| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama 12:30 - Dec 5 with 3476 views | Kievthegreat |
Having already taken the 2nd Largest city, they've now advancing into the 4th as well, with government forces apparently retreating. Only 130 miles from Damascus and only one other major city in between (Homs). You'd be a fool to write Assad off, but it's looking very bad for him. |  | | |  |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 13:50 - Dec 5 with 2346 views | bluejacko |
The Russians are running the risk of their two bases being cut off as well. |  | | |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 15:30 - Dec 5 with 2282 views | Kievthegreat |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 13:50 - Dec 5 by bluejacko |
The Russians are running the risk of their two bases being cut off as well. |
Need to fetch the world's smallest violin. | | | |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 15:34 - Dec 5 with 2276 views | bluejacko |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 15:30 - Dec 5 by Kievthegreat |
Need to fetch the world's smallest violin. |
Shame isn’t it 😂👍 | | | |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 19:12 - Dec 5 with 2198 views | brazil1982 |
Blimey I've been there. Terrible what's going on. |  | | |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 19:36 - Dec 5 with 2176 views | BanksterDebtSlave |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 15:30 - Dec 5 by Kievthegreat |
Need to fetch the world's smallest violin. |
Go team Isis. |  |
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| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 20:53 - Dec 5 with 2143 views | DJR |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 19:36 - Dec 5 by BanksterDebtSlave |
Go team Isis. |
https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2022-11/2022%20Factsheet%20-%20HTS-Sy
Although HTS has cut formal ties with al-Qaeda, engaged in self-promotional
interviews with international media, and attempted to rebrand itself as a legitimate
civic authority, it remains a potent source of a Salafi-jihadism that restricts the
religious freedom of non-conforming Sunni Muslims and threatens the property,
safety, and existence of religious minority groups such as Alawites, Christians, and
Druze. Further, HTS’s cultivation of a mutually and politically expedient relationship
with Turkey—which itself represents a distinct threat to vulnerable religious minority
groups via its military incursions in northern Syria—compounds the perilous religious
freedom conditions in and near Idlib.
Despite HTS’s concerted public relations campaign to
rehabilitate its image, its authoritarian and ideologically
driven governance—as well as its ever-evolving relations
with other non-state and state actors vying for control in
parts of Syria—puts northwest Syria’s religiously diverse
population at continued risk. For some of these religious
communities, challenges to freedom of religion or belief
amount to threats to their very existence. [Post edited 5 Dec 2024 20:58]
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| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 21:09 - Dec 5 with 2083 views | BloomBlue |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 13:50 - Dec 5 by bluejacko |
The Russians are running the risk of their two bases being cut off as well. |
Russian navy have done a runner already today. Maybe Lord Farquaad has lost too many already in Ukraine and not going to stay around and help this time. |  | | |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 08:09 - Dec 6 with 1974 views | bluejacko |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 20:53 - Dec 5 by DJR |
https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2022-11/2022%20Factsheet%20-%20HTS-Sy
Although HTS has cut formal ties with al-Qaeda, engaged in self-promotional
interviews with international media, and attempted to rebrand itself as a legitimate
civic authority, it remains a potent source of a Salafi-jihadism that restricts the
religious freedom of non-conforming Sunni Muslims and threatens the property,
safety, and existence of religious minority groups such as Alawites, Christians, and
Druze. Further, HTS’s cultivation of a mutually and politically expedient relationship
with Turkey—which itself represents a distinct threat to vulnerable religious minority
groups via its military incursions in northern Syria—compounds the perilous religious
freedom conditions in and near Idlib.
Despite HTS’s concerted public relations campaign to
rehabilitate its image, its authoritarian and ideologically
driven governance—as well as its ever-evolving relations
with other non-state and state actors vying for control in
parts of Syria—puts northwest Syria’s religiously diverse
population at continued risk. For some of these religious
communities, challenges to freedom of religion or belief
amount to threats to their very existence. [Post edited 5 Dec 2024 20:58]
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There really is no ‘good’ guys here is there? The Kurds in the NE are the nearest thing to that but if they get to adventurous the Turks will wallop them as they can’t have them to strong on their borders! | | | |
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| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 08:56 - Dec 6 with 1898 views | Kievthegreat |
Now the rebels are reaching the outside of Homs. Assad's forces in complete disarray. 30 miles in a day. | | | |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 09:08 - Dec 6 with 1866 views | BloomBlue |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 08:56 - Dec 6 by Kievthegreat |
Now the rebels are reaching the outside of Homs. Assad's forces in complete disarray. 30 miles in a day. |
Assad's forces were never any good, it was only Russian & Iran who helped previously. But that was only because the Russian's could carpet bomb from the air and missles from artillery etc.
But now Russia is bogged down with Ukraine. Iran is worried about getting too involved, as they know an outgoing Biden has nothing to lose and will use it as an excuse to hit Iran and when Trump arrives he won't need any excuse to do the same.
Assad is a **** but when/if he loses control, Syria will become an even bigger killing field of minority groups. That is then bound to spill into other countries like Iraq and probably bring Turkey in - even more than now as they're probably arming the rebels. | | | |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 10:01 - Dec 6 with 1813 views | DJR |
A US spokesman I heard on the World Service appeared to be celebrating what was going on, but I am not sure it is such good news for those forced to flee.
This from the Guardian
"The escalation in fighting in Syria has displaced about 280,000 people in just over a week, the UN said on Friday, warning that numbers could rise to 1.5 million.
“The figure we have in front of us is 280,000 people since 27 November,” Samer AbdelJaber, head of emergency coordination at the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP), told reporters in Geneva. “That does not include the figure of people who fled from Lebanon during the recent escalations” in fighting there, he added.
The mass displacement has happened since rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched their lightning offensive a little more than a week ago. That occurred just as a tenuous ceasefire in neighbouring Lebanon took hold between Israel and Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s ally Hezbollah.
WFP warned that the fresh mass-displacement inside Syria, more than 13 years after the country’s civil war erupted, was “adding to years of suffering”.
AbdelJaber said the WFP and other humanitarian agencies were “trying to reach the communities wherever their needs are”, and that they were working “to secure safe routes so that we can be able to move the aid and the assistance to the communities that are in need”.
He also stressed the urgent need for more funding to ensure humanitarians are “ready for any scenario basically in terms of displacements that could evolve in the coming days or months”.
According to AFP, AbdelJaber cautioned that “if the situation continues evolving (at the current) pace, we’re expecting collectively around 1.5 million people that will be displaced and will be requiring our support”. [Post edited 6 Dec 2024 10:03]
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| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 11:26 - Dec 6 with 1761 views | DJR |
This may not be good news either, and may be a consequence of the tilt in the balance of power in the Middle East in the last few months, which has upset an uneasy but largely peaceful equilibrium.
The head of US-backed Syrian Kurdish force said on Friday that Islamic State group had taken control over some areas in eastern Syria.
“Due to the recent developments, there is increased movement by Islamic State mercenaries in the Syrian desert, in the south and west of Deir Al-Zor and the countryside of al-Raqqa,” Mazloum Abdi said in a press conference, referring to areas in the east of the country, according to Reuters. | | | |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 16:45 - Dec 6 with 1674 views | DJR |
Turkey is backing HTS, and Erdogan has said today the wants the overthrow of Assad, but this recent report from Human Rights Watch indicates appalling human rights abuses in the areas of Syria controlled by Turkey, quite apart from what it is doing to the Kurds.
https://www.hrw.org/report/2024/02/29/everything-power-weapon/abuses-and-impunit | | | |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 07:49 - Dec 7 with 1539 views | Kievthegreat |
It does appear that HTS might be more moderate than some of the Al-Qaeda and ISIS aligned oppositions. They seem very much at pains to provide assurances to those less inclined to be liberated such as Christians, Kurds and differing Islamic sects. Could just be a facade to appear more respectable or a temporary position while they focus on the battlefield.
Also appears that the regime is in full collapse. Russians pulling back to their bases by the coast, Iranians removing troops, senior leaders and advisors, reports that Assad's family have fled the country. | | | |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 08:00 - Dec 7 with 1515 views | Kievthegreat |
Also a group of rebels (not likely HTS) have seized control of Daara, which is in the south of the country. Possibly other small towns in the area.
Damascus could now find itself in danger on multiple sides. | | | |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 08:45 - Dec 7 with 1468 views | DJR |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 07:49 - Dec 7 by Kievthegreat |
It does appear that HTS might be more moderate than some of the Al-Qaeda and ISIS aligned oppositions. They seem very much at pains to provide assurances to those less inclined to be liberated such as Christians, Kurds and differing Islamic sects. Could just be a facade to appear more respectable or a temporary position while they focus on the battlefield.
Also appears that the regime is in full collapse. Russians pulling back to their bases by the coast, Iranians removing troops, senior leaders and advisors, reports that Assad's family have fled the country. |
If you read the article I linked above, there is no indication of moderation in the area they controlled up till recently. Take this, for example.
"In 2021 and 2022, HTS has continued to perpetrate some
of the same human rights abuses—including torture,
forced disappearance, rape and other sexual violence,
and killing in detention—that the United Nations’
Independent International Commission of Inquiry on
Syria documented for the organization and its predecessors
through 2020. Having taken over government prisons
and established additional jails, HTS has used sectarian
motivated detention and related abduction and demands
for ransom against members of minority groups.
Religious minorities, including non-Sunni Muslims and
Druze—both longstanding targets of Sunni rebel groups’
discrimination, harassment, and compelled Sunnism—
have converted to Sunni Islam or fled HTS territories, and
those who remain are not represented in the official bodies
governing the area."
But who knows how it might pan out? All I would say, is that I would fear for the plight of minorities if the whole of Syria falls (10-15% of the population of Damascus is Christian). [Post edited 7 Dec 2024 8:50]
| | | |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 09:16 - Dec 7 with 1406 views | BloomBlue |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 07:49 - Dec 7 by Kievthegreat |
It does appear that HTS might be more moderate than some of the Al-Qaeda and ISIS aligned oppositions. They seem very much at pains to provide assurances to those less inclined to be liberated such as Christians, Kurds and differing Islamic sects. Could just be a facade to appear more respectable or a temporary position while they focus on the battlefield.
Also appears that the regime is in full collapse. Russians pulling back to their bases by the coast, Iranians removing troops, senior leaders and advisors, reports that Assad's family have fled the country. |
The Taliban made similiar assurances about other groups and even how women would have the same opportunities when they were retaking power in Afghanistan. That last about 4 weeks after they took power, no girls allowed to go to school, covering of heads etc etc. | | | |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 09:59 - Dec 7 with 1348 views | Kievthegreat |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 08:45 - Dec 7 by DJR |
If you read the article I linked above, there is no indication of moderation in the area they controlled up till recently. Take this, for example.
"In 2021 and 2022, HTS has continued to perpetrate some
of the same human rights abuses—including torture,
forced disappearance, rape and other sexual violence,
and killing in detention—that the United Nations’
Independent International Commission of Inquiry on
Syria documented for the organization and its predecessors
through 2020. Having taken over government prisons
and established additional jails, HTS has used sectarian
motivated detention and related abduction and demands
for ransom against members of minority groups.
Religious minorities, including non-Sunni Muslims and
Druze—both longstanding targets of Sunni rebel groups’
discrimination, harassment, and compelled Sunnism—
have converted to Sunni Islam or fled HTS territories, and
those who remain are not represented in the official bodies
governing the area."
But who knows how it might pan out? All I would say, is that I would fear for the plight of minorities if the whole of Syria falls (10-15% of the population of Damascus is Christian). [Post edited 7 Dec 2024 8:50]
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I understand and I should have stated that "more moderate" could still be a long way from actually moderate. In terms of the current offensive, they have taken direct actions like allowing Kurdish forces to leave in good order and made promises of tolerance. Although could be cynical rather than sincere, just like the Taliban.
Also it's worth pointing out that the current rebels are not all HTS, but they form the most powerful part of their current coalition. Does make the situation on the ground even more complicated.
Damascus will be a potential nightmare scene. Alawites and Christians make up a significant proportion of the population. If religious tolerance is a facade then hundreds of thousands will be in peril. Aid groups are talking about 1m refugees. Without Russian or Iranian assistance, and Hezbollah crippled, then Damascus is very likely to fall. | | | |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 10:04 - Dec 7 with 1338 views | DJR |
I heard that reported on the World Service a couple of days ago.
It is appalling in the sense that it is further restriction on what women can do and also because of this from the article.
“If you ban women from being treated by male healthcare professionals, and then you ban women from training to become healthcare professionals, the consequences are clear: women will not have access to healthcare and will die as a result.” | | | |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 10:51 - Dec 7 with 1293 views | Kievthegreat |
Rebels in the South are not within 30 miles of Damascus. Seems not to be an HTS aligned, but not much info about them.
If he hasn't left already there could be a Hussein or Gaddafi situation incoming. | | | |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 11:14 - Dec 7 with 1274 views | DJR |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 09:59 - Dec 7 by Kievthegreat |
I understand and I should have stated that "more moderate" could still be a long way from actually moderate. In terms of the current offensive, they have taken direct actions like allowing Kurdish forces to leave in good order and made promises of tolerance. Although could be cynical rather than sincere, just like the Taliban.
Also it's worth pointing out that the current rebels are not all HTS, but they form the most powerful part of their current coalition. Does make the situation on the ground even more complicated.
Damascus will be a potential nightmare scene. Alawites and Christians make up a significant proportion of the population. If religious tolerance is a facade then hundreds of thousands will be in peril. Aid groups are talking about 1m refugees. Without Russian or Iranian assistance, and Hezbollah crippled, then Damascus is very likely to fall. |
Interesting to hear that the capture of Homs would itself cut off the regime-supporting coastal areas of Syria from those in the Damascus area. [Post edited 7 Dec 2024 11:15]
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| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 11:17 - Dec 7 with 1266 views | DJR |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 10:51 - Dec 7 by Kievthegreat |
Rebels in the South are not within 30 miles of Damascus. Seems not to be an HTS aligned, but not much info about them.
If he hasn't left already there could be a Hussein or Gaddafi situation incoming. |
It's sad that the various religious and ethnic groups in the region just don't seem able to live together in the way that they did for centuries when, say, there was the Ottoman empire.
EDIT: having said that I'd forgotten that the Armenian genocide took place in the Ottoman empire. [Post edited 7 Dec 2024 11:21]
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| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 11:36 - Dec 7 with 1237 views | Kievthegreat |
| Syrian Rebels taking control of Hama on 11:17 - Dec 7 by DJR |
It's sad that the various religious and ethnic groups in the region just don't seem able to live together in the way that they did for centuries when, say, there was the Ottoman empire.
EDIT: having said that I'd forgotten that the Armenian genocide took place in the Ottoman empire. [Post edited 7 Dec 2024 11:21]
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Problem is that more sectional fighting leads to less chance of a successful pluralist state, despite it being more urgent than ever.
Syria is a really tough one because it's not as if you could just draw a line and split the country by ethnic or religious groups. A country occupying Syria's borders needs to not be governed on ethno-religious lines, but that doesn't seem probable anymore. [Post edited 7 Dec 2024 11:37]
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