Daily Newsletter – 14/10/2013

A Horrific Massacre in Darkush 

Assad’s massacres against civilians are revenge driven which try to put an end to popular support of the revolution. These despicable actions force the peaceful demonstrators to retreat and force the armed rebels who protect the civilians to lay down their arms. The Syrian Coalition stated that Assad forces committed a horrific massacre inside a popular market today in liberated Darkoush in rural Idleb. Twenty-two civilians were killed and many people were injured as they shopped in preparation for Eid ul-Adha. It is noteworthy that Darkoush is a liberated area, “bustling with thousands of families fleeing from neighboring towns targeted by horrific massacres and field executions committed by regime forces.” The Syrian Coalition also said that the regime deliberately committed this massacre “on the day of Mount Arafa, the most important day of the pilgrimage”, accusing the regime of “trying to create confusion and chaos and provoke tensions among the ranks of the rebels.” The regime, in reprisals, is attacking free civilians for successful advances on Assad forces.” The Syrian Coalition calls on Muslim and Arab nations and international organizations to assume their responsibility towards Syrians.” The call includes a request “to take all actions that would alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people, and to move to support the revolution and the Free Syrian Army in order to achieve freedom, justice and dignity and to hold accountable those who violated the Syrian people,” over two years. (Source: Syrian Coalition)

The Muslim Brotherhood in Syria Call on Muslims to Support Syrians

The Muslim Brotherhood in Syria called on Muslim people all over the world to support the Syrian people. They warned people that Syrian refugees are falling short in support as “the revolution is coming close to a third year.” The General Comptroller of the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria, Mohamad Riad Shaqfa, said, “Eid Ul Adha has come upon us with bad guys ganging up on us from all sides, the enemies of humanity are all from the same origin, and our Syrian people are patient and confident in justice”, in a letter addressed to the Syrian people today on the occasion of the start of Eid Ul Adha. He added, “On this very special Eid day we will not forget the painful wounds of the Syrian people all across Syrian lands, we will not forget the blood, the sadness, and the destruction that continues and does not stop. We will not forget the screams of pain and anguish which have become the driving force in every Syrian body.” Shaqfa added a message to the Syrian revolutionaries saying, “Your enemies are the enemies of humanity and they have been stripped of all values. Unify your ranks, put your hands together, forgive one another, forgive each others’ mistakes, for you are all brothers and brotherhood requires you to unite and synergise. We will spare no effort in supporting you and sacrifice ourselves and our souls for you. (Source: al Quds al Arabi)

57 Dead today. 58 Dead yesterday.

Fifty-eight people were killed in Syria yesterday. Local Coordination Committees documented 57 people dead all over Syria today. Among the dead are four children, five women, and two who died under torture. 22 people died in Idlib, nine in Dara’a, eight in Damascus proper and rural Damascus, six in Hama, five in Aleppo, four in Deir Ezzor, two in Homs, and one in al Raqqa.  (Source: Local Coordination Committees)

Two Vehicles Exploded in Umayyad Square in Damascus

There were two large explosions in Umayyad Square in Damascus yesterday evening. The explosions were deployed near the General Assembly of the Radio and Television building from the side of the Mezzeh Highway. Those injured from the explosions were taken to Basil Hospital in Mashrou Dumar in Damascus. Regime checkpoints were placed throughout the area, especially near al Mazara’a Square which was closed completely. Also, the road to Jisra al Abyad was closed off by an armored vehicle. Even the roads that led to the Umayyad Square were closed. Mortar fell on the capital in different areas after the “Islamic Army” of the Free Syrian Army, warned regime forces that they would shell regime security branches. Mortar shells fell on Umayyad Square, al Midan, and Abbasid Square. Regime forces shelled al Qadam, al Yarmouk Camp, al Hajr al Aswad with heavy artillery injuring many people and destroying many homes.  (Source: Syrian Coalition + Smart News Agency)

A Car Explosion in Darkoush Market in Idlib

A car bomb exploded this morning in a Darkoush market in Idlib killing approximately 65 people according to Shaam News Network’s report to alJazeera. Also, a large number of civilians in the area were injured. Regime fighter jets shelled the area with heavy machine guns causing a sense of chaos among the civilians. Regime fighter jets shelled Shamareen Village in rural Idlib and Saraqeb killing a number of people, their number is unknown. Also, a number of people were injured during the air strikes, some of which are in critical condition. Fierce clashes occurred between the FSA and regime forces on the Wadi al Dayf front and Muaskar al Hamidiya, these are considered the most important regime strongholds left in southern rural Idlib. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

Surface to Surface Missile Kills of an Entire Family in Aleppo

Regime forces launched a surface to surface missile on al Naqareen district in Aleppo yesterday evening. The strike has killed an entire family, five people, and injured many others. More people died in the city of al Latamna in Hama and others were injured, as a result of regime air strikes. Clashes continued between the FSA and regime forces all over these areas as shelling occurred.

(Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

Lavrov Criticizes the Syrian National Council’s Refusal to Attend Geneva

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Syrian National Council’s refusal to attend “Geneva 2″ confirms the need to hold the conference as soon as possible. He stressed that delaying the conference is in the interest of who he called “jihadists” fighting in Syria. After talks with his Honduran counterpart, he said in a statement, “This announcement (non-participation of the National Council) confirms once again that the main obstacle on this road is currently in the inability of our partners to carry the Syrian opposition, to go to Geneva and sit down on the negotiating table with the government.” Lavrov said that it was a priority for Moscow to identify a location for the meeting as soon as possible. He considered any procrastination is in the interest of the extremists and terrorist groups and strengthens their positions in the ranks of the insurgents who are fighting Bashar al Assad’s regime. He added: “With every day of procrastination, we create fertile ground for the continuation of this bloody war and strengthen the positions of power for the most extreme.” The Russian foreign minister said that the United States and other sponsors of the Syrian opposition should recognize their responsibility for creating favorable conditions for the Geneva 2 conference.  (Source: alArabiya)

The Jordanian Government States More Than 1,250,000 Syrians in Jordan

The Director of the Department of Syrian Refugees in Jordan, Wadah Hamoud said that more than 2,100 Syrians entered the Kingdom’s territory last Saturday. According to Hamoud, “the Syrian refugees who enter the Kingdom are distributed to the camps, they are also provided with basic needs.” He noted that “there are no cases of any refugees who returned to Syria voluntarily or any Syrians that are staying in Jordan with Jordanian sponsors”. The Jordanian Prime Minister Dr. Abdullah al Nusoor recently announced that there are 1,250,000 Syrian in Jordan. Jordanian government spokesman, Mohammed Al-Momani, said that “the country will be in need of about $850,000,000 in the event that the number of Syrian refugees in Jordan increased by 1 million by the end of the year.”

Dutchman Sigrid Kaag Set to head the United Nations Mission and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical weapons in Damascus

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, appointed Dutchman Sigrid Kaag as head of the joint mission between the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. The organization is charged with the destruction of the Syrian chemical weapons arsenal. Sources said that the Secretary-General sent a message yesterday to the UN Security Council. (Source: Syrian Coalition)

Kerry: No Peace in Syria Without a Transitional Government

US Secretary of State John Kerry called for convening a peace conference to discuss the situation in Syria. He stressed that this should happen very soon as peace would not be possible without a transitional government to replace Bashar al Assad.  After meeting the United Nations Envoy to Syria in London, Lakhdar Brahimi, he stated that “we believe it is necessary to confirm a date for the conference and work towards a new Syria.” He added that Assad has “lost the necessary legitimacy to be a cohesive force which can bring people together.” Kerry pointed out that, “Brahimi will travel to the region to consult with the parties regarding the Geneva peace conference.” (Source: Reuters)