28 aug 2013
This Palestinian teenager is one of the victims of the Israeli military’s illegal white phosphorous missile attacks on unarmed civilians, including a UN relief compound set up to shelter and provide medical attention to Palestinian refugees. Israel’s military conducted its own investigation of the incidents, apologized for the attack and called it a “grave error.”
A UN fact finding mission overseen by South African lawyer and former justice Richard Goldstone called the use of white phosphorous a “war crime.”
Obama ignores Israel's chemical weapons abuse while targeting Syrian government that may not be responsible for recent chemical attacks.
Few major mainstream American news outlets exposed the sordid details of a 2009 United Nations (UN) fact finding report that revealed how Israel’s military illegally aimed chemical missiles at a United Nations Relief & Work Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees in a 22-day invasion of the Gaza strip that began in 2008 called “Operation Cast Lead.” As the U.S. and world media watch to learn if claims that President Barack Obama will execute a military strike against Syria, without a vote of Congress or the support of the UN, the same media outlets are burying information that suggests preparation for war could be premature. Little media attention is being paid to claims from a UN commission that Syrian rebels, not government soldiers under President Bashar al-Assad’s control, were responsible for recent chemical weapons attacks that killed over 300 Syrians.
“During our investigation for crimes against humanity and war crimes, we collect some witness testimony that has made to appear that some chemical weapons were used. In particular, nerve gas,” said Carla del Ponte, a member of the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria. ”What appears to our investigation is that this was used by the opposition, by the rebels. We have no indication at all that the Syria government have used chemical weapons.”
What’s also questionable is why Obama has drawn a “line in the sand” over highly questionable allegations that Syrian soldiers used chemical weapons when the Israeli military was proven, and officials have admitted, to using chemical warfare to attack a United Nations relief compound. The facility provided shelter and medical attention to Palestinian refugees in 2009.
Cleveland Challenger obtained a copy of the 575 page 2009 UN report [PDF] that a fact finding mission headed by ex-South African Judge Richard Goldstone prepared after an investigation of the events surrounding Operation Cast Lead.
The Israeli missile and ground assault on the Gaza strip began on December 27, 2008 and ended on January 18, 2009. The attack resulted in an estimated 1100 to 14oo Palestinian deaths. 13 Israeli soldiers were killed. Four died from friendly fire.
The invasion was stimulated by Israel’s claims that rockets were being fired at Israeli’s by Hamas militants. Three Israeli civilians and one soldier were killed by Hamas’ rockets in the days leading up to the assault that led to an estimated $1.3 billion in damage to Palestinian property and businesses. Israel’s military was also accused by the UN fact finding mission of violating war protocols by using Palestinians as human shields, murdering unarmed civilians, destroying water and sewer treatment plants, and wiping out food supplies and production facilities to starve the population.
The UN commission Goldstone led met extensively with Palestinian officials, victims and survivors after the Israeli military assault. The interviews and investigation led to the discovery of information and evidence that Israel’s military deployed missiles containing “white phosphorous” against civilians and the hospital.
White phosphorous is a highly-combustible chemical agent that burns on contact with air. In humans it burns upon contact with skin and creates very deep tissue wounds. It can also cause death when inhaled. It’s customary use has been as a “smoke screen” although it is illegal to use against civilians in times of war. The UN commission found Israel’s use of the burning agent against the hospital to be particularly deplorable.
When first questioned about the white phosphorous missile allegations that struck the UNRWA compound, the Israeli military’s first response was to issue a denial. On January 15, 2009, three days before the attack ended, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak called the chemical weapon attack a “grave error” and allegedly apologized to UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. On the same day, Israeli President Shimon Peres apologized for the attack, but added the false claim that Israeli troops were being fired upon from inside the facility.
A UN fact finding mission overseen by South African lawyer and former justice Richard Goldstone called the use of white phosphorous a “war crime.”
Obama ignores Israel's chemical weapons abuse while targeting Syrian government that may not be responsible for recent chemical attacks.
Few major mainstream American news outlets exposed the sordid details of a 2009 United Nations (UN) fact finding report that revealed how Israel’s military illegally aimed chemical missiles at a United Nations Relief & Work Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees in a 22-day invasion of the Gaza strip that began in 2008 called “Operation Cast Lead.” As the U.S. and world media watch to learn if claims that President Barack Obama will execute a military strike against Syria, without a vote of Congress or the support of the UN, the same media outlets are burying information that suggests preparation for war could be premature. Little media attention is being paid to claims from a UN commission that Syrian rebels, not government soldiers under President Bashar al-Assad’s control, were responsible for recent chemical weapons attacks that killed over 300 Syrians.
“During our investigation for crimes against humanity and war crimes, we collect some witness testimony that has made to appear that some chemical weapons were used. In particular, nerve gas,” said Carla del Ponte, a member of the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria. ”What appears to our investigation is that this was used by the opposition, by the rebels. We have no indication at all that the Syria government have used chemical weapons.”
What’s also questionable is why Obama has drawn a “line in the sand” over highly questionable allegations that Syrian soldiers used chemical weapons when the Israeli military was proven, and officials have admitted, to using chemical warfare to attack a United Nations relief compound. The facility provided shelter and medical attention to Palestinian refugees in 2009.
Cleveland Challenger obtained a copy of the 575 page 2009 UN report [PDF] that a fact finding mission headed by ex-South African Judge Richard Goldstone prepared after an investigation of the events surrounding Operation Cast Lead.
The Israeli missile and ground assault on the Gaza strip began on December 27, 2008 and ended on January 18, 2009. The attack resulted in an estimated 1100 to 14oo Palestinian deaths. 13 Israeli soldiers were killed. Four died from friendly fire.
The invasion was stimulated by Israel’s claims that rockets were being fired at Israeli’s by Hamas militants. Three Israeli civilians and one soldier were killed by Hamas’ rockets in the days leading up to the assault that led to an estimated $1.3 billion in damage to Palestinian property and businesses. Israel’s military was also accused by the UN fact finding mission of violating war protocols by using Palestinians as human shields, murdering unarmed civilians, destroying water and sewer treatment plants, and wiping out food supplies and production facilities to starve the population.
The UN commission Goldstone led met extensively with Palestinian officials, victims and survivors after the Israeli military assault. The interviews and investigation led to the discovery of information and evidence that Israel’s military deployed missiles containing “white phosphorous” against civilians and the hospital.
White phosphorous is a highly-combustible chemical agent that burns on contact with air. In humans it burns upon contact with skin and creates very deep tissue wounds. It can also cause death when inhaled. It’s customary use has been as a “smoke screen” although it is illegal to use against civilians in times of war. The UN commission found Israel’s use of the burning agent against the hospital to be particularly deplorable.
When first questioned about the white phosphorous missile allegations that struck the UNRWA compound, the Israeli military’s first response was to issue a denial. On January 15, 2009, three days before the attack ended, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak called the chemical weapon attack a “grave error” and allegedly apologized to UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. On the same day, Israeli President Shimon Peres apologized for the attack, but added the false claim that Israeli troops were being fired upon from inside the facility.
South African attorney and former justice Richard Goldstone was blacklisted by Israel after he headed a fact finding mission to investigate war crimes committed against both Israeli’s and Palestinians after Isreal’s military invaded Palestine in a campaign called Operation Cast Lead. Israeli media reported, falsely, that Goldstone promised to “revoke” the report’s findings against Israel. Goldstone, who is also Jewish, was one of South Africa’s liberal justices and credited with working inside the system to undermine apartheid.
In a July 2009 report of its own findings, the Israeli government now led by President Benjamin Netanyahu, claimed the white phosphorous was supposed to have only been used as a smokescreen to protect soldiers from Hamas anti-tank crews that were claimed to have been operating adjacent to the compound. Israeli officials falsely claimed that only missile “fragments” entered the compound.
The UN fact finding group challenged the claims made by Israeli officials and accused them of understating the nature and extent of the chemical missile strikes. They identified 10 strikes inside the UNRWA compound, with seven white phosphorous container shells discharging completely or very substantially in the confines of a very limited space.
“This is not a matter of a limited number of wedges falling inside the compound or shrapnel or parts of shells landing in the compound as the shells exploded elsewhere. It is important to emphasize that we are dealing with shells exploding or discharging inside the compound in areas where hazardous material was stored.”
“Secondly, the claim that this result was neither intended nor anticipated has to be reviewed carefully. In the first place the Mission affirms the result to be reviewed is not fragments and wedges landing in the compound but ten shells landing and exploding inside the compound. It is difficult to accept that the consequences were not appreciated and foreseen by the Israeli armed forces.”
“Those in the Israeli army who deploy white phosphorous, or indeed any artillery shells, expertly trained to factor in the relevant complexities of targeting, including wind force and the earth’s curvature. They have to know the area they are firing at, possible obstacles in hitting the target and the other environmental factors necessary to ensure an effective strike. It is also clear that, having determined that it was necessary to establish a safety distance, the presence of the UNRWA installations was a factor present in the minds of those carrying out the shelling.”
“The question then becomes how specialists expertly trained in the complex issue of artillery deployment and aware of the presence of an extremely sensitive site can strike that site ten times while apparently trying to avoid it.”
Israeli government and military officials took issue with the report, but mainly focused effort at discrediting claims that they “randomly” and “intentionally” targeted and slaughtered Palestinian civilians. UN interviews revealed that Israeli soldiers herded an unarmed family of 29 into a home and bombed it.
Instead of sharing any of the details of the 575 page report with newspaper and magazine readers, and television viewers, the U.S. media concentrated all its attention on Israeli claims that denied the allegations.
In a July 2009 report of its own findings, the Israeli government now led by President Benjamin Netanyahu, claimed the white phosphorous was supposed to have only been used as a smokescreen to protect soldiers from Hamas anti-tank crews that were claimed to have been operating adjacent to the compound. Israeli officials falsely claimed that only missile “fragments” entered the compound.
The UN fact finding group challenged the claims made by Israeli officials and accused them of understating the nature and extent of the chemical missile strikes. They identified 10 strikes inside the UNRWA compound, with seven white phosphorous container shells discharging completely or very substantially in the confines of a very limited space.
“This is not a matter of a limited number of wedges falling inside the compound or shrapnel or parts of shells landing in the compound as the shells exploded elsewhere. It is important to emphasize that we are dealing with shells exploding or discharging inside the compound in areas where hazardous material was stored.”
“Secondly, the claim that this result was neither intended nor anticipated has to be reviewed carefully. In the first place the Mission affirms the result to be reviewed is not fragments and wedges landing in the compound but ten shells landing and exploding inside the compound. It is difficult to accept that the consequences were not appreciated and foreseen by the Israeli armed forces.”
“Those in the Israeli army who deploy white phosphorous, or indeed any artillery shells, expertly trained to factor in the relevant complexities of targeting, including wind force and the earth’s curvature. They have to know the area they are firing at, possible obstacles in hitting the target and the other environmental factors necessary to ensure an effective strike. It is also clear that, having determined that it was necessary to establish a safety distance, the presence of the UNRWA installations was a factor present in the minds of those carrying out the shelling.”
“The question then becomes how specialists expertly trained in the complex issue of artillery deployment and aware of the presence of an extremely sensitive site can strike that site ten times while apparently trying to avoid it.”
Israeli government and military officials took issue with the report, but mainly focused effort at discrediting claims that they “randomly” and “intentionally” targeted and slaughtered Palestinian civilians. UN interviews revealed that Israeli soldiers herded an unarmed family of 29 into a home and bombed it.
Instead of sharing any of the details of the 575 page report with newspaper and magazine readers, and television viewers, the U.S. media concentrated all its attention on Israeli claims that denied the allegations.
Carla del Ponte is a UN fact finder who’s continued to raise doubt that the Syrian military used chemical weapons containing “sarin” gas against the nation’s war weary people. What her commission did find was evidence that Syrian rebels used the illegal gas. So why is the Secretary of State John Kerry and U.S. defense Secretary Chuck Hagel pushing to attack the government for a crime a top UN official doesn’t believe they committed?
When Goldstone authored an opinion piece two years later, he said the report would have been different if Israel had cooperated and his fact finding mission had access to its officials and more information. U.S. reporters and columnists with the New York Times, Washington Post and Huffington Post used the statement to discredit the report in its 575 page entirety.
Goldstone’s opinion reflected that he’d only changed his mind about whether or not Israel “intentionally” targeted civilians in the 22 day military invasion of Palestine.
“The allegations of intentionality by Israel were based on the deaths of and injuries to civilians in situations where our fact-finding mission had no evidence on which to draw any other reasonable conclusion. While the investigations published by the Israeli military and recognized in the U.N. committee’s report have established the validity of some incidents that we investigated in cases involving individual soldiers, they also indicate that civilians were not intentionally targeted as a matter of policy.”
Goldstone also took the opportunity to balance a legitimate Israeli government complaint that his 2009 report concentrated the majority of its criticism on Israel and made little or no reference to Hamas’ attacks on innocent Israeli citizens.
Nothing, however, in Goldstone’s opinion two years later, denounced his fact finding mission’s findings as U.S. reporters seem to have intentionally tried to shield Israel from criticism.
As I indicated from the very beginning, I would have welcomed Israel’s cooperation. The purpose of the Goldstone Report was never to prove a foregone conclusion against Israel. I insisted on changing the original mandate adopted by the Human Rights Council, which was skewed against Israel. I have always been clear that Israel, like any other sovereign nation, has the right and obligation to defend itself and its citizens against attacks from abroad and within. Something that has not been recognized often enough is the fact that our report marked the first time illegal acts of terrorism from Hamas were being investigated and condemned by the United Nations. I had hoped that our inquiry into all aspects of the Gaza conflict would begin a new era of evenhandedness at the U.N. Human Rights Council, whose history of bias against Israel cannot be doubted.
When Goldstone authored an opinion piece two years later, he said the report would have been different if Israel had cooperated and his fact finding mission had access to its officials and more information. U.S. reporters and columnists with the New York Times, Washington Post and Huffington Post used the statement to discredit the report in its 575 page entirety.
Goldstone’s opinion reflected that he’d only changed his mind about whether or not Israel “intentionally” targeted civilians in the 22 day military invasion of Palestine.
“The allegations of intentionality by Israel were based on the deaths of and injuries to civilians in situations where our fact-finding mission had no evidence on which to draw any other reasonable conclusion. While the investigations published by the Israeli military and recognized in the U.N. committee’s report have established the validity of some incidents that we investigated in cases involving individual soldiers, they also indicate that civilians were not intentionally targeted as a matter of policy.”
Goldstone also took the opportunity to balance a legitimate Israeli government complaint that his 2009 report concentrated the majority of its criticism on Israel and made little or no reference to Hamas’ attacks on innocent Israeli citizens.
Nothing, however, in Goldstone’s opinion two years later, denounced his fact finding mission’s findings as U.S. reporters seem to have intentionally tried to shield Israel from criticism.
As I indicated from the very beginning, I would have welcomed Israel’s cooperation. The purpose of the Goldstone Report was never to prove a foregone conclusion against Israel. I insisted on changing the original mandate adopted by the Human Rights Council, which was skewed against Israel. I have always been clear that Israel, like any other sovereign nation, has the right and obligation to defend itself and its citizens against attacks from abroad and within. Something that has not been recognized often enough is the fact that our report marked the first time illegal acts of terrorism from Hamas were being investigated and condemned by the United Nations. I had hoped that our inquiry into all aspects of the Gaza conflict would begin a new era of evenhandedness at the U.N. Human Rights Council, whose history of bias against Israel cannot be doubted.
News links Syria Israeli media
‘Jordan won't be launchpad for Syria war’
Britain, Germany: Syria cannot go unpunished
Arab League ministers to blame Assad for chemical attack
Putin, Rohani oppose chemical arms, military intervention in Syria
Britain: Security Council should see chemical report before vote
Gantz to meet with US Defense Ministry envoy
US: Syria can't hide behind Russia at UN Security Council
Russian source: We won't intervene if Syria attacked
Britain proposes Syria resolution; Russia objects
UN Social Security convenes to discuss Syria
Syria envoy alleges rebel gas attack, demands UN investigation
Turkey says "all options" open on Syria, military on alert
Syria PM: We will win any strike
NATO: Evidence points to use of chemical weapons by Syria
UK national security council unanimously backs action on Syria
Buchbut: Councils not ready for a Syria strike
Cabinet okays limited IDF reserves call-up due to Syria crisis
Jordanian source: Special forces positioned along Syria border
Ya'alon on Syria: We're planning, preparing, but not panicking
Al Jazeera: Thousands of affluent Syrians flee to Lebanon
PM: No need to change routine, IDF prepared to protect citizens
Russia says too early for UN resolution on Syria attack
‘Jordan won't be launchpad for Syria war’
Britain, Germany: Syria cannot go unpunished
Arab League ministers to blame Assad for chemical attack
Putin, Rohani oppose chemical arms, military intervention in Syria
Britain: Security Council should see chemical report before vote
Gantz to meet with US Defense Ministry envoy
US: Syria can't hide behind Russia at UN Security Council
Russian source: We won't intervene if Syria attacked
Britain proposes Syria resolution; Russia objects
UN Social Security convenes to discuss Syria
Syria envoy alleges rebel gas attack, demands UN investigation
Turkey says "all options" open on Syria, military on alert
Syria PM: We will win any strike
NATO: Evidence points to use of chemical weapons by Syria
UK national security council unanimously backs action on Syria
Buchbut: Councils not ready for a Syria strike
Cabinet okays limited IDF reserves call-up due to Syria crisis
Jordanian source: Special forces positioned along Syria border
Ya'alon on Syria: We're planning, preparing, but not panicking
Al Jazeera: Thousands of affluent Syrians flee to Lebanon
PM: No need to change routine, IDF prepared to protect citizens
Russia says too early for UN resolution on Syria attack
File photo shows Israeli forces near the Lebanese border.
The Israeli military has staged a maneuver at a northern airport amid reports of a possible military intervention in the violence-stricken Syria, Israeli media say.
According to a report by the Israeli website Ynet, the military exercise kicked off at Rosh Pina Airport in northern Israel early on Wednesday. The drill was scheduled to continue until afternoon.
However, Yosef Glasberg, the airport’s director, said there was no connection between the drill and the reports of a possible attack on Syria.
Another two-day military exercise is also set to take place in the occupied Golan Heights later this week.
Meanwhile, Israeli newspaper Ma’ariv reported that the Israelis are not ready to cope with chemical strikes, while about 40 percent of Israeli residents are not provided with gas masks.
On August 21, the militants operating inside Syria and the foreign-backed Syrian opposition claimed that 1,300 people had been killed in a government chemical attack on militant strongholds in the Damascus suburbs of Ain Tarma, Zamalka and Jobar.
A number of Western countries, including the US, France, and the UK, were quick to adopt war rhetoric against Syria despite the fact that Damascus categorically rejected the baseless claim.
Since Tuesday, speculation has become stronger about the possibility of a military attack on Syria. Media outlets have been reporting US plans for likely surgical attacks, which would be in the form of “cruise-missile strikes,” and “could rely on four US destroyers in the Mediterranean.” The plan, however, seems to be awaiting US President Barack Obama’s go-ahead.
The Israeli military has staged a maneuver at a northern airport amid reports of a possible military intervention in the violence-stricken Syria, Israeli media say.
According to a report by the Israeli website Ynet, the military exercise kicked off at Rosh Pina Airport in northern Israel early on Wednesday. The drill was scheduled to continue until afternoon.
However, Yosef Glasberg, the airport’s director, said there was no connection between the drill and the reports of a possible attack on Syria.
Another two-day military exercise is also set to take place in the occupied Golan Heights later this week.
Meanwhile, Israeli newspaper Ma’ariv reported that the Israelis are not ready to cope with chemical strikes, while about 40 percent of Israeli residents are not provided with gas masks.
On August 21, the militants operating inside Syria and the foreign-backed Syrian opposition claimed that 1,300 people had been killed in a government chemical attack on militant strongholds in the Damascus suburbs of Ain Tarma, Zamalka and Jobar.
A number of Western countries, including the US, France, and the UK, were quick to adopt war rhetoric against Syria despite the fact that Damascus categorically rejected the baseless claim.
Since Tuesday, speculation has become stronger about the possibility of a military attack on Syria. Media outlets have been reporting US plans for likely surgical attacks, which would be in the form of “cruise-missile strikes,” and “could rely on four US destroyers in the Mediterranean.” The plan, however, seems to be awaiting US President Barack Obama’s go-ahead.
Hundreds of Syrians were killed by what government calls a chemical weapons attack carried out by militants on August 21, 2013
Syria’s deputy foreign minister says the United States, Britain and France helped militants fighting against the Damascus government to use chemical weapons.
On Wednesday, Faisal al-Miqdad also called on the West to stop aiding militant groups operating in his country, saying the same groups would soon use chemical weapons against Europe.
"We repeat that the terrorist groups are the ones that used (chemical weapons) with the help of the United States, the United Kingdom and France, and this has to stop," Reuters quoted him as saying.
"This means these chemical weapons will soon be used by the same groups against the people of Europe," he added.
Al-Miqdad also said he had presented UN chemical weapons inspectors with evidence proving that "armed terrorist groups" were behind deadly chemical attacks near Damascus last week.
His remarks came as the West appears to be moving toward taking military action against Damascus over allegations that it has used chemical weapons.
The Syrian government has repeatedly said it was not involved in the poison gas attack near Damascus on August 21, which killed hundreds of people.
Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki dismissed any foreign military intervention in Syria as a "dead end," which has nothing in it but the destruction of Syria.
"Nothing is obvious on the horizon other than destruction, catastrophe and a civil war that has no winner," Maliki said on Wednesday.
He added that Iraqi troops and politicians are on a "high state of alert" to mitigate any effects the possible war in the neighboring country might have on Iraq.
Syria’s deputy foreign minister says the United States, Britain and France helped militants fighting against the Damascus government to use chemical weapons.
On Wednesday, Faisal al-Miqdad also called on the West to stop aiding militant groups operating in his country, saying the same groups would soon use chemical weapons against Europe.
"We repeat that the terrorist groups are the ones that used (chemical weapons) with the help of the United States, the United Kingdom and France, and this has to stop," Reuters quoted him as saying.
"This means these chemical weapons will soon be used by the same groups against the people of Europe," he added.
Al-Miqdad also said he had presented UN chemical weapons inspectors with evidence proving that "armed terrorist groups" were behind deadly chemical attacks near Damascus last week.
His remarks came as the West appears to be moving toward taking military action against Damascus over allegations that it has used chemical weapons.
The Syrian government has repeatedly said it was not involved in the poison gas attack near Damascus on August 21, which killed hundreds of people.
Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki dismissed any foreign military intervention in Syria as a "dead end," which has nothing in it but the destruction of Syria.
"Nothing is obvious on the horizon other than destruction, catastrophe and a civil war that has no winner," Maliki said on Wednesday.
He added that Iraqi troops and politicians are on a "high state of alert" to mitigate any effects the possible war in the neighboring country might have on Iraq.
White House press secretary Jay Carney answers questions about Syria and chemical weapons during his daily news briefing at the White House in Washington on Aug. 27, 2013
A senior Obama administration official said Wednesday a possible US military action against Syria would not be a limited assault.
The administration is considering more than a single set of military action and "the options are not limited just to one day" of strikes, the senior official told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
US intelligence agencies are preparing a report laying out evidence against the Syrian government after reports emerged last week that an alleged chemical attack in the suburbs of Damascus had killed hundreds of civilians.
The classified version of the report would be submitted to key members of Congress and a declassified version would be released publicly, according to AP.
President Obama had earlier directed the US intelligence community to gather information about the alleged attack. United Nations inspectors, who are in Syria to visit the site of the attack, have yet to release their findings.
The White House, however, says it is already convinced chemical weapons were used in last Wednesday’s incident and that the Syrian government was responsible.
"Allowing the use of chemical weapons on a significant scale to take place without a response would present a significant challenge to, threat to the United States' national security," White House spokesman Jay Carney said Tuesday.
Also on Tuesday, Vice President Joe Biden became the highest-ranking American official to publicly accuse the Syrian government of using chemical weapons on militant strongholds near Damascus.
"There's no doubt who is responsible for this heinous use of chemical weapons in Syria, the Syrian regime," Biden said.
The government of President Bashar al-Assad has rejected any role in the chemical attack. Russia, a key ally of Syria, insists that the attack was "clearly provocative in nature," and that it was staged by foreign-backed militant groups to incriminate the Assad government.
The Pentagon has moved more warships into place in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and American war planners have updated strike targets that include government and military installations inside Syria.
A senior Obama administration official said Wednesday a possible US military action against Syria would not be a limited assault.
The administration is considering more than a single set of military action and "the options are not limited just to one day" of strikes, the senior official told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
US intelligence agencies are preparing a report laying out evidence against the Syrian government after reports emerged last week that an alleged chemical attack in the suburbs of Damascus had killed hundreds of civilians.
The classified version of the report would be submitted to key members of Congress and a declassified version would be released publicly, according to AP.
President Obama had earlier directed the US intelligence community to gather information about the alleged attack. United Nations inspectors, who are in Syria to visit the site of the attack, have yet to release their findings.
The White House, however, says it is already convinced chemical weapons were used in last Wednesday’s incident and that the Syrian government was responsible.
"Allowing the use of chemical weapons on a significant scale to take place without a response would present a significant challenge to, threat to the United States' national security," White House spokesman Jay Carney said Tuesday.
Also on Tuesday, Vice President Joe Biden became the highest-ranking American official to publicly accuse the Syrian government of using chemical weapons on militant strongholds near Damascus.
"There's no doubt who is responsible for this heinous use of chemical weapons in Syria, the Syrian regime," Biden said.
The government of President Bashar al-Assad has rejected any role in the chemical attack. Russia, a key ally of Syria, insists that the attack was "clearly provocative in nature," and that it was staged by foreign-backed militant groups to incriminate the Assad government.
The Pentagon has moved more warships into place in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and American war planners have updated strike targets that include government and military installations inside Syria.
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Syrian father 'reunited' with his young son, who he believed had died in a chemical weapons attack.
The amateur footage is thought to have come from Zamalka, near Damascus. UN chemical weapons experts are in Syria gathering evidence from recent attacks, which residents say killed hundreds |
No need to panic, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon says as preparations ahead of possible US strike on Syria intensify
The Security Cabinet approved a limited call-up of reserve soldiers as preparations for a possible US strike on Syria and retaliation against Israel intensified on Wednesday afternoon.
The call-up, already under way Wednesday according to Army Radio, was mainly for personnel involved in homefront defense tasks.
The cabinet met for five hours, and heard briefings about the likely developments concerning an imminent US-led attack on Syria, in response to the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons in attacks that killed hundreds of Syrians last Wednesday. Security chiefs told ministers they assessed as low the likelihood of Syria striking at Israel in retaliation for a US attack. On Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel would respond forcefully to any Syrian threat. On Wednesday, he was quoted encouraging Israelis to maintain heir normal routine.
Hebrew media have reported that the US would inform Israel ahead of a US-led strike.
Israeli officials asked residents to keep calm and stick to their normal routines despite threats emanating from Damascus.
“We are getting ready and are prepared, but there is no panic,” Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said Wednesday while speaking at a Tel Aviv economic conference. “The Syrians have crossed a red line set by the Americans. We are not dealing with this issue, the West and the Unites States are,” he added.
The limited call up came hours after the IDF was reported to have deployed additional Iron Dome batteries, Arrow short-range rocket defense systems and Patriot missile-defense batteries in the north and areas near the Syrian border.
The call up is likely intended to bolster IDF’s Home Front Command, which is largely staffed by reservists, and would deal with any rocket attacks on Israeli cities.
The official said the mobilization will include civil defense units and reservists in air and rocket defense units. He spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal announcement.
Officials briefed on the meeting said the call-up is anticipated to bring in “hundreds” of troops.
With the US threatening to attack Syria over its alleged use of chemical weapons, Israel fears that Syria may respond with an attack on Israel, though officially the army estimates that Damascus will not bomb Israel.
“The Middle East, in the near future, will be characterized by a chronic instability,” the defense minister said in Tel Aviv. “However, our borders are stable despite isolated incidents. Our responses illustrate our own red lines and are based on deterrence.”
The Security Cabinet approved a limited call-up of reserve soldiers as preparations for a possible US strike on Syria and retaliation against Israel intensified on Wednesday afternoon.
The call-up, already under way Wednesday according to Army Radio, was mainly for personnel involved in homefront defense tasks.
The cabinet met for five hours, and heard briefings about the likely developments concerning an imminent US-led attack on Syria, in response to the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons in attacks that killed hundreds of Syrians last Wednesday. Security chiefs told ministers they assessed as low the likelihood of Syria striking at Israel in retaliation for a US attack. On Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel would respond forcefully to any Syrian threat. On Wednesday, he was quoted encouraging Israelis to maintain heir normal routine.
Hebrew media have reported that the US would inform Israel ahead of a US-led strike.
Israeli officials asked residents to keep calm and stick to their normal routines despite threats emanating from Damascus.
“We are getting ready and are prepared, but there is no panic,” Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said Wednesday while speaking at a Tel Aviv economic conference. “The Syrians have crossed a red line set by the Americans. We are not dealing with this issue, the West and the Unites States are,” he added.
The limited call up came hours after the IDF was reported to have deployed additional Iron Dome batteries, Arrow short-range rocket defense systems and Patriot missile-defense batteries in the north and areas near the Syrian border.
The call up is likely intended to bolster IDF’s Home Front Command, which is largely staffed by reservists, and would deal with any rocket attacks on Israeli cities.
The official said the mobilization will include civil defense units and reservists in air and rocket defense units. He spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal announcement.
Officials briefed on the meeting said the call-up is anticipated to bring in “hundreds” of troops.
With the US threatening to attack Syria over its alleged use of chemical weapons, Israel fears that Syria may respond with an attack on Israel, though officially the army estimates that Damascus will not bomb Israel.
“The Middle East, in the near future, will be characterized by a chronic instability,” the defense minister said in Tel Aviv. “However, our borders are stable despite isolated incidents. Our responses illustrate our own red lines and are based on deterrence.”
A political analyst says Israel is provoking the United States to take military action against Syria, Press TV reports.
Author and Middle East expert, Kevin Barrett, made the remarks in a recent interview with Press TV.
“Today the US enjoys a massive military advantage on the world. And these crazy people like [Lyman Louis] Lemnitzer who wanted to incinerate the planet in (Operation Northwoods) 1962 are willing to incinerate the planet today in order to try to preserve this US hegemony over the world. So, the Israelis are provoking people like that to try to start this war.”
Lemnitzer was Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1960 to 1962. He continued to serve as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO from 1963 to 1969.
The political analyst further said that Tel Aviv resorted to such premature and baseless accusations “every time they launch a major false flag attack.”
Regarding the recent controversial use of chemical weapons in Syria, Barrett said Israel was quick to accuse the Syrian government of using the weapons in order to lay out “their preferred road map to what should follow.”
On August 21, the militants operating inside Syria and the foreign-backed Syrian opposition claimed that 1,300 people had been killed in a government chemical attack on militant strongholds in the Damascus suburbs of Ain Tarma, Zamalka and Jobar.
Syria has categorically rejected the claims as baseless.
Barrett also pointed out that the incident took place as a team of UN chemical weapons inspectors were visiting Syria, adding that the idea that the Syrian government would use chemicals weapons at such a time was "the worst kind of conspiracy theory."
He also said that Israel was eager to destabilize Syria and other Middle Eastern countries.
“The Israelis have completely run US foreign policy since they staged the 9/11 coup d’état ...[Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu invented the war on terror in 1979 at the Jerusalem Conference on International Terrorism.” (Video on the link)
Author and Middle East expert, Kevin Barrett, made the remarks in a recent interview with Press TV.
“Today the US enjoys a massive military advantage on the world. And these crazy people like [Lyman Louis] Lemnitzer who wanted to incinerate the planet in (Operation Northwoods) 1962 are willing to incinerate the planet today in order to try to preserve this US hegemony over the world. So, the Israelis are provoking people like that to try to start this war.”
Lemnitzer was Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1960 to 1962. He continued to serve as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO from 1963 to 1969.
The political analyst further said that Tel Aviv resorted to such premature and baseless accusations “every time they launch a major false flag attack.”
Regarding the recent controversial use of chemical weapons in Syria, Barrett said Israel was quick to accuse the Syrian government of using the weapons in order to lay out “their preferred road map to what should follow.”
On August 21, the militants operating inside Syria and the foreign-backed Syrian opposition claimed that 1,300 people had been killed in a government chemical attack on militant strongholds in the Damascus suburbs of Ain Tarma, Zamalka and Jobar.
Syria has categorically rejected the claims as baseless.
Barrett also pointed out that the incident took place as a team of UN chemical weapons inspectors were visiting Syria, adding that the idea that the Syrian government would use chemicals weapons at such a time was "the worst kind of conspiracy theory."
He also said that Israel was eager to destabilize Syria and other Middle Eastern countries.
“The Israelis have completely run US foreign policy since they staged the 9/11 coup d’état ...[Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu invented the war on terror in 1979 at the Jerusalem Conference on International Terrorism.” (Video on the link)
Image from Syria opposition's Shaam News Network on Aug. 17, 2013 shows damage in Zamalka, a suburb of Damascus
Senior Fatah official Abbas Zaki said Wednesday that military action against Syria targets all Arabs and only serves the interests of Israel.
"Despite our opposition to using chemical weapons by groups that want to create excuses to destroy Syria, we are sure that the West will use this as an excuse to intervene in Syrian affairs," Zaki told Ma'an.
Syria can play a pivotal role in regional security and leaders must end the crisis through peaceful means, he said.
The Fatah central committee member also accused the United States of a double standard policy towards Israel, which used white phosphorus in civilian areas during the 2008-2009 war on Gaza.
Zaki stressed the categorical rejection of any military campaign in Syria, warning of a detrimental impact on security in the Arab world.
The United States and its allies have pressed their case for likely military action against President Bashar Assad's regime, despite stern warnings against intervention from Damascus' key allies Russia and Iran.
Senior Fatah official Abbas Zaki said Wednesday that military action against Syria targets all Arabs and only serves the interests of Israel.
"Despite our opposition to using chemical weapons by groups that want to create excuses to destroy Syria, we are sure that the West will use this as an excuse to intervene in Syrian affairs," Zaki told Ma'an.
Syria can play a pivotal role in regional security and leaders must end the crisis through peaceful means, he said.
The Fatah central committee member also accused the United States of a double standard policy towards Israel, which used white phosphorus in civilian areas during the 2008-2009 war on Gaza.
Zaki stressed the categorical rejection of any military campaign in Syria, warning of a detrimental impact on security in the Arab world.
The United States and its allies have pressed their case for likely military action against President Bashar Assad's regime, despite stern warnings against intervention from Damascus' key allies Russia and Iran.
The Israeli regime has deployed its missile system near its border with Syria as the rhetoric of war against Syria gains momentum.
On Tuesday, Israeli media reported that Tel Aviv has put its Patriot missile system on alert in north of occupied Palestinian territories where another missile system known as Iron Dome has been already operating.
Tel Aviv's move comes after the US announced its plans to attack Syria.
In the last few days, US officials have repeatedly referred to "surgical strikes" on Syrian military installations while discussing US military options for Syria.
On Tuesday, US Vice President Joe Biden said that "There's no doubt who is responsible for this heinous use of chemical weapons in Syria: the Syrian regime."
On Monday night, four US warships were deployed in the Mediterranean within cruise missile range of Syria.
On August 21, the militants operating inside Syria and the foreign-backed Syrian opposition claimed that 1,300 people had been killed in a government chemical attack on militant strongholds in the Damascus suburbs of Ain Tarma, Zamalka and Jobar.
A number of Western countries, including the US, France, and the UK, were quick to adopt the rhetoric of war against Syria despite the fact that Damascus has categorically rejected the baseless claim, and announced later that the chemical attack had actually been carried out by the militants themselves as a false flag operation.
Iran, Russia and China, among other countries, have warned against foreign military intervention in Syria, which has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011.
A very large number of the militants operating inside Syria are reportedly foreign nationals.
The United Nations says more than 100,000 people have been killed and many more displaced since the outbreak of the violence.
This article was originally published at PressTV
On Tuesday, Israeli media reported that Tel Aviv has put its Patriot missile system on alert in north of occupied Palestinian territories where another missile system known as Iron Dome has been already operating.
Tel Aviv's move comes after the US announced its plans to attack Syria.
In the last few days, US officials have repeatedly referred to "surgical strikes" on Syrian military installations while discussing US military options for Syria.
On Tuesday, US Vice President Joe Biden said that "There's no doubt who is responsible for this heinous use of chemical weapons in Syria: the Syrian regime."
On Monday night, four US warships were deployed in the Mediterranean within cruise missile range of Syria.
On August 21, the militants operating inside Syria and the foreign-backed Syrian opposition claimed that 1,300 people had been killed in a government chemical attack on militant strongholds in the Damascus suburbs of Ain Tarma, Zamalka and Jobar.
A number of Western countries, including the US, France, and the UK, were quick to adopt the rhetoric of war against Syria despite the fact that Damascus has categorically rejected the baseless claim, and announced later that the chemical attack had actually been carried out by the militants themselves as a false flag operation.
Iran, Russia and China, among other countries, have warned against foreign military intervention in Syria, which has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011.
A very large number of the militants operating inside Syria are reportedly foreign nationals.
The United Nations says more than 100,000 people have been killed and many more displaced since the outbreak of the violence.
This article was originally published at PressTV
US forces are readying to strike Syria, though the West insists its goal is not regime change but to punish President Bashar Assad's government for unleashing chemical warfare on civilians.
The ground for a military intervention was laid out by US Vice President Joe Biden, who for the first time said last week's attack, thought to have killed hundreds, could only have been perpetrated by Assad's forces.
But the onrushing likelihood of action within days was met with defiance in Damascus, with regime officials pledging to fight any attack with "surprise" measures, while Syrian allies Russia and Iran warned of dire consequences.
But Britain and France also moved to back the use of force in Syria, while the White House promised to provide declassified evidence this week to prove that last Wednesday's chemical attack was the work of regime forces.
The economic cost also started to be counted, as global stocks dived and world oil prices hit a six-month high.
Analysts expect to see cruise missiles launched from US and allied submarines, ships and possibly planes, firing into Syria from outside its waters and airspace.
Biden said an "essential international norm" had been violated in Syria.
"There is no doubt who is responsible for this heinous use of chemical weapons in Syria -- the Syrian regime," Biden said on Tuesday.
"The president believes and I believe that those who use chemical weapons against defenseless men, women and children should and must be held accountable."
Foreign Policy magazine reported late Tuesday that US intelligence had intercepted communications involving a Syrian defense ministry official last week in "panicked phone calls" with the leader of a chemical weapons unit.
That official was "demanding answers for a nerve agent strike that killed more than 1,000 people," the magazine said. It added that this is the main reason the United States is certain that Syria used chemical weapons against civilians.
During a news conference earlier Tuesday, Syria's Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said Damascus would defend itself.
"We have two options: either to surrender, or to defend ourselves with the means at our disposal," he said. "The second choice is the best. We will defend ourselves."
US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the American military was already prepared to act if President Barack Obama gave the order -- though White House aides said no final decision had been taken.
"We have moved assets in place to be able to fulfil and comply with whatever option the president wishes to take," Hagel said in Brunei. "We are ready to go, like that."
French President Francois Hollande said his country was "ready to punish" those behind the chemical attacks and that he would meet the Syrian opposition's leader Thursday.
In London, Prime Minister David Cameron recalled parliament to discuss the crisis and slammed Syria's use of chemical weapons as "morally indefensible."
The White House said that any US action would be to defend the principle that chemical weapons should not be used -- and would not aim to topple Assad, despite previous calls for him to go.
"I want to make clear that the options that we are considering are not about regime change," said Obama's spokesman Jay Carney, noting that a declassified version of a US intelligence investigation into the attack would be released this week.
Carney refused to say whether Washington would seek a UN Security Council mandate for action, despite the likelihood of a Russian veto.
A military campaign in Syria is expected to be limited in scope, likely to last only several days and to target military sites but not the chemical weapons stocks themselves, sources in Washington said.
An opposition Syrian National Coalition official said in Beirut that the group expects a Western military intervention and it has been consulted over targets, which included airports, military bases and arms depots.
"It's a question of days and not weeks," said Ahmad Ramadan, adding that "there have been meetings between the Coalition, the (rebel) Free Syrian Army and allied countries."
The White House, meanwhile, said Obama had called British Premier Cameron on Tuesday to discuss the Syria crisis, their second call in as many days. The US president has also spoken to the leaders of Australia, Canada and France.
Cameron's deputy Nick Clegg echoed US assurances about not seeking regime change. The Arab League meanwhile put the "entire responsibility" for the "horrible crime" in Syria on Assad's government.
The regime has denied it fired chemical weapons into the Damascus suburb, killing many of the victims in their beds. It says the rebels battling Assad in a vicious civil war are responsible.
Syria's ally Moscow maintained its stance against military action.
"Attempts to bypass the Security Council, once again to create artificial groundless excuses for a military intervention in the region are fraught with new suffering in Syria and catastrophic consequences for other countries of the Middle East and North Africa," a Russian foreign ministry spokesman said.
Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, said on Twitter that: "The West behaves towards the Islamic world like a monkey with a grenade."
Iran, Syria's main regional ally, said Western action would threaten the stability and security of the region.
But another key regional power Turkey, said the chemical attack was a "crime against humanity" that "cannot go unpunished."
Amid fears of reprisals for any Western attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a fierce retaliation if his country came under fire.
"We are not part of the civil war in Syria, but if we detect any attempt to hurt us, we will react, and react fiercely," he said.
Increasing signs of impending military action hit global stock markets.
Most European equities fell sharply as investors ignored solid data from Germany and nervously eyed Syria, sending the price of safe-haven gold soaring.
Oil prices also soared, with Brent crude striking six-month highs on supply concerns.
The ground for a military intervention was laid out by US Vice President Joe Biden, who for the first time said last week's attack, thought to have killed hundreds, could only have been perpetrated by Assad's forces.
But the onrushing likelihood of action within days was met with defiance in Damascus, with regime officials pledging to fight any attack with "surprise" measures, while Syrian allies Russia and Iran warned of dire consequences.
But Britain and France also moved to back the use of force in Syria, while the White House promised to provide declassified evidence this week to prove that last Wednesday's chemical attack was the work of regime forces.
The economic cost also started to be counted, as global stocks dived and world oil prices hit a six-month high.
Analysts expect to see cruise missiles launched from US and allied submarines, ships and possibly planes, firing into Syria from outside its waters and airspace.
Biden said an "essential international norm" had been violated in Syria.
"There is no doubt who is responsible for this heinous use of chemical weapons in Syria -- the Syrian regime," Biden said on Tuesday.
"The president believes and I believe that those who use chemical weapons against defenseless men, women and children should and must be held accountable."
Foreign Policy magazine reported late Tuesday that US intelligence had intercepted communications involving a Syrian defense ministry official last week in "panicked phone calls" with the leader of a chemical weapons unit.
That official was "demanding answers for a nerve agent strike that killed more than 1,000 people," the magazine said. It added that this is the main reason the United States is certain that Syria used chemical weapons against civilians.
During a news conference earlier Tuesday, Syria's Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said Damascus would defend itself.
"We have two options: either to surrender, or to defend ourselves with the means at our disposal," he said. "The second choice is the best. We will defend ourselves."
US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the American military was already prepared to act if President Barack Obama gave the order -- though White House aides said no final decision had been taken.
"We have moved assets in place to be able to fulfil and comply with whatever option the president wishes to take," Hagel said in Brunei. "We are ready to go, like that."
French President Francois Hollande said his country was "ready to punish" those behind the chemical attacks and that he would meet the Syrian opposition's leader Thursday.
In London, Prime Minister David Cameron recalled parliament to discuss the crisis and slammed Syria's use of chemical weapons as "morally indefensible."
The White House said that any US action would be to defend the principle that chemical weapons should not be used -- and would not aim to topple Assad, despite previous calls for him to go.
"I want to make clear that the options that we are considering are not about regime change," said Obama's spokesman Jay Carney, noting that a declassified version of a US intelligence investigation into the attack would be released this week.
Carney refused to say whether Washington would seek a UN Security Council mandate for action, despite the likelihood of a Russian veto.
A military campaign in Syria is expected to be limited in scope, likely to last only several days and to target military sites but not the chemical weapons stocks themselves, sources in Washington said.
An opposition Syrian National Coalition official said in Beirut that the group expects a Western military intervention and it has been consulted over targets, which included airports, military bases and arms depots.
"It's a question of days and not weeks," said Ahmad Ramadan, adding that "there have been meetings between the Coalition, the (rebel) Free Syrian Army and allied countries."
The White House, meanwhile, said Obama had called British Premier Cameron on Tuesday to discuss the Syria crisis, their second call in as many days. The US president has also spoken to the leaders of Australia, Canada and France.
Cameron's deputy Nick Clegg echoed US assurances about not seeking regime change. The Arab League meanwhile put the "entire responsibility" for the "horrible crime" in Syria on Assad's government.
The regime has denied it fired chemical weapons into the Damascus suburb, killing many of the victims in their beds. It says the rebels battling Assad in a vicious civil war are responsible.
Syria's ally Moscow maintained its stance against military action.
"Attempts to bypass the Security Council, once again to create artificial groundless excuses for a military intervention in the region are fraught with new suffering in Syria and catastrophic consequences for other countries of the Middle East and North Africa," a Russian foreign ministry spokesman said.
Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, said on Twitter that: "The West behaves towards the Islamic world like a monkey with a grenade."
Iran, Syria's main regional ally, said Western action would threaten the stability and security of the region.
But another key regional power Turkey, said the chemical attack was a "crime against humanity" that "cannot go unpunished."
Amid fears of reprisals for any Western attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a fierce retaliation if his country came under fire.
"We are not part of the civil war in Syria, but if we detect any attempt to hurt us, we will react, and react fiercely," he said.
Increasing signs of impending military action hit global stock markets.
Most European equities fell sharply as investors ignored solid data from Germany and nervously eyed Syria, sending the price of safe-haven gold soaring.
Oil prices also soared, with Brent crude striking six-month highs on supply concerns.
Four Palestinian refugees were killed Tuesday in the ongoing clashes in Syria, a Palestinian group said.
The Workforce for Palestinians in Syria said in a statement that Mir’i Muhammad died shortly after he sustained critical wounds by shrapnel from a shell which landed near Abu Siyam Bakery in the Yarmouk refugee camp.
The other three were Palestinian fighters affiliated to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command who joined Syrian regime troops in a battle in Sayyida Zeinab refugee camp against the Free Army rebels. The statement identified the victims as Mahmoud Muhammad Thahir, Tariq Muhammad al-Khatib and Salih Hussein al-Sharqi.
According to the report, clashes with light weapons broke out in several battlegrounds in the Yarmouk camp in Damascus between the Syrian army and the rebels. Simultaneously, a shell landed in al-Jaouna Street in the camp leaving several people lightly injured.
The Huseiniyya refugee camp was hit by several shells in different areas causing material damage, but no human casualties. The camp has been besieged by Syrian regime forces for months causing a serious humanitarian crisis. Residents who remained in the camp say they suffer serious shortages in foods and medicines. Electricity networks and telecommunications were down in the camp for several weeks, according to the report.
Sbeina refugee camp south of Damascus was hit by shells overnight Tuesday in tandem with clashes in different areas across the camp between the Syrian regime forces and the Free Army rebels. The statement by the Workforce for Palestinians in Syria highlighted that a fire erupted in an apartment as a result of a shell which hit the apartment overnight. The Syrian regime forces have been attempting to break into the camp for a week. Meanwhile, residents complained that Free Army rebels robbed several houses and stores.
The Workforce for Palestinians in Syria said in a statement that Mir’i Muhammad died shortly after he sustained critical wounds by shrapnel from a shell which landed near Abu Siyam Bakery in the Yarmouk refugee camp.
The other three were Palestinian fighters affiliated to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command who joined Syrian regime troops in a battle in Sayyida Zeinab refugee camp against the Free Army rebels. The statement identified the victims as Mahmoud Muhammad Thahir, Tariq Muhammad al-Khatib and Salih Hussein al-Sharqi.
According to the report, clashes with light weapons broke out in several battlegrounds in the Yarmouk camp in Damascus between the Syrian army and the rebels. Simultaneously, a shell landed in al-Jaouna Street in the camp leaving several people lightly injured.
The Huseiniyya refugee camp was hit by several shells in different areas causing material damage, but no human casualties. The camp has been besieged by Syrian regime forces for months causing a serious humanitarian crisis. Residents who remained in the camp say they suffer serious shortages in foods and medicines. Electricity networks and telecommunications were down in the camp for several weeks, according to the report.
Sbeina refugee camp south of Damascus was hit by shells overnight Tuesday in tandem with clashes in different areas across the camp between the Syrian regime forces and the Free Army rebels. The statement by the Workforce for Palestinians in Syria highlighted that a fire erupted in an apartment as a result of a shell which hit the apartment overnight. The Syrian regime forces have been attempting to break into the camp for a week. Meanwhile, residents complained that Free Army rebels robbed several houses and stores.
27 aug 2013
News links Syria
Here Are the Four Missiles That May Fly Over Syria
Foreigners without gas masks: 'We're frightened as well'
IDF estimates: Syrian retaliation against Israel unlikely
Haredim at gas mask distribution centers: ‘State abandoning us’
Cabinet okays IDF reserves call-up due to Syria crisis
IDF deploys full missile defenses against Syria
Report: 20 injured in another chemical attack in Syria
Ya'alon pledges IDF's 'might' against Syria
Top Syrian official: Tel Aviv will be hit if Damascus attacked
Israelis flood ABC masks distribution points, fearing Syrian strike
Netanyahu warns of 'strong Israeli response' if attacked by Syria
Here Are the Four Missiles That May Fly Over Syria
Foreigners without gas masks: 'We're frightened as well'
IDF estimates: Syrian retaliation against Israel unlikely
Haredim at gas mask distribution centers: ‘State abandoning us’
Cabinet okays IDF reserves call-up due to Syria crisis
IDF deploys full missile defenses against Syria
Report: 20 injured in another chemical attack in Syria
Ya'alon pledges IDF's 'might' against Syria
Top Syrian official: Tel Aviv will be hit if Damascus attacked
Israelis flood ABC masks distribution points, fearing Syrian strike
Netanyahu warns of 'strong Israeli response' if attacked by Syria
The guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107)
Senior American officials say the United States has planned to launch missile strikes against Syria “as early as Thursday” in order to punish Damascus over the alleged use of chemical weapons.
The unnamed officials told NBC News on Tuesday that the “three days” of strikes would be limited in scope, and aimed at “sending a message to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad rather than degrading his military capabilities.”
On Monday night, four US warships were deployed in the Mediterranean within cruise missile range of Syria.
American defense officials said if the US wants to send a message to Assad, the most likely military action would be a Tomahawk missile strike, launched from a ship in the Mediterranean.
The US military has beefed up equipment during the past weeks. Several nuclear-powered submarines are reportedly in the waters near Syria, also cruise-missile equipped.
The report came one day after US Secretary of State John Kerry accused the Syrian government of using chemical weapons.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem on Tuesday accused Kerry of lying about the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government, challenging Washington and its allies to provide evidence.
This is while the UN inspectors are still in Syria to investigate the chemical weapons attacks and they are not scheduled to leave the country until Sunday.
Russia and China have both warned against a US-led military intervention in Syria. Moscow says a military action would have "catastrophic consequences" for the entire region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told British Prime Minister David Cameron in a telephone call Monday that there was no evidence that an attack had taken place or who was responsible.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned on Monday that the use of force without a U.N. mandate would violate international law.
Senior American officials say the United States has planned to launch missile strikes against Syria “as early as Thursday” in order to punish Damascus over the alleged use of chemical weapons.
The unnamed officials told NBC News on Tuesday that the “three days” of strikes would be limited in scope, and aimed at “sending a message to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad rather than degrading his military capabilities.”
On Monday night, four US warships were deployed in the Mediterranean within cruise missile range of Syria.
American defense officials said if the US wants to send a message to Assad, the most likely military action would be a Tomahawk missile strike, launched from a ship in the Mediterranean.
The US military has beefed up equipment during the past weeks. Several nuclear-powered submarines are reportedly in the waters near Syria, also cruise-missile equipped.
The report came one day after US Secretary of State John Kerry accused the Syrian government of using chemical weapons.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem on Tuesday accused Kerry of lying about the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government, challenging Washington and its allies to provide evidence.
This is while the UN inspectors are still in Syria to investigate the chemical weapons attacks and they are not scheduled to leave the country until Sunday.
Russia and China have both warned against a US-led military intervention in Syria. Moscow says a military action would have "catastrophic consequences" for the entire region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told British Prime Minister David Cameron in a telephone call Monday that there was no evidence that an attack had taken place or who was responsible.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned on Monday that the use of force without a U.N. mandate would violate international law.
A Syrian man receives treatment at a hospital in Aleppo, northwestern Syria, following a chemical attack at Khan al-Assal village, March 19, 2013
A senior member of Iran’s Majlis says the Israeli regime will be the first entity to fall victim in case of a potential military intervention by the United States in Syria.
Iran’s Majlis Director General for International Affairs Hossein Sheikholeslam stressed on Monday that a military strike on Syria is very unlikely, but added that if it actually occurred, “the first victim… would be the Zionist regime (Israel), because the Syrian military… can launch a major offensive on” Israel and “flatten the place that is tied to the US’s national security.”
On August 23, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the Pentagon was positioning military forces as part of “contingency options” provided to US President Barack Obama regarding Syria.
Hagel made the comments after the militants operating inside Syria and the foreign-backed Syrian opposition claimed on August 21 that 1,300 people had been killed in a government chemical attack on militant strongholds in Damascus suburbs of Ain Tarma, Zamalka and Jobar. However, the Syrian government categorically rejected the baseless claim, and announced later that the chemical attack had actually been carried out by the militants themselves as a false flag operation.
On August 26, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad reacted to the US threat, warning that defeat will await the United States if it launches a war on Syria. He described the recent allegations against the Syrian government as an “insult to common sense” and “nonsense.”
Sheikholeslam described the accusation that the chemical attack was carried out by the government forces in Syria as a Western-Arab plot against Damascus, saying the Syrian army’s major gains in its fight against the Takfiri militants “have confused the armed militants and placed them in a situation of decline.”
The Iranian official further pointed to the role of Russia in the Syrian issue and said Moscow will not repeat the same mistake it made regarding Libya in 2011.
A senior member of Iran’s Majlis says the Israeli regime will be the first entity to fall victim in case of a potential military intervention by the United States in Syria.
Iran’s Majlis Director General for International Affairs Hossein Sheikholeslam stressed on Monday that a military strike on Syria is very unlikely, but added that if it actually occurred, “the first victim… would be the Zionist regime (Israel), because the Syrian military… can launch a major offensive on” Israel and “flatten the place that is tied to the US’s national security.”
On August 23, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the Pentagon was positioning military forces as part of “contingency options” provided to US President Barack Obama regarding Syria.
Hagel made the comments after the militants operating inside Syria and the foreign-backed Syrian opposition claimed on August 21 that 1,300 people had been killed in a government chemical attack on militant strongholds in Damascus suburbs of Ain Tarma, Zamalka and Jobar. However, the Syrian government categorically rejected the baseless claim, and announced later that the chemical attack had actually been carried out by the militants themselves as a false flag operation.
On August 26, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad reacted to the US threat, warning that defeat will await the United States if it launches a war on Syria. He described the recent allegations against the Syrian government as an “insult to common sense” and “nonsense.”
Sheikholeslam described the accusation that the chemical attack was carried out by the government forces in Syria as a Western-Arab plot against Damascus, saying the Syrian army’s major gains in its fight against the Takfiri militants “have confused the armed militants and placed them in a situation of decline.”
The Iranian official further pointed to the role of Russia in the Syrian issue and said Moscow will not repeat the same mistake it made regarding Libya in 2011.
Syria has accused US Secretary of State John Kerry of lying by claiming there is "undeniable" evidence of a large-scale chemical weapons attack in Syria likely carried out by the regime.
A statement on the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency says Kerry's insistence on "jumping over" the work of UN experts in Syria shows that the US has deliberate intentions to exploit events.
Kerry said Monday there is "undeniable" evidence of a chemical weapons attack, with intelligence strongly pointing to President Bashar Assad's government as being responsible. President Barack Obama has not decided how to respond to the purported use of deadly gases in the August 21 attack in the Damascus suburbs, which activists say killed hundreds of people.
SANA in the statement Tuesday said Kerry has "fabricated" evidence.
The British government said Tuesday its military was drawing up contingency plans for a possible military attack on Syria.
The possible military response would be in reaction to an alleged chemical attack on civilians in Syria.
Prime Minister David Cameron is facing pressure to recall Parliament later this week to discuss the crisis in Syria.
Cameron's office said Tuesday that the UK is considering a "proportionate" response that would deter Syrian President Bashar Assad from using chemical weapons in the future.
A statement on the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency says Kerry's insistence on "jumping over" the work of UN experts in Syria shows that the US has deliberate intentions to exploit events.
Kerry said Monday there is "undeniable" evidence of a chemical weapons attack, with intelligence strongly pointing to President Bashar Assad's government as being responsible. President Barack Obama has not decided how to respond to the purported use of deadly gases in the August 21 attack in the Damascus suburbs, which activists say killed hundreds of people.
SANA in the statement Tuesday said Kerry has "fabricated" evidence.
The British government said Tuesday its military was drawing up contingency plans for a possible military attack on Syria.
The possible military response would be in reaction to an alleged chemical attack on civilians in Syria.
Prime Minister David Cameron is facing pressure to recall Parliament later this week to discuss the crisis in Syria.
Cameron's office said Tuesday that the UK is considering a "proportionate" response that would deter Syrian President Bashar Assad from using chemical weapons in the future.
A senior Israeli delegation has visited the White House to discuss recent developments in the Middle East - including the Syrian issue.
US National Security Advisor Susan Rice on Monday met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s top national security advisor, retired major general Yaakov Amidror.
The talks come as the US is preparing for a possible attack on Syria, where American authorities say the government crossed a ‘red line’ last week when it used chemical arms in its fight against militants. Damascus rejected the allegation, saying the armed groups launched the alleged chemical attack that killed hundreds of civilians.
On Sunday, Israeli President Shimon Peres called for an international action against the Syrian government. Israel has put its own military on high alert.
The US and its Western allies may launch a military strike against Syria, and the talks are set to coordinate a joint preparation for such an attack, Israeli newspaper Haaretz said Monday.
According to the newspaper, Amidror, who led the delegation, was joined by Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Gilad, head of the diplomatic security department at the Defense Ministry; Nimrod Shefer, head of the Israel Defense Forces planning department; Itai Baron, head of the research division in Military Intelligence; Jeremy Issacharoff, head of the strategy department in the Foreign Ministry, and senior officials from the Shin Bet.
Israel’s Ambassador to Washington Michael Oren was also set to join the talks, the paper said.
US National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said the officials would also discuss Iran’s nuclear energy program and the Egyptian unrest among “a range of other regional security issues.”(Video on the link)
US National Security Advisor Susan Rice on Monday met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s top national security advisor, retired major general Yaakov Amidror.
The talks come as the US is preparing for a possible attack on Syria, where American authorities say the government crossed a ‘red line’ last week when it used chemical arms in its fight against militants. Damascus rejected the allegation, saying the armed groups launched the alleged chemical attack that killed hundreds of civilians.
On Sunday, Israeli President Shimon Peres called for an international action against the Syrian government. Israel has put its own military on high alert.
The US and its Western allies may launch a military strike against Syria, and the talks are set to coordinate a joint preparation for such an attack, Israeli newspaper Haaretz said Monday.
According to the newspaper, Amidror, who led the delegation, was joined by Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Gilad, head of the diplomatic security department at the Defense Ministry; Nimrod Shefer, head of the Israel Defense Forces planning department; Itai Baron, head of the research division in Military Intelligence; Jeremy Issacharoff, head of the strategy department in the Foreign Ministry, and senior officials from the Shin Bet.
Israel’s Ambassador to Washington Michael Oren was also set to join the talks, the paper said.
US National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said the officials would also discuss Iran’s nuclear energy program and the Egyptian unrest among “a range of other regional security issues.”(Video on the link)
26 aug 2013
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Sec. State Kerry Prepares WMD Pretext Ahead of Syria Attack
Once again the US invokes false flag attacks and outright lies to stoke the flames of war. John "Lurch" Kerry gave a speech today that is going to lead us to WW3. Channeling Colin Powell, Dubya and the Kuwaiti Incubator Girl, "Lurch" the ketchup baron laid out a series of lies and falsehoods about the Syrian government to justify more military action in that region. Of course "Lurch" said they will never be able to find proof of who carried out the attack. The military industrial complex is going into over drive as two large wars and numerous covert ops around the world are not enough satisfy our satanic overlords. They want more blood more dead kids and Al-Qaeda outposts in every middle eastern country. It's time to call the government puppets out, they are liars. Here is an analysis from Alex Jones -- Spread it far and wide. Here is the video proof straight from the liars mouths. Don't say you didn't know, don't say you weren't warned, don't enlist in their foreign wars of aggression. Speak out and be prepared for more false flag attacks, more lies and calls for war. Chemical weapons attacks are just the beginning. |
Flashback: Yahoo Uncovered Syria Chemical Weapon False Flag in January
[John Kerry carries out WMD Bush legacy like a loyal Skull & Bones Brother Should]
Remember Bush 2nd term debates revealed that John Kerry was a bonesman like Bush.
[John Kerry admits to Skull and Bones Membership on 'Meet The Press']
[SKULL AND BONES: GEORGE BUSH AND JOHN KERRY]
[John Kerry carries out WMD Bush legacy like a loyal Skull & Bones Brother Should]
Remember Bush 2nd term debates revealed that John Kerry was a bonesman like Bush.
[John Kerry admits to Skull and Bones Membership on 'Meet The Press']
[SKULL AND BONES: GEORGE BUSH AND JOHN KERRY]
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President Obama is weighing a military strike against Syria that would be of limited scope and duration, designed to serve as punishment for Syria’s use of chemical weapons and as a deterrent, while keeping the United States out of deeper involvement in that country’s civil war, according to senior administration officials.
The timing of such an attack, which would probably last no more than two days and involve sea-launched cruise missiles — or, possibly, long-range bombers — striking military targets not directly related to Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal, would be dependent on three factors: completion of an intelligence report assessing Syrian government culpability in last week’s alleged chemical attack; ongoing consultation with allies and Congress; and determination of a justification under international law.
“We’re actively looking at the various legal angles that would inform a decision,” said an official who spoke about the presidential deliberations on the condition of anonymity. Missile-armed U.S. warships are already positioned in the Mediterranean.
As the administration moved rapidly toward a decision, Secretary of State John F. Kerry said the use of chemical weapons in an attack Wednesday against opposition strongholds on the outskirts of Damascus is now “undeniable.”
Evidence being gathered by United Nations experts in Syria was important, Kerry said, but not necessary to prove what is already “grounded in facts, informed by conscience and guided by common sense.”
The team of U.N. weapons investigators on Monday visited one of three rebel-held suburbs where the alleged attack took place, after first being forced to withdraw when their vehicles came under sniper fire. The Syrian government, which along with Russia has suggested that the rebels were responsible for the chemical attack, agreed to the U.N. inspection over the weekend.
Videos and statements by witnesses and relief organizations such as Doctors Without Borders have proved that an attack occurred, Kerry said. The U.S. intelligence report is to be released this week.
Among the factors, officials said, are that only the government is known to possess chemical weapons and the rockets to deliver them, and its continuing control of chemical stocks has been closely monitored by U.S. intelligence.
Kerry said Syrian forces had engaged in a “cynical attempt to cover up” their actions, not only by delaying the arrival of the U.N. team but by shelling the affected area continually. Any U.S. strike would probably await the departure of the U.N. inspectors from Syria.
Kerry’s statement, which he read to reporters in the State Department briefing room without taking questions, was part of an escalating administration drumbeat, which is likely to include a public statement by Obama in coming days. Officials said the public warnings are designed partly to wring any possible cooperation out of Russia — or an unlikely admission from the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad — before Obama makes his decision. (Video on the link)
The timing of such an attack, which would probably last no more than two days and involve sea-launched cruise missiles — or, possibly, long-range bombers — striking military targets not directly related to Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal, would be dependent on three factors: completion of an intelligence report assessing Syrian government culpability in last week’s alleged chemical attack; ongoing consultation with allies and Congress; and determination of a justification under international law.
“We’re actively looking at the various legal angles that would inform a decision,” said an official who spoke about the presidential deliberations on the condition of anonymity. Missile-armed U.S. warships are already positioned in the Mediterranean.
As the administration moved rapidly toward a decision, Secretary of State John F. Kerry said the use of chemical weapons in an attack Wednesday against opposition strongholds on the outskirts of Damascus is now “undeniable.”
Evidence being gathered by United Nations experts in Syria was important, Kerry said, but not necessary to prove what is already “grounded in facts, informed by conscience and guided by common sense.”
The team of U.N. weapons investigators on Monday visited one of three rebel-held suburbs where the alleged attack took place, after first being forced to withdraw when their vehicles came under sniper fire. The Syrian government, which along with Russia has suggested that the rebels were responsible for the chemical attack, agreed to the U.N. inspection over the weekend.
Videos and statements by witnesses and relief organizations such as Doctors Without Borders have proved that an attack occurred, Kerry said. The U.S. intelligence report is to be released this week.
Among the factors, officials said, are that only the government is known to possess chemical weapons and the rockets to deliver them, and its continuing control of chemical stocks has been closely monitored by U.S. intelligence.
Kerry said Syrian forces had engaged in a “cynical attempt to cover up” their actions, not only by delaying the arrival of the U.N. team but by shelling the affected area continually. Any U.S. strike would probably await the departure of the U.N. inspectors from Syria.
Kerry’s statement, which he read to reporters in the State Department briefing room without taking questions, was part of an escalating administration drumbeat, which is likely to include a public statement by Obama in coming days. Officials said the public warnings are designed partly to wring any possible cooperation out of Russia — or an unlikely admission from the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad — before Obama makes his decision. (Video on the link)
Can anyone recall a single moment of greater nonsense in international affairs than the one the world is living right now, as the UN inspectors examine the gas-attack victims in Syria and the chemicals used and give us their verdict? A half-dozen nations, including the U.S. and Britain, stand ready to attack if this reddest of red lines -- the Assad regime's use of chemical weapons -- is crossed, and it all depends on a group of scientists.
Of course, the scientists will find evidence of the gas, and the Assad regime will say, "Hold on. That's XYZ sarin, and all our sarin is type ABC. Here: take a few liters straight out of our stockpile and see for yourselves."
And then some savant from -- oh, let's take some nice, quiet, neutral picturesque place -- from Israel will say, "That's true, but you can easily make XYZ from ABC. All you need to do is add a little JKL and a dash of salt -- all stuff you can buy at the local drugstore -- and you're there."
And just to be sure that this Israeli is not talking out the Netanyahu side of his mouth, another talking head from -- oh, let's take a nice, quiet, neutral place that runs a mile from anything military -- from M.I.T. will confirm that this is true, and add the opinion, "Y'know, if I wanted to gas my people and I had ABC sarin, this is exactly how I'd disguise it." And off we go to war.
Well.
It's instructive to remember a couple of things as we await the learned words of the UN scientists. First, the Syrian government is now winning the war. Russia continues to help out with arms, Hezbollah has sent their seasoned fighters. Things are looking up. What need is there to bring in deadly gas? The only element that could galvanize public opinion beyond Syria's borders -- and the mainstream media is really whacking the old drum -- is the use of chemical weapons. Even the Syrian military brass could not be that stupid.
Second, where did the major chemical attack occur? In some distant village accessible only by donkey? No, it took place just a short drive from downtown Damascus. Medecins Sans Frontieres had no people in the area, but hospital doctors contacted them and gave them details. Nice of them.
Third, when did this gas attack happen? As the rebels were gathering for a final assault on Damascus? Was this attack the Assad regime's last desperate attempt to hold on to power?
Far from it. The rebels have splintered and turned on each other . This was predictable. To judge from every Middle Eastern crisis, Arabs cannot wash a car together without disagreeing, then arguing, then insulting, then separating, then agreeing after tedious negotiations to each wash half the car, then arguing because each wants to wash the more prestigious front half, then insulting more and ending up slugging it out. No, the Syrian military has the crucial ingredient of unity that the rebels lack, and the Assad regime knows it. All it has had to do was wait out the rebels.
In short, it looks to me as if some powerful people want to get America and Nato into the war, and if it takes a gas attack on innocents to do it, well, it does.
I would imagine that President Obama, who nearly alone in Washington wishes to avoid the Syria mess, is watching this and resenting the hands on his back pushing him into another war. In his mind he has long ago run through the argument I've laid out here, but he knows he can't make it in public: it would be taken as yet another sign of weakness. Such is politics.
His wise instinct, back in the day, was to avoid the Libya mess -- until Hillary Clinton reversed course. Too bad: today Libya has no democracy and is still a mess, a long step down from the Qaddafi days, when Libya had the highest standard of living in Africa.
The previous link to Hillary Clinton is also instructive in another regard. From a New York Times looking-back-on-it analysis, the article has this line in it: "T hat night, with Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi 's forces turning back the rebellion that threatened his rule, Mrs. Clinton changed course, forming an unlikely alliance with a handful of top administration aides who had been arguing for intervention."
It would seem, then, that this winning formula has been taken out and oiled up again. For Bashar Assad's forces are "turning back the rebellion that threatens his rule." And someone has decided to do something about it.
A SHORT BIO
I was born in Detroit in 1959, though I lived my formative years in Stillwater, Minnesota, a town just south of Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegon, or at least one of the villages he based it on. I graduated from Stillwater High in 1977 and from the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis in 1983; I have a B.A. in International Relations. I took a leisurely six years to finish my college education. Along the way I studied in both Spain and France, and saw most of western Europe; I also learned Portuguese.
I have always been an English teacher -- work I stumbled into as a student in Madrid. Finishing college, I lived in Quito, Ecuador, where I taught English. I also traveled around South America, visiting almost every country, most notably Brazil, and have been back to Ecuador and Brazil since then, traveling and researching books.
I settled permanently in Madrid in 1985, and married a few years later. I keep my bread buttered by teaching English courses on a freelance basis in Spanish companies in the Madrid area. If you look at my web page, you'll see that half is for my English business.
I give an hour, maybe two, of class, then pack up my briefcase and leave behind my students clinched to their computer screens; I can never be too grateful to teaching. My work also gives me time to write, every morning roughly between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (the Spanish lunch hour), since at that time Spaniards are too busy raising company profits to ponder the mysteries of the verb Get.
As to my writing, I will only say that, as in holding English class for seven bank technocrats at 8 a.m., I try to speak brightly, move things briskly, and teach minimally. No example should be without its humor, no lesson without its respect for people's intelligence.
And so from my perch in Spain I write about America, and try to offer the perspective of one who can see it both inside and outside, both the trees and the woods. It is an extraordinary time in the nation's history, especially regarding the growing contempt between the governors and the governed. It will end badly. But in the meantime, what a magnificent spectacle, like one of Tintoretto's immense canvases boiling with humanity. Damn the falling rates of literacy; it's a great time to write novels.
Of course, the scientists will find evidence of the gas, and the Assad regime will say, "Hold on. That's XYZ sarin, and all our sarin is type ABC. Here: take a few liters straight out of our stockpile and see for yourselves."
And then some savant from -- oh, let's take some nice, quiet, neutral picturesque place -- from Israel will say, "That's true, but you can easily make XYZ from ABC. All you need to do is add a little JKL and a dash of salt -- all stuff you can buy at the local drugstore -- and you're there."
And just to be sure that this Israeli is not talking out the Netanyahu side of his mouth, another talking head from -- oh, let's take a nice, quiet, neutral place that runs a mile from anything military -- from M.I.T. will confirm that this is true, and add the opinion, "Y'know, if I wanted to gas my people and I had ABC sarin, this is exactly how I'd disguise it." And off we go to war.
Well.
It's instructive to remember a couple of things as we await the learned words of the UN scientists. First, the Syrian government is now winning the war. Russia continues to help out with arms, Hezbollah has sent their seasoned fighters. Things are looking up. What need is there to bring in deadly gas? The only element that could galvanize public opinion beyond Syria's borders -- and the mainstream media is really whacking the old drum -- is the use of chemical weapons. Even the Syrian military brass could not be that stupid.
Second, where did the major chemical attack occur? In some distant village accessible only by donkey? No, it took place just a short drive from downtown Damascus. Medecins Sans Frontieres had no people in the area, but hospital doctors contacted them and gave them details. Nice of them.
Third, when did this gas attack happen? As the rebels were gathering for a final assault on Damascus? Was this attack the Assad regime's last desperate attempt to hold on to power?
Far from it. The rebels have splintered and turned on each other . This was predictable. To judge from every Middle Eastern crisis, Arabs cannot wash a car together without disagreeing, then arguing, then insulting, then separating, then agreeing after tedious negotiations to each wash half the car, then arguing because each wants to wash the more prestigious front half, then insulting more and ending up slugging it out. No, the Syrian military has the crucial ingredient of unity that the rebels lack, and the Assad regime knows it. All it has had to do was wait out the rebels.
In short, it looks to me as if some powerful people want to get America and Nato into the war, and if it takes a gas attack on innocents to do it, well, it does.
I would imagine that President Obama, who nearly alone in Washington wishes to avoid the Syria mess, is watching this and resenting the hands on his back pushing him into another war. In his mind he has long ago run through the argument I've laid out here, but he knows he can't make it in public: it would be taken as yet another sign of weakness. Such is politics.
His wise instinct, back in the day, was to avoid the Libya mess -- until Hillary Clinton reversed course. Too bad: today Libya has no democracy and is still a mess, a long step down from the Qaddafi days, when Libya had the highest standard of living in Africa.
The previous link to Hillary Clinton is also instructive in another regard. From a New York Times looking-back-on-it analysis, the article has this line in it: "T hat night, with Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi 's forces turning back the rebellion that threatened his rule, Mrs. Clinton changed course, forming an unlikely alliance with a handful of top administration aides who had been arguing for intervention."
It would seem, then, that this winning formula has been taken out and oiled up again. For Bashar Assad's forces are "turning back the rebellion that threatens his rule." And someone has decided to do something about it.
A SHORT BIO
I was born in Detroit in 1959, though I lived my formative years in Stillwater, Minnesota, a town just south of Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegon, or at least one of the villages he based it on. I graduated from Stillwater High in 1977 and from the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis in 1983; I have a B.A. in International Relations. I took a leisurely six years to finish my college education. Along the way I studied in both Spain and France, and saw most of western Europe; I also learned Portuguese.
I have always been an English teacher -- work I stumbled into as a student in Madrid. Finishing college, I lived in Quito, Ecuador, where I taught English. I also traveled around South America, visiting almost every country, most notably Brazil, and have been back to Ecuador and Brazil since then, traveling and researching books.
I settled permanently in Madrid in 1985, and married a few years later. I keep my bread buttered by teaching English courses on a freelance basis in Spanish companies in the Madrid area. If you look at my web page, you'll see that half is for my English business.
I give an hour, maybe two, of class, then pack up my briefcase and leave behind my students clinched to their computer screens; I can never be too grateful to teaching. My work also gives me time to write, every morning roughly between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (the Spanish lunch hour), since at that time Spaniards are too busy raising company profits to ponder the mysteries of the verb Get.
As to my writing, I will only say that, as in holding English class for seven bank technocrats at 8 a.m., I try to speak brightly, move things briskly, and teach minimally. No example should be without its humor, no lesson without its respect for people's intelligence.
And so from my perch in Spain I write about America, and try to offer the perspective of one who can see it both inside and outside, both the trees and the woods. It is an extraordinary time in the nation's history, especially regarding the growing contempt between the governors and the governed. It will end badly. But in the meantime, what a magnificent spectacle, like one of Tintoretto's immense canvases boiling with humanity. Damn the falling rates of literacy; it's a great time to write novels.
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Part 1 of the New World Order: Order out of Chaos series.
See my new video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxZY8_...
People are allowed to reupload my videos provided they ask for permission and provide a link to the original videos.
The war has begun!
Get ready for thermonuclear warfare!
Remember to watch in HD for MUCH better quality.
Don't forget to like and share!
Some more news not included in this video:
Nuclear Attack on Syria 2 -- May 11, 2013
The identification of the nuclear explosion can be confirmed by the lightning observed in the mushroom cloud cited discussed by Veteran's Today: Gordon Duff.
Nuclear Bomb Blast
"The fireball produces temperatures up to millions of degrees, shock waves similar to a large earthquake, flashes similar to lightning and intense radiation."
The use of a nuclear weapon has also been confirmed by the flash driving all spectrums of monitoring cameras into saturation.
Israel Nuclear Attack On Syria Confirmed -- May 07, 2013
"Analysis of the video from Syria proves it to be a nuclear air burst beyond all doubt.
Many people said the blast could not have been nuclear because the color was wrong. But a frame analysis of the exact frame that captured the initial blast proves the camera maxed out in all 3 color channels, which by itself proves the blast was nuclear."
The May 5, 2013 Israeli Nuclear Attack on Syria -- 55 Dead? Make That 10,000! -- - May 14, 2013
"Then Syria reported the complete loss of 2 entire military divisions, and the Aleppo airport to three huge blasts "of a weapons type they had not witnessed before".
So the real death count (could) be in the tens of thousands, and Syria might not even have a real military left."
See my new video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxZY8_...
People are allowed to reupload my videos provided they ask for permission and provide a link to the original videos.
The war has begun!
Get ready for thermonuclear warfare!
Remember to watch in HD for MUCH better quality.
Don't forget to like and share!
Some more news not included in this video:
Nuclear Attack on Syria 2 -- May 11, 2013
The identification of the nuclear explosion can be confirmed by the lightning observed in the mushroom cloud cited discussed by Veteran's Today: Gordon Duff.
Nuclear Bomb Blast
"The fireball produces temperatures up to millions of degrees, shock waves similar to a large earthquake, flashes similar to lightning and intense radiation."
The use of a nuclear weapon has also been confirmed by the flash driving all spectrums of monitoring cameras into saturation.
Israel Nuclear Attack On Syria Confirmed -- May 07, 2013
"Analysis of the video from Syria proves it to be a nuclear air burst beyond all doubt.
Many people said the blast could not have been nuclear because the color was wrong. But a frame analysis of the exact frame that captured the initial blast proves the camera maxed out in all 3 color channels, which by itself proves the blast was nuclear."
The May 5, 2013 Israeli Nuclear Attack on Syria -- 55 Dead? Make That 10,000! -- - May 14, 2013
"Then Syria reported the complete loss of 2 entire military divisions, and the Aleppo airport to three huge blasts "of a weapons type they had not witnessed before".
So the real death count (could) be in the tens of thousands, and Syria might not even have a real military left."
Israeli sources has reported that military and security commanders in Tel Aviv believe that a limited war between Israel and Syria is possible should Washington decide to strike Syrian targets, and Syria’s army of President Bashar Assad.
The sources said that once the Syrian army is facing a war with the U.S and other countries, it will not be able to operate along the border, and that a likely scenario is that missiles will be fired into Israel, but the Israeli defense systems, and the Air Force, will be able to intercept and destroy Syrian missiles.
Israeli Channel 10 quoted a senior Israeli army general stating that, despite the current analysis of the situation, all Israelis are advised to seriously take instructions issued by the military, especially regarding gas masks.
It added that Israeli Defense Minister, Moshe (Bogie) Ya'alon, recently visited northern border areas to personally review preparations along the border amidst talks of a U.S-led war on Syria.
Furthermore, Israeli security and military officers stated that all current indications show that any attack carried out by the Syrian army against Israel will be week, as the army is exhausted facing fighters and armed opposition in his country.
They said that what this really mean is that Syria does not have enough military supplies and capabilities, its army is weakening, therefore it will not be able to attack Israel, and any possible war will be limited.
The officials further stated that, in the case of a war, Israelis would have to use shelters, insulated rooms, and that “such a war would break the routine in the Israeli society”.
An Israeli army commander at the Northern Front stated that the army is capable of intercepting long-range and high velocity missiles using the advanced Tamir Missile Shield systems.
The commander added that Israel doubled the deployment of its soldiers along the northern border, and even increased the number of support brigades, as part of the preparation for further escalation with Syria.
Channel 10 said that the number of Israelis who are now asking to be handed gas masks witnessed a sharp increase, while just a few days ago they were mocking the chances of a war with Damascus.
On Sunday, Israeli President, Shimon Peres, met the visiting French Foreign Minister, and urged France to act against the Syrian president and his army, and to destroy the “Syrian chemical weapons”.
The sources said that once the Syrian army is facing a war with the U.S and other countries, it will not be able to operate along the border, and that a likely scenario is that missiles will be fired into Israel, but the Israeli defense systems, and the Air Force, will be able to intercept and destroy Syrian missiles.
Israeli Channel 10 quoted a senior Israeli army general stating that, despite the current analysis of the situation, all Israelis are advised to seriously take instructions issued by the military, especially regarding gas masks.
It added that Israeli Defense Minister, Moshe (Bogie) Ya'alon, recently visited northern border areas to personally review preparations along the border amidst talks of a U.S-led war on Syria.
Furthermore, Israeli security and military officers stated that all current indications show that any attack carried out by the Syrian army against Israel will be week, as the army is exhausted facing fighters and armed opposition in his country.
They said that what this really mean is that Syria does not have enough military supplies and capabilities, its army is weakening, therefore it will not be able to attack Israel, and any possible war will be limited.
The officials further stated that, in the case of a war, Israelis would have to use shelters, insulated rooms, and that “such a war would break the routine in the Israeli society”.
An Israeli army commander at the Northern Front stated that the army is capable of intercepting long-range and high velocity missiles using the advanced Tamir Missile Shield systems.
The commander added that Israel doubled the deployment of its soldiers along the northern border, and even increased the number of support brigades, as part of the preparation for further escalation with Syria.
Channel 10 said that the number of Israelis who are now asking to be handed gas masks witnessed a sharp increase, while just a few days ago they were mocking the chances of a war with Damascus.
On Sunday, Israeli President, Shimon Peres, met the visiting French Foreign Minister, and urged France to act against the Syrian president and his army, and to destroy the “Syrian chemical weapons”.
25 aug 2013
Prominent Israeli Cabinet ministers are calling for a U.S.-led response to an alleged chemical attack in Syria last week that the prime minister describes as a "terrible crime." Benjamin Netanyahu told his Cabinet Sunday that "this situation cannot continue." Justice Minister Tzipi Livni told Israel Radio that a U.S. response to the alleged poison gas attack would help discourage future chemical weapons use, but also have security implications for Israel.
Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz told Army Radio the attack requires a response. He said the chances that Syria would attack Israel as a result of U.S. action were slim but that the army should be prepared for such an eventuality.
Neither Netanyahu nor the ministers specified what type of response they were urging. The U.S. is considering military options.
Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz told Army Radio the attack requires a response. He said the chances that Syria would attack Israel as a result of U.S. action were slim but that the army should be prepared for such an eventuality.
Neither Netanyahu nor the ministers specified what type of response they were urging. The U.S. is considering military options.
Any US military intervention in Syria will merely exacerbate the crisis in the Arab country and put the globe on the brink of another world war, a political analyst tells Press TV.
“US military involvement [in Syria] obviously would not resolve the crisis. It would just make it worse as always happens when the US military gets involved in parts of the world where it has no business being,” said Kevin Barrett in a Saturday interview with Press TV.
“This is a dangerous move because we’re really on the edge of a potential World War III in Syria. The region is being destabilized more and more at every moment,” he pointed out.
On Friday, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said that the Pentagon was positioning military forces as part of “contingency options” provided to US President Barack Obama regarding Syria.
Hagel’s remarks have been interpreted as a tacit suggestion that the US may be preparing for a military attack on Syria.
Also on Friday, some American military officials said that Washington was considering military options against Syria over the allegations of chemical weapons use by the Syrian government.
Barrett, noted that pressures by the hard-line Israeli lobby are also behind such hawkish US posturing.
On Wednesday, the militants operating in Syria claimed that around 1,300 people were killed in a government chemical attack on militant strongholds in the Damascus suburbs of Ain Tarma, Zamalka and Jobar.
But the Syrian Army strongly rejected any role in the alleged chemical attack, saying the accusations were fabricated to distract a visiting team of the UN chemical weapons experts and to cover up militants' losses.
The Syrian government later announced that the chemical attack had actually been carried out by the militants themselves as a false flag operation.
The announcement by Syria echoed earlier declarations by Russia, which said it had “new evidence” that the chemical attack in the Damascus suburbs were of a “provocative nature.” Iran has also said, "There are documents [showing] terrorist groups are behind this attack."
Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011.
A very large number of the militants operating inside Syria are reportedly foreign nationals.
According to reports, the West and its regional allies - especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey - are supporting the militants inside Syria.(Video on the link)
“US military involvement [in Syria] obviously would not resolve the crisis. It would just make it worse as always happens when the US military gets involved in parts of the world where it has no business being,” said Kevin Barrett in a Saturday interview with Press TV.
“This is a dangerous move because we’re really on the edge of a potential World War III in Syria. The region is being destabilized more and more at every moment,” he pointed out.
On Friday, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said that the Pentagon was positioning military forces as part of “contingency options” provided to US President Barack Obama regarding Syria.
Hagel’s remarks have been interpreted as a tacit suggestion that the US may be preparing for a military attack on Syria.
Also on Friday, some American military officials said that Washington was considering military options against Syria over the allegations of chemical weapons use by the Syrian government.
Barrett, noted that pressures by the hard-line Israeli lobby are also behind such hawkish US posturing.
On Wednesday, the militants operating in Syria claimed that around 1,300 people were killed in a government chemical attack on militant strongholds in the Damascus suburbs of Ain Tarma, Zamalka and Jobar.
But the Syrian Army strongly rejected any role in the alleged chemical attack, saying the accusations were fabricated to distract a visiting team of the UN chemical weapons experts and to cover up militants' losses.
The Syrian government later announced that the chemical attack had actually been carried out by the militants themselves as a false flag operation.
The announcement by Syria echoed earlier declarations by Russia, which said it had “new evidence” that the chemical attack in the Damascus suburbs were of a “provocative nature.” Iran has also said, "There are documents [showing] terrorist groups are behind this attack."
Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011.
A very large number of the militants operating inside Syria are reportedly foreign nationals.
According to reports, the West and its regional allies - especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey - are supporting the militants inside Syria.(Video on the link)
24 aug 2013
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem says Damascus will provide the UN team with access to the site of the recent alleged chemical attack in the country.
In a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, on Saturday, al-Muallem added that his respective country has cooperated with the UN team of chemical experts present in the country.
He added that Damascus is now holding talks with the UN inspectors on the access to the site of the alleged chemical attack.
Al-Muallem categorically rejected the allegation that the Damascus government has used chemical weapons, describing the claim as a new ploy by the enemies of the Syrian government and nation.
The Iranian foreign minister, for his part, condemned any use of chemical weapons by terrorist groups in Syria and reiterated that using such weapons was in violation of humanitarian principles as well as international law. He called on the international community to take measures against such inhumane moves.
Zarif also said that any approach other than the peaceful settlement of the Syria crisis was doomed to failure and will have dire consequences and urged global support for a political solution to the ongoing turmoil in the Arab country.
On August 21, the head of the so-called opposition Syrian National Coalition, George Sabra, claimed that 1,300 people were killed in a government chemical attack on militant strongholds in Damascus suburbs of Ain Tarma, Zamalka and Jobar.
The Syrian government, however, has vehemently rejected allegations that it used chemical arms, saying the accusations were fabricated to distract a visiting team of UN chemical weapons experts and to cover up militant losses.
Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. The United Nations says more than 100,000 people have been killed and a total of 7.8 million others displaced since the outbreak of the violence.
In a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, on Saturday, al-Muallem added that his respective country has cooperated with the UN team of chemical experts present in the country.
He added that Damascus is now holding talks with the UN inspectors on the access to the site of the alleged chemical attack.
Al-Muallem categorically rejected the allegation that the Damascus government has used chemical weapons, describing the claim as a new ploy by the enemies of the Syrian government and nation.
The Iranian foreign minister, for his part, condemned any use of chemical weapons by terrorist groups in Syria and reiterated that using such weapons was in violation of humanitarian principles as well as international law. He called on the international community to take measures against such inhumane moves.
Zarif also said that any approach other than the peaceful settlement of the Syria crisis was doomed to failure and will have dire consequences and urged global support for a political solution to the ongoing turmoil in the Arab country.
On August 21, the head of the so-called opposition Syrian National Coalition, George Sabra, claimed that 1,300 people were killed in a government chemical attack on militant strongholds in Damascus suburbs of Ain Tarma, Zamalka and Jobar.
The Syrian government, however, has vehemently rejected allegations that it used chemical arms, saying the accusations were fabricated to distract a visiting team of UN chemical weapons experts and to cover up militant losses.
Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. The United Nations says more than 100,000 people have been killed and a total of 7.8 million others displaced since the outbreak of the violence.
The recent alleged chemical attack near the Syrian capital Damascus is a black operation against the Syrian government that serves the interests of the Zionists, a political analyst tells Press TV.
In an interview on Saturday, Randy Short dismissed the allegations that the Syrian government has used chemical weapons as “farcical.”
“It is completely farcical; this is a black op or false flag operation that serves the purposes of the Zionist, the European folks and the Americans. It does not serve the purpose for the Assad forces to do this,” the commentator said.
He went on to say that the Syrian government has been targeted as part of efforts to justify the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from power.
“We have already noticed, we know about the massacres that Takfiri, Salafi people have done, that has been put on the government to try to justify its removal; so, this is just the continuation,” he added.
The analyst noted that the allegation was brought about against Damascus as the US, Israel and their allies have become more desperate in their efforts to oust the Assad government.
On August 21, the head of the so-called opposition Syrian National Coalition, George Sabra, claimed that 1,300 people were killed in a government chemical attack on militant strongholds in Damascus suburbs of Ain Tarma, Zamalka and Jobar.
The Syrian government, however, has vehemently rejected allegations that it used chemical arms, saying the accusations were fabricated to distract a visiting team of UN chemical weapons experts and to cover up militant losses.
Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. The United Nations says more than 100,000 people have been killed and a total of 7.8 million others displaced since the outbreak of the violence.(Video on the link)
In an interview on Saturday, Randy Short dismissed the allegations that the Syrian government has used chemical weapons as “farcical.”
“It is completely farcical; this is a black op or false flag operation that serves the purposes of the Zionist, the European folks and the Americans. It does not serve the purpose for the Assad forces to do this,” the commentator said.
He went on to say that the Syrian government has been targeted as part of efforts to justify the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from power.
“We have already noticed, we know about the massacres that Takfiri, Salafi people have done, that has been put on the government to try to justify its removal; so, this is just the continuation,” he added.
The analyst noted that the allegation was brought about against Damascus as the US, Israel and their allies have become more desperate in their efforts to oust the Assad government.
On August 21, the head of the so-called opposition Syrian National Coalition, George Sabra, claimed that 1,300 people were killed in a government chemical attack on militant strongholds in Damascus suburbs of Ain Tarma, Zamalka and Jobar.
The Syrian government, however, has vehemently rejected allegations that it used chemical arms, saying the accusations were fabricated to distract a visiting team of UN chemical weapons experts and to cover up militant losses.
Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. The United Nations says more than 100,000 people have been killed and a total of 7.8 million others displaced since the outbreak of the violence.(Video on the link)
A relative weeps over the body of an infant killed in an alleged toxic gas attack in Syria.
Around 3,600 patients displaying "neurotoxic symptoms" flooded into three Syrian hospitals on the day of alleged chemical weapons attacks, and 355 of them died, Doctors without Borders (MSF) said Saturday.
The victims all arrived within less than three hours of each other, and MSF director of operations Bart Janssens said the pattern of events and the reported symptoms "strongly indicate mass exposure to a neurotoxic agent".
"Medical staff working in these facilities provided detailed information to MSF doctors regarding large numbers of patients arriving with symptoms including convulsions, excess saliva, pinpoint pupils, blurred vision and respiratory distress," he said.
The statement follows allegations that as many as 1,300 people were killed in massive chemical attacks near Damascus on Wednesday that opposition groups say was carried out by President Bashar Assad's forces.
The Syrian government has strongly denied those allegations, but has yet to accede to demands that UN inspectors already in the country be allowed to visit the sites of the alleged attacks.
MSF provides drugs, medical equipment and technical support to the three hospitals near Damascus, which its staff have not been able to access for security reasons.
"MSF can neither scientifically confirm the cause of these symptoms nor establish who is responsible for the attack," said Janssens.
"However, the reported symptoms of the patients, in addition to the epidemiological pattern of the events -- characterized by the massive influx of patients in a short period of time, the origin of the patients, and the contamination of medical and first aid workers -- strongly indicate mass exposure to a neurotoxic agent."
Around 3,600 patients displaying "neurotoxic symptoms" flooded into three Syrian hospitals on the day of alleged chemical weapons attacks, and 355 of them died, Doctors without Borders (MSF) said Saturday.
The victims all arrived within less than three hours of each other, and MSF director of operations Bart Janssens said the pattern of events and the reported symptoms "strongly indicate mass exposure to a neurotoxic agent".
"Medical staff working in these facilities provided detailed information to MSF doctors regarding large numbers of patients arriving with symptoms including convulsions, excess saliva, pinpoint pupils, blurred vision and respiratory distress," he said.
The statement follows allegations that as many as 1,300 people were killed in massive chemical attacks near Damascus on Wednesday that opposition groups say was carried out by President Bashar Assad's forces.
The Syrian government has strongly denied those allegations, but has yet to accede to demands that UN inspectors already in the country be allowed to visit the sites of the alleged attacks.
MSF provides drugs, medical equipment and technical support to the three hospitals near Damascus, which its staff have not been able to access for security reasons.
"MSF can neither scientifically confirm the cause of these symptoms nor establish who is responsible for the attack," said Janssens.
"However, the reported symptoms of the patients, in addition to the epidemiological pattern of the events -- characterized by the massive influx of patients in a short period of time, the origin of the patients, and the contamination of medical and first aid workers -- strongly indicate mass exposure to a neurotoxic agent."
Syria regime: Rebels used chemical weapons in Damascus
Syria's government said on Saturday that rebel fighters used chemical weapons in a northeastern district of the capital, countering the insurgents' claims the regime was behind the alleged attacks.
"An army unit is surrounding a sector of Jobar where terrorists used chemical weapons," said the state broadcaster, adding that soldiers who tried to enter the neighborhood had "suffocated".
Iran says 'proof' Syria rebels used chemical weapons
Iran, the chief regional ally of Damascus, said on Saturday there is "proof" Syrian rebels used chemical weapons in their conflict with the regime of President Bashar Assad.
"We are very concerned about information regarding the use of chemical weapons in Syria, and we strongly condemn the use of such weapons," foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi said, quoted by ISNA news agency.
"There is proof terrorist groups carried out this action," Araqchi said in reference to Wednesday's allegedly deadly attacks in the Damascus area, without elaborating.
Iran also warned against any Western military intervention in the 29-month conflict, after the United States suggested it was weighing up such a possibility.
Syria's government said on Saturday that rebel fighters used chemical weapons in a northeastern district of the capital, countering the insurgents' claims the regime was behind the alleged attacks.
"An army unit is surrounding a sector of Jobar where terrorists used chemical weapons," said the state broadcaster, adding that soldiers who tried to enter the neighborhood had "suffocated".
Iran says 'proof' Syria rebels used chemical weapons
Iran, the chief regional ally of Damascus, said on Saturday there is "proof" Syrian rebels used chemical weapons in their conflict with the regime of President Bashar Assad.
"We are very concerned about information regarding the use of chemical weapons in Syria, and we strongly condemn the use of such weapons," foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi said, quoted by ISNA news agency.
"There is proof terrorist groups carried out this action," Araqchi said in reference to Wednesday's allegedly deadly attacks in the Damascus area, without elaborating.
Iran also warned against any Western military intervention in the 29-month conflict, after the United States suggested it was weighing up such a possibility.
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At least 31 Palestinians were among the victims of an alleged chemical attack said to have killed hundreds in Damascus on Wednesday, relatives said Saturday.
Opponents of Bashar Assad said the Syrian president's forces used chemical weapons east and southwest of Damascus in attacks Wednesday that killed hundreds. The regime has strongly denied the accusations. Eleven members of the al-Hurani family, from Jenin in the northern West Bank, were killed in "the massacre in Ghouta," including six children, family member Abu Zeid al-Hurani told Ma'an. "The family received calamitous news from its members in Syria confirming that 11 were killed in the attack by poisonous chemical gas," another relative in Jenin, Hasan al-Hurani, told Ma'an. |
He identified the victims as Thahir Abu Zeid, 75, his wife Fathiyya, 70, their daughter Samar, 30, their son Yahya Thahir Abu Zeid, 33, and his wife Nisreen, 25, as well as six grandchildren aged between three and seven.
The family had moved to Syria in 1967 and lived in the Damascus suburb of Jobar. After the civil war broke out, they moved to an agricultural area in Ghouta hoping it would be safe as it had not previously witnessed any fighting, Hasan al-Hurani said.
He said the al-Hurani family in Jenin had difficulties contacting their relatives in Syria, but were eventually able to reach Tariq al-Hurani, who notified them of the deaths.
Tariq al-Hurani said 20 members of a Palestinian family from Nazareth were also killed in Ghouta on Wednesday.
UN Under Secretary General Angela Kane arrived in Syria's capital Saturday for talks aimed at establishing the terms of an inquiry into alleged chemical weapons attacks, an AFP journalist said.
Kane's visit comes after UN chief Ban Ki-moon handed her the task and called for Syria's regime and its opponents to cooperate in the UN efforts to establish an investigation into Wednesday's attacks.
Harrowing footage released by activists showing unconscious children, people foaming around the mouth and doctors apparently giving them oxygen has triggered revulsion around the world.
So far, the government in Damascus has not said whether it will let the inspectors visit the sites.
The Coalition says more than 1,300 people were killed in gas attacks southwest and east of the capital.
The United Nations says more than 100,000 people have been killed in Syria since an uprising against Assad's rule flared in March 2011, while millions more have fled the country or been internally displaced.
The family had moved to Syria in 1967 and lived in the Damascus suburb of Jobar. After the civil war broke out, they moved to an agricultural area in Ghouta hoping it would be safe as it had not previously witnessed any fighting, Hasan al-Hurani said.
He said the al-Hurani family in Jenin had difficulties contacting their relatives in Syria, but were eventually able to reach Tariq al-Hurani, who notified them of the deaths.
Tariq al-Hurani said 20 members of a Palestinian family from Nazareth were also killed in Ghouta on Wednesday.
UN Under Secretary General Angela Kane arrived in Syria's capital Saturday for talks aimed at establishing the terms of an inquiry into alleged chemical weapons attacks, an AFP journalist said.
Kane's visit comes after UN chief Ban Ki-moon handed her the task and called for Syria's regime and its opponents to cooperate in the UN efforts to establish an investigation into Wednesday's attacks.
Harrowing footage released by activists showing unconscious children, people foaming around the mouth and doctors apparently giving them oxygen has triggered revulsion around the world.
So far, the government in Damascus has not said whether it will let the inspectors visit the sites.
The Coalition says more than 1,300 people were killed in gas attacks southwest and east of the capital.
The United Nations says more than 100,000 people have been killed in Syria since an uprising against Assad's rule flared in March 2011, while millions more have fled the country or been internally displaced.
