Syrian Coalition: Political Solution Impossible Without Assad’s Departure
Ahmad Jarba, head of the Syrian Coalition, stressed that “a political solution cannot be achieved with Assad remaining in power, as he is the main obstacle to the aspirations of the Syrian people,” during a meeting with French Foreign Minister in Paris. Both officials discussed the situation on all battlefronts in Syria, especially the remarkable progress achieved by the FSA and other opposition factions against regime forces and ISIS militias, who Jarba described as “an integral part of the terrorist Assad regime.” The meeting comes ahead of the Friends of Syria meeting, which began today…Read more
Syrian Coalition Condemns Terrorism and Violations of Human Rights The Media Office head Khaled Saleh condemns “some gang men’s exploitation of the ongoing fight between the FSA and ISIS by using it as an opportunity to steal the FSA fighters’…Read more
Syrian Opposition Seek To Form Unified Free National Army Jamal Marouf, the Syrian Revolutionaries Front (SRF) chief, said that the brigades and battalions of the SRF “will be the core of the Free National Army. The new formation will focus on fighting the Assad regime and the militias that are fighting alongside it.” Marouf added that “after the downfall of the Assad regime, the Free National Army will take on responsibility of maintaining the safety and security of the Syrian people.” He also said that “around half of the fighting battalions in Syria are expected to join this new formation.” However, Marouf does not rule out “possible collision between the new formation and other anti-Assad battalions.” Syrian interim Defense Minister Asa’ad Mustafa, a member of the opposition Syrian Council, said: “Discussions are currently taking place with all opposition military forces, including the Islamic Front, the largest alliance of Islamist battalions” in Syria, in a bid to push for the establishment of an army that encapsulates all moderate military factions fighting Assad. The SRF, which was formed a few weeks ago, is composed of some FSA battalions, Shuhadaa’ Syria Brigades, Annaser Kadem Brigades, the Ninth Division of Aleppo, Ahrar al Shamal Brigades, Farouq al Shamal Brigades, Riyad al Salihin Battalions of Damascus, Ahrar al Zawiya Brigades, Al Ansar Brigades, Farouq Hama Battalions, the Seventh Division, Ziab al Ghab Brigades, the Special Forces Regiment of Damascus, and finally Shuhadaa’ Idlib Brigade. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
Yarmouk Local Council Sends Thanks to ACU The Local Council of Yarmouk Camp thanked Sham Relief Organization and the Assistance Unit of the local councils for the financial support sent to the trapped civilians inside the camp. $32,900 were delivered by Sham Relief Organization in two installments on December 04 of last year and on January 11. It is important to note that Yarmouk Camp is home to a large number of displaced people, who are have been subject to unprecedented blockade by the Assad regime. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
Death Toll: 43 Killed In Syria Today, 107 Yesterday. The Local Coordination Committees documented 107 people killed yesterday in Syria, while 43 people were killed as of 6:00 pm of today, including nine women and three children. Deaths were documented as: 23 in Aleppo, 13 in Homs, 5 in Dara’a, and 2 in Damascus. (Source: LCC)
Barrel Bombs Attacks on Al Bab As ISIS Tries To Storm the City Assad’s warplanes barrel bombs on the city of Al Bab northeast of Aleppo, killing 17 civilians and wounding dozens alongside violent clashes between the Free Syrian Army and ISIS fighters in an attempt to storm the city. Assad’s warplanes also launched air strikes on Tadef and Haritan. Meanwhile, a number of civilians were injured when a car bomb exploded in the Masaken Hanano district of Aleppo. Violent clashes erupted between the Free Syrian Army and ISIS fighters in the neighborhoods of Qaterji and Maysaloon of Aleppo. (Source: Syria Coalition + LCC)
Brutal Aerial Shelling On Damascus Suburbs Assad’s air force conducted barrel bomb attacks on Maliha, Dariya and Rankous near Damascus, causing civilian casualties and massive material damage. The Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces in Al Kaboun and on the Southern Bypass near Zamalka and Jobar districts. In the meantime, activists recorded artillery shelling by regime forces on Duma, Harasta and Yabrood. (Source: Syria Coalition + LCC)
Regime Forces Commit Two Massacres in Homs Suburbs Regime forces pounded the neighborhood of Wae’r in Homs with mortar rounds, killing 28 civilians and injuring dozens. 11 civilians were also killed in Al Ghouta district after regime forces rained mortar rounds down on the district”. Regime forces also bombarded the besieged neighborhoods of Homs, with reports of civilian casualties and material damage. Meanwhile, violent clashes broke out between the Free Syrian Army and regime forces in Deir Baa’lbe and Addar al Kabira. (Source: Syria Coalition + LCC)
Violent Clashes In Tariq Al Sadd In Dara’a The Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces in Tariq al Sadd and Al Teirah in Dara’a province. Heavy shelling was reported on the town of Sheikh Misqin, alongside clashes between the Free Syrian Army and the regime forces in the city and. The Free Syrian army targeted a military vehicle belonging to regime forces in Dara’a province, killing two pro-Assad troops and wounding others. The FSA also shelled regime positions in the town Busra al Sham. (Source: Syria Coalition + LCC)
Kerry arrives in Paris to participate in the Friends of Syria meeting.
Saud al-Faisal coordinates Arab positions in the Friends of Syria meeting.
Lavrov discusses preparation for the Geneva II in Paris.
Turkey grounds a Syria-bound plane for cargo check.
