Daily Newsletter – 21/10/2013

Regime Strikes School: Kills Five Students and Two Teachers

In a series of systematic strikes on children’s schools, the Syrian Coalition demands the international community to intensify its efforts and put an end to what it describes as “criminal practices aiming to exterminate the Syrian people.” This comes in response to Assad Forces targeting two schools in Deir Ezzor taking the lives of five students, two teachers and injuring many children. This is one of a series of attacks on school children in Syria. Assad Regime fighter jets struck a school in Al Raqqa killing 14 students on the first day of school.  A Syrian Coalition statement explains that “the strike came as students gathered in the schoolyard for recess.” This “continued systematic targeting of innocent civilians, in particular children, only demonstrates the bloodthirsty nature of Assad’s brutal regime. The international community has a moral obligation to put an end to Assad’s willingness and ability to kill.” (Source: Syrian Coalition)

“Northern Storm”: Release Female Prisoners

In the latest press release issued by the “Northern Storm” Brigade, they highlighted that “Assad betrayed them and broke his promise in the negotiations. He traded Syrian lives to earn the satisfaction of the Iran and Hezbollah militia.” The statement clarified that the Lebanese men were detained in areas under control of the “Northern Storm” Brigade after confirmation that they were spies associated with the Assad Regime.” The Brigade’s statement also said “that it offered the possibility of the release of the Lebanese men if the regime released female prisoners who had been arrested arbitrarily.  Tal al Melouhi was at the top of the list, after communicating with several human rights organizations and with the families of the detainees directly.” Furthermore,  the statement explained that this is the only condition which the Brigade insisted on, rejecting any replacement for this requirement with any other offers, whether material, logistic or military.  The Brigade also refused “the addition of any other conditions.” The statement explains, “After a long struggle the regime finally accepted the swap deal.

We were surprised by the announcement of the abducted Turkish pilots in Beirut as their case was linked to the nine detainees of the “Northern Storm” Brigade, and was followed by media silence. Mediation efforts continued and the parties finally agreed with a Qatari guarantee, in the presence of Abdul Qader al Saleh, Leader of Liwaa al Tawheed, that the exchange process would happen in two phases: Phase one: 111 female prisoners would be released by the Assad regime, in addition to the two Turkish pilots, in exchange for three Hezbollah militia prisoners.” The “Northern Storm” Brigade would “in the meantime confirm the identity of the detainees.”  The statement continues to explain “While the second phase: the remaining 6 Hezbollah militia detainees would be released in exchange for 212 female prisoners held by the regime. But because of ISIS taking over the headquarters the exchange process had to be expedited, and the prisoners were handed over to the mediators all at the same time. The Turkish government guarenteed the implementation of the content of the signed agreement as this was done out of fear of possible irresponsible behavior from some parties, and the failure to free the prisoners from detention.” The statement added that the Brigade sent “an envoy of Syrian female activists and Syrian scholars to meet the freed women in Adana for the scheduled release, in the presence of the Qatari ambassador in Turkey, but have not received any of the prisoners to this moment.”

At the end of the statement the “Northern Storm” Brigade “congratulated the Turkish people on the arrival of pilots to their country and returning safely to their families. The statement emphasizes the need for the pursuit of all parties to immediately release the female prisoners, and relieve the pain of the Syrian people with their return their families and their children, according to the terms of the agreement signed between the “Northern Storm” Brigade and the mediating parties. The statement denied rumors that a sum of money was received for the release of prisoners and said, “It is strange to take what some Lebanese news agencies reporter about the “Northern Storm” Brigade’s receipt of some material amount to complete the deal seriously. The statement stressed that “the “Northern Storm” Brigade held freeing women from Assad prisons above any material gains and that they have lost many of their men as martyrs. They confirmed that they have rejected all previous material and military offers. “

(Source: Syrian Coalition)

Local Council in Muadhamiyat al Shaam: We Are Eating Leaves from Trees and Wrap Our Wounds with Torn Sheets

In an interview conducted by the Media Office of the Syrian Coalition with the spokesman of the Local Council of Muadamiyah, Qusay Zakaria, he emphasized “the massive destruction of the infrastructure of the area due to deliberate targeting by regime forces.” He noted “Assad thugs and his forces have demolished all bakeries, hospitals, schools, health facilities, water purification and distribution facilities, telephone lines and electricity sources with consistent and systematic bombardment of the area.” He described the state of the people who are under siege and experiencing systematic starvation, saying they “eat leaves, berries and grapes leaves smuggled into them from Daraya.” Zakaria noted that “9000 civilians are pulling water from a single line, where in some places it is mixed with sewage.” The spokesman said: “There is only one field hospital with one oxygen tank, and no more medical serum bags, or blood bags.” He added that that “pieces of torn sheets are the only means used by injured civilians to treat their wounds.” It is noteworthy that Muadamiyah is considered one of the most strategic areas for the Assad Regime since it is near very important security branches in Damascus. It is adjacent to the Mezze military airport, which is the center of the region and is responsible for Assad’s movements in the sky. Muadamiyah was one of the first areas to have experienced popular uprisings which marked the beginning of the core of the Syrian revolution. The Syrian Coalition coordinated with the Local Council of Darya to conduct a press conference on Tuesday in solidarity with the Ghoutas of Damascus. (Source: Syrian Coalition)

21 Dead in Syria today and 71 dead yesterday.

Local Coordination Committees in Syria documented 71 dead in Syria yesterday. Also, seven people died in Damascus, six in Dara’a, three in Homs, two in each of Aleppo and Idlib, and one in al Quneitra. (Source: Local Coordination Committees)

Clashes in Barzah and Muadamiyah, Mortars Fall in Jarmana in Rural Damascus

The Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces in Barzah in Damascus. They also clashed in Muadamiyah and Darayaa during a regime attempt to raid the area as fierce shelling from mortars, rockets, and heavy artillery bombarded the area. Also, the regime shelled Zamalka, Jisreen, al Mleiha, and al Yarmouk Camp with heavy artillery injuring many civilians and destroying many homes. Also, several mortar shells fell in al Naseem and al Homsi in Jaramana resulting in the closing of schools and other material damage in the area.

(Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committee)

Martyrdom of Yasserl al Aboud in Daraa in the Battle for “Unifying the Ranks”

Yasser al Aboud, Head of the Southern Joint Operations Room was targeted and killed by an artillery shell during clashes in the town of Tafas in the province of Daraa between the Free Syrian Army and regime forces during the “Unifying the Ranks” battle. The late Yasser al Aboud was the commander of the Fallujat Horan Brigade, known as ‘Abu Ammar’, and was “of the most prominent commanders in the field”, according to the Military Council of the Free Syrian Army in Dar’aa. It is noteworthy that Aboud was born March 19, 1967, and announced his defection from the regime army to join the Free Syrian Army in February 2012.  He is also the third martyr in his family after the death of his two brothers in sporadic fighting in the province of Dara’a. There are renewed clashes between regime forces and the Free Syrian Army near the National Hospital in Tareeq al Sad District in Daraa Daraa. Regime forces shelled Camp Daraa with heavy artillery and rocket launchers. There were also clashes in the city of Nawa, and regime forces also targeted Dael and al Lajat with heavy artillery.

(Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

Regime Fighter Jets Strike Muheen in Homs

Regime fighter jets and regime heavy artillery targeted the town of Muheen in rural Homs killing two people, among them a child, and injuring many others. Regime forces renewed shelling with heavy artillery from their positions on top of al Sayeh Mountain injuring many people and destroying many homes. The regime also shelled the outskirts of Palmyra with no reports of damage. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

Mortar Shelling on Jisr al Shughoor

Regime forces renewed their shelling with mortars on Jisr al Shughoor in rural Idlib and the town of al Rami injuring many people and destroying many buildings. Regime fighter jets conducted air strikes on al Ruwayhia in Jabal al Zawiye injuring many civilians. Regime forces also shelled Bzabour and Qayminas, activists reported many injured people who were taken to first aid stations in critical condition. Regime Forces also shelled the town of al Baraghidi with rocket launchers and heavy artillery from Abu Thuhoor Military Airport. There are no reports of injuries. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

The Free Syrian Army Targets Regime Stronghold in Aleppo

The Free Syrian Army targeted a regime gathering point in Saleh Jamaal School in the Mahlab Barracks in Aleppo. The FSA clashed with regime forces in Khaldiye in Aleppo near the Natural Gas factory and the wood works building. Regime fighter jets dropped explosive barrels on al Sfeira injuring many people and causing large amounts of destruction in the city. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

Frequent Cases of Polio in Deir Ezzor and Medical Aid Held

The World Health Organization identified two cases of polio in Deir Ezzor. The UN affiliated organization said the initial test results of several cases of paralysis in Deir Ezzor tested positive for polio. The organization added that “Syria is at serious risk of polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.” This comes as a result of the regime’s continued siege on areas controlled by the FSA, preventing the arrival of medical and relief materials. The WHO said it should conduct further tests throughout the region in search of any other possible cases. The WHO recommends vaccinating all travelers to and from areas afflicted by this disease. (Source: Syrian Coalition)

Brahimi’s Meeting With al Arabi: No Clarity on Date for Geneva 2

Secretary General of the Arab League, Nabil Elarabi said there are preparations for the Geneva 2 conference to be held on the 23rd and 24th of the following month. At the same time the UN envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi, said “it has not yet determined any date to Geneva.” Brahimi left Cairo International Airport on his way to Iraq, following a visit to Cairo to prepare for the international conference for peace in Syria, “Geneva 2”.  This comes within the framework of international efforts to address the reality in Syria, which has seen an unprecedented military campaign against the Syrian people by Bashar al Assad. Brahimi met with Secretary-General of the Arab League, Nabil Elaraby, during his visit to Cairo and they discussed regional and international efforts to find a political solution between Bashar al Assad’s regime and popular forces representing the Syrian revolution. Brahimi also held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister, Nuri al Maliki, during his tour of a number of countries in the region, during which they discussed recent political developments in the area.  (Source: Syrian Coalition + al Arabiya)

Hezbollah Spies Released, Syrians Still in Captivity

Families of the detained Syrian women still wait for news of their release after a prisoner exchange deal brokered by international countries. At the same time other people celebrated the release of the terrorist Hezbollah spies by the Free Syrian Army, who were detained for nearly 14 months. It is noteworthy that a member of the Legal Committee of the Syrian National Coalition, Hisham Marwa, described “the Assad Regime’s swapping of Hezbollah militia prisoners for detained Syrian females” as a shameful act. He added that “the spies of Assad’s allies are more important Syrians who Assad claims to protect.” He pointed out that “this prisoner swap is clear evidence foreign powers controlling the Assad Regime. Furthermore, Assad’s disingenuous claims of nationalism and resistance against Israel are false propaganda coupled with his repeated accusations of the opposition being allied with foreign powers.” (Source: Syrian Coalition)