generalspeaking

Resorting to Guerrilla Warfare

Activists released this picture of anti-government demonstrators marching in Idlib in northwest Syria on Friday [AFP]

Ten thousand deserters. That's a whole whack of people in the military deciding they won't do it any more. Of course, that's 10,000 defectors extracting themselves emphatically from an army of 200,000, representing 5% of the total, but it's still a lot of individuals who have made their choice. Fully cognizant of what the penalty would be.

On the other hand, they're also fully committed to something that the regime would prefer they not be involved with, and which they were dispatched to put down by any means, to begin with. They have now, however, distinguished themselves as a considerable group by forming a military opposition to the Assad regime.

They are, in fact, the Syrian Free Army. Under the able command of Col. Riad al-Asaad, a man well seasoned in his role with the military at age 50, an Air Force officer. "Morale in the army is low and defections are mounting all over Syria, although many soldiers are waiting because the regime will kill them or kill their families if they leave."

That threat is a most persuasive one, is it not? Dare to defect, to leave your post, your regiment, your duty to the current regime and your family whose whereabouts is well documented, will be subject to terror. So though they burn with anger and horror at their orders they bide their time, and will no doubt choose to leave when it becomes more ... feasible.

"Our goal is to protect the peaceful demonstrations and bring down the regime", explained Col. Asaad; is it not just too coincidental, the likeness in the names? "If they overtake Rastan it will become their graveyard. The rebels have resorted to guerrilla warfare", he stated grimly. After all, six months of rebellious dissent is time enough for the protesters to coalesce.

And they would very much appreciate assistance. Were they, in fact, to have international support, it would help immeasurably to "bring down the regime very quickly". And all that piled-up crude awaiting the opportunity to slide past the embargo will be ready for export.

Takers? Form an orderly line to the left, please.

Labels: Conflict, Political Realities, Syria

posted by Pieface @ Monday, October 03, 2011