Yahoo: Assad predicts disaster if West meddles in Syria

[visionary]

http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/16/world/...html?hpt=hp_t2

The U.N. point man on Syria said Friday that he's working hard to stop the yearlong violence there and "get unimpeded access" for humanitarian relief.

"I'm doing my best with the support of everyone to try to find a peaceful solution," Kofi Annan, special joint U.N-Arab League envoy, told reporters Friday from Geneva after a private teleconference with the U.N. Security Council. "The Syrian people want to get on with their lives. They are tired and they suffered a lot."

He said U.N. humanitarian agencies are to arrive in Syria this weekend "if they are not there already, to start their mission with the Syrian government."

Annan met last weekend with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus and the Syrian opposition in Turkey in an effort to end the violence that has swept the nation since Syrian security forces cracked down on protesters a year ago. He described the atmosphere in the talks as "welcoming and correct."

"We are continuing our discussions" with the government, Annan said. He is also sending the mission this weekend to Damascus "to pursue the discussions and the proposals we left on the table, and at the appropriate time, when I deem sufficient progress has been made, I shall be prepared to go back to the region."

Annan said he spoke with opposition members who are "keen to get talks going and resolve the issue politically and peacefully."

http://blogs.aljazeera.com/liveblog/Syria

2 hours 42 min ago

An estimated 90 per cent of the residents of Aazaz town in northern Aleppo province, [have been forced to flee] as a result of three days of non-stop bombardment by government forces.

The once-bustling northern town, now deserted and in ruins, was formerly a trendy destination for tourists.

Al Jazeera’s Jamal Elshayyal reports.

[YOUTUBE]aMg7TbL8BfQ[/YOUTUBE]


http://www.washingtonpost.com/politi...sGS_story.html

US wants Iraq to shut airspace to any Iranian flights ferrying arms to Assad regime in Syria

https://twitter.com/#!/AlexanderPageSY

BREAKING: Bulgarian Parliament votes in favor to condemn the Syria'n regime for mass killings of Civilians & calls on Assad to step down
3:27 PM

https://twitter.com/#!/ArabSpringFF

Big demo in Cairo Street, Homs live on AJM. Some more officers defected live a few minutes ago.
2:32 PM

Protesters in chanting "Freedom! Freedom! Muslim and Christians!" and "God, Muhammad and Jesus" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wNZVfdNl4w
3:30 PM

Defected sniper battalion of the FSA operating in Damascus and its suburbs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppiy...ature=youtu.be
3:40 PM

[YOUTUBE]2wNZVfdNl4w[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]ppiyrpLDu6M[/YOUTUBE]

https://twitter.com/#!/ArabSpringFF

One year of hearing news of deaths, massacres, shelling, and losing my closest family and friends is taking its toll on me.
5:10 PM

Bashar made us emotionally numb. My sibling dies, and I stop crying the next day. He turned us into monsters like him.
5:17 PM

We will never surrender. We win or we die.
5:47 PM

I've lost my bro and my sister now. My bro is still missing, but sometimes in the street I can hear him calling, I turn, and there's nothing
5:48 PM

My sister was killed a few months ago. She was three months pregnant. I remember helping her put together a crib. I have no words.
6:04 PM

He goes on a bit more about how everything's been affecting him.
Very tough to read through, especially knowing that so many thousands of people are going through the same thing there.

[visionary]

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middle...115256388.html

Deadly blasts reported in Damascus

Several people are reported to have been killed in a pair of explosions in the Syrian capital Damascus, according to Syrian state television.

"Two terrorist bombings struck Damascus this morning," state television said on Saturday, adding that preliminary reports suggested the bombers had blown up vehicles packed with explosives.

State television said a number of civilians and security men had been killed in the explosions, which took place two days after the first anniversary of an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.

The first explosion took place near Customs Department Square in Damascus and the second one took place in the area connecting between Qassaa and Baghdad Street, state television said.

Residents said one of the blasts occurred near a security building, the Reuters news agency reported.

"I woke up to two massive explosions around 7:30 this morning - one was on Baghdad street less than a mile away from my home," a witness in Damascus told Al Jazeera.

"Relatives closer to the explosion told me their windows were blown out and doors destroyed from the blast," the witness said.

https://twitter.com/#!/SkyNewsBreak

Sky Sources: Three explosions in Damascus - two blasts at government buildings, third in suburb of Alyarmook.
3:27 AM

https://twitter.com/#!/NMSyria

To the ****ER who blasted that bomb. IF you're from opposition. **** YOU. If you're from the regime. **** YOU TOO. ENOUGH is ENOUGH
3:51 AM

blasted in very densely populated civilian areas. Jamarak Roundabout is very busy w/ public transport.
3:59 AM -

[visionary]

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/Syria

3 hours 57 min ago

These handout pictures released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on March 17, shows the destroyed facade of a building and a fire engine at the scene of one of two bomb attacks on security buildings in the heart of the Syrian capital Damascus on Saturday. [AFP]

3 hours 28 min ago

Syrian activists say the military has attacked a funeral procession in the northern city of Ar Raqqa. It is believed the funerals are for protesters killed in the city on Friday.

2 hours 45 min ago

Twenty-seven people were killed, mostly civilians, and almost 100 wounded in two huge bomb blasts in the Syrian capital on Saturday, the health minister announced on a state television channel.

"Twenty-seven people, mostly civilians, were killed and 97 others wounded in the two explosions," Wael al-Halaqi said on Syria News. [AFP]

2 hours 16 min ago

The worsening humanitarian crisis in Syria has resulted in thousands of refugees trying to flee the violence into neighbouring countries. In Lebanon, the army has been ordered to tighten up the border, as more Syrian families are smuggled across to safety.

But even those who have already fled are not safe from gangs loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad. There have been reports of harassment and kidnapping, and people trying to cross into Lebanon now fear pro-regime groups might take them back.

Al Jazeera's Sue Turton reports from Akkar in northern Lebanon.

Is Lebanon not allowing refugees in?


http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...189613/1/.html

Saudi sends arms to Syria rebels: diplomat

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia is delivering military equipment to Syrian rebels in an effort to stop bloodshed by President Bashar al-Assad's regime, a top Arab diplomat said on Saturday.

"Saudi military equipment is on its way to Jordan to arm the Free Syrian Army," the diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"This is a Saudi initiative to stop the massacres in Syria," he added without giving further details.

The announcement came two days after the kingdom said it had shut down its embassy in Syria and withdrawn all its staff.

Not sure about the wisdom of announcing where the weapons are going to come in through.
Unless it's a trick of some sort.


https://twitter.com/#!/ArabSpringFF

Are the Turkish journalists still captured? Why is no one doing anything about them? They were captured by Shabiha last week!
6:27 AM

I'm worried about them, especially the one that is injured.
6:34 AM

Managed to finally convince my remaining family to leave Syria. They will probably leave for a long time, not sure whether to join them.
6:49 AM

After today's explosions, I think many people will decide to leave, especially upper classes. Most likely to Lebanon.
6:51 AM

https://twitter.com/#!/LeShaque

Columns of armored vehicles heading to Raqqa right now. Instead of securing Damascus from "terrorists" Assad is chasing protesters.
7:23 AM

https://twitter.com/#!/NuffSilence

Two martyrs & dozens injured today in Raqqa as security forces opened fire on funeral of martyrs who fell yesterday. Via @ZainSyr
7:29 AM

[visionary]

https://twitter.com/#!/hominoid555

Daraa: Security forces and Shabiha raided al-Mattar neighborhood amid heavy gunfire
1:51 PM

Drickosh Idleb regime troops planted mines on the perimeter of the western district between farmlands and olive groves
1:54 PM

Hama Qulay Al Madeeq Several dead and many wounded due to shelling
1:57 PM

Kafr Shams Horan Regime troops stormed from the west, two members of the FSA were wounded
2:25 PM

Hama Regime troops bombed Algoabh destroying homes completely and wounding many people
2:44 PM

https://twitter.com/#!/abuhatem
Has pictures and updates from the Syria protest in DC today on his page:

https://p.twimg.com/AoMvlEmCMAEQCDc.jpg
https://p.twimg.com/AoNFy-CCEAENPGP.jpg

video
http://yfrog.com/gixefz



https://twitter.com/#!/Bambuser_Alert

LIVE NOW: Night demo from Daraa Mahatta http://bit.ly/xaLeKl
2:55 PM

https://twitter.com/#!/BreakingNews

Sources to @NBCNews: Saudi government sent military equipment to the Free Syrian Army via Jordan; Jordan official denied this claim
1:21 PM

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?p...17848338242310

Local Coordination Committees

Nineteen martyrs have fallen so far in Syria including a child, 2 military recruits and 2 under torture. 8 martyrs were reported from Raqqa, 5 in Homs (3 of them in Rastan city), 2 in Jabal Al-Zawiyah (Idlib), 2 in Tremseh (Hama) and one in each of Inkhel and Ghabagheb in Dara

3 hours ago

http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/...tm_term=tweets

Syria: Songs of Defiance

An undercover Al Jazeera correspondent takes us inside the lives of Syria's anti-government demonstrators.

http://blogs.aljazeera.com/liveblog/Syria

4 hours 15 min ago

Five opposition groups have announced the formation of a "long-term" coalition that will be independent and meant to outlast the main Syrian National Council, a sign of the disorganisation that remains among opponents of President Bashar al-Assad a year into the uprising.

The new group, announced on Saturday in Istanbul, is made up of the liberal National Movement for Change, the islamist Movement for the Fatherland, the Bloc for Liberation and Development, led by Nawaf al-Bashir, a tribal chief, the Turkmen National Bloc, and the Kurdish Mouvement for a New Life.

Asked about relations between the new coalition and the SNC, Ammar al-Qurabi, leader of the National Movement for Change, told AFP his "coalition was not set up in opposition to anyone, other than Assad's regime, but rather to unite the opposition outside the SNC."

---------- Post added March-17th-2012 at 04:00 PM ----------

https://twitter.com/#!/Ugariti_Homsi

Homs: 24 bodies, belonging to civilians executed in a summary execution by the regime army, were found in Al-Rifa'e neighborhood.
3:51 PM

https://twitter.com/#!/AmiraElkhrouf

Livestream from London march for Syria! http://www.livestream.com/mondassoon Please Retweet!
11:35 AM

From the DC march:
https://twitter.com/#!/lmbasha/statu...934785/photo/1






The Guardian's Coverage of The Assad Email leaks:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/assad-emails

[visionary]

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/Syria

7 hours 56 min ago

The state-run SANA news network says a third explosion struck the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp on the outskirts of Damascus today, following two major blasts that came minutes apart inside the capital.

The Yarmouk explosion occurred when a "booby-trapped car" driven by "two terrorists" exploded.

Darn those Palestinian-hating "terrorists".

4 hours 38 min ago

This video appears to show soldiers trying to disperse a funeral procession in al-Raqqa on Saturday.

Activists said several people were killed in the city both on Friday and Saturday. A mass rally against Assad was held for the first time in al-Raqqa on Friday and a day later, clashes between army defectors and regular troops were reported as well as live fire used against protesters.

[YOUTUBE]fo7Nuo0D46s[/YOUTUBE]

2 hours 13 min ago

Protesters gathered outside the White House on Saturday to demand that the US "stop the massacre in Syria," wearing T-shirts declaring "I have a dream of a free Syria" and "No longer afraid".

Organisers said 4,000 people attended the demonstration. Many of them were Syrian-Americans. [AFP]

https://twitter.com/#!/abuhatem

Today in Washington D.C. protest for Syria were Sunni, Alawi, Ismaili, Christian, Druze, and Kurdish - from the people I know. & all cities
4:37 PM

People who say it is an Islamic uprising in Syria have no idea what they are talking about. Come to today's rally or see Salamieh protests.
4:41 PM

Majority of protesters are Sunni but majority of Syria is Sunni. Many Sunnis are pro-Bashar. And many members of minorities are w/ revolt.
4:44 PM

https://twitter.com/#!/ArabSpringFF

See Hadeel, Assad's mistress's full picture here. http://www.mirror.co.uk/night-copy/h...runette-765167
6:45 PM

Assad's other mistress, Shahrazad Jaafari, she's quite cute actually, they say Iranians are famous for their beauty. http://pic.twitter.com/2rgCmKMH
6:51 PM

https://twitter.com/#!/tweets4peace

Umm BBC wrote on their screen "Syrians called for reform at protest in London" - I'm sorry WHAT?! We asked for him to be HANGED.
7:17 PM

https://twitter.com/#!/edwardedark

A Defense of Nir Rosen | Carl Prine: http://www.lineofdeparture.com/2012/...e-of-nir-rosen
9:18 PM

https://twitter.com/#!/Nora0315

Syrian Americans from all across the US gathered in Washington DC and raised $1.16 million for the people of Syria today.
12:11 AM

https://twitter.com/#!/lmbasha

Obama has lost the Syrian vote. http://twitter.com/lmbasha/status/18...605889/photo/1
10:32 PM

---------- Post added March-18th-2012 at 12:44 AM ----------

http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/17/us/dc-...est/index.html

Protesters gather in D.C. to mark one-year anniversary of Syrian uprising

Some of that frustration comes from a lack of American awareness, said 14-year-old Tala al-Saghir.

"Really what we have to do is, you have to inform other people because people don't know about it," said al-Saghir, who has family living in the battered city of Homs. "All they know is that, 'Oh, there's something going on in the Middle East,' when really it's much more than that. They're fighting for their freedom. It's something we have guaranteed here in America. We have it no matter what. But these people don't have it and they're fighting for that, and we need to respect that and help them."

Nadine Tayeb, 16, agreed.

"As a Syrian-American, we need help," Tayeb said. "We need help from D.C. We need help from Obama. We need help from people who can actually make a difference. We're trying our hardest, but clearly it's not helping. So we are asking for America's help."

[visionary]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...242310#!/LCCSy

2 hours ago
Local coordination committees:

The number of martyrs today reached 16 martyrs, including 2 male and female childen and 5 from the Free Syrian Army; 9 martyrs in Idlib, 2 martyrs in each of Daraa, Homs and Qalamoun, and a martyr in Deir Ezzor

http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/18/world/...html?hpt=hp_t2

Three people were killed in a car bomb blast in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo Sunday, opposition activists said.

At least 25 others were wounded in the explosion, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Syrian state television described the blast as a "terrorist explosion" that occurred between two residential buildings. Opposition activists said the bomb detonated near the city's political security branch.

The blast occurred a day after a series of explosions in Damascus that killed dozens.

A Syrian rebel leader vehemently refuted the government's claim that so-called "terrorists" -- not the regime itself -- were behind the Damascus attacks.

At least 20 people were killed in clashes throughout Syria Sunday, including two children and seven soldiers from the Free Syria Army, according to the Local Coordination Committees of Syria. The deaths included nine people killed in Idlib and four people killed in the Damascus suburbs, the network of opposition activists reported.

Four Syrian soldiers were killed in fighting with defectors near the northern city of Jisr al-Shugur, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Pro-Assad forces also assaulted and arrested opposition leader Mohamed Sayed Rasas during an anti-government protest in Damascus, the observatory said.

And in Deir Ezzor, heavy gunfire and explosions echoed in the city as government forces and Syrian defected groups clashed, the observatory said.

http://blogs.aljazeera.com/liveblog/Syria

7 hours 14 sec ago

Russia's foreign minister urged Syria to support UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan's peacemaking efforts "without delay" in comments published on Saturday, adopting an unusually firm tone with the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Russia disagrees with many of the decisions Assad's government has made in a year of bloodshed, Sergei Lavrov told state television in an interview, according to a transcript posted on the Foreign Ministry website.

Lavrov's comments did not signal a shift in Russia's stance, but suggested Moscow wants the world to know it is motivated by the urgent need to end the violence in Syria rather than by the desire to prop up a longtime ally.

11 min 14 sec ago

The president of the International Red Cross, Jakob Kellenberger, is headed to Moscow for talks on the humanitarian situation in Syria, the ICRC said on Sunday.

"Mr Kellenberger will pay a one-day visit during which he will meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov" on Monday, the International Committee for the Red Cross said in a statement.

"Mr Kellenberger is going to Moscow to share the ICRC's concerns about the humanitarian situation in Syria and to review the work being done by the ICRC and the Syrian Red Crescent since the start of the unrest" a year ago, it said.

https://twitter.com/#!/lizsly

A Syrian refugee camp on the Turkish border has faster data speeds 4 Blackberry than Beirut. Much faster.
10:49 AM

https://twitter.com/#!/luv2live2

Assad scaring Christians in al-Suleimaneh (predominantly christian) area in Aleppo by bombing them trying2ignite sectarianism
11:05 AM

https://twitter.com/#!/BeirutCalling

Damascus and Aleppo bombs reportedly in Christian districts. Regime messages, I wager. Al Qaeda usually takes responsibility for attacks.
11:20 AM

https://twitter.com/#!/edwardedark

Syria regime targets Christian areas 1- sow chaos & scare minorities into supporting it 2- prove to the world that it's fighting terrorists
11:26 AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-17416705

Paul Conroy supports Syria protesters

A war photographer injured in Syria has shown his support for the country's rebel opposition at a protest outside the Syrian embassy in London.

Sunday Times reporter Paul Conroy, 47, from Totnes in Devon, was badly injured and his reporter colleague Marie Colvin was killed in shelling in Homs.

Struggling on a crutch and being pushed in a wheelchair, Mr Conroy was embraced by supporters.

Mr Conroy, originally from Anfield, Liverpool, told the crowd of more than 1,000 demonstrators that Britain should sever ties with the Syrian regime and expel its embassy representatives, who he said should "stand in The Hague and answer for the crimes they have committed".

He said: "Essentially I am using my brief 15 minutes of fame to really push, push, push on behalf of the Syrian people and on behalf of the people who got me out alive and the people I owe my life to essentially.

"Condolences go to every man, woman and child killed in Syria and everyone in the Free Syrian Army who died getting me out of the place and also a message to the regime that really they shouldn't be tolerated any more and any dialogue with them should be ceased.

March for Syria in London



https://twitter.com/#!/ArabSpringFF

Assad has a dilemma in Raqqah. Whatever he does, he's lost control of the city. Unless he starts to shell them with tanks and mortars.
11:51 AM

[visionary]

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middle...484572169.html

Reports of heavy firefight in Syrian capital

A heavy firefight has broken out between Free Syrian Army rebels and forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad in a main district of the capital Damascus, Reuters news agency reported.

The sound of heavy machineguns and rocket-propelled grenades on Monday echoed throughout the night from the western neighbourhood of al-Mezze, one of the most heavily guarded areas of the capital and home to several security installations, residents told the agency by telephone.

https://twitter.com/#!/DamascusSYR

Clashes all around Damascus tonight. We won't know what's happening till morning. God protect everyone who is righteous.
10:48 PM

https://twitter.com/#!/NMSyria

Clashes between FSA ad regime troops in high class neighborhood of Mazzeh in Damascus as we speak. Multiple explosions heard.
9:10 PM

BREAKING: Unconfirmed reports that Assef Shawkat's, deputy Minister of Defense's home in Mazzeh - Damascus - under attack by FSA
10:26 PM

BREAKINGNEWS: Building next to "Hamade" Supermarket in #Mazzeh is on fire, apparently from RPG attack or otherwise. - PLEASE RT.
10:28 PM

BreakingNews: Source inside Moasat Hospital in Mazzeh - Large numbers of injured/killed Assad security forces in hospital.
10:51 PM

https://twitter.com/#!/abuhatem

Heavy heavy gunfire in this video from Mezze right here reportedly from tonight. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpWMz...ature=youtu.be via @LeRifai
10:53 PM

Some news from earlier:

https://twitter.com/#!/emmasuleiman

Kuwaiti official announced that they will help arm FSA
3:31 PM

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...242310#!/LCCSy

4 hours ago LCCsy

Sunday ended with 67 martyrs fell by security forces and regime's army shooting, including 3 children. 29 in Deir Ezzor, 14 in Idlib, 8 in Homs, 7 in Damascus suburbs, 4 in each Aleppo and Daraa, and a martyr in Hama

[visionary]

UPDATE:

https://twitter.com/#!/NMSyria

Several dozen deaths among Assad security forces and army, with more than 150 injured. - Moasat Hospital - Unconfirmed.
12:09 AM

BreakingNews: Reports that as many as 86 Assad security forces have been killed in clashes in Mazzeh Damascus Still UNCONFIRMED.
12:12 AM

Fighting in Mazzeh still has not stopped, Sa'ad Ibn Abee Waqas street in front of Burj Tala & Hamade Supermarket
12:49 AM

https://twitter.com/#!/NMSyria

STAY TUNED - WILL BE TWEETING SUMMARY OF EVENTS FOR MAZZEH UP TILL NOW. Bare with me, will tweet arabic than english right after.
1:03 AM

Light and heavy machine gun fire heard starting at 10:50PM yesterday. Shooting came and went, indicating clashes. Two explosions within 5 minutes of each other at 2:05AM. Two more explosions within 1 minute of each other at 2:45AM. All roads leading to and from Burj Tala, Queen Center, Assef Shawkat's home & the Political Intel. building were closed off. Army, sec. forces, & 'shabee7a' then took to the streets. 6 4by4 trucks and 4 station wagons rerouted traffic to checkpoints.

WARNING: Residents of Mazzeh are urged to remain in homes. Schools likely to be closed. Security forces & army in streets.
1:19 AM

BreakingNews: 200 soldiers have defected in a Damascus Suburb according to AJA and activists.
2:09 AM

https://twitter.com/#!/SumayyaForSyria

MulhamJundi: Homs under shelling for past 1.5 hrs. It hasn't quieted down. An explosion goes off every 15 min. Heavy gunfire in old Homs
1:55 AM

http://mar15.info/2012/03/buffer-zon...ia-and-turkey/

Buffer zone in Syria and Turkey

An interesting take on buffer zones and what kind would be best in Syria.
Although I think it exaggerates the possibility of one.
I've yet to hear any country other than Turkey or France mention something like this.
And they usually seem to forget about the idea for weeks afterwards.

Another article on buffer/safe zones:

http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/...tm_term=tweets

How will a 'safe zone' impact Syria's crisis?

---------- Post added March-19th-2012 at 02:29 AM ----------

https://twitter.com/#!/NMSyria

Activists: Shells continue to fall on the homes of people in several neighborhoods in Homs -- via AJA
2:20 AM

https://twitter.com/#!/SumayyaForSyria

Colonel Waleed AbdulQader defected along w/ T62 tank in Qusair Homs. He said his tank will now kill on the right side http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHHM5WOBeO8
2:19 AM

[visionary]

http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/19/world/...html?hpt=hp_t2

Intense fighting between Syrian rebels and government forces erupted Monday in the Damascus neighborhood of al-Mazzeh, the site of embassies, security buildings and the homes of some members of the president's inner circle, opposition activists said.

At least 18 members of the security forces were injured, according to the opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The clashes were the fiercest so far in the Syrian capital, and the closest to its security centers since the start of the Syrian uprising last year, the group said.

A spokesman for the Free Syrian Army confirmed the rebels' involvement in the clashes. The Syrian government has not released an official statement.

Free Syrian Army fighters destroyed "the Division of the Countryside," a government ministry, in the eastern area of Deir Ezzor, according to the Local Coordination Committees of Syria, an opposition activist network. The rebels battled government forces who subjected them to "intense shelling," the group said.

At least six people were killed across Syria on Monday, opposition activists said, including two defected soldiers in the northeastern city of Qameshli, three in the Damascus countryside and one in Homs.

In addition, "several" security forces were killed when the Free Syrian Army attacked a security checkpoint in Qameshli, the LCC said.

https://twitter.com/#!/SumayyaForSyria

Homs Coordinating Committee reports shelling throughout most parts of the city today via @MulhamJundi
5:54 AM

BREAKING: Intense gunfire & shelling of homes in Idlib after regime army + security forces stormed the city via @SRGCommission
5:57 AM

Idlib - Kafarnabal: Campaign of raids & arrests took place in the early morning. Two homes were burned. Via @SRGCommission
5:59 AM

LCC: BabSbaa is under very violent mortar attack Homs Syria via @MulhamJundi
8:03 AM

@MulhamJundi: BabSbaa under heavy attack by mortar shells & heavy weaponry. Many people injured, homes destructed, & comm is cut off
8:05 AM

Reuters: 10s of regime tanks surround DeirEzzor in an attempt to suppress the opposition. via @AJALive
8:08 AM

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middle...073517388.html

Al Jazeera obtains secret Syria files

Al Jazeera has gained access to confidential documents prepared for the Syrian president by his intelligence and security chiefs on the conflict raging across the nation.
The files provide an insight into President Bashar al-Assad’s strategy to suppress anti-government protests, including the lengths the government went to for protecting its strongholds.

The documents, running into hundreds of pages, pointed to a government that was desperate to keep control of the capital Damascus and included clear orders to stop protesters from getting into the city.

They also revealed detailed security plans for crushing protests in the cities of Aleppo and Idlib.

One leaked paper spelt out clear orders to top officials to give financial and moral support to Assad's supporters in Aleppo, the second major city.

Facebook post by Paul Conroy about the situation in Syria
https://www.facebook.com/StopAssadsM...13054658802687

In all my years as a war photographer I have never seen such systematic slaughter as I personally witnessed in the very small neighbourhood that is Babr Amr. Men, women and, most abhorrently, children have been massacred in their hundreds if not thousands.

Forget the phoney propaganda that is now a trademark of the Bashar- al-Assad regime. As an eye witness I can assure you that what is being reported is fact. There is no need to embellish or hype the slaughter that is taking place. It’s real, it’s happening now and it chills me to the bone.

I pay tribute to every man woman and child murdered by this regime. I salute the people who kept me alive whilst I was wounded in Syria. To the Free Syrian Army, The Farouk Brigade, Avaaz and to the all the Martyrs who died helping me escape. I can never repay you. I am forever in your debt.

Marie and Remi gave their lives to bring you the truth. Please don’t forget them; they were both devoted people who had a mission to bring you honest reporting, they gave their lives doing so. To the people of the media centre, who lost six cameramen in the line of duty and daily risked their lives to bring you what was happening whilst Bsahar-al -Assad tried in vain to crush the souls of the people of Syria. I salute you also.

People of Syria we know you are not Al Quaeda, or terrorist groups. Have no fear we understand propaganda. I know the FSA well; they are not nor ever will be terrorists. We understand

To the People of America we know you can help, please, even though its election year and Obama has to win votes he must stand up as a man and disregard party politics. You have the power to stop men women and children dying. DO IT. Forget basketball, forget the opinion polls and start saving lives. NOW.

Vladimir Putin. You don’t seem as much of a man as the photographs make you out to be. We see you as a Judo black belt, tiger hunter and bare chested man of action. Is this just a myth? Why do you sit and supply weapons to a regime that slaughters its own people. Maybe you are just a Stalinist who never worried of such matters. To us all you appear ridiculous and week. I appeal to the ‘Butcher of Homs’ help stop the slaughter. If not then your image will remain a vacuous myth

As I write the slaughter continues. Bombard your embassies, protest, scream and shout and demand answers!!! NOW. Every second of every minute is precious. Don’t waste a moment. We have been here before. Disregard Kofi Annan, he provides cover while Assad continues to kill. The time for talking is long gone. Now we must all demand action.

[Catatonic]

Asma al Assad is HAWT!

[visionary]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012...ole?CMP=twt_fd

Syria: leaked documents reveal Bashar al-Assad's role in crushing protests

New leaks of what appear to be official documents reveal how the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, personally signs off plans drawn up by his government's crisis management centre, prioritising a security crackdown to prevent demonstrations spreading to Damascus.

Hundreds of pages of confidential papers shown by a defector to al-Jazeera TV describe daily meetings of the heads of all Syria's security and intelligence agencies, who review events and issue orders that are then approved by the president.

Russian media, meanwhile reported that Russian anti-terrorism forces had arrived in the Syrian port of Tartous. Experts sent by the UN and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan also arrived in Syria to discuss ceasefire and monitoring plans.

Good old, neutral Russia....





https://twitter.com/#!/farGar

Nine generals in total have deserted Assad - Two more Syrian generals defect: Turkish diplomat http://mar15.info/2012/03/two-more-s...kish-diplomat/ via @Mar15
8:15 AM

https://twitter.com/#!/CFKlebergTT

Finland diplomats have left Damascus Mezze after violent overnight clashes, FNB report.
1:26 PM

Ten or so FSA fighters entered Mezze last night "to carry out an operation against a security officer," man in Damascus tells me.
1:29 PM

Mezze rocked by "almost four hours of fighting" between FSA and regime forces, Damascus activist tells me.
1:32 PM

Media reports quote SOHR saying FSA fighters shot at home of "top military" in Mezze before clashed last night. (AFP for instance)
1:36 PM

Entirely unconfirmed but some suspect Assef Shawkat, dep. chief of staff and Assads brother-in-law, was target of Mezze attacks.
1:38 PM

Protest in Bayida Homs
[YOUTUBE]18tgV7pu3rE[/YOUTUBE]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...8242310&type=1

49 minutes ago
Local Coordination Committees in Syria
The number of today's martyrs has risen to 30 martyrs, 9 martyrs in Deir Ezzor, 6 martyrs in Daraa, three martyrs in each of Hama, Aleppo, Idlib, and Damascus Suburbs (Qatana and Douma), two martyrs in Qamishli, and a martyr in Homs

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/Syria

4 hours 15 min ago

The following video footage posted online claims to show the city of Homs being shelled on Monday:

[YOUTUBE]rIM9qHaD0aA[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]hknKo1rbbpk[/YOUTUBE]

3 hours 22 min ago

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Monday that Syrian refugees staying in Turkey exceeded 16,000.

1 hour 54 min ago

France has circulated a draft statement to the UN Security Council that would support efforts by international envoy Kofi Annan to end the violence in Syria and launch a political dialogue.

France is hoping for a vote on Tuesday on its proposed UN Security Nation statement, its envoy said.

Paris "hopes for a vote tomorrow," the French ambassador to the United Nations Gerard Araud told reporters Monday.

1 hour 47 min ago

Finland has closed its embassy in Damascus and its officials have left Syria because of the deteriorating security situation there.

1 hour 23 min ago
Russia and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) urged the Syrian government and its opponents to agree without delay to daily humanitarian ceasefires, Russia said after talks on Monday between its foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and ICRC president Jakob Kellenberger.

"The sides called on the Syrian government and all armed groups who oppose it to agree without delay to daily humanitarian pauses," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. [Reuters]

https://twitter.com/#!/ArabSpringFF

Damascus: Sounds of several explosions shake each of Arbeen, Harasta, Qaboun, Saqabah and Barzeh along with very heavy gunfire.
2:35 PM

Damascus - Arbine - Sounds of heavy Shilka gunfire and explosions coming from Barzeh and Harasta https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J78xMTo9-dQ
2:46 PM

Assad has started shelling areas considered to be in Damascus, not the suburbs. You know now that the regime is fighting for its life.
2:54 PM

[visionary]

Updated:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/19/world/...html?hpt=hp_c1

At least 34 people were killed Monday across Syria, the LCC said. Their count included 10 in Deir Ezzor; six in Daraa; five in Hama; three in Aleppo; three in Idlib; three in Damascus suburbs; and two each in Qameshli and Homs.

https://twitter.com/#!/tweets4peace

Eyewitness nearby Baba Amr confirmed reports cement lorries entered Baba Amr, intention looks to start fixing it for -new- residents.
6:47 PM

Recent protest video from Raqqa, showing protesters being fired on
[YOUTUBE]xoaaL7UcwSo[/YOUTUBE]


Shelling in Homs
[YOUTUBE]MialTcl2E9Q[/YOUTUBE]



https://twitter.com/#!/LeShaque

BRK Light bursts of gunfire heard in Mezze, western villages.
7:44 PM

[Stadium-Armory]

Miscalculation by the Russians, IMO. They are backing what will eventually be the losing side.

[DeaconTheVillain]

March 15, 2012: Zaher Al Hariri, speaks to the media in Amman, describing how his right hand was cut off by Syrian security forces after he went to a state hospital in Syria's Deraa city to receive treatment after a bullet penetrated his fingers when security forces fired shots at a pro-democracy rally he participated in. He is now getting psychological treatment for trauma from the French aid organization Medicins Sans Frontieres.

[visionary]

http://blogs.aljazeera.com/liveblog/Syria

12 hours 54 min ago

The Free Syrian Army has pulled out of the Eastern city of Deir-Az-Zor.

Activists say the rebel army feared its presence there could provoke the army to assault the city and cause a civilian massacre.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?p...17848338242310

Tuesday began in Syria with the fall of three martyrs from one family in Rastan as a result of indiscriminate shelling of homes in the city, those martyred were child Ruwaida Moussa "4 years old", and her parents

https://twitter.com/#!/Nora0315

Homs activist: "We found 32 children, many with their 4 fingers cut off. They had gunshot wounds everywhere." - http://mar15.info/?p=17159.
12:30 PM

https://twitter.com/#!/ArabSpringFF

Massive explosion moments ago in Hama. There's been heavy fighting there all day, and the FSA have claimed to destroyed three tanks there.
5:51 PM

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...type=3&theater

5 hours ago Local Coordination Committees in Syria

The number of martyrs in Syria thus far today has risen to 52 martyrs, among them 5 children and 2 women. They are distributed as follows: 24 martys in Homs, 14 martyrs in Idlib, 5 martyrs in Hama, 3 martyrs in Damascus Suburbs, 2 martyrs in each of Deir Ezzor and Damascus, and one martyr in each of Lattakia and Aleppo

https://twitter.com/#!/AlexanderPageSY

BREAKING: Hamadiyeh & Bab qibli & south malaab areas of Hama are all witnessing heavy clashes between regime forces and FSA
8:32 PM

BREAKING: heavy shelling just began from tanks on residential area of Harasta in Damascus
8:29 PM

BREAKING: heavy gunfire, shelling by regime forces in addition to military air crafts hovering over Harasta area of Damascus right now
8:30 PM

CONFIRMED: Regime forces just stormed the harasta area of Damascus using tanks and military aircrafts, shelling and heavy gunfire
8:41 PM

https://twitter.com/#!/AlexanderPageSY

A number of Syrians who went to the qasr al aini police station to file a report on security who attacked them were arrested as well
10:23 PM

7 syria'ns arrested in a sit in & 5 or more arrested upon filing a report at police station after being attacked by security
10:24 PM

A total of at least 12 Syria'n citizens are now in detention by Egyptian authorities after being subject to attack in a sit in Cairo
10:26 PM

Protest in Qusoor Homs
No electricity and shelling still ongoing)
[YOUTUBE]dYEmsW0B-ME[/YOUTUBE]