U.N. Warns of Syria spillover Into Iraq
The U.N. has warned that extremist groups are continuing to forge links across the Iraq-Syria border, fueling sectarianism in Iraq.
Special envoy to Iraq Nickolay Mladenov told the U.N. Security Council that the Syrian conflict is “affording terrorist networks the occasion to forge links across the [Iraq-Syria] border and expand their support base,” Al Jazeera reports.
He also said that “the combination of a divided leadership in Iraq, unresolved constitutional issues between communities and the growing threat coming from Syria had created a ‘fragile and explosive’ situation. Mladenov insisted the only way the violence could stop was through a political process that would bridge differences, increase development and make the government more inclusive. ‘You cannot resolve the problem of violence of terrorism simply by security measures.”
“You need to look at the inclusion of communities and decision making. You need to look at the economic development and the protection of human rights, the rule of law.”
Turkey Blocks YouTube Over Syria Security Link
Reuters reports that Turkey has shut down access to YouTube after a recording leaked to the site showed top officials discussing secret Syria strategies.
“The account posted what it presented as a recording of intelligence chief Hakan Fidan discussing possible military operations in Syria with Davutoglu, deputy chief of military staff Yasar Guler and other senior officials,” the wire says.
“The foreign ministry said the recording was of a crisis management meeting to discuss threats stemming from clashes in Syria and that elements of the recording had been manipulated. The leakers would face heavy punishment, it said.The conversation appeared to centre on a possible operation to secure the tomb of Suleyman Shah, grandfather of the founder of the Ottoman Empire, in an area of northern Syria largely controlled by militant Islamists.”
Obama Appears Ready to extend Covert Aid to Opposition
David Ignatius of the Washington Post reports that the Obama administration “appears to have decided to expand its covert program of training and assistance for the Syrian opposition.
“This stepped-up assistance program is likely to be discussed during talks Friday between President Obama and Saudi King Abdullah. U.S. endorsement of the program would tighten America’s links with Saudi Arabia after a period of noisy disagreement about Syria policy. But it also would complicate already tense relations with Russia and Iran, the two key backers of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
“Critics argue that an expanded training and assistance program, first recommended by Obama’s top advisers in mid-2012, is long overdue — and that delays have allowed extremists and Assad’s forces to brutalize Syria. But Obama has been cautious about descending what he sees as a slippery slope. So far, despite pledges of support for the opposition, he has authorized only a limited program of covert training and mostly nonlethal assistance. “
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