Daily Newsletter – 26/9/2013

Jarba Delivers Speech at the Friends of Syria Meeting in New York, Heads to Syria After the Meeting to Secure Free Syrian Army Support

Head of the Syrian National Coalition, Ahmed Aweinan Assi Al Jarba, will speak today in front of 100 nations at the General Assembly Meeting of the United Nations. The meeting will be attended by more than 100 foreign ministers. The Syrian regime and its Russian ally attempt to take the meeting outside of the United Nations. The official spokesperson for the Syrian National Coalition, Louay Safi, said that the President of the Coalition will soon travel to Syria to discuss the latest developments relating to the issuance of a statement by some Islamic battalions and brigades who criticized the Coalition for ignoring its fighting groups not consulting them with regard to Syrian political affairs according to their statement. A group of 13 Syrian opposition fighting groups announced that they did not recognize any political groups outside Syria, including the Syrian National Coalition and the interim government. Jarba’s expected visit to Syria comes after a series of meetings he held with the United States Secretary of State Mr. John Kerry , which Jarba described as fruitful adding that “they discussed steps to take to neutralize the ability of the regime to use chemical weapons and conventional weapons against innocent civilians.” During the meeting they also discussed the most important steps necessary to stop the massacres in Syria. During his meeting with John Kerry Jarba declared that Bashar al – Assad is solely responsible for prolonging the ongoing violence in Syria. Jarba requested from the international community guarantees “that the process of disarmament of chemical weapons will not continue for several years as it in the regime’s interest to delay this process indefinitely.” The head of the Coalition pointed out that it must be the international community’s top priority to stop Bashar al-Assad immediately and prevent him from continuing to commit mass atrocities against civilians rather than leaving it to diplomatic action.” Jarba considered the regime’s stepping down as the only guaranteed way to end the massacres committed by Bashar al-Assad against civilians; noting that “it would not be possible to achieve this unless the international community forced Assad to accept these conditions.” At the end of the meeting, the head of the Coalition pushed the need for a clear timetable and an agreement that ensures holding any regime personnel responsible for war crimes against civilians accountable, stressing that “those criminals will never be part of a democratic Syria in the future.”

The Coalition’s Participation in the Geneva Conference 2 Will Be With Full Compliance By Arab Nations, And All Parties Committed to Democracy

The head of the Syrian National Coalition, Ahmed Aweinen Assi Al Jarba confirmed that the Coalition’s participation in the Geneva Conference 2 will be with full compliance by Arab nations and based on a primary recognition that there is a necessary commitment by all parties to a process that transitions towards democracy. Jarba also pointed out that “Geneva 2 must put an end to attacks by Bashar Al Assad’s regime forces on civilians immediately, as well as the formation of a transitional government with full executive powers. The Syrian National Coalition urged the UN envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, to push for negotiations on chemical weapons disarmament in order to activate the political process of democratic transition in Syria. President of the Syrian National Coalition called on the United Nations to immediately move towards a peaceful solution for what is happening in Syria; he pointed out that “the Syrian people are now looking to the United Nations in the hope that it will discharge its ethical  responsibility and push for a political solution to this growing humanitarian crisis.” President of the Coalition called on the international community to “support the first Geneva agreement as nucleus of the Geneva Conference 2, because it is a confirmation of the commitment of the Syrian people achieve  a future shaped by democracy in Syria, and therefore any conference to be held in the future must include in its objectives the desire to reach a free and democratic Syria for all spectrums of the Syrian people.”

(Source: Coalition)

Jamous in Iraqi Kurdistan to Discuss Political Developments and Support for Refugees

Secretary-General of the Syrian National Coalition, Badr Jamous, accompanied by the National Coalition members Abdul Basit Sida and Abdul Ahad Steifo, discussed during their visit to the Kurdistan region of Iraq with Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani, the latest political developments and possible ways to face the violence perpetrated by Bashar al-Assad’s regime against civilians in Syria. The Secretary-General of the Coalition during a meeting with Minister of Higher Education in the region, Ali Saeed, requested support for Syrian student refugees in their country after fleeing regime forces that target civilian homes The Minister of Higher Education pledged to secure higher education schools for students and provide books that have been printed under the supervision of the Syrian National Commission for Education within the Syrian National Coalition.

(Source: Coalition)

The Coalition Meet Friends of Syria With the Attendance of 100 Nations at the United Nations, The Regime and Its Allies Attempt to Change the Location of the Meeting Delegation Will

The Syrian National Coalition delegation met with the London Friends of Syria Group today in a series of meetings conducted by the Coalition, headed by Ahmed Aweinan  Asi Al Jarba, who was not present at this meeting. Informed sources within the Coalition said that that the Friends of Syria Group will meet with the Coalition delegation at the United Nations in the presence of 100 countries, at the same time Bashar al-Assad and his Russian allies are working hard to move the meeting outside of the United Nations.

(Source: Coalition)

More than 100 Syrian Officers Call for Boycotting all Conferences that Iran Participates in, Put the Responsibility of Syrian Blood on Iran

One Hundred Syrian officers in the Free Syrian Army, including Riad Al Assad and Malek Al Kurdi, signed a petition to boycott all conferences on Syria that Iran is participating in saying in their statement, “We renew our disapproval of any dialogue with the criminal regime of Bashar Al Assad and participation in any conference that is not considering the toppling of this regime. We declare that Iran is a serious part of the problem and should not participate in any circumstance any conferences on Syria.” They added that, “the time has come for the international community to punish the Mullah regime for their crimes in Syria.”

(Source: Al Hayat)

27 Martyrs in Syria until this evening and 72 yesterday

Local Coordination Committees in Syria documented 76 martyrs in Syria yesterday, 27 martyrs died up until 6 P.M. this evening, among them 3 children. 7 people were martyred in Damascus, its countryside, and Daraa, 6 in Al Raqqa, 4 in Idleb, 2 in Aleppo, and a martyr in Hama.

(Source: Local Coordination Committees)

Clashes around Barzeh and Al Qaboun, Mortar Shelling on Yabroud

The Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces on the outskirts of Al Qaboun district, Barzah, and Zamalka in Damascus as the regime forces tried to raid the area. At the same time regime fighter jets struck the area. A mortar shell fell in in Al Malki district near the Chinese Embassy without injuring or killing any people in the area. Other clashes were fought between the Free Syrian Army and regime forces in Moadamia in the midst of a choking siege on the area. Also, regime fighter jets struck targets in the cities and towns of the western Ghouta with consecutive mortar shelling resulting in the injury of many civilians and the destruction of many homes. Regime forces shelled with heavy mortars Hospital Street and Akouza Street in Yabroud resulting in many injuries among civilians.

(Source: Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

Free Syrian Army Attacks Regime Positions in Inkhil, Fighter Jets Strike Daraa

The Free Syrian Army targeted regime forces barracks in the 15th Batallion in Inkhil, Daraa resulting in many being injured and killed among the regime’s ranks. Clashes occurred around the Al Hajana Brigade between the Free Syrian Army and regime forces. Regime fighter jets struck the city of Nawa, Al Neima, and Atman resulting in many being injured and the destruction of many civilian homes in the area.

(Source: Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

The Free Syrian Army Targetted Regime Tanks inHoms, Fierce Clashes Near the Mortars Brigade in Western Hama Countryside

The Free Syrian Army targetted regime tanks near the Deek Al Jin Circle in Homs, while the regime shelled Qalat Al Hosn, besieged Homs districts, the villages of Al Houla, Samaleel and Kiseen in the Homs countryside with heavy mortars, missiles, and TNT resulting in many being injured and the destruction of many civilian homes. The Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces around the Mortars Brigade in an uninhabited area in the western Hama countryside. A car bomb exploded in the Junoob Al Malab districy in Hama near Al Faroosiya Circle.

(Source: Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

The FSA Targets Aleppo Airport…Regime Fighter Jets Target Al Tabqa and Most Districts of Deir El Zour

The Free Syrian Army targeted Aleppo International Airport with grad rockets resulting in direct hits among the regime’s ranks leading to many being injured and killed. Clashes occurred between the Free Syrian Army and regime forces in Al Khalidiyeh district in Aleppo around the gas and lumber building resulting in the death and injury of regime forces. Regime fighter jets struck Al Jdayda village near Kwayres Airport and Qubtan Al Jabal resulting in the martyrdom of 3 people and others injured. Regime fighter jets struck Al Tabqa in Al Raqqa resulting in the martyrdom of 6 people and the burning of their bodies. Regime fighter jets targeted 3 fuel cars in the Zuwayqat area in Al Tabqa resulting in a giant fire burning in the area. The Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces on Bor Saeed street, Al Jbaylah, Al Rushdieh, and Al Rasafa while regime forces shelled the area with mortars and rockets.

(Source: Coalition + Local Coordination Commitees)

Zubari: The Syrian Revolution May Last for Years, Iraqi Fighters With Assad Have Sectarian Motives

Hoshyar Zubari said that the Geneva Conference 2 may be held during upcoming late October or early November. He also added that “Assad will surely remain in office; there are no preconditions for his stepping down before the start of the political process.”

Zebari predicted that the Syrian revolution crisis would continue for years, saying that all regional strategies, Gulf, Arab, Turkish and Iraqi, ‘failed’ and what he described as a crisis had emerged beyond a regional scope into an international framework.

Zebari continued that there is “not enough” international will “available to change the balance of power” on the ground in Syria, and “all parties are pursuing a policy of crisis management rather than suggesting solutions.” Zebari said on the other hand, he does not deny that there are some Iraqi fighters or volunteers who participate with the regime in their war against the Syrians for sectarian motives.

European Aid Commissioner Requests a Decision Facilitating the Arrival of International Aid to Syria

Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid in the European Union urged the Security Council of the United Nations to pass a resolution to facilitate the delivery of aid to Syria. Commissioner Kristalina Giorgiva said, “If there is another way to express the facilitation of the arrival of aid, we welcome it, but we hope in the issuance of a decision by the United Nations.” The United Nations has announced that there are two million Syrian refugees, in addition to the four million displaced people inside Syria in need of urgent help, but violence and bureaucracy slows the arrival of aid.

The Security Council is looking to take action to facilitate the arrival of aid to Syria for months now amid a split in opinion. Diplomats said Western members recently decided to go ahead and issue a non-binding statement in this regard instead of issuing a decision in order to avoid a possible confrontation with Russia and China.

Britain also announced that it would pay $ 160 million in additional aid to Syrian refugees, due to the growing number of people affected by the conflict in Syria. This announcement was made ​​by the British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, raised the total British assistance to more than $ 800 million. Nick Clegg also asked, during a meeting on Syria organized by the European Union and Jordan, other countries “to increase their contributions to fund aid operations carried out by the United Nations, which are in need of necessary funds.”

(Source: Reuters)

U.S.: No agreement yet on the Syrian Chemical Weapons Resolution

The United States said that progress had been made ​​towards agreement on a UN resolution that would deprive Syria of its chemical weapons, but confirmed the failure to reach agreement as of yet. Westerners diplomats said yesterday that the five permanent members of the Security Council reached an agreement on the content of a UN resolution on Syria chemical weapons. The spokesman for the Russian delegation at the United Nations rushed to deny, saying: “The discussions on the draft resolution continue.”

(Source: Reuters + Al Jazeera)

Ribakov: Russia is Prepared to Protect the Chemical Weapons Sites in Syria

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sirgei Ribakov: Russian will be ready to participate in protecting the chemical weapons sites in Syria in the case that the Syrian regime approved the destruction of those weapons caches and their factories; this was said on the sidelines of a Russian military technology exhibit. Ribakov expressed his hope that the report of the United Nations inspectors who returned to investigate chemical weapons would be comprehensive, balanced, and neutral.

(Source: Reuters)