{"id":49135,"date":"2013-07-10T08:29:39","date_gmt":"2013-07-10T07:29:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rinf.com\/alt-news\/breaking-news\/syrian-opposition-in-disarray\/49135\/"},"modified":"2013-07-10T08:29:39","modified_gmt":"2013-07-10T07:29:39","slug":"syrian-opposition-in-disarray","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/rinf.com\/alt-news\/breaking-news\/syrian-opposition-in-disarray\/","title":{"rendered":"Syrian Opposition in Disarray"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nSyrian Opposition in Disarray<\/b><\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nby Stephen Lendman<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nAfter 28 months of conflict, Assad defeated Washington’s best laid plans. Its Syrian National Coalition (SNC) opposition lacks effective leadership. It lacks legitimacy.\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nIt’s an artificial construct. It operates extrajudicially. It resembles a gang that can’t shoot straight. On July 8, another leader resigned.\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nAfter four months, self-styled prime minister Ghassan Hitto announced he won’t “continue in (his) capacity as prime minister tasked with leading the interim government, though (he) emphasize(s he’ll) ‘continue working for the interests of the revolution and towards achieving its objectives.”<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nWashington’s war on Syria’s no “revolution.” There’s nothing civil about it. It’s US proxy aggression. Foreign death squad invaders want Islamofacism replacing Syrian sovereignty.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nHitto’s resignation came two days after SNC members elected Ahmad Asi-al Jarba president.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nThe post’s been vacant since Mouaz al-Khatib resigned in April. He cited frustration over lack of enough international support, internal divisions, and disarray among “rebel” factions.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nWashington hoped he’d become Syria’s Hamid Karzai. Maybe Obama has similar aspirations for al-Jarba.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nRepeated changing of the guard shows SNC ranks in disarray. Al-Khatib and Hitto couldn’t resolve SNC divisions. Don’t expect al-Jarba to fare better.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nJust causes close ranks effectively. Rogue operations feature self-aggrandizing, power-hungry opportunists. They face overwhelming Syrian opposition.\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nMost Syrians support Assad. They do so for good reason. They alone want to decide who rule them. They deplore outside intervention.\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nDisorganized “rebel” ranks are no match for Syria’s superior military. It continues making impressive gains.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nRegular Syrian National News Agency (SANA) reports repeat what the July 9 one said. It headlined<\/span><\/a> “Army eliminates Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists in several areas.”\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nArmy units inflicted heavy losses on “armed terrorist groups” in and around Homs, Hula and other areas.\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n“Leader of an armed terrorist group, Obeid Hassan Obeid, nicknamed Abi Allaith, and terrorists Mossa al-Khaled, Mustafa Shamir and Osama Zabateh were identified among the dead.”<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nOn July 8, FARS News Agency<\/span><\/a> headlined “Syrian Army Continues Advance in Aleppo,” saying:<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n“Syrian Army units inflicted heavy losses on armed rebels in a series of concentrated military operations against their gatherings in Aleppo and took control of several parts of the city.”<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nSyrian forces continued mopping up operations. Areas have been totally cleared of foreign fighters.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nClashes continued around Aleppo’s central prison. Dozens of insurgents were killed. Many others were eliminated in other parts of the city.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nOn July 9, Press TV<\/span><\/a> headlined “Syria invites UN officials to discuss claims of chemical weapons use,” saying:<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nSyria’s UN ambassador Bashar Jaafari said:<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n“The Syrian authorities have discovered yesterday in the city of Banias 281 barrels filled with dangerous, hazardous chemical materials.”<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nAmounts found are “capable of destroying a whole city, if not the whole country,” he added.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nToxic substances include 79 barrels of polyethylene glycol (PEG), 67 barrels of mono ethylene glycol, 25 barrels of mono ethanol (or ethanolamine), 68 barrels of diethanolamine (DEA), and 42 barrels of triethanolamine (TEA).<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nJaafari said chemicals found were “in a secret storage (area) controlled and monitored by the armed terrorist groups.”<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nWashington falsely accused Syria of using sarin and other chemical weapons “on a small scale.”<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nDamascus dismissed US allegations, saying:<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n“The White House published a statement full of lies about the use of chemical weapons in Syria, based on fabricated information, through which it is trying to hold the Syrian government responsible for such use.”<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nIn mid-June, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said so-called US evidence doesn’t meet longstanding Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) requirements.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nInsurgents used chemical weapons multiple times. UN investigators confirmed sarin use. They did so before equivocating under heavy Western pressure.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nIn late May, Turkish police arrested 12 suspected Al Nusra fighters. They were seized in southern Turkey.\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nThey were caught red-handed with a two gm cylinder of sarin nerve gas. Initial Turkish media reports said four and a half pounds of sarin were seized.\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nOther reports provided clear evidence. Insurgents used sarin and other chemical weapons multiple times.\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nOn July 9, Russia Today<\/span><\/a> <\/span>headlined “Russian inquiry to UN: “Rebels, not Army behind Syria Aleppo chemical attack,” saying:<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nMoscow’s UN ambassador Vladimir Churkin said analysis of samples taken indicate “rebels” bear responsibility.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n“I have just passed the analysis of samples taken at the site of the chemical attack to the UN Secretary General,” Churkin said.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n“Evidence studied by Russian scientists indicates that a projectile carrying the deadly nerve agent sarin was most likely fired at Khan al-Assal by the rebels.”<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nMore than 30 people died. Damascus straightaway asked for a UN investigation. Insurgents lied. They denied responsibility. They falsely blamed Assad.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nWestern sources consistently point fingers the wrong way. So do media scoundrels. Assad’s falsely blamed for death squad crimes.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nSyria’s conflict is far from resolved. Israeli involvement complicates things.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nOn July 6, Haaretz<\/span><\/a> headlined “Report: Series of blasts heard near Assad arms depot in northern Syria,” saying:<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nResidents reported seeing “fighter jets near time of blasts.” A Syrian weapons depot was struck near Latakia. Lebanon’s Al Manar said rockets or missiles were fired.\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nHaaretz called the source of the strike “unclear.” It was Israeli aggression. It was Israel’s third attack on Syria since January.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nRichard Silverstein<\/a><\/span> explained what Haaretz omitted, saying:<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n“A massive explosion last Thursday at a major Syrian weapons depot in Latakia, not far from the main port of Tartus, completely destroyed the facility and munitions stored there.”<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nThe Free Syrian army (FSA) falsely took credit. “(I)t was not the responsible party,” said Silverstein. It was done to divert attention from Israel.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n“A confidential Israeli source (told Silverstein) Israeli forces attacked the site.” SA-300 anti-aircraft missile components were targeted.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nRussia shipped them to Tartus. They’re stored in Latakia. What Israel destroyed, Russia will replace. Other military help is provided.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nRussia has longstanding contractual obligations. It supports its Syrian ally. It does so against Western aggression. It wants Assad supplied with enough firepower to prevail.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nSilverstein’s source said “the FSA coordinated with the IDF and launched a rocket attack on nearby government military installations in order to distract loyalist forces from the real target.”<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nInsurgents had no involvement in attacking Syria’s weapons depot. Israel bore full responsibility. Assad knows it. So does Russia.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nIsrael’s a key US regional imperial partner. It’s heavily involved in Washington’s war on Syria. It’s allied with Al Qaeda and Al Nusra insurgents.\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nIt supplies arms and munitions. It treats wounded insurgents in Israeli hospitals. It remains to be seen what follows.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nIn late May, Syria warned Israel. Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said Damascus won’t let “any (further) Israeli aggression go unanswered without retaliation.”\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n“The retaliation will be the same size as the aggression, and the same type of weapons will be used.”<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nWe’ll know before long if he means it.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nOn July 9, Voice of Russia<\/span><\/a> headlined “Russian, US experts disagree over many aspects of Syrian problem – Morozov.”<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nSyria and its regional implications were addressed at a bilateral seminar.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nThe Public Projects Institute (INOP) and Center for the National Interest (CNI) organized it.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nFormer Senator Gary Hart, General Charles Boyd, and Dmitri Simes represented America.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nParliamentarians and foreign policy experts spoke for Russia.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nDiscussion focused on Syria. Polar opposite opinions were expressed. According to Morozov:<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n“Our US partners said that it was possible to discuss Syrian issues and methods of solving them only in the case of the unconditional resignation of Bashar al-Assad.”\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n“They made themselves clear – ‘al-Assad must go’ before the formation of an interim government and elections of the new authorities are discussed.”<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nRussia believes otherwise. Syrians alone should decide who’ll rule them. “Counter-questions were asked”, said Morozov.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n“We asked why al-Assad, a legitimate president, must go. He enjoys the support of many people in spite of the conflict.”\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n“He is in command of over 300,000 servicemen. And only one year is left until the next election.”<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nRussia categorically refuses to buy unacceptable US demands. It defends Syrian sovereignty. It supports rule of law principles\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nWashington’s ravaging Syria. It’s doing so ruthlessly. It’s doing it with impunity. Its imperial priorities matter most.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nA Final Comment<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nUS regional interests extend well beyond Syria and Egypt. Iran’s been unjustly targeted for decades.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nOn July 9, House Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency debated Iran’s alleged Western Hemisphere influence.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nThe 2012 Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act directs the Secretary of State to assess “threats posed to the United States by Iran’s growing presence and activity in the Western Hemisphere.”<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nAnnual reports must be submitted to Congress. They’re classified. The latest dated June contains a two-page unclassified annex<\/span><\/a>. It states in part:<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n“As a result of diplomatic outreach, strengthening of allies\u2019 capacity, international nonproliferation efforts, a strong sanctions policy, and Iran\u2019s poor management of its foreign relations, Iranian influence in Latin America and the Caribbean is waning.”<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nRep. Jeff Duncan (R. SC) chairs the House Oversight, Investigations and Management Subcommittee. He questioned the State Department report, saying:<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nIt didn’t “reach reach out to even one country in the Western Hemisphere in the crafting of the threat assessment and strategy.” \u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n“It makes no sense for the State Department to send (Congress an Iranian report on its alleged Western Hemisphere influence) without considering the views of our allies in the region.”<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nHe cited Alberto Nisman’s May report. He’s an Argentinian prosecutor. The State Department debunked his findings.\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nHe falsely linked Iran to regional terror attacks. He did so duplicitously. He did with no credible evidence.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nHis so-called “irrefutable proof” was rubbish. He left unaddressed an Iranian motive or interest in Latin American terrorism. What possible purpose could it serve?\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nTehran\u2019s got everything to lose and nothing to gain. Israel and America benefit hugely. Iran’s falsely linked to incidents bearing their fingerprints globally.\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nReinventing history doesn’t wash. Scoundrels like Nisman try anyway. Even the State Department dismissed his deception.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nHe was invited to testify before Duncan’s committee. Argentina’s Attorney General denied his travel request.\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nShe and President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner want no part of his bogus allegations. They know others about Iran’s nuclear program are false and misleading.\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nTargeting Iran continues maliciously. Washington wants another independent government deposed. It wants pro-Western puppet regimes throughout the region. It wants them everywhere. Unchallenged imperial dominance matters most.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nStephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nHis new book is titled “Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity.”<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.claritypress.com\/LendmanII.html<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nVisit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nListen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nIt airs Fridays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.progressiveradionetwork.com\/the-progressive-news-hour\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.dailycensored.com\/syrian-opposition-in-disarray\/<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Republished with permission from: Stephen Lendman<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Syrian Opposition in Disarray by Stephen Lendman After 28 months of conflict, Assad defeated Washington’s best laid plans. Its Syrian National Coalition (SNC) opposition lacks effective leadership. It lacks legitimacy.\u00a0 It’s an artificial construct. It operates extrajudicially. It resembles a gang that can’t shoot straight. On July 8, another leader resigned.\u00a0 After four months, self-styled […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[487],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-49135","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-breaking-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/rinf.com\/alt-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49135","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/rinf.com\/alt-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/rinf.com\/alt-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/rinf.com\/alt-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/rinf.com\/alt-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49135"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/rinf.com\/alt-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49135\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/rinf.com\/alt-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49135"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/rinf.com\/alt-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49135"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/rinf.com\/alt-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49135"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}