Daily Newsletter – 04 10 2013

Leaders of Fighting Brigades and Battalions Announce Their Support for the Coalition as a Civilian and Political Leadership and Sole Legitimate Representative of the Syrian People, al Jarba: Militarization is Not a Goal of the Syrian Revolution         

Members of the Supreme Military Council of the Free Syrian Army confirmed to the head of the Syrian National Coalition, Ahmed Aweinan Assi al Jarba, and their support for the National Coalition as a political driving force and the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people. This comes after lengthy meetings during which the President of the Coalition discussed with the leaders of the Military Council in the field developments on the five battle fronts in Syria. The military leaders who met the President of the Coalition are some of the most important leaders of brigades and battalions fighting against Bashar al Assad’s forces, which have liberated many cities since the beginning of the outbreak of the Syrian revolution. Jarba considered the military phase of the revolution, “something forced by the regime and not what the Syrian people wanted,” adding that “its goal is defending civilians, protecting public property and national wealth, striving to build a democratic society with a civilian political leadership.” The head of a Coalition also discussed with military commanders their future military plans for the liberation of the rest of the Syrian cities, in addition to the financial support necessary to arm the Free Syrian Army to make it a force capable of tighter control and able to eliminate the Assad forces and the terrorist Hizbullah militia and who are seeking, under Iranian leadership, to kill the Syrians. At the meeting, the combat battalion leaders reiterated their full commitment to the principles of the Syrian revolution which aimed to achieve freedom and justice. In the end it was noted that “the military phase that the revolution is currently in is a short phase that will end with the fall of Assad and the handing over power to a civilian political leadership that is able to meet the aspirations of the Syrian people.”

(Source : Coalition)

Coalition: The Regime Committing Massacres in Al Houla is no More than a Matter of Time, Holds the International Community Responsible for Protecting the Residents

The Syrian National Coalition warned the international community of massacres that could be committed by the regime in al Houla in the Homs countryside, in addition to “a humanitarian crisis in the region as a result of the siege on the area and the regime’s continued attempts for the past week to occupy the two strategic villages of Burj al Qai and Samaleel.” A statement pointed out that “in the event that the regime were able to take control of the villages 90,000 people would be besieged within a limited space and the scenarios for massacres being committed and the preparation for a new humanitarian crisis is no more than a matter of time.” A Coalition statement reminds that “Assad regime forces launched three attacks to break into the region during the past few days but failed, prompting the regime to send military reinforcements of more than 20 tanks and personnel carriers.” The Syrian National Coalition requested that the international Security Council, international organizations, and humanitarian organizations to take responsibility for preventing massacres committed by the Assad regime against unarmed civilians.”

(Source: Coalition)

Idris Discusses Developments with Military Battalion Leaders, Lays Future Plans for Freeing Cities and Protecting Civilians

At a meeting today, comprised of the thirty members of the Supreme Military Council of the Free Syrian Army headed by Major General Salim Idriss, the leaders addressed some of the most important civilian and military developments in the field on the five military fronts in Syria. They also examined plans for advancing on the most active fronts and in areas besieged by Assad regime forces. Major Genera Idris confirmed to the military commanders and those responsible for combat brigades the importance of their support for the civilian political leadership of the Syrian Revolution represented by the Syrian National Coalition.

(Source: Coalition)

Safi: The Non-Binding Security Council Statement Gives Assad an Opportunity for Evasion and Humanitarian Assistance Must Be Delivered By International Organizations and Not by the Regime

In an exclusive interview to the Media Office of the Syrian National Coalition, spokesperson for the Coalition Louay Safi considered the non – binding Presidential statement issued by the United Nations Security Council, “allows the regime opportunities for evasion of international conventions and international laws that condemn the practices of Bashar al-Assad against civilians,” pointing out that “the reaction of the regime’s Ambassador Bashar al Jaafari to the statement considering it a violation of national sovereignty, means that the regime will prevent the arrival of humanitarian aid through channels not under its control under the pretext of not violating national sovereignty.” He added, “that this means the aid that the Assad government would take would be directed to support its thugs in areas under its control.”  Based on this the spokesperson for the Coalition demanded from organizations of the United Nations and the Red Cross and Crescent not to deliver aid to any institution under the control of Assad government, civilian or governmental. He explained that “this aid will go to pro regime areas, so all aid sent to the besieged areas must be delivered through international organizations to make sure they are delivered to the rightful owners.” It should be noted that the Syrian National Coalition called on the UN Security Council in a press statement yesterday, “to take urgent and practical steps to press Bashar Assad’s regime to facilitate humanitarian relief operations and to ensure safe passage for international medical relief workers.” This comes after the issuance of a Presidential statement by the Security Council condemning the human rights violations and continuous breaches of international law” by the ruling regime in Syria. The Syrian National Coalition considered the Assad regime to be the “main reason for the aggravation of the humanitarian catastrophe in Syria during the previous period”, according to reports by organizations and international commissions of inquiry. The Coalition called for international relief organizations in a statement yesterday,” to enter Moadamiat al Shaam to deliver the humanitarian needs of the residents immediately, and to evacuate hundreds of starving people at risk of death due to the lack of food.” This comes especially after the Assad regime’s intensification of systematic siege and starvation of the city’s residents, which has recently claimed the lives of 4 women and 3 children. In a Coalition press statement it was indicated that “the water in the district is no longer fit for drinking due to the direct bombardment of artesian wells and water tanks, the main source of nutrition for the district.” The Coalition praised the Presidential statement by the Security Council, expressing hope that “this statement was the beginning of a clear international position against the systematic killing practiced by the regime in Syria.” The Coalition called on the Security Council to “take immediate and practical steps for a political transition towards democracy based on the Geneva statement.

(Source: Coalition)

20 Martyrs in Syria Until this Evening and 57 Martyrs Yesterday

Local Coordination Committees in Syria documented 57 martyrs yesterday, 20 martyrs were killed up until 6 PM this evening, among them eight in Daraa, four in Deir el Zour, three in Damascus and its suburbs, two in each of Homs, Hama, and al Quneitra.

(Source: Local Coordination Committees)

Shelling Renewed on Southern Damascus, Fighter Jets Strike al Qalamoun

Regime forces renewed their shelling with heavy mortars on al Yarmouk Camp and al Tadamun resulting in the injury of many people and the destruction of many civilians’ homes in the area. At the same time, clashes occurred between regime forces and the Free Syrian Army around Nesrin Street and al Bateekha Circle. In the meantime regime fighter jets executed air strikes on Yabroud targeting civilian gathings resulting in the martyrdom of a father and his daughter due to the injuries they suffered from the air strike. According to activists the martyr was one of the first people to take part in the peaceful movement and protests in the city. Also, residents of Housh Arab in the Damascus countryside identified a Scud missile that was launched from the 155th Batallion but the direction of the missile was not identified.

(Source: Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

The Martyrdom of 6 People in Tafas, The Regime Continues Shelling of Samdaniya in al Quneitra

Regime fighter jets struck the town of Tafas today resulting in the martyrdom of six people, a large number of people injured, as well as the destruction of residential buildings. The regime also targeted the town of al Mutaiah, al Naeema, Mabara, and al Hirak with heavy mortar shelling resulting in the injury of many civilians. At the same time, fierce clashes occurred on the outskirts of the city. Regime forces renewed their shelling on the town of al Samdaniya in al Quneitra with heavy mortars and rockets amidst clashes with the Free Syrian Army which was able to destroy two tanks and a vehicle with a mounted heavy machine gun.

(Source: Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

Assad Regime Fighter Jets Drop Explosive Barrels on al Kharjiyat District in Homs

Regime fighter jets dropped explosive barrels on the town of al Kharjiyat in Homs resulting in the martyrdom of several civilians and the injury of others amidst wide spread destruction caused to the town. Regime forces targeted civilian districts in al Dara al Kabeera in Homs, as well as al Houla and al Rastan with 2S1 Gvozdika mortars resulting in the injury of many people in the area, some of which are in critical condition. In Hama, regime fighter jets targeted the villages of Masoud and Bin Wardan resulting in the injury of a number of civilians and the destruction of many homes.

(Source: Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

Execution of 10 Civilians in Banyas, Regime Fighter Jets Kill Four People in Deir el Z 

Regime forces field executed 10 people, among them four women and a child, on a farm near Banyas in Tartous. At the same time, regime fighter jets shelled Binish in Idleb and al Mayadin in Deir el Zour resulting in the martyrdom of four people and the injury of many others, some of whom are in critical condition. Also, the Free Syria Army targeted regime forces gathering points on Bor Saeed in Deir el Zour.

(Source: Coalition + Local Coordination Committees) 

Protests in a Majority of Syrian Cities on a Friday Called “Thank You Turkey”

The Syrian people protested in different Syrian cities today on a Friday called “Thank you Turkey”, protesters also called for the fall of the regime in al Maleiha and Saqba. Residents of al Waer District, al Rastan, and al Dara al Kabeera also participated in the protests. In Hama the residents of al Latamna also participated in the protests. As for Aleppo, the residents of al Sukari and Minbej called for the unity of Syria, both land and people, in the face of whom they described as “the murderer of the revolution Bashar al Assad”.

(Source: Coalition)

Australia Announces its Approval to Accept 500 Syrian Refugees

The Australian Immigration Minister, Scott Morrison, announced his country’s agreeing to the acceptance of 500 Syrian refugees under the program of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The Australian news agency (IEP) quoted Morrison as saying, “The Australian Government will work with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to determine who will provide places of asylum for them and they are the people most vulnerable and most in need of emergency protection.” But Morrison explained that the Australian offer to receive refugees should not be misunderstood. He noted that “the support of the Australian people should not be regarded as an encouragement to those who are trying to enter the country illegally.”

(Source: al Hayat)

Lebanese Ambassador: Delivering Aid to Syria Offers a Solution to the Refugees Although It Does Not Provide a Complete Solution to the Syrian Citize

Lebanon’s Ambassador to the United Nations Nawaf Salam predicted that securing humanitarian aid and delivering it to the Syrian people besieged by Bashar al-Assad could put an end to the exodus of people from Syria to his country.  He added that this step will not be able to provide a fundamental solution to the reality of the Syrian citizen, pointing out the importance of this step on the humanitarian level with the condition that international organizations move fast in regard to this matter. This comes after the presidential statement of the Security Council, which the Syrian National Coalition considers ineffective because it allows the regime a new opportunity to dodge and evade because the statement does not contain binding decisions on Bashar al –Assad’s regime.

(Source: Coalition + al Hayat)

Saudi Requests the international Security Council to Activate the Decision to Disarm Syrian Chemical Weapons Under Chapter VII to Prevent Regime Evasion

Saudi Arabia demanded the international community to activate the United Nations Security Council decision on disarmament of the chemical weapons and the accountability of its users under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. It was noted that the decision on the destruction of Syrian chemical weapons is one of the pressing and urgent steps to ensure ridding the regime of these weapons in accordance with timetable and standards contained in the text of the resolution. Saudi Arabia stressed the need to adhere to the resolution, hoping to complete the resolution with a firm and clear decision from the Security Council under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations to ensure that Bashar al Assad’s regime does not delay action on this matter.

(Source : Coalition)

Human Rights Watch: The Assad Regime Practices the Ugliest Human Rights Violations Against Peaceful Civilians in the Prisons

According to Human Rights Watch, which is concerned with Human Rights, tens of thousands of peaceful protesters opposed to Bashar al Assad’s rule have been placed in Bashar al-Assad’s security prisons, noting that they are exposed to the severest types of systematic torture. The organization pointed out that the detainees were subjected to rape and other violations including electric shocks to sensitive areas, beatings with sticks, wire and metal bars. Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Human Rights Watch said, “There are flagrant violations against political detainees including arrest, torture and possibly murder, simply for peacefully criticizing the government or helping the needy and hungry as a result of Assad forces besieging areas roaring with peaceful demonstrations against the regime.

(Source: Coalition + al Hayat)