Onrust in Syri� #5 - Waar vrijheid als muziek in de oren klinkt.

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Op zaterdag 21 mei 2011 15:38 schreef Aloulou het volgende:

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Een democratie in Syrie, Egypte of waar dan ook van de buurlanden is sowieso nadelig voor Israel. Vandaar dat men gewoon Assad graag wil laten zitten, ze weten immers dondersgoed dat als het volk middels vrije verkiezingen hun eigen leiders kiezen dat Israelische belangen er in de regio niet op vooruitgaan, op zijn zachtst gezegd. Egypte hetzelfde verhaal. Het moge duidelijk dat zijn dat democratische Arabische landen (al dan niet met een handicap) niet in het voordeel van Israel is. De Palestijnse kwestie zal zolang die niet redelijk wordt opgelost nooit vergeten worden namelijk en altijd de grote achilleshiel blijven in al die Arabische landen eromheen. In Tunesie en Egypte zie je vrij vaak nu na de revolutie Palestijnse vlaggen wapperen naast de nationale bij allerlei bijeenkomsten, en Libie, Syrie etc. zal dat niet anders zijn.

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Op maandag 23 mei 2011 10:46 schreef andre347 het volgende:
Ik denk niet dat deze sancties veel nut hebben. Internationale druk heeft zo'n land altijd al gehad, dus hier ligt al-Assad niet wakker van.

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Op maandag 23 mei 2011 12:21 schreef waht het volgende:

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Ach, dit is een goede reden om tegoeden in Europa van dit regime te confisqueren.

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Op maandag 23 mei 2011 12:22 schreef andre347 het volgende:

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Maar zo'n dictator is toch niet dom om al zijn tegoeden in Europa te plaatsen? Hier krijg je hem echt niet klein mee..

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Syrian business dries up after Assad's crackdown on dissent


Foreign investors are pulling out and tourists are staying away, adding greater pressure to Syria's frail economy

Apart from the tinkle of water from the fountain, all is silent in the courtyard of a boutique hotel in the old city of Damascus. "We're almost empty," says one employee. "Usually we'd be full, but tourists have stopped coming."

It's a view that is reinforced by travel agents serving Syria, who are reporting a dramatic slump in business, following record numbers last year.

As the protest movement against President Bashar al-Assad has accelerated, intensified and then reeled in the face of a brutal crackdown, tourist numbers have dried up - and the country has lost a vital source of income and foreign currency.

The impact on an already weakened economy is palpable. "I have made nothing this week," says one seller on the old city's Straight Street, adding that the situation was even worse in other cities.

After three months of unrest and crackdowns, tourism is not the only industry that is suffering. "The whole economy is grinding to a halt," says one local economic analyst, who asked for anonymity.

Some business owners have laid off workers, shortened working hours or reduced employees' pay. Small-scale traders say business is down while manufacturers report difficulties in getting their goods to market.

"I have to fly my goods out as I cannot rely on the road to be open or passable," says one clothing manufacturer. "It costs me so much more but I can't raise my prices."

Big businesses are also feeling the pain. Before the recent unrest, Syria's economy - based primarily on agriculture and manufacturing - was already struggling. Liberalisation since 2005 caused inflation to soar to 15% in 2008 and cheaper goods coming in from Turkey and China have forced many manufacturers out of business, especially textiles factories in Aleppo. Drought has also caused thousands to migrate to the cities from rural areas.

In recent years, Syria's government started to encourage foreign investment, with French supermarket Carrefour and the cafe chain Costa opening branches in the country.

But many foreign investors are starting to consider pulling out and the trend is likely to be accelerated by the imposition of international sanctions on Assad and other senior officials.

Qatar Electricity and Water has cancelled a $900m (�558m) project to build power plants. British companies are reported to be considering pulling out.

"Capital is flying out the country and the brain drain is increasing as some professionals look to relocate to Dubai and Paris," says the analyst. Dollars are scarce in Damascus and the Syrian pound has fallen on the black market. Shortages have not yet been reported, although rumours of a run on bread led to long queues at bakeries.

Economic woes, and the economic dominance of friends and relatives of the president, have been one of the sparks of the protests.

Much of the anger has focused on Rami Makhlouf, Assad's cousin whose interests in telecommunications, transport, banking, tourism, real estate and construction dominate the economy. Foreign and local investors are often forced to partner with Makhlouf, earning him the nickname Mr Ten Percent.

With protests failing to gain momentum, some opposition activists are looking to the Sunni merchants of Damascus and Aleppo for signs they might join the fray.

But business leaders remain wary and even the most disaffected are more likely to leave the country than protest, according to the analyst: "It is easier to go to Dubai than try to turn against the regime - they have too much to lose."

But Assad may only be putting off the inevitable. As the government seeks to appease protesters, it has reversed economic policy, stemming plans to cut subsidies and pledged pay rises and extra jobs in an already burgeoning public sector. This has found favour with some ordinary families but is unaffordable in the long term.

Inflation is almost certain to rise as the government signs up a company to print more money. Investor confidence has dropped and EU sanctions on Makhlouf, who is already under US sanctions, will make people wary of dealing with him.

"I want stability," says one shopkeeper in the new area of the city. "But if none of us can make money, maybe I will consider protesting."

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Syria opposition battles rising frustration and internal divisions


Disorganisation and splits within activists' ranks said to deter others from joining movement

Syria's anti-government protesters are battling against internal divisions and growing frustration as the movement against President Bashar al-Assad's regime, now in its third month, appears to have reached a stalemate.

Unlike Egypt and Tunisia, where the leaders took their leave in a relatively swift and peaceful manner, protesters are realising that Syria's regime, willing to shoot dead hundreds and lock up thousands to hang on to power, is a harder nut to crack.

With the known death toll approaching 900 after 76 people were killed at the weekend, protesters are starting to reflect on what more they can do.

"We want to regain our dignity and liberty, and be able to choose our government freely. Other than that there is little agreement," said Waleed al-Bunni, a doctor and dissident currently in hiding.

There is disagreement about whether or not to negotiate with the government, what tactics to adopt for the street protests, and even whether the demonstrations began too soon.

"Maybe we should have waited and got better organised before we took to the streets," said one protester in his 20s in the central city of Homs. A middle-aged woman whose son is out protesting said she offered to send him to Egypt to learn from activists but "he and his friends were so enthused by the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia they couldn't wait".

But others said they had to take the opportunity presented by the initial victories of the Arab spring.

Many in urban centres are disconnected from a mainly rural uprising, and tribal groups have their own specific codes, requiring revenge for bloodshed, said a diplomat in Damascus.

When on 13 May the government said it would open a national dialogue – a pledge that looks increasingly insincere – opposition figures took different stances.

Older veteran figures such as Louay Hussein, an Alawite writer who met presidential emissaries, advocated negotiations.

But others, such as Razan Zeitouneh, a 35-year-old lawyer and activist, rejected any form of contact.

"I am adamantly opposed to dialogue before all violence is stopped and all political prisoners are released," she said.

This disorganisation has alienated some of those who would have joined the protest movement. Two months of action have polarised Syrians.

Those advocating change encompass all ages, levels of education and religions but predominantly young men are taking to the streets.

"I fear people see young men in tracksuits or look at people coming out in rural areas and don't see it as a movement that they relate to," said the middle-aged woman.

A university graduate and young professional in the capital said she would like change but "these people don't know what they want".

What started as disparate demands – outrage at the torture of a group of children in Deraa and corruption of the governor in Homs – crystallised as protesters became united in anger at violence meted out by the regime. But more recently, the lack of a common strategy is becoming more evident.

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'Regime dumpt lijken in zee'
Uitgegeven: 25 mei 2011 17:40
Laatst gewijzigd: 25 mei 2011 17:34

ISTANBUL - Syrische veiligheidsdiensten stoppen lijken van opposanten van het regime in containers en laten die in de Middellandse Zee zinken. Dit hebben Syri�rs in Istanbul woensdag tegen functionarissen van de Turkse justitie gezegd.
� ANP

De circa dertig jonge Syri�rs die in het buitenland wonen, willen bij justitie in Istanbul een klacht wegens volkerenmoord indienen tegen de Syrische president Bashar al-Assad en 58 anderen.

De veiligheidsdiensten zouden in het afgelopen weekeinde vanuit de haven van Latakia containers met lijken in kleine schepen van de marine naar zee hebben gevaren en daar de containers tot zinken hebben gebracht.

Daar zouden ooggetuigen van zijn. Het regime zou zo voorkomen dat er massagraven worden ontdekt, zoals in de opstandige regio Deraa.

De oppositie stelt dat er achtduizend mensen worden vermist sinds massale protesten begonnen in maart.

Bron: Nu.nl

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Op woensdag 25 mei 2011 21:14 schreef spoor4 het volgende:

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Op woensdag 25 mei 2011 21:14 schreef spoor4 het volgende:

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This is the story of a 13-year-old healthy boy named Hamza AlKhateeb. Hamza's cousin was killed on the hands on the Syrian regime a few days before he had decided to go out in a peaceful demonstration with other people in his area. He was arrested on April 29, 2011 by the Syrian regime forces. A month had passed by with his family not knowing where he is, or if or when will he be released. On May 27, 2011, he was released to his family as a dead body. Upon examining his body, the signs of torture are very clear. His skin was peeling off his hands and feet, and his neck was broken. There were a few bullets in his body that were used as a way of torture rather than to kill him with. Clear signs of severe physical abuse appeared on the body such as marks done with hands, sticks, and shoes. Hamza's penis was also cut off.

the story of a 13-year-old healthy boy named Hamza AlKhateeb

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Op zaterdag 28 mei 2011 19:56 schreef Monidique het volgende:

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the story of a 13-year-old healthy boy named Hamza AlKhateeb

Een klein, jong kind gemarteld en vermoord door het Baath-regime, dat tevens ook nog met tanks door de straten rijdt en burgers beschiet.

(Hoewel ik heb gehoord dat dit niet waar kan zijn, want we hebben Libi� de oorlog verklaard en dat heeft zo'n afschrikwekkend effect gehad dat dictators het wel uit hun hoofd laten dit soort dingen te doen.)

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Op zaterdag 28 mei 2011 19:56 schreef Monidique het volgende:

(Hoewel ik heb gehoord dat dit niet waar kan zijn, want we hebben Libi� de oorlog verklaard en dat heeft zo'n afschrikwekkend effect gehad dat dictators het wel uit hun hoofd laten dit soort dingen te doen.)

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Op zaterdag 28 mei 2011 21:32 schreef waht het volgende:

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Dictators investeren liever in luchtafweergeschut dan in een vrijer land. Dat laatste zou immers hun absolute macht ondermijnen, dat eerste zou tenminste hun gemoedstoestand iets verbeteren. Tevergeefs want het is geen partij voor een willekeurige Westerse luchtmacht. Je wil als dictator simpelweg onaantrekkelijker dan je buurland zijn om aan te vallen. Op dit moment zijn de Westerse landen lekker aan het bezuinigen en in de weer met andere landen dus Assad heeft steeds minder te vrezen uit het Westen.

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Op zondag 29 mei 2011 05:17 schreef Monidique het volgende:

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O, ja, absoluut. Maar dat is niet wat ik hoorde, ik heb namelijk gehoord dat de
Libische terreurcampagne ervoor zou zorgen dat ze in Syri� geen tanks zouden toelaten.

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Syrische troepen vallen steden aan

Syrische regeringstroepen en tanks hebben vandaag de aanval ingezet op de twee centraal gelegen steden Rastan en Talbiseh. Dat zeggen Syrische activisten.

Alle wegen richting de twee steden zijn afgesloten door troepen van het Syrische regime. Gewelddadig ingrijpen van ordetroepen heeft de afgelopen twee maanden al aan meer dan duizend demonstranten het leven gekost, zeggen Syrische burgerrechtengroepen.

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Report: Syrian soldiers shot by fellow comrades

Al-Jazeera TV airs video showing Syrian soldiers bleeding after reportedly refusing to fire at protestors

Al-Jazeera TV aired video footage on Sunday which shows Syrian soldiers bleeding. According to the report, which could not be confirmed, the soldiers were shot by their comrades after refusing to open fire at protestors in the city of Daraa.

Al-Jazeera reported that soldiers from Syria's 4th Division under Maher Assad's command shot their friends.

It was also claimed that the injured soldiers were taken to a house in the city, where locals tried to treat them. There have been numerous reports about the Syrian army executing soldiers who refuse orders in the last few weeks.

Meanwhile, human rights activists and eye witnesses reported Sunday that Syrian forces backed by tanks and helicopters entered the city of Rastan and killed two people. An activist said at least three people were killed in Tabliseh.

It was also reported that soldiers broke into houses in the two towns and began performing mass arrests. Gunfire was heard across the towns and helicopters were seen circling the skies

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@sate3
Sate Hamza ساطع
- @assafir: "AP: activists said people from Rastan & Talbiseh armed with machine guns & RPG rockets opened fire on security forces" #Syria

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@Israeli_Mossad
Anonymous M
#Syria #ArabSpring First occurrence in Syria: civilians fired on military forces using rifles and RPG.
6 hours ago via web

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Op dinsdag 31 mei 2011 13:06 schreef Aloulou het volgende:
Het is wel opmerkelijk dat Assad de inmiddels grootschalige protesten al meer dan 2 maanden gewoon niet de kop krijgt ingedrukt. Want hij heeft een vrij loyaal (ogend) leger tot zijn dienst met lotgenoten die het echt niet gaan toestaan dat ze worden afgezet. Daarnaast heeft hij het land goed weten af te schermen van de media maar toch lukt het niet ondanks vrij zwaar geschut wat hij na 5 weken al begon in te zetten (tanks etc).

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Op dinsdag 31 mei 2011 18:35 schreef Monidique het volgende:

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Het is ongelooflijk moedig van die burgers. Ik zou er niet meer staan, als ueberhaupt al.