Syrian soldiers defect to Turkey

In this age of revolution, uprising, and radical defiance, countries that don’t offer their citizens basic civil rights are being challenged in drastic ways. More and more, we are seeing that in order to achieve social change, conflict and violence are frequently used to achieve it – as is the current case in Syria.

After a recent surge in oppression and violence toward dissidents from their president Bashar al-Assad, 33 Syrian soldiers, including one general and two colonials, defected across the border to Turkey.

As more than 33,000 Syrian civilians have fled the country to escape dangerous and violent conditions, military defections have become more frequent, and should be publicized and celebrated for essentially speaking out against their country’s wrongdoings.

The same can be said about the hostile climate in LRA affected areas. Abducted child soldiers who are now generals and high-ranking officials within the LRA are being encouraged (viadefection fliers) to surrender to the UPDF, after which they will be returned safely to their families and communities. By defecting and surrendering to a less oppressive regime, soldiers can set the precedent for their government and their fellow citizens to move forward with peace rather than violence and brutality.

(Photo credit: CNN)

- Sammi
7 notes   -  3 July 2012


Taking a stand for Syria

We are a generation who will not stand for the brutality against our brothers and sisters, wherever that may be. As a part of a global connectivity, there is a responsibility that flows from it. Invisible Children stands behind the Cinema for Peace Foundation in its release of“Siege on Syria”, a new short film on the atrocities taking place in Syria, committed by President Bashar al-Assad and his regime.

Since spring 2011, President Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian armed forces have tried to violently crush a popular uprising against his regime. The security forces are repeatedly targeting civilians by shelling houses and executing women and children from point-blank range. These atrocities have already claimed almost 20,000 lives, more than 200,000 people arrested, and caused close to 100,000 refugees to leave the country.

-Caroline

11 notes   -  20 June 2012

106
About a year ago, a school teacher was jailed for declaring the desire for Syria to experience a revolution. In retribution for this, her students wrote on the school’s wall, “The people want the downfall of the regime”, quoting the popular slogan of Arab uprisings. When these children were arrested and tortured, the city of Deraa came together in protest and their government retaliated with violence. The four people killed on March 18, 2011 ignited anti-government movements and harsh military action across the country.  The Syrian government has recently increased its assaults against opposition-held towns. Turkey, who borders Syria, has been receiving up to 200 refugees a day and horrifying reports of landmines being lain along these escape routes have surfaced. The opposition groups have ignored President Bashar al-Assad’s attempt to placate their movement and they staunchly insist that he be removed from power. The world has watched for almost year as 8,000 people have lost their lives and we are still unsure of how to react. The seemingly indifferent cruelty of the Syrian government looks to have us at a stand still, unsure of how to proceed.  Obama does not want to jump quickly to a militaristic solution, Russia and China are vetoing anything and everything, the Arab League - halted by those vetoes - is calling for an investigation into possible war crimes and the UN Security Council has influenced nothing thus far. There is no doubt that the solution is far from simple, but time isn’t healing it either. On Monday the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, spoke with conviction to the international community: ”We believe that now is the time for all nations - even those who have previously blocked our efforts - to stand behind the humanitarian and political approach spelled out by the Arab League.” If the Arab League accomplishes this neutral investigation and provides proof of crimes against humanity, it is possible that they might garner the needed support to push through their proposal.  (Photo from Reuters)

About a year ago, a school teacher was jailed for declaring the desire for Syria to experience a revolution. In retribution for this, her students wrote on the school’s wall, “The people want the downfall of the regime”, quoting the popular slogan of Arab uprisings. When these children were arrested and tortured, the city of Deraa came together in protest and their government retaliated with violence. The four people killed on March 18, 2011 ignited anti-government movements and harsh military action across the country. 

The Syrian government has recently increased its assaults against opposition-held towns. Turkey, who borders Syria, has been receiving up to 200 refugees a day and horrifying reports of landmines being lain along these escape routes have surfaced. The opposition groups have ignored President Bashar al-Assad’s attempt to placate their movement and they staunchly insist that he be removed from power. The world has watched for almost year as 8,000 people have lost their lives and we are still unsure of how to react. The seemingly indifferent cruelty of the Syrian government looks to have us at a stand still, unsure of how to proceed. 

Obama does not want to jump quickly to a militaristic solution, Russia and China are vetoing anything and everything, the Arab League - halted by those vetoes - is calling for an investigation into possible war crimes and the UN Security Council has influenced nothing thus far. There is no doubt that the solution is far from simple, but time isn’t healing it either.

On Monday the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, spoke with conviction to the international community: ”We believe that now is the time for all nations - even those who have previously blocked our efforts - to stand behind the humanitarian and political approach spelled out by the Arab League.”

If the Arab League accomplishes this neutral investigation and provides proof of crimes against humanity, it is possible that they might garner the needed support to push through their proposal. 

(Photo from Reuters)


27
Fresh reports top the news almost daily of the continuing violence in Syria. Death counts are rising with casualties on both sides. EU bans and international uproar seem to have no effect and the Syrian military continues its advances on opposition occupied cities. When the Syrian crisis began in early 2011 the world watched in horror. Thousands were killed and the situation has continued to escalate. The instigating demonstrations began nearly a year ago to protest the imprisonment of children, but as a result of the violence thousands of lives have been taken – many of the dead are civilians caught in the midst of this struggle. Neither side seems willing to make concessions and violence continues. There are three groups opposing the governments and of these, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) is leading the military uprising. Do these groups have the right to continue fighting the government while civilians are consequently being slaughtered? The Syrian government is being indiscriminate in its killing and using the Free Syrian Army as its excuse. If the FSA were to stand down any continued violent action by the government would result in international uproar and foreign support would have a much more clear path of action. I worry that the value of the individuals lost is being forgotten in the midst of this desperate rights movement. Read the full history of conflict here.

Fresh reports top the news almost daily of the continuing violence in Syria. Death counts are rising with casualties on both sides. EU bans and international uproar seem to have no effect and the Syrian military continues its advances on opposition occupied cities.

When the Syrian crisis began in early 2011 the world watched in horror. Thousands were killed and the situation has continued to escalate.

The instigating demonstrations began nearly a year ago to protest the imprisonment of children, but as a result of the violence thousands of lives have been taken – many of the dead are civilians caught in the midst of this struggle. Neither side seems willing to make concessions and violence continues.

There are three groups opposing the governments and of these, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) is leading the military uprising. Do these groups have the right to continue fighting the government while civilians are consequently being slaughtered? The Syrian government is being indiscriminate in its killing and using the Free Syrian Army as its excuse. If the FSA were to stand down any continued violent action by the government would result in international uproar and foreign support would have a much more clear path of action.

I worry that the value of the individuals lost is being forgotten in the midst of this desperate rights movement.

Read the full history of conflict here.


5
Russia and China’s surprising veto of the UN Security Council Resolution, aimed at halting the turbulence in Syria, has left the world unsure of how to proceed with efforts to stop this violence. The Syrian city of Homs is suffering after shelling by the Syrian military continues through its fifth day. Residents are hidden inside their homes, too afraid to venture out, even for food. Reports from 40 to over 100 people dead are coming out of this indiscriminate bombardment. The area is full of rumors of unwarranted killing yet the government claims it is merely countering attacks of terrorist groups. This article by BBC News provides more of the details. -TM

Russia and China’s surprising veto of the UN Security Council Resolution, aimed at halting the turbulence in Syria, has left the world unsure of how to proceed with efforts to stop this violence.

The Syrian city of Homs is suffering after shelling by the Syrian military continues through its fifth day. Residents are hidden inside their homes, too afraid to venture out, even for food. Reports from 40 to over 100 people dead are coming out of this indiscriminate bombardment. The area is full of rumors of unwarranted killing yet the government claims it is merely countering attacks of terrorist groups.

This article by BBC News provides more of the details.

-TM