Syrian Air Force Attempt to Overtake Daraa

The Syrian Air Force (SAF) attempted to overtake the city of Daraa today in a heavy bombing campaign. After designating suspected rebel locations throughout the city of Daraa, The (SAF) commenced heavy bombing runs over those locations just after dawn.

It was initially assumed that only one location was being targeted but videos coming out today (Oct-26-2013) clearly show several locations being bombed. After hours of bombing the (SAF) was still unable to secure the rebel held city of Daraa.

Reports are still coming in but journalists in the area are being prevented from entering the city and no one is allowed on the streets for safety concerns. Roads leading to Daraa were blocked days earlier indicating a possible air strike was imminent. Civilian casualties are reported to be high but no exact figures have been substantiated.

The bombing of Daraa is only the latest in a series of attempts to dislodge rebel strongholds. The embattled rebels are becoming increasingly difficult to root out considering they have the support of the populous. The resistance of the rebels against the Syrian president Asaad is viewed as a struggle for the people against a brutal and totalitarian dictator. Asaad remains determined to bend the will of the people to his rule. As the world watches this civil war play on we may wonder what the significance of the end result means to the rest of the world.

The Syrian port of Tartus is the last port where Russia holds a secure entry into the Middle East. If Asaad is overthrown, the new leadership would most certainly remember it was Russian armament raining down on their people during the bloody civil war. Russia's access to the Middle East would be severed and bring about a massive economic disaster. Russia receives an estimated 2.5 billion barrels of oil from Syria. Oil to Russia from neighboring regions must also flow through this port at Tartus.

America's concern is less about economy but more about the strategic location. It is uncertain who will take power in Syria if Asaad is defeated. And the threat of Al Qaeda insurgency is most likely the worst case scenario. After decades of wearing down the control of the terrorist organization, control of Syria would allow Al Qaeda to threaten neighboring countries and recruit more forces. The outcome in Syria threatens to further destabilize the region. It is widely believed that Al Qaeda insurgents are already fighting among the rebels to overthrow the president making any proposals to assist the rebels controversial.

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