Turkey sets terms for backing Free Syrian Army: 'Bow to Muslim Brotherhood group ... or else!'

Via FLC

"WASHINGTON — Turkey, aligned to the Muslim Brotherhood, has cracked down on the rebel army in Syria. 

Opposition sources said the government of Prime Minister Recep Erdogan has frozen Free Syrian Army bank accounts in an effort to pressure the rebels to recognize the authority of the Brotherhood-aligned Syrian National Council.“The popularity of the Free Syrian Army inside Syria is a sore issue with Erdogan and the MB,... From a strategic point of view, control of the Free Syrian Army by the MB is an essential component for which it must not fail.”

Washington-based opposition movement asserted that Ankara imposed sanctions on FSA on Nov. 30 after the secular rebel army refused to take orders from SNC. FSA, based in Turkey, was said to be entirely dependent on Ankara for safe haven of its fighters as well as training and logistics. The sources said FSA attacks on Syrian military installations and convoys increased the credibility of the rebel force, particularly with NATO. They said Britain and France were persuaded to cooperate with FSA, which consists of thousands of deserters from the Syrian Army. 

For its part, SNC has been strongly supported by Arab opponents of
Assad. They were said to include Qatar and Saudi Arabia, deemed primary
financiers of the revolt in Syria. 

“Tensions are also rising over the little financial aid the FSA is
getting from Saudi Arabia and Qatar whose aim is to control the organization to serve the MB,”..."

Piling up higher & higher!

"... "If Arab states fail to stop a bloodbath it would be an obligation for Europe and the U.S. to intervene militarily... we would want a military intervention. This could take the form of a no-fly zone and a buffer zone," Kurdi said.
He said more and more mid and lower-ranking units were defecting to the Free Army, which rebels say numbers about 10,000.... .... (but) The group's top commander, Colonel Riad al-Asaad, is staying along with 60-70 in a refugee camp at Apaydin, some 10 miles from Antakya and close to the Syrian border. Turkey closely monitors Colonel Asaad's movements. He is not allowed to receive visitors without authorization from the Turkish government...
"In the first months of the revolt there were fewer desertions but the number has significantly increased in the last 10 days to a month. Five days ago in a military base in Deraa, 20 soldiers slipped guards a sedative, then stole all the guns and fled."...

Posted by G, M, Z, or B at 12:42 PM

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