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Syria: As the crisis gets worse, President Assad takes command of the military forces
The Syrian rebels took over a very important city in the Idlib province of Syria. The city is called Maarat al-Numan and is of strategic importance because it is located on the highway that links Damascus to Aleppo. Any reinforcements from Damascus to the government forces fighting in Aleppo have to pass through this city. Rebels gained control of most of the city checkpoints and the residents fled to surrounding villages because of the violent shelling.
Concerning the situation with Turkey, the country’s top military commander declared yesterday that if the Syrian military activity keeps reaching Turkish territory, the response will be more violent than before.
Meantime, President Assad decided to assume control over the government’s armed forces. Despite of the victory at Maarat al-Numan, the rebels are still considered by Assad to be outgunned and weaker in dealing with the regime. Although there is some Western pressure on President Assad, it is unlikely this will become a real intervention while Russia and Iran keep supporting the regime.
As the focus in the Syrian crisis shifted towards the capacity of the regime to continue, President Assad seems more confident than ever of the fact that he can win this fight. Under his command, the Syrian military forces are concentrated on the cities of Damascus and Aleppo and all the important highways.
SOURCES
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/10/us-syria-crisis-assad-asma-idUSBRE8990U220121010
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/10/2012109224646736885.html
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/10/10/242905.html?PHPSESSID=j23ea5iek1ffik4nk1lqs9m9m2
