After capturing the largest dam, Syrian rebels seize military air base in Aleppo

Damascus, Syria (Tue, Jan 12) – Syrian rebels are cruising fast to capture the strategically important locations in Syria with the passage of time and according to latest information; anti-Assad forces have captured a military air base in northern Syria, a day after seizing control of the country's largest hydro-electric dam.

After capturing the largest dam, Syrian rebels seize military air base in Aleppo

Voice of America reported citing Rami Abdul-Rahman, Director of Observatory for Human Rights based in UK, that al-Jarrah air base, located in Aleppo province, was taken after violent clashes with pro-Assad forces.

The capture of the air base comes a day after Syrian rebels seize the country’s largest dam in one of their biggest strategic victories since the crisis began back in 2011.

A Syrian government representative, on condition of anonymity, denied that the rebels on Monday captured the dam, saying that "heavy clashes are taking place around it." But a raw video uploaded by activists on internet showed gunmen walking around the facility's operations rooms and employees apparently carrying on with their work as usual.

Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says Syria is "self-destructing" and is calling on the Syrian government and the U.N. Security Council to take action.

No comments from Saudi authorities as BBC report shows Saudi weapons in Syrian rebel base

ALEPPO, Syria (Tue, Oct. 09) - Reported by madn3wz

No comments from Saudi authorities as BBC report shows Saudi weapons in Syrian rebel base

Weapons and ammunition that were actually intended for the Saudi military have allegedly been diverted to Syrian rebel base, according to recently released video footage.

Three big crates, having almost 90 kgs of gross weight, from a Ukrainian arms manufacturer addressed to Saudi Arabia have been seen in a Syrian rebel base in the city of Aleppo - a stronghold of the so-called 'Free Syrian Army', BBC television reported.  

The presence of such weapons clearly suggests that some Persian Gulf countries are against the President Assad's regime and helping the rebels. 

Saudi Arabian authorities refused to comment on the issue. 

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 with organized attacks by well-armed gangs against Syrian police forces and border guards being reported across the country.

According to the report, the crates of ammunition found in an Aleppo mosque were made by the Ukrainian firm Dastan, Luhansk Cartridge Works (LCW), founded in 1895 and specializes in naval weapons and missile complexes. 

In Soviet Union times, the firm majorly supplied cartridges for Soviet military use but later on diversified into sports and hunting markets. One of its key exports is the 7.62mm cartridge used in the AK-47 semi-automatic rifle, which is used by both the Syrian army and rebels, the report said.  

The US daily, Washington Post, reported in May that the Syrian rebels and terrorist groups battling the President Bashar al-Assad's government have received significantly more and better weapons in recent weeks, a crime paid for by the Persian Gulf Arab states and coordinated by the United States.  

 Report Tags:

Syria, Syrian War, Syrian Rebels, Free Syrian Army, Saudi Weapon, Saudi Weapon in Syria,

Wednesday: Syrian civil war marks grim record of highest death toll in a single day

Damascus, Syria (Thu, Sept. 27) - The death toll in a single day was record high on Wednesday during the 18-month-old Syrian uprising.

Syrian civil war marks grim record of highest death toll in a single day

According to CNN; at least 343 casualties recorded yesterday which is the highest daily toll since the unrest erupted in March last year.

According to a British-based Syrian monitoring group; at least 30,000 people have died during Syria’s uprising spanned over one-and-half year.

The uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, which began in March 2011 as peaceful protests, has descended into civil war since rebels took up arms against a security force crackdown.

Regarding the recent alarming increase in civilian deaths, Rafif Jouejati - a spokesperson of Local Coordination Committess of Syria - said, "the regime is escalating the violence at every possible opportunity and it is proof that it is determined to crush the revolution by any means necessary."

"The staggering number (of deaths) are horrific but the world needs to know that there is increasing sexual torture (as well) and more children being tortured," said Jouejati.

Rami Abdulrahman, the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 30,716 people were killed. Most of them – at least 21,534 – were civilians. But his network of activists, who are based around Syria, do not divide their civilian death count between unarmed residents and those who have joined the rebels.

SOURCE:

CNN

Yahoo News

Report Tags:

Syria, Syria Uprising, Syria Revolt, Rami Abdulrahman, Syria Human Rights, Rafif Jouejati, Bashar al-Assad, Death Toll, Highest Death Toll

Breaking: Defense Minister Daoud Rajha and His Deputy Assef Shawkat Killed in Damascus Suicide Blast

DAMASCUS, Syria (Wed, Jul 18) – BREAKING: Deputy Defense Minister and brother-in-law of President Bashar Al Assad killed in suicide blast bombing attack at a national security building in Damascus. Syrian Defense Minister Gen. Daoud Rajha was killed in this attack.

Breaking: Defense Minister Daoud Rajha and His Deputy Assef Shawkat Killed in Damascus Suicide Blast

State TV confirms that Assad's brother-in-law and top military official Assef Shawkat was pronounced dead in hospital where he was rushed in a very critical condition. 

According to details; a suicide bomber struck the National Security building in the Syrian capital Wednesday in which he targeted a meeting of Assad's top security and military officials on Hezbollah's al-Manar television and a security source in Syria said.

Updates will follow very soon.

Report Tags: Syria, Syrian Rebels, President Basshar Al Assad, Daoud Rajha, Syrian Defense Minister, Assef Shawkat,

Damascus Blasts (May 10) -- Over 40 killed, 170 wounded: State TV

DAMASCUS, Syria (Thu, May 10) – Dozens of people were killed while more than 150 wounded as a result of two blasts which rocked the Syrian capital Damascus on Thursday morning. 

Damascus Blasts (May 10) -- Over 40 killed, 170 wounded: State TV

One of Thursday's rush hour blasts hit the Qazaz locality that houses a well-known military intelligence headquarters involved in President Bashar al-Assad's onslaught on a 14-month revolution.

The boundary wall of the 9-floor headquarters destroyed, although the structure inside appeared to be unharmed.

Syrian state television has confirmed that at least 40 people were killed and 170 wounded in the twin blasts.

The blasts were so powerful that had been heard all over the city.

Medical workers were seen gathering parts of human bodies from the streets of the area after the blasts and severely damaged cars and other vehicles stood smoldering in the area, reported by Associated Press.

Report Tags: Syria, Damascus. Damascus explosions, Damascus blasts, President Bashar al Assad, Qazaz, Syria uprising,

Syria's parliamentary elections: Anti-Assad protesters mock via online videos

Damascus, Syria (Tue, May 08) – Anti-government demonstrators were swift to make parody of Syria's parliamentary elections Monday with a outbreak of amateur, online videos sketching a vote they say aims to put a sparkly shine on the strict rule of President Bashar al Assad and cover up its violent crackdown on protesters.

Since March 20122, the start of anti-regime revolt , amateur videographers have played an important role in revealing the other side of the story to the world about the Middle East's most brutal police states, uploading daily hundreds of videos of protests, destroyed homes, regime forces and the often bloody bodies of those killed by them. 

Beside the serious videos, there have been a lot of spoofs showing an often dark humor about the ongoing political and human rights’ crisis in the country.

Watch one of such videos below:

Breaking News!!! New York Times' Reported Anthony Shadid Died in Syria

NEW YORK (Feb. 17) – Anthony Shadid, New York Times correspondent in Middle East, has passed away on Thursday while performing his duties in Syria, Associated Press reported. He was reported dead due to a severe asthma attack, NY Times said.

New York Times' Reported Anthony Shadid Died in Syria

According to details; the two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Anthony Shadid was currently in Syria to cover the revolt against President Bashar al Assad. Shadid had broken several news during the coverage of Arab uprising while being on duty in Libya and Iraq.

In the line of his official duties Shadid, shot in the West Bank in 2002 and kidnapped for 6 days in Libya in 2011. Times photographer Tyler Hicks was with him when Shadid breathed his last moments, who also carried his body to Turkey, the NY Times reported further.

Shadid's father, Buddy Shadid, confirmed that his son had asthma throughout his life and had medication with him.

Furthers details reveal that Shadid had been in Syria for a week, collecting information on the confrontation to the Syrian government and calls for Syrian President Bashar al Assad to step down, the NY Times said. The exact circumstances and location of his death were unclear, it said.

Times Executive Editor Jill Abramson sent a note to the newsroom Thursday evening, relaying the news of Shadid's death and remembering him.


Shadid, a 43-year-old American of Lebanese descent, had a wife, Nada Bakri, and a son and a daughter. He had worked previously for The Associated Press, The Washington Post and The Boston Globe. He won Pulitzer Prizes for international reporting in 2004 and 2010 for his Iraq coverage.

SOURCE: 

Associated Press

syrian embassies in Europe and Middle east under attack after brutal killing in Homs

LONDON, UK (Feb. 04) – Anti-Assad protesters have attacked five Syrian embassies in Europe and the Middle East in reaction to the brutal killing of more than 200 people in the city of Homs allegedly by pro-regime forces. 

syrian embassies in Europe and Middle east under attack after brutal killing in Homs

In Europe, demonstrators break into the Syrian embassies in London and Athens today (Saturday, Feb. 04), resulting some detentions and causing minor damage. Two British police officers were sent to hospitals for minor injuries after confronting the protesters outside Syrian Embassy in London. 

According to police sources; 6 protesters were held following a demonstration that took place in London at 1 a.m. GMT Saturday (8 p.m. EST Friday) and drew about 150 protesters.

A similar kind of series of incidents were witnessed in Athens, where police said 13 protesters, including 12 Syrians and one Iraqi national, were arrested after forcing their way into the Syrian Embassy before dawn.

In Germany, 20 people stormed into Syrian Embassy in Berlin on Friday and damaged offices there, police said.

Apart from Europe Syrian Embassies in Egypt and Kuwait were attacked and partially damaged by the demonstrators. In Cairo protesters set part of the embassy on fire Friday night, while protesters in Kuwait broke windows at the embassy and hoisted the opposition flag. The Kuwait news agency said a number of security officials were injured in confrontation.

Renowned and Award-winning French Reporter Gilles Jacquier Killed in Syria

PARIS, France (Jan. 10) – One of the French journalist, belonged to country’s TV channel ‘French 2’, has been killed in mysterious circumstances while covering violence in the restive Syrian city of Homs, the French Foreign Minister.

Renowned and Award-winning French Reporter Gilles Jacquier Killed in Syria

 French 2 Television confirmed the death of their reporter Gilles Jacquier on their Twitter account on Wednesday.

According to details; Gilles Jacquier was traveling with a group of reporters on a Syrian government-authorized reporting trip in Homs when the group was caught in a rocket explosion which resulted in the death of Jacquier, a well-known and award-winning foreign journalist, while another journalist was injured in the blast.

The incident was the first known instance of a Western journalist being killed in Syria since revolution against the government of President Bashar al Assad erupted in march last year. Authorities have denied many efforts by Western journalists to enter the country since then.

The United Nations estimates more than 5,000 people have been killed in the ongoing uprising.

PICTURES: Damascus (Syria) twin suicide blasts killed at least 40, more than 100 injured

DAMASCUS, Syria (Dec. 23) – At least 40 people were killed as a result of twin incidents of suicide bombing on two security service bases in Damascus today (Friday, Dec. 23).

Damascus (Syria) twin suicide blasts killed at least 40

According to details; the first of the two suicide bombers targeted the General Security Directorate when he smashed an explosive-packed vehicle into compound of Syria’s most important security service, in the Kfar Suseh vicinity of capital. The other bomber blew up a vehicle outside a nearby military intelligence building.

State television aired images of a vast dig at one of the bomb sites and pools of blood on nearby roadways. Passersby were seen carrying away burnt and muddled bodies wrapped in temporary covers.

Today’s suicide attacks, which officials blamed on Al-Qaeda, were the first attacks against Syria’s powerful security services in the heart of the capital since the uprising began and overshadowed new protests against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Faisal Meqdad, Deputy Foreign Minister, told media persons that there were more than 40 dead and more than 100 injured in the both attacks.

“On the first day after the arrival of the Arab observers, this is the gift we get from the terrorists and Al-Qaeda but we are going to do all we can to facilitate the Arab League mission,” he added.

See the images of destruction outside both sites targeted by suicide bombers:

Damascus (Syria) twin suicide blasts killed at least 40

Damascus (Syria) twin suicide blasts killed at least 40

Damascus (Syria) twin suicide blasts killed at least 40

Violence intensifies in Syria -- 25 killed on Saturday taking death toll to 4,600

DAMASCUS, Syria (Dec. 03) – At least 25 people were killed on Saturday as a new wave of violence spreading across Syria. Most of the killings were resulted by a battle between government troops and a emergent force of army defectors who have joined the movement to throw out the dictatorial ruler, President Bashar Assad, activists said.

Violence intensifies in Syria

Inspired by the popular Arab spring; the uprising against President Assad's rule started with peaceful demonstrations in mid-March this year, prompting a vicious onslaught. The conflict has gradually become bloodier as defectors and some civilians take up arms, forcing the United Nations' human rights chief to refer to it this week as a civil war and pushed the international community to protect Syrian civilians.

Arab League has actively been trying to ease out the mounting tensions between the pro and anti-Assad forces; but all the efforts have gone in vain, including the economic and diplomatic sanctions by the United States, the European Union, Turkey and the 22-member Arab League.

Sanctions announced last week by Arab League, including cutting off transactions with the Syrian central bank, stopping Arab government funding for projects in Syria and freezing government assets, were effective immediately

The northwestern city of Idlib,near the Turkish border, was the focal point of the worst violence and clashes on Saturday.

According to figures provided by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights - British-based group of Syrian activists; the wee hour clashes between regime forces and defectors killed seven soldiers and policemen, as well as five defectors and three civilians were also killed in the clashes.

Elsewhere, security forces killed one civilian in the southern province of Daraa, six in the central region of Homs and three others in areas near Idlib, the observatory said. The recent killings pushed the death toll close to 4,600, according to a leading activist group.

Syria Approves Arab League Peace Plan, Ready to Pull Military from Cities

Syria Agrees Arab League Peace Plan

CAIRO, Egypt (Nov. 02) – In a statement read out today (Wednesday, Nov. 02); Arab League declared that Syria government is ready to retreat its military from cities and residential areas and to free prisoners as part of an Arab proposal to end 7-month violence in the country.

Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani, Qatari Prime Minister, told that they were happy to have reached that conformity and they would be even happier when it would be executed straight away. Al-Thani was talking in a news conference after concluding a ministerial meeting in Cairo.

Al-Thani referring to the agreement told further that Syria will permit the Arab League and media access to report independently on the situation thereafter.

Arab League would maintain contacts between the Syrian government and the opposition "in preparation for a national dialogue within two weeks," the Qatari Prime Minister vowed in the end of press conference.

Syrian Uprising Updates: At least 40 policemen killed by armed groups

BEIRUT — According to reports on state TV of Syria; at least 40 policemen were killed in an attack by armed groups in a tense northern town of Jisr al-Shughour.

The report stated that security forces were called for help by the residents of the town and armed groups attacked the security forces when they were heading to the town in response to the call from residents. 

 Security forces have been involved in military operations in the town of Jisr al-Shughour for quite some days. Reports from human rights groups suggest that at least 35 residents have been killed in the area since the operation began on Saturday.

Human rights groups say more than 1,200 people have died in the nationwide crackdown on the revolution calling for an end to the regime of President Bashar al Assad.

Civilian Killing in Syria - - Human Rights Groups Ask for Independent Probe (Video Report Al-Jazirah English)

DAMASCUS - International human rights groups are demanding for an independent probe into the shooting of demonstrators in Syria after more than 130 people have reported killed since the unrest began five weeks ago.

Syrian security forces have targeted mourners participating in funeral services for the deceased but President Bashar Al Assad has blamed a 'foreign conspiracy' for the unrest.

Protesters and demonstrators are insisting political restructuring and for an end to Al Assad's 11 year rule.

The killing spree by Syrian security forces come despite the removing of decades-old emergency laws last week but human rights groups insist that was only lifted on paper.

Two MPs Quit Parliament as Syrian Security Forces Killed 11 Mourners on Saturday (April 23, 2011)

DAMASCUS - At least eleven mourners were shot dead in Syria on Saturday as gunmen fired on the funerals of demonstrators killed during Friday’s protests. It came as tens of thousands of mourners packed buses were going for the southern town of Ezreh for the funerals of 18 people killed on Friday (April 22).

Human rights activists said the death toll from Friday's protests across the country could be more than 100, pending confirmation of a list of names, and fresh protests are likely after the funerals.

Nasser al-Hariri and Khalil al-Rifai, two independent MPs from the city of Daraa, on Saturday told Al-Jazeera TV that they were leaving parliament in disappointment because they could not guard their constituents.

According to state news agency Sana, eight people were killed on Friday in Ezreh and 20 others injured "including security forces in an attack by criminal gangs”. Two police officers died in Damascus and the central city of Homs.

“Syria won't turn into another Libya.” - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

DAMASCUS – Syrian political unrest is getting serious; but for the time being President Bashar al-Assad is enjoying support from neighbours and also from United States.

Reportedly, Syrian President received a phone call on Monday from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz showing the Saudi Arabia's support to Syria in the face of conspiracy which targets its security and stability. 

If Syrian President will be relieved a bit to get a supportive gesture from Saudi Arabian King; he must be fully rejoiced as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that “Syria won't turn into another Libya.”

As the Syrian government is breaking down on anti-regime protesters, Ms Clinton says it's an unlike situation from Libya, where Col. Muammar Gaddafi was "calling out aircraft and chaotically attacking and bombing" his own cities.

Clinton added that action against Libya was taken with the support of entire international community under the U.N resolution and disapproval of Col. Muammar Gaddafi by the Arab League, to ultimately get sanction for military action to establish a no-fly zone over Libya.

Doing the same to deal with Syria would be nearly impossible, she suggested.

Six More Killed Today by Security Forces in Syrian Protests

DAMASCUS – Reportedly, at least six protesters were killed by Syrian security forces on Wednesday in southern city of Dara’a, where the protests are challenging Baath Party rule for continuous six days.

The residents and eyewitnesses told that the protesters were killed in an attack on the Omari mosque. The six killed included Ali Ghassab al-Mahamid, a doctor from a famous Dara’a family who went to the mosque, residents further told, to help victims of the attack. 

The recent killing raised the death toll to 10 in the recent confrontation between Syrian security forces and protesters, who are calling for political freedoms and an end to corruption. 

It was not initially cleared whether the protesters had any weapons; while no comment was immediately available from President Bashar Assad's government.