Civil war fear in Syria threatens region

Share:

As the threat of civil war in Syria grows amid a worsening insurrection against the Damascus regime, there are ominous signs the bloodletting could spread to Iraq, Lebanon and Israel.

Iran, Syria’s key ally, cannot afford to have the regime of President Bashar Assad fall and is seeking to exploit the political upheaval gripping the Arab world to take the heat off Damascus.

Assad’s regime, backed by Syria’s military and the vast, all-pervasive intelligence apparatus, has contained nationwide protests demanding its downfall through brutal repression and kept them out the capital and Aleppo, Syria’s second city.

But despite the regime’s overwhelming firepower it hasn’t been able to break the opposition, and as fatalities mount — at least 1,300, according to human rights groups — the wider the protests become.

On the other side, the uprising hasn’t been able to bring down the Baathist regime dominated by the Muslim Alawite minority.

But recent reports indicate that mutinous troops are turning on the regime and inflicting serious casualties for the first time since the insurrection began March 15.

The regime claimed 120 troops and security men were killed Tuesday by “armed gangs” in the northwestern, predominantly Sunni, town of Jisr al-Shughour.

This is likely to trigger harsher repression by the regime as its clan-based core dwindles. There are fears that civil war may erupt if the army splinters.

There is also a growing sense in the region that the regime’s days are numbered. Turkey, one of Syria closest allies, has warned Assad that time is running out and urged him to step down.

The region’s political upheaval has already toppled President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia.

President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen was flown to Saudi Arabia for treatment after he was seriously wounded Friday in what appears to have been an assassination attempt. He may not return.

In Libya, Moammar Gadhafi is fighting for his life in a civil war triggered by an uprising against him, and is increasingly expected to be fall.

Now the Assad dynasty, which has ruled Syria for four decades with a rod of iron, is facing its gravest threat.

“This chill moment,” as the regime threatens retribution for the reported bloodbath at Jisr al-Shughour, “is reminiscent of the day in July 1995 Serbian forces brushed aside U.N. peacekeepers and seized the besieged Bosnian town of Srebrenica,” commentator Simon Tisdall observed in British’s Guardian daily.

“Europe held its breath, fearing the worst. What transpired was even more awful than most could have imagined.

“Assad should know by now that violence added to violence is not the answer. Amazingly, he does not. Or perhaps he is no longer in control … The risk of civil war now looms large over Syria,” Tisdall wrote.

There is a danger, too, that Damascus will seek revenge against Western opponents in Lebanon, through its proxy Hezbollah, and by unleashing Palestinians against Israel, as it has done twice in recent weeks.

It could stir up trouble too in neighboring Iraq, as it has in the past. Iraq, always volatile, is even more vulnerable than usual because of the U.S. military withdrawal scheduled to be completed by December.

However, it’s Iran, seeking to take advantage of the Arab Spring to torment and destabilize its Arab rivals such as Saudi Arabia, that may be the greater threat.

Tehran has accused Riyadh of being behind the attack on Saleh in his capital Sanaa that left him and his chief aides seriously wounded.

Whether that’s true — and Riyadh wants Saleh to step down before Yemen, on its doorstep, erupts in civil war as well — it will resonate in the Arab world and deepen fears that times are going to get tougher.

The Iranians could stir up trouble with Yemen’s rebellious al-Houthi tribesmen in the north, as Saudi Arabia says they’ve done in the past.

Tehran’s announcement it has deployed two submarines in the Red Sea on Yemen’s west coast has stirred alarm.

“Iran’s goal is to project its military and political influence across a weak, restless Arab world, and to protect its repressive brother-in-arms, Syria, from Western interference, military or otherwise,” Tisdall commented.

upi.com

Share:

Comments

26 responses to “Civil war fear in Syria threatens region”

  1. 316909 Avatar

    ok so whats next. they ask for freedom and you threaten the world?

  2.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    I know it may not matter but if any of you reading this blog know any Syrians that need a place to stay I would be more than willing to open my apartment to them. Its in Manara and empty since I never use it and stay in my parents house when in Lebanon but I really dont mind at all. Just reply to this blog with your email and ill have my dad meet you. No bad ideas! Dont try to get your friends over for a party since my parents live across the way. Its 5bd, 6bth so it can fit a lot of people. I dont have any furniture in it but im sure we can find a way to accommodate you. I can also make sure the people get food and the basics they need to live until they go back home.

  3. eliasfd Avatar
    eliasfd

    what’s next is the beginning of the end of the world. The US and the West will interfere more and more to help their allies.
    Russia and China will interfere also to protect their interest and pretty soon you will many armies in the middle east.
    Having said that the prophecies will begin as it already have actually and the jews will look for a prophet to help them build their sacred temple over the sacred mosque. The first seven years or so will be good for them, the following seven years will be full of war and it will include nuclear war..

    1. Mazen_M Avatar
      Mazen_M

      How do you know what’s going to happen…who told you?

      1. eliasfd Avatar
        eliasfd

        I have heard about it from several preachers and other biblical sources. Its been a while and i can remember a bit of it.
        But this is not based on some whacko who predicted the end of the world. But I will research it again and get back to you.

    2. Elinjaim Avatar
      Elinjaim

      Well Elias; are you one of those Protestants’ Preachers who explain prophecies as they like and ignore
      the words of Lord Jesus Christ who said “Not for you to know the date and time, but always be prepared.”
      So relax and ask yourself; Jesus is coming am I ready?

      1. master09 Avatar
        master09

        Yes well said. We have no idea on time but only that it will happen, so for know, All we need to do is be good humans respect each other help each other and trust in the Lord.  

      2. master09 Avatar
        master09

        Yes well said. We have no idea on time but only that it will happen, so for know, All we need to do is be good humans respect each other help each other and trust in the Lord.  

  4.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    what’s next is the beginning of the end of the world. The US and the West will interfere more and more to help their allies.
    Russia and China will interfere also to protect their interest and pretty soon you will many armies in the middle east.
    Having said that the prophecies will begin as it already have actually and the jews will look for a prophet to help them build their sacred temple over the sacred mosque. The first seven years or so will be good for them, the following seven years will be full of war and it will include nuclear war..

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      How do you know what’s going to happen…who told you?

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        I have heard about it from several preachers and other biblical sources. Its been a while and i can remember a bit of it.
        But this is not based on some whacko who predicted the end of the world. But I will research it again and get back to you.

    2.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      Well Elias; are you one of those Protestants’ Preacher?

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        Yes well said. We have no idea on time but only that it will happen, so for know, All we need to do is be good humans respect each other help each other and trust in the Lord.  

      2.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        Yes well said. We have no idea on time but only that it will happen, so for know, All we need to do is be good humans respect each other help each other and trust in the Lord.  

  5. Elinjaim Avatar
    Elinjaim

    A defecting Syrian soldier said; “Only a brigade of Alawites soldiers under the command of the younger
    brother of Bashar is firing to kill at the people and moving around Syria very fast to kill demonstrators and
    restore peace as they see it. Other soldiers aren’t involved and could defect at any time. It is a civil war as
    in Lybia, and could spread to Iraq and Lebanon. May God protects us all.”  

  6.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    A defecting Syrian soldier said; “Only a brigade of Alawites soldiers under the command of the younger
    brother of Bashar is firing to kill at the people and moving around Syria very fast to kill demonstrators and
    restore peace as they see it. Other soldiers aren’t involved and could defect at any time. It is a civil war as
    in Lybia, and could spread to Iraq and Lebanon. May God protects us all.”  

  7. leb_expatriate Avatar
    leb_expatriate

    I don’t think civil war will take place in Syria. Syria isn’t as fractured religiously as many people believe. It’s not like Iraq and Lebanon. It’s more like Turkey.
     
    Here is how I think events will unfold.
     
    The Alawite brigades will continue to kill Sunni protesters. This will incense the Sunni population further, the Sunni’s being the largest religious sect by far.
     
    More and more Sunni’s will defect from the armed forces taking their useless small arms with them. More Sunni’s will get massacred at the hand of the well armed Alawite brigades as result.
     
    Sunni blood will start boiling over in the region. (It is already boiling over from what happened in Lebanon) Two possibilities are likely to occur here, Sunni majority countries like Turkey, Jordan and Saudi Arabia might intervene militarily especially if pressured by their people. The other possibility is a guerrilla war against the regime will ensue funded by private individuals from inside the country and from neighboring countries. The Alawites deservingly will be the target of revenge massacres when the guerrillas win.
     
    No going back. The Alawite dynasty in Syria is ending. No doubt about it. It’s a matter of how and when.
     
    Minorities in the Middle East should now take a moment to reevaluate their alliances (e.g. Aoun) otherwise they will also be the target of retribution attacks when power is restored rightfully to the Sunni’s in the region.
     
    Israel and Iran should be worried because this is the beginning of their end. Time to restore the khilafah. Time to be great again. No more tyranny. No more secular rule no more western importations, no more sectarianism at the expense of the majority, no more sectarianism period. No more borders within a nation that should be one, no more sickening nationalism, no more hopeless fundamentalism. No more terrorism. No more oppression. God is great. 
     
     

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      When the universe begins to implode, there will be only about 500 billion years before the Earth is no more. Meanwhile, people making more than 2.5 babies will cause humanity to fail … if the bacteria don’t get us first, since they Evolve faster than us. 🙂

  8. leb_expatriate Avatar
    leb_expatriate

    I don’t think civil war will take place in Syria. Syria isn’t as fractured religiously as many people believe. It’s not like Iraq and Lebanon. It’s more like Turkey.
     
    Here is how I think events will unfold.
     
    The Alawite brigades will continue to kill Sunni protesters. This will incense the Sunni population further, the Sunni’s being the largest religious sect by far.
     
    More and more Sunni’s will defect from the armed forces taking their useless small arms with them. More Sunni’s will get massacred at the hand of the well armed Alawite brigades as result.
     
    Sunni blood will start boiling over in the region. (It is already boiling over from what happened in Lebanon) Two possibilities are likely to occur here, Sunni majority countries like Turkey, Jordan and Saudi Arabia might intervene militarily especially if pressured by their people. The other possibility is a guerrilla war against the regime will ensue funded by private individuals from inside the country and from neighboring countries. The Alawites deservingly will be the target of revenge massacres when the guerrillas win.
     
    No going back. The Alawite dynasty in Syria is ending. No doubt about it. It’s a matter of how and when.
     
    Minorities in the Middle East should now take a moment to reevaluate their alliances (e.g. Aoun) otherwise they will also be the target of retribution attacks when power is restored rightfully to the Sunni’s in the region.
     
    Israel and Iran should be worried because this is the beginning of their end. Time to restore the khilafah. Time to be great again. No more tyranny. No more secular rule no more western importations, no more sectarianism at the expense of the majority, no more sectarianism period. No more borders within a nation that should be one, no more sickening nationalism, no more hopeless fundamentalism. No more terrorism. No more oppression. God is great. 
     
     

  9.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    I don’t think civil war will take place in Syria. Syria isn’t as fractured religiously as many people believe. It’s not like Iraq and Lebanon. It’s more like Turkey.
     
    Here is how I think events will unfold.
     
    The Alawite brigades will continue to kill Sunni protesters. This will incense the Sunni population further, the Sunni’s being the largest religious sect by far.
     
    More and more Sunni’s will defect from the armed forces taking their useless small arms with them. More Sunni’s will get massacred at the hand of the well armed Alawite brigades as result.
     
    Sunni blood will start boiling over in the region. (It is already boiling over from what happened in Lebanon) Two possibilities are likely to occur here, Sunni majority countries like Turkey, Jordan and Saudi Arabia might intervene militarily especially if pressured by their people. The other possibility is a guerrilla war against the regime will ensue funded by private individuals from inside the country and from neighboring countries. The Alawites deservingly will be the target of revenge massacres when the guerrillas win.
     
    No going back. The Alawite dynasty in Syria is ending. No doubt about it. It’s a matter of how and when.
     
    Minorities in the Middle East should now take a moment to reevaluate their alliances (e.g. Aoun) otherwise they will also be the target of retribution attacks when power is restored rightfully to the Sunni’s in the region.
     
    Israel and Iran should be worried because this is the beginning of their end. Time to restore the khilafah. Time to be great again. No more tyranny. No more secular rule no more western importations, no more sectarianism at the expense of the majority, no more sectarianism period. No more borders within a nation that should be one, no more sickening nationalism, no more hopeless fundamentalism. No more terrorism. No more oppression. God is great. 
     
     

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      When the universe begins to implode, there will be only about 500 billion years before the Earth is no more. Meanwhile, people making more than 2.5 babies will cause humanity to fail … if the bacteria don’t get us first, since they Evolve faster than us. 🙂

  10. arabs have the chance to solve a lot of problems the lebanese war and the palestinains but they did nothing but filling there bells and puppted  heatress in the world the all want to be god and they are from him millions of miles now the new middle east gonna born and is iran gonna be dominate and belive it or not they are doing it hand by hand with the israels while the arab trying to get out of there sleep in my opinion syria will fall in civil war and the mahdi arms will be soon in all the arab country what a stupid people they deserve what they get they wanted to get rid of saddam he was the only arab person who fought israel and the damn irannien they wanted to kill him well pay for your stupiity

  11. arabs have the chance to solve a lot of problems the lebanese war and the palestinains but they did nothing but filling there bells and puppted  heatress in the world the all want to be god and they are from him millions of miles now the new middle east gonna born and is iran gonna be dominate and belive it or not they are doing it hand by hand with the israels while the arab trying to get out of there sleep in my opinion syria will fall in civil war and the mahdi arms will be soon in all the arab country what a stupid people they deserve what they get they wanted to get rid of saddam he was the only arab person who fought israel and the damn irannien they wanted to kill him well pay for your stupiity

  12. God willing, Bashar and Maher, and all the rest will be gone from this earth, very soon….I predict it will happen sooner than many people think…less than 30 days…..

  13. God willing, Bashar and Maher, and all the rest will be gone from this earth, very soon….I predict it will happen sooner than many people think…less than 30 days…..

  14. God willing, Bashar and Maher, and all the rest will be gone from this earth, very soon….I predict it will happen sooner than many people think…less than 30 days…..

Leave a Reply