Tag Archives: chemical weapons

Syria – Chemical Warhead Launch Ascribed to 155th Brigade – 4th Armored Division – Syrian Army

28 Wednesday Aug 2013

Posted by in Conflict - Culture - Language - Psychology, Islamic Small Wars, Israel, Middle East, Regions, Syria

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The 8200 unit of the Israeli Defence Forces, which specialises in electronic surveillance, intercepted a conversation between Syrian officials regarding the use of chemical weapons, an unnamed former Mossad official told Focus. The content of the conversation was relayed to the US, the ex-official said.

 The 8200 unit collects and analyses electronic data, including wiretapped telephone calls and emails. It is the largest unit in the IDF.

Sherwood, Harriet.  “Israel intelligence ‘intercepted Syrian regime talk about chemical attack’: Information passed to US by Israeli Defence Forces 8200 unit, former official tells magazine.”  The Guardian, August 28, 2013.

Funky timing: for four or five days, not one mention of specifically “who” in the where, what, how, and why of the chemical weapons attack in the Damascus suburbs — and today the answer seems to be unavoidable in online search and dated back to August 24 (see the Debka File citation in reference).

Nonetheless, if attributed to Maher al-Assad’s command, then the world has a figure already steeped in legendary criminal malice: there’s not much he can do to cast himself into even a darker light.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister, said in March 2011 that Maher’s actions during the uprising approached “savagery,” and urged Bashar to send him into exile.

Alexander, Harriet and Philip Sherwell.  “Maher al-Assad accused of orchestrating deadly chemical weapon attack.”  The Telegraph, August 25, 2013.

Additional Reference

AP.  “Report: Russia to send marines to Syria.”  The Daily Caller, June 18, 2012.  Relayed here for the photograph that tops the piece; it actually seems to cover a Russian defensive effort to secure civilian and military assets exiting Syria a little more than a year ago.

BackChannels.  “In Foreign Affairs – Putin – Analysis from March 2013.”  March 13, 2013.

DEBKA File.  “The sarin shells fired on Damascus – by Syrian 4th Division’s 155th Brigade – were followed by rockets on Israel and car bombings in Lebanon.”  August 24, 2013.

Bryen, Shoshana.  “The Incredible Shrinking US-Israel Security Cooperation.”  June 27, 2012.

Dilanian, Ken.  “Israel may have intercepted Syrian discussions about chemical attack.”  Los Angeles Times, August 27, 2013.

Drury, Ian.  “How the West could smash Assad’s arsenal: US military chiefs draw up a list of targets with UK for precision-guided bombs and missiles.”  Mail Online, August 25, 2013.

El-Khoury, Rajeh.  “Moscow Hints at Break with Assad.”  Al Monitor, February 2, 2012.

Wikipedia.  “Unit 8200”.

Williams, Amanda.  “‘Ruthless’ brother of President Assad accused of being behind chemical weapons attack which killed 1,200 Syrians.”  Mail Online, August 28, 2013.

Staff.  “Israel TV: Chemical weapons were fired by Assad’s brother’s unit.”  Time of Israel, August 24, 2013.

Staff.  “SYRIA: Is mystery gunman President Bashar Assad’s brother, Maher?”  Babylon & Beyond, Los Angeles Times, May 7, 2011.

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FNS – Syria – Rebels Accuse Assad Regime of Launching Chemical Attack

21 Wednesday Aug 2013

Posted by in Fast News Share, Islamic Small Wars, Journalism, Middle East, Politics, Regions, Syria, Uncategorized

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SYRIA Man Struggles For Air, Chemical Weapons Kill 650 In Damascus: Suspicious Timing

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Rockets with toxic agents were launched at the suburbs of the Ghouta region early on Wednesday as part of a major bombardment on rebel forces, they say.

The Syrian army says the accusations have been fabricated to cover up rebel losses.

The main opposition alliance said that more than 1,000 people were killed by the attacks.

BBC.  “Syria conflict: ‘Chemical attacks’ kill hundreds.”  August 21, 2013.

BBC correspondent Frank Gardner comments on the suspicious timing of the alleged attack — why now? — but also the horrifying and likely authentic extent of the suffering witnessed.

Without press freedom, privilege, and security in the world’s combat zones, their darkness fades to a plain and evil black.

Search string “Ghouta chemical attack” seems to work.

At the top of my list at the moment:  Al Arabiya.  “Syrian opposition: 1,300 killed in chemical attack on Ghouta region.”  August 21, 2013.

I would want to know whether any of the the satellite-enabled and watching military organizations involved worldwide have recorded data of the rockets delivering the chemical warheads involved.

If not, how was this crime — still being checked out — committed?

I have to go.  Last glance: Morris, Loveday, and Ahmed Ramadan.  “Syrian activists accuse government of deadly chemical attack near Damascus.”  The Washington Post, August 21, 2013.

Did it happen?

Did Assad do it?

Is it a false flag designed to enlarge the war on the rebel’s behalf?

Whatever you answer, prove it.

I can’t.

I’m not sure about what I’m looking at.

As most of you do, I see what’s reported, although perhaps I give the overview a little more time with attention to comparison and corroboration and spin.

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The Russian Foreign Ministry, citing its sources, said that a homemade rocket carrying unidentified chemical substances had been launched from an area controlled by the opposition.

“A homemade rocket with a poisonous substance that has not been identified yet – one similar to the rocket used by terrorists on March 19 in Khan al-Assal – was fired early on August 21 [at Damascus suburbs] from a position occupied by the insurgents,” Lukashevich said.

RT.  “Russia suggests Syria ‘chemical attack’ was ‘planned provocation’ by rebels.”  August 21, 2013.

Turn the matter of the Hague, says I, for without an independent investigation by an an accepted neutral authority, whether detective or journalist, the little boys doing the fighting and the Big Bothers watching them and may, can, and will lie like hell in their own interests.

Additional Reference

Reuters.  “US joins calls for probe into alleged Syrian chemical attack.”  The Jerusalem Post, August 21, 2013.

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