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Following are excerpts from an interview with Syrian tribal leader Ahmad Al-Shlash, which aired on Al-Dunya TV on July 15, 2011.
Ahmad Al-Shlash: I got home at 11 o’clock or midnight, and then I heard the news [about the US ambassador’s plan to visit Deir Al-Zour]. I swear by Allah, I did not sleep a wink all night long. We could not accept the violation of the honor of Hama, and over our dead bodies will we allow the honor of Al-Zour to be violated.
That man, sitting in his embassy… I don’t get it. Who does he think he is – Christoper Columbus, exploring the area here? I don’t get it. I would like to convey a message to the security forces and to the entire world. The young people of Deir Al-Zour will not let him set foot in their city. I am talking about my cousins and my tribe. If they let me down, I myself will prevent him from entering Deir Al-Zour. By Allah, over my dead body will he ever enter Deir Al-Zour.
One of my cousins asked me: “What, he wants to enter Deir Al-Zour?!” I’m sure he’s listening to me now… He said to me: “I swear by Allah, we will blow up the ground on which he sets foot. We will turn the road into smouldering coals.”
Another cousin of mine said to me: “We are known for having the best mutton in the world. For the first time, Allah willing, we will be eating American mutton. Whether his flesh is bitter or not, with salt or without salt – we will eat him up.”
Let me issue a warning. We cannot vouch for this man’s safety if he so much as sets foot on the threshold of Deir Al-Zour.
[…]
Interviewer: But he was sent by a superpower…
Ahmad Al-Shlash: And what are we? Is Syria a foundling, left on the steps of a mosque? This is the most ancient city in history. What is this 300-year-old superpower?! They want to dictate things to us?!
[…]
We saw what happened after his visit [to Hama], didn’t we?
Interviewer: What happened?
Ahmad Al-Shlash: Our young men were provoked and got mad, and were about to destroy the US embassy, right?
Bro, don’t leave your embassy from now on.
Interviewer: But the security didn’t let them… They just took down the US flag and replaced it with a Syrian flag.
Ahmad Al-Shlash: They also trampled on the US flag and set it on fire. What is this US flag, anyway?! The banner of Islam? The banner of our Prophet Muhammad? The banner of Christ? What is this US flag, anyway?! It’s a piece of… Excuse my language…
I have a suggestion that would calm things down. Mr. President, don’t waste your time. For the sake of Allah, tear them to pieces. By Allah, these people don’t understand any other way. Even if you gave them all they wanted, they would not have mercy on you. I swear by Allah that they will show us no mercy.
[…]