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Exclusive: War is only option to topple Syrian leader: colonel
ANTAKYA, Turkey (Reuters) - The most senior officer to defect from Syria's armed forces has said there is no option but to topple President Bashar al-Assad by force and he was directing a military uprising against the Syrian leader from within Turkey.
Colonel Riad al-As'aad, who is now living under Turkish government protection in Hatay province on the Syrian border, said some 15,000 soldiers, including officers, had already deserted, and he was waiting to move his command inside Syria.
As'aad, A slim, softly-spoken man dressed in civilian clothes and open-collared shirt, said rebel soldiers were forming brigades around the country who were setting up ambushes against government forces to prevent them entering villages.
Morale in the Syrian army, he said, was low.
"Without a war, he will not fall. Whoever leads with force, cannot be removed except by force," As'aad told Reuters in a Syrian refugee camp in Hatay.
"The regime used a lot of oppressive and murderous tactics so I left, so that I will be the face outside for the command inside, because we have to be in a secure area and right now there is no safety in all of Syria," he said.
As'aad sat in the shade of a tree as Syrian refugee children laughed and played in the background. Music rang out from a nearby tent that served as a makeshift school.
Like most of the military, al-As'aad is Sunni Muslim; but the command is in the hands of officers from Assad's Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam that also dominates the security apparatus and the ruling elite in the majority Sunni country.
As'aad, who has been in Turkey for more than two months, is under constant guard by Turkey's gendarmerie and his exact location is kept secret for his own security.
"We're in contact with defectors on a daily basis. We coordinate on a daily basis with officers. Our plan is to move to Syria. We're waiting to find a safe place which we can turn into a leadership base in Syria," he said.
Damascus portrays the rebel soldiers as traitors serving the enemies of Syria.
Some of the fighting has come close to the Turkish border and there has been speculation in Turkish media that if the flow of refugees became too great, Ankara could impose a 'buffer zone' on the Syrian side of the frontier -- something it did in northern Iraq in the 1990s. Turkey denies any such plans.
Turkey's open harboring of As'aad marks a further sharpening of its attitude toward President Bashar al-Assad, whom it had long seen as an ally.
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has called for Assad to go and is drawing up sanctions that could hit the Syrian economy hard. He is expected to fly down to the Syrian border soon to make a speech at a refugee camp for Syrians fleeing fighting.
"ONE ARMY"
Graying and clean-shaven, except for a mustache, As'aad reflected on the situation inside Syria, painting a picture of movement to and fro across the border.
"The army officer comes here only if he's reached the stage of death or if he's in very serious danger, so he is forced to enter Turkey . sometimes they don't stay for too long and then re-enter Syria, depending on the security situation."
"Today there was an attack on Jabal al-Zawi and the Ghab region and military jets bombarded civilians who had escaped to the mountains. Until now three have been martyred, and 27 are missing. I have the names of the martyrs," he said, pulling out a folded piece of paper with three names scribbled in Arabic.
The 50-year-old colonel, who served as an engineer in Syria's air force for 31 years, said the Syrian government had started to harass him and other officers when pro-democracy protests first started in Tunisia.
"During the revolution in Tunisia, the regime started getting ready. It felt there will be a revolution in Syria. So it (stepped up security), hired spies to harass us. We were always under surveillance," he said.
As'aad said he was summoned to the air force intelligence department in Aleppo where he was coerced into confessing there were armed groups among his relatives because there were demonstrations in his village. It was after this that he deserted.
As'aad says he commands the Syrian Free Army, which he helped form after his defection and that they had joined forces with another rebel force, the Free Officers movement, which activists have said is led by Lieutenant Abdelrahman Sheikh inside Syria.
"We're all one group, we're all one army. We're all waiting, the defecting brothers are working inside," he said.
As'aad said 10-15,000 soldiers, out of the roughly 200,000-strong military, had defected all over the country and that desertions were continuing every day.
"The Syrian army's morale is tired. Defections are happening daily . there are several units that have lost their function because of the defections," he said.
"The regime is weakening and the biggest proof, is that they're using air support in addition to tanks and artillery, that proves their weakness."
Some opponents of Assad argue resistance should remain peaceful and that armed action could only worsen the situation.
"WE WILL FIGHT WITH OUR NAILS"
There are fears, including in Turkey, that an escalation of violence in Syria, particularly with an armed opposition, may lead to a sectarian civil war. But As'aad said while Assad's rule was discriminatory, it would not lead to sectarian war.
"The regime depends on a sect ... and it is a sectarian and discriminatory regime. But our people are wiser than that. All Syrians are one people, whether Alawite, Druze or Christian or even the Kurds. We respect them we consider them our family," he said.
There had so far been no defections from Syria's political elite as happened in Libya, As'aad said, because they were tied too closely through economic interests or positions.
As'aad said he did not want to see any foreign soldiers in Syria but that the international community should provide the rebels with weapons and enforce a no-fly zone.
"If they don't give it to us, we will fight with our nails until the regime is toppled. I tell Bashar al-Assad, the people are stronger than you.
"Getting a job, finding a mate, having a place to live, finding a creative outlet. Life is a war of attrition. You have to stay active on all fronts. It's one thing after another. I've tried to control a chaotic universe. And it's a losing battle. But I can't let go. I've tried, but I can't." - Harvey Pekar
Ha! The same NATO-embracing talk as in Libya! Alleged air bombardments that probably never happened (just like in Libya), request for a no-fly zone, "pro-democracy", defections...
Capital getting hungry again.
In the end who cares what slander one reactionary islamist sectarian dishes out towards another.
I read some time ago Syrian air defence was supposed to be top notch, if true would be entertaining to see some NATO mercenaries break their teeth on that one.
What an ignorant rant. The only option is war, and as far I'm concerned those 15,000 defected troops deserve support. Why? Because they may be the deciding factor in toppling Assad.
They are pro-democracy protests. The people of Syria want democracy. Who doesn't? Liberal Democracy, yes, but better then the shit they got now.
Do you honestly think that the only real revolution is a Communist one? look around you. The Mid-East won't have one, at least not now. Be thankful that they[the people] are toppling dictatorships. I once got told by some guy that they Mid-East revolutions weren't reaaaal revolutions because workers were not seizing control of industry. How naive and stupid.
Riiiiight. And China is communist I suppose.
Good to know you don't mind "collateral damage".
Hm, maybe the ones who will take power after him "in the people's name", just like the transitional council in Libya?
You see, the overthrow of Assad would be a wonderful thing were he surrounded by socialist countries. But at this point in time it only means the big capitalists consolidating their power.
oh, and I guess America is Communist too!
Let me repeat that. The only option is war. Not a war involving NATO planes bombing a weaker nation into submission, but a local war. A war of the masses.
Sometimes, as is the case with Syria or even some instances in Egypt, violence is the only way to topple tyrants.
It happened during the American, French, and Russian revolutions. Why not in Syria.
It will be messy, but Assad will be gone for good.
So your right, I don't mind "collateral damage." But in the sense of a local war, not one involving NATO bombers killing innocent civilians. Every revolution has had collateral damage. Every war has had collateral damage. History shows us that.
Look, some will die that are not supposed to, but in the end Assad will be toppled and the people's demands will hopefully be realized.
I'm not referring to that. What a snide, dumb ass remark first and foremost. The people should be taking power, not some national transitional council, or so help me, a military junta as in Egypt's case.
The people should be taking power. But evidently they haven't across the Middle East due to either the military stepping in or foreign intervention.
So in away, yes they are not pro-democracy revolutions. But in away, they are, as the people sought out genuine democracy from the get go.
Maybe when Greece goes to hell and further demonstrations for "true democracy" erupt, the world may see real, living examples of democracy. but right now, it is either military dictatorships or liberal democracy, both ruled over by Capitalists and their puppet masters.
You accuse me of being ignorant, yet your post is so naive that even you feel compelled to contradict yourself halfway through.
It doesn't matter what ideally should happen when results are quite predictable.
"The People" failed to take power even in Egypt and Tunisia, thinking they will get lucky this time is delusional.
In such cases one has to remain practical - choose the lesser evil. Not because the current living standard of Syrians is so good (it will get worse though), but because it is better Capital is divided into camps hostile to each other rather than consolidated. Whatever one thinks of the USSR, at least by providing a counterbalance it gave some breathing space for revolutionary struggle. So today despite the highly reactionary nature of China, Russia, DPRK, etc. it is better these countries remain hostile to western Capitalists, rather than be consolidated under one global hegemony. The revolutionary left needs this disorder, these cracks between competing interests of the bourgeoisie to edge itself in between them, like a parasite and break the monster apart from within.
explain to me how I contradicted myself? And you're right, we need cracks in the world order. After all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
The people did not take power in Egypt, Libya, or Tunisia. True. But what I meant was that if the people wage the struggle RIGHT in Syria(IE not bowing before the military/cooperating with the military, by not bowing before western interests, etc) than they can take power truly.
I wholly agree with the True Democracy movement. I do agree with peaceful protest, except when the ruling classes are threatening the people's lives as is going in Syria.
Marxists understand social revolution to be the overthrow of a class by another. There were popular rebellions in the middle east which had significant working class character, no doubt, but Egypt for example simply ended up in a military coup d'etat. As a side note I think that "guy" may have been me.
In answer to your question about the only real revolution being a communist one (or at least the only one I could fathom at this point), I'd have to say yes. Capitalism has simplified productive relations to the point where only two main hostile classes have emerged. Bourgeois revolutions have occurred in the past (England 1640 and France 1789 are examples), and so have that of earlier classes in an earlier epoch. The next revolution will be proletarian - communist revolution.
I think the era of middle eastern strongmen like Assad may be coming to an end, although I'm not certain about that. Even in countries like Bahrain, which is probably the most successful case of the counter-revolution in the Arab world, the Shia majority have succeeded somewhat in making that nation a pariah to the international community and investors. The struggles in Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia, Algeria etc will continue...social forces continue long after "political revolutions". I think that in some cases (like Assad and Syria, or Iran) the end result will be "hollow states", aka states in which people like Assad still officially rule, and perfunctory state duties are still done, but where power is increasingly difficult for them to exercise over their people, akin to Franco's Spain post-1967.
This is just me speculating, though. Could be wrong.
Assad is a huge dickhead. Just looking at that bastard makes me wish a hail of bullets would obliterate his stupid face. It's shameful that some people on the left "critically support" butchers like him and that clown in Iran, but a coup orchestrated from Turkey? Yeah, that'll turn out well.
"Win, lose or draw...long as you squabble and you get down, that's gangsta."
From what I understand the people in Syria don't want UN involvement so why should we support rebel troops? Shouldn't we be supporting the people who want to do this on their own? You know working class and all that?
Directed to RedMarxist
I don't want a UN-led invasion. I don't want an invasion at all. What I'm saying is that seeing how the people have thus far failed to usurp power thus far, it will take a daring military officer with 15,000 troop at their disposal to topple Assad(thus far being the key phrase)
Not to say that either a UN invasion or 15,000 exiled Syrian troops crossing from Turkey into Syria are good things. They are not. But one way or another Assad must be toppled.
A necessary evil in Syria's case(again, I'm not for a UN invasion!!!).
If Assad falls, than that will seriously bolster efforts in Yemen to topple their president. If Yemen falls, then what Middle Eastern nation will be safe from revolution?
Syria shows us the serious limitation of peaceful revolt. Peaceful revolt requires that the leaders you are trying to topple don't have the balls to commit mass murder. If they do...then God help you.
Sometimes, as in Libya's or Egypt's case, violence works. Other times, peaceful methods work just as well.
The thing is if he falls it will be just one clique replacing another. As the joke goes it is better to tolerate old mosquitoes, at least they are not as thirsty.
In order for a popular uprising to be a success it must be indigenous, or at least unattached to foreign powers. It also needs to have a determined and clever revolutionary vanguard.
The demand for a no-fly zone obviously raises a lot of red flags, and not communist ones at that.
The focus on religious sectarian conflict doesn't make the impression better either.
The Cuban revolutionaries did not call for a no-fly zone.
Maybe comrades can help out here, but I am not aware of any strong left-revolutionary movement in the Middle East at the moment, that could guide this struggle towards a productive outcome.
Yeah and Fuck 'democracy'. Hows a say they ask Eastern Europe how that 'democracy' is going!
I mean fuck Assad but there is nothing I hate more than Liberal demands for 'democracy'. The people of Syria don't want your Imperialist asslicker democracy, trust me. Those defecting military officers are no better than the bourgeois assad regime. I find it absurd you ask us to support them!
[FONT="Courier New"] “We stand for organized terror - this should be frankly admitted. Terror is an absolute necessity during times of revolution. Our aim is to fight against the enemies of the Revolution and of the new order of life. ”
― Felix Dzerzhinsky [/FONT]
لا شيء يمكن وقف محاكم التفتيش للثورة
It isn't really a revolution at all man, it's just a regime change... Do all maoists think like this?
For student organizing in california, join this group!
http://www.revleft.com/vb/group.php?groupid=1036
http://socialistorganizer.org/
"[I]t’s hard to keep potent historical truths bottled up forever. New data repositories are uncovered. New, less ideological, generations of historians grow up. In the late 1980s and before, Ann Druyan and I would routinely smuggle copies of Trotsky’s History of the Russian Revolution into the USSR—so our colleagues could know a little about their own political beginnings.”
--Carl Sagan
I've heard Iran is a big supporter of Syria. That if the Syrian regime was going to topple Iran would move troops in to defend it. I've also heard if Iran moved troops into Syria, close to Israel's border, Israel would attack Iran, Iran would reply with missiles, etc. Thoughts?
Iran moving troops into Syria would require them moving through either Turkey or Iraq, though, neither of which seem like smart moves...
I'm actually not sure how big of a supporter Iran is of Syria, anyway. I know that they both have a history of supporting Hezbollah (with Syria being the more "moderate" influence on the organization).
"Win, lose or draw...long as you squabble and you get down, that's gangsta."
Iran has a strategic alliance with Syria, though, knowing the regime, they would most likely accept the new Rebel government and try to form another strategic alliance with them.
[FONT="Courier New"] “We stand for organized terror - this should be frankly admitted. Terror is an absolute necessity during times of revolution. Our aim is to fight against the enemies of the Revolution and of the new order of life. ”
― Felix Dzerzhinsky [/FONT]
لا شيء يمكن وقف محاكم التفتيش للثورة
Look, I *don't* support 100% of the way the Syrian troops-in-exile. I don't support Liberal Democracy all the way for Syria, I'm just suggesting that it is better than what they have now. It's a start, OK? You can't go full blown Communist revolution in a week.
And I hope no one gets killed. No Collateral Damage. I was just angry, OK?
If Iran tried to invade Syria they would be digging their own grave. Turkey, Israel, and other nations from around the world would whoop their behind through sanctions and possibly war. Smart move to get the U.S on your tail.
Long live President Assad,long live Syria!
Death to Zionism,US and NATO Imperialism!
HANDS OFF SYRIA!
Better idea: fuck off.
P.S. Enjoy your political irrelevance.
