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Bulent Kilic / AFP - Getty Images
Syrian rebels stand next to their vehicle after seizing control of the Bab al-Hawa border post with Turkey on July 20, 2012. Some 150 armed rebel fighters were in control of the post, which lies opposite Turkey's Cilvegozu border crossing in the southern province of Hatay.
Fighting continued for a fifth day near key government installations, indicating that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's control is faltering. As the opposition advances, Russia and China still refuse to support a resolution calling for tougher sanctions. NBC's Ayman Mohyeldin reports.
Syrian rebels were still in control of the main Abu Kamal border post on the Euphrates River highway, one of the major trade routes across the Middle East, a senior Iraqi interior ministry official said on Friday.
The border crossing was seized by rebels following a fierce battle with Syrian troops, an Agence France Presse photographer at the scene reported.
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- Syrian forces stretched, intelligence chief dies
- Russia, China veto UN Syria sanctions; US calls vote regrettable
- Assad reportedly directs troops from tribal heartland as rebels flood capital
Bulent Kilic / AFP - Getty Images
Carcasses of burnt-out lorries at the Bab al-Hawa border post with Turkey are seen on July 20, 2012 after it was seized by Syrian rebels following a fierce battle with Syrian troops.
Bulent Kilic / AFP - Getty Images
A broken picture of former Syrian president Hafez al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad's father, is seen at the Bab Al-Hawa border gate after clashes between Syrian rebels and the Syrian army on July 20, 2012.
Bulent Kilic / AFP - Getty Images
Syrian rebels walk at the entrance to a building of the Bab al-Hawa border post on July 20, 2012.
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Geez, Assad. The writing is on the wall already. Give it up.
Agree that Assad's position is getting desperate. With nothing to lose, will he take some desperate steps? Fire rockets into Israel to paint the opposition as tools of the Zionists? (Saddam Hussein did that one.) Call in reinforcements from Iran? Use his chemical weapons? (Saddam Hussein did that one too.)
muslim brotherhood in control with the help of the evil saudi arabi and qatar and with the help of obama administrations to give it to muslim brotherhood , it was a beautiful country and you evils muslims fantaic and muslim brother hood destroyed, jesus please help this country from that evil call muslim brotherhood
What?!?! Assad is and was a hack, a thug, and a tyrant to his own people. I applaud them for standing up to this dictator. He posed as a refined and educated man, but when the writing on the wall didn't go his way he showed his true colors. I hope they string him up, draw and quarter his a$$ on live TV.
PR, Muslims are peaceful and cannot be the evil people you are watching on TV. Saudi Arabia is our finest ally and our President would never do such things you say. All is well and the Muslims will change your country for the better as seen elsewhere.
pr-2854777 - How can you say that:
1. You're pissed at Obama for helping Saudi Arabia and Qatar overthrow Assad? Really? Seems to me I remember video of GW Bush walking with a Saudi Prince...holding hands. If the Saudis are so hated, why does the Bush family do business with them?
2. What the hell was beautiful about it? A minority party oppressed a majority of the people. Oh, I forgot, you're a Republican, in your mind that would be the natural state of affairs.
3. Jesus help this country? You'd get more mileage out of the flying spaghetti monster. I really don't see a difference between Muslim fanatics and Christian fanatics.
As every one knows Syrian rebels are supported by Saudi inventions like Sunni Islamic religious Nazis like al-Qaida, MB and other label ones.
Which Muslim nation does not have a tyrant, autocratic, despotic and bigoted ruler?
Leave Turkey here. Even Turkey and Egypt are fast marching backwards to seventh century desert mindset days. Turkey's Islamic fundamentalist Ergodan and Egypt's Morsi are new ones.
If Syria ought to have a Sunni ruler, Bahrain should have a Shiite ruler.
Followers of Islamic cult, especially Sunni Saudi inspired Islamic radicals and militants (al-Qaida, Salaffi, Wahhabi, MB and other label ones), are fast marching backwards to their seventh century desert tribal days of rapings, lootings, killings and genocides of non-Muslims (Darfur, S. Sudan, Nigeria, and the long list of nations) and Muslims (Mali, Syria, Bahrain, Pakistan and others).
hey Ol_Doc
you did not get it , do not you, these all middle east countries are going to Muslim brotherhood , it is a deal between obama and his administration and Qatar and Saudi to give all middle east countries to fanatic Muslims and Muslim brotherhood, you ol doc, i am not sure what is wrong with people like you is it the color or the religion or what , people sight the pic. it is very clear and you are blinds. Muslims brotherhood are the last people to give freedom, they hate Christians and Jews. the Christan in Palestine was 15 to 20% since Muslim brotherhood came to power, they are now 1% in Palestine, kidnapping Christians girls in Egypt and convert them to Muslims, burning their business and houses and trying to get rid of them it is a plan to get rid of Christians in the middle east with the help of obama and his administration, they are evils and you evil ol-doc if you defend evil like that, who know who are you exactly maybe from the Muslim brotherhood
ol-doc, obama administration and obama control Egypt for example, because the money gets from USA, Obama administration supported Muslim brotherhood, if obama administration is really looking for democracy in Egypt, why they do not ask the united nation to pressure the government and protect minority and put a civil constitution in Egypt, to every human been live in this country for example, i would believe this administration but i do not see that , i would really respect democrats, and yes i use to be democrats since obama took office and i saw his foreign affair i changed to republicans
Russia and China should send in peace keepers I am sure that the UN would allow them to quell the Situation. I am also sure that Bashar Assad would agree to this. China and Russia are equal partners in this world and should have the chance to bring the Situation under control. Iran also could broker the situation with all three they should be able to save many lives.
One man-3239417
1. Russia and China aren't about to get buries in that quagmire.
2. Judging from Russia and China's stance to date, I'm sure their idea of quelling the situation would be to continue killing the Sunni majority to keep Assad in power...is that your idea of quelling?
3. I seriously doubt anyone in the Western countries are the least bit interested in seeing Russia, China and Iran in a coalition in any other middle-east country. Also I seriously doubt you'd see honest brokers on the part of the Iranians. The majority in Syria are Sunni, the ruling majority in Iran are Shia.
Let Russia and China meddle in ME and get burnt. Russians got badly burnt in Afghanistan.
Let us just keep away from the mad Islamic religious battles.
What did we get from Iraqi wars?
Huge losses; high oil prices by the manipulations of Saudis, oil companies and their lobbyists; heavy debts; huge unemployment; and the Saudi and co funded Sunni Islamic radical Salaffi and Wahhabi mosques all over!
Just check all languages of the UN, human rights groups, media and others!
If atrocities and barbarism on girls, children and women are the criteria, then the most despotic, autocratic and bigoted Sunni Saudi ruler with his 5000 princes and princesses, Kuwaiti, UAE and other Arab League Sunni rulers and their rich sheiks are the biggest culprits in the history.
In killing of opponents again, these people have established world records.
If the US, Britain and others support such Sunni barbarians and beasts who treat girls and women as cheap sex slaves, then one can only conclude that Saudis, oil companies and their lobbyists determine what to see, how to lecture and where and when to act.
So Assad will apparently fall and be replaced by another Islamic dictatorship, even worse for the Syrian people and the world. Just wonderful!
The Syrian people will be better off without a dictator who massacres his own people for peacefully protesting.
1. Assad is Alawite (a minority sect). The Syrian majority are Sunni. How is it that the majority will be worse off with one of their own in charge?
2. Assad is a Muslim and a dictator...so what's your point?
3. Why do some people operate from an assumption that people in other countries hold the same point of view and priorities as we in this country. Because a thing may not be in the best interest of the United States does not mean it's not in the best interest of the Syrian people...get over yourself!
It will be al-Qaida and MB dominated dictator. His rule will be worse!
Sunni majority rule will be like Saudis and higher degree of Islamic mad one like Iran.
After it is over in Syria, it will be Iran's turn!
After all these are over: the set of events are due to Amerika, Zionists and West!!!!!
I guess Assad has chosen the Russians at least for his fall, the only loser is Assad if he does not permit his people to Russian international humanitarian aid. I hope that Ecuadorian vessel the Russians hired was full of produce heading to Syria because one wonders what was inside of it.
Well AmadoC Assad seen the democracy that we and NATO THAT WE brought into Iraq and Libya , Afghanistan and he does not like it , and I do not blame him , Syria is fine if we keep Hillary and McCain , Lieberman and all these Jewish lobby lovers , The Saudis financing these thugs and we and NATO training them and the Turkeys Jordan , Lebanon smuggling them in , Its a shame that we are doing that , we should be attacking the Saudis and Qataris for their roll in 9/11 and not the Iranians and the Syrians , as always our politicians getting mixed up with the facts and you all people buying it , just like you did in Iraq and the WMD stories .
my turn-5304605 - Nice Neo-Nazi rant!
We (the United States and NATO) didn't bring them sh!t! By the way "Heimi", if you are so far right that you hate Lieberman and McCain, I do hope DHS is keeping their eye on you (I'm pretty sure they are). That wasn't my side that bought into the WMD BS, that was your good buddies (or Bubbas', depending on your location).
Why is it that every time the Rebels take over a location they loot the place then spray paint all over the walls. It reminds me of the LA riots............
Could be that they're looking for the local secret police files, for one thing. For another, if there was anything like a sustained firefight a surprising amount of debris can be tossed around in response to steady automatic weapons' fire. It's a messy business if you've never seen it.
Because that's exactly what they are WAYSouth and the writing said ( Allah the Great and there no God but God ) and that's what the Muslim brother hood and Alqaida chant all the time before they murder and rape all these people , But mind that who we are arming and supporting in Syria on the REQUEST FROM SAUDIS , QATARIS AND OFF COURSE OUR BELOVED ISRAEL , WHAT A COMBINATION OF ALLIES , Let Hillary and McCain and Lieberman and all these Hawks in our government and our paid off media to tell the truth for once .
Suzuki Takeo - They already are genius; they're called "superpacks".
Innocent civilians took over border crossings and part of the country,so what?
Assad,you are an animal!!! Stop killing them , lie down your weapons.
Why?? because we said so.
The worse is yet to come. Russia and China will declare war on Syria when Assad falls. For quite some time now, Russia and China has been on the wrong side of this Syrian issue.
That would be good for the Russians, another unwinnable war to suck their resources. The Russians did so well in Afghanistan you gotta think they're looking to take another swing.
you can see the innocent in these thugs , can't you ??? they are nothing but thugs , the same thugs that attacked us here on 9/11 , you all keep arming them and supporting them Mrs. Hillary , they are coming back to bite us in the assss , just like our freedom fighters ( THE TALIBAN'S ) Remember them ???
Is your suggestion to support Assad out of blind paranoia? You have to be loose in your views, friend, none of these people will jump when we shout, "Jump!"
Anyhow, this is a border post with Turkey.
Assad should fight up to the last and take Russian and Chinese help to eliminate all Syrian rebels.
Shiites of Iran and Iraq should step in to help Assad.
It would be best, if they all join hands and march into Saudi Arabia, mother of Sunni Islamic radicalism and terrorism.
Saudis and Pakis are responsible for at least 80 percent of world's problems due to Islamic radicalism and terrorism all over the world.
It should be a big break for us. Even moderate Jews should just have patience and watch.
Let us support the loser such that these battles will last longer and there will be more killings and less liabilities on earth!
Are the rebels we are now looking at tomorrows would be terrorists? Or, are we watching something unfold that we have not seen before? Time will tell but our track record ain't looking real good up to this point. I would get ready to get kicked in the nuts ...... loosely speaking.
The people of Syria, have the right, as all people worldwide, to determine their own
fate and future. Whether or not, these hopes and aspirations enmesh with our
needs and wants, is immaterial. Regardless of their race or religion, they have the same
right as we do to live in freedom. They are not required to march to our drum beat.
Ok I know in America we do have rare shootings and isolated incidents of crime but look at those pictures, rebel armies taking over, I think we can all say its not that bad in America.. All you political driven people in America if you thinks its that bad then go to another 3rd world country and lets see if you enjoy there govt and political views. Our president makes choices based on a huge team, and yes its the democrats,so thats the way it is if you dislike his views deal with it and when the next election comes get more people to vote for another party, its simple I understand you think he might be making a bad choice but obviously he is the president for some reason!!! Honestly I could care less about politics, im just happy to be here and not living were someone tells me how to think dress eat pray and whatever else..
just sayin..