SYRIA’s REBELS: UNDERARMED, under siege
They say they want to create a “free zone” here, like Benghazi in last year’s Libyan war, where defected soldiers and those loyal to the opposition could be safe. “As Libya,” says Abu Khalid, one of the fighters, “like Benghazi. Where people in government who want to leave the regime can go.” “In Syria,” he explains, that option is not available. “If someone wants to leave the regime, he fears his family will be killed or tortured.
The rebels in Idlib appeared to be low on weapons and ammunition. Their guns looked old, and they don’t have the body armor or military boots that the Syrian army enjoys. They say they’ve received no help from foreign governments.
REPEAT
The rebels in Idlib appeared to be low on weapons and ammunition. Their guns looked old, and they don’t have the body armor or military boots that the Syrian army enjoys. They say they’ve received no help from foreign governments.”
In Idlib, fighter Abu Khalid walks through the acquisition process for his brigade. They got their generator from an army base after a battle. The satellite dish was bought from Hatay Market in Turkey. The radios and walkie-talkies made their way from a market in Istanbul. “Not any support from USA or any country,” Abu Khalid said. “We don’t want them to help us with (words); we want them to help us with weapons.” They say their guns have been mostly bought from corrupt regime soldiers. Others were purchased from the Turkish mafia. They say a Kalashnikov can cost $4,000 on the black market.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-05-22/free-syria-rebels-assad/55143142/1?
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