Saturday, July 21, 2012

What Western media never dare to report on Syria

A Western reader sent me this:  "I wanted to briefly mention that I currently live in Jordan and the area I live in has almost a dozen Syrian families, mainly from Muhafazat Halab, outside of Aleppo. They are mainly working in textiles and shoe manufacturing; not surprising since it's a huge industry in Aleppo. Almost every one, including those who've joined them as refugees in the last year, is an absolute supporter of Al-Assad; when asked why they talk about Al-Assad's intense love for the people. While it's hard not to laugh a little when they say this, there should be no doubt they seem consistent and sincere. I only know of one who is supportive of the opposition and his family is actually from Mara'at An-Nu'maan, about an hour south of Aleppo. 
That place is an absolute FSA stronghold. I spent New Years 2010 there and a couple of guys I met there gave me the creeps like no one I've ever met, and later I found out why. Apparently during the U.S. led Iraqi invasion the Al-Assad regime sent Army units into Iraq to fight against the "allied forces". Well, these guys from Mara'a had different ideas and hunted down Shiite milita units to fight. They don't get any more sectarian than the heart of the FSA outside Aleppo, Hama, Homs and Idlib, no matter what anyone says. I've visited each of those areas and have good friends from each one. But, while I love a large number of the people from there, I can't deny their sectarian, uber-conservative Islamic beliefs are what unites them. Apparently enough so that they see it as acceptable what so many are doing in the name of the FSA.
Well, that's my two cents. Feel free to post if you're willing to leave out my name."