New York Times: Islamic Militants Kill 56 Captive Syrian Soldiers
BEIRUT, Lebanon — Islamic militants led by an affiliate of Al Qaeda gunned down dozens of Syrian government soldiers taken prisoner during the takeover of a military air base this month, antigovernment activists said Saturday.
The execution of prisoners by all sides in the complex civil war has grown increasingly common as the conflict stretches into its fifth year.
At least 56 soldiers were killed by the Syrian affiliate of Al Qaeda, known as the Nusra Front, and its Islamist allies in recent days, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Update: Syria monitor: Insurgents killed 56 government troops at captured air base -- Reuters
WNU Editor: It appears that we are now entering a stage in this war where executing prisoners is the rule and not the exception.
Quite stupid since this makes soldiers wanna fight to the last bullet
ReplyDeleteThis is counter-productive for any targeted group that has nowhere to run.
ReplyDeleteBeyond that, this raises the level of required determination for any power considering an intervention. Thus I believe this is aimed at Russia and especially at the russian population.
The easiest way for Russia to sell such an intervention to its public, would be if the whole force consisted of volunteers that opted for this special operation. For those men, such news are really a serious test of their determination (balls), but if they decide on fighting - they´d probably do so with enhanced motivation, because surrender is no option.