Syrian Coalition: Assad’s Importing of External Militias a Sign of Weakness
Nora Al Ameer, vice president of the Syrian Coalition, said that Assad’s importing of Iraqi and Hezbollah militias to fight in the battle of Yabroud is a proof of the depletion of his troops. “Assad’s use of the terrorist militias of Hezbollah since the early days of the uprising was a sign of his army’s disintegration. The militias of Assad and Hezbollah have been recently aided by external sectarian militias, namely Iraqi Badr gangs for the battle of Yabroud, which is also…Read more
HRW: Russia and China Deliberately Block Security Council Efforts to Protect Syrians Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused Russia and China of neutralizing the UN Security Council through blocking any steps that may put an end to the atrocities committed by the Assad regime in Syria. HRW stresses that the Assad regime’s targeting of civilians has led to atrocities witnessed in 2013, However, the world leaders have not yet taken any steps to end the atrocities and hold the perpetrators accountable. Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch said that “despite the rapid increase in the death toll and horrific abuses, Russia and China are still neutralizing the UN Security Council and thus have enabled regime forces to kill more civilians in Syria. The latest deadlock of Geneva II talks should not be seen as justifications to avoid taking the necessary measures to protect the Syrian civilians. Real pressure is needed to stop the killings and allow the delivery of lifesaving humanitarian aid.” Roth also said that “the past year saw some of the worst atrocities in Syria and other countries, with the intensification of repression in many other countries. But we have seen people around the world rising up against the repressive regimes, what gives us hope that the suppression of human rights will have consequences on the perpetrators.” (Source: Human Rights Watch + Syrian Coalition)
Informative Lecture to Polio Control Task Force Polio control task force gave a lecture about on Sunday on the dangerous disease and vaccination in Idlib province. This lecture comes on the sidelines of the third round of the mobile anti-polio campaign in Syria which is organized by Assistance Coordination Unit (ACU). The lecture was held in the village of Kensafrah in rural Idleb. The lecture was given by Dr. Bashar Kayal, head of the medical office in Khan Sheikhoun, and Dr. Munther Khalil, a supervisor in the mobile vaccination campaign. The lecture was attended by a group of the teams of the polio control task force in rural Idleb. Dr. Kayal explained the seriousness of the disease, methods of prevention and the role of the teams in educating parents about the disease. Dr. Kayal also stressed that the vaccine does not have any side effects side on the body of the child even if he complains of some diseases, except in very rare cases. For his part, Dr. Khalil explained how to use and store the vaccine. He also stressed the importance of flexibility when working according to the conditions of every area. The doctors responded to questions and requests for information about some of the obstacles they face in addition to giving directions to all the teams each according to his area. The lecture aims to educate the community about polio, and will be followed by more lectures in the villages Mraeian and Kafr Owaid in rural Idlib and some villages and towns in eastern Syria. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
Barrel Bombs Kill Eight People in Zakia in Rural Damascus Regime forces launched barrel bomb attacks on the town of Zakia in Rural Damascus, killing eight civilians and wounding dozens. Regime forces carried out missile shelling on Adra north of Damascus, while Assad’s air force dropped cluster bombs on Tilal Al Siher in Qalamoun violent clashes between the FSA and regime forces backed by terrorist militias of Hezbollah. Terrorist Hezbollah announced the death of five of its fighters in Qalamoun, while the Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces in Yarmouk camp in Damascus alongside shelling by regime forces that killed a civilian and wounded dozens. Regime forces shelled Al Tadamun district with mortar rounds, causing massive material damage. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)
FSA Clashes with Regime Forces in Sheikh Misqin of Dara’a Violent clashes broke out between the Free Syrian Army and regime forces at Al Zuffa checkpoint Sheikh Misqin of rural Dara’a, while regime forces conducted artillery shelling on the town of Tisil. Regime forces also launched mortar shelling on the town of Gharz and Dara’a camp. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC) 25 Pro-Regime Soldiers Killed Near Morek North Of Hama The Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces on the outskirts of Morek north of Hama, with reports of the death of 25 pro-regime soldiers. The Free Syrian Army also destroyed tank belonging to regime forces at Tal Otham checkpoint in rural Hama. The town of Salamiya east of Hama saw demonstrations denouncing the violations committed by pro-Assad militias in the town. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)
FSA Capture Sheikh Najjar Northeast of Aleppo The FSA fully captured Sheikh Najjar near Aleppo after violent clashes with regime forces. Activists said that 11 pro-regime fighters were killed when the Islamic battalions blew up a building manned by regime forces in the area. Residents of the town of Meyer found a mass grave of six people who were executed by ISIS fighters before withdrawing from the town. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)
Suleiman: Assad Regime Tries to Drag Lebanon to Syria’s War. 17% of Assad’s chemical arsenal handed over so far. Ban Ki-moon: Starving and bombing Syrians with barrel bombs is unacceptable.
