As yet the footage has not been verified but if it is what it seems then there is little hope for Syria.
The first time the footage was shown it appeared to involve a handful of the Syrian regime's pro-militia. The men were unarmed and bloodied. Some were not fully dressed. Amidst a hungry mob shouting for blood the men were unceremoniously pushed against a wall where they fell to the ground. What followed was murder. It cannot be called an execution.
The mob of rebels continued to shout as a couple of them began to fire into the men. Rapid fire was heard for more than 30 seconds. When the shooting stopped a still image displayed the heap of mangled bodies.
As today progressed further footage was posted online. The source remains unclear. This time it was footage leading up to the shootings It showed the victims in a very sorry state appearing to confess to killing Syrian people. The men were already severely beaten which means that their confessions mean nothing. Most of us would admit to anything in certain circumstances. The rebels however believe that the confessions justify the killings and the way in which they were carried out.
Condemnation of the Free Syria Army's actions has hardly been aired. As usual the West makes excuses for the rebels. Yes no doubt the opposition has done worse, but what does that mean?. The truth is that if the footage is accurate it was the work of a lawless gang. It was the work of people who would be no better should they manage to free Syria of President Bashar Assad and his regime.
It has been noted that many of the weapons used by the rebels have been supplied by Saudi Arabia. That country will have no desire for democracy in Syria. It may however have a desire to oust Assad. There are also allegations that the US is more than a bystander in this civil war.
The Geneva Convention may be unrealistic in such conflicts but it offers some protection to our troops. This is not the first instance of wrong doing by the rebels and no doubt it will not be the last. In the heat of conflict the rag tag army is undisciplined and dangerous. In the West we are choosing to ignore that.
Allowing the rule of law to be lost to suit ones own ends is a dangerous game. It may be that it is never regained.
Hypocrisy and name calling by the West, Russia et al will not help the people of Syria.
NOTE: SkyNews still has not verified the footage.





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