Masses in Syria dismiss both sides in war talk (5)

I believe the answer is:

artal

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'masses' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both quantities as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for artal that I've seen is " weight".)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times and The Times.

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