Pete
1st April 2003, 23:26
It is known that America has accused Syria of sending 'sensitive' military equipment over to Iraq. In response to the threat issued by the Americans, a top religious offical Mufti Kaftaro called on Syrians to use "all possible means to defeat the aggression, including martyrdom (suicide) operations against the invading combatants."
Meanwhile the Syrian government, while not supporting America, is not putting its wieght behind the Mufti. Yet the people follow the religious authority. In addition the Syrian government is preoccupied more with the Palestine/Isreal issue than with Iraq, which could cause a weakening in there capacity to govern as thousands of Syrians are taking the streets in protest against the war, in support of te Mufti's words.
It seems that the religious forcesw in Syria are gaining steam, and my first thought was 'Islamic Revolution?!?!?!' I was wondering what other people think.
Some Links:
Syria and Iraq - CBC (http://www.cbc.ca/news/iraq/players/syria_iraq030328.html)
CIA Fact Book - Syria (http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sy.html)
Powell Issues Warning to Iran, Syria - IndyMedia (http://indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=306934)
Salon.com (http://archive.salon.com/news/1998/02/23news.html)
Syria's History (http://www.made-in-syria.com/syriahistory.htm)
More on Syria's History (http://syria.arabicnet.com/4.asp)
Meanwhile the Syrian government, while not supporting America, is not putting its wieght behind the Mufti. Yet the people follow the religious authority. In addition the Syrian government is preoccupied more with the Palestine/Isreal issue than with Iraq, which could cause a weakening in there capacity to govern as thousands of Syrians are taking the streets in protest against the war, in support of te Mufti's words.
It seems that the religious forcesw in Syria are gaining steam, and my first thought was 'Islamic Revolution?!?!?!' I was wondering what other people think.
Some Links:
Syria and Iraq - CBC (http://www.cbc.ca/news/iraq/players/syria_iraq030328.html)
CIA Fact Book - Syria (http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sy.html)
Powell Issues Warning to Iran, Syria - IndyMedia (http://indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=306934)
Salon.com (http://archive.salon.com/news/1998/02/23news.html)
Syria's History (http://www.made-in-syria.com/syriahistory.htm)
More on Syria's History (http://syria.arabicnet.com/4.asp)