Clashes rage in Syria between army, deserters

Google News ^ | October 20, 2011 | AFP

[SunkenCiv]

Violence in Syria has intensified in recent weeks as defections from the army reportedly increase, and at least five civilians died in Thursday's violence, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

"Violent clashes today pitted troops to gunmen believed to be army deserters" in Burhaniya, near the town of Qusayr in central Homs province, said Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads rights watchdog.

He quoted residents as saying "several soldiers were killed and wounded and two military vehicles were destroyed," but was unable to give a precise casualty toll.

Abdel Rahman told AFP power, water and communication had been cut off in Qusayr on Thursday.

[SunkenCiv]

• Syrian army deserters battle state forces
• Syrian Opposition Launches National Council to Overthrow Assad
• Syria heading for civil war -- UN (this is a problem because...?)
• Syria on Brink of Civil War

So, what's the problem?

• Mutilated woman, slain brother become symbols of Syria's pain
• Activist: More than 3,000 detained in Syrian town
• The Cult: The Twisted, Terrifying Last Days of Assad's Syria (Brilliant)
• Syrian forces open fire in town on Lebanon border
• South Africa: IBSA -- Push Syria to End Bloodshed
• Activists: Syrian troops hunt protesters, kill 5
• Robert Ford: Families of Syrian-American protesters being tortured by regime
• Musician's family attacked in Syria (after his song is used at rally in U.S.)
• Syria regime loyalists pelt US envoy with tomatoes

foreign intervention:

• Turkey seizes Syrian ship, announces arms embargo
• Iran accuses Turkey on Israel policy
• Syria Says Authorities Seize Weapons Smuggled From Turkey
• Turkey Moves to Directly Support Syrian Opposition
• Syria crisis: Iran's Ahmadinejad criticises killings
• Moscow Welcomes Hizbullah

sidebars:

• 'Arab Spring': The chilly cruel winter reality of Arab racism and Islamic bigotry
• Islamic discrimination and persecution of Christians Vs only free State [in the region]: Israel
• Syria and its Progressive Friends
• US Senator Talks About Military Option in Syria
• McCain: Libya inspires people in China, Russia, Iran, Syria

[SunkenCiv]

• Nuclear engineer assassinated in central Syria -- "...the latest casualty in a string of murders this week of academics and scientists..."

[Venturer]

It’s only starting. First they will seek out the soldiers that were loyal to Ghaddafy, then they will fight amongst each other fo who rules and who gets the biggest slice of the 200 Billion dolars, then they will find a leader and turn on Christians ,Jews , blacks,anf other brands of Muslims. If all goes well in about 2 years they will be a satellite of Iran.

[bigheadfred]

Clashes rage in Syria between army, deserters

First they will seek out the soldiers that were loyal to Ghaddafy

This is SUCH a relief. I thought I was the only one that couldn't tell the difference between one muzzy sh!+hole and another.

[hinckley buzzard]

ummm, this is about Syria, not Libya.

[dfwgator]

Forget it, he’s rolling.

[TADSLOS]

Obama needs to deploy a one man army to Syria and clean up their mess so they too can enjoy an Arab spring just like Egypt and Libya. I nominate John McCain.

[bigheadfred]

You mean like shove a fuse up his a$$ and set him off at a few thousand feet above the capital? Smart plan. Don’t know if you could call it a smart bomb.

[Venturer]

Aint that the truth. LOL I get them all mixed up.

SOS no mattter where it is in the Middle east.

[RedMDer]