Article

2012-02-09 Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Scores Killed as Syrian Regime Pounds Homs

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Posted by Fred 2012-02-09 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11132 views ] Top
File under: Govt of Syria

#1 The numbers don't add up. During the massacre at Hama, between 300 to 900 people were killed daily during a month-long artillery and tank barrage. Given the Sunni tendency towards exaggeration (exemplified by Baghdad Bob and Egypt's war museums dedicated to its military "victories" over Israel), 60 dead might be closer to 20 - not at all consistent with "barrages of gunfire, mortars and shells".

Posted by Zhang Fei 2012-02-09 10:45|| 2012-02-09 10:45|| Front Page Top

#2 Haji math. Multiply by .5 and round down.

Posted by Besoeker 2012-02-09 12:09|| 2012-02-09 12:09|| Front Page Top

#3 Note that Homs has a population density similar to NYC - between 40K to 60K per sq mile. A daily 10 minute artillery barrage involving 100 rounds should kill hundreds of people easily, probably thousands, if targeted at apartment buildings. Bottom line is that Assad is probably going after rebels, but indiscriminate shelling is not his methodology.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2012-02-09 19:36|| 2012-02-09 19:36|| Front Page Top

#4 Bottom line is that Assad is probably going after rebels, but indiscriminate shelling is not his methodology.

It is if you're trying to convince the population to not stray from the fold.

Posted by Pappy 2012-02-09 21:47|| 2012-02-09 21:47|| Front Page Top

#5 It is if you're trying to convince the population to not stray from the fold.

Actually, the Syrian rebels are trying to convince the West to provide air support so they can defeat Assad. Given that the Ikhwan-led regime that replaces him will arguably be more dangerous than he was, to our interests, I am suggesting that (1) if we intervene in Syria, it ought to be on Assad's side, and (2) we need to be wary of Sunni Arabs who level charges of atrocity - they are religious psychopaths who view the killing of every Sunni Muslim terrorist to be an atrocity and the grisly torture and execution of infidels to be merely a down payment on what all infidels have coming to them.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2012-02-09 22:27|| 2012-02-09 22:27|| Front Page Top

#6 "I am suggesting that (1) if we intervene in Syria, it ought to be on Assad's side"

I'm suggesting we butt out.

Posted by Barbara 2012-02-09 23:18|| 2012-02-09 23:18|| Front Page Top

#7 I'm suggesting we butt out.

That was a rhetorical statement. Despite their inferiority in numbers, the Alawites should be able to take care of themselves, short of a NATO no-drive zone.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2012-02-09 23:43|| 2012-02-09 23:43|| Front Page Top

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