Daily Newsletter – 31/12/2013

Al-Bahra: Russian Statements about Geneva II don’t represent agenda

“Statements by the Russian officials, the Assad’s regime allies, about Geneva II do not represent any official stance about the conference agenda that had been unequivocally clear,” Hadi al-Bahra, member of the political body in the Syrian Coalition said. These statements, he added, “aim at reassuring the Assad regime to be part of the conference. Russia is responsible for compelling the Assad regime to implement UNSC resolution 2118 and activate their participation in Geneva II, that’s why Assad makes statements giving reassurances for its participation.”  Al-Bahra also indicates…Read more

Jarba Demands Hollande Take a Stand Against Assad and His Extremists
Ahmad al-Jarba, Syrian Coalition President, demands that the French President Francois Hollande to “exert more efforts to stand in the face of Assad and…Read more

Makhous: Geneva II Brings no Hope for a Political Solution
“I don’t see any hope in Geneva II to be held on 22nd of the next month, to succeed in bringing about any political solution for the conflict in Syria within the…Read more

Workshop in Idlib to Improve Civil Defense
The local council in Idlib, in cooperation with the regional Syrian program (funded by the US International Development Association), held a workshop on civil defense on December 28th and 29th. The workshop shed light on the state of civil defense in the province, difficulties and challenges facing it and workers in this field. Participants came up with a number of solutions and suggestions to address the current situation and agreed on providing the governorate with a special internally-linked system for civil defense. This shall be done through creating new centers in addition to the current ones carrying out such duties, as well as asking sponsors to provide the centers with the necessary heavy equipment that all centers and workers in this field lack. The workshop was attended by a number of members from Idlib Local Councils, including: “Khan Sheikhon, Heesh, Maaret al-Noman, Jarjanaz, Maar Shamsha, Jisr al-Shoghour, al-Hamama, Darkoush, Sarmada and Binnesh.” The workshop was concluded by electing a follow-up committee to implement the solutions suggested. (Source: Syrian Coalition)

ACU Meets the Needs of the Displaced in Raqqa, Aleppo and al-Beqa
The relief bureau of Raqqa has distributed food rations on the poorest household in the governorate in addition to blankets, mattresses and pillows provided by ACU of the Syrian Coalition. The total number of food rations distributed last week reached 4400. Further, ACU signed an MoU with the local council of Aleppo entailing the delivery of 4500 blankets, 315 mattresses and 190 pillows to be distributed on the poorest households. This MoU is part of a program to unify the efforts aimed at supporting the displaced and the needy. ACU relief teams in Lebanon distributed bags of firewood on displaced families in the Beqa region in Lebanon last Saturday. (Source: Syrian Coalition)

Clashes in Yarmouk Amid Tight Siege
FSA fighters clashed with regime forces in Yarmouk Camp in Damascus killing seven regime troops and imprisoning others. The camp continues to suffer a tight siege and extreme shortage of medical supplies and food stuff. So far, 15 people have died due to the siege.  Regime forces fired mortar shells on the town of Muleiha in Damascus Suburbs killing four people and injuring dozens who were rushed to makeshift hospitals. Further, regime forces targeted the towns of Ma’loula and Zabadani with artillery and heavy machine guns injuring a number of people and incurring material damages. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

FSA Blocks Regime Advance into Nawa
FSA prevented regime forces from breaking into the east of the town of Nawa killing a number of regime troops and destroying some military vehicles. In the meanwhile, the regime fighter jets dropped explosive barrels on the town of Jasem causing some injuries. Regime forces also fired heavy artillery on the towns of Ataman, Sayda and Naema in Daraa Suburbs causing injuries and material damages. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

Fierce Shelling on Aleppo Outskirts as Bus Station Crossing Shuts Down
Regime forces fired heavy missiles on al-Sukkari, al-Sakhour, Masaken Hanano, Haidaiyeh, and Sheikh Khuder in Aleppo injuring a number of people and destroying a number of houses. According to activists, regime forces have also shut down the bus station crossing which is the only crossing linking the two sides of the city of Aleppo. Regime forces have further shelled the neighbourhood of Tariq al-Bab with heavy artillery. One of the shells hit a passenger bus causing some injuries. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)

Two Children Killed in al-Massasneh Village and Clashes in Hama Suburbs
FSA clashed with Assad regime forces today on Atshan Checkpoint in the northern Suburb of Hama, leading to the death of 3 FSA members and wounding others. Regime forces shelled al-Massasneh Village in Hama Suburbs with rockets killing two children and wounding many other civilians in the area. Regime forces also shelled al-Haj Atef Square in Karm el-Shami – Homs with mortars killing two and wounding many other civilians. Al-Kusour, Old neighborhoods and al-Waer in Homs and al-Houla in Homs Suburbs came under shelling by the regime’s rocket launchers, leaving a number of wounded citizens, some of whom are in serious condition.  (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)

• UNRWA Alarmed at Fate of Yarmouk Residents after Death of 15
• Transporting Chemical is Delayed Indefinitely
• Italy Calls for Truce During Geneva II
• Ashton Concerned about Kidnapped Activists in Douma