*** MILITARY SHOWDOWN AGAINST SYRIA AND THE TRIGGER FOR WWIII ***

For the first time, Palestinians from the refugee camps around Damascus have thrown their weight behind the anti-Assad opposition. Over the last weekend, small armed groups shot up buildings belonging to Assad sympathizers, such as Ahmad Jibril's Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestinian – Central Command and the PFL. [link to www.debka.com]

The US and NATO continue to pile up military assets in the Mediterranean and Turkey. The huge USS George H.W. Bush carrier cruising in the central Mediterranean opposite Syrian shores has been joined by the USS Truxtun missile destroyer which departed the Israeli naval base in Haifa on June 17 and the USS Barry guided missile destroyer which sailed out of the Italian port of Gaeta on the same day. [link to www.debka.com]

that is a very sizeable strike force.....should be well in position to carry out strikes should the order be given

The chess pieces are moving into postion. Once the missiles fly and Iran's hand has been seen, this will be the trigger for Israel to take out their nuclear installations. Also, North and South Korea chess pieces have been moved into position. Now add Pakistan(with China alliance) and India(with US alliance) and you have the makings of WW3.

Hopefully, we'll make it to the other side of this mess but I'm not too optimistic though.

yeah I live about an hour out of NYC...I don't like my chances at survival if an airburst goes off there

there are wars all the time: even if this develops into a war, odds are way against a world war. just my opinion

you can come stay with us in glorious western canada! we should probably head out to my cousin's cabin, though.

will keep that in mind if I manage not to end up glowing in the dark swin...

I sure hope you're right. It's the last thing I want but the tensions are there. Add to that, the economies of the world collapsing and you have the perfect recipe for it.

all a matter of how much lead time you have. hope you're handy, 'cause we're hopeless. and hope you like kids and old people.

Senior Israeli source: Iran actively helping Syria squash demonstrations Not only is Iran supplying equipment to the Syrian army, the source says, Iran's Revolutionary Guard also organized demonstrations against Israel on Nakba and Naksa Day. [link to www.haaretz.com]

UN chief: Assad running low on credibility as Syria violence continues Remarks from Ban ki-moon were his strongest criticism to date of the Damascus government, which has blamed armed gangs for the violence in Syria. [link to www.haaretz.com]

EU extends Syria sanctions as violence continues European Union diplomat says a number of further companies and individuals to be approved for sanctions Wednesday; Britain and France prepared lists proposing additional targets for sanctions. [link to www.haaretz.com]

Hizbullah May Attack Israel to Take Spotlight off Syria Lebanese terror organization and political force Hizbullah is preparing for a possible war with Israel as a means of shifting Western pressure away from the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, the Lebanon Daily Star reported Wednesday. [link to www.israelnationalnews.com]

Report: Hezbollah preparing for war with Israel Sources close to Hezbollah say group may initiate war with Israel in bid to relieve pressure to topple Syria's Assad; terror group 'will not just watch' as West brings Syrian president down, Lebanese official says [link to www.ynetnews.com]

Vilna’i: We've never been better prepared for all-out war Following national “Turning Point 5” drill, Home Front defense minister tells 'Post' that "simulation completely realistic." [link to www.jpost.com]

Syrian troops amass near Turkish border Military storms villages armed with tanks, snipers; Activists call for strike on 100th day of protest [link to www.ynetnews.com]

Syrians flee to Turkey as troops amass on border Northern towns show increased protests against Syrian President Assad; Syrian army encroaching commercial hub [link to www.jpost.com]

Syrian troops remove Turkish flag near border (Video) Soldiers remove Turkish flag flown on top of building near border, hang Syrian flag instead. Red Crescent: More than 11,000 Syrians seeking shelter in Turkish refugee camps [link to www.ynetnews.com]

Turkish and Syrian forces in tense cross-border standoff

Turkish and Syrian forces engaged in a tense cross-border standoff on Thursday as a fresh military operation against Syrian dissidents threatened to spark a major regional crisis.

Turkish and Syrian forces engaged in a tense cross-border standoff on Thursday as a fresh military operation against Syrian dissidents threatened to spark a major regional crisis.

The offensive brought Syrian and Turkish troops into eye-contact for the first time, significantly worsening the increasingly noxious relationship between the two neighbours.

More than 30 tanks were seen surging into Khirbet al-Joz and bursts of automatic gunfire could be heard from the Turkish side of the border.

An offensive was also under way in nearby Managh, where soldiers roared through the streets in military vehicles mounted with machine guns, opening fire indiscriminately at terrified civilians, according to accounts by villagers.
An immediate cross-border exchange was averted after Turkish troops withdrew a few hundred yards.

[link to www.telegraph.co.uk]

Syrian refugees cross into Lebanon

A number of Syrian families crossed into Lebanon Thursday morning via the Arida border crossing and the nearby river, sources told The Daily Star, as a security crackdown continues against anti-government protestors in Syria.

Sources could not confirm the number of families, but Lebanese newspaper Al-Liwaa reported that 20 Syrian families have crossed either through Arida or via Nahr al-Kabir

Read more: [link to www.dailystar.com.lb]
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: [link to www.dailystar.com.lb)]

Video shows Syrian refugees fleeing in terror



[link to www.youtube.com]

Footage has been released showing Syrian refugees running for the Turkish border as Syrian army units circle the hills above them. Like us on Facebook at [link to www.facebook.com] and follow us on Twitter at [link to twitter.com]

EU names Iran Revolutionary Guard commanders in Syria sanctions EU publishes extended sanctions on Syria; includes names of three commanders of Iran's Revolutionary Guard accused of supporting Assad regime's crackdown on protesters. [link to www.haaretz.com]

Over 1,500 Syrians refugees flee to Turkey in one day More than 1,500 Syrian refugees crossed to Turkey on Thursday, according to state-run Anatolian news agency, as the Syrian army swept up to the border in its campaign to stamp out anti-government protests. [link to www.google.com]

Clinton warns Syria to withdraw now troops massing on Turkish border. They worsen bad situation of refugees and risk sparking clashes with Turkey. Syrian buildup just 500 yards from Turkish border was another sign of Syrian repression of own people, she said

Debka Breaking News: [link to www.debka.com]

Tens of thousands of protesters take to street across Syria to denounce attacks by military - witnesses and activists [link to www.breakingnews.com]

It is too late for Assad Above the Fray: The instability that will follow the fall of Assad is likely to mirror Iraq- or Lebanon-style warfare. [link to www.jpost.com]

At least five protesters killed as tens of thousands take to the streets in Syria Syrian security forces open fire with live ammunition on anti-government protesters near Damascus following Friday prayers. [link to www.haaretz.com]

"Demonstrators left the mosque after Friday prayers and marched for a few minutes until security forces opened fire to disperse them, killing five people and wounding six others," Mohammad Enad Suleiman, a rights activist, said. [link to blogs.aljazeera.net]

Update: Syrian Forces Kill 9 After Friday Prayers Syrian forces loyal to embattled President Bashar al-Assad opened fire killing at least nine demonstrators Friday in the town of Kiswah south of Damascus, Gulf News reports. [link to www.israelnationalnews.com]

Seriously this is really sick, I can't take it anymore, when is this going to stop!!!