In Syria, Doctors Risk Life and Juggle Ethics. The New York Times’ Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Anne Barnard report on what they call an especially dangerous conflict for medical professionals. Estimates say more than 100 doctors have been killed and as many as 600 have been imprisoned thus far during the Syrian war.
Doctors treating patients in Syria have told Syria Deeply their stories, braving danger to care for the mentally ill, deliver kidney treatment, and take care of pregnant women in a war zone. In September a group of more than 50 doctors wrote this open letter, saying Syrian hospitals are at a breaking point. Syria’s public health crisis now includes a resurgence of polio, spreading in the absence of access to vaccines.
U.K. Urges Assad’s Moderate Opponents to Come Together. British Foreign Secretary William Hague wants Bashar al-Assad’s moderate opponents to join forces ahead of next month’s planned peace talks in Geneva.
The Independent reports: “Foreign ministers from 11 Western and Arab powers are meeting in London today. One of the most prominent factions within the coalition, the Syrian National Council, has said it has no faith in negotiations with the Assad regime and will not be part of the Geneva process. However, Mr. Hague warned that the longer the conflict went on, the more the position of the extremist groups fighting Assad’s forces would be strengthened.
Rockets Fired From Syria Hit Hezbollah Stronghold. Four rockets launched from Syria have hit the Hezbollah stronghold of Hermel in Lebanon, six miles from the Syria-Lebanon border in the Bekaa Valley. No casualties were confirmed.
AFP reports: “Hermel and other border areas of Lebanon have suffered frequent shellings since Syria’s uprising turned into a bloody civil war. The town is located in the eastern Bekaa, a stronghold of the powerful Shiite movement Hezbollah, which backs Damascus in its bid to crush rebel forces. Hezbollah has since last May been openly involved in Syria’s war, sending in elite fighters to support the loyalist army on the battlefield.”
Kurdish Rebels Threaten New Fight in Turkey, as Syria Clashes Intensify. From Iraq’s Qandil Mountains, Reuters reports that “Kurdish rebels are ready to re-enter Turkey from northern Iraq … threatening to rekindle an insurgency unless Ankara resuscitates their peace process soon.” The news adds another layer of complication to the Kurdish dimension of Syria’s civil war.
Cemil Bayik, a founding member of the PKK – a Kurdish political party considered a terrorist group in Turkey – accused Turkey of starting a “proxy war against Kurds in Syria by backing Islamist rebels fighting them in the north.” He said it was within the PKK’s right to retaliate.
Reuters adds: “Syria’s civil war has complicated Turkey’s efforts to make peace with Kurdish militants, but Ankara strongly denies backing any rebel faction against Kurds in Syria.”
Suggested Reads from Our Editorial Team:
NY Times: Al-Qaida-Linked Group Is Seen Complicating the Drive for Peace in Syria
BBC: Syria Talks Must Bolster Moderates, Says U.K.’s Hague
Reuters: Without Chemical Arms, Syrian Weaponry Still Fearsome
Reuters: Assad Sees No Date for Syria Talks, Mulls Re-election
Reuters: Syrian Rebel Commander Killed in Clashes, Insurgents Say
Daily Star: Kurdish Rebels Threaten New Fight in Turkey as Syria Clashes Intensify
Reuters: U.S. Sees Syria’s Assad Strengthened by Rise of Islamist Groups
NPR: Syria’s Grinding War Takes Toll on Children
AP: U.S. Sends Armored Cars to Arms Inspectors in Syria