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Mass Anti-Regime Demonstrations in Salamiya East of Hama
The town of Salamiya east of Hama has been witnessing mass anti-regime demonstrations since early March. Residents of all political and religious orientations took part in these demonstrations which activists dubbed “Salamiya One Hand.” Protestors demanded law enforcement and denounced the crimes and violations committed by pro-regime militiamen, namely the Popular Committees and National Defense Forces, which are composed mainly of Saleh, Salama and Hamdan clans. Demonstrators demanded that these armed groups be expelled from the town after a series of kidnapping and theft carried out by these groups, prompting a number of those who were voicing their support for the Assad regime to join the anti-regime protests. The armed militias responded with opening fire on the demonstration, according to a statement released by the residents if the town. The statement also said that “the demonstrations were renewed on the next day and were faced with gunfire by militias of the Salama clan, who are supported by Major General Adib Salama of the Air Force Intelligence. After the protesters dispersed, the armed militias started chanting sectarian slogans to ignite sectarian strife and drag the residents of Salamiya to take up arms.” The statement noted that “the people of the town are aware of the seriousness of the current stage. We will go on with standing up against the practices of the Assad regime and its armed thugs until we achieve the objectives of the Syrian revolution in freedom, human dignity, toppling the Assad regime and bringing the criminals to trial. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
ACU Provides $5 Million USD to the Besieged Cities and Towns
Assistance Coordination Unit (ACU) said that the humanitarian aid sent to the besieged areas inside Syria totaled $5 million USD during the months of January and February of 2014. The aid was delivered as part of the “Winter Campaign” which was launched by the ACU in late 2031. The campaign helped the people cope with the extreme weather conditions that swept the region. The campaign was executed in coordination with the local councils and relief organizations operating in different parts of the country. Winter clothing and equipment, including blankets, mattresses, flour, coal and food parcels, were bought and distributed to the needy households. The in-kind assistance delivered to the liberated areas during the months of January and February included winter baskets, stoves, and coal, tents, mattresses, baby milk and food parcels. The distribution of in-kind aid varied according to the needs of each province and the ability of local partners to transfer the relief aid to the neediest areas, while the local partners were provided with amounts of cash in areas that are difficult to reach in northern Syria. The in-kind assistance included delivering 32,332 mattress, 88,623 food parcels, 5,258 stoves, 26,305 blankets, 15,487 packs of baby milk, 18,716 winter baskets, 15,170 pillows, 1,092 tents, 1806 tent floors, 450 tons of coal and 872 tons of heating fuel. The Winter Campaign provided relief aid worth more than a million USD, and it is still going on. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
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FSA Advance on Regime Forces in Rural Idlib
The Free Syrian Army and Islamic battalions captured the Dreamland and Kobab checkpoints located between Idlib and the town of Al Mastomeh in rural Idlib after violent clashes with regime forces, with reports of regime losses. Regime forces targeted civilians while they were trying to flee the area. The Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces on the outskirts of Binnish, alongside rocket and artillery shelling on the town. A surface-to-surface missile hit the town of Khan Shaikhoun in rural Idlib, causing civilian casualties and massive material damage. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)
Commander of Regime’s Military Operations Killed In Sheikh Najjar
The commander of the regime’s military operations was killed along with around 20 pro-regime soldiers during clashes with the Free Syrian Army and Islamic battalions in Sheikh Najjar near Aleppo. Regime forces bombed the district of Ashrafieh district in Aleppo, while pro-regime snipers targeted the civilians at the Karaj crossing in Bustan Al Qasser in central Aleppo. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)
FSA Clashes with Regime Forces in Yabrood
The Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces on the outskirts of Yabroud north of Damascus, alongside aerial shelling on Rima farms. Regime forces renewed artillery shelling on Al Kiswah and Khyara, while the the Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces on the outskirts of Jobar district in Damascus alongside artillery shelling by regime forces. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)
FSA Repels Regime Forces in Al Husun and Al Zara
The Free Syrian Army repelled regime forces while trying to storm the towns of Al Husun and Zara west of rural Homs, alongside aerial shelling by regime forces. Regime forces carried out artillery shelling on the civilian neighborhoods in the towns of Addar Al Kabira and Al Ghanto north of Homs and the district of Al Waer. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)
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