Caught between a rock and no place

"The United States has nearly halted the processing of visas for Iraqi refugees in Syria, leaving thousands of people who fled a war in their homeland marooned in a country in the grip of an increasingly violent insurrection, with little hope of leaving anytime soon."

The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : ‘Caught between a rock and no place'. Most Iraqi refugees are clustered in the suburbs of Damascus, can only wait as the unrest escalates and countries in the region like Israel worry about a new refugee crisis if Syria's government collapses or if a civil war erupts, two events that experts believe are increasingly likely.

Many Iraqis who escaped to Syria at the height of the sectarian violence were increasingly anxious, some have joined pro-government rallies to avoid deportation, while few want to go back to Iraq. But the stakes are higher now in the wake of the U.S. troop departure from Iraq.

Zabadani: still a besieged city

"A growing number of residents are joining a band of defecting soldiers, some of whom claim to be part of the Free Syrian Army."

Zabadani, a small city, has become famous as a surprise stronghold for President Bashar Assad's opponents. The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : Zabadani: still a besieged city: Residents talk about their moment of independence in Zabadani as a respite, rather than a sign of the Syrian uprising's changing tide. In fact, the presence of resistance fighters there may signal a more violent phase to come.

The role of armed defectors has grown, with attacks on troops, including killings and kidnappings, that at times have overshadowed the demonstrations. At the same time, many protesters defend the defectors, saying they are grateful for protection against a government that has resorted to violence against peaceful opponents.

"The protesters called for the government's fall, but also for unity, in a plea to save Zabadani from the fate of other restive Syrian cities."