An investigative group has published an in-depth report confirming a large-scale arms trade deal between countries in the Balkans – and Middle Eastern governments that support the war in Syria.

The estimated €1.2bn worth of weapons have been shipped to the region since 2012, including AK-47s, mortar shells, anti-tank weapons, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers.

The study, Making a Killing: The 1.2 Billion Euros Arms Pipeline to Middle East, says:

An unprecedented flow of weapons from Central and Eastern Europe is flooding the battlefields of the Middle East.

The recent failing coup attempt in the neighboring Turkey has carried many implications and lessons. Syria, the country paying heavy prices of its citizens' blood, belongings, hopes and aspirations, because of Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his AK Party policies,  followed as the whole world did the events and closely. The Syrians did express pleasure and joy, not out of hatred for their neighbors, who occupied them for centuries, but as a natural national human reflection of their sadness, agony and sufferings.

The Syrian national foreign policy was strongly founded by the Late President Hafez Al-Assad decades ago: no interference in other countries' domestic affairs. Thus, many Syrians were sad and happy at one time. Many felt happy because we have suffered a great deal at the hands of Erdogan-affiliated cannibals and terrorists of all colors and nationalities, not to mention the tragedy and poverty inflicted at Aleppo at the hands of Aleppo's burglar. The Syrians' feelings of sadness were mainly caused by the non-human daesh-like torture, humiliations and slaughtering of some Turkish soldiers at the hands of their co-nationals, which was done before by some extremist Turks against the Syrians for decades, if not for centuries!

It has indeed been an honor for the Syria Times Online Newspaper and its Editor-In-Chief to receive Eva Bartlett, a close friend of mine and co-founder and member of the Steering Committee of the Syria Solidarity Movement (www.syriasolidaritymovement.org).

Sharing and exchanging ideas and thoughts mainly about the ongoing in Syria with such a prominent brilliant activist (who also lived for 3 years doing solidarity work in the Gaza Strip, experiencing on the ground two zionist wars against Palestinians) is a journey into the heart of reality.

First, I would like to congratulate the Syrians, their heroic Army and defense forces, President Bashar Al-Assad, and allies for their steadfastness in the face of the ongoing terrorist war against Syria, said Eva Bartlett, the renowned Canadian peace activist and freelance journalist.

The Syrian Army is defending Syrians but the West falsifies facts and turns blind eyes to the truth, ignoring the immense number of civilians and army personnel martyred while fighting terrorists all over Syria, added Eva at Syria Times headquarters, highly lauding  the Syrian Arab Army, defense forces and the role played by Russia, Iran, Hezbollah in defending Syria against foreign-backed terrorism.

 In the life of nations and people, there are many great occasions which embody their deep-rooted presence and authentic identity and promote it to continue the struggle process.

The day of hoisting the Syrian Arab flag in the liberated city of Quneitra on June 26th, 1974, is one of the everlasting days in our contemporary history. On that day, the Syrian people crowned their struggle to liberate part of the nation after October Liberation War in 1973.

On the anniversary of hoisting the Syrian flag, the tragic reality of the Israeli occupation of the Syrian Golan  and the compulsory displacement of the Syrian citizens in June 1967 can't be ignored.

The number of the Syrians in the region occupied in 1967 was 138,000 inhabitants and the number of people displaced by Israel during and after the aggression was 131,000 Syrians, which means that only 7,000 Syrians remained in the occupied Golan. The number of the Syrians under the yoke of Israeli occupation stands now at more than 25,000 Syrians surrounded by more than 35 Israeli illegal settlements, not to mention the tens of military barracks, arms stockpiles, and thousands of Al-Qaeda affiliates.

The Israeli practices in the occupied Golan flagrantly violate and contradict all international laws, human rights charters and relevant resolutions of the UNSC and General Assembly. Israel has become a magnet for al-Qaeda affiliates who by the Israeli occupation and ewes and new-colonials replaced UNDOF. Thus, instead of the UN decided resolutions and Armistice Agreements, al-Qaeda affiliates proliferate! If  those terrorists burn the innocents alive, drown them, cut their heads off, what would they do to the occupiers!

 The UNSC which  issued on December 17 , 1981 resolution No. 497 stipulating that: “the decision of Israel to impose its laws and administrative authority on the occupied Syrian Golan is considered null and void”. This resolution condemns Israel’s decision to annex the Golan as an action violating principles of the International Law. The need is indeed dire now that the recent anti-terrorism resolutions, disengagement resolution, and other resolutions including 242, 338, should be the bases for security, stability and humanity.

Forty-two years following the hoisting of the Syrian Flag in the liberated City of Quneitra by the Late President Hafez Al-Assad on June 26th 1974, the Syria Times is indeed honored to republish some of the said by the late leader of  the nation, the builder of modern Syria.

On this glorious occasion, the late President Hafez Al-Assad said: " Words are powerless to describe this event. I can only say that the people’s will is invincible, and nation is above all else. We should continue preparing for the expulsion of the enemy from every inch of our Arab territories. I am optimistic of our victory and future, as I am confident that no force on this earth can stop us from restoring  all our rights. All those supporters within sight are always ready to sacrifice, and  make efforts in order to achieve their will to confirm their freedom in this country and the Arab world. The Syrian people will remain a beacon for the Arab nation as well as a symbol of sacrifice. These masses will ever remain an illuminant glare for freedom, homeland liberation, and Arab nation dignity. "

"You were on an appointment with the sixth of October, an October of glory and honor, where all subsequent months are waiting to prove this year that the horse who once receded has risen again. This country is the home of valiant soldiers protecting it. As the Arab nation is worldwide known, as a radiant civilization and as a cradle of courage and heroism.

In October then  in Golan Wars, in all sites and battles, you have  fought gloriously. You have hold heads high through your  wonderful resistance and brave combat. Thus, Arabs hold their heads in glory in each of their home countries. All the Arab nation has offered condolences from Ocean to Gulf.  You became role models and legendary, after having smashed the enemy’s arrogance, and demolished its ego.  Giving the enemy war lessons in land, air and sea, lessons it will never forget. Proving that the weapon in your hands is a weapon in the hands of the heroes, competent fighters, faithful to their nation cause, experienced in fighting arts, well trained on modern weapons.

Dear brothers and sons:

In Tishreen (October)  and  Golan Wars, we have raised up the slogan "No turning back, no retreat before the enemy, no movement but forward ", And you have incarnated that logo on the ground.

When you moved forward, you were heroes. when you stood fast  in your positions you were heroes. By your progress and resistance, you won this round, which forced the enemy to retreat from part of our land, after having profaned it through  seven years of occupation. History will record that we, by sweat and blood, have liberated this part of our land, and by  sweat and blood we will liberate what remains of our sweet Arab land.

Tishreen and Golan Wars have proved that man is the decisive factor in the battle, as well as in achieving victory. The sole fighting soldier, not the  weapon, is who decides the outcome of the war.

As Tishreen and Golan epics were harsh, the forthcoming ones should be. Moreover,  they should be more intense and fierce. The battle is a battle of destiny. The enemy is avaricious of our land, but our land is sacred, we will not allow him to profane it. We have dedicated ourselves and possessions to defend it, and by  identified martyrdom is the  way to achieve our goal . "

Dr. Mohammad Abdo Al-Ibrahim

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Large part, if not all of the crises in Mideast Region are caused by US unbalanced, biased, multi-criteria measures and policies. The USA has more than 200  military bases worldwide with historic documented evidence that the US itself is responsible for the killing of hundreds of thousands of the innocents scattered all over the world continents!

In the last two decades, the USA is responsible for the death, agony, and suffering of millions in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Middle East, if not in the US itself considering the thousands of its killed soldiers overseas!

US Secretary of State, Mr. Kerry statements came yesterday as a further addition to the stockpiles of US tsunami of deceptions, exploitations and lies! Mr. Kerry's statements about US running out patience is another big lie!

Kerry claims the US "patience was not infinite" and ''very limited''! Good! This is not the region headache! The problems and catastrophes related to Al-Qaeda, Daesh, Wahabbis and other terrorist groups, be they 'moderate' or non-moderate, with 'lethal' or 'non-lethal' chemicals or weapons, are mainly created and backed by the US itself and by its own proxies! Such exploitation of terrorism as a political means would certainly backfire!