Abkhazia on the Mediterranean!

By announcing that he is no longer the president of all Syrians but only of those who accept his rule, Bashar Al-Assad formalized his “divorce” from the revolutionaries. Now the fight over division of “marital” assets begins at earnest. Unsurprisingly this will translate into more bloodshed; after all, this was an unfriendly divorce. “Friends” will also sort themselves out. Iran and Russia will stand by their man in hope of getting a foothold in the upcoming Abkhazia on the Mediterranean. While the “Friends of Syria,” for all their dithering, will have to deal with the remaining mess.

Sunday June 03, 2012

Today’s death toll: 33. The Breakdown: 23 in Damascus (Douma, Daraya, Artouz, Saqba, Assal Al-Ward, Qudsaya, Damascus City), 7 in Homs (including 3 in Qusayr), 3 in Hama, 3 in Aleppo, 1 Daraa (a child).

In the Damascene suburb of Douma, the known activist Adnan Wahbi, a co-founder of the National Coordination Body, was assassinated in his home by unknown assailants. Colleagues blame pro-Assad death squads. This Mr. Wahbi’s body http://youtu.be/Pacf5IKlxdw

In the Hiffeh District, Lattakia Province, local activists report that inhabitants of a number of Sunni villages have been forced to evacuate after days of pounding and raid by local pro-Assad militias.

News

Assad: Syria faces 'real war waged from the outside'

Syria President Decries 'War From Abroad'

Assad compares Syria crackdown to surgeons saving patients' lives

Syrian leaders will not be allowed amnesty, says UN human rights chief

Syrian president condemns Houla massacre, rejects accusations

Op-Eds & Special Reports

Stopping Syria’s chemical weapons from spreading

Video Highlights

Many of Houla’s inhabitants, Homs Province, have been forced to flee into neighboring communities where their living conditions are dismal: the children in this video are not dead, for now, they’re just sleeping. International dithering might yet seal their fate http://youtu.be/AGaYrIn5P3I Meanwhile, the pounding of the town continued, even as Bashar Al-Assad delivered his speech and blamed the massacre of Houla on monsters http://youtu.be/JphA0S_Fg9w A new report by Syrian TV clams that 800 heavily armed men came into this town besieged by the regular loyalist troops and conducted the massacre, then left. There is no explanation of why the current pounding is taking place.

In the town of Douma, Damascus Suburbs, clashes left over 10 locals dead: the pounding http://youtu.be/q8dVhBYQBSk The martyrs http://youtu.be/t0dm7lspNu4 , http://youtu.be/DfGoXRPnE3E , http://youtu.be/b-r_jgmIcZo , http://youtu.be/FCAqP-2VICE , http://youtu.be/-xuxjzUF4L8 (Graphic) http://youtu.be/6CGaqaIJ-6w The body of activist Adnan Wahbi http://youtu.be/Pacf5IKlxdw

The town of Saqba, Damascus Suburbs, comes under fire http://youtu.be/aUJaDRSsdnw , http://youtu.be/2IEagS9FueM Chopper surveying the scene http://youtu.be/71tXwQjKuEI

Fields around the village of Al-Rami, Idlib Province, catch fire after intense pounding http://youtu.be/i1Dz1BtEEEc A number of locals were killed and immediately buried http://youtu.be/ZnuOFsPjoNI

The pounding of Ariha, Idlib Province, continues http://youtu.be/XgcaIRxMZz0 , http://youtu.be/YJ9tTXv6joI

The town of Mourik, Hama Province, comes under heavy pounding http://youtu.be/qpJkgtBnte4

In Aleppo Province, loyalist troops move into the town of Hayan http://youtu.be/V5bbBx7tWPI the pounding sets many installations on fire http://youtu.be/LMS1oE8fQqE

The pounding of Old Homs continues http://youtu.be/xk0YLIRBbdI , http://youtu.be/3AUFzqi46O0

The town of Ghabaghib, Daraa Province, comes under heavy pounding http://youtu.be/8rBfSBXZNMg