**In recent weeks, Russia, with Iranian backing, has engaged in diplomatic efforts to restart the Geneva peace talks that collapsed in February. “There is rising urgency in these countries for a settlement to the conflict and the regime senses this, so it’s trying to win as much ground as possible to strengthen its negotiating position,” he said. **** Other minority groups, such as Syria’s Druze community, also show signs of dissent. In their villages in southern Syria, most Druze families have refused to allow their sons to join the military. In an incident earlier this month, Druze villagers kidnapped regime intelligence officers in an attempt to free a man who was apprehended for refusing to serve in the military. “The people are turning on the regime here because they don’t want their children to die in this war. They don’t see the point of this war,” said Qusay, 22, a resident of the mostly Druze city of Suwayda and engineering student at Damascus University. He also asked that only his first name be used. “If the regime tries to push us to serve, there will be a fight.” ow.ly/GA0dX
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 09:52:26 +0000
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