Daily Newsletter – 10/01/2014

Sida: Assad regime Imposes Conditions for Going to Geneva II

Abdul Basit Sida, Syrian Coalition member, said today that “Russia must persuade the Assad regime to accept the terms of Geneva I, which is the basis for Geneva II.” Sida points out that when regime officials talk about the possibility of Assad’s reelection and holding a referendum on the outcome of Geneva II, they break the agreement, which was ratified by the Russian government through the UN Security Council resolution No. 2118…Read more

Syria’s Muslim Brotherhood Slam Failure to Implement Terms of Geneva I
The Muslim Brotherhood of Syria lashed out at the international community’s inaction and failure to implement the terms of Geneva I and its inability to stop Assad’s killing machine against the Syrian people.” The group emphasized the need to “reach an agreement with the actors on the ground before going to Geneva II.” Moreover, the group stress that sponsor states should provide the appropriate foundations that Geneva II will be based on,  including “pressuring the Assad regime to stop the killing of the Syrian people, the release of all detainees, allowing relief operations, opening humanitarian corridors, and lifting the siege on cities and towns.” The foundations also include “taking pledges by sponsors of the conference that it will lead to the formation of a transitional governing body with full powers and without any role for Assad to play in the future of Syria.” Furthermore, the group demand that all “occupying forces of Syria; namely Iran, Hezbollah’s terrorist militia and Iraqi Shiite militias to get out of Syria.” The group warns of the ongoing silence of the international community towards the crimes committed by the Assad regime, as this will impede creating the appropriate atmosphere for reaching a political solution that meet the aspirations of the Syrian people.” (Source: Syrian Coalition)

FSA Reveals Secret Ties between ISIS and Assad Regime
The Free Syrian Army revealed the secret cooperations between ISIS and Assad’s security and intelligence apparatuses, including ISIS’s storming of FSA’s positions while the latter were encircling regime positions. The FSA also confirms that ISIS militiamen kidnapped FSA members and handed them over to the Assad regime. The FSA cited the kidnapping of the British doctor Abbas Khan in Aleppo at the hands of ISIS, who later died under torture in Assad’s dungeons. Moreover, the FSA  seized photos of regime officers working in the leadership of ISIS. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Al Arabiya)

Death Toll: 19 People Killed Today, 108 Yesterday
Local Coordination Committees documented 108 people killed yesterday, while 19 people were killed as of 6:00 pm of today, including five children. Deaths were cited as: 8 in Damascus, 5 in Deir Ezzor, 3 in Dara’a, 2 in Raqqa, and one in Aleppo. (Source: LCC)

Surface-To-Surface Missiles Hit Dariya
Two people were killed and dozens wounded by aerial shelling on the district of Dariya west of Damascus. The districts was also shelled by three surface-to-surface missiles and heavy artillery. Activists reported intense shelling by regime forces on Zabadani, Adra, Alasali and Kaboun in Damascus, which caused dozens of civilian casualties. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)

15 Civilians Killed By Rocket Shelling On Sheikh Najjar
Regime forces shelled the district of Sheikh Najjar near Aleppo with rocket launchers and artillery, killing 15 civilians and wounding dozens, including women and children. A landmine killed three members of regime forces while they were trying to sneak into the Old City of Aleppo. Air strikes were reported on the neighborhood of Hanano in Aleppo. Meanwhile, the residents of Salah al Din, Bustan al Qasr and Sha’ar took to the streets demanding the downfall of the regime and that ISIS fighter get out of Aleppo. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Smart News Agency)

Five Children Die Of Cold as Regime Forces Close Palmyra – Deir Ezzor Road
Five children died on the outskirts of Palmyra due to extreme cold after they were denied entry to the town coming from Deir Ezzor. Regime forces have been closing down the road for three days. Regime forces renewed shelling on the town of Rastan al Waer neighborhood in near Homs. A car bomb exploded in the town of Kafat east of Hama, killing 17 people, including children. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Smart News Agency)

ISIS Gets More Beating in Idlib
Regime forces shelled the towns of Al Rami and Ganaudih in Idlib province. Clashes broke out between the FSA and ISIS fighters in the town of Darkoush. In the meantime, anti-ISIS demonstrations were recorded in the towns of Kafrenbel and Binnish. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

Five Killed By Barrel Bombs In Rural Lattakia
Assad’s air force launched barrel bombs attacks on Mount Turkman in rural Latakia, killing five civilians and wounding dozens. The Free Syrian Army attacked a regime vehicle in the town of Sheikh Misqin in Dara’a province, alongside clashes with regime forces. Regime forces shelled Tariq al Sad and the Camp districts in Dara’a city. Meanwhile, ISIS fighters shelled the neighborhood Mushallab and the town of Tal Abyad in Raqqa, killing a civilian and wounding dozens. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

• Davutoglu: ISIS and PYD are Assad’s partners in the region.
• Lavrov and Kerry continue joint work in Paris in preparation for Geneva II.
• Public tenders to destroy the chemical in Syria.
• Cordoba meeting regulators reject participation of PYD and the National Coordination Commission.
• Syria’s Red Cross negotiates with Assad regime to get relief aid to trapped civilians.