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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)
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MASADA’s DO OR DIE :
The Mother of All Battles ?
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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)
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Fresh fighting hits Syrian cities Damascus and Aleppo
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Aug 04, 2012 04:08 AM PDTFresh fighting hits Syrian cities (bbc)
Fresh fighting is reported in Damascus and the northern city of Aleppo, hours after a UN vote condemning the failure to act in Syria.
Amanpour interviews Retired Syrian General on battle for Aleppo
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Aug 03, 2012 03:16 PM PDTEx-general's insight into Aleppo battle (cnn,video)
Retired Syrian General Akil Hashem discusses the battle for Aleppo with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour.
Allegedly
by Truthseeker9 on Fri Aug 03, 2012 11:00 AM PDTObama authorizes secret CIA support for Syrian rebels
President Barack Obama has signed a covert directive giving the green light to US support for Syrian rebels fighting against President Bashar al-Assad's forces. Some reports say the US Treasury Department approved a license allowing the Washington Syrian Support Group to provide direct financial assistance to the Free Syrian Army.
Syria's rebel woman fighter
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Aug 03, 2012 10:40 AM PDTSyria's rebel woman fighter (bbc, video)
The BBC has learned that Syrian rebel groups have set up training camps in neighbouring Turkey to prepare their forces to fight government troops back in Syria.
Thwaiba Kanafani, a member of the Free Syrian Army, has described what has been happening in the training camps to the BBC's Richard Galpin.
Syrian rebels now deploy heavy weapons in fight for Aleppo
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Aug 02, 2012 09:15 AM PDTSyrian rebels deploy heavy weapons in fight for Aleppo (France 24)
Anti-regime rebels are deploying captured army tanks and other heavy weapons against Syrian forces as the battle for Aleppo continues, UN monitors said Wednesday. The General Assembly is preparing to vote Friday on a resolution censuring the regime.
Syrian rebels pound military base
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Aug 02, 2012 08:46 AM PDTSyrian rebels pound military base (cnn)
CNN) -- Growing in numbers and clout, Syrian rebels battered a military airport near Aleppo as the battle for the nation's most populous city raged Thursday.
'Dozens die' in Damascus raids
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Aug 02, 2012 01:27 AM PDT'Dozens die' in Damascus raids (bbc)
Syrian forces killed at least 70 people in two attacks in Damas
Syrian Christians fear future as violence worsens
by Darius Kadivar on Wed Aug 01, 2012 03:10 AM PDTBy Fergal Keane
BBC News, Lebanon
Fears for the future (bbc, video)
Christian refugees from Syria wonder if they can ever return
The woman was clearly frightened. Over and over again she explained that the world should know about what was happening to Christians like her inside Syria.
But she would not appear on camera or even allow her voice to be recorded.
"My husband does not want to draw trouble on us by speaking out," she said.
The family had fled Syria for Lebanon because it was simply too frightening now for Christians, she insisted.
Although I met Christian refugees with widely differing political opinions, all were afraid of being targeted if they spoke publicly.Fate of Syria at stake - say's Assad
by Darius Kadivar on Wed Aug 01, 2012 02:35 AM PDTFate of Syria at stake - Assad (bbc)
The conflict raging on Syria's streets between government forces and rebels will decide the fate of the nation, President Assad warns.
His fate has been sealed, I think
by Rea on Tue Jul 31, 2012 05:55 PM PDTThe question is what will happen after ?
Is Syria yet another country to fall into the hands of islamists who will in a year impose niqab on all Syrian women ?
video reignites fears of looting at Syria’s archaeological site
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Jul 31, 2012 02:45 PM PDTSoldier’s video reignites fears of looting at Syria’s archaeological sites (France 24)
The civil war in Syria threatens not only the country’s inhabitants, but its rich cultural heritage as well. In an amateur video published several days ago by one of our Observers in Palmyra, a city in central Syria, manhandling and possibly looting archaeological treasures. The video was uploaded by Abdellah al-Tadmoury, the director of the opposition’s communications centre in Palmyra. Abroad, Palmyra is best known as being home to a 6-kilometre-square archaeological site with relics from the second century, listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site. Al-Tadmoury told us that, last week, a soldier deserting from the army gave him his phone’s memory card just before leaving town with some rebels from the Free Syrian Army. The man, he said, barely had the time to specify that his memory card contained images from his brigade in Palmyra. FRANCE 24 was given several of these videos. On one of these, a brigade from the regular army is shown patrolling the Palmyra archaeological site. Another video features the same group of armed soldiers breaking into a house. And then there was this video, where uniformed men manhandle what appear to be rare archaeological artefacts.
Arab League chief says war crimes being committed in Aleppo
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Jul 31, 2012 10:25 AM PDTWar crimes alleged in battered Aleppo (cnn, video)
TORY HIGHLIGHTS
Aleppo fighting traps thousands, UNHCR says
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Jul 31, 2012 10:22 AM PDT
Thousands trapped' in Syria city (bbc)Concern grows over conditions in the Syrian city of Aleppo as the army offensive continues, with a UN official warning that thousands of people are trapped.
Syrian Activist's death becomes a symbol
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Jul 31, 2012 02:48 AM PDTActivist's death a symbol (bbc)
A peaceful demonstrator to his supporters, a "terrorist" according to the government - Tammam al-Saab's killing by Syrian forces in Damascus on 20 July has galvanised protesters in the city, writes a journalist in the Syrian capital.
U.S. Defense Secretary: Al-Assad should 'get the hell out'
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Jul 31, 2012 12:24 AM PDTU.S. Defense Secretary: Al-Assad should 'get the hell out' (cnn, VIDEO)
U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta says that when Bashar al-Assad loses his grip on power, he wants the Syrian military to remain in place.
"I think it's important when Assad leaves - and he will leave - to try to preserve stability in that country. And the best way to preserve that kind of stability is to maintain as much of the military, the police, as you can, along with the security forces, and hope that they will transition to a democratic form of government. That's a key," Panetta told CNN's Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr in an exclusive interview in Tunis, Tunisia, Monday.
He said the United States shouldn't allow a repeat of the Bush administration's moves in Iraq, where it disbanded the Iraqi military.
"It's very important that we don't make the same mistakes we made in Iraq," he said. "And that, particularly, when it comes things like the chemical sites. They (the Syrian military) do a pretty good job of securing those sites. If they suddenly walked away from that, it would be a disaster to have those chemical weapons fall into the wrong hands - hands of Hezbollah or other extremists in that area."
Rare Footage Ian Pannell Trapped by raging battle for Aleppo
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Jul 30, 2012 11:40 PM PDTRaging battle for Aleppo (bbc, video)
Syrian government forces have been continuing their assault with artillery, ground forces and helicopter gunships on rebel-held areas of the second city, Aleppo.
Officials said one area, Salah al-Din, had been recaptured, but rebels said the battle there was still going on.
UN observers have reported an upsurge in violence in the city.
The BBC's Ian Pannell and cameraman Darren Conway were trapped by fighting in Aleppo, from where they sent this report.
Syrian rebels hold out in Aleppo stronghold
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Jul 30, 2012 11:35 PM PDTSyrian rebels hold out in Aleppo (bbc)
Syrian rebels hold their ground for another night in the city of Aleppo as a government offensive enters its fourth day and a refugee crisis worsens.
Syria army steps up Aleppo attack
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Jul 30, 2012 08:41 AM PDTSyria army steps up Aleppo attack (bbc)
Syrian government forces step up their assault on rebel-held areas of the second city, Aleppo, using artillery, ground forces and helicopter gunships.
Syrian rebels seize base near Aleppo as battle rages
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Jul 30, 2012 04:22 AM PDTSyrian rebels seize base near Aleppo as battle rages (cnn)
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Queuing for bread in Aleppo
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Jul 30, 2012 04:19 AM PDTQueuing for bread in AleppoWatch (bbc, VIDEO)
The BBC's Ian Pannell says he has seen long lines of people queuing for bread in the Syrian city of Aleppo, where Government forces are trying to regain control of the city from rebels.
UN says 200,000 have fled Aleppo battle
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Jul 30, 2012 12:29 AM PDTMany thousands flee Aleppo battle (bbc)
Some 200,000 people have fled fighting in Syria's second city Aleppo since government troops launched a ground assault on Saturday, the UN says.
Ian Pannell: Fear and hunger in Aleppo
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:06 PM PDTFear and hunger in Aleppo (bbc)
The BBC's Ian Pannell reports from the Syrian city of Aleppo where government forces have launched an all-out attack to drive rebel fighters from their strongholds.
Aleppo 'nail in Assad's coffin'
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:04 PM PDTAleppo 'nail in Assad's coffin' (bbc)
Syria's assault on the city of Aleppo is a "nail in the coffin" of President Assad, says US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta as he starts a Middle-East tour.
War crimes being committed in Aleppo, Arab League chief says
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Jul 29, 2012 01:21 PM PDTArab League chief sees Syria war crimes (reuters)
CAIRO (Reuters) - The Arab League chief described the situation in Syria as amounting to war crimes and said those responsible will be held accountable internationally, Egypt's state news agency said on Sunday.
Rebels still in control of sections of Aleppo, Syria's largest city, have clashed for several days with army troops after additional tank columns and troop reinforcements were sent in last week.
"Dr Nabil Elaraby, Secretary-General of the Arab League, described what is happening in Syria, especially the city of Aleppo, as amounting to war crimes, and warned that perpetrators of thesecrimes will be held internationally accountable," state news agency MENA said,
(Reporting by Shaimaa Fayed)Syrian, Iranian officials meet as fresh attacks pummel Aleppo
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Jul 29, 2012 07:04 AM PDTSyrian officials tell Iran: 'We are facing global war' (cnn)
Syria's foreign minister meets Iranian officials, with both sides decrying what they call an international plot against the Assad regime, as fighting mounts in Aleppo, above
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Syria regime vows to crush Aleppo rebels
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Jul 29, 2012 06:54 AM PDTSyria vows to crush Aleppo rebels (bbc)
Renewed heavy fighting is reported in Syria's largest city, as the government pledges to defeat rebels who control parts of Aleppo.
In pictures: Battle for Aleppo
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Jul 29, 2012 01:33 AM PDTIn pictures: Battle for Aleppo (bbc)
Call to arm Syrian rebel fighters
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Jul 29, 2012 01:30 AM PDTCall to arm Syrian rebel fighters (bbc)
The exiled opposition Syrian National Council calls for foreign states to arm rebel fighters, as government troops continue their assault on Aleppo
Syria crisis: Running battles on Aleppo's streets
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Jul 28, 2012 02:54 PM PDTRunning battles on Aleppo's streetsWatch (BBC, VIDEO)
Syrian forces have kept up a day-long ground and air attack against rebels in parts of the city of Aleppo.
The BBC's Ian Pannell, who is in Aleppo, has seen fierce battles, with a number of rebel fighters killed.
Rebels with the Free Syrian Army (FSA) say they have repelled an army incursion and destroyed tanks, but there is no independent verification.
Syria army mounts air and land attack on Aleppo
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Jul 28, 2012 10:39 AM PDTSyria forces launch Aleppo attack (bbc, VIDEO)
Syrian forces use mortars and helicopters in a day-long assault on Aleppo, where a BBC journalist sees families fleeing and rebel fighters killed.