Syrian Civil War

I never believed in any honeymoon. I just a few days after the collaps of the Syrian dictator state posted these dudes were AQ and it very soon will be felt that their arch enemy Iran has been weakened in Syria.

 

When there's an outside agent that is involved - one that means something, like Russia - then there is a chance to do something, or a least a need to keep tabs to see how it affects that agent. When it's just internal or nearly so, and if there is no immediate threat (like a wave of refugees headed your way), then what can you do? Even if you have the inclination and the means, what do you do that doesn't make things worse?

I mean, we don't have threads for the Myanmar civil war or what Rwanda is doing to Congo or the dozen other conflicts going on. I don't discount their human suffering, and I don't want to see it happen, but I'm concerned with human suffering a little closer to home. We have a leader that doesn't mind suffering inside his own nation, and is making noise about introducing it to our neighbors. I'm watching Russia because I am convinced they had no small part in making that happen. The more peace we have at home, the further out we can show our care.

 

Ive watched some videos and photos and it made me sick. Seing toddlers butchered along the rest of their family in their homes.

There are unconfirmed reports of as many as over ten thousands dead, but we dont know yet.
I wouldnt be surprised if those numbers turn out to be true, or even exceeding that. Some videos are circulating of trucks running over dead bodies, reminiscent of the Rwandan genocide.
The relative silence of Western media has been sickening as well.

 

Be sure those video footages and pictures are being stored for later use in "crime against humanity" trials at the ICJ.
We do give a shit about it, but we can't do anything about it, apart from invading that country.
As I warned the counter power of that AQ bunch, now operating under another label, Iran has been severely downgraded and what consequences that will have to us is yet to be found out.

 

Meanwhile the Kurds have just signed an agreement with Shaarah's government.

Not 100% clear if their forces are supposed to disarm but all civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria are to come under Syrian state administration, including border crossings, airports, and oil and gas fields.

Hopefully, it's good news

 

Depends what you mean by disarm. The SDF and al-Shaarah's government have agreed to merge with the SDF's militia units joining Syria's security apparatus. So, the Kurdish fighters will still be armed and likely reporting to the same commanders, but the person at the very top is changing.

 

Stoning? That religion is still stuck in ancient times.

 

More sectarian violence in Syria... Following the circulation of audio of someone making derogatory comments about Islam that was attributed to the head of Syria's Druze population a group of Sunni gunmen went into a Druze neighborhood of a Damascus suburb and starting shooting up the place. In the ensuing gun battles, 7 Druze and 7 members of Syria's security forces were killed. I've seen claims that at least some of the Sunni gunmen were part of Syria's security forces, a claim that the Syrian government denies, but the Druze say is true...

https://www.france24.com/en/live-ne...sectarian-clashes-as-govt-vows-accountability

 

Another day of sectarian violence occurred in Druze areas southwest of Damascas, killing at least 11 civilians and security forces. Syrian security forces have set-up checkpoints on roads leading into the Druze areas and this morning's violence started off with armed men attacking one of these checkpoints. In a number of other Druze settlements, there are gunbattles on going between armed Druze militia members and the Sunni gunmen. And just to make things more exciting, Israel conducted several bombing runs on armed groups they say are attacking the Druze settlements, in one of the attacks a member of Syria's security forces was killed. Israel has also threatened to start bombing the Syrian government if they aren't able to quell the violence.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky&CMP=bsky_gu

 

I'm pretty sure a poster not so long ago suggested the Lebanon druze were going to align with the new Syrian government government=former AQ against hezbollah.

 

The Syrian Druze are currently in negotiations with the new Syrian government to join the government. The hang up is that the Druze wish to retain the semi-autonomy that the Assad government gave them during the civil war.

As far as the Lebanese Druze... Maybe? The new Syrian government and Hezbollah do have periodic border skirmishes, so I could see the Syrian government helping the Lebanese Sunnis and Christians in their power struggle with Hezbollah. Granted, the Syrian government has internal issues to deal with first.

 

Israel conducted bombing runs near Syria's Presidential palace. Israel claims it was a warning to Syria's new government that they need to do a better job protecting Druze.

On the Druze front, over 100 people were killed in the sectarian violence over the last week, but it seems to have calmed down since Wednesday. Druze leadership and the government have come to a deal regarding the Druze controlled areas of southwest Syria. I haven't seen what the Druze got in return, but the Druze leadership expressed loyalty to the central government, while condemning the violence against their people, and the government said security forces would be taking over Druze checkpoints and that Druze will be turning over heavy weapons.

https://www.barrons.com/news/israel...esidential-palace-amid-druze-clashes-129d38a7

 

The Arabic BBC news service has investigated the rabid hate in social media driving the sectarian violence and found 60% of it coming from neighboring countries. The vitriol is being driven by outsiders with their own agenda, probably much of it from pro-Assad forces.

https://www-bbc-com.translate.goog/...l=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp

This is a problem with social media world wide. Good luck getting social media companies to stop it because it increases engagement.

 

Trump suggests sanctions on Syria could be lifted or pulled back

President Trump’s recent remarks acknowledging the devastating impact of U.S. sanctions on the Syrian people—and expressing openness to easing them—mark a significant and welcome shift.

Easing these sanctions could pave the way for urgently needed humanitarian relief, economic… pic.twitter.com/kv0eJBpSk3

— Alia Natafgi علياء نطفجي (@AliaNatafgi) May 12, 2025

 

There it is. Trump announces support for dropping of sanctions against Syria.

 

Per Sec Rubio

Sanctions relief is critical for Syria to move forward. The United States is issuing a Caesar Act sanctions waiver to increase investments and cash flows that will facilitate basic services and reconstruction in Syria. We support the Syrian people’s efforts to build a more hopeful future.