Soldiers facing the threat of suicide bombers in Damascus tell The
Independent's Middle East correspondent of their fears for the future of
Syria.
“Can you imagine the psychology of my soldiers when they stand here all day,
knowing that one of these cars could be a suicide bomber?” The Syrian army
colonel eyed the two long lines of cars trailing past the Assad library, each
pulling to a gentle, slightly frightened halt. Most of the checkpoint men were
bearded. The colonel was a Sunni Muslim – since all journalists now want to know
the religion of everyone they meet in this country – and asked that I do not
print his name. We were welcome to take pictures but, please, no faces. The
colonel did not say so, but I know the reason. Months ago, several soldiers were
assassinated after apparently being identified on a clip of Russian television
news tape.
And as for the psychology of the
colonel’s men? Well, they are now enduring what Iraqi forces and Nato soldiers
across Afghanistan and especially Americans in Iraq have confronted; the
knowledge that the next car could blow up in your face. Since the suicide bomber
came to Damascus this month, the regime realises that the kamikaze is probably
unstoppable. So the colonel’s soldiers approach the drivers politely but with
great care. ID card. Destination. Boot open. Much of the traffic in the centre of Damascus is now channelled through three main
streets – the rest are cordoned off. The result: traffic jams of epic
proportions and more soldiers on patrol.
But the colonel is a phlegmatic man and, like many Syrian
officers, is prepared to speak his mind. Yes, of course he supports the
President but he thinks before he speaks (a rare quality in soldiers) and talks
about religion as well as suicide bombers.