Syrian Coalition: The Russian Position Is Inconsistent With Geneva I Terms
Louay Safi, spokesman for the Syrian Coalition, said that Russia’s blocking of a UN Security Council resolution under Chapter VII that condemns Assad for stalling breaking the siege on Syrian cities is contradictory and irresponsible.” Safi’s remarks followed a statement by Russian ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin’s, who said that “we are opposed to any move to pass any resolution at the Security Council now. The time is not appropriate to discuss any such resolution.”…Read more
Jarba: All of Geneva I Terms Must be Implemented Ahmad Jarba, President of the Syrian Coalition, stresses that the Assad regime must implement all the terms of Geneva I as the primary reference for the negotiation process…Read more
Jihad Makdisi: Assad is not stronger but has managed to buy more time Jihad Makdisi, the former official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Assad regime, said that “Bashar al-Assad still believes in a military solution, and he has not yet mulled over reaching a political solution. Though Assad is not stronger now, he managed to buy more time.” Makdisi points out that Assad has been making the international community focus on giving the Syrian people the chance to score points rather than focusing on directing Assad a fatal blow, which is the toppling of his regime, as it became clear that the Syrian people are demanding his overthrow. Makdisi also said that “the international community must develop a point of view about what is happening in Syria because the revolution is no longer just an uprising against Assad.” When asked about why he decided to quit his position, Makdisi said that “I worked as a diplomat for 14 years, and I wish that Assad made some real reforms and absorb the shock of the revolution in the streets of Syria. However, this did not happen, so I decided to resign because I no longer feel of belonging to this agenda, but I belong to the agenda that highlights the need for the recognition of the Syrian people and building partnership in order to achieve the aspirations of the people.” He pointed out that the tragedy in Syria “does not relate to the kind of weapon that Assad’s forces use, as people can be killed with conventional weapons such as knives, bullets and rockets.” Moreover, Makdisi said that the perpetrators of the gas attack must be brought to trial, expressing his shock over the images of bodies of detained people in Assad’s prisons. “Today we need to reach a cease-fire and work on national reconciliation and the attainment of transitional justice so that people be able to return to their homes, or they will continue fighting,” he said. (Source: CNN Arabic)
Death Toll: 25 People Killed Today, 67 Yesterday. The Local Coordination Committees in Syria documented 67 people killed yesterday, while 25 people were killed today, including two women. Deaths were cited as: 12 in Aleppo, 4 in each of Damascus and Deir Ezzor, 3 in Dara’a, and in 2 in Idlib. (Source: LCC)
Anti-Assad Forces Advance on Regime Positions at Aleppo Central Prison Brigades of al Nusra Front and Ahrar al Sham made gains around Aleppo central prison. Anti-Assad fighters blew up a car packed with 20 tons of high explosive material at a six-floor building manned by regime forces. Fierce battles followed the explosion, while activists reported the liberation of hundreds of male and female prisoners. Regime forces retaliated by bombing the perimeter of the prison with barrel bombs. Meanwhile, Assad’s forces dropped barrel bombs on Hanano district of in Aleppo, killing 20 civilians and wounding dozens. Assad’s forces also launched air strikes on Sakhour, killing one person and injuring dozens. Battalions of the Islamic Front and Al Mujahisin Army captured Jibal Hammam and Kara Kozak bridge east of the city Manbej after clashes with ISIS fighters. A child was killed in Deir Hafer in rural Aleppo as a result of aerial shelliong by regime forces. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC
Three Civilians Killed In Zabadani As Regime Forces Drop Cluster Bombs On Yabrood Regime forces shelled Zabadani with heavy artillery killing three civilians and wounding dozens. A number of civilians were wounded, mostly children as a result of cluster bombs that were used by Assad’s forces in Yabrood, Filath and Nabek. Assad’s warplanes dropped explosive barrels on Daraya, while the Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces on the outskirts of the Qaddam and Alasali in southern Damascus. (Source: Coalition + LCC)
Brigades Of Islamic Front Capture Al Ghirbal Checkpoint North Of Hama Brigades of the Islamic Front captured al Ghirbal checkpoint in Souran north of Hama, with reports of the death of a number of regime forces the destruction of 4 tank. Assad’s forces bombed the towns of Souran and Morek, causing civilian casualties and material damage. Regime forces also shelled the village of Maarblit in rural Idlib with heavy artillery, killing two women and wounding a child. Civilians were injured by aerial shelling on Kafr Takharim in rural Idlib. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)
United States: Iraq must prevent Iran from transferring arms and fighters to Assad
United States eases asylum procedures to receive more Syrians
40,000 Shiite fighters fight along Assad’s forces.
