Sunni volunteers carry weapons during a parade as they prepare to fight against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants, in the town of Amiriyah Fallujah in Anbar province, on January 8, 2015. (Reuters)
The Independent: Isis in Syria: Influential tribal leaders hold secret talks with Western powers and Gulf states over possibility of mobilising against militants
They have seen their people slaughtered, their communities terrorised and dispossessed and their ancestral lands laid to waste. Now, some of the most influential tribal leaders in Syria have come together to try to end the savage civil war that has afflicted their country.
They have formed a new tribal coalition and, The Independent can reveal, held secret talks with the UN’s special envoy for Syria and the US General who is Barack Obama’s representative to the rebels fighting against the Assad regime.
The tribal chiefs have also met ministers from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, key financial and military backers of the opposition, and are soon to meet King Abdullah of Jordan.
WNU Editor: This development has the potential of changing the dynamics on the ground in Syria .... especially if the US and its allies are smart enough to take advantage of it. But if past U.S. policy in the region is any indication ....I would not bet on it.
3 comments:
The age of these guys and their weapons is sad. They probably won't stand a chance if they really are going fight and this isn't just a propaganda photo. Oh well, you have to start somewhere.
James
Ukrainian rebels beg to differ....we'll see I guess.
I just don't trust the white house not breaking more new toys.
Phill,
Normally I would agree, but ISIS's people are highly motivated (ie semi kamikaze), while the Ukrainian army does not shall we say have stellar morale. You're right on the White House. The photo just doesn't inspire much confidence in me.
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