Group items tagged

This is an article from Russia today that talks about supposed gains that the Syrian government has made with the support of Russian air power. It has an accompanying video of the Syrian Armed Forces fighting against rebels. Overall a piece of propaganda, but interesting footage nonetheless of Syrian Armed Forces using a variety of US and Russian-made weapons.

A video from YouTube showing Syrian rebels using a German 10.5 cm LeFH 18 which is a 105 mm howitzer from the 1930s. The info section of the video claims that the Syrian army supposedly operated a few of these so the rebels most likely captured it from a base. I tagged this because it ties into my question from last week of where did Syria get all of these formerly Nazi made weapons.

It is a relief to see that water is finally making it back to Aleppo. The city has been under siege and civilians have been deprived of water. This article makes a valid point, showing that water has been used as a weapon of war.

This is a specific example of Syria violating the cease fire. Israel has accused Syria of using chemical warfare since the beginning of the cease fire.

The International Organization for Migration contends that human trafficking with worth between $7 billion and $12 billion annually. This would make human trafficking the third most lucrative criminal activity after the narcotics and weapons trades.

opinion piece on why the Iran Nuclear Deal is positive. Intervention is necessary in order to ensure that Iran does not become an enemy with weapons to threaten the U.S. and surrounding countries.

Iran has provided weapons, medical aid, and training to the Houthis. In 2013, a ship smuggling Iranian weapons to Yemen was seized.

This article delves into the issues of war crimes, chemical weapons, humanitarian issues, and the rise if islamist groups interventions

This website offers eight steps to understanding the Syrian conflict. The sections include: uprising turns violent, descent into civil war, war crimes, chemical weapons, humanitarian crisis, Syrian refugees in the region, rebels and the rise of the jihadists, peace efforts, & proxy war

More than 250,000 Syrians have lost their lives in four-and-a-half years of armed conflict, which began with anti-government protests before escalating into a full-scale civil war. More than 11 million others have been forced from their homes as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and those opposed to his rule battle each other - as well as jihadist militants from so-called Islamic State.

In Libya, Facebook isn't just for likes, pokes, shares or posts; you can also buy weapons, and not just guns or knives, but heavily artillery and anti-aircraft guns. Private Facebook groups run by militias are selling left over arms and ammo from the Gaddafi regime.

Women are Egypt have been treated different than men since anyone can remember. The women are taking action and protesting that the constitution be revised to change rights. Seats in parliament is one of the goals they hope to achieve. Equality between sexes is their main goal.

The author of this article was on NPR Friday discussing the women of Isis and their use of social media. The author stated that whole social media accounts of these women are constantly shut down, they operate several accounts at all times to ensure they spread their message.

Due to Libya's lack of institutional structure and weak centralized government, rival militia violence and clashes have created constant chaos leading the country towards another civil war. After the fall of Qaddafi, who obliterated institutions necessary for a functional government, Libya has been unable to manage the state. The National Transitional Council, which replaced the Qaddafi Regime, turned into the General National Congress and was given 18 months to form a democratic constitution. When the deadline passed the constitution was incomplete, which forced Congress to organize elections to a new House of Representatives. The former GNC members declared a new self proclaimed GNC, electing Omar al-Hasi as their prime minister. The new GNC is not recognized by Libya's parliament nor is it by the international community. Al Jazeera says the country literally has two parliaments and two governments, creating inconceivable instability throughout the state. The newly elected House has moved to Tobruk after armed islamic GNC militia groups overran the capital, seizing control over the major institutions in Tripoli. Due to this lack of a functional government, the rest of the state has turned to chaos. After the civil war, anti and pro Qaddafi forces branched into militias striving for power. Without a working state and government, militias had to rely on themselves to provide security, and really have no incentive to give up arms and no true government to be a part of. General Khalifa Hifter, a former Qaddafi general who later joined the Libyan rebel army in 2011, formed an anti-militia militia, targeting islamist militias like Ansar al-Sharia. Hifter is not affiliated with either of the governments, but rather strives for a military government, and supreme control of the armed forces.

Syria is determined to keep Russia in the loop when it comes to its presence in the Middle East. As the United States increases its presence so to those Russia and Syria claims that they encourage Russian presence solely to "keep the balance" in the Middle East. 

The article looks into why it is not illegal for Syria to use chemical warfare against its people. It covers several international treaties including the Geneva Convention and explains why Syria is not legally at fault for the treatment of their civilians.

This link goes to Wikipedia results for the Geneva Protocol. The Geneva Protocol is for international armed conflicts which is why I saw an article stating that Syria is not guilty based on the fact that the Geneva Protocol is through international and not civil wars.

This link leads to a Wikipedia article that gives the basic information regarding barrel bombs. Through the link you can find information on barrel bomb history, countries who have used them, reactions, specific incidents, and how they pertain to chemical weaponry.