Current situation in Syria

[ArtTheClown]

Is anyone else interested in a thread discussing Syria?

I've been concerned about what I'm reading - BBC is just reporting "clashes with Assad loyalists", but I'm seeing claims on SM about attacks on minority civilians and Turkey now in northern Syria. I'm strugging to verify the information though so if anyone has any more information than that I'd be interested to see it.

I'm unfortunately not too surprised at this - the void left by unpleasant strongmen always seems to create chaos, and I thought the celebrations about Syria being "free" seemed premature. I had hoped I was wrong.

Those oppressed groups (Druze, Christians, Alawites) are begging Israel to help them, not their surrounding Arab neighbours. I wonder why!

Because the Arab neighbours don't care?

The number of killed is much higher, according to actual Syrians with family on the ground. It's such a sad situation, we warned this would happen in December 2024 and were dismissed as Assadists.

Apparently an ex Al Nusra, Al Qaeda,HTS terrorist can be reformed judging by the outlets that interviewed the new unelected president Jolani and the state representatives that have visited and supported him. The UK has just eased some sanctions.

"He's changed" they cried "He's all about inclusivity" "he'll protect minorities". He sure did that by telling his thugs to execute them more quietly and not to release videos as it's embarrassing. They complied doing it quietly until this last week.

The excuse that these are ex Assad loyalists attempting a coup is spin in order to justify the point blank executions.

Assad left on December 10th 2024 and has not even released a statement. These are non Syrians (Uighurs, Chechens, Pakistani) GCC funded, Western trained and armed mercenaries. They are killing Alawites (Assad's religion), Christians (including in the village where they speak Aramaic Jesus's language), Shia and Syrian Sunnis.

@BelleHathor I had an argument with someone on X who was convinced that Jolani was going to herald in a new, inclusive, moderate dawn in Syria. I sincerely wish he had been correct and I had been wrong.

Israel was of course critisised for bombing weapon positions in Syria, and I hope people can now see why they did what they did.

Replacement of an evil killer for a terrorist who now orders mass killings is more of the same. The number of deaths barely makes the news, that's awful.

No idea what the answer is though. Just like Gaza, run by a terrorist organisation, none of these groups bring anything but destruction to the people.

Hopefully the groups targeted can get out, although they shouldn't have to, if its a survival situation then they need assistance. However, since the surrounding Arab countries don't appear interested and Israel has its hands full with dealing with Hamas, and terrorists from the Lebanon and ongoing negotiations to release hostages and move forward, it's got enough to deal with.

@ArtTheClown I have seen a video of his current defense minister beheading a teenager back in 2013/2014, but he's put on a suit now so it's A.ok. Look at Rory and Alastair with Jolani.

Arguing with people is useless as most people don't understand the Geopolitical games being played. Follow the money, hello Qatar.

If they haven't followed the Syrian war from 2011, the Gas Pipeline issue, the arguments between Erdoğan and Assad, Americans in the north "liberating" Syrian Oil, Iran, Qatar and the sanctions. It's very easy to sell December as a revolution.

I'm listening to people justify this right now as they're killing Alawites and Alawites oppressed us.

Look we're likely on different sides of the Palestinian cause, however Jolani can't currently control his thugs, they were promised they will liberate all the way to Jerusalem and are getting impatient.

It's a shame that all innocents could jyst be helped to get out the way whilst all these madmen just kill each other.

A suit seems to signify a killer/terrorist/madman is ok now, a la Trump. Putin wears a suit.

Is this surprising when it's old ISIS in charge now, awkward we helped them get back in, but not surprising?

Look at Rory and Alastair with Jolani.

Don't get me started on those two. I don't know how Campbell hasn't died of shame.

I'm so pissed off right now I forgot to attach the picture.

I'm so shocked by the EUs statement.

The European Union strongly condemns the recent attacks, reportedly by pro-Assad elements, on interim government forces in the coastal areas of Syria and all violence against civilians.
Civilians have to be protected in all circumstances in full respect of international humanitarian law.

The EU also calls on all external actors to fully respect the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Syria. The EU condemns any attempts to undermine stability and the prospects for a lasting peaceful transition, inclusive and respectful of all Syrians in their diversity.

That statement is awful! Are the EU actually stupid?

I also wonder just how many of the refugees now living there, who fled Assad, are sympathetic to current events. More than a few, I'd guess. Good luck with that one, Europe.

They say a picture tells a thousand words 😡

I didn’t watch their interview as they just make me irate with their stance on things. I used to enjoy listening to them, but not any more. Now, because of what has happened and because I’ve been slating them for even thinking about interviewing Jolani, I’m going to have watch the blooming thing.

The spiel they had on X was a bit nauseating, like it was some huge coup (pun intended) that only they managed to secure an interview with such an incredible subject.

The military commentators I follow haven’t really said what they think will happen as it’s so impossible to know. Many, many factions and everything could turn in the opposite direction depending on who gets involved, who supplies more funding etc. It’s not even those who are currently fighting, it’s the deals being done in the background with foreign governments etc that could influence how things go. Meanwhile, the people have to endure barbarically torture before being executed and the bodies are piling up.

Any marches being planned?

My views of EU/UN/NGOs has seriously changed in recent years. Always used to think they were vital to help people and ensure violence is prevented as much as possible.

What we’ve got is a group of politicians who won’t commit resources so issue mealy mouthed statements about respecting laws & cool heads to despots who are dragging people around behind cars and summarily executing people on the other side.

Nothing was done about Assad other than serious sounding newsreaders telling us how many 000s of Syrians had been killed. The same is going to happen with Jolani. It’s like an ineffective parent saying “Oh don’t do that, it’s not nice” to an obnoxious bully while they hit a kid in soft play. We all know what needs to be done to make them stop.

To understand the EU statement 2 things must be taken into account:

1. Access to cheap Gas and Oil. The Russia Ukraine conflict has caused a cost of living increase across the whole EU. Syrian resources could replace the deficit and also "punish" Russia by flooding the market pushing prices down.
2. Immigration, they have to pretend that Syria is now safe so that refugees can return to Syria. The fact that many haven't shows that they knew what would happen.

Here are pictures of EU and UN personnel with Jolani. In fairness he did also attend the Arab summit in Egypt last week.

What would make them stop?

@BelleHathor you're likely right about those. I'm not sure if U.K. is still freezing Syrian claims

Pronouncements from governments and super governmental bodies remind me of horoscopes. You can believe them and use them to support your world view or dismiss them as rhetoric to appease the masses.
What is happening in Syria was predictable and predicted, western powers are not welcome to interfere in the middle east.
Realistically, most 'effective' recent regimes in the region have been autocratic and cruel by liberal westerners standards. I would add that communist revolution was achieved in Russia & China by relatively small but ruthless groups leveraging existing discontent.
Those who live in stable 'democracies' should learn to appreciate what they have, the alternative is worse.

This thread may give some additional information, doesn’t provide any answers as I don’t think there are any at the moment, but it’s a good explainer about what happened at the end of the week.

To me, thinking of things as different factions with similar beliefs who happen to be focused in a particular area rather than people linked to geographic areas makes sense.

https://x.com/evacool_/status/1898463654343025113?s=61&t=_cKTNp_TyAyzDViEOCJDFQ]]

Interesting - I assume she's not on the ground or anywhere near though, if she's based in Greece? I am getting the feeling that Western powers, having decided to back Jolani, would like to maintain that, and a lot of the mainstream analysis is currently reflecting the fact that he's "our" new man in Damascus.
It does appear to be at odds from the actual imagery appearing though - there are clearly civilians being killed in a targeted manner, not caught in crossfire.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8e7y7ykd01t

Link to BBC live page.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx20p0pj931o

Thanks for posting the links @Scirocco
I'd hoped it was somehow not true, despite the footage.

Whose going to march for the Alawites slaughtered by the islamists, nobody will even mention the slaughter of the Christians

It’s just mind blowing to me how little coverage the murder of 745 civilians in Syria gets compared to Gaza.