Syrian Coalition: We Look Positively To Setting Date for Geneva II, No Role for Assad in the Political Process.
Louay Safi, the spokesman for the Syrian National Coalition, stressed that Iran is “an occupying country” and so it cannot be part of the negotiations in Geneva II. He said that Geneva II is positive only when it meets the conditions set forth by the Syrian Coalition which constitute the primary path to the negotiations in Geneva II. According to a statement issued by the Syrian Coalition, the main point in Geneva II will be “the application of the terms of the Geneva I Communique, and the formation of a transitional governing body with full powers.” The Syrian Coalition stresses it will not accept participation of Bashar al-Assad and his criminal associates in the transitional governing…Read more
Syrian Coalition Demands Syria’s Seat in the Arab League Ahmad Jarba, the head of the Syrian National Coalition, requested taking Syria’s seat in the Arab League, after the Syrian Coalition carried out the all the required conditions in this regard. The request came at a meeting with the Secretary General…Read more
Syrian Coalition Calls the United Nations to Wear Red in Honor of Syrian Women Killed The Syrian National Coalition hailed the involvement of Syrian women in the revolution, praising the “firm belief of a nearing victory and salvation from tyranny.” The Syrian Coalition called on the United Nations to declare it will “wear the color red…Read more
Syrian Exports Decline By 95 % and Imports By 88% A study conducted by the Government of the Assad regime and published by pro-Assad Al-Watan newspaper reported “a sharp decline in the volume of foreign trade in the period between the first quarter of 2011 and the first quarter of 2014, reaching 95% in relation to exports, and 88% for imports.” The newspaper reported excerpts from a study by the Organization of Promotion and Development of Exports that showed a decline in the total value of Syrian exports (oil and commodities) during the crisis “from 1.9 billion dollars in the first quarter of 2011 to 94.7 million in the first quarter of 2013.” (Source: Al Watan Newspaper)
Death Toll: 31 people killed today The Local Coordination Committees in Syria documented 31 people killed by 6:00pm, including 3 women and 5 children. Deaths were cited as: 24 in Damascus, 4 in Dara’a, 2 in Homs, and one in Hama. (Source: Local Coordination Committees)
Clashes in Marj Al Sultan, Nine from Hezbollah Die Nine of Hezbollah’s terrorist militiamen were killed and dozens injured in clashes with the Free Syrian Army in Marj Al Sultan near Damascus. In addition, the FSA targeted regime forces stationed in the Seventh Division in Rural Damascus, killing an officer and five members of the regime forces and wounded dozens. Meanwhile, seven people were killed and dozens wounded by regime’s aerial shelling on the city of Nabek in Kalamoon. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)
Clashes in Barzeh, Eight Civilians Killed in Harasta Violent clashes took place in the neighborhood of Barzeh, alongside intense shelling by regime forces by various types of weapons on the district, where several mortar rounds hit the Center for Disabled Children and its surroundings near the Hamich Hospital. Meanwhile, several random mortar rounds landed in the neighborhood Kassa’a and Baghdad Street near the Red Crescent Hospital in Damascus, with reports of the death of a woman and wounding her two children. Two shells also landed on a house in the neighborhood, killing an elderly man and his sister, in addition to causing material damage. Meanwhile, eight people were killed, including a woman and four children, and dozens injured in Harasta when regime forces shelled the city with mortar rounds. In the meantime, the regime’s artillery stationed in Air Defense Directorate shelled the town of Maliha, with reports of civilian casualties and material damage. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)
FSA Overrun Regime Forces in Quneitra The FSA captured the Cobra and Mirqab Platoons in rural Quneitra as well as on the Riqqad Bridge. Meanwhile, eight pro-Assad troops were killed and three captured during clashes with the FSA in the town of Ghadir Al Bustan. A woman was killed by shelling of regime forces stationed in Tel Sha’ar. In the meantime, the Free Syrian Army shelled Brigade “61” headquarters in Tel Jabiya west of Dar’a. In addition, a number of regular troops of Brigade “52” Mechanized defected to the FSA in the town of al Hirak in Dara’a. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)
FSA kill 15 pro-Assad troops East of Aleppo The FSA captured the village of Serdah near Khanasser south-east of Aleppo after violent clashes with regime forces, where 15 pro-Assad troops were killed. In addition, the FSA inflicted losses on regime forces stationed in Al Rashidin and Mount Al Waha near Aleppo. In the meantime, violent clashes took place between the FSA and regime forces on the front of the Ashrafieh in Aleppo. Meanwhile, 11 civilians were killed and dozens injured by regime shelling on Al Jamilla district. Also, Assad warplanes launched air raids on the town of Tal Hafer without causing significant damage. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)
Fabius: Geneva II Aim is to Form a Transitional Ruling Body with Full Powers French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius stressed that the peace conference on Syria scheduled for January 22nd in Geneva “aims to get mutual consent between the representatives of the regime and the opposition in order to reach the formation of a transitional governing body with full powers.” Fabius pointed out that the peace conference “will be held between representatives of the Assad regime without Bashar al-Assad and the moderate opposition.” He also said that “the formation of a transitional ruling body is very difficult, but it is the only solution that leads to the exclusion of Bashar al-Assad and terrorists.” The UN envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, will meet again with Russian and American officials on the 20th of December in order to prepare for the conference, especially for the selection of participants. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
US and China Welcome Geneva II Date U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry welcomed “the possibility of holding a conference for peace in Syria,” in January, describing it as “the best chance” for the formation of a new transitional ruling body. “Geneva II will be held on January 22 in order to end the bloodshed and give the Syrian people a chance to achieve their long-delayed aspirations, and Syria needs new leadership,” Kerry said. In addition, China welcomed setting a date for Geneva II on January 22, stressing it will continue its efforts to push progress on this issue. China also considered that the convening of Geneva II represents important progress in the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution No. 2118 and for finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis. China called on the warring parties in Syria to take the interests of the Syrian people into account as the top priority, and to participate in the political process and work positively with the international community to prepare for the peace conference. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
