Israel Matzav

Human shields in Syrian government facilities

A week ago, I sent an email to a reporter who wrote an article about Syrian human shields. In the email I wrote:

I'm sure you're aware that in much of the Arab world (e.g. Iraq, Hezbullah and the 'Palestinians') people who are weak and vulnerable, including children, are used as human shields. In fact, there were already reports at the end of last week that the Syrian regime had evacuated army officers from its bases and brought in prisoners and refugees to take their places.

The reporter told me that he had heard rumors to that effect but that he had not been able to independently confirm them. 

Now, AFP is reporting via Naharnet that 'young supporters' of Bashar al-Assad have pitched tents on Mount Qassioun, just outside Damascus, and are acting as human shields. Did they bring their children with them?

Young supporters of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government have now pitched 25 tents on the steep road which climbs to Mount Qassioun, skirting a once-popular panoramic restaurant forced to shut by the war.

"We will go on with our sit-in until the government announces that Syria has escaped from any threat of aggression," said protest organizer Ogarit Dandash, a Lebanese journalist.

...

"We are here on Qassioun to tell the Americans (if they want to strike) 'over our bodies'," said Mustafa al-Khani, a popular Syrian comedian who has joined the protest camp.

"This is not a political decision, but a patriotic one," said Khani.

Ahmad Hammud, 22, echoed him.

"Our presence here as human shields will not prevent America from striking, but should their missiles kill us, our ideals will not die with us," he said.

And you wonder why there are so many civilians casualties every time an Arab country goes to war?

Labels: Bashar al-Assad, human shields, Syria

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:57 PM