Persian Realm
به زبان فارسی
PICTORY
LATEST MUSIC
SEARCH
MASADA: Will The Battle For Aleppo Decide The Fate Of Assad ?
27-Jul-2012
While the deemed « civilized » world will be treated at the Olympic Games with it’s share of « bread and circus », I cannot help but think of another far more dramatic spectacle in the making. The Syrian rebels under siege in the city of Aleppo known for it’s ancient archeological sites already heavily bombarded by the troops of Syrian President Assad are about to face their most Deadly challenge yet. (Source: persianrealm.com)
As the siege of Aleppo continues, already dubbed by both sides as « the mother of all battles », I am sadly reminded of all the tragic and desperate acts of resistance against all odds and one in particular that of Masada (72 B.C.) in a region which has witnessed so many others in it’s long history.
Although the brave Syrian rebels are far from suicidal, their desperate situation as a poorly equipped rebellious lot facing a brutally professional killing machine led by Bachar Assad’s henchmen (including his own brother) will definitively be remembered as a tragic bloody milestone in this already year long confict.
As BBC War Correspondent Ian Pannel describes it : « It is almost inconceivable that President Assad could allow his government to lose control of the city, so it is reasonable to expect that they are going to throw everything they possibly can at the city.
And that is what they are preparing for here. One of the neighbourhoods is appealing for more blood supplies. We are hearing reports of hundreds, possibly thousands of families leaving some districts. Everybody is bracing themselves for an intensive campaign.
The way it has worked in other cities is that there is an intensive bombardment by artillery and mortars, and then when it starts to go calm, tanks begin to roll in. This is a very congested heavily populated area, so it will be bloody. » (Seerelated News).
Battle for Aleppo 'crucial' for Syria's future (Daily Telegraph, Jul 23, 2012):
Speaking from a village on the outskirts of Aleppo in Syria, the Telegraph's
Foreign Affairs Correspondent says that the rebels "think they have
nothing to lose" in the battle for the city.
Crac des Chevaliers holds out against Assad troops (AFP, Jul 4, 2012):
The Crac des Chevaliers, Syria's best preserved castle from the Crusades of the Middle Ages, is once again providing shelter for armed forces. The Free Syria Army have been holed up in and around the hilltop the fortress for over a year as they resist the advance of forces loyal the President Assad. An exclusive AFPTV report.
(NOTE : To Watch Double Click Here)
************************
************************
MASADA’s DO OR DIE :
The Mother of All Battles ?
***********************
***********************
The siege of Masada was among the final accords of the First Jewish-Roman War. The long siege by the troops of theRoman Empire led to the mass suicide of the Sicarii rebels and resident Jewish families of the Masada fortress. The siege has become a controversial event in Jewish history, marking radicalism on the one hand and heroic struggle on the other. (More Here) The Siege of Massada:
Documentary revists the myth of Massada in the light of new archeological discoveries
Peter O'Toole and Peter Strauss star in the Emmy Award-winning mini-series about the Romans' siege of the Jewish fortress at Masada. In first century A.D., Flavius Silva (Peter O'Toole), commander in Roman Palestine, leads his forces in combat against the remaining Jewish Zealots who have taken refuge in the seemingly impregnable fortress of Masada. There, the engineering and military might of Rome faces the passion and ingenuity of Eleazar Ben Yair (Peter Strauss) and his people. Based on the novel "The Antagonists" by Ernest K. Gann, this 4-part mini-series was shot on location in Israel.
Retribution :
Masada "The Leaders Meet" :
Generals Meet before Assault :
Recommended Readings:
Conflict threatens Syria's archaeological heritage (France 24) With its ancient fortresses, castles, mosques and markets, Syria bears the imprint of millennia of Middle Eastern history. But the current uprising is threatening some of the world’s most valuable heritage sites.
Profile of the City of Aleppo (bbc)
The Old Quarter of Aleppo is listed by Unesco as a World Heritage site. Its population of two million is made up mainly of Sunni Muslims, most of whom are Arabs but some of whom are Kurds. It also has the largest population of Christians in the country, and along with a mix of other religious and ethnic communities, the city's demographics largely mirror those of the country as a whole.As one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world - along with the capital, Damascus - and coloured with the stories of the many ancient travellers and merchants who passed through on their journeys along the famous Silk Road, Aleppo's beauty is hard to compare.
The medieval citadel and covered souk are two of its famous landmarks - both listed by Unesco as world heritage sites, which said it mirrored the rich and diverse cultures of its successive occupants.
Related Photo Essay:
In pictures : the Battle of Aleppo (bbc)
Related Blogs:
NIGHT OF THE GENERALS : Paul Conroy describes "pure, systematic slaughter of civilians"
MORAL DILEMMA? Obama & Cameron suggest “peaceful” transition in Syria instead of revolution
WANTED: Did Nazi Criminal Alois Brunner train Syria’s Security Forces ?
Other related blogs :
NO SCHINDLER: Shimon Peres say’s ‘Israel will stop’ Syrian refugees at border
SCHINDLER's LIST : In Tribute to the Abandoned Children of Syria
Syrian Protestors Burn IRI Flag
NIAC Ambassador Majid Rafizadeh: Appeasement with Iran But Sanctions & intervention on Syria?
IN DENIAL: Barbara Walters' Interview with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad
| Recently by Darius Kadivar | Comments | Date |
|---|---|---|
| TOMBSTONE: Bidding Goodbye to Iranian.com (ers) | 4 | Dec 05, 2012 |
| ROYAL PREGNANCY: Prince William, Duchess of Cambridge Announce Pregnancy | 3 | Dec 04, 2012 |
| DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES: Golshifteh Farahani & Sienna Miller in Road Movie ‘Just Like a Woman » | - | Dec 03, 2012 |
RECENT COMMENTS
IRANIANS OF THE DAY
| Person | About | Day |
|---|---|---|
| نسرین ستوده: زندانی روز | Dec 04 | |
| Saeed Malekpour: Prisoner of the day | Lawyer says death sentence suspended | Dec 03 |
| Majid Tavakoli: Prisoner of the day | Iterview with mother | Dec 02 |
| احسان نراقی: جامعه شناس و نویسنده ۱۳۰۵-۱۳۹۱ | Dec 02 | |
| Nasrin Sotoudeh: Prisoner of the day | 46 days on hunger strike | Dec 01 |
| Nasrin Sotoudeh: Graffiti | In Barcelona | Nov 30 |
| گوهر عشقی: مادر ستار بهشتی | Nov 30 | |
| Abdollah Momeni: Prisoner of the day | Activist denied leave and family visits for 1.5 years | Nov 30 |
| محمد کلالی: یکی از حمله کنندگان به سفارت ایران در برلین | Nov 29 | |
| Habibollah Golparipour: Prisoner of the day | Kurdish Activist on Death Row | Nov 28 |
Peace envoy Brahimi to seek Eid ceasefire in Syria
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Oct 20, 2012 05:59 AM PDTPeace envoy Brahimi to seek Eid ceasefire in Syria (France 24)
Mediator Lakhdar Brahimi (pictured) will meet Syrian officials in Damascus on Saturday in an effort to secure a brief ceasefire between the Assad regime and rebel forces during the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday, which begins next Friday.UN peace envoy lands in Damascus
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Oct 19, 2012 12:02 PM PDTUN peace envoy lands in Damascus (bbc)
UN and Arab League peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi arrives in Damascus to press for a ceasefire in the Syrian conflict, amid continued fighting.
Syrian man loses 18 relatives in airstrike
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Oct 19, 2012 01:44 AM PDTSyrian man loses 18 relatives in airstrike (cnn)
(CNN) -- In a calm voice, Sheikh Mohammed Fardoun listed his relatives, 18 in all, who he said were killed Thursday in an airstrike by Syrian Army MiG fighter jets in the northern town of Maaret al-Numan.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
France pledges help for Syrian 'Revolutionary Councils'
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Oct 18, 2012 04:58 PM PDT
The French government repeated its commitment to provide humanitarian aid and cash for the provision of basic services in rebel-held areas of Syria, as representatives of elected “Revolutionary Councils” attended a Paris conference.Syrian air strikes on rebel towns in Idlib
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Oct 18, 2012 03:32 PM PDTSyrian air strikes on rebel towns (cnn)
Air strikes on rebel strongholds in northern Syria have killed dozens of people, activists say.
Wednesday and Thursday's strikes hit towns in Idlib and Aleppo provinces, with one attack on Maaret al-Numan reportedly killing at least 20 people.Syria conflict: historic mosaic museum damaged
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Oct 18, 2012 06:17 AM PDTHistoric museum damaged in Syria (bbc, video)
Syrian rebels say the historic museum of Alma Arra in the city of Maaret al-Numan has been damaged amid fighting as the conflict there continues.
However, Bashar al Assad's government claims rebels who occupy the museum - renowned for its important collection of mosaics - are the responsible for the damage to the building and its artefacts.
Shaimaa Khalil reports.
28,000 'Vanished into thin air'
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Oct 18, 2012 12:13 AM PDT'Vanished into thin air'Listen (AUDIO)
Human rights groups working in Syria say that at least 28,000 people are missing after being taken from their homes or grabbed in the street by Syrian soldiers or militia. Some suggest the figure may be much higher.
But even the conservative estimates would mean the number who have "disappeared" in just 19 months equals the number of people kidnapped during Argentina's long "Dirty War" that began in the 1970s.
In some cases young children have been taken with their parents, and talk of torture is common.
The campaign organisation, Avaaz, which has been monitoring the claims and talking to some of the families involved, says the abductions are part of a deliberate strategy to terrorise families and communities who are opposed to the government.
Mike Thomson's report begins with news coverage of the story by the BBC's James Reynolds.
HRW Fears for 28,000 'disappeared' Syrians
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Oct 18, 2012 12:11 AM PDTFears for 'disappeared' Syrians (bbc)
Human rights groups in Syria say at least 28,000 people have disappeared after being abducted by soldiers or pro-government militia.
Syria opponents consider truce
by Darius Kadivar on Wed Oct 17, 2012 08:24 AM PDTSyria opponents consider truce (bbc)
The Syrian government and opposition indicate that they are willing to consider a ceasefire for Eid al-Adha proposed by the UN envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi.
In pictures: Aleppo Mosque burns
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Oct 15, 2012 11:49 AM PDTIn pictures: Mosque burns (bbc)
Opposition activists report more than 220 new deaths Sunday
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Oct 15, 2012 12:50 AM PDTOpposition activists report more than 220 new deaths Sunday
Rebel forces and government troops exchange prisoners
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Oct 15, 2012 12:49 AM PDTRebel forces and government troops exchange prisoners
Group: Syrian troops reclaim mosque from rebels
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Oct 15, 2012 12:47 AM PDTGroup: Syrian troops reclaim mosque (cnn)
(CNN) -- Syrian government troops regained control of a historic mosque in Aleppo after pushing rebel troops back from the area, a human rights group reported Sunday.
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that government troops recaptured the mosque from rebels after "intense clashes" nearby and in several other neighborhoods, some of which were damaged by government artillery.
The Syrian opposition had reported the 12th-century Umayyad Mosque was set afire during heavy fighting Saturday, with one opposition activist accusing government troops of setting the building ablaze. The head of the U.N. cultural agency UNESCO had urged all parties to protect the mosque, warning it was "severely endangered" by the battle for Syria's commercial capital.
TORY HIGHLIGHTS
Syria Regime is 'heavily using cluster bombs' say's HRW
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Oct 14, 2012 07:41 AM PDTSyria 'cluster bomb use growing' (bbc)
A leading human rights watchdog has accused the Syrian government of dropping cluster bombs on populated areas during its fight against rebels.
The New York-based Human Rights Watch said online video reports purporting to show evidence of such weapons being used had recently multiplied.
Cluster bombs are banned by 77 countries under a convention because of the threat they pose to civilians.
Syria has not signed up to the convention.
141 people were killed across the Syria Saturday
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Oct 14, 2012 04:26 AM PDTAnd that's Just an estimate ...
Rebels claim downing of Syrian jet
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Oct 14, 2012 04:25 AM PDTRebels claim downing of Syrian jet (cnn)
CNN) -- Fighting spread through Syria on Saturday as rebels claimed to down a government jet and state media reported the killings of "terrorists."
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Ancient Aleppo Umayyad Mosque Burns as Regime Battles Rebels
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Oct 14, 2012 04:21 AM PDTSyria - Famous Ancient Aleppo Umayyad Mosque Burns as Regime Battles Rebels 13 Oct
Rebel businessman Tortured in Aleppo now rebel commander
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Oct 14, 2012 01:56 AM PDTTortured in Aleppo (bbc)
A businessman explains why he is now a rebel commander
Since the conflict in Syria began 18 months ago, more and more civilians have been drawn into the fighting - and in Aleppo I met a businessman whose experience of torture in custody has turned him into a determined rebel commander.
Ian Pannell meets Aleppo doctors working under bombs and shells
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Oct 12, 2012 09:59 AM PDT
Traumatic surgery (bbc, video)Ian Pannell meets Aleppo doctors working under bombs and shells
The BBC's Ian Pannell visits a hospital in Aleppo overwhelmed with trauma victims of Syria's civil war, where doctors work under fire to keep people alive.
Warning: Ian Pannell's report contains distressing images of injury and death
In pictures: Syria conflict rages NEW
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Oct 12, 2012 09:47 AM PDTSyria rebels 'take military base' in Aleppo !
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Oct 12, 2012 08:48 AM PDTSyria rebels 'take military base' (bbc)
Syrian rebels have taken an air defence base from government forces near the embattled northern city of Aleppo, activists say.
NATO makes plans to defend Turkey from Syria attacks
by Darius Kadivar on Wed Oct 10, 2012 09:45 AM PDTNATO makes plans to defend Turkey from Syria attacks (France 24)
NATO said it had drawn up plans to defend Turkey should the Syrian conflict spill over their border again. The announcement came as rebel suicide bombers struck an Air Force Intelligence compound in Damascus on Tuesday.Viewpoint: Echoes of Spanish civil war in Syria
by Darius Kadivar on Wed Oct 10, 2012 04:15 AM PDTRancid hatred (bbc)
Echoes of Spain's civil war in Syria's merciless conflict
Although Syria's revolutionaries took inspiration from their counterparts in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, their situation is unique in the Arab world, argues Fouad Ajami. He sees vivid parallels, though, with the Spanish civil war.Syria intelligence complex bombed by Rebels
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Oct 09, 2012 05:36 AM PDTSyria intelligence complex bombed (bbc)
Syrian rebels carry out a bomb attack on an intelligence agency complex in Damascus, with one activist group saying dozens of people were killed.
Syrian propagandist: I worked for a 'butcher'
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Oct 09, 2012 12:47 AM PDTSyrian propagandist: I worked for a 'butcher' (cnn, VIDEO) A Syrian defector tells CNN's Ivan Watson that he wrote lies and spread propaganda for President Bashar al-Assad's press office.
Ian Pannell meets civilians caught in Aleppo's fighting
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Oct 09, 2012 12:19 AM PDTNo-man's land (bbc)
Ian Pannell meets civilians caught in Aleppo's fighting
"We are dead." It was a terrifyingly simple assessment of the grim reality for Aleppo's residents.'Saudi weapons' found in Syria
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Oct 08, 2012 01:21 PM PDT'Saudi weapons' found in Syria (bbc)
The BBC finds evidence that weapons intended for the Saudi military have been diverted to Syrian rebels in the city of Aleppo.
Syrian author Samar Yazbek shares Pinter prize with poet Duffy
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Oct 08, 2012 01:16 PM PDTSyrian author shares Pinter prize (bbc)
Samar Yazbek, whose latest book is an account of the Assad regime written inside Syria, will share the Pen Pinter prize with poet Carol Anne Duffy.
Syrian forces launch Damascus attack killing dozens
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Oct 07, 2012 04:22 AM PDTSyrian forces launch Damascus attack (cnn)
CNN) -- Syrian forces killed at least 20 people in a Damascus suburb Sunday, opposition activists said, as the government said it "cleansed" the area of terrorists.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Turkey 'fires over Syrian border'
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Oct 06, 2012 03:53 AM PDTTurkey 'fires over Syrian border' (bbc)
Turkey's military has fired into Syria for a fourth straight day after a Syrian mortar landed near a Turkish village, local media say.