Syria's Islamists seize control as moderates dither

[cqo_000]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Turborama (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: Reuters

During a 10-day journey through rebel-held territory in Syria, Reuters journalists found that radical Islamist units are sidelining more moderate groups that do not share the Islamists' goal of establishing a supreme religious leadership in the country.

The moderates, often underfunded, fragmented and chaotic, appear no match for Islamist units, which include fighters from organizations designated "terrorist" by the United States.

The Islamist ascendancy has amplified the sectarian nature of the war between Sunni Muslim rebels and the Shi'ite supporters of Assad. It also presents a barrier to the original democratic aims of the revolt and calls into question whether the United States, which announced practical support for the rebels last week, can ensure supplies of weapons go only to groups friendly to the West.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/19/us-syria-rebels-islamists-specialreport-idUSBRE95I0BC20130619

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With the moderates being sidelined by radical Islamists surely it is not the right time to be arming the opposition?

[delrem]

1. gee, who'd have figured

that a blanket call for mercenaries to engage in unheard of profit and plunder would turn out like this.

Esp. with Saudi Arabia, that freedom loving democratic state, fronting the effort.

I don't even want to say anything more at this point, so obviously immoral that it is.

[David__77]

2. Not sure this is latest breaking news, but it does show that arming the "rebels" = arming al Qaeda.

Even in Aleppo, there is no anti-al Qaeda insurgency. It doesn't exist; instead, al Qaeda is part of the "government" in the insurgent zones of the city.

There is a serious fallacy in the West that arming the so-called moderates would neutralize al Qaeda. Untrue, completely. Instead, the arms would be looted to al Qaeda. The "moderates" are thiefs and unprincipled, bought off through bribes. I completely disagree with the Salafist/Qaeda ideology, but it is true that they are not as bad when it comes to the stealing. I'm sure their officers would severely punish offenders - somewhat like communist insurgencies in that regard. So arming the insurgency can mean nothing other than arming al Qaeda.

[Comrade Grumpy]

3. The whole article is quite long and well worth reading.

It shows that the Free Syrian Army is largely a fiction. There's a whole bunch of local armed groups, then there's the Islamists, who seem to really have their act together. Looks like they're running the rebel-held parts of Aleppo. I wonder how many speak Chechen?

[rpannier]

4. Pointing out

Christians and other religious minorities (whioch in Syria include non-believers) support the Syrian Government

[Bosonic]

5. Meanwhile...

Syrian rebels get first heavy weapons on the front line of Aleppo

The First new heavy weapons have arrived on Syria’s front lines following President Barack Obama’s decision to put Western military might behind the official opposition, rebels have told The Daily Telegraph.

Rebel sources said Russian-made “Konkurs” anti-tank missiles had been supplied by America’s key Gulf ally, Saudi Arabia. They have already been used to destructive effect and may have held up a promised regime assault on Aleppo.

A handful of the missiles were already in use and in high demand after opposition forces looted them from captured regime bases.

More have now arrived, confirming reports that the White House has lifted an unofficial embargo on its Gulf allies sending heavy weapons to the rebels.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10131063/Syrian-rebels-get-first-heavy-weapons-on-the-front-line-of-Aleppo.html

[dipsydoodle]

6. That's an editorial/article

which was clear from the part deleted from the headline - Special Report:

Also over 12 hours old so not LBN anyway. Link timed at Wed Jun 19, 2013 6:10am EDT

[uppityperson]

7. Locking for several reasons

Background rather than Late Breaking News.
Time is outside 12 hr LBN Rule.
Headline is not copied exactly "Special Report: Syria's Islamists seize control as moderates dither" per LBN rules.

Please repost in GD or Good Reads forum. Thank you.