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Sunday, September 1, 2013

Regime Preparations Continue

We are closely tracking the Assad regime's response to the delay in the anticipated U.S. attack. Here is a snapshot of what we see via social media. Special thanks to Babel Street and its sophisticated, social media analytic software.

The regime circulated a statement that Damascus International Airport would be shut down to civilian air traffic until further notice. The last civilian outbound flight occurred at 6 p.m., and the notice took effect at 9 p.m. local.
  1. Activists indicate that military forces have withdrawn from three bases located at the Damascus International Airport, and there are unconfirmed reports that digging and drilling have commenced in the area.
  2. Multiple opposition activists reported that Republican Guard installations on Mount Qasioun, Assad’s military stronghold in Damascus, were atypically blacked out overnight.
  3. Opposition media centers have indicated that a radar system was removed from the 613 Air Defense Battalion’s command center, located in the countryside to the East of Dera'a.
It seems reasonable to conclude that the Assad Regime is moving equipment, supplies, or personnel under cover of darkness.
     
In addition, reports have surfaced that the armed opposition has attempted to breach Aleppo prison overnight. The operation was still ongoing as of time of blog post (1:01 a.m. EDT, Sept. 1, 2013).