Monday, September 3, 2012

Assad Says No Talks

By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:

The Assad regime in Syria released a statement yesterday saying that there will be no dialogue with the rebels until the opposition fighters are totally destroyed.

This is a critical comment coming right after the rebels released an announcement that in August, 5000 people were killed in the conflict.

The statement by the Assad regime emphasizes that they see the end of the conflict in sight. Clearly, they believe that in the past month they have been extremely successful in putting down the rebels.

Here is the Assad analysis in terms of numbers: If 5000 were killed in August and there are 20,000 - 25,000 al Qaeda fighters plus about 40,000 local fighters, it is only a matter of time before he can eliminate them all.

At this pace and if momentum stays on his side Assad thinks that he will successfully put down the rebellion within the next 5-6 months. He sees that outcome as inevitable unless, of course, there is a huge new influx of fighters or unless the tide of the conflict shifts back to the rebels.

This is part of a significant change in tone and message emanating out of the Assad regime over the past month. And it all has to do with cranking up the use of helicopters and fighter jets to strafe the rebels.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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