Fearful nights in Damascus as unrest gets closer

[$teve]

Fearful nights in Damascus as unrest gets closer
By Mariam Karouny
DAMASCUS | Wed May 9, 2012 4:39am EDT
Reuters

When darkness falls, streets in Damascus empty as people brace for explosions and crackles of gunfire - once distant threats which now bring fear and sleepless nights to the heart of the Syrian capital.

For months the unrest that erupted across Syria last year, when opponents of President Bashar al-Assad demonstrated for greater rights, was held at bay from the government stronghold of Damascus, even as street protests turned to armed struggle.

Now Damascenes feel the unrest is encroaching on their homes and the sense of unease is tangible.

Frequent explosions shake the city, ranging from a bombing which killed at least nine people in the Midan district 10 days ago to nightly blasts, many of which remain unexplained.

See link for full article: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8480DG20120509

[Shannon9602]

I feel sorry for those people... the innocents and the children...

Something has got to give

[Praying]

Knowing there are those who are innocent have to deal with a situation like this as a way of life is absolutely heartbreaking. The stress of a situation like this has to be so very overwhelming.
I think of the Israeli's and how they have lived under threat for decades. Every time they get on public transit, or even walk down the street, the threat is always there, always present. It breaks my heart that anyone should have to live this way.
I can only pray, with all I have inside of me, that Jesus will come for His people soon. Something has to stop this, and put an end to all the suffering, and I know Jesus is the only one who can do this.
As much as I do not want anyone to have to go through the tribulation, - even so, at least it will be over, and there will be an end to all the suffering, pain, and sin of this world in 7 years.
Looking forward to meeting you all in person. Maranatha!!!

[In Christ]

If all the innocents in Damascus would only except Christ, then the Rapture could possibly remove them before the destruction of the city, or at least they know when the destruction comes (if its before the Rapture) they will be at home with Christ...

[twisty58]

I know. I just can't even imagine the terror they are living daily!

[tbrian40]

The stress and post traumatic stress that the Israelis have to live with is beyond comprehension.

[LightOfMyLife]

This is a situation for the people over there. It sure looks like the prophecy of Isaiah 17:1 is getting so close.

[Not Perfect, But Forgiven]

The stress and post traumatic stress that the Israelis have to live with is beyond comprehension.

What's so bad is that Israelis have been at war for many years against various nations, kings and territories. PTSD and stress are probably as typical as deciding what to eat for breakfast. It just "is." Waking up each day and wondering if you are going to meet the business end of a bullet or be catapulted into eternity by a stray missile at any minute has got to exact a very definite effect on their consciousness as a people and nation. I would even bet they don't even have enough mental breaks from the constant threat to experience PTSD. They are a TOUGH people.

[$teve]

This is breaking news on BCC


Syria unrest: Explosions rock capital Damascus

Two explosions have hit the Syrian capital, Damascus, reports say.

Smoke can be seen rising, residents and eyewitnesses have said.

Damascus has been the target of a number of bombs in past months amid continuing anti-government unrest. The last deadly blast there was at the end of April, when 11 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack near a mosque.

There has been intense shelling by the Syrian army overnight in the city of Homs further north.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18015935

What alerts me is that the unrest in Syria is now becoming much more focussed on the city of Damascus. I also find it an eerie coincidence that as this is developing, so too is the Eurozone crisis again escalating to the point of there being widespread fears about it breaking up. There is also chatter about setting up an EU Super President and suggestions (such as UK PM Cameron) that there be a single government for the Euro. These major developments unfolding concurrently is quite amazing.

[tbrian40]

Thanks $teve. Damascus is a terrorist hub right now. Many of these explosions are from outside the Syrian army; etc. Al Queda, Hamas, Hezbollah. Why are these terrorists here? Iran cannot afford to lose Syria (Damascus)--this is a rendezvous point for their next war against Israel. They are using fear tactics to keep it in their hands.

[$teve]

Thanks $teve. Damascus is a terrorist hub right now. Many of these explosions are from outside the Syrian army; etc. Al Queda, Hamas, Hezbollah. Why are these terrorists here? Iran cannot afford to lose Syria (Damascus)--this is a rendezvous point for their next war against Israel. They are using fear tactics to keep it in their hands.

So what do you think? Terrorists are trying to topple Assad and Iran remains in support of Assad? Sorry not sure I'm understanding you correctly. I'm wondering if these terrorists succeed with gaining control of Damascus, they'll also gain control over some very heavy weaponry, enough for a full-scale attack by Israel. Conversely, it could be some kind of attack from terrorists on Damascus, should they gain the means to do so.

CNN are reporting dozens either dead or injured from the blasts and the nation's intelligence agency was destroyed.

State media: Dozens dead or injured in Syria blasts

• NEW: Preliminary information indicates it was a car explosion, opposition says
• NEW: The blasts target the nation's intelligence agency, opposition says
• The United Nations warns the country risks plunging into a civil war
• A war would have "catastrophic effects within Syria and across the region," U.N. chief warns

Two strong explosions rocked the Syrian capital Thursday, state television reported, leaving bloody streets littered with debris as thick black smoke drifted into the sky.

The number of casualties was unclear, but dozens were dead or injured, according to Syrian state television.

The blasts occurred in Qazzaz neighborhood and destroyed the nation's intelligence agency, the opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Preliminary information indicates it was a car explosion, the opposition group said. But state television described the blasts as "terrorist explosions."

"If this opportunity is not seized, I fear that what joint special envoy Kofi Annan has warned about will come to pass: a full-scale civil war with catastrophic effects within Syria and across the region," said U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/10/wo...html?hpt=hp_t1

[cbressler1976]

I pray for all of the children who are born in Damascus....from a child they are taught to hate....they have little to no chance.....and now they have to deal with this....

[Shannon9602]

Steve-Do you ever get any sleep?

[$teve]

Steve-Do you ever get any sleep?

Believe it or not, yeah, though do need a little catch up on weekends with afternoon naps.


Btw these blasts in Damascus are reported to be the worst since the uprising began in March '11.

[Praying]

Believe it or not, yeah, though do need a little catch up on weekends with afternoon naps.


Btw these blasts in Damascus are reported to be the worst since the uprising began in March '11.

[tbrian40]

$teve...JMHO. I think this is a power grab by Iraqi sunni terrorists who are wreaking havoc on Hamas (or shia from Iran). The Syrian army is a proxy of hamas and hezbollah--Iran. A house divided against itself will fall. Newsmax reported a new terrorist faction within Damascus...from undisclosed intell. sources (probably Israeli)...is setting off explosions as well. Come Lord Jesus.

[Little Bug]

Steve-Do you ever get any sleep?

Psssssst, Shannon.... $teve lives in Australia. I mean, they're (those wonderful Aussies) waaaay ahead of us in time, I think. Hey, $teve!!! My brother now lives in Australia! Married a sweet gal from there. Aren't you folks, "down under" some 17 hours ahead of those of us in U.S. Central Time? Just asking since I believe when my brother called me on a Xmas at 4:30p.m. our time here (in Minnesota) it was 9:30 a.m. your time??? Sorry to be jacking this thread. Just curious. And THANKS, $teve for your posts! I always read them and agree with you----- all the stuff going down worldwide, and when FOX News mentions "Damascus" I do a quick turn in my chair (from my IPad) to watch the TV.

for all in Syria!

[$teve]

$teve...JMHO. I think this is a power grab by Iraqi sunni terrorists who are wreaking havoc on Hamas (or shia from Iran). The Syrian army is a proxy of hamas and hezbollah--Iran. A house divided against itself will fall. Newsmax reported a new terrorist faction within Damascus...from undisclosed intell. sources (probably Israeli)...is setting off explosions as well. Come Lord Jesus.

Yeah okay that's an interesting thought. I have heard it say that it is difficult to determine the profile of the opposition because there are several or more terrorists groups working to overthrow Assad, also fragmented in their lack of unity. Seriously, they are after something - one and the same prize I'm guessing (perhaps weapons and big ones that the Syrian government might have)?

Psssssst, Shannon.... $teve lives in Australia. I mean, they're (those wonderful Aussies) waaaay ahead of us in time, I think. Hey, $teve!!! My brother now lives in Australia! Married a sweet gal from there. Aren't you folks, "down under" some 17 hours ahead of those of us in U.S. Central Time? Just asking since I believe when my brother called me on a Xmas at 4:30p.m. our time here (in Minnesota) it was 9:30 a.m. your time??? Sorry to be jacking this thread. Just curious. And THANKS, $teve for your posts! I always read them and agree with you----- all the stuff going down worldwide, and when FOX News mentions "Damascus" I do a quick turn in my chair (from my IPad) to watch the TV.

for all in Syria!

Hey Lady Bug, from east coast Australia to east coast US is fourteen hours ahead. The way I quickly figure out the time there is look at my current time (ie: 9.00 am). Subtract two hours (ie: 7.00 am). Then switch from morning to evening or vice versa (ie: 7.00 am to 7.00 pm). Thus it is 9.00 am Friday morning here east coast of Australia and 7.00 pm Thursday east coast of US. These hourly differences change when daylight savings hours are adjusted and so on.