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cqo_000

(313 posts)
Thu Jun 20, 2013, 01:52 AM Jun 2013

Syria's Islamists seize control as moderates dither [View all]

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



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