding his 18-year-old niece.
"It's a miracle she survived. She bent down to pick something up from under the table, and the rocket hit. The table protected her," Ramadan said.

Such attacks show the "misguidance" of the Syrian rebels, he said. "I'm a Sunni and the house that was hit is a Sunni house… These attacks on us have a reaction from the Sunni street in the Bekaa, and it is against the Syrian armed opposition."

Ramadan said he feared a victory by the Syrian rebels. "I am an open-minded Sunni, and as far as the extremists fighting in Syria, I have 'strayed' so they'll come after me before they go after the Shias."

Divisions in Baalbek
Not everyone in Baalbek supports Hezbollah's role in Syria. Despite being an active member of the armed patrols and having lost family members fighting with Hezbollah in Syria, Ahmad made it clear he was not a supporter of the Shia militia's actions across the border.

"Hezbollah took a decision, acting on behalf of us all, to fight in Syria," he said. "Well, I wasn't asked, and I don't support that decision. They don't need to be in Syria, they can defend Lebanon from the Lebanese territories, and just stay on the borders."

On Sunday in the capital Beirut, meanwhile, a protest against Hezbollah's involvement in the Syrian civil war turned violent with one demonstrator shot dead outside the Iranian Embassy.

But in Bekaa, most villagers support Hezbollah's mobilisation in Syria. That said, people here are more cautious about spending time outside for fear of further attacks by the rebels.

"The atmosphere has changed," Ahmad said. "Yes, there were huge celebrations after the battle of Qusayr, but I think these celebrations are premature… It is very likely we'll see more attacks."

Ahmad said about 20 percent of Baalbekis were opposed to Hezbollah siding with the Syrian Army. He said if the attacks continue, he would eventually leave the area.

Chammas, however, said his clan was preparing for the long haul. "There will definitely be more confrontations, and in a military aspect we are ready," he said, adding a warning to the Syrian rebels and their Lebanese backers: "Don't play with fire." 

Follow Nour Samaha on Twitter: @Nour_Samaha

*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Saturday, June 08, 2013

DTN News: Syria Top Stories / Headlines News Dated June 8, 2013

DTN News: Syria Top Stories / Headlines News Dated June 8, 2013
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - June 8, 2013: Comprehensive daily news related to Syria for the world of TODAY.
*Comprehensive daily news related to Syria Top Stories / Headlines News for the world of  TODAY


  1. News for syria news today

    PakistanToday.com.pk

    1. Hezbollah in the fight in Syria to win, backed by Iran


      USA TODAY ‎- 1 day ago
      A staunch ally of Iran as well as of Syrian president Bachar Assad, Lebanese Hezbollah is leading operations to drive rebels out of Qussayr,...
    1. PakistanToday.com.pk‎ - 5 days ago

  2. Syria news, all the latest and breaking Syria news - Telegraph

    www.telegraph.co.uk › News › World News › Middle East‎

    Syria news, all the latest and breaking Syria news from telegraph.co.uk. ... Al-Qaeda's high command staked its interest in the outcome of Syria's civil war yesterday as its leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, .... TODAY; PAST WEEK; PAST MONTH ...

  3. Syrian rebel haven teeters — along with rebellion itself - USA Today

    www.usatoday.com/story/news/2013/05/23/syria-rebel-city/2351423/‎

    May 23, 2013 – A battle raging for control of a border town critical to the supply of men and arms to opponents of the regime of Bashar Assad may determine ...

  4. NewsNow: Syria News | Every Source, Every Five Minutes, 24/7

    www.newsnow.co.uk › World News › Middle East‎

    Source: Situation in Saudi Arabia Nearing Explosion Fars News Agency 15:06. UN appeals for a record $5.2b in aid for victims of Syria war WA Today 15:04 ...

  5. Syria | World news | The Guardian

    www.guardian.co.uk › World news‎

    Latest news and comment on Syria from guardian.co.uk. ... Today's paper ... Smoke from clashes between Syrian rebels and regime forces near Quneitra ...

  6. Sniper kills Syrian journalist from pro-government TV - World News ...

    tvnz.co.nz/...news/sniper-kills-syrian-journalist-pro-government-tv-5449...‎

    May 27, 2013 – Sniper fire killed a well-known Syrian journalist working for a ... channel near the Lebanese-Syrian border today, the state news agency said.

  7. Syria: Pictures, Videos, Breaking News - Huffington Post

    www.huffingtonpost.com/news/syria/‎

    Includes blogs, news, and community conversations about Syria. ... Qardawi's call for jihad completely ignores the world as it is today: a world of nation-states.

  8. Syria News, Photos and Videos - ABC News

    abcnews.go.com › Topics › News‎

    Browse Syria latest news and updates, watch videos and view all photos and ... The country's current president is Bashar al-Asad and Wael Nader al-Halqi is the ...

  9. Latest breaking news on Syria - breakingnews.com

    www.breakingnews.com/topic/syria‎

    The latest breaking news on Syria from hundreds of sources, all in one place.



      1. Bashar al-Assad led Syrian army raids pro-revolt area near Lebanon
        Indian Express ‎- 7 hours ago
        Bashar al-Assad led Syrian army raids pro-revolt area near Lebanon - Syrian helicopters fired rockets near a Lebanese border area whose ...

    1. Bashar al-Assad | World news | The Guardian

      www.guardian.co.uk › World news‎

      Latest news and comment on Bashar Al-Assad from guardian.co.uk.

    2. Bashar al-Assad: Syria dismisses claims assassination of leader by ...

      www.theweek.co.uk › News & Opinion › World News‎

      Social media blamed for spreading rumour that president was shot by Iranian bodyguard.

    3. Bashar al-Assad: Latest News, Videos, Photos | Times of India

      timesofindia.indiatimes.com › Topics‎

      See Bashar al-Assad Latest News, Photos, Biography, Videos and Wallpapers. Bashar al-Assad profile on Times of India.

    4. Bashar al-Assad - Al Jazeera English - News

      www.aljazeera.com/category/person/bashar-al-assad‎

      Funds for operations in Syria and its neighbours are urgently needed, UN says, as it weighs Golan Heights emergency. Middle East Last Modified: 07 Jun 2013 ...



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*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources DTN News
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS