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  • Why no US sanctions against France, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UK for supporting FSA terrorism?

    Why no US sanctions against France, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UK for supporting FSA terrorism?

    Saturday, September 1st, 2012 | Filed under EUROPE,GEOPOLITICS,Islamic law,ISLAMIC TERRORISM,Latest Articles,MIDDLE EAST,NORTH AMERICA,Recent Posts,RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION,Uncategorized,USA | Posted by admin

    Why no US sanctions against France, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UK for supporting FSA terrorism?

    Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker

    Modern Tokyo Times

    The United States after the barbaric attack by mainly Saudi citizens on September 11 stated that they would adopt a policy aimed at crushing terrorism. If so, will France, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UK face American sanctions for supporting the brutal terrorist policies of the Free Syrian Army (FSA)? This is a fair question because the FSA is behind countless terrorist attacks including killing politicians, targeting journalists, using car bombs to slaughter innocents and other vile deeds.

    Individuals may or may not support the government of Syria; however, this isn’t the point. At no time in recent history was a terrorist organization like the FSA supported openly by so many governments. The United States is clearly involved in CIA covert acts against Syria and this is notable in Turkey because of the geopolitical reality. However, despite this the Obama administration is at pains to distance itself from al-Qaeda and other Islamist networks which are also causing carnage in Syria. This doesn’t mean that members in the Obama administration don’t welcome the Islamist angle at the moment but given the sensitivity over September 11, then actions must be based on being cunning and manipulating the media.

    VIDEO EVIDENCE AGAINST THE FSA AND ISLAMIST NETWORKS – (WARNING – VERY GRAPHIC)

    Saudi Arabia and Qatar are clearly supporting sedition and the knock on effect of this is sectarianism and terrorism. Likewise, the former leader of France and the new leader have openly sided with the FSA against the government of Syria. This is despite the vile acts of the patchwork of terrorists and mercenaries within the FSA. After all, the FSA have killed religious minorities, done car bombs, killed journalists, assassinated political ministers, beheaded individuals, killed Iraqi refugees in Damascus – and a whole array of evil deeds.

    The United Kingdom appears to be following the path chosen by the Obama administration. This applies to condemning the Syria government and armed forces while remaining muted when the FSA is blamed for killing people. Also, just like America, it is clear that British covert operatives are utilizing the many links with regional nations. However, political leaders in London and Paris appear to want to intervene militarily on the side of terrorism but both nations want the full support of America before stepping over the direct interventionist line.

    Media outlets continue to shame themselves by adopting a constant policy of incitement against Syria. Likewise, Human Rights Watch (HRW) appears to be the “political wing” of the FSA by constantly condemning the Syrian government while remaining muted about the vile deeds of the FSA. Indeed, by mentioning massacres from time to time by the FSA some media outlets and HRW are trying to cover their tracks but clearly media corporations and many human rights organizations are playing their part in inciting hatred.

    Tony Cartalucci (Land Destroyer Report) comments that “It was recently pointed out that the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) currently arming, funding, and commanding entire brigades of the so-called “Free Syrian Army” (FSA) is designated an Al Qaeda affiliate by the United Nations pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011), in addition to being listed by both the US State Department and the UK Home Office (page 5, .pdf) as a foreign terrorist organization and a proscribed terrorist organization respectively.”

    “This means that the United States, the UK, NATO, and the Gulf State despots of Saudi Arabia and Qatar are knowingly and willfully funding designated affiliates of Al Qaeda contrary not only to US and British anti-terror legislation, but contrary to UN resolutions as well. Western and Gulf State support of the FSA constitutes state sponsorship of terrorism. Should the UN fail to enforce its own resolutions, while playing host to further sanctions and considerations for military intervention against the Syrian government, it will have entirely resigned its legitimacy and authority as nothing more than a tool of Western corporate-financier interests.”

    The above comment raises the already known fact that American ratlines to FSA terrorism is in “a very dark and deep danger zone.” It is difficult to image after September 11 that any American administration would side openly with international terrorism. However, the role of Hillary Clinton, Susan Rice and many others in covering up the crimes of the FSA while bridging international support for this vile terrorist organization, is not only sickening but it raises deeply disturbing issues.

    After all, what is the point in offering “American soldiers to Islamists” in Afghanistan and Iraq respectively, if the same evil forces are then supported to topple a secular government in Syria? Are the deaths of thousands of American soldiers so cheap?  It should be raising serious questions in America because now the same Islamists who were fighting American troops in Iraq are now being allowed to enter Syria courtesy of the friends of America in Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

    Clearly the recent terrorist attack which killed many people during a funeral procession means little to political circles in Ankara, Doha, London, Paris, Riyadh and Washington. Therefore, the FSA is showing the world that democratic nations are openly siding with feudal monarchies in Qatar and Saudi Arabia in funding and supporting this brutal terrorist organization. It means that to the above political elites that killing minorities, beheading people who support the Syrian government, hanging individuals, car bombs, destroying Christian areas, inciting massacres against the Alawites, political assassination, killing journalists who support the Syrian government and a whole array of barbaric acts is not only being tolerated but it is being supported.

    If the United States is serious about defeating the forces of terrorism then firstly this nation should be putting sanctions on France, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. After this, then political elites in Washington involved in ratlines should be charged with spreading terrorism in Syria. Of course, this isn’t going to happen and clearly September 11 this year is an event which is going to be politicized by the same forces supporting terrorism, sectarianism and sedition against Syria.

    The mainly Christian Karen forces in Myanmar have been fighting for decades against various governments of this nation. However, this organization isn’t supported openly because the “wrong religion” to elites in Riyadh and Washington. Also, they don’t go around beheading people and video-taping their crimes. This rebel movement isn’t brutal enough to be supported despite their cause being based on ethnic and religious persecution.

    The madness of the FSA is that political elites in Washington, Paris, London, Ankara, Riyadh and Doha have all sunk to new lows and this says a lot given the past history of these respective nations. Therefore, it is currently open season against secular Syria and the various minorities of this nation whereby a rich civilization faces Talibanization and utter brutality. Media agencies and HRW have all jumped on the bandwagon and now they resemble the “FSA party machinery.” Moscow is disgusted that nations are supporting sectarianism, terrorism and sedition but while their words of rebuke can be heard the same terrorist ratlines keep on increasing.

    In a world based on international law and “the genuine fight against terrorism” then America would firstly put its allies in the “political dock” and then enter elites within America in “the same dock.” However, in the world of reality it is clear that the FSA can behead people, hang loyalists, do car bombs, kill government politicians, invade major cities to spread more carnage, attack people at funerals, kill refugees, kill journalist, torture people, cleanse Christians and target anyone deemed to be an enemy. If this is the new world order then God help the next country which will be targeted by evil forces in Washington, London, Paris, Ankara, Doha and Riyadh.

  • Free Syrian Army claims downed fighter jet in Idlib

    Free Syrian Army claims downed fighter jet in Idlib

    By Al Arabiya

    The Free Syrian Army (FSA) claimed Thursday that it had downed a Syrian military fighter jet in the northwestern province of Idlib.

    In the video, which was exclusively obtained by Al Arabiya, a crowd of Syrian rebels shout “Allah Akbar” — “God is great” — as the airplane falls from the sky, billowing smoke.

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    Smoke swirls as the fighter jet, downed by the Free Syrian Army, descends in the northwestern city of Idlib. (Al Arabiya)

    Two pilots can be seen in the video, descending in parachutes after ejecting from the jet.

    The FSA also claimed on Thursday that it had destroyed 11 helicopters and a number of tanks around Tiftiaz military airport, in the northern city of Aleppo, where there has been heavy fighting between the resistance and troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.

    The rebel forces on Wednesday started targeting the airport, which is considered to be one of the largest bases in the country for military helicopters.

    The Syrian army has been bombarding the less heavily armed rebels with helicopters and jets as they fight for control of the country, inflicting large casualties.

    On Monday, Syrian opposition fighters made headlines when they downed a helicopter in Damascus.

    via Free Syrian Army claims downed fighter jet in Idlib.

  • Britain and US plan a Syrian revolution from an innocuous office block in Istanbul

    Britain and US plan a Syrian revolution from an innocuous office block in Istanbul

    An underground network of Syrian opposition activists is receiving training and supplies of vital equipment from a combined American and British effort to forge an effective alternative to the Damascus regime.

    SYRIA CRISIS 2320276b

    A Free Syrian Army fighter runs away to take cover from a sniper Photo: REUTERS

    By Damien McElroy, Istanbul

    Dozens of dissidents have been ferried out of Syria to be vetted for foreign backing. Recipients of the aid are given satellite communications and computers so that they can act as a local “hub” linking local activists and the outside world.

    The training takes place in an Istanbul district where handsome apartment blocks line the steep slopes and rooftop terraces boast views over the Golden Horn waterway.

    Behind closed doors the distractions of outdoor coffee shops and clothing boutiques gives way to power point displays charting the mayhem sweeping Syria.

    “We are not ‘king-making’ in Syria. The UK and the US are moving cautiously to help what has been developing within Syria to improve the capabilities of the opposition,” said a British consultant overseeing the programme. “What’s going to come next? Who is going to control territory across Syria. We want to give civilians the skills to assert leadership.”

    Once up and running dissidents can expect help to deal with local shortages and troubleshooting advice from sympathisers.

    But the activists also face two days of vetting designed to ensure that the programme does not fall into the trap of promoting sectarian agendas or the rise of al-Qaeda-style fundamentalists.

    “Rather than being about promoting political platforms in Syria, it’s about creating a patchwork of people who share common values,” the consultant said.

    The schemes are overseen by the US State Department’s Office of Syrian Opposition Support (OSOS) and Foreign Office officials. America has set aside $25 million for political opponents of President Bashar al-Assad while Britain is granting £5 million to the cause of overthrowing the regime.

    Mina al-Homsi (a pseudonym) is one of the first graduates of the training.

    She now spends her days plotting how to spread seditious messages throughout her homeland through her own network, named Basma.

    One of its main activities is to repackage video shot by amateurs into a format that can be used by broadcasters.

    In addition to running online television and radio forums, the Basma team have had “tens of thousands” of satirical stickers depicting President Bashar al-Assad as a featherless duck for distribution as agitprop.

    “It comes from the emails that his wife Asma sent to him calling him duckie and the cartoon duck is featherless to show that he is an emperor with no clothes,” she said. “People will stick them on walls, on car doors, on dispensers in restaurants and those who have not yet joined the revolution will know that we are everywhere.”

    Foreign intervention in civil wars has proven to be a perilous undertaking since the end of the Cold War but in Syria where an invasion has proven unfeasible, diplomats have had to resort to creative thinking.

    It was the legacy of non-intervention, however, that provided the spark for the schemes now backing Basma and others.

    An initiative, proposed by Foreign Secretary William Hague, to document evidence of crimes committed in the fighting for use in potential International Criminal Court trials, has been transformed into the multinational project to build Syria’s next governing class.

    “This has been a generational coming of age,” said the consultant, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “The Foreign Secretary started this as a way to make sure that people who committed crimes in Syria would be held to account. Those of us with experience of the Balkans have taken the lessons of that conflict very much as a formative experience.”

    With the entry of American funding for a much wider scheme, the need to avoid the mistakes of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq has also driven the planning.

    “It’s also not Iraq or Afghanistan – there are no bundles of cash being dropped on the problem without accountability,” he said.

    Jon Wilks, the Foreign Office diplomat who serves as envoy to the Syrian opposition, told the Arabic newspaper al Sharq al Aswat last week that Britain was already working to lay the foundations of democracy in a post-Assad Syria.

    He said: “We must train activists on governing locally in villages and cities in Syria for the post-transitional phase.”

    Officials are adamant there will be no crossover between the civilian “non-lethal” assistance and the military campaign waged by the rebel fighters.

    The scheme has, however, infuriated the exiled opposition body, the Syrian National Council. Its failure to provide a united and coherent front against the regime has led some western officials to brief privately that foreign governments were shifting support beyond the exiled body.

    But in a barely furnished office in a tower block near Istanbul airport an SNC official decried the false promises of its allies. “We’ve heard a lot of promises from the very beginning of the SNC but none of those have been fulfilled,” the SNC official said. “This has reflected absolutely negatively on our work. The opposition of Syria wants the world to provide humanitarian aid for the people in need and the Free Syria Army wants intervention to stop planes bombing their positions.

    “Instead they go around behind our back undermining our role.”

    A Whitehall official said the effort was not about building an alternative to the SNC but a means to enhance the role of those dissidents still within Syria.

    Victoria Nuland, the State Department spokesman, confirmed the OSOS programme last week and said its full effect would only be seen when President Assad leaves office.

    “There are groups inside and outside Syria beginning to plan for that day-after and beginning to plan for how they might quickly stand up at least that first stage of transition so that we could move on when Assad goes, because he will go.”

  • Moscow Alarmed As Turkey And West Hold “Operational Meeting” On Syria

    Moscow Alarmed As Turkey And West Hold “Operational Meeting” On Syria

    Moscow Alarmed As Turkey And West Hold “Operational Meeting” On Syria – OpEd

    By: VOR

    August 25, 2012

    By John Robles

    Syria’s claims that the uprising on its sovereign territory is being orchestrated from outside the country were given further credibility, by an eight-hour-operational-meeting held in Ankara behind closed doors between US Ambassador to Turkey Elisabeth Jones, Turkish Foreign Ministry Deputy Under-Secretary Halit Cevik, diplomats, military representatives and intelligence agency representatives.

    The detailed self-avowed plans for bringing about the hasty collapse of the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were discussed.

    Syria.svg

     

    Since the beginning of the crisis Turkey has positioned itself as one of the staunchest opponents of President Bashar al-Assad who was once seen as a “friend and brother” according to a recent statement by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

    Turkey wishes to be one of the main players for NATO, the West and its Middle-East Allies in the region and has many times failed to support the positions of its once allies and friends, including Syria as well as Russia. Recent statements in support of Russia’s position against an armed outside intervention into Syria were obviously carefully staged lies to attempt to appease Moscow which will protect its interests in the region.

    The meeting follows the recent provocation by Turkey where a Turkish F-4 Phantom Fighter was shot down in Syrian airspace but which did not bring about the planned result.

    Ankara and the Western “architects” had hoped to draw NATO into the conflict by claiming Turkey was being threatened by Syria. Unfortunately for NATO and Turkey the real facts behind the incident came out and even though Turkey claimed the plane was shot down in international airspace and the wreckage somehow flew into Syrian territory, no one was buying it.

    The aircraft was in violation of Syrian Airspace and was shot down in Syrian Airspace by Syrian anti-aircraft batteries with a range of only a few kilometers, those are the facts and no matter how Ankara wanted to repaint the picture that is how events occurred.

    Now the anti-Assad bloc is attempting to terrorize the world into allowing it to invade Syria by using the pre-Iraq-invasion claim of chemical weapons. This has been repeated many times over the past two months and appears to be the new “point of contention” after the provocative airspace violation did not bring about the result sought by the West.

    The fact that Turkey and the West have been openly funding and supplying violent insurgents, introducing Jihadists and every type of foreign mercenary and terrorist into Syria to continue the bloodshed is a point that should be causing international outrage, yet the West is unimpeded and openly admits to such violations of international law and international norms.

    Turkey has admitted that along with Washington and a number of Arab countries in the Persian Gulf they are training and providing support for foreign fighters on its territory, fighters that are being sent into Syria to support and aid the insurgents. There are reports that as many as 15,000 such foreign fighters are staged along the Turkish-Syrian border.

    Moscow has been opposed to foreign military intervention into the Syrian conflict since the very beginning and this includes “secret” armies being funded and trained by the West in their continuing attempt to force a violent regime change in Syria.

    The West has never held talks or in any way promoted the bringing about of a peaceful resolution to the internal Syrian conflict and this has alarmingly become completely and totally evident by all the steps that the West has taken and all of the statements issued by Western Officials over the past few months. This includes an August 11th joint statement by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on their joint planning to implement mechanisms to bring about the hasty termination of the current Syrian Government.

    Turkey, the West and their Persian Gulf allies are in violation of international law and internationally accepted norms and should be facing serious international resistance, yet the United Nations and the World continue to allow such infringements on the territorial sovereignty of Syria.

    All contentions by the West and United States that they are the World’s “moral policemen” and “guardians of humanity” now seem to be outrageous.

    The violent overthrow of a sovereign government can only be called an egregious violation of international norms. Russia has always called for stopping of the bloodshed by establishing peace in order for the Syrian people themselves to decide the fate of their own country.

    The views and opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the Voice of Russia.

    via Moscow Alarmed As Turkey And West Hold “Operational Meeting” On Syria – OpEd Eurasia Review.

  • What happens if Syrian Armenians are settled in Nagorno-Karabakh?

    What happens if Syrian Armenians are settled in Nagorno-Karabakh?

    The growing violence in Syria is strongly affecting the ethnic and religious elements in the country. This tension and upheaval raise concerns and worries among the Armenians in the country as well; for this reason, a portion of the Armenian population is seeking refuge in Armenia.

    The Armenian Ministry for the Diaspora has announced that there has been a visible increase in the number of Syrian Armenians filing an application for Armenian citizenship in 2012 and that so far, 4,000 applications for citizenship have been received. The current state of affairs in the city of Aleppo, historically a center of Armenian immigration, is one of the major concerns held by the Armenian authorities right now. It should also be noted that some Armenian groups have acted in favor of Bashar al-Assad’s regime so far. This is a huge handicap because the initial signs of the problems that will be exacerbated in the post-Assad era have become visible in the ongoing clashes where the Armenian people are subjected to violence by the opposition groups.
    Currently, the Armenian government is taking proper measures to facilitate the visa process for Syrian and Lebanese Armenians, to create proper infrastructure of education for the Armenians coming from foreign countries, to appoint teachers who would give lectures on Western Armenian to the newcomers and to ensure that flights become less expensive. Armenian authorities also note that the state is ready to deal with the problems of Syrian Armenians, including the acquisition of citizenship status and their settlement in the country.
    Sergey Minasyan from the Caucasian Institute in Yerevan notes that the post-Assad Syria will not serve Armenian interests, also adding that Syrian Armenians could be settled in Nagorno-Karabakh. Arguing that this would contribute to the economic development of the region, Minasyan wanted to stress other points. There are reasons for ignoring the problems that previously settled Armenians in the region encountered, including social adaptation and unemployment this time.
    First, it is extremely important to promote the flow of capital held by Armenians through recognition of the Syrian Armenians as proper citizens. In addition, there will emerge chances for the diaspora to extend help to these people; therefore, this will promote and improve the image of the diaspora. Funds have already been created for this purpose. For this reason, settlement of Syrian Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh is a reasonable option for Yerevan.
    Second, the new political concept developed to improve ties between Armenia and the diaspora seeks to develop the relations and to preserve unity between Armenia, the diaspora and Nagorno-Karabakh despite all disagreements. To this end, the settlement of the Syrian Armenians in the region seems to be a great opportunity for Yerevan to achieve this goal. This has already been set at the Panarmenian Congress, convened to secure unity and integrity. Bold steps have been taken in recent years to integrate Nagorno-Karabakh with the world and to promote development in the region. Bako Shakyan, the leader of the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh administration, has met with representatives of the Iranian Armenian Society in the US, the Argentinean Armenian society members, the representatives of Dashnak Party on the American continent and some Armenian businessmen in Europe on political and economic matters concerning the region. The talks were fruitful; extensive investments have been made in Nagorno-Karabakh in such fields as mining and energy. Slovakia and the Czech Republic started construction of a huge hydroelectric plant in Nagorno-Karabakh. The opposition parties in Armenia including the Dashnak Party, as well as ruling parties, are eager to ensure that Nagorno-Karabakh is recognized as an independent state and that Azerbaijan is presented as an aggressor. To this end, the Armenian authorities used as propaganda the blacklisting by Azerbaijan of  deputies and academics from various countries visiting Nagorno-Karabakh.
    Third, there is eagerness to change the demographic outlook of Nagorno-Karabakh.
    In other words, by this change, Armenia seeks to acquire a stronger position in the probable future peace talks. From another perspective, however, this will be an attempt that will keep the issue unresolved. Even though some actors do not recognize the existence of two separate Armenian states and advocate the annexation of Nagorno-Karabakh by Armenia — and there are some disagreements between the politicians in Yerevan and in Karabakh — this matter needs to be considered in the long run. If it becomes successful in this, Yerevan will have secured strong solidarity between Armenians, and in that case, it can gain a stronger position in the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. Some experts hold that even though it seems unlikely, Armenia’s interest in this issue alone should be considered important.
    A new political move: Comparing Nagorno-Karabakh with Cyprus
    The Armenian authorities who are leading the way in the Karabakh issue note that they take Turkey as an example, arguing that economic development is much more important than military power. Armenia, which frequently stresses that it has liberated the Nagorno-Karabakh territories, also argues that Turkey needs to worry about the Cyprus issue rather than the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. Shavars Kocharyan, the deputy foreign minister of Armenia, who reacted to Turkey’s criticism of the recently held elections in Karabakh also called on Turkey to stop teaching a lesson to Armenia. In fact, this approach is not new and will not be the last time because all Armenian politicians and experts use the Cyprus card against Turkey when it comes to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.
    This is similar to the situation where Turkey was silenced due to its approaches vis-à-vis the regional conflicts. In international venues where Turkey was accused of committing genocide against Armenians, Turkey attempted to raise the issue of massacres in the Balkans. However, in each attempt, the Turkish authorities had to stop because of strong accusations. Our politicians and experts who experienced this frequently are displeased with this situation. Therefore, Turkey, instead of reiterating its conventional statements by which it declared it did not recognize the elections that it did not officially recognize, should be able to take alternate political, economic and cultural moves. This is possible through closer attention to regional developments and reshaping foreign policy. Otherwise, a Turkey that becomes hand-tied vis-à-vis diverse issues will have to deal with the risk of inability to promote its just causes in the eyes of the international community.
    Mehmet Fatih ÖZTARSU – Today’s Zaman / Analyst, Strategic Outlook
    *.html
  • Turkey, US to Work Closely on Syria rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad.

    Turkey, US to Work Closely on Syria rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad.

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    Turkey, US to Work Closely on Syria


    U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu talk after their news conference in Istanbul, Turkey, August 11, 2012.

    son dakika

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    TEXT SIZE
    Dorian Jones

    August 11, 2012

    ISTANBUL — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Turkey and the U.S. will increase cooperation in support of Syrian rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad.

    Secretary Clinton, at a news conference in Istanbul with her Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoglu, announced the formation of a common operational structure between the two countries to support the Syrian opposition.

    “Our two ministries are coordinating much of it, our intelligence and military have very important roles to play,” she said.

    Turkey, which neighbors Syria, is already a base for the Syrian Free Army, but Clinton stressed that U.S. support will continue to be non-lethal.  But when the U.S. secretary of state was asked if the cooperation with Turkey  could extend to no-fly zones over Syria she did not rule it out

    “The issues you posed in your question are exactly the ones the minister and I have agreed need greater in-depth analysis,” she said. “It is one thing to talk about all kinds of potential action. You cannot make  reasoned decisions without doing intense analysis and operational planning.”

    Clinton also said the deepening bilateral cooperation will focus on the nightmare scenario in Syria.

    “In the horrible event that chemical weapons were used, and everyone has made that clear that is a red line to the world, and what that means in terms of response and humanitarian and medical emergency assistance and of course what needs to be done to secure those stocks from ever being used or falling into to wrong hands,” she said.

    The U.S. secretary of state also warned of the danger that terrorist groups including al-Qaida might seek to use Syria as a base There was also concern expressed over the humanitarian crisis in Syria and increasing numbers of refugees fleeing the country.

    Clinton announced $5.5 million of new aid, for the refugees.  Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu said refugees fleeing to Turkey had surged to 3,000-a-day and that his country might need international assistance. Around 55,000 Syrians have already sought refuge in Turkey.  The secretary of state also met with representatives of the Syrian opposition and Turkey’s prime minister and president during her visit.