Assad Will Use Chemical Weapons: Top Defector

AFP via Yahoo News ^ | 17 July 2012 | AFP

[edpc]

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will use chemical weapons against opposition forces and may have already deployed them, Nawaf Fares, the first Syrian ambassador to defect, told the BBC on Monday.

Fares, the most prominent politician to defect since the uprising against Assad began, insisted that the president's days were numbered but warned he would be prepared "to eradicate the entire Syrian people" to remain in power.

When asked by the BBC's Frank Gardner whether that would mean the use of chemical weapons, Fares said: "I am convinced that if Bashar al-Assad's regime is further cornered by the people -- he would use such weapons."

[In Maryland]

I do not know if this is relevant ... but I hear there has been a huge spike in popcorn sales in Israel! -Smile-

[Redak]

Didn’t his Father use chemical weapons on his own people back in the 70’s or early eighties.

[Owl558]

“A curveball thrown by whom?”

IMHO. Assad benefits by rattling the WMD cage. It freezes the Turks, who otherwise dominate Syria militarily. Erdogen will now think twice about intervening. It buys time for Russian/Iranian intervention to work, whatever form we’re talkiing about. It demoralizes the rebels who have no defense. There isn’t really any downside for Assad. With Russian support, the UN won’t even write a stern letter. All by moving some chemical weapons around.

If push comes to shove, I think Assad will use them. Still no reason for the US to support one side of the other.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks edpc.

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