Daily Newsletter – 27/9/2013

Jarba: Extremism is a Creation of the Regime,  Iran Practices Sectarian Killings and International Positions towards the Chemical Weapons Massacres Are Illogical and Institutionalizing the army, security services, and the judiciary is Coalition Priorities

Chairman of the Syrian National Coalition, Ahmad Aweinan Assi Al Jarba, in a speech to the Friends of the Syria in the United States today, claimed the regime confronted not what he called extremists and terrorists, adding that “the regime waged a propaganda war on the Syrian Revolution in order to shame them and portray the rebels they face as a group of terrorists.” The President of the Coalition was surprised by the fact that the regime claimed the hundreds of dead children that the world saw lying on the ground in the Ghouta of Damascus to be terrorists!! ” He said, “Can a  sane person believe that the use of guns, tanks, aircraft and explosive barrels for more than thirty months without discrimination are not targeting non- terrorists? They have killed more than one hundred thousand Syrians and displaced of millions of people inside and outside Syria to combat terrorism.”  Jarba described the fighting groups sent by the Iranian regime and the terrorist Hezbollah militia to participate in the killing of Syrians “as using sectarianism and practicing all arts of murder and crime against innocent and unsuspecting civilians.” Jarba said that the phenomenon of extremism is far from the character of the Syrian people, noting that “some extremist groups originated with the support and planning of Bashar Al Assad’s regime, who oversaw the manufacture of several of these groups, armed them and gave them orders to carry out operations in the areas they originated from.” President of the Coalition said that if the chemical criminal remains at large after committing dreadful massacres against civilians and the Syrian people it would be “a stain on both the international community and humanitarian community. The behavior undermines the basis of international legitimacy and international and humanitarian law , and makes our people and people of the world feel that what is said about human rights and moral legitimacy and humanity is not taken seriously and to criminals will remain free”  Jarba expressed increased surprise at the behavior of the international community regarding the chemical weapons massacres committed by the Bashar Al Assad in the Ghouta of Damascus, saying “It is strange and unreasonable for the chemical weapons to be taken away and the criminal who used them to remain at large.” In addition he referred to the international approaches for dealing with the chemical weapons massacres committed by the regime of Bashar al -Assad in Syria,” is it permissible for countries that intervened against the use of chemical weapons to remain idle about the regimes use of conventional and heavy weapons, knowing that the chemical weapons killed nearly two thousand and the others killed two hundred thousand , is it forbidden to kill with chemical weapons and permissible to kill in other ways.” The regime’s changing of the facts and lack of faith in a political solution and dialogue with the international community represented by the Geneva 2 Conference for peace. He said, ” Since the Geneva Accord 1, which drew a road map for a political solution in Syria , the regime stepped up its military attacks reaching the use of chemical weapons extensively against civilians at a time when the Coalition welcomed a political solution that achieved the aspirations of the Syrian people to shift the state to a civil democracy.” Also, Jarba announced the Syrian National Coalition’s commitment to “a political solution on the basis of the implementation of Geneva 1, which provides the details about a clear and concrete transitional phase, including the formation of a transitional government with full powers, including an army, security and justice branches, and a timetable for holding of democratic elections .” Jarba confirmed that the priorities of the Coalition at this stage are “rebuilding the Syrian army on a national basis, its assigned role is to protect the nation and preserve its unity and guard its wealth, keeping away from partisanship or other loyalties. Then to build security services on the basis of protecting the interests of citizens and safeguarding their lives, property and protecting freedoms, and have specific authority and responsibilities subject to legal accountability.” Jarba stressed in his speech on the need to “build an independent judicial body” that is not subject to the pressures political or military blocs. Jarba demanded in the end of his speech the international community to force Bashar Al Assad’s regime to release detainees and those kidnapped by the regime, lifting the siege from besieged areas and the allowing the delivery of food and medical supplies.”

After the announcement by some combat battalions about illegitimacy of the Coalition .. Ghalioun: the statement is negative statement and aims to hit the international community’s confidence of the Coalition

Syrian National Coalition member Burhan Ghalioun described the statement issued by the armed brigades refusing to work under the umbrella of the coalition as seeking to “make a blow at the efforts to restore confidence and influence of the Coalition delegation’s meetings in New York.” Ghalioun said “the military factions’ statement has had a significant negative impact on the Coalition delegation’s meetings with eleven countries interested in supporting the Syrian revolution. It was clear that the statement issued wanted to undermine the Coalition delegation’s task at the United Nations, and is a blow to the efforts to restore confidence in the Coalition as a political force able to talk and work on behalf of Syria’s future and lead the desired change from dictatorship to democracy.” He added, “Today we need to double effort to assure the world that in Syria there is a political alternative to the regime of violence, murder and destruction; and that the removal of this regime will not lead directly to conflict and chaos.” He also said, “A large part of the responsibility certainly falls on the leaders of the coalition, who did not improve communication with the battalion and brigade field commanders and involve them in the process of restoring confidence at the international level and also the Syrian level”. The group of 13 fighting battalions announced that they do not recognize any political formations abroad, including the Syrian National Coalition and the interim government. It considered that any political or military entity outside Syrian territory does not represent the Syrian people. Anas Al Abda, a member of the political committee of the Syrian National Coalition agreed with Burhan Ghalioun saying in a statement to the Media Office of the Coalition, “The timing of the statement issued by the Islamic brigades yesterday was not appropriate at all, and raises signals about the credibility of this statement, especially since it coincides with the visit of a high level delegation of the coalition to the United Nations in order to gain new friends for the Syrian issue.”

Jamous inspect the situation of refugees in Iraqi Kurdistan camps and calls for support of Syrian students and offers educational curricula issued by the Coalition

Secretary-General of the Syrian National Coalition Badr Jamous visited refugee camps in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, accompanied by the National Coalition member Abdel Basset Seda and Abdul Ahad Steifo to inspect the refugees’ circumstances and secure for them any necessary things. The Secretary-General’s visit comes as the Coalition conducts series of visits and meetings aimed to discuss the latest political developments of the region with heads of state in the region. Jamous met earlier Higher Education Minister Ali Saeed and asked him to support Syrian student refugees in the country after fleeing the regime forces that target civilian homes; the Minister of Higher Education pledged to secure schools for students and provide books that have been printed under the supervision of the Syrian National Education Committee within the National Syrian Coalition. 

Largest fighting armed fighting brigades in northern Syria announce the formation of 50,000 soldier army

Several sources confirmed that many armed brigades in northern Syria are discussing a proposed project to unite the largest brigades, numbering around 50,000, under the banner of an Islamic army called “Muhammad’s Army”. The sources pointed out that the project would put the military power inside Syria in charge of decision making, this is a counter response to the Coalition’s announcement of creating the National Syrian Army. A leader in the opposition added that large brigades such as Ahrar Al Shaam under the leadership of Hassan Aboud, Lwiaa Al Islam under the leadership of Zahran Aloush, and Liwaa Al Tawheed under the leadership of Abdul Qader Al Saleh, started to consider forming an ‘Islamic Army’ to relocate the decision making power to inside Syria. It was pointed out, “that recent developments have strengthened these ideas”, especially with signs of conflict between ISIS and brigades of the Free Syrian Army on one hand and conflicts between ISIS and Jabhat Al Nusra on the other.

Secretary General of ALESCO check on Syrian refugees with the presence of Coalition members

The Secretary General for the Organization of Arabic Culture, Education, and Sciences (ALESCO), Dr. Abdullah Hamad Harb, visited Turkey to check on the circumstances of education for Syrian students inside refugee camps and Turkish cities. He visited Kilis refugee camp on the Syrian-Turkish border and checked on the situation of schools and refugee students there. The tour consisted of three schools in the camp as well as a meeting which was attended by the Governor of Kilis as well as Coalition representatives, some Turkish government representatives, and members of the Syrian Higher Education Committee of the Coalition. The Secretary General of ALESCO thanked the Turkish government for the services they were offering to the Syrian people in the way of education. The Secretary General attended a ceremony for the opening of a school for Syrians in the city of Gaziantep along with the Governor of the city of Gaziantep, the Mayor of Gaziantep, and other Syrian notables.

90 Martyrs in Syria until this evening and 94 martyrs yesterday

Local Coordination Committees in Syria documented 94 martyrs in Syria yesterday, 90 up until 6 PM this evening, among them a woman, 2 children, and three who died under torture. Also, 65 people were martyred in Damascus and its countryside, 11 in Aleppo, 5 in Daraa, 3 in Hama, 2 in each of Idleb and Al Raqqa, and one each in Al Quneitra and Homs.

Tens killed among regime’s ranks in Barzah district in Damascus, Clashes in the Zamalka District

The Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces around Barzah district in Damascus resulting in the killing and wounding of tens of regime forces, other clashes occurred on the Mutaheleq Al Junoobi near Toumah checkpoint in Zamalka as regime forces shelled the area with heavy mortars. Regime forces targeted Al Qaboun district with surface to surface missiles with reports of dead or injured as a result.

6060 Martyrs due to a car bomb in Rankous, the Free Syrian Army takes control of Al Afne checkpoint in Tafas, Daraa

A car bomb exploded near a mosque in the city of Rankous in the Damascus countryside resulting in the martyrdom of 60 people and a large number of injured people. Fierce clashes occurred between the Free Syrian Army and regime forces around Hajeerat al Balad, Al Thiyaba, and Sayeda Zainab in the Damascus countryside during the regime’s latest attempt to raid these areas. The Free Syrian Army took control of Al Afne checkpoint and most of the Tal Simn brigade after the checkpoint in the city of Tadas in the western Daraa countryside. This was after regime forces shelled Tafas with missiles from MANPADS resulting in the injury of a large number of civilians. 

The Free Syrian Army clashes with regime forces in Homs and Air strikes in Hama countryside

The Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces at the northern entrance of the city of Qalat Al Hosn in Homs as regime forces shelled the area with missiles from MANPADS and mortars resulting in injuring many people, mostly women. Regime snipers fired at anything that moved in Al Waer district. Regime fighter jets conducted air strikes on Badiyat Shaer in the Hama countryside resulting in the injury of many people and destruction of many homes.

Mortar shelling on Al Raqqa, Fighter jets drop explosive barrels on Al Hader in Aleppo

Regime forces shelled with heavy mortars the city of Al Tabqa resulting in the martyrdom of two people and injuring many others. Regime forces launched surface to surface missiles on Al Matar Al Qadeem and the Al Malab Al Baladi in Al Umal district in Deir El Zour. Regime forces fighter jets dropped explosive barrels on the town of Al Hader in Aleppo resulting in the martyrdom of 11 people and the injury of a large number of civilians as well as the destruction of many homes. Fierce clashes occurred between the Free Syrian Army and regime forces near Al Malab checkpoint in Salah Al Din district in Aleppo.

Protests in majority of Syrian cities on the Friday called “Female Prisoners as Pure as Jasmine”

Syrian people protested in different Syrian provinces today on a Friday called “Female Prisoners as Pure as Jasmine”. Protesters in the western and eastern Ghoutas of Damascus, Douma, Irbeen, and Zamalka called for the toppling of the regime. The residents of Al Waer, Al Rastan, Al Dar Al Kabeera protested despite the air strikes that targeted the civilians as they protested and called for holding the regime accountable for the massacres the regime committed against civilians. In Aleppo, residents of Tareeb Al Bab, Bustan Al Qasr, and Al Mashhad districts started a protest in front of Ali Ibn Abi Taleb mosque; residents of Al Qatirji and Al Halak districts started a protest in front of Al Zawiyeh mosque, all calling for the unity of Syrian land and people in the face of who they described as the criminal of the revolution Bashar Al Assad.

Al Faisal welcomes the temporary government and believes that any resolution on Syria must be under Chapter 7

The Saudi Foreign Minister, Saud Al Faisal, requested in a speech to the General Assembly of the United Nations that the Security Council confirm the Geneva conference agreement on Syria is conducted under Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter. He stressed the need to punish Bashar Al Assad’s regime for the massacres he committed against the Syrian people. Al Faisal considered the Russian-American agreement as a scheme to buy time and give Bashar Al Assad an opportunity to put an end to the Syrian revolution. Al Faisal added that “if the goal of Geneva 2 was truly to stop the bloodshed of the Syrian people and solving the problem then the Security Council should confirm that the agreement on Syria would be conducted under Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter, and a commitment to all Geneva agreements, and not using Geneva 2 as a means of adding legitimacy to Bashar Al Assad’s regime. Al Faisal closed his statement by praising the formation of the temporary government, which Ahmad Tohma has been assigned to form, during the last General Assembly meeting of the Syrian National Coalition.

American Chinese agreement to speed up destruction of Syrian Chemical Weapon

An American official confirmed that the United States and China had agreed on the importance of the Security Council quickly making a binding decision on removing and destroying Syrian chemical weapons. Western diplomats were unsure about reaching an agreement with Russia but Moscow denied the claims of western diplomats since the five permanent members of the Security Council agreed on the structure of an agreement to get rid of the Syrian chemical weapons.

Kerry: A military solution would be a loss to all parties in Syria; a political solution is the obvious choice

American Secretary of State John Kerry, in the Friends of Syria meeting, confirmed that a military solution is incapable of bringing an end to the fight in Syria saying, “Syria will be destroyed before any party is able to achieve military victory.” Kerry pointed out, “There is a great need for all parties to move towards a political solution as soon as possible in order to deal with the reality on the ground in Syria.”

Friends of Syria call for supporting the Coalition, Describes it as the only viable way to face the extremism of the regime and ISIS

The Friends of Syria group announced that it was dedicated to increase support to all organizations affiliated with the Syrian National Coalition. The group said in its statement, “In order to allow for a political transition in Syria and to secure a credible replacement for the regime and extremist groups, we are dedicated to heavily increase support to the Coalition and all its structures.” This is after many battles took place in Syria between brigades of the Free Syrian Army and some brigades that are controlled by external agendas, which the Coalition described in a released statement, as having left the basic principles of the revolution.