Syrian Coalition: Help Save the Refugees from the Cold Winter
Louay Safi, the official spokesman for the Syrian Coalition, called on the international community and the Arab countries in particular, to shoulder their responsibilities towards the Syrian refugees in neighboring countries. Safi stressed that the death of two Syrian children from the cold in Arsal camp in Lebanon and two others in Rastan and Aleppo is a disaster that the international community must respond to. “The budget of the Syrian Coalition is not enough to solve all the problems that plague the Syrians, so there must be a serious regional and Arab position regarding the…Read more
Syrian Coalition Condemns the Kidnapping of Activists The Syrian Coalition condemned the kidnappings of citizens, journalists and human rights activists, stressing that it is making every effort, in coordination with the…Read more
Heavy Clashes in Adra North of Damascus The FSA captured the Customs building, the Air Force Intelligence Building, and the Mills in Adra northeast of Damascus after violent clashes with regime forces stationed inside these bastions. Six people were killed and others injured by mortar shelling on Adra Ommaliya. Activists reported that calls were sent to civilians to go down to the cellars of their homes to escape the shelling on the town. Regime forces closed the M5 Highway that links Damascus to Homs near Adra Ommaliya. In addition, regime forces pounded the city of Duma and Eastern Ghouta with mortar shells and rocket launchers, with reports of civilian casualties and material damage. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)
FSA Overruns Three Regime Checkpoints North Of Inkhil in Rural Dara’a The Free Syrian Army overran Kassara, First Mazra’a and Second Mazra’a checkpoints north of Inkhil in rural Dara’a, alongside violent clashes with regime forces near the National Hospital in the town. The Joint Operations Room in north-western Dara’a announced the start of a major offensive to liberate the province. Regime forces shelled the towns of Dael, Jassim and Hirak with heavy artillery and rockets, with reports of civilian casualties and material damage. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)
FSA Repel Regime Forces in Central Homs The Free Syrian Army repelled Assad’s troops and terrorists Hezbollah who were trying to break into the neighborhood of Wadi Al-Sayeh in central Homs and killed several pro-Assad troops. A number of civilians were killed and others injured when regime forces shelled the neighborhood of Jouret Shiah in Homs and other districts in the city, alongside violent clashes in the city. Regime forces stationed in Al Sayeh Mountain shelled the town of Krak des Chevaliers near Homs with heavy artillery. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)
FSA Attack Regime’s Supply Routes near Aleppo The Free Syrian Army attacked the regime’s supply routes near the building of Muwaslat in Al Nakkarin near Aleppo, and killed 10 members of the regime forces and wounded others. In the meantime, a large fire broke out inside the Power Plant due to an artillery shelling by regime forces. Activists reported that the average thickness of the snow in the northern countryside of Aleppo reached 40 centimeters. Snow covered all areas of the city and its countryside. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)
GCC: Condemns Assad and all Foreign Fighters Should Stay Out of Syria The Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council strongly condemned the “ongoing genocide of Syrians by Assad, who is using all types of heavy weapons and chemical weapons, and warned of the repercussions on the region’s security and stability.” The Supreme Council demanded in the communique of Kuwait Summit that “all foreign forces pull out of Syria,” stressing that the pillars of Assad regime who have blood on their hands must not have any role in Syria’s political future. Ahmad Jarba, the head of the Syrian Coalition, said during a speech delivered to the Gulf Cooperation Council that “the stability of Syria and its development reflects positively on the Arab Gulf, which we are keen on preserving its Arab identity in the face of all those whose eyes are on the Arab lands.” Jarba pointed out that he “does not want the tragedy of Iraq to be repeated which will reflect negatively on all Arabs.” Jarba also stated that the regime failed to prove that the revolution is linked to foreign agents such as the Israeli occupation or the United States, or that it was ignited by the Gulf countries. He went on, “this failure made the regime release extremist groups under its sponsorship by releasing them from prisons and arming them.” (Source: Syrian Coalition)
U.S. Secretary Of Defense Confirms His Country’s Continued Support for “The Moderate Opposition” Chuck Hagel, U.S. Secretary of Defense, assured Qatari leaders on the continued U.S. support for moderate Syrian opposition despite differences over Washington’s policy toward Syria and the latest rapprochement with Iran. Hagel also briefed Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al- Thani, Emir of Qatar and Defense Minister Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah on the efforts related to the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons. Hagel added that the United States supports a solution in Syria that removes Assad. He said also that differences over how to bring about this solution would not lead to any disagreement between the United States and its allies in the region. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
20 Algerian Groups Support Syrian Revolution More than two dozen political parties and civic organizations in Algeria announced embarking on political and humanitarian efforts to support the 1000-day long Syrian revolution. Omar Bouacha, head of the Infitah party said that “the twenty parties intend to send a convoy of humanitarian aid for the relief of the Syrians. It also formed two delegations to support the Syrian revolution; one will go to Turkey to meet with the opposition there, while the second delegation will travel to Tunisia to meet with Maghreb parties in order to exercise pressure on the governments to show support for the Syrian people.” Several political and civic entities announced, during a solidarity day with the Syrian revolution, their rejection of “the shameful position” of some Algerian figures who sympathize with the Assad regime. In addition, Chairman of the National Movement for Nature and Growth, which organized the day of solidarity, said that the participants “wanted to respond to the behavior of some obscure Algerians who abused the position of the Algerian people, who wholeheartedly support the Syrian revolution.” Jamal Bin Abdul Salam, alongside a delegation of the New Algerian Front, visited Syria a few weeks ago and declared his solidarity with Assad, sparking a wave of condemnation in the country. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
