Computer hackers working in support of Syrian President Bashar Assad broke into the website of the U.S. Marine Corps and left a message aimed at discouraging U.S. entry into the two-plus year conflict on the side of the rebels: President Obama is needlessly endangering your life.
Specifically, part of the message stated that Mr. Obama is “a traitor who wants to put your lives in danger to rescue al Qaeda insurgents,” The New York Post reported.
A spokesman for the Marine Corps, Capt. Eric Flanagan, confirmed that www.marines.com had been breached. But he declined to say who was responsible.
Still, the site redirected visitors to a message from the Syrian Electronic Army, a group sympathetic to Mr. Assad’s plight whose members have also claimed responsibility for hacking into The New York Times website and Twitter account.
The full message: “This is a message written by your brothers in the Syrian Army, who have been fighting al Qaeda for the last three years. We understand your patriotism and love for your country so please understand our love for ours. Obama is a traitor who wants to put your lives in danger to rescue al Qaeda insurgents. Marines, please take a look at what your comrades think about Obama’s alliance with al Qaeda against Syria. Your officer in charge probably has no qualms about sending you to die against soldiers just like you, fighting a vile common enemy. The Syrian army should be your ally not your enemy.”
The hackers then called for Marines to rebel against their commander: “Refuse your orders and concentrate on the real reason every soldier joins their military, to defend their homeland. You’re more than welcome to fight alongside our army rather than against it. Your brothers, the Syrian army soldiers.”
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And the hackers signed off: “A message delivered by the SEA.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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