Syria - anyone got friends/family there? Got any info we might not get on the news?

[Syriana]

I'm half Syrian (via my dad) and both my parents live there as well as a large number of extended family. My reason for starting this thread is that I don't hear much from my parents about what is happening (they don't want to scare me, I presume) and there's only so much information the international news gives.

My family are in Aleppo and so are relatively safe at the moment (I think) although I've heard about daily blackouts and major shopping areas being closed down due to security fears. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone else with friends/family in Syria as it's horribly frustrating not knowing what is happening...

Bump

I have no links to Syria but have been getting increasingly disturbed by what is happening. I have just read Marie Colvins last despatch and I can't understand how we can all sit back and do nothing (I'm looking at you russia and china). As a mother my heart broke for te young woman who is too traumatised to feed her newborn so the baby is living on sugar water.

Is there anything we can do? Who can we lobby? Is there any sort of campaign in this country that stands a chance of being listened to?

I really hope your family are ok OP. the fact you can talk to them must be a great relief

It must be a shocking and terrifying time for you Syrianna. I just hope the international community pull their fingers out ASAP.

everybodys - I know, I'm furious with Russia and China. They've got major trade links with Syria so I guess that's part of the reason for their behaviour (plus they probably can't decry excessive violence towards subjects without looking somewhat hypocritical ). As far as I know there are some Syrians participating in regular demos outside the Syrian embassy in London, but that isn't always safe either; a Syrian acquaintance of ours tried to get protesters speaking in a calm way to the embassy staff, his name was taken and his family in Syria got a 'totally-non-threatening' visit from the security forces about 'your son's actions in Britain'. Besides that, I don't think anyone here can do much I'm afraid - Cameron is already being pretty firm, which is good to see.

You're right sardinequeen, it isn't that fun. Not exactly shocking as (sadly) I think most Syrians have never been under any real illusion as to the brutal nature of the regime - they just try to get on with life and ignore it, or at least did up until now. I'm just hoping that international intervention won't lead to another Iraq (although that can't help than be better than the current situation)...

I kind of wish everybody still had no idea where Syria was; I've had to explain my whole life that it's north of Israel and south of Turkey! Now everyone knows and not for a good reason :(

I am a little surprised that there are no other Syrians/Syria-linked people on MN!! Thanks for your responses though, it's good to know people care.

Maybe give it a bump in the evening, when more people are around. I bet there are others with family out there.

The only thing I can think of is searching on Twitter. There's a lot of journalists / war photographers on there and they often re-tweet local info.

Hope your family are ok.

I'm interested as I knew the first lady of Syria when she was working on my project as a graduate trainee in the City and she was so lovely, bright, hard-working and beautiful. I met her boyfriend briefly once it was Bashar al-Assad when he was just a London doctor. I just don't want to believe they are behind this it is just so so horrible. I feel so much for the people of Syria.

My thoughts will be with you - must be very very hard.
The inability of the Red Crescent to get into Baba Amr is bloody scary - wtf is happening there?

BytheSea wow, maybe you could write to her? I can't imagine the scale of the destruction, and the evil in these people, but at some stage of their lives they looked/acted like human beings.

They have to be behind this as he rules the military with an iron fist.

I was just a project manager early in her career (which she cut short to marry him). I'm sure she would remember me (albeit maybe dimly) but it was many years ago and she is in a different world to that now. I wouldn't feel right writing to her. It's just awful.

Bythesea - it must be really surreal for you watching the news if you've actually met the Assads... as you say, I don't think writing to her would do any good. She is probably horrified at the situation but I'd be astonished if she had any influence over policy.

The general consensus in Syria before the Arab Spring was that Bashar is a nice enough man but not really President in any meaningful sense. He smiles for the posters and makes speeches but it has been generally thought that power sits firmly in the hands of his family - particularly the more ruthless younger siblings. Bashar wasn't raised to be president, it was meant to go to his older brother Basil but he died in an accident. When the former president (his father) died, the minimum age for being President was lowered to Bashar's age so he could take over immediately so he seemed to just be a figurehead for powerful men behind him.

Now all this is happening though, I'm finding it harder to view him as an amiable man in an unpleasant situation and easier to view him as a coward who doesn't care how many of his citizens die.

As to the Red Cross fiasco, one theory I've heard is that the Syrian Army were delaying humanitarian aid so they had time to clear up evidence of a massacre :(

It is surreal Syriana. I hope your family stay well and safe.

My mil returned from a trip to Syria about three weeks ago, I was really worried about her. She came back and everything was normal where she was! It's no wonder it's difficult to understand what is really going on.

My dh went last year and made a friend, he called him a little while ago and was told 'everything's fine, everything's fine' strained voice......

That probably doesn't help much

Syriana, just a word to pray that your family and friends are ok there (sorry, that sounds so stupid, how on earth can they be ok given what's happening).

I am really struggling to understand how we as a world can stand back and watch such a terrible atrocities happen. I use to teach some children from Syria and I've been wondering about their families who are still there, they must be frantic with worry.

Sorry, I'm no help to you, just wanted you to know that we are thinking about the people of Syria and hoping so much that they get the help that they need.

We stand back because of the political implications. It's an internal dispute (isn't it always) and the tyrant President is actually not too bad compared to the usual ones. They all use the same means to maintain rule tho' but Assad has powerful allies so he can order murder with impunity until he gets an amnesty and can leave with a few billion $ to a lovely retirement in Paris/London/New York.

I know pedallleur, if there was oil involved......... It would be different.

littleducks - I'm glad to hear your MIL got out of Syria safely; it does seem like there are quiet spots, particularly in Aleppo and Damascus. Not surprised your DH's friend was less than forthcoming with details though, you can never be sure if your phoneline is being monitored... the joys of an Orwellian security force.

pedallleur - you're right about hesitation due to politics. As I understand it, the western world has been quite happy to let the authoritarian regime of Syria lie until now because it is a secular state and not rampantly religious (Israel in particular really really don't want an Islamic Brotherhood-led nation next door). However, the west can't really stand by and let Assad kill his citizens without voicing concern - their own electorates would go nuts. So now the danger (as the west sees it, IMO) is that Syria will end up with a Sunni regime, an Iran-linked regime or just in a civil war. A nice long-running civil war with no clear winner is probably the best option of the three. Sorry for cynicism but I don't expect much other than hand-wringing from Europe/US for a while yet...

Thanks to everybody for the good wishes about my family. I am worried about them but at least they're in a relatively safe city and have the means to leave the country if necessary (we are very lucky to have that option). I'd be a mess if they were in Homs.

A nice long-running civil war with no clear winner is probably the best option of the three.

You're not being cynical Syriana - you're being realistic. I almost posted the same. That scenario, with Syria bogged down dealing with internal matters, suits the world leaders very well.

We won't be intervening. There is no public appetite for it after Afghanistan and the rise of fundamentalism in Eygpt and Libya, especially now the Commonwealth War Graves have been defiled by some ignorant idiots.

Syria is a matter for the Arab League to deal with.

could the reluctance to get involved also be based on the complexity of the landscape? My understanding is that the massacres are mainly in built up areas so to send in military into an urban environment is not viable.

I think you're right that there won't be any intervention wetaugust. I'm just a bit worried that if it's left up to the Arab league then we'll end up with an Islamic Brotherhood-type regime and people will be punished for their previously acceptable secular habits.

ilovemydog - Probably true. I imagine urban civil wars are the hardest for outside parties to interfere with, what with no uniforms and plenty of hiding places.

By the way, I was speaking to my mum today and she says the government officials in Aleppo are considering a new penalty for kidnapping/murder: public hanging. That'll end well. I specify officials in Aleppo because apparently Aleppo and Damascus aren't following the same governmental rules at the moment, which is interesting. She told me that theft is also on the rise, which must be adding to the general feeling of societal breakdown.

Syriana

You must be very worried about your relatives in Syria. I hope they stay safe.

It's very interesting to hear a first hand account of events from a non-Press source.

I hope you will continue to post updates.

wetaugust - thanks, I hope they stay safe too! I did read something from the Center for Middle East Studies (it's in Oklahoma, of all places) which gives the opinion of one Aleppo resident that things are going to get a lot worse there and fast. The bit about robbing people in their (usually impenetrable) flats is particularly worrying as my mum is essentially under house arrest at the moment (dad doesn't want her going out 'cos of the danger).

Here's the link if anyone is interested: www.joshualandis.com/blog/?p=13748

Annnd... I've forgotten to namechange back to Syriana for this thread. Bugger. Oh well, this is me :)

Thanks for posting the Oklahoma guy's blog. It does sound quite terrifying. I doubt the Govt will be able to keep control as disorder seems to be spreading fast.

Syriana - can the foreign office help you re info? I agree, keep away from official syrian offices anywhere.