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The initial attack was led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - which has a long and involved history in the Syrian conflict.

HTS is designated as a terrorist organisation by the UN, US, Turkey and other countries.

HTS was set up under a different name, Jabhat al-Nusra, in 2011 as a direct affiliate of al-Qaeda.

The leader of the self-styled Islamic State (IS) group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was also involved in its formation.

Slick wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 9:00 am Probably deserves its own thread.

For all the nice words from the rebels, I think we probably know which direction this is heading

robmatic wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 9:26 am But these are our paid jihadis, what could go wrong?

robmatic wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 9:26 am

Slick wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 9:00 am Probably deserves its own thread.

For all the nice words from the rebels, I think we probably know which direction this is heading

But these are our paid jihadis, what could go wrong?

For what it is worth, my Syrian friends seem cautiously pleased so far. The Assad regime was massively repressive on quite a large scale before the revolution kicked off and then there was the "Assad or we burn the country" promise that they tried to live up to. So, a new beginning is welcome regardless.

The next stage will be quite complex with all the competing factions and interests. Remember there are still American and Russian bases in the country and Turkey has unfinished business with the Kurdish enclave in the north east.

Slick wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 10:19 am

robmatic wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 9:26 am

Slick wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 9:00 am Probably deserves its own thread.

For all the nice words from the rebels, I think we probably know which direction this is heading

But these are our paid jihadis, what could go wrong?

For what it is worth, my Syrian friends seem cautiously pleased so far. The Assad regime was massively repressive on quite a large scale before the revolution kicked off and then there was the "Assad or we burn the country" promise that they tried to live up to. So, a new beginning is welcome regardless.

The next stage will be quite complex with all the competing factions and interests. Remember there are still American and Russian bases in the country and Turkey has unfinished business with the Kurdish enclave in the north east.

I think the cruelty of the Assad regime is pretty much beyond our imagining, so I would think there is a lot of that cautious relief about. It’s just difficult to see how things work out well with all the competing interests and a brutalised society.

tabascoboy wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 9:04 am Yep, this does not have good precedents

The initial attack was led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - which has a long and involved history in the Syrian conflict.

HTS is designated as a terrorist organisation by the UN, US, Turkey and other countries.

HTS was set up under a different name, Jabhat al-Nusra, in 2011 as a direct affiliate of al-Qaeda.

The leader of the self-styled Islamic State (IS) group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was also involved in its formation.

Biffer wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 11:55 am

Slick wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 10:19 am

robmatic wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 9:26 am

But these are our paid jihadis, what could go wrong?

For what it is worth, my Syrian friends seem cautiously pleased so far. The Assad regime was massively repressive on quite a large scale before the revolution kicked off and then there was the "Assad or we burn the country" promise that they tried to live up to. So, a new beginning is welcome regardless.

The next stage will be quite complex with all the competing factions and interests. Remember there are still American and Russian bases in the country and Turkey has unfinished business with the Kurdish enclave in the north east.

I think the cruelty of the Assad regime is pretty much beyond our imagining, so I would think there is a lot of that cautious relief about. It’s just difficult to see how things work out well with all the competing interests and a brutalised society.

The removal of a dictator like Assad isn't a bad thing. We're allowed to hope. And for us in the west to dismiss any potential of a better life for Syrians without giving it a chance just negates any chance of good happening anywhere.

Biffer wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 2:13 pm Realism does not mean assuming the worst.

According to German journalist in Russia, Ina Ruck, the Russian Foreign Ministry claims that "it has allowed Assad's fall and expressed its wish to keep its bases in Syria. They are hoping that the new leaders are going to accept that".

Imagine saying this with a straight face, but it is what Russia does, all the time, when it gets its rear handed. Just like the Russian red lines, they disappear into nothing, because they came from nothing. They are an illusion with the only aim to discourage us from doing the right thing.

Paddington Bear wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 3:30 pm

Biffer wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 2:13 pm Realism does not mean assuming the worst.

We have so many examples of what happens in the Middle East after the strongman is overthrown by Islamists though.

As we reported earlier, strikes have been heard in Damascus in the past few hours and large plumes of black smoke have been seen.

Reuters is citing two regional security sources as saying that Israel has conducted three airstrikes against a major security complex in Damascus's Kafr Sousa district, along with a research centre where Israel previously said Iranian scientists developed missiles.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, says Israel carried out at least three airstrikes on Syria today, including on a research centre near Damascus.

The Israeli military has not commented.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cwy8xzxe0w7t

Deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow, Russian state media agencies report, citing sources in the Kremlin.

Reports also say that Assad and his family have been granted asylum by Russia.

The BBC has not been able to independently verify the information.

Uncle fester wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 11:40 am Correct thread title form is "what's going on in Syria?"

Seems Assad has fled and might even be dead.

Israel have already attacked some of the rebel groups.

Uncle fester wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 11:40 am Correct thread title form is "what's going on in Syria?"

Seems Assad has fled and might even be dead.

Israel have already attacked some of the rebel groups.

tabascoboy wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 6:20 pm I'm sure he would be very happy there

Deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow, Russian state media agencies report, citing sources in the Kremlin.

Reports also say that Assad and his family have been granted asylum by Russia.

The BBC has not been able to independently verify the information.

Slick wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 7:18 pm

tabascoboy wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 6:20 pm I'm sure he would be very happy there

Deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow, Russian state media agencies report, citing sources in the Kremlin.

Reports also say that Assad and his family have been granted asylum by Russia.

The BBC has not been able to independently verify the information.

What an utterly shit place to spend the rest of your life. Which is nice.

His wife must be loving it

Uncle fester wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2024 8:08 am Whatever happens in the country now, at least Sednaya prison had been opened and exposed.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/ ... dApp_Other

Slick wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 7:18 pm

His wife must be loving it

laurent wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2024 8:20 am

Uncle fester wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2024 8:08 am Whatever happens in the country now, at least Sednaya prison had been opened and exposed.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/ ... dApp_Other

Trouble is that they do not appear to have secured the paperwork (that would have been useful for proper trial of the butchers)

Uncle fester wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2024 11:33 am

laurent wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2024 8:20 am

Uncle fester wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2024 8:08 am Whatever happens in the country now, at least Sednaya prison had been opened and exposed.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/ ... dApp_Other

Trouble is that they do not appear to have secured the paperwork (that would have been useful for proper trial of the butchers)

You wonder what will happen to them and whether any of them will be held to account. Could get very messy.

Look for example at the pilot that refused to bomb civilians and spent decades in prison for it. Do you execute the pilot who obeyed the order knowing full well what would happen if he disobeyed?

Biffer wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2024 11:40 am

Uncle fester wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2024 11:33 am

laurent wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2024 8:20 am

Trouble is that they do not appear to have secured the paperwork (that would have been useful for proper trial of the butchers)

You wonder what will happen to them and whether any of them will be held to account. Could get very messy.

Look for example at the pilot that refused to bomb civilians and spent decades in prison for it. Do you execute the pilot who obeyed the order knowing full well what would happen if he disobeyed?

"I was only obeying orders" didn't work at Nurmeberg. It's not a defence against a war crime.

Breaking: the Turkish army and the SNA have launched a comprehensive military operation against Kobani

Kawazaki wrote: Wed Dec 11, 2024 10:58 am Assad was/is a major drug baron. He manufactured and supplied 90% of the amphetamine drug empire throughout MENA and Eastern Asia. This market is worth... drum roll...

US$57 billion every year! That's more than 3x what all the Mexican cartels make combined.

I didn't even know so many Muslims took drugs let alone how organised the supply was.

Slick wrote: Wed Dec 11, 2024 11:00 am

Kawazaki wrote: Wed Dec 11, 2024 10:58 am Assad was/is a major drug baron. He manufactured and supplied 90% of the amphetamine drug empire throughout MENA and Eastern Asia. This market is worth... drum roll...

US$57 billion every year! That's more than 3x what all the Mexican cartels make combined.

I didn't even know so many Muslims took drugs let alone how organised the supply was.

You should go to Iran, half the country is off their tits of an evening.

tabascoboy wrote: Thu Dec 12, 2024 10:18 am From some small pieces of information, there is some conjecture that the new Syrian government has allowed Russia to prepare to leave its Syrian bases and as long as they do so within 75 days they won't be attacked. From Russian sources, their troops in Syria are blockaded. Khmeimim is surrounded, Tartus is abandoned, and transport routes are cut off.

fishfoodie wrote: Thu Dec 12, 2024 5:02 pm

tabascoboy wrote: Thu Dec 12, 2024 10:18 am From some small pieces of information, there is some conjecture that the new Syrian government has allowed Russia to prepare to leave its Syrian bases and as long as they do so within 75 days they won't be attacked. From Russian sources, their troops in Syria are blockaded. Khmeimim is surrounded, Tartus is abandoned, and transport routes are cut off.

The Subs & ships that were based in Tartous are proper fucked now.

They were originally based in Crimea, & now they've sortied from Syria, I wonder what they'll do for food & fuel to get themselves to a friendly port ??

Sandstorm wrote: Thu Dec 12, 2024 8:47 pm HTS are planning to do exactly what the Taliban did when the Americans left Afghanistan: move in and help themselves to all the armour and weapons the Russians can’t take home with them.