Daily Newsletter – 05/01/2014

General Assembly Elects New Coalition Head and Discusses Going to Geneva II

The Syrian Coalition’s General Assembly began today the eleventh session of meetings to elect a new president under the supervision of Haitham al-Maleh, the President of the Legal Committee. Other elections of members of the Political Committee will be held during the meeting. Ahmad Jarba, the current president and Riad Hijab, a member of the Coalition are the presidential candidates, while the candidates for the General Secretariat are the current president Badr Addin Jamous and Mustafa Sabbagh. As for the vice presidency…Read more

Syrian Coalition Rejects Accusations against Turkey
Badr al-Din Hamous, Secretary General of the Syrian Coalition, said that the Coalition “denounces all charges and sedition against the Turkish Republic as…Read more

Syrian Coalition Hails the Popular Uprising against ISIS
The Syrian Coalition praised in a statement “the popular uprising against Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS). This rejection of ISIS highlights the real demands…Read more

Saleh Calls for the Release of the Kidnapped Doctors
Khalid Saleh, Media Office head, condemned the kidnapping of five MSF workers in northern Syria yesterday. Reports said that ISIS broke into a hospital in the…Read more 

Project to Set up Sewage System in Midan Refugee Camp
Refugee Camps Team of Assistance Coordination Unit (ACU) started a project to set up sewage system in Midan refugee camp in northern Idlib province near the Turkish borders. Activists said that this “project aims to serve the refugees in the camp and to deliver clean water for about 1,300 people.” ACU completed a project to establish and equip 12 health facilities in Quah refugee camp in Idlib province near the Syrian-Turkish border. It is that this project will serve around 2,300 refugees. ACU estimated the cost of the two projects at around $2,354 USD. (Source: Syrian Coalition)

Al Nusra Front Takes Over ISIS Positions in Ikhtrin, Aleppo Province
Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS) withdrew its fighters from the town of Ikhtrin in Aleppo province and surrendered their weapons to Al Nusra front who took over ISIS position in the town. Regime forces the town of Blaas and Hanano district in Aleppo. Meanwhile, FSA fighters repelled regime forces who were trying to break into the Umayyad Mosque in Aleppo. A civilian was killed and dozens injured by regime shelling on the Garage Crossing. The Mujahideen Army took control of Al Saliheen neighborhood of Aleppo after fierce clashes with ISIS fighters. The Free Syrian Army clashed with ISIS fighters in the town of Atareb west of Aleppo. The FSA retook the towns of Manbej and Haritan north of Aleppo. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

Barrel Bomb Attack on Babila East of Damascus
Assad’s warplanes dropped barrel bombs on Daryya and Babila in Rural Damascus, killing three civilians and injuring dozens. The Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces in Douma in Damascus and in many areas of Eastern Ghouta. FSA also targeted regime forces stationed near Army Vehicle Directorate in Harasta, with reports of regime losses. Regime forces opened fire on civilians while trying to get of besieged towns in southern Damascus. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

Clashes Between FSA and ISIS In Hama
Violent clashes broke out between Syria’s Revolutionaries Front (SRF) and ISIS fighters in Hama, with reports of death of five SRF fighters. Five pro-Assad fighters were killed when the Free Syrian Army attacked military convoy on Palmyra- Homs road. Regime forces shelled the districts of Waer west of Homs, with reports of civilian casualties and material damage. Heavy shelling was also reported on eastern Hama. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Smart News Agency)

• Germany provides humanitarian aid to besieged areas
• Turkey calls on Assad to stop killing the Syrian people
• Ongoing crippling siege on Yarmoluk refugee camp of Damascus