Le gouvernement britannique organise et finance la propagande, pardon les relations publiques, de groupes rebelles syriens, et ce depuis 2013, à raison de plusieurs millions de livres sterlings. Sous couvert de lutter contre Da’ich...
En plus des Saoudiens, donc : ▻http://seenthis.net/messages/481731
How Britain funds the ’propaganda war’ against Isis in Syria
Government contractors effectively run a press office for opposition fighters but communications conceal UK’s role
Guardian / 03.05.16
▻http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/03/how-britain-funds-the-propaganda-war-against-isis-in-syria
The British government is waging information warfare in Syria by funding media operations for some rebel fighting groups, in the foreign front of what David Cameron has called “the propaganda war” against Islamic State.
The campaign aims to boost the reputation of what the government calls the “moderate armed opposition”, a complex and shifting alliance of armed factions. [...]
Contractors hired by the Foreign Office but overseen by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) produce videos, photos, military reports, radio broadcasts, print products and social media posts branded with the logos of fighting groups, and effectively run a press office for opposition fighters.
Cette gestion des relations publiques de la rébellion vise à la fois un public syrien et étranger, le tout, bien sûr, en restant discret sur l’implication britannique :
In both the foreign and domestic campaigns, the government’s role is often concealed. Messages are put out under the banner of apparently independent groups – community organisations in the UK, and armed groups in Syria.
Et puis le petit passage qui en dit long sur les motivations réelles :
The UK’s propaganda effort for the Syrian armed opposition began after the government failed to persuade parliament to support military action against the Assad regime. In autumn 2013, the UK embarked on behind-the-scenes work to influence the course of the war by shaping perceptions of opposition fighters.
Contract documents seen by the Guardian show the government appears to view the project as a way to maintain a foothold in the country until there can be greater British military involvement, offering “the capability to expand back into the strategic space as and when the opportunity arises”.
Ce projet se fait notamment par des contrats avec des firmes privées, dont l’un pour 2,4 millions£ :
Through its Conflict and Stability Fund the government is spending £2.4m on private contractors working from Istanbul to deliver “strategic communications and media operations support to the Syrian moderate armed opposition” (MAO).
The contract is part of a broader propaganda effort focused on Syria, with other elements intended to promote “the moderate values of the revolution” and help mould a Syrian sense of national identity that will reject both the Assad regime and Isis.
Parmi les groupes soutenus, le journaliste note également le groupe salafiste pro-saoudien Jaysh al-Islam dont le nom figure sur des contrats, malgré les dénégations d’officiels britanniques.
The contracting document seen by the Guardian lists several “mid-level units” as examples of groups considered to be part of the “moderate armed opposition”. These include Harakat al-Hazm, which received military assistance from the US, and Jaysh al-Islam, a group reportedly set up with Saudi backing.
