Daily Newsletter – 20/02/2014

Syrian Coalition: Russia’s Veto Is as Deadly as Assad’s Chemical Weapons

Nora Al Ameer, vice president of the Syrian Coalition, criticizes the logic of force and Russia’s threat of vetoing a UN Security Council for the delivery of humanitarian aid and lifting the siege on Syrian cities. “When Russia decides to veto the entry of humanitarian aid and bread to trapped civilians, then the right to use the veto turns into to a weapon as deadly as Assad’s chemical weapons,” she said. Al Ameer also lashed out on “Russia’s stipulation that the Assad…Read more

Syrian Coalition: Hezbollah’s turned The Region into Chaos
Hadi Al Bahra, member of the political committee, said that “the involvement of the terrorist militias of Hezbollah in the war waged by the Assad regime on the Syrian…Read more

Interim Defense Minister Calls for Closing the Ranks
Asa’ad Mustafa, defense minister in the Syrian interim government, calls on FSA battalions to unify and close the ranks. “Despite the great difficulties, the Ministry of Defense seek to coordinate with all anti-Assad fighters and to form an umbrella for all fighters. There is a need to unify the sources of arms and funding into a single group or institution, which will be tasked with deciding where weapons and money should go according to the requirements of the battles at home,” Mustafa said. He also said that this institution would include the Islamic Front, Syrian Revolutionaries Front, the Islamic Union of Ajnad al-Sham, and the Mujahideen Army. Mustafa points out that the Ministry has a future project, which is incorporating all anti-Assad factions in one body through dialogue and mutual consent. “Our objective is clear, which is unifying our efforts to overthrow the Assad regime and bring about change in Syria, and then move on to build a pluralistic and democratic state,” he said. Mustafa recalls when free and democratic elections were held back in 1957. He also said that the new FSA General Staff will complement the good work carried out by the previous leadership of the FSA. Mustafa explained the reasons behind his resignation few days ago, which he later retracted. “I submitted my resignation with full conviction, after three months of my work with the interim government, and I felt that we cannot meet the requirements of the revolutionaries at home, who are subjected to enormous pressure.” He points out that “the Syrian Coalition refused my resignation, and they called me and told me that the time is not right, and also the brothers in the Supreme Military Council unanimously refused it.” He added that “I suggested restructuring the General Staff since I was appointed in my position, and Major General Salim Idris was not my goal.” Mustafa stresses that “the Syrian revolutionaries has a simple requirement, which is their most basic rights to defend themselves against daily bombing, tanks, and missiles. (Source: Al Sharq al-Awsat)

ACU Funds “Warm Winter” Campaign in Eastern Ghouta
Assistance Coordination Unit (ACU) provided financial support for the Unified Relief Office in Eastern Ghouta for the implementation of a campaign dubbed “Warm Winter.” The goal of the campaign is to assist trapped civilians in resuming production at the currently closed clothing factories in the area that produce warm winter clothing. Mohamed Hashish, member of the board of directors of the Relief Office, said that “the Office launched the first phase of the project and will work on restarting the factories in Eastern Ghouta.” He urges all donors and supporters of the project to make every effort to support this project, which will cover a wide range of children, women and the elderly.” Abdullah al-Hafi, a member of the Relief Office, said that said that more than 10 workshops started working in the area. The total cost of the project is $218.750 USD. The project reflects the spirit of cooperation and awareness that proves the genuineness of the Syrian people and their strong will in the face of life’s hardships, especially in light of the crippling siege and constant shelling by the Assad regime. The project also seeks to find alternatives and provide a minimum of warmth to the affected and displaced households in Eastern Ghouta. The project provided more than 1,000 jobs for the youths of this besieged area. ACU also delivered baby milk for children free of charge in southern Damascus. The food aid was distributed by the General Medical Committee in southern Damascus. (Source: Syrian Coalition) 

Jaish al-Islam Captures the Electronic Warfare Battalion in Rural Damascus
Brigades of Jaish al Islam captured the Electronic Warfare Battalion near Domeir in rural Damascus after fierce clashes with regime forces. Turad al-Zuhori, a prominent media activist from Qusair, was killed while covering battles in Qalamoun. Meanwhile, Daryya, Hazza, Ein Tarma, Zamalka and Erbin came under aerial shelling by regime forces. Regime forces conducted artillery shelling on Duma and Zabadani in rural Damascus, causing civilian casualties and material damage. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)

ISIS Carries Out A Car Bomb Attack At Al Salama Border Crossing
ISIS carried out a car bomb attack at Al Salama border crossing near the Turkish borders, killing more than 50 civilians and wounding dozens, some in critical condition. Battalions of the Islamic Front captured the village of Burj Al-Rumman and the Syriatel checkpoint in rural Aleppo. A car bomb exploded at the main entrance of Aleppo central prison, killing eight members of regime forces. Regime’s snipers targeted civilians in Al Masharqa district of Aleppo. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)

FSA Advances on Regime Position in Nawa as Regime shelling Kills Nine in Jassem
The FSA captured two checkpoints manned by regime forces near Nawa in rural Dara’a after violent clashes with regime forces who lost 25 fighters killed and dozens wounded. Regime forces conducted artillery shelling on Jassem in rural Dara’a, killing nine civilians, including two children. Seven detainees from the town of Kafr Shams died under torture in the prisons of the Assad regime. In the meantime, regime forces launched barrel bomb attacks on Basr al-Harir, Inkhil and Dara’a al-Balad, while Islamist battalions clashed with regime forces in rural Quneitra, with reports of the death of 25 pro-Assad fighters. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)

• Human Rights Watch confirms Assad regime’s use of cluster bombs in Hama.
• UNRWA condemns regime’s bombing of a school in Mezerib of Dara’a.
• Saudi Arabia: Syrians hope meeting with Russia lead to quick solution that end bloodshed.