This is an interesting article, in that it omits the fact that the Syrian
government and its Russian ally have been fighting an amalgum of terrorist
groups which took over and now dominate, what were originally anti government
groups. Israel, Turkey, and the US have been supporting Al Qaeda and ISIS and
other extremist groups. And all of the extremist groups are there, as a result
of the US 2003 war in Iraq. Why is the SWP, or whoever is behind this
journalistic endeavor, following the US mainstream media line on this conflict
and then attempting to simplify it into a capitalist governments vs workers
story?
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx On Behalf Of Roger Loran Bailey
(Redacted sender "rogerbailey81" for DMARC)
Sent: Monday, September 02, 2019 11:06 AM
To: blind-democracy <blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [blind-democracy] Working people in Syria face growing crisis from
attacks by Assad regime
https://themilitant.com/2019/08/31/working-people-in-syria-face-growing-crisis-from-attacks-by-assad-regime/
Working people in Syria face growing crisis from attacks by Assad regime
By Brian Williams
Vol. 83/No. 33
September 9, 2019
Following months of airstrikes by the Syrian regime and its ally in Moscow, the
government of Bashar al-Assad has retaken some key areas in Idlib province that
have been under the control of opponents of his dictatorial rule for the past
five years. The bombardments exacerbated the disastrous conditions for some 3
million people, many of whom had fled government army assaults in other parts
of Syria.
Conflicts are sharpening among the rival capitalist governments intervening in
Syria. The governments of Russia and Iran back the efforts of Bashar al-Assad
to reimpose his control over the country; Turkish rulers have sent troops to
intervene in northern Syria, backed armed groups fighting Assad and sought to
deal blows to Syrian Kurds fighting for their national rights; and the Israeli
rulers are stepping up their airstrikes on bases that Tehran has established
inside Syria.
Washington, with about 1,000 troops in northeastern Syria in areas controlled
by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, seeks to defend its imperialist
interests and counter the Iranian government’s military presence and political
influence in the country.
Syrian government troops captured the strategic town of Khan Sheikhoun and
surrounding areas in Idlib Aug. 20. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a reactionary
Islamist group which had been administering the area since January, fled after
days of heavy fighting. Militias backed by the Iranian rulers reinforced
Moscow’s airstrikes on the area.
Khan Sheikhoun lies along the main road connecting Damascus and Aleppo, two of
Syria’s biggest cities under government control.
A “de-escalation” agreement between the governments of Iran, Russia and Turkey
over fighting in Idlib in 2017 permitted the establishment of Turkish troops at
12 military outposts in and around the province aimed at protecting opposition
forces that the Turkish government backs. The pact also demanded that all
Islamist groups relinquish heavy arms and leave the area. When they didn’t
comply with the commands of Moscow and Assad, the Russian government unleashed
massive airstrikes in the area.
Syrian warplanes fired at a Turkish military post in the village of Morek Aug.
22. Days earlier airstrikes had targeted a Turkish army convoy, killing three
civilians and wounding 12. In response, the Turkish government sent additional
armored vehicles and troops to its outposts in Idlib, Anadolu Agency reported.
These attacks “could test the strength of military cooperation between Turkey
and Russia,” noted the Wall Street Journal. The Turkish government recently
began receiving S-400 antiaircraft missile equipment from Moscow, provoking the
ire of Washington, its NATO “ally.”
Since late April, airstrikes and rocket fire have killed more than 700
civilians in Idlib, according to the United Nations. Hundreds of others have
been wounded.
Over the past three months more than half a million people have fled their
homes, camping along roads, in olive groves and orchards near the Turkish
border. Many face dire conditions without tents or shelter from the summer
heat. Since 2016 the Turkish government has shut its border to Syrian refugees
trying to enter the country.
The eight-year-long civil war in Syria has killed hundreds of thousands of
people and displaced more than 10 million. It followed a powerful uprising by
working people who fought to overturn Assad’s repressive rule in 2011. He
crushed their rebellion, but different opposition forces, including Islamist
groups, took up arms and seized control of large parts of the country.
Turkish gov’t targets Syrian refugees
During the civil war, some 3.6 million people from Syria have taken refuge in
Turkey. They are required to register in the Turkish province where they
reside. While many live in areas bordering Syria, hundreds of thousands of
others have moved to Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, in search of work.
Turkish authorities have stepped up the arrest of Syrian immigrants “during
raids on homes or workplaces, as well as during ID checks in the streets,”
reported Al Jazeera. In Istanbul alone thousands have been detained in recent
weeks. The Turkish government demands the 350,000 Syrian immigrants living in
Istanbul who are registered in other cities must return there by Oct. 30.
It disputes claims by human rights groups that it is deporting Syrians back to
war-torn areas of the country, claiming that those who are leaving Turkey do so
“voluntarily.” However the “voluntary return document,” that cops press
refugees to sign is written in Turkish, a language that many Syrians can’t read.
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In This Issue
Front Page Articles •Miners win support in fight against Blackjewel •Workers in
Puerto Rico face crisis of colonial rule •‘New York Times’ changes its ‘story,’
says race-baiting can topple Trump •‘We need to organize workers to defend
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•Working people in Syria face growing crisis from attacks by Assad regime
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Also In This Issue •Communications Workers hold four day strike across 9 states
•Toronto cop who killed youth paroled after only two years •Organize workers to
defend class interests •Israeli rulers bomb Tehran’s bases in Syria and Iraq
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contract fight
•Asda store workers in U.K. rally against concessions contract
Books of the Month •Socialist revolution is ‘historical mission of
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Letters
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Clarence Darrow
“ I have always felt that doubt was the beginning of wisdom, and the fear of
God was the end of wisdom. ”
― Clarence Darrow,
