Daily Newsletter – 25/9/2013

The Coalition Meets Lakhdar Brahimi: Our participation in Geneva 2 is Dependent on Assad’s Departure

On the sidelines of the General Assembly meetings of the United Nations today in New York, the Syrian National Coalition headed by Mr. Ahmed Aweinan Al Jarba met with the delegation of the United Nations envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, and discussed Geneva 2. The Coalition delegation has pre-empted their participation in the Geneva conference declaring that their presence in the Geneva 2 conference would be possible but with the condition of Assad’s departure. The Coalition delegation met yesterday with Secretary of State John Kerry, they discussed the subject of chemical weapons disarmament and the Geneva Conference 2. The Coalition delegation’s schedule in New York on Tuesday included meetings with EU Foreign Minister Catherine Ashton and another meeting with the Norwegian Foreign Minister. The agenda also included a meeting with German Foreign Minister Gedo Fastervelleh. The Coalition chairman and his accompanying delegation are scheduled to hold a press conference on Thursday morning in New York.

The Timing of the Brigades’ Statement is not Appropriate, But We Should Understand Their Concerns

Mr. Anas Al Abda, member of the Political Committee of the Syrian National Coalition, said that the “timing of the statement released by the Islamic brigades yesterday was not appropriate at all and is searching for reasons for the publishing of this statement in conjunction with the Coalition delegation’s visit to the United Nations aiming to gain new friends for the Syrian cause.” Al Abda added, “The brigades that signed the statement do not represent the most important Free Syrian Army brigades on the ground; there are large brigades that did not sign the statement.” Al Abda reiterated, “it should be noted by everyone that the nature of the future government in Syria will be the choice of the Syrian people by way of suggestion boxes and voting and no one has the right to force their ideas on the Syrian people and announce the type of governance or the laws that will govern the country. Naturally, it is possible for those who have done this to convince the Syrian people in the phase after freedom from the regime and not now.” Al Abda said, “Suggesting such ideas and prescribing a specific color to the type of governance at this time causes rifts among the revolutionaries and brings into the question the strength of the revolution inside and outside Syria.” Al Abda feels that is of the utmost importance for the Coalition to engage in a dialogue with these brigades – except for Jabhat Al Nusra – to try and understand the points of their concern and take them into consideration.  Al Abda suggested, “That it was a mistake to add Jabhat Al Nusra to the statement because no project unites us in Syria that is tied to Al Qaeda that has a working agenda that is not Syrian, and which goes against the nationalistic project.” Al Abda added, “The temporary government is an urgent need to serve the Syrian people in the liberated areas, headed by a known person from inside Syria that conducts consultations with the brigades and revolutionary powers to choose the members of the government.”  A group of 13 Islamic rebel brigades announced yesterday evening in Aleppo their call to “unify under a clear Islamic framework based on Islamic principles.” The brigades stated that they did not recognize any of the opposition “groups” outside Syria.  The groups also said, most notably Jabhat Al Nusra, Liwaa Al Tawheed, and Liwaa Al Islam, “all groups formed outside Syria without consulting those inside Syria will not be recognized.”

(Source: Coalition)

Tohma: Civil Society Organizations are the Active Arm of the Government

Dr. Ahmad Tohma, head of the temporary Syrian government said, “the importance of activating the role of civil society organizations and local councils as a strategic arm actor of the next government, as they can contribute to the development of real contributions if they succeed in building awareness and development, as well as stability and employment through real and effective participation in the development process.” Tohma’s comments came during a meeting, with members of the Syrian Support organization, seeking to make a proposal about the model refugee camp based near the Bab Al Hawa border crossing that has a capacity of approximately 4,000 people, along side a proposed medium term modern residency camp in northern Syria with a total capacity of 10,000 people, which will be equipped with all services, as well as logistical support, subsistence, treatment, education and development.

Tohma called for further “activating the role of civil society organizations in the economic, social, cultural and political development,” adding that “the establishment of model camps inside Syria is a qualitative step and building block of civil work and would have a significant impact, especially if followed by the rest of the organizations that work within the scope of the Syrian humanitarian relief. “

(Source: Al Arabiya)

 A Statement by Islamic Brigades Calls for Unity Under an “Islamic Framework”

A group of 13 Islamic Rebel Brigades announced yesterday evening in Aleppo their call to “unify under a clear Islamic framework based on Islamic principles”. The brigades stated that they did not recognize any of the opposition “groups” outside Syria. The groups also said, most notably Jabhat Al Nusra, Liwaa Al Tawheed, and Liwaa Al Islam, “all groups formed outside Syria without consulting those inside Syria will not be recognized.”

(Source: Brigades’ Statement)

Starvation Threatens the Lives of Syrian children, The World Food Program Calls for Increased Support

Aid groups and activists said that hunger is a growing threat to Syrians and children are now dying from malnutrition.Syrian activists showed images of the bodies of several children that looked like skeletons and doctors said they died due to malnutrition. The latest victim is Rana Obaid, who died on Tuesday at the age of one year. Photos of Rana emerged showing her bones framing her body and her stomach inflating.  The doctors said that she is the sixth child who dies of malnutrition Damascus suburb of Al Moadamia. It is difficult for international aid groups to confirm such cases because they do not have a way to get to the areas affected by violence. “Save the Children” issued a report on hunger on Tuesday saying that such cases indicate the possibility of a food crisis. This came at a time during which the World Food Program of the United Nations made a call to increase support for the provision of food for millions of Syrians inside the country and in refuge areas. This also coincided with the warnings of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) that a humanitarian disaster threatens the children of Syria.

The World Food Programme (WFP) said that they spent $30 million dollars a week to feed the Syrians in most of the cities inside Syria, as well as areas where people emigrated to, anticipating the approach of third winter since the start of the revolution.

(Source: Reuters + Al Jazeera)

17 Martyrs in Syria Until this Evening and 51 Yesterday

Local Coordination Committees in Syria documented 62 martyrs in Syria yesterday, 23 people were killed until 6 P.M. today among them a woman and a child. Also, 9 others were martyred in Daraa, 6 in the Damascus countryside, 5 in Al Raqqa, 2 in Idleb, and one in Aleppo.

(Local Coordination Committees)

Regime Forces Renew Shelling of Al Qaboun and Barzeh, 3 People were Martyred in Htaytat Al Turkman in the Damascus Countryside

Regime forces renewed shelling of Al Qaboun in Damascus with cannons and mortars resulting in many injured and the destruction of several homes. At the same time there was continued shelling by regime forces with heavy mortars on the districts of Jobar, Barzah, and Al Tadamun in the Capital. Concurrently there were clashes on the outskirts of these districts between the Free Syrian Army and regime forces. Regime forces also shelled the cities an towns of Al Maleiha, Zakiya, Moadamiat Al Shaam, Darayaa, Harasta, Al Zabadani, Yabroud, Douma, Zamalka, Ain Terma, and Htaytat Al Turkman in preparation for a raid on those cities and towns resulting in the martyrdom of 3 people in Htaytat Al Turkman and tens of injured people.

(Source: Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

Clashes on the Outskirts of Al Maleiha and Al Mutahelq Al Junoobi in the Damascus countryside, the Free Syrian Army Takes Control of a Large Portion of Jumruk Dare Crossing

Fierce clashes occurred on the outskirts of the town of Al Maleiha and on the road of Al Mutahaleq Al Junoubi. Activists also reported the martyrdom of 5 people due to the regime forces’ shelling of the towns of Atna and Al Nasiriya. The Free Syrian Army also took over a large portion of old Daraa Customs Border Crossing after what have been described as fierce clashes with regime forces. The border crossing is one of the most important border crossings between Syria and Jordan after the Jaber border crossing in Nasib. The Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces in the Manshiya district in Daraa as the regime forces continued to shell Al Yadoodia, Um Al Mayatheen, Nahitat Al Yadoodia resulting in the injury of many civilians in the area.

(Source: Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

The Free Syrian Army Takes Control of Regime Checkpoints in Palmyra, Fighter Jets Target the City of Al Tabqa in Al Raqqa Province

The Free Syrian Army targeted regime checkpoints today near Palmyra in Homs and completely destroyed them killing over 50 soldiers and injuring tens of other. The Free Syrian Army also took over a checkpoint on the outskirts of the city of Al Sukhna. The Free Syrian Army successfully brought down a regime fighter jet in the Hama countryside and took control of the Al Madajen area in the town of Al Mufaker after fierce clashes with regime forces. Regime fighter jets shelled Jabal Al Turkman in Lattakia, as well as the city of Al Tabqa in Al Raqqa Province resulting in the martyrdom of 14 people and tens of others injured. Regime fighter jets also struck Jabal 40 in Idleb and Abu Al Thuhoor military airport.

(Source: Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

Fighter Jets Target Al Mayadeen in Deir El Zour, An Explosion Rocks Al Hassaka

Today, regime fighter jets shelled the city of Al Mayadeen in Deir El Zour resulting in the injury of a number of people and the destruction of residences. A large explosion near the military barracks shook the center of the city of Al Hassaka, followed by heavy gunfire by regime forces. There are reports of many dead until now. Regime forces shelled with heavy mortars the town of Hayan in Aleppo resulting in many injured due to the shelling.

(Source: Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

UN Inspectors Arrive in Damascus

The United Nation team of experts on chemical weapons arrived at their place of residence at Hotel Four Seasons in the center of Damascus on their second triip to Syria to conduct a further investigation about the use of chemical weapons. It is expected that the team led by Aki Silistrom will investigate 14 possible occurrences of chemical weapons use by the regime in Syria. The team finished their report published on the 16th of September regarding their last visit in August which concluded that chemical weapons had been used in many places during the ongoing Syrian crisis over the last 30 months.

(Source: AFP + Al Hayat)

Lavrov Hopes a Decision on Syria Will Not Oppose the Geneva Conference

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed his country’s interest in a decision to be agreed upon in the Security Council regarding Syria.  Onn the sidelines of the General Assembly meeting of the United Nations,  Lavrov said that “the meting with Secretary of State Kerry touched on a lot of issues, most notably Syria and foremost the decision of the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the decision of the Security Council which will support the steps that must be taken to destroy Syria’s chemical weapons.” Lavrov pointed out that “the Russian and American sides stressed that discussions were about the destruction of all existing chemical weapons in Syria. “

(Source: UBI + Al Hayat)

Turkey and Jordan: Ending the Plight in Syria is Now the Responsibility of the International Community

Yesterday Turkey and Jordan made a call to promote international efforts to end what is happening in Syria and said that the international community has a responsibility not to abandon the Syrian people. This came from the tongue of the Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Jordan ‘s King Abdullah in their speech before the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York.

Gul said that the international community is responsible to bring an end to the matter , which has claimed the lives of more than 100,000 people according to UN estimates.

Gul said that what is happening in Syria is turning out to be “a real threat to the peace and security of the region. Any repeat of the proxy wars that took place during the Cold War will enter Syria into more chaos.”

He added that Turkey welcomes the Russian-American agreement to remove the Syrian chemical weapons , but it was up to the world community not to allow the Assad government to escape responsibility for other crimes.” Gul criticized what he described as “a policy of balance of power ” that contributed to the prolongation of the crisis and called for a strategy led by world powers and Syria’s neighbors to put an end to the crisis. He said, “in short … We can not and we should not leave the Syrian people for their own fate. The burden of ending the plight of Syria is now the responsibility of the international community. Strong support must now be accompanied by real action”.

King Abdullah called on the international community to “speed up” the process of political transition in Syria and to provide more support to the Syrian refugees, saying “It is in the interest of the international community, as they are able to do so. They should  help urgently as the damage and dangers continues to increase,” in reference to the increasing flow of Syrian refugees to Jordan where they are currently tenth of the UK population .

(Source: Al Quds Al Arabi)

Emir of Qatar: It is a Pity that Those Guilty of Crimes in Syria are Not Held Accountable

The Emir of Qatar, Al Sheikh Tamim Bin Aal Thani, said yesterday that it is a pity that those guilty of crimes remain in Syria without deterrence or being held accountable foregoing the credibility of human rights mechanisms and international justice before the international community.”  In his speech to the General Assembly of the United Nations, Sheikh Tamim said “the brutal crimes and massacres have shaken the human conscience” being committed in Syria, especially after the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons in Syria. He said that the issue is not in Syria’s possession of chemical weapons as they state in conflict with other State has chemical and biological weapons and even nuclear, but the subject in the system use of these weapons against his own people. The question is not about whether Syria has chemical weapons because it is a nation at odds with another nation that has chemical, biological, and even nuclear weapons but instead the issue is reagrding the regime’s use of these weapons against the Syrian people.

(Source: Al Hayat)

Al Attia Confirms Qatar’s Support for the Coalition and the Free Syrian Army

Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid al-Attiyah confirmed Qatar’s support for the Supreme Military Council (Free Syrian Army)  led by Salim Idris and the Syrian National Coalition, stressing that “the Syrian people will be victorious” over the Assad regime, and that no one “Neither we nor the international community can impose their will” on the Syrian people. He pointed out that Arab countries are looking to resort to “United Nations mechanisms for the protection of the Syrian people”. Al-Attiyah explained that the Gulf’s strategy is to stand with the Syrian people, who came out from the first day demanding freedom and justice but were met and confronted with bullets and guns. Now the Assad regime has evolved to use aircrafts and missiles and then evolved into chemical weapons, noting that the Gulf States have no agenda in Syria; they simply responded to the call of the Syrian peoples’ desire to protect and defend them.

(Source: Al Hayat)