A demonstrator protests against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, Syria, December 19, 2011. Photo: Reuters
Posted on 12/19/2011 4:57:36 PM PST by SunkenCiv
The Turkish-Syrian border has become a key conduit for the Syrian opposition, including defectors in the Free Syria Army who have set up an underground network of bases.
Locals say the Syrian army now has deployed snipers and units all along the frontier. Dozens of people have been killed in the last month.
They include Dr. Ibrahim Othman, one of the leading figures in the organization 'Damascus Doctors,' which ran an underground network of clinics to treat wounded protesters. Fellow activists say he was shot dead while crossing the border...
Army defectors have formed the 'Free Syria Army' to take on Assad's forces. Turkey has said that international forces could create a buffer zone at the border if the situation worsens. The Free Syria Army said that would give it a launch pad to topple the Assad government. But for now, the defectors are heavily outnumbered and outgunned.
"There is no outside help for the Free Army and they do not have the capability [to overthrow Assad]," he said. "If they get that support, I think we will achieve the freedom of Syria, but with the current situation on the ground, it is impossible."
So far international powers have indicated they have no plans to intervene militarily in Syria, for fear of the consequences across the Middle East. So the activists along the Turkish border -- and the protesters inside Syria -- will continue to fight alone.
(Excerpt) Read more at voanews.com ...
A demonstrator protests against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, Syria, December 19, 2011. Photo: Reuters
The Turks are hosting the FSA. They will attempt to keep their hand in after Assad goes, and have been one step ahead of everyone else as far as public condemnations go.
The rise of the Free Syrian Army
By Chris Zambelis
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/ML20Ak02.html
The bad old USSR is backing Assad with the latest nasty weapons. This may end badly. I don’t think Turkey will invade.
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