What, between the Royal Wedding, American Idol and the Birth Certificate Vaudville it is easy to forget that there are people all over the world getting gunned down by tyrants. Hate to be a downer (not really):
It is beginning to look as if Asad can't catch a break; while gunning down hundreds of his own citizens whilst bravely facing down the daunting threat of a sternly worded letter from the U.S. State Department he screwed up and sent the 5th Division to suppress the citizens of Daraa. Screwed up in as much as the troops in the 5th Division appear to have been recruited in and around Daraa and were less than enthusiastic about gunning down friends and relatives.
To help "encourage" the 5th Division troops he then sent in the 4th Division who do not suffer from such regional loyalties. The 4th is run by Bashar's brother Maher (why is it that all these socialist dictatorships turn into Monarchies?) who has a reputation as a nasty bit of work. When Maher (backed by his stooges) tried to force the 5th Division troops into firing upon the citizens they instead engaged the 4th Division troops. A running gun battle ensued that lasted several hours with casualties to both sides (and a fair number of citizens to boot I am sure).
The AP has a decent report on this fracas here.
I still hope that Bashar (and company) get every measure that is coming to them, and they deserve much.
No comments:
Post a Comment