Daily Newsletter – 28/11/2013

GCC: Syrian Coalition is the sole representative of the Syrian people in Geneva II

Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) stressed that no other opposition faction will attend Geneva II apart from the Syrian National Coalition, as it is “the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people.” The foreign ministers said in a statement that “the Geneva II should set a time frame for the formation of a transitional government with full executive powers in accordance with Geneva I Communique.” For his part, Nabil Al Arabi denied that the National Coordination Commission might be part of the negotiating team, stressing the Arab League’s support for the Syrian National Coalition as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people. Al Arabi added that “cancelling the suspension of Syria’s membership in the Arab League depends…Read more

Preparations to Give Syria’s Seat in the Arab League to the Syrian Coalition
The Syrian Coalition’s chief Ahmad Jarba and Secretary General of the Arab League Nabil al-Arabi discussed giving Syria’s seat in the Arab League to the…Read more

Syrian Coalition: Assad’s Unwillingness To Hand over Power Is a Sign of Its Rejection of Negotiations
The Syrian Coalition stressed in a statement released today its “commitment to participate in any and all political processes that might achieve the Syrian people’s…Read more

Syrian Defense Minister in the Interim Government Rejects Geneva II
Asa’ad Mustafa, defense minister in the Syrian interim government rejected Geneva II in a statement to Al Arabiya TV Channel, saying that “there is no clear basis…Read more

Death Toll: 55 people killed today, 78 yesterday.
The Local Coordination Committees in Syria documented 78 people killed yesterday, while documented 55 people killed as of 6:00 pm today, including two woman and a child. Deaths were cited as: 20 people in Damascus, 19 in Aleppo, 10 in Raqqa, 4 in Dara’a and one killed in each of Idlib and Quneitra. (Source: Local Coordination Committees)

Scud Missile Kills Dozens in Raqqa
Forty people were killed and dozens injured when a Scud missile struck the city of Raqqa at dawn today, causing massive material damage in the city center. Activists reported that the missile was fired by regime forces stationed near the town of Quteifa in Al Qalamoun near Damascus. In addition, the city of Tabaqqa was subject to aerial shelling. Raqqa was the first city freed and outside of Assad’s control since the beginning of the uprising. (Source: Syrian Coalition)

FSA shoot down 3 of Assad’s warplanes in Damascus
The FSA shot down three of Assad warplanes in rural Damascus and east of the Domeir. In the meantime, 16 civilians were killed and dozens injured by aerial shelling on the cities of  Nabek and Deir Attiya in Rural Damascus. Violent clashes between the Free Syrian Army and regime forces were reported near the Damascus-Homs highway in Qalamoun. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

Surface-to-surface Missiles Hit Southern Damascus
Dozens of people injured and massive material damage was reported when regime forces fired surface-to-surface missiles on the neighborhood of Alasali in southern Damascus. In addition, regime forces shelled the outskirts of Damascus with mortar rounds, killing one person in Jobar and injuring others. Meanwhile, violent clashes took place between the Free Syrian Army and regime forces near Tameco industrial plant in Maliha in attempt by regime forces to regain control. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

Regime Losses in Nawa near Dara’a
Five members of regime forces were killed in the city of Nawa when the FSA targeted a building manned by regime forces using B10 guns. In addition, the FSA destroyed a tank during clashes with regime forces inside the Armament Battalion east of Basr al Harir near Dara’a. Meanwhile, regime forces shelled the towns of Muzeireeb, Atman and Tal Shihab with heavy artillery, with reports of death of one person and other civilian casualties. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

FSA Capture a Regime Camp North of Hama
The FSA took control of Um Huzeim Camp in the village of Telessiya north of Hama. Meanwhile, Assad’s warplanes dropped barrel bombs on the town of Kafr Zeita north of Hama, with reports of civilian casualties and material damage. In the meantime, the Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces near Al Ghirbal checkpoint located between the towns of Morek and Souran in rural Hama, alongside heavy shelling on the area. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

Barrel Bombs kill 15 in Aleppo
Assad warplanes dropped barrel bombs on the district of Qadi Askar in Aleppo, killing 15 people and injuring many others. In addition, seven people were killed in the town of Deir Hafer aerial shelling. Meanwhile, Assad warplanes dropped barrel bombs on the perimeter of Kwers airbase. In the meantime, the FSA captured the Iron Factory on the road connecting the neighborhoods of Sheikh Said and Ramouseh in Aleppo. The FSA also repelled regime’s attempts to break into the district of Sheikh Maqsood in Aleppo. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

Death of nephew of the Lebanese Minister of Agriculture in Syria
The nephew of the Lebanese Agriculture Minister Hussein Hajj Hassan was killed fighting with terrorist militias of Hezbollah, according to reports by his townsmen in eastern Lebanon. Residents of the town confirmed the death of Ali Reda Fouad Haj Hassan (22 years) in the battle of Qalamoun north of Damascus. They pointed out that three other fellow fighters of Hezbollah were killed in the same battle. The bodies have not been taken to Lebanon yet. The terrorist organization of Hezbollah has sent thousands of fighters to support the Assad regime in the fighting against the Syrian people. (Source: Syrian Coalition)

Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is concerned that it is difficult to evict arsenal of Syria
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) expressed its concern due to the difficulty in getting Syria’s chemical weapons out of the country because of the deteriorating security situation there. A statement issued by OPCW said that the lack of clarity in how to destroy chemical weapons is another problem that this organization is facing in during the destruction of the Syria’s stockpiles of chemical weapons. The OPCW’s Director-General called on member states in the organization to support private companies that are able to participate in the destruction of chemical substances that are part Assad’s arsenal of chemical weapons. (Source: Syrian Coalition)