Coalition: Possible Withdrawal of Regime to Evade Commitments at Geneva 2
Munzer Akbik, President Jarba’s spokesman, does not rule out the withdrawal of the regime’s delegation “to evade the commitment to the terms of Geneva I which form the basis for Geneva II. Geneva I Communique calls for the formation of a transitional ruling body with full powers, not wide powers. This is why the Coalition will not accept the existence of any role for Bashar al-Assad or his cronies and all security and military institutions in Syria’s future,” Akbik said…Read more
ISIS Kidnaps and Kills Journalists in Syria Many journalists in Syria were subject to kidnapping, torture and murder by ISIS, forcing them to escape out of the country. The organization did not differentiate between foreign or Syrian journalists, recalling to mind violations by Assad regime against journalists. A Syrian Journalists who lives in Turkey after being sentenced to death by ISIS says that the organization kidnapped many foreign journalists, and they are of danger of being executed. The journalist says that he was sentenced to death because he published ISIS’s violations on his Facebook page. Reporters Without Borders says that more than 120 journalists have been killed in Syria, besides 40 who were arrested. The U.S. Committee to Protect Journalists said that Syria is the most dangerous country in the world to practice journalism. Last week, ISIS fighters raided the office of Anadolu Agency in Aleppo and smashed all the equipment inside the office. ISIS also killed 50 detainees, including journalists working for Shada TV, before pulling out the Children’s Hospital in Aleppo. The number of journalists kidnapped by ISIS is still unknown because the organization usually do not publicly adopt such acts and because some media outlets prefer to keep silent during negotiations with the kidnappers. ISIS relies on its own media network for releasing its statements, and describes other media outlets as “infidels” who are working to tarnish the image of the organization. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Al Hayat)
ACU Delivers Coal and Blankets Idlib Province ACU signed a MoU with the local council of Idlib whereby the Unit will send coal, heating fuel, mattresses, blankets and pillows and food rations to the towns of Muara, Harim, Ariha Jisr al Shughour and Khan Sheikhoun. The local council has already begun distributing the relief aid, including 110 tons of coal, 40 tons of heating fuel, 2700 mattress, 7655 blankets, 7655 pillows, and 6880 food rations. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
Syrian Expat Physicians Undertake Project to Provide Artificial Limbs A group of Syrian expatriate physicians have established a Syrian national project in Reyhanli, Turkey for providing prosthetics. The goal of the project is to provide treatment for injured Syrians. The project is funded by Syria Relief organization and by the Medical Association of Expat Syrians. 370 people were treated in 2013, of whom 40% are women and children. “One of the patients was only a year-old and a half and was injured when he was eight months old and lost his legs, and his first steps will be on artificial legs,” one of the physicians said. He said there are many cases that need difficult surgical operations as well as prosthetics and then physiotherapy. The project provides treatment to all patients free of charge. (Source: Syrian Coalition + AFP)
Death Toll: Seven people killed today, 78 yesterday The Local Coordination Committees documented 78 people killed yesterday, while seven people were killed as of 6:00 pm of today, including a woman and a one killed under torture. Deaths were cited as: three in Dara’a two in Damascus, and one in each of Idlib and Swaydaa’. (Source: LCC)
Barrel Bombs Kill Two in Daryya A child was shot by regime snipers in Assali of southern Damascus, alongside violent clashes between regime forces and the Free Syrian Army. Regime forces shelled Al Tadamon with mortar rounds while helicopters dropped barrel bombs on Daryya, killing two people and wounding dozens. . In each of and Almqilbah, artillery shelled by regime forces violently whereabouts of civilians, killing the wounded. Regime forces also pounded Douma, Zabadani, Miqilbiya with mortar and artillery. Aerial shelling was reported on Khan al Shih. (Source: Smart News Agency + Syrian Coalition)
Aerial Shelling on Aleppo as ISIS Pulls out of Darkoush in Idlib Regime air force bombed Al Salihin, Qaddi Askar, Mwayasser and Qaterji, causing civilian casualties. Barrel bomb attacks were also launched on Sheikh Najjar, Haritan and Tal Saibin. Violent clashes broke out between regime forces and the Free Syrian Army near the Grand Mosque in the Old City of Aleppo. Four pro-Assad soldiers were killed during clashes with the Free Syrian Army near Al Nairab air base east of Aleppo. ISIS fighters pulled out of Darkoush in Idlib province, while regime forces shelled Taftanaz and Tamana’a. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)
Three People Killed In Dara’a by Regime Shelling Two civilians were killed as a result of artillery bombardment on the town of Hirak in Dara’a province, alongside clashes between regime forces and the Free Syrian Army on the outskirts of Brigade No 52. A civilian was killed and dozens wounded by the regime’s aerial shelling on Inkhil. Regime forces shelled Addar al Kabira north of Homs with mortar rounds, while shelled Al Wa’r district with heavy machine guns. A civilian was killed and others wounded as a result of shelling by regime forces on Salma in Lattakia province. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)
On The Third Day of Geneva II Regime Forces Continue To Target Civilians The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that “in conjunction with the third day of the peace conference held in Geneva, Assad forces continued the torture of detainees and shelling with rockets and barrel bombs on residential neighborhoods.” The network documented the death of 161 civilians over the past three days, including 22 children, 23 women, and 36 people were tortured to death. The Network noted that among the victims 31% were women and children. The Network calls on the international community to exert real pressure on the Syrian government to immediately stop bombing and torture of civilians. The Local Coordination Committees said that a civilian from Swaydaa’ died today under torture in the prisons of the Assad regime. (Source: Al Jazeera)
United States: The Assad regime cannot claim to represent the Syrian people.
American expert: the regime’s crimes will be referred to the International Criminal Court.
Canada offers $15 million dollars for the destruction of Syrian chemical weapons and $150 million for Syrian refugees.
Impatience grows as Syria chemical handover stall.
