Mato's Blog

The Syrian Information Ministry announced that there is a satellite channel which is using the logo of the Syrian Satellite Channel and is broadcasting nationalistic songs. This channel was apparently set up in preparation for a media ambush which will try to replace the original Syrian broadcasts and the forged channel may appear on the same frequency if the genuine channel is cut off.

The ministry reminded the population that the continuation of the genuine Syrian channels is linked to the presence of its well-known programs and presenters, and that the mentioned channel and any similar channels are not related to the Syrian national media and constitute blatant media piracy.

The administrations of Arabsat and Nilesat have stopped the broadcasts of Syria’s Addounia TV Channel. The Twitter account of Addounia has been hacked by the CIA in order to disseminate false messages announcing a retreat of the Syrian Army.

The website of Syria’s news agency SANA is constantly subjected to fierce DDoS (distributed denial of service attacks) and cannot be accessed from here. In the last year the internet has become a bloody battleground with the video site YouTube swamped by rebel videos and hundreds of rebel accounts set up on all social networking sites. Professional commenters (shills) are skimming comment sections of popular news sites to slander Assad and to shout down Syria supporters.

Together with the colluding mass media this allows total message control and is is increasingly difficult to get reliable information from within Syria.

According to the Israeli news agency DEBKAfile, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have substantially stepped up the flow of weapons to the rebels. The supplies are reaching combatants inside Syria as well as the trainees at Turkish and Jordanian military facilities.

The rebel numbers have risen to 50,000 armed men who are efficiently organized in 17 brigades. Fighting inside the country are 260 military units, each consisting of one or two battalions, which mostly range from 1,000 to 1,500 men. By the first week of July, the rebel army had put in place an efficient logistical system.

Regional operational commands are working in most provinces and hi-tech communications equipment is connecting the provinces and  links them to the FSA’s high command in Turkey. A well-organized arms smuggling ring transfers weapons from one command to another as required for local attacks on Syrian military and security forces. This pipeline is fed by Turkish, Saudi and Qatari suppliers via Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Turkey.

Foreign military advisers are posted at each provincial command center. They are usually special forces experts mainly from British, French, Turkish, Saudi, and Qatari armies.
The efforts to built up a military structure seems to pay off and the rebels have significantly increased the efficiency of their attacks.

FSA fighters have converged on Damascus for a major offensive which they call “Damascus Volcano and Syrian Earthquake” and shortly seized the district of Midan. Most shops in Damascus are closed, the usually crowded boulevards are empty and only few people are outside.

The FSA rebels have also overrun the Abu Kamal/Qaim border post to Iraq and the Bab al-Hawa and Jarablus border posts to Turkey. Eyewitnesses from the Iraqi and Turkish side of the border reported, that the captured Syrian border guards were summarily executed which is corresponding with previous reports that FSA rebels usually execute captured security and army personal on the spot.

 A bombing assassination, which bears all the hallmarks of a Mossad or CIA operation, killed defense minister Daoud A. Rajha (the most prominent Christian in the government), his deputy Asef Shawkat, and assistant vice president Hassan Turkmani. Syria’s intelligence chief Hisham Bekhtyar died later from his wounds.

Rebel officials told Britain’s Daily Telegraph that there were two bombs — one hidden in a flower arrangement and one in a chocolate box, which had been smuggled into the meeting days earlier by FSA members working closely with the drivers and bodyguards of the crisis management cell.

This is probably not the real story but it seems likely that this attack has been carried out with the collaboration of regime insiders and it again proves the widely held view that the Syrian intelligence services are corrupt and infiltrated by Mossad.
Russia and China still stand firm to Syria but the European Union plans to inspect aircraft and ships for violations of the EU arms embargo against Syria, prompting Roman Pukhov, director of Russia’s Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technology to declare: “The EU has no international legal right to inspect aircraft and ships belonging to countries that are not its members, including Russia.

The USA in the meanwhile is bringing more and more forces into the Persian Gulf in a military build-up that the Gulf has not seen since the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The USA already has two aircraft carriers and the accompanying strike groups in the region and plans now to send the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier strike group there.

In April an undisclosed number of F-22 stealth fighters were moved to the Al Dhafra air base in the UAE. In June four Navy minesweeping ships arrived in the Gulf, doubling the Navy’s minesweeping force; the Navy has also positioned the USS Ponce in the Gulf, an amphibious assault ship now reconfigured as an “afloat forward staging base.”

Qatar has agreed to host a long-range X-band missile defense radar site, adding to similar sites the United States already operates in Israel and Turkey.

Though the US military build-up at first glance seems to be targeted at Iran, it could be as well used for a military intervention into Syria. The USA and NATO allies will not miss any chance to humiliate Russia and China and will also not be deterred by the looming danger of a military escalation.
Western leaders, like Wall Street bankers and corporate CEO’s, are by nature high stake gamblers. The reward of this particular gamble in the Middle East could be huge both in military strategic and in economic terms. Petroleum and natural gas are one of Syria’s most vital natural resources and would be needed in Europe, water from the Golan Heights and South Lebanon is wanted by Israel.

The destruction of Syria would open the door to Iran, the destruction of Iran would open the door into the South Caucasus and Central Asia, leading to the destabilization of the former Soviet republics and southern Russian provinces with Islamic populations. Saudi Arabia funded terrorists are already active in Ingushetia, Dagestan, and Chechnya.

G.W. Bush was not very bright and thought, that it needs a military invasion and “boots on the ground” to subdue other nations. Barrack Obama is more clever and knows, that the same result can be achieved by arming religious fanatics, gangsters, and desperadoes.

Western leaders are not interested in nation building, they are only interested in resource exploration, which can easily be done in a failed state by bribing warlords and gang leaders. The scheme was first tested in Africa (Somalia, DRC) and is now applied to the Middle East (Libya, Syria). US strategists are confident, that Russia and China will not risk a dangerous escalation and finally give in and that Russia subsequently will break up into smaller and smaller pieces.

It is high stake gambling, and if Russia stands firm this could result in a military confrontation between two or more nuclear armed adversaries.

Update

In defiance of the SANA blockade here are the headlines of SANA from July 20, 2012:

Syrian Armed Forces Clean al-Midan in Damascus, Seize Weapons, Restore Security to the Region

The Syrian armed forces cleaned al-Midan region in Damascus from vanquished mercenary terrorists.

SANA reporter quoted a security source today as saying that the armed forces cleaned al-Midan and restored security and tranquility to region,

The source added that the authorities seized large amounts of weapons including Dushka machine guns, explosive belts and devices, military uniforms, RPG launchers, ammunition and communication devices.

The Syrian Armed Forces continue to pursue the remnants of mercenary terrorists who fled from al-Midan and al-Tishreen areas in the fields of Kafar Souseh. Scores of terrorists throw down their weapons and surrender.

A flash grenade exploded inside a tunnel at the Umayyad Square in Damascus causing minor material damage. No injuries were reported in the explosion and the traffic moment was back to normal.

Authorities Repel Terrorists Attacking Police School in Aleppo

In Aleppo province, the authorities repelled an attack by a group of terrorists on the Police School in Khan al-Asal area.

SANA reporter quoted a source in the governorate as saying that the terrorists tried to attack the school using machine guns and RPG launchers, adding that the competent authorities inflicted heavy losses on them.

Two Explosive Devices Dismantled in Idleb, Hama

The engineering units dismantled two explosive devices planted by an armed terrorist group on Ariha-Sarakeb road in Idlib countryside.

SANA correspondent quoted a source in the governorate as saying that the device that weighed 50 kg was rigged for remote detonation to target civilians and law-enforcement members.

The engineering units also dismantled another explosive device planted by terrorists on Aleppo road. SANA correspondent quoted a source in the governorate as saying that the device that weighed around 40 kg was planted on Aleppo road and was rigged to target citizens.

Authorities Inflict Heavy Losses on Armed Terrorist Groups in Idlib Countryside

The concerned authorities chased armed terrorist groups in Idleb countryside, inflicting heavy losses on them and destroying their cars.

SANA correspondent quoted a source in the governorate as saying that the competent authorities chased an armed terrorist group in Abu al-Zohour town in Sarakeb and inflicted heavy losses on them, indicating that the terrorists Ahmad Haj Ahmad, Bassel Jneid, Ahmad al-Ibrahim, Ghassan Qassoum and Subhi al-Fadel were among the dead. The terrorists’ cars were destroyed.

The source added that the authorities chased an armed terrorist group in al-Maghara village in Jabal al-Zawiah, Idleb countryside, and inflicted casualties on the terrorists.

Syrian Army Units Kill Terrorists in Deir Ezzor, Destroy Their Cars

Syrian army units on Thursday night clashed with terrorists in al-Bukamal City in Deir Ezzor killing and wounding dozens of them while others surrendered.

A source in the province told SANA reporter that terrorists Ibrahim al-Debs, the leader of an armed group, Ayman al-Obadi and Thaer al-Qadam were identified among the dead.

The source added that the clash resulted in destroying a mortar, a pick-up truck equipped with a machine gun and two cars.

News on President al-Assad Agreeing to Leave Power and on Mrs. al-Assad Arriving in Moscow Denied

Russia’s Ambassador to France, Alexander Orlov categorically denied what was ascribed to him on President Bashar al-Assad agreeing to leave power in an interview with Radio France Internationale.

The Russian Ambassador’s denial came in an interview with the French BFM TV.

Ministry of Information dismissed as “completely untrue” what some TV channels ascribed to Russia’s Ambassador in Paris Alexander Orlov on President Bashar al-Assad agreeing to what they said leaving power in an “orderly way”.

The Ministry said in a statement on Friday that the interview Orlov gave to Radio France Internationale had been recorded and posted on the net , but it was distorted, stressing that the Russian Ambassador did not say what it was attributed to him.

Lukashevich: News on Mrs. Al-Assad Arriving in Russia Mere Rumors

The Russian Foreign Ministry dismissed news on Mrs. Asmaa al-Assad arriving in Moscow as mere rumors and unfair media attempts to mislead the public opinion.

“I don’t want to comment on any rumors,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Alexander Lukashevich, said on Friday.

He added that the issue of Russia offering President al-Assad asylum is not worth commenting on, recalling that this issue was previously commented on by Russia’ Foreign Minister.

“This is not worthy of any kind of reaction , especially that you saw yesterday President Bashar al-Assad on TV with the new defense minister,” said Lukashevich.

Russian Foreign Ministry: Statements of Russian Ambassador in Paris on President al-Assad were Distorted

The Russian Foreign Ministry stressed that the statements of the Russian ambassador in Paris on President Bashar al-Assad were distorted and misinterpreted by some media outlets.

In a statement on Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry reiterated that only the Syrians can determine the fate of their country and leadership.

For his part, Sergei Barinov, spokesman for the Russian embassy in France, said that the words of the Russian ambassador in Paris, Alexander Orlov, were distorted to sound as if President al-Assad agreed to step down.

”This sentence was taken out of context,” Barinov said, denying that what was ascribed to the Russian ambassador reflects the Russian official stance.

Barinov said that the ambassador’s words meant that President al-Assad may stay or step down, but this is a decision to be taken by the Syrian President and people.

President Putin: Any Attempt to Circumvent Security Council Regarding Syria Will Undermine Its Reputation

Official Spokesman for the Russian Presidency Dmitry Peskov said that President Vladimir Putin believes that any attempt to circumvent the Security Council regarding Syria will be ineffective and will undermine the reputation of this international organization.

ITAR-TASS  quoted Peskov on Friday as saying that President Putin discussed with the Russian National Security Council the Syrian issue due to the Russian veto on a draft resolution on Syria at the Security Council on Thursday.

He said that the members of the Russian National Security Council affirmed that attempts to link the escalating tension in Syria to the Russia stance are utterly inappropriate and unacceptable.

Gatilov: The US Has Adopted A Hypocrite Attitude Towards Syrian Issue

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Gennady Gatilov, said that the US has adopted “a hypocritical attitude” towards the Syrian file in its refrain from exerting pressure on the opposition to start dialogue with the government in Syria.

In a statement posted on his page on the net, Gatilov added that the Americans have done nothing towards urging the opposition to hold dialogue with the Syrian government, in comment on random accusations made by the US Permanent Representative to the Security Council Susan Rice  out of anger over the Russia-China veto against the Western draft resolution on Syria.

Earlier, Gatilove announced in a statement to the Russian Interfax news agency his country’s support to a draft resolution proposed by Pakistan at UN Security Council on extending the observer mission in Syria for 45 days.

Gatilov said that Russia will support the draft resolution which is to be put to the vote on Friday as it has participated in preparing it along with the Pakistani partners.

The draft provides for extending the mandate of the UN observer mission 45 additional days after it expires on Saturday.

Churkin Calls for Not being Misled by Humanitarian Discourse of Some Countries on Situation in Syria

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, criticized the policy of some countries on Syria which would further inflame the crisis and shed more of the Syrian blood.

In a statement to Russia Today TV Channel on Friday, Churkin said ”Do not be misled by the humanitarian discourse of some countries. The policies on Syria are more geopolitical than humanitarian. Unfortunately, the consequences of these policies will make the conflict and bloodshed continuous.”

He clarified that the aid seems humanitarian but in fact is a prelude to a military intervention that will cause more bloodshed, adding ”The US and the UK intervened in Iraq under the most sublime of pretexts, causing more than 115 thousand civilian victims, let alone the displaced people inside and outside Iraq.”

Churkin said that the Syrian opposition’s rejection of a national dialogue that the Syrian leadership agreed to is an obstacle to the efforts of the UN envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, to solve the crisis, indicating that ”the UN observer mission that we seek to extend is part of the international humanitarian interference to find a peaceful settlement to the crisis in Syria.”

He criticized the fierce media campaign against Russia for vetoing Western-backed draft resolutions at the UN Security Council that aimed to interfere in the Syrian affairs and impose sanctions on Syria.

Russian Foreign Ministry: Russia’ Stance on Crisis in Syria Has Not Changed for a Moment

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday called on the Western countries to do something to persuade the armed opposition in Syria to step onto the path of a political solution instead of making crude insinuations about the firm Russian stance.

In a press conference published on Russia Today website, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Alexander Lukashevich, warned of the consequences of the US plans to surpass the Security Council and interfere in Syria’s internal affairs.

He stressed that Russia has no backed for a moment throughout the course of the crisis in Syriafrom searching for a political settlement.

The Russian spokesman strongly criticized the statements of some European officials who considered that the recent terrorist attack in Damascus stresses the necessity of further pressuring the Syrian leadership because it has made the situation reach that far.

He rejected the Western accusations against Russia, saying that the attempts of some Western countries to make Moscow seem responsible for the situation in Syria as “absolutely unacceptable”.

Lukashevich warned that the US’s announcement of its intention to work outside the Security Council and interfere in Syria’s internal affairs constitutes “a very alarming signal”.

“If such declarations and such plans are elements of actual policy, I think that is a very, very alarming signal to all of us about how the international community plans to respond to international conflict situations,” said Lukashevich.

He added that the task of all external players, particularly the Security Council members, is to use all their capabilities and work within the resolutions previously agreed on, specially resolutions 2042 and 2043, and what was agreed on at the Geneva meeting.

Lukashevich Rejects US Threats against Russia over Veto on Syria

In another context, Lukashevich stressed Russia’s rejection of US threats of taking revenge over the Russian veto against the Western draft resolution on the crisis in Syria.

He criticized measures taken by the US Congress to prevent the Pentagon from cooperation with the Russian Aporns Exports company in a bid to take revenge on Russia because of its veto at the Security Council, dismissing the threats of imposing sanctions on Russia as unacceptable.

He stressed that taking revenge on it because of the veto or its principled stance on peaceful settlement to the crisis in Syria and placing the responsibility for escalation on it will not avail.

Pushkov: Western Position Towards Syria is Political Cover to Escalate Tension in It

Chairman of the Russian Duma’s International Affairs Committee Aleksey Pushkov said that the western position towards Syria serves as a political cover for the escalation of tension in it, affirming that the Russian-Chinese veto on the western draft resolution at the Security Council on Thursday was logical.

In a statement to ITAR-TASS, Pushkov noted that Russia voiced its rejection of unilateral approaches and its calls for a political solution, adding that the western reaction to the Russian-Chinese veto strongly shows the double standards employed by the west regarding the Syrian crisis.

He went on to say that the “friends of Syria” group with the US on its helm uses double standards and supports armed group, and that during the meeting in Geneva and the discussions of Annan’s plan, the countries in this group were acting as if they understood the need for political solution in dialogue, when in fact they sent messages to the so-called opposition groups saying that they don’t actually take these agreements seriously, effectively creating a diplomatic cover for these groups.

Pushkov said that the proposed western draft resolution used the policy of applying unilateral pressure on the Syrian government, despite the fact that Annan’s plan and the Geneva meeting clearly underlined the presence of two sides: the authority and the opposition, and stressed the need for dialogue between them.

He wondered if the West demands that President Bashar al-Assad abdicate prior to talks, then with whom would these talks be held?

Pushkov affirmed that the “friends of Syria” group actually wants a military resolution to the issue, and that they’re recklessly seeking to remove President al-Assad, but they don’t imagine who might replace him, adding that the group members’ inability to see two steps in front of them and their obsession with toppling the government no matter the price are strange.

He concluded by saying that such stances not only lead to a continuing civil war, but will also cause terrorist threats to grow in the entire region.

Martyrs Rajiha, Turkmani and Shawkat Escorted to Final Resting Place

A solemn official procession was held on Friday at the Martyr’s Memorial at Qassioun Mountain to lay to rest the martyrs Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Army and the Armed Forces, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense Gen. Dawood Rajiha, Deputy Minister of Defense Gen. Asef Shawkat and Assisstant Vice-President Gen. Hassan Turkmani.

The funeral ceremony started with the National Anthem with the martyrs’ bodies covered with the flag of the Syrian Arab Army and carried on cannon carriers.

The procession took its course surrounded by a group of officers, while the Army Band played the music of “The Martyr” and “The Farewell”.

Afterwards, Deputy Vice-President Farouq al-Sharaa and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Army and the Armed Forces, Minister of Defense Gen. Fahd Jassem al-Freij laid wreaths of flowers on the martyrs’ bodies before they were laid to rest.

The funeral ceremony was attended by Assistant Regional Secretary of al-Baath Arab Socialist Party (BASP) Mohammad Saeed Bkheitan, Speaker of the People’s Assembly Mohammad Jihad al-Laham, Prime Minister Riyad Hijab and a number of the BASP Regional Leadership members, ministers and senior officers.