Syria

US authorizes nonprofit advocacy group to provide financial support to the Free Syrian Army - al-monitor.com

Russia May Evacuate Personnel from Its Syria Base: Navy Chief  - RIA Novosti

Turkey is now in trouble on Syria, says CHP leader - hurriyetdailynews

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Saudi campaign raises $72.3 mn for Syrians - FRANCE 24

Syrian rebels posing as Islamists to receive money and weapons of Arab countries - deltaworld.org

Libya rebels move onto Syrian battlefield - CNN.com

Guests of the Warlord: Reporter meets with three Lebanese pilgrims kidnapped by Syrian rebels - The New Yorker

Video: Creation of a new FSA Brigade - Levant Armor Brigade - LiveLeak.com

by Barb Weir, Deliberation.info

“Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the License, the Syrian Support Group, Inc. (the “Licensee”) may export, sell, or supply to the Free Syrian Army (“FSA”) financial, communications, logistical, and other services otherwise prohibited by Executive Order 13582 in order to support the FSA…”

According to Treasury License No. SY-2012-294747-1, dated 23 July 2012, the Syrian Support Group, Inc. (SSG) will be providing “otherwise prohibited” services to the Free Syrian Army (FSA) under the supervision of the Office of Terrorism Finance and Economic Sanctions Policy at the U.S. Department of State.  The license was announced on the SSG website syriansupportgroup.org after a copy was leaked to the public.  According to the website, the SSG “was formed to promote the establishment of a free, independent and democratic Syria” and “we advocate military intervention by any willing country to ensure saving lives…”

These developments are astounding.  It is extraordinary that the U.S. State Department would even have an Office of Terrorism Finance and Economic Sanctions Policy.  Usually, such places are called the Office of Humanitarian Liberation and Promotion of Prosperity Policy.  We haven’t had that kind of honesty in government office titles since the Department of War was renamed, and our government should be commended for not hiding the financing of terrorism behind a cloak of euphemisms.

Report: Russia Warns Syria Rebels against Attacking Tartus Base - Naharnet

Russia to keep Tartus base: Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy - Voice of Russia

Srian rebels threaten to attack Russian naval base - The Total Collapse

Russian, Western navies to face off near Syria - The Hindu

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Kurdish Supreme Committee in Syria Holds First Meeting, It unites the Kurdish National Council and the Democratic Union Party - Rudaw

Syrian Kurdish Official: Now Kurds are in Charge of their Fate - Rudaw

FSA leader Asaad: We will not allow Kurdish separatism - todayszaman

Video: 650 Kurdish Syrian defected soldiers back to Syria from Iraq to defend their territory - Liveleak

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Exclusive: Secret Turkish nerve center leads aid to Syria rebels, Operated by Turkey together with Saudi Arabia and Qatar - Reuters

Two Journalists Freed by Syrian Rebels After Weeklong Ordeal, They were repeatedly threatened to be killed - NYTimes.com

Reports: Sunni rebels occupying churches, homes of Syrian Christians - World Tribune

Video: People are forced to leave Damascus by Syrian rebels - Liveleak

Video: Confessions of several foreign rebels in Syria - YouTube

Video: Sectarian Murder of Alawite by Syrian Rebels - YouTube

  War Without Mercy on Syria

by Stephen Lendman

Western media misreport what's happening in Syria and why. Propaganda substitutes for truth and full disclosure.

Syrians are struggling to prevent Western conquest, exploitation, and control. They're fighting for their lives to stay free.

  US Proxy Al Qaeda Death Squads in Syria

by Stephen Lendman

Washington's agenda involves death squad diplomacy. Evidence mounts proving it. It's standard practice in all US direct and proxy wars. It's how America treats its enemies.

Don't provoke us, Erdoğan says in stern warning to Syrian Kurds - todayszaman

Kurdish Liberation Movement in Syria Continues Despite SNC Criticism - Rudaw

PYD warn about any Turkey, Brotherhood intervention - Kurdpress News Aganecy

650 Kurdish soldiers sent to Syria through Kurdistan Region - Kurdpress News Aganecy

FSA Kurdish rebels promise to fight PKK in return for Turkish military support - Al Jazeera Blogs

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Foreign Islamists join fight against ‘apostate’ Syria regime - alarabiya.net

Murder and drugs rife in Free Syrian Army: Syrian defector - Voice of Russia

Video: Interview with a Christian reporting atrocities commited by Syrian rebels - YouTube

Video: Jabhat Al-Nusra (Al-Qaeda) Fighting Syrian Government - LiveLeak.com

Video: abhat Al-Nusra (Al-Qaeda) Takes Over T-72 In Syria - Liveleak.com

Video: Al Farouq Battalions in Syria, A Special Operation by Sultan Mehmed Al Fatih Battalion and Dir' Homs Battalion - YouTube

Al Qaeda Insinuating Its Way Into Syria’s Conflict - NYTimes.com

Christians Flee from Radical Muslim Rebels in Syria, They are afraid to talk about the killings, looting and kidnapping - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Fighters on Syrian-Turkish border may be Qaeda allies: Russia - Reuters

Russia says U.S. tries to justify terrorism in Syria, It failed to condemn a bomb attack that killed Syrian senior security officials - chicagotribune.com

Conservatives call on Obama to establish ‘safe zones’ in Syria - The Cable

Video: Syrian Rebels attacking Christians in Syria - YouTube

Video: Qaeda Taking Deadly New Role in Syria Conflict - YouTube

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SNC chief Sayda rules out Syria Kurds separation, Appreciates Turkey contribution to the Syrian revolution - Kurdpress News Agency

Leader: Kurds will hoist Kurdistan flag in liberated Kurdish region of Syria, Despite the objection by the Syrian National Council - ekurd.net

Free Syrian Army Reacts to Kurdish Autonomy: “Will Never Let it Happen” - IKJ News

Erdoğan says PKK threat from Syria may cause Turkey’s military intervention, The Turkish Armed Forces have shipped a large number of soldiers to its border with Syria - todaysaman

By Robert Fisk, The Independent

  Intense Anti-Assad Propaganda

by Stephen Lendman

Western propaganda is relentless. Media scoundrels regurgitate official misinformation and bald-faced lies. Truth and full disclosure are verboten. 

  Syria Threatens No One

by Stephen Lendman

Media scoundrels specialize in distorting comments and meaning.

They're hyperbolic over Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi saying Syria would only use chemical weapons against external aggression.

Russian flotilla headed for Syria enters Mediterranean - Lebanon Now

Video: Russian Plane full of Weapons & Ammo to Resupply the Syrian Army - YouTube

Syria allies “will not allow regime change,” Iranian official says - Now Lebanon

Saudi Arabia’s telethon for support of Syrian people exceeds &32 million - .alarabiya.net

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SNC rift over Syrian transitional government - Al Akhbar English

Girke Lege Becomes Sixth Kurdish City Liberated in Syria - Rudaw

Video: FNN Qamishli raising independence flag at the city roundabout - YouTube

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In Syria conflict, U.S. struggles to fill intelligence gaps, It is struggling to develop a clear understanding of opposition forces inside the country - The Washington Post

In Spillover From Syria, Iraq Suffers Worst Violence, It is under assault from the same Sunni extremists who have taken up the fight in Syria - WSJ.com

Video: Posted by the 'Free Syrian Army', They say that these men are from Libya - Liveleaks

Video: Free Syrian Army Interviews A Boy Brandishing A Weapon In Aleppo - Liveleaks

Video: Imam calls for the Free Syrian Army to destroy Bibi Zainab Shrine - YouTube

Syria warns will use chemical weapons in case of foreign attack, Never will use the weapons against its own people - RT

Arab League calls for Assad resignation, urges the opposition and the Free Syrian Army to form a transitional government - The Jordan Times

Iraq rejects Arab calls for Assad to go-government spox - Reuters

Video: Sunday Express reports that former soldiers from the British Special Forces are training Syrian rebels - YouTube

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Kurds Declare Autonomy in Syrian Kurdistan, Send a message to the Free Syrian Army that it is not allowed to enter Kurdish areas - IKJ News

Iraqi Kurds train their Syrian brethren who will be sent to defend their territory - Al Jazeera English

Kurdish Leaders Deny SNC Claims Iraqi Kurdish Forces Entering Syria - Rudaw

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Clash rate declines in Syrian capital, rages on in Aleppo - Xinhua

Fides: Muslim extremists kill Christian family in Damascus - Vatican Insider

Christians in Damascus and Aleppo fear being attacked: Bishop - Christian Today

Video (with article): Islamist group, not Free Syrian Army, blew up Assad's inner circle, Israeli expert says - The Times of Israel

German intelligence: Around 90 terror attacks in Syria can be attributed to organizations that are close to al-Qaeda or jihadist groups - Asia Times Online

By Michael Collins

The assault on Damascus by Syrian rebels and terrorist murder of the Syrian Defense Minister occurred just as the Red Cross announced that the fighting in Syria was officially a civil war. This is an odd reward system for military action by the Free Syria Army. Commit enough acts of violence and you're rewarded with special protections that apply in times of war. (Image)

The rebel Free Syria Army attacks cities and villages, disrupts the Syrian economy, and is in the business of suicide bombing. It has the material and diplomatic support of Saudi Arabia and the other oil oligarchies plus the big guns in NATO. So-called Syrian experts supporting the carnage are amply funded by United States sponsored nongovernment organizations.

Rebel cheerleader Hillary Clinton spans the globe to "build pressure against the Syrian regime," to "end" it, her exact words. She seeks punishment for who disagree, China and Russia.

It's hard to tell how the latest regime change project will come out. The real Syrian Army seems to win every engagement. China and Russia support the Assad government. At the same time, despite strong public opposition to any intervention, the Obama government is pushing hard to force Assad out of power. NATO and the Saudis seem unwavering.

  Washington's Plan B for Syria

by Stephen Lendman

Replacing independent governments with pro-Western puppets is official US policy. So is war on Islam. 

Syrian Qamishli city liberation from Assad's security forces is a matter of hours: Kurdish leaders

Kurds to form a committee on Sunday to administrate all aspects of the Kurdish region "such as security, military, health and so on" - kurdsat.tv

It will take less than a week to liberate all Kurdish areas in west Kurdistan, says Syrian Kurdistan Party - AKNEWS.com

Syria's Kurds stand alone after rejecting rebels and regime - The National

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Intense clashes break out in Syria's Aleppo - Xinhua

Video: In Aleppo Imam issues decree of Jihad, calls for Caliphate rule while wielding a AK-47 assault rifle - LiveLeak.com

Abducted Lebanese well, to stay in custody -Syria rebel, "(They) are from Hezbollah, their fate will be decided by the new Syrian parliament" - The Daily Star 

Saudi king launches donation campaign for Syria - alarabiya.net

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Video: Syrian rebels claim Turkey border victory as reports emerge that al Qaeda militants may increasingly be joining their rank - Dailymotion

Video (with article): Qaeda Turkish fighters calls on muslims to wage jihad in Syria - The Long War Journal

Video:  Execution of civilian by al-Qaeda in Syria - LiveLeak.com

More Kurdish Cities Liberated As Syrian Army Withdraws from Area, Kurdish leaders are preparing for the full liberation of Syrian Kurdistan - Rudaw

Turkish drivers accuse Free Syrian Army fighters of looting and burning their trucks, Some fighters belong to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and Taliban - AFP

Video: Christians threatened by Free Syrian Army with Severe Punishment - YouTube

The Kidnapping and Killing of Christians in Syria by Saudi Backed Wahabis - Babak Darvish

Saudi Wahhabis call for the destruction of Shia shrine in Syria - Tehran Times

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Video: Le Figaro says French journalist Jacquier (and 8 civilians) killed by Syrian rebels - YouTube

Video: Intercepted phone conversation between two terrorists planning to do a massacre and accuse the Syria regime of it (English subtitles) - YouTube

Video: Compilation of clips showing foreign rebel fighters in Syria - YouTube

Video: Syrian Rebels Sing Over Corpses Of Slain Citizens - LiveLeak.com

  Security Council Showdown Aftermath

by Stephen Lendman

On July 19, Russia and China vetoed a Western resolution on Syria. Invoking UN Charter Chapter VII, it effectively authorized war.

Putin warns against action on Syria outside UN - Now Lebanon

Romney: Obama has abdicated leadership and subcontracted US policy to Kofi Annan and the United Nations on Syria - AFP

McCain: US should form 'coalition of the willing' outside the UN to aid Syrian rebels - The Hill

Boehner Sides With Obama Over McCain On Syria Intervention - ThinkProgress

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Syrian troops launch counterattacks in Damascus, retake Midan: TV - Xinhua

Iraqis flee Syria in droves by land and air, Maliki: They are subject to killings and looting by terrorist groups like in Iraq - ajc.com

Iraq: most border crossings under Syrian control, Rebels control one of four - Al Akhbar

Iraq Border Guards Describe Horrific Executions by Syria Rebels Before Shutting Down Crossing, Killing 22 and cutting off arms and legs of a Syrian army lieutenant - AFP

Fighters with Qaeda flag at Turkish border post - YouTube

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Kurdish Political Groups Run Liberated Kurdish Cities in Syria, Set checkpoints banning the Free Syrian Army from entering their territories - Rudaw

  Syria Roulette

by Stephen Lendman

In Las Vegas, the house seldom loses. Rarely are dirty Washington schemes foiled. It's playing hardball against Syria. 

Russia, China veto western-backed Syria resolution at UN Security Council, It included the threat of sanctions and Chapter 7 which allows the use of military force - RT

Hundreds flee Damascus as military gives residents 48 hours to get out, As it prepares a counterattack aimed at retaking control - The National

Syrian Rebels Seize Iraq and Turkey Border Posts (+Videos) - NYTimes.com

Videos: Selection Of The Free Syrian Army's Weapons And Equipment (UPDATED) - Brown Moses Blog

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Video: The truth about 9 years old Sari Saoud's death in Homs, Mother tells Syria rebels killed him and other children - YouTube

Video: In a fabricated video Syrian rebels say Sari Saoud killed by Assad army - videoce.info

Video: Shocking Short Range Execution of a Captive Syrian Officer by Syrian rebels - YouTube

Video: FSA Sniper shoots repeately at civilian with 7 lives - LiveLeak.com

Obama and Putin agree to support a political transition in Syria, "Differences in approaches remain...in achieving a settlement" - Reuters

White House says Assad 'losing control’ but holds line on arming Syrian rebels - The Hill

"Instead of trying to calm the opposition, some partners are pushing towards a further escalation": Russia - Ahram Online

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Syrian President's Brother-in-Law, Defense Minister Die in Bombing - ABC News

Reports: Turkey organizing Sunni fighters for ‘proxy war’ against Syria - World Tribune

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French Ministry of Defence: Journalist Jacquier and eight civilians dead of shelling launched by Homs rebels, which targeted an Alawite neighborhood - defence.pk

Video: Young Woman Hanged by Syrian Rebels in Homs - Leaksfree

“Battle for liberation” of Damascus has begun, Free Syrian Army says - Now Lebanon

Syrian National Council members in Saudi Arabia are coordinating with tribes along the borders of Syria to smuggle weapons to the Free Syrian Army - JPost.com

Syrian Muslim Brotherhood urges grassroot support for Damascus battle - Yahoo! News

SNC, Syrian Muslim Brotherhood renew calls for foreign intervention - todayszaman

SNC spokewoman: If the UN won't act, 'we have other options' - CSMonitor.com

How valid are the outlandish claims of defector Nawaf Fares? He offers no proff - BBC

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Does US refuse to help Syrian rebels until after election? The Obama administration has made clear to its allies that it will not intervene - Telegraph

U.S. Mum On Releasing $ 10 Million in Frozen Funds to Syrian Rebels - DOTMIL (usnews.com)

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Jihad in Syria: The Penetration of Radical Islam in the Syrian Conflict - canadafreepress.com

Video: Christian Town Hit by Suicide Bombing - YouTube

Video: Syrian rebels kidnap terrified innocent boy - YouTube

Video: Syrian Rebels Shelling City Of Aleppo Endangering Civilians - Liveleaks.com

Video:  Syrian Rebels Burning and Destroying Countless Bottles of Alcohol as They Yell ‘Allahu Akbar’ - TheBlaze.com

Video: Tribute to the Mujahideens of Free Syrian Army - YouTube

Video: Syrian' Rebels fly the flag of Saudi Arabia - YouTube

  Nothing Civil about Washington's War on Syria

by Stephen Lendman

Insurgents are Washington proxies. Key NATO partners, rogue Arab League states, and Israel are very much involved. 

Russia Says It Will Not Back UN resolution on Syria Sanctions, It invokes Chapter 7 which allows military action - NYTimes.com

Lavrov: Russia Cannot Force Assad to Resign, This is simply "unrealistic" because Assad will not leave - Kanal PIK TV

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Heavy fighting in the capital Damascus between government forces and Free Syrian Army - Army Recognition

Video: Syrian rebel fighting in Damascus orders to behead Alawites - Liveleaks.com

Video: Assad supporter burned alive in car with his family - Liveleaks.com

Video: FSA fighters kills the son of an Assad supporter - Liveleaks.com

Video: Rebel women's armed battalion - Liveleaks.com

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Kurdish leader: No Free Syrian Army on Kurdish soil, Kurds need to defend their areas themselves from violence - Rudaw

Israel Preparing for al-Qaeda on its Syria Borders - Gatestone Institute

Newletter No. 1250 16.07.12
    Email: office@stopwar.org.uk
    Tel: 0207 561 9311
    www.stopwar.org.uk
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/stopthewarcoalition
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/STWuk

In this Newsletter:
1) What is really happening in Syria?
2) Britain's top spy beats the drums for war on Iran
3) Tony Blair's mad-hatters banquet on his comeback trail

  Propaganda War on Syria

by Stephen Lendman

Major media scoundrels suppress truth and full disclosure. In times of war or when they're planned, it dies first.

John Pilger calls journalism war's first casualty. It's a "weapon of war," he says.

Syrian National Council Chief To Obama: Waiting For Election Day To Act In Syria Is 'Unacceptable' - Now Lebanon

Ex Syrian ambassador accuses Assad regime of collaborating with al Qaeda both in Syria recent suicide attacks and against Iraqis and American forces in Iraq - CNN

Islamist group Al-Nusra Front claims 12 Syria attacks targeting Syrian security forces and pro-government "thugs" - Now Lebanon

SNC spokeswoman: "Some of the Syrian Kurds supporting the revolution seek the right to self-determination but the SNC does not accept radical goals" - IKJ News

Dozens of Syrian soldiers ‘defect to Iraqi Kurdistan’ - IKJ News

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Syria says U.N.'s Annan wrong about Tremseh killings | Reuters

Video: Hama: Syrian rebels meet the army. Note that almost all of the dead had a weapon on them at the time - YouTube

Video (in Arabic) FSA Commander threatens members of a Sunni village to cut their throats if they are found to be collaborating with the progovernment neighboring villages - Liveleaks.com

Priest: "I stayed...to protect the churches from looting", Another priest: "The armed (Islamic extremists) in Syria murdered more than 200 Christians in the city of Homs, including entire families with young children" - The Christian Post Singapore

Muslim Rebels Destroy Another Church | Friends of Syria

Video: New Execution of an unarmed Pro Assad Civilian - YouTube

Video: Syrian Rebel Takes Out Brain Of Victim Of Terrorist IED For The Sake Of Propaganda? - Liveleaks.com

Video: Turkish Men in Military Fatigues Kill 20 Syrian Security Forces in Massacre - YouTube

  Strategically Timed Syrian Massacre

by Stephen Lendman

Insurgents are enlisted, armed, funded, trained, and directed by Western and regional special forces.

They decide strategy, targets, and timing. Armies need leadership to operate effectively. So do killer gangs.

Details of a Battle Challenge Reports of a Syrian Massacre in Treimseh, UN says army attack targeted “specific groups and houses" of Syrian rebels - NYTimes.com

Photos: Cache of FSA weapons captured by the Syrian military in Treimseh - LiveLeak.com

Video: Free Syrian Army threats Russian battleship coming to Tartous - YouTube

Video: Lynching To Death Of 2 Men By 'Free Syrian Army' Faction - LiveLeak.com

Free Syrian Army member rants against Alawites - Liveleak.com

Video (in French): Channel TF1 from Homs reveals armed gangs taking civilians hostage and refusing to free them - YouTube

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Syrian opposition: who's doing the talking? SNC spokespeople are advocates of foreign military intervention in Syria and allies of US neoconservatives - The Guardian

  Scoundrel Media Warmongering

by Stephen Lendman

Irresponsible Western propaganda advances the ball for war. At issue is possibly embroiling the entire Middle East in perpetual ones guaranteeing no winners.