Daily Newsletter – 14/02/2014

Coalition Regrets Lack of Success in Second Round Negotiations in Spite of Their Best Efforts

Khalid Saleh, head of the Coalition’s Media Office, calls on the international community to pass a binding UN Security Council resolution “to end Assad’s systematic massacres and which meets the aspirations of the Syrian people for freedom, justice and dignity.” Saleh stresses that this resolution can only be passed through “putting pressure on Russia and China to end the stalemate in Syria.” Saleh’s remarks came as a response to “the heinous crime that resulted…Read more

Syrian Coalition: We Regret Lack Of Success in the Second Round of Negotiations Though We Expressed Positive Attitudes
The delegation of the Syrian Coalition regrets that no progress was made in the second round of Geneva II negotiations “though we took positive steps and put forward a…Read more

Activists: Assad Regime Detains Civilians to Blackmail Them
Syrian activists stressed said that “regime forces launch random arrests of civilians to blackmail them into paying specific amount of money to be released.” Activists also said that this is the only way to get the detainees out of Assad’s prisons or they will face death or forced disappearance. “Assad’s forces specified a sum of money in return for each service they provide; one must pay 100,000 SYP to know the whereabouts of the detainee, and 250,000 SYP to transfer a detainee from the security branches to Terrorism Court where detainees are tortured on a relatively lower scale. One must pay 300,000 SYP the Terrorism Court judge to acquit the detainee. Activists also said that Assad’s forces target the individuals of wealthy to request huge sums of money. (Source: Syrian Coalition)

Cell for the sale of human organs in the Assad regime
FSA intelligence revealed that there is a cell of doctors within the Assad regime who trade with human organs of injured soldiers and the detainees inside the security branches. FSA pointed out that this cell is located at Hospital No. 601 in Mezze and headed Dr. Mazen al-Assad assisted by Dr. Adib Mahmoud, Ammar Suleiman and Ahmed Humsiyah. FSA also noted that the organs are transported to Russia, Iran and some of them to India. The cell cooperate with Mezze air base, Security Branch No. 215 located in Kafar Souseh in addition to the branches of the Air Force Intelligence. The organs that are illegally harvested are sold for $20,000 USD for the heart, $25,000 for the eyes, $10,000 for the kidneys. Other body parts that are sold include semen, liquid oil of the joints and muscle fibers. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Al Aan TV)

Earthquake Measuring 4.4 on the Richter Scale Hits Northern Aleppo
Earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale hit northern Aleppo and southern Turkish city of Gaziantep last night. The tremor lasted for about five seconds, and residents of the area said they could feel it, without reports of injuries. (Source: Syrian Coalition)

Death Toll: 59 People Killed today, 68 Yesterday
The Local Coordination Committees documented 68 civilians killed yesterday, while 59 people were killed as of press time of today, including four children and two women. Deaths were cited as: 34 in Dara’a, 15 in Aleppo, 7 in Damascus, 2 in Idlib, and one in Deir Ezzor. (Source: LCC)

Two Killed By Barrel Bombs in Zakiya of Rural Damascus
Assad’s warplanes launched barrel bomb attacks on the town of Zakia in Rural Damascus, killing two people and injuring dozens. Assad’s warplanes also conducted air strikes on Khan Al-Sheih, Malih and Daraya, while mortar rounds  landed in Jaramana in rural Damascus. The Free Syrian Army repelled regime forces while trying to break into Al Qadam district, while regime forces arrested five civilians in the neighborhood of Salhiya in central Damascus. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)

Islamic Front and Al Mujahedeen Army Drive ISIS out of Most Rural Aleppo
Fighters of the Mujahedeen Army and the Islamic Front captured Kafr Hamra, Tel Nusaybin and Pashkwi in rural Aleppo after heavy clashes with ISIS fighters.  Assad’s warplanes launched barrel bomb attacks on liberated district of Aleppo, killing three civilians in Inzarat and injuring dozens. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)

Syrians Take to the Streets Protesting Against Assad and ISIS
Syrians held demonstrations across Syria and called for overthrow the Assad regime and lifting the siege on Syrian cities. Demonstrations were held in Maa’raba, Dara’a, Idlib, Kafranbel and Saraqeb against the Assad regime and ISIS. The demonstrations came in response to the inaction of the international community towards the massacres committed by the Assad regime against the Syrian people. 

• Amos calls for immediate ceasefire in Syria.
• US and Britain call for release of detainees in Homs.
• OPCW contracts with two companies for destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons.
• United States mull over political choices on Syria.