Social Media Monitor: Syria is the 35th Iranian Province

Syrian opposition supporters were angered by a speech made by Iranian clergyman Mehdi Taeb, the head of Ammar, a state-sponsored centre for strategic studies. Taeb was reported to have said on Thursday, February 14 that Syria is the 35th Iranian province, and that if Iran was forced to choose between defending either Syria or the southern Khouzestan province, it should chose to defend Syria. Taeb also hinted that Iran will deploy 60,000 troops in Syria to help the regime in its war against the opposition.

The report about the speech was circulated in Arabic by Al Arabiya channel’s website. The Iranian Fars News Agency later quoted Taeb as saying that his statement was taken out of context by “foreign, anti-revolutionary media.”

Syrian columnist at the London-based Al Quds Al Arabi Subhi Hadidi tweeted:

"There are 31 provinces in Iran, but Syria is the 35th province, according to the Iranian senile Mehdi Taeb; what are the 32nd, 33rd and 34th provinces called? Are they Bahrain? Iraq? Lebanon?"
“There are 31 provinces in Iran, but Syria is the 35th province, according to the Iranian senile Mehdi Taeb; what are the 32nd, 33rd and 34th provinces called? Are they Bahrain? Iraq? Lebanon?”

 Syrian writer Samar Yazbek described Taeb’s quote about deploying Iranian troops in Syria as a declaration of occupation:

"We have to think of a name for this third occupation in this region: the Syrian occupation of Lebanon, the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the Iranian occupation of Syria."
“…We have to think of a name for this third occupation in this region: the Syrian occupation of Lebanon, the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the Iranian occupation of Syria.”

In a related incident, at least two fighters affiliated with the Lebanese, Iranian-backed group Hezbollah were reportedly killed near the Syrian-Lebanese borders in the area of Qusair. A source close to Hizbullah stated that the men who were killed were defending their villages against the Free Syrian Army. Syrian opposition activists, on the other hand, said that the clashes took place away from the border, deep inside Syrian territories.

Activist Mustafa Hadid criticized what he considered Hezbollah’s interference in Syria:

"Any serious participation by Hezbollah [in the conflict] in Syria means that it will surely loose its position in Lebanon while at the same time it will not prevent the inevitable fall of Assad's gang."
“Any serious participation by Hezbollah [in the conflict] in Syria means that it will surely loose its position in Lebanon while at the same time it will not prevent the inevitable fall of Assad’s gang.”

FSA approaches Aleppo airport

Battles broke out near the Aleppo international airport earlier this week. According to reports, the FSA controlled a major military checkpoint on the airport highway. A tweet by a media group affiliated with the FSA claimed the latter has full control of the highway.

"Free Syrian Army News: The brave combatant units are now in control of the airport highway in Aleppo."
“Free Syrian Army News: The brave combatant units are now in control of the airport highway in Aleppo.”

Activist Lina Moulla was rejoiced by this news, saying that the potential fall of the Aleppo airport will lead to the full secession of the Syrian north:

"Aleppo's airport is both a civilian and military facility…if it falls it means that the opposition will gain freedom of movement both inside and outside Syria."
“…Aleppo’s airport is both a civilian and military facility…if it falls it means that the opposition will gain freedom of movement both inside and outside Syria.”

A Small pro-regime demonstration in Damascus

Groups affiliated with the regime called on residents of Damascus to demonstrate against “terrorism” on Tuesday, February 12. The turnout at the demonstration, however, was very small. A Facebook page called The Supporters of Bashar al-Assad described the gatherings as “spontaneous”.

"Damascus: Spontaneous youth gatherings in Sabe' Bahrat Square call for fighting against terrorism and support President Bashar al-Assad's quest for reform and cleansing every inch of the Syrian soil from terrorism and religious extremism. [The crowds] also saluted the Arab Syrian Army."
“Damascus: Spontaneous youth gatherings in Sabe’ Bahrat Square call for fighting against terrorism and support President Bashar al-Assad’s quest for reform and cleansing every inch of the Syrian soil from terrorism and religious extremism. [The crowds] also saluted the Arab Syrian Army.”

A photo that was supposedly taken of the demonstration was circulated on social media websites by opposition supporters, along with sarcastic comments.

"The massive and spontaneous demonstration in support of Assad's gang- unprecedented gatherings in Damascus."
“The massive and spontaneous demonstration in support of Assad’s gang- unprecedented gatherings in Damascus.”

Valentine’s Day amidst bloodshed in Syria

Opposition supporters remembered Syria’s crisis on Valentine’s Day. The London-based activist Rim Turkmani addressed “Syria’s youth” on Facebook, saying:

"On Valentine's Day…for the sake of all the martyrs who gave windflowers in Syria their colour, I beg you to find a road to freedom other than death; your [lives] are too valuable to be wasted in a battle that is meant to defend the [political] interests of some."
“On Valentine’s Day…for the sake of all the martyrs who gave windflowers in Syria their colour, I beg you to find a road to freedom other than death; your [lives] are too valuable to be wasted in a battle that is meant to defend the [political] interests of some.”

A comment published on Al-Mundassa Al-Souriyya blog mentioned that the best kind of love is the one born in times of war: “Love is not something we can ask for or reject; it comes uninvited and cares little for any crises…but the greatest form of love is the one that comes out of a crisis.”