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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Syrian army text tells rebel forces to surrender

Country's opposition fighters launch new attacks on regime

By: Karin Laub

Posted: 09/28/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

manu brabo / the associated press A man whose brother was killed by a Syrian army sniper is comforted outside Dar El Shifa Hospital in Aleppo on Thursday. (CP)

BEIRUT -- Cellphones in Syria rang, buzzed and chirped Thursday with an ominous text message from the military to members of the armed rebellion: "Game over."

The rebels' response to the regime's warning to surrender and disarm was launching new attacks to drive government troops out of Aleppo, the country's largest city.

There's no indication the stalemated civil war has taken a decisive turn in any direction, however, and the bloodshed that has already claimed more than 30,000 lives looks likely to drag on for many more months.

Sharp disagreements between Syria's foreign friends and foes -- on display at the UN General Assembly this week -- have prevented a diplomatic solution from taking shape.

Syrians with subscriptions to the country's two cellphone service providers said they received the text messages, signed by the Syrian Arab Army, urging the rebels to surrender their weapons and warning a countdown to evict foreign fighters in the country has begun. Government officials were not available for comment.

The messages are highly unlikely to have any effect on fighters intent on toppling Assad, and rebel supporters shrugged off the regime's warning as a sign of desperation.

Ali, 28, a member of the rebels' Free Syrian Army, said he found the message comical.

"I will never hand over my weapon because the game is not over yet," he said, giving only his first name for fear of reprisals. "It won't be over until (President Bashar) Assad's death."

The rebels on Thursday stepped up attacks against regime forces in Aleppo, parts of which they seized two months ago, although they have been unable to dislodge pro-Assad troops from the rest of the northern city of three million people. Opposition activists reported heavy clashes in more than a dozen areas.

Western diplomats at the UN's annual gathering of top leaders expressed frustration over the impasse. Syria allies Russia and China have blocked harsher anti-Syria sanctions in the Security Council. Russian President Vladimir Putin said bloody regime change would only lead to more violence.

The UN said the number of Syrian refugees could rise to more than 700,000 by the end of the year, with 2,000 to 3,000 refugees crossing into neighbouring countries each day. The UN refugee agency said it needs close to $490 million to help the refugees, or three times what donors gave so far.

-- The Associated Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 28, 2012 A20

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