Daily Newsletter – 21/02/2014

Syrian Coalition: Assad Buys Time by Stalling Chemical Weapons Handover

Louay Safi, spokesman for the Syrian Coalition, is not surprised by the Assad regime’s stalling of the handover of chemical weapons. “We have expected this since the beginning, as Assad’s agreeing to hand over his chemical weapons is an interim step in order to absorb the international outrage after the Ghouta massacres. Safi also points out that the Assad regime’s initial acceptance to hand over his chemical weapons is nothing more than an attempt to avoid…Read more

Syrian Coalition Mourns the Death of Turad Al Zuhori
The Syrian Coalition expresses its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Turad Al Zuhori, the media activists who died while covering the battles in Qalamoun…Read more

UNRWA Resumes Food Distribution at the Yarmouk Camp
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) resumed the distribution of food for civilians trapped inside the Yarmouk camp in Damascus after ten-days stoppage, according to Martin Nesirky, spokesman for UN Secretary General. The spokesman said that UNRWA has managed to deliver more than 6,500 food parcels to civilians inside the camp since January 18. He also said that UNRWA welcomes the agreement and the arrangements that have been reached between the various parties in order to create conditions for the resumption of the humanitarian work of the Agency in Yarmouk Camp. “The UNRWA hopes that positive developments in the Yarmouk create momentum for peaceful dialogue among all parties so that ultimately leads to the delivery of humanitarian aid to all civilians in Syria.” (Source: Al Hayat)

ACU Steps Up Efforts to Relieve Displaced People in Aleppo
Assistance Coordination Unit (ACU) has stepped up efforts through its office in Killis through a set of emergency operations to provide food and shelter for the people who were displaced as a result of the daily bombing of Aleppo. Tens of thousands of people sought refuge in the countryside of Aleppo and in Turkey. ACU delivered food rations to the people in Killis near the Turkish borders in cooperation with volunteers. Around 3,000 food baskets were delivered to Aleppo Local Council on February 17, in addition to 1,000 meals and 300 packets of milk to Bab al-Nour camp. Shabab al-Furqan Organization received the load of 12 trucks that include food and clothing, namely 1,905 food baskets, 4,158 items of winter clothes, 277 stoves, 1,100 bags of firewood, 1,100 bags of coal, 922 packs of baby milk, 100 mattresses, and 200 blankets for displaced people in Killis camp. The next day, February 18, 437 meals were distributed to the displaced people, while on the next day 3,075 food baskets were delivered as follows: 1,025 food baskets to Bab al-Nour Camp, 1,025 to Al Shuhada’a Camp, 1025 to Manbej and 467 food rations to Killis Camp. (Source: Syrian Coalition)

Electricity Restored To Hanano Neighborhood Of Aleppo
The Electricity Department of Aleppo Local Council in Aleppo restored electricity to the neighborhood of Masaken Hanano after making repairs to electricity cables that were cut off as a result of the daily bombing by Assad’s air force on the city. (Source: Syrian Coalition)

Regime Forces Launch Air Raids On Jobar and Yabroud
Assad’s warplanes launched air strikes on Jobar neighborhood in Damascus, killing two people and injuring dozens. Regime forces also launched aerial shelling on the outskirts of Yabroud north of Damascus, alongside ongoing clashes between the FSA and regime forces backed by terrorist militias of Hezbollah. Regime forces also conducted artillery shelling on Adra and Ifraa in Barada valley, while Assad’s warplanes launched barrel bomb attacks on Darayya, causing casualties and material damage. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)

Three Civilians Killed by Aerial Shelling on Jelin in Dara’a
Assad’s warplanes bombed the town of Jelin in rural Dara’a, killing three civilians and wounding dozens. Regime forces conducted artillery shelling on Al Bahhar neighborhood of Dara’a, killing two people and seriously injuring others. Six people were wounded in Al Kashef neighborhood of Dara’a when a mortar shell landed near Al Sharq hospital. The towns of Nae’meh, Mataa’bah, Izraa’ and Sayda came under artillery shelling by regime forces, causing casualties and material damage. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)

Barrel Bombs Kill Five Civilians in Idlib
Assad’s warplanes launched barrel bombs attacks on the town of Khan Sheikhoun and Um al-Reish in rural Idlib, killing five civilians, including three children and injuring seven civilians. The Free Syrian Army blew up a BTR armored vehicle using a landmine near Al Sakan checkpoint in Idleb, while a number of pro-Assad soldiers were killed in northern Idlib. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)

Barrel Bombs Hit Handarat Camp in Aleppo as 25 ISIS Fighters Killed In Deir Ezzor
Assad’s warplanes dropped barrel bombs on Handarat Camp in Aleppo, killing a woman and a child. Sheikh Najjar came under aerial shelling, while three random mortar shells landed in Masharqa district in central Aleppo. Meanwhile, Islamist fighters clashed with ISIS fighters in rural Deir Ezzor, with reports of the death of 25 fighters of the latter. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)

Syrians Call for Moving the Battle to the Coast
Syria people took to the streets in various governorates in a Friday that activists dubbed “Solution is in Opening of the Coast Front.” Demonstrators in Idlib, Aleppo and Dara’a called for the overthrowing of the Assad regime Bashar al-Assad in Daraa expressing. Demonstrators also took to the streets against ISIS in Kafranbel, Binnish and Killi. Demonstrators also protested against the international community’s inaction towards the massacres committed by the Assad regime. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)

• Assad regime misses the deadline for destroying of chemical weapons.
• Voting on Syria aid postponed.
• Iran steps up logistical and military support for the Assad regime.