Daily Newsletter – 12/02/2014

Syrian Coalition: We Presented a Comprehensive Vision for Political Transition and End To Violence

Louay Safi, spokesman for the Syrian Coalition, said that the delegation of the Coalition submitted a paper that outlines the the transition process and ending the violence. “The plan that we presented contains clear steps to preserve the unity of the Syrian people and the integrity of Syrian territory, ending the violence and the release of detainees,” Safi said. The spokesman for the Syrian Coalition also said that the transitional governing body will also be…Read more

Syrian Coalition Submits a Comprehensive Vision to Form A Transitional Governing Body
The Syrian Coalition presented today during the morning session at Geneva II its principal vision for the political settlement, which calls for the formation of a transitional…Read more

Assad Regime Is Ranked 177 on the Press Freedom Index
Reporters without Borders has recently released an assessment of press freedom in which the Assad regime is ranked as one of the biggest information black holes. Last year Syria was ranked 177 out of 180 countries in terms of media freedom, followed by Turkmenistan, North Korea and Eritrea. The World Press Freedom Index is a reference tool that is based on seven criteria: the level of abuses, the extent of pluralism, media independence, the environment and self-censorship, the legislative framework, transparency and infrastructure,” said Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Christophe Deloire. The index also reflects the negative impact of armed conflicts on freedom of information and its actors. The world’s most dangerous country for journalists, Syria, is ranked 177th out of 180 countries,” the report said. The organization says that 25 foreign journalists and 70 local media activists died since the outbreak of the revolution in mid-March, 2011. It also estimates that 16 foreign journalists disappeared in Syria, making kidnapping as the biggest concern for journalists wishing to cover the conflict, noting that this figure does not include a number of journalists who were kidnapped but their families preferred not to reveal it. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Agencies)

Dozens of Air Raids on Yabroud
Assad’s warplanes launched more than 30 air raids on the town of Yabroud in Qalamoun northwest of Damascus, killing a number of civilians and wounding dozens. Violent clashes broke out between the Free Syrian Army and regime forces on the outskirts of the town. Jirod, Rankous, Adra and Deir al-Asafir came under artillery shelling, while the Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces in the town of Jarajeer. Regime forces targeted Al Qadam in southern Damascus with rocket launchers. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)

Barrel Bombs Kill 10 Civilians in Jassim of Dara’a
Assad’s warplanes launched barrel bomb attacks on rural Dara’a, killing 10 civilians in the town of Jassem, and nine in Tafas. The Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces in Manshia district in Dara’a. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)

12 People Die in Homs Due To Regime Shelling
Regime forces shelled the town of Zara in rural Homs with rocket launchers, killing 12 civilians and wounding 20 others. Regime forces shelled the town of Rastan and Ghirnatah with heavy artillery, killing one person and wounding dozens. The Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces on the outskirts of the town of Addar al-Kabira in rural Homs, while regime forces shelled the Old City of Homs, Bab al-Turkman and Bab Houd. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)

Dozens of Civilians Killed By Barrel Bombs in Aleppo
Assad’s warplanes dropped barrel bombs on Al Haidariya in Aleppo, killing 12 civilians and wounding dozens. The neighborhoods of Al Firdos, Maghaier, Sheikh Najjar also came under aerial shelling, while fighters of Al Nusra Front clashed with regime forces on the perimeter of Kweris air base. Violent clashes also broke out between fighters of Liwa al-Tawhid and regime forces near Brigade No. 80 east of Aleppo. Regime forces shelled the village of Rasm al-Abboud and Al-Jabriyah with heavy artillery. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)

• UN expresses concern over the regime’s arrest of men and boys in Homs.
• United States: Assad regime blocks access of humanitarian aid to civilians.
• United States: Russia is to blame for starvation in Syria.