There is a growing mainstream narrative that the war in Syria is coming to an end, and that an Assad victory, if not perfect, is a welcome relief after war. Next few links show why this isn't true:
1/ The horrific regime siege of East Ghouta continues, as described in this harrowing piece by Osama Nassar in @aljumhuriya_eng: aljumhuriya.net/en/content/sie…
2/ Assad's army is on its last legs, but is maintained zombie-like by Iranian transfusions - US plausibly estimates 80% of Assad's force is Iran-sourced thenational.ae/world/mena/us-… by @Joyce_Karam
3/ In areas where rebels have surrendered, regime promises of reconciliation have proven empty and re-occupation bleak and brutal, as described by ex-rebel Humam Moadamani thenation.com/article/in-syr…
4/ The Syrian regime continues to impose its siege on the Palestinian comunity of Yarmouk - for over 1600 days now actionpal.org.uk/en/post/6253
Follow @actionpal_en for grim updates
Follow @actionpal_en for grim updates
As @sallyhayd & @Ziad_ghandour report, some Syrian refugees are trying to return to both regime and liberated zones - those that find themselves in the regime zone face imprisonment & forced conscription irishtimes.com/news/world/mid…
6/ War fatigue, bad leaders and confusion caused by disinformation are leading UK & US to withdraw support for humanitarian causes in rebel zones - this will lead to more deaths and worse vacuum. Read @BrowneGareth on the risk of standing aloof telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/0…
7/ In short, solidarity with the people of Syria is as necessary now as it was last year while East Aleppo was flattened, or in 2015 as refugees washed up on our shores, or in 2013 when chemical weapons were used on Ghouta. Our inaction continues to allow death after death.
One more link: Assad regime stepping up forced conscription as a sign he is running on empty in terms of manpower eaworldview.com/2017/12/syria-…
Footnote: Syria experts are saying this 80% is too high. Might be true on some fronts. There's a however to follow..
...there's not huge number actual Iranian troops in Syria. But there are Iranian-commanded & funded Local Defence Forces, Iraqi militias etc
...the Syrian Arab Army is a tiny part of Assad force. His regime is defended by a patchwork of warlord gangs, Hezbollah, Russian units.
...Even the Chinese are deploying troops to prop up Assad's regime, probably the spoils of "reconstruction" alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2…
