MUST WATCH! "Synagogue of Satan" (Full) by Andrew Carrington Hitchcock 1...

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A TRIBUTE TO MY SON MOHAMED AHMED HASSAN ARWO

A TRIBUTE TO MY SON MOHAMED AHMED HASSAN ARWO

A TRIBUTE TO MY SON MOHAMMED AHMED H ARWO AND  PARENT'S TESTIMONY 

"Who, when afflicted with calamity say: "Truly To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return."" [The Qur'an; Chapter 2 (Al Baqarah - The Cow) : Verse 156]

 Our destiny is prearranged. I would like to share with you my poignant experience of an episode of our life that waits us all. For five days I learned more about life journey than my entire life, the death of my son Mohammed and the process I went through till we put him in his last room on the world and first hereafter. It is a tribute to dear son and a lesson to us all. 

Death respects no age, no gender, and no strength. We saw daily young dying, old surviving, strong dying and weak surviving. We witness fragile patients that survive on comma for decades. All these testimony and yet deep in our mind we think it is the old that dies. Every one of us will taste death at preset time by no one else but by our creator. That time can be sooner or later by the will of Allah.

I buried my beloved son MOHAMED yesterday, a young man at the best epoch of human life, man with entrepreneurial talent always thinking of building empires without neglecting his duty towards Allah and to us. He needed my input which I grossly failed. I regret utmost and it will remain a painful reminder in my life .It was just before Ramadan when finally we agreed to put the foundation of that empire in Hargeysa, a business empire under his leadership and my guidance. We were so happy so optimistic so looking forward that I was counting days. Alas just after Hajj he hinted he has light health problem. He was so strong physically and spiritually. He hid all his pain without whispering to the ears of those close to him. None of us knew the seriousness of his case. He endured all that pain all alone to save us from worry. I knew him for he never let us know anything that can worry us. Allah will be kind to my son as he was kind to us. That is what Allah promised and his promise is done before it is said.

On Sunday afternoon, I spent an hour with his body in mortuary reading Quran and offering Du’a. Each time I touched his body and see his face it was as though he was telling me " father don't worry I am in better hands, hands of Angels of heaven." Alhamdulilaa”

Our destiny is in Allah’s hands. I was not busy, not sick, not occupied, and no financial problem, yet I couldn’t move towards my beloved son, my only son. I regret very much and ask myself why and why yet I know I cannot take a step without Allah’s willing. It is hard to excuse myself from this gross irresponsibility. Astaqfurulla, Allah forgive me, I know my destiny is in your hands.

 I was so unlucky that I arrived a day late to see him alive but Allah gave me a way to communicate with him. I sensed he was listening and I promised to him to uphold his dreams Insha Allah. I promised to him more, that I will not share with you but ask you to help me by offering prayer so Allah help me  make it a reality.

Monday Duhur prayer I went with group of elders to pray in a Pakistani mosque in Grangetown where my home is located. After prayer I was surprised to hear the imam calling us to pray for the deceased. “Let us offer Du’as to the deceased young man Mohamed Ahmed Hassan Arwo" tears come to my eyes. He offered the best of Du’as and no one moved" then after Sunna prayer all came towards me giving me a hug and offering condolences. I was touched with their kindness and solidarity.

Tuesday morning and the washing ritual. The washing cermony was done in Aljalalia Mosque, in Grangetown, Cardiff. I washed him with my hands with the help of my close family and under the direction of Sheekh Omar, and Salama Funeral Services. I was delighted to be there to see his youthful body never changed glowing with freshness. Thank Allah he was so clean, so neat, so stunning, no trace of anything but shining body with nice smell. It was as though he was bathed before us. Deep in my heart I thanked Allah for this is a sign of Ehlu Jannah. The body of the deceased shows signs of hell or heaven. My son’s body was that of whom Allah promised for better life in Heaven.

After washing session finished I looked at him, not scaring but rather with exhilarating gesture I realized how his body is gleaming and how he grew a full dark beautiful beard. It looked trimmed and recently combed. A beard he never had but last days of his life.  The nice smell of his body was sensational. I hold his right hand and every part  was as  alive, bending, not stiff but nearly moving. . I entangled my fingers with him and offered a special Du’a.

Mohamed with me and my daughter in Jubail,Saudi Arabia

 Immediately family females members, led by his mother and sister came in. It was really a testing time. Thank Allah our worry never materialized. I never saw and never heard a pack of women under this circumstances as strong as they were, withholding all their feelings and clearly stating Du’a one after another, no cry at all, no chest beating, no hair tearing, just offering Du’as. His mother Amal a strong Muslim with mountains of Iman and courage of lion, told him what he has to say at the grave, when Angels question him about his beliefs  and asked Allah to forgive him for all that he has done for her and for me. She recited Quran and Du’as. It was the Du’as of his Aunt Hayat Omar Arteh, that touched my heart " Alhamdulilaa you are beautiful you are clean you are so sweet, you are Ehlu Janno, all signs are here Thank Allah” she continuously said without hesitation.

Then came the real test, the most touching. My daughter Najat kissed him and whispered into his ears “My brother you were all to me. You were my brother, my protector my guardian, you always advise me. I ask Allah to forgive you and to reward you Jannatul Fardaws for all the good deeds you have done and your love to us. You died young but accomplished great, Allah loves you” The courage of my daughter is beyond belief. I was shaking not with fear but with admiration. Thank Allah who gave me such strong family, thank Allah for giving me Amal as wife and Najat as a daughter.      

Then they kissed him and concluded with Du'as that we men couldn't offer. We were standing motionlessly, holding open hands towards heaven repeating Amen after them and in whispering voice.

Mohamed with his son Ahmed

We moved towards Al-Nur mosque for prayer. In front of the mosque I was met by my people of Cardiff. They are my people for they all love us as family. They are not just family but really good family, sharing with us the hard and the soft .My fellow Somalis and good number of other Muslims lined up to hug me and to offer condolences one by one. Masjidu-Nur of Butetown was crammed downstairs and upstairs. Women were given a special area where they were literally compressed like sardines in a box. After Duhur prayer Sh. Mohammed led Jinaza prayer. Tears filled my eyes but my heart was so cool and my mind told me my son is in the hands of his creator and he will be in better life than his short life here. I offered the Du’a wih parental tone and in my special words, as the rest of the congregation did. Then again I was attacked with love and solidarity, they offered condolences tears in their eyes and some cannot hold their sorry and openly cried.

We took the last episode of Mohamed's life, a trip to the Ely Cemetery. The ground was covered with my fellow Somalis and my fellow Muslims. Thank Allah for the number of attendants. Cars filled all open spaces and people covered all the grass area. They came from all over the world . From Holland, from Canada , from Saudi Arabia, from all UK of course large number came from our next door cities, Bristol and Newport. Many of them cried openly. I learned nothing is better than true friendship when I saw my son’s friends crying openly. I learned men cry not of fear but of love and sorry.

Mohammed with his grandfather Omer Arteh and his late grandmother Shukri Jirde. 

The grave itself is located at a corner and under a tree. A location anyone with choice would have chosen. Allah has chosen for my son MOHAMMED.  

May Allah bless his soul and make his grave a room from heaven. May Allah bestow his mercy and reward him Jannatul Fardaws for his loyalty to Allah and to his parents. I pray Allah to forgive me for all I haven't done for him. He gave me all his love while I did gave him a little of mine. Making his parents happy and satisfied was his utmost priority. It is painful to see ones child die before him but I am happy for all good deeds he have done in his short life. He never used his hand and tongue to harm any creature . To him they were tools to support, help and praise everyone. His heart was so huge he never found difficulty to entertain entire humanity with love and joy. I am proud to have Mohamed as my son. He departed us physically but he rests in my heart and mind for ever. He gave his entire life to serve us, never feel tired to execute our endless demands. He was a tower of help, mountain of support and river of love. Allah took my son for better life Insha Allah. His loyalty to Allah and to us will be rewarded with Allah's love.

Ahmed Arwo with his grandsoin Ahmed

Mohamed left in this world a son, named after me, Ahmed and a lovely wife who changed his life during this short period they were together. She made him happy, forward looking for better life. I noticed all these changes from the day they get married. My daughter-in-law Fathiya Sh Ibrahim I pray Allah to compensate your loss with better future and happy life in this world and forgiveness and Jannatul Fardaws hereafter.  

  Please do offer Du'a for him and for us.

My tribute in Somali:

http://samotalis.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/xus-iyo-xusuusta-inankeyga-maxamed.html

2- http://samotalis.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/xus-iyo-xusuusta-inankeyga-maxamed_18.html

Please do offer Du'a for him and for us.

Father Tel:  07903744256 (UK)

Mother Amal Tel:  02920344085 (UK)

Ahmed Hassan Arwo

Mohamed Ahmed Arwo with Abdiwahab Ismail Raja, me and uncle Abdihakim,

Mohamed in white thob with uncles and first cousins

Mohamed behind in black suit with uncles and first cousins

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Kurdish Islamists Protest Egypt Coup

Several protests took place to support the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, but also in the Kurdish city of Diyarbakir in Turkey by Kurdish Islamist groups.

The arrival of the Secretary-General of the Islamic Union of Kurdistan and the Secretary General of the International Union for Muslim Scholars to the rally for condemnation Egypt massacres Secretary-General of the Kurdistan Islamic Union Mohammed Faraj and accompanied by Secretary-General of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, Dr. Ali Qaradaghi arrived to the courtyard of the Shander park downtown Erbil to participate in the rally, organized by the Second Centre of the Islamic Union and the third centre of the Islamic Group, to denounce and condemn the crimes carried out by the Egyptian army and with support of police and bullying, especially the slaughters of the field Rabiaa al-Adaweya and al-Nahda of Egypt last Wednesday. http://www.kurdiu.org/en/hawal/index.php?pageid=130942

Second centre official of the Kurdistan Islamic Union in Arbil, appealed to citizens to actively participate in the rally, which was organized by the Islamic Union and the Islamic group to denounce the massacres which commited by the police and the Egyptian army and thugs against unarmed citizens in Rabiaa al-Adaweya and al-Nahda in Egypt.

Official of the second centre of the Kurdistan Islamic Union Ali Girdasori in an interview with the site KurdIU , said that "they would organize on Saturday evening in front of Shander Park a rally denouncing the massacres which commited against the peaceful protesters in Rabiaa al-Adaweya and al-Nahda in Egypt , stressing at the same time that participation in the rally is Humanist duty , appealing to the masses of the people to actively participate to denounce this humanitarian crime against the citizens Egyptians. http://www.kurdiu.org/en/hawal/index.php?pageid=130935

http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/

Anti-Coup Alliance Statement on ‘Friday of Anger’ Violent Attacks on Peaceful Protesters

Anti-Coup Alliance Statement on ‘Friday of Anger’ Violent Attacks on Peaceful Protesters

Egypt’s pro-legitimacy coalition of groups and movements defending democracy condemn the latest wave of state-led violence and urges people to persist in week-long peaceful protests.
The Anti-Coup, Pro-Legitimacy National Alliance extends its sincerest thanks and appreciation to the masses of patriotic Egyptians who came out today (Friday, August 16) in huge rallies from all governorates of Egypt in a sublime scene of heroic bravery under aerial bombardment from July 3 coup forces’ helicopters and war-planes using live bullets in order, as protesters expressed their rejection of the military putsch and condemnation of brutal massacres by military forces against unarmed peaceful protesters during the violent crackdown on Rabaa El-Adaweya and Nahda sit-ins.

The Alliance calls on the great masses of the Egyptian people to protest peacefully throughout the next week (the “Putschists’ Departure” week). The demonstrations will kick off every day throughout the week from the same points today’s demonstrations were launched in Cairo, Giza and the provinces.

Demonstrators will perform Maghrib and Isha prayers in Ramses Square. Then, they will pray for the souls of the martyrs who were killed today by the brutal aggression of the putschist forces against the innocent and defenseless.

The Alliance reiterates its commitment to fully non-violent demonstrations and its rejection of all attacks on places of worship as well as public and private property.

The Alliance further reiterates its demands to a full return to constitutional legitimacy. The precious blood of peaceful protesters that flowed and is still being spilled is watering the tree of liberty in Egypt and is arousing the spirit of the January 25 Revolution – resistance to injustice, corruption and rejection of the coup, repression and tyranny.

God save Egypt and its people and reward the honorable martyrs...

Anti-Coup, Pro-Legitimacy National Alliance

Cairo: August 16, 2013

http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/

Ramadan in UAE to begin on July 10, Eid Al Fitr on August 9: Sharjah Planetarium

Ramadan in UAE to begin on July 10, Eid Al Fitr on August 9: Sharjah Planetarium

First half of the Holy Month of Ramadan will witness a rise in temperature
WAM
Published: 08:34 March 18, 2013

Sharjah: The Sharjah Planetarium at the Department of Culture and Information announced that the Ramadan Crescent will form on July 8 at 11.14am and set at 7.08pm, five minutes before sunset.


The crescent will be seen on the evening of July 9, which means the first day of Ramadan will be July 10, astronomically corresponding to Ramadan 01, 1434 H.

The Sharjah Planetarium also announced that the Shawwal crescent will appear on August 7 at 12.51am and set with the sun, making it difficult to be seen. It completes the last day of Ramadan (30 days), making August 9 Friday, astronomically the first day of Shawwal and the first day of Eid Al Fitr.

Ebrahim Al Jarwan, Astronomy Researcher and Supervisor of Sharjah Planetarium, said the first half of Ramadan will witness a rise in temperature, which will reach 46 degrees Celsius, accompanied by dry and dusty winds.

http://gulfnews.com/in-focus/ramadan/ramadan-in-uae-to-begin-on-july-10-eid-al-fitr-on-august-9-sharjah-planetarium-1.1159534
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Morsi supporters defy orders to end sit-ins

Morsi supporters defy orders to end sit-ins

Rallies continue and clashes with police erupt in Egypt's capital even as foreign pressure to solve crisis mounts.
Backers of Egypt's deposed President Mohamed Morsi have staged defiant rallies and clashed with police in Cairo, after the government ordered their protest camps to be broken up.

Police reportedly fired tear gas and birdshot at roughly 1,000 protesters on Friday who tried to set up a new camp outside Media Production City, where satellite television channels are based.



The US stepped up its diplomatic efforts, meanwhile, sending its top Middle East official to Cairo for a second time.

William Burns, US undersecretary of state, is the latest international envoy on a mission to press Morsi's backers and the interim government to resolve the stand-off peacefully.

Elsewhere, Ayman al-Zawahiri, the Egyptian-born head of al-Qaeda,accused the US of "plotting" Morsi's overthrow with the Egyptian military and the country's Christian minority.

"Crusaders and secularists and the Americanised army have converged ... with Gulf money and American plotting to topple Mohamed Morsi's government," he said in a 15-minute audio recording posted online.

In his first comments since July 3 - when Morsi was removed from power, Zawahiri also attacked Morsi's secular opposition and Coptic Christians, who he said wanted a secessionist state in Egypt, and called for a mass movement to install Islamic law.

Dispersing rallies

In Cairo, Morsi supporters went on marches after Friday prayers, pouring out of several mosques in the capital.

The early evening protest outside Media Production City saw at least one protester wounded by birdshot.

The demonstrators said police fired tear gas when they tried to camp outside the compound.

However, the interior ministry accused the protesters of firing birdshot, wounding a conscript, and said police made 31 arrests.

Morsi's supporters have remained defiant even after the interim government warned this week that police would be authorised to disperse crowds in "gradual steps".

In particular, the interior ministry urged those at protest sites in Rabaa al-Adawiya and Nahda squares "to let reason and the national interest prevail, and to quickly leave".

The state-owned Al-Ahram newspaper reported on Friday that police had a plan to disperse the sit-ins but were holding out for a peaceful resolution.

More than 250 people have been killed since Morsi's removal from power on July 3 and diplomatic efforts to avoid further bloodshed have picked up pace this week.

Foreign pressure grows

Burns' arrival in Cairo on Friday night was preceded by trips by the EU's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, and Middle East envoy, Bernardino Leon; Guido Westerwelle, the German foreign minister; and Alpha Oumar Konare, an African Union delegate.

Ashton and Konare both met Morsi, who is detained, and reported that he was in good health.

A senior member of the Freedom and Justice Party, the political arm of Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, said the European envoys had asked them to end their sit-ins.

They have also been angered by comments from John Kerry, the US secretary of state, who told Pakistani television that Egypt's military was "restoring democracy".

Rights group Amnesty International meanwhile demanded an investigation into allegations that Morsi's supporters tortured opponents in Cairo near their protest camps.

It said opponents of Mori reported being "captured, beaten, subjected to electric shocks or stabbed by individuals loyal to the former President."

Morsi has been formally remanded in custody on suspicion of offences when he broke out of prison during the 2011 revolt that toppled former president Hosni Mubarak.

Prosecutors have also referred three top Muslim Brotherhood leaders, including supreme guide Mohamed Badie, for prosecution on allegations of inciting the deaths of demonstrators

ALJAZEERA

http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/

Top Islamist Sentenced to Death by Bangladesh Tribunal

Top Islamist Sentenced to Death by Bangladesh Tribunal

Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid (L) waves from a police vehicle as he is transported to the central jail following his court verdict in Dhaka, Bangladesh, July 17, 2013.
Bangladesh Sentences Islamist Leader for War Crimes

VOA News

July 17, 2013
A Bangladeshi war crimes tribunal has convicted and sentenced to death a top Islamic party leader for his role in the kidnapping and killing of people during the country's 1971 independence war.

The verdict against 65-year-old Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, the secretary general of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, was handed down Wednesday in the capital, Dhaka.

Mujahid was convicted of torture, kidnapping and the murder of intellectuals. Seven charges were brought against Mujahid, prosecutor Tureen Afroz said.

"Out of the seven charges, five have been beyond reasonable doubt proved by the prosecution. And out of these five charges, three charges have been given death penalty, one for the life imprisonment and one for five years imprisonment."

Mujahid shouted "injustice" as the judge read the sentence.

The verdict is the second this week by the tribunal. On Monday, the controversial court sentenced 90-year-old Ghulam Azam, the spiritual leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, to 90 years in prison for his role in atrocities committed during the war.

So far six of the group's leaders have been sentenced since January by the war crimes tribunal, set up by the Awami-League led government in 2010. The trials have triggered violence that has left more than 100 people dead.

Critics have accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of using the tribunals to decimate the country's opposition parties ahead of elections scheduled for next year.

Bangladesh fought a nine-month war against Pakistan in 1971 to obtain its independence. The government says three million people died in the violence, although other estimates put the death toll lower.





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Egypt investigating complaints against ousted Morsi

Egypt investigating complaints against ousted Morsi

Mr Morsi's supporters have been staging protests demanding his return to office
Egypt in crisis
Struggle to save revolution
Is Egypt heading for holy war?
Shifting sands
Coup or no coup?

Egypt's public prosecutor's office says it is investigating complaints against ousted President Mohammed Morsi and members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

They include spying, inciting killing protesters, attacking military barracks and damaging the economy. It did not say who had filed the complaints.

Mr Morsi was deposed by the army on 3 July. The US has called for his release from detention at an unknown location.

Egypt's interim leader Adly Mansour has promised new elections early next year.

Reconciliation blow

The prosecutor's office said it was investigating the complaints in order to prepare a file so that those accused could be questioned.

Among those named with Mr Morsi are the Brotherhood's leader, Mohamed Badie, and senior members of its political wing, the Freedom of Justice Party (FJP) including Deputy Director Essam El-Erian.

Mr Morsi's supporters, many of them members of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood movement he comes from, have been staging mass protests in the capital, Cairo, since the army's intervention on 3 July.

They are demanding his reinstatement as president and say the military's actions amounted to a coup.

The army says it intervened to remove Mr Morsi in response to protests by millions of Egyptians who accused him of becoming increasingly authoritarian and failing to tackle economic difficulties.

Dozens of people have died in clashes during major demonstrations by pro- and anti-Morsi protesters.

Adly Mansour's transition timeline
Panel formed within 15 days to review constitution
Constitutional amendments to be finalised and put to referendum in four months
Parliamentary elections to be held by early 2014
Presidential elections to be called once new parliament convenes
Key players in the Egyptian crisis
Profile: Hazem el-Beblawi
Q&A: Egypt in turmoil

The BBC's James Reynolds, in Cairo, says the move by the prosecutor's office appears to weaken the already remote prospects for a reconciliation between the interim authorities and the Brotherhood.

On Friday, Germany's foreign ministry urged the authorities to end restrictions on him and allow an international organisation, such as the Red Cross, access to him.

Asked later if the US agreed that he should be released, state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters: "We do agree."

On Saturday, the Brotherhood said the main issue was "protecting the legitimate right of the people and their will through a democratic ballot box".

Spokesman Gehad el-Haddad said there would be further protest and sit-ins "until the president is released and reinstated regardless of his physical condition".

Transition rejection

Mr Morsi, who was Egypt's first freely elected leader and the first Islamist president, has been held at an undisclosed location since 3 July. The army has suspended the constitution.

On 8 July, Mr Mansour laid out the timetable for a new constitution and elections, which included:
a panel to form formed within 15 days to propose changes to the constitution
parliamentary elections to be held by early 2014
presidential elections to be held once parliament has convened

But Mr Morsi's supporters have rejected the plan and some political groups opposed to him, including the main liberal coalition to the National Salvation Front (NSF) say they were not consulted about it.

A tribute to Mr. Jama Mahamoud Haid governor of Djibouti Central Bank

Ahmed Arwo

It was a night, Friday was the day, 11th of January 2013, and I was alone in my room. I switched on my laptop to update my nightly information about the home country and it´s environ. I hit Gabiley.net and my eyes caught a dreadful news item that sent an electric shock to my heart. The death of great leader, gigantic personality and dear friend, Mr. Jama Mahamoud Haid is announced. I have no one to share with this calamity but my heart and mind. I recited 11 times the Ikhlas sura and prayed Allah with Fatah to safe-guide Jama´s soul to the best of heavens.

My sincere condolence to his family, other relatives, friends, the government and the people of Djibouti, headed by the President of Djibouti HE Ismail Omer Guelleh and first lady, the sister of the deceased Mrs. Khadra Mahamoud Haid.

It is like this time, we remember how vulnerable we are, how temporary our life is and how our days are counted. Each day gone reduces our life span and each night passed is another one less. Continuously we are stepping, however slow it may seem, towards our grave. WE know not the moment we say goodbye to this world, but certainly we know we shall face that eventuality sooner or later. That is one of the few certainty shared by all humanity regardless of status, creed and colour.

Jama Mahamoud was a sagacious economist and shrewd financier. He governed Djibouti Central Bank for nearly two decades, a tenure second to none in length and quality. The economic growth, wealth creation and financial stability, Djibouti accomplished during his reign, tantamount to Jama´s success story.

With his savoir faire and dedication, Djibouti attracted huge foreign investment from Arabia and afar. In a region of turbulent economy and quivering currency, he stabilized Djibouti Franc avoiding potential inflation. With its skimpy population Djibouti´s budget reached over one billion dollar annually, a figure relatively too lofty for the countries in the region.

Socially Jama was a man of society, with leadership that knew no national frontier. His death is felt throughout the region: Djibouti, Somaliland, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya. He devoted to the wellbeing of all citizens in the region, sticking together with shared conviction to get a great leap forward for regional development. He was truly passionate for regional cooperation.

Jama was a true son of two states but one nation: Djibouti and Somaliland. He spent great effort and time to maintain natural brotherhood between these two states. He never allowed any crack, tear and wear of the times to leave an open wound. This friendship is clearly manifested by the mourning of Somalilanders in every town and village. Planes started to come and go by the hour for two days, picking mourners to attend his interment.


I met men and women of all walks of life in mourning and they all agreed that Jama was a true son of both countries, a devoted Muslim and man of mercy and dignity. He was short in talk but long in deeds. He was selfless nationalist and helping hand to the needy and poor. His charity extended beyond Djibouti. It reached all Somali inhabited regions in the Horn of Africa.

Personally, it was few months ago when I phoned him asking about the Islamic Banking Conference that had been held in Djibouti. His voice was calm, calculated and precise. He gave all I need and invited me to visit Djibouti. Surprisingly he articulated in a friendly tone, that he never expected I would be out of his reach in this long since my appointment. We agreed to meet by the end of January. Alas it never happened. Truly, it is said man proposes and Allah disposes. To me his death is so painful and of great individual loss. I was looking forward to a new, refreshed cooperation between us and within our corresponding positions. I had a good working plan intact. With the minutes I spent with him over the phone, I discerned how bright, sharp and open minded Jama was, and how he ponders for the benefit of Djibouti in every minute of his time. Equally he presumed as own duty to work-out for any project that lends a hand to both countries.

I hope his successor will fill his shoes fully and at ease. I anticipate our corresponding capacities will be shoved to the profit of both our countries, and I look forward to maintain our brotherly two states closer and closer, for we are one people.

Jama did the best he can, and left a history written in gold and diamond. Generations will remember him and his deeds will be reflected in perpetuity. His good performance will go with him to the grave and stay with him or her to serve as one's testimony in the Day of Judgment. That is engraved in our Islamic religion. Do good deeds and it will be with you forever.

Let us all, friends and relatives pray Allah to forgive Jama and bestow him the best of heavens: Jantul Fardaws, Ameen. And let us preserve all good deeds he initiated in eternity.

With heart full of sorrow, I share with Djibouti government and people, the loss of this great personality, a son of two states and one people: Djibouti and Somaliland.

http://www.facebook.com/aharwo

Mr. Ahmed Hassan Arwo

Somaliland Presidential Economic Advisor.
Presidential Palace, Hargeysa
Somaliland

Tel: 002522 409 6421
Eci.advisor@gmail.com
samotalis@gmail.com

Mursi links freedom with ‘responsibility’ in his debut United Nations speech

Mursi links freedom with 'responsibility' in his debut United Nations speech



AP

Thursday 27 September 2012

UNITED NATIONS: Egypt's new President Muhammed Mursi debuts at the United Nations yesterday with a speech that will be closely watched by world leaders for clues about his democratic intentions and plans for lifting his country out of crippling poverty.
Mursi, an Islamist and key figure in the once-banned Muslim Brotherhood, is the first democratically-elected leader of the ancient land at the heart of the Arab world. He was sworn in June 30.

Another Arab leader making his first appearances at the UN General Assembly's annual ministerial meeting after being swept into power by the Arab Spring revolutions was Yemen's President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who took office in February after more than a year of political turmoil and is now trying to steer his country's democratic transition. Hadi called on the UN to grant membership to Palestine and support a transfer of power in Syria.

"The only option for our brothers in Syria is to agree on an initiative ... for peaceful change and transfer of power through ballot boxes," he said.
Mursi previewed his General Assembly remarks in a speech delivered Tuesday at former President Bill Clinton's Global Initiative. Addressing the violence that raged across the Muslim world in response to a video produced in the US that denigrated Islam's Prophet Muhammad, the Egyptian leader said freedom of expression must come with "responsibility." He appeared to have been responding to President Barack Obama's General Assembly speech earlier Tuesday in which the US leader again condemned the video but sternly defended the US Constitution's guarantees of free speech.

At least 51 people were killed in violence that erupted last week in Muslim countries, including the US ambassador to Libya and three other Americans targeted in an attack on the US consulate in Benghazi.
Mursi said the video and the violent reaction to it demanded "reflection." He said freedom of expression must be linked with responsibility, "especially when it comes with serious implications for international peace and stability."
With no sign of an end to the Security Council's paralysis over intervening to end the raging Syrian civil war, Germany's UN Ambassador Peter Wittig said his country chose to focus the council's ministerial session on something new and positive in the Mideast — "the emergence of the Arab League as a regional actor that has proved to be essential for conflict resolution."

Syrian death toll now tops 30,000: activist group

Syrian death toll now tops 30,000: activist group

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Analysis & Opinion

Murders in the forest
Can the Middle East survive a post-Western era?

BEIRUT | Wed Sep 26, 2012 11:15am EDT

(Reuters) - At least 30,000 people have died in Syria's 18-month-old uprising, a British-based Syrian monitoring group said on Wednesday, and more than half of the victims counted were killed in the past five months.

The uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, which began in March 2011 as peaceful protests, has descended into civil war since rebels took up arms against a security force crackdown.

Rami Abdulrahman, the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 30,716 people were killed. Most of them - at least 21,534 - were civilians. But his network of activists, who are based around Syria, do not divide their civilian death count between unarmed residents and those who have joined the rebels.

The pro-opposition Observatory said 7,322 soldiers fighting for Assad were killed, while at least 1,860 army defectors died fighting for the opposition.

"By looking through our figures, we noticed that the toll has been rising. Between 50 and 60 percent of those killed died in the past five months," Abdulrahman said.

Syrian authorities have said in the past that more than 2,600 members of the security forces have been killed, but have not given a casualty figure for several months.

Despite the rapidly rising death toll, international powers are stuck in a diplomatic stalemate. Western powers and Gulf Arab states back the opposition, while Russia, China and Iran are backing Assad.

The violence spiked rapidly in recent months as rebel forces spread, taking the fight across the country and into Syria's two major cities, the capital Damascus and business hub Aleppo.

Assad, who says his opponents are "terrorists" backed by foreign powers, has responded with heavy bombardment, including the use of fighter jets and helicopter gunships.

(This story corrects figure in headline)

(Reporting by Erika Solomon; Editing by Stephen Powell)



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Protests erupt in Pakistan over anti-Islam film

Latest in Protests Over Anti-Islam Film

Latest in Protests Over Anti-Islam Film



By The Associated Press
September 21, 2012 (AP)

Here's a look at protests and events across the world on Friday connected to an amateurish anti-Muslim film produced in the United States and vulgar caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad published in a French satirical weekly. At least 47 people, including the U.S. ambassador to Libya, have been killed in violence linked to the protests over the film, which has also renewed debate over freedom of expression in the U.S. and in Europe.

———

PAKISTAN

Seventeen people were killed and dozens were injured as tens of thousands protested against the film around the country after the government encouraged peaceful protests and declared a national holiday — "Love for the Prophet Day." Demonstrations turned violent in several Pakistani cities. Among those killed was a driver for a Pakistani television station, who died after police opened fire on rioters torching a cinema in the northwest city of Peshawar during a protest.

Clashes between police and thousands of stone-throwing protesters also occurred in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad, the Pakistani capital.

———

AFGHANISTAN

About 900 people have gathered for a protest against the film in the capital, Kabul, chanting "death to America" and burning an effigy of President Barack Obama and an American flag. A few hundred demonstrators also protested inside a mosque in the eastern city of Ghazni. The protests were peaceful.

AP
A Pakistani protestor hurls back a tear gas... View Full Caption

———

IRAN

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad lashed out at the West over the film. Speaking during a military parade in Tehran, he said: "in return for (allowing) the ugliest insults to the divine messenger, they — the West — raise the slogan of respect for freedom of speech." He said this explanation was "clearly a deception."

———

INDONESIA

The United States closed its diplomatic missions across Indonesia due to continuing demonstrations over the anti-Islam film. Small and mostly orderly protests were held outside the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta and in the cities of Surabaya and Medan, along with a couple other smaller towns. No violence was reported.

In addition to the embassy in Jakarta and consulate offices in Surabaya, Medan and Bali, the American mission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations also was shut.

———

IRAQ

About 3,000 people, mostly followers of Iranian-backed Shiite Muslim groups, protested against the film and caricatures in the southern city of Basra. Demonstrators carried Iraqi flags and posters of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, chanting "death to America" and "no to America."

They burnt Israeli and American flags. One of the organizers, Qassim al-Moussawi, told AP that people gathered "to express our anger and resentment on the offenses made against our prophet."

———

SRI LANKA

About 2,000 Muslims burned effigies of President Barack Obama and American flags at a protest after Friday prayers in the capital, Colombo, demanding that the United States ban the film.

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BANGLADESH

Over 2,000 people marched through the streets of the capital, Dhaka, to protest the film. They burned a makeshift coffin draped in an American flag, and an effigy of Obama.



———

LEBANON

Thousands gathered in the Bekaa Valley for the latest in a series of protest rallies organized by the Shiite militant group Hezbollah. Protesters carried the yellow Hezbollah flag.

———

KASHMIR

Police enforced a daylong curfew in parts of Indian-controlled Kashmir's main city, Srinagar, and chased away protesters opposing the anti-Islam film. Authorities in the region also temporarily blocked mobile phone and Internet services to prevent viewing the film clips.

———

GERMANY

Several hundred people gathered in the city of Freiburg in southwest of Germany to protest the film. Some carried banners saying: "The dignity of the Prophet Muhammad is our dignity." Police banned inflammatory slogans.

The Interior Ministry postponed a poster campaign aimed at countering radical Islam among young people due to tensions caused by the online video insulting Islam. Posters for the campaign — in German, Turkish and Arabic — were meant to go on display in German cities with large immigrant populations on Friday, but are being withheld because of the changed security situation. Germany is home to an estimated 4 million Muslims.

———

NORWAY

Crowds gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in the capital Oslo to protest the prophet film shouting "Obama, Obama, we're all Osama."

Some 70 people took part in the hour-long demonstration on Friday afternoon. Police blocked off the street during the peaceful protest.

———

PHILIPPINES

A law professor defied a ban by Philippine university officials and has shown students the film's 14-minute trailer. Constitutional law professor Harry Roque of the University of the Philippines said the film was "trash and nothing but trash" and will not convince people Islam is evil.

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Fresh anti-Islam film protests rock the Muslim world

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Fresh anti-Islam film protests in Muslim countries

 Fresh anti-Islam film protests in Muslim countries



The BBC's Aleem Maqbool says clashes have broken out across parts of Pakistan but central Islamabad remains calm

Anti-Islam film protests
Q&A: Anti-Islam film
Viewpoints
Protests explained
Diplomat danger

Fresh protests are under way in Muslim countries against an anti-Islam film made in the US.

In Pakistan, a government-declared "special day of love" for the Prophet Muhammad has seen violent clashes and at least one death in the northern city of Peshawar, and clashes elsewhere.

The US has paid for adverts on Pakistani TV that show President Barack Obama condemning the film.
There has been widespread unrest over the amateur film, Innocence of Muslims.

The protests have already claimed several lives around the world.


Although the US has borne the brunt of protests, anti-Western sentiment has been stoked further by caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad published in a satirical French magazine.

In Peshawar, protesters attacked and ransacked two cinema buildings. A driver for a Pakistani TV station was killed when police opened fire to disperse protesters, seven of whom were reported wounded.

Clashes between police and protesters are also being reported from the cities of Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi.

Analysis

M Ilyas KhanBBC News, Islamabad


Protesters in north-west Pakistan are continuing to show their violent side - setting everything that appears inflammable on fire.


There is considerable pent-up anger among Pakistanis over failing civic services and a poor economy. Blasphemy and anti-American feelings provide an added trigger.


There is also the question of who is organising these protests. Mainstream religious groups with electoral interests seek to hold peaceful rallies because their main aim is to galvanise voter support in coming elections.


But there are other groups who have no electoral prospects but have considerable street power and they have been using this to expand their influence. They have an interest in destabilising the government or outshining rival groups.


In the capital Islamabad, which saw fierce clashes between protesters and security forces on Thursday, the BBC's Aleem Maqbool says security forces have attempted to seal off large parts of the city to demonstrations - but that protesters on foot and motocycles have breached a blockade after setting a checkpost alight.


Dozens of protests against the film had already been held across Pakistan over the past week - killing at least two people - but Thursday was the first time violence had erupted in the capital.


All major political parties and religious organisations have announced protests for Friday, along with trade and transport groups.


The Pakistani authorities have urged people to demonstrate peacefully, with mobile phone services cut across the country to reduce security risks.


Meanwhile, the US charge d'affaires Richard Hoagland was summoned to the Pakistani Foreign Office and an official protest was lodged with him. He is reported to have responded that the US government had nothing to do with the film.


The US state department has issued a warning against any non-essential travel to Pakistan.

Embassies closed


France has closed its embassies and other official offices in about 20 countries across the Muslim world on Friday after French magazine Charlie Hebdo published cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, including two drawings showing him naked.


French Muslim leaders condemned the magazine and said an appeal for calm would be read in mosques across the country on Friday.


Charlie Hebdo sold out on Wednesday but is publishing another 70,000 copies, to coincide with Friday prayers.




Video courtesy of the US embassy in Pakistan

In Tunisia - where France is the former colonial power - the government has banned Friday protests.

Calls to protest against the caricatures have turned up in Tunisian social media. Interior Minister Ali Larayedh said it was believed that some groups were planning violent protests after Friday prayers.


There are also fears of violence in the Libyan city of Benghazi after rival groups said they would take to the streets.


One group intends to denounce extremism and urge militias to disband, following an attack on the US consulate in the city on 11 September that killed the US ambassador and three other American officials.


Throughout the week, Benghazi residents have left wreaths and placards condemning the attack outside the US mission.


Meanwhile, Ansar al-Sharia, the jihadist militia blamed by some local people for the attack, called for protests "in defence of the Prophet Muhammad". Both protests are scheduled for the same time.


In the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, more than 2,000 people protested peacefully in front of the US embassy.


Some protesters were holding signs insisting that insulting religion was not freedom of speech.


In Cairo, where the protests against the film began, Egyptian security forces are patrolling the streets around the US embassy.


Radical Islamists have clashed with security forces there in recent days, although President Mohammed Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood has stayed away from the unrest, only condemning the film and calling for peaceful demonstrations.


The low-budget film that sparked the controversy was made in the US and is said to insult the Prophet Muhammad.


Its exact origins are unclear and the alleged producer for the trailer of the film, Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, is in hiding.


Anti-US sentiment grew after a trailer for the film dubbed into Arabic was released on YouTube earlier this month.

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Four Nato troops killed by 'Afghan police'-bbc

Four Nato troops killed by 'Afghan police'-bbc

Taliban Conflict
Marching forwards
Taliban fighters switch sides
What lies ahead?
Nato's exit strategyWatch

Four soldiers with the Nato-led force in Afghanistan have been killed in an attack thought to have been carried out by Afghan police members, Nato says.

The "insider attack" took place in the south of the country and one of the attackers was reportedly killed.

The latest incident comes a day after two UK soldiers were killed at a checkpoint by a man in police uniform.

On Friday, two US marines were killed in a Taliban attack on Nato's Camp Bastion base in southern Afghanistan.

Militants breached the perimeter of the sprawling Camp Bastion base in Helmand province, destroying six aircraft.

The Taliban told the BBC that they carried out Friday's attack in revenge for a film mocking Islam which has triggered protests around the Muslim world.

More than 50 soldiers with the Nato-led force have been killed so far this year in so-called insider - or green-on-blue - attacks.


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Taliban say attack on Nato's Camp Bastion is revenge for film

Taliban say attack on Nato's Camp Bastion is revenge for film


Violent protests have continued across the Middle East in response to a film made in the US seen as insulting to Islam
Mid-East protests
Friday: as it happened
Protests in pictures
Libyans speak out
Diplomat danger

The Taliban have told the BBC that they carried out an attack on Nato's Camp Bastion in Afghanistan in revenge for a film mocking Islam.

At least two US marines died when militants attacked the perimeter of the huge base in Helmand.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi told the BBC that the target was US and UK soldiers and involved 10 insurgents.

Violent protests against Western embassies have swept the Muslim world amid widespread anger over the film.

Protests against the video - Innocence of Muslims - began on Tuesday in Egypt. On Friday, at least seven people died in escalating unrest in Khartoum, Tunis and Cairo.

Nato officials say insurgents used small arms, rockets and mortars in the attack on Camp Bastion.
Continue reading the main story
Protest timeline - main flashpoints


11 September

1. US embassy in Cairo attacked, flag torn down and replaced with black Islamist banner

2. Mob attacks US consulate in Benghazi, US ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans killed

13 September

3. Protesters break into the US embassy compound in Sanaa, Yemen, amid clashes with security forces

14 September

4. Sudanese protesters attack US, German and UK embassies in Khartoum and clash with police. Three killed

5. One person killed in Lebanon in protest at a KFC restaurant

6. Protesters in Tunis attack the US embassy, with a large fire reported and shots heard. Two killed

7. Riot police in Cairo clash with protesters near US embassy. One person killed
In pictures: Anti-Islam film protests
Q&A: What is the anti-Islam film about?
Press gloomy on West's ties with Muslim world

The sprawling camp is home to troops from several countries and Friday's attack targeted the US compound, Camp Leatherneck.

Maj Martin Crighton from Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) told the BBC troops were conducting an assessment to determine the extent of the damage.

The video - produced in the US - depicts the Prophet Muhammad as a womaniser and leader of a group of bloodthirsty men. It has been circulating on YouTube.

Camp Bastion has a high level of security and is one of the world's busiest airports because of the huge number of helicopter and aeroplane flights landing and taking off.

The UK's Prince Harry is currently based there, on his second Afghan tour of duty.

Nato told Reuters that the prince was on the base at the time of the attack but was "never in any danger".

There are fears of a surge in violence in Afghanistan ahead of the withdrawal of foreign forces by 2014.Sending marines

Western countries have appealed for an end to the violent protests targeting their embassies.

On Friday The EU urged leaders in Arab and Muslim countries to "call immediately for peace and restraint".

The US is sending marines to defend its embassy in Khartoum and has called on Sudan to protect foreign diplomats.

US embassies have borne the brunt of the attacks.

Marines were deployed to Libya on Wednesday after the attack that killed the US ambassador and three other Americans and to Yemen on Friday after violence in Sanaa.

On Friday, US Vice-President Joe Biden his Sudanese counterpart, Ali Osman Taha, to express concern over the security of the US and other Western embassies in Khartoum.

"Vice-President Biden reaffirmed the responsibility of the government of Sudan to protect diplomatic facilities and stressed the need for the government... to ensure the protection of diplomats in Khartoum," a White House statement said.

A crowd of several thousand attacked the US embassy in Khartoum on Friday, and state radio said three protesters had been killed in clashes with security forces.

The German and UK embassies in Khartoum were also attacked, although the controversial film has no known links to either country.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton urged "national authorities in all countries concerned to swiftly ensure the security of diplomatic missions and protect diplomatic staff".

"It is vitally important that leaders across the affected regions should call immediately for peace and restraint, as has already been the case in many countries."

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Afghanistan:Two Marines Die In Prince Harry Base Attack

Two Marines Die In Prince Harry Base Attack
The base's perimeter is breached as militants armed with rockets damage buildings, an aircraft hangar and several military jets.




Video: Insurgents Launch Attack On Camp BastionEnlarge




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Militants armed with rockets have attacked a major Allied military base in Afghanistan where Prince Harry is stationed, leaving two US Marines dead and a number of others hurt.

The perimeter of Camp Bastion was breached as it was hit by small arms fire and there was major damage to buildings, an aircraft hangar and several military jets.

A US official confirmed two marines had died and several troops were injured.

This facility is often subject to indirect fire, but officials in Afghanistan say the damage that resulted was far more severe than normal. The attack was launched in the US area of the base.

A spokesman at ISAF's Joint Command said the assault was over but details including the number of attackers and whether they managed to penetrate the base were not immediately clear.

Officials in Afghanistan said it was too early to know if the attack was motivated by the anti-Muslim YouTube film which has sparked violent protests in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.Prince Harry arrived in Afghanistan last Friday

Prince Harry is currently stationed at Camp Bastion on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan - expected to last four months.

A Nato spokesman said the prince, who is third in line to the throne, was on the base at the time of the attack but was "never in any danger".

The Army captain, known in the military as Captain Wales, has been undergoing training to fly operations in Apache attack helicopters and is expected to start flying missions this week as co-pilot gunner.

The Taliban had described the prince as "a high value target", saying they would "make their best efforts to arrest or kill" him.

Camp Bastion is a huge, heavily fortified base in the middle of the desert shared with British, US, Danish, Estonian and Afghan troops.

It is the logistics hub for operations in Helmand province, with supply convoys and armoured patrols regularly leaving its heavily-defended gates to support military forward operating bases and checkpoints.

http://news.sky.com/story/985315/two-marines-die-in-prince-harry-base-attack

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Syrian Resort to Heavy Weapons a Sign of Assad's Weakness (Riyadh, S. Arabia)

Syrian Resort to Heavy Weapons a Sign of Assad's Weakness (Riyadh, S. Arabia)

GLEN CAREY
ASSOCIATED PRESS

 Bloomberg News.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The use by Bashar Assad's armed forces of ever-deadlier weapons to crush the 18-month Syrian uprising at the expense of greater civilian casualties is a sign of the regime's weakness, military and Middle East analysts say.

Syria's government has become more reliant on heavy weaponry including attack aircraft, helicopter gunships, artillery and tanks even as lightly armed rebels win and hold ground in the biggest cities — Aleppo, the business center, and suburbs of the capital, Damascus.

Assad's forces have been employing heavier weapons because "they don't have enough combat maneuver units to deal with the rebellion," according to Jeffrey White, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and a 34-year veteran of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency. That shortage of troops indicates a loss of army personnel from defections and desertions, White said in a phone interview.

The Syrian army's full-time notional strength is about 220,000 personnel, plus allied Shabiha militiamen, according to the London-based International Institute of Strategic Studies' Military Balance 2012. Yet the fighting has reduced its effectiveness as a military force and its manpower may now be only about 100,000 troops, White estimates, while the remaining units "aren't necessarily fighting very well."

If the Syrian military is unable to break the deadlock even with air power, it may resort to still-tougher tactics.

"There is another level beyond that when they actually start systematically destroying entire suburbs of major towns," said Crispin Hawes, head of the Middle East program at Eurasia Group, a New York-based political risk research company.

In Aleppo, government forces shelled neighborhoods and battled overnight with rebels near the international airport, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on its Facebook page Wednesday. More than 140 people, including 95 unarmed civilians and 26 personnel from the Syrian army, died Tuesday in the clashes, the Britain-based group said.

A car bomb and rebel assault at military position killed at least 18 soldiers today in Idlib province, the Observatory said, after rebels attacked as many as 100 troops manning a checkpoint.

Syrian forces routinely storm small towns and city districts seeking rebels and their supporters. In August, loyalists entered Dariya, a town outside Damascus, leaving bodies piled on the streets and in a mosque, according to opposition groups. A video posted on YouTube showed the corpses of men covered in blankets on the floor of the Abu Sulaiman Darani mosque in Dariya. The authenticity of the video couldn't be verified.

Syria's armed forces possess a large inventory of military hardware. Mainly Russian-supplied, this includes 4,950 main battle tanks and 3,440 artillery pieces, while the air force has 365 combat-capable aircraft including 240 MiG-21s, MiG-23s, Su-22s and Su-24s assigned to ground attack, according to the IISS. In addition, it has 33 Mi-25 attack helicopters.

"Statistically the regime has considerable power, but the part that can be used is very small," said Mustafa Alani, an analyst at the Geneva-based Gulf Research Center, in an interview. "We are witnessing a shift in the balance of power on the battlefield inside Syria." That's why the government is using its weaponry "to regain the balance that was lost."

Alani says the best-equipped unit, the 4th Armored Division led by Assad's brother Maher, is being held back in the capital for "the last stand of the regime."

Syria's economy is showing signs of weakening under sanctions. In June, consumer prices rose 36 percent from a year earlier and climbed by 2.9 percent from May, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics in Damascus. Crude output has fallen by almost 50 percent during the uprising, Oil Minister Said Hunaidi said last month.

Even so, Assad's downfall is not assured, Hawes says. "Syria potentially looks like an open-ended conflict," he says. Unlike the removal of governments in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, "Assad is going to be a lot harder to tip over."

Both sides have switched tactics as the conflict has evolved since the start of the uprising in March 2011.

"For most of last year, the military response was reasonably measured in that they were attempting to minimize civilian casualties, with the eye on re-establishing order and being able to run the country in the way that they ran it before," said Hawes. "That goal is no longer perceived to be realistic. They are happy to use helicopter gunships and air support to attack suburbs, losing a huge number of civilian casualties."

Pressure from more than a year of combat operations has "taxed" the Syrian military, causing problems with resupply, maintenance and morale, Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last month.

That's why Iran has started to train a new militia force, called " the Army of the People," drawn from the minority Shiite and Alawite communities "to take some of the pressure off of the Syrian military," he said.

The Syrian military is also being resupplied by Iran, says Theodore Karasik, director of research at the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis in Dubai. While Iran has supported Assad's government in public statements, it hasn't officially acknowledged any military role in Syria.

The rebels too have altered their approach, entering and holding areas of the biggest cities. Even so, the Free Syrian Army lacks a "grand strategy," White says.

The partial seizure of Aleppo, "didn't reflect any profound strategic thinking," he said. "They saw an opportunity, saw that regime forces were weak and not fighting very well, and they seized on the opportunity."

He says the Syrian military response has failed to dislodge them and that the rebels are fighting a long war.

"The FSA doesn't have a field force, they can't come out of the towns and villages meet the Syrian army in some kind of open battle," he said. "They can weaken the army over time, and I think that is what they are doing. They are going to break the army piece by piece."

-(Optional add end)-

Rebels have turned their attacks against airbases as they try to degrade the government's air power. Battles have been fought around the Abu Zhuhoor military base, the Kwers military airport in Aleppo and in the city of Bukmal in Deir Ezzour province near the border with Iraq.

Heavy fighting erupted in areas of Damascus and Aleppo in July as rebels confronted the government in its biggest urban power bases.

The same month, a bomb was smuggled into one of the government's most sensitive institutions, the national security headquarters in Damascus, killing key members of Assad's military establishment, including his brother-in-law, Major General Assef Shawkat, and Defense Minister Dawoud Rajhah. In August, Prime Minister Riad Hijab defected to Jordan and denounced Assad's regime as "the enemy of God."

The Syrian Observatory estimates that more than 26,000 people have died to date, an average of about 50 a day. Throughout most of August and September, opposition groups have reported death tolls of more than 100 daily, with the Local Coordination Committees in Syria identifying Aug. 25 as the bloodiest, with 440 people said to have lost their lives.

The problem for Syria's rebels, according to White, is that they lack the firepower to bring the battle to Assad's forces, while loyalist units lack the stomach for close-quarters combat. "When regime ground units attack, they don't attack very hard," he said.

With the conflict dragging on, "there will be no winners in this rolling slaughter," said Paul Sullivan, an economics professor specializing in Middle East security at Georgetown University in Washington. "Syria is likely finished as a country that functions for some time to come."

bc-syria-analysis


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