Idris: Assad’s departure is one of the revolution’s recognized facts
Salim Idris, Chief of Staff of the Free Syrian Army stresses that “Assad’s removal is one of the revolution’s recognized facts”, and adds that the regular army is a “traitor to the nation after it fought the Syrians, so it’s impossible that we join it.” Furthermore, Idris points out that the army that consists of the true revolutionaries is the only military establishment that can have a role to play in future Syria, as they fought to defend the Syrian people.” Idris also said that after the fall of Assad, the revolutionaries would fight the extremists who include “Abu al Fadl al Abbas Brigade and other sectarian forces and extremists that support the regime and slaughter the Syrians….Read more
Interim Government Expound the Methods of Coordination between the General Staff and the Ministry Of Defense Ahmad Tomah, president of the interim government, submitted to the chief of the Syrian Coalition, Ahmad Jarba, a detailed report on the size of the devastation…Read more
Syrian Coalition: We are working on ensuring the safety of the nuns in Maloula The Syrian National Coalition confirmed in a statement issued today its commitment to full cooperation with the leadership of the FSA’s General Staff and its rejection of…Read more
FSA Liberate Maloula, Advance on Regime Forces in Nabek The Free Syrian Army took control of the town of Maloula in Kalamoon after days-long clashes with regime forces where dozens of regime forces were killed or injured, including a colonel besides destroying two tanks, a BMP vehicle and a ZSU-23-4 vehicle. The clashes coincided with heavy shelling the on the city byrocket launchers and heavy artillery from Regiment No. 14 in Quteifah. In the meantime, the FSA repelled regime forces who were trying to storm the city of Nabek and forced him to retreat after destroying two tanks. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Smart News Agency)
Regime Forces Pound Barzeh and Daria, Arrests in Salehia and Mezze FSA repelled regime forces who were trying to storm Barzeh district in Damascus, alongside shelling with heavy machine guns. Regime forces also shelled the city of Zamalka with mortar rounds, with reports of civilian casualties and material damage. In the meantime, regime forces arrested a number of civilians in the Mezze and Salehia districts in Damascus. Meanwhile, there was electricity outage in Damascus and most of its suburbs. Regime forces also shelled the town of Darya in Damascus with heavy artillery and mortar shells, alongside violent clashes with the FSA on the outskirts of the city that has been under siege for nearly a year. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)
FSA Overtake A Major Supply Route Near Aleppo The Free Syrian Army captured the supply route that link Brigade No. 80 and Muwasalat near Aleppo. In addition, the FSA launched an offensive to capture Al Kindi Hospital in Aleppo. Meanwhile, 20 pro-Assad soldiers were killed when the FSA blew up Justice Palace in the Old City of Aleppo, followed by clashes near the Palace. The FSA shelled Grad rockets on regime positions in the town of Al Safirah, with reports of regime losses. Regime forces retaliated by dropping barrel bombs on the nearby villages. Regime forces set up mines in a number of houses in the western side of Al Safirah, which lies adjacent to Defense Factories. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)
FSA Destroy a Checkpoint near Hama The Free Syrian Army seized Al Jdida checkpoint near Hama, along with some heavy equipment. In addition, the FSA destroyed a regime’s bastion on the Mhardeh- Sagalbeh road in rural, alongside violent clashes on the outskirts of the town of Shayzar. The Free Syrian Army also fired rockets on regime position near Mhardeh and destroyed Syriatel checkpoint in addition to three tanks as well as killed a number of pro-Assad soldiers. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Local Coordination Committees)
Amos Calls for Exercising Pressure on Assad to Allow the Arrival of Relief Aid UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos called for putting pressure on Assad’s regime in order to facilitate humanitarian access to the population in the besieged areas. Amos said during a closed meeting of the Security Council members that the intensity of the conflict in Syria is unacceptable, noting, “the rules of war are not respected in Syria.” Amos confirmed that trapping civilians as hostages is unacceptable, and that the Assad regime must be persuaded to allow humanitarian access to them. In addition, Amos demanded taking actions, including persuading Assad to lift barriers to the granting of visas to international humanitarian personnel. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
Gerard Aro: If I Were the Syrian Opposition, I Would Not Attend Geneva 2 Gerard Aro, the French Ambassador to the United Nations, said if he were the Syrian opposition, he would not attend Geneva 2, adding that the “opposition’s” participation in Geneva 2 next month is useless. Aro set conditions for the opposition’s participation in the conference, which include commitment of the Assad regime to implementing Geneva 1 Communique, foremost the formation of a transitional ruling body with full powers. Arrow said: “Assad said from the outset that he would not respect the outcome of Geneva 1, and rejected the idea of a transitional authority.” He went on: “Why to negotiate in light of Assad’s intransigence? We believe that attending Geneva is unlikely if we cannot move forward on the basis of the Geneva 1 Communique.” The French Ambassador called for providing real guarantees for the “opposition” to participate in this conference, with the exclusion of “extremist groups.” (Source: Syrian Coalition)
5.5 Million Syrian Children Anticipate Harsh Winter The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said yesterday that 5.5 million children will face a Syrian harsh winter, while UNHCR said it had transported essential relief items for the winter in addition to polio vaccines by air from Damascus to Al-Hasakah. The UNICEF said in a statement it needs additional funds to provide emergency supplies for the winter, expressing deep concern that exposure to cold and rain will double the pressures faced by the displaced Syrian children. The organization said it plans to provide two million children inside Syria with emergency supplies, including winter clothes pack, blankets, plastic sheeting and hygiene kits.(Source: Syrian Coalition)
