SYRIA - A BATTLE ZONE

Syria became independent in 1945 and with Egypt, they formed the United Arab Republic in 1958. The Syrians call themselves Arabs, and by the end of World War 1, the Syrian people were resolved to free themselves from Ottoman rule. Instead of full independence, Syria together with Lebanon, were placed under the French mandate. Dissatisfaction with French administration was expressed with open revolt. Nominal independence was not fully implemented until 1945, when Syria became a member of the United Nations. The first president was Shukri al-kuwatly.

Rockets fell in the morning on February 22 near some jounalists, killing Remi Ochlik, 28 and Marie Colvin, 56. Common obvious targets in a war zone are weapons depots, bridges, radio and television stations, enemies hideouts, command centres ... and buildings like schools, hospitals, media centres, old folks homes, handicapped centres, are not. Rules of war do not apply when a press centre is grounded on that morning leaving the the freelance photographer and the correspondent dead. Together with them, William Daniels escaped unharmed, but Edith Bouvier was bleeding heavily. Taking four days on a 40km escape route to cross into Lebanon, they sent ecstatic messages using their mobiles phones on March 1.

 

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