Daily Newsletter – 14/01/2014

Syrian Coalition: Assad Regime Creates Pretexts For Blocking Relief Aid To The Besieged Areas.

Fayez Sarah, a member of the Syrian Coalition, slammed the Assad regime and its allies on insisting on blocking the entry of relief and humanitarian aid to the besieged areas under the pretext that it may end up in the hands of “terrorist groups.” Sarah stressed that “the Assad regime and his Russian ally have been fabricating these pretexts seeking to suppress the popular uprising and to continue committing crimes, especially since all besieged are residential neighborhoods and not military zones.” Furthermore, Sarah…Read more

Three Killed In Daraya By Toxic Gas
Activists said that regime forces used toxic gas at dawn today in the city of Daraya near Damascus, killing three people and injuring dozens of civilian who showed symptoms of shortness of breath, convulsions and blurred vision. The attack followed violent clashes between the Free Syrian Army and regime forces in the eastern front of the district. Assad regime air bombed the towns of Deir al Assafir, Zabadani and Irbin. Regime forces also shelled Douma, Yabrood, Maloula and Rankous and several areas in Eastern Ghouta. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)

Assad’s Gangs Kidnap Six Civilians in Dara’a
Gunmen loyal to the Assad regime kidnapped six civilians in the neighborhood of Al Sabil in Dara’a. Assad’s air force conducted barrel bomb attacks on the town of Inkhil. Regime forces also shelled Sheikh Misqin, Abta and Muzeireeb, causing civilian casualties. Meanwhile, the Free Syrian Army repelled regime’s attempts to storm the town of Atman. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)

FSA Beat ISIS Fighters in Rural Aleppo
The FSA took over the town of Masqan in rural Aleppo and held a number of ISIS fighters captives. Meanwhile, ISIS fighters executed four civilians in the city of Al Bab after taking control of it yesterday. The Free Syrian Army clashed with ISIS fighters in Jarablus north of Aleppo. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)

• Syria donor meeting aims to raise over $1.5 billion.
• Jordanian and Algerian foreign ministers discuss preparation for Geneva II.
• WFP warns of the difficulty of delivering aid to the besieged areas.