THE STORMING OF HAMA??? WE SHALL SEE!
Assad knows his Father's history all too well.
The pending event in Hama is unlike any action he has taken so far.
A few people have already picked up on the concept that Assad could risk losing the UN support of Russia and China if he repeats his Father's actions in Hama.
I would almost bet you that theory is absolutely true.
As for the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, it has probably been their plan all along to make a stand in Hama.
If not for the symbolism, then for the hometown support they know they will have there.
Assad has another problem on his hands.
He doesn't have the troop strength to take real control of a city as large as Hama!
He will have to bring in additional units perhaps even the dreaded 4th Division, thus jeopardizing his ability to control the capital.
You may be starting to get the picture here of what the SMB plans on executing.
Spreading the Syrian Army so thin it cannot cover all the uprisings at once.
For Assad to truly take control of Hama, he will have to triple if not quadruple the size of the force he currently has on hand.
This could explain why his forces are at the outskirts of the city.
They don't have the strength to move in, but they can send "scouts" and aircraft to assess the overall situation.
Before he commits to moving what reserves he has left into position to take Hama, he has to decide that he wants to take it!
Frankly, I don't see how he cannot move on Hama.
It will become the Benghazi of Syria if he does not take action.
It appears more and more that Assad is doomed!
The question continues to be, what does Iran do about it?
The STL issue in Lebanon is growing more disturbing to Iran with each passing day.
The time of being able to utilize Hezbollah for some diversion is ether growing very close or it is slipping away; depending on how the Hezbollah leadership assess the situation.
Hama and the actions in Hama could very well be the tipping point for Syria and Assad and the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood / SMB / knows it!
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/07/05/report-syrian-siege-may-be-crime-against-humanity/
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/07/05/syria.unrest/index.html?hpt=wo_c1
http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=228060
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/05/us-syria-hama-idUSTRE7644L020110705
