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A Dangerously Desperate Assad [with VIDEO]
Mon, January 30, 2012
Ryan Mauro reports:
“It’s not exactly a sign of strength when a dictator is found trying to import chemical weapons ingredients and has to rely upon a foreign terrorist group to fight a small group of protesters.
“A senior official in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards says that Hezbollah sprung into action to save an Iranian base in Syria from being overrun by protesters and presumably, the rebel forces called the Free Syria Army. The base is located in Madaya in Zabadani, which fell to the rebels last week. The official claimed that Iran and Syria is working with Russia and China to “deter” foreign powers from intervening and that Russia has sent ships including aircraft carriers to protect the country.
“A Lebanese opposition figure claims that Assad even relies upon Hezbollah for personal security and the staging of pro-regime rallies. He said that over 200 cars and one bus arrived in Syria from Hezbollah-controlled Lebanon to take part in a rally in Damascus. When Assad appeared in Umayyad Square, Hariri says, he was guarded by Hezbollah terrorists. He also noted that Assad only appeared for three minutes, indicating it was a staged event.
“In a worrisome sign that Assad may be preparing to use chemical weapons, it has come out in the Turkish press that four Iranian trucks intercepted on their way to Syria two weeks ago contained WMD-related materials. One truck had components for ballistic missiles and the other three had 66 tons of sodium sulfate, used in the production of chemical weapons.”
Meanwhile, according to CNN reports, heavy clashes continue to take place in the suburbs of Damsacus, leaving at least 98 killed and 50 wounded. The numbers were reported by opposition groups, since the government limits access to journalists in these areas. All Arab League observer missions have also been suspended as all observers have been redeployed to Damascus.
In addition, The Jerusalem Post reports that Syrian security forces attempted to smuggle Syrian President Bashar Assad's wife, children, mother and cousin out of the country through a convoy of official vehicles. The report comes from sources in the Syrian opposition, picked up by the Egyptian daily newspaper Al-Masry-Al-Youm. The sources said that the convoy was intercepted by brigades of army defectors before it was able to reach the airport in Damascus.
According to the source, there was a heavy exchange of fire between the security forces and the Free Syrian Army forces. The family was prevented from escaping and returned to the presidential palace.
Ryan Mauro is a frequent analyst on FOX News Channel and is a national security writer for Family Security Matters. He is also a strategic analyst with Wikistrat, a consultant to government agencies and an adjunct professor.
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