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Free Syrian Army leader Col. Riad al-Asaad refused comment, saying "(t)his is a sensitive military matter that we cannot comment about."
Days of stepped-up violence reveals Washington's real intentions. Assad's right calling insurgents "terrorists." Syria's Foreign Ministry said Western and regional states are supplying heavy weapons and munitions. It's no secret Saudi Arabia is providing them. So are Qatar and Israel, among others.
At the same time, high-level Syrian National Council defections show internal dissension. Prominent SNC member Kamal Labwani called the group "autocratic" and dysfunctional, saying:
"There is no council. It's an illusion." Chairman Burhan Ghalioun runs the group despotically. In the process, he sidelined and/or alienated most members.
Perhaps recent violence reflects both frustration and added Western pressure to commit it. It suggests stepped-up terrorism coming, including similar incidents, assassinations, kidnappings, and other forms of violence.
On March 20, Vyacheslav Matuzov, chairman of the Russian Friendship Society with Arab Countries, lashed out at Saudi Arabia and Qatar for sending insurgents heavy weapons, saying:
"The opposition which seeks to register a political stand should completely reject the terrorist acts in the last two days in Damascus and Aleppo."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also expressed anger over foreign fighters and weapons entering Syria from Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, and Libya.
He also backs peaceful resolution and opposes calls for Assad to stop resisting terrorist violence. If not him, who will? In addition, he said Russia will support a Security Council resolution if it's evenhanded, contains no ultimatums, and excludes replicating Libya's model.
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