BORDER CROSSINGS AND MORTAR ROUNDS IN DAMASCUS???

Two very interesting and important topic came up today.

One being the decision by Jordan's government to "temporally" close it's crossings into Syria and the other being Mortar rounds reaching downtown / central Damascus.

Why are these important topics?

First, let's address the issue of the Jordanian border crossings.

If you've been watching the news in the past few days, and you have noticed the reports of growing tensions in and near the Golan Heights.

The concept of the Islamic fundamentalist rebel groups gaining a foothold in that area worries more than just the Israelis.

Now, it's true the Jordanian government at face value is more worried about the ever-increasing numbers of refugees entering the Jordanian land, but true issue is the fear of radical infiltration and control of border crossings with Syria.

Syrian military's tactic of giving ground is left many of the border crossing locations in the hands of the rebels in most instances this implies in the hands of radical fundamentalist groups.

What the Golan Heights and Jordanian border crossings have in common is the strategic understanding that Syria no longer controls the country outside of its major cities.

The Rebels definition of victory is not held to the same standards as the Jordanians   or the Israelis are even the Turks.

With each passing day it becomes more and more evident that the destabilized countryside of Syria bordering with its neighbors has become the real issue at hand.

Mortars landing in central Damascus:

The second issue of the day, mortars landing in central Damascus, is worthy of discussion as well.

Mortar attacks in the city are nothing new, but mortar attacks reaching strategic targets in the central part of the city is!

Many of the reports spoke of over 25 rounds being fired nearly simultaneously at multiple targets.

This is not indicative of a hit-and-run single mortar tube team; the concept that has been the norm in the past.

Sustaining battery fire against precise tactical targets is an indication of just how comfortable and proficient the rebels have become mortar operations inside the capital.

The concept of "hit-and-run" tactical mortar teams laying down this amount of firepower is more than an ominous sign for the Syrian military.

It's easy to overlook the significance of this event today, but it's critical to understand what it may mean for the future, near future, for key targets in central Damascus.

If anyone understands this, it's the United Nations and that is exactly why we saw the announcement of the departure of many of their staff today!

With these two topics together, un-securable borders and the capital now under tactical level attacks with standoff weapons and you have all the ingredients for Syrian leadership more desperate than ever to strike back in some dramatic fashion expiration point

Where did the conversation go of "chemical weapons"?

It now seems before we get a definitive answer on what took place last week, we could see the next stage of the civil war unfold.

http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Jordan-closes-Syria-border-crossing-after-clashes-307697