"Syria Will Not Bow Down"
"With a strong and clear voice we are saying that the legitimate demands of the (Syrian) people are being supported by us." Turkish President Abdullah GulSupported by Turkey, by the Arab League, by the Western world at large. The cabal that includes Iran, Hezbollah, Russia and China, not so much. The United Nations is aghast at the endless violent confrontation of the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad's military employing raw power against his own people. But for the most part they're not his own people. They're not his supporters, don't share his view of Islam, and are not of his tribe and clan.
They are expendable in the war against the interfering foreign elements who he claims have enticed them to rise up against him. They are creatures of the extremists who are eager to upturn his regime and take power, to run the country in a manner that suits them. That is, to listen to Bashar al-Assad's argument. His agreement in principle with the demands of the Arab League gave brief relief to his neighbours, but was met with the skepticism of practical reality by his opponents.
Who expected no such relaxation of the crackdown on the part of the regime to come about, and were, in that sense, not disappointed that it did not. The once-peaceful demonstrations have become anything but. Strident demands that the tyrant step down are continuing. To no avail as far as President al-Assad is concerned: "The conflict will continue and the pressure to subjugate Syria will continue."
Turkey, once Syria's great good friend and ally, now supports the opposition and scorns the regime. Colonel Riad al Asaad has found sanctuary within Turkey's borders, and support as he rallies all those who have deserted the ranks of the Syrian army to join forces with the Free Syrian Army. Awaiting the steady arrival of more deserters: "Soldiers and officers in the army are waiting for the right opportunity."
The Arab League condemns the blood being shed in Syria. Saudi Arabia is furious with Syria. But not with Bahrain where blood is also shed, but the regime has Saudi support and protection. Condemnation of Syria is one thing, planning a collective Arab army assault against Syria is yet another. Turkey, for all its fulminating fury knows that as a non-Arab country it cannot, even with its huge military, advance on Syria to free it from its dictator.
If the Arab League is awaiting movement from NATO, in response to the R2P it has a long wait; no genocidal war is in the offing, but a sectarian, tribal civil war. And should the Arab League long for some entity to intervene, it must look to its very own membership. Upon which occurrence an "earthquake" would rumble across the Middle East.
We have that assurance from Bashar al-Assad.
Labels: Arab League, Conflict, Syria, Turkey
posted by Pieface @ Sunday, November 20, 2011
<< Home