Social Media Monitor: Salamiyyah Bombing Splits Opposition over Al-Nusra Front

The series of deadly explosions in Syria continues to unfold, as a devastating bombing hit the city of Salamiyyah in the governorate of Hama on Monday, January 21. The city has the largest community of Ismailis in Syria and has relevantly been spared the armed conflict ravaging the country. The explosion targeted a headquarters of the Baath party and an adjacent building that was once a carpet factory and is now said to harbor members of the pro-regime Popular Committees militia. More than 40 people were killed and many others wounded. Most of the victims were civilian. The explosion also left the street where the buildings lie devastated, as shown in this video.

The Muslim Brotherhood in Syria accused the regime of orchestrating the explosion.

"Facts show that the Salamiyyah explosion was perpetrated by shabbiha that were collaborating with the Air Force Intelligence against the Popular Committees…" A commentator sarcastically replies: "But you [on the other hand] are angels."
“Facts show that the Salamiyyah explosion was perpetrated by shabbiha that were collaborating with the Air Force Intelligence against the Popular Committees…” A commentator sarcastically replies: “But you [on the other hand] are angels.”

The National Coalition, Syria’s main opposition alliance, also accused the regime of standing behind the attack:

"It is with great sorrow that the [National] Coalition received news of the explosion that took the lives of dozens of the people of Salamiyyah. [This] crime bears the fingerprints of the regime [and aims] to arouse differences among Syrians..."
“It is with great sorrow that the [National] Coalition received news of the explosion that took the lives of dozens of the people of Salamiyyah. [This] crime bears the fingerprints of the regime [and aims] to arouse differences among Syrians…”

“Statement 207”, however, left little room for accusing the regime. This press release declared Al-Nusra Front responsible for the attack. It was published on Ansar Al-Mujahideen, an online forum affiliated with the front.

The press release issued by Al-Nusra Front.
The press release issued by Al-Nusra Front.

The London –based activist Rim Turkmani asked Moaz al-Khatib, the head of the National Coalition, to take a clear position on the Al-Nusra Front. Khatib had previously refused the American measure of placing this movement on the list of terrorist organizations.

"(...) You had previously defended Al-Nusra Front, saying, 'The decision to consider an organization fighting against the regime a terrorist organization needs to be reconsidered…We might disagree with some parties about their political views but we strongly believe that all the rebels' rifles aim to topple a despotic, criminal regime.' Today, you are required before God whom you have taken as your witness to say the truth… and declare your position on Al-Nusra Front after it claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack."
“(…) You had previously defended Al-Nusra Front, saying, ‘The decision to consider an organization fighting against the regime a terrorist organization needs to be reconsidered…We might disagree with some parties about their political views but we strongly believe that all the rebels’ rifles aim to topple a despotic, criminal regime.’ Today, you are required before God whom you have taken as your witness to say the truth… and declare your position on Al-Nusra Front after it claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack.”

The reply to this demand came from one of the many Facebook pages that bear the name of Moaz al-Khatib, without making a clear statement about the front or even designate it by name:

"I'm amazed by those who have concerns for [Syria], like you, and have not noticed everything I have said in public -- as much as I defend the rebels, I strictly oppose any ideology that is extremist, incites for bloodshed, aims to force itself on or destroy the Syrian society. Isn't that enough? I don't think you're being fair, sister Rim…"
“I’m amazed by those who have concerns for [Syria], like you, and have not noticed everything I have said in public — as much as I defend the rebels, I strictly oppose any ideology that is extremist, incites for bloodshed, aims to force itself on or destroy the Syrian society. Isn’t that enough? I don’t think you’re being fair, sister Rim…”

The Battalion of Salamiyyah’s Freemen denounced the attack. This unit is part of the Free Syrian Army, FSA, and based in the countryside outside Salamiyyah.

“We condemn this criminal act as well as those who committed it and confirm that we are concerned with preserving the lives of civilians in our city. We also deny having any responsibility for attack, which does not reflect the ethics of the revolution or the Free Syrian Army…”

Syrian government to receive half a billion dollars from the UN

The United Nations announced a plan to offer the Syrian government $519 million to finance humanitarian relief in areas that are affected by the conflict. This move was bitterly criticized by supporters of the opposition, saying that the regime should not be rewarded for its crimes.

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The Facebook page The Syrian Revolution 2011, which has led the online organization of   Friday demonstrations since the start of the uprising, called for sit-ins in front of UN headquarters around the world.  The title chosen for the demonstrations on Friday February 1 is ‘The International Community Is Partnering in Assad’s Crimes’. Demonstrations in Syria have receded since the uprising has taken a military turn, but they still take place in areas controlled by the FSA to convey political messages against the regime.

Stop funding Syria's butcher
“Stop funding Syria’s butcher.”

Radwan Ziadeh, the Syrian National Council’s ex-spokesman, wrote a comment on Facebook, saying that the Syrian government was able to get this money because it presented a comprehensive plan on how to use these funds. He added that the opposition has so far failed to prove that it is capable of organizing relief work.

"Let us not forget that the UN deals with member states only, and the current government represents [Syria]. Faisal al-Muqdad, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, represented Assad at the UN when the plan was being drafted; he knows all its details."
“Let us not forget that the UN deals with member states only, and the current government represents [Syria]. Faisal al-Muqdad, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, represented Assad at the UN when the plan was being drafted; he knows all its details.”

Heroines or female shabbiha?

A cartoon satirizing Assad after the formation a combat unit for women. Assad is depicted like Qaddafi, who was often ridiculed for having female bodyguards.
A cartoon satirizing Assad after the formation a combat unit for women. Assad is depicted like Qaddafi, who was often ridiculed for having female bodyguards.

 

News reports mentioned last week that a new battalion, formed entirely of women, is now part of the National Defense Army — an auxiliary army that the regime has recently started.

Activist and filmmaker Orwa Nyrabia wrote a comment on Facebook, suggesting that these women are being used by the regime as a propaganda tool; they are presented as secular women for not wearing a hijab, while the real reason for not wearing a hijab is that they are Alawites.

"It frustrates me to see [people make] fun of these girls. The regime has turned them into slapstick figures by making them wear military uniforms, something that Assad still has not done. They're also parading as secular women while in fact they belong to a religious sect whose women do not wear the hijab."
“It frustrates me to see [people make] fun of these girls. The regime has turned them into slapstick figures by making them wear military uniforms, something that Assad still has not done. They’re also parading as secular women while in fact they belong to a religious sect whose women do not wear the hijab.”

Activist Wissam al-Jazairy argued that recruiting women is a sign that the civil war has really started.

"The most dangerous thing that the regime has done so far is recruiting women... Militarizing society will be the real start of a civil war—the conflict between the regime and the Free Syrian Army will transform into a conflict between two entire societies…"
“The most dangerous thing that the regime has done so far is recruiting women… Militarizing society will be the real start of a civil war—the conflict between the regime and the Free Syrian Army will transform into a conflict between two entire societies…”

Demonstrations with Islamic slogans raise concern

“We will sacrifice our soul and blood for thou, Mohammad” is one of the slogans demonstrators chanted to pledge loyalty to the Prophet during demonstrations in Syria last Friday. The demonstrations were given the title ‘Our Eternal Leader, Our Lord Mohammad’.  Secular activists said these slogans were worrying because they alienate non-Muslims.

“This is offensive because your Prophet has been implicated…in a provocative political statement, ” reads a comment published on Al-Mundassa Al-Souriyya blog, addressing those in favor of these slogans.  “It is offensive to Syrian society, which includes ‘the Other’. Have you heard of ‘the Other’ or do you still have the exclusionary Baath [mentality]?”

Activist Mustafa Hadid also considered these slogans evidence that Baathist influence persists:

"The worst part of the phrase 'Mohammad, Our Eternal Leader' is that it is a clone of a Baathist chant for Assad. This confirms the [large] extent to which the Baath has been able to shape our culture."
“The worst part of the phrase ‘Mohammad, Our Eternal Leader’ is that it is a clone of a Baathist chant for Assad. This confirms the [large] extent to which the Baath has been able to shape our culture.”