Islamists Sieze US Weapons Meant for Secular Rebel Groups in Syria?
Syria:Update. The most powerful coalition
of Syrian rebels, the newly formed Islamic Front, has rejected talks with US
officials just days after seizing control of warehouses filled with American
military equipment that was sent to support more secular rival rebel groups.
Comment: Various news outlets reported that the US was considering holding talks with Islamists in order to remove the Ba'athist government in Damascus. This possible change in US policy was the result of the collapse of non-Islamist opposition forces.
The rejection by the Islamic Front is probably their opening, vice final, position. They might be soliciting a higher bid from the US and the publicity from US diplomats asking to negotiate terms with Islamic terrorists.
South Sudan: Rebel gunmen, reportedly from the Nuer ethnic group, attacked a UN peacekeeping base in Akobo, Jonglei State on 19 December. The attackers were targeting members of the Dinka tribe, which is the largest ethnic group in South Sudan. Two Indian peacekeepers were killed.
"The government has lost control of Jonglei state to the forces of Colonel Machar (a former vice president of South Sudan) and his group," government representative Ateny Wek Ateny told the press. The state capital of Bor is under rebel control and has been subject to artillery shelling, according to its mayor.
The US evacuated 120 US employees and others from South Sudan on Wednesday because of continuing violence. The US Embassy employees, foreign diplomats and US citizens, were flown to Kenya.
A State Department spokesperson said the US continues to urge Americans to leave South Sudan and will work to help arrange transportation for them.
Note: South Sudan became independent of Sudan in July 2011. It is a federal republic of ten states, one of which is Jonglei, the largest state in the republic and borders Ethiopia. Bor is the state capital. Akobo is on the border of Ethiopia.
South Sudan is one of the poorest nations on earth, measured by per capita gross domestic product. It contains significant crude oil deposits in the north. As yet that potential wealth is not fully exploitable because of continuous political instability, the lack of infrastructure and persistent low level ethnic violence.
Background and comments: South Sudan has been in turmoil since independence in 2011. Threats have included attacks by militias backed by the Sudanese government in Khartoum and local tribal militias who oppose President Salva Kiir.
President Salva Kiir, who is from the Dinka tribe, has blamed the violence on a group of soldiers who support Riek Machar, a Nuer, which is the second largest tribe after and is related to the Dinka. Kiir dismissed Machar as vice president last July.
The president accused Machar's followers of trying to take power by force on Sunday night in a coup attempt, which Machar denies. Other important political groups also have said there was no coup attempt.
The situation is not clear beyond that Kiir remains in office in Juba; that at least 500 people have died in firefights in Juba since Sunday; and that rebels now control Bor. Most of those killed were soldiers, according to media accounts. Machar demands that Kiir step down. The extent of Machar's support beyond some Nuer soldiers is not known. Nor is his political program, if he has one.
The Nuer are cattle herders and animists who, by reputation, tend to keep to themselves. They have no higher tribal organization and have not displayed much interest in national politics until recently. Thus the issues appear to be personal rather than ideological or based on an agenda.
The capture of the state capital Bor creates a potentially escalating scenario for a larger tribal conflict between the Dinka and the Nuer, which is what the UN has cited as a concern. The numbers of fighters on either side is not known. At this time, this looks like a factional fight more than the prelude to a civil war. Nevertheless, the prospects for more killings are very high.
The US announced it is sending 45 combat soldiers to Juba to protect the American community. That might be enough to help settle the situation in Juba. The UN and African statesmen have another peacemaking challenge.
End of NightWatch
http://finance.townhall.com/columnists/nightwatch/2013/12/21/islamists-sieze-us-weapons-meant-for-secular-rebel-groups-in-syria-n1766785/page/full
Comment: Various news outlets reported that the US was considering holding talks with Islamists in order to remove the Ba'athist government in Damascus. This possible change in US policy was the result of the collapse of non-Islamist opposition forces.
The rejection by the Islamic Front is probably their opening, vice final, position. They might be soliciting a higher bid from the US and the publicity from US diplomats asking to negotiate terms with Islamic terrorists.
South Sudan: Rebel gunmen, reportedly from the Nuer ethnic group, attacked a UN peacekeeping base in Akobo, Jonglei State on 19 December. The attackers were targeting members of the Dinka tribe, which is the largest ethnic group in South Sudan. Two Indian peacekeepers were killed.
"The government has lost control of Jonglei state to the forces of Colonel Machar (a former vice president of South Sudan) and his group," government representative Ateny Wek Ateny told the press. The state capital of Bor is under rebel control and has been subject to artillery shelling, according to its mayor.
The US evacuated 120 US employees and others from South Sudan on Wednesday because of continuing violence. The US Embassy employees, foreign diplomats and US citizens, were flown to Kenya.
A State Department spokesperson said the US continues to urge Americans to leave South Sudan and will work to help arrange transportation for them.
Note: South Sudan became independent of Sudan in July 2011. It is a federal republic of ten states, one of which is Jonglei, the largest state in the republic and borders Ethiopia. Bor is the state capital. Akobo is on the border of Ethiopia.
South Sudan is one of the poorest nations on earth, measured by per capita gross domestic product. It contains significant crude oil deposits in the north. As yet that potential wealth is not fully exploitable because of continuous political instability, the lack of infrastructure and persistent low level ethnic violence.
Background and comments: South Sudan has been in turmoil since independence in 2011. Threats have included attacks by militias backed by the Sudanese government in Khartoum and local tribal militias who oppose President Salva Kiir.
President Salva Kiir, who is from the Dinka tribe, has blamed the violence on a group of soldiers who support Riek Machar, a Nuer, which is the second largest tribe after and is related to the Dinka. Kiir dismissed Machar as vice president last July.
The president accused Machar's followers of trying to take power by force on Sunday night in a coup attempt, which Machar denies. Other important political groups also have said there was no coup attempt.
The situation is not clear beyond that Kiir remains in office in Juba; that at least 500 people have died in firefights in Juba since Sunday; and that rebels now control Bor. Most of those killed were soldiers, according to media accounts. Machar demands that Kiir step down. The extent of Machar's support beyond some Nuer soldiers is not known. Nor is his political program, if he has one.
The Nuer are cattle herders and animists who, by reputation, tend to keep to themselves. They have no higher tribal organization and have not displayed much interest in national politics until recently. Thus the issues appear to be personal rather than ideological or based on an agenda.
The capture of the state capital Bor creates a potentially escalating scenario for a larger tribal conflict between the Dinka and the Nuer, which is what the UN has cited as a concern. The numbers of fighters on either side is not known. At this time, this looks like a factional fight more than the prelude to a civil war. Nevertheless, the prospects for more killings are very high.
The US announced it is sending 45 combat soldiers to Juba to protect the American community. That might be enough to help settle the situation in Juba. The UN and African statesmen have another peacemaking challenge.
End of NightWatch
http://finance.townhall.com/columnists/nightwatch/2013/12/21/islamists-sieze-us-weapons-meant-for-secular-rebel-groups-in-syria-n1766785/page/full
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