The New Dark Age

15 December 2011 — williambowles.info

Syrian forces ‘given free rein’
BBC News Today at 07:42
Syrian soldiers were told to stop anti-government protests ‘by all means necessary’, says Human Rights Watch, who interviewed dozens of defectors.

Golan people pledge support for Syria
Strategic Culture Foundation Today at 07:33

Obama hails Iraq “success” as US troops pull out
New Left Project Today at 07:08
As US troops begin to pull out of Iraq after nearly 8 years of occupation, President Obama spoke of a ‘moment of success’.

US says Syrian regime is doomed
Russiatoday.ru Today at 03:51
A US official has said the Assad regime is doomed and has urged Syria’s opposition to prepare to take control. Meanwhile the UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has called on the international community to take action to…

Syria: Deadly Attack By Rebel Troops
Huffington Post
ELIZABETH A. KENNEDY 12/15/11 03:14 AM ET AP BEIRUT — Syrian army defectors killed at least 27 soldiers and security forces Thursday in clashes in the southern province of Daraa, activists said, as the unrest in Syria grows more violent and spirals …
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/15/syria-deadly-attack-rebel-troops_n_1150228.html

In Syria and Egypt, Bloggers Face Harsh Punishments
New York Times (blog)
By J. DAVID GOODMAN and ROBERT MACKEY Updated | Thursday | 12:46 am An outspoken blogger who was detained last week in Syria is now facing criminal charges, according to the human rights group she works for in Damascus, the Syrian capital. …
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/14/in-egypt-and-syria-bloggers-face-harsh-punishments/

Should the world intervene in Syria?
CNN
By Bryony Jones, CNN Earlier this week, the United Nations’ Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said more than 5000 people had been killed in Syria since the uprising began in March. The Syrian government has issued activists in the restive …
http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/14/world/meast/should-world-intervene-in-syria/index.html

For thousands of Syrians, Lebanon provides shelter
CNN International
Northern Lebanon, near the Syrian Border (CNN) — A young mother with 6-month-old triplets, a laborer still fearful of reprisals, a preacher whose wife was shot dead at an illegal border crossing, wounded in hospitals, a man living in a converted …
http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/14/world/meast/lebanon-syrian-refugees/

Iraq ceremony to mark withdrawal of US troops – live updates
The Guardian
[We are temporarily switching the headline of this blog to cover the ceremony] 9.00am: Activists in Syria have marked the nine month anniversary of the uprising by paying tribute to those killed since March. The Local Co-ordination Committee of Syria …
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/dec/15/syria-shoot-to-kill-commanders-named-live-updates

Activists: Syrian defectors kill 27 soldiers
Atlanta Journal Constitution
By ELIZABETH A. KENNEDY AP BEIRUT — A Syrian activist group says army defectors have killed at least 27 soldiers and security forces in clashes in the southern province of Daraa. In this image taken from amateur video made available by Sham News …
http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/activists-syrian-defectors-kill-1260535.html

HRW: Syrian commanders had ‘shoot to kill’ orders
CBS News
(AP) BEIRUT — Dozens of Syrian military commanders and officials authorized or gave direct orders for widespread killings, torture, and illegal arrests during the wave of anti-government protests that began nine months ago, Human Rights Watch said …
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501713_162-57343337/hrw-syrian-commanders-had-shoot-to-kill-orders/

Major work left…Iran sanctions…Syrian leader’s downfall predicted
9&10 News
WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department’s point man on Syria is predicting the downfall of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Frederic Hof says Assad’s regime is a “dead man walking” and that the opposition should be preparing for the day it takes control …
http://www.9and10news.com/Category/Story/?id=314406&cID=3

Human Rights Watch: Syria: ‘Shoot to Kill’ Commanders Named
By Human Rights Watch
Security Council Should Refer Syria to ICC for Crimes Against Humanity(London) – Former Syrian soldiers identified by name 74 commanders and officials responsible for attacks on unarmed protesters, Human Rights Watch …
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/human-rights-watch/syria-shoot-to-kill-comma_b_1150160.html

Syria: Deadly Spiral Of Violence
By The Huffington Post News Editors
BEIRUT — Violence across Syria killed at least 25 people Wednesday, including eight soldiers who were gunned down by army defectors in a retaliatory ambush after government troops destroyed a civilian car, activists said. It was the second …
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/14/syria-deadly-violence_n_1147918.html

Strike for Dignity, Strike for Syria | Mideast Youth
By Suzan Boulad (Syria)
After nine months of brutality and a conservative death toll at 5000, Syrians are still congregating and protesting in the usual manner, but the local coordinating committees have brought out a new tool for the revolution, one that may very well …
http://www.mideastyouth.com/2011/12/14/strike-for-dignity-strike-for-syria/

Syria’s torture machine | World news | The Guardian
Channel 4’s foreign affairs correspondent reports from Syria on the mounting body of evidence that the state is engaging in widespread acts of brutality against …
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/13/syria-torture-evidence